Overnight lane closures scheduled on Interstate 10 at Ina Road May 11

Westbound Interstate 10 at Ina Road will be narrowed to one lane overnight from 10 p.m. Thursday, May 11, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 12, for pavement work.

The work is part of the Interstate 10/Ina Road traffic interchange reconstruction project.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati. 

Marana Water News: Marana Wins Big AZWater Conference

Last week several of our staff were able to attend the 90th annual AZ Water Association Conference and Exhibition in Phoenix. This annual conference is where many of our staff are able to hear what is going on in the water industry, learn about new projects and products, and get their required education credits for their certifications.

We have mentioned AZ Water in our stories in the past, and this conference highlights one of the biggest services the association provides its members. As a section of the American Water Works Association and the member association for the Water Environmental Federation, the mission of the association is to preserve and enhance Arizona’s water environment. Needless to say, this is the place to be if you are a water professional in Arizona. 

The conference consists of many facets and educational tracks. In addition to the typical presentations and panel discussions, the conference also has operator training and practice testing, meter construction competitions, a student poster contest, raffles, and this year the Arizona Pure Water Brew Challenge team was onsite giving tours of the portable water treatment truck as well as training volunteers for upcoming events promoting the Challenge. The photos below show the truck, the water treatment system installed inside, and volunteers learning how they can participate. This treatment system will head to locations around the state to allow Arizona brewers to use treated wastewater to brew beers for the competition to be held at the WateReuse Association national symposium this September in Phoenix. For more information on the Challenge click here.

The conference is broken up into several tracks for attendees to gain knowledge and experience in a variety of areas. Wastewater treatment, water resources, wastewater collections, water reuse, water distribution, safety, water treatment, energy, utility management, and many more are all brought together in one place. Our water operator, Justin, who attended this year, said “I liked the abundance of classes offered at the conference, as well as the interaction with other vendors and operators. I learned to think outside of the box. There are a number of obstacles we face today and I gained appreciation for what departments have to go through to complete projects.” Justin is able to bring back that knowledge and excitement and share it with the other operators and staff. This is one of the major benefits of our professional development program.

Mike with AZWater president Marie receiving his award for Operator of the Year - Wastewater Treatment Plant: Small System

We are also proud to announce that Marana Water won two awards this year!  In recognition of our large reinvestment into the water system through electrical upgrades, reservoir maintenance, SCADA, and employee education and training our Water Distribution team was awarded Water Distribution System of the Year: Small System. Secondly, Mike O., our Chief Water Reclamation Operator, was selected as Operator of the Year – Wastewater Treatment Plant: Small System. This is in recognition of the the hard work our water reclamation team has done facing incredible challenges at a near capacity plant while continuing to operate at an incredibly efficient level. Way to go everyone!

Members of our water distribution team with Director John and AZWater President Marie accepting the award for Water Distribution System of the Year: Small System.

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Expect brief delays on Interstate 10 at Ina Road Sunday morning, May 7

Drivers should expect brief, intermittent delays on Interstate 10 at Ina Road on Sunday, May 7, 6-10 a.m.

Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be placing utility lines over I-10 as part of the Ina Road project. Drivers should expect delays lasting up to 15 minutes in both directions. Law enforcement officers will be on site to direct traffic.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati. 

Marana Water News: Drinking Water Week is Here!

Beginning next week, the American Water Works Association along with hundreds of water utilities and water companies around the country will be celebrating National Drinking Water Week. These celebrations have been going for over 35 years. Officially designated in 1988, the first full week of May marks when we, as an industry, bring special attention to the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

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This year’s theme is “Your Water – To Know it is to Love it” with the goal of promoting to our customers how important water is and how they can help appreciate this vital resource. The hope is to draw attention to the personal connection we all have with water. One way is to learn how to fix leaky pipes in and around your home. By quickly finding and repairing leaks, it helps to conserve water and to keep water bills lower. A few tips for leak inspections can be found the graphic to the right.

While finding and repairing leaks is an important part of maintaining your home, there are also many ways to care for your home’s pipes in a preventive way. Wrapping pipes during the freezing winter months, checking for proper water pressure, ensuring only flushable items go down the drains, and much more all contribute to a healthy maintenance program. Click here for more information on caring for your pipes. We have many resources for our customers to help with water conservation. Check out our Water Conservation page here to find out who we are partnering with to promote conservation.  

There are even activities directed for kids and teachers to help learn and understand the water cycle and its importance to our daily lives. This has videos, interactive games, and educational materials you can use at home or school to promote healthy water knowledge. Click on the two links below for a maze and coloring sheet.

Maze

Coloring Sheet

We hope you find a way to celebrate 2017 Drinking Water Week next week. Let us know how you celebrate by clicking the link below.

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Skip Brunch, Get Active, and Celebrate Mom!

What’s brunch, anyway? Waffles at 11am? A travesty! This year, celebrate Mother’s Day with a jaunt in the park. Marana’s 4th Annual Mother’s Day 5K is the perfect opportunity to burn off those Easter calories (those Cadbury eggs sure didn’t eat themselves), and you won’t want to miss this casual, family-friendly walk/run beginning at beautiful Gladden Farms Park. And to top it all off, every mom gets a rose at the finish line. Still thinking about brunch? We didn’t think so.

To make this year’s event even better, Marana has partnered up with the Marana Community Food Bank to help collect donations on race day. All items will directly benefit the local community. In particular, the Food Bank is hoping to collect canned meats and veggies, canned soups, cereal, canned tomato products, bulk rice and beans, peanut butter, and canned fruit.

This year, try something different and celebrate your mom with an invigorating run/walk in beautiful north Marana. Are you yourself a mom? Bring the family along! Make them fete you! Make them jog as they carry your palanquin along the route! You deserve it.

Fun Summer Programs in Marana

School’s out for summer! School’s out forever! (Editor’s note: Marana schools are, in fact not out forever—first day back is August 7—nor do they endorse Alice Cooper.)

So what are you up to this summer? Are you a teenager with some free time on your hands? How about a parent wanting to find a new exercise routine? A retiree looking to meet new friends? Whoever you are, Marana Parks and Recreation has a summer program for you. With options including fitness for all ages, youth day camps, sports leagues, and art classes, there’s something for everyone.

Fitness

This summer, it’s time to hop off the treadmill and inject some fun into your fitness regimen. Try the Barre Above workout, a format that uses Pilates, yoga, and aerobics infused into a dancer’s strengthening exercises. Dancers who prefer Sean Paul over Tchaikovsky may want to check out Zumba w/ Janet, which mixes low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. If martial arts are more your speed, check out Steve Berry’s School of Chun Kuk Do, which combines Korean Tang Soo Do, Japanese Akido, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and American Boxing. For a course with more of a practical application, consider a self-defense class, offered both exclusively for women, as well as for families and business professionals. If you still haven’t seen your jam, why not give aerobics a spin? With classes both in the dance studio and in the pool, you’re guaranteed to get that blood-pumping, full-body workout.

Youth Camps

School vacations are the perfect occasion to embrace some non-traditional learning opportunities. Classrooms are great for some things, but there’s nothing quite like a day camp to learn about science, architecture, and much more. In the Pre-School Fine Arts program, kids aged 3-6 can explore their creative sides and launch their artistic careers early. With elements of storytelling, play-acting, and focused art instruction, children will love exploring the limitless worlds of their imagination.  

For an entirely different take on summer camp, check out Create with a Beat, a program aimed at 4-13 year olds. With classes all summer long, this program takes up a new theme each week, and students will play games, create music, and make crafts all centered on that week’s theme. Topics vary widely—one week, students may explore the worlds of art and literature, while another their attention will be penguins and polar bears.

Pima Community College is also offering ½ day camps through the Marana Parks and Recreation this summer as part of Pima for Kids. Students aged 5-17 can learn about robotics, rockets, architecture, and much more. Why wait until you graduate from high school to explore the world of college when you can start today?

Summer Sports

There’s nothing quite like competition to really get the juices flowing, right? Whether you’re competing against your best friend or trying to beat your fastest time, there are plenty of opportunities this summer to unleash your inner athlete.

Junior Golf invites beginners to develop and enhance their coordination and golf fundamentals through weekly lessons. This program offers classes for three different age brackets, so participants will also be able to spend time with their peers. 

For those who love to hit the open road, take a gander at Marana’s cross-country race series. Through this program, you can experience the Sonoran Desert in all its glory as you cruise along in the sunshine. This program isn’t for wimps, but to these hardy souls go all the bragging rights.

Football season is just around the corner, and what better way to prepare yourself than to participate in one of Marana’s flag football clinics? With a targeted camp for both 6-9 year olds and another one for 10-14 year olds, budding NFLers will learn the game of flag football and build confidence in their athletic talents.

If you’re more into hoops and nets than end zones and field goals, check out the basketball clinic. This program is also offered to two age groups—6-9 year olds and 10-14 year olds—and focuses on developing fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Little ones may enjoy a more general approach, and that’s why Marana Parks and Recreation is offering the Pee Wee Sports Camp. This one-week noncompetitive camp develops and enhances coordination, fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Camp will include, but is not limited to, soccer, t-ball, and P.E. style games.

Finally, Marana is offering two volleyball clinics this summer, one for 9-11 year olds and the other for 12-15 year olds. Get ready for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as you practice passing, setting, hitting, and serving. Japanese lessons not included.

Art Programs

Ever since Bob Ross first conjured up a pine tree with just a dab of his brush, haven’t we all secretly yearned to don our own paint-splattered frocks? Yearn no more! Carpe artem!

Artistic dilettantes may want to first check out Art Isn’t Scary After All! If you are not sure of your art skills, or think you don't have the skills at all, this is the class for you. Put your hesitations and fears of art aside as you learn different techniques to create and bring your imagination to life. Join in an introduction to different art media and styles while your confidence grows in your hidden art abilities. Our drawing classes will teach step-by-step instructions that help you look at, break down, and then apply new drawing skills to your own masterpiece. Go from "I can't draw a circle" to "I am an artist!”

Do you spend a little too much time on Pinterest and not enough time actually creating your own clever crafts? It’s time to join Tammy at Make and Take Crafts. Expert craftswoman Tammy Burchett will teach you everything you need to know to make a cork board out of actual wine corks, an umbrella door decoration for spring, a daisy wall hanging, and more.

Still not speaking your crafty language? Well then why don’t you join one of our free adult craft groups. These gatherings bring participants together around needlework, knitting, applique, and other fabric crafts. Join them every first, third, and fourth Tuesday, 10am-2pm, at the Marana Parks and Recreation administrative office. Participants should be prepared to bring their own project supplies, as well as lunch, if desired.

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For us desert dwellers, we know how to turn the hot summer months into fun summer months. However you like to spend your free time, you’re guaranteed to find something for you in Marana. Our Parks and Recreation summer catalogue is exploding with opportunity. So start exploring! We’ll see you out there.

Tangerine Roadwork Update, April 28, 2017

On Tuesday, May 2, through Friday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will reconstruct the Tangerine Crossing exit at Tangerine Road. The traveling public and residents can expect the following traffic control:

• The Tangerine Crossing exit at Tangerine Road will be temporarily closed as the contractor completes work in the area.
• Please use Thornydale Road as a temporary alternate route.

On Thursday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be working on traffic signals at the intersection of Dove Mountain/Twin Peaks and Tangerine Roads. The traveling public and residents can expect the following:

• All traffic signals at the intersection will be temporarily transitioned to a 4-way, flashing red stop.
• East and westbound right turn lanes on Tangerine will be temporarily closed. Right turns will still be permitted.
• Marana Police will be onsite to help direct traffic. 
• Expect slight delays.

W. Cortaro Farms Rd. and N. Hartman Ln. Manhole Foundation Rehabilitation

Alpha Underground Construction will be repairing manhole foundations on Tuesday, April 24, 2017 and ending on May 5, 2017.  Rehabilitation will begin at 9:00 am and be completed by 3:00 pm, weather permitting.  Traffic will be down to one lane to direct traffic.

Directional signs and traffic control devices will be set up to guide vehicles around the work.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with all traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs. Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice. 

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Manager Message: Marana Celebrates 40 Years Since Incorporation at Annual State of the Town Address

This Manager Message was originally published in the April 26, 2017 edition of the Marana News. 

Every year, the Town of Marana and the Chamber of Commerce host a State of the Town luncheon to share with the community all that’s happening in Marana. On Friday, April 14, we gathered once again to reflect not only on the activities of the past year, but also on the Town’s accomplishments over the past forty years. In 1977, a small group of neighbors took the bold step of incorporating themselves into their own town, and all around us we can see the incredible results of that decision.

In reflecting on what has allowed Marana to succeed, we start with our values of dedicated service, respect, teamwork, and engaged innovation. Our core mission at the Town is to serve our residents. Whether we’re filling a pothole or coming up with a program to assist neighbors organizing community clean-up efforts, our single-minded focus is on figuring out how best to help our residents.

To deliver that level of service, we strongly believe that we need to foster a culture of respect. For example, we’re currently planning next year’s budget. This process requires constant compromise as we determine how to provide a wide array of community services while adhering to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. It isn’t always easy to make these trade-offs, but our culture of respect allows us collaborate for the benefit of all Marana residents.

Teamwork is our third core value here at the Town. Nearly every initiative we embark on requires many people to work together, to pull in the same direction. Take our Star Spangled Spectacular, for example. This event requires huge contributions from our Parks and Recreation staff, police officers, public works employees, and many more. With everyone pitching in, this event has been a huge success, year after year.

Finally, when you mix respect and teamwork, you get our fourth core value: engaged innovation. Only when colleagues trust each other do they feel comfortable that they can suggest new, and often unexpected, ideas. These ideas can lead to creative solutions for challenging issues. A great example is the Project Ina app, which is helping businesses along Ina Road during construction. By linking our Technology Services team with our Development Services Center, we were able to create an innovative tool that is increasing exposure for businesses throughout a long period of roadwork. Download the Project Ina app today on your smartphone and stay connected with Marana businesses and construction updates.

Altogether, our core values help the Town connect the community in meaningful ways. We have literal connections across Marana, including the Shared-Use Path that winds through Continental Ranch, as well as the network of trails in Dove Mountain. We also have abstract connections, like the Marana Citizens’ Forums, which brings together representatives from all walks of life to tackle complex issues. Last year, the Citizens’ Forum made a series of recommendations for Marana’s Development Services Center, which has made major updates as a result of these suggestions.

Community connections, in turn, help shape Marana’s sense of place. We want residents to feel a strong pride in Marana, that living here isn’t like living anywhere else. One way we do that is through our approach to traffic enforcement. The Marana Police Department believes strongly in vigilantly patrolling our streets to ensure safe driving. Every year, Marana police officers make more and more traffic stops, but at the same time, they write fewer and fewer citations. We believe that when officers engage with residents, when they have a conversation about why it’s important to come to a complete stop or drive within the speed limit, that’s often more effective than imposing a hefty fine. Most important, since we’ve adopted this philosophy, we’ve seen the number of traffic collisions decline, year after year.

Finally, we strongly believe that it is essential for us always to think far into the future. How will Marana grow twenty years from now? How are we preparing for that growth? One major effort we’re currently working on is construction of an updated wastewater treatment plant and recharge basin. This project will allow the Town to replenish the aquifer beneath our feet, a process that earns us water credits. These water credits in turn allow us to receive more water, which then allows for more growth. Though the new treatment plant and recharge basin require a significant financial investment, they represent the critical infrastructure that Marana needs to foster healthy growth and a strong local economy.

By reporting annually on Marana’s State of the Town, we aim to engage our residents to provide valuable information on where we are and where we’re going. If you want to stay up-to-date with all that’s going on in Marana, we encourage you to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and visit the Town’s website at www.MaranaAz.gov.  And please, use any of these platforms to provide your own input on how we can continue to make this community great now and for many years into the future.

Watch the complete State of the Town Address

Marana Water News: 47th Annual Earth Day

April 22 marked the 47th annual celebration of Earth Day. Founded by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day is intended to bring awareness to things we can do to preserve our environment. Some say that this movement in 1970 was a spark for the creation of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Now, it is celebrated all over the world. Click through the gallery below for some photos taken from the International Space Station showing the beauty of our planet including our own Arizona wonder, the Grand Canyon.

This year there was a focus on environmental and climate literacy and the importance of science in keeping our planet healthy. At Marana Water, we depend on science to keep our utility running smoothly. Each day we use engineering, chemistry, geology, hydrology, and many other scientific disciplines to ensure that our system is running smoothly and efficiently.

Earth Day is a reminder of the things we can be doing all year long to protect our environment. Reducing water use, carpooling, recycling, and planting trees will all help increase the sustainability of our community and planet. Think Globally, Act Locally has been taken on as a way to remember that the things we do in our backyards can have an effect on the world around us. Our team at Marana Water is working hard to ensure we have sustainable water infrastructure, but also the proper water resources necessary for our growing community. Click on the button below to tell us how you celebrated Earth Day!

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Marana Soliciting Vendors for 2017 Star Spangled Spectacular

On July 4, Marana will host its annual Independence Day celebration, the Star Spangled Spectacular, at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. Last year, this event attracted over 15,000 people to enjoy live entertainment, play field games, hang out in the beer garden, and, of course, watch the eye-popping firework show.

If you would like to be a vendor at this year's event, let us know today! We are looking for vendors of all stripes. Whether you sell gourmet hot dogs, refreshing ice cream, or street tacos, we'd love to have you. Craft vendors, non-profits, local businesses, and other non-food vendors are also invited to submit an application.

Sign up soon, though, because space is limited. 

Tangerine Roadwork Update, April 21, 2017

Beginning Wednesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 27, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will install water infrastructure on Tangerine Road at Shannon Road. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Flaggers will be onsite to direct alternating, one-way traffic along Tangerine Road at Shannon Road
• Access will be maintained at Shannon Road
• Expect delays

#ProjectIna: Santa Cruz Bridge Construction Underway

While crews work to construct a new overpass at Ina Road over I-10, a concurrent major project is also occurring just a little to the west. The reconstruction of the Santa Cruz Bridge, also managed by the Arizona Department of Transportation, coincides with the Ina Road overpass project so as to minimize long-term traffic disruptions. So what's happening in and above the Santa Cruz? ADOT photographers are excited to give you a peak behind the scenes.

Managing water flow throughout the project is a chief concern at this site.

Heavy machinery and equipment, like this, show why access to the Santa Cruz Shared-Use Path is restricted throughout the project.

Help keep this site safe for everyone by always driving within the speed limit and following the directions of all construction personnel. 

Want to see more photos of the site? Check out ADOT's multimedia page for images and videos of a variety of activities throughout this project.

Marana Adopts New Economic Development Strategic Plan

In Marana, economic development is always a top priority for Town officials. As part of this effort, on March 7, the Marana Town Council adopted “Honoring our Heritage. Heralding the Future.” This new economic development strategic plan provides a long-term vision for how the Town will continue to grow and nourish Marana’s local economy.

Chief among the strategic plan’s recommendations for growth in Marana is a targeted focus on four key industries: information technology; advanced business services; manufacturing; and transportation, logistics, and distribution. These four sectors represent areas in which Marana is well positioned for strong growth.

In order to achieve this vision, the plan recommends nine specific ways that Town officials can maximize economic development opportunities. Working together, these nine strategies will help the Town develop and maintain a diverse economic development portfolio.

In order to develop this plan, Marana worked closely with IO. Inc., a national firm well-versed in economic development strategy. The Town received a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation to support this effort. To write the plan, IO. Inc. conducted more than 150 meetings and interviews with key stakeholders, such as Town staff, local business owners, and industry experts, including Applied Economics, a highly regarded economics research firm. The vision that emerged from this research reflects the combined knowledge and experience of these participants.

This plan now offers the Town an improvement over its previous long-term vision, the Economic Development Roadmap. While this tool provided Marana with an important resource, the new strategic plan affords the Town a much more detailed overview of how to support the local economy.

“Marana’s new economic development strategic plan is a valuable resource for us as we work to attract new industry to our community while also maintaining the thriving business environment we already have,” says Economic Development Director Curt Woody.

In addition to this document, the Town has already launched a number of initiatives which aim to support local business. With its busy airport, high quality resort, and beautiful landscapes, Marana is a popular tourist destination, and so Discover Marana, the Town’s destination marketing organization, is aimed at marketing the community to potential visitors.

Finally, the Town has benefitted considerably from the Marana Job Creation Incentive Program. This policy encourages businesses to enter or expand in this community by reimbursing construction sales tax dollars paid on new construction on that property. For qualifying businesses, the Town will rebate those tax dollars to cover expenses in qualifying categories, including a sixth category recently added by the Marana Council, which allows businesses to use the rebate to pay for public infrastructure costs. To learn more about the MJCIP, visit the program website at http://www.maranaaz.gov/incentives. Businesses that have used this program include Sargent Aerospace and Defense, International Towers, Inc., and Northwest Medical Center.

Achieving and sustaining a thriving local economy is key to Marana’s long-term ambitions. The population of this Town has grown considerably over the past decade, and Town officials anticipate this growth to continue for many years to come. A strong economy is key to supporting that population. Marana’s new economic development strategic plan now provides an actionable guide that will allow the Town to build on the success it already enjoys. 

Marana Water News: A Little Background on Billing

Marana Water billed 7,042 water customers and 2,778 sewer customers in March. These customers are broken down into two billing cycles each with a unique billing period and due date. This week, we highlight all the steps it takes to create these monthly bills, and point out some key dates as a reminder for our customers.

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Our systems are organized into two periods, Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, for tracking and billing purposes. The Palo Verde, Saguaro Bloom, Airline/Lambert, and Continental Reserve neighborhoods make up Cycle 1. These customers have a billing period from the first of the month through the last business day of the month. Their due date is the 19th of every month. Our second billing cycle, Cycle 2, includes all of the northern parts of Marana, the Twin Peaks and I-10 area, and the Hartman/Cortaro neighborhoods. With a due date of the 8th of every month, these customers billing cycle is the 20th of one month through the 20th of the following month, or as close as possible. Please refer to the graphic to the right for a reminder of when bills are due. We strive to have our billing periods be as consistent as possible at 30 days. Sometimes due to weekends and holidays the periods can be a little longer or shorter.

There are many steps involved in the billing procedures, all of which are done by our Water Billing Specialists--the same staff that answer customer questions take payments, and process new services. These are some of the hardest working employees in the department. Beginning the day prior to our meter reading, we process all the accounts that have closed in the previous month. This generates the final bills and any refund credits due to our customers. It is vital we get forwarding address information so we can be sure to get any deposit refunds back to our customers.

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Our customer service field operator will read the water meters for each billing cycle. Cycle 1 is about 2,500 meters while Cycle 2 is 4,500 customers. Once the reads are all collected there are several reviews done to ensure quality and consistency in the reads. At this point, we identify our customers who have used more than 10,000 gallons than the previous month to call for a potential leak notification. We review usage patterns, any missing reads, or reads that are very unusual. Once all these have been checked, we will create the charges, call all the high use customers, and send the bills out for mailing. We typically are able to complete the entire process in one and a half working days. Our professional staff of billing specialists are here in the office to review any questions our customers have with their bills.

We hope this week’s story will shed some light on how the billing process works and allow our customers some lead time to prepare for billing payment each month. Please call our office with any questions about the statement, charges or water use.

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State of the Town 2017: Celebrating 40 Years

On Friday afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain the Town of Marana celebrated forty years of incorporation at the annual State of the Town. This event, hosted by the Marana Chamber of Commerce, brings together stakeholders from across the community to share in the accomplishments of Marana.

Below, enjoy a video of the State of the Town address, as well as a link to a written text of the speech.

ADOT demolishes I-10 EB Lanes at Ina Road

Construction at Ina Road had to start first with a little bit of destruction. Have you seen ADOT's video of the I-10 EB overpass at Ina? 

Tangerine Roadwork Update, April 12-13

Beginning Wednesday, April 12, through Monday April 17 at 4:00 p.m. Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be installing water infrastructure at the Tangerine Road and Thornydale Road intersection. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• No right turns will be permitted from southbound Thornydale Road to westbound Tangerine Road
• Westbound traffic will be restricted to one lane. There will not be dedicated turn lanes in this area
• Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day
• Expect delays

On Thursday, April 13 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tangerine Corridor Constructors will place a sealant on Camino De Oeste from Rain Cloud Street to Moore Road. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Flaggers and pilot cars will be onsite to direct alternating, one-way traffic on Camino De Oeste
• Left turns will not be permitted from Rain Cloud Street onto Camino de Oeste  
• Speed limits will be reduced to 25 mph in the work zone
• Expect delays

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Marana Water News: Taking Care of Business

Several years ago, Marana Water implemented an internal business plan. This plan is intended to be a guiding document for our five divisions to plan appropriately for the future. The Town’s Strategic Plan provides the high level direction, and our plan gives us the detail we need to be successful.

The purpose of the plan is to give Marana Water a snapshot of our current activities, while providing internal staff with the opportunity to detail the future of the functional work areas.  The overarching goals of the plan are to incorporate our divisions into one master document while outlining where we are currently, and where we desire to go as a department.

The plan is broken up into the five divisions; water, water reclamation, engineering, water resources, and business services. Each has their own set of duties and will have unique needs in the plan’s five year window. These needs can be related to construction projects, equipment purchase, or new position requests. Putting it all together in one place gives us the advantage of seeing our department as a whole and where to apply resources that will provide the most benefit.

Some of the items outlined in the plan include ways to prevent emergency repairs through managed maintenance plans. Our goal is to have a robust preventive maintenance program, which will allow us to focus on operating and improving our water system.

This long-range planning will result in lower annual costs and a more efficient operations and maintenance program. A successful asset management program is also included in the plan. When this program is fully implemented it will give us the ability to predict where to focus resources based on use and lifespan of the equipment or service area. We will also be able to forecast expenditures year over year a little better as well.

On the water reclamation side, we have identified the need for an infiltration and inflow study. This study would help manage the sewer collection system during wet weather, which contributes excess flows into the system. This study would help prepare the water reclamation team to reduce these infiltration and inflow instances through system rehabilitation and focusing resources where necessary. We also identified the need to manage the Rillito Vista Lagoon systems, which will be accomplished with the new sewer transmission line currently under construction.

Our business services division works diligently to provide timely and effective customer service. With the implementation of online bill payment almost two years ago, our customers now have a variety of options for how best to pay their bill on their schedule. We are constantly growing and finding methods to sustain the high level of service our customers have come to expect is one of the corner stones of this portion of the plan. Staffing of this division is always up for discussion on how best to manage our online presence with the in-person experience. By thoughtfully organizing this plan, we are able to determine the best course of action.

The Marana Water Business Plan is currently in an internal update. While the plan covers a five year period, we are constantly reviewing and modifying the plan based on current conditions. Our dedicated staff are working to provide efficiencies where they are available, and the cohesiveness of this plan helps us do just that. Reliability, redundancy, and resiliency are the basis for our operations, and this plan helps keep us on track.

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Cortaro Bridge on Cortaro Rd at the Santa Cruz River

The Cortaro Bridge on Cortaro Road at the Santa Cruz River is part of the Town of Marana Bridge Painting Project.  Painting of the bridge will began Monday, April 10 through Friday, May 5, 2017.  Work will be done on east- and west-bound outside lanes, and one sidewalk will be closed at a time. This work should not affect travel lanes.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

For more information, please contact Town of Marana Public Works Office at (520) 382-2505.

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