Town Manager's Weekly Update for January 28, 2022

For the Week Ending

January 28, 2022

Council Passes Party House Measures

For the past two years, the Town's number one legislative priority has been to return the regulation of short-term rentals to local control. With the 2022 session now underway, we are again making our presence known at the State Capitol on this important issue.

However,the Arizona State Legislature asked the Town to use is limited state-granted tools to protect our residents from the dangers to person and property posed by Short-Term Rentals.

At its January 27th meeting, the Paradise Valley Town Council voted unanimously to enact certain code changes they have been working on in detail nearly every meeting since September to help protect our neighborhoods from this growing problem. Generally, the changes:

Do not ban Short-Term Rentals; but will...
Expand the definition of “special events” to capture problem activities;
Require standard health & safety measures to protect renters;
Expand existing noise regulations to capture nuisance issues; and
Make emergency contact numbers publicly available.

The Council heard from 22 individuals on this item prior to their vote. All but four (two of which were residents) expressed their very personal and sometimes traumatic experiences living next to Short-Term Rentals, including enduring 20 minutes of a gun fight with 17 bullets penetrating their home just north of our border to having someone walk into their PV home in the middle of the night as they ran for a weapon to protect their home and family.

These new code changes are not the total solution to this complicated issue, it is a start that, together with watchful neighbors, can start to turn our residential areas back into neighborhoods.

You can read Ordinance 2022-03 in full at this link

Review all 58 written comments

View the video clip of the meeting

Read coverage by 12news and the PV Independent

Water, Water...Where?

How Are We Doing and What Can We Do About It in Paradise Valley?

Water Levels in Lake Mead have garnered a lot of media attention lately, but what we can't see below the surface is just as important to Paradise Valley. 32% of Paradise Valley water comes from the ground in aquifers. Statewide, our groundwater is threatened since we have been pumping out more than we replenish for many decades. Although the Phoenix Active Management Areas (AMA) of which PV is a part is better than most with its 1-2 ft/year increase in groundwater levels over the last decade, we still need to be conscious of our water use. What can we do as a Town that is so reliant on our water from four water providers (EPCOR, Phoenix Water, Berneil and Scottsdale Water)?

Paradise Valley as an organization and water user has no direct influence over conservation efforts since it is not a water provider, like the cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix. It can, however, work to conserve water in a variety of ways, both for water conservation and fiscal prudence. The Town of Paradise Valley integrates water conservation measures in many areas of operations including landscape design and maintenance, facilities and water systems, public outreach and external contracts. Here is a partial list of the Town's water conservation efforts.

The Town Council heard and discussed this complicated issue with a local water expert at its Study Session on January 27th. Paradise Valley resident Kathleen Ferris has a long and impressive career in water management, beginning in 1977, at the age of 28, when Kathy was appointed Executive Director of the Arizona Groundwater Management Study Commission. Her work with the Commission and Governor Bruce Babbitt culminated in the passage of the pioneering 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act. For over four decades Kathy has championed wise groundwater management in the desert. She has served as Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources and as Executive Director of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association. Currently she is a lawyer in private practice and a Senior Research Fellow for the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy.

Click here for Kathleen Ferris' full presentation.

Other Actions Taken at the January 27th Meeting

The Town Council took the following actions at last night's meeting:

Authorized the Town Manager to execute Kimley‑Horn Contract Amendment No. 1 CON‑20‑108‑ENG‑A1 in the amount not to exceed $12,650 and to extend contract term to June 30, 2022 for contract.
Authorized the Town Manager to execute contract CON‑22‑204‑ENG with Michael Baker International in the amount not to exceed $94,000
Authorized the Town Manager to execute contract CON‑22‑205‑ENG with Kimley‑Horn and Associates in the amount not to exceed $62,430.
Authorized the Town Manager to execute contract CON‑22‑206‑ENG with Kimley‑Horn and Associates in the amount not to exceed $67,560.
Authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement with PFM Asset Management LLC for Investment Advisory Services
Adopted Ordinance 2022‑03 Amending the Paradise Valley Town Code Regarding Nuisances, Unruly Gatherings, Non‑Compliant Short‑Term Rentals, and the Peace, Health, Safety, and Welfare of the General Public
Adopted Resolution 2022‑01: Accepting the FY 2020‑2021 Comprehensive Annual Finance Report and Associated Financial Reports
Adopted Resolution 2022‑04: Accepting the FY 2020‑2021 Popular Annual Finance Report
Approved the final one‑year contract extension of the pavement maintenance contract between the Town of Paradise Valley and M.R. Tanner Development & Construction, Inc. (M.R. Tanner)
Authorized Implement of fiscal year 2021/22 Annual Pavement Preservation Projects in Maintenance Districts 5,12 and selected streets in13, including the Avenida Del Sol Drainage Project, by approving the funds from budget line item 20‑40‑871/Pavement Maintenance Program to M.R. Tanner in the amount of $2,491,680.45
Authorized the Town Manager to execute amendment five to the agreement with Brown and Associates for Third Party Plan Review and Inspection Services; and
Authorized the Town Manager to execute amendment number four to the agreement with Five Star Resort Owner, LLC and Five Star Land Owner, LLC for third‑party inspection services.
Continued consideration of the Casa Blanca Estates Subdivision Wall located at 5219 N. Casa Blanca Drive to Study Session on March 10, 2022 and Public Meeting on March 24, 2022.

Action Summary

Meeting Video

EPCOR Rate Schedules - A Victory for PV Residents

Thanks to your involvement and advocacy, the Arizona Corporation Commission decided at is January 26th meeting to keep the Town of Paradise Valley on its own rate system! The cooperative effort between the Mayor and Council, our resorts, houses of worship and residents shows the power of working together for a positive outcome! Congratulations for a coordinated and effective outcome to limit water rate increases for PV EPCOR customers.

As a result, Paradise Valley customers as a group will save millions of dollars over time as a stand-alone district versus under the proposed full consolidation. Instead of the 35-56% rate increase they would have received under consolidation, EPCOR customers in PV will receive about a 7% rate increase. Without a doubt, it was a very good day for the rate payers in Paradise Valley.

In June 2020, EPCOR Water Arizona Inc. filed a request to increase its water rates, including a request to consolidate its 11 water districts, including the Paradise Valley Water District. The hearing before an Administrative Law Judge concluded in May 2021, and the ALJ issued the Recommended Opinion and Order(“ROO”) in November. The ROO made various technical findings and also recommended full consolidation of EPCOR’s water districts for rate setting purposes (excepting the two Mohave districts that are subject to a condemnation proceeding by Bullhead City).

You can view the new rate tables by clicking the image below.

2022 Pavement Preservation Project

On January 27th, 2022, the Public Works Department presented the annual Pavement Preservation Project to the Town Council. On an annual basis, the Town routinely mills and paves an average of approximately 7-9 miles of streets. This year, 15 linear miles of residential streets will receive a full mill and 1½ inch asphalt overlay. The streets receiving the asphalt overlay are in Maintenance Districts 5, 12 and selected streets in 13. The total cost of this project is $2,491,681.

Maintenance District 5 has 5.4 linear miles of streets with an average PCI rating of 54 which require a full mill and 1½ inch asphalt overlay. The boundaries of District 5 run from Northern Ave south to McDonald Drive and Invergordon Road east to Scottsdale Road.

Maintenance District 12 (map below) has 8.6 linear miles of streets with an average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rating of 58 which require a full mill and 1½ inch asphalt overlay. The boundaries of District 12 go from Doubletree Ranch Road south to Desert Jewel Drive, and from 52nd Street east to 62nd Street.

Maintenance District 13 (map below) received a full mill and 1½ asphalt overlay in 2019, except for Horseshoe Road, Via Los Caballos, and 63rd Place. These streets have an average PCI rating of 54 which require a full mill and 1½ asphalt overlay. The mill and overlay for these streets were postponed so drainage improvements could be installed prior to the mill and overlay.

The annual Pavement Preservation Project will begin in April 2022 and will be completed in June 2022.

Residents directly affected by the Pavement Preservation Project will receive a letter with a map and schedule in the mail. Also, section maps and project schedules for the asphalt overlay will be posted on the Town’s website two weeks prior to the start of construction. The schedules/maps will be under the 2022 Pavement Management Program site in approximately two weeks

Customer service is very important to the Public Works Department and resident feedback would be appreciated. Residents are encouraged to complete the 2022 Pavement Management Program survey. The link to the survey will be posted on the Town’s 2022 Pavement Management Program site in approximately two weeks.

For more information you can also contact the Public Works Superintendent, Jerry Cooper at

(480) 348-3589.

Town Welcomes New CIO Kathy Fernandez

Please welcome Kathleen Fernandez (Kathy) to Team PV! Kathy will be serving in the role of Chief Information Officer.

Kathy comes to us with over 25 years of public sector technology experience beginning with six years of active-duty military service with the US Navy, followed by more than 20 years with a variety of government agencies in Arizona, Florida and Illinois.

Kathy has a master's degree specializing in Network Architecture and Design, a bachelor's degree specializing in Networking and Telecommunications, and hopes to pursue a Doctorate Degree specializing in Organizational Theory soon. Kathy also has several technical certifications including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library Foundations (ITIL).

Welcome aboard Kathy!

Mockingbird Lane Improvements: Public Meeting, February 3rd

Improvements to Mockingbird Lane from Lincoln Drive to McDonald Drive were first identified in the Town’s Capital Improvement Program in 2018 to bring this section of Mockingbird Lane up to minor arterial roadway standards per the Town’s General Plan. Scoping for the project is currently underway and consists of project planning, public outreach, cost estimating, funding allocation, and developing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), who will oversee the construction.

The Town will host a live, online open house for the public to learn more. A virtual open house will be held on Thursday, February 3rd, from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, and will include an informational presentation and responses to questions received to date. Town staff and the design team will be available after the presentation to respond to residents’ inquiries.

Pre-registration for this open house is strongly encouraged by emailing jharris@paradisevalleyaz.gov or by calling 480-348-3622. For more information about the project, please visit the website.

Weed Control - The Time to Strike is Now

With the weather beginning to warm up, the roses in front of Town Hall, are looking amazing these days. But if you take a closer look, many less desirable types of vegetation are growing quickly in lawns, desert yard areas and empty lots all over the Town, as well.

Photo above, the roses in front of Town Hall

Photo right, taking a closer look at the roses, you can see the weeds that lurk beneath the blooms

That means Town of Paradise Valley residents and property owners need to be ready to cleanup areas that they are responsible for maintaining.

Town Ordinance states that property owners of any private property are responsible for maintaining their entire premises, ensuring it is free from weeds, over height grass and uncontrolled vegetation. This includes any abutting right-of-way up to the curb or street (or the edge of the pavement where curbs are not present).

Section 8-1-12 Weeds

B. Every person owning, occupying, or controlling any lot or lots within the Town shall cause all weeds and other noxious growths to be cut thereon as often as the same may require cutting to prevent the same from attaining a height of over six inches, and every person owning, occupying or controlling any lot or lots within the Town who shall permit on such lot or lots weeds or other noxious growth to grow to a height exceeding six inches, or who shall permit any rubbish, dirt, debris, or other matter to accumulate upon such lot or lots, shall be guilty of a violation of this Code.

Paradise Valley, Together

2022 General Plan

The 2022 General Plan Draft

For the past 16 months the Town of Paradise Valley has been reaching out, listening, and engaging with residents as it works to update its General Plan as mandated by State Law. Throughout this process resident input has been key to creating the draft that continues to emphasize the Town’s vision for a primarily one-acre residential community.

The Planning Commission and the Town Council reviewed and discussed resident comments at their public meetings earlier this month. As a result of these discussions and the community input received, edits were made to the plan. Major washes that run through Town are now shown on both the Land Use Map and the Open Space Map. A Glossary has been added to help make the document more user-friendly. Finally, two new action items have been added to the Action Table in the Implementation section:

1. Effective monitoring and maintaining of Town-controlled washes; and

2. Public processes to review and evaluate Town-owned properties.

The draft Plan being presented to the Town’s Planning Commission and Town Council will be available for residents to review and/or download beginning this Saturday, January 29^th on the project website: www.pvtogether2022.com.

The draft plan will be presented to the Planning Commission on February 15th for their consideration and recommendation and to the Town Council on March 10th for their consideration and adoption. Check the calendar in this Weekly prior to the meeting for either a zoom link if remote or a room location if in-person.

Once adopted by the Town Council, and approved by the voters, the current Town of Paradise Valley 2012 General Plan will be replaced with the 2022 General Plan.

Join Us for Coffee with a Cop - February 2nd

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, Chief Wingert and Community Resource Officer McGhee will host the Paradise Valley community for Coffee with a Cop. Interested people can register for the virtual meeting at www.alertpv.us/CWC.

Our speaker this month, Jared Byrd, will discuss the Big Brother Big Sisters program. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national program that helps to build bridges between youth, communities and law enforcement. Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that every child has incredible potential. Their program facilitates mentorship of children. Join us on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.