Hope rising from blighted Elevation Chandler site
BY JOAN WESTLAKE
From the south side of Chandler Fashion Mall, there are signs of hope that from the blighted Elevation Chandler site could rise Chandler Viridian, a multiuse development with the hotel, office and retail elements of the original project plus studio, one- and two-bedroom residential units.
Brandon Dillingham, Arizona director of development for Hines Interests Limited Partnership, says the seeds for
this rebirth were sown back in late 2012 when the Houston-based, international development, investment and property management firm entered into a contract to purchase a 15-acre adjacent property owned by John Propstra of Propcor Associates and Macerich Company. They entered into a contract to purchase the 25.6 acres which houses the abandoned shell last year.
Since 2006, the bones of the failed
WWII veteran ‘honored’ for service
BY TRACY HOUSE
The recipient of two Bronze Stars, 91-year-old Stan Fagerstrom recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with 26 fellow World War II veterans as part of the Honor Flight network.
Honor Flight’s mission is to transport U.S. veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.
Fagerstrom, who lives in Sun Lakes, served in the Pacific Theater in the Army for three and a half years.
Originally slated for his Honor Flight at the beginning of the year, Fagerstrom
PROUD TO SERVE: In the shirt commemorating his Honor Flight, Stan Fagerstrom was part of Company G of the 167th Infantry Regiment of the 31st Dixie Division during World War II. Fagerstrom has two Bronze Stars for his service. Submitted photo SEE STAN FAGERSTROM PAGE 5
Si Se Puede assists communities with ‘can’-do spirit
BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Si Se Puede means “Yes, we can.” The phrase aptly describes the foundation of the same name as well as its founder, president and CEO Alberto Esparza.
He started Si Se Puede Foundation in 1994 with a vision of engaging kids in education and focusing on the area of social services while encouraging youngsters to become peaceful leaders.
“Even as a young child I was involved in some type of service. When I was in high school, I also got involved in service,” says Esparza. “When I graduated college, I knew there was something I wanted to do. I wanted to create a foundation and wanted to create a program to serve others.”
He worked as a probation officer after graduating college, but left that profession and, despite arduous struggles, created Si Se Puede. The organization focuses on helping those associated with Title 1 schools in Chandler. “The Chandler Unified School District is very important to us because they allow us to work with their kids,” Esparza notes.
The organization is expanding into the Florence Unified School District and the Town of Guadalupe.
“It gave us an opportunity to expand our STEM program which is science, technology, engineering and math,” Esparza says. “That’s what we’ve become known for throughout the years.”
In 2006, an after-school tutoring program was created at Galveston Elementary School. The program mentors are Chandler High School students who assist younger students with homework, reading and math. The tutoring program will also be offered in Florence and Guadalupe beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
Programs through Si Se Puede are free to participating families. “We work in communities that are in ‘survival mode.’
Route alternatives reduced for proposed power lines
SRP still seeking Gila River Community option
Private land route alternatives for a power line project needed to address continued economic development in the Chandler area known as the Price Road Corridor (PRC), have been further reduced by Salt River Project officials.
After collecting public comments and considering electrical requirements for substation siting, the PRC transmission project team was able to narrow the proposed areas for substation sites within the corridor in south Chandler. By reducing the potential locations for substation sites, the following north-south transmission line
route segments were also removed from consideration:
Kyrene to RS-27 to RS-28 component
• Two north-south route segments, one along McClintock Road and one east of the Loop 101
• A route segment along Ellis Road
• Several other small route segments within the corridor
A LEADER WITH COMMUNITY VISION: Alberto Esparza founded Si Se Puede, which features programs designed to enrich and assist the community. Submitted photo
A lot of our parents at this point are more concerned with putting food on the table and don’t have a lot money.”
The Scholars program through Si Se Puede gives selected high school seniors a leg up on their college and life skills. “They go through 12 weekends of a class at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and we provide them workshops on leadership, resume writing, scholarship information and they listen to guest speakers,” Esparza says. The students also visit college campuses and learn how to apply for financial aid.
Maria Romero-Morfin, Si Se Puede Scholars president, has been in the program since 2011.
“We organized trips to ASU and Grand Canyon University and we give back to the community as much as we can,” Romero-Morfin states of her time with the organization.
She also credits Esparza with boosting her confidence. “You could say he’s like a mentor to me. I used to be really shy like a turtle and he helped me come out of my shell.”
Romero-Morfin was recently accepted to Harvard University where she will begin studying kinesiology this fall. Although she will have to give up her position as president of the Scholars program at Si Se Puede, she reflects on the value and opportunities she has been provided.
“It will take you above and beyond,” she states of the organization.
In addition to the after school tutoring and Scholars programs, Si Se
Puede created a recreational soccer league in 1999, offered to thousands of students attending CUSD. “It’s a quality program and with everything we do, there is no cost,” Esparza notes. “We’ve been very successful in creating a nice league for the kids and their families.”
A dance program is also offered. “We have about 100 kids who participate and they learn various forms of dancing from Mexican dancing to jazz, country western, hip hop to big band and they go out into the community at no charge and perform for schools, hospitals and
youth programs and this gives us an opportunity to create something for the kids who really love the arts,” Esparza explains.
The organization produces the annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Chihuahua Races, as well.
To volunteer or donate to Si Se Puede, visit www.sisepuede.cc or call (480) 310-2018.
Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be contacted at lynette@santansun.com
‘Rock the Block’ returning to Chandler
The annual Achen-Gardner Construction “Rock the Block!” will return to downtown Chandler for the fifth year. The event will include a variety of festivities and entertainment from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, on Arizona Avenue between Chandler Boulevard and Frye Road.
Rock the Block is an annual, family friendly block party that celebrates the fun, dynamic lifestyle that Chandler offers while promoting Chandler-based businesses. The event is free to all. Last year Rock the Block! garnered more than 18,000 attendees and is expected to attract even more this year.
The community stage will feature “Chandler’s Got Talent,” an annual variety act talent show. Online submissions will be accepted via YouTube or Vimeo and the top acts will be chosen to compete on the day of the event. For more information on how to submit, email gottalent@slentertainment. com.
Individuals interested in being volunteers or who have inquiries about military or promotional trailer space can contact rtbvendor@slentertainment. com. For information regarding vendor applications and sponsorship opportunities visit www.chandlerblockparty.com. For more information about Rock the Block! visit www.chandlerblockparty.com or contact Jennifer Lindley at Jennifer@ downtownchandler.org.
IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE: A group of students learns concepts in science, technology, engineering and math in the STEM program offered at Title 1 Chandler schools. Submitted photo
left May 20 for the three-day trip. He says the experience was tremendous, from the Honor Flight coordinators, to the crew of Southwest Airlines and the accommodations and monuments visited.
Departing and returning, Fagerstrom says he and the other Honor Flight honorees were saluted and cheered through the airport by volunteers and other travelers in the concourse.
“Everywhere we went there were young people who asked questions,” Fagerstrom says. “There were groups of them, primarily coming in to say thanks. On the way home they gave us a package full of letters thanking us.”
The veterans’ tour included the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials. Visiting the World War II Memorial was one of the primary objectives of the trip. The group visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and witnessed the changing of the guard. Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner,” was one of the last stops on the tour, Fagerstrom explains.
“War is a dreadful thing and also is an adventure that is pretty hard to top,” Fagerstrom says. “What most people don’t realize is you take eight people who were in the service only one of them is going to have been in combat.”
There were others who traveled with Fagerstrom who saw combat, but all were there with one thread that binds them together, having served in WWII.
Guardians traveled with the Honor Flight veterans at their own expense. Steve Suhajcik volunteered to go with Fagerstrom.
“He knocked himself out to help me. I can’t say enough about him,” Fagerstrom says.
Suhajcik is an amateur WWII historian.
“He’s a very gentle man, for everything he’s gone through,” Suhajcik says of Fagerstrom.
Through their conversations about WWII, Suhajcik asked Fagerstrom if he could accompany him on his Honor Flight trip.
Once the date was set, Suhajcik says he was like a kid in the candy store.
“What an honor this is for me, to be honored to take this winner of two Bronze Stars to Washington, D.C.,” Suhajcik says.
Throughout the trip, Suhajcik’s sole responsibility was to take care of
Fagerstrom, including helping him get on and off the buses and walk around with him at each of the sites. On the guided tours, Suhajcik says they were in awe. “I got a kick out of seeing him enjoy and be happy and be in awe of what he’s looking at.”
While at the World War II Memorial, Suhajcik says, “Stan sat there and looked at it like this is a memorial to me. He didn’t say that, but I could see it in him. He was very proud when I was wheeling him in the wheelchair—he just soaked in everything that was there...I just wanted to hug him and say ‘Stan this is all for you. This is for you. Remember what you see here.’”
At the Iwo Jima Memorial, Suhajcik says Fagerstrom saluted. “Nobody really wanted to leave. None of the veterans wanted to leave.”
Of Fagerstrom’s Bronze Stars, Suhajcik says, “He plays it down, as all veterans do. They say they are not heroes. The men that they left behind are the heroes.”
Suhajcik says of the experience with Fagerstrom, “I took care of him. I hope I made him happy. I tried to show him more stuff then was basically being shown to us. I had him front and center...I am more grateful for him asking me. I’ve done a lot of neat things in my life and things I was proud of, but this does not compare to anything I’ve ever done.”
Knowing he was appreciated for his service, Fagerstrom says of the Honor Flight, “It’s the beginning of something really special. We were first. We lost more than 460,000. Can you imagine that?” As time progresses other servicemen and women from other wars will be honored.
The experience, Fagerstrom says, was emotional. “When we flew into Washington, D.C., and we were finally on our way out there, I felt like America was waiting to embrace me and that she took me in her arms and held my hand all the rest of the time I was there.”
Honor Flight is looking for WWII veterans to take part in the experience which happens 10 times a year from Arizona. There were 16 million who served in the armed forces during WWII. The average age of WWII veterans today is 91 to 92 years old. Less than one million are still alive. For more information about Honor Flight, visit www.honorflightaz.org.
Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.
HONOR FLIGHT: Stan Fagerstrom at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., was a corporal stationed in New Guinea in the Pacific Theater. Submitted photo
Elevation Chandler project, have stood as a glaring reminder of the recession on the edge of 25.6 acres on the corner of the Loop 101 Freeway and Frye Road. This eyesore on the gateway to Chandler’s Price Corridor began in 2005 and stopped with construction barely begun in April 2006 when developer Jeff Cline ran into financial troubles. Foreclosure and legal battles ensued with Price and Fry Investments LLC, owned by Point Center, currently holding the property but its sale is pending approval of a trustee. The purchase of the Propcor/Macerich acreage to the south requires only City of Chandler approval of the project.
Public Meetings
As SanTan Sun News goes to press, Chandler Viridian went before the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission on June 18 requesting rezoning that would allow the addition of approximately 335 residential units in seven four-
story buildings. Chandler Planning Administrator Jeff Kurtz says that no surprises were expected at the meeting because Hines has been working with the City and recently met with neighborhood groups to craft the project.
“This has been a collaborative effort with Hines and our staff and City departments such as traffic and engineering to be certain the project is in compliance with city ordinances, landscaping requirement, etc.,” says Kurtz. “The project is meeting the city’s expectations for development at that site and received positive feedback at recent neighborhood meetings hosted by the developer.”
Kurtz points out that the hotel and offices will be a complement to the adjacent mall and that the multifamily units provide a new living opportunity for the area where residents can walk to their jobs in the offices on site as well as to shopping, dining and entertainment in Chandler Fashion Center.
The next public meeting is Chandler Viridian’s first consideration by the Chandler City Council on Thursday, July 10, in the council chambers at 88 E. Chicago St. A series of required public meetings follow, the number and dates depend on council actions and approvals. Details of the project are available from the planning department. Call Kurtz at (480) 782-3054 with questions.
Proposed Schedule
Pending City approvals, Dillingham says that purchase of the 15-acre plot is expected to be completed this summer, followed by the acquisition of the main property. Construction of the apartments could commence as early as the final quarter of 2014 with the demolition of the remnants of the former project being hauled away simultaneously. He adds that Hines plans to host a big event to celebrate the clearing of the site and kick-off of Chandler Viridian construction.
City Council adopts 2014-2015 budget 10-year
BY JOAN WESTLAKE
capital improvement plan
OK’d
The Chandler City Council unanimously approved the 2014-15 budget on June 12. As required by law, the council first met to discuss the budget, immediately followed by the special session to vote on its adoption. A verbal invitation was made by the mayor at both meetings for public comment but no citizens came forward.
Management Services Director Dawn Lang gave the staff recommendation saying the budget was fiscally strong but with the services and funding to keep Chandler on the move.
The budget was approved at $783,474,647 for the period July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. A 10-year capital improvement plan from 2015 to 2024 was approved at $918,401,732. Lang explains that $99,977,319 of the decade-long budget is targeted toward a variety of city improvement this fiscal year such as:
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When questioned about the likelihood this project will come to fruition, Dillingham acknowledges there is some skepticism in the community that reflect angst over the numerous failures to deliver on this very visible site. But, he points out that was a different economy and Hines wasn’t leading the project.
“Our time, staff and financial investment in this project speaks to our commitment to it,” Dillingham says. “Not too many folks would have stayed the course and fought the legal battles we did to get this done. We feel this is the best piece of real estate in Chandler. And that commitment is backed by Hines, a 57-year-old company with total assets valued at more than $28 billion with properties in 110 cities around the world. Our reputation is built on delivering quality projects.”
Joan Westlake is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at joan@santansun.com.
• Constructing Citrus Vista Park
• Improving the final segment of McQueen to Riggs roads
• Purchasing fire/rescue vehicles
• Designing the water treatment plant that is a joint venture with the Town of Gilbert
• Maintaining infrastructure including streets, parks, recreation centers and aqua facilities.
Vice Mayor Rick Heumann points out that in addition to funding city services and
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Community
Council candidates converge on Chandler
BY TIM J. RANDALL
Local government is where real action can be taken and results measured. It is that most fundamental tenet of governance; citizens taking time from their work and home lives to serve their city and make their community stronger and more vibrant.
On June 5, six dedicated men and women met at the Chandler Chamber of Commerce-sponsored City Council forum to discuss how, if elected, they would serve and make a difference. The primary is set for Aug. 26.
Due to term limit considerations— which subject sitting council members to no more than two consecutive terms—the election will see those two seats up for grabs, previously held by Jeff Weninger and Trinity Donovan, with the third seat held by incumbent Kevin Hartke who is vying for reelection.
With some 100 concerned Chandler citizens assembled in City Council Chambers, there was applause as the six hopefuls entered for a 90-minute question-and-answer session.
Introductions were made by Chandler Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Kimble, followed by opening statements from each of the candidates, and questions posited by moderator Debbie Jennings of the SanTan Sun News.
Chelle Daly, a 15-plus year Chandler resident who has served as an airport commissioner since 2007, said her
vision for her hometown is “safe neighborhoods, quality jobs and a world-class community.”
A former Mesa police sergeant, Terry Roe, spoke about the importance of “economic growth, accountability in government and safety, quality neighborhoods.” Roe has lived in Chandler for 26 years and previously ran for council.
Incumbent Hartke, a 29-year Chandler resident, cited his directives as “creating jobs, demanding fiscal responsibility and safe neighborhoods.”
Born in Taiwan, Sam Huang, Ph.D., has spent seven years in Chandler. His mission is “fiscal accountability, economic opportunity and quality of life...with a strong focus on quality of life.”
The former mayor of Fountain Hills, John Beydler, spoke next. A nine-year Chandler resident, Beydler said his focus is on “great schools and education and a strong focus on small business.”
Lastly, Rene Lopez spoke to “Chandler as a great community to work, live and play,” while noting his desire to promote the city as the “Silicon Valley of the Southwest.” A former naval officer, Lopez has resided in Chandler for seven years.
For the next 75 minutes, the candidates answered questions like “Under what circumstances would you support increasing City taxes or fees?” Huang said, “Doing more with the same,
A delicate skill. Repairs in-house.
doing the same with less and doing more with less.”
On “What are your fiscal priorities for the City,” Beydler said, “To me public safety is the No. 1 fiscal priority...I want to make sure that our police, fire department and first responders are adequately trained, have the right equipment and are properly funded to do the job.”
Daly offered her take on “What do you see as Chandler’s biggest challenge in five years? “Continuing to operate and maintain the things that we are building today. We need to be wise as we build them so that we always have funds to maintain them.”
Lopez offered a cogent response to “What tools would you use to attract and retain businesses in the city of Chandler?” “All the tools we have in the toolbox...one of the things that Chandler has done with the infrastructure buildouts, the roads the park improvements; that is one of the main attractions that is attracting a lot of the businesses here.”
Lastly, Roe stressed the need for mass transit in answering “What is your vision for the future of downtown Chandler? “The downtown area is a hub, and I recognize that this is an area of Chandler where mass transit does need to come.”
Tim J. Randall is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.
Schrader to RS-28 component
• The northern portion of a route segment along Dobson Road
• Several small connector route segments within the corridor.
In the meantime, a separate but parallel process to secure the alternative transmission line route on the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) continues in earnest.
“SRP is committed to making every reasonable effort possible to secure a GRIC route alternative,” says PRC transmission project manager Tom Novy. “It is an extremely complex process that requires approval from multiple federal agencies as well as individual Allottees, but we are hopeful that we will be successful.”
SRP extended the project schedule last fall to continue to pursue the GRIC alternative. So far, SRP has received approval from the Community’s District 4 Council and endorsement from the Community’s Utility Authority. SRP has completed land surveys and is well into appraisals for the United States Department of the Interior’s Office of Appraisal Services (OAS) to review. To secure the alternative GRIC route, SRP still must:
• Meet National Environmental Policy Act requirements, as determined by an environmental assessment conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); findings are expected to be published before the start of summer
• Complete an agreement between SRP
City of Chandler Insider
Chandler upgrades its utility billing system, offers more payment options
On Monday, June 30, the City of Chandler will make the transition to a new online utility billing and payment system that is easy to use, highly secure, and will allow registered customers to conveniently access and manage their accounts. The new system is part of a broader citywide initiative to make paying for City services simpler by using a common payment portal that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using any computer or mobile device.
“This new utility billing system is an example of the City Council’s commitment to being responsive to the needs of our residents and the business community,” says Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. “A city’s infrastructure today is more than roads, pipelines and facilities; it’s also computer hardware and software that can help a municipal organization like Chandler be as efficient, fiscally responsible, and service oriented as possible. This new system is a smart investment in our future.”
After a brief system shutdown later this month to implement the hardware and software transition, the new utility billing system will be operational June 30. In early July, all Chandler utility customers will receive a letter in the mail containing new account and customer numbers that will serve as unique identifiers when using the online or touch-tone phone payment systems. Once the new account and
customer numbers are received, customers can register online at www.chandleraz.gov/ utilitybill.
During the transition to the new utility billing system, the City has tried to minimize the overall impact on customers. However, those customers who currently pay their Chandler bill through their bank’s website must update the payee information to include the new customer and account numbers. This action must be taken to ensure that payments are electronically applied to the correct account. If this is not done, the electronic payment from the customer’s bank to the City may be delayed, which might affect the status of the account with the City’s Utility Services Division.
July utility bills will also include a flier introducing some of the features of the new billing system, along with a list of payment options and a link to Frequently Asked Questions on the City’s website, www.chandleraz.gov/utilitybill. The back of the flier has a section titled “How to Read Your New Chandler Utility Bill.” It includes a graphic of the redesigned bill and highlights several of the enhancements made to the bill, such as a 36-month water consumption graph and a more detailed summary of fees and taxes.
“We redesigned the bill with the customer in mind,” says Stephen White, manager of the City’s Utility Services
Online utility billing services unavailable
Customer Service Center closed for system upgrade
Division. “It is easier to read, contains more detailed information, and lets us add important messages on the bill that are specific to each account holder. For example, customers who are surprised by a high water bill may be told about the City’s water conservation programs, including how to check for a water leak or how to request a free on-site water audit.”
More information about the new utility billing system is available online at www. chandleraz.gov/utilitybill. In addition, customer service representatives are available during normal business hours by phone at (480) 782-2280, through email at utilitybilling@chandleraz.gov, or at the Customer Service Center in City Hall at 175 S. Arizona Ave., Suite A.
Chandler residents and utility customers will be unable to use the City’s online utility billing and payment system, the touch-tone phone payment system or obtain inperson assistance at the Customer Service Center in City Hall beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 26, through 8 a.m. Monday, June 30. The online utility billing system outage will not affect other City e-services.
The temporary closure is due to the implementation of a new utility billing system. Customers with utility payments due during this maintenance period will not be penalized; a brief grace period will be in effect. However, the Utility Services Division encourages all customers to keep this closure in mind when making plans to pay their utility bills.
For more information or to speak with a customer service representative, call (480) 782-2280 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/utilitybill.
INSPECTOR: Meter Technician Rob Culbertson inspects a water meter at a Chandler home in early June. Submitted photo
Multiple ways to pay your Chandler utility bill:
• Electronic payment: Set up the payment through your financial institution’s online banking system.
• One-time online: Make a one-time, online payment by credit card or e-check with or without creating a customer profile.
• Automatic payments: Sign up for AutoPay (formerly SurePay), which authorizes the City and your financial institution to handle the transaction for you through an automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account or with a major credit card.
• Pay by phone: Credit card payments and checks are accepted through the automated touch tone phone system by calling (480) 782-2280.
• Pay by mail: Your billing statement will include a return envelope if you choose to mail your payment using a credit card, check or money order. Do not send cash.
• Pay in person: Pay by cash, check or major credit card at the Customer Service Center, located at 175 S. Arizona Ave., Suite A, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Customer Service Center, located on the first floor of Chandler City Hall, is a shared facility between the City and Arizona Public Service (APS).
• Drive-up drop box: City of Chandler and APS payments (check or money order) may be placed in the drive-up drop box located on the south side of City Hall, in the westbound median of Chicago Street, between Arizona Avenue and Washington Street. For security purposes, do not place cash in the drop box.
City of Chandler Insider
Stephen White, Utility Services Manager New system expected to enhance customer service, increase e-billing
On June 30, the City will implement a new utility billing system that will integrate many of the City’s internal databases and systems, streamline business processes and place the latest tablet technology in the hands of field staff. By improving organizational efficiency, this system upgrade will ultimately translate into better customer service.
“One of the goals of the Utility Services Division is to fairly and accurately provide information and services to Chandler utility customers with a high level of customer satisfaction. I think this system upgrade will help ensure that we meet that goal, and that’s why we are so excited to see this project come to fruition,” says Chandler Utility Services Division Manager Stephen White.
Each month, the six customer service representatives of his division manage nearly 80,000 utility accounts, take more than 6,500 phone calls, and collect more than $830,000 in City water, wastewater and solid waste fees. They help new residents or businesses set up accounts, provide assistance to existing customers and often serve as the City’s front-line ambassadors, providing the highest quality of service possible to a diverse, multilingual customer base.
“Our new utility billing system
automates many of our internal business processes, provides real-time data communication between office and field staff and lets customers manage their own accounts online,” White says. “We anticipate that time saving benefits like these will reduce the large volume of calls our people take each day, and free them up to provide more personal customer service.”
According to White, the first feature most customers will notice with the City’s upgraded utility billing system will be the look of the new bill, followed by a more user friendly website with self-service features for registered account holders. “The new bill provides so much more information and account detail in an easyto-read format,” White says. “Customers also have greater payment flexibility in a familiar shopping cart-style online payment portal that will safely store their payment data so they don’t have to reenter the same information each month.”
The new utility billing system offers many other customer service enhancements, including giving account holders the ability to “Go Paperless.” By opting into the eco-friendly option of e-billing, instead of receiving a paper bill in the mail each month, customers get an email with the amount due and notification that their utility bill is ready
to be viewed online. E-billing means customers will spend less time writing checks, mailing payments and tracking due dates. It also reduces paper use and clutter and impacts the planet in a positive way.
“Our new and improved system is faster, easier to use, more secure and even offers environmentally friendly billing options,” White says. “I think Chandler utility customers will like what they see in their new bills and online at chandleraz. gov.”
Utility Services Manager Stephen White. Submitted photo
and the GRIC, which requires Tribal Council Approval
• Obtain consent for a long-term transmission line right-of-way easement from the ownership of every allotment along the GRIC route.
Following SRP’s completion of the land appraisals, the OAS will review the appraisals for approval by the BIA. Once approved, SRP will distribute consent forms to approximately 4,500 Allottees, or landowners. If the Allotee consent efforts are successful, and the Project receives BIA and Tribal Council approvals, SRP will proceed with the transmission line route alternative on GRIC land.
“For more than a year, SRP has been conducting a line siting and public process to identify routes for the new transmission lines that are needed to bring power to new and expanding businesses in the area,” says Chandler Vice Mayor Rick Heumann. “We support SRP’s commitment to diligently pursue the route alternative on the Gila River Indian Community. We understand the complexities involved in this endeavor and appreciate SRP’s decision to conduct a transparent process.”
SRP initiated the PRC transmission line project in January, 2013 to site new overhead 230-kilovolt (kV) power lines and two new 230-kV substations that will provide capacity to meet the projected economic growth of the Price Road Corridor.
SRP intends to file its application to the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee in August for a permit to build the Project components. If SRP receives the necessary approval for locating a portion of the Project on GRIC land, SRP’s application will only include the portion of the transmission line route from Schrader Substation to the GRIC boundary, and for the 230kV circuit from the Kyrene substation to the Knox substation. Without the GRIC alternative, SRP will need to pursue the private land route alternatives for the entire project.
SRP will now work to refine the remaining route segments and identify the exact locations for two proposed substations before presenting them to the public in a final round of open houses tentatively scheduled for July.
The public process will culminate with a hearing before the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee. A final decision on whether to grant a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the project will be decided at an open meeting of the Arizona Corporation Commission.
SRP is the third-largest public power utility in the nation, serving nearly 990,000 customers in Maricopa and Pinal counties.
Update on Price Road Transmission Project concern for Sun Lakes community
BY TRACY HOUSE
Sun Lakes residents converged on a recent Chandler Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee meeting to hear the newest information regarding the SRP Price Road Corridor Update from presenter Janeen Rohovit, local government relations representative with SRP.
Also in attendance were Chandler’s Vice Mayor Rick Heumann, Councilman Kevin Hartke and Councilwoman Nora Ellen for the update which is now in Phase 3.
Sun Lakes residents were concerned about the proposed power lines which while running on Gila River Indian Community land, will be visible from the homes along the route in Sun Lakes. Citizens worry that the property and resale values of those homes will be affected.
John Porter, board member on the Sun Lakes’ IronOaks HOA, heard the presentation.
“One of the problems we’ve had through this whole thing is our ability as a community that’s really not being represented in Chandler,” Porter says. “Most of our community, outside of about 400 homes is in Maricopa County. The original plans by SRP, was to put this down multiple routes and there were alternatives all over the place. Everybody is going to be affected by it, but the problem is now it looks like they’re going to limit it to the Indian reservation, mainly because the Indian reservation needs power. Currently their power company, APS, isn’t reliable, so SRP is now focused strictly on the reservation, but instead of pushing into undeveloped land which would be down along Route 10, their pushing it along our west and south boundaries and essentially wrapping that whole 230kV line around our properties, directly affecting us. This is almost directly on our property lines—
Cottonwood, Palo Verde, Sun Lakes 1 and 2 and Iron Oaks.” The concern is not only about the towers with wires and radiation but the property values. He comments that “if our values go down, our tax base goes down. Let me assure you we’ll represent that to them (Chandler City Council).”
He says he feels it’s unfair that “SRP is essentially forcing this on us because of the Price Road Corridor. It really has nothing to do with Intel. They stated that yesterday at the Intel meeting at Oakwood. Our position is, don’t put it there. There are other alternatives that will take it completely away and there’s alternatives that won’t even force it into other communities now. Focus on those particular locations.”
In a phone interview, Tom Novy, PRC transmission project manager, explains about the route that runs through the GRIC, adjacent to the Sun Lakes community “When they say it will impact them, there’s a very small portion of the alternative on the Gila River Indian Community that is adjacent to homes in Sun Lakes. There’s actually 16 homes. If we build the GRIC route, there’s visually only 16 homes in Sun Lakes. That starts at the very northwest corner of Sun Lakes. Immediately south of Intel on the Gila River Community boundary, there’s 16 homes from the beginning of Intel’s property going south.”
Novy explains there is a storage facility, parking lot, ball fields and retention along this southern route as well.
Additional information on the routes and the PRC project is available at www.azpower.org.
Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun. com.
Patience a virtue as summer roadwork begins
The month of June will bring construction activity to several major streets in Chandler. Access to homes, neighborhoods and businesses will be maintained during the work, but officials are asking motorists for patience and to remain alert to traffic control changes.
Chandler Boulevard
Lane restrictions on Chandler Boulevard between McQueen and Cooper roads began in June to accommodate a water main tie-over
project. The five-month project involves the abandonment of an old water main and the installation of new service connections to an existing, newer water main. Two westbound lanes of Chandler Boulevard will be maintained throughout the construction, but eastbound traffic on Chandler Boulevard will be restricted at times to a single lane, except during rush hour when at least two lanes will remain open. Minimal restrictions will occur on McQueen and Cooper roads at Chandler Boulevard.
amenities, the budget increases the contingency reserve, which he characterized as the City’s rainyday fund, from 12 percent to 15 percent.
On June 26, the council is voting on the adoption of the City’s Property Tax Levy. The proposal is to decrease the rate from $1.2714 per $100 to $1.1792. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny says although some may see a decrease in their property tax rate, the City’s portion is only 12 percent of the overall fee so has only so much impact. He urged the entities contributing to 82 percent of the bill to follow Chandler’s lead and help contain the property tax increase many will face due to rising home values. The detailed budget and video of the council sessions are available on the City’s website, www. chandleraz.gov.
Joan Westlake is the community editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at joan@ santansun.com.
Queen Creek Road
Roadwork associated with a commercial development (FedEx) on the northwest corner of Queen Creek and Gilbert roads will result in lane shifts through the intersection. Westbound traffic on Queen Creek Road will be shifted to the south side of the existing center median on the west side of the intersection until it passes Emmett Drive, at which point traffic will be shifted back to its normal alignment.
Left turn lanes will be maintained for
Chandler Police Department hiring
The Chandler Police Department is accepting applications for police cadet or lateral police officer positions. Interested parties should visit www.chandlerpd. com for more information, including automatic disqualifiers. Users will find the online application under the “Careers” tab. The first 450 applications will be accepted.
Successful candidates will begin at an annual salary of $51,875. Lateral officers can make 5 percent to 15 percent above this rate, depending upon experience. This recruitment runs through June 27. Additional recruitments will occur throughout the next year.
For more information, contact Det. Chris Emmons at (480) 782-4123 or Det. Mark Stevens at (480) 782-4114.
both eastbound and westbound traffic at Gilbert Road. The work is expected to take 30 days to complete. For more information, call (480) 7822225.
DEADLINES FOR SANTAN SUN NEWS
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