HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdale to consider temporary and long-term efforts to address housing insecurity. On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Scottsdale City Council will consider staff recommendations to provide temporary bridge housing for those in need, as well as construction of up to 28 affordable housing units at the Paiute Neighborhood Center.
The City Council’s discussion of the bridge housing program is the final step in accepting state grant funding to continue providing temporary lodging (30 to 120 days) for people who have been displaced from their homes in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Human Services has administered this bridge housing program at its current location for one year, leasing 10 rooms at a local hotel to provide safe and stable temporary lodging for eligible participants: seniors older than age 62 and families with minor children who have been displaced from their Scottsdale homes. The Sept. 19 City Council action continues that program at its current location (pdf).
The Scottsdale program will not take U.S. immigration referrals through Title 42. Participants are evaluated to ensure their individual needs and circumstances are a match for Scottsdale’s Bridge Housing Program. To date, 70% of participants have secured housing within 30 to 90 days. Last year, this program assisted 120 individuals in Scottsdale – a number the city expects to duplicate in 2023. Read more.
Friday deadline – Honor those in uniform by nominating them for the Scottsdale Salutes program. In November, the city will publicly thank veterans and military service members in the community by featuring them on light pole banners in Old Town. Veterans, active-duty service members, and members of the National Guard and reserves who live in Scottsdale, or are from Scottsdale, are eligible for recognition.
Submit nominations at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Scottsdale Salutes,” by Friday, Sept. 22. Those selected also will be honored at a community reception in November. The seven City-Council appointed residents who advise on veterans’ issues and to raise awareness of and honor veterans in the community, initiated the program.
League of American Bicyclists seeks community feedback on city application. Last month the Transportation & Streets department submitted Scottsdale’s renewal application to the League of American Bicyclists. The city applies for recertification with the bicycle advocacy group every four years and hopes to advance the city’s standing to a platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community this year. The next phase of the application process is a request for community feedback from the League of American Bicyclists. The League’s process is independent of the city’s community feedback campaign; results from the League’s campaign will be factored into their review of the city’s application. Scottsdale has been a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community for 12 consecutive years. Provide feedback.
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:
September’s Civil War Roundtable features Dr. Brian M. Jordan: A Monopoly of Misfortune – The Odyssey of an Immigrant Regiment in the Civil War. This free presentation examines the reputation of a Union regiment of German immigrants after the battles of Gettysburg and Chickamauga, and what motivated them to fight for the Union. The Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable meets Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. The lecture starts at 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m. for book sales and a speaker meet and greet. Please note new times. You can also watch the program virtually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g16CdyuRaPU
Join us at Granite Reef Senior Center for the Fall Luau featuring island food and entertainment. The event starts at noon Friday, Sept. 22, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Cost is $7 for residents; $10 for others. Space is limited; registration is required.
Save the date for Saddle Up IV, Western Spirit: Scottsdale Museum of the West’s annual charity event. This Sunday, Oct. 15, fundraiser helps ensure the museum’s daily operations, exhibits and experiences flourish. The museum has lined up stellar entertainment for the event including Emmy award-winning singer/ songwriter Jim Salestrom and popular local country rock band DaisyTrain. Learn more about the event and how to purchase tickets.
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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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Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, diverse events throughout the year.
The Scottsdale Police Department commemorates the 11th annual National Forensic Science Week, Sept. 17-23. Across the nation, agencies and organizations honor the dedication and hard work of those in forensic science. Quality forensic science is a critical element of intelligence-led policing that can exonerate the innocent, uncover crime trends, identify perpetrators, solve crimes, and enhance public safety. The Scottsdale Police Department offers a variety of services to assist with crime investigations.
The city’s Forensic Services Division includes two sections and seven units. The Forensic Laboratory Section analyzes evidence for criminal investigations, and forensic scientists work in various forensic disciplines with a specialized skill set. The Forensic Operations Section includes the crime scene and property and evidence units. Learn more about National Forensic Science Week.
Bring holiday cheer to Scottsdale families. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2023 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.
Get schooled at September Neighborhood College classes. Neighborhood College offers four tracks: HOA/Condo, Good Neighbor, Stories of Scottsdale History and Scottsdale 360, a virtual learning series that highlights the people, policies and programs that shape our community. Register for one class or all:
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HOA/Condo Series: Community Associations Deserve a Reserve, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Community Design Studio. You will learn the importance of reserve studies, reserve funds and industry best practices.
Scottsdale by the numbers:
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Parks and Recreation launched its master planning efforts in late July and received more than 3,000 website visits, 800 feedback responses and 200 comments on the interactive map. The plan will guide department projects and services over the next 10 years by identifying key initiatives, policies and implementation strategies. The city will collect feedback through spring 2024. Learn more.
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More than 3,600 attended Rewind: ‘80s Night over the Labor Day weekend on the newly renovated Civic Center.
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About 4,500 visited 85 vendors and 250 booths at the “Quilt, Craft and Sew” recently at WestWorld.
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The Arizona Black Rodeo hosted 10,000 people at the two-day cultural and education event at WestWorld.
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Nearly 70,000 guests visited aquatic centers this summer. In addition 2,600 participants enrolled in learn-to-swim lessons. The Eldorado and McDowell Mountain Ranch aquatic centers hosted 236 birthday parties and 10 private rentals.
United States Tennis Association designates Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center a premier facility. This is the second consecutive year the facility has received the national designation for its “exceptional leadership, quality of programs, staffing, and facility care." The center has 18 renovated hard courts for league play, tournaments and lessons. Learn more.
Scottsdale promotes openness, transparency and accountability with 50 publicly available datasets. Have you ever wondered how many Scottsdale households have internet access compared to neighboring communities? Check out this map using free, open-source data from Esri and Scottsdale’s geographical information system. The darker and larger the symbol, the greater the number of households without internet access. See what else you can learn!
Job of the Week: Police Crisis Intervention Specialist. The successful candidate provides professional level mobile crisis intervention, evaluation, information and referral services for the police department. 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.
