HEADLINE NEWS
State of Scottsdale video will launch in lieu of State of the City event. With COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations on the rise, Mayor David D. Ortega has made the difficult decision to delay his State of Scottsdale address. The event that was scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 18, is cancelled.
In its place, Mayor Ortega will release a State of Scottsdale video in February.
"Scottsdale has many reasons to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of our community," said Mayor Ortega. "While we won't do that together in person as I would have liked, I look forward to sharing those stories, and talking about the challenges and choices that lie ahead."
Details on the State of Scottsdale video will be shared in the coming weeks.
Starting Friday, Scottsdale will have more authority to stop nuisance parties frequently associated with vacation and short-term rentals. In December, the City Council voted unanimously to update two ordinances to remove loopholes, increase fines and improve the city’s enforcement abilities when handling short-term vacation rental complaints.
A 2016 state law restricting cities and towns from regulating vacation and short-term rental properties removed a Scottsdale law that prohibited rentals of 30 days or fewer. Since that legislation took effect, residents have repeatedly asked the city to help mitigate the negative effects of these rental properties – now estimated to number more than 4,000 in Scottsdale.
Earlier this year, the city formed a Short-Term Rental Working Group to further explore these issues and offer potential solutions, primarily focused on improving monitoring and enforcement of rules that are allowed under state law. Learn more.
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers.
NEXT WEEK: The city will host another vaccination clinic at Scottsdale Stadium. Vaccinations will be available from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, or Wednesday, Jan. 12. All three vaccination types will be available – registration is not required; walk-ins are welcome.
In addition, the city is hosting another series of free vaccine events at community centers. We’re offering the Pfizer vaccine (5 and older), and the Janssen and Moderna (both for 18 and older) vaccines:
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Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St.: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28, Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25.
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Eldorado Park and Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road: 1-4 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14 and 28.
Registration is not required; walk-ins are welcome. Please check in no later than 30 minutes before the session ends. Call 602-506-6767 for more information.
Find information about free vaccines, boosters and testing for Scottsdale residents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that adolescents 12-17 years old receive a booster shot five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. Data show that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 12-17. Read more.
As the new year begins, we need everyone to come together to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Kids have returned to school. More workers are returning in-office. Hospitals continue to be strained. At last count, 14% of tests reported to Maricopa County Public Health are coming back positive, with many more positive at-home tests likely (not all are reported). If there ever was a time to get vaccinated and mask up, this is it.
Get the facts.
Get tested.
Get vaccinated.
How you can help cut COVID-19. No single person or entity can end the pandemic. But we can make a difference for those who are most at risk of serious illness. Think about:
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Infants and young children who are not yet eligible to get vaccinated.
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Elders who have done what has been asked of them and yet still are at greater risk for serious illness.
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Those with daily health challenges.
Then take action:
THINGS TO DO
Motivational speaker Patricia Russell-McCloud headlines the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. Russell-McCloud works to create an environment in which high achievement among young African Americans is the rule rather than the exception. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road. Learn more and register.
Chaos or Community: What can Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work and writings teach us now? Join a community town hall discussion that considers Dr. King's final published work, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” and what lessons it, and Dr. King's other work, have for us today. This discussion is for everyone ages 15 and older, and it is hosted by the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission. Light refreshments will be provided. The program runs from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at Horizon Community Center, 15444 N 100th St. The event is free, but registration is required.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Start your new year with a paper cleanse. Bring your personal and/or commercial documents to the "Shred It" event from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box or bag.
Expanded library and senior center hours start Monday. All four library branches will be open seven days a week:
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Buildings will be open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
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Drive-thru and curbside will be available from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Both the Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.
The spring 2022 Neighborhood College session kicks off Wednesday. Two tracks are available: The HOA/Condo Series and The Good Neighbor Series. Classes focus on city programs, volunteer opportunities, personal safety tips and HOA guidelines. Some sessions are hybrid (in person and online), while others are only online. Get dates, class descriptions and registration information. Classes are free, but registration is required.
Join a free Green Building webinar: “Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage and Electrification.” Electric vehicles (EV) contribute to cleaner air, and electric utilities are preparing for the increasing number of them expected to hit the roads in the coming years. Learn how SRP and APS are committed to reducing carbon emissions and supporting EV charging infrastructure. The program starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. Register for the webinar. Learn more about the Green Building Program.
Lives in the balance. This free eight-week program will help participants manage falls, increase activity levels and promote exercise to increase strength and balance. Classes begin Friday, Jan. 14, at both Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers. For more information and to register, call Granite Reef at 480-312-1700 or Via Linda at 480-312-5810.
FYI
Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center closed Jan. 10-18. The city is resealing the pool deck and polysplash, and refurbishing the play structure. Chaparral Aquatic Center is open for lap swim and water aerobics during the closure.
Recycle your natural Christmas tree through Jan. 17. Large collection bins are available at these city parks: Eldorado, Chaparral, Scottsdale Ranch, Cactus, Horizon, Scottsdale Sports Complex and Thompson Peak. Live Christmas trees will be made into compost and save landfill space. We do not accept artificial trees, stands or ornaments. Single-family home residents can place Christmas trees in their green waste pile, separated from bulk trash, for collection on their scheduled brush/bulk service week.
Investing in Our Scottsdale: Civic Center update. Demolition is 90% complete. The area remains closed to pedestrian traffic. During the next two months, the contractor will install new water and storm drain lines to replace outdated infrastructure. Work is underway to tie into the existing water distribution system at Second Street. Additional work at the intersection of Brown Avenue and Main Street will occur in mid-to-late January. Work within the intersection will occur between 10 p.m.-5 a.m. In addition to waterline work, the contractor will adjust the slope of Scottsdale Civic Center to the proper grade. Concrete work is scheduled to begin in early 2022.
The $27.3 million renovation of Scottsdale Civic Center was approved by voters in the 2019 Bond Election. Learn more about the project.
Loop 101 Pima Freeway construction nears completion. Arizona Department of Transportation’s $185 million project to widen and make other improvements along Loop 101 between Interstate 17 and Pima Road is expected to be completed this month. Weather permitting, crews will complete final lane striping the weekend of Jan. 7-10, marking the last planned full-weekend closure within the project's boundaries. Additional activities will continue for the next few months to complete minor work items, some of which may require lane restrictions.
By the numbers:
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The library card campaign resulted in more than 3,000 new cardholders. The Scottsdale Public Library ran its library card campaign Sept. 1-Nov. 30, 2021
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The Adopt-A-Senior holiday program assisted 336 seniors. The annual program pairs low-income seniors with donors who sponsor them for the holiday season.
Find out about traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.
