SanTan Sun News; 2-21-15: Community

Chandler police make plans for more body-worn cameras

BY CURT BLAKENEY

Sometime soon during a routine traffic stop, Chandler police officers may approach drivers wearing a pager-sized, chest-mounted video camera. Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan proposed the purchase of 180 body-worn video cameras during a Jan. 29 City Council subcommittee meeting.

The Chandler Police Department has always prided itself on being forwardthinking and civic-minded, Duggan says. The department has been awarded the prestigious Gold Standard Assessment with Excellence by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for seven consecutive years, so it’s no surprise that it took a proactive approach on equipping police officers with body-worn cameras (BWC).

The national controversy over police use of force has sparked public protests and cast police officers in a negative light. Videos of police interactions gone awry often wind up on YouTube or social media, but only a portion of the interaction is being captured by bystanders recording an event from their cellphones. Now, police departments across the country, including Chandler, are working to quell critics, and for many departments, BWCs provide a possible solution.

“Cameras will demonstrate that we are committed to implementing best practices in policing and that we are transparent and responsive to the community,” Duggan says.

Police departments are equipping officers with body-worn cameras to increase transparency and accountability, as well as to improve behavior by officers and citizens. Photo courtesy Taser International

“Technology is changing the nature of police work. It’s changing how we receive information, how we process information

SRP closer to siting line on GRIC

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Salt River Project has gained the support of the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) ownership to put a power line on its land, eliminating many of the private land route options in Chandler.

“This is a very positive development for a lot of people in Chandler,” says Scott Harelson with the SRP media relations department.

The project manager, Tom Novy, explains that originally all of SRP’s options would have crossed through densely populated residential areas.

“Nearly all have been replaced with routes on the Gila River Indian Community,” he says. “There is a very short segment from the GRIC boundary on the west to the new proposed RS-28 receiving station and about 3 miles from the Schrader Substation south to the GRIC boundary where there’s an existing railroad and existing transmission.

“Although in some places there is residential adjacent to those features, much of it is adjacent to a golf course, commercial industrial areas or farms.

We feel we have a good alternative in from Schrader to the reservation without near as much proximity to high-density residential.”

SRP has forecasted increased demand for energy in the Price Road Corridor. As a result, SRP needs to construct 230-kilovolt (kV) overhead power lines and two new 230kV substations to accommodate the growth of high-tech companies and industrial manufacturers in Tempe and Chandler.

“The City of Chandler has their own Price Road Corridor development plan where they’re looking for commercial and industrial customers,” Novy says. “They need power to serve them.”

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH TODAY? SEE PAGE 18

and how we disseminate information. This is an opportunity for us to move forward to help ensure accountability and enhance

public trust.”

The price tag for the additional Axon Body cameras, manufactured by Scottsdale-based Taser International, is roughly $991,000 for a five-year agreement, which includes the cameras, docking stations/chargers, data storage and monthly service. The City is expected to purchase the cameras with funds accumulated by RICO forfeited assets that police seize during arrests. A normal supplement to the budget, the funds will not come out of the Chandler general fund. The cameras could be fully implemented within three months of City approval. Another presentation by Duggan is planned in March during a council retreat. The police department’s request to expend funds on this technology will be considered part of the City’s budget process, which runs through June 30. According to Taser research, some police departments are getting as much as a 300-percent return on cost savings just by reducing civilian complaints, which in many cases paid for the hardware in the first year of use.

“There really are no downsides to having the best available evidence when law enforcement interacts with the public, especially in use-of-force situations or when there is doubt and uncertainty,” says Steve Tuttle, spokesman for Taser. “Police are already being recorded by citizens with cell phones, but they don’t record the full context of the events.”

Pollack continues improvements along Alma School Road

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Real estate entrepreneur Michael Pollack, who has been instrumental in the revitalization of the Alma School Road corridor, will introduce in March the AZ Elite Youth Sports and Gym, a premier fitness club for adults, teens and children in the Pollack Paseo del Oro shopping center.

AZ Elite will house a state-of-the-art gym, swim school, gymnastics program, batting cage and training center. The 42,000-square-foot facility will allow parents to work out in the gym, while their kids are immersed in activities and classes.

“It’s an incredible facility,” Pollack says, adding it will feature an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool for Olympic training. “It’s an incredible family-oriented fitness

•

The Chandler Police Department is familiar with BWCs, having deployed 40 Axom Flex cameras during a trial period that demonstrated the benefits of a departmentwide adaptation. In a poll of Chandler police officers who participated in the beta program, 100 percent thought the cameras were of value to the department.

“I’m in favor of them with certain caveats and protections in place,” says City Councilman Rick Heumann.

“I think the technology has improved, and I’m a big believer in transparency. We can avoid those ‘he-said, shesaid’ situations. Using the cameras, many false accusation claims have gone away and certain situations were verified. Long term,

these cameras should be beneficial.”

Agencies across the state are implementing or testing BWC programs, including the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office with 700 BWCs, Mesa 150, Surprise 72, Lake Havasu 60, Peoria 54, Flagstaff 50 and Scottsdale 40 units.

The results have been encouraging. The Lake Havasu Police Department reduced complaints by 58 percent, while the Mesa Police Department cut complaints by 48 percent.

The ability to accurately review video evidence lays the foundation for benefits at trial, as well as in other situations where video may provide crucial information. According to Taser in its research, the presence of the cameras not

only encouraged compliance from the public, but it also reduced instances of use of force by officers.

Taser recently completed an indepth, one-year study with the police department of Rialto, California, which saw the department equip a control group of officers with wearable video cameras. The results showed that officer complaints fell by 87.5 percent from the previous year, while officer interactions with the public actually increased during that time period. The study also showed that officers wearing body cameras reduced use-offorce by 59 percent.

“Body-worn cameras are today’s legal body armor for unfounded claims and provide improved behavior on both sides of the badge,” Tuttle says.”

Skeptics generally point to privacy issues as reasons to take on a BWC program with caution. Duggan has considered the privacy of officers and citizens being

filmed, saying, “Our body-worn camera policy would mirror existing policies regarding privacy issues, such as a citizen request not to be recorded during consensual encounters either in public or in the privacy of their own home.”

To further protect citizen privacy, there will be guidelines for the situations where the cameras should be turned on.

“Officers equipped with body worn cameras would be encouraged to activate them when an encounter is reasonably anticipated to result in enforcement action, such as traffic stops or investigations, and when an encounter becomes or is likely to become confrontational or violent,” Duggan says.

Curt Blakeney is an associate editor of the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at curt@santansun.com.

The Chandler Police Department has proposed purchasing Axon Body cameras by Taser of Scottsdale, known worldwide for its stun guns. The Axon camera can be mounted on an officer’s button shirt, zipper shirt, utility belt or uniform shirt pockets. The camera records enhanceddefinition (ED) video (at 640 by 480 pixels) using a 130-degree, wide-angle lens, which provides a greater field of view. The camera also features low-light imaging that

mimics the human eye. The unit records images exactly as the police officer would see them.

A scenario might go something like this:

A police officer notices a driver running a red light, so he “activates” the unit with the click of a button. It has a 30-second video buffer, so it actually captured the crime that the officer witnessed. Once activated, the unit lays down audio as well, so now video and audio are being

recorded. After the police officer writes the red-light runner a ticket and returns to his vehicle, he deactivates the camera, which puts it back in buffering/standby mode. The officer can then stream the video via Bluetooth to his smartphone (iPhone or Android). Using the Axon app, the officer can view the video and add notes and meta-tags to complete the video file as evidence.

The unit’s rechargeable battery lasts for

12 hours, enough to cover most officers’ daily shifts. An 8-gigabyte hard drive can capture enough video for an entire shift. When an officer returns to the police station, he sets the camera on a docking station; the camera’s battery is then recharged and video data automatically uploads to Taser’s secure evidence.com website, which serves as a digital evidence locker.

-Curt Blakeney

SRP plans to file the application for the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility in March to the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee for a permit to build the project components that are not on Gila River Indian Community lands. The application will only include the route options from the Schrader Substation, south to the Gila River Indian Community boundary, a short segment from the Gila River Indian Community boundary on the west, to the new proposed RS-28 Substation and the RS-27 Substation sites.

Schrader Substation is located south of Ocotillo Road and east of Arizona Avenue. The RS-28 Substation is projected to be east of Old Price Road, while RS-27 Substation would be near Old Price and Germann roads. Although SRP did have conversations with the Gila River Indian Community during its

center that’s under construction as we speak.”

In the former L.A. Fitness location, AZ Elite will boast a spa that will offer massage therapy, skin care treatments, tanning and spray tanning options.

Pollack has lured other businesses to the center within the last year, including Rocker World and Zia Records.

“People don’t realize how important it is to bring in a retailer that people truly enjoy going to,” Pollack says of Zia Records. “That space was vacant for about three years before we moved them in.

“We had to do an extensive amount of work in order to get them. We got them and that’s what counts. It was a bear. It

Community

two-year effort, the nonprofit public power company looked to connect the substations on private land, Novy explains.

SRP held three sets of public open houses in the past two years to gather input from area residents and businesses.

“We started with a lot of different options on private land and narrowed it down to two options for each component,” Novy says. “In the meantime, we were working with the Gila River Indian Community to develop a route on their property, which would accomplish the same goal.”

To erect the line on Gila River Indian Community land, SRP had to obtain consent from more than 50 percent of the ownership of each one of the 146 allotments that it would cross.

“The Gila River Indian Community is a little different than many of the

was a difficult one to land. The problem is when you’re dealing with larger spaces, the 15,000- to 40,000-square-foot spaces. It takes a lot to retrofit to what somebody would be able to use.”

The project is part of an area that needs— Pollack stresses “needs”—to be upgraded.

“We’ve done a tremendous amount of buildings along Alma School,” says Pollack, calling from New Orleans. “We’re getting to the last of them, for sure.

“I’ve done 15, 16, 17 projects along Alma School Road. We’ve been the most single active participant in the redevelopment and repositioning of Alma School Road. There are a couple of challenges that are left to do still. We’re making good headway at the moment.”

One wrench in the revitalization of

reservations out there where they’re divided into these mostly 10-acre allotments,” Novy explains.

“With each one of those 146 allotments, we had to go to those people, over 4,000 owners, and get consent from 51 percent of the ownership—not 51 percent of the owners, but of the ownership. Each person has a different ownership percentage. Some people might have 50 percent ownership, other allotments may have 100 people with only 2 percent each. We did obtain that goal.”

Chandler City Councilman Rick Heumann says the municipality recognizes and appreciates the time and effort by SRP and Gila River Indian Community to reach the “important milestone.”

“The route alternatives that are now proposed represent the best solution to provide additional energy capacity that is critical for the future of the Price Road Corridor.”

Alma School Road is the former Mervyn’s building at the southwest corner of Alma School and Elliot roads.

“We own the strip center, but we don’t own the Mervyn’s building,” he says.

Pollack has been waiting for the owners of the Mervyn’s building to find a good retailer for the location.

“They haven’t been able to find one yet,” he says. “It doesn’t mean that they won’t. There’s somebody out there. You just have to look a little harder and a little deeper. That’s a critical building for the final revival of that particular corner. We’re getting good activity on the portion that we have.”

Pollack also recently purchased a free-standing building in front of his Alma School Villages Shoppes II project

SRP will file for a permit to construct the new power line project in the Price Road Corridor. Remaining items to finalize the Gila River Indian Community alternative include community council and SRP board approvals and a grant of right of way across the allotments by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“There are a couple steps remaining on the Gila River Indian Community portion,” Novy says. “We have to finalize an agreement between SRP and the tribe. Once that agreement is signed, SRP would take it and get our board approval. They would then take it and get the tribal approval.

“We don’t anticipate any problems getting those steps done, but they’re still steps we have to complete.”

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun.com.

located between Elliot and Warner on Alma School Road. Pollack has grown the shopping center from 20,000 square feet to 56,000 square feet over the last decade and saw the opportunity to improve another building.

“The opportunity came up to buy the free-standing building that fronts on Alma School Road in Chandler and has housed Oasis Bedrooms for many years,” Pollack says. “So we are pleased to take on another renovation and look to fill this 8,256-squarefoot space when the tenant moves out.”

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun. com.

Community embraces SLFD’s flash drive initiative

BY BRIAN CURRY

A team from the Sun Lakes Fire Department’s volunteer Community Assistance Program has taken the lead in integrating a computer USB flash drive program that started as a class project in the New Adventures in Learning program in Sun Lakes.

The initiative calls for residents to purchase small inexpensive flash drives, then store on them any pertinent medical information such as history, medications, allergies and doctors. A secondary page will list emergency contact information.

“The beauty and simplicity of this program is that our paramedics can insert the flash drive into our electronic patient care report tablets and within seconds transfer the information onto it,” says Sun Lakes Fire Chief Paul Wilson.

More than 750 flash drives have sold for $5 each in the last few months after they were introduced at Sun Lakes community open houses. Recent news stories on TV’s KPHO (CBS) and KTVK (Channel 3) have increased awareness and interest in the program.

Betty Earp, a registered nurse and CAP member, says the idea developed from the difficulties in obtaining medical histories from patients. That information was either unattainable, outdated or confusing, Earp says.

Earp discussed the NAIL project in her classes. Her students helped develop a pilot program. The Sun Lakes Fire

experience with the flash drive and its effectiveness.

“Our male patient told us he had the flash drive and his wife brought it to our crew,” Johnson says. “I plugged into our patient care report and within seconds was able to transfer all of his medical

For more information or to purchase one during normal business hours, call (480) 895-9343.

Brian Curry is the public information officer for the Sun Lakes Fire Department. He can be reached at (480) 895-9343.

Gila River woman gets five years for robbery

A 36-year-old member of the Gila River Indian Community was sentenced to 60 months in prison as a result of pleading guilty on Dec. 4, 2014, to robbery.

According to a press release, on June 26, 2014, Prima Shalis Mendoza threatened to shoot a victim parked outside of Wild Horse Pass Casino if she did not hand over her purse. Mendoza fled with the victim’s purse, but she was later arrested after a thorough investigation.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department, the Security and Surveillance Departments of the Wild Horse Pass Casino, and the Chandler Police Department.

The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, assistant U.S. attorney, district of Arizona, Phoenix.

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Programs

Doctors discuss hearing aids at Lunch and Learn seminar

Drs. Tina Jessee and Tanya Karg will conduct a public seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, to help those with hearing loss and their loved ones understand the misconceptions surrounding hearing loss and the latest in hearing aid technology.

Hearing aids will not be sold during the seminar as the Lunch and Learn is designed to inform and educate the public.

“If you notice voices are sounding muffled or have difficulty hearing specific sounds, we urge you to get a baseline hearing evaluation,” Jessee notes.

More than 36 million Americans have hearing loss. Although hearing problems are commonly associated with the normal aging process, more than half of all hearing-impaired persons are younger than 65. This free seminar is designed to educate people as to the types of hearing loss and the latest in hearing aid technology (i.e., made for iPhone hearing aids). The presentation will leave ample

time for questions from the audience and answers from the doctors.

This seminar, including lunch, will be held in the Lecky Center at the Ed Robson Branch Library at 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. The seminar will be open to the public, although reservations are required by calling (480) 497-0780.

Seating is limited

The doctors are in private practice with offices in Sun Lakes and Gilbert.

Good Sound Audiology is a full-service audiology practice providing complete hearing evaluations for all ages; hearing aids fittings, full hearing aid maintenance services; monthly support group; assistive listening devices; custom ear molds for hearing aids, hearing protection, iPods or swimming.

The Sun Lakes office is located at 10450 E. Riggs Rd., suite 116, in Sun Lakes. The Gilbert location is at 201 W. Guadalupe Rd., suite 315, in Gilbert. Both offices are staffed full time and available for patient appointments from 8 a.m. to 5

seminar on hearing aids and hearing problems is scheduled for March 18

p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Alaina McCormick at (480) 497-0780 or visit www. goodsoundaudiology.com.

Night of Heroes set for May 7 at Hilton Phoenix East Mesa

Positive Paths, a nonprofit providing women with self-sustainability through mentoring and education, is holding its annual East Valley Night of Heroes event at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the Hilton Phoenix East Mesa. The “Evening in Paris” gala includes silent and live auctions.

The East Valley Man and Woman of the Year are being recognized at the event. The honorees are Tim Bricker, president and CEO of Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers; and Trinity Donovan, CEO of Chandler Christian Community

Center and former Chandler city councilwoman.

Find out about sponsorship opportunities and reservations at www. positivepathswomen.org or call Sandra Hudson, (480) 981-8680.

Volunteers honored at third annual recognition breakfast

A helper of stranded motorists, knitter of baby items for newborns, an inspirational leader of Muslim women and a compassionate teenager assisting hospice patients are a few of those honored at the third annual Chandler Volunteer Recognition Breakfast held at the Chandler Center for the Arts by the City of Chandler, the Chandler Non-Profit Coalition and For Our City Chandler.

Faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, businesses and other groups with volunteers were encouraged to nominate individuals for one of seven awards. In addition, a Mayor’s Choice and People’s Choice award were presented and six individuals were inducted into a 1,000 Hour Volunteer Club.

The recognition event was headlined by CNPC President Melissa Jimro, and Kevin Hartke, Chandler vice mayor and For Our City Chandler director.

“To me, volunteerism represents the soul of a community,” Hartke told the audience of nearly 200. “I’m glad to say Chandler has a great soul.”

Fifty-one nominations were received for services performed primarily in Chandler. Award recipients are:

Debbie Caba-Grammer and Niomee Baker, Innovation Award, recognized for their work on the Ocotillo Friends Facebook page, an information source that bonds the Ocotillo community together by providing an interactive information source for more than 4,000 members. The

12 years at the Chandler Senior Center, Carter’s passion is Babies in Need, a national organization that provides handknitted items to newborn babies. She involves many people in the cause and knits from morning to night.

Alex Gernert, Makes It Happen Award, shared his time and talents with six different organizations last year, including the Chandler Police Department where he volunteers as a motorist assistant responding to stranded motorists, accident scenes and patrol officers. As a volunteer consumer mediator for KPNXTV’s Call 12 for Action, Gernert helped resolve 25 cases and recover nearly $10,000 for Valley residents.

Hanan Ismail, Multitasking Maestro Award, is someone who takes on a diverse array of multiple assignments, jobs or objectives at the same time and can juggles them effectively. A leader in the American Muslim Women’s Association, Ismail has served as the association’s president, vice president, secretary and chaired the Outreach Committee. Her work includes helping feed the homeless and visiting refugee families. She also volunteers at a local school and women’s shelter.

Wayne Maupin, Strong Arms Award, is not afraid to take on any job no matter how “down and dirty” it may be. Maupin was nominated by three organizations; the Chandler Public Library, Chandler Senior Center and Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department. He helps distribute books throughout the library, installs smoke alarms in the homes of elderly residents and distributes food boxes to seniors.

network of engaged residents has helped in big and small ways, from finding lost pets to reducing burglaries.

Evelyn Kathleen Carter, Longevity Award. As a volunteer for more than

Manuel Garcia, Sunbeam Award, has the best personality, attitude and is always smiling and helpful. Garcia works as a volunteer driver for I-HELP, the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program. He drives individuals to appointments and on errands, making them feel safe and like they’re part of his family.

Isaac Mordukovich, Youth Award, is a student at BASIS Chandler and participates in the Teen Volunteer Program at Hospice of the Valley, providing companionship to patients, talking with patients’ families and assisting hospice staff. He also volunteers as a tutor at his school and with the Red Cross Club.

Ines Honne received the People’s Choice Award from online votes cast by nearly 7,000 people, combined with votes cast by those in attendance at the awards breakfast. Honne has been a greeter for Chandler’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for nearly 10 years. She greets people with a smile,

organizes customers to ensure they are served in an orderly fashion and helps with Spanish translation.

McCarthy Building Company won the Mayor’s Choice Award. Chandler’s Fire, Health & Medical Department donated a surplus hazmat trailer to For Our City Chandler to be repurposed into a mobile shower unit with washer and dryer for use by I-HELP. When McCarthy Building Companies learned of the project, they stepped up to tackle the conversion, outfitting the trailer with three shower stalls, a laundry facility and portable generator at a cost of approximately $40,000.

Operation Welcome Home Chandler thanks veterans

Join the City of Chandler in giving a hero’s welcome to local veterans at Operation Welcome Home Chandler, 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the City Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago St. The event honors military men and women who are returning from active duty or leaving for service.

“For anyone who has ever wondered what they can do to say thank you to our military members and their families, this is your chance,” says Councilwoman Nora Ellen, who spearheads the program.

to the City Council Chambers where they are greeted by the community and the Chandler City Council who recognizes and thanks each individual.

The honorees are presented with a gift basket of donations from local businesses and community members.

After the public event, the veterans and their families are treated to dinner at Floridino’s.

“This event is an opportunity for the community to help give our veterans the welcome home they deserve.”

Honorees for this event are Airman 1st Class Brandon E. Baldenegro (Air National Guard), Technical Sgt. John R. Baltz III (Air Force) and Chaplain Maj. Thad E. Todd (Air Force).

Veterans are escorted by the Arizona Patriot Guard in a procession

Donations to the gift baskets are needed for this event and can be made through the Chandler Chamber Community Foundation. Additionally, the Operation Welcome Home Committee is searching for one more veteran to include in the next ceremony. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.chandleraz.gov/patriotism.

Operation Welcome Home Chandler ceremonies are scheduled several times a year based on the number of nominees.

Free digital device and download help at library

Visit the Learning Lab from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in the downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St., and library staff will help with eReaders, eBooks, tablets and downloading

digital media. Bring your device, its cables, passwords and a laptop (if necessary). Info: (480) 782-2800 or www. chandlerlibrary.org.

Gardeners can swap seeds at Chandler Sunset Library

The spring growing season is almost here in Arizona and on Saturday, Feb. 28, gardeners of all skill levels are invited from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to the biannual Seed Swap at the Chandler Sunset Library. The free, public event brings local gardeners together with the general public to exchange growing tips and share seeds. Many gardeners share seeds from previous bountiful yields that are most likely to produce a successful future harvest. Many of the seeds that are swapped are also seasonal garden crops specifically chosen to grow in this region and climate.

Attendees do not need to bring their own seeds to participate and envelopes and markers are provided for collecting and identifying the seeds. Sunset Library staff invites anyone with an interest in gardening to stop by to learn from local growers’ experiences and discover new seeds to try growing at home.

Local gardeners who want to reserve a table to display their seeds, and resource materials can pick up an application at the information desk of the Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Rd. For details, call (480)782-2800 or visit www. chandlerlibrary.org.

Council OKs Citizens Advisory Committee

The Chandler City Council met at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, and took action on 37 agenda items, including:

• Adopted an ordinance forming a Citizens Advisory Committee and appointing the 23 members to guide planning staff and consultants in the General Plan update process. A related resolution was approved to adopt a Public Participation Plan that establishes written procedures to provide effective, early and continuous public participation in the General Plan update process.

• Approved an agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau to participate in a 2015 Special Census, and approved a transfer of $4,068,800 for expenses related to the Special Census.

• Approved the payment of $997,751.73 to the City of Phoenix for participation in the Regional Wireless Cooperative, a radio network that provides seamless interoperable radio communications for multiple public safety and government agencies in the metro area.

• Awarded a construction contract to DNG Construction LLC for Folley Park improvements, in an amount not to exceed $857,463.42.

• Approved an agreement with NexMetro Development LLC for the demolition of existing buildings and infrastructure on a portion of the East Valley Mall site on

the northwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Warner Road in an amount not to exceed $182,242. The land is being cleared in preparation for a multifamily housing development.

• Approved amendments to the City Code to be in compliance with Arizona laws relating to the property and firearms obtained by the police department.

• Approved a matching grant request for the Hacienda Improvement Homeowners Association for maintenance or removal of more than 22 aging trees in an amount not to exceed $3,225.

• Gave a recommendation for approval of a special event liquor license for the American Service Animal Society for the 12th annual Chandler Classic Car and Hot Rod Show on Saturday, Feb. 28, in downtown Chandler.

• Denied a rezoning request and Preliminary Development Plan for site layout and building design for an electronics manufacturer on the 3.5acre site located north of the northwest corner of Price and Willis roads.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny talked about Chandler’s Volunteer Income Assistance (VITA) program that over the past 11 years has helped area working families claim more than $10 million in tax refunds.

Those earning less than $53,000 last year qualify for free tax preparation services at any of the seven Chandler VITA sites, which opened last week. To learn more, visit www.chandleraz.gov/vita.

Budget Connect, the City’s annual online budget discussion is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. The Mayor encouraged residents to submit questions in advance or to join in the online discussion during the event through social media or www.chandleraz.gov/ budget.

During a study session on Feb. 9, Tibshraeny, Councilman René Lopez and the rest of the council recognized the winners of the annual Creative Expression Competition for K-12 students living or attending school in Chandler. This year’s theme was “Connecting Communities for Peace and Prosperity,” and the categories were for writing, visual art or performance. A complete list of winners is online at www.chandleraz.gov/unity.

A new-to-market concept is on its way to Chandler Municipal Airport, introducing new businesses to Chandler’s growing aviation industry.

The Chandler City Council approved a 50-year ground lease agreement for the WingSpan Aviation Center at Chandler Municipal Airport.

The first phase of the project will include 80,000 square feet of hangar/ office space. Each hangar building may be equipped with offices, meeting space and/or an aviation business lobby.

“This is an excellent project with direct freeway access and limited airspace delays that creates a really attractive opportunity for those who

cater to the aviation business sector,” says Mayor Jay Tibshraeny.

“WingSpan Aviation Center will be a unique addition to the development activity we’re seeing throughout the airpark area.”

Chandler Municipal Airport anchors the city’s airpark area, one of Chandler’s largest employment corridors, second only to the nearby Price Corridor. The airpark is dubbed Chandler’s “final frontier” for growth as the city moves toward build-out, and fewer large tracts of commercial land are available.

“We’ve researched and designed every detail of what businesses need in order to maximize productivity,” says Jim Moore, CEO of WingSpan

Councilwoman Nora Ellen reminded everyone that the next Operation Welcome Home would be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the council chambers. The event recognizes members of the community who have served in the military in the past three years or soon will be deployed. Details are available, including sponsorship information, at www.chandleraz.gov/patriotism.

Councilman Terry Roe observed that there are so many great things happening in Chandler, and encouraged residents to attend events, volunteer and become more active in, and a part, of their community.

The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

Business Investments, longtime pilot and Chandler resident. “We are blending structured steel buildings with contemporary architecture, technology and modern amenities, resulting in a highly sought after product.”

Future phases include additional hangar/office space and build-to-suit offices, pending taxi access to the runway. The property is expected to be built out in about five years with 250,000 square feet of space.

“We’ve struck just the right product by offering both a standardized building as well as remaining flexible to accommodate unique building requests as they surface,” Moore says.

Development is scheduled to

During the next presentation, Police Chief Sean Duggan recognized the Chandler Police Department for being the first police agency in Arizona to earn a Gold Standard Assessment Accreditation with Excellence from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The study session concluded with a presentation by Chandler Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Kimble updating the council on Chamber activities.

The next meeting of the City Council will be a study session at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. Council meetings are aired live, as well as replayed, on Chandler Channel 11 and streamed on the Web at www.chandleraz.gov/video.

begin in the fall. For more information about the development, visit www. wingspancorp.com. Visit Chandler Municipal Airport at www.chandleraz. gov/airport.

City of Chandler Insider

Neighborhood Excellence winners highlight mayor’s address

BY MAYOR JAY TIBSHRAENY

Once again my Neighborhood Excellence Awards highlighted the annual State of the City Address. These awards, now in their second year, are dedicated to our neighborhoods and the special people who inhabit them. The winners of the 2014 Neighborhood Excellence Awards are determined residents striving to make neighborhoods the best they can be. The winner of the Best Revitalization Story is Orangetree. One of Chandler’s largest Traditional Neighborhoods, Orangetree has come a long way. Through solid leadership, inclusiveness and communication, this neighborhood of 400 homes has seen many challenges. Through an email database of 150 neighbors, combined with the use of the mobile app Nextdoor, Orangetree residents have grown close and developed a strong vision.

Neighborhood events are a powerful tool to bring together neighbors, create friendships and alliances, and build pride in ownership. Solera is the winner of this year’s Best Neighborhood Event award. For the past five years, Solera residents, more than 100 strong, have worked to aid the Chandler CARE Center and its food bank. Sorting, shelving and delivering food to their less fortunate neighbors, more than 12,000 hours have been volunteered.

That is the definition of community spirit.

Building a sense of community takes

active and engaged members. These residents certainly understand that concept and it is why Sun Groves is this year’s winner of the Most Active and Engaged Neighborhood.

A strong social committee plans several annual events, bringing together the people of this great area of our city. From holiday celebrations to block parties, movie nights and contests, Sun Groves is one of the most inclusive neighborhoods in Chandler. Add to that a strong and consistent use of social media and other communication tools, and you have created a very special place.

The final award is one set aside for those individuals who understand the importance of place. Residents who choose to lead by example and encourage others to join in. They are the people who form the foundation of our best neighborhoods. Serving as the treasurer of the Andersen Springs Homeowners’ board, Karen Peyton noticed some inconsistencies in the HOA’s water usage. Not one to back down, Karen kept working with the management company until it was discovered the community was being overcharged. Her work resulted in the recovery of close to $57,000. These efforts, and her work

with the social committee at Andersen Springs, makes her our very well-deserved Neighborhood Leader of the Year.

Of course, we highlighted our thriving business community, solid financial position, local amenities, public employees and others during my remarks.

A full copy of the speech is on the City’s website at www.chandleraz.gov. In the next week or so, you can also watch the

speech, along with our annual “year in review” video at www.chandleraz.gov/ video.

The state of our city is very good. I am proud to continue to serve a great community and look forward to more successes in the coming years.

is Southwestern Spanish style beauty is located in prestigious Old Stone Ranch. It literally has it “all” and needs absolutely nothing! From the obvious upgrades and ne touches to the hidden gems that one appreciates; like the custom art painted by artist Gina Ribaudo (ilovemurals.com) at the formal dining & entryway and the stacked stone featured at both the entry door and arches in kitchen to the arched entry solid core door…. e list goes on and on… Starting with the resort style backyard that features a wonderfully relaxing pebble tec pool (self-cleaning) with lounging shelf, an abundance of travertine decking which is also on the covered patio, the built in stainless BBQ grill, the tranquil garden full of vegetables and herbs and that’s just the backyard!?

City of Chandler Insider

Meet the City Council members

Meet Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the members of the Chandler City Council. The mayor and City Council members are elected “at large” to represent the city. They are not elected to represent districts or wards.

City Council meetings are usually held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Study sessions are usually held on the Monday prior to a council meeting. Check the City meetings calendar or the meeting agendas pages for the official schedule at www. chandleraz.gov.

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny began his unprecedented sixth term as Chandler’s mayor in January 2013, after returning to the Mayor’s Office in January 2011, and serving eight years in the Arizona State Senate from 2003 to 2011. He originally served as a member of the City Council from 1986 to 2002 as councilman, vice mayor and as mayor. He was first elected Chandler mayor in 1994, and served in that capacity for four

consecutive terms through 2002.

Since returning to the mayor’s office in 2011, Tibshraeny has received a number of awards for his work at the local and regional level. In 2014, he received the Maricopa Association of Governments Desert Peak Regional Excellence and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce Community Cup awards. In 2013, Tibshraeny received the prestigious American City and County Magazine Municipal Leader of the Year Award as well as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Outstanding Regional Contribution Award. In 2012, he received the Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award from the EVP.

Tibshraeny is a small businessman and home builder. He and his wife, Karen, have one daughter, Lauren. His current term expires January 2019.

Contact: jay.tibshraeny@chandleraz.gov @jaytibshraeny

Vice Mayor Kevin Hartke

Vice Mayor Kevin Hartke has lived in Chandler since 1985. Although he began his tenure on City Council in January 2011,

he also served for a year as an interim councilman in 2008. He continues to serve as lead pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship in Chandler where he has worked since 1985. Hartke is also the statewide director of a nonprofit organization, For Our City, a collaborative effort of government, business, nonprofit and faith leaders gathered to find solutions for needs in a community in addition to volunteering with several organizations.

Hartke has been married to Lynne for more than 30 years. They have four children, Nathan, Aleah, Katelyn and Zachary, and two grandchildren, Micah and Madelynn. Hartke’s current term expires January 2019.

Contact: kevin.hartke@chandleraz.gov @kevinhartke

Councilwoman Nora Ellen

Councilwoman Nora Ellen has been a Chandler resident since 2002 and has lived in the Southeast Valley since 1990. She began her tenure on

the City Council in January 2013. She

is a real estate investor and full-time multimillion dollar producer at Keller Williams Realty East Valley. Ellen has served as a commissioner on the City’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee and was appointed on Tibshraeny’s Four Corner Retail Committee. She is the ex officio member of the Chandler Airport Commission and serves on the Chandler Chamber Board of Directors, Public Policy Committee.

Ellen has a son, State Rep. J.D. Mesnard, and daughter and son-in-law, Juel and Aaron Perry. Ellen’s current term expires January 2017.

Contact: nora.ellen@chandleraz.gov @noraellenbroker

Councilman Rick Heumann

Councilman Rick Heumann moved to Chandler in 1982. He began his tenure on the City Council in January 2009. For more than two decades, Rick has worked as a sales manager for CMA, a manufacturer’s representative group supporting companies in the gift and home furnishings industry throughout the western United States. He has served

ICAN 5K Color Dash races across Chandler April 18

The ICAN 5K Color Dash, presented by DPR Construction, returns Saturday, April 18, to Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Rd. Packet pick-up starts at 6:30 a.m. and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. Participants run or walk the 5K distance while being showered with bright colors. Immediately following the race, participants enjoy the “color explosion” finale and expo.

Registration is $40 for an individual or you create a team to get a discounted group price. The funds raised go to ICAN, a free, family-centered youth service in the East Valley. Sign up at www.icanaz.org. Call (480) 821-4207 for more information.

DEADLINES FOR SANTAN SUN NEWS: MARCH 7

The deadline for news and advertising is 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 25 for the Saturday, March 7, issue of the SanTan Sun News. All news must be submitted to news@santansun.com by that day to be considered for the next issue or by filling in the “submit a news release” form on the newspaper’s website at SanTanSun.com. To send an item for consideration in the SanTan Family Fun, email it directly to STFF@SanTanSun.com. Send advertising files and information to account reps or contact ads@ santansun.com. For deadline information, visit www.santansun.com and click on “About us” and call (480) 732-0250 for advertising rate details.

as a member of the Chandler Parks and Recreation Commission and as a member, vice chairman and chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He is also chairman the Chandler Education Coalition—a group he established in 2011—to explore educational issues and opportunities from a communitywide perspective. The coalition led the first Science and Technology Festival in February 2012.

Rick has been married to Julie for 31 years and together they have a daughter, Kristin, a recent doctoral graduate and assistant professor at Colorado Mesa University. His current term expires January 2017.

Contact: rick.heumann@chandleraz.gov @rickheumann

Councilman

René Lopez

Councilman

René Lopez has lived and worked in Chandler for more than seven years. He began his first term on the Chandler City Council in January. He is a third-generation Arizona native, born and raised in the East Valley. Lopez graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in

City of Chandler Insider

nuclear engineering, with a minor in direct energy conversion. Lopez is also a third-generation U.S. Navy seaman. He served as a naval officer aboard submarines, honorably separating from the Navy in 2000 as a lieutenant, with more than four years of service. After more than a decade of traveling and moving with the U.S. Navy and as a project manager, he has finally moved back home. He previously served two years as a board member on the City’s Parks and Recreation Board.

Lopez has been married to Jessica for 18 years. They have two children, Brianna and Andrew. His current term expires January 2019.

Contact: rene.lopez@chandleraz.gov @jrlopezrep

Councilman

Terry Roe

Councilman

Terry Roe became a Southeast Valley resident in 1965 and moved to Chandler with his family in 1988. He began his first term on the City Council in January. He served with the Mesa Police Department for 20 years, working in DARE, robbery detail, The Center against

Family Violence and the auto theft and burglary units. Today, Roe owns and operates a small photography and video production business in Chandler. Roe served for more than two years on the Chandler Police Complaints and Use of Force Citizens’ Review Panel. He has an extended history of volunteer and leadership service in the community including serving as past president and continuing member of the Chandler Kiwanis Club and on the Salvation Army Chandler Corps Advisory Board.

In 1981, he married Cheryl, his Gilbert High School sweetheart. They have two children, Paul and Katie, and three grandchildren. His current term expires January 2019.

Contact: terry.roe@chandleraz.gov @roe4chandler

Councilman Jack Sellers

Councilman Jack Sellers has lived in Chandler since 1994. He began his tenure on the City Council in January 2009. He is the former facilities manager for the General Motors Desert Proving Ground in Mesa. Sellers has been active in

Chandler and in the region with a strong interest in economic development and transportation issues. He served as a member and chairman of the Chandler Transportation Commission and chaired the Chandler Transportation Bond Committee. He also served on the Airport Noise Compatibility Study Advisory Committee, represents Chandler on the Maricopa Association of Governments Economic Development Committee, chairs the MAG Transportation Policy Committee and is a member of the MAG Regional Council. In February 2014, he was appointed by then-Gov. Jan Brewer to a six-year term on the Arizona State Transportation Board.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from New Mexico State University. Sellers has three grown children and eight grandchildren. His current term expires January 2017.

Contact: jack.sellers@chandleraz.gov @jacksellers

Information provided by the City of Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department.