east valley
Volume 3 Issue 14 Mesa, AZ
October 18, 2020
Mesa helping Spanish-speaking restaurateurs BY SARAH NGUYEN Tribune Contributor
T
IN THE BIZ
he City of Mesa has launched a special bootcamp in Spanish to rejuvenate restaurants affected by COVID-19. The Mesa CARES Restaurant Bootcamp is being held every Saturday through six webinars for 12 qualifying participants. The city and Local First Arizona offered the restaurant bootcamps in English throughout the summer as part of the Mesa CARES Small Business Technical Assistance Program that was made possible through the $93 million federal pandemic-relief money Mesa received earlier this year. A survey released last month by the National Restaurant Association reported that a staggering 100,000 restaurants have closed on a permanent or long-term basis in the U.S. since the pandemic began – putting one of every six eateries out of business and resulting in the loss of three million restaurant jobs. “Most restaurants are still struggling to survive and don’t expect their position to improve over the next six months,” the association said of a survey of 3,500 eateries. It noted that one of the big reasons is that restaurant spending is down 34-60 percent and that operational costs are higher because social distancing guidelines have forced eateries to rely on few diners at any one sitting. While the exact number of Mesa restaurant closures is unknown, officials said they hope to help eateries recover. Public Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2020 East Valley Tribune
Los Dos Molinos owner John Gabaldon said the pandemic has been brutal for his and other restaurants and said Mesa city employees have been helpful, though he wonders why the state hasn't done more to helping eateries. (Special to the Tribune)
The city has undertaken other efforts aimed at restaurants. During a summer, for example, it marketed the Mesa Family Take Out Night on Wednesdays for downtown restaurants. “We won’t know for sure until later in the year, but we’re hoping that they can sustain their businesses for the next few weeks,” said Jaye O’Donnell, the city assistant economic development director. The bootcamps address a wide range of operation issues and systems as well as things like marketing and menu creation. (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
Mailing Address: 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 898-6500 Steven Strickbine, publisher Paul Maryniak, executive editor
Any business, not just restaurants, also can apply for technical assistance from the city at MesaAz.Gov/CARESBizTechAssist. O’Donnell said some restaurants have had challenges trying to adapt to safety guidelines for social distancing. “Some businesses have had challenges modifying their business models,” she said, “They’ve had to pivot.” Violeta Cortez, a co-owner of Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen in Mesa, experienced such struggles. “With this being a new virus, new proSubscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
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cedures and guidelines were implemented on a daily basis,” she said, “We had to take extra precautions to make sure we were doing the right things to keep our employees and guests safe.” While juggling the constantly changing guidelines, she also worried about the financial well-being of her staff. According to a study in 2019 by the National Restaurant Association, more than 241,000 Arizonans work in the food industry and represent 11 percent of the state’s total workforce. “We knew that this was the only source of income they had and cutting their hours or letting them go was not an option for us,” Cortez said of her employees. But Cortez said trying to save jobs in the early months of the pandemic was difficult, explaining that when non-essential businesses were ordered closed in April, “we did see a 40 percent drop in sales.” Los Dos Molinos owner John Gabaldon also suffered from the pandemic’s financial wallop. “We are only able to operate at a 50 percent occupancy, but the bigger issue is that customers are not dining out nearly as much,” he said. The pandemic also halted various events that directly impacted his family-owned and operated chain of restaurants that have been a fixture in Arizona since 1977. “We lost out on snowbirds, spring training, graduations and parties of all sorts,” he said. Cortez, who had already applied for the Payroll Protection Program, expressed gratitude to the City of Mesa and excitement for the new program. “Every time we called the City of Mesa with questions, they always had an answer,” she said. Though Gabaldon was similarly impressed with the city’s handling of this issue, he could not help but wonder if more could have been done by the state. “I’ve seen a lot of businesses suffering and shutting down,” he said, “For the state of Arizona to have not closed us down and placed such stringent guidelines, maybe things would be different.” As for what lies ahead, he and his family are determined to continue the legacy of their restaurant. “We are playing with the cards dealt to us,” he said, “Just doing the best we can.”
3 boys’ company mixes business and service BY STACI HAUK Tribune Contributor
C
ooper Johnson’s urge to give back to the community started when he was 5. Seven years later, he and his brothers Travis and Daniel own the Good Care Company, specializing in pet care and serving Gilbert and Chandler with plans to expand to Tempe as well. Hard work and serving others motivated Cooper to “get a job” even though he was so young. His passion for animals and people alike led to this successful home and dog care company. “The boys do everything from dog walking and dog waste pick-up to other animal care, age-appropriate land- Cooper, Travis and Daniel Johnson have a company that’s more scaping and odd jobs,” the boys’ mother devoted to serving the community than making money. (Special to the Tribune) Stacy Johnson explained. She said some customers are elderly Positive feedback and word of mouth and need assistance with dog walking have helped the Good Care Company grow or help with moving trash cans while and expand into new communities. others need light maintenance work like Typical of why is a recent customer who changing light bulbs. said that she was having problems with a “Cooper enlisted his brothers when young, overly energetic dog. he couldn’t take on a task,” Johnson said. She asked the boys to come swim with the “Travis has even become the ‘director of dog a few times a week and it made an immedroppings’ as he helps with yard clean up.” diate difference. The dog is calmer at night Cooper is a student at Willis Junior High and enjoys getting right in the water with boys in Chandler. Travis attends CTA Liberty in whereas he was not a swimmer in the past. Chandler and Daniel goes to Perry High The Good Care Company has a number School in Gilbert. of standing dog walking and waste pick All three boys are leaders at their schools, up jobs as it is more cost effective to use a serving on the student council as well as local company in these difficult times. participating in various clubs and sports. The boys’ personalized attention is often They also are members of the National described as a “client perk” as well. Elementary Honor Society. Johnson says she is proud of the boys and When the boys were all at CTA Liberty their continued perseverance, “Instilling years prior, Good Care Company served as good values and hard work is an important a company sponsor for a school fundraiser, part of parenting. donating seed money to enable the school “My husband Rich and I want our kids to to earn 10 times as much in profits. understand the value of money and hard “In this time of a pandemic, the boys work, as well as the correlation,” she said. have helped a local teacher fund her pro- “This, coupled with serving the commugram, enabling learning tools for the deaf nity, is paramount. As the boys continue to community to be more successful in their grow, they can do more too. Imagine what virtual environment.” it will be like when they can drive!”
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
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OCTOBER 18, 2020
Public Notice CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING DOBSON LIBRARY IMPROVEMENTS Project No. CP0903 Please join us for a virtual event discussing the upcoming Dobson Ranch Library Branch Improvements project. This project will update the entrance of the Dobson Ranch library branch, located at 2425 S. Dobson Rd.,with a fresh, modern look and improved accessibility for the public. The renovated façade and entry will offer greater visibility and convenience for library users. The library expansion includes the addition of a THINKspot makerspace for the community to foster innovation and networking. Date: Thursday, October 29, 2020 Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm Location: Virtual Public Meeting: online at mesaaz.gov/engineering If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Curt Albright, Michele Arrollado, Lucy Lopez, or Juanita Gonzales with the City of Mesa Engineering Public Relations Department at (480) 644-3800. Si usted tiene preguntas de este proyecto, fa-vor de llamar a Lucy Lopez, con la Ciudad de Mesa al (480) 644-3800. Published: Glendale Star, Oct. 18, 25, 2020 / 33823
Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR SOILS MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an oncall basis in the following area/ category: Soils and Construction Materials Sampling and Testing. 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). From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of on-call consultants for Soils Materials Testing Services. This category is further defined below: Scope may include miscellaneous soils and materials
purchasing/vendor-self-service). Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct. 18, 25, 2020 / 33821
testing services such as sampling, laboratory and field tests and analyses, preparation of reports, etc. The technical services requested include providing material technicians who will perform quality assurance (QA) and independent assurance (IA) and testing of construction materials in the laboratory and/or field. Inspection services are expressly not included. A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held. Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this RFQ (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 intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, 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. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http:// mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ architectural-engineering-designopportunities. The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter that contains current company/firm contact information including a valid phone number and email address, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and 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 one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format to EngineeringRFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2:00PM on Thursday, November 5, 2020. Maximum file size shall not exceed 20MB. SOQ’s that are unable to be opened by City staff will not be considered for award. Submitters may request a single opportunity to verify that a test email and attachment are received and can be opened by City staff. Test emails must be sent to Engineering-RFQ@ mesaaz.gov. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer. Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
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 Job Order Contractor for the following: JOB ORDER CONTRACT FIRE SAFETY SERVICES PROJECT NO. JOC-FS20 The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide Job Order Fire Safety Services. 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 following is a summary of the project. Fire Safety Services to provide fire safety services for minor and/ or major improvement projects, large maintenance projects, repairs, re-construction, and alteration services to City facilities. A Pre-Submittal Conference will be NOT be held for this project. 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 intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, assure that con-tract decisions are made in public and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All con-tact 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 https://www. 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 PPVF’s and resumes but
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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 one (1) electronic copy of the Statement of Qualifications in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@ mesaaz.gov by November 5, 2020, by 2 pm. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer. Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/ purchasing/vendor-self-service). Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant 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. 18, 25, 2020 / 33819
OCTOBER 18, 2020
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