Scottsdale Update - April 9, 2021

City continues to seek input on the Scottsdale General Plan 2035 Update. The Scottsdale City Council reviewed the Citizen Review Committee draft plan at a series of Work Study Sessions in February and March. Per Council's request, staff created a version of the draft plan reflecting City Council comments, as well as areas of Council consensus in response to public input received. The community, the Planning Commission and City Council are reviewing the latest version of the draft plan.

City Council requested that staff continue engaging the community on specific items or ideas through self-guided virtual open houses to garner additional public input on:

• The General Plan amendment criteria;

• The creation of a Desert Rural Neighborhoods land use designation; and

• The creation of a new Downtown Core Character Type within Old Town (now depicted unstructured versus defined)

Community members can comment on the latest City Council draft version or learn more about the update process here.

Apply to serve on a city board or commission. Residents wanting to institute positive change are invited to apply to serve on a city board or commission. Volunteers are needed for 12 boards and commissions, with openings available on the Board of Adjustment, Building Advisory Board of Appeals, Environmental Advisory Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Human Services Commission, Library Board, Loss Trust Fund Board, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Safety Personnel Retirement Board and Planning Commission.

Information about the functions of these boards and commissions, as well as the application can be found here. To be considered, interested applicants must submit an online application by Friday, April 23. Submitted applications are valid for one year.

The City Council will review materials and nominate candidates from the applicant pool in May with appointments taking place in June. All board and commission members are required to comply with the city's Ethics Code and attend a training session before officially beginning their term.

Scottsdale celebrates Earth Day all month. From learning about eco-friendly simple solutions you can do in your everyday life to keeping track of how much waste you create in your own home, there are plenty of ways to learn how we can help our planet. Find all the ways you can participate. Remember to check out Scottsdale Video Network every Friday in April for informative videos from our Sustainable Scottsdale YouTube playlist, including a special extended version on Earth Day, April 22, focusing on the city's Green Building Programs featuring Anthony Floyd and Mayor Ortega.

Seasonal 'Shred It' events resume; attend Saturday. Protect your identity by bringing your personal and/or commercial documents to the 'Shred It' events. They run from 7-10 a.m. Saturdays, April 10 and May 8, in the Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd. Cost is $5 per box.

The old west meets the new west for Western Week, April 10-18. Traditionally held in February, this year's Western Week will be celebrated April 10-18, offering horse-loads of free fun activities for the entire family. Here are three highlighted events:

• Gold Palette Artwalk: April's Gold Palette ArtWalk will be dedicated to a Western Week theme with entertainment, music and special offerings at participating galleries. The free event runs from 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in the Scottsdale Arts District (Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard and north of Indian School Road on Marshall Way to 5th Avenue). Learn more.

• 63rd Annual Hashknife Pony Express arrival. This year marks the 63rd ride for the Hashknife Pony Express, which is the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world. At noon, Friday, April 16, the Hashknife Pony Express arrives inside Scottsdale Stadium to deliver more than 20,000 pieces of mail to the U.S. Postal Service.

• Arizona Indian Festival. This two-day celebration honors Arizona Indian culture and raises awareness of our state's indigenous communities through a spirited and immersive festival. Arizona is made up of 22 tribes and most will be featured during the event which runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 17; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 18, on Scottsdale Civic Center. Get details.

Prescription Drug Take-Back runs April 24. Stop by two Scottsdale locations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, to properly dispose of unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription drugs. Bring items to the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, or the Foothills District Police Station in the Market Street Plaza at DC Ranch, 20363 N. Pima Road.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and health issue. According to a recent survey, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Veg out Saturdays at the Old Town Farmers Market. Buy fresh vegetables, fruits and creative crafts at Scottsdale's Old Town Farmers Market. It's held 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through May. The market is in the public parking lot at 3806 N. Brown Ave.

Public invited to comment on the Economic Strategic Plan. The city's Economic Development Five-Year Strategic Plan is available for public comment. The plan will serve as the blueprint for strategies and goals to ensure Scottsdale's economic prosperity. Review the draft and provide feedback by Sunday, April 28.

This week's traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.

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