Scottsdale Update - May 30, 2023

June Days – a monthlong celebration you’ll wish was even longer! June Days is a celebration of all things that makes Old Town unique. Daily activities and events include wine tastings, art exhibits, crafting workshops, live performances and family-oriented outings. Plan your June Days at OldTownScottsdaleAZ.com.

This week’s highlight: Breakfast at the Market – The city’s popular Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is featuring a variety of breakfast foods and artisan vendors. The event runs 7-10 a.m. Saturdays, through June, at 3806 N. Brown Ave. Guests can enjoy listening to tunes as they nibble and shop their way through the market.

Scottsdale’s free Community Juneteenth Celebration, presented by Mayo Clinic, is back by popular demand June 17. Hosted by the city and Scottsdale Arts, the afternoon of culture, entertainment, music, wellness, presentations and career opportunities takes place from 2-8 p.m. at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Civic Center, 7380 E. Second St. 

Parking and admission are free, including access to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Learn more.   

Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery – more specifically the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas, who did not receive the news until two years after abolition.  It is believed to be the oldest African American holiday, with annual celebrations in different parts of the country dating back to 1866. 

A public hearing on Scottsdale’s proposed property tax levy will occur before final budget adoption, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The meeting will be broadcast through Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search “live stream”). To find the agenda for this meeting and information about the opportunity for public participation and comment, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “City Council agenda”. 

The city plans to increase its proposed primary property tax levy $2,274,290 (exclusive of new construction) due to tort liability claim payments and the 2% statutory adjustment. The proposed primary property tax rate is increasing from $0.4970 per $100 of assessed valuation to $0.5150 in Fiscal Year 2023/24.

Former Scottsdale Mayor William “Bill” Schrader has passed away at 93. The breadth and longevity of Bill Schrader’s leadership in Scottsdale spanned almost 80 years and ranged from 4-H club president to Arizona National Guard service, to Scottsdale Jaycees founding officer, to charter member of the Scottsdale Charros, to Scottsdale councilman and mayor, to SRP president.

The city honors Schrader by presenting the William P. Schrader Volunteer Impact Award at its annual employee recognition program. This award celebrates one volunteer among thousands who donates his/her time and expertise to the city.

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

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Research shows that children who read over the summer are more prepared to return to school in the fall. The Scottsdale Public Library enforces that message by offering the “All Together Now,” Summer Reading Program, June 1-Aug. 1. Kids and adults can earn prizes and praise for the amount they read. Register.

Welcome to Scottsdale – city offers move-in box collection for new residents. You can schedule your one-time collection of move-in boxes online or over the phone at 480-312-5600. You must completely empty your boxes and flatten them before placing them for collection. Because the boxes are taken to a recycling facility, any boxes that are not completely empty will not be picked up by our crews. In addition, packing paper can be recycled by participating in the residential recycling program and placing it loosely into your curbside recycle bin to be collected.

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce inducts six new members into the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame. They include: 

FYI

The city has issued licenses for 3,140 of 3,707 submitted short-term rental applications (May 22). The remaining 567 are pending, incomplete, withdrawn or cancelled. On the code enforcement side, the city has closed 2,293 of 2,861 submitted notices of violation for operating without a license. The city estimates there are 4,248 short-term rentals in Scottsdale. This means that about 87% of the total are in the licensing process, and 74% are licensed. The city employs a full-time short-term rental licensing specialist and two full-time short-term rental code inspectors working to get the remainder into compliance. Read the latest Short-Term Rental Quarterly Report. Find resources and information about short-term/vacation rentals at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “short-term rentals.” 

Scottsdale seeking board and commission members. Residents wanting to volunteer their time and institute a positive change in Scottsdale are invited to apply to serve. Library Board member “Sam” Kathryn Campana says, “As a volunteer it's fun and intriguing to learn all the hard work that goes into making our libraries such welcoming learning centers. There is huge satisfaction in giving back to our community through commission service.” She adds, “My mother was our school librarian where I grew up in Idaho, so this opportunity is especially meaningful.”

Benefits include: 12 paid holidays; sick leave; medical, dental and vision benefits; tuition reimbursement; participation in Arizona State Retirement System; and more. Learn more and apply.

Maricopa County seeks residents’ input on how Scottsdale helps keep our community healthy. Your responses are needed to ensure inclusive representation of all residents in all communities. The survey is open to Maricopa County residents ages 12 and older and has been extended through June 21. Responses are anonymous, and personal information is not collected. Learn more. Take the survey.  

QUICK LINKS: