For the Week Ending
December 10, 2021
Parties at Short-Term Rentals Can Be Risky
An article by guest writer and PV Police Sgt. Kelly Ingram about the impact of short-term rentals appeared this week in the Capitol Times. Article begins:

“Gun. Gun. GUN!!”

My fellow Paradise Valley police officers hear me shout those words as I draw my sidearm. They pivot and catch the suspect with their flashlights. There’s a gun clearly visible in his waistband.

The growing crowd – most drunk, high or both – start screaming and surrounding my team. We know from experience that at least a few of them have concealed weapons. I glance up and spot hundreds more people in the house on a hill far above us. They have the high ground. We are sitting ducks.
EPCOR Water Rate Case Hearing Delayed
Last week, we told you about an upcoming Arizona Corporation Commission hearing regarding your water rates. The Commission will not hear the EPCOR water rate case on December 15 and 16 as previously announced. The Commission now has set the matter for its Open Meeting on January 11 and 12.

After a two-week hearing, the Administrative Law Judge filed the Recommended Opinion and Order (ROO). The ROO recommended consolidating the PV district with eight other districts across the state, among other things.

EPCOR filed a revised summary of the impacts on water bills based on the findings in the ROO. For the “average” customer with a 5/8” water meter using 17,323 gallons of water per month, bills would increase from $54.61 per month to $66.50 if PV remains a standalone district and to $86.30 under consolidation after the 3-year phase in. For the “average” customer on a 1” meter using 51,778 gallons of water per month, bills would increase from $174.11 per month to $178.78 if PV remains a standalone district and to $256.90 under consolidation after the 3-year phase in.

EPCOR customers are urged to voice their opinion to the Corporation Commission.  Comments can be made in several ways:

  • ELECTRONICALLY at the following link: https://efiling.azcc.gov/online-services/utilities-public-comment-external. 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).

  • BY LETTER mailed to docket control and including the docket number (WS-01303A-29-0177 at the top of the letter. The address for letters is:

Docket Control
ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION
1200 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

  • BY EMAIL directly to the commissioners at the following e-mail addresses:
  • Chairwoman Lea Marquez Peterson lmarquezpeterson-web@azcc.gov
  • Commissioner Sandra Kennedy sdkennedy-web@azcc.gov
  • Commissioner Justin Olson olson-web@azcc.gov
  • Commissioner Anna Tovar Tovar-web@azcc.gov
  • Commissioner Jim O’Connor oconnor-web@azcc.gov

  • BY TELEPHONE by calling consumer services at (602) 542-4251 or toll free at 1-(800) 222-7000 (in state only). A consumer services representative will take down the comment and place it in the docket.
 
Comments can also be made before the Open Meeting. Details on the procedure to speak at the Open Meeting will be provided closer to the date of the meeting.
Redistricting Final Decision Meetings
The Redistricting Commission is in its contitutionally required 30-day review of its proposed new boundaries that will become the final congressional and legislative districts the state of Arizona will use for the next decade.

Members of the public should voice any concerns about the proposed districts. Here's how to do it:


Click to view the DRAFT LEGISLATIVE MAP

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) will hold a livestream only meeting
on December 13  and in person (and virtual) meetings as needed on December 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22 at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004. The IRC has a goal of finalizing district boundaries by Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.  During the meetings, no in-person comment will be taken but the public can submit comment online at irc.az.gov. 

Meeting links, dates and times, and agendas can be found at irc.az.gov under Public Meetings. Dates may be cancelled, added or extended depending on the commission's needs. 

38th Street Asphalt Pave - December 16th
On December 16th from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, 38th Street will be closed between Berridge Lane and Stella Lane for asphalt paving. Non-local traffic must use a different route.

When in the area, please watch out for construction crews and observe all signs.
Officer Kaim Honored as Officer of the Year by Elks
On Thursday, Officer Raja Karim was honored by Elks Lodge #335 as the Officer of the Year for the Paradise Valley Police Department.

Annually, the Elks sponsor a Honoring First Responders event that recognizes the outstanding acts of service by first responders in the Phoenix and Paradise Valley area. Raja was nominated by his supervisor and selected by his peers to represent the PVPD.

Raja has a high level of initiative, completes high-quality cases, offers exemplary customer service, and possesses skills to complete many tasks that would not be considered “police work”. These tasks too, are completed with a great attitude and to a high level. Congratulations, Raja!
Community Resource Officer Steven McGhee selected as next detective

The Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) of the PVPD recently completed testing to replace Detective Chris Hadley, who will complete his four-year assignment in CIU in April 2022. 

This week, the results of the written examination were returned and Community Resource Officer Steven McGhee will be assigned to the role of investigator. Steven has done a great job as the Community Resource Officer over his four year assignment in that role. He will be assigned as an investigator in April 2022. 

Congratulations, Steven, on your new assignment! And a big thank you to Chris for his hard work on CIU.
PV is Looking for a Few Good Volunteers
The Town of Paradise Valley seeks residents interested in sharing their time and experience by serving on one of the Town’s volunteer committees.

The Town of Paradise Valley has a proud tradition of volunteer service. In addition to the all-volunteer Mayor, Town Council, and Municipal Court Judges, more than 50 residents donate their time to serve on various committees, commissions and boards. 
Currently, there are:
  • two vacancies on the Municipal Property Corporation,
  • one vacancy on the Board of Adjustment, and
  • one vacancy on the Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust. 

Descriptions of these committees’ duties may be viewed on the Town’s website.
 
Applications may be completed and submitted online or you may submit a resume and cover letter to the Town Clerk's Office, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive. The application deadline is Monday, January 3, 2022. Appointments will be made in February and the terms of office will begin in April, with the exception of the Board of Adjustment position which will become effective immediately. 

Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office if you would like additional information.
Paradise Valley is Hiring!
The Town of PV is currently recruiting for the position of Chief Financial Officer.

If you know of anyone who is qualified and may be interested, please pass along the recruitment brochure which you can download here.

All applicants must apply online by following this link.
Upcoming Town Meetings and Events
December 16th - Town Council Meeting, 3:00 Study Session; 6:00 pm Council Meeting via Zoom (canceled)

December 21st - Planning Commission, 6:00 pm via Zoom

December 24th - Christmas Holiday Observed (Post Office and Town Hall Closed)

December 31st - New Years Day Observed (Post Office and Town Hall Closed)

January 4th - Planning Commission, 6:00 pm (location: TBD)

January 5th - Coffee with a Cop, 7:30 am (location: TBD)

January 5th - Board of Adjustment, 5:30 pm (location: TBD) (canceled)

January 11th - Candidate Orientation, 5:30 pm (date and time are tentative; more information to come) (location: TBD)

January 13th - Town Council Meeting, 3:00 Study Session; 6:00 pm Council Meeting (location: TBD)

January 17th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Post Office and Town Hall Closed)

January 18th - Planning Commission, 6:00 pm (location: TBD)

January 27th - Town Council Meeting, 3:00 Study Session; 6:00 pm Council Meeting (location: TBD)
Remember to check the Town's website for meeting updates, changes, and agendas.
Downloadable/Printable Town Information
Quick Links to Useful Resources
Town of Paradise Valley | paradisevalleyaz.gov