Weekly Update
March 5, 2021
Check the Town's website frequently
for COVID-19 response updates.
New Executive Order from the Governor
Today, Governor Doug Ducey issued Executive Order 2021-5 regarding COVID-19 restrictions. According to Ben Blink of the Governor's Office:

"Effective immediately, physical distancing and mask protocols will remain in place, however capacity limits for businesses, implemented by Executive Order 2020-47 and ADHS Emergency Measure 2020-02 will be expiring. This means that specific percentage occupancy requirements for businesses issued by ADHS are no longer required for businesses including, indoor gyms & fitness centers, liquor licensed restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, indoor theaters, and water parks & tubing operators (previous percentage occupancy requirements can be found in guidance here)."

What does this mean for Paradise Valley? Honestly, not much will change from this Executive order. Our resorts and restaurants will continue to require physical distancing while following location mandates on masks. Further, public gatherings of over 50 people will require a mitigation plan.
Short-term Rental Awareness Efforts Gain Traction
Respected economic and real estate consulting firm Elliott D. Pollack & Company released a report this week on the short-term rental situation in Arizona. The title, The Negative Consequences of Short-Term Rentals -- Arizona's Recipe for Disaster ("the Pollack Report") sums up the situation neatly.

This report was commissioned by a grass-roots group of concerned citizens who are not affiliated with any group or organization. The report states in its executive summary, "In Arizona, current law encourages the growth of the STR [short-term rental] industry which has proven harmful to neighborhoods, the traditional hotel industry, and the available housing stock long-term renters."

There report also enumerates several economic impacts such as:

  • Housing disruption is one of the most significant negative impacts of the STR industry, affecting both the supply and price of housing units. At a time when housing affordability has become a problem across the country, the loss of long-term rental units to transient, short-term use will only exacerbate the issue.
  • STR hosts are operating at an unfair advantage compared to the hotel industry by not abiding by building, safety, and taxing requirements imposed on traditional hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities, and externalizing those costs onto taxpayers generally, who in effect are forced to subsidize this niche business.
  • State and local jurisdictions may see hotel tax revenues they depend upon decline or be less reliable due to ineffective STR tax collection efforts.
  • Established tourism-related employment will decline as the number of multi-unit hosts listed on STR platforms increases. While there may be some offset of increased employment by STR operators, a net loss of employment will result causing distress across all hotel management levels with adverse impacts to job retention and growth.
  • At the city level, property values will likely be affected as STRs invade traditional residential neighborhoods.

The release of the Pollack Report sparked interest in the media including inquiries and articles in several local news outlets such as the Paradise Valley Independent, the Arizona Capitol Times, and KJZZ (coming soon).

We encourage you to read The Negative Consequences of Short-Term Rentals -- Arizona's Recipe for Disaster and to share this link with your friends and neighbors to spread the word that the current Arizona short-term rental law is sorely in need of revision.
In case you missed it, you can still view the video produced by the Town which details the seriousness of the short-term rental problem.

We encourage you to share this video with friends and family via email or social media. The more we can spread the word, the better!

Click on the image to the right to view. You can use this link to share on social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQQ1e69fDcg&feature=youtu.be
Scottsdale Road Median Island Beautification
Before and After: Scottsdale Road Median
True or False: The Town of Paradise Valley has right-of-way (ROW) on Scottsdale Road?

True! In fact, the PV Public Works Department maintains a section of Scottsdale Road from Jackrabbit Road to Vista Drive that includes 3 median islands totaling 19,900 square feet. Public Works just completed a renovation for these median islands.

The team repaired or replaced faulty irrigation lines, valves, emitters and irrigation timers. They also planted 12 Mesquite trees and 25 colorful plants, and finished the project off by installing 124 tons of Pink Coral granite. For comparison, the Boeing 757-200 aircraft weighs 115 tons.
To the left, our hardworking Public Works crew installs 124 tons of granite during the Scottsdale Road median.

Below, a Boeing 757-200 aircraft which only weighs 115 tons. That's a lot of granite!
GENERAL PLAN: Initial Survey Results Are In!
Here Is What You Are Saying...
Click on Image on the left to see what your friends and neighbors have said is important to them, positively and negatively.

Do you have more to say?

There will be plenty more opportunities to share your thoughts in the year ahead. Next up are 'Discussion Hubs' where we focus on what the survey identified as a hot topic and give you the opportunity to talk more deeply about it.
Next Up: Wednesday, April 14
Opportunity for the deeper discussion in this General Plan Discussion Hub on:
Mobility and Connectivity
  • Congestion
  • Safety (Vehicle, Pedestrian & Bike)
  • Cut through traffic
  • Cell Service
Police Updates
PVPD Needs Help Identifying Suspect Vehicle
On March 1st, approximately 20 mailboxes throughout Paradise Valley were entered and mail was stolen.

Surveillance video captured a red, 2-door sports car with a male driver entering a mailbox. PVPD needs your help in identifying the vehicle and driver. A video can be viewed at https://alertpv.us/95a06. Please contact PVPD investigators at 480-348-3513 with information.
March 3rd Coffee with a Cop
On 03/03/2021, the Paradise Valley Police Department introduced Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Al Childress, from the Internal Revenue Service who discussed COVID-related tax schemes.

In 2020, millions of Americans lost jobs permanently or temporarily due to the pandemic and received unemployment benefits issued by state agencies. In some cases, criminals sought to exploit the situation and filed for fraudulent unemployment benefits using stolen identities.

Other COVID-19 related scams include:
  • Text messages asking taxpayers to disclose bank information under the guise of receiving stimulus payments
  • Phishing schemes
  • Sale of fake at-home COVID test kits, cures, vaccines, etc.
  • Fake donations requests
  • Bogus investment opportunities in COVID-19 vaccine companies

Click this link to review all of the latest IRS tax scams.
March 2021 Game Ball Winner!
Corporal Garrity chose to pass the game ball to Officer Raja Karim. Cpl. Garrity says, “In general, because in my 31 years of law enforcement I have never worked with an officer who is an knowledgeable on all aspects of this job as Ofc. Karim.

Cpl. Garrity further stated, “Raja’s dedication and vigilance during the initial work when following up on an anonymous tip of drug-trafficking at one of our local resorts, making sure all of the details of that tip were checked out, and getting the ball rolling on that investigation. Officer Karim’s dedication and determination are an asset to this department. Good job, Raja!”
Arizona Peace Officers Standard & Training Compliance
Each year, all law enforcement officers in Arizona must complete eight hours of continuing training, which could include classroom training, proficiency training, which is skills (handcuffing, defensive tactics, etc.), a successful shooting qualification, and a judgment qualification.

Earlier this week, the compliance officer from Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training reviewed the records for PVPD personnel and deemed us in compliance for 2020. Due to the pandemic, in-person and range training was difficult to safely accomplish. Congratulations officers!
Mulling Over Your Plans for Easter? Why Not Support Paradise Valley's Resorts and Restaurants?
JW Marriot Camelback Inn
How about Easter at Rita's at the Camelback Inn?

Rita’s Cantina Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2021
  • Rita’s Weekend Brunch Menu, 7am – 2pm
  • Easter Special, 9am – 2pm
  • Sips & Snacks 2pm – 5pm
  • Happy Hour 3pm – 5pm
  • Dinner 5pm – 9pm
  • Late night, 9pm – 10.30pm

Live Music
  • Brunch, 9am – 3pm
  • Dinner, 6pm – 10pm
The Camelback Inn has some other operational updates for us including the reopening of Lincoln Steakhouse on March 18th!

Starbucks
  • Open daily from 6am until 3pm

Lincoln Steakhouse
  • Reopening on March 18th
  • Thursday – Sunday 5pm until 9pm
  • Click here for reservations

Spa at Camelback Inn
  • Thursday – Monday 9am until 6pm
  • Please call 480-596-7040 to book your appointments
elements at the Sanctuary Camelback Resort & Spa
You can't go wrong with the food or the views at elements at the Sanctuary Camelback Resort & Spa
El Chorro
Easter Dining on the famed El Chorro Patio
Join us on the famed El Chorro patio for our special holiday three-course menu and don’t forget the Sticky Buns! Enjoy expansive Camelback Mountain views while gathering with family and friends. Serving from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. select from Wild Mushroom Chicken Roulade, Seared Chilean Sea Bass, Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli, Grilled Petite Filet along with other delicious offerings. There's even a special menu for the kiddos too!

Patio and indoor dining are available. View our Easter three-course menu and make your reservations today at www.ElChorro.com or call at (480) 948-5170.
El Chorro’s new EXTENDED Spring Dining Hours
El Chorro has EXTENDED its Spring dining hours! Now there's more time to gather with family & friends on the famed El Chorro patio. Join us for expansive Camelback Mountain views and innovative menu selections with perfect wine parings.

New Spring Dining Hours Wednesday thru Saturday beginning at 4 p.m., Sunday Brunch 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. & Sunday Dining at 5 p.m.

View our full menu and reservations are easy – visit us at www.ElChorro.com or call at (480) 948-5170.
Hearth '61 at Mountain Shadows
Mountain Shadows is offer Easter specials for brunch, dinner, and take-out from Executive Chef Charles Wiley. They had me at Braised Beef Short Rib Hash!

Click here to check out menus and information about reservations.
Upcoming Town Meetings and Events
March 10th - Hillside Building Committee, 8:00 am via Zoom

March 11th - Town Council, 6:00 pm via Zoom
Remember to check the Town's website for meeting updates, changes, and agendas.
Town of Paradise Valley | paradisevalleyaz.gov
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