January 24, 2014

Questions, comments, etc. regarding This Week's SCOV Report: If you have a question, comment or other response that you like to make regarding an item in this report, you may reply to this message. Depending on the nature of your response (comment, question, etc.), I will acknowledge your reply, answer your questions or take other appropriate action(s) in as timely a manner as possible.

Copper Health Oro Valley: An update on the Copper Health Oro Valley (formally Villa Fatima) project will be presented to the membership on January 27^th at 11:30 in the Auditorium. This should be a very informative session so if you're interested in the future of this project located at the corner of Sun City Blvd. and Rancho Vistoso Blvd., please plan on attending this function.

Pancake Breakfast and Pottery/Rugs: Come to the Pancake Breakfast and then see some great pottery and rugs. The Annual Pancake breakfast is a very fun and worthwhile event. For only five dollars, which is used for very worthy causes every year, you get more great tasting food than you can eat while socializing with your friends and neighbors. Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. in the Auditorium this Saturday, January 25^th. After or before your breakfast, stop by and enjoy the Pottery/Rugs show that starts at 9 a.m. in the Native American Rooms, a co-sponsored event between SCOV and the Spanish Cultural Club. Come again on Sunday the 26th to see all the beautiful pottery and rugs!

Rancho Vistoso Blvd. median landscaping: After a number of delays for various reason, the new plants are finally being installed. It's anticipated that the plant installation will take about a week. After this phase of the overall project is complete, work will begin on the second phase which is the area from about Green Tree to the bottom of the hill on Rancho Vistoso Blvd. If all goes well with the second phase, the plants should be installed in the spring.

It's important to use your card at the AFC: Even if the door is open at the AFC, please use your card before entering. Passing your card by the reader does the same thing that you use to do by signing in but it only takes a split second before you pass through the door. When a member uses his/her card, it provides data as to who entered the building and when. This information can be very helpful when determining future staffing, cleaning schedules and more. So, please bring your card and have it ready to pass by the reader before you enter.

Fitness Center finishing touches: Here's another reminder that we are working on many details such as hooks, benches, shelves, etc. Since opening the fitness center, there have been many requests for various finishing touches. These requests are not unexpected as there was a choice of completing all the details after construction was complete and before opening the fitness center or opening as soon as possible so that our members could have use of this beautiful new facility. The later choice was made knowing that there would be hooks to hang, benches to put in place and several other minor details to complete in order to provide all the proper conveniences. So, please be a bit patient and if you see something that needs to be done in the fitness center, feel free to email me or let Lonnie Davis or a department manager know about your request.

Board of Directors Information Packets Now Available Online: Here's another reminder about an excellent new way for our members to know about the Association's business matter. Prior to every meeting of the Board, including Study Sessions, administrative staff prepares a packet of information pertaining to the issues to be considered during the meeting and makes it available to the Directors.  The packet is also available in the library.  At its December meeting the Board acted on a recommendation from the Communications Committee and voted unanimously to make packets available online so as to provide another resource for residents to receive information about issues before the Board.  If you want to understand what your Board is doing and why, then looking at the documents in the packet is an important first step, regardless of whether you choose to attend Board meetings.

To access the packets go to the SCOV website (www.scovaz.com), click on Association, Board Meetings, and then 2013 - 2014 Board Packet or click here. Packets will be available approximately 3-5 business days before each meeting.  An email containing a link to the current packet will be sent when it is available, just as is now done when Board agendas and minutes become available.

Gravel in the Streets: Here's information from the Town of Oro Valley regarding the excess gravel in some of the streets:

Dear Mr. Mariani,

 Below is information for yourself and for the individual whom contacted you about this issue:

 Thank you again for contacting the Town in regard to loose gravel accumulating on the streets of Sun City Unit 10.

 First, I would like to provide information regarding the purpose of the Pavement Preservation Project and the treatment that was applied to your neighborhood streets, which may help you in your understanding of the road conditions. The Stress Absorbent Membrane (SAM) process was applied to the streets in your area because it will mitigate a variety of pavement distresses, as well as lengthen the life of the road surface at a minimal cost. The main goal is to seal the road surface in order to prevent water from getting into cracks, which ultimately causes potholes.

 Please note that SAM surfaces do require more maintenance than an asphalt surface during the first year due to the process in which it is applied. For example, the process begins with an emulsified oil mixture being applied to the road using a special spray truck. A layer of pre-coated rock (or chips) is subsequently applied by a spreader, which is then rolled to embed the chips into the oil emulsion mixture. The pre-coated chips have a maximum size of 3/8 inch and are utilized in order to regain skid resistance. As a result, the pre-coated chips improve the friction that would be non-existent if it were left with only a spray-applied emulsion. The old asphalt surface which was oxidized and cracked now has been protected.

 However, there is a balancing act that is unique to this type of application. A percentage of the chips do not adhere or embed completely and eventually become loose. Some gravel particles break loose under vehicle braking, turning movements, or fast acceleration. Bare spots will normally appear around areas where cars turnaround, pull out or go around curves. This shedding is quite normal for this type of surface treatment and will occur for several months. However, the pre-coated chips will stop shifting over time.

 Please note that the pavement treatment was not done incorrectly, but that the loose chips are actually a natural part of the treatment process. To mitigate the issue of these loose chips, the Town, is planning to apply a fog seal to your neighborhood streets in the fall.  In addition, the street sweeping crew will be servicing your area to clear up the existing loose rock starting tomorrow and will work through the weekend.

 Should you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

 Thank you,

 Brandon Laue

Constituent Services Coordinator / Management Assistant

Town of Oro Valley

11000 N. La Canada Drive

Oro Valley, Arizona 85737

(520) 229-4711

blaue@orovalleyaz.gov