Sept. 11, 2023
Scottsdale City Council approves agreement to provide water for the Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District. As part of its continuing leadership role in addressing the lack of a sustainable water supply for Maricopa County residents in the Rio Verde Foothills area, the Scottsdale City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement at its Sept. 5 meeting.
The agreement is with the Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District, an entity created by Arizona Senate Bill 1432, which became law in June. Scottsdale's own water resources will not be used, and the rate charged to the district is set so that costs are fully recovered on behalf of the Scottsdale residents who pay for the infrastructure and operation of the city's water system. Read more.
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:
Saddle up for the Arabian National Breeder finals, Sept. 13-16, at WestWorld. This prestigious show presents an unprecedented halter/breeding showcase opportunity that offers prize money and marketing opportunities for breeders and purebred Arabian horse enthusiasts. The Arabian Horse Association of Arizona is the most established and successful breed organization in the state with more than 66 years of experience in marketing and promoting the Arabian horse.
Discover innovative tools to ignite business growth through diversification and inclusion at the United Diversity Business Summit. The conference features keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking opportunities and resources for the business community. The event takes place 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. Learn more and register.
Visit 160+ vendors, curators and artisans from across the country at the Vintage Market Junk in the Trunk event. You'll also enjoy live music, local food trucks and a unique shopping experience. The market takes place Friday-Sunday, Sept. 15-17, at WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road. Get more information on times and cost.
Learn about local architecture at Hometown Happy Hour. Join us for a roundtable discussion on local architecture featuring architects Douglas Sydnor and Ned Sawyer. Community historian Joan Fudala moderates. The free program begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, Civic Center Library. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Try a new dining spot … or hit up an old favorite for Arizona Restaurant Week, through Sept. 17. Arizona Restaurant Week showcases local chefs and their culinary achievements with special menus and dining experiences at participating restaurants. Support your favorite Scottsdale restaurant! Each eatery features a three-course, prix-fixe menu, along with their regular menu items.
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 these recent immigrants 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 speaker meet and greet – please note new times. You can also watch the program virtually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g16CdyuRaPU
Neighborhood College registration is open for fall series; program kicks off with the Sept. 21 Scottsdale 360 series on short-term rentals. Short-term Rentals – The Long and Short of It runs virtually from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Sept. 21. Join representatives from Code Enforcement, Scottsdale Police Department and Tax & License, to learn about the empowering short-term rental resources available to you, as well as about the nuisance party ordinance and other tools we use to try to mitigate the negative impacts of STRs. Register to get the link to participate.
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 or all:
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.
- Conflicts of Interest and How to Avoid Them: 9-11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, Community Design Studio. Discover the importance of having a clear understanding of what constitutes a conflict of interest, the problems they can create and how your association and board of directors should address/ avoid them.
- HOA/Condo Symposium, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, Community Design Studio. Learn the right way to amend your CC&Rs, how to conduct fair and legal board elections, and what to do if your association is in crisis. Lunch will be provided.
Scottsdale 360 Series:
- Pinnacle Peak History, 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Oct. 19, virtual. From geology to golf, the greater Pinnacle Peak area has something for every interest. Register to get the link to participate.
Stories of Scottsdale History Series:
- Scoundrels, Rascals & Cutthroats, 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, Holland Center. Hear about the stories of famous and infamous crimes that happened in Scottsdale. You’ll learn more … like how the mail was first brought from Phoenix to Scottsdale, why an Arizona high school has a unique mascot and what investigative tools were available to the police at various times.
- Scottsdale’s Unlucky Sevens (two sessions, same information), 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Mustang Library Auditorium. We’ll look back at two unusual criminal stories in Scottsdale history that happened the same year!
- Treasures of Scottsdale: The Extraordinary Ellis Family, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Community Design Studio; and 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, Mustang Library Auditorium (two sessions, same information). For more than 70 years, the Cattle Track Arts Compound has been a hub of creativity and innovation. Its influence reaches around the globe yet the site has remained off the radar of most residents and visitors. The family behind this one-of-a-kind home for the arts traces its roots back to just a few years after Arizona’s founding.
Good Neighbor Series:
- Top Ten Estate Planning Mistakes, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, Community Design Studio. Are you among the many Americans who have put your estate planning on the back burner? Don’t delay, get this important information.
Attend the Mental Health Matters Conference and learn how you can better support youth. This free conference offers information and resources available to support youth as it relates to mental health, substance abuse, eating disorders and LGBTQIA+. It will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at SkySong. Former news anchor Brandon Lee will be the keynote speaker. He is the founder and chief operating officer of Art of Our Soul, an art healing program for trauma survivors. Learn more.
Traffic alerts: The following projects will impact travel to, from and within Scottsdale city limits.
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A Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community road improvement project is happening along Chaparral Road east of the Loop 101. Lane reductions take place on Chaparral Road from east of the Loop 101 to the east side of Scottsdale Community College, through Thursday, Oct. 5. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. The northbound Loop 101 exit onto Chaparral Road is closed. Visit the project website for details.
Investing in Our Scottsdale: Improvements coming to Carefree Highway between Cave Creek and Scottsdale roads. Improvements will expand Carefree Highway from two to four lanes in each direction with a center landscaped, raised median island. The project also includes bike lanes, a shared-use path/trail, curb and gutter, drainage fixes and utility work. The city will host a public meeting later this year so the public can view and comment on preliminary design concepts. Learn more about the project.
Watch Fast Five. Scottsdale Civic Center improvements have earned prestigious state and regional awards, the city’s first ever StoryWalk is now open, and you may be surprised to learn that our Street Operations crews spend a lot of time off-road. These are a just a few things happening in our community right now and highlighted in this month’s episode of Fast Five. Watch here.
The Scottsdale Police Via Linda District Station will be closed several months for construction. The McKellips and Foothills stations are available for police matters, including safe drug disposals. Call 480-312-5000 for more information.
Job of the Week: ADA/Title VI Coordinator: This position is housed in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and serves as the city’s liaison for public accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Responsibilities include tracking and resolving complaints; serving as a consultant, technical resource and the main point of contact to city divisions for ADA compliance; and will have oversight of the citywide ADA Transition Plan. 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.
