volume 28 ~ Issue 6 www.tempe.gov/newsroom June 2012

Hayden Flour Mill to reopen this fall as event venue Since 1998, the Hayden Flour Mill has been closed to the public. On Sept. 20, the site will open again with a community celebration worthy of one of Tempe’s best loved icons.

The City of Tempe and the Rio Salado Foundation have restored the grounds of the Hayden Flour Mill as an event venue, a recreation site and an interpretative museum. Improvements include the opportunity for people to look through the ground-floor windows of the mill to see some of the equipment that was used to grind flour. Nearby plaques explain what can be seen. The site includes a stage and concert lawn, as well as a small grove of trees for shady picnics.

The free grand opening event on Sept. 20, from 5-10 p.m., will include music, history tours, activities for the family and more. The date is also the first of the Downtown Tempe Community’s fall Third Thursday series. More details can be found at www.tempe.gov/haydenflourmill. The Hayden Flour Mill is located at the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.

About 800 Tempe High School students learned lifesaving technique When Tempe High School students arrived on campus May 8, it wasn’t just an average day at school – it was a matter of life and death. That’s because about 800 students learned a technique that could possibly save the lives of family members or others they encounter in the future.

Vice Mayor Joel Navarro and Councilmember Robin Arredondo-Savage brought together partners including the Tempe Fire Department, Tempe Firefighters Local 493, the Tempe Union High School District and Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital for a daylong series of training sessions in Cardio Cerebral Resuscitation (CCR).

CCR has replaced Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as the preferred lifesaving technique among many emergency response organizations. CCR, which also is called “compression-only CPR” or “hands-only CPR,” is becoming widely known as a more effective technique that is less complicated and easier to learn and remember.

Tempe firefighters guided students from the school’s Health Occupations Preparatory Education (HOPE) Academy in doing the trainings. HOPE students partner with educators at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital to learn about healthcare professions. The aim of the program is to train all Tempe high school students in CCR every year, and to spread the word throughout the community about how easy and valuable this method is to learn.

The Tempe Fire Department has been using CCR since November 2008. For more information on CCR, visit www.azshare.gov.

Which fireworks are legal in Tempe? Celebrating with sparklers in Tempe this July 4th is allowed, but the Tempe Fire and Police departments remind residents that many other types of fireworks are illegal to use within city limits.

A state law that took effect in 2011 allows for the sale of consumer fireworks at retail and temporary locations, while still allowing Arizona cities and towns to ban their use. Last year, the Tempe City Council joined several other communities across the state in banning the use of consumer fireworks to prevent injuries and fires.

Novelty fireworks are still allowed to be used in Tempe; they include handheld sparklers, smoke devices, party poppers, snappers and snakes. Consumer fireworks are illegal to use within city limits; they include ground-based sparklers in cylindrical, square, cone or rocket shapes, as well as aerial fireworks like roman candles, firecrackers, sky rockets and bottle rockets.

Tempe’s ban applies only to consumer fireworks. Professional fireworks displays, such as those at the annual July 4th and New Year’s Eve events are not affected. The ban does not apply to Maricopa County islands within Tempe city limits. The penalty for violating the city’s ordinance is a minimum fine of $250.

Changes coming to Tempe transit system On July 23, changes will be implemented to the Tempe transit system. Over the last three years, Tempe has evaluated its transit system in order to identify service changes necessary to help address a budget deficit due to the economic recession, as well as to improve the performance of the system. The Tempe transit system is funded primarily by local and regional sales taxes, both of which have dramatically decreased causing Tempe to reevaluate the transit system in order to reduce costs.

Oversight of these limited funds and sound business practices require regular evaluation of transit system performance to ensure resources are properly allocated to deliver an equitable, cost-effective, and fiscally sustainable transit program that works for the community. Tempe values its transit riders and strives to provide the highest quality and most cost effective service to the community. All modes were evaluated in order to optimize each element of Tempe’s total transit network. Service changes were evaluated based on comments received by the public along with the goals of maximizing cost savings, maintaining ridership, reducing duplicative service, increasing system efficiency, maintaining or improving regional connections, maintaining system-wide service equity and minimizing service inconsistencies. To view the approved changes and modified route maps, visit www.tempe.gov/tim. For information on Tempe’s transit program, call 480-858-2350.

Help keep storm drains cleaner Rainwater that doesn’t get absorbed into the ground – because it lands on or runs off onto hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and streets – is considered stormwater runoff. In Tempe, most runoff ends up in the city’s underground stormwater drainage system, which ultimately carries the untreated water to our urban lakes, rivers, parks and, in some cases, eventually to our drinking water aquifers.

Unfortunately, stormwater runoff can pick up various pollutants along the way. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is released, untreated, into the water bodies we use for swimming and fishing, or into the ground where some of our future drinking water supply is stored.

In Tempe’s ongoing efforts to prevent polluted stormwater from getting into the environment, we want to continually identify and eliminate stormwater pollution at the source. As part of Tempe’s Stormwater Management Program, we’ve identified two stormwater pollutants – pathogens and copper – and ways we can all work together to keep them from getting in the stormwater system.

Pathogenic organisms – such as bacteria, viruses and protozoans – are often found in stormwater runoff. These organisms can compromise the quality of lake water, causing stress to the lake’s ecosystem and potentially resulting in restricted use of the lake or waterway. Animal waste is a major source of pathogens, including E. coli bacteria.

Copper is also a pollutant commonly found in stormwater runoff. Runoff consisting of metals, such as copper, ultimately makes its way to nearby urban parks, lakes and rivers, and can negatively impact wildlife and drinking water aquifers.

How you can help: •Cleanupafteryourpet.Droppingsshouldnotbediscarded into storm drains or left in the open. Dispose of them in a trash bin.

•Don’tfeedwildanimalsatwatersidelocations–lakes, ponds, streams, canals, etc.

•Avoiduseofpesticides,fungicidesandalgaecides.Ifyou must use them, choose products that contain little or no copper and avoid applying them right before rainy weather.

•Usepooltreatmentproductsthatcontainlittleorno copper. Keep pool, fountain and spa water on your property or discharge it to the sanitary sewer. Pool drainage may be discharged to the right-of-way or street only if it’s de-chlorinated and pollutant free.

•Washvehiclesatacommercialcarwashthatretains pollutants or in a location that does not drain to the street. Never dispose of automotive fluids in storm drains.

•Reportillegaldumping.Dumpingwastedownstormdrains is illegal. If you suspect illegal dumping, call 480-350-2811 or visit www.tempe.gov/stormwater and click on the complaint form. If you have questions, call 480-350-2678.

If you’re interested in learning more about Tempe’s Stormwater Management Program please visit http://www.tempe.gov/stormwater.

Neighbor of the Year Awards Each year, the City of Tempe celebrates residents who build community and inspire others to be more involved. Some of those residents were honored by the Mayor and City Council, along with fellow neighbors, at the April 28 Neighborhood Workshop and Awards:

Russ Courtney, Raintree Estates Neighborhood Association – Received a Neighbor of the Year Award for his leadership in forming an association. Courtney has fostered a community of caring neighbors who host social activities, communicate regularly through email and a neighborhood newsletter, and support charitable organizations. He never misses neighborhood event planning meetings and frequently serves as emcee.

Chris Rowley, Maple Ash Neighborhood Association (MANA) – Winner of the Chuck Malpede Neighbor of the Year Award, Rowley was recognized for his consummate neighborliness and willingness to assist fellow residents with physically demanding jobs like digging trenches and working a backhoe. He has contributed his metal-working skills to help MANA complete two flood irrigation standpipe projects. Rowley has reforested his own front yard and assisted with numerous tree planting projects throughout the neighborhood, making it greener and cooler for all to enjoy.

In addition, three residences and one alley area were recognized for improving the community:

•BenFunkeandCoryMartinez (Golden Shovel Award) •ZaworksiResidence (Golden Shovel Award) •MapleAshStandpipes(Golden Shovel Award) •JoanneJohnsonandJohnSanborn (Alley Upkeep Award)

The 2012 Neighborhood Workshop and Awards was a morning event held at the Tempe History Museum, featuring the awards and workshops on topics ranging from What’s Happening in Downtown Tempe to a mini Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and a community building through art opportunity which provided an excellent, relaxing networking opportunity.

To see event pictures or for more information about the resources available through Neighborhood Services, visitwww.tempe.gov/neighborhoods or call 480-350-8234.

Tips to prevent, manage coyote encounters The City of Tempe, in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is offering Tempe residents information and tips for managing and minimizing coyote encounters. The city received several calls this spring about coyote sightings between Southern Avenue and the US-60 freeway, from McClintock Drive to Priest Drive. While residents in other, more remote areas of the Valley may be accustomed to seeing coyotes, the animals seem to be less commonly observed in central areas like Tempe. However, coyotes actually are common in rural and urban areas throughout Arizona. They just tend to be more visible in the spring, said Rory Aikens, Game and Fish Public Information Officer.

Coyotes usually travel and hunt alone or in pairs, but they can form groups where food is abundant. Each spring, Aikens said, parent coyotes often come out of hiding to expose their offspring to the environment. Major attractors for coyotes include: food (unattended pets, birds or rodents attracted to bird feeders, pet food, garbage or fallen fruit); water (a pet’s water bowl or a swimming pool); and shelter (a storm drain or any cave-like area beneath a shed or unused building).

“If they can find a way of making a living, whether it’s Central Park, New York, or Tempe, they’re going to be there,” Aikens said.

To decrease the likelihood that coyotes will find your area appealing, never purposely feed them. In addition: •Removeaccesstogarbage,petfood,watersources, citrus on the ground and bird feeders. •Feedyourpetsinside,andneverleavethem unattended, especially at dusk and dawn when coyotes are most active. •Keeppoultry,rabbitsandrodentsinsecure enclosures. •Trimandremoveanyground-levelshrubsand branches that provide hiding places or den sites for coyotes or their prey. •Securegarbagecontainersandeliminateodors by cleaning trashcans with a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution.

To discourage a coyote from getting closer, immediately: •Makeloudnoises,likeshoutingorbangingpots. •Waveyourhandsorobjectslikesticksandbrooms. •Throwsmallstonesorcans. •Sprayitwithahose. •Onlyifnecessary,useacommercialrepellentlike Mace on a bold animal that refuses to leave.

Homeowners may trap and relocate coyotes, but must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department for an appropriate release location before transporting the animal. Homeowners can also hire a wildlife control business to capture and remove coyotes for a fee. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_coyote.shtml. If a coyote is aggressive, call Game and Fish at 480-981-9400. After hours and on weekends, a radio dispatcher is available at 623-236-7201.

Tempe City Councilmembers with Chris Rowley, Chuck Malpede Neighbor of the Year Award winner

CalendarThis is the tentative June/July schedule for Tempe CityCouncil meetings.

June 14, 20126 p.m., Issue Review Session 7:30 p.m., Council Meeting

June 28 , 20126 p.m., Issue Review Session 7:30 p.m., Council Meeting

For the July schedule of Council meetings, visit www.tempe.gov/clerk

Meetings are aired live on Tempe 11 and the Internet at www.tempe.gov/tempe11.City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 31 E. Fifth St. Agendas are posted 24 hours before each meeting outside the Council Chambers and on the second floor of City Hall. Meetings are subject to change. Confirm dates and times with the City Clerk’s Office, 480-350-8241 or at www.tempe.gov/clerk.

Tempe City CouncilHugh Hallman Mayor

Joel NavarroVice Mayor

Robin Arredondo-Savage Councilmember

Shana EllisCouncilmember

Mark W. MitchellCouncilmember

Onnie Shekerjian Councilmember

Corey WoodsCouncilmember

Charlie MeyerCity Manager

To contact the Mayor and Council, call 480-350-8110. Tempe Today is produced by the Communication and Media Relations Division

Tempe Today editor Nikki Ripleynikki_ripley@tempe.gov480-350-8846 or 480-350-8400 (TDD)

City of Tempe31E.5thSt.,Tempe,AZ85281www.tempe.gov

News you can useFree Art Friday continues through summer Free Art Friday is a monthly, family-friendly event that gives parents and their preschoolers an opportunity to create art, learn about music and movement, and have a great time! The program features different art projects each month that explore various themes. Join Free Art Friday on the third Friday of each month at the Edna Vihel Center for the Arts, 3340 S. Rural Road, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All activities are free and no registration is necessary. For more information, call 480-350-5287.

Cool off at Kiwanis!You don’t need to head to the beach to catch some waves-- Kiwanis Wave Pool is open all summer! Now through the end of July, Kiwanis Wave Pool will be open 1-5 p.m. on weekdays andwillstayopenonweekendsthroughAugust26.Bringthewholefamilyonselectweekends from 1-3 p.m. for theme days: July 7-8: Air Conditioning Appreciation WeekendJuly 21-22:BigBrothersandBigSistersAugust 12:BoyScouts’DayAugust 26: Grandparents’ Day

Play is a priority in TempeFor the fourth time in as many years, Tempe has been recognized as a Playful City USA communitybyKaBOOM!,anationalnon-profitorganizationdedicatedtopromotingplayinchildren’slives.Inthesixthyearoftheprogram,KaBOOM!named213citiesandtownsacross the country – 12 of which are in Arizona – as Playful City USA honorees.

Tempe was selected for its outstanding dedication to play. One example of this commitment is the City of Tempe’s recently revised Community Services Scholarship Program, which enables Tempe and Guadalupe residents ages 0-17 and youth enrolled in Tempe public schools the opportunity to stay active by offering subsidized program fees.

To further promote play, Tempe hosts annual play days to allow community members of all ages to get out and get active. PlayDay 2012 was held Feb. 18 and featured structured and un-structured play activities including kayaking, softball, football, dance and movement and much more. Tempe’s next PlayDay will be held in early 2013. Call 480-350-5200 for more information.

Beat the heat, check the backseatAs the temperature in the Valley continues to rise, the Tempe Police and Fire departments want to remind the community never to leave a child in a vehicle unattended. Heat stroke can quickly set in as the interior of the vehicle heats up which could lead to a tragic situation. In 2011 there were 33 deaths of children in the United States due to heat stroke from being left in hot cars. A study shows that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild temperatures of even 70 degrees and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures rapidly. The Arizona summer temperatures increase this danger significantly. Oftentimes, the child was “forgotten” by the caregiver and left in the vehicle. In 75 percent of the incidents, the child was two years of age or younger.

Here are some safety tips: •Neverleaveachildunattendedinavehicle.Notevenforaminute. •Ifyouseeachildunattendedinavehicle,call9-1-1. •Ifyourchildismissingcheckthepool,thenyourcar. •Besurethatalloccupantsleavethevehiclewhenunloading.Don’toverlooksleeping babies. •Alwayslockyourcarandensurechildrendonothaveaccesstokeysorremoteentry devices. •Teachyourchildrenthatvehiclesarenevertobeusedasaplayarea. •Placeyourpurseorbriefcaseinthebackseatasareminderthatyouhaveyourchild in the car.

For additional information visit www.ggweather.com/heat or www.tempe.gov/fire.

Tempe tests warning system on bus fleetThe City of Tempe and Veolia Transportation take safety seriously and want to protect passengers and residents, so they have activated a new warning system.

In May, the two partners started using an Automatic Pedestrian Warning System (APWS) on nine Tempe-owned buses operated by Veolia. APWS is a newly developed technology that warns pedestrians and bicyclists when a bus is about to turn, in order to help prevent accidents. The test buses will operate on East Valley routes through September.

The system automatically triggers an audible warning to nearby pedestrians and bicyclists any time the bus steering wheel is turned or when the turn signals are activated below 15 MPH. The warning system can be programmed to make a single announcement or to repeat the announcement several times. The volume on the system can also be adjusted to ensure warnings are loud enough to alert pedestrians and bicyclists.

The cost per bus is approximately $1,000, which is paid by Veolia. After the test period, the city and Veolia will evaluate the system’s performance as well as any public feedback to determine if the system should be expanded to the rest of the fleet by the end of 2012.

Refresh your memory about water safety The Tempe Fire Department wants to remind people that drowning can happen in an instant and not just in swimming pools. Drowning prevention experts stress that layers of protection are key. Those layers include vigilant parents, pool fences with gates that self-latch, alarms and not drinking alcohol when swimming.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of four in Arizona. Most children drown in their own pools, but children also drown in buckets, toilets, bathtubs, fish tanks, canals and ponds. It only takes two inches of water for a child to drown. Near drowning is also very tragic and can cause permanent brain damage. Adults often drown in spas and pools with alcohol consumption being a factor.

Drowning and near drowning can be prevented: •Neverleaveachildunattendedinornearwaterandmaintainconstanteye-to-eyesupervision.

•Keeptoys,tricyclesandotherplayitemsawayfromthepoolorspa.Keeptables,chairsandladdersawayfrom pool fences. •Don’tconsideryourchildrentobe“drown-proof”becausetheyhavetakenswimminglessonsorbecausetheyare wearing/using flotation devices.

•Makesureyourpoolorspahasaneffectivebarrier,suchasafence,wall,orlockedgatethathelpstoguard against unauthorized access.

•Gatesshouldhaveself-closing,self-latchingmechanisms.Latchesneedtobeoutofreachofyoungchildren.Check placement of doggie doors for direct access to pool area.

•Mountlifesavingdevicesnearthepool.

•Alwaysemptyanybucketwhenitisnotinuse.Five-gallonindustrialbucketsareconstructedofheavy,rigid plastic and pose a threat to young children. The large size and heavy construction of the bucket, as well as a child’s center of gravity and underdeveloped coordination, make it difficult for a child to get out of the bucket.

•Childrenmustbesupervisedwhilebathing.Leavingachildinchargeofayoungersiblingisnotacceptable. Many tragedies occur when the child is left alone in the tub for “just a few seconds.” Empty the bathtub once the bath is finished.

•Childrenhavealsobeenknowntodrownintoilets.Becauseofatoddler’sheadandbodyweightdistribution, the child that reaches into the toilet and falls in head first may not have the strength to escape. Safety latches for toilet seats are recommended.

If you find anyone in need of help around the water: •Yellforhelpandpullthepersonoutofthewater. •Call9-1-1immediately. •BeginCPRorCCR,orfollowtheinstructionsfrom the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives.

For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/fire.

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Give costly sewer and water line repairs the SLiPP Tempe’s Service Line Protection Program – SLiPP – offers peace of mind for homeowners in the event that their water and/or sewer service lines are damaged or broken. For just $12 a month, owners of single-family, owner-occupied homes can purchase the protection plan, which provides financial assistance for costly water and sewer line repairs.

Many homeowners are unaware that they are responsible for both the main water line that runs from their home to the city’s water meter and the main sewer line that runs from their home to the city’s sewer main. If these lines become clogged, collapse or otherwise fail to operate, the homeowner is responsible for any necessary repairs, which can cost thousands of dollars. The City of Tempe created SLiPP to help ease the financial burden for homeowners, and more than 2,300 Tempe homes are already enrolled. For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/slipp or call 480-858-7547.

Resident Art Colvin at his home as one of the city’s contracted plumbing companies repairs his broken sewer line.

New live music series continues in Tempe The new music series, “In the Spotlight,” continues with seven of the Valley’s top musicians performing in the round. Valley favorite Walt Richardson is host to the series, which takes place from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on June 29 at the Tempe Center for the Arts Studio, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. There is no cover charge. Light food and beverage is available. For more information, visit www.tempe.gov/TCASpotlight.

Free Live

Music

7:30-10:30 p.m., June 29Tempe Center for the Arts Studiowww.tempe.gov/TCA/spotlight

Tempe Center for the ArtsContinuing its support of the

live music community

with selected local and national singer/songwriters

and HostWalt Richardson

www.

tem

pe.go

v/po

ols

Chill out this summer at Escalante pool 75¢ for youth and $1.25 for adultsOpen 7 days a week

KIWANIS WAVE POOLRide a wave at Kiwanis indoor wave pool!$5 for ages 2-12 & $7 for ages 13 and older

Splash Playground at Tempe Beach ParkFree admission

Dive In!Summer swim lessons are available for all ages and experience levels.For schedules visit: www.tempe.gov/brochure

For more information: 480.350.5200

Tempe History Museum809 E. Southern Ave.

www.Tempe.gov/museum 480.350.5100

Travel the Globe Drop-in between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

to explore Tempe’s Sister Cities with free and fun learning opportunities for the whole family, including

arts & crafts, performances, activities and games!

June 6: Carlow, Ireland June 13: Regensburg, Germany

June 20: Beaulieu sur Mer, France June 27: Skopje, Macedonia & Timbuktu, Mali

July 11: Zhenjiang, China July 18: Lower Hutt, New Zealand

July 25: Cuenca, Ecuador