Maricopa County leaders will hold their second telephonic formal public meeting today, inviting residents to attend remotely while safely maintaining social distance.
With an agenda comprised of …
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Maricopa County leaders will hold their second telephonic formal public meeting today, inviting residents to attend remotely while safely maintaining social distance.
With an agenda comprised of dozens of action items, the regularly scheduled meeting will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. in the Supervisors’ Auditorium, 205 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix — though due to concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, the meeting room will be closed to the public.
Supervisor Steve Churci, who represents District 2, explained how county residents can still participate in the public meeting in release he published last month.
“Following CDC guidelines and Governor Ducey’s Executive Order … regarding the recommendation to limit social gatherings, the Board of Supervisors’ Auditorium will be closed. The public can view the board meetings online, starting on Wednesday, March 25,” Mr. Churci stated.
According to the release, several options are available for those who wish to attend today’s meeting from home, including:
Visit Maricopa.gov or maricopa.gov/324 to access the live feed at the start of the meeting.
Visit GoToWebinar.com and enter webinar ID: 681-805-027.
For residents without a computer, dial 1-213-929-4212 on your phone, and enter the Audio Access code 303-345-258 (Long distance charges may apply and no PIN is needed.)
Online meetings will not be active until just prior to the meeting; future webinar meeting IDs and access codes will change with each subsequent meeting. Additional information or instructions — including up-to-date access codes — will be provided at the Clerk of the Board’s website, www.Maricopa.Gov/324.
County residents can submit comments by emailing Agenda.Comments@Maricopa.Gov or calling 602-506-3766.
The board’s proceedings will also be streamed live for free at their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/maricopacountyaz.
Videos are typically archived at the site up to five days following each meeting.
Eviction prevention
The supervisors will consider approving a plan, which will add more than a half-million dollars in funding to the county’s eviction prevention program.
If adopted, the agreement with the Arizona Department of Housing would result in a one-time infusion from that agency of $550,000 for use through the rest of this year to help prevent those forced into unemployment by the coronavirus crisis, according to official documents.
“The purpose of the Agreement is for ADOH to provide the County with $550,000 State Housing Trust Funds for the County to provide Rental/Eviction Prevention Assistance to eligible individuals and families who are experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak,” the meeting agenda narrative states.
The special contract would be established through a non-competitive process; the county already administers its eviction prevention program through a variety of existing funding sources, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The additional funding from the state housing department would bolster the county’s ability over and above its usual annual budget to serve those newly facing homelessness, according to the report.
“The services provided under this Agreement are not a mandated function but will provide assistance to eligible citizens experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak by preventing evictions,” the report states.
Roadway improvements
Also under consideration are a variety of roadway improvement projects; notably, several would impact traffic flow in fast-growing West Valley communities.
The supervisors will potentially approve a bid solicitation to recruit a contractor for planned improvements to Northern Parkway in conjunction with the county and local municipalities, according to the agenda.
“This project will construct the mainline lanes of Northern Parkway a quarter mile west of Dysart Road to a quarter mile east of El Mirage Road, including two overpasses, improving the street network, in partnership with the Cities of El Mirage, Peoria and Glendale, as part of the Northern Parkway program, utilizing federal funds,” the report states.
Managed by the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, the project would incorporate drainage systems, bridges, median barriers, retaining walls, asphalt concrete pavement, lighting, signing and striping.
The engineer’s cost estimate for the project was not provided with the agenda documents. Once constructed, the county will be responsible for maintenance of the roadway.
The board will consider another bid process for a roadway improvement project along Olive Avenue.
Once constructed, the project would widen Olive Avenue from the Loop 303 to Sarival Avenue along with an upgrade to the intersection at Sarival.
“The work also includes improvements to an existing at-grade railroad crossing at Sarival Avenue and a new traffic signal,” the report states.
The project will encompass storm sewer installation and removals, grading, retention basins, roadside channels, asphalt concrete paving, asphalt rubber overlay, aggregate base course, curb and gutter, sidewalk ramps, concrete scuppers, concrete catch basins, raised medians, concrete driveways, irrigation mainline and lateral piping, irrigation ditches, traffic signing, pavement marking, and traffic control, according to the narrative.
The engineer’s cost estimate for the project was not included in the agenda document.
New fire station
Following unanimous approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission on March 12, the supervisors will consider a special use permit to build a new fire and ambulance station, also located in the West Valley.
If approved, the new Rural Metro Fire & Ambulance Station would rise near the southeast corner of Cotton Lane and Olive Avenue in the Glendale area of District 4. The permanent station would replace a temporary facility located nearby.
The steel structure design would encompass 6,000 square feet under roof, including 2,800 square feet for administration and living area, along with 3,200 square feet of garage space with a maximum height of 30 feet and designed height topping out at 22 feet.
Like other Rural Metro fire stations, the new facility would accommodate three shift crews operating 24 hours a day, seven days per week with space for up to six crew members on-site.
If approved, construction is slated to begin prior to September 2020 before the start of scheduled Olive Avenue roadway improvements.
Matt Roy Opinions Editor | Daily Independent @AzNewsmedia
Matt Roy is an ASU West graduate, who studied English literature and journalism before embarking on a career as a news reporter, editor, photojournalist, advocate and marketing communications professional, including more than six years with Independent Newsmedia. As a 30-year Valley resident, he remains passionate about journalism in service to local communities. Matt is the recipient of various awards, including First Place for Investigative Journalism from the Arizona Newspaper Association in 2019.
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