Summer Schooling 2017, Part 4: Public Works Department Demonstrates Servant Leadership

I don’t need to tell you it has been a hot week. With temperatures exceeding 110°, my rotations took me outside working alongside the Public Works Department. Public Works consists of about thirty hardworking individuals who are dedicated to maintaining Marana. The majority of tasks this department takes care of are often taken for granted, yet without them, the Town would look more like an anarchic state in contrast to the safe, friendly Town we all love.

The Street Maintenance team is responsible for roads, sidewalks, and most of the landscaping citizens interact with on a daily basis. Located on the Town’s website, the Marana Street Maintenance Map specifies the year the road was built, the year the funding will be available for the next preservation treatment, and the type of treatment required. This is a great tool if you are curious about a specific road within your neighborhood or if you like to see directly where your tax dollars are being spent.

In addition to street maintenance, Public Works operates traffic signals and installs street signs within the Town. These signs and signals are often held to strict specifications which are required due to safety regulations. However, Marana tends to go above and beyond, making sure lights are LED (therefore environmentally friendly), and using high quality signs to increase visibility and safety.

When it comes down to it, the Public Works Department is made up of dedicated civil servants. The majority of citizen requests are filtered to Public Works and consist of anything from potholes and traffic concerns to removal of roadkill. When a request is delivered, the staff prides themselves with replying as soon as possible--in the month of May, the average response time to resolve an issue was only four days. These monthly response times can be found within the Council Executive Report on the Town’s Website.

Last semester I took a few courses about building leadership skills and the Public Works Department is a perfect example of Servant Leadership in action. Servant Leadership stems from an individual who has a genuine passion to serve. These individuals focus on the betterment of others and their community. This form of leadership can be clearly identified within the Public Works department when they are called out in the middle of the night to clean up the debris from a car accident, or when they fill a pothole you may have noticed on your morning commute, but has vanished by the time you are heading home. These individuals are passionate about Marana and dedicate 100% of their effort to maintain our beautiful Town. 

Tangerine Roadwork Update: June 26-29

Beginning Monday, June 26 through Thursday, June 29 (weather permitting) from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will pave the new westbound lanes of Tangerine Road from Dove Mountain/Twin Peaks to just west of Camino de Oeste. During this work, residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Side streets and driveways will be intermittently closed as paving progresses along Tangerine Road
• Closures will last for a few hours at a time. Expect delays
• Business access and resident access will be maintained at all times through alternate routes
• Please expect increased truck traffic during these activities

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kristi or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Marana News: Residential housing market roaring back to life on northwest side

Article by Brad Allis

The residential housing market is booming on Tucson’s north side, with Marana and Oro Valley leading the way.

The town of Marana sits at the top of new single-family residential permits. The town issued 85 permits in May. Marana Mayor Ed Honea said that was the highest number in at least three years.

“We’re growing, people,” Honea said during the town’s groundbreaking ceremony for their new police facility. The town’s growth was a major reason they pursued the construction of a new police station.

Marana Water News: Impact of Impact Fees

In 2014, the Town implemented an Impact Fee schedule for parks, roads, and water infrastructure. These schedules include two parts, an infrastructure improvement plan (IIP) and land use assumptions (LUA), to generate the fees. This week, we highlight our use of impact fees and all the steps we take to ensure they are prepared in a thoughtful manner.

Impact fee requirements are listed in the Arizona Revised Statutes outlining how they are to be calculated and what types of projects are able to be built using these funds. Under the current impact fee rules, each department wishing to levy a fee is required to develop a plan showing exactly what those funds will be used to build. These Infrastructure Improvement Plans outline the various needs for each department based on the population growth projections in the land use assumptions.

Marana Water has listed many projects in our IIPs for water and sewer that will maintain and improve the level of service our customers have come to expect. These projects include additional storage capacity in reservoirs, larger well sites in order to maintain fire flows, and connecting our systems to ensure reliability and efficiency, just to name a few. Marana Water has divided the service area into several benefit areas, each with their own infrastructure projects and will each have their own fee. The graphic to the left lists our water and sewer benefit areas. The links at the bottom of the article will take you to maps showing the exact locations for these benefit areas. The division into these benefit areas ensures that infrastructure required in that area is funded by development exclusive to that area.

We are currently in the process of updating our 2014 fees. We have updated our IIPs and LUAs for review with a public hearing scheduled for August 1, 2017. During the Town Council meeting tonight, staff will give an overview of the impact fee update. For more information, click here.

Over the next several months, the Town will be working with stakeholder groups to develop the new set of impact fees. We have already spent several months working to identify where we believe growth will occur and what that means for our water and sewer systems. These two documents work together to allow us to prepare an appropriate fee for new development. To see the draft IIPs for water and sewer, click here. To take a look at the land use assumptions and the parks and roads draft IIPs, click here. 

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Southern Arizona Bat Watchers Citizen Scientist Bat Monitoring Network

Photo by Doris Evans

Were your hummingbird feeders mysteriously drained during the night last summer? Did you know that the midnight raiders were bats? Most of Arizona’s 28 bat species eat insects, but two species drink nectar and eat pollen and fruits from plants such as the saguaro, agave, and your hummingbird feeders. The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with cooperation from the Town of Marana, will be commencing their 2017 nighttime hummingbird feeder and bat monitoring project and they need your help!

Over the past 10 years, citizen scientists have graciously volunteered numerous hours each summer to monitor their hummingbird feeders for signs of visiting bats. They have provided us with valuable information that allows us to better understand the behavior of the federally endangered lesser long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) and the Mexican long-tongued bats (Choeronycteris mexicana), an Arizona species of concern. The lesser long-nosed bats migrate north from Mexico and arrive in southern Arizona as the saguaros begin to bloom. They continue to travel throughout southern Arizona feeding on the blooms of saguaros and agaves, as well as at your hummingbird feeders.

If you enjoy watching wildlife and sitting on your porch during summer evenings, please consider volunteering your time for this worthy cause. Your efforts will allow wildlife and resource managers in Arizona to better understand the ecology of these species. The goals of this project are to understand when these species arrive in southern Arizona, to determine foraging habits and movement patterns, and to document when the migratory species depart Arizona. With your help, we hope to continue receiving valuable information and use it to understand their behavior as well as how to better protect these bats.

If you are interested in participating in the hummingbird feeder monitoring project this year, please visit Marana’s bat study webpage.  The website allows participants to sign up as volunteers and to download information about this year’s monitoring protocol.

We hope to hear from you this season!

LendEDU: Marana ranks as Top 10 Arizona City for Homebuyers

In its most recent report on Arizona, LendEDU has ranked Marana as one of the top cities in Arizona to buy a home. This organization serves as an information portal focusing on student loans and debt. Marana's high ranking on this list reflects the Town's commitment to supporting our thriving local economy, high standard of living, and outstanding public schools

Tangerine Roadwork Update: June 19-22

Beginning Monday, June 19, Tangerine Corridor Constructors (TCC) will temporarily close Como Drive at Tangerine Road due to the safety concern of the extreme grade difference between the existing intersection, and the new Tangerine Road alignment. Access will be maintained to Como Drive from Limewood Drive. The closure will continue through the end of August, weather permitting, while the contractor finishes the new westbound lanes in that area.

Beginning Tuesday, June 20 through Thursday, June 22, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be installing traffic signal loops at the Tangerine Road and Camino de Oeste intersection. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Intermittent lane restrictions and turn restrictions at the intersection
• Restrictions will change daily
• Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day
• Expect slight delays

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kristi or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Summer Schooling 2017, Part 3: Supporting Community through Community Development

Marana’s Community Development & Neighborhood Services (CDNS) Department is truly diverse in the sense that they do a bit of everything! Their primary goal is to keep Marana’s neighborhoods safe, clean, and friendly. They accomplish this through a mixture of neighborhood revitalization, community outreach, and citizen education.

In the morning, I accompanied Town Staff on a follow-up visit with a resident who was a recipient of the Houses-to-Homes program. The Town was able to provide the resident with a new water heater and A/C unit just in time for the summer heat. The program assists qualifying citizens with repairs and/or replacement of water heaters, roofing, HVAC, and miscellaneous services such as electrical and plumbing.

The Town’s Code Enforcement Officers spend much of their time as educators of the Town Code. While it is their mission to “keep Marana an attractive place to live, work, and play,” the Code Enforcement Officers are adamant about finding the most effective and helpful solutions for both the Town and the citizens.  

In addition to Code Enforcement, CDNS oversees the Marana Clean-Up Trailer, Neighborhood Mediation Program, and most recently Animal Services. Beginning July 1, the Town will provide all animal services for residents. CDNS (with the help of almost everyone in Town Hall) has been vigorously planning the logistics of offering this new service. I look forward to this endeavor and I’m happy that Marana’s dedication for providing excellent service will now extend to the Town’s four-legged residents. 

Marana Water News: News Around the Industry

Every few months, our story will be a combination of other stories from around the water industry. There are a lot of great people out there doing really amazing things for water and their water customers. This week we highlight seven stories that are doing just that. Hope you enjoy!

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While we don’t have any drinking water treatment facilities, this article does a great job highlighting how treatment is done and generally compares water across the country. Click below for the story.

Marana Water is a member of the American Water Works Association, one of the largest water industry professional associations in the world. They monitor regulations, policies, and rules and share any changes with the membership. One of the programs that helps fund infrastructure is the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Here are two quick stories on how that program is going to move forward and the opportunities for organizations to participate.

We have mentioned previously some of the water charities work in this article. There are so many organizations helping people get access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation services. Here is a link to many of their stories.

While we usually think of water agencies focusing on distribution systems and any water treatment needs, there are also areas like Land Subsidence that our state agencies monitor. Here is an interesting link to a new geologic feature not too far from Marana.

One of the most talked about topics in the water world is recycled water and water reuse. The idea that we can treat water through technology rather than nature is constantly updating and challenging us to think differently about where our water comes from and what ends up in our storm water and sewer systems. Click below for the newsroom of the WateReuse organization for more.

For something fun, be sure to check out what is buzzing with this water provider on the east coast.

These are a just a few of the topics surrounding the water industry. Resiliency, sustainability, reliability, and safety are all common themes across the industry, and here at Marana Water it is no different.

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Marana and Pima County Collaborate to Construct CAP Trail

Central Arizona Project Canal as it runs near San Lucas in North Marana

Over the next several months, the Town of Marana and Pima County will work together to plan, design, and construct a trail that parallels the Central Arizona Project (CAP) within the town limits. On May 2, the Marana Town Council passed a resolution accepting an intergovernmental agreement with Pima County that formalizes this partnership. While this project does not yet have a definite timeline, Town and County officials expect it to be opened in 2018.

     This segment in Marana is part of a longer trail      route that follows the CAP canal along its                entire length of 336 miles. In June 2003, this pathway was designated as a National Recreation Trail. Once completed, this trail will become the second National Recreation Trail within Town limits, after the Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolita Mountains.

The CAP canal stands as one of the foremost engineering achievements in Arizona, alongside structures like the Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams. Construction began in 1973 and after 20 years, the project was completed in 1993. As a result of this massive undertaking, Arizona cities along its course, like Marana, can now rely on a steady supply of water from Lake Havasu.  

Future route of CAP Trail

The primary access point for the trail will lie just north of Tangerine Road and east of I-10, where the CAP canal briefly dips underground to flow under the freeway. Currently, grazing cattle occupy the land surrounding this location. The Town and the County are currently working to provide access off Tangerine Road to the trailhead. From there, the trail will travel northwest alongside the canal.  A substantial earthen berm will provide the primary surface. This terrain feature helps protect the CAP from run-off from the Tortolitas during heavy rains. Now, it will add a new purpose to its repertoire.

“This is the kind of project that really makes sense on several levels,” says Recreation Coordinator Bob Stinson. “Because of the berm, there’s basically already a trail adjacent to the canal, so really we’re just working with all the appropriate jurisdictions and landowners to open that trail to the public.”

When open, the trail will offer a 6.7-mile shared-use path stretching from Tangerine Road to the northern Marana Town limit, at which point Pinal County will open their stretch of the CAP Trail. While motorized vehicles will be prohibited from using this amenity, cyclists, walkers, joggers, and hikers can all enjoy unfettered access. Additionally, due to the location atop the berm, the entire trail will offer sweeping views of the Tortolita alluvial fan. For the safety of users and the security of the canal, a tall fence will continue to stand between the trail and the CAP.

“We have an incredible network of trails throughout the community,” says Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth-Briehn. “From the mountainous trails in the Tortolitas to the paved shared-use path that connects to the Loop system, Marana residents have a wealth of outdoor recreation options. We’re very excited to add this new trail to these offerings.”

Crested Saguaro in the Tortolita Mountains

While the trail may not be ready until mid-2018, that should not stop future users from taking advantage of other hiking opportunities in this area. The Tortolita Preserve features some of the largest saguaros in the entire region, and the Wild Burro Trail whisks visitors up into the rugged Tortolita Mountains, featuring an unusual density of crested saguaros. There are already a variety of ways to enjoy Marana’s Sonoran Desert beauty, and in the not-too-distant future, there will be one more.

Summer Schooling 2017, Part 2: Marana's Most Precious Resource

Thomas Prior is the 2017 Marvin Andrews Scholar. As part of his scholarship, he will be interning at the Town of Marana through August.

This week I spent some time with the folks responsible for managing the Town’s most precious resource: water. Marana’s Water Department is not only responsible for cleaning the drinking water which flows from the faucets, but they also handle the Town’s wastewater systems.

The Town has a handful of wells and water tanks ranging in size: the largest tank can hold a shocking 1.8 million gallons of water. Town’s Staff works vigilantly to provide proactive maintenance on the water systems. Part of this proactive maintenance includes sending scuba divers into the water tanks for routine inspections and cleaning. With proper care, these vital assets to the Town’s infrastructure will survive for years and years. 

While being pumped from the ground, the water is cleaned with chlorine, making it safe to drink. In contrast to the water treatment process, the reclaimed water is subject to a much more extensive method in order to eliminate any contaminants which may be harmful to the environment.

The amount of effort required to provide safe drinking water and managing the Town’s wastewater system is beyond amazing. The Water Department maintains some of the most important pieces of infrastructure within Marana. Currently a new water tank is being constructed as well as an expansion to the wastewater treatment plant. As the Town’s needs continue to grow, it is exciting to witness Marana planning for the future and investing into the proper infrastructure.

Police Facility Construction Begins with Groundbreaking Ceremony

Town of Marana police break ground for the new police facility.

With a collective sense of anticipation, the Town of Marana broke ground on a new police headquarters on Wednesday morning. This new facility will add to the campus of the Marana Municipal Complex, already home to the Town’s administrative staff, parks and recreation department, and the Marana Municipal Court. Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2018.

To mark the occasion, Marana hosted a public ceremony for officers, local dignitaries, contractors working on the project, and community members. In recognition of this milestone, that audience learned a little bit about the story behind how this project came together.

It all began in 2014, when Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema approached Town Manager Gilbert Davidson with a Peanut Buster Parfait in one hand and a small request in the other. As Davidson silently chewed, Terry Rozema made his pitch.

“We need a new police headquarters. This kind of investment will ultimately enable our department to meet the growing demands of our growing community. This isn’t about constructing a new building. This is about serving our Town.”

The Chief had Davidson’s attention.

Marana Town Manager Gilbert Davidson opens the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I think the Chief and his team literally spoke with every human being in the Town of Marana to talk about why we needed to have an investment in this community for a new police department.”

No amount of eloquence, though, could conjure up the $21 million that this idea would cost. For that, Town staff came up with an innovative financial tactic that could generate that revenue without incurring any debt.

Typically, when governments fund large scale capital projects, like building a police facility, they will issue bonds which must be paid back over several decades. Though this strategy can be effective, the interest on these bonds can add considerable sums to the total project cost. Furthermore, if a Town issues bonds for one project, then often issuing bonds for another project a few years later becomes even more costly, if not altogether impossible.

To work around this challenge, Town staff proposed increasing Marana’s sales tax temporarily by 0.5%. These new revenues could then be directed into an account solely dedicated to the police facility, such that when the fund reached a target balance, the tax would immediately terminate.

Raising the sales tax in this way required the approval of the Marana Town Council, and the Town Council needed to be sure that the community would support them in this endeavor. In order to gauge and build that support, Marana’s councilmembers, along with Chief Rozema, conducted an extensive public information campaign aimed at educating residents and business owners about the importance of a new police headquarters to Marana.

Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema speaks to the crowd. 

“I would be a horrible salesperson,” commented Chief Rozema, “I really have to believe in something to sell it. What I was selling was not the construction of a building. What I was selling is a better police department.”

Ultimately, the Council determined that the public wholeheartedly supported this project. After voting to implement the temporary sales tax, Town staff received not a single complaint from the public.

Davidson remarked that this support was “a testament to the leadership of the department and really to everyone within the PD that there’s that much respect in the community for the job that they do.”

When complete, the new facility will offer a number of upgrades for Marana’s police officers. There will be classrooms for trainings, improved evidence processing areas, community spaces, a shooting range, and even a kennel for the Marana K-9 units. Most importantly, though, there will be an increased capacity to serve Marana’s growing population. Marana’s officers are single-mindedly committed to public service, and this new department will enable them to fulfill that mission.

Today’s ceremony was recorded on Facebook Live and can be viewed below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Left to right: Councilmember Bowen, Vice Mayor Post, Mayor Honea, Councilmember McGorray, Police Chief Rozema, Councilmember Comerford, and Town Manager Gilbert Davidson break ground for the new police facility.

Left to right: Michael Rosso and Joe Salvatore from Architekton, Richard Carr from Abacus, Todd Steffen and Mike Stecyk from CORE, Marana Police Chief Rozema, Jake Otten, Nichole Kotsur and Tracy Garrison from CORE. 

Mayor Honea speaks to the crowd.

Aerial of groundbreaking event and future location for the police building.

Celebrate Independence Day at the Best July 4th Party in Southern Arizona

The Star Spangled Spectacular, Marana’s annual bash celebrating Independence Day, is pretty much every kind of July 4th celebration, all rolled into one. No matter how you like to celebrate our nation’s founding, you’re bound to find your scene at this party. With live entertainment, dozens of food trucks, two beer gardens, all kinds of kids’ activities, and vendors throughout the event, there are attractions for one and all. Download the Marana Events app for iPhone and Android, and read on for more information. 

Fireworks

Let’s get right down to business. It’s not a July 4th celebration if there aren’t fireworks. Everything else is just icing on the red, white, and blue cake, and in Marana, we like our fireworks big, loud, spectacular. This year’s fireworks show will close out the event as our grand finale—launch time is 9pm sharp. Listen to our soundtrack of all America’s greatest hits, including the old standards as well as a few more recent melodies. America’s songbook celebrates all that we have to be proud of in this great country, so the soundtrack for our fireworks show is all about highlighting that patriotic spirit. As you listen to the music and watch the fireworks, enjoy opulent showers of glittering lights that cover every color of the rainbow. Feel their thunderous roar as they arc across the sky. Marvel at their beauty and at the amazing country that they represent. After all, isn’t that why we’re all here?

Entertainment

Throughout the Star Spangled Spectacular, performers will be providing the soundtrack for July 4th from two stages. The music at this year’s event will cover all corners of Americana, from country to Motown, from indie pop to patriotic anthems.

At 5:30 pm on Stage 2, Caiden Brewer will be taking the stage with his country swagger. A Southern Arizona native, Caiden Brewer was born with country music in his blood. After an injury that preempted his athletic scholarships to college, Caiden began to channel his ambition towards writing music, culminating in his debut E.P., "On The Run." A modern incarnation of outlaw country, Caiden's music draws inspiration from his own experiences growing up one step ahead of the law while staying true to his blue collar roots. 

At 6pm, don’t miss, on Stage 1, Steff and the Articles, an indie pop band with jazz influences. In 2009, singer-songstress Steff Koeppen joined forces with bassist Chris Pierce and drummer Tom Beech, and they currently perform with violinists Jessica Muiseke & Alexandra Tuggle. The group produces music that touches on jazz, classical, and folk styles while maintaining an accessible, pop-oriented sound. They've opened up for national acts such as A Great Big World, Holychild, and Copeland (whose most recent record Ixora features Steff).

Starting at 7pm, the George Howard Band will be playing Motown favorites on Stage 2. George Howard has been involved in playing the blues and R&B for over 25 years. He has worked with a line-up of blues greats, including John Lee Hooker, Syl Johnson, Louisiana Red, Bo Diddley, Charlie Mussellwhite, Jimmy Thackery, Johnny Lang, Albert Collins, and Willie Nelson. George has also produced and co-produced records on independent labels, as well as promoting concerts and managing bands. George has recently been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Tucson Music Awards Hall of Fame. George is also the president and founder of the Tucson Musicians Museum. In the arena of blues and R&B, George Howard is considered in the heavyweight division.

As we get closer to the big day, we will announce more bands here, so stay tuned!

Food & Drink

The Star Spangled Spectacular is Marana’s biggest signature event of the year, and this is where the food trucks show up in force. This year, we’re expecting more than 30 food vendors, so that means that whatever kind of cuisine you’re in the mood for, we’ll have it.

If you’re looking for something to wash down that hot dog (or taco, or pizza, or kettle corn), and you’re at least 21, look no further than our two beer gardens. That’s right, this year, by popular demand, we’ve added a new beer garden near Stage 1 in addition to the original beer garden which will still be located near the volleyball courts. Now, you can enjoy your favorite bands and your favorite brews, all at the same time. Though both beer gardens will be enclosed, all ages are permitted in these areas. Only those with wristbands, though, will be able to purchase alcohol, and no alcohol can be taken outside the beer garden perimeter.

Activities

The Star Spangled Spectacular is an event that kids will love. Want to get ahead of the fun? Sign up for the cornhole tournament! Inflatables of all shapes and sizes will keep the younger set busy. During the warm summer weather, nothing is more refreshing than plummeting down a waterslide, and that’s just one of the gigantic, air-filled attractions we’ll have at the event.

Once you’ve jumped through all the castles and slid down all the slides, stop by the free face painting station. Want to look like your favorite character from Beauty and the Beast? Be our guest! How about a classic character from Aladdin? Your wish is our command! Whatever face design you can imagine, our face painter is ready to oblige.

Once you’ve got your game face on, look around for our patriotic stilt walker. He won’t be hard to find because This Uncle Sam definitely drank his milk and ate his Wheaties when he was just a wee Nephew Sam. Today, he’s a towering seven feet tall, and he’s eager to wish you a Happy July 4th.

And now that you’ve had a quick rest, it’s time to head back to the water slide. Race you there!

Vendors

Attending the Star Spangled Spectacular means hanging out with your neighbors across Marana, including a number of local businesses who will have booths at the event. Whether you’re interested in learning more about health care options in the community, finding a local bank or credit union, or just doing some summer shopping, be sure to stop by the vendor area

Parking

Last year, more than 15,000 people attended the Star Spangled Spectacular, and this year, we’re expecting even more. In order to accommodate all these attendees, Marana staff are currently developing a new parking plan. Details will be shared here as soon as they are finalized.

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This July 4th, there’s no better place than Marana to enjoy all that Independence Day has to offer. Marana’s patriotic spirit runs strong throughout the year, and the Star Spangled Spectacular is really our opportunity to celebrate that spirit with enthusiasm.

Marana Water News: Only Rain Down the Drain

With June in full swing, the monsoon and stormwater are hot topics. As we know, when it rains that water runs down streets, driveways, washes, and other surface area collecting whatever might be in its path and heads to our storm drain system. This water will eventually make its way back into the aquifer, and we want to be sure that it is as clean as possible.

Nationwide, it is estimated that 30% of the known pollution to our nation’s water systems is attributable to stormwater runoff. In 1987, the United States Environmental Protection Agency developed a regulatory program to address this pollution issue. It created a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and it issues permits to any place that will discharge pollutants to a water source. In Arizona, the Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) manages these permits and the reporting that comes along with them. Our Water Reclamation Facility is required to complete and submit the AZPDES. Click here to check out all the reporting requirements for the facility.

During construction, there are specific requirements from the state to prevent pollutants from getting into the water. The Town even requires a Stromwater Pollution Prevention Plan as part of the construction documentation. Now, there are many things that can be done at home to prevent pollutants on a smaller scale. The graphic above shows a few things you can do to keep our stormwater as clean as possible. More can be found by clicking here. You could even check out the Only Rain Down the Drain website here, which has some videos and other helpful tips for keeping our stormwater runoff clean.

As those storm clouds build and our monsoon kicks off, we hope you take some time to think about what might be around your home that could end up on the stormwater runoff.

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Tangerine Roadwork Update: June 5 and 6

On Monday, June 5, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors will patch trenches along Tangerine Road. During this work, residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Traffic will be shifted around the work areas
• Flaggers will be onsite to help direct traffic 
• Speed limits will be reduced to 25 MPH
• Expect slight delays

On Monday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors will patch trenches at the Tangerine Road and La Cholla Boulevard intersection. During this work, residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Traffic will be shifted to the north 
• Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction
• Westbound traffic will have a dedicated right turn lane
• All turning movements will be permitted
• Speed limits will be reduced to 25 MPH
• Expect slight delays

On Tuesday night, June 6, at 8 p.m., crews will begin shifting traffic to the new southbound lanes of Thornydale Road and installing temporary pavement markings at the Tangerine Road and Thornydale Road intersection. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• North and southbound traffic will be shifted to the new southbound travel lanes of Thornydale Road from Misty Breeze Lane to just south of Tangerine Road
• East and westbound traffic will be unaffected
• The speed limit is 25 MPH
• Expect delays

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kristi or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Summer Schooling 2017, Part 1: Diving into Local Government

Thomas Prior is the 2017 Marvin Andrews Scholar. As part of his scholarship, he will be interning at the Town of Marana through August.

The first week at the Town can be compared to a child learning how to swim. The quickest way to learn is to dive into the deep-end and start swimming! This past week I have dived into department rotations and I am becoming familiar with the Town of Marana. I have already met dozens of friendly faces and look forward to meeting many more.  My name is Thomas Prior and I will be getting to know Marana a little bit better over the next couple of months. I was born and raised in the Phoenix area and I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Public Service & Public Policy at Arizona State University.

Last week I spent a few days with the Marana Police Department keeping the streets safe on a ride-along, investigating crimes with a detective, discovering the intricate work of a crime scene specialist, and observing the expert multitasking skills of a dispatcher. After experiencing information overload by everything PD, I met with the Town Magistrate and witnessed the next stage of the criminal justice system. While some municipalities have a somewhat disconnected relationship between the courts, police, and the rest of town hall, Marana makes every effort to create a tight-knit community between all departments. In the short time I have been in the Town I have realized that the efficient interdepartmental harmony stems from Marana’s commitment to live by four cultural values: dedicated service, respect, teamwork, and engaged innovation.   

Over the summer, I look forward to getting to know the wonderful citizens, employees, and business that make up the great Town of Marana. 

Marana Breaks Ground on new Tangerine Sky Community Park

Ceremonial shovels and hard hats

Town Manager Gilbert Davidson opens up the groundbreaking ceremony

Mayor Honea speaks on the overall Town of Marana park system

Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth-Briehn describes the planning process for the new Tangerine Sky Park

Council and community members

Council and community members

Council and community members

Council and community members

Town of Marana Parks and Recreation staff

Town of Marana staff

On the first day of June, the Arizona summer granted Marana town officials a reprieve. In a month when temperatures routinely break triple digits, on this morning a gentle breeze and a lightly overcast sky allowed for an unseasonably pleasant morning.

In a small clearing just south of Tangerine road, between Camino de Oeste and Camino de Mananña, amid the teddy bear cholla and blooming saguaros, a clump of Town staff chatted with residents, contractors, and their colleagues under the pyramid of a white tent. Glancing around, they started to imagine the plans for this clearing and the surrounding desert. Visions of swings rocking back and forth, dogs frolicking in a dog park, kids running through the open grass—these images would soon become reality. This is the site of Tangerine Sky Community Park, Marana’s first new park since 2009, and today is the groundbreaking.

“Who here has memories of playing in a public park?” Town Manager Gilbert Davidson asked of the small assembly.  “Who here has taken their kids or grandkids to the park? Think about those moments when you watch your child go down a slide for the first time. This park is about real people enjoying a public park.”

In 2015, during the preliminary planning stages of this park, Marana staff surveyed the neighborhood surrounding it to find out what some of those real people would want in this new amenity. As a result of that effort, the final design for this park includes two dog parks, a playground, a basketball court, a turfed area, and a paved path and a nature trail that will meander through undeveloped Sonoran Desert.

“This final design reflects exactly what we learned from residents,” says Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth-Briehn. “This 12-acre park balances natural elements with developed features so that users of all kinds can find something to love about this location.” 

The location of the park, south of Tangerine Road is conveniently located near both Dove Mountain and the Twin Peaks Corridor, benefiting a wide array of visitors. Currently, the Town of Marana is working with Pima County and Oro Valley to widen Tangerine Road between Dove Mountain Blvd and La Cholla Dr. As part of this project, a shared-use path will allow cyclists, walkers, joggers, and any other non-motorized users to enjoy a car-free pathway. Tangerine Sky Community Park, when complete, will serve as an ideal trailhead for this route.

“Our aim with this park is to create a point of pride in this community, a gathering place for our residents,” continues Nemeth-Briehn. “We’ll host free concerts here, and no doubt there will be birthday parties, quinceañeras, and family picnics. We can’t wait for this park to open next year and to see our residents start using it.”

Town staff expect construction on the park to continue from now into 2018, just in time for a ribbon cutting in the spring. Keep checking back in the Marana Newsroom, like the Town on Facebook, and follow the Town on Twitter to stay in the loop on all project updates.

Overhead utility work scheduled along Interstate 10 and Ina Road

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restriction as construction of the Interstate 10 and Ina Road traffic interchange continues:

I-10 will be closed intermittently in both directions at Ina Road between 6 and 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, for overhead utility work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati.

UPDATE: Overnight maintenance work scheduled on Interstate 10

Eastbound I-10 ramp at Orange Grove Road closed overnight

Eastbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Orange Grove Road (milepost 250) from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 1, and again Thursday night, June 1, to Friday morning, June 2. 

• The eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Orange Grove Road will be closed.
• Drivers will use the eastbound I-10 frontage road at Orange Grove Road to Sunset Road to access eastbound I-10.

Eastbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Pinal Air Park Road (milepost 231) from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 1.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Kids and Teens Can Take College Classes through Pima Community College and Marana Parks and Recreation

This summer, Marana Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Pima Community College to give a younger audience active and learning this summer. Over the course of four one-week sessions, knowledge-seekers can explore the animal kingdom, architecture, computer science, and world cultures. In every class, accredited PCC instructors will engage students with the same enthusiasm and expertise that they bring to their university courses. And the best part of all? Parents, you won’t have to pay university prices for your kids to benefit from this experience. So what are we offering this year?

The tables below break out all the course offerings by age group. To register a student ages 5-8 or 9-12, visit the Pima For Kids course catalogue. To register a student ages 13-17, visit the Teen Scene course catalogue. In either course catalogue, you can search for classes by course reference number (CRN). All classes in this program will be hosted here in Marana, at Twin Peaks Elementary School.

With both anticipation and anxiety, every year, newly minted high school graduates step into the world of higher education. For a few, though, a rising confidence bubbles up. They’ve been here before. They’ve experienced this life. They took PCC summer classes through Pima for Kids and Teen Scene. They’re ready.