Scottsdale Update - April 8, 2024

The city's proposed Fiscal Year 2024/25 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan has been released for review. Given the economy’s uncertainty, the proposed budget takes a cautious approach to the future. While revenue growth remains strong, the city's proposed FY 2024/25 budget is a 10% decrease from the current fiscal year, reflecting expected declines in residential rental tax and state shared revenues, continued inflation and a slowdown in consumer spending. Scottsdale will focus expenditures on the city's workforce, inflationary increases impacting capital projects, and other City Council and citizen priorities. Read more.

The City Council will discuss the proposal at its April 16 meeting (pdf). Tentative budget adoption is scheduled May 14 and final budget adoption June 4.

Scottsdale Fire earns state approval for ambulance program: New service to begin answering calls in January 2025. The Arizona Department of Health Services awarded a Certificate of Necessity to Scottsdale Fire Department, which allows it to continue planning and preparing municipal fire department ambulance service. 

With demand for emergency medical services increasing steadily, the city has worked through a lengthy process that is near completion – the result will be an improved level of emergency medical services for people who live, work and visit Scottsdale. Last year alone, a third-party ambulance service transported more than 18,000 Scottsdale residents and visitors to hospitals, highlighting the pressing need for an efficient municipal ambulance service. 

Once the program is fully operational, Scottsdale Fire will manage nine ambulances to cover the entire service area. In the interim, Scottsdale continues to rely on third-party ambulance services to respond to emergency calls. Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the new service.

ADOT advises drivers to plan for overnight closures and restrictions as part of the Loop 101 Pima Freeway improvements.

• Bell Road, between Perimeter Drive and 94th Street, will be closed 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, to 5 a.m. Thursday, April 11, for pavement striping. The north- and southbound Loop 101 frontage roads also will be closed at Bell Road.

• Eastbound Princess Drive, between Hayden Road and the Loop 101, and southbound Pima Road, between Legacy Boulevard and Loop 101, will be closed 9 p.m. Thursday, April 11, to 5 a.m. Friday, April 12, for pavement striping. There will be a single southbound lane available on Pima Road to provide access to westbound Loop 101. The north- and southbound Loop 101 frontage roads also will be closed at Princess Drive/Pima Road.

In addition, the northbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Shea Boulevard will be closed for 60 days for ramp reconstruction beginning Monday, April 15. Recommended detours include northbound 92nd Street or Hayden to Cactus roads to access northbound Loop 101.

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.

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 Tour de Scottsdale world-class bicycle racing event returns to Scottsdale April 13 with challenging and scenic courses through north Scottsdale. More than 3,000 bicyclists are expected to attend the event, which begins and ends at WestWorld. Roads will remain open during the event with intermittent lane restrictions to accommodate cyclists. Motorists are asked to plan extra travel time on Saturday morning to avoid delays.

• The annual Cycle the Arts bicycle tour of the city’s public art collection is 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, April 24. Participants will receive commemorative t-shirts, breakfast snacks and door prizes.

Share your feedback on new Indian School Park concepts. Amenities, field and court quantities, circulation, and park configuration vary on each of the four concepts. Following input, we will create a final plan that provides a conceptual proposal for what amenities and services could be offered over the next 10+ years. Over time, projects will be proposed and follow Scottsdale's process for capital projects. This plan will not include a detailed project list that immediately gets submitted for action and implementation. Share your thoughts. The citywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan is also ongoing. Share your feedback.

Provide input on affordable housing, public facilities and infrastructure, and public services. The city is seeking feedback on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual Action Plan. The plan provides a summary of activities that address the needs of low-income individuals and areas in Scottsdale with federal resources. It helps the city meet required goals outlined in the 2020-2025 consolidated plan adopted by City Council.

The draft includes a culmination of input from nonprofits, CDBG and Human Services staff, the Human Services Advisory Commission, and feedback the public provided through Speak Up Scottsdale last month. We continue to seek your thoughts before staff presents the plan to the City Council May 6. Visit the draft plan to learn more and provide feedback.

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 8:

• PSPRS Police Local Board: 9 a.m. Thursday, April 11

• PSPRS Fire Local Board: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11

• Scottsdale Housing Agency Governing Board: 5 p.m. Thursday, April 11

Week of April 15 (Posted so far; check back next week for the full list):

• 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

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

Find more public meetings. 

THINGS TO DO 

WestWorld of Scottsdale is hosting several April events:

• Hunter/Jumper Scottsdale Spring Horse Show: From Wednesday, April 10 to Sunday, April 21, this free two-weekend equestrian event presents skillful assessment of hunters by expert horsemen. Clear the fences, as this event promises to showcase the prowess of both riders and their equine companions, offering a thrilling spectacle for enthusiasts and participants alike.

• Miniature Horse Show: Visit WestWorld from Thursday, April 11, to Sunday, April 14, as these little horses continue to captivate hearts with their boundless joy and endearing personalities.

• Adventure Van Expo: Experience a vibrant van life event, April 13-14, with open house vans, music, food, and camping. Connect with van enthusiasts, discover innovative builds, and find van-related products to enhance your experience.

Run to the Scottsdale Gallery Association’s Gold Palette ArtWalk, “Small Works, Big Talent.” Participating galleries will host themed exhibits highlighting small works of amazing artists within their galleries. There will be live entertainment and refreshments. The free event takes place 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Old Town Arts District. Get details.

Enjoy a fun-filled event featuring interactive exhibits, demonstrations, games and prizes at Paiute Neighborhood Center’s Sci-Tech Fun Festival. The free event takes place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 13. View the flyer (pdf).

Experience extraordinary art at Wonderspaces. Seniors are invited to enjoy an ever-changing free art show at Scottsdale Fashion Square’s Wonderspaces, an evolving lineup of 13 extraordinary art installations. The free program takes place 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. Learn more and register.  

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.  

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 

“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).

Purchase a family swim pass and get unlimited waterpark, lap swim and fitness center visits from Memorial Day through Labor Day for Cactus, Chaparral, Eldorado and McDowell Mountain Ranch aquatic centers. The McDowell Mountain Ranch Family Pass allows access to all four locations, while the Eldorado, Chaparral and Cactus Family Pass is limited to those three locations. The pass includes admission for four family members, but you can add more members for a fee. Purchase your pass during the sale to get the best deal of the summer. Family pass prices will return to their regular prices May 28. Purchase a pass today.

Investing in Our Scottsdale: Miller Road bridge crews will extend their work hours April 12-13 for a concrete pour. The first of two concrete pours for the Miller Road bridge deck will start at 9 p.m. Friday, April 12, and continue through Saturday, April 13. The overnight shift is crucial to maintain the quality of the concrete and accommodate temperature changes. Crews will strive to keep noise and light disruptions to a minimum. The second concrete pour has not been scheduled but will also require nighttime work. Learn more.

Bring your personal and/or commercial documents to the "Shred It" event. The service runs 7-10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box or bag.

FYI

Watch the latest Veterans AZ program. This episode shines a spotlight on the Arizona Veterans Mission Group, a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to veterans to help them receive the care and benefits they deserve. Watch now.

Watch Fast Five. April is Volunteer, Bike and Earth months. Join us in celebrating our amazing volunteers and the many benefits of biking. You also will learn more about the city's conservation efforts. These are just a few things happening in Scottsdale right now and highlighted in this month’s episode of Fast Five. Watch here.

Listen to the latest Podsdale podcast: Volunteerism in Scottsdale. The city’s Volunteer Coordinator Brandon Chapman provides insight into the fundamental role of volunteers in the city's framework. He discusses the sheer number of volunteer positions available, the hours volunteers donate, and the significant financial impact their service has on Scottsdale.

You’ll also meet Scottsdale’s 2023 William P. Schrader Volunteer Impact Award winner Elena “Sam” Samfilippo. Sam shares her inspiring journey as a dedicated volunteer, spanning more than two decades. Learn about volunteering opportunities. Listen now.

Job of the Week: Public Safety Department Systems Analyst/Programmer III. The successful candidate will provide advanced analytical support, maintain existing systems and develop new modules/functions. He/she will serve as a liaison among business users and IT staff, vendors, and service providers. Ready to take on a challenging role in a dynamic environment? 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