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Child abuse: ticking pandemic bomb? / P. 6

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS............................. 17 Pandemic demolishes wedding industry.

BUSINESS ............... 23 Scottsdale gyms struggle under closures.

FOOD ............................25 Booze sales soar as patrons stay at home.

NEIGHBORS .........................................20 BUSINESS .............................................. 23 FOOD ........................................................25 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................27

Arizona sees $1B de�icit coming / P. 10

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF SCOTTSDALE) | scottsdale.org

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Pandemic complicates city bond picture BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

s Scottsdale city leaders grapple with the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis, they also are weighing whether or not to delay infrastructure projects connected to the $319-million bond approved by voters last November.

Scottsdale in dark on federal virus relief aid

The city has already approved some smaller bond projects – including some needed fire department expenditures – but was planning to spend the bulk of bond proceeds over the next five years. But during a hearing on next year’s city budget, Councilman Guy Phillips suggested delaying bond projects amid the economic uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

An early draft of the city’s next budget presented to City Council on April 7 showed it allocating $241.5 million from the 2019 bond between 2020 and 2025 – including about $36 million over the next 12 to 18 months to fund portions of 30 projects.

see BOND page 16

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

he $2-trillion CARES Act emergency package included an estimated $2.8 billion in relief funding for Arizona and its local governments, but it is still unclear how much of those funds will make their way to Scottsdale and other mid-size cities throughout the state. According to the Arizona Legislature’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the state will receive at least $1.55 billion from that $2.8-billion pot with the remaining $1.3 billion allocated towards local governments, including cities and counties.

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Scottsdale Councilwoman Solange Whitehead fills bags with food at the Granite Reef Senior Center. Any federal relief that finds its way to the city can't be used to backfill revenue shortfalls but instead must be used for services like this. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

But the CARES Act only spells out how a state’s largest cities with populations of 500,000 or more qualify for the relief – leaving cities like Scottsdale with an unclear pic-

ture of what type of aid they will receive. “Under the legislation, $139 billion is re-

see CARES ACT page 10

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

New data show virus’ footprint in Scottsdale An edition of the East Valley Tribune Scottsdale Progress is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Scottsdale. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of Scottsdale Progress, please visit www.Scottsdale.org. CONTACT INFORMATION Main number 480-898-6500 | Advertising 480-898-5624 Circulation service 480-898-5641 Scottsdale Progress 4301 N 75th St., Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Publisher Steve T. Strickbine Vice President Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@scottsdale.org TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@scottsdale.org Advertising Office Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@scottsdale.org Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@scottsdale.org NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@scottsdale.org Managing Editor Wayne Schutsky | 480-898-6533 | wschutsky@scottsdale.org Staff Writers Kristine Cannon | 480-898-9657 | kcannon@scottsdale.org Jim Walsh | 480-898-5639 | jwalsh@scottsdale.org Photographers Pablo Robles | Probles@scottsdale.org Design Veronica Thurman | vthurman@scottsdale.org Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 | production@scottsdale.org Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@scottsdale.org Marketing Director Lynette Carrington | 480-898-5621 Scottsdale Progress is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

new database released by the state shows Scottsdale has more COVID-19 cases than comparable Valley cities, but some health experts have cautioned against drawing too many conclusions from the data. The dashboard, first published by the Arizona Department of Health Services on April 12, breaks down confirmed cases of COVID-19 by ZIP code. According to the data, Scottsdale ZIP codes had between 276 and 288 confirmed cases as of April 16, over 100 more cases than other Valley cities with similar population sizes, including Chandler (172 cases), Gilbert (131 cases) and Glendale (between 132 and 144 cases). Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert and Glendale all have populations between 248,000 and 257,000 people. Confirmed cases are widespread throughout Scottsdale with ZIP codes of 30 cases or more in the northern, central and southern parts of the city as of April 16. That includes 85257 (58 cases); 85253 (35 cases); 85251 (34); 85255 (32); 85254 (27); and 85260 (26). The Scottsdale ZIP codes with the most cases shared few common demographic characteristics. For instance, U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 85257 – the ZIP code with the most cases –is younger and poorer than the city at large. And 85253 – the ZIP with the second most cases – is older and wealthier than the overall population of Scottsdale. The 85257’s high number of cases stood out among all Arizona ZIP codes. The southern Scottsdale ZIP code’s 58 confirmed cases were the fifth-highest case total of any Arizona ZIP code included in the dataset. Data for ZIP codes where more than 50 percent of the population is Native American was not included while the state awaits tribal approval for their release. The 85257 ZIP code’s rate of 1.7 cases per 1,000 residents is well above the citywide average of 1.1 and the statewide average of 0.58. While the data appears to show several hotspots in the city, some health experts have said it is difficult to draw generalized

Arizona Health Director Dr. Cara Christ last week discussed COVID-19’s advance through the state. (Capitol Media Services)

conclusions from the ZIP code data. “It’s really difficult for anyone to drill down into small geographic areas, because we really lack right now the nimbleness in case identification and contact tracing in a lot of these networks,” said Dr. Joe Gerald, a health services researcher at University of Arizona. Health officials in Pima County recently issued a statement that “ZIP code data should be viewed cautiously” due to testing limitations in Arizona that may cause the ZIP code hotspots to be misleading. “So we think that for every one positive test result we’ve got, we probably have 50 or so other infections in the community that we don’t know about,” Pima County Health Director Dr. Bob England told public radio station KJZZ. “Trying to map something when you only have such a small sampling of that actual infections out there is really misleading,” England said. State Health Director Cara Christ last week said, “While physical distancing is occurring, people do not always remain isolated within their own ZIP code when conducting essential business.” “Finally, ZIP code counts include anyone in that zip code who has tested positive, whether their infection occurred two months ago and has resolved or two weeks ago and is still active,’’ Christ added, stressing: “Thus, while ZIP code data is informative, it should not be used to determine whether or not residents of a particular zip code are or are not at risk of COVID-19.’’ County health officials also noted, “Most tests so far have only been done for those who are very sick, are known contacts of an already confirmed case, or are

healthcare workers.’’ Some experts believe there is still value to be had in the state’s data, though. “I think this is a really good step,” Gerald said. “I think they’re making a really good faith effort to inform the public and provide data that is useful.” Though it may be difficult for residents to look at the current data and draw too many conclusions, Gerald said the information can benefit health officials and the state by showing them if there are adequate medical resources to address the emergency in areas of need. Dr. Megan Jehn, an associate professor of Epidemiology at Arizona State University, said researchers can use the daily case counts, deaths testing information to determine if social distancing measures are working. “These measures give us a sense of when and how we can safely reopen our economy,” Jehn said. Jehn also said the information can also benefit Arizona residents by informing the public about how quickly the virus is spreading and instilling trust in the state’s response. “Transparency in data sharing is also critically important for building public trust,” Jehn said. “If the public trusts health officials and the information that they are receiving, they are more likely to adhere to social distancing recommendations.” It could also provide some reassurance to residents that state currently has enough medical equipment to meet demand, Gerald said. “We have enough hospital beds at the present moment with some spare capacity; we have enough ICU beds; and we have enough ventilators,” Gerald said. “And so even though the worst perhaps is yet to come maybe in the next week or so… it still looks like we’re going to be well within our capacity to provide the best care that’s possible,” Gerald said. Still, Jehn acknowledged there are “significant shortcomings” in the current data and said all residents should remain vigilant regardless of the number of cases shown in their ZIP code. “Residents should assume that COVID-19 is widespread across that state and should avoid complacency with social distancing even if their ZIP code has a lower number of cases than other ZIP codes,” Jehn said.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

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Pandemic ticking timebomb: child abuse BY CECILIA CHAN Progress Staff Writer

his Thursday, Gilbert’s iconic Water Tower will light up blue for three days in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. And a possible fallout of COVID-19 is an uptick in children being abused or neglected, parents lose their jobs and the country remains on lockdown. “We are anticipating with economic stressors and social stressors there will be increases in child abuse,” said Dr. Shawn Singleton, a pediatrician who works at the Banner Health Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa and Thunder Medical Center in Glendale. “Some areas of the country have seen increases of cases. “Right now, we have not had any cases of child abuse in our centers, which is a good thing.” Singleton surmised that may be because the weather is still nice, allowing people to be outdoors to walk,

work off some of the energy and to just have some fun, perhaps we may see our spike if we are still required to do social isolation and quarantine,” Singleton said. Another factor is that schools are closed – but not in a good way. Teachers and other school personnel often see signs of child abuse, and calls to the state child abuse hotline have dropped since Gov. Doug Ducey closed schools for the rest of the academic year, according to Darren DaRonco, spokesman for the Scottsdale-based Childhelp's volunteers make Department of Child Safety. “On average, we are seeing momentos to remind abused children they are not alone. (Childhelp) an over 25 percent decrease in calls to our hotline since bike or hike. schools closed,” he said. But if social isolation remains in place “Teachers and school personnel comas the Valley heats up, that may change. prise one of the largest groups to report “If we are unable to be outside to child abuse. That means many children

GETTING HELP • To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call Arizona Department of Child Services at 888-SOS-CHILD or (888-767-2445). • Childhelp also has a national child abuse hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, available over phone or text, or online chat at childhelphotline. org to talk with parents, survivors or children who are struggling to find resources to help.

are suffering in silence.” DCS cannot investigate child abuse and neglect unless it receives a report from the public. Education personnel are responsible for making 20 percent of investigated reports, and law enforcement personnel, including school resource officers make 18 percent of reports that get investigated, according to Caleb Kimpel, spokesman for Scottsdale-based Child-

see ABUSE page 19

Area domestic violence call trends murky BY KEVIN REAGAN Progress Staff Writer

ocal law enforcement answered a higher number of calls for domestic disturbances last month after East Valley residents were told to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Agencies in Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa reported subtle increases in its number of domestic-related calls over the last few weeks, but some say the data’s not clear enough to conclude whether Arizona’s stay-at-home order is to blame. The Scottsdale Police Department reported at least 30 domestic-related incidents between March 19 and April 13, according to an online database. That number is more than what was reported during the same time frame in 2019 but less than in 2018. Officer Kevin Watts, a spokesman for the agency, said Scottsdale has not seen enough data to conclude there’s been any recent crime trends that can be tied to CO-

VID-19. Chandler Police officers responded to at least 522 domestic calls for fights, assaults and trespassing in March – a notable jump from the 364 calls received in February. Last month further appears to be an outlier when comparing it to the call logs of previous years. Chandler Police reported getting 454 domestic-related calls in March 2019 and 438 calls in March 2018. It’s the same trend observed elsewhere across the country as police departments see a rise in calls for domestic violence after Americans were instructed to stay home indefinitely until the health pandemic ends. Sgt. Jason McClimans emphasized that Chandler’s call numbers don’t necessarily mean an act of domestic violence was actually committed – but rather that someone had initially reported a possible disturbance. The agency’s online arrest log indicates March 2020 didn’t show an exponentially higher number of arrests for domesticrelated crimes compared to February or

January. A closer snapshot of the agency’s data demonstrates how Chandler cops have remained busy responding to domestic disputes during the statewide shutdown. At 10:30 a.m. on April 4, Chandler Police arrested a 34-year-old woman for criminal damage and fighting at a residence on Kingbird Drive. Four hours later, a 32-year-old man was charged with violating an order of protection a few miles away on California Street. Chandler Police then detained a 38-yearold man for fighting on Folley Street at 7:30 p.m. Less than an hour later, a 29-year-old man was arrested for assault at an apartment complex on Federal Street. At least two more men would be cited for domestic violence charges by the end of the night. The agency’s arrest logs show officers make arrests for domestic crimes on a nearly daily basis – long before the COVID-19 pandemic forced families to stay indoors. But April 4 stands out as a day that ap-

peared to be particularly active. The extra calls for domestic disturbances have not forced Chandler Police to reshuffle resources among the agency’s units, McClimans added. Its Family Advocacy Center, where victims of sex crimes and child abuse often go to report crimes, has not experienced a significant uptick in victims seeking refuge from abusive relatives. But some advocates worry this period may only be the calm before the storm and believe more victims may suddenly reach out for help once the pandemic starts to subside. Tasha Menaker, co-chief executive officer of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, said her nonprofit’s hotline has recently seen a 15-percent increase in calls from victims wanting to file restraining orders, find a shelter or ask for legal advice. The pandemic could be trapping even more victims from not reaching out for

see DOMESTIC page 8

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DOMESTIC �� page 6

help, Menaker said, because their abuser is always around and they may not feel safe calling the coalition’s hotline. “It might feel very dangerous to try and look at other options outside of leaving the home,” Menaker said, “but maybe as things settle down a little bit. We’re kind of worried we might see a spike at that time as people then try to exit the home.” Before the public health crisis, domestic violence shelters in the East Valley were already having trouble placing clients in apartments they could afford on their own. Rising rents across the Valley has made cheap rentals increasingly sparse and has been creating another barrier for victims to not leave their abuser. “That’s a significant reason why survivors don’t leave,” Menaker added. “They just don’t have any place to go.” Menaker’s coalition has some funding available to help survivors pay the first month’s rent on a new apartment, but those funds are becoming an increasingly

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

finite resource since the nonprofit’s had to postpone all its fundraising events until after the pandemic ends. Most domestic violence shelters across the Valley continue to remain open, but some say the ongoing pandemic hasn’t curbed the constant need for available beds. My Sister’s Place, a domestic violence shelter located near Chandler, is regularly at its capacity and demand for the shelter’s beds hasn’t slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jean Christofferson, a spokesperson for the shelter, said its help hotline has been getting more calls in recent weeks as its staff continues trying to serve the clients they already have. A New Leaf, which operates a domestic violence shelter near Mesa, has also seen more clients reaching out for assistance during the last few weeks. The shelter operates a temporary overflow program that attempts to place clients in alternative housing or hotels when its shelter is out of rooms. The number of clients seeking assis-

tance from the overflow program is 30 percent higher than this same time last year, according to New Leaf spokesman Tanner Swanson. This sudden growth in demand is “shocking,” Swanson added, and New Leaf’s caseworkers are concerned that clients stuck in dangerous relationships aren’t getting the help they need. Other police departments in the East Valley have noticed some changes in the number of domestic disturbances reported in recent weeks, but nothing that’s alarmed agencies of a potential crisis that’s the result of COVID-19’s movement restrictions. Thirty-eight more incidents of domestic violence have so far been reported to Gilbert Police this year compared to 2019. The town was already observing slightly higher numbers before the pandemic started to hit in early March and that trend’s been continuing into April. Though the Mesa Police Department saw a small increase in the number of family fight calls last month, the agency claims the uptick is not enough to suggest it’s re-

lated to stay-at-home directives. Mesa Police got about 80 more calls for domestic fights in March than it received in February. But Detective Nik Rasheta said the extra calls were not beyond what Mesa’s experienced in the past. In May 2019, Mesa Police received about the same level of fight calls per day as what the agency experienced in March 2020. Mesa’s Victim Services Unit had fewer in-person contacts with residents between March 16 and April 12, but the number of people contacting the unit by phone increased substantially during that time frame. And yet the number of new domestic violence cases assigned to Mesa’s detectives has been dropping since mid-February. It appears Mesa’s not yet gone outside the regular ebbs and flows it sees throughout the year, Rasheta added, but the agency’s keeping an eye on the data to spot any troubling trends that may be happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Information on resources for victims of domestic violence can be found at acesdv.org.

Gun sales soar throughout the state BY JESSICA MYERS Cronkite News

rizona processed a record 82,771 background checks on would-be gun buyers in March, as fears of the coronavirus drove people to gun shops in what one shop owner called “panic time.” It was twice as high as any March in the state since FBI background checks began in 1998 and almost one-quarter of the total sales in Arizona for all of 2019, according to NICS Firearm Checks data showing a doubling of background checks from February. Gun shop owners said the only thing that has slowed down sales is a lack of inventory after March’s surge. “People have just started panic buying at an insane rate,” said Wayne Semenko, owner of SnG Tactical in Tucson. “People that have never bought before are in here buying.” The surge in Arizona was reflected nationally, with background checks in March exceeding 3.7 million, the most ever for one month and more than 1 million more than the 2.6 million checks in March 2019. Semenko and other gun shop owners

Gun shows like this may be in abeyance because of social distancing regulations but gun shops are doing major business in Arizona. (Cronkite News)

blamed the increase, especially for firsttime gun buyers, on fears that police agency ranks might be thinned by coronavirus and worries that gun shops might shut down. Gov. Doug Ducey declared gun shops an “essential service” in his executive order. Ducey’s decision was praised last month by the National Rifle Association, which calls the COVID-19 outbreak a threat to the

Second Amendment. But Everytown for Gun Safety, an antigun violence movement, said it is the NRA that is exploiting the pandemic to drive gun sales by “fear mongering.” Mark Healy, who owns Healy – America’s Firearm Provider, a large-volume dealer in Tempe, said that during last month’s rush, he said, he handed out as many cards for

gun training to people who were “unprepared for gun ownership” as he did applications for gun purchase. Healy said cheaper handguns – anything below $400 – “went right away” and were extremely popular. He also said shoppers were buying more ammunition than they normally would and his store quickly ran out of popular items. Healy said he does not have enough 9mm and basic-range ammo because it got “hoarded right away.” “We’re still out of some things right now, but for anybody walking in right now looking for a handgun or long gun, we can certainly supply that,” Healy said. Semenko also said ammunition is in high demand. He said there is still a constant flow of customers coming in to get “what they need.” “People are worried about other people; they want to be able to defend their possessions and their families,” Semenko said. “They don’t know what to expect. They see what happens in the grocery stores when things get a little bit low and they don’t want to be at the mercy of those people.”

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CITY NEWS

CARES ACT ��

served to be distributed between states and units of local government,” summary of the act by the National League of Cities stated, adding that a “unit of local government” is an entity with more than 500,000 people. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the only municipalities in Arizona that meet that population criteria are Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson and Maricopa and Pima counties. Scottsdale, which has 255,315 residents according to latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, still does not know exactly how much funding it will receive. “We really do not have any clarity on this at the moment,” city spokesman Kelly Corsette said. Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane told the Progress that the state is working on a $50-million fund to be allocated to cities but that it looks like Scottsdale’s allocation will be minimal. Scottsdale is among nearly 90 cities, towns and counties in Arizona with under 500,000 residents and there are so many municipalities in line for a cut of the $50 million. “To tell you honestly, I think it’s somewhere in the area of $100,000, but again, I don’t think there’s a final number on that quite yet,” Lane said. Lane said that fund “will go to the cities for mostly social services as I see it right now…but also to costs that we’ve incurred that are directly tied to COVID-19.” Lane said some of those funds could also be allocated to social service organizations outside of the city. While the city has shut down most facilities outside of critical services like public safety and water, it is still providing social services in partnership with local nonprofits, such as meal distribution for elderly residents at Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers. For context, $100,000 equates to just 0.035 percent of Scottsdale’s $286.3 million general fund budget for the current fiscal year and only 7.7 percent of the $1.3 million in community development block grants, or CDBG, from the federal government that the city budgeted in its current fiscal year. Without a clear plan from the state or guidance from the federal government, it is still unknown exactly what relief cities like Scottsdale can expect to receive. Patrick Ptak, a spokesman for Gov. Doug

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

Ducey’s Office, did not respond to a request for comment on how the state would allocate funds to cities with populations under 500,000. “Cities don’t qualify for the Coronavirus relief fund directly, they’ll get CDBG funds based on existing formula, but we don’t know what that equates to,” said Rohan Narayanan, a communications specialist with the League of Cities “There might be other funds that they get via formula automatically, but as of now, we can’t say what those programs are or how much,” he added. CDBG are funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development doled out to cities to support community development, like affordable housing. The CARES Act includes a total of $5 billion for CDBG, which includes the $2 billion allocated directly to states and cities for coronavirus relief. The balance includes an additional $1 billion for states and $2 billion to be allocated by HUD to states and local governments based on need, according to NLC. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, D-AZ, said she spoke with over 200 mayors and county leaders concerned about how they will receive funding. Sinema called on the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to provide guidance on how states should allocate funding to cities and towns with populations below 500,000. “I’ve heard directly from mayors and county leaders across Arizona that they need funding now to keep their communities safe and healthy,” Sinema said. “The Treasury Department must ensure Arizona’s smaller communities receive their fair share of funding so all Arizonans have the economic support needed during this public health crisis,” she added There is still the possibility that Scottsdale could receive funds from other CARES Act sources beyond the $2.8 billion allocated to the state and cities in Arizona. According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the state could receive up to $4.2 billion in total, including the $2.8 billion dedicated to states and local governments plus other funds for everything from food programs and housing to relief for Arizona’s school districts. Scottsdale already received $157,000 as part of $220 million in CARES Act grants aimed at bailing out airports affected by the economic downturn.

see CARES ACT page 12

Virus could wallop state spending, revenue BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The Economy and Cities:

WHAT AMERICA’S LOCAL LEADERS ARE SEEING

he COVID-19 outbreak is Local leaders understand the needs of their residents and are best positioned going to blow a billion- to make emergency management decisions related to allocation of resources. The federal government MUST act to ensure every city, town and village dollar hole in state fi- impacted by this pandemic—regardless of size—has direct access to emergency funding. nances. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee said the decline in 500,000 state revenues – plus addition87% 100% al costs to the state from the ef36 of 19,000 fects of the virus – should leave 100% 98% Arizona with a $1.1 billion 0.5% budget deficit by the end of the 14% coming fiscal year. That’s out of what is basically an $11.8 billion spending plan. 96% The new report says that 69% $1.1 billion deficit comes even 68% 53% 63% after the state uses close to $1 PRIMARY 61% FOR billion it was expected to have FACTOR 38% SHORTFALL 43% 35% left over by the end of this bud18% get year on June 30. There is one bright spot of sorts. The state does have THERE WILL BE FURLOUGHS about $973 million in its “rainy 26% OF MUNICIPALITIES <50,000 70% 50% day’’ fund, a special account set 55% OF MUNICIPALITIES 50K-199,999 aside for emergencies. 54% OF MUNICIPALITIES 200K-499,999 59% OF MUNICIPALITIES 500,000+ And legislative budget staffers said there will be some reAND THERE WILL BE LAYOFFS 63% 76% 26% OF MUNICIPALITIES <50,000 lief funds coming in from the 36% OF MUNICIPALITIES 50K-199,999 federal government. 39% OF MUNICIPALITIES 200K-499,999 But it also could mean that 47% OF MUNICIPALITIES 500,000+ lawmakers, who until a month ago were planning to spend what was expected to be a cash surplus, will now have to find The ﬁscal hit that Arizona and other states expect places to cut. will trickle down to cities like Scottsdale. Here's Even if the more immedi- what the National League of Cities sees. ate revenue shortfall gets addressed, whether with the point are risky. rainy-day fund or something else, budget But Stavneak warned that even if analysts are predicting another $1 billion businesses were to start opening next shortfall in the 2021-2022 fiscal year be- month, “There is typically a second wave cause the number of people in the state’s that comes. The hope is we would be Medicaid program is still expected to be better prepared in terms of mitigation high. strategies. But we’re still a year out from By that point, the extra dollars the fed- a vaccine.’’ eral government is providing to help will Stavneak said the Arizona economy, have disappeared. driven by income and sales taxes, could Richard Stavneak, staff director of the take much longer to recover. JLBC, told members of the state’s Finance Advisory Committee projections at this see FINANCES page 12 UNDER THE CURRENT CARES ACT: Only municipalities of more than

MUNICIPALITIES OF ALL SIZES WILL FEEL THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19. Nearly 100% of cities with populations above 50,000 will see a revenue decline this year.

residents will receive direct funding through the Coronavirus Relief Fund Only

American cities, towns and villages are 500,000+

of municipalities <50,000

of municipalities 200k-499,999

anticipate a revenue shortfall this year

of municipalities 50k-199,999

of municipalities 500,000+

That equals less than

anticipate a revenue shortfall this year

of all municipalities

anticipate a revenue shortfall this year

And only represents

of the country’s total population

OF ALL CITIES REPORT THAT BUDGET SHORTFALLS ARE THE RESULT OF UNANTICIPATED REVENUE DECLINES.

LOCAL LEADERS ARE REPORTING AN IMMEDIATE ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM LOSS OF REVENUE SOURCES THEY DEPEND ON TO FUND ESSENTIAL SERVICES. Permitting fees

Other service fees

UNANTICIPATED REVENUE DECLINE ONLY

Utility fees

Sales taxes

State intergovernmental aid

UNANTICIPATED REVENUE DECLINES AND UNANTICIPATED EXPENDITURE INCREASES

PUBLIC SERVICES WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE ECONOMIC STRAIN OF COVID-19.

Property taxes Income taxes

CORONAVIRUS WILL HAVE A STAGGERING IMPACT ON ALL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYMENT.

will have to furlough their employees

of municipalities <50,000 are anticipating having to cut public services.

of municipalities 200k-499,999 are anticipating having to cut public services.

will have to furlough their employees will have to furlough their employees will have to furlough their employees

will have to lay off their employees

of municipalities 50k-199,999 are anticipating having to cut public services.

of municipalities 500,000+ are anticipating having to cut public services.

will have to lay off their employees will have to lay off their employees

MORE THAN HALF OF ALL CITIES OF ALL ALL SIZES REPORTED THAT POLICE WILL BE AFFECTED.

will have to lay off their employees

Methodology: Data are drawn from a survey of 2,463 cities, towns and villages conducted by NLC and USCM from April 1 - April 7, 2020 on the immediate and longer term fiscal impacts of coronavirus. 2,191 of the responding cities are under 50,000 population; 181 are between 50,000 and 199,999; 56 are between 200,000 and 499,999; and 35 have a population of 500,000 and above -- a group that includes 19 of the nation’s 20 largest cities. These cities represent 57% of the nation’s municipal finance sector and 10% of its municipal governments. Their population totals 93,015,252, which is 28% of the total U.S. population.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

Hospitals look to government to shore up �inances BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ov. Doug Ducey is looking to restore the ability of financially struggling Arizona hospitals to once again do elective surgeries. The governor said last week he issued the directive last month to ensure that there is an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to handle what is expected to be a surge in the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19. That peak is not expected until the end of this month and possibly into May. But in the meantime, Holly Ward, spokeswoman for the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, said her members are hemorrhaging money because they’ve lost that business. And she said that there needs to be financial relief -- and soon -- to keep the doors open. Arizona hospitals are facing “dire financial consequences” and furloughing staff, as cutbacks meant to prepare for COVID-19 cases have instead cost them as much as $575 million a month, about 3040 percent of normal revenues statewide. The cancellation of elective procedures meant to free up beds for potential coronavirus patients, combined with a drop

FINANCES �� page 10

Gov. Doug Ducey brushed aside the projections. “No one really knows because the economy is not operating,’’ he said. “And without economic activity it’s very hard to make forecasts.’’ For the moment, economists are looking at the indicators they have to make some forecasts. Among those is that the Phoenix hotel occupancy rate fell by 71 percent in the last week of March. That effects not just the tax revenues from hotel rooms but the fact that people are not coming to Arizona and spending money here. At the same time, the report says, several restaurant chains have reported a 70 percent decrease in sales, even with an increase in takeout orders. And then there’s the fact that nearly a quarter million Arizonans have applied for unemployment benefits in the past

in emergency room visits, has deprived hospitals of the “cash cows” they need to stay afloat in an industry that otherwise has margins of only 3-4 percent, advocates said. The result is health care centers in financial distress, at risk of closing or reducing staff, said Dr. Daniel Derksen, director of the Arizona Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona. “If you don’t have the revenues to support paying your nurses and physicians and staff and transport, lab, imaging, Xrays, those types of things, it creates just an untenable situation,” Derksen said. Advocate said Congress included $30 billion for hospitals when it passed the $2 trillion Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES Act, last month. Arizona hospitals have already seen $220 million in assistance from the bill. Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association President Ann-Marie Alameddin said the money helps – some – but she called it “insufficient” at a time when state hospitals are seeing losses twice that amount every month. Ducey said he understands the problem. “We’ve been working for the past 45 days to make sure we’ve got appropriate hospital capacity, ICU beds, personal

three weeks alone. “That’s just incredible,’’ Stavneak said. He said state is working with only limited data. For example, sales figures for March – and the sales taxes collected won’t be fully reported until June. There also are variables in anticipated income tax collections. Withholding revenues – the amount taken out of employees’ paychecks – is expected to drop by 15 percent. Even the decline in the stock market will have an effect as taxpayers report no capital gains and actually declaring capital losses. Then there’s the expenditure side, notably the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid program, with eligibility linked to individual income. He said there was a 2.3 percent increase in enrollment at the beginning of this month alone, a figure he called “pretty dramatic for a single month.’’ What all that means, he acknowledged,

protective equipment, ventilators, etc.’’ he told Capitol Media Services. And that, the governor said, required a halt to elective surgeries. “If we’re in a position where we’ve got enough supply that we have available inventory and we have product on the way as well, I am open minded to resuming elective surgery,’’ he said. But when it occurs, it won’t be all at once. “I would think this would be something where we would start with our rural hospitals first, and then, over a period of time, we would extend it into the urban core,’’ Ducey said. “It would be as soon as I have data that gives me the confidence to make a decision.’’ Ward said loosening the restrictions on elective procedures, like knee surgeries and hip replacements, she said, will help. “We aren’t suggesting that elective surgeries are the be-all, end-all,’’ she said. Ward said that hospitals are just seeing fewer patients overall, including in emergency rooms. The cause appears to be another of Ducey’s edict: his directive to Arizonans to remain at home. “People are staying home,’’ Ward said. “They’re not having car accidents like they used to to go into the hospital. It’s not that is that $1.1 billion shortfall could be as little as $600 million – or as much as $1.6 billion. Stavneak said that’s why he’s not urging state lawmakers to craft solutions at this point, given the variables, and that his staff should have better numbers in June. Still, Stavneak said, “Legislators may well want to start holding discussions about potential solutions.’’ Economist Elliott Pollack, a member of the Finance Advisory Committee said there is reason to believe there will be a much longer-term financial hangover even after the virus goes away. He said that “social distancing’’ may become built-in to individual behavior. “More people are going to be working from home,’’ Pollack said. “You’re going to have more takeout and less eat-in at restaurants, especially if there’s close seating. Airlines are going to have a tough problem getting people into planes.’’

day-in, day-out traffic that we would normally see.’’ That complaint held no water with the governor. “You want me to apologize for people not getting into car accidents?’’ he asked. The governor last week provided some in the form of an additional $5.3 million in supplemental payments to “critical access hospitals,’’ those in rural areas located more than a 35-mile drive from any other hospital. And the state is advancing $50 million to hospitals in advance Medicaid payments, essentially fronting them money for services they have yet to provide. The governor last month directed hospitals to find another 13,000 beds by the end of this month on top of the 15,000 they already have. He also is working to reopen the closed St. Luke’s Hospital in Phoenix. But Holly Poynter of the Arizona Department of Health Services says there are indications that the worst it yet to come. She noted that Healthdata.org, which produces models for states and countries, predicts Ariona hiting its peak hospital need on April 30. Yet other models, Poynter said, have the peak further into May. “Worst case scenario models are still predicting up to 13,000 (additional) hospital beds may be needed,’’ she said.

CARES ACT �� page 10

Airport spokesperson Sarah Ferrara said the airport does not have concrete numbers yet “but there appears to be a significant decline in activity.” “Today’s funding will save thousands of Arizona jobs, helping stabilize Arizona’s economy while we fight the coronavirus pandemic,” Sinema said. The CARES Act also included $4 billion to states and local governments in homeless assistance grants and $45 million to provide services in response to domestic violence. There is also $850 million for local governments to purchase protective equipment for law enforcement and $100 million for fire fighters and first responders. Additionally, $500 billion in loans from the Department of the Treasury earmarked for businesses impacted by COVID-19 will also be available to cities and states. That money is virtually exhausted, according to widespread reports.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

BOND ��

Then the coronavirus hit, forcing the city to reckon with potentially devastating economic consequences as it confronts significant drops in major revenue sources like sales tax, which comprises about 42 percent of the city’s general fund revenues. The pandemic has devastated the city’s tourism industry, which accounts for around one-third of the city’s economic output, Mayor Jim Lane said. Lane said there have been discussions on how the current economic downturn will affect bond spending but that “there hasn’t been a final line on this.” Scottsdale City Engineer Dave Lipinski said that budget presented on April 7 had been prepared prior to the pandemic and could be changed in the coming weeks. “As staff works forward over the next few weeks to refine the budget and to make adjustments in reaction to the current situation, all projects will be reviewed for timing and impact,” Lipinski said. Delaying bond projects could make sense if the city takes a significant hit to revenues so that city can avoid taking on additional debt. “Issuing a bond means committing to making expenses…when you talk about committing to additional expenses that you don’t absolutely have to do right now, that may not make sense,” said Akheil Singla, an assistant professor at the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. Scottsdale officials will have to weigh whether or not the cost of delaying bond projects – some involving essential infrastructure – outweighs the risk posed by spending in the face of an economic downturn. “Are any of those things essential to the point where not doing them could be more costly than doing them?” Singla said. Singla said Scottsdale is heavily reliant on sales tax revenues, like many other Valley cities, meaning it will likely be hard hit by the current economic downturn that has been driven by the shuttering of businesses that generate that tax revenue. “COVID-19 basically changes the rev-

The City of Scottsdale is still discussing how the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19 will affect spending on bond projects like an complete overhaul at Cactus Pool. (Photo by Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

Scottsdale voters approved three bond questions totaling $319 million in November 2019 to fund projects throughout the city, including a $23.5 million repair project at Indian Bend Wash at Vista del Camino Park. (Progress ﬁle photo)

enue picture for all governments, but where that’s most significant is at the state and local level,” Singla said. Cities like Scottsdale will have to balance maintaining critical services like police, fire and water while also grappling with that lost revenue. “Choices will have to be made,” said Singla, noting that cities can choose to delay capital expenditures in order to stave off layoffs, furloughs or cuts to city services. The city will also have to look at how the current economic uncertainty is

affecting the market for borrowing, which, despite low interest rates, may actually work against cities looking to fund bond projects. Singla said many people think “well the (Federal Reserve) dropped rates, so now’s a good time to borrow; it doesn’t necessarily work that way for municipal governments.” Singla said it was probably actually cheaper for cities to borrow money in February before the coronavirus took hold in the U.S. than now, because the number of institutions willing to give

cities loans has fluctuated over the past six weeks due to the current economic uncertainty. “The cost of borrowing went up in some cases as high as three and four times as high as six weeks prior, but the last couple of weeks that stabilized,” he explained. “But it’s not like you’re going to get a great deal if you want the money right now,” Singla said. “You just may not be paying a premium like you were four weeks ago.” But Mayor Jim Lane said there are reasons the city may decide not to delay projects, including the potential to save on construction costs during the downturn. “There’s two things that could happen and we haven’t substantiated this completely at this point in time,” Lane said. “And that is that cost of construction, and particularly materials, could take a significant drop, or at least it’s anticipated if it hasn’t already been seen to some extent.” Rising construction costs over the past decade have driven up capital project costs for local governments. In May 2019, the City Council approved a $4.2-million contract for the construction of Fire Station 603 funded by proceeds from a bond passed in 2015. The price exceeded initial projects by $1.5 million due to increased land and construction costs. According to the City Council memo “from 2014, when the estimate was created until the time of bid, the Valley has seen a rate of inflation within the construction industry between 18 percent and 23 percent and a current shortage of labor within the Phoenix Area Market.” Thus, Lane said, “There’s an opportunity to actually reduce even the final element of cost below what was estimated.” Finances may not be the only factor that the city considers as it looks at whether or not to continue with 2019 bond projects, which were approved by around 70 percent of voters. “And that gets not just meaningful in terms of you don’t want to anger your residents,” Singla said. “Governments exist to provide services to their community and the community voted pretty overwhelmingly in favor of these services.”

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

Virus throws wedding industry into chaos, planner �inds BY PAUL MARYNIAK Progress Executive Editor

ove may conquer a lot, but it’s no match for the COVID-19 pandemic – at least as far as weddings are concerned. Not only have countless couples’ plans been shattered by the virus and social distancing, but the entire wedding industry is in meltdown, said Kim Horn. Horn knows full well how the wedding industry – from venues and florists, caterers to clothing shops – has been devastated by the pandemic. As one of only about 75 professionals in the world who hold the certified title of Master Wedding Planner, she has planned more than 650 weddings in her career and has developed a vast network of all the different businesses that help make a bride’s dream come true. And right now in Arizona, those dreams are nightmares – and not just for the bride and groom and their families and friends. The impact is particularly heavy in Arizona because March and April are one of Arizona’s two peak wedding seasons – the other being October-November, Horn said. But regardless of when any area in the country hits a peak for marching down the aisle, the coronavirus has taken a major toll, Horn said. “I got a report the other day that said that weddings are going to be down this year 30 percent,” she said. “I think that’s very low.” The scramble is already on as couples that postponed nuptials till later this year are now competing with those who had or were planning to schedule in the fall. “All of those brides are trying to move to a September, October, November,” she said, adding that even before the pandemic struck, the competition was keen for Oct. 10 because the idea of having a wedding on 1010-20 had a numerical attraction for many couples. On a macroeconomic scale, the breadth of the devastation is almost incalculable. “Caterers are going to be hit very hard,” Horn said, “and the reason is they have food and if they have their liquor license, they have food and bar materials ready for those events that were supposed to happen. They’ve already purchased it because the events were supposed to happen and then the client calls and says, ‘Hey, we can-

The Arizona Wedding Show forJune at the Phoenix Convention Center has been canceled, depriving couples of a chance to check out vendors. (Special to the Progress)

celed or we’re postponing. It’s perishable things that they can’t wait on. They’ve already ordered it. It’s on its way to them.” Even companies and individuals that don’t necessarily come to mind when you think of weddings have suffered a major blow, Horn said. Take the rental companies, for example, that supply linens, tables and chairs for receptions. They’ve already lost out on spring and Easter events in general, especially at churches, Horn said. Then there are the musicians and DJs, who already lost considerable income they may have earned playing gigs at nowclosed bars and restaurants. Some of those musicians – and many other wedding vendors – also have lost out on vying for any weddings that might be held later this year because the June Arizona Wedding Show that Horn helps to organize at the Phoenix Convention Center has been canceled. The biannual event – the January show went on without interruption – draws thousands of brides and their entourages for an up-close-and-personal look at musicians, gown makers and other vendors available for the big event. Of course, venues and the couples and their families are among the prime victims of the social distancing tsunami that has swamped so much of the economy, Horn said. But in there is a lesson for couples that may be thinking of a wedding down the road. Many venues likely have already received

partial or full payment if they were hosting an event when social distancing regulations took effect, Horn said. “It’s very important that everybody reads their contracts – not only reads them but I should say reads and understands the contracts they’ve signed,” she said. That’s particularly important when it comes to language on cancellations. Normally, 75 percent of wedding expense involves the venue. “So let’s say the venue has a non-refundable retainer and they are traditionally forfeited if the client cancels the event,” she explained, some may have a ‘force majeure’ exception that provides an escape from a major financial hit. But, Horn said, “‘force majeure’ is defined in many different ways... so that’s important” to understand exactly the kind of major, unforeseen circumstances in which a venue will either allow the couple to postpone the reception or refund at least part of the money they’ve paid. But the virus has opened a myriad of issues. Even before the full brunt of stay-athome orders took effect, couples who had big wedding plans even in mid-March, for example, likely had paid already for food and beverage – only to find guests canceling out. “And so, when your guest count drops off,” she said, “you may have to pay the minimum for attendance.” Venues don’t want to get stuck, said Horn, explaining:

“Let’s say you picked March 21 and you said ‘I am guaranteed 100 people.’ They’re saying, ‘Okay, then we’re going to buy enough chicken and potato salad, everything for 100 people based on what you’ve agreed with us and sign in your banquet event order.’ They paid for it. There are no refunds whether you hold that event or not. They’ve already hired the staff. They’ve ordered the bar. They’ve taken that date out of inventory.” “There are so many things that go into that that people don’t see – If they had to order the cake. If they had to order special linens, crystal centerpieces or they had a specific champagne that they wanted. They’ve already ordered that in order to get it in for that March 21st date.” “That’s why it’s really important that you have documentation in writing” as to what a venue will do or not do in the event the wedding is abruptly cancelled or postponed, Horn said. “There are people that put their heart and soul into planning their wedding and haven’t thought about their life the day after their wedding,” Horn said. “Then there’s the people that at the end of the day say, ‘you know what it doesn’t matter on what day it is.’” But even those couples who just think eloping will do are running into problems since the actual exchange of vows not only requires an officiant but also two witnesses, Horn noted. “There’s at least five people involved,” she said. Given the uncertainty as to when some semblance of normalcy might return to Arizona and the country this year, Horn is recommending that couples contemplating a wedding this year to put off the big event until 2021. “They’re saying that potentially this epidemic will affect us for 18 months,” she said. “I would rather err on the side of safety for my family and for my clients…. The whole thing is they have to be aware of what is happening on travel restrictions, what’s happening on local quarantines.” And people who think wedding insurance might cover them might want to carefully read the contract since “a lot of the wedding insurance doesn’t cover a pandemic.” “The whole thing is knowing what you’re signing before you sign it,” she said.

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

EVIT dinged $2.8M for uncerti�ied teachers BY JIM WALSH Progress Staff Writer

he East Valley Institute of Technology will pay a high price for using uncertified instructors teaching unapproved programs during the final three years of former Superintendent Sally Downey’s Administration. A December 2019 audit by the state Department of Education said EVIT received more than $2.8 million in state aid to which it was not entitled between 2016-18. EVIT initially appealed the audit’s findings, but the board now has agreed to an out-of-court settlement in which the vocational education district will be docked for $1.4 million in future state aid. The state Department of Education declined comment on the settlement. Roughly 200 Scottsdale Unified juniors and seniors split their normal school day between EVIT and their home campus. Closures have kept those students from completing necessary lessons in the school’s vo-tech shops, but EVIT spokeswoman said those who need to complete shop instruction to earn certifications will get a chance to do so. “For those who wish to enter the workforce and need industry certifications to do that, EVIT will provide additional hands-on training once students are allowed back on campus to help ensure they can pass industry certification exams,” she said, adding: “While it’s not our ideal way of training students, EVIT administrators and faculty believe the online learning opportunities they have created for students during the campus shutdown will enhance, rather than supplant, the quality hands-on learning we offer on campus.” The audit followed an investigative report by attorney Susan Segal in February 2019 that sharply criticized Downey’s management style and alleged several possible violations of state law, including the use of uncertified teachers. Gust Rosenfeld, Segal’s law firm, was hired by the new board in January 2019 to investigate Downey, who was placed on administrative leave. She subsequently resigned. Because of Segal’s findings, the board

DR. CHAD WILSON

SALLY DOWNEY

had to re-bid a $33 million construction contract that had been awarded in December 2018 under Downey for expansion of its East Mesa campus, said attorney Kevin Koelbel, EVIT’s director of legal services. A November 2018 board meeting also was not advertised properly to comply with the state Open Meetings Law, so all decisions by the old board at that meeting were declared void and they had to be reconsidered by the present board. “I think it was the last big thing that was left’’ from Segal’s list of possible violations, Koelbel said of the audit. Downey’s support at EVIT eroded after the 2018 election dramatically changed the board’s composition. For years, Downey had functioned as the larger-than-life face of EVIT, cultivating support from politicians and the business community. But she had alienated some of her employees, who accused her of an intimidating management style, various board members and EVIT employees said. The new board eventually negotiated a lucrative buyout of Downey’s contract, capping her 19-year career in April 2019. The Tribune reported in March 2019 that the Department of Education was auditing EVIT. It quoted a spokesman as saying that preliminary findings revealed as many as 60 instances where teachers were not properly certified, dating back to 2015. “The District provided programs that were not approved by the ADE Career and Technical Education (CTE) department in fiscal years 2016, 2017 and

2018,’’ according to the audit. “Furthermore, some district teachers were not certified or were not appropriately certified to teach in fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018,’’ the audit said. Because the district failed to follow state regulations, 221 students were enrolled in an unapproved course; 1,156 students were taught by an uncertified teacher; and 102 students were taught by a teacher who was not certified until after the school year started, according to the audit. Before the COVID-19 epidemic forced EVIT’s closure, the career education school had 4,259 high school students and 253 adult students. EVIT serves a number of area school districts, including Cave Creek, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Tempe Union, Chandler Unified, Mesa, Apache Junction, Gilbert Public Schools, Higley Unified, JO Combs and Queen Creek. The audit and the settlement agreement did not name the non-certified teachers, but Segal’s report State House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, as one of the uncertified teachers. “Numerous times and for numerous years, at least two district employees (Russell Bowers and Anthony Toscano) who were not certified to teach career and technical education by the Arizona State Board of Education signed these contracts, agreeing that their employment was conditioned upon holding an Arizona Career and Technical Education Certification and endorsements issued by the State Board of Education,’’ Segal wrote.

However, when Bowers signed his contract in September 2018, “he scratched out this clause that said it was conditioned upon having an Arizona Career and Technical Education Certification and endorsements. Instead he wrote in language that stated that the contract was conditioned upon having a ‘Permanent Certification of Substitute Teacher’ rather than ‘Career and Technical Education Certification.’ The Board never approved this change in language,’’ Segal wrote. Segal wrote that Bowers’ contract labeled him as a teacher, even though Downey said he functioned as a coordinator of welding certificates. Segal also said she found that Bowers was paid a salary roughly equivalent to that of a certified teacher – $216 daily with a full contract of $19,496 for August-December 2018. Substitute teachers were normally paid $90 a day. Koelbel said that Bowers was never the teacher of record for any classes at EVIT and acted more as an assistant teacher in large classes. He said he does not have an accurate list of uncertified teachers covered by the audit. State law prohibits lawmakers from holding any other government-related job except teacher. At first, the Department of Education found EVIT owed $5.8 million, but that figure was eventually winnowed down through negotiations to $2.8 million, with the two parties eventually agreeing to split the difference to avoid further legal action, he said. Attorney Carrie O’Brien, who formerly worked for the Department of Education, represented EVIT in the negotiations, Koelbel said. He said the agreement calls for EVIT’s state funding to be docked $58,000 per month during a 24-month period until the state is reimbursed for the over-payment of state aid. EVIT takes the certification issue seriously, he said. Any teacher who was not certified during that time period would need to be certified now to continue their employment. “If they are not certified, they are not here,’’ Koelbel said.

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

ABUSE �� page 6

help, a nonprofit that helps child-abuse victims. Kimpel said DCS identified 15,446 victims in 2018, ranking Arizona No. 24 in the country and tied with Colorado, Louisiana and Florida. “There were nine victims of abuse or neglect for every 1,000 children,” Kimpel said. “The rate has actually gone up in the last few years. But I would caution against taking the maltreatment rate as necessarily indicating an increase in abuse. It could just as easily indicate more effective investigations and more reports. In the early-mid 2000s DCS reported rates as low as 2 per 1,000 children.” Also in 2018, the latest available data showed the department investigated 87,498 cases in Arizona – tying with Iowa, New Mexico and New York at 53 investigations per 1,000 children, according to Kimpel. “That rate has been consistently increasing over the years,” he added. During the Great Recession, data on child abuse was mixed, according to the Pew Research Center – but “hospitals reported an increase in injuries consistent with abuse, including an increase in the number of reported brain and head traumas.” Kimpel said a number of studies suggest economic downturn is associated with increased child maltreatment. “While no child is free from risk of child maltreatment, at-risk children and children in poverty are substantially more vulnerable,” Kimpel said, noting: “Economic downturns create stress for parents and conflict within families. Basic needs like housing, food and medical care are more difficult to secure in some families.” He added with the widespread financial crisis, supportive structures like schools and social services are threatened by tighter budgets. Several factors make it especially dangerous for children in the pandemic’s wake, Kimpel said. “Most perpetrators of maltreatment are parents of the victim,” he said. “In Arizona, more than 90 percent of child maltreatment perpetrators identified by the Department of Child Safety are the parent, guardian or partner of a par-

ent to the victim. If a survivor of abuse is at home with his or her parents, that child faces that much more risk.” Kimpel said an adequate social support is vital in preventing abuse and neglect but when parents lose touch with their network of care – like churches, workplaces and families – the risk of abuse increases. “It is likely that for every child who has been identified as a victim of abuse, another child will have been abused without the knowledge of authorities,” Kimpel said. So not only are abused children out of school, away from watchful eyes, but they are isolated with their abusers. “That means it is likely there will be fewer cases reported and acted upon by the Department of Child Safety, but more abuse and neglect actually occurring in households,” Kimpel said; “the worse of both worlds.” Singleton said there is a concern of increased cases of corporal punishment that do not require medical care. “Our primary care physicians and urgent care also are aware of these red flags,” he said. “They are aware to bring these children in when they may have a

concern during a telehealth visit.” Use of remote medical visits has grown tremendously during the pandemic but the tool has its drawbacks. “It makes it hard to assess certain injuries,” Singleton said. “It’s very dependent on a family’s computer and their camera, it could be dependent on the screen resolution on the provider’s end. “It’s not always easy to evaluate bruises and injuries on skin so primary care providers will try to have those patients seen so they can be in the same room as the child,” Singleton said. “We are hoping that providers with any level of concern to get that child in to see them in person.” Both Singleton and Kimpel said families can take steps to prevent the abuse or neglect of a child. “There are ways we can support our friends and family,” said Singleton who suggested people do virtual checkins with each other during this highstressed time. He said people who are not sick can “go over and help play with the kids and give caregivers a chance to go shopping, a moment of kid-free time.” There’s also a number of children ac-

tivities online such as at Sesamestreet. org and coronavirus resources and tips for families at Prevent Child Abuse America, Singleton said. Families in crisis can call 211, a nonemergency line in many communities that provides appropriate resources, according to Kimpel. For parents who are in recovery from alcohol or substance abuse or in treatment for mental health, it is vitally important that they continue to engage in therapeutic interventions that have been helpful before COVID-19, he said. And “for parents who find strength in faith, it is important to stay engaged in faith practices and community, even if they can’t physically go to church or synagogue,” Kimpel said. “If children have been involved in sports or activities that encourage them to be active and do their best, stay involved in whatever capacity is possible. “The best resource to prevent child maltreatment are the ones that will be used,” Kimpel add. “What I mean by that is that every family is different and has different strengths and priorities. Likewise, every family faces different challenges.”

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Scottsdale seniors lament loss of milestones BY BRENDA RIVAS AND ALEXA GLIDIC Progress Contributors

senior’s high school graduation is a moment one can never get back. And for the high school classes of 2020, the closing of schools has left them experiencing their final days as a senior in near solitude, missing proms and possibly graduation ceremonies. Though no decision has yet been made by district officials, Scottsdale seniors are dismayed. Many districts are weighing various alternatives if social distancing forces the cancellation of commencement exercises next month. Options include a “virtual commencement” online or possibly postponing a ceremony until summer. “This is the moment we’ve all been looking forward to, and for us to be able to say ‘we did it.’ But that’s just not happening for us anymore,” said Scottsdale resident

Pinnacle High School senior Meleah Lamore and her friends posed for a group photo before school was canceled. (Courtesy of Meleah Lamore)

and Pinnacle High senior, Meleah Lamore. “I feel like we had everything planned out,” Meleah added. “We were so close to the end and now everything is on hold.” Lamore is one of the thousands of Paradise Valley Unified and Scottsdale Unified seniors wpndering what to expect. SUSD announced on Facebook April 9 that the Class of 2020 will receive a survey from the Student Advisory Board on possible options for each high school. “I think the district is hoping that [coronavirus] wears off by the end of May, because then they don’t have to officially cancel our graduation,” Lamore said. Dr. Lisa Hirsch, Desert Mountain High School principal, said, “As soon as this pandemic hit and then when school was actually cancelled, the superintendent asked all of [the principals] to meet each week.’’ Among the topics is commencement

see GRAD page 21

Local men’s wear store launches plans for a prom PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Scottsdale clothier has given new hope to high school juniors and seniors that they may get a prom after all. Josh Fink, whose native North Dakota family owns Nick’s Menswear, has partnered with an event company on planning “Promchella,” a two-day festival featuring live music, DJs, food from local vendors and even fireworks to climax each night. Playing on the name of one of the world’s biggest music festivals – the annual Indio event called Coachella – the event has caught on like wildfire on social media, with more than 7,500 students already following developments

Josh Fink, owner of Nick's Menswear in Scottsdale, is organizing a mammoth prom for high school seniors. (Special to the Progress)

on Instagram. Seniors across Arizona lost out on proms after schools were shut down and Fink said his family-owned business came up with the idea “so juniors and seniors from all over the state can have a chance to make memories together.” “When the concerns over large public gatherings end, and they will end, people are going to be ready to get out, see their friends and make memories – something Promchella stands for,” said Josh Fink, owner of Nick’s Menswear. He said “the response has been overwhelmingly positive” to his announcement. “Students feel like they’ve had their year ripped away from them and Promchella provides them some hope and

something to look forward to,” Fink told the Progress. Fink hasn’t announced a location for the event, but has set a $70 ticket price and a $20 tab for a food truck voucher for the event. And, it won’t be a version of Woodstock where teens will be showing up in cutoffs and tanktops. “This is absolutely a prom,” he told the Progress. “Dresses and suits or tuxedos/formal dress code are required.” Fink also said Promchella is the name of a nonprofit that will turn all proceeds from the event over “to local students and families affected by COVID-19.” That’s in keeping with the store’s tra-

see PROM page 21

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

GRAD �� page 20

ment taken away from them. I want to try and at least make it as memorable for [my daughter] as I can,” said Lisa Russo, mother of Pinnacle High senior Olivia Russo. Principals and headmasters, including Rancho Solano Preparatory School Headmaster Seth Ahlborn, are hoping the students can still have a ceremony. “If not, we are looking for other alternatives and actually doing some dry runs,” Ahlborn added. In the meantime, schools such as Chaparral High School are finding ways to

PROM �� page 20

experience and many students saw that slip away this year,” he added. “In an effort to provide students with an amazing, one-of-a-kind event this is an exciting launch and an entirely new approach to what prom is.” Organizers have partnered with local businesses and even sports teams to plan the event despite the uncertainty of what summer might look like if social distancing regulations continue. “We are very cognizant of the situation and are following updates from the CDC and government and Promchella will only happen if deemed safe,” Fink said. “We will take whatever measures or precautions necessary to make sure this is approved and safe for all to attend. “In these times of uncertainty, the wellness of guests, staff and partners is the top priority of Promchella organizers.” Students can keep up to date on developments in plans at promchellaaz. com. They can also search #PromchellaAZ2020 across social media platforms for the latest details. And students can also join the planning, Fink said, explaining: “We created a Promchella Prom Com-

options. “A group of students right now are putting a survey together for all of the students to answer about what we can do to still celebrate our students who are graduating from high school,” Hirsch said. Pinnacle High has a Facebook page called “PHS Class of 2020” where parents and students can share their ideas and keep in touch. “I’m so sad these kids have had their mo-

dition of working with local student councils. Nick’s Menswear has donated over $250,000 over the past five years and holds a place in the Arizona Association of Student Council Hall of Fame. Promchella is lining up local and national bands, DJs at a pre-party and “hundreds of door prizes and giveaways throughout the night,” according to a release. “Promchella is the summer camp, house party and music festival for any high school junior or senior,” it added. To help publicize the event, a dozen seniors from across the Valley, including Arcadia High School senior Tucker Wasson, put together a video produced by a Chandler High film student. “These are students across the state who have seen their year come to an end, and these students want to make a change,” said Chandler High senior class President Austin Morrow. “We have a vast variety of kids from all demographics who want to help put on Promchella, from athletes to theater kids to student council members.” “Prom is a quintessential high school

spotlight their seniors. Chaparral High School Association of Parents & Teachers started selling yard signs that read “Chaparral 2020 Seniors #BirdStrong” for $15 each. Olivia said she’s saddened by the prospect of missing the graduation celebration she, her family, and her friends had planned. “We already set a date for a party, planned for a caterer to come to the house, and have a big party for my daughter. I anticipated about 40 guests would

come,” her mother said. As of now, Lisa has not come up with a definitive plan on how they’ll celebrate Olivia’s achievement but she does have a couple ideas up her sleeve. “My friend said she has two dates planned to do prom or graduation at her house just in case the earlier date doesn’t work out for everyone,” she said. “If we aren’t able to do anything,” Olivia added, “my dad said I could have lots of friends come over, and we can make our own mini graduation and prom.”

Josh Fink, owner of Nick's Menswear in Scottsdale, is organizing "Promchella" for juniors and seniors. (Special to the Progress)

mittee made up of high school students across Arizona and these students wrote the script for the video and produced the video and are an integral part

of the planning process. If any students would like to be part of the committee please message us @promchellaaz on instagram.”

CONDOMINIUMS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

Business

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Gyms struggle to survive under closures BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

prinkled throughout the Valley are 15 Mountainside Fitness billboards that encourage their 105,000 members and nonmembers to take advantage of the free virtual classes. “I want everybody because everybody’s at home and they’re going to be going stir-crazy. I want everybody to have access to that [virtual classes],” said Tom Hatten, CEO and founder of Mountainside Fitness. Mountainside Fitness has seen guest sign-ins rise exponentially on their website, where many of their virtual classes are hosted in addition to their Facebook page and YouTube page. “We’ve seen everybody using it – and we’re really proud of that,” Hatten said. Mountainside Fitness is one of the many gyms, health centers and studios that shuttered on March 17 and turned to virtual classes. And while many have put their members’ payments on hold, not all can afford to offer free classes – such as BODI, a high-intensity gym in Old Town. BODI offers a $40 package that allows for unlimited online classes through April 30 as a temporary substitute for unlimited memberships, which range from $115 to $145. “Obviously as a gym, this had a huge impact on our business. We have 11 classes a day that our members rely on, and out of nowhere, we were asked to close. Our community has been amazing, but this has impacted everyone,” said Nikki Metzger, BODI owner and trainer. Metzger said BODI’s online lessons offer “a lot more value than a lot of the

BODI is one of many Scottsdale-area gyms that pivoted to virtual fitness classes in the wake of the coronavirus. (BODI)

BODI clients find a balance between work and fun while participating in online classes. (BODI)

other gyms are.” The money helps pay the trainers, too. “Many are just offering a couple live workouts a week or one a day, and BODI offers three live workouts

per day Monday through Friday and one live on Saturdays and Sundays,” Metzger explained. “We also upload the workouts to our website, so everyone who has access can view the work-

outs anytime they want.” Metzger said around 200 members tune in daily and “hundreds more” complete the pre-recorded workouts. “For many of them, they say it’s the highlight of their day,” she said. Virtual classes are no stranger to Xponential Fitness’ brands, either. Row House and Cyclebar, which have studios in Scottsdale, have had on-demand classes available on their websites, on Facebook and via Xponential GO. According to Kate Kwon, vice president of franchise marketing and communications of Xponential Fitness, this has allowed Xponential Fitness to maintain many of their members. “We were very lucky we could pivot quickly to a full digital offering, including launching our on-demand classes platform for each brand – i.e. Pure Barre GO, Club Pilates GO, CycleBar GO, and so on – where we have been developing content for a number of months now in our GO studio in Irvine, California,” Kwon said. The classes aren’t available strictly to members, though. In the wake of the pandemic, Xponential’s brands began offering live classes for free to nonmembers on Facebook – where “384,000 cumulative people have tuned in to our workouts so far,” Kwon said. Cyclebar started renting out their instudio bikes to members for a fee. According to Kwon, approximately two-thirds of Xponential’s Cyclebar studios have rented out their bikes so far. While pivoting to virtual classes has been easy for some studios, Metzger said the difficult part of the process

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BUSINESS

EXERCISE page 23

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

for BODI was freezing and discounting their clients’ memberships. “We still have staff to pay, rent, and other expenses, which makes this all financially challenging,” she added. For Ramsey Bergeron, owner of Bergeron Personal Training, the biggest challenge was changing both his and his clients’ fitness mindset. “We have all been conditioned that in order to have an effective workout, we have to go to the gym and lift dumbbells made just for lifting and then go home. The reality is, you can have an effective workout anywhere. You just have to know what’s available around your home that you can use,” said Bergeron, a personal trainer since 2009. According to reports, when gyms across the country began to shutter in mid-March, retailers reported spikes — sometimes as much as 625 percent — in at-home equipment sales. Bergeron said it isn’t what you have on-hand, but what you do with it. “I’ve learned that there is a big differ-

ence between owning home exercise equipment and using home exercise equipment,” he said. “After the initial motivation fades, unless they have the discipline and dedication to continue, it falls to the wayside. Which is why even my clients who have home gyms come up and workout with me.” Bergeron holds personal training sessions in the backyard of his northern Scottsdale home. Currently, he said, he has three people who train with him in person three times a week. “I have Lysol and Clorox wipes and sanitize all my equipment down in-between every session. I also make sure to stand more than six feet away at all times,” Bergeron said. The first week of March, he held oneon-one training sessions with 18 different clients two to three times per week. Since then, he said, an increasing number of clients have stopped training either due to health concerns or job loss. Now, Bergeron has four clients. “When I work with my clients online, I am watching them exercise, not

the other way around,” he said, adding, “I’m of the opinion that my clients don’t pay me to watch me workout. They pay so I can help them get stronger and achieve their goals.” While personal trainers and smaller gyms and studios revamp their offerings, larger clubs like Mountainside Fitness and Village Health Clubs and Spas met a unique challenge: ineligibility for loans. “Similar to the restaurant industry, approximately 70 percent of health club employees are part-time, which works against them in the calculation of the SBA loans,” said Carol Nalevanko, president of Village Health Clubs & Spas. This led Nalevanko to work alongside the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) to bring awareness and support for the fitness industry to be included in the relief package. According to the IHRSA, the health club industry serves to more than 64 million Americans and has grown into a more than $32 billion industry, em-

ploying 900,000 workers. Hatten said, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Mountainside Fitness furloughed 1,362 employees three weeks ago and kept about 50. Village Health Clubs and Spas, on the other hand, shut down all four club locations. “The closures resulted in zero revenues coming into our clubs and spas while we still have payment obligations for our bank loans, leases, business insurance, operation expenses, etc.,” Nalevanko said. Village Health Clubs and Spas has extended pay to all 900 employees “well beyond the date of our club closures,” and are paying health insurance for all eligible employees, “including the employee portion of these costs,” Nalevanko said. “We are encouraging members of these clubs and anyone that is interested in supporting the cause, to visit the Action Center on IHRSA’s website, where they can submit letters to their state representatives,” Nalevanko said.

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

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Booze sales soar as people stay indoors BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

ars may be closed, but at-home happy hours are still taking place across the Valley if recent liquor sales stats are any indication. According to Drizly, an alcohol e-commerce platform that operates in more than 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada, including Phoenix, alcohol e-commerce sales were up 476 percent the week of April 6. In Phoenix alone, sales were up 367 percent that week, with a 459 percent increase the week before that and a 102 percent increase the week of March 23. Digital convenience retailer goPuff, which operates in about 150 U.S. locations, including Scottsdale, has also seen an increase in alcohol orders. “In Arizona, we saw an over 50 percent increase in alcohol orders from the week of March 9 to the 16. The following two weeks saw increases in orders beyond this,” said goPuff spokeswoman Elizabeth Romaine, adding that the most popular alcohol product is White Claw, followed by Truly and Barefoot. It isn’t just retailers seeing an increase in sales; restaurants and breweries, like PHX Beer Co. and Sorso Wine Room, have also had a surge in alcohol sales. According to Rich Stark, director of hospitality and operations for PHX Beer Co., their carry-out business has increased “probably 1,000 percent” compared to pre-COVID. “Of course, it’s the only thing that we’re doing now, and a big portion of the carryout [are] beer, wine, and liquor sales,” Stark added. “Our delivering business has increased five-times, as well.” Over at Sorso, 50 percent of their takeout orders include alcohol; and, according to Mark Teahen, owner of Sorso Wine

PHX Beer Co. has sold so much beer over the past three to four weeks, they’re currently facing a crowler shortage. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

Room, their most popular takeout special is 50 percent off wine. “Prior to the current restrictions, about 10 percent of our takeout orders included alcohol. Now that spirits are allowed to be included in takeout orders, and because of our extreme discounts, over 50 percent of our takeout orders include alcohol,” Teahen said. Of course, Sorso is no stranger to selling wine by the bottle as it’s been part of the northern Scottsdale restaurant’s appeal since they opened five years ago at Scottsdale Quarter, Teahen said. “Our current ‘COVID-19’ deals are much more generous with 50 percent off all beer and wine in a hope to continue to drive some revenue and keep our staff employed,” he added. In addition to 30 beers and 11 to-go cocktails, Sorso has more than 100 different wines available for pickup on its website. “With our current discounts, many people have jumped on that special. We also

carry numerous wines that cannot be purchased at a grocery store, so many of the on-premise-only wines have been selling well,” Teahen said. Red wine and white wine sales continue to increase. Drizly reports a 483 percent and 502 percent increase the week of April 6, respectively, compared to 481 percent and 465 percent the previous week. Also, many beer categories made a comeback the week of April 6, as well, with IPAs, ales, and stouts all at 770 percent growth in sales and porters up more than 1,000 percent. And at PHX Beer Co., beer sales have been so popular, Stark said they’re now experiencing a shortage in crowlers, which are 32-ounce cans. “We’ve been selling a lot of crowlers; so much, in fact, we, like a lot of other people in the business, are facing a shortage. There is a national shortage of crowler cans. So, we’re back-ordered,” Stark said, adding that they’ll use 25-ounce cans in

the meantime. Ball Corporation, the sole supplier of crowlers, announced in late March that they’ve increased production of crowler cans. Growler sales are up at PHX Beer Co., too, and Stark said he wouldn’t be surprised if growlers faced a shortage, too, especially considering they do not allow customers to bring in their used growlers for refills, as they typically would. “Part of the challenge, or one of the reasons that growler sales or demand is up, is because most operators or breweries like us are not refilling growlers,” Stark said. But the spirit with the biggest spike in sales? Tequila, up more than 75 percent, according to Republic National Distributing Company. So, now couldn’t have been a better time for Tequila Corrido, an award-winning Scottsdale-based boutique spirit producer now co-owned by Sarah Foote, to launch tequila delivery via its 1971 VW bus – or, as Foote calls it, “an adult ice cream truck.” “We were discussing how to support the local restaurants and retail stores that so wonderfully support us. The laws have shifted to allow food carry out and delivery to include alcohol. We knew this was an opportunity that will likely never come again,” Foote said. Tequila Corrido partnered with CRUjiente to deliver to the Arcadia area both tequila by the bottle ($55) and shot ($15), as well as pre-mixed margaritas ($35 for 16 ounces). They also have chips and salsa on the menu. “We started [delivery] in the Arcadia area because that is where Selena [the bus] lives. We would absolutely consider expanding [into the Scottsdale area], depending on demand,” Foote said. But not all local alcohol brands have the

see FOOD page 26

FOOD & DRINK

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 19, 2020

FOOD �� page 25

option of delivery. Because third-party delivery services, like Postmates, Grubhub and Uber Eats, don’t deliver alcohol, customers must pick up their alcohol orders in person. These third-party delivery services also charge the restaurants up to 30 percent commission per order. With the federal relief funding they received the week of April 6, Stark said they will not just use that loan to hire the rest of their staff back. They also hope to launch their own delivery service of both alcohol and food to those customers uncomfortable or unable to leave their home. “We think that we can better ensure the quality of the product if we’re delivering it, as opposed to a third party,” Stark said. “We’re going to treat everything like we’re delivering food: Hot food’s going to go out hot; cold food’s going to go out cold. The same is true of alcohol, and we’re going to ensure that it gets delivered quickly.” In addition to offering special takeout deals for their customers, both PHX Beer Co. and Sorso Wine Room have also given back to the community in other ways. Sorso Wine Room started selling grocery kits for those who want to avoid busy grocery stores. Teahen said that over the last three weeks, they’ve sold close to 300 kits priced at $75 each. “Our guests have been really supportive of the kits and also very generous with their tips which is helping us support our staff,” he said. Sorso has since shifted from selling kits to selling grocery items a la carte on their website. Grocery items include a variety of fruits, vegetables, bread, poultry, sliced meats, dairy products, and spreads and dips. “People have been so grateful that we are able to offer them fresh goods that are delivered right to their cars,” Teahen said. Teahen added: “In a time of such uncertainty, it’s been really nice to see our community rally around us and do all they can to support the business and our staff. “ We’ve been able to connect with guests on levels we never imagined possible. With this being such a scary time, people are providing a sense of comfort and community – and that’s a great feeling.” Information: phxbeerco.com, sorsowineroom.com.

Public Notices NOTICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION HEARING

Obituaries John Bittner

John Bittner passed away in his home in Prescott, AZ on April 6 at the age of 79. John Frances Bittner was born in Rochester, NY on December 21, 1940 to Helen Welch Bittner and John Bittner. He attended primary school and high school in Rochester (where he rode the same bus as his future wife) and attended Ricker College in Houlton, Maine. He married Joyce Smith Bittner in 1965 and after their children, Craig, Danielle, Erin and Sean were born, John and Joyce made the pilgrimage to Scottsdale, where they would begin a wonderful life and story in the great state of Arizona. John worked for McCulloch Properties in Fountain Hills in the early 1970’s, and then was an executive for Sun Valley Waterbeds for the better part of two decades. He “retired” early, but was active in Joyce’s Arizona Insights company, consulting for companies, and busy with a real estate license and business. His life’s calling would come to fruition in the town of Strawberry, where he and Joyce bought property, built a home, and a farm with llamas and milk goats. The Ranch at Fossil Creek and Fossil Creek Creamery would become an outstanding fixture in Rim Country over the course of 20 years. People from literally all over the world experienced John’s beloved goats (all with special names), his kindness in teaching and connecting children to nature and farm culture, and his prowess in creating delicious cheeses and fudge. He supported Rim Country causes, employed many local students and residents, and touched the lives of many more. He was always willing to stop what he was doing to share the significance of farmwork, the animals, and the quality of his craft. John was sensitive and loving. Honest and kind. He was present, and involved, a positive force who always looked at the bright side. And though he left way too soon, while he was with us, he devoted his life to his family. He is survived by his wife Joyce; his son Craig and wife Kristi and twin grandchildren Parker and Jordyn (age 19) in Santa Barbara, CA; his daughter Danielle and husband Barry and children Jeremy (age 18) and Madison (age 14) in Pleasanton, CA; his son Erin and wife Cherryl and children Jack (age 15), Kate (age 13), and Ethan (age 12) in Frisco, TX; and his son Sean and wife Jennifer and children Adam (age 16), Brianna (age 13), and Luke (age 12) in Dana Point, CA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and his two brothers Joseph and George in upstate NY, and their families. He was preceded in death by his younger sister, Mary. He loved his big family. The family kindly requests no flowers, cards are welcome. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was near and dear to John’s heart since his grandson Jeremy was diagnosed as a 13 year old. Memorial donations can be made at JDRF.org/donate. A memorial service is planned for a future date, yet to be determined.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on May 7, 2020, at 6:00 P.M. in Scottsdale, Arizona: Until further notice, Historic Preservation Commission meetings will be held electronically. While physical facilities are not open to the public. Historic Preservation meetings are televised on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search “live stream”) to allow the public to listen/view the meeting in progress. Only written comments submitted electronically at least one hour prior to the meeting are being accepted. A written Public Comment may be submitted electronically to HistoricPreservationCommission@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. 9-ZN-2018#2 (Sands North Historic District Phase 2) Request by owner for a Zoning District Map Amendment from Resort/Townhouse Residential (R-4R) to Resort/Townhouse Residential Historic Property (R-4R HP) zoning on four (4) properties located at 6850 N 72nd Place (174-19-014), 7238 E Joshua Tree Lane (174-19011), 7241 E Joshua Tree Lane (174-19-045) and 6824 N. 73rd Street (174-19-047) totaling +/- .6 acre in the Sands North Townhouse subdivision located on the east side of N. Scottsdale Road approximately 660 feet south of the intersection of E. Indian Bend Road and N. Scottsdale Road. Staff contact person is Doris McClay, 480-312-4214. Applicant contact person is Sandra Price, (480) 262-3039. For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov search “Scottsdale Planning Case Files” or in your URL search bar you can type in https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/Cases/. A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING Online at: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/boards/historicpreservation-commission ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO LISTEN/VIEW THIS MEETING. CHAIRMAN Attest Karen Hemby For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting Staff at 480-312-7767. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange accommodations. For TTY users, the Arizona relay service (1-800-367-8939) may contact Staff at 480-3127767. Published: Scottsdale Progress, Apr 19, 2020 / 30115

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3-BA-2020 (Spur Circle Drive Garage Variance) Request by owner for a variance to the City of Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance, Section 5.504.E.1 seeking relief from the front yard setback requirement for a proposed garage addition in the front yard for a property with Single-family Residential (R1-7) zoning located at 3 East Spur Circle Drive. Staff contact person is Omar Smailbegovic, 480-312-3087. Applicant contact person is Jamin Schwehr, 708-469-9357. A case file on the subject properties is on file at 7447 E. Indian School Road, Suite 105, where it may be viewed by any interested person.

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Attest Melissa Berry Planning Specialist For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/boards/board-of-adjustment Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting STAFF at 480-312-7767. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange accommodations. For TTY users, the Arizona relay service (1-800-367-8939) may contact STAFF at 480-3127767. Published: Scottsdale Progress, Apr 19, 2020 / 30039

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