We will not publish Scottsdale Update Monday, Jan. 2. Find us Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Most offices/facilities will be closed Sunday and Monday, Jan. 1 and 2 for New Year’s. Garbage and recycling collection will not be affected. Place your containers out by 5 a.m. the day of collection or the evening prior.
Weather alert: Widespread rain moves into Arizona later tonight with the bulk of activity occurring Wednesday morning. Lingering rain and colder temperatures are expected to follow into Thursday with additional wet periods through New Year’s.
Before the rains hit, it is important to have emergency items on hand, including ones that protect your property from floodwaters. Be Ready, Set, Go! This three-step program encourages Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, to be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.
Scottsdale’s biennial community survey will be reaching selected households soon. Randomly selected Scottsdale households are being asked to participate in a survey to measure their views on the community, city programs and services. The city will use the feedback to prioritize initiatives, services and programs in the future.
Selecting a group of Scottsdale households at random assures that the results are representative of the community within a known margin of error. Once the feedback period for the 5,500 randomly selected households concludes, an online version of the survey will be opened for all city residents to provide their feedback.
Owners have until Jan. 8 to license short-term rental properties in Scottsdale. City ordinance requires short-term/vacation rental property owners/operators to obtain a Scottsdale license for each property and comply with several safety, health and neighbor notification requirements. This applies to all properties offered for rent less than 30 days, including those operating before the ordinance went into effect – no properties are “grandfathered” - each needs a Scottsdale license. The city has notified all known short-term/vacation rental properties about the licensing requirement via direct mail. However, as of Dec. 26, only 838 of an estimated 5,000 properties in Scottsdale have applied for or received their Scottsdale license. Failure to receive the city's letter does not alleviate an owner’s responsibility to obtain a license or comply with other ordinance and legal requirements.
Beginning Jan. 9, any short-term/vacation rental property operating in Scottsdale without a license will be violating the law. The owner/operator will be subject to enforcement action by the city that includes being cited with a minimum fine of $1,000 per violation. Failure to receive the city’s letter does not alleviate an owner’s responsibility to obtain a license or comply with the requirements. Learn more.
Scottsdale earns high marks on 2022 Municipal Equality Index. The Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equity Index rates municipal policies, laws and services that affect the LGBTQ+ community. Scottsdale joined 118 cities in earning a score of 100. Inclusivity drives economic growth. Many companies and talented workers looking to make relocation decisions expect cities like Scottsdale to make inclusion and diversity an economic development priority. Scottsdale's Economic Development Five Year Strategic Plan includes this priority as one of six goals.
There are no public meetings this week.
There’s time to sparkle and shine at Scottsdazzle. This monthlong celebration winds down the end December but you can still participate in plenty of activities. Don’t miss the fun!
Snap a Super Bowl LVII selfie in Old Town Scottsdale. Swing by the corner of Fifth Avenue and Marshall Way, snap a photo and get excited for Super Season in Scottsdale. Tag @AZSuperBowl on your Instagram photos for a chance to win cool prizes, and share it with #ScottsdaleSuperSeason too!
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Holiday Lights through Dec. 30, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park: Hop on board the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and experience a winter wonderland of holiday lights and displays.
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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.
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Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market: The market features more than 100 local growers and specialty food producers. It runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through June at 3806 N. Brown Ave.
Investing in Our Scottsdale: Aquatic centers construction update. Chaparral Aquatic Center’s lap lane expansion is underway, converting the underutilized dive well area into eight competition lap lanes. The project is expected to be complete in June. McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center is undergoing general maintenance repairs and will be closed through Sunday, Jan. 1. The fitness center remains open. Cactus and Eldorado aquatic centers will be open for lap swim during the closure as well.
Leash up the pup in public … it's the law. Fortunately for dog owners, Scottsdale has three designated off-leash areas where dogs can run free: Chaparral, Horizon and Vista del Camino parks. Remember to also pick up your dog’s waste there … and everywhere.
Drownings don’t just happen in the summer; tragedies can strike anytime. Three Scottsdale drownings in as many days occurred over the week, tragically, one child lost their life. According to the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, 58 deaths resulted from 140 water-related incidents this year. This does not include the most recent death. Drownings can happen anywhere, anytime – in pools, bathtubs, canals, open water and elsewhere. Learn how you can prevent these tragedies.
Scottsdale Fire Department urges everyone to use fireworks safely and responsibly. The preference is that fireworks be left to professional shows, which have safety personnel onsite to immediately address fire issues.
Information and safety tips:
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The use of fireworks is also prohibited on all publicly owned properties, which include but are not limited to city buildings, parking lots, parks, streets and public schools.
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Only use fireworks outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles.
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Alcohol, fireworks and sparklers do not mix. Be responsible.
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Do not point or throw fireworks at another person.
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Children younger than 12 should not handle fireworks, including sparklers.
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When finished, place used fireworks in a bucket of water.
In addition, do not to shoot firearms in the air to celebrate. What goes up must come down.
Scottsdale Economy Report is available. Overall, the labor market in Arizona has remained strong with low unemployment, increasing wage rates and significant job growth. Arizona has 87,000 more jobs than before the pandemic. While high inflation has dampened personal income growth, personal income in Arizona is 16.6% above pre-pandemic levels before adjusting for inflation. Scottsdale sales tax collections show an increase of 18% compared to the same time last year.
Read the report (pdf) which provides updates from Scottsdale Economic Development on key aspects of the economy at the local, statewide and national levels. This edition examines inflation, unemployment, personal income, gross domestic product and consumer confidence, tourism, sales tax collections, and construction permit activity.
