Summer Schooling 2017, Part 2: Marana's Most Precious Resource

Thomas Prior is the 2017 Marvin Andrews Scholar. As part of his scholarship, he will be interning at the Town of Marana through August.

This week I spent some time with the folks responsible for managing the Town’s most precious resource: water. Marana’s Water Department is not only responsible for cleaning the drinking water which flows from the faucets, but they also handle the Town’s wastewater systems.

The Town has a handful of wells and water tanks ranging in size: the largest tank can hold a shocking 1.8 million gallons of water. Town’s Staff works vigilantly to provide proactive maintenance on the water systems. Part of this proactive maintenance includes sending scuba divers into the water tanks for routine inspections and cleaning. With proper care, these vital assets to the Town’s infrastructure will survive for years and years. 

While being pumped from the ground, the water is cleaned with chlorine, making it safe to drink. In contrast to the water treatment process, the reclaimed water is subject to a much more extensive method in order to eliminate any contaminants which may be harmful to the environment.

The amount of effort required to provide safe drinking water and managing the Town’s wastewater system is beyond amazing. The Water Department maintains some of the most important pieces of infrastructure within Marana. Currently a new water tank is being constructed as well as an expansion to the wastewater treatment plant. As the Town’s needs continue to grow, it is exciting to witness Marana planning for the future and investing into the proper infrastructure.

Police Facility Construction Begins with Groundbreaking Ceremony

Town of Marana police break ground for the new police facility.

With a collective sense of anticipation, the Town of Marana broke ground on a new police headquarters on Wednesday morning. This new facility will add to the campus of the Marana Municipal Complex, already home to the Town’s administrative staff, parks and recreation department, and the Marana Municipal Court. Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2018.

To mark the occasion, Marana hosted a public ceremony for officers, local dignitaries, contractors working on the project, and community members. In recognition of this milestone, that audience learned a little bit about the story behind how this project came together.

It all began in 2014, when Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema approached Town Manager Gilbert Davidson with a Peanut Buster Parfait in one hand and a small request in the other. As Davidson silently chewed, Terry Rozema made his pitch.

“We need a new police headquarters. This kind of investment will ultimately enable our department to meet the growing demands of our growing community. This isn’t about constructing a new building. This is about serving our Town.”

The Chief had Davidson’s attention.

Marana Town Manager Gilbert Davidson opens the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I think the Chief and his team literally spoke with every human being in the Town of Marana to talk about why we needed to have an investment in this community for a new police department.”

No amount of eloquence, though, could conjure up the $21 million that this idea would cost. For that, Town staff came up with an innovative financial tactic that could generate that revenue without incurring any debt.

Typically, when governments fund large scale capital projects, like building a police facility, they will issue bonds which must be paid back over several decades. Though this strategy can be effective, the interest on these bonds can add considerable sums to the total project cost. Furthermore, if a Town issues bonds for one project, then often issuing bonds for another project a few years later becomes even more costly, if not altogether impossible.

To work around this challenge, Town staff proposed increasing Marana’s sales tax temporarily by 0.5%. These new revenues could then be directed into an account solely dedicated to the police facility, such that when the fund reached a target balance, the tax would immediately terminate.

Raising the sales tax in this way required the approval of the Marana Town Council, and the Town Council needed to be sure that the community would support them in this endeavor. In order to gauge and build that support, Marana’s councilmembers, along with Chief Rozema, conducted an extensive public information campaign aimed at educating residents and business owners about the importance of a new police headquarters to Marana.

Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema speaks to the crowd. 

“I would be a horrible salesperson,” commented Chief Rozema, “I really have to believe in something to sell it. What I was selling was not the construction of a building. What I was selling is a better police department.”

Ultimately, the Council determined that the public wholeheartedly supported this project. After voting to implement the temporary sales tax, Town staff received not a single complaint from the public.

Davidson remarked that this support was “a testament to the leadership of the department and really to everyone within the PD that there’s that much respect in the community for the job that they do.”

When complete, the new facility will offer a number of upgrades for Marana’s police officers. There will be classrooms for trainings, improved evidence processing areas, community spaces, a shooting range, and even a kennel for the Marana K-9 units. Most importantly, though, there will be an increased capacity to serve Marana’s growing population. Marana’s officers are single-mindedly committed to public service, and this new department will enable them to fulfill that mission.

Today’s ceremony was recorded on Facebook Live and can be viewed below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Left to right: Councilmember Bowen, Vice Mayor Post, Mayor Honea, Councilmember McGorray, Police Chief Rozema, Councilmember Comerford, and Town Manager Gilbert Davidson break ground for the new police facility.

Left to right: Michael Rosso and Joe Salvatore from Architekton, Richard Carr from Abacus, Todd Steffen and Mike Stecyk from CORE, Marana Police Chief Rozema, Jake Otten, Nichole Kotsur and Tracy Garrison from CORE. 

Mayor Honea speaks to the crowd.

Aerial of groundbreaking event and future location for the police building.

Celebrate Independence Day at the Best July 4th Party in Southern Arizona

The Star Spangled Spectacular, Marana’s annual bash celebrating Independence Day, is pretty much every kind of July 4th celebration, all rolled into one. No matter how you like to celebrate our nation’s founding, you’re bound to find your scene at this party. With live entertainment, dozens of food trucks, two beer gardens, all kinds of kids’ activities, and vendors throughout the event, there are attractions for one and all. Download the Marana Events app for iPhone and Android, and read on for more information. 

Fireworks

Let’s get right down to business. It’s not a July 4th celebration if there aren’t fireworks. Everything else is just icing on the red, white, and blue cake, and in Marana, we like our fireworks big, loud, spectacular. This year’s fireworks show will close out the event as our grand finale—launch time is 9pm sharp. Listen to our soundtrack of all America’s greatest hits, including the old standards as well as a few more recent melodies. America’s songbook celebrates all that we have to be proud of in this great country, so the soundtrack for our fireworks show is all about highlighting that patriotic spirit. As you listen to the music and watch the fireworks, enjoy opulent showers of glittering lights that cover every color of the rainbow. Feel their thunderous roar as they arc across the sky. Marvel at their beauty and at the amazing country that they represent. After all, isn’t that why we’re all here?

Entertainment

Throughout the Star Spangled Spectacular, performers will be providing the soundtrack for July 4th from two stages. The music at this year’s event will cover all corners of Americana, from country to Motown, from indie pop to patriotic anthems.

At 5:30 pm on Stage 2, Caiden Brewer will be taking the stage with his country swagger. A Southern Arizona native, Caiden Brewer was born with country music in his blood. After an injury that preempted his athletic scholarships to college, Caiden began to channel his ambition towards writing music, culminating in his debut E.P., "On The Run." A modern incarnation of outlaw country, Caiden's music draws inspiration from his own experiences growing up one step ahead of the law while staying true to his blue collar roots. 

At 6pm, don’t miss, on Stage 1, Steff and the Articles, an indie pop band with jazz influences. In 2009, singer-songstress Steff Koeppen joined forces with bassist Chris Pierce and drummer Tom Beech, and they currently perform with violinists Jessica Muiseke & Alexandra Tuggle. The group produces music that touches on jazz, classical, and folk styles while maintaining an accessible, pop-oriented sound. They've opened up for national acts such as A Great Big World, Holychild, and Copeland (whose most recent record Ixora features Steff).

Starting at 7pm, the George Howard Band will be playing Motown favorites on Stage 2. George Howard has been involved in playing the blues and R&B for over 25 years. He has worked with a line-up of blues greats, including John Lee Hooker, Syl Johnson, Louisiana Red, Bo Diddley, Charlie Mussellwhite, Jimmy Thackery, Johnny Lang, Albert Collins, and Willie Nelson. George has also produced and co-produced records on independent labels, as well as promoting concerts and managing bands. George has recently been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Tucson Music Awards Hall of Fame. George is also the president and founder of the Tucson Musicians Museum. In the arena of blues and R&B, George Howard is considered in the heavyweight division.

As we get closer to the big day, we will announce more bands here, so stay tuned!

Food & Drink

The Star Spangled Spectacular is Marana’s biggest signature event of the year, and this is where the food trucks show up in force. This year, we’re expecting more than 30 food vendors, so that means that whatever kind of cuisine you’re in the mood for, we’ll have it.

If you’re looking for something to wash down that hot dog (or taco, or pizza, or kettle corn), and you’re at least 21, look no further than our two beer gardens. That’s right, this year, by popular demand, we’ve added a new beer garden near Stage 1 in addition to the original beer garden which will still be located near the volleyball courts. Now, you can enjoy your favorite bands and your favorite brews, all at the same time. Though both beer gardens will be enclosed, all ages are permitted in these areas. Only those with wristbands, though, will be able to purchase alcohol, and no alcohol can be taken outside the beer garden perimeter.

Activities

The Star Spangled Spectacular is an event that kids will love. Want to get ahead of the fun? Sign up for the cornhole tournament! Inflatables of all shapes and sizes will keep the younger set busy. During the warm summer weather, nothing is more refreshing than plummeting down a waterslide, and that’s just one of the gigantic, air-filled attractions we’ll have at the event.

Once you’ve jumped through all the castles and slid down all the slides, stop by the free face painting station. Want to look like your favorite character from Beauty and the Beast? Be our guest! How about a classic character from Aladdin? Your wish is our command! Whatever face design you can imagine, our face painter is ready to oblige.

Once you’ve got your game face on, look around for our patriotic stilt walker. He won’t be hard to find because This Uncle Sam definitely drank his milk and ate his Wheaties when he was just a wee Nephew Sam. Today, he’s a towering seven feet tall, and he’s eager to wish you a Happy July 4th.

And now that you’ve had a quick rest, it’s time to head back to the water slide. Race you there!

Vendors

Attending the Star Spangled Spectacular means hanging out with your neighbors across Marana, including a number of local businesses who will have booths at the event. Whether you’re interested in learning more about health care options in the community, finding a local bank or credit union, or just doing some summer shopping, be sure to stop by the vendor area

Parking

Last year, more than 15,000 people attended the Star Spangled Spectacular, and this year, we’re expecting even more. In order to accommodate all these attendees, Marana staff are currently developing a new parking plan. Details will be shared here as soon as they are finalized.

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This July 4th, there’s no better place than Marana to enjoy all that Independence Day has to offer. Marana’s patriotic spirit runs strong throughout the year, and the Star Spangled Spectacular is really our opportunity to celebrate that spirit with enthusiasm.

Marana Water News: Only Rain Down the Drain

With June in full swing, the monsoon and stormwater are hot topics. As we know, when it rains that water runs down streets, driveways, washes, and other surface area collecting whatever might be in its path and heads to our storm drain system. This water will eventually make its way back into the aquifer, and we want to be sure that it is as clean as possible.

Nationwide, it is estimated that 30% of the known pollution to our nation’s water systems is attributable to stormwater runoff. In 1987, the United States Environmental Protection Agency developed a regulatory program to address this pollution issue. It created a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and it issues permits to any place that will discharge pollutants to a water source. In Arizona, the Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) manages these permits and the reporting that comes along with them. Our Water Reclamation Facility is required to complete and submit the AZPDES. Click here to check out all the reporting requirements for the facility.

During construction, there are specific requirements from the state to prevent pollutants from getting into the water. The Town even requires a Stromwater Pollution Prevention Plan as part of the construction documentation. Now, there are many things that can be done at home to prevent pollutants on a smaller scale. The graphic above shows a few things you can do to keep our stormwater as clean as possible. More can be found by clicking here. You could even check out the Only Rain Down the Drain website here, which has some videos and other helpful tips for keeping our stormwater runoff clean.

As those storm clouds build and our monsoon kicks off, we hope you take some time to think about what might be around your home that could end up on the stormwater runoff.

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Tangerine Roadwork Update: June 5 and 6

On Monday, June 5, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors will patch trenches along Tangerine Road. During this work, residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Traffic will be shifted around the work areas
• Flaggers will be onsite to help direct traffic 
• Speed limits will be reduced to 25 MPH
• Expect slight delays

On Monday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors will patch trenches at the Tangerine Road and La Cholla Boulevard intersection. During this work, residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Traffic will be shifted to the north 
• Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction
• Westbound traffic will have a dedicated right turn lane
• All turning movements will be permitted
• Speed limits will be reduced to 25 MPH
• Expect slight delays

On Tuesday night, June 6, at 8 p.m., crews will begin shifting traffic to the new southbound lanes of Thornydale Road and installing temporary pavement markings at the Tangerine Road and Thornydale Road intersection. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• North and southbound traffic will be shifted to the new southbound travel lanes of Thornydale Road from Misty Breeze Lane to just south of Tangerine Road
• East and westbound traffic will be unaffected
• The speed limit is 25 MPH
• Expect delays

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kristi or Nanette at (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.

Summer Schooling 2017, Part 1: Diving into Local Government

Thomas Prior is the 2017 Marvin Andrews Scholar. As part of his scholarship, he will be interning at the Town of Marana through August.

The first week at the Town can be compared to a child learning how to swim. The quickest way to learn is to dive into the deep-end and start swimming! This past week I have dived into department rotations and I am becoming familiar with the Town of Marana. I have already met dozens of friendly faces and look forward to meeting many more.  My name is Thomas Prior and I will be getting to know Marana a little bit better over the next couple of months. I was born and raised in the Phoenix area and I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Public Service & Public Policy at Arizona State University.

Last week I spent a few days with the Marana Police Department keeping the streets safe on a ride-along, investigating crimes with a detective, discovering the intricate work of a crime scene specialist, and observing the expert multitasking skills of a dispatcher. After experiencing information overload by everything PD, I met with the Town Magistrate and witnessed the next stage of the criminal justice system. While some municipalities have a somewhat disconnected relationship between the courts, police, and the rest of town hall, Marana makes every effort to create a tight-knit community between all departments. In the short time I have been in the Town I have realized that the efficient interdepartmental harmony stems from Marana’s commitment to live by four cultural values: dedicated service, respect, teamwork, and engaged innovation.   

Over the summer, I look forward to getting to know the wonderful citizens, employees, and business that make up the great Town of Marana. 

Marana Breaks Ground on new Tangerine Sky Community Park

Ceremonial shovels and hard hats

Town Manager Gilbert Davidson opens up the groundbreaking ceremony

Mayor Honea speaks on the overall Town of Marana park system

Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth-Briehn describes the planning process for the new Tangerine Sky Park

Council and community members

Council and community members

Council and community members

Council and community members

Town of Marana Parks and Recreation staff

Town of Marana staff

On the first day of June, the Arizona summer granted Marana town officials a reprieve. In a month when temperatures routinely break triple digits, on this morning a gentle breeze and a lightly overcast sky allowed for an unseasonably pleasant morning.

In a small clearing just south of Tangerine road, between Camino de Oeste and Camino de Mananña, amid the teddy bear cholla and blooming saguaros, a clump of Town staff chatted with residents, contractors, and their colleagues under the pyramid of a white tent. Glancing around, they started to imagine the plans for this clearing and the surrounding desert. Visions of swings rocking back and forth, dogs frolicking in a dog park, kids running through the open grass—these images would soon become reality. This is the site of Tangerine Sky Community Park, Marana’s first new park since 2009, and today is the groundbreaking.

“Who here has memories of playing in a public park?” Town Manager Gilbert Davidson asked of the small assembly.  “Who here has taken their kids or grandkids to the park? Think about those moments when you watch your child go down a slide for the first time. This park is about real people enjoying a public park.”

In 2015, during the preliminary planning stages of this park, Marana staff surveyed the neighborhood surrounding it to find out what some of those real people would want in this new amenity. As a result of that effort, the final design for this park includes two dog parks, a playground, a basketball court, a turfed area, and a paved path and a nature trail that will meander through undeveloped Sonoran Desert.

“This final design reflects exactly what we learned from residents,” says Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth-Briehn. “This 12-acre park balances natural elements with developed features so that users of all kinds can find something to love about this location.” 

The location of the park, south of Tangerine Road is conveniently located near both Dove Mountain and the Twin Peaks Corridor, benefiting a wide array of visitors. Currently, the Town of Marana is working with Pima County and Oro Valley to widen Tangerine Road between Dove Mountain Blvd and La Cholla Dr. As part of this project, a shared-use path will allow cyclists, walkers, joggers, and any other non-motorized users to enjoy a car-free pathway. Tangerine Sky Community Park, when complete, will serve as an ideal trailhead for this route.

“Our aim with this park is to create a point of pride in this community, a gathering place for our residents,” continues Nemeth-Briehn. “We’ll host free concerts here, and no doubt there will be birthday parties, quinceañeras, and family picnics. We can’t wait for this park to open next year and to see our residents start using it.”

Town staff expect construction on the park to continue from now into 2018, just in time for a ribbon cutting in the spring. Keep checking back in the Marana Newsroom, like the Town on Facebook, and follow the Town on Twitter to stay in the loop on all project updates.

Overhead utility work scheduled along Interstate 10 and Ina Road

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restriction as construction of the Interstate 10 and Ina Road traffic interchange continues:

I-10 will be closed intermittently in both directions at Ina Road between 6 and 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, for overhead utility work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

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.

UPDATE: Overnight maintenance work scheduled on Interstate 10

Eastbound I-10 ramp at Orange Grove Road closed overnight

Eastbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Orange Grove Road (milepost 250) from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 1, and again Thursday night, June 1, to Friday morning, June 2. 

• The eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Orange Grove Road will be closed.
• Drivers will use the eastbound I-10 frontage road at Orange Grove Road to Sunset Road to access eastbound I-10.

Eastbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Pinal Air Park Road (milepost 231) from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 1.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Kids and Teens Can Take College Classes through Pima Community College and Marana Parks and Recreation

This summer, Marana Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Pima Community College to give a younger audience active and learning this summer. Over the course of four one-week sessions, knowledge-seekers can explore the animal kingdom, architecture, computer science, and world cultures. In every class, accredited PCC instructors will engage students with the same enthusiasm and expertise that they bring to their university courses. And the best part of all? Parents, you won’t have to pay university prices for your kids to benefit from this experience. So what are we offering this year?

The tables below break out all the course offerings by age group. To register a student ages 5-8 or 9-12, visit the Pima For Kids course catalogue. To register a student ages 13-17, visit the Teen Scene course catalogue. In either course catalogue, you can search for classes by course reference number (CRN). All classes in this program will be hosted here in Marana, at Twin Peaks Elementary School.

With both anticipation and anxiety, every year, newly minted high school graduates step into the world of higher education. For a few, though, a rising confidence bubbles up. They’ve been here before. They’ve experienced this life. They took PCC summer classes through Pima for Kids and Teen Scene. They’re ready.

KB Home and Sherwin Williams Work Together to Serve Marana

This week is National Painting Week, and to mark the occasion, KB Home and Sherwin Williams have teamed up to complete a painting project that will benefit the Marana community. On Friday, May 26, the two companies joined forces to repaint a Marana maintenance building located near Ora Mae Harn Park. This project helps beautify one of Marana’s parks with a fresh coat of paint.

“I grew up in the Marana community,” says Division President of KB Home Amy McReynolds. “For us to donate time and efforts and to partner with Sherwin Williams is a great way to give back.”

Across the community, the Town of Marana maintains a huge number of separate facilities of all shapes and sizes. The Marana Municipal Complex alone includes a sprawling campus that houses the Marana Police Department, Parks and Recreation, and administration offices. Elsewhere in the Town, a wide variety of municipal structures all require regular maintenance. By taking on this project, KB Home and Sherwin Williams are helping support this effort.

“I’m personally from Marana,” explains Rob Kallal, a sales representative of Sherwin Williams. “This was a great opportunity to give back to the community. Sherwin Williams is about community first, and everything else follows.”

This is far from the first year these two organizations have partnered for a community project. In fact, they collaborate every year on these kinds of projects during National Painting Week.

“Marana as a community benefits from a number of partnerships with the private sector,” says Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth-Briehn. “We deeply appreciate KB Home and Sherwin Williams for their contributions to Marana. This project supports our larger efforts to serve the community.”

Traffic Alert: Roadwork on Tangerine, May 30 and 31

Beginning Tuesday, May 30, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be installing traffic signal loops at the Tangerine Road and Dove Mountain Boulevard/Twin Peaks Road intersection. In addition, they will also be completing work in the median at the intersection. This work is scheduled to be complete by early June. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Intermittent lane restrictions and turn restrictions at the intersection
• Restrictions will change daily
• Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day 
• Expect slight delays 

Beginning Tuesday, May 30 through Wednesday, May 31, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will pave the northwest corner of the Tangerine Road/Thornydale Road intersection. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction
• All left turns will be permitted
• Right turns will not be permitted from southbound Thornydale Road to westbound Tangerine Road 
• Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day
• Expect slight delays

On Tuesday, May 30, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors willtemporarily close the Chase Bank entrance off of Thornydale Road to complete work in the area. Business access will be maintained from Tangerine Road through the Circle K driveway. 

Splash into Summer at the Marana Pool Starting Tuesday, May 30

Marana is a place where we love our outdoor fun all year long. Even as the summer temperatures heat up, there are still plenty of ways to stay active in our beautiful desert environment. On Tuesday, May 30, the refreshing waters of the Marana Pool will greet swimmers for the first time, which means that for the next few months, it’s splashing time. All summer long, Marana Parks and Recreation will host a variety of structured activities as well as some laid-back fun in the sun. So grab your sunscreen and goggles, because it’s time to dive into summer.

Parent and Tot Pool Play

Our youngest swimmers and their outgoing parents won’t want to miss out on Parent and Tot Play at the pool. This program offers a safe and exclusive pool environment for parents and tots to enjoy the water with other parents and tots, along with organized games and pool toys. For two Saturdays in both June and July, you can blow your tot’s mind with the biggest bath tub they’ve ever seen. 

YMCA Swim Lessons

For over 100 years, the Y has been helping kids across the country learn to swim. Drowning poses a significant danger for kids just learning how to have fun in the water, and participants in this class will learn the fundamentals of how to swim safely. For swimmers-to-be aged 5-12, there’s no better way to get ready for a lifetime of water adventures than swimming lessons from the Y.

There will be four two-week sessions held in July and August, and information on how to sign up is available here.

Sensory Splash at the Heritage Park Splash Pad and at the Marana Pool

Do you have a child, aged 5-12, with special needs? Marana Parks and Recreation is offering the perfect program for you. The Sensory Splash, offered at both the splash pad and the pool, provides a safe, positive, and exclusive aquatic and social meet-up experience for individuals with special needs. We will cater the pool and equipment towards those individuals, along with some planned activities for the participants to enjoy.

Junior Lifeguard Training

Grab your red buoy and put on your Hasselhoff face, because this summer, you, yes you (if you’re 11-14 years old), can get your Junior Lifeguard training in Marana.  This course is designed to prepare future lifeguards by building a foundation of aquatic knowledge, attitudes, and skills.

Water Aerobics

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sing along with Cyndi Lauper while splashing to the beat? Wonder no more, my friend. Marana’s Water Aerobics program is the perfect activity to tone up for months and months of summer fun. Here, you’ll be able to build up flexibility, core strength, and balance while also helping you to reach your fitness goals. These Saturday classes will run through June and July, and are open to all participants aged 16 or older.

Splash n’ Dash Series

They say cross-training is the best form of exercise, so Marana’s Splash n’ Dash series may just be the best way to stay fit this summer. This event combines a long-distance swim with a run (distances vary by age group), and frankly, the only way to hit the pavement in this heat is to do so after a refreshing swim.

The Splash n’ Dash will occur on July 13 and July 27, and registration is only $5. Both events will occur in the early evening, starting at 6pm. And the best part? For free, Marana Parks and Recreation is throwing in the added bonus of watching a beautiful Southern Arizona sunset. We’ll see you in the water!

Dive-in Movies

Throughout the year, Marana hosts free screenings of a variety of family-friendly movies. When the temperature heats up, though, we move from the park to the pool. The Marana Pool will host Dive-in Movies all summer long. The summer’s first movie will be Despicable Me on June 17, followed by Finding Dory on July 15, and Moana on August 19 at the Heritage River Park Splash Pad.

Free Lap Swim

For a rigorous workout that won’t leave you panting from heat stroke, try lap swimming at the Marana Pool. Every Tuesday and Thursday this summer, starting May 30, the pool is open during the lunch hour, 11:30am-12:30pm, so head on over for some refreshing mid-day laps.

Free Open Swim

Are you not into the whole group activity thing? No problem, we’ve got just the thing for you. Every Monday through Saturday, 1-5pm, the pool is open for free open swim. Come relax in the sun, bring your friends, and hang out at the pool. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

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With so much going on this summer, the Marana Pool is the place to be. No one’s better at having fun in the sun than us desert dwellers. Whether you’re looking to up your swim game, strengthen your core with water aerobics, or just splash around with a pool noodle, you’ve come to the right place.

Marana tentative budget approved

Article by Brad Allis

Originally published in Marana News on May 24, 2017

The Marana Town Council approved the tentative budget for the fiscal year 2018 during on May 16. The Town Council will still need to take one more vote to formally approve the budget, but barring any last second changes, the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is set.

Project Ina app featured in RTA video

The Regional Transportation Authority has featured Marana's Project Ina App as an innovative way to help businesses during construction. Give us a view!

Marana developed the Project Ina app in the months before major construction descended on Ina Road. During this project, the Ina Road exits from I-10 will be closed, meaning potential customers must exit at either Sunset or Cortaro and take surface roads to access this commercial district.

When the project is complete, a new overpass will carry traffic over the highway and the railroad tracks, tremendously improving the flow of traffic in this area. Before then, though, the Town is working hard to support the businesses along the Ina Corridor. The Project Ina App is just one part of that larger effort.

Marana Water News: All Hooked Up

Beginning last week, there are many new sewer customers in the Marana Water system thanks to an almost complete capital improvement project. This new sewer line runs from our existing sewer system through portions of North Marana near Moore Road, down Tangerine Farms Road, underneath the Santa Cruz River, and ends at the Saguaro Bloom neighborhood off of Silverbell and Twin Peaks. This line will be able to carry a maximum of 1.8 million gallons per day allowing for growth opportunities all along the new line.

Divided into several phases, the construction of this project was no easy feat. Beginning in October 2014, the project began to be fleshed out and our Town Capital Improvement team, along with Marana Water, began working with a consultant to determine the best approach. It was then that it became clear that the project would be divided into distinct phases. When reviewing work that was previously planned on the alignment, our team resurrected a design from 2008, which was part of the planned improvements for the area but was never constructed. The original engineering firm and our new engineering firm worked together to match up their respective plans. The first phase was completed in October 2015. Additionally, there was sewer infrastructure built during the Tangerine Farms Road construction that we made sure became a part of the first phase of the project. This phase of construction included 3.5 miles of brand new 15-18” sewer main and 45 new manholes.

The second phase was approximately two miles in length.  This included approximately 0.5 miles of 15” gravity main with seven new manholes, and approximately 1.25 miles of 8” force main with three new air release valves.  A 1,900 linear foot portion of the force main was bored under the Santa Cruz River to depths of up to 60 feet. The completion of this project allowed for the connection of the Saguaro Bloom and the Rillito Vista neighborhoods. We had to use specialized drilling equipment, drilling mud, welding, and testing equipment on the steel casing, and a special machine to pull the casing through after the drill under the Santa Cruz River. Construction for this portion of the project began in December 2016 and there are just a few more pieces left until this is completed.

While also part of Phase II, there is another part of this project that is particularly interesting - the lift station. As part of the original Saguaro Bloom development, a lift station was constructed to pump the sewage up and over the Tucson Mountains where it would eventually be treated at Pima County’s Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility.  These types of lines are called force mains due to the pressure required to get the contents where it needs to go. Phase II described above is construction of a force main line while Phase I is a gravity fed line, meaning once the contents reach that portion of the system, gravity does all the work to get it to our Water Reclamation Facility. That pressure is provided through a system of pumps and wells called a lift station. In the new construction, instead of pumping the sewer over a mountain, we need to pump it under the Santa Cruz River and over to where the gravity flow portion begins.

In the late hours of Wednesday, May 17 and the early hours of Thursday, May 18, we tied into this lift station and began taking flows into our newly constructed line. We pumped all the contents out of the existing force main that flowed over the mountain and hauled it to an upstream manhole, cut into the existing pipe, and connected our new pipe all while monitoring flows from the neighborhood. We are proud to say this was done seamlessly and without any service disruption.

Connecting to a manhole

Pumping out the existing force main late at night

A manhole prior to installation

Pulling the pipe casing through the bored hole under the Santa Cruz River

Trench with bedding for the new sewer line

Crew hard at work near a manhole

Crossing the sewer line under existing utilities

This project required substantial coordination and collaboration to ensure that it was completed properly and in the best interest of all stakeholders. We worked with the farming community on the construction of parts of the gravity line, collaborated with the original engineering firm from 2008, and, of course, with Pima County to ensure there was no noticeable change for our customers. We also took precautions to ensure the lifespan of this infrastructure. We used a specific type of pipe that is welded together rather than coupled together to prevent leaks at connection points. We added SCADA software to monitor and notify the department of any issue that might be present at the site, and we added variable frequency drives which allow for more efficient use of the lift station pumps. As part of the 2012 settlement for the Town to take over the sewer system, the transition of this area from Pima County to Marana was established. The efficiencies generated from not having the pump over the mountain and connecting to a gravity line are beneficial for both parties. The installation of this line allows for savings across the board. While there are additional testing and maintenance requirements that our wastewater staff are now taking on, the opportunity for growth in this area just expanded substantially.

The construction of this project is a great example of how we operate at Marana Water. We work in teams to provide the best outcomes, use materials and equipment that will provide long term health for our system, create thoughtful proactive maintenance plans, and ensure no noticeable change in our customer experience. We are proud to say this project came in under budget, and we are now taking the wastewater discharge into our new line. Should any Saguaro Bloom customer have a sewer related question, they will now call Marana Water at (520) 382-2570. There will be no change to the statements of the method of payment.

For all intents and purposes this project is completed. There are some minor adjustments to some of our monitoring equipment that are necessary, but the majority of the work was completed when we tied into the lift station last week. We can now incorporate this new infrastructure into our maintenance schedule and keep working hard to provide resiliency and redundancy to all of our systems.

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Press release: New police facility groundbreaking ceremony

The media and public are invited to join the Town of Marana and the Police Facility Project Team as the Town breaks ground on a new police facility at the Marana Municipal Complex on Wednesday, June 7 at 9 A.M.

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The building, once completed, will be the result of months of public education and outreach, a community-supported half-cent sales tax increase, and years of research, planning, and development. The designs include improved amenities to accommodate the police department’s various services, as well as the capacity to manage Marana’s anticipated population growth, and the commensurate police department growth, over the next twenty years:

EXPANDED TRAINING FACILITIES

Marana Police Department will have a state of the art training facility once construction is complete, with classrooms, gym, shooting range, and virtual training room available for region-wide use.

IMPROVED SECURITY

Police officers will soon park their vehicles in a secured parking lot, as well as provide separate holding cells for adults and minors that are secured from other parts of the police building.

EXPANDED STORAGE AND EVIDENCE ROOMS

The new storage rooms for evidence will centralize all Marana police materials, with room for growth over the next twenty years.

BRAND NEW K-9 AMENITIES

K-9 units will be able to take care of their dogs in the new K-9 amenities, which will offer dog kennels, a care center, tools, and indoor/outdoor areas.

ADMINISTRATION

Larger administrative and records rooms will be able to accommodate all police records, including a special storage space for homicide cases.

INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY ROOM AND UPDATED COURTYARD

The public will be able to make use of the new public building through its inclusive community room. Ideal for meeting space and ceremonies, the community room is available to all Town departments and the public for various events, classes, and functions. A removable wall feature also allows the community room to open up to the improved courtyard, which will encourage staff and the public to see this area as a center of activity.

The building is projected to be completed by summer 2018.

Lane restrictions scheduled along Ina Road and Interstate 10

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restrictions as construction on Interstate 10 and Ina Road continues:

• Ina Road, east of Silverbell Road, will be narrowed to one lane in both directions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Monday, May 22, through Friday, May 26, to set bridge girders. The work will involve 12 truck hauls per day transporting 63-foot girders. The trucks will be traveling on I-10 to Cortaro Road, to Silverbell Road, to Ina Road. Lane restrictions will be in place during the hauling.
• I-10  will have intermittent closures in both directions at Ina Road between 6 and 10 a.m. Sunday, May 21, for overhead utility work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Additionally, there will be maintenance work along I-10 near the Ina Road traffic interchange for milling and replacing asphalt.

• Westbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Ruthrauff Road (milepost 252) from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 25, for pavement work.
• The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Ruthrauff Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 25 during the pavement work.
• Drivers will use the westbound I-10 on-ramp at Sunset Road.
• Westbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Cortaro Road (milepost 247) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, and Thursday, May 25, for pavement work.
• The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Cortaro Road will be closed d from 8 p.m. Thursday, May 25, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 26.
• Drivers will use the westbound I-10 frontage road to Twin Peaks Road to access westbound I-10.
• The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph.

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: Recharge Project Underway

The Town of Marana has begun construction for an expansion to our Water Reclamation Facility as well as the new Marana Water Reclamation Facility Recharge Project.

The project started in early 2014 when Marana Water staff started meeting with stakeholders. The master plan for the project was completed in 2014 and design was finished in early 2016. By December 2016 construction had begun. Our current construction plans anticipate that the project will be completed in May 2018. This new project is in partnership with the expansion of the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) construction. The treated wastewater from the WRF will be used for the basins and recharged into the aquifer. The location was selected for proximity to the WRF, avoidance of the floodway, and with soil that could provide good infiltration rates so we could get the highest return. Check out the slideshow below to see the progress of the construction site from March 7 through May 2.

As part of its water portfolio, the Town receives water credits for treated effluent recharged back into the aquifer along with groundwater rights, long term storage credits, and our annual allocation of Central Arizona Project water. The addition of this recharge project gives more stability to the portfolio so Marana is able to keep up with demand and growth in the Town. The current phase of this project is anticipated to provide 1.5 million gallons per day of treated wastewater from the WRF. The WRF will provide A+ source water for the recharge basins. This is the highest class of reclaimed water determined by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Engineering rendering of the completed recharge basins first phase, and the connection to the WRF

Water is a valuable resource in Arizona and there are many regulations with how it used or diverted. In this case, Marana is required to get an Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The Town already has an APP issued for the WRF, and since the recharge basis are adjacent to the WRF, we were able to amend our existing permit to include the recharge project. In addition, the Town obtained New Underground Storage Facility and Water Storage permits from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. These are to ensure that the groundwater quality is protected and there will be no potential harm to the aquifer from our new project. Finally, we needed to get a Flood Plain Use permit since this site is within the existing flood plain.

Marana Water has many goals for this recharge project apart from the water resource potential. While it is not quite the same as Tucson Water’s Sweetwater Wetlands, it does provide the opportunity for educational events and recreational activities once it is up and running. In the long-term, the Town could invest in walking trails, ramadas, restrooms, and other amenities.

Our commitment to sustainability and resiliency of our service is second to none. Projects like this recharge facility and the expansion of the WRF put in place sustainable options for manageable growth. For more information on the WRF, check out our Water Reclamation page here.

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Tangerine Road Update, May 15-17, 2017

On Monday, May 15 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be reconstructing the Chase Bank driveway, just north of the Thornydale and Tangerine Roads intersection. The traveling public can expect the following:

• The first driveway will be temporarily closed
• Please use an alternate entrance

Beginning Monday, May 15 through Tuesday, May 16 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be reconstructing the third driveway to the Fry's shopping center, just east of the Thornydale and Tangerine Roads intersection. The traveling public can expect the following:

• The first driveway will be temporarily closed
• Please use an alternate entrance

Beginning Tuesday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 17 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will install utility infrastructure across Tangerine Road at Wildlife Avenue. The traveling public can expect the following:

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

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kristi or Nanette at (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.