Scottsdale Update - Feb. 21, 2023

HEADLINE NEWS

Scottsdale City Council to consider Rio Verde Foothills agreement tonight. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the City Council will consider authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Maricopa County that would re-open a supply of water for non-city residents in unincorporated Rio Verde Foothills, while remaining in compliance with Scottsdale's drought management plan. 

Per that state-mandated plan, Scottsdale restricted access to its water for non-city residents Jan. 1. Since then, Scottsdale has been working with state and county representatives to provide a temporary solution for Rio Verde Foothills residents. 

The solution now proposed - subject to approval by the Scottsdale City Council and then Maricopa County - would provide temporary (up to three years) access to city water for current Rio Verde Foothill residents. Under the parameters of the agreement, the county will attempt a building permit moratorium in the impacted area to the extent allowed under state law. 

The agreement is contingent on the city obtaining additional water resources from a third party that Scottsdale would treat and make available for delivery by Maricopa County. The city will fully recover its costs through fees charged to Maricopa County. Review the City Council report and draft agreement.


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. Here’s what’s coming up: 

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

Find more public meetings


THINGS TO DO

Celebrate Scottsdale's founder Winfield Scott at noon, Friday, Feb. 24. This free Founder's Day event will take place in front of the newly re-opened Little Red Schoolhouse, 7333 E. Scottsdale Mall. Join the Scottsdale Historical Society, the city of Scottsdale and the Daughters of the American Revolution Winfield Scott Chapter to celebrate Scottsdale and learn more about our community's unique history. Call 480-312-3111 for information.  

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West hosts Chris Enss, writer of more than 20 books recognizing women of the Old West. The free program begins at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the museum. Register by emailing [email protected]

Attend the dedication of a new permanent piece of public artwork, “Cholla Reflections.” The city and Scottsdale Public Art will host this event at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at 16821 N. Greenway Hayden Loop. “Cholla Reflections” is a collaboration between Keep Scottsdale Beautiful and Scottsdale Public Art. Flying Carpet Creative Studio produced five earth-cast concrete monolith sculptures for the site and collaborated with a team of university students to create artistic metal elements on the bridge, sandblasted elements on the sidewalk path and hand-cast pavers. Get dedication information. Learn about the artwork.

Enjoy music from around the world at the Scottsdale Concert Band’s free performance. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, in the Scottsdale Community College (SCC) Amphitheater, 9000 E. Chaparral Road. The band will perform “Adventure Awaits,” where you’ll “travel” from Arizona – Grand Canyon Fanfare to Central America – The Pathfinder of Panama march to outer space – Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Scottsdale Concert Band is an award-winning community band established in 1977, and it is the SCC’s longest standing ensemble. It performs a diverse repertoire ranging from timeless Big Band favorites, contemporary wind music and rousing patriotic tunes. 

Ongoing events:

  • The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival features cultural films from around the world that offer an authentic portrayal of the historic and contemporary Jewish experience. The festival runs through March 5, in theaters and virtually. 

  • Spring Training: The San Francisco Giants battle other Cactus League teams at Scottsdale Stadium. Get a schedule (pdf). Buy tickets. Learn about Scottsdale Stadium

  • The Rich Legacy of Scottsdale Spring Training. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through April, at Scottsdale Civic Center Library. This new exhibit provides a whimsical and thought-provoking journey through more than six decades of baseball at Scottsdale Stadium and its home city. 

  • 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 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. 

  • Second Saturdays @SMoCA: Solve a puzzle, create art to take home and explore the museum. Noon-3 p.m. 

Get more events information


PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

City provides one-stop-shop resources for senior citizens. The free All Things Senior Expo and Tradeshow takes place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7308 E. Second St. Participants can get information about healthcare, senior housing, municipal services, recreation, technology and transportation. The event also features free health screenings and educational opportunities. 

Scholarships are available through the Mayor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Scholarships provide qualified students living with a disability with educational financial assistance to support success in future employment. If needed, students can seek assistance from their academic or transitional counselor. Applications are open through Friday, March 3. Learn more and apply

Neighborhood College registration is open for the spring series. We offer four tracks: HOA\Condo, Scottsdale 360, Good Neighbor and History. Register for one or all!

March programs:

  • Scottsdale Stories Rediscovered. 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, the Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St. Hear fascinating stories about Scottsdale including how a famous breakfast cereal connects to a Scottsdale resort, the time the community rallied behind a motorcycle police officer involved in a life-threatening car crash and how one little boy's wish became an international organization. 

  • ‘Til Death Do Us Part. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. Learn about two local romances gone wrong. 

  • Scottsdale's Unlucky Sevens. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road; or 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St. We'll look back at two unusual criminal stories in Scottsdale history that happened the same year! Same presentation for both sessions.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance professionals assist citizens with tax preparation Thursdays through April 13. The free service takes place 3-7 p.m. at Vista del Camino, 7700 E. Roosevelt St. Appointments aren’t necessary. Bring a photo ID, Social Security card, spouse and dependent information, income information and last year’s tax returns. Contact VITA nonprofit Masters of Coin for more information.   

Learn a new hobby … or brush up on an old one. Register for Scottsdale Parks and Recreation spring programs beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, for Scottsdale residents, and 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, for everyone else. Programs take place during April and May. These include swim lessons, youth activities, adult programs and more! View Scottsdale Life. Or browse classes and register here


FYI

Watch the latest Fast Five. New podcast, new baseball exhibit – and have you seen the Old Town cowboy lately? These are just a few things happening in Scottsdale right now and highlighted in February's Fast Five. Watch now.

Job of the Week: Police Fingerprint Technician. Calling all crime junkies. The city has an opening for a job-share position (20 hours a week) to classify, search and compare fingerprints; and maintain general major case and palm print files. 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


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