east valley
Volume 2 Issue 13 Mesa, AZ
October 13, 2019
Mesa jeweler warns not all diamonds are your friend BY JORDAN HOUSTON Tribune Staff Writer
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IN THE BIZ
n the last five years, the quality of labmade diamonds has skyrocketed to the point where they are now commonplace in rings, necklaces and earrings – sometimes unbeknownst to their buyers. In the name of transparency, a Mesa jeweler is doing his part to ensure his clients know exactly what they are paying for. David Nelson, who has been in the industry since he was 15, opened Nelson Estate Jewelers with his wife several years ago. The company is a full-service jewelry store that buys, sells and repairs “valuables” – including estate jewelry. Now, the store is setting itself apart by using a DiaTrue CS, a machine that detects the origin of almost all types of diamonds. “It’s the responsibility of an ethical, quality jeweler to make sure their clients are getting what they pay for,” said Nelson. “I think that it has to be something that is on the forefront of every reputable jeweler’s mind,” he continued. To use the OGI Systems device, Nelson places a ring setting or parcel of a stone onto a plate that is then inserted into the machine. The $6,000 device will detect which diamonds are natural and which are not, depending on how the light interacts Public Notices ............... page 2 © Copyright, 2019 East Valley Tribune
David Nelson and his wife Aubrey inspect diamonds at his Mesa shop. (Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)
with the properties of the stone. “It takes a bunch of pictures and reads how the optical properties work,” said Nelson. “When dealing with lab-made diamonds, they are grown differently than a natural diamond,” he added. “So, they have different trace elements and it gives a different kind of reading on the machine.” Nelson said the device can determine the origin of 98 percent of all diamonds that come into his store. The other two percent are called “Type II,” which have no measurable nitrogen impurities, and have to be referred to a (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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gemological lab, he explained. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission declared that lab-grown diamonds are in fact real diamonds, but that their value is not equal to their natural counterparts. All diamonds are priced using a global system created by the International Integrated Reporting Council. Prices are generated first based on the “Four C’s” of diamonds: carat, cut, clarity, and color. Whether they are lab-grown or mined is then taken into consideration. Nelson expressed that while he beSubscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
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lieves the controversy surrounding synthetic diamonds is still in its “infancy stage,” it will become increasingly problematic over time. His concerns stem from the possibility of shady retailers ripping off their clients. “Most of the manufacturers are trying to be responsible by putting an indication on the side point of a diamond that says ‘lab-made,’” said Nelson, adding: “But the problem is that there is not a whole lot stopping someone from removing that inscription and then trying to pass it off as natural.” “I had a guy in here last week who bought a pair of what was advertised online as lab-manufactured studded earrings,” he continued. “Then I found out they weren’t even diamonds at all with my machine.” The jeweler added that the synthetic stones have almost “zero second-sale value” and that he believes they will only continue to plummet in worth. On the flip side, the rarity factor for natural-mined diamonds is on the in-
Public Notice CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA Jefferson Park Playground Improvements 306 S. Jefferson Avenue CITY OF MESA PROJECT NO. LF0328JEF-CDBG HUD PROJECT NO. IDIS-839 (FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROJECT – DAVIS BACON WAGES APPLY) ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. All sealed bids will be received at Mesa City Plaza Building, Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, 5th Floor, Mesa, Arizona; except for bids delivered 30 minutes prior to opening which will be received at the information desk, 1st floor, Main Lobby of the Mesa City Plaza Building. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration. Bids will be publicly read in Conference Room 170, at 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, at 1:30 pm on October 31, 2019. This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work: Contractor shall furnish and install new playground equipment,
cline, he said. “Fine-quality stones will likely continue to increase in rarity because less are coming out of the ground,” he said. “The peak production of diamonds has already come and gone – we are not producing more than we have been in the past.” A majority of the diamond mines today are located in Russia, South Africa, China, Brazil, Australia and Canada, according to Geology.com. Another factor that complicates the debate is climate. Nelson expressed dismay that certain companies are advertising non-natural stones as “greener” solutions for the environment – when that may not necessarily be the case. The FTC, which investigates allegations of deceptive advertising, sent warning letters to eight lab-grown diamond companies this past spring. Among its concerns was the use of “eco-friendly” or similar terms to describe diamonds that were made in a laboratory – which uses high temperatures throughout the process. The commission stated more transpar-
site amenities, playground surfacing and concrete ADA ramps to the playground at Jefferson Park in Mesa, Arizona. This project is federally funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Federal labor standards, Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, and Equal Employment Opportunity regulations apply under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 for Employment and Contracting Opportunities. Small, minority and/ or women owned businesses are encouraged to submit bids. The Engineer’s Estimate range is 200,000.00 – 220,000.00. For all technical, contract, bidrelated, or other questions, please contact Stephanie Gishey at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov. Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indir-ect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
ency is needed surrounding how the gases used to extract the carbon are sourced and managed. While mined diamonds also have a high environmental impact, the carbon intensity is lower, according to an analysis carried out by Trucost for the Diamond Producers Association. “The thing that drives me insane is that some companies out there are selling these lab-made diamonds and disclosing that they are greener or more ethical,” he said. “The misinformation is out there and it is spreading like wildfire when it may not really be true.” As far as advice to potential consumers goes, Nelson recommends checking with the jeweler to see if they can confirm their stones’ origins. “The biggest thing for any consumer, I would say is to ask your jeweler or whoever you’re dealing with, ‘What are you doing to ensure what I am buying is natural?’” he said. He also advises clients to look for Gemological Institute of America certifications for anything that is over a half carat. Information: 480-459-9867, nelsonestatejewelers.com
Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.earc.com/arcEOC/PWELL_Main. asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $17.00, which is non-refundable. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com. One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing. In order for the City to consider alternate products in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c. If a pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.” Work shall be completed within
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130 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed. Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/ purchasing/vendor-self-service). The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements. The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa.
OCTOBER 13, 2019
BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune Oct. 6, 13, 20, 2019 / 24562
Public Notice CIVIL COMPLAINT AND SUMMONS CASE NUMBER CC2019-101273RC Maricopa County Justice Courts, Arizona San Tan Justice Court, 201 E. Chicago St. #102, Chandler, AZ 85225. 602-3723400 BURNETTA L COTTO PO BOX 7206 MESA, AZ 85216 (480)4161956 Plaintiff(s) Dianna Lindenfelser 9739 E Empress Ave. Mesa, AZ 85208. 480-984-9414 Defendant(s) NOTICE AND SUMMONS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFEND-ANT(S): You are directed to answer this complaint within TWENTY (20) DAYS by filing a written ANSWER in the court named above. If you do not answer or defend, you run the risk of having a judgment entered against you for the amount of plaintiff’s claim, plus court costs. A filing fee must be paid at the time your answer is filed. If you cannot afford to pay the required fee, you may request that the Court either waive or defer the fee. Date: 5/20/19 Clerk: JB (SEAL) PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM This Justice Court has venue because -The debt, or cause of action, or the incident that resulted in this claim, occurred in this precinct at the following location: n/a $3500 is the total amount owed me by defendant because: Defendant(s) Dianna Lindenfelser neglected to return my deposit within the 14 days per landlord/tenant Act Article 2 331321 (item D & E or 33-1341.) Nor has she given me a written explanation on why she didn’t do so. Security deposit of $1050.00 I gave Dianna a written notice to vacate premises at 7932 E. Milagro on June 3, 2016. The written noice was given to her with the rent the 3rd of May 2016. I requested her to send the deposit refund to my P.O. Box 7206 Mesa, AZ 85216. I even thanks her for giving me the opportunity to reside in their home for the last 1 1/2 years. (see further items on file) Date: May 20, 2019 /s/ Burnetta L Cotto, Plaintiff Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, 2019 / 24440
Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified firm or team to act as the Construction Manager at Risk for the following: LEWIS EAST SUBSTATION REBUILD 54 E. UNIVERSITY DR., MESA, ARIZONA 85201 PROJECT NO. CP0461-0018
substation disconnects, new 15kV substation getaway switches, new feeder conduits and cables installed within the substation, and installation of new feeder cable installed from the getaway switches to the 1st distribution termination points outside the substation. In addition, the project scope also includes RTU and associated substation 69kV line relaying up-grades. In order to facilitate installation of the new equipment, major portions of the existing equipment, structures, foundations conduit and sub-portions of grounding will need to be removed. The existing transformer and switchgear foundations will need to be demolished, and new substation transformer and switchgear foundations will be required to be installed to support placement of the new equipment on the east side of the substation. The anticipated construction window is October 2020 to March 2021, with construction occur-ring under a substation outage. A critical milestone associated with this project is to ensure the Transformer and Substation foundation pads are ready to accept the new Transformer and Switchgear no later than December 15, 2020. The city anticipates completing construction on or before March 31, 2021. The estimated construction cost is $2,213,470.00. The total estimated project cost is $2,942,909.00. A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on October 23, 2019 at 9:00 am at the City of Mesa (Mesa City Plaza, Room 501, 20 E. Main Street Mesa, AZ). At this meeting, City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference. Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the
selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is in-tended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below. RFQ Lists. The RFQ is available on the City’s website at http:// mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ construction-manager-at-risk-andjob-order-contracting-opportunities. The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide eight (8) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by November 6, 2019 at 2:00 PM. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer. Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package. On the submittal package, please display: Firm name, project number, and/or project title. Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http:// mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/ vendor-self-service). Questions. Questions pertaining to the Construction Manager at Risk selection process or contract issues should be directed to Stephanie Gishey of the Engineering Department at stephanie.gishey@ mesaaz.gov. BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct. 13, 20, 2019 / 24785
Public Notice CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE
following ordinance at the October 21, 2019 City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street. 1. ZON19-00365 (District 6) Within the 9600 through 9700 blocks of East Hampton Avenue (north side). Located south of Southern Avenue on the west side of Crismon Road (3.8± acres). Rezone from RS-43 to RM-2-PAD; and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for a multipleresidence development. Brennan Ray, Burch & Cracchiolo, applicant; Off Crismon Properties, LLC, owner. 2. ZON19-00440 (District 2) 1728 South Green-field Road. Located south of the US 60-Superstition Freeway and west of Greenfield Road (7.2± acres). Rezone from Light Industrial (LI) with a Council Use Permit (CUP) to Limited Commercial (LC) with a Council Use Permit for a pawn shop; and Site Plan Review. This re-quest will allow a pawn shop within an existing group commercial center. RKAA Architects, applicant; HH-Greenfield Gateway LLC, owner. DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 13th day of October 2019. DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct. 13, 2019 / 24754
Public Notice State of Wisconsin, SHAWANO County Circuit Court CASE # 19SC681 To: Maderia Lottie Dee Raymond (last known address: 455 S Recker Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296) You are hereby notified that you are being sued by CoVantage Credit Union in Small Claims Court, Shawano County Courthouse, 311 North Main Street, Shawano, WI 54166, for a Replevin Judgment of the following collateral: 1998 Harley Davidson, VIN: 1HD1CHP13WK116586 A hearing will be held at 1:00 PM on the 21st day of October 2019. If you do not appear; a judgment may be given to the person suing you. A copy of the Summons and Complaint has been attempted to be served to you at your last known address listed above. Dated this the 9th day of October 2019 CoVantage Credit Union, Plaintiff Brian Millar, Plaintiffs Agent Published: Gilbert Sun News/East Valley Tribune Oct. 13, 2019 / 24794
The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the
The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Construction Manager at Risk (CM@Risk) to provide PreConstruction Services assistance and complete Construction Services as the CM@Risk for the Lewis East Substation Rebuild Project. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The Lewis East Substation rebuild project scope includes the installation of (1) new 12.47kV Switchgear, (1) new 69/12kV 28 MVA transformer, replacement of all 69kV
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
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OCTOBER 13, 2019
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