Scottsdale Update - April 15, 2024

Sales tax, spending limitation items head to the November ballot. The City Council has referred two items to the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot for Scottsdale voters to consider - a city proposal to replace and reduce an expiring sales tax, and an increase to the city's state-imposed spending limitation. Learn more about these ballot items:

• 2025 Scottsdale 0.15% Sales Tax Questions and Answers (PDF)

• Permanent Base Adjustment Questions and Answers (PDF)

Find more election information at Scottsdale.Vote.

Scottsdale Earth Week celebrates city’s commitment to sustainable future. From volunteer road cleanups and guided nature walks in our beautiful preserve, to edible garden and green building presentations, Scottsdale has a full lineup of events for everyone looking to recognize our planet. Here is what’s happening Saturday-Monday.

• Saturday, April 20:
• McDowell-Sonoran Preserve Guided Nature Walk – Life Cycle of the Saguaro: 8-10 a.m. Brown's Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Parkway.
• Earth Fest: 9-11 a.m. Cactus Park, 7202 E. Cactus Road – Bring family and friends to explore sustainability-focused educational booths and learn about the city’s eco-friendly initiatives. This free event also features a tree and cactus planting ceremony to mark Scottsdale’s 42nd year as a Tree City USA community. Bring your reusable water bottle to fill up at our Scottsdale Water trailer.

• Sunday, April 21:

• McDowell-Sonoran Preserve Guided Nature Walk – Nature as Therapy: 8-10 a.m. Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N Alma School Parkway.

• Monday, April 22 – Happy Earth Day!:

• McDowell-Sonoran Preserve Guided Nature Walk: 8-9:30 a.m. Pima and Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road.

• Draw What You See - Drawing from Life, Watercolor and Ink with Koryn Woodward Wesson: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Scottsdale Civic Center, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Join Flirting with the Desert artist for an outdoor exploration of the beautiful plants and structures outside the Scottsdale Civic Center Library. Learn basic watercolor techniques for drawing.

Learn more about these and other events.

ADOT continues Pima Freeway Loop 101 construction. Here are upcoming impacts:

• The northbound Shea Boulevard on-ramp is closed for about 60 days to accommodate a ramp reconstruction. Recommended detours include northbound 92nd Street or Hayden to Cactus roads to access northbound Loop 101. The northbound Cactus Road off-ramp is scheduled to close for 60 days beginning April 29.

• Southbound Loop 101 will be narrowed to three lanes between Bell Road and Frank Lloyd Write Boulevard from 10 p.m. Friday, April 19, to 5 a.m. Saturday, April 20. Northbound Loop 101 will be narrowed to three lanes between Shea Boulevard and Cactus Road from 10 p.m. Sunday, April 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, April 29.

This is part of Arizona Department of Transportation’s two-year project to add lanes and improve interchanges on Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road. “Stay in the Loop” by subscribing to project updates on ADOT’s website.

PUBLIC MEETINGS 

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host. 

Week of April 15:

• Tourism Development Commission: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 16

• City Council Special Meeting: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16

• City Council Regular and Work Study Meeting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 16

• Library Board: 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 17

• Airport Advisory Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 17

• Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17

• Transportation Commission: 5:15 p.m. Thursday, April 18

Week of April 22 (Posted so far; check back next week for the full list):

• Neighborhood Advisory Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 24

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.  

Find more public meetings. 

THINGS TO DO 

Lights, camera ... take off: Scottsdale Airport hosts free movie night. Get ready for the ultimate in-flight entertainment on the ground as the action-packed blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” takes center stage. Gates open at 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 20; and the movie starts at 7:15 p.m., at Scottsdale Airport, 15000 N. Airport Drive. Follow event signs and enter at the gate on the north side of the main aviation building. Bring lawn chairs! No pets or outside refreshments will be allowed. Get details (PDF).

April is Bike Month, and Scottsdale is celebrating 12 consecutive years of recognition as a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Participate in these events:

• The annual Cycle the Arts bicycle tour of the city’s public art collection is Sunday, April 21. The event is free. Registration is required, and capacity is limited.

• Bicycle commuters are invited to stop on their way to work at designated pit stops to celebrate Bike to Work Day, Wednesday, April 24. Participants will receive commemorative t-shirts, breakfast snacks and door prizes.

April’s Civil War Roundtable speaker Eric Buckland features stories of Col. John Singleton Mosby. One of the most fascinating personalities of the Civil War, Mosby – known known as the “Gray Ghost” of the Confederacy – commanded the 43rd Virginia Battalion, also known as Mosby’s Rangers. The Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable meets Tuesday, April 16, at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The lecture starts at 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m. for book sales and a speaker meet and greet.  

Enjoy senior talent at Entertainment Extravaganza. This event features senior citizens singing, dancing, doing magic and performing comedy acts. Attend at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. 

Western Spirit hosts Adventure and Discovery – The Incredible Anza Expedition from Mexico to San Francisco (1775-1776). Scottsdale Sister Cities, in partnership with Western Spirit, presents Sonoran historian Juan Carlos speaking about the epic journey of the Anza Expedition ... creating the founding of Presidio in San Francisco. The program also includes the journey of the expedition shared via short stories from historical novel, “North with De Anza.” The program runs 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the museum. Get details.

Listen to the smooth sound of music at the Jazz Festival: Blues and Brews. Grammy award-winning contemporary jazz and rhythm and blues superstar Norman Brown headlines this signature event 4-10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, on Civic Center. Other artists include internationally known New Orleans jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison and vocalist Nayo Jones. Food showcasing the flavors of New Orleans will be on hand as well as a beer garden. Get details. 

Ongoing: 

• Scottsdale ArtWalk: Scottsdale is home to more than 100 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from around the world and locally. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Specialty-themed Gold Palette ArtWalks are held 6:30-9 p.m. about once a month. 

• Old Town Farmers Market: Find a variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, and seasonal specialties such as cider and apples, flowers, natural pork, beef, fish and free-range eggs. Th market runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through June at 3806 N. Brown Ave.  

• Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Immerse yourself into the unique story of the greater Western region with unique exhibits and events. 

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, diverse events throughout the year. 

• Find McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events. 

• Get Scottsdale Sister Cities events.

Get more events information.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 

Mayor David D. Ortega has proclaimed April 21-27 Volunteer Appreciation Week in Scottsdale. Last fiscal year, more than 3,780 volunteers contributed 114,845 hours of service citywide, which is valued at $3,460,280 hours or just over 52 full-time positions. Join us in celebrating volunteers and let them know they’re a treasured part of what makes Scottsdale a world-class community. Ready to lend a hand? Learn how. Read the proclamation. Listen to our Podsdale podcast on volunteerism.

Investing in Our Scottsdale: Jackrabbit and Miller roads intersection improvements take place through mid-June. The project will enhance pedestrian access to the AZ canal path and improve driver awareness. Lane restrictions will be in place and half of the road will be closed at a time, with flaggers controlling the traffic flow. Other improvements include: 

• Adding a high visibility crosswalk to align with the AZ Canal path, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon devices – lights that flash when activated by pedestrians at uncontrolled crossings, and trail crossing signs

• Removing landscape to improve visibility

• Narrowing vehicle travel lanes to provide an east side buffer

This project is the result of a citizen petition, and the need was confirmed by a traffic study. Visit the project website.

“Fill a Cruiser” to benefit the Beat the Heat Program. Scottsdale Senior Services is seeking donations for its annual program that provides homebound, in-need seniors with necessary items for summer relief. The Senior Services team is collaborating with Scottsdale Police and Fire to host this event 2-6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. The goal is to fill a police cruiser with essential heat relief items needed for the program. In addition, donations can be dropped off 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday-Friday, through May 17, at Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda. Critical items needed:

• Water bottles

• Brita water pitchers with filters

• Nutritional drinks 

Find a full list of items needed (PDF).

FYI

Tell us your thoughts on two important topics: Arts and Culture and the city’s website. The city is committed to continuing and improving ways the public can learn about and engage in decisions that impact life in Scottsdale. Take time and participate in your community - the feedback provided is used to create better projects and programs for our world-class community. Current opportunities: 

• Arts and Culture: We want feedback about your experiences, thoughts and desires for arts and culture within Scottsdale. Two opportunities are available: Take a poll and discuss at Speak Up Scottsdale, and fill out the questionnaire as well. Both are available through Friday, April 5. 

• Website feedback: The city is creating the new ScottsdaleAZ.gov website that will provide enhanced security, and better navigation and search features. View the website and provide feedback.

Learn about other public involvement opportunities at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “get involved.”

Know It All! Connect with the city to give and get information that matters to you. Here’s how (PDF).

Scottsdale Public Library celebrates the women who built Scottsdale. Commemorate the many women who made Scottsdale what it is today. View Scottsdale Heritage Connection online, scroll down to “Women in Scottsdale History” and click on “Start Your Search” to read about, watch and listen to stories from women who helped shape Scottsdale.

High heat hits the Valley; adjust your hiking plan. Scottsdale Fire officials urge the public to adjust outdoor activities – including hiking plans. You suffer heat-related illness when your body’s temperature control system is overloaded, and the body can no longer cool itself. When a person is excessively sweating, dizzy, has a headache and/or nausea/vomiting, or feels weak, he/she is showing signs of heat exhaustion. 

Call 911 if a person becomes confused, passes out from the heat or stops sweating. Preventing heat-related illness is key. Hike early in the day and pre-hydrate the day before your outing. Bring plenty of water and a cell phone.

April is Water Awareness Month. The most important action you can take as a water consumer is maintaining a water-efficient property – inside and out. By doing so, you minimize water waste and conserve energy, which then reduces your water and sewer costs. Small steps like fixing household leaks can have a significant impact. We can help:

• Get a free outdoor water efficiency check from Scottsdale Water - Call 480-312-5650 to schedule.  

• Look at your water use via the WaterSmart portal which gives homeowners and business owners hour by hour water data in easy-to-understand graphics.  

April is Safe Digging Month. Have you ever wondered what the different colored markings on roads or in yards are? They’re a sign that a homeowner or contractor has put safety first and had utility lines identified prior to excavation. Utility lines that serve the community with vital services such as natural gas, electricity, sewer and water can be buried anywhere. Striking a utility line not only poses a safety risk but can also cause an interruption of service to customers. Learn more.  

Job of the Week: Airport Maintenance Technician. Put your skills to work maintaining our airport facility and ensuring safe, efficient operations. From inspections to emergency readiness, you'll play a crucial role in upholding regulations and standards. If you're passionate about aviation and safety, learn more and apply.

QUICK LINKS: 

• City Call Center – 480-312-3111    

• Report things that need to be fixed, or submit other requests via Scottsdale EZ

• Traffic Restrictions Map – We update this map weekly to include most road improvement projects. Stay in the loop for Pima Freeway construction.     

• Brush and Bulk Schedule    

• Scottsdale Weather