Scottsdale Update - Oct. 31, 2022

HEADLINE NEWS 

City Council adopts new rules for short-term rentals. Scottsdale will require short-term rental property operators to obtain and maintain a local license, conduct sex offender background checks on booking guests, carry liability insurance and provide neighbor notification. The ordinance’s updated elements are compatible with Arizona Senate Bill 1168 passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in July, and reflect the full authority granted to cities under state law. Review the approved updates. Read more

Learn more by registering for “Short-Term Rentals – the long and short of it,” from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 3. In this online presentation, various city department representatives will examine the recently passed state law, SB 1168 and discuss local ordinance changes. Register for this virtual program.

Loops 101 (Price/Pima Freeway) closures:

  • North- and southbound Loop 101 ramps to eastbound Loop 202 will be closed 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, to 5 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. East- and westbound Loop 202 ramps to northbound Loop 101 will be closed 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, to 4 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4. The northbound Loop 101 off-ramp at McKellips Road also will be closed.

  • Loop 101 full freeway closures are scheduled Nov. 4-7. The closures take place eastbound from Pima Road/Princess Drive to State Route 51. Scottsdale and Hayden roads on-ramps will be closed. The closure runs 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday. Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Pinnacle Peak Road will serve as detours. Weather, staffing and roadway conditions can delay a project. 

Get ADOT travel advisories and construction updates on its website.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 1, is the recommended last day to mail back your completed ballot to ensure your votes get counted. If you don’t mail it back in time, you can drop off your voted ballot in Scottsdale at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.; Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park, 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road; or Indian Bend Wash Visitor Center, 4201 N. Hayden Road.  

You also can request a replacement ballot or vote in person at the latter two sites.

Maricopa County has “vote anywhere” Vote Centers, which allow voters to choose from various locations, instead of being assigned to one location only. Voting locations are open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Here is the list of locations, but each site has unique hours during early voting and are subject to change. Check hours before going. Voters can drop off voted ballots at any voting center location.   

Registered Scottsdale voters will select between Pamela Carter and Barry Graham to fill the third and final open seat in Scottsdale’s City Council race. Learn about Scottsdale’s City Council candidates and find more Scottsdale election information at Scottsdale.Vote.

Take five minutes to fill out the Sustainability Plan survey. We’re seeking resident input on Scottsdale’s draft Sustainability Plan 2022. The plan builds on Scottsdale’s legacy of effective, resident-centered governance and sound economic management and seeks to improve the quality of life for all residents, to preserve our Sonoran Desert environment, and to fulfill our responsibility to future generations. 

All data collected in the survey will be confidential and only used to inform the development of the Sustainability Plan. Information will not be shared with outside parties or used for other purposes. Take the survey.

Bring holiday cheer to Scottsdale families. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2022 Adopt-a-Senior and Adopt-a-Family holiday programs. When you complete the donor form, you will be matched with a senior or family and provided a brief biography and wish list. Each year, these programs serve hundreds of families and seniors in need ... thanks to the generosity of the individuals, families and organizations who support the program.


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:


THINGS TO DO

Wild Kingdom of Scottsdale: Tales of Survival in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran is home to more than 1,000 plants and animals, all with their own unique, strange and fascinating adaptations to life in the Sonoran Desert. Come learn about some of the creatures that call the preserve home, and the people who study them. The free program begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Find more McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West presents the “Modern Day Mountain Man.” Join Howard Calvert to hear about his journey along the 2,600-mile Pacific Crested Trail at ages 65 and 75. The program runs from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at the museum, 3830 N. Marshall Way. Learn more and cost by calling 480-686-9539.

Canal Convergence returns Nov. 4-13 at the Scottsdale Waterfront to celebrate 10 years of Water + Art + Light. This year’s event will present light-based public art and programming with themes from the past and present to provide an authentic and immersive art experience. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 4 and 11, and Saturdays, Nov. 5 and 12; 6-9 p.m. Sunday Nov. 6-Thursday, Nov. 10; and Sunday, Nov. 13 (closing night).

Highlights:

  • Scottsdale Water will host the One Water Brewing Showcase, a one-of-a-kind event featuring beer made exclusively with ultra-purified, recycled water from 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5. Attendees 21 and older can purchase a sample pack which includes tastings made with the ultra-purified water. 

  • Canopy is a grove of six, illuminated, tree-like sculptures that continuously transform in shape and color as participants power them through bike-driven generators. The artwork provides a firsthand experience with green electricity generation. 

  • The Herberger Stage at Soleri Plaza will feature nightly music and spoken word performances. 

Get a head start on holiday shopping at the senior center’s Arts and Crafts Fair. View the works of more than 150 art vendors who sell a variety of original artwork, jewelry, photography, glass, iron work, clothing and more. This year's event takes place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, and it features live music, art demonstrations, food and free children's activities.

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy's Family Day is back! Stop by anytime between 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th St., for interactive experiences. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment.

Scottsdale Library hosts event to thank cardholders. Enjoy a family friendly celebration 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road. Festivities include live music, cotton candy, games and activities. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No outside food or drink (other than sealed water bottles) will be permitted. The library has issued 90,368 library cards – including the 1,343 issued during September’s National Library Cards Sign-Up Month. Show your card for entrance. If you don't have a library card and want one, go online or visit one of four library branches.

Scottsdale Veterans Day commemoration features Rose Mattie, combat veteran and Blackhawk pilot. The commemoration will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road. It is free and open to the public. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band kicks off the program with a half-hour of patriotic music. Community historian and Air Force veteran Joan Fudala is also part of the program along with the Scottsdale Police and Fire Honor Guard; bugler and Army veteran Gil Gifford; and members of Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council. Learn more about keynote speaker Rose Mattie and other local Veterans Day commemorations and information.

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 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: Make contemporary art a family tradition. Solve a puzzle, create a wearable art pendant and explore the museum. Noon-3 p.m.

Get more events information.


PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Scottsdale’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission wants to showcase those who embody the “Spirit of Scottsdale.” This award recognizes residents and organizations/businesses that help to strengthen and build Scottsdale’s community through their commitment to and involvement in neighborhoods. Fill out your nomination by Dec. 31.

ADOT hosts a virtual meeting regarding improvements to Loop 101, between Princess Drive and Shea Boulevard. Tune in 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, to get information about this project which will widen the freeway and modify existing interchanges. 

  • Join online on a computer or smartphone: https://bit.ly/ADOT101

  • Join by phone: (English) +1 301 715 8592; (Spanish) +1 213-267-3760

  • If you do not have access to technology, contact John Tucker at 480-695-4027 or [email protected] for assistance.

Neighborhood College offers November programs. Register for one or all! Some presentations are offered in-person and online. 

History series: 

  • 'Til Death Do Us Part: 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1; or 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road, and on Zoom. 

  • Scottsdale Fact or Fiction: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15; or 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road. 

HOA series: 

  • Top 10 Reasons Boards Get Sued: 1-3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road.


FYI

History Mystery – Ghosts in city buildings? Did you know that some Scottsdale city buildings have been studied by paranormal investigators? An organization affiliated with TAPS (the people behind Ghost Hunters) examined the Scottsdale Public Library and the Community Design Studio, where unexplained phenomena were found. Learn about the most haunted U.S. libraries, including Arabian and Civic Center libraries made the list

Investing in Our Scottsdale: Indian Bend Wash Path System improvements. Scottsdale’s paved paths and unpaved trail systems are designed for a variety of users including bicyclists, pedestrians, hikers and equestrians. The city recently completed improvements on three sections:

  • Renovated and expanded the path from 8 feet to 10 feet at Hayden Road, just south of Camelback Road.

  • Reconstructed an existing path to improve drainage and access to the planned WestWorld Sports Complex. Users can connect to this path from Horizon Park north to the Central Arizona Project Canal and WestWorld trailheads. 

  • The Bell94 Path was built to connect Bell Road to the path system north of the new Bell94 Sports Complex. The path also will connect users to the DC Ranch Neighborhood Park at 91st Street and Trailside View. 

These improvements are part of the city’s Transportation Action Plan’s (TAP 2022) Bikeway Element. Learn more about TAP 2022 and paths and trails.

Job of the Week – Fleet Technicians. Employees in this role perform maintenance and repairs on a variety of automotive and heavy equipment. Tech I and III positions are available. 

Scottsdale by the numbers: 

  • Twenty-one neighborhoods participated in the Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) event Oct. 15, with an additional 13 celebrating during October. 

  • A record 77 volunteer groups participated in the Oct. 22 Adopt-a-Road cleanup. Nearly 450 people cleaned 162 miles of roadway and removed two tons of trash. 

  • Scottsdale etched 242 catalytic converters at the city’s Oct. 23 event. Etching can help deter theft. 


QUICK LINKS:


Scottsdale What Works Cities 2023 Gold certification

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