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ESTRELLA'S 2ND FIRE STATION COULD BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY

2/26/2017

 
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Monday night, the Goodyear City Council will vote on the next step making Estrella's much needed second fire station a reality.
A Yes Vote on Agenda Item 7.1 would authorize the City Manager to issue Notice of Intent to commence design on the Estrella Fire Station 801 (Goodyear Fire Station 186); establish a $5,870,000 project budget; and authorize associated budget transfers.
The future fire station would most likely be constructed on Estrella Parkway at Willis Road.

REVISED AGREEMENT

Take a look here at the First Amendment to the Estrella Development and Fire Services Agreement.
In June 2016, we were tipped that the City's agreement with local developers had lapsed. Our sources told us the agreement was "allowed to expire"  and that funding for a second fire station was not in place.

At the June 27, 2016 meeting, City Manager Brian Dalke publicly stated he spoke with a Newland representative just that week. His specific words were...
And talking to Bill Olsen this week, there has been an understanding that the bones of an agreement are in place. It can be argued some of those elements may or may not apply. The fact of the matter is one of the partners - if you will - back to the earlier agreement is no longer there. So CantaMia for example - is AV Homes - will be part of any discussions.” ~GOODYEAR CITY MANAGER BRIAN DALKE, JUNE 27, 2016
Let's emphasize "WILL BE PART OF ANY DISCUSSIONS." Future tense.

Whether talks had been in the works for years prior or not... It appears from public commentary that the real push to update the agreement was prompted last summer.

The amended resolution dated January 24, 2017 now shown in a snapshot states:
1.23.pdf
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PRIORITIES SHIFTED

In March 2016, Goodyear City Council participated in a work session to discuss the FY17-26 Capital Improvement Program. About half way through the meeting, the presentation turned to "General Funded Programs - Projects Requests."  City staff initially recommends fire stations be listed on deferral for future impact fees.
We added fire stations to your list simply because of your recent conversations just to put it up here and let you know it’s on our radar… but that we know the study is pending and we’ll wait for that project. ~Lauri Wingenroth, Budget and Research Manager
march_2016_presentation.pdf
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You may view the funding priorities in this staff presentation from March 2016.
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fy16-25_10_year_cip.pdf
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This document - Goodyear's Capital Improvement Plan for FY16-25 - shows funding for a Fire Station at Harrison and Citrus for FY22 and a Fire Station in Estrella in FY22. An additional Fire apparatus wasn't in the plans till FY23.
FY16 and FY17 funding totaling $66,366,257 was slated for:
  • Art projects
  • Community Center Recreation Complex
  • Asset Management - ROW
  • Asset Management - Facilities & Parks
  • Developer Deposits for Future Projects
  • Newland Reimbursements - Various
  • Police Building Phase I and II
  • Fiber Projects
  • Traffic signals
  • Pavement Management Program
  • Yuma Bridge @ Bullard Wash Reimbursement
  • CAP
  • Well 19 Block Wall
  • Transfers to Debt Service
  • Wastewater Projects
  • FY16 Carryover Projects and Stadium Funds
We have NEVER stated the City had "no priorities for" nor "didn't care" for fire service as we've been accused throughout various social media threads. I'm personally aware that our City Council and Mayor support public safety as shown by their previous actions over the years. This has been a process in the works since December 2015, (and most likely sooner than that), and these things do take time to work out. The fact is, the priorities for the Estrella station were moved up after 2016 Council meetings and the fire station study this past year. I'm not sure why this is being made out to be a bad thing by social media followers as it's really good news for Estrella and Goodyear residents. Many of us - and myself included - are thrilled about Council's decision to listen to the people to make this happen. Their ability to collaborate with other leaders and the developer to move up the construction timeline is a win for everyone.

2017 AND BEYOND

It should be noted again that Goodyear has several fire station needs and projects in the near future.
In December 2016, we also read over the entire tax payer funded, 210 page fire station study to see all needs for fire service in Goodyear. It also recommended "building a new fire station in west Goodyear and having it operational by the year 2022. The optimal location is at Citrus and Yuma. An additional engine company would be expected to operate from there. This station would have a workload similarly modeled to other stations in the city." Operational by 2022 means funding for this station needs to be moved up, as well.
Tomorrow night, as it turns out, Goodyear City Council will hold a Special Meeting with the City Attorney and City Manager "to provide instruction/direction to City Attorney and City Manager
regarding City's position in connection with contractual negotiations associated with
West Goodyear development agreements." This meeting is private and we can't be 100% sure this is related to fire service. But, we're hoping to find out more regarding a west Goodyear fire station this spring. We'll keep you posted.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017

5:30PM Special Meeting
6PM Regular Meeting

Location: 14455 W. Van Buren Street, Suite B-101, Goodyear, Arizona 85338
Meeting agendas and to Watch Online Here
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Estrella Mountain Residents will live tweet the Regular Meeting here.

THE PRESIDIO

2/12/2017

 

UPDATE JANUARY 2018 - BELLA VITA IS NOT IN BUSINESS AT THE PRESIDIO ANY LONGER

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More than two months since its Grand Opening and I'm just now getting around to see the impressive Presidio Residents Club for the very first time.

This afternoon, I had some time to spare and offered to take my daughter swimming for "no more than" an hour. Well, here we are 4 hours later. And I'm completely blown away.

RESORT STYLE LIVING

Many residents have posted on the Estrella Mountain Residents Facebook community page about how nice the facility is and how wonderful the food is at Bella Vita Café. The reviews are completely understated.
When we arrived, the gathering room to the left was empty. Being a Sunday, it didn't seem out of place. But, we could hear people to the right. Peek around the corner, and that's where the restaurant and fitness room are located.
Before my daughter headed out to the pool, we were greeted by a warm smile and great humor. Bella Vita's restaurant was full of employees getting ready for the day and Jeremy was happy to answer our questions. I'm huge fan of friendly people and Jeremy was the perfect person to run into today!

THE POOL AND PATIO

Admittedly, we were some of the first people on the patio and the pool was empty. But, not for long. Families filtered in quickly. It was pretty full by the time we left. I'm happy to see the facility being used.

Andrew, a maintenance tech, was so kind and helpful as my daughter's resident card wouldn't open the gate. Looks like we need to make a quick trip to the Starpointe to get a new card. But, well worth it as she wants to plan her next get together at the Presidio.
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She loved the heated pool... and the HOA employee at the front desk was kind to show her how to start the splash pad fountains!

BELLA VITA CAFÉ

We chose to order some garlic cheese knots while waiting for a pizza at Bella Vita. Let's just say those were gone in a flash.
The wind picked up and the temp dropped, so we left the patio and headed into the restaurant for lunch.
Brittney was our server and was so kind and helpful. I truly don't remember the last time we had top notch service like this... we don't get out much... but today's service was exceptional.
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It looks like many of the tables had these fun boxes of cards on them. We opened them up and got a kick out of all the sayings inside.
The pizza takes about 20-25 minutes to make as it's prepared fresh. Wow! It was wonderful and we had enough leftovers to enjoy at home.
Of course, the Smores dessert we brought home was gone before it hit the fridge.

FEW GLITCHES

As with any new business, we had a few glitches. When I called the Presidio this morning for business hours, the recording mentioned I had called the "EJC" and to leave a message. It'd be helpful for the Presidio to have a custom greeting with hours and the address in the message. When I called later today, the phone was answered by an employee. So, I'm guessing the recording comes on after hours.

Also, I posted the Presidio address and phone number on the Estrella Mountain Residents Contacts page. But, it'd be nice to see the Presidio have its own webpage or Facebook page. The HOA page still shows the Presidio "opening soon". I know the new HOA Communications Director is working on this. But, the sooner this facility is convenient for residents to find, the better.
The Presidio certainly has that new, fresh, clean feel to it. The weather was perfect and I was surprised more people weren't there today. I never considered the Presidio as a destination for a day or night out... but that changed after today. I'll certainly take my family to Bella Vita for dinner the next time they're in town!
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Best advice? Trust Jeremy when he recommends the "Freak Show."

CONNECT

THE PRESIDIO
Phone: 623-322-7841

Address: 18209 W. Calistoga Drive, Goodyear, Arizona 85338
BELLA VITA CAFÉ
Phone: 623-444-9457
On Facebook

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Jennifer Barber is a Goodyear resident resident of almost 20 years and a retired broadcast news journalist. Involved in various nonprofit and city organizations since 2008, Barber has a unique view of what's happening in the West Valley of Arizona.

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  • WELCOME.
    • PEOPLE & PLACES. >
      • Features 2019 >
        • Richard Davis
      • Features 2017 >
        • Danielle Willars
        • KIM WITZAK
      • Features 2016 >
        • Estrella Youth Sports 10 Year Anniversary
        • Wodrich Family & Prolific Insurance Solutions
        • LATOYA AYALA
        • Bonnie Jansson
        • Bea Brumbach
        • The Van Dyke Family & Just Awesome Care Home Services
        • Natalie and Trey
        • Peter Egyed & CrossFit Fury
        • The Sears Family
        • Natalie & Randy
        • Casey Schwebel & A Plus Mobile Automotive
      • Features 2015 >
        • Larry Cervarich
        • Sally Aston
        • Pete
        • The Harmans and American Windshield
        • The Stuewe Family
        • Jill Erno
        • Randall Carpet Care
        • The Jones Family
        • Julie Jo and Chi Town
        • Dave Hardy and Summerwind Solar
        • Butch Cobb and a 9/11 Tribute
        • Nanci Budge and the Budge Team
        • Westar Elementary School
        • Joe and Amie Bruyer
        • Estrella Mountain Preschool
        • Norma Cunningham
        • Oasis Bagels
        • North Star Animal Hospital
        • Julie Sisk
        • Jessica Sabo
        • Estrella Foothills Bike Park
        • Lacy Alan Wetzel
        • Tanja Tanner
        • Eve Cunningham
  • BLOG.
    • Estrella Fire Service >
      • Estrella House Fire Stats
    • Lucero >
      • CantaMia Growth and Fire Service Demands
    • Did you hear?
  • JEN & FRIENDS.
    • WEST VALLEY FAMILIES.
    • CONTACT. >
      • NEWS2JB CREATIVE SERVICES.