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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPackets - Council Packets (1231)Stine, Michelle From: Koepfer, Lynda Sent: Monday, November 4, 2019 7:41 AM To: Hynd, Jessica; Standish, Michael Cc: Stine, Michelle Subject: FW: I filed a formal complaint with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regarding Capri Co LLC spilling oil on the earth where they dug and filled a deep vertical trench, which entrapped native animals. Fyi Lynda Koepfer Executive Assistant Town Manager, Mayor and Council Town of Oro Valley 520-229-4714 All messages created in this system should be considered a public record subject to disclosure under the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. 39-121) with no expectation of privacy related to the use of this technology. From: Amy Eisenberg, Ph.[ Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2019 2:09 PM To: ombuds@azoca.gov; Winfield, Joe <jwinfield@orovalleyaz.gov>; Town Council <council@orovalleyaz.gov>; Barrett, Melanie <mbarrett@orovalleyaz.gov> Subject: Fwd: I filed a formal complaint with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regarding Capri Co LLC spilling oil on the earth where they dug and filled a deep vertical trench, which entrapped native animals. From: "Amy Eisenberg, Ph.D." Subject: I filed a formal complaint with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regarding Capri Co LLC spilling oil on the earth where they dug and filled a deep vertical trench, which entrapped native animals. Date: November 1, 2019 at 5:27:48 PM MST To: ROBIN MOTZER < - , Ninfield, Joe" <jwinfield @ orovalleyaz.gov>, council @ orovalleyaz.gov, "Barrett, Melanie" <mbarrett @ orovalleyaz.gov>, Kevin Dahl <kdahl @ npca.orq>, "Schwalbe, Cecil R - (cecils)" <ceciIs@email.arizona.edu>, Jeff Humphrey@fws.gov, Admin <meredith@tucsonlocalmedia.com>, info@tucsonaudubon.org Dear Honorable Arizona Ombudsman, Mayor Joe, Assistant Mayor Barrett and Council I hope you are very well. I filed a formal complaint with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regarding Capri Co LLC spilling oil on the earth where they dug and filled a deep vertical trench, which entrapped native animals. The oil seeped into the earth where Sonoran Desert Tortoises reside and feed. This is dangerous for the soil ecosystem and the native species of plants and animals that reside on Block 3 in Oro Valley near American Tower Site 411313 whose access is 1309 Palisades Road. There are also Tohono O'odham ancestral ceramic shards and tools on this parcel where Meritage Homes is developing houses and the workers are not careful or mindful to safeguard these archaeological resources. *Please address our grave concerns about this unsustainable development and Capri Co LLC's failure to exercise best practice by placing a barrier along the deep vertical trench that would have prevented animals from falling into the trench according the Arizona Game and Fish Guidelines. Arizona Game and Fish were not helpful. They did not prudently address these dangers to Sonoran Desert Tortoises but stated if a tortoise were injured or killed, then they might respond. This is extremely reactionary and not proactive. These state -protected species SHOULD BE FEDERALLY LISTED AMID THE ESCALATING DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR HOMELAND. Spilled oil on the earth on Block 3 by American Tower Site 411313 is unacceptable and dangerous for native plants and animals as well as the soil ecosystem composed of millions of beneficial microorganisms. *It has been very difficult to contact Capri Co LLC to express our concerns as President of Meritage Homes Jeff Grobstein REFUSED to provide their contact information. I contacted their attorney's office Sidney Lex Felker whose phone message stated," I will talk with your attorney.".I don't have an attorney or need an attorney but I contacted the State Attorney General's Office and filed a formal complaint. Grobstein also stated that a biologist would be surveying the area, which is false. I am the only biologist who was in the area DAILY to rescue native species that fell into the trench and I was not hired by Capri Co LLC! Grobstein also stated that the crew would be careful, which is false because Sonoran Desert Tortoise winter and summer dens were destroyed when the trench was dug and filled. We sincerely hope native animals were not buried alive when they filled the deep vertical trench. Now they left oil spilled where the trench was filled. I cleaned up many pounds of trash that the workers left. Please address this at your Council Meeting on November 6th. What time is the Council Meeting? Lynanne Dellerman recommended that I fill out a blue card at the Oro Valley Council Chamber.I tried to fill out a blue card at Oro Valley Council Chamber yesterday and Admin Office personnel informed me to attend the meeting and fill out the blue card. This is very important for the stewardship and wellbeing of the natural and cultural heritage of Oro Valley. Unsustainable developers should be held accountable for their unsustainable illegal practices that violate code and best practice. Please take concern with this matter. We have been stewarding these sites for years, reporting illegal dumping, dumpsites and cleaning up trash by Meritage Homes crew, American Tower crew and Capri Co LLC. Let us keep Oro Valley beautiful and habitable for state -protected species. Sdadly this badly impacted development parcel is no longer safe for them. Please respond at your earliest. Sincerely, Dr. Amy Eisenberg Amy Eisenberg, Ph.D. The University of Arizona Center for World Indigenous Studies Associate Scholar Tucson, Arizona USA 2 https:Huniversityofarizona.academia.edu/AmyEisenbergPhD https://www.facebook.conVamy.eisenberg.716 www.pbase.com/jamato8 We are given life that we may enhance life Elid g Jewed - Respect the Earth http://www.tonation-nsn.gov/nowall/ Stine, Michelle From: Standish, Michael Sent: Friday, November 8, 2019 9:28 AM To: Stine, Michelle Subject: FW: Golf Funding Comments Follow Up Flag: FollowUp Flag Status: Flagged From: Michael Schoeppach [mailto, Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2019 2:17 PM To: Jones -Ivey, Joyce <jjones-ivey@orovalleyaz.gov>; Barrett, Melanie <mbarrett@orovalleyaz.gov>; Nicolson, Josh <jnicolson@orovalleyaz.gov>; Rodman, Bill <brodmanll@gmail.com>; Pina, Rhonda <rpina@orovalleyaz.gov>; Solomon, Steve <ssolomon@orovalleyaz.gov>; Winfield, Joe <jwinfield@orovalleyaz.gov> Cc: Jacobs, Mary <mjacobs@orovalleyaz.gov>; Standish, Michael <mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov> Subject: Golf Funding Comments November 5, 2019 Mayor Winfield and Council Members Barrett, Jones -Ivey, Nicolson, Pina, Rodman and Solomon: By now, you are quite familiar with my position with respect to the Town -owned Golf Courses and the path that needs to be taken. Consequently, I will not take up any time at tomorrow evening's Town Council meeting with a Blue Card, but will use this as the way to communicate with you. First, as previously explained to you, I was struck by the courage it took for the Council to make the decision you made at the October 2 nd Council meeting. The degree to which you listened to one another, sought common ground, and crafted a decision that was acceptable to more than just a majority of the Council was gratifying to observe and a benefit, in my opinion, to the whole Community. Regarding tomorrow's meeting, I have read very carefully the Recommendation provided to you by Town Staff. While there may be minor elements that I could quibble with, it addresses the issues of funding for the golf courses and the Community Center moving forward that will form the basis for the success of the entire amenity in a fiscally responsible manner. Several days ago, I was struck by a quote from the book Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy, which I had been re -reading. That book is a little bit about the game of golf, but a lot about much, much more. The quote was, "Postponement can get to be a disease." To that quote I would add, "Ultimately, that disease can be fatal!" I implore you not to postpone this issue any longer. Adopt the recommendations provided to you by the Town Staff. Resolution of this issue has been postponed quite long enough and, by your action, you can eliminate the cloud of uncertainty that has plagued the property for nearly a decade so that it can be successful. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Michael Schoeppach, President EI Conquistador Men's Golf Association Nov 13, 2019 Town of Oro Valley 11000 N. La Canada Drive Oro Valley, Arizona 85737 Attn: Mayor Joe Winfield and Councilmembers Attn: Town Manager Mary Jacobs Attn: Town Clerk Michael Standish Dear Mayor Winfield, Councilmembers Barrett, Jones -Ivey, Nicolson, Pina, Rodman, and Solomon, Town Manager Jacobs, and Town Clerk Standish: I want to commend the Town of Oro Valley staff. I believe that they are the quintessential embodiment of a town staff. I have just finished the Community Academy, and am even more impressed, having gained some insight into their individual backgrounds. I believe your staff has done an excellent job of looking at all the alternatives and have provided the best compromise solution as a blended funding plan — where one course is financed and the other is "pay as you go" — a proposal I fully support. My view: • 1 understand that there is both reduced cost and increased risk with either of the bonding and/or borrowing solutions • I believe the best compromise solution is to balance "pay as you go" with other funding options • 1 believe the town staff has done an excellent job of proposing a compromise plan that balances risk and cost to the town • 1 believe, unlike the majority, that the first course that should be "fixed" is the Canada course. Since the majority opinion is to have "closing the Canada course" as "Plan B", investing in that course first will advertise a "36 hole lock -in" and put that speculation to rest — then we can all focus our efforts on making the 36 holes work. • 1 believe that the HOA offer in general, and ESPECIALLY the offer from the Villages of La Canada was to support a 36 hole golf course operation. It was not offered in return for a "maybe we'll keep your course in operation". • 1 believe that the majority of the audience at the council meetings is in favor of the staff's funding plan. Having participated in all the council meetings, I am disappointed that an invisible minority opinion seems to carry more weight than the opinions of all the people that have taken time out of their other lives to show up in person at the council meetings. Greg Kishi President, Villages of La Canada HOA