Town Manager's Weekly Update for December 3, 2021

For the Week Ending

December 3, 2021

Arizona Corporation Commission Scheduled to Decide Significant PV Rate Increase and Consolidation Plans for EPCOR Customers.

If you are an EPCOR water customer, your rates are about to change.

The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to decide the EPCOR Water Rate Case at its Open Meeting on December 15th and 16th. The recommendation to the Commission includes consolidating the EPCOR PV Water District with 8 other districts throughout the State and to implement consolidated rates over 3 years.

If the EPCOR Water District is consolidated as recommended, rates would increase over the next three years approximately 57% for an “average” customer on a 5/8” meter using 17,000 gallons per month and approximately 47% for an “average” customer on a 1” meter using 51,788 gallons per month. If the Commission rejects consolidation, the rate increase will be approximately 7-10%. New rates would be effective January 1, 2022.

EPCOR customers are urged to voice their opinion to the Corporation Commission. You may speak at the Open Meeting or submit a written comment:

COMMENTS AT OPEN MEETING

Video Conference

To participate by videoconference for an agenda item, a person must have an ACC Portal Account (create an account for free at https://efiling.azcc.gov/cases) and must, by no later than 8:00 a.m. on the day of Open Meeting, complete the process on the ACC Portal to “Request to Speak at Open Meetings” for the item.

A person who has completed the Request to Speak process for an agenda item will, at approximately 8:30 am on Open Meeting day, receive an email with a WebEx link and instructions to participate in the Open Meeting. Parties and stakeholders may also opt to participate via telephone, using the phone number and code below to speak.

Telephone Call-In

The dial-in phone number for ACC Open Meetings is 1-866-705-2554.

The passcode for those who want to speak is 241497.

The passcode for those who want to listen only is 2414978.

WRITTEN COMMENTS

Complete the Public Comment Form on the Arizona Corporation Commission website at: https://efiling.azcc.gov/online-services/utilities-public-comment-external. You will need the company name (EPCOR Water Arizona Inc.) and the Docket No. (WS-01303A-29-0177).

December 2nd Town Council Meeting Summary

At Thursday night's Town Council meeting, several items were presented for discussion.

Guideance to the Planning Commission (termed a "Statement of Direction") for its upcoming review and recommendation regarding a request for a private roadway gate on East Cottontail Run Road. The Council requested the Planning Commission consider the height of the gate. They also noted that private gates are only allowed on private (not public) roads.
Presentation by the Town's Fire Marshall (and Building Official) Robert Lee on the differences between the International Fire Code (IFC) the Town currently uses compared to the 2021 IFC. The Town Council moved this item forward to consider adoption of the 2021 IFC on January 13, 2022.
Discussion of the proposed consolidation and rate increases the Arizona Corporation Commission will be considering on December 15th and 16th. See article above.
Discussion of proposed amendments to the Town's Nuisance and Unruly Gathering Ordinances and Public Safety Codes in an attempt to minimize the impacts of Short-Term Rentals in neighborhoods and protect both renters and neighbors from hazards. Click here for the presentation. The proposed code changes will be considered by the full Council in January.
Vounteer Committee, Commission, and Board Appointment Process Update. The Town Council discussed moving forward to interview individuals for the few vacant positions. Details on the specific positions available will be coming out separately.

In addition to the work session items above, the Town Council took the following actions at last night’s meeting.

Approved the Statement of Direction for a new Special Use Permit for a private roadway gate at 5000 E Cottontail Run Road
Approved additional funding of $50,000 for legal services from the Crockett Law Group and expert witness services from Thornton Financial Consulting (John Thornton)
Approved the Janssen Settlement Agreement and the Distributors Settlement Agreement and authorize the Mayor or Town Manager to execute the Settlement Participation Forms; the settlements are related to the national opioid epidemic settlements
Approved the Distributors Settlement Agreement, and authorize the Mayor or Town Manager to execute the Settlement Participation Form
Forwarded the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa application for a Series 11 liquor license transfer to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control with a recommendation for approval
Authorized the Town Manager to enter into a contract with American Traffic Solutions Inc. to provide photo enforcement services.
Cancelled the December 16 Council Meeting.

Action Summary

Video

Holiday Mailing Tips From PV's Post Office Pals, Terri & Linda!

Paradise Valley Post Office

6401 East Lincoln Drive

Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Monday - Friday, 8am to 4pm

(closed December 24th in observance of Christmas)

Checks and Debit/Credit Cards Accepted

(Cash and American Express are

not accepted at this time)

The U.S. Postal Service is advising that Priority Mail domestic packages will take extra time to arrive over the next couple of months, up to two weeks depending on where the package is going.

What does that mean for you? If you want it to arrive by December 24th, you should have it in the mail by no later than December 10th. Express Mail Next Day service is available, but your must have it in the mail by no later than 2:00 pm the day before you want it to arrive.

Above: Miloh was so pleased with the service he received at the PV Post Office that he came back with thank you flowers for Terri and Linda!

Here are a few other tips:

Pre-Paid Packages. If you are dropping off a pre-paid package such as a return or a package you printed a label for at home, you still need to wait your turn in line.
Stamped Letters. If you are mailing letters or cards that are already stamped, we encourage you to use the mailboxes located in the Town Hall parking lot rather than standing in line (mailboxes are near the Invergordon entrance to the lot).
Multiple Packages. If you have several packages to mail, make sure all packages are sealed, addressed and ready to go before you arrive at the window.
International Packages. All international packages require a U.S. Customs form. This form should be completed before you reach the window. Also, be sure to write the destination country in the address.
Packaging. Do not use string or twine on packages. If you are sending a registered package, you must use brown paper tape (clear tape is fine on other packages).
Payment Options. At this time, the Post Office only accepts checks and debit/credit cards, except American Express.
Best and Worst Times to Come. The holiday season is always busy at the Post Office, but traffic right after opening is usually a bit lighter. We recommend that you avoid the lunch hour rush and the hour prior to closing (3:00-4:00 pm).

The PV PO is not a full service post office, but does offer domestic and international mail services including stamps, metering of packages or letters, and certified and registered mail. For other services such as pick up of held mail, PO box rental, money orders, passport services, reporting mail delivery issues, etc., you will need to visit a full-service postal location such as the Scottsdale Hopi Station located at Via De Ventura and Pima Road, 8790 E Via De Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, (480) 998-9356.

Police Updates

Joan Campbell from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office joined Paradise Valley’s Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Ms. Campbell spoke on the frauds and schemes. The full program will be posted at

Paradise Valley’s YouTube channel. While overall crime numbers in 2021 are down, fraud and schemes offenses have increased this year. In January, the Coffee with a Cop topic will cover Child Abuse Investigations. Interested parties can register for Coffee with a Cop at https:/alertpv.us/CWC.

Officer Jimmy Phan started his career with the Paradise Valley Police Department on December 1, 2021. Jimmy comes to Paradise Valley from the Arizona State University Police Department.

Officer Phan will begin the Field Training Program on Sunday, December 5, 2021, with Officer Steve Chavira. Welcome to Paradise Valley, Jimmy!

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