SEPTEMBER 2003
Voters to Determine City’s Future Design in General Plan Election Goodyear residents will have the opportunity on November 4, 2003 to vote on Goodyear’s General Plan Update 2003-2013 - the City’s adopted guide to effectively manage long-term growth and revitalization.
Check Out New Website! We’ve Got a New URL Address
New Look; New Navigation
This plan was constructed by the efforts of a committee of 23 Goodyear residents and stakeholders who put in more than 1600 hours of dedicated work. Additionally, dozens of other residents and interested parties added their input to the plan at the committee’s 23 meetings and four open houses and public hearings. The state of Arizona has mandated through Growing Smarter/Plus legislation that general plans be updated every 10 years. Even though Goodyear’s last General Plan was approved in 1998, it does not address some content required by the state legislation. In a community like Goodyear with 16-18% growth per year, an effective plan should be dynamic and responsive to current and foreseeable conditions, community values, issues and resources. The 20032013 plan meets these criteria, thanks to its citizen participation. The City of Goodyear will continue to grow with or without the updated General Plan. However, the Plan seeks to ensure an orderly, balanced mix of residential, employment and supportive uses to create a quality sustainable community that ensures a livable city for its existing and future residents.
VOTE on NOVEMBER 4th!
We’re so excited about the new look of Goodyear’s Website and its new, easier address. Our new address is www.goodyearaz.gov. However, the previous address -- www.ci.goodyear.az.us - will work for at least one more year. Over 25 City employees have worked for months to bring you Gateway to Goodyear - a new Website that has a newer, fresher look and feel. Our new web content management software allows us to easily update information so our Website will always have the latest up-to-date data on City services 24 hours a day. It will also offer our Website visitors superior navigation, interactivity and functionality. Use the Community Directory to search for City and County services, new resident information, HOAs, non-profit agencies, places of worship, schools and districts. Use our easy “Action Request” form if you need service or send us a “Feedback” form if you want to comment on an issue or ask a question. You’ll find easy access to the archives with Council agendas and minutes. Press releases and citizen newsletters are on-line as is the entire Goodyear Municipal Code Book. Get News Flashes right on the homepage. Learn about new businesses that are coming or opening! Check us out and take the poll on our homepage about the Website. We really want to hear from you with comments, compliments or complaints. E-mail suggestions to the Webmaster@goodyearaz.gov to help us make it an even better site in the future.
Mayor Explains Need for Code Compliance safety, rental housing, zoning, fire, building, nuisance, and signs.
Mayor Jim Cavanaugh
Neighborhoods are the environment in which we live and raise our families. Well-maintained neighborhoods are conducive to raising a healthy, happy family and they also help ensure that property values will go up. Assurance of well-maintained neighborhoods is the reason masterplanned communities with Codes, Covenants and Restrictions (CC & R’s) came to be. Then, to enforce the CC & R’s (which pertain only to the deeds of homes within the masterplanned community), Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) were born. Most masterplanned neighborhoods have deed restrictions that are much stricter than City municipal codes. Because it can be very confusing as to who enforces what, it is important to know what CC & R’s your neighborhood may have that are particular to just your community. These could be such things as no parking allowed on the street, no rooftop solar units, or no satellite dishes. If you live in a masterplanned community with parks and/or lakes and other amenities, many rules may pertain to how and when those amenities may be used and by whom. In contrast, municipal codes exist primarily to preserve and promote the health, safety and general welfare of Goodyear residents. They also protect neighborhoods that are not in masterplanned communities from blighting and deteriorating conditions. The codes enforced include health/
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Blight and nuisances can devalue, detract and degrade the quality of any neighborhood. Actively pursuing code compliance within our City enhances the quality of life for residents, industry and business owners. Successful efforts that bring voluntary compliance in maintaining city codes, aesthetic guidelines, community standards and subdivision covenants not only help ensure public safety, but support expectations of appearance and pride of ownership within our neighborhoods and the community-atlarge.
Code Compliance has no authority to enforce neighborhood deed restrictions. Public education about our codes is an important part of the enforcement effort. In Goodyear we have used a friendly “character” - Cowboy Codey to provide a friendly tip every month in the CityReport. We made a coloring sheet for children to learn the key violations. A four-color brochure is given out to residents at all events. We have put tips into HOA newsletters and the Newcomer’s Guide. We have lots of information on the City’s Website about codes and we make presentations at HOA meetings. Despite our communication attempts, at times it becomes necessary for a neighbor to notify the city of a problem. So what is the process if you file a complaint? Our Code Compliance Officer investigates all reports. If the officer finds violations, the property owner is issued a notice to bring his or her property into compliance. Ninety-five percent of all complaints are voluntarily brought
into compliance when the property owner is made aware of the problem. Most people want to do the right thing. Unfortunately, not all citizens immediately respond when alerted. Involuntary compliance is sometimes a matter of legal persuasion. When a warning is issued, the amount of time allowed for compliance depends upon the violation. Typically, time frames run from 10 to 30 days.
Public education about our codes is an important part of the enforcement effort. When a property owner fails to comply voluntarily in the time allotted, Code Compliance may issue a final notice with additional time to comply. If a property owner has failed to comply after all written notices, Code Compliance may issue a civil citation, which is a summons to appear in court. At this time, the property owner is given a chance to present his or her case in court. The judge then has the power to impose a fine and order the violation corrected. Fortunately, a summons has seldom been necessary in Goodyear. While it is always the goal of the City to achieve voluntary compliance, it is my responsibility to assure compliance if voluntary efforts fall short. High quality neighborhoods are the standard in Goodyear and we want to keep it that way. Please make yourself aware of the codes and help us maintain our standards.
Jim Cavanaugh
CityReport - September 2003
2003-2013 General Plan Update Election
Goodyear City Council (l to r): Fred Scott, Vice Mayor Dick Sousa, Sue Linney, Mayor Jim Cavanaugh, Frank Cavalier, Ken Porter, and Rob Antoniak.
NOV. 4, 2003 10/6 - Last day for voter registration 10/24 - Last day to request an Early Ballot to be mailed - closes 5 p.m. 11/04 - Early Ballots must be received by the Office of the County Recorder, officer in charge or at a valid polling place before 7 p.m.
Council Calendar All Council meetings and work sessions are held at the GoodyearJustice Facility, 986 S. Litchfield Rd.
Monday, September 15 - Work Session - 5 p.m. Monday, September 22 - Regular Meeting - 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 14* - Regular Meeting - 6 p.m.
Help Name Our Park Send in your suggestions for the name of Goodyear’s new community park at the northeast corner of Litchfield and Thomas roads. Just fill out the Opinion Form on the back of this newsletter and mail it in to the address indicated or e-mail the Feedback Form on our Website with your park name and a brief sentence as to why you think it’s an appropriate name.
*Moved from Monday in observance of Columbus Day
Job Openings Visit the City of Goodyear Website at www.goodyearaz.gov or call the City’s 24-hour hotline, (623) 932-1716, for job listings. Goodyear accepts applications only for open positions. The Human Resource Office is located at 190 N. Litchfield Rd. Phone (623) 882-7752. TTY (623) 932-6500. EEO/M/F/V/H/D.
“Be a Good Neighbor Don’t Violate The Codes”
If a name submitted by the public is chosen for the park, the person submitting the name will be recognized at the park opening in late Spring 2004.
NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Football Competition Saturday, September 20th • Millennium High School at 14802 W. Wigwam Blvd. • For boys and girls ages 8-15 • Participants will demonstrate their football skills and winners of each division will move on to a sectional competition. • Registration begins at 6 p.m. • Competition begins at 6:30 p.m. • For more information, call Jennifer at 623-882-7531. •
CityReport - September 2003
While we hope everyone remembers to be a good neighbor, there will be instances when you may feel the need to notify the city of a potential code problem. Here are a list of steps that are taken when a complaint is received by the City in regards to City code violations: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Complaint received – case opened and processed Letter to owner of property and complainant regarding violation Inspection (between 20-30 days after letter) Official Notice if violation still exists Inspection (between 20-30 days after Official Notice) Final Notice Inspection (between 20-30 days after Final Notice) Legal action
The goal of the Code Compliance Office is to obtain compliance. At times extensions are granted to correct violations. If you wish to file a complaint in regards to a city code violation, please call the Code Compliance Office at (623) 882-7808 or you can file a complaint on an “Action Request” form on our website at: www.goodyearaz.gov. If you are unsure if it is a city code violation contact our Community Advocate at 623-882-7800.
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Fill ‘Em Up!
You’re Invited
Unveiling of Public Service Memorial Ceremony Goodyear’s City Council invites you to a ceremony to unveil Phase I of a new Public Service Memorial on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. The memorial is located next to the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce on the SE corner of Litchfield Rd. and Van Buren St. The memorial commemorates the first responders in domestic tragedies – our Police, Fire, and Public Works Rendering of Public Service Memorial professionals. These public service workers contribute in extraordinary ways to our lives, our community and our country. A flagstone monument and flags of the SW Valley cities are the focal point of the Public Service Memorial.
8th Annual Mayor’s Challenge Golf Tournament Benefitting the Tri-City West Boys & Girls Club
Litchfield Park Mayor Woody Thomas, Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh, Tolleson Mayor Adolpho Gamez, and Avondale Mayor Ron Drake
Saturday, Sept. 27 6:30 registration; 7:30 shotgun start Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Club 11800 South Golf Club Dr., Goodyear Foursome $600/ Tee Sponsor $200 For more information, call Jack Marks at 602-954-8182 ext.252
September is still hot, with an 85 degree average temperature at night, and daytime temperatures over 100 degrees. While it is hot and humid outside, keep cool and water wise inside. Running partial loads in your dishwasher and washing machine wastes water. By running full loads, you’ll maximize both your use of water and energy. Not running your clothes washer and dishwasher as often will also save you money on your electric bill, because both appliances send additional heat and humidity into the air, causing your air conditioner to run more often. You can also extend the life of your appliances by reducing the number of monthly loads. Many clothes washers allow you to set the water level in your washing machine according to the amount of clothes you are washing. If you have one of these washing machines, feel free to wash smaller loads, but remember to adjust the water level appropriately. Be a water winner by maximizing the capacity of your appliances!
Your Opinion Counts We want your ideas on how we may better serve you. Just fill out this form and return it with your garbage collection bill or mail it to Linda Dillard, Community Advocate, 190 N. Litchfield Rd., P.O. Box 5100, Goodyear, AZ 85338, or e-mail to Ldillard@goodyearaz.gov Comments (please print) ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
Goodyear CityReport A monthly publication for the estimated 33,000 citizens of Goodyear
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September 2003 Vol. 18, Issue 9 Published by City of Goodyear Public Information Office (623) 882-7820 TTY Number (623) 932-6500 Editor: Paula Ilardo
CityReport - September 2003