2010 Accomplishments
The Green Valley Directory – Each year, the GVC compiles and updates where necessary all of the data relating to residents, both new and old, and delivers that data to AT&T for the ultimate publishing of the Directory. The GVC then directs and coordinates the delivery of the Directory to some 32,000 residents in the Greater Green Valley area. Volunteers from each Green Valley Homeowner association, the Marine Corps League and the Sahuarita Junior ROTC helped with delivery this year. The income from these two contracts amounts to two thirds of our annual budget, allowing us to keep member’s dues very low.
Needs Assessment Survey – The joint Needs Assessment Survey by GVC and Green Valley Recreation (GVR) has been completed. Results are available to all Green Valley organizations. In 2011 GVC Committees will be using the information to set goals. The GVC itself is working on a new Strategic and Marketing Plan. A copy of the Executive Summary is located on “Current Issues” tab under the “Members” tab.
Our Relationship with Pima County - The GVC Executive Board met with County Administrator Huckelberry, Asst. Administrator Bernal and all of the Public Works department directors here in Green Valley to discuss a better working relationship and major goals of both.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)– The Community Services commitee had two successful Household Hazardous Waste collection events. The HHW collection involves collaboration with SAV, BAJA and the Pima County/Tucson HHW Program. We set record collection amounts in our Spring collection.
Dispose-a-Med Program – The GVC Community Services Committee (CSC) created, sponsored and launched this program to allow Green Valley residents to dispose of their out-dated or unneeded medicines into collection boxes located at the three (3) fire stations located in the area. This avoids the disposal of meds into the aquifer and possible contamination of our water supply. The CSC had to close down the collection boxes to revamp the program to conform to the Drug Enforcement Agency’s idea of legal disposal of expired medications. The solution involves collaboration with the Town of Sahuartia Police Department. Volunteers from the CSC Committee now sort the collection box deposits at the Sahuarita Police Department. The rest of the procedures will remain the same.
Canoa Preserve Park – The CSC Committee supports the Canoa Preserve Park, the brainchild of BAJA (Born Again Jocks Assn). The Park is on the list of projects for the next County Bond issue. Even though Bond funding won’t be considered in the next year, many important basic levels have been accomplished.
Health Fair – The GVC is a co-sponsor of the Green Valley Health Fair held each year for the benefit of all residents. Well attended, the event provides information on a variety of health issues and includes free screening and testing. Additionally, Health & Human Services has been instrumental in the on-going discussions with major health providers in the Tucson area for more clinics in our area. There continues to be the “hospital dream.”
Health and Safety Programs – The Health and Human Services Committee (H&HS) had two first-time events that will lead to future health and safety programs in the community. 1) Arranging for pharmacist consults on whether or not a resident’s prescriptions interact with each other and 2) Collaborating with Pima County on Aging to offer classes on “A Matter of Balance” as part of their “fall prevention” program. Stemming from the success of this program, GVC and its Volunteer Clearinghouse has joined with Valley Assistance Services and the Green Valley Fire District to offer the “Safety and Health in Motion” project that will begin in 2011. The project was made possible because of a grant from Freeport McMoRan.
Saving our Air Monitor Facility – The GVC Environmental Committee initiated joint action between Pima Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) and Freeport McMoRan to replace the air monitoring facility atop the Fire District headquarters building after the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality unilaterally removed the equipment for elsewhere. The replacement facility will be operational in 2011.
Now Participating in USC/PUG – the GVC has been asked to participate in the Upper Santa Cruz/Providers and Users Group Planning Committee with a goal of area-wide cooperation to extend CAP water delivery to the southern end of Green Valley.
Dust Reduction – The Environmental Committee encouraged Freeport McMoRan to test a “crop dusting” technique application of magnesium chloride to “hot spots” in the McMoRan tailings ponds for dust reduction. Freeport used the techniques and plans to repeat in future years.
Transit System – The GVC, working with the Pima Association of Governments/Regional Transportation Authority and the Town of Sahuarita, has established a public transit system that will travel throughout the Green Valley – Sahuarita area and into Tucson on a regularly scheduled basis. This program, in the making by the GVC over a number of years, started in May of 2009. Schedules have been refined as each month’s tranportation figures are evaluated. One main schedule route has remained (the other two routes were discontinued due to lack of ridership) and the rest of the buses are used in a Dial-A-Ride program. Sun Shuttle ridership increased to 39,000 in the prior nine months.
Road Maintenance –Our Traffic and Arroyos Committee (T&A) meets monthly with the Pima County Department of Transportation officials to provide them with the details of public street repair and maintenance issues within Green Valley. This Committee handles over 100 Service Requests annually. And, also promotes needed road improvements coordinating with the county and state. La Cañada Drive from Continental to Duval Road was repaved and/or slurry sealed.The T & A Committee has worked closely with the County on all aspects of the East Frontage Road re-do which includes extending the Frontage Road south to join the I-19 Canoa Road interchange. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2010. Update 2011! Roads & Bridges Magazine chose the I-19/Canoa Road Interchange as 2nd in their Top Ten Road projects in 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALfTkQS49x8 .
We Have an Award Winning Road in Green Valley -
Bike Lane Project on Continental and White House Canyon Rd – The bike lane project that begins on East Continental Road and extends beyond Continental School will begin as soon as the County Continental Road reconstruction has finished. The Santa Cruz Bicycle Advocate Committee (SCVBAC) applied for and won a grant for this project several years ago and after a long, long wait we will see it finished in 2011!
Planning and Architectural (P&A)– As the name implies, GVC’s Planning and Architectural Committee is given the opportunity through the Pima County Department of Development to review and make recommendations on all proposed residential and commercial/industrial projects within the boundaries of Green Valley. There is a Green Valley resident on the County’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Projects reviewed by the Committee in 2009 and 2010 included in Residential Development – Canoa Ranch South Master Subdivision, the Villas at Canoa Ranch and the Estates at Canoa Ranch. As for Commercial Projects, they included Progressive Physical Therapy, Gasoline Alley on Camino Casa Verde and Green Valley Cooling and Heating also on Camino Casa Verde. Other projects requiring Committee review included the Fire Station No. 151 on La Canada, the Town of Sahuarita Mission General Plan and the Town of Sahuarita Sign Ordinance Amendments.
Developers, Planning a Project in Green Valley? – You will find the following statment on the Pima County site that is accessed by all developers, contractors, etc: “If your project is located in Green Valley, please submit a copy of plans to the Planning & Architectural Committee of the Green Valley Council concurent with plan submission to the County.”
GVC Workshops – The GVC provides workshops periodically for its members on such subjects as: 501C4 Tax Status; Tenants in an HOA; Legal Issues within the HOA; Road Maintenance; Recruiting HOA Board Members and other common issues. Each year, Officer training is offered to those new in leadership positions within their HOA.