Cholla District Weekly Update April 16, 2021

Upcoming Glendale City Council Meeting Dates Tuesday, April 20 Budget Workshop: Starts at 9:00 a.m. Agenda not yet available Watch Council Meetings Live on the City's Facebook, YouTube, or on Glendale Channel 11. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Past Council Meeting Information, Agendas, and Videos Request Service & Get Information 24/7 with GlendaleOne Cholla District Code Compliance Monthly Report (March 2021) Dear Cholla Residents, I am pleased to report that with the re-opening of the libraries in the City of Glendale on April 19th, all our branches will be launching new operating hours for the benefit of our residents.   New Library Hours Effective Monday, April 19, 2021 (all branches)   Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Glendale Library circulation data system-wide shows that 74% of our physical circulation occurs Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with 34% of all circulation occurring on Sundays. Yet under the previous model, operating hours on those days only accounted for about 40% of total operating hours system wide.   In addition, I am happy to announce the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center will be fully reopening with expanded hours and removing its indoor capacity limits beginning Monday, April 19th.   New FRAC Hours Effective Monday, April 19, 2021   Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday - closed   All pre-COVID-19 amenities and membership programs will be available to the public with the exception of the rock wall because the city is working to recruit and train staff to oversee that area. Programs including open gym, fitness classes, and lap swimming will resume. Information will be sent out to current members notifying them of this expansion of service and we will also post updates on the city’s website and social media channels.     Summer programs and classes will begin in May and June with the exception of the water aerobics classes which will be delayed while staff continue with the lifeguard recruitment and required training classes. As things change, we will continue to keep you advised with programming updates. For more information, click here. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns that you may have. Members of City staff are still working remotely to observe social distancing practices, but I can assure you that my office is open and ready to serve your needs. Best Regards, Lauren Tolmachoff Glendale City Council, Cholla District 623-930-2249, Option 7 for Cholla LTolmachoff@GlendaleAZ.com

Cholla District Pavement Management & Construction Updates

CLICK HERE for upcoming Pavement Management activities over the next week, according to the contractor’s current schedule. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact our 24/7 project hotline at (602) 532-6250.

79th Avenue, Bell Road to Union Hills Drive Removal and reconstruction of corner sidewalk ramps, as necessary, is currently taking place to prepare for a Thin Mill and Overlay to take place late Spring 2021. Streets between Beardsley Road and Deer Valley Road, between 67th Avenue and 75th Avenue Slurry Seal application is currently taking place. Streets between Bell Road and Union Hills Drive, between 51st Avenue and 55th Avenue Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to begin April 26. Streets between Grovers Avenue and Union Hills Drive, between 55th Avenue and 59th Avenue Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021. Behrend Drive, east of 59th Avenue Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021. Streets between Union Hills Drive and Beardsley Road, between 59th Avenue and 67th Avenue Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to take place late Spring 2021. 64th Drive, Union Hills Drive to Sack Drive Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021. Sack Drive, 64th Drive to 67th Avenue Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021. Parkside Lane, 67th Avenue to 61st Drive Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021. 65th Lane, Parkside Lane to Pinnacle Peak Road Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021.

Council Action Updates & Information

Public Safety Pension Financing All municipalities in Arizona are responsible for funding the pension of their public safety personnel. Glendale's public safety pension programs are managed by the Public Safety Pension Retirement System (PSPRS), which is a statewide program. The City of Glendale currently contributes over $30 million per year from its General Fund to public safety pensions. Unfortunately, due to past shortfalls and the Great Recession of the late 2000s, Glendale's public safety pension system is severely underfunded.    The Glendale Police pension is funded at only 49.4% and the Glendale Fire pension is funded at only 58.8%. In order to take a positive step in responsibly tackling these costs, the city is pursuing an innovative and proven program that is currently in use by other municipalities. The program utilizes a Certificates of Participation (COP) financing method to help fund and stabilize our public safety pensions. By implementing a COP program, the city can take advantage of historically low interest rates and maximize savings to the taxpayers. To qualify for the financing, the city will leverage a portfolio of existing real property assets that it owns. The savings for a single month are as much as $1,000,000 in the first year. The total anticipated savings is $138 million over a 17 year span. This is an average of $8 million per year or $680,000 per month.    The primary objectives of the COP is for the City of Glendale to achieve 90% funding of its public safety pension plan, reduce the city’s annual debt payments, savings to Glendale taxpayers, and to set up a reserve fund to minimize the risk of changing market and actuarial assumptions.    Many Arizona jurisdictions have already taken advantage of current favorable interest rates and many others are considering this type of innovative opportunity to address unfunded liabilities in their public safety pensions.    Our Police Officers and Firefighters serve our community 24 hours every day of the year, often putting themselves in harm’s way. They deserve our appreciation, gratitude and the certainty that their pensions are being managed in a fiscally responsible manner.

Cholla District News, Upcoming Activities, & City Information

Music in Historic Downtown Glendale  During May, join the excitement of Glendale’s Live! @ Murphy Park Spring Concert Series. The performances will take place at Murphy Park’s Amphitheater on Thursday – Sunday nights. Each evening, a different band will take the stage. This is a chance to plan a date night or an outing with family or friends and experience the local music scene under the stars. The series kicks off on Thursday, May 6, 2021. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are free of charge. There is also plenty of free parking.

Check Out What's Happening at Glendale Library

24/7 Digital Library Read eBooks, Stream Music, and More On Demand Read eBooks/magazines, listen to audiobooks and music, watch streaming videos, and more at your convenience. All you need is your library card barcode and PIN. Click here for details.

Grow, Play, & Learn Eight-Week Library Program for Kids Ages 3-5 Years Old This eight-week library program will help children, ages 3-5 years old, grow to be happy, successful learners. Practice the seven essential skills that every young learner needs, click here.