Carefree Truth
Issue #812, February 10, 2020
During Current Events, Mayor Les Peterson presented updates on several ongoing issues. The Town has been working with the Sheriff's Office to restrict speeding, which has been getting out of hand. The primary areas of focus are Tom Darlington Drive, Cave Creek Road, and Stagecoach Pass. In the 45 days before the Council meeting, 65 stops were made, resulting in 60 citations. Word is getting out to "settle it down".
The pedestrian crosswalks study is proceeding. There have been some "near misses" in the crosswalks. The results of the study will be presented once they are received, which should be shortly.
Bike Week is coming up the last weekend of March through the first weekend of April. Approximately 8,000 motorcycles arrive at and depart from Cave Creek during this period. The only way into downtown Cave Creek is through Carefree. These are public roads and all are welcome to use them in a sober condition, abiding by the speed limits and the noise ordinance, and not exhibiting gang behavior. The Town is working with the Sheriff's Task Force, which is funded by the Governor's Office. Next week Mayor Peterson, Vice Mayor John Crane, and Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer are meeting with the Task Force to go through the plan to make Carefree a safer place during Bike Week.
The antiquated sewer treatment plant that treated Carefree's wastewater was removed in November of 2018. It was trenched down Scottsdale Road past El Pedregal. The cost for that is now in a rate case before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The Town of Carefree has signed up as an intervener, working with Liberty Utilities' attorneys, the ACC staff, and the Residential Utilities Consumer Office (RUCO).
Liberty is entitled to be compensated within reason. More management was needed during the 2 years of the plant closure and the trenching, but that is finished and there is not a need for the additional management in the future.
There is depreciation, but with the plant gone the only things left to depreciate are the pipes in the ground and some pumping stations.
The Town is aware of the cost of capital for utilities. Carefree borrowed money on a long term basis for the water company at a rate of 1.8%. Liberty came in with 7% in a performa. Carefree objected. Liberty came down to 5%, then 4-1/2%. Carefree told them, "You're headed in the right direction, and let's keep on going". The rate case will be heard the last week in July.
Some of the north Scottsdale HOAs are on Liberty's system and are trying to get a rate equivalent to the City of Scottsdale's municipal rate, which is not possible. Scottsdale's municipal sewer system serves 80 times the population. It is a far larger system with more efficiency.
The dispute with Cave Creek over water customers is ongoing. That will be discussed at a future meeting.
https://vimeo.com/389861771
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
4/20
The pedestrian crosswalks study is proceeding. There have been some "near misses" in the crosswalks. The results of the study will be presented once they are received, which should be shortly.
Bike Week is coming up the last weekend of March through the first weekend of April. Approximately 8,000 motorcycles arrive at and depart from Cave Creek during this period. The only way into downtown Cave Creek is through Carefree. These are public roads and all are welcome to use them in a sober condition, abiding by the speed limits and the noise ordinance, and not exhibiting gang behavior. The Town is working with the Sheriff's Task Force, which is funded by the Governor's Office. Next week Mayor Peterson, Vice Mayor John Crane, and Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer are meeting with the Task Force to go through the plan to make Carefree a safer place during Bike Week.
The antiquated sewer treatment plant that treated Carefree's wastewater was removed in November of 2018. It was trenched down Scottsdale Road past El Pedregal. The cost for that is now in a rate case before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The Town of Carefree has signed up as an intervener, working with Liberty Utilities' attorneys, the ACC staff, and the Residential Utilities Consumer Office (RUCO).
Liberty is entitled to be compensated within reason. More management was needed during the 2 years of the plant closure and the trenching, but that is finished and there is not a need for the additional management in the future.
There is depreciation, but with the plant gone the only things left to depreciate are the pipes in the ground and some pumping stations.
The Town is aware of the cost of capital for utilities. Carefree borrowed money on a long term basis for the water company at a rate of 1.8%. Liberty came in with 7% in a performa. Carefree objected. Liberty came down to 5%, then 4-1/2%. Carefree told them, "You're headed in the right direction, and let's keep on going". The rate case will be heard the last week in July.
Some of the north Scottsdale HOAs are on Liberty's system and are trying to get a rate equivalent to the City of Scottsdale's municipal rate, which is not possible. Scottsdale's municipal sewer system serves 80 times the population. It is a far larger system with more efficiency.
The dispute with Cave Creek over water customers is ongoing. That will be discussed at a future meeting.
https://vimeo.com/389861771
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
4/20