HomeMy WebLinkAboutState of the Town 2019 TOWN OF MARANA
State of the Town 2019
Master Script
Thom Cope I CHAIRMAN
Good afternoon everyone. My name is Thom Cope, Partner at Mesch, Clark &
Rothschild and the current Chairman of the Board for the Marana Chamber of
Commerce. Thank you for attending today's State of the Town. I am pleased to
introduce our new President and CEO for the Marana Chamber, Audra Winters.
Audra Winters I CHAMBER PRESIDENT/CEO
Thank you, Thom. Welcome to the 2019 State of the Town. Thank you for joining
us here at the awarding-winning Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. I am honored to
be here today at my first State of the Town in Marana, and I am looking forward
to many more.
I would to thank the management and staff at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.
This is a beautiful five-star, five-diamond facility and it is always a pleasure to
work with the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton. I would also like to thank
my staff for all their hard work on this event and for the Marana Chamber Board
members for their support.
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Town of Marana, State of the Town —April 18, 2019
It is my pleasure to introduce the Master of Ceremonies for today's address, Dan
Marries. I love his motto: "find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your
life. That is exactly how Dan feels about being the evening news anchor at
KOLD News 13, where he's been keeping Tucsonans and Maranans informed
since 1999.
Dan has been recognized with numerous awards as a journalist, including two
Emmys- one which came from a half-hour documentary he shot, wrote, and
produced on one of his three trips to Vietnam with local veterans. He won a
Communicator's Award for a rodeo story on legendary Ty Murray and Ty's
efforts to give retired bucking horses a place to live. He's also been recognized
several times by the Arizona Associated Press.
Dan is the father of two boys, 20 year-old Kurtis and 4 year-old Dean...with one
on the way. The due date is Cinco de Mayo! He's the lucky husband of Jennifer,
who's originally from Nassau, Bahamas. They were married in 2010, and love
calling Tucson "home."
Please welcome Dan Marries.
Dan Marries I EMCEE
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Thank you to all of you for joining us for this important occasion.
Please stand as the Marana Police Department Honor Guard presents the
colors. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance, national anthem by
the Marana High School Chamber Singers, and invocation delivered by Pastor
Dale Moe.
[Pledge of allegiance led by Dan Marries, National Anthem, Invocation by Pastor
Dale Moe]
Dan Marries I EMCEE
You may now be seated. [Pause.]
It's such an honor to be with all of you today. Marana is an incredibly special
place. Many of you here today exemplify that culture, and I want to thank each
of you for your contributions to Marana.
I'd also like to take a moment to recognize the Signature Sponsor of today's
event. CalPortland has been an important member of our community for
decades. They've employed a huge number of Marana residents and played a
crucial role in Marana's local economy. I'd like to invite the CalPortland
Company as the sponsor, with representatives from two locations present: Mark
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Town of Marana, State of the Town —April 18, 2019
Simmons - Plant Manager at Rillito Cement Plant, and Chris Stoltz- Sales
Manager at CalPortland to the stage in recognition of your support for today's
event. Thank you for your commitment to Marana.
Now, I want to recognize our Diamond and Ruby Sponsors for their support of
today's event. Your plaques are on the table, please take them with you when
you leave.
Diamond sponsors: ArcLight Pictures, HSL Properties, Hughes Federal Credit
Uniont, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, and Tucson Electric Power
I also want to thank the Ritz-Carlton for donating their table to the Career,
Technical and Education Students this afternoon.
Ruby sponsors: Anstar Productions Group, Community Food Bank, Cottonwood
Properties, Crest Insurance Group, Greenberg Traurig, MHC Healthcare, Pima
Federal Credit Union, Pulte Homes, TRICO Electric Cooperative, Inc., PSOMAS,
The University of Arizona.
I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge a few folks out in the audience.
We have a number of elected officials with us today, and I'd like to invite each
of the elected officials to stand and be recognized for your public service.
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Town of Marana, State of the Town—April 18, 2019
Finally, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the members of the armed forces,
veterans, and emergency responders who are with us today. Thank you for your
service to Marana and our country. Please stand and be recognized.
And now we'd like to give all of you some time to enjoy your lunch. Eat, talk with
the folks at your table, mingle, and just enjoy yourself. I'll be back up here in
about twenty minutes.
[Break for lunch]
Dan Marries:
Now, it's time for what you've all been waiting for, the State of the Town
Presentation presented by Mayor Ed Honea and members of our Town staff.
Mayor Honea is a lifelong Marana resident who has served on the Town Council
for over 30 years. He has been very active in a variety of community activities,
including the Marana Chamber of Commerce, VFW Post 5990, Pima Association
of Governments, Central Arizona Association of Governments, Sanctuary United
Methodist Church, and many others. Thank you, Mayor Honea, for your service
to Marana. [Applause]
And now...a video.
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Town of Marana, State of the Town—April 18, 2019
***VIDEO***
***MAYOR OPENING REMARKS***
***INTRODUCTION OF HEATH VESCOVI***
Heath Vescovi-Chiordi I BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today where I can share with you some
of the exciting developments that are taking place in Marana.
Marana is one of the fastest growing communities in Southern Arizona. This past
year, over 800 new single-family resident homes were built in our community. By
our calculations, this yielded approximately 2,300 new people moving to the
Town of Marana, making our population surpass 48,000 people. Because of this
rapid and sustainable growth, developers have plans to expand those numbers
and challenge the 824 single-family home permits we issued in 2018.
Right now, we have ten new subdivisions with 1,500 new lots planned
throughout the community, including the Gladden Farms area, Dove Mountain
area, and Saguaro Bloom.
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This year, Encantada at Continental Reserve began construction. The addition of
this 304-unit multifamily residential product gives rise to new living opportunities
for both young families and young professionals alike. With this addition of
multifamily housing to Marana, we position ourselves to better attract and retain
a newer skilled workforce. In addition, this housing product will help increase the
critical mass of people in this area that is necessary for further development of
quality retail, restaurant, and other valuable commercial activities.
2018 saw many new businesses and restaurants come to Town, which not only
enriches the local economy and quality of life in our community, but serves as
great destinations for people passing through or visiting our beautiful region.
Last year, the new Hampton Inn & Suites at Marana Center opened next to the
Tucson Premium Outlet Mall, creating an amazing retail opportunity for our
region. With the pairing of the hotel and the luxury shopping experience at the
Outlet Mall, Marana is now able to attract a significant number of travelers from
Mexico who come solely for the purpose of shopping and staying overnight in
our community. This retail-tourism helps contribute significantly to our sales tax
and bed tax, allowing the Town to continue its strategic efforts related to
Tourism-based Economic Development. Not only has Marana Center attracted
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multiple types of new developments, but it has become an area of note in our
region, helping to solidify the identity of Marana in Southern AZ.
In 2019 we will welcome Dutch Bros., located at Cortaro Road and Interstate 10.
Dutch Bros. will be just one small part of a larger master development on this
corner. Also, in this new retail and service center, we will see a new 32,000 sq./ft
micro hospital featuring a 14-bed emergency department and two operating
rooms. ATI Physical Therapy will also join the mix, as well as a Tucson area
favorite- Serial Grillers.
Top Golf celebrated their first full year here in Marana, and continues to be a
destination for people all over our region.
Playing sports is a vital past time in this community, and we are so excited to
welcome the Hitting Factory for ball players both young and old.
In the spirit of Tourism, The Town of Marana has also bid welcome to a new type
of entertainment industry sector with the opening of Modern Studios. Located
near the AZ Pavilions Shopping Center, this amazing 12,000 square foot facility
features 7,000 square feet of production studio space, more than any other
facility in the entire state. Including two studios, dressing and makeup, a post-
production editing suite, and the most advanced high-speed camera in the film
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industry, the BOLT Highspeed Cinebot, Modern Studios truly has revolutionized
the film production game in Marana and the entire region.
Medical and healthcare is an industry that is finding a home in the Town. Last
year we welcomed the Northwest Emergency Center at Twin Peaks, and the
Watermark at Continental Ranch Senior Living. 2019 will see a continuation of
that, as the Carondelet Health Network Micro-Hospital and Dove Mountain
Senior Living facilities will open. With the healthcare industry rapidly expanding,
and Marana seeing much benefit from this expansion, we will continue to
facilitate appropriate healthcare sector development to add quality jobs to our
community, and quality services for our residents. To that point, we are currently
working on six expansions of current businesses within the Town, and two brand
new locates.
Due to the Town's growth, Northwest Fire District is relocating one of their
stations, and building a brand new one to better serve the Marana community.
Station 37 in Dove Mountain is moving to its new location near the Gallery Sports
Club. Upon its completion later this year, Station 37 will better serve the northern
portions of Dove Mountain, while Station 39, located at Thornydale and
Tangerine, is optimally located to serve the southern portions of Dove Mountain.
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The resurgence of development in the Gladden Farms community has also
spurred the construction of Station 41, located on Tangerine Road near the
Gladden Farms II development. This station will improve response time and
increase overall safety in north Marana.
Growth also means more schools. The new Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8 School
opens this fall, providing even more opportunities for our children to get a good
education. Students will experience rigorous computer science, technology,
engineering, and math academics with direct relevancy to real-world
challenges.
At the Town of Marana, we pride ourselves on being business friendly, but to do
that we have to continue to evolve and innovate. This year, we will begin using
a new business license software package that will aid in making the process
easier than ever. By streamlining several processes and procedures, and making
the overall process easier to understand, this will allow future business
development in the Town with even more ease than we currently offer. When
you come do business in Marana, you'll quickly find out that Marana means
business.
Thank you.
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***MAYOR REMARKS***
***INTRODUCTION OF ISAAC ABBS***
Isaac Abbs I HEALTH & RECREATION
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
It is important to invest in the qualities that make living in Marana meaningful.
And for our residents, we understand how important the everyday experiences
are for you and your family. Whether it's participating in your very first race,
teaching your child the fundamentals of a new skill, or enjoying a walk outside in
nature, we understand how impactful those moments are and why having a
strong quality of life means having a strong Parks and Recreation department.
I am excited to share with you the following accomplishments from the past
year.
Marana Council cut the ribbon on two new attractions. Tangerine Sky
Community Park is the first major public park serving our northeast Marana
residents— nestled in the natural desert environment against a stunning Tortolita
Mountain backdrop. It features ramadas, playgrounds, trails, dog parks, ziplines,
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and a basketball court. The field is even powered to accommodate small
concert events, including our free Movies & Music in Marana series.
Located in the heart of Continental Ranch, the new Crossroads at Silverbell
District Park splash pad enhances an already robust district park where families
can now splash in the water by day, and enjoy a stunning light show by night.
The splash pad is located close to the existing playground area and several
ramadas, making it the perfect destination for parties. And when the July 4th
Star Spangled Spectacular comes around this year, the music, fireworks, and
water will top off a perfect evening with your family and friends.
Both amenities bring new recreational opportunities to key areas around the
community. Vibrant and dynamic communities are where residents can walk to,
and from, a park in just minutes. Now, both north, south, and east Marana have
access to park amenities and programs.
The Town also grew its recreational offerings this year by 30 percent, including
horseback riding, art expos, job training, painting in the park, and musical
theatre.
We also created two inclusion programs for our residents with special needs. Last
year, Marana Parks and Recreation began offering Sensory Splash classes at
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the Marana Pool where people can meet up in a safe, positive and inclusive
aquatic environment.
This year, the Cape Chase Adaptive Fun Run debuted with over 120 participants.
Young athletes with special needs traveled through a sensory obstacle course,
including a cone maze, bubble pit, and mirror tunnel—all while dressed as their
favorite super heroes.
Experiences like this matter for our residents, where opportunities are accessible
by anyone in the community.
Now, we take that accessibility a step further with the release of the new Parks
and Recreation mobile app. This app provides residents and visitors with
everything they need to stay up-to-date with park closures, programming
events, and trail conditions. Users can check the status of their favorite park
amenities in real time, and sign up for activities.
Our success isn't just measured by the new programs and events we roll out
each year, it's also measured by the continued maintenance of all our facilities,
and by our strategic planning as we anticipate the future.
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This year, we extended our Tortolita Mountain trail system and the Santa Cruz
shared use path. We completed facility improvements throughout all our parks,
including installing the new solar structure over the Crossroads at Silverbell
District Park basketball court. This very simple upgrade opened up new
opportunities for events, and in celebration, this facility became home to the
new Hoops for Heroes Challenge between Marana Police Department and
Northwest Fire District. We won this year, but who knows what the future may
bring for Northwest Fire?
We continue to find recreational opportunities in surprising places. Even in the
heart of the desert, residents can enjoy the waterfront at El Rio Preserve. We plan
to bring back disc golf with the addition of a recreation area nearby, and we
are accommodating our nature lovers and bird watchers with an observation
deck. This surprising oasis is one of Marana's best kept secrets, but now we plan
to maintain and enrich this preserve so anyone can come and enjoy the
beautiful outdoors that is unique to our community.
We understand that people come to Marana for our quality of life, and we are
dedicated to keeping this momentum going as we grow into a larger
community. Marana is truly a place where you can live, work, and play.
Thank you.
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***MAYOR REMARKS***
***INTRODUCTION OF HILARY HISER***
Hilary Hiser I PUBLIC SERVICES
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Right now, the Town of Marana is working hard to secure continued growth for
our community by making essential investments in our built public infrastructure.
A strong foundation for growth means a strong investment in infrastructure.
From water improvements to major roadways, 2018 had several fantastic
projects that directly benefit our citizens' quality of life and ensure businesses
can thrive.
In North Marana, we completed the new water reclamation facility and aquifer
recharge facility. These plants can now handle up to 10,000 new homes or
businesses coming into the area. More importantly, the recharge facility will
receive credits for 100 percent of the water stored from the Arizona Department
of Water Resources. These credits allow the town to provide safe, reliable, and
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sustainable resources for our customers, and it secures Marana's water needs for
future generations.
In December, the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona approved a
$15 million-dollar loan to the Town of Marana to address the issue of
unregulated compounds affecting two Marana Water systems. We are now
working on the design and construction of two unique advanced water
treatment plants to reduce or remove those unregulated compounds.
Investments in new water resources are essential to attracting new residents;
however, the Town of Marana is just as committed to ensuring our current
residents have the most up-to-date infrastructure necessary for an enhanced
quality of life. The Adonis wastewater system project is just such an example of
the Town's continued commitment. This project will transfer one of our historic
neighborhoods from an outdated, over-capacity lagoon system, to our recently
built modern sewer system.
This past year we had two major road projects that will address the future traffic
needs of Marana. The Tangerine Road expansion involved the combined efforts
of the Town of Marana, the Town of Oro Valley, the Regional Transportation
Authority, and Pima County. All of us worked together to build this major
transportation corridor between our communities while maintaining wildlife
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linkages. This project literally paves the way for future development, and it
establishes Marana as a regional destination. We anticipate that this road will
serve as a center for commercial activity creating economic development
opportunities for our local community for years to come.
After nearly two years, one of the region's largest projects has come to
completion. The reopening of the Ina Road Interchange has revitalized our
major commercial hub making it a destination once again. This project was an
incredible feat by the Arizona Department of Transportation. It eliminated at-
grade crossings for the Union Pacific Railroad, it reconstructed the frontage
roads, and it installed fiber optic communication cables. The Town of Marana
and the Pima Association of Governments designed and funded two bridges
over the Santa Cruz as part of the Ina Road Interchange project.
Yes, losing access to 1-10 during construction was challenging for both residents
and businesses. But all good things are worth the time and the effort to do it
right. With this new overpass, we now have improved accessibility to Ina Road.
Thank you to the Department of Transportation for pulling off this amazing
project.
The Town also made significate investments in the functionality of the Ina
commercial area. The Ina Road Beautification project makes the area even
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more appealing to our customers and residents. It includes new asphalt
pavement, fresh landscaping in the right of way, new street lights, sidewalks,
accessibility ramps and fiber optic cables. By early summer this project will be
entirely completed, and Ina Road will be unrecognizable from what it was over
two years ago. The Town is excited for Ina Road's re-opening and we invite the
community to join us on May 4th for the kickoff of the Ina Road Celebration
Weekend.
Ina Road has been a team effort, and I would like to thank the Regional
Transportation Authority for the role they played helping to get information out
to our businesses. I would also like to thank the Marana Chamber of Commerce
for their continued advocacy of the business community.
Let's not forget that 2018 also saw the grand opening of our new Police facility
located at the Marana Municipal Complex. This building was the result of
months of public education and outreach, years of planning and development,
and paid for with a community-supported half-cent sales tax. The new Police
Facility is state of the art with amenities to accommodate our department's
various services and our officers' continued focus on "unparalleled service,
unwavering protection". This new building has the capacity to meet the safety
needs of Marana's growing population for the next twenty years.
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All of these amazing projects took years of strategic planning, and they were
not designed or built in a day. Providing citizens good public service, means
foreseeing the future needs of the community, and making strategic decisions
now, in the present, to ensure Marana is a better place for future generations.
At this very moment, the Town of Marana is designing the blueprints for the
future.
The General Plan is the Town's roadmap for tomorrow. Town staff is working hard
with members of the public to draft the 2040 General Plan Update. This visionary
document along with the updated Land Development Code will help guide all
aspects of the town, from growth and development, to health and safety, to
town services, and the environment.
Other strategic documents in the works include the Marana Parks and
Recreation 10-year master plan, the North Marana Drainage Study, the Sewer
Conveyance Master Plan, and the Potable Water Plan.
These strategic plans and our many public infrastructure projects lay the
foundation upon which the Town of Marana can support a strong quality of life
for our residents and businesses. However, it is just as important that we continue
to provide a high-quality level of service to maintain our assets. Our Public Works
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Department works hard every day in our community, and the Town is proud of
the work they've done to keep Marana clean and beautiful.
Thank you for this opportunity to share the amazing things we're doing here in
Marana. We've accomplished so much, and we have plans to accomplish so
much more. Thank you.
(Segue to the mayor)
***TRANSITION TO COMMUNITY AWARDS***
***INTRODUCTION OF VIC HATHAWAY***
Vic Hathaway I YOUTH LEGACY AWARD
The Town of Marana awards the Youth Legacy Award to a recipient 18-years of
age or younger for their impacts on the community.
For the last three years, Jacob Cox has run the school supplies drive at
Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary. He began in 2015 as a third grader, and the
intent was to take school supplies with him on his summer trip to Peru and deliver
to a small school in the mountains where many students didn't even have shoes
to wear, much less have supplies to use for learning.
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Jacob expected to have a few handfuls of crayons, pencils and some
notebooks to take with him, but when he went to pick up the supplies from the
drive, the boxes were overflowing. The response from the students, teachers and
parents were overwhelming.
When he went back to school after his summer break in Peru, he made another
presentation to his school with photos of some of the students who received the
supplies. The joy on the faces of the students who were getting their very first
backpack, or their own box of crayons for the first time, is indescribable.
Jacob was limitedon whattoensure all
he could take with him to Peru, so
supplies went to a new home, he worked with another school in the district to
get the supplies to the teachers and students who needed a little help. Jacob
went on to run the supply drive for the next 3 years, up until his last summer in
elementary school in 2018.
Please join me in congratulating Jacob Cox for his impact.
***MAYOR REMARKS***
Vic Hathaway I BRANDING IRON - ORGANIZATION
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Town of Marana Branding Irons are awarded every year to one individual and
one organization who has made a lasting mark on Marana.
For the organization award, we would like to recognize Norma and Victor
Castaneda of Marana Auto Body. They have brought many smiles to many
faces, and they always work hard to make sure anyone and everyone in
Marana is taken care of. They have been seen on multiple occasions at Circle
K, McDonalds, on frontage roads and even in the desert helping others on their
own time, free of charge. From helping with tows, jumping a car that is dead
and even giving people on the streets food, these people are extraordinary with
the largest of hearts.
It's not all business for this small-town body shop. It's about helping the
community and the people that live here. They truly make a difference.
Please join me in congratulating Marana Auto Body for their impacts on the
community.
***MAYOR REMARKS***
Vic Hathaway I BRANDING IRON - INDIVIDUAL
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I am honored to announce the recipient of the Branding Iron Award for
individual.
Previously having served as President/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for 15
years, Ed Stolmaker has left a mark on the Marana Community. His partnerships
with the town, businesses, and Marana Unified School District have played a
major role in making it the fastest growing community in Southern Arizona.
Ed led the effort to align the Chamber to address six key efforts: business
development, economic development, public policy, workforce development,
improving quality of life, and regional growth; all in an effort of building business
and community relationships.
During his tenure, the Marano Chamber of Commerce was named Tucson's
best chamber for three years in a row.
He gave Marana a greater platform and stronger voice through his service on
the board of Arizona Chamber Executives from 2005-2009 and again beginning
in 2017. He also spent 10 years on the Marana Health Center Board of Directors
and served as President of Sanctuary Cove's Board of Directors.
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Ed recently retired from his position as President/CEO of the Marana Chamber of
Commerce, but he is still an active member of this community. Please join me in
congratulating Ed Stolmaker for his impacts on the community.
***MAYOR REMARKS***
***MAYOR FINAL REMARKS***
MARANA AZ
ESTABLISHED 1977
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