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Weekly Update
July 16, 2021
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Meet Roberto Olivas: "friendly, willing to give of his time, and knows what he’s doing."
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We all appreciate the customer service our Public Works staff provide our Town. Of particular note from a resident this week is Roberto Olivas under the leadership of Jerry Cooper and PW Director Brent Skoglund. Here are exerpts from a letter of apprecation we received from an HOA...
Over the past month we have worked closely with your Public Works department asking questions as to re-establishing water at a previously abandoned waterline. Jerry Cooper and Roberto Olivas obtained ‘blueprints’ to help us see the big picture. Roberto located the underground waterline, pointed out the flush valve, and answered endless questions.
This past Saturday our landscaper arrived at 6:30 am and worked until 5 pm running all new poly tubing to both planters, spaghetti to all plants, and hooked the poly line up to the Paradise Valley waterline. This morning we met with Roberto to discuss a watering schedule and discovered our waterline was dry. Quite by accident our landscaper crossed poly tubing and hooked up to another old underground dry line. To say the least we were devastated, didn’t have answers, and didn’t know our next step. Roberto offered to speak to our landscaper to avoid any language miscommunication. Roberto flushed out the line which was clogged with sedim.ent impeding the waterflow and lowering our water pressure. Fortunately within the hour repairs were made and water was dripping where it should. To ease our minds Roberto said he would swing by later in the day to make certain the valves were in the correct position and we were truly up and running. We could not have worked through these issues without Roberto’s input and knowledge. You are fortunate to employ an individual who is friendly, willing to give of his time, and knows what he’s doing.
We couldn't agree more. Thank you for recognizing an exceptional employee.
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Planning Commission Holds Summer Work Sessions to Update General Plan! |
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Hopefully by now you have heard or read that the Town is updating its General Plan, a long-range document that helps guide decision-making regarding growth, development and the quality of life over the next 20 years.
Since January 2021, the Town has used a variety of means to reach out to its residents to garner input on issues, concerns, goals, policies, and opportunities as part of the General Plan update process. To date, there have been surveys and polls, a community workshop, two discussion hubs held, four weekly pop-up events, Coffee with a Cop, news articles and PV Alert notifications. The Town has also established a project website -- www.pvtogether2022.com – to help people get involved and stay informed. “Our goal has been to provide multiple opportunities for residents to provide their input on what matters to them,” said Loras Rauch, Special Projects Planner.
The Planning Commission is using their public work sessions during the summer to review the Goals & Policies for each of the Elements within the General Plan. The input received during these work sessions, including all prior community feedback, will be used to refine the goals and policies for the Draft 2022 General Plan.
· On July 20, the Planning Commission will discuss the Land Use and Growth, Mobility, and Community Character and Housing Elements.
Planning Commission meetings will be held virtually until the end of August. Residents can continue to participate in the process throughout the summer whether they are in Paradise Valley or spending the summer elsewhere. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and residents can join by connecting at https://zoom.us/j/6678902153 or calling 1-669-900-6833 and entering Meeting ID: 667 890 2153.
Paradise Valley residents can also contact Special Projects Planner, Loras Rauch, by email at lrauch@paradisevalleyaz.gov or call 480-348-3595 for further information. |
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Jodi Wakefield sworn in as Photo Enforcement Technician
On Monday, July 12, 2021, Jodi Wakefield was sworn in as a Photo Enforcement Technician. Prior to joining the PVPD, Jodi spent 33 years with the LAPD. Jodi achieved the rank of Captain and worked in the Downtown District. She retired from LAPD five years ago and relocated to Arizona with her husband. Welcome aboard, Jodi!
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Goodbye Sarah, Hello (again) Kevin
This Thursday, July 15th is Sarah Zumbo’s last day as the Records Specialist at the Police Department. Sarah is moving to Virginia to be with her family. Sarah started with the Police Department in 2018 as a Photo Enforcement Technician before transitioning into the Records Specialist position. Sarah was a pleasure to work with and a valued member of our team. While we are very sorry to see her go, we certainly understand and respect her prioritizing family first.
Sarah leaving left us with some huge shoes to fill in the front office.
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We called Kevin Albert on the afternoon of July 5th and asked him if he could help as a contract employee until we can get back to full staffing. Kevin's response was, "I can be there tomorrow at 8 am" and he was. We appreciate Kevin’s willingness to help and showing up on short notice to start his training before Sarah left. Kevin was a police officer, Motor, and Community Resource Officer for Paradise Valley PD from 1999 until his retirement in 2018. |
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In the News: Experience Scottsdale highlights PV, Scottsdale |
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In the News: Here’s just some of the recent coverage generated by Experience Scottsdale to enhance tourism in PV and Scottsdale:
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Editor Natasha Colyer attended the Experience Scottsdale UK virtual media mission and has visited the destination as part of a group press trip in the past. Her latest article, “The top places to eat in Scottsdale Arizona that you don’t want to miss,” ran on SeenintheCity.com.uk, which receives 36,000 unique visitors monthly.
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As a result of hosting freelance writer and syndicated columnist Eileen Ogintz in the destination in May, Scottsdale is featured in her article, “Taking the kids: Reasons to brave Arizona’s summer heat,” which ran on Tribune Content Agency (110,000 unique visitors monthly). The article also has been reprinted more than 40 times in hyperlocal websites across the country, including in cities in New York, Illinois, Washington, and California, to name a few.
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Great job Becca Knauer!
The evening of July 4th Becca received three priority one calls on 911 within one hour. As she was the only dispatcher working at the time, she handled all three 911 calls and dispatched them to the officers. The calls were entered and shared over the radio quickly to get the help to those requesting it. All three calls required her to stay on the line with the caller until responders were on scene. Between the 911 calls, Becca was handling other non-emergency calls that came in, assisting the officers with their requests by radio, making the required phone calls she needed and updated each call for service in a timely manner. High volumes of traffic, both phone and radio, can be a challenge to keep up with and overwhelming, especially working solo, but Becca handled everything very well.
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Planning Commission Receives Additional Legal Training.
More to Come...
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Planning Commission had a brief orientation on general roles, responsibilities, open meeting law, and conflict of interest on July 16 th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Town Attorney and Community Development Department will be providing a more robust training for the Planning Commission, Hillside Building Committee, and Board of Adjustment in the early fall. Click here to see the video and learn more.
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Upcoming Town Meetings and Events |
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July 14th - Hillside Building Committee, 8:00 am via Zoom
Town Council meetings will resume September 9th
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Remember to check the Town's website for meeting updates, changes, and agendas.
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