During the recent Town Council meeting on September 16, Oro Valley’s Town Manager, Mary Jacobs, proudly announced that three of the town’s departments have been honored with awards from Arizona Associations. These include the Arizona Planning Association, the American Public Works Association – Arizona Chapter, and the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association.
Mary Jacobs expressed her gratitude, saying, “It’s important for us to recognize our hardworking employees and their creativity in serving our community every day. These awards highlight the innovation and dedication in our public works, community engagement, and parks and recreation. We are lucky to have such dedicated teams making Oro Valley a better place.”
Here’s a closer look at these achievements:
Arizona Planning Association Public Outreach 2020 Award
The Town’s Planning Division was recognized for its outstanding public outreach efforts related to the General Plan Amendment. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team collaborated with the Information Technology Department and Communication Division to produce informational videos and host Zoom neighborhood meetings.
Planning Manager Bayer Vella praised his team, saying, “I’m incredibly proud of how quickly our team adapted to new technology. While virtual outreach can’t replace in-person meetings, our efforts exceeded expectations. Our first video reached over 1,400 people, which is impressive compared to the usual 100 to 150 attendees at public meetings.”
Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association’s 2020 Project of the Year
Oro Valley’s Public Works Department received this award for the Moore Road/La Cañada Drive roundabout project. The roundabout replaced a four-way stop that had seen multiple accidents over the years. Since its completion in November 2019, there has been only one accident, attributed to driver impairment.
Paul Keesler, the Public Works Director and Town Engineer, credited the success to teamwork. He mentioned the support from the Town Manager, the Assistant Manager, Psomas Engineering, Borderland Construction, and the Oro Valley Police Department, who helped manage traffic during the nine-week intersection closure.
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2020 Youth Enrichment Award
The Parks and Recreation Department was honored for its Art + STEM = STEAM program at Steam Pump Ranch. This award-winning summer camp offered kids aged 6 to 12 a mix of art and STEM activities, all within the setting of a historic ranch.
Kristy Diaz-Trahan, Parks and Recreation Director, shared her excitement, saying, “This award is for our kids who created beautiful art. My team deserves a huge thank you for maintaining Steam Pump Ranch, spreading the word, and creating such a creative program.”
Sources
– Arizona Planning Association
– American Public Works Association – Arizona Chapter
– Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
– Google Maps: Moore Road/La Cañada Drive Roundabout