Thank you to all the residents who participated in the May 7 Public Safety District Meeting at Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. Thank you also to Glendale Police, Glendale Fire, and Emergency Management for providing informative and interactive sessions on Neighborhood Watch, Real Time Crime Center, Personal Preparedness/Go-Bag Kits, Hands-On CPR/AED Lessons, and more. Residents also enjoyed freshly grilled hot dogs and hamburgers provided by Burnt Biscuit Catering. We encourage you to complete a survey about the event and what you would like to see at future events (open to all for feedback, even if you did not attend the meeting.) | | | |
Cholla District Weekly Update
May 14, 2026
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Dear Cholla Residents,
Here are some of the highlights from this week's Glendale City Council Workshop held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026:
- Deputy Fire Chief Michael O'Neill and Trilese DiLeo, Human Services Grant Administrator presented information with recommendations to expand the Community Risk Reduction Program, noting that while overdoses have declined across the nation, opioid overdose rates remain persistently high locally compared to national rates. In fact, according to Ms. DiLeo, opioid overdoses are now as common as cardiac incidents in the city. The addition of overdose related responses significantly increases caseloads. The team recommends a two-year pilot using $500K from opioid settlement funds already within the budget and specifically earmarked towards programs like these. The team would like to add 2 new contract positions, purchase 2 vehicles, and provide continuing education and uniforms. The impact of the expansion would help reduce opioid-related overdoses including repeat overdoses, expand from 5 to 7 day in-field response, take on additional social work interns, and additional case management. The team emphasized this would help them continue to move away from using a reactive approach to a more proactive approach. Fire Chief Ryan Freeburg said the expanded team could help with aftercare to help reduce repeat 9-11 calls due to overdoses by supporting individuals with aftercare and community resource outreach programs. This item was informational only, and no consensus was needed at this time.
- Levi Gibson, Director of Budget and Finance, presented an informational slideshow of the property tax framework in Arizona, including key constitutional and statutory limitations to illustrate how these factors influence the city's overall property tax revenues. Current city policy is to use a flat levy, and examples were shown of bonding capacity under the flat levy policy vs. a flat rate policy. While the Council is committed to keeping the flat levy policy for the upcoming fiscal year, staff have asked Council to consider options including potentially moving to a flat rate policy for FY2028 partially to help rebalance the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which has remained front-loaded, meaning 97.4% of spending falls in the first 5 years. This item was informational only, and no consensus was needed at this time.
- On January 13, 2026, I requested a Council Item of Special Interest (CIOSI) asking staff to bring discussion to Council on forming a subcommittee regarding rogue vendors at Glendale Glitters based on feedback received from the community regarding this concern. Director of Parks and Recreation, John Kennedy brought forth a presentation asking for Council consensus on forming either a more formalized subcommittee or an ad hoc working group with the purpose of serving as advisory to staff, laying out the event footprint, and vendor requirements. A robust discussion was held amongst Council, Staff, and the City Attorney in terms of how to accomplish forming a group, adhering to open meeting laws, and effect change in the limited time left for planning purposes of the 2026 event. Consensus was given to have Mr. Kennedy return to a Council Workshop by the end of June and provide details that staff have already begun planning for 2026 including the footprint, designated areas for vendors with registration and fee information, etc. while allowing for Council to provide input on those plans. Consensus was also given for staff to come back with an ordinance to form a subcommittee comprised of councilmembers and community members including downtown business owners. The subcommittee focus would be on 2027 but could begin forming and meeting before the 2026 Glendale Glitters event and use feedback from that event going forward as well.
The regular Council Meeting began at 5:30 PM, and the full agenda of voting items and video of the meeting can be viewed online. Of note, the FY26-27 budget of $1.41 billion was tentatively adopted by the City Council with Resolution R26-52. This budget does not include an increase to the primary property tax rate. You can review the tentative budget online. The Council will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of hearing taxpayers on the budget on June 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Glendale Civic Center and then enter a special meeting on that same date to determine and adopt a final budget for FY26-27. The Council will also conduct a hearing on the property tax levy on June 9, 2026, and levy the tax rate at a regularly scheduled meeting on June 23, 2026.
You can learn more about City Council Meetings, Workshops, and making Citizen Comments on the City web site.
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My office is always open and ready to assist you. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns that you may have. I value your input and opinion.
Warm Regards,
Lauren Tolmachoff
Glendale City Council, Cholla District
623-930-2247
LTolmachoff@GlendaleAZ.com
| | CHOLLA DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS | | |
Teen Craft & Crochet Club at Foothills Library: Monday, May 18, 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Teens ages 10-18 are welcome to engage in monthly crochet patterns or experiment with varying craft supplies. Communal supplies are available. No registration required. Click here for more information.
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Memory Cafe at Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center: Tuesday, May 19, 10 AM - 11:30 AM
Memory Cafe is an opportunity for people living with memory loss and their care partners to participate in social engagement and meaningful connections. Caregivers participate in an educational and/or support session while people with memory loss actively participate in a cognitive engagement program. Click here for more information.
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"Shut Up and Write!" NW Valley at Foothills Library: Tuesday, May 19, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Discover how strikingly helpful it can be to write alongside other writers. All skill levels and types of writing are welcome. No one will see what you've written (unless you ask them to) or give you unsolicited advice. Space is limited and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for more information.
| | THUNDERBIRD CONSERVATION PARK CONSTRUCTION | | ROAD CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC ALERTS | | |
Loop 101 Current and Upcoming Closures & Restrictions
The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following closures as part of the Loop 101 widening project. You can subscribe to automatic project updates with this link.
Upcoming Traffic Control, Closures & Restrictions:
- POSTPONED: The nightly closures of 35th Avenue at Loop 101 originally scheduled May 13-15 will now take place nightly from 9 PM to 5 AM beginning Tuesday, May 19, to Friday morning, May 22. Westbound Loop 101 also will be narrowed to two lanes in the area.
- DETOUR: Drivers may use the east and westbound frontage road (Beardsley).
- Eastbound Loop 101 will be narrowed to two lanes between 67th and 59th Avenues from 10 PM Friday, May 15, to 5 AM on Saturday, May 16.
- 75th Avenue will be closed between Arrowhead Clubhouse Drive and Rose Garden Lane from 9 PM on Tuesday, May 19, to 5 AM Wednesday, May 20.
- DETOUR: Drivers may use 67th Avenue to access east and westbound Loop 101.
- The westbound Loop 101 off-ramp at Union Hills Drive will be closed from 9 PM Wednesday, May 20, to 5 AM Thursday, May 21. Westbound Loop 101 also will be narrowed to three lanes in the area.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider using the westbound Loop 101 off-ramp at 75th Avenue, and travel west along the frontage road (Beardsley) to Union Hills Drive.
Ongoing Restrictions & Closures:
- 51st Avenue is currently closed at Loop 101 nightly from 10 PM to 5 AM until Friday morning, May 15.
- DETOUR: Drivers may use the east and westbound frontage road (Beardsley).
- The HOV lanes are closed on both east and westbound Loop 101 in areas between 31st and 51st Avenues through May 30. [This is due to electrical work needed for the new dynamic messaging signs that will be installed in the center median area. They must install shafts to hold those and tie them into the existing freeway management system technology.]
- 75th Avenue will continue to be narrowed to one through lane in each direction between Rose Garden Lane and Arrowhead Clubhouse Drive through the end of May. Some left turns will be restricted along 75th Avenue and sidewalks may be closed intermittently.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider using 67th or 83rd Avenues to access 75th Avenue via Deer Valley Road or Union Hills Drive.
- The eastbound Loop 101 frontage road is reduced to one lane between 37th and 35th Avenues through early June.
Ongoing Long Term Ramp Closures:
- The northbound I-17 on-ramp at Deer Valley Road will be closed for approximately 50 days from Sunday, April 19.
- DETOUR: Drivers may continue on the northbound frontage road from Deer Valley Road to enter northbound I-17 at Pinnacle Peak Road.
- The eastbound Loop 101 off ramp at 59th Avenue is closed until May 16.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider exiting at 67th Avenue and using the eastbound frontage road to reach 59th Avenue.
- The eastbound Loop 101 on ramp at 67th Avenue is closed until mid-May
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider taking the eastbound frontage road (Beardsley) to 59th Avenue to access Loop 101.
Drivers should use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through any work zones.
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67th Avenue Corridor Improvements Project Update (City of Peoria)
The City of Peoria's 67th Avenue Corridor Improvement Project, Pinnacle Peak Road to Happy Valley Road will widen 67th Avenue to three travel lanes in each direction and includes bike lanes, curb, gutter, sidewalk, streetlights, and drainage components to complete the streetscape. As this area is adjacent to the Cholla District, click here for all the latest construction updates to see how it impacts your drive.
City of Peoria Multi-Use Pathway Preservation Project
The City of Peoria will be performing asphalt preservation on various segments of the New River Pathway from Northern Avenue to Greenway Road and the Skunk Creek Pathway from Rio Vista Community Park to 75th Avenue. This work will require temporary closures of individual segments within these areas for eight weeks beginning May 4. Download a map or visit the web site for more information.
| | CITYWIDE HIGHLIGHTS & CALENDAR | | | | |
CITY OF GLENDALE 2026-2027 PERFORMING ARTS GRANT PROGRAM
Up to $4,000 per applicant is available for performing artists, organizations, schools and colleges
The City of Glendale is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026–2027 Performing Arts Grant application window. Now through Sunday, May 31, 2026, artists and organizations are invited to apply for funding to support vibrant and diverse performing arts programming within Glendale city limits.
This grant opportunity is open to projects in music, theatre, dance, and spoken word, with funded performances scheduled to take place between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027. Glendale remains committed to supporting the creative community and enhancing cultural experiences for residents and visitors.
Applicants can access full guidelines and submission materials here.
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