Friday October 31, 2008 John Herrick and Joe Dean, met with the City of Scottsdale to discuss the area flood control project. Those present from the City were John Little, Acting City Manager, Roger Klingler, Assistant City Manager and Dan Worth, General Manager for Municipal Services.
After 10 years of attempting to get the City and D C Ranch to resolve the flooding issues for Pima Acres, we are in the final stages of a permanent solution. The City has funded the project and selected a contractor to build the drainage system on the west side of Pima Road, from an area just north of Sierra Pinta to City property south of Hualapai. This drainage system will connect to the large pipe already installed under Pima Road on the north side of Sierra Pinta.
D C Ranch has a legal agreement with the City to build a new catchment, control, and drainage system on the north side of the entire wall along Sierra Pinta. This system will allow normal flows of water to run in washes in Pima Acres, but divert excessive runoff from D C Ranch into the drainage system being built by the City. D C Ranch will pay for their part of the overall project and will begin work as soon as the contractor has completed the work on the west side of Pima Road.
A new issue has come up with Grayhawk Home Owner's Association concerning the drainage project along the west side of Pima Road. The Grayhawk developer designated that land as Natural Area Open Space (N.A.O.S.) property, but gave the City a legal right to use it as flood control drainage. The City has confirmed the right to use this area as planned in the construction project. Grayhawk's objections are: (1) the project will cause excessive sand to be dumped in their unbridged crossing on Tosoro Road and (2) the drainage system will damage the esthetics of the N.A.O.S area.
The City Manager and other executives feel that the two issues can be addressed and the contractor will begin work around the end of the year. Current plans are to present the project for final approval to the City Council in December. However, the issues with Grayhawk will have to be settled prior to the Council presentation. The City executives are well aware of the political weight of Grayhawk residents and are working toward a resolution.
The three City executives and their staff are very familiar with Pima Acres flooding problem and are dedicated to complete this project as soon as possible.
If you would like more information, please email the Board or contact John Herrick or Joe Dean.
