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Greg Mengarelli

Looking Back at 2019 in Prescott

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Arizona’s Christmas City. The holiday season here in Prescott is truly one of the greatest times of the year and provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate all that we have to be thankful for.

2019 has been an outstanding year for our community and we have much to be proud of. Throughout the year, city staff and our partners in the community have worked diligently on revitalizations in and around downtown, including enhancements to the Granite Creek Corridor and ongoing work at the future site of the Hilton Garden Inn. In the Whiskey Row Alley ongoing beautification efforts, upgraded lighting and safety features and a new mural will be showcased at the Dec. 13 unveiling ceremony. This project has been a true labor of love for staff and our citizens, with all of the funding for the mural coming from private contributions. Enhancements to Whiskey Row Alley will make what is already a precious and historic part of our town even better and be beneficial for businesses, residents and visitors – reflecting so much of what is unique and wonderful about Prescott.

Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) continues to operate direct flights to Los Angeles and Denver, making regional access to Everybody’s Hometown easier than ever before. This year marked the first full year of service with United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines, and in reaching more than 25,000 enplanements (boardings) in 2019, PRC has secured its position as a premier regional airport. In fact, United Express has announced additional flights to Denver starting in March. While this enhanced service has been exciting for our community, PRC’s regional accessibility and our second-to-none quality of life have caught the eye of renowned aviation company Eviation. Eviation has selected Prescott as the home of the innovative and industry first all-electric aircraft, Alice. This truly puts Prescott on the map and offers an opportunity for Embry-Riddle and Yavapai College students to participate in groundbreaking work that will change the way people travel regionally.

These notable accomplishments, along with so many other things about Prescott, have made me incredibly proud to serve as mayor and to be entrusted with another term after a successful campaign in the 2019 election. It is something that I am grateful for. It is an honor to be able to continue to serve our community. This year’s election results also marked the turning of a new chapter as we welcome back Councilmembers Billie Orr and Steve Sischka and new Councilmember Cathey Rusing. Councilman Jim Lamerson served our community with passion and dedication for 16 years and I am truly appreciative of the opportunity I had to work with him, learn from him and witness his institutional knowledge firsthand. Mr. Lamerson will be missed on Council.

2019 is a year to be proud of as we celebrate the Christmas season, and we should all be excited to see what 2020 holds. QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Prescott Basks in the Glow of Patriotic, Holiday Spirit

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As the colors of the leaves change and fall all around Prescott, we begin to feel the holiday season coming on quickly. The holiday and patriotic spirit of this beautiful community are strong and are show-cased with the tributes paid to Prescott’s veterans each year on Nov. 11. Annually, we have the opportunity to pause and reflect on the freedoms and privileges we have been afforded by the brave men and women who have served our country through the years. Originally named Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I, when the treaty was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans and is a time to give thanks and recognize former service members who served their country honorably during war and peacetime.
The immense patriotism of our community is certainly something to be proud of, how powerfully we all come together to pay tribute to our veterans and active duty service members alike, was reflected in Prescott being named Most Patriotic City in Arizona in 2018. The annual Veterans Day Parade is where this patriotism comes together for all to see and share.

This year, the Veteran’s Day Parade will be held Monday, Nov. 11. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the main stage at Cortez and Union streets and the parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m. We invite everyone to join us in honoring our veterans and enjoying the celebration of all participants in this year’s parade.
We anticipate at least 90 entries, representing every branch of the military and organizations like American Legion, VFW, Eagles and other supportive veteran organizations, with a special tribute to Ko-rean War Veterans. We thank our own Recreation Services Manager Michelle Stacy-Schroeder, who is a veteran herself, for all her work with Prescott area partners to put this event together each year.

Our time of reflection on Veterans Day also provides the gateway into a beautiful holiday season here in Prescott, Arizona’s Christmas City. Nothing symbolizes our community and its festive spirit more than the many events that take place this time of year, with no shortage of opportunities for everyone to come together and celebrate the holiday season, including the Prescott Chamber Christmas Parade, the Holiday Light Parade, Christmas Courthouse Lighting and of course, Acker Night Musical Showcase.
It always brings me joy to see the happy and giving spirit of our community during the holidays as we celebrate the Christmas season. It’s almost impossible to walk through the downtown streets and not be full of wonder and delight as we take in the lights and sounds of the holiday season. I look forward to seeing the many faces of our community during this wonderful time of the year in Arizona’s Christmas City. QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Airshow Commemorating 75th Anniversary of D-Day Invasion

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The first weekend of October is going to be a big one for our community, with many fantastic events at the Prescott Regional Airport (PRC). We are excited for the annual Wings Out West Airshow on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Residents and visitors of all ages will be able to enjoy aerial performances, static displays, food vendors, flight simulation and much more from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along the Embry-Riddle Flight Line at PRC. This event represents the ongoing partnership between the City of Prescott and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, this year’s event will also play host to Guest of Honor Lt. Colonel (RET) Dave Hamilton. He is the last living Pathfinder pilot who flew on D-Day, and we are incredibly privileged to have him joining us for this year’s festivities.

Lt. Colonel Hamilton enlisted in the Army Airforce on Dec. 8, 1941, and trained as a C-47 pilot. After being assigned to the 436th Troop Carrier Group, 9th Air Force, the Lt. Colonel was sent to Bottesford Base in England. Following his Pathfinder Pilot training and assignment to that Unit, Lt. Colonel Hamilton dropped pathfinder paratroopers into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, during his first mission.

He is highly respected and admired for his service to our nation, having been honored with four Air Medals, two Presidential Unit Citations and the French Legion Medal of Honor.

What a wonderful opportunity the Wings Out West Airshow will provide for Arizona’s Patriotic City to pay homage not only to Lt. Colonel Hamilton, but to the many veterans in our community. This year, given the D-Day Anniversary, we will pay particular respect to World War II Veterans.

Prescott has the highest number of veterans per capita in the state, and showing how grateful we are for their service is a part of the fabric of our community in every way.

The fact that this family-friendly event is free to the public is one of the many reasons it is such a crowd pleaser. This is the third year that the event has been open to the public, and for the last two years it has been a great success, and we are sure this year will be no different.

In keeping with the World War II focus, this year’s event will feature a wide assortment of World War II Aircraft, on both static display and in the aerial presentations. In particular, attendees will have the opportunity to see the historic C-74 “D-Day Doll” flying in the aerial performance. The event will also include a reenactment of a combat parachute drop by the Liberty Jump Team, and attendees may also purchase a ride on a historic aircraft.

So, mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 5, and bring the family out to PRC for this memorable event. Gates will open to the public at 9 a.m. QCBN

 

For additional information about the airshow, please visit prcairport.com/wings-out-west-air-show/. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Prescott Regional Airport Celebrates One Year of Service with United Express

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The Prescott area is rich in history, including the evolution of Prescott Regional Airport (PRC). As we anticipate the upcoming groundbreaking for the airport’s new terminal on Oct. 4, we also take time to reflect on our storied past. Much has changed in our ever-growing community over the years, and PRC is integral to that change.

The airport dates back to the late 1920s. In July 1926, construction of the airstrip got underway, and in 1928, there was expansion when Dan Fain dedicated a one-square-mile piece of leased land to the town of Prescott for the airport.

In August 1928, the airport was dedicated as Ernest A. Love Airport and in the 90 years since that dedication, PRC has continued to grow, right along with our beautiful community. Before the Ernest A. Love Memorial Terminal was completed in 1948, a few hangars and a converted train boxcar served as a functional airport. My, how times have changed!

With the completion of the terminal space, the airport became a Flight Service Station – dedicated as such in 1969 – making it a key component of the National Air System and providing a waypoint for pilots flying east to west. In fact, in 1973 the Prescott Air Flight Service Station had the second-highest number of radio contacts with aircraft of any station in the United States.

As aeronautics evolved and flight became more popular, Congress realized the importance of ensuring that small airports retain a link to the National Air Transportation System. With that in mind, they added Section 419 to the Federal Aviation Act establishing the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program. EAS keeps qualified, small communities served by certified air carriers and maintains a minimal level of scheduled air service.

Through the years, PRC has been host to a number of small subsidiary airlines that bid for service under the EAS. In July 2018, SkyWest Airlines was awarded the EAS Contract for the airport, and in August of the same year, United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines, began service out of PRC. As we celebrate one year of service with United Express, the airport has serviced over 50,000 total passengers and, as of May 2019, had already exceeded 10,000 enplanements (boardings), ensuring that we will retain Non-Hub Primary Commercial Status. Currently, daily round-trip service is offered to Denver and Los Angeles, and additional services will be available for the holiday season during the months of November and December. Thanks to the region’s extraordinary response, most flights have been able to accomplish more than 90% load factors.

Through hard work and dedication, PRC has seen many anniversaries and this year, as we break ground on what promises to be a beautiful new 18,000-square-foot terminal, the future looks even brighter for the airport and the region. In addition to the new terminal, which is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2020, PRC will also be conducting runway lengthening and expansion to assist with aircraft performance.

As a dedicated regional partner, the airport continues to play a vital role in development and opportunities in our area and we can all look forward to what the future holds. QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

For more information on the groundbreaking or United Express Flights at PRC, please visit prcairport.com/.

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Prescott Making International Headlines with Eviation

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Prescott is making headlines locally and throughout the world of aviation. This June, City Manager Michael Lamar and I attended the Paris Air Show where Eviation’s newest technology was beautifully on display and Prescott, too, took center stage.

At the invitation of Eviation CEO and Founder Omer Bar-Yohay on June 17-20, we were able to take part in the unveiling of “Alice” in Paris. As members of the NASA, FAA and GAMA electric aviation committees, Eviation is a leader and key proponent in the future of the aviation industry, particularly in regard to electric aircraft.

Alice is a currently under development electric aircraft, built from 95% composite materials and controlled by fly-by-wire and three propellers. She will be designed to take nine passengers up to 650 miles at a cruise speed of 240 knots, and that design will take place right here in Prescott.

Coverage of Alice’s unveiling at the Paris Air Show press conference was broad, and included publications and news outlets such as Forbes, CNBC, MSNBC, BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg and Yahoo Business. Eviation’s ongoing relationships with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and the Prescott Regional Airport have been highlighted by these news outlets and will be paramount in the continuing development and growth of aviation in the Prescott community. In addition to Mr. Lamar and me, Arizona was represented in Paris by the Arizona Commerce Authority, which helped to promote our community and the entire state for leading edge technology and aviation.

The Alice Aircraft will be brought to Prescott, and housed in a hangar at the Prescott Regional Airport. After being transported back from Paris later this summer, Alice will be reassembled for development work to continue, with the assistance of ERAU faculty and staff beginning in August. Eviation’s goal is to have full FAA certification of the Alice Aircraft in 2021. We also expect that Yavapai College will play a role with training and certification for manufacture of the aircraft and associated components.

The bottom line is that partnerships with companies like Eviation, who see the potential and greatness that we all already know exists here, is incredibly beneficial for the City of Prescott and our community as a whole. The opportunity for students to work with a company of Eviation’s caliber and then potentially continue to work at that level while staying in our community is truly a dream. Between development of the Alice Aircraft and the ongoing beautification and growth of the Prescott Regional Airport, I am thrilled to see how the world of aviation can continue to positively impact Prescott.  QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Celebrating Prescott’s Heritage

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The Fourth of July is coming and I couldn’t be more excited. Sure, July 4 often involves barbeques and beautiful weather, but here in our community, there are many other things that I eagerly anticipate.

In Prescott, we enjoy a high population of retirees, many of whom are veterans. These proud men and women can often be found donning their military caps, displaying the branch and war in which they served. It is truly an honor to be part of a community rich in patriotism and history, that deeply values our veterans; what a joy to celebrate Independence Day surrounded at patriotic events with such amazing living examples, such heroes, who displayed bravery, love of these United States and freedom for its citizens.

Speaking of heroes, I am also excited that Prescottonians and visitors alike will be able to continue to honor the Hotshots in a new, meaningful way. The Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center at our own Prescott Gateway Mall tells the story of the 19 firefighters who lost their lives in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. The displays of artifacts, memorabilia and accounts serve to educate and inspire visitors. The center also educates visitors on fire prevention and firefighting. I encourage everyone to take in this experience and take a moment to remember and honor these men. For hours and information, go to GMIHC19.org.

One of the greatest parts of the Fourth of July, in my opinion, is the opportunity it gives us all to take time to reflect on the blessings we enjoy and on how fortunate we are to celebrate the birthday of this beautiful nation we call home. I also reflect on the thankfulness and joy I feel when I am surrounded by family and being able to share so many moments of fun with those I love.

In particular, we have the honor of hosting the World’s Oldest Rodeo every year around the July 4, and the myriad of events that coincide with the rodeo never fails to impress. I love the Prescott Frontier Days Parade. Sure, traffic may increase, but so does the camaraderie. Prescott residents, as well as many from other Yavapai County cities and the Valley come together to cheer, wave flags, clap and celebrate the various community groups that help make this city great. Whether the entries are youth organizations, cool cars, equestrian groups, cultural groups or those who serve our city, the parade route is packed with families, visitors, neighbors and new friends. This year, we will host the World’s Oldest Rodeo from July 1-7, celebrating the parade on Saturday, July 6, dance the night away at the Rodeo Dance, which is hosted each evening from July 4-6, and spend a day or two enjoying our Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza filled with artisans for the Arts & Crafts Show, July 5-7.

Of course, there is the traditional Fourth of July pastime of fireworks, and they are certainly a wonderful way to celebrate the season. This year, the fireworks over beautiful Watson Lake will fill the skies with light, our ears with patriotic music and loud bursts of sound, and our hearts with thankfulness for freedom.

As I think about all of these celebratory moments, I realize what an honor it is to serve as the mayor of Prescott. I am honored to be part of this community and to share that with my family. Sheila and I recently became grandparents and this year, for the first time, I’ll be able to share my thankfulness with our grandson. He fills our hearts with joy and our phones with pictures. But this year, he will fill our July 4 with childlike wonder as well.

I hope that you, too, will have a great holiday filled with family, reflection and celebration.

I pray God’s blessings on each of you for a safe and happy July 4! QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Welcoming a Season of Activities, Offerings

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We are fortunate. Prescott is bustling right now with all of the summer activities. Prescottonians live in a city rich in art, culture, history, beauty and a friendly atmosphere. One can hardly drive by the Courthouse Plaza without seeing folks of all ages walking, talking, laughing, connecting and enjoying the sites and local businesses. We consider the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza to be part of the heartbeat of this great city, and something unlike any other Arizona town. In fact, Expedia Viewfinder named Prescott “One of the Coolest Downtowns in North America.”

We are fortunate. There are so many things to do in Prescott! Some of the most popular outdoor activities include hiking, shopping, mountain biking, boating, canoeing, golfing, rock climbing, swimming, sunbathing and horseback riding. The beautiful topography and ever-changing foliage create a beautiful backdrop for camping, RVing, viewing of wildlife, photography, bird watching and relaxing. The cooler weather brings those from the Valley flocking to our higher elevations to enjoy our mild climate.

We are fortunate. Prescott is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Arizona. Its rich history, echoes of the Wild West, pleasant dining and hospitality, and varied offerings contribute to the delight and satisfaction of our tourists. In fact, a recent study by the Arizona Hospitality Research and Resource Center at Northern Arizona University uncovered that visitors ranked the “Satisfaction Level” of their trip through Prescott at 90%  – a truly outstanding number! The travel industry is booming in Prescott and the millions of dollars spent by these visitors add depth, both directly and indirectly, to our fiscal landscape.

We are fortunate. As a father of nine, my wife and I are thrilled that our children have so many options in the summer. They have a plethora of wonderful summer offerings put on by various schools, theaters, athletic organizations, churches and groups from which to choose.

Despite varying political perspectives, religious practices, personality types, educational backgrounds, socioeconomic histories, gender and cultural differences, we are fortunate to have one another in this town. We make each other stronger. We band together to celebrate the town we love. We see one another at parades, festivals, school programs, theater events and town council meetings, and despite our differences, we practice kindness and civility. We enjoy all that Prescott has to offer and are thankful we live in this city.

We are fortunate. We are Prescott. QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

Enjoy the summer! For information on upcoming happenings, please go to: visit-prescott.com and prescottaz.gov for dates and details.

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Water is Life in Prescott

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Stunning natural beauty. Authentic Western hospitality. Unbeatable quality of life. There are countless reasons we are proud to call Prescott home. 

I believe that shared pride helped create the sound public policy and personal conservation efforts that will protect this spectacular place – and its critical natural resources – for years to come. 

About a year ago, the city manager and I began a review of the city’s water portfolio in its totality. With a large infrastructure project on the horizon and an ongoing drought dominating state news, we wanted the latest data to serve as the foundation for important policy discussions. 

We hired one of Arizona’s foremost water experts, Gary Woodard, to study our water demand, and his preliminary findings were presented to City Council in February. 

The bottom line is this: Prescott’s long-term water portfolio is in very good shape. 

Yes, I know this is hard to believe given the steady stream of negative news coming out of Phoenix, so let me elaborate. 

There are three very specific reasons Prescott’s water supply is on solid footing. 

The first reason is you. Despite the city’s growth of roughly 2 percent per year, residents and businesses are using less water today than they were more than a decade ago. In fact, since 2004, we’ve added 4,000 new water users but we’re using 1,300 fewer acre-feet of water. Households are smaller and include fewer children and teens who use more water than adults. Appliances are more efficient – low-flow toilets and efficient dishwashers and washing machines are now the norm. And, landscaping is more environmentally friendly. These small changes make a big difference in the amount of water being used. 

Second, the city’s reclamation and recharge efforts are working. In fact, almost 80 percent of Prescott homes and businesses are on the city’s sewer system. The city’s wastewater is treated, recharged, and returned to the aquifer.

Third, in the past two decades, the City Council and staff prioritized critical infrastructure maintenance. Our water lines are constantly monitored, maintained and improved, and the results are clear. Beneath our historic buildings lay some equally old infrastructure. However, through aggressive monitoring and maintenance, Prescott has less than a 6 percent loss rate (when water escapes from a leak or broken pipe), well under what is allowed by the State of Arizona. 

If you’re still reading, you’re probably wondering what the catch is. Perhaps you’re trying to figure out what I’m really trying to say.

So, here’s the punchline: THANK YOU.

Thank you for helping to ensure Prescott is on the right track. Thank you for supporting managed and responsible growth. Thank you for conserving water in your homes and businesses. Thank you for electing leaders who take seriously their responsibility to protect fiscal and natural resources. Thank you for sharing pride in this great city, and helping to preserve it.

I look forward to the final water study, which will be presented to council in the coming weeks. From there, we will continue to study ways to take what’s working and expand on those programs and policies.

After all, the Native American adage stands true – water is life. And Prescott is a perfect place to enjoy life. QCBN

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Preparing for Wildfire, Even After Wet Winters

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Fire season is fast approaching. Although the winter and spring are on track to receive added moisture when compared to the past few years, it in no way means we can let our guard down. In fact, Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light pointed out to me that historically, some of the biggest campaign fires that have occurred in Arizona come immediately following a wet season.

The purpose of my column this month is to review the resources available to us to prevent and fight wildland fires, and what you can do to protect your property.

One of our key partners in managing wildfire suppression is the Prescott National Forest, which manages the public lands surrounding our city. In addition to the Bradshaw Ranger District fire personnel, the Prescott National Forest has the Henry H. Kim Fire Center at the Prescott Regional Airport. This facility holds a large cache of supplies. The expert staff there is primarily responsible for all of Arizona, New Mexico and part of west Texas. At peak season, the Fire Center can have as many as 60-70 professionals specializing as pilots, communications specialists, supply management teams, logistics experts and firefighters – including the Prescott Interagency Hotshot Crew, established in 1973.

The Fire Center is capable of hosting a number of aircraft of various sizes, from helicopters to the large air tankers. This is an extremely well-equipped facility that hosts local, regional and national suppression resources. The Fire Center and the Prescott National Forest are part of a large network of fire suppression resources that can be mobilized for short and long distances to support communities and natural resources threatened by wildfire, and it is literally in our own backyard.  

In an effort to mitigate wildfire hazards, prevent wildfires and suppress unwanted wildfires, the City of Prescott and the Prescott Fire Department also partner with Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Bureau of Land Management. When the need arises, we call upon these local agencies, and sometimes those from around the Southwest to provide for the suppression of fires in our wildland urban interface and other forested areas.

An important part of maintaining positive stewardship of our wildland interface comes about as a result of this interagency cooperation. Twice annually, stakeholders assemble to review the various area fuel reduction projects being pursued, thus ensuring that one agency’s work complements or enhances the other agencies’ work.

Citizens are important and vital partners in prevention and protection. It is important to keep your property clear of debris, to maintain a defensible space around your home, and to plant shrubs and trees away from your home.

Help our firefighters do their jobs and help yourself by actively managing the defensible space around your property and homes. Prescott Area Wildland Interface Commission (PAWUIC) is a great educational resource to help citizens manage the risk of fire damage to their property. To learn more, go to yavapaifirewise.org

In closing, I want readers to feel as confident as I do in Prescott’s capacity to reduce risk and fight wildland fires. The facilities, the agencies and particularly the people involved in keeping our city safe are simply the best. QCBN 

By Greg Mengarelli

Greg L. Mengarelli is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

Looking Ahead to a Prosperous New Year

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All indicators point to another productive and prosperous year in 2019 in our city and region. There are several key issues that the Prescott City Council will be taking up in the first quarter.

 

Airport Success

Because of your dedicated support, Prescott Regional Airport had just over 10,000 enplanements in 2018. This makes available $1 million dollars in federal funding for capital projects at the airport. It will also put Prescott in good position for additional grants from the federal government. We hope to have a groundbreaking ceremony on a new terminal in September, and expect 25,000 enplanements in 2019. Thank you for your support of United Express flights to Los Angeles and Denver.

 

Hilton Garden Inn

One of the most exciting projects expected to begin in 2019 will be the Hilton Garden hotel project at Montezuma and Sheldon Street. As you may know, this will be built on a currently vacant city parking lot, and will positively impact Granite Creek Park, the historic Sam Hill Warehouse, the railroad trestle and the former APS utility yard. We feel this will be a catalyst project, with the opportunity to lead the way to revitalizing the Granite Creek Corridor. In fact, the city just received a $79,000 grant to cover the cost of a master plan for the area.

 

Arizona Eco Development

It’s no surprise that the city has been in extensive conversations with Arizona Eco Development to come up with an annexation agreement that conserves as much of our beloved Granite Dells as possible, while still allowing the property owner to exercise his private property rights. There have been some concerns about how long this process is taking. Let me assure you that the time we have taken is a good thing. This is a very complex and important development. The city and Arizona Eco want to do this right the first time, and present council with the best plan for Prescott. We hope to see this come forward in the first quarter of the year.

 

A Review of City Water Policy

City staff, lead by City Manager Michael Lamar, has asked the council to take a new look at how the City of Prescott uses and conserves water. To that end, the city has hired a consultant to review the water portfolio, past water usage and projections for the future. Findings will be presented to the council within the next month and we think that citizens will be surprised with some of the results.

 

Pension Fund

The Public Service Pension Retirement System (PSPRS) just provided the annual actuarial valuation for the city’s pension trusts, and it is good news for Prescott. Since the Prop 443 0.75 cent sales tax went into effect last January, Prescott has contributed more than $17 million to pay down our unfunded liability during the period of the actuarial valuation. This is in addition to the Annual Required Contribution (ARC), which comes from operating funds (General Fund). Prescott’s liability is funded at nearly 50 percent, up from around 30 percent a year ago. The council’s goal is 100 percent fully funded by June 30, 2028.

 

On behalf of my fellow City Council members, the entire City of Prescott staff, and my family, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year! QCBN

 

By Greg Mengarelli

 

Greg Mengarelli is the mayor of Prescott.