Scottsdale Progress - 09-06-2020 by Times Media Group

Board candidates discuss reopening / P. 2

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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Board wants parents’ verdict on hybrid learning BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

NEWS ................................ 6 Mayor hopefuls' views on development.

ARTS............................... 24 WestWorld hosts R&B balladeer.

FOOD..............................25 Japanese steakhouse wows Scottsdale

NEIGHBORS ..........................................18 BUSINESS ..............................................20 OPINION .................................................22 ARTS ........................................................ 24 FOOD ........................................................25 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 26

Sunday, September 6, 2020

he SUSD Governing Board pressed pause on a hybrid return-to-school model last week and opted to survey parents first before making a final decision. The non-decision came after the hybrid model received a fairly lukewarm response

State levels the boom on 2 bars for reopening

from the Governing Board, which met in a special session on Sept. 1 shortly after a group of about 75 parents staged a protest outside the meeting at Mohave Middle School in favor of a full return to school. District staff presented the hybrid model as an interim solution to return students to in-person learning for the first time since schools closed last spring due to the COV-

ID-19 pandemic. Initially, district staff asked the board to approve the hybrid model on Sept. 1 with the caveat that implementation would depend on the parent survey after the meeting. “If the numbers allow us to do so…if you only have 20 percent that said you wanted

Distance teacher

see SUSD page 4

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

ust days after county and state health officials gave the green light for some bars to reopen, state regulators shut down two Scottsdale establishments for violating public health guidelines designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On Aug. 30, the Arizona Department of Health Services ordered downtown bars Bottled Blonde and Casa Amigos to shut down due to the violations.

see BARS page 8

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CITY NEWS

An edition of the East Valley Tribune Scottsdale Progress is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Scottsdale. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of Scottsdale Progress, please visit www.Scottsdale.org. CONTACT INFORMATION Main number 480-898-6500 | Advertising 480-898-5624 Circulation service 480-898-5641 Scottsdale Progress 4301 N 75th St., Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Publisher Steve T. Strickbine Vice President Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@scottsdale.org TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@scottsdale.org Advertising Office Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@scottsdale.org Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@scottsdale.org NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@scottsdale.org Managing Editor Wayne Schutsky | 480-898-6533 | wschutsky@scottsdale.org Staff Writers Kristine Cannon | 480-898-9657 | kcannon@scottsdale.org Jim Walsh | 480-898-5639 | jwalsh@scottsdale.org Photographers Pablo Robles | Probles@scottsdale.org Design Veronica Thurman | vthurman@scottsdale.org Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 | production@scottsdale.org Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@scottsdale.org Scottsdale Progress is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

SUSD candidates differ on reopening BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

s Scottsdale Unified School District continues to navigate the pandemic, Governing Board candidates have differing opinions of the district’s Return to Learn plan. The plan essentially gave families two choices for their students to resume classes when the new school year began in August. Parents could either enroll their children in Scottsdale Online, an expansion of the district’s existing online-only offering, or choose the enhanced distance learning model, which allows those students to connect with teachers online before eventually returning to the classroom. When those schools will reopen is still unclear. Polled by the Progress, the majority of candidates approved of the district’s actions – but others said it is time to reopen schools for in-person learning immediately. Six candidates are running for three open seats in the Nov. 3 election and the winners will likely have to address pandemic-related issues when they take office in January. Candidate Rose Smith said she approved of the current board’s decision to adopt the state and county health departments’ COVID-19 benchmarks as a guide for reopening, saying it “ensures that data is driving the opening in a way that is safe for our students and staff.” “It also ensures that we are prepared each step of the way to make sure our sanitation and mitigation protocols are adequate and effective,” Smith said. Zachary Lindsay said student safety and well-being are top priorities. “It is common practice for districts to follow the guidance from the Arizona Department of Health…I know the district has worked tirelessly to find possible solutions, while ensuring the health and wellbeing of all stakeholders,” Lindsay said. “This is not an easy task, especially with so many opposing viewpoints.” Smith said she hoped a measured approach to reopening would help the district avoid having to close schools again in the future.

Candidate Kate Angelos said she found conflicts in the district’s plan, specifically between sections on social emotional learning and the logistics and operations plan. “SEL concludes students need to interact with each other and their teachers in order to maintain social, emotional and psychological balance,” Angelos said. “Logistics and Operations will implement social distancing and wearing masks all day.” Other candidates said the board and administration are in the difficult position of balancing student and staff safety with educational concerns. “Like every school district, SUSD is in the unenviable position of making realtime decisions guided by trailing indicator data while sorting through confusing messaging,” candidate Libby Hart-Wells said. “I applaud the earnest and sincere efforts to focus on the educational welfare of students in the Return to Learn plan.” Hart-Wells said the district is fortunate “to have a parental and extended community that shares that focus.” Julie Cieniawski, a former longtime SUSD teacher, said she understood some parents’ desire to return students to the classroom but that following medical guidelines is the best way to ensure student and community health. “Our children thrive when provided a learning environment which supports the cognitive and affective domains of students,” Cieniawski said. “Qualified school staff provide learning opportunities beyond curriculum and many cannot be replicated easily through virtual learning…Nobody wants students back in the classroom more than teachers, when safe.” Both Angelos and Lucy DiGrazia advocated for schools to reopen, contending that recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control significantly revised downward the number of people who have died nationwide from COVID-19. Medical experts have challenged those claims, circulated by social media recently, including Twitter posts by President Trump. “As of (Sept. 1) the CDC has confirmed that 94 percent of reported COVID deaths were false and not COVID-related, mean-

ing only 6 percent of all deaths were actual COVID deaths,” DiGrazia said. A 6 percent death rate of a population does not equal a pandemic,” DiGrazia continued. “With this truth now in the light there is no reason for return to learn or any extended closure of schools.” “Given the CDC, Sept. 1, 2020 update, only 6 percent of the deaths were directly caused by COVID-19,” Angelos said. “Why inflict extreme measures to further traumatize students? If all schools are to open, then all students should be attending.” DiGrazia said schools should be reopened immediately and teachers who refuse to return “should be dismissed with no compensation.” The CDC on Aug. 26 reported that “for 6 percent of the deaths of the roughly 180,000 coronavirus-related deaths reported, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned” on death certificates. But that does not mean only 6 percent of those deaths were actually caused by COVID-19, according to health officials. It means that 94 percent of people who died from the virus had additional health issues, or comorbidities, like diabetes, obesity, sepsis or dementia. “The point that the CDC was trying to make was that a certain percentage of them had nothing else but just COVID,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told Good Morning America. “That does not mean that someone who has hypertension or diabetes who dies of COVID didn’t die of COVID-19; they did.” Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Nasia Safdar, an infectious-disease professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, told the Washington Post that these health conditions can make individuals more likely to die from COVID-19 but that the virus is still the cause of death. “We know that most people with COVID have some other underlying condition, which increases their risk of dying from COVID and getting COVID in the first place,” Safdar told the Post. Fauci also said “that does not mean that someone who has hypertension or diabetes who dies of COVID didn’t die of COVID-19; they did…It’s not 9,000 deaths from COVID-19; it’s 180,000-plus deaths.”

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SUSD from front

hybrid, we probably can’t stand it up,” Superintendent Scott Menzel said. “If it’s 80 percent, then you have the ability to do that.” But board member Barbara Perleberg and SUSD General Counsel Michelle Marshall voiced concern a vote would violate the state Open Meeting Law. At issue was the wording of the agenda, which stated the board would only “Approve Return to Learn Hybrid Plan” – but made no mention of voting on making implementation contingent on the survey. School boards are prohibited from voting on items not on the agenda. “I don’t think it’s clear if you were to take a vote [based] on a survey, that’s something very different than what the agenda item says,” said Marshall. The survey, sent to families on Sept. 3, asked if they prefer to transition from distance learning to a hybrid model that would return students to campuses for two half-days a week. Alternatively, the survey asked if families would prefer to stay in distance learning until state and county COVID-19 benchmarks indicate it is safe for a full return to school or if they would like to begin a phased full return in the coming weeks, starting with kindergarten through 2nd grade. Survey responses are due Sept. 7 and the board will meet in special session on Sept. 9. The hybrid plan would separate students into two groups that would return to school on alternating days. A third group would include students not yet ready to return to classrooms who would stay with distance learning. The plan would not affect students enrolled in the Scottsdale Online. Under the hybrid model, all groups would participate in distance learning online on Mondays. Group A would then attend class in person from 8:45-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, then return home in the afternoon to attend their special classes online. On those days, Group B would attend specials online in the morning and have typical distance learning classes with their teachers in the afternoon. The plan would flip on Wednesdays and Fridays with Group B attending in-person classes and Group A staying home. District administration recommended

About 75 parents and students showed up at Mohave Middle School to rally in favor of reopening Scottsdale Schools on Sept. 1 before a Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board meeting. (Photo by Wayne Schutsky)

the district phase in the hybrid return, starting with special education students, preschool and pre-K programs on Sept. 14. The district would then add kindergarten through 2nd grade on Sept. 21 and introduce 3rd-5th grades on Sept. 28, with some targeted middle and high school students as well. On Oct. 13, the district would expand the hybrid model to the remaining students. Menzel said the district is also exploring options for smaller groups of middle and high school students to return for clubs or other activities prior to Oct. 13 due to concerns for their social and emotional health. If the board adopts the hybrid model, there is the possibility it could be scrapped midway through implementation for a full return if the district meets the virus benchmarks, Menzel said. The benchmarks measure the metrics of virus spread in ZIP codes where students live. The state and county guidelines use a three-color guide – in red, yellow and green – comprising three sets of data on virus spread to determine when it is safe to reopen schools. It is based on the number of positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people; the percentage of positive new tests; and the percentage of hospital visits showing COVID-19 symptoms over a consecutive two week span. The color green indicates an opti-

Jill and Aaron Cooper attended the Rally for School Choice in front of Mohave Middle School on Sept. 1 with their sons Asher and Levi, both students at Cheyenne Traditional School. (Photo by Wayne Schutsky)

mal opportunity for reopening schools based on the following benchmarks: fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 individuals or a two-week decline in cases; less than 5 percent of new tests are positive for COVID-19; and less than 5 percent of all hospital visits show CO-

VID-like symptoms. The slightly less restrictive color yellow means districts are safe for a hybrid return. As of Sept. 3, SUSD was still in the yel-

see SUSD page 14

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

How mayoral candidates would change development process BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

he future of development in Scottsdale is a key issue heading into the Nov. 3 mayoral election and candidates Lisa Borowsky and David Ortega have argued the city needs to do a better job incorporating resident feedback into the development process. While both candidates agree that resident feedback needs to be taken more seriously, they have laid out differing plans for accomplishing that goal. Borowsky said she will work to implement neighborhood planning committees modeled after the Village Planning Committee concept in Phoenix, which has created 15 distinct “urban villages” a committee made up of local residents appointed by the mayor and city council. Those committees provide feedback to the Planning Commission on rezoning cases, general plan amendments and text amendments affecting their part of the city. “Scottsdale is certainly big enough to have more direct resident contact in the decision-making process and the neighborhood planning committee or commission gives residents of those distinct and unique areas the ability to consider, better evaluate, and promote the direction they want to see their area go,” Borowsky said. Ortega said the city needs to abide by community input guidelines in its existing General Plan, the overarching document that guides the long-term growth. “If you look at the narrative in our general plan, that’s the entire basis of channels of communication – whether its transportation issues, human services issues, and certainly development issues, (they) always have to be integrated with the stakeholders,” Ortega said. Scottsdale’s current General Plan 2001 emphasizes the need for community input in development and planning matters, calling it “an important component of successful planning and community building and decision making.” But in the wake of controversial approvals for the Marquee office building and Southbridge Two downtown,

Lisa Borowsky

David Ortega

some residents have argued that City Council and other public boards and commissions have not listened to resident input. In 2019, the Planning Commission voted to ask Council to review the public outreach process. Ortega argued the city needs to go back to the spirit in the General Plan because citizens can provide valuable feedback when they believe projects are out of touch with the city’s character. “So that’s where common sense takes over, and people look at a project and they have a right to speak up,” Ortega said. “We encourage that as a city and that’s how that acrimony, or really constructive criticism, can shape the project and make it better.” Complicating the matter is the fact that the General Plan has not been approved by voters in two decades. Both Ortega and Borowsky said residents need to be involved in crafting the new General Plan. Currently, a task force of residents who serve on 13 city boards and commissions are crafting a draft plan set to go to voters in 2021. Both Ortega and Borowsky said their plans would alleviate communication issues surrounding large developments and complaints from residents who have said they do not know about a project until it reaches the Planning Commission or City Council. Speaking on her neighborhood commission concept, Borowsky said,

“There’s no question in my mind that that would be a secondary benefit – it could be a principle benefit – of much earlier involvement and notification.” She said developers would benefit from the plan, too, by avoiding costly delays or, in the case of Southbridge Two, a citizen referendum that effectively cancels a project after the developer has spent a significant amount of time and money. “I just think that makes it a smoother process for all involved, and I think we avoid the debacles, blow ups and divisiveness and the community as we saw here at Southbridge Two,” Borowsky said. Both Ortega and Borowsky have floated others structural changes in the way the city reviews new developments as well. Ortega said the city needs to create a role for an “infrastructure czar” responsible for ensuring projects do not put too much strain on the city’s existing infrastructure. He acknowledged that some development deals have improvement requirements in place that often do not go far enough to address the strain the projects on existing infrastructure. In the case of Southbridge Two, Ortega long argued the project would overly tax the downtown’s roadways with too much traffic and overload the area’s sewer system. But Ortega said the blame for that issue goes beyond one project.

He said the blame actually lies with the City Council’s decision in 2018 to approve a new Old Town Character Area Plan that essentially called for “the creation of a new town with 30,000 people” in downtown Scottsdale. That plan, approved unanimously by Council, included allowances for increased density and heights in select downtown areas if developers achieved criteria outlined by the city to receive those bonuses. Ortega said those changes set the stage for development that would put “a gross, astronomical demand on infrastructure in the area.” Borowsky said the city should change the way it selects Planning Commission members, advocating that each member of the Council directly appoint a member. Currently, a Council majority must approve each one. Under that model, she said, the Council majority has too much say over who serves on the commission, which makes recommendations on zoning cases to council. Even with their critiques of the city’s development process, both candidates acknowledged certain areas of the city are in need of revitalization and voiced support for development and redevelopment that takes resident concerns into account. Borowsky said the goal should be to find middle ground between developer requests and what opposition leaders are looking for without giving too much power to either side. “The test should be: Does it enhance Scottsdale? Does it enhance our community? Does it enhance our area?” she said. Ortega said the city should stick to its strict design guidelines that allowed it to maintain its identity as it grew from nearly 80,000 people in the 1980s to around 260,000 people residents today. He said that identity is rooted in low profile, low density design that respects open spaces and mountain views. “There’s a success story in terms of design character and growth, and you still have the core of Scottsdale, which is valuable, and it’s just like the center of a growth ring,” Ortega said. “That’s where the character originated from.”

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

Controversial fields-parking project moving along BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor

he City of Scottsdale is moving forward with design work on the most expensive – and controversial – project included in the $319-million bond package approved by voters in 2019. The project will meet a need for more lighted fields for sports like football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and rugby while also addressing a looming special event parking shortage. When completed, the $40-million project will include up to 13 multi-use sports fields east of Loop 101 and Bell Road that will double as special event parking for major events the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament and Barrett-Jackson car auction at WestWorld. For years, golf tournament, auction and other WestWorld

BARS from front

events used parts of hundreds of acres of vacant state trust land in the area to park thousands of visitors, but it’s unclear how much longer that will be a viable option as the state continues to auction land. In 2018, Nationwide purchased a 134-acre parcel for its Cavasson development and the state is selling off another 74 acres this month. At a meeting of City Council’s Capital Improvement Plan Subcommittee in 2019, City Manager Jim Thompson said the city “could find ourselves challenged” for parking in the near future if it does not replace that parking. According to current plans, the project will be constructed in two phases. The first phase will include six fields at the northwest corner of 94th Street and Bell Road and approximately 500 permanent

The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses also suspended their liquor licenses. According to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, investigators witnessed violations of ADHS guidelines prohibiting dancing or standing around and requiring social distancing, mask wearing and table occupancy limits. “Detectives will continue to enforce public health orders and take immediate actions against licensees who are observed showing general disregard for the welfare and safety of others,” said DLLC Director John Cocca, a former 30-year Scottsdale Police officer. Representatives for Bottled Blonde and Casa Amigos declined comment. The shut down orders came just days after the state and county gave some bars, gyms, waterparks and movie theaters permission to reopen after the level of COVID-19 transmissions continued a downward trend in Maricopa County.

parking spaces. During special events, the 94th Street and Bell Road site could accommodate up to 3,000 to 3,500 cars when the fields function as parking stalls, Scottsdale Preserve Manager Kroy Ekblaw said at the meeting. The first phase will also include a DC Ranch community park northwest of the fields that will include an irrigation lake to hold reclaimed water from the city’s nearby water treatment plant. Phase One is now in the design phase, which will last about a year and there will be additional opportunities for public input. The second phase could include fields farther east near McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and Thompson Peak Pkwy. The city identified two possible sites, including one on the

see SOCCER page 10

The City of Scottsdale has started the design process on Phase 1 of a $40-million bond project to build 13 multi-use sports fields in northern Scottsdale that will double as event parking for major attractions like Barrett-Jackson and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. (City of Scottsdale)

State health officials were serious about bars following their direction and padlocked two joints in downtown Scottsdale last week to show how serious they are.

Only bars that serve food can reopen and they must limit capacity to 50 percent.

Dancing, karaoke and mingling in large groups are prohibited. The reprieve gave some bars the

chance to reopen for the first time since June when Gov. Doug Ducey shut down businesses that attracted large gatherings. His action came after photos of packed bars and clubs – many in Scottsdale – drew negative publicity to the state as it fought a spike in coronavirus cases. Over Memorial Day, videos showing packed pool parties and crowded bars at venues like Maya Day & Nightclub, W Scottsdale hotel and the INTL went viral over the long weekend, making headlines across the country. At the time, the Progress reported that Bottled Blonde had a dense crowd of patrons standing four to five people deep around its entire bar and people dancing in front of the DJ booth. In order to avoid a similar situation this time around, bars were required to sign reopening attestation forms issued by the state in which they agreed to abide by requirements issued by the ADHS on Aug. 10. The 12-page document includes a lit-

see BARS page 12

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

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eastern edge of the WestWorld property and another near McDowell Mountain Ranch Park. “This Bell Road site was selected because its city owned land, while the WestWorld and McDowell Mountain Ranch location included both state and private ownership parcels which needed to be purchased, which would require more time to complete,” Scottsdale spokeswoman Erin Walsh said, adding that Phase One efforts on the West Bell Road parcel allows for completion of the fields in the next 12 to 18 months. The project’s second phase will include between four and seven fields located at the easternmost end of the WestWorld property, not the park property. That site could accommodate between 3,000 and 3,500 special event parking stalls, Ekblaw said. Much of that site is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and managed by the city but portions are owned privately or by the state. The city currently has room on lands under its control to build four fields at the WestWorld site and is negotiating to purchase the remaining parcels. “If the city is unsuccessful in acquiring the additional land, it will need to find an alternate location for the remaining fields,” according to the city’s website. The fields and parking project comprised the only item in the 2019 bond package that did not receive support by at least 50 percent of residents who submitted comments online or attended six open houses in spring 2019. But the Capital Improvement Plan Subcommittee voted in favor of keeping it in March 2019. At the time, subcommittee members Suzanne Klapp, Guy Phillips and Kathy Littlefield expressed concern that low support was due to the fact that early outreach stated the project would ‘“build parking lots…to support special events” but made no mention of the sports fields. “I had a lot of people come to me and say, ‘We’re going to spend all of this money on parking,’” Littlefield said. “I think it can be explained more clearly; I don’t think a lot of citizens knew what it was and why we were asking for so many millions of dollars for parking lots.” The project received some push back

when it reached Council. Both Councilwomen Linda Milhaven and Solange Whitehead supported a failed motion to remove all projects connected to WestWorld from the bond proposal. Milhaven also tried to reduce cut its funding to $20 million and suggested event organizers like Barrett-Jackson and The Thunderbirds should foot the bill for their own parking. “I think these events need to pay for their own parking,” Milhaven said. Still, it passed Council and was approved by voters as part of the larger $112.6-million bond question for parks and recreation that passed with 69 percent of the vote. In August, the Facebook page for Scottsdale Citizen, a website run by resident activist John Washington, criticized the project as “A thinly disguised taxpayerfunded subsidy for the already-heavily subsidized PGA and for Barrett-Jackson.” According to the city, discussions are ongoing with both Barrett-Jackson and The Thunderbirds. “The city has been and is continuing conversations with both Barrett Jackson and Thunderbirds about long term parking fees with a future agreement as end goal,” Walsh said. The project has also been criticized more recently by representatives from DC Ranch community that neighbors the Bell Road site, who claim they were misled. During the city’s campaign, Christine Irish, DC Ranch’s director of public affairs, said city staff assured her that the city was only considering fields on the western 40 acres of a larger 80-acre site at 94th Street and Bell. But now the city is considering using the eastern 40 acres as well. Jenna Kohl, DC Ranch’s executive director, said the eastern 40 acres border homes and residents are concerned about how the fields and event parking would affect their neighborhoods. Helm said the city is still considering its options on the eastern 40 acres. “The city is currently exploring a range of options that include city use of the property and possible sale of all or a portion of the property,” Walsh said. “The city will initiate a public process for review of any city use or propose a public process for sale of the property in the future when the facility needs in this area have been determined.”

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

State officials urge people get flu shots now

Last year, she said, the state saw more than 36,000 flu cases. She said the same recommendations health officials make for COVID-19 – washing your hands, wearing a mask, physical distancing and staying home when you feel sick – apply for those looking to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu. The difference is there is a vaccine for the flu that state residents can get right away. The state will increase reimbursement under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System – AHCCCS, the

state’s Medicaid program – to providers who offer flu shots to Medicaid recipients. It will also expand the availability of flu shots to various COVID testing sites around the state by late September, Ducey said. While the state was laying out its plans to battle the flu, Christ also pointed to advances in the fight against COVID-19. She said nine of the state’s 15 counties have met the threshold for some businesses to start reopening on a limited basis, and that more than 1,200 busi-

nesses have applied to do so. Those businesses must certify that they have a plan in place to safely reopen and agree to abide by state-mandated standards, including reduced occupancy, wearing masks unless eating or drinking, and enforcing physical distancing of at least 6 feet. Businesses that don’t live by the rules will be shut down, she said, pointing to two bars in Scottsdale and one in Tempe that were shut down over last weekend as a result of law enforcement investigations and a health department tip line for reporting violators. Actions against bars that violate reopening standards could include the revocation of their liquor license, she said. Christ also announced a partnership with Hanes, the clothing manufacturer, that will let students get up to five facemasks for themselves and their families through the health department. Steve Purves, president and CEO of Valleywise Health, said the best way for people to protect frontline COVID-19 health workers is to get a flu shot to prevent another disease outbreak. Doing so means abiding by the “tried and true procedures” people have grown accustomed in recent months, he said. “We’re all in this together,” Purves said. “And I thank Gov. Ducey and Dr. Christ for their teams of experts, for being such great partners here, and in helping us to keep Arizona going in the right direction.”

olating those signed attestations. In order to reopen, Bottled Blonde and Casa Amigos will need approval from both the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. “Once a liquor license is suspended, the

suspension will remain in effect pending proceedings for revocation, suspension, or other action by the Department of Liquor Licenses & Control or until such time as the licensee can demonstrate to the Department’s satisfaction that it is in compliance and will remain in com-

pliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders and the Department statutes referenced in the Suspension Order,” said department spokesman Jeffery Trillo. Then, the bars will have to receive approval to reopen from ADHS following an appeals process, Trillo said.

BY JOSH ORTEGA Cronkite News

rizona officials Monday laid out a plan for “aggressively” combating the upcoming influenza season as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, with the first step being to urge people to get a flu shot as soon as possible. The state plans to increase funding for Medicaid recipients to get flu shots, combine flu-shot sites with coronavirus testing facilities, and more, while also advocating many of the same measures meant to head off the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Doug Ducey and Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said officials have always taken flu season seriously but that “the overlap with COVID-19 this year presents greater challenges than the typical flu season.” Ducey warned that a bad flu season on top of the COVID-19 pandemic presents “a perfect storm” of potential health problems. Officials warned that flu seasons in years past have inundated hospitals, similar to the peak of the COVID-19 cases the state saw this summer, but that flu vaccines remain a surefire way to keep those hospitalizations low. “With this upcoming flu season, and with COVID-19 still circulating in our communities, there’s a potential that our health care system could become overwhelmed,” Christ said.

BARS from page 8

any of requirements, including that bars enforce six-foot social distancing and require all staff and patrons to wear masks. According to the ADHS, Bottled Blonde and Casa Amigos were shut down for vi-

Gov. Doug Ducey and health services Director Dr. Cara Christ last week stressed the importance of Arizonans getting ﬂu shots as soon as possible. (Capitol Media Services)

Tell our readers about your opinions. Send letters to the editor to pmaryniak@scottsdale.org

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low zone with more than 10 new cases per 100,000 residents. The district’s ZIP codes meet the green benchmarks in the other two metrics – which uses 12-day-old data by the time the county updates the metrics every Thursday afternoon. However, the numbers in specific zip codes show some concerning trends. For instance, the percent positive rate jumped week over week in 85251, 85257, 85259, 85253 and 85028. The most significant increases came in

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

85257, where the rate jumped from 5.8 percent to 8 percent, and 85028, where the rate jumped from 0 to 7.69 percent. The district also saw cases per 100,000 residents rise in 85018, 85253, 85028 and 85281. The most significant increases came in 85253 (5.31 to 26.54), 85028 (9.51 to 42.82) and 85281 (51.37 to 82.77). Over the past several weeks, the district received hundreds of emails from families voicing their opinions on how it should move forward but there was little consensus on what the next step should be. “Many people have said that they’re

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speaking for the silent majority, but they’ve said that on both sides of the equation,” Menzel said. Last week, about 75 parents, including state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, gathered an hour before the meeting holding signs and chanting in favor of a full return to school. Many signs asked the board to vote “no” on the hybrid plan. Jill Cooper, who has two sons at Cheyenne Traditional School, said she wants her kids back in the classroom for a “full education,” calling online learning “watered down.” “It’s not one-size-fits all and some struggle more than others,” Cooper said, noting that some students are also struggling with mental health issues due to isolation and lack of stability. Cooper advocated for a full return to the classroom. “It feels like a bait-and-switch,” Cooper said. “They promised something that we go would go back when the benchmark is green, and it is…they said we would go back and now it feels like moving the goal posts.” One family showed up in counterprotest, holding signs with phrases like “Teachers’ Lives Matter,” “Don’t Spread on Me” and “If you refuse a mask…your kids don’t get class”. About one in five people wore a mask during that protest. The hybrid model also received a mixed response from the school board, though most of the members seemed inclined to vote in-favor of it if a majority of families indicate that is what they want. Sandy Kravetz said nothing will replace in-person learning, but the district has to do what is best for students and minimize risk. Kravetz said she would support consolidating the hybrid timeline to get more children back in the classroom quickly. Vice President Patty Beckman said she was not in favor of the half-day model due to logistical issues it could pose for families, especially those with multiple children on different schedules. But Beckman said parents deserved a chance to weigh in before the board decided whether or not to move forward with a hybrid return. Perleberg was more hesitant to endorse the hybrid plan, citing concerns that it would not do enough to address problems voiced by parents.

“Especially as so much feedback we’ve been getting over these last few weeks – the cries for in person because their student needs it, the cries for online because their student needs it,” Perleberg said. “I just don’t understand how that addresses those different (problems) and our students’ learning, which is what we’re tasked with,” Perleberg added. She also voiced concern that the survey sent to parents would be misleading if it did not include information on the potential drawbacks of each proposed plan. Perleberg also pushed back at arguments by other members that the board essentially had two choices: adopt the hybrid model or wait until the district qualifies for full return under the state benchmarks. Beckman pointed out that the board itself left the district with only those options, because if the district fully reopened under the current conditions it would violate the state guidelines the board adopted on Aug. 25. Perleberg said she would like the board to revisit its adoption of the state metrics. Board member Jann-Michael Greenburg asked why the district did not consider a full return to school for K-1 students, who typically struggle most in the online environment. Menzel said he worried specifically about those younger students but that the full return for those grades was not possible under the state benchmarks. “What keeps me up – what makes me really struggle – is our kindergarten (through second grade) kids that really need in-person instruction,” Menzel said. “Because I think we can limp along, not optimal, for middle school and high school kids…I really struggle with our youngest learners.” While a full return for lower would qualify as a hybrid return because older students would still be off campus, Menzel said the district would not be able to comply with social distancing recommendations. The county suggests districts under the hybrid model keep students six feet apart at all times – something Menzel said is not possible in full classes. He said the board could vote at a future meeting to allow for the early return of younger students by approving an exception to remove the six-foot requirement.

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CITY NEWS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

Tight Census deadline catches cities by surprise BY GARY NELSON Progress Contributor

ith millions of dollars and equitable political representation at stake, Chandler and other East Valley cities are rushing to complete their 2020 census efforts in the face of a suddenly tight deadline imposed by the Trump administration. Tens of thousands of East Valley households already had responded to the census by mid-August, answering either online, by phone or by mail to the constitutionally mandated head count. But many more remain to be counted. By city, response rates ranged from 74.6 percent in Gilbert to 61.1 percent in Tempe – with widely varying rates from neighborhood to neighborhood. Chandler also had a strong showing, with a 70.4 percent response rate. Scottsdale came in at 63.9 percent, and Mesa at 62.5 percent. The great majority of those responses were filed online, a new option this year.

Chandler last month use an Italian ice truck to get the word out about the advancing deadline for completing the U.S. Census questionnaire. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

The final numbers will have a big impact on civic life for the next decade. Hundreds of billions of dollars flow from the federal government to the states each year, divvied up by population. That money undergirds vital services

such as airports, public transportation, schools and hospitals. An undercounted city will get less per resident than one with a better census response rate. More than that, census data actually helps cities make decisions with a deep

impact on individual neighborhoods. Scottsdale uses it, for example, to determine where new fire stations, parks and other facilities are needed. Political representation also is at stake. Each state’s number of representatives in the U.S. House is allotted by population, and fast-growing Arizona could add a 10th congressional district based on this year’s count. Congressional and legislative district boundaries are redrawn every 10 years based on census data, and Mesa does the same with its six City Council districts. “The census does touch every single person,” said Leah Powell, who oversees Chandler’s census outreach efforts. “Of course, there is the representation at the federal level,” she said. “But boiling it down to, if you drive down the street or freeway, you’re driving on roads that. It really touches every person’s life.” This year’s count is taking place against the unique and disruptive backdrop of a global pandemic.

see CENSUS page 17

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CENSUS from page 16

The U.S. Census Bureau drastically curtailed operations between March and early June as COVID-19 swept the country. In the springtime the agency sought congressional permission for four-month extensions of its deadlines for submitting reapportionment data to the president and the states. The U.S. House approved the deadline extensions as part of a new COVID relief package in May, but the bill stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Then, in early August, the bureau announced it would end its counting efforts one month earlier than expected, on Sept. 30. In the meantime, President Trump also issued a memorandum seeking to prevent “illegal aliens” from being counted. Those two actions raised concerns in some quarters that minority populations might be under-counted, depriving their cities of much-needed funding. Minority-heavy neighborhoods with higher poverty levels struggle even in the best of years to match the census response rates of more affluent areas. Scottsdale officials did not respond to questions about what they are doing to in-

crease the response rate in the city. Census Bureau data shows, for example, that self-response rates in Mesa’s heavily Hispanic Broadway corridor ranged from 45 percent to 51 percent in mid-August. By contrast, a census tract in affluent south Tempe showed a response rate of 87 percent. City Councilman Francisco Heredia said he was happy with Mesa’s self-response rate of 62.5 percent as of mid-August. Mesa’s rate of response actually exceeds that of the 2010 census, said Heredia, who has been leading the city’s census task force since it was formed in late 2018. “We can always do better, but we had a goal of meeting the 2010 count and in the times we’re living in, I think we’re doing a solid job right now,” Heredia said. Census mop-up work is now in the hands of federal enumerators who have been knocking on doors. But Heredia said the city is pressing its own bilingual outreach and informational campaigns to encourage a tally that he expects will show Mesa has grown to a city of some 520,000 people. “We just finished a text-messaging and phone campaign that targeted hard-toreach communities in west Mesa that were having a sluggish return,” Heredia said.

Kelsey Perry, community engagement coordinator for the town of Gilbert, said the town’s census efforts have focused on digital outreach. “Even before the pandemic we were such a digitally focused town anyway,” Perry said. She said nearly 97 percent of Gilbert households have broadband connections, “so it just works for us.” Perry does not expect the shorter deadline to negatively affect Gilbert’s final count. “It just refocused us to ensure that we are maximizing our efforts now,” she said. Chandler’s outreach efforts have been creative and multifaceted. The city supplied 3,000 kids in low-response areas with backpacks that contained flyers urging their parents to turn in their census forms. In late August an ice cream truck was deployed to get out the message. And it’s not just older parts of town that needed prodding, Powell said. “There’s also areas that have large apartment complexes, some of which were probably not even there when the 2010 census was done. Those are a little more challenging. We’ve been reaching out to multifamily complexes to try to see what partnerships we can have,” Powell said. “We’re sharing the message with people

at this point that you can stop the visit from an enumerator by filling out your census,” she said. “We know that with everything going on in the world today, with COVID, that people are probably not real eager to answer their doors.” Powell said the federal decision to cut the census short by a month has added to the pressure of her job. “It’s certainly making things more challenging,” she said. “We are feeling like we are really at the 11th hour here … Unfortunately I’m afraid that it may have taken away some opportunities that perhaps would have been there” to ensure that everyone gets counted. Heredia also lamented the shorter deadline, calling it “unfortunate.” “I hope it’s not politically driven,” he said. “It’s something we didn’t want. This happens only once in 10 years and we need to get it right.” Still, Heredia said, after speaking with the Census Bureau “I feel somewhat confident that they have a good game plan.” “The census is so important for our federal funding allocations for a multitude of programs affecting schools, our city, our infrastructure,” Heredia said. “So we definitely need to make sure everybody gets counted.”

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Nonprofit horses around with reading program BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

hen Terry Holmes-Stecyk’s miniature horses aren’t taking a quick swim in a nearby swimming pool to cool off amid tripledigit temps, they’re Zooming with children worldwide. “They’re not cooperative little actors all the time,” Holmes-Stecyk said of her horses. “But, fortunately, they’re good little kids.” Holmes-Stecyk is the founder of Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Equine Mini Therapy, a Scottsdalebased, equine-assisted non-profit that offers a literacy promotion program where young readers can read to mini horses – and Holmes-Stecyk’s one donkey – at libraries and schools. When COVID-19 hit, however, and senior facilities and libraries closed their doors to all reading sessions and assisted equine therapy visits, Holmes-Stecyk didn’t temporarily suspend the program. She dressed the mini horses and donkey in their best, on-camera attire and went virtual. Tender Little Hearts’ virtual Mini Tales reading program allows kids to read to the mini horses – Mazy, Dolly and Boone – either via the 10-minute video on the non-profit’s website or via live one-on-one Zoom readings. “This unique experience is intended to build confidence in young readers because, after all, a diminutive equine isn’t going to pass any judgement but will simply ‘listen,’” Holmes-Stecyk said. Since the virtual offering launched at the end of June, the video has been viewed more than 1,000 times by children in Scottsdale and beyond. Not only has the video reached readers in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, but “Cross-

Zach Bertilson reads to his 3-year-old son, Caleb, while the Tender Little Hearts’ Mini Tales “Read to a Mini” video plays on the laptop. (Tender Little Hearts)

nore School & Children’s Home in North Carolina, an in-home school for Appalachian children and at-risk children, have picked it up and are using it in their cottage,” Holmes-Stecyk said. Kids have told Holmes-Stecyk that they not only like watching the mini horses as they read, but that it’s also an easy, fun way for them to get in their required

“As a homeschool parent of three kids 7 and under, there’s a lot of juggling involved. Tender Little Hearts Read to a Mini program is a fun and helpful resource for kids and parents, to promote independent reading in an interactive way.”

reading minutes for school. “As a homeschool parent of three kids 7 and under, there’s a lot of juggling involved,” said Sarah Toy of Rio Verde Foothills. “Tender Little Hearts Read to a Mini program is a fun and helpful resource for kids and parents, to promote independent reading in an interactive way.” The video – which is also available for viewing on Maricopa County’s library system, where it’s viewed an average 30 times a day – is intentionally 10 minutes long. “We purposely created it for 10 minutes so that it would reach a broad group of people or children,” HolmesStecyk said. “They say one minute of reading per age is about average. So, 5-, 6-year-olds are the younger readers – up to 10.” The live Zoom readings and therapy sessions, on the other hand, allow for a

more one-on-one, personal experience. So far, Holmes-Stecyk has booked 10 live Zoom sessions, which are typically 25 minutes long. “It was just neat for them to be able to actually see the mini again and do a little bit more one-on-one, and they can ask questions,” she said. In addition to offering the video and Zoom readings, Holmes-Stecyk has welcomed visitors to the mini horses’ Scottsdale home, where families can come pet and groom the minis. “They walk the minis. They read to the minis. We have done just a handful of one-on-ones where we’ve actually allowed a family to come themselves as a family unit,” she said. “Of course, we completely disinfect all of the brushes and everything afterwards. So, we have allowed a little of that to give the horses that socialization.” Of course, Tender Little Hearts can’t wait to return to schools and libraries, including TK, where they were welcomed once a month per venue. “We had 600 children at Desert Willow Elementary School [a collaborative effort with children’s book author, Claudine Song] that participated, and we’d love to be able to go back,” Holmes-Stecyk said. “I think now having this virtual reading program is going to hopefully promote them to want to read a book to the miniature horses themselves,” she added. Tender Little Hearts will keep the 10-minute video up on their website indefinitely. The team is also working on creating read-along videos, where the mini horses or the donkey will read the story. “I’m Dolly, my husband [Don Stecyk] is Maserati, and our director of our 501c3, Cindy [Gibson] is our Boone,”

see HORSES page 19

NEIGHBORS

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

HORSES �� page 18

Holmes-Stecyk said of their in-house voiceover work. The split-screen video will show the horse or donkey reading on one side and the text on the other, so kids can read along. “I see that going even further, especially with the younger readers and maybe even children where English is a second language and being able to hear the word, the phonemics of it, and read along with them,” Holmes-Stecyk explained. “We’re excited about that.” They hope to launch it within the new few weeks. Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Equine Mini Therapy was founded in March 2019 after a similar non-profit, Mobile Minis, moved their facility to Pennsylvania in 2016. Holmes-Stecyk was a volunteer for said non-profit. “When [Mobile Minis] moved back east, I saw that there was such a void in the reading program. There are several people that do therapy, but the reading program, so many people loved it and [asked], ‘Are you bringing Mini Tales

Kids can read to Tender Little Hearts’ Mini Tales miniature horses — Mazy, Dolly, and Boone — either via the 10-minute video on the non-proﬁt’s website or via live Zoom readings, like Boone is seen here doing. (Tender Little Hearts)

back?’ So, I decided to incorporate and offer that again,” she said. Organized exclusively as an equine therapy outreach for children and adults, Tender Little Hearts offers literacy ser-

vices and encourages kids to read. The nonprofit also provides assisted therapy activities for a wide range of people, from children and adults with special needs, development issues or

disabilities, and veterans with PTSD or in need of emotional relief therapy to hospices, hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities, senior care centers, memory care facilities and more. “The reasons they are such wonderful therapy animals is because they do want to engage with a human; and they’re also very curious animals,” Holmes-Stecyk explained. The non-profit’s therapy animals are qualified through the Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association and American Miniature Therapy Horse Organization and registered as therapy animals with Register My Service Animal. The same month the virtual offerings launched, Holmes-Stecyk was honored by the Arizona State Society Daughters of the American Revolution for Outstanding Service by a Chapter Member in Literacy Promotion. She was also the first-place winner of both the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Southwest Division and first place as the National winner of NSDAR’s Literacy Promotion Contest. Information: tenderlittlehearts. org.

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Restaurants hail Harkins' reopening BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

hen Harkins Theatres reopened its Valley theaters Aug. 28, moviegoers had an appetite for more than a heaping bucket of buttery popcorn with a Coke-�illed Harkins Loyalty Cup on the side to wash it all down. Surrounding restaurants also reaped the bene�its of the Scottsdale theater chain’s reopening. For example, at Cien Agaves, a taco-andtequilas restaurant located mere steps from the Harkins at Scottsdale 101 entrance, sales were up 15 percent Friday through Sunday compared to the previous weekend. “It impacts us quite a bit,” owner Roque Jimenez said of Harkins’ reopening. AZ Kabob, a �ine Persian cuisine restaurant also in the Scottsdale 101 shopping complex, saw a tremendous boost in sales as well. “And frankly, I did not know that the movie theater had opened,” owner Nizam Missaghi said with a laugh, adding that they had a 20 to 30 percent boost in sales. “The weekend sales were particularly very strong,” Missaghi said. “We saw an improvement.” Cien Agaves understandably relies heavily on Harkins foot traf�ic. When Jimenez expanded the Cien Agaves brand in 2017, he speci�ically opened restaurant No. 2 in front of the movie theater because of its prime location. “The theater is integral to the success of our restaurant,” Jimenez said. “We are the main restaurant right in front of the movie theater, and it was one of the things that drew us to this location.” The boost in foot traf�ic gave Jimenez hope for the future of the Scottsdale 101 shopping center. “More important than anything is hav-

Patrons who might pass on a Loyalty Cup at the Harkins at Scottsdale 101 can get a 56-ounce Gigante Margarita at nearby Cien Agaves restaurant. (Cien Agaves)

ing that sense of people walking around and the normalcy of people coming in,” Jimenez said. “I had a lot of customers say it was the �irst time coming out and doing anything other than picking up fast food or something.” “They said it was their �irst time at a movie, their �irst time sitting at a restaurant, and they were at our restaurant because they were going to a movie,” he added. While the theater did provide a muchneeded boost in foot traf�ic to nearby food establishments, both Missaghi and Jimenez said lunch sales continue to suffer. “There’s just less people around to use the restaurants for their lunch needs,” Missaghi said.

“The daytime lunch business in the shopping center has really been hurt – lunch and happy hour – because that was dependent on a lot of the of�ice buildings around our shopping center,” Jimenez added. Nearby businesses include American Express, Choice Hotels International, Republic Services, and more. “And they’re obviously not back in their of�ices yet,” Jimenez said. “But, now that people are going to matinees and movies in the early afternoon, they come in and have drinks or food and it helps out all parts of our day — afternoon, night,” he added. A boost in business à la Harkins isn’t the only thing Cien Agaves and AZ Kabob have

in common. Both were one of a few Scottsdale restaurants that installed plexiglass partitions between booths. “It’s actually very impressive,” Missaghi said of AZ Kabob’s plexiglass, which cost the owner $7,000. “You literally will be in glass cubicles when you’re sitting, with an opening that’s about 3-feet that allows for people to come in and out. It basically contains the air within this space, and I think it’s useful in enhancing social distancing,” he continued. Cien Agaves has about 15 booths walled off with permanently installed glass partitions. “It looks really nice, but it’s also a very safe feeling when you go in a booth that’s basically all walled off,” Jimenez said. Both owners said they believe their patrons feel safe because they space guests apart per CDC guidelines, in addition to other implemented health and safety protocols. “Unfortunately, there’s still restaurants that probably don’t space out where they should, but we’ve made it a point to space out people at least 6 feet,” Jimenez said. Opening weekend included new �ilms such as Marvel’s “The New Mutants,” “Unhinged” with Russell Crowe, and the 10th anniversary rerelease of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception.” This weekend, the much-anticipated “Tenet” starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson was slated to show after months of delay – and Jimenez is hopeful this new release will mean even more business for his northern Scottsdale restaurant. “I think this week is going to either be busier because now we’re going to have 'Tenet' and some of the bigger blockbusters coming out,” he said. Information: azkabob.com, cienagaves.com

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Tenant/landlord assistance programs are needed BY MICHELLE LIND Progress Guest Writer

rizona businesses continue to be affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Particularly hard-hit are those individuals whose business is the ownership and management of rental homes throughout the state. As tenants struggle to make ends meet, landlords were mandated by an executive order to adjust their rent collections schedules, allowing tenants upwards of eight months abeyance on payments. While this order provided needed relief to the tenants, it created additional hardship for the landlords, whose own financial stability often relies on the income generated from these rental properties.

And although no rent was collected, the landlords were still expected to meet their �inancial obligations. Arizona Realtors is dedicated to the protection of private property rights. As such, we question why the available �inancial pandemic assistance to both those living in rental homes and the owners obligated to make mortgage payments and pay taxes, insurance, and maintenance fees on those homes have not been widely distributed. The Arizona Department of Housing’s rental assistance program has only $5 million in available funding. These funds are not legislative or federal COVID-19 relief funds. More than $12 million in rental assistance applications have been submitted, and only 7 percent of those applications have been processed. To make matters worse, only about $2.1 million of the allocated $10 million has been provided to those in need.

Nearly �ive months after landlords and tenants began facing hardship, the need continues to escalate. Retirees, families, individuals, couples and small businesses have invested substantial portions of their life savings in real estate. These owners are not big companies turning a pro�it; they are real people struggling in the same ways renters are struggling to stay a�loat �inancially. The governor’s eviction moratorium has deprived these small property owners of the income they need. If the state and local government funds are at appropriate levels to address the needs of tenants in the form of rental assistance and landlords in the form of foreclosure prevention – as stated by the Governor’s Office – then there is no need for an eviction moratorium. This is necessary only because funds are far below an appropriate level and

Letters

the government is not dedicating the resources to award quali�ied applicants assistance at the appropriate speed. Arizona Realtors continues to advocate in every way possible to get available �inancial pandemic assistance to both those living in rental homes and the property owners. We continue to ask Gov. Ducey to heed calls to properly fund and implement effective and accessible tenant and landlord assistance programs so that evictions and foreclosures are not tomorrow’s reality. Property owners across the state have done so much to support Arizona’s more than 920,000 rental households. It is now time for the Governor’s Of�ice to do its part to properly fund tenant and property owner assistance programs. Michelle Lind is CEO of Arizona Realtors, the largest trade association in Arizona and representing approximately 52,000 Arizona realtors.

Former councilman urges vote for Little

y wife Sandy and I have lived in Scottsdale for over 50 years. I was fortunate to have served on the City Council for two terms during the 1980s. We love this community and have a strong interest in the individuals who run for positions on Council. We are supporting and urge your support for John Little to be elected to one of the three council seats in this November’s election. Since moving to Scottsdale from Minneapolis in 1985, John has been very

active as a volunteer in our community. He serves on the board of directors of the Miracle League of Arizona, a very special agency helping those less fortunate individuals who enjoy playing baseball. He has sold programs for the Scottsdale Charros at spring training games, raising money for Scottsdale Charities. His band, “Rain” has entertained diners at the St. Vincent de Paul dining room. These are just a few of the volunteer

activities John has been involved in to make Scottsdale a better community. John has had an extensive career serving the citizens of Scottsdale in a variety of leadership roles when working for the City of Scottsdale. He was chief of staff for our beloved late Mayor Herb Drinkwater and later served as Scottsdale city manager. In that role, he managed a 2,600-member work force with a billion-dollar operating budget. He served during the 2008 economic

downturn, instituting deep pay cuts and reducing the size of government without reducing city services. As we all know, Scottsdale again is faced with a significant economic challenge due to COVID-19. John’s past experience will be invaluable as a member of the Scottsdale City Council. These are just a few of the many reasons Sandy and I are supporting John Little for one of the three seats on Scottsdale City Council. -Jim Bruner

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Brian McKnight hits stage solo in Scottsdale BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Progress Staff Writer

t’s undeniable that Brian McKnight has a knack for writing love songs. Before he met his wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza, eight years ago, however, the R&B balladeer had never known love. “All the songs before her, they were never about anyone,” he said. “I’ve never written about anyone before. Nobody ever did it for me. Having a muse now, for the last eight years, I don’t have to think about writing. The words just materialize. She is my heart.” Released June 26, his latest album “Exodus” is an ode to his love of Mendoza, most notably the song “Nobody.” The video features footage of their wedding three years ago. The couple met at a �itness convention in Los Angeles in 2012. McKnight invested in a �itness product and she was a Hawaiian Tropic model signing autographs. “We met and it was love at �irst sight,” said McKnight, best known for the song “Back at One” “She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life—the most beautiful woman anyone’s seen in anyone’s life. “To make her want to like me or talk to me…I must have done something right.” McKnight will bring those songs to town when he plays two drive-in shows at WestWorld of Scottsdale Polo Fields on Friday, September 18. “I’m absolutely looking forward to it,” he said. “Six months is the longest time in my career I’ve gone without doing a show. I have new music that I haven’t been able to play since this all happened. It will be amazing.” The show will feature only McKnight on keyboards and guitar. (The multiinstrumentalist also plays bass, drums, percussion, trombone, tuba, �lugelhorn and trumpet.)

R&B balladeer Brian McKnight will be bringing his love songs to WestWorld later this month. (Special to the Progress)

“The cool thing is it’s just me,” he said. “It’s a solo show—no band, no real pomp and circumstance. It’s very in your face and personal. It’ll be interesting. We’ll see how far away the cars are going to be. It’s just going to be great to play these songs and sing for this audience. None of us could have foreseen how this would all play out.”

Born in Buffalo, McKnight began his musical career in childhood when he became a member of his church choir and a band leader for his high school, Sweet Home High School. By the age of 19, he signed his �irst recording deal with Mercury Records. In 1992, his self-titled album was released

followed by “I Remember You” (1995) and “Anytime” (1997). “Anytime” sold more than 2 million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999, McKnight released “Back at One” on Motown Records, which sold over 3 million copies. Along with several Grammy nominations, McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and Billboard Songwriter of The Year. “Exodus” just may follow suit. Eleven of its songs are about Mendoza. The 12th song, “Can’t Say Goodbye,” was written for Kobe Bryant, while song 13, a cover of Sting’s “Fragile,” is an ode to social injustice. “Historically, when people are being oppressed, great civilizations fall,” he said. “Everything is so fragile right now. I have hope for America. It has been resilient in the past. This is a reminder about as far as we’ve gone, we have quite a way to go. It took these events to remind us of that.” “Exodus” is McKnight’s �inal album, but that doesn’t mean it’s the �inal chapter in his music career, as has been frequently published. “In this day and age, when everything is singles driven, it’s not even a thing to put out an entire record. There are other ways—EPs and singles. As for putting out an entire album of new material, I’m not doing it again. In no way am I retiring, though.”

If You Go

Brian McKnight When: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sept. 18 Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale Polo Fields, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale Tickets: $160 to $300 per carload Info: rec.ticketforce.com/BrianMcKnight

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Kasai Steakhouse maintains its high energy BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Progress Staff Writer

hen Sapporo in Scottsdale rebranded as Kasai Japanese Steakhouse in November 2018, the move infused new energy into the 11,000-square-foot airy building. Owner Michael Russello said that energy hasn’t subsided. The teppanyaki restaurant had a facelift over the pandemic break from March 17 to July 1. “We took away other tables and added four teppanyaki tables, totaling 14,” Russello said. “Nowadays, people want more of the Japanese steakhouse. “We were busy last night. Guests were just having fun. It’s a dinner show where you forget about the world for a little while. I’m blessed with the best chefs around, which make me look good.” The teppanyaki tables seat 146. Previously, the tables were only at the back and sides of the restaurant. Now, with the addition of the four hoodless tables, teppanyaki is the dining room’s focal point. For teppanyaki, guests are treated to seven-course meals of shrimp starter, mushroom soup, house salad, fried rice, seasonal vegetables, protein and Dole Whip Hawaiian pineapple frozen dessert. Teppanyaki, which is cooked on hoodless grills, features a slew of options individually or in combinations—�ilet mignon ($36), New York strip ($34), sumo �ilet mignon ($48), sumo New York strip ($44), chicken breast ($20), soy-glazed tofu ($20), calamari steak ($24), salmon ($30), scallops ($34), shrimp ($28), sea bass ($42), lobster ($46) and Wagyu �ilet mignon ($70). There’s more to Kasai than teppanyaki, though. When Kasai reopened, it listed on its menu some old favorites, like the Misoyaki black code with eel sauce and togarashi butter ($18) and the Mongolian lamb chops with Asian slaw, coconut curry and beurre blanc ($24).

The Friends with Beneﬁts Roll ($14 for six to eight pieces) is spicy crab mix, tempura shrimp, cucumber, jalapeno, seared spicy salmon, eel sauce, spicy mayo and garlic butter. (Courtesy Kasai Japanese Steakhouse)

“We did reduce some items on the menu, though,” he said. “With coronavirus, you want to keep your inventory down. It’s a good amount of money sitting in inventory when you have to shut down. It’s not fun. “You’re going through a lot of product. You can’t just keep produce or fresh �ish around. I’m a foodie type of guy and every item we do right now is great. We do care about the appetizers. We have incredible sushi, too.” Russello couldn’t donate the leftover produce because the boxes were open. “When you have an open box, you’re not allowed to donate, I don’t think,” he said. “We’ll have 15 cases of eggs and it’s open. You’re not allowed to donate it. That was one thing I said when this thing started, they should have changed that rule.” Restaurants are nothing new to Russello. He also owns the ice cream shop, The Creek Cookies and Cream, at The Shops at Dynamite Creek, 28248 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite B1, Cave Creek. “We have raspberry Dole Whip there,” he said before quickly adding, “My focus is on

At Kasai Japanese Steakhouse, teppanyaki, guests are treated to seven-course meals of shrimp starter, mushroom soup, house Kasai and we want salad, fried rice, seasonal vegetables, protein and Dole Whip Hato grow the concept waiian pineapple frozen dessert. (Courtesy Kasai Japanese Steakhouse)

in the area. There are a couple of locations that we’re eyeing. We have Downtown Phoenix ready to go as soon as we want to pull the trigger. “We planned on taking over the space in June. With this hoodless teppanyaki grill it’s way better. We can go anywhere and do them. There’s no teppanyaki in Downtown Phoenix.” Colorful, potent drinks are a centerpiece as well, like the Violet Solstice, made with Hendricks Mid-Summer Solstice gin, crème de Violette, and fresh lemon juice ($14) or The P. King cocktail (in honor of original owner Patrick King, who lost his battle with melanoma earlier this year) made with Toki Japanese whiskey, lychee liqueur, fresh lime juice and a dash of bitters ($14). Whether it’s the bar, teppanyaki table or dining room, guests will be greeted by staff wearing masks. “We’re really abiding by the rules,” Russello said. “Everybody’s wearing the

masks. The chefs, they’re more strict than anybody in the building. It’s a little easier for us because we have a bigger place. It’s tough to be 50% in a smaller restaurant. We’re lucky that it’s a big space.” Kasai is still about having fun, though. “It’s high energy and we play fun music,” he said. “It’s not a place for a really quiet dinner. People yell at the tables. They’re just having fun. We have a great staff and they’re pushing the fun element, too.” This fall, Kasai will take a new turn. “I want to do brunch in the fall,” Russello said. “We’re starting to think about it right now. It’s a two-month process for a teppanyaki brunch. I want to �igure it out and get suggestions from the chefs. I think it could be a fun brunch place, too.” Kasai Japanese Steakhouse 14344 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-607-1114, kasaiscottsdale.com

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Public Notices

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NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on September 22, 2020, at 5:00 P.M. Until further notice, City Council meetings will be held electronically. While physical facilities are not open to the public, City Council meetings are televised on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search “live stream”) to allow the public to listen/view the meeting in progress.

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SCOTTSDALE.ORG Public Notices

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hold a public hearing on September 23, 2020, at 5:00 P.M in Scottsdale, Arizona. Until further notice, Planning Commission meetings will be held electronically. While physical facilities are not open to the public, Planning Commission meetings are televised on Cox Cable Channel 11 and streamed online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov (search “live stream”) to allow the public to listen/view the meeting in progress. Only written comments submitted electronically at least one hour prior to the meeting are being accepted. A written Public Comment may be submitted electronically to PlanningCommission@ScottsdaleAZ.gov 1-GP-2020 (5895 N. Granite Reef Road) Request by owner for a non-major General Plan amendment to the City of Scottsdale General Plan 2001 to change the land use designation from Mixed-Use Neighborhoods to Commercial on a +/- 1.1-acre site located at 5895 N. Granite Reef Road. Staff contact person is Jeff Barnes, 480-312-2376. Applicant contact person is Kurt Jones, 602-452-2729.

change the Greater Airpark Character Area Plan Future Land Use Map from +/- 47 acres of Airpark Mixed-Use Residential (AMU-R), +/13 acres of Airpark Mixed-Use (AMU), +/- 15 aces of Aviation (AV), to +/- 23-acres of Airpark Mixed Use-Residential (AMU-R),+/- 24-acres of Airpark Mixed Use (AMU), +/- 15-acres of Aviation (AV), and +/- 13-acres of Employment (EMP) on a +/- 75-acre site, located at 7440 and 7410 E. Sutton Dr., 7301, 7401, 7501, 7509, and 7511 E. Redfield Rd., and 13405 N. Scottsdale Rd. Staff contact person is Bryan Cluff, 480-3122258. Applicant contact person is Kurt Jones, (602) 452-2729.

5-ZN-2020 (Southdale) Request by owner for a Zoning District Map Amendment from Highway Commercial (C-3) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning, including a development plan and amended development standards for building stepbacks, encroachments into stepbacks and private outdoor living space, for a new 4-story mixed-use development, consisting of 267 residential units and 4,400 square feet of commercial floor area, on a +/- 4-acre site located at 7000 E. McDowell Road. Staff contact person is Greg Bloemberg, 480-312-4306. Applicant contact person is John Berry, 480-3852727.

14-ZN-2019 (Seventh Day Adventist Rezoning) Request by owner for a Zoning District Map Amendment from Single-family Residential (R1-35) and Industrial Park (I-1) to Planned Airpark Core Development, Airpark Mixed Use Residential (PCP/AMU-R) on 23-acres, Planned Airpark Core Development, Airpark Mixed Use (PCP/AMU) on 24-acres, Planned Airpark Core Development, Aviation (PCP/AV) on 15-acres, and Planned Airpark Core Development, Employment (PCP/EMP) on 13-acres, including approval of a development plan, all on a +/- 75-acres site located at 7440 and 7410 E. Sutton Dr., 7301, 7401, 7501, 7509, and 7511 E. Redfield Rd., and 13405 N. Scottsdale Rd. Staff contact person is Bryan Cluff, 480-312-2258. Applicant contact person is Kurt Jones, (602) 452-2729.

For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov search “Scottsdale Planning Case Files” or in your URL search bar you can type in https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/ bldgresources/Cases/

4-ZN-2020 (5895 N. Granite Reef Road) Request by owner for a Zoning District Map Amendment from Regional Shopping Center (C-S) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) zoning on a +/- 1.1-acre site located at 5895 N. Granite Reef Road. Staff contact person is Jeff Barnes, 480-312-2376. Applicant contact person is Kurt Jones, 602-452-2729.

5-TA-2019 (Planned Airpark Core (PCP) Text Amendment (7th Day Adventist) Request by applicant to amend the City of Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 455), for the purpose of amending Section 5.4006., Table 5.4006.A. (Use Regulations), to remove the Use Limitation of 50% of the ground floor building area of the development plan (Note 4), as it pertains to the Office land use in the AMU subdistrict of the Planned Airpark Core Development (PCP) zoning district. Staff contact person is Bryan Cluff, 480-312-2258. Applicant contact person is Kurt Jones, 602-452-2729.

4-GP-2019 (Seventh Day Adventist Non-Major General Plan Amendment) Request by owner for a non-major General Plan amendment to the City of Scottsdale General Plan 2001 to change the land use designation from Employment to Mixed-Use Neighborhoods on +/- 5-acres of a +/- 75-acre site, and a request for a non-major General Plan amendment to

6-ZN-2020 (Acoya Scottsdale at Shea (Ryan Redevelopment)) Request by owner for a Zoning District Map Amendment from Central Business (C-2) to Commercial Office (C-O) zoning on a +/- 3.5-gross-acre site located at 7373, 7375, and 7365 E. Shea Boulevard. Staff contact person is Jeff Barnes, 480-312-2376. Applicant contact person is Kurt Jones, 602-452-2729.

A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING Online at: http://www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/ Boards/planning-commission CHAIRMAN Attest Lorraine Castro Planning Specialist For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY MAY REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION BY CONTACTING THE CLERK’S OFFICE AT (480-312-7767). REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME TO ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION. FOR TTY USERS, THE ARIZONA RELAY SERVICE (1-800-367-8939) MAY CONTACT THE CLERK’S OFFICE AT (480312-7767). Published: Scottsdale 2020/32958

Progress,

Sept

1-TA-2020 (Medical Marijuana Hours of Operation Text Amendment) Request by applicant to amend the City of Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 455) for the purpose of amending Sections 1.403.M.1.g and 1.403.M.2.g to change the allowed hours of operation for medical marijuana uses from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Staff contact person is Greg Bloemberg, 480-312-4306. Applicant contact person is Lauren Niehaus, 303-827-9039. 15-ZN-2019 (Scottsdale & Dixileta) Request by owner for a Zoning District Map Amendment from Single-family Residential, Environmentally Sensitive Lands, Foothills Overlay (R1-70 ESL FO) zoning to Single-family Residential, Environmentally Sensitive Lands, Foothills Overlay (R1-43 ESL FO) zoning on a +/-17.52-acre site, located at the northwest corner of N. Scottsdale Road and E. Dixileta Drive. Staff contact person is Jeff Barnes, 480-3122376. Applicant contact person is John Berry/Michele Hammond, 480-385-2753. 2-AB-2020 (Scottsdale & Dixileta) Request by owner to abandon certain 33-foot General Land Office Patent (GLO) easement segments and the east 13-feet of the 33-foot (GLO) easement running along N. 71st Street, all within a +/-17.52-acre site, located at the northwest corner of N. Scottsdale Road and E. Dixileta Drive. Staff contact person is Jeff Barnes, 480-312-2376. Applicant contact person is John Berry/Michele Hammond, 480-3852753. For additional information visit our web site at www.scottsdaleaz.gov search “Scottsdale Planning Case Files” or in your URL search bar you can type in https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/ bldgresources/Cases/.

Public Notices

Project Name: Medical Marijuana Text Amendment Case Numbers: 1-TA-2020 Location: Citywide Purpose: Request by applicant to amend the City of Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 455) for the purpose of amending Sections 1.403.M.1.g and 1.403.M.2.g to change the allowed hours of operation for medical marijuana uses from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Staff contact persons: Greg Bloemberg, 480-3124306 email: gbloemberg@scottsdaleaz.gov Applicant contact person: Lauren Niehaus, 480948-3737 email: lniehaus@harvestinc.com A copy of the proposed amendments is available for review in Suite 105, 7447 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, call 480-312-7767 or enter case number at: https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/ bldgresources/Cases NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, will hear public comment regarding these cases at the hearing listed below: Hearing Date: September 22, 2020 @ 5:00 P.M. Location: Meeting will be held electronically and remotely Attest Melissa Berry Planning Specialist PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY MAY REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION BY CONTACTING THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT (480-312-2412). REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME TO ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION. FOR TTY USERS, THE ARIZONA RELAY SERVICE (1-800-367-8939) MAY CONTACT THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT (480-3122412). Published: Scottsdale Progress, Sept. 6, 2020 / 33004

A COPY OF A FULL AGENDA, INCLUDING ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND ANY MEETING LOCATION UPDATES, IS AVAILABLE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT THE FOLLOWING Online at: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/council/ meeting-information/agendas-minutes Published: Scottsdale Progress, Sept. 6, 2020 / 32978

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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

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Scottsdale Progress - 09-06-2020

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