Superstition Foothills Community

SFCOA Community Update

September 1, 2008 Update

Hello,
Best wishes for a safe and relaxing Labor Day. Speaking of holidays, several compliments have been received regarding the placement of flags along Superstition Mountain Drive and Don Donnelly on the Fourth of July. The Superstition Foothills Owners Association did not place the flags; however, Bryan Martyn, a resident of our community requested permission from the Board to place the flags along our two main streets and it was granted. Thank you, Bryan, on behalf of the community. This update is lengthy but has a considerable amount of important information that residents of our community should know.

SFCOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: The next meeting for the Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, September 9th, 9:00 A.M. in the meeting room at the fire station on Hwy. 60. We will be previewing the budget for 2009, trails, and landscape maintenance. In addition we will be discussing community low lighting, irrigation repairs and a replanting project for this Fall. We will also be discussing improvements and installation of a possible barricade at the end of Cascalote now that the AFJD has decided not to pursue using the emergency access lane.

GOLD CANYON SEWER COMPANY: In speaking with one of the Arizona Corporation Commissioners, the question was posed as to whether or not the hearing date has not been set in an attempt to delay it until after the elections. We were assured that the recommendation should be received the last week of August and a hearing date set for September. We are typically given a two week notice of the date. This is being monitored and we will notify you of this date as soon as we receive word. Three years ago this month, the Gold Canyon Community Associations United held their first public meeting and began tackling issues affecting homeowners in Gold Canyon. If you will recall, we started informing residents about the request for an increase and even invited the ACC to hold the hearing in Gold Canyon. Although the ACC was unable to hold the hearing in Gold Canyon, a Public Comment Session was held with over 500 citizens of Gold Canyon attending the meeting.

Three positions for Commissioner are up for election this year. Only two members of the ACC voted against the increase, Mayes and Mundell. Mayes and Pierce are not up for re-election, and the rest of the Commissioners are not seeking re-election. I have received several emails inquiring as to who are the best candidates for the three out of five positions to be filled. Some of the better candidates (both Dems and Reps) are: Kelty, McClure, Newman, Robson, Stump and Wong.

Please do your research on the candidates as much is at stake for the Arizona consumer. California does not want a power plant such as Palo Verde in their state but they want our power and energy and, of course, our water. After being denied by the ACC, Southern California Edison has begun efforts, and is being joined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to overturn this decision. According to Commissioner Mayes, if this is overturned, it will cost taxpayers $250 million dollars in increased rates. Arizona is only one of six states where the corporation commission is an equal branch of government; they alone determine our rates. I am cutting and pasting a portion of an article that can be googled:

Southern California Edison Submits Initial Filing with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Transmission Project
Line Would be Built in Nationally Designated, Critically Congested Electrical Corridor
ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 16, 2008 — Southern California Edison (SCE) today submitted an “initial filing” to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting FERC initiation of a pre-filing process, which would include a preliminary environmental assessment and stakeholder and public input regarding the Devers-Palo Verde No. 2 Transmission Project.
Earlier this year, SCE initiated consultations with FERC concerning the project’s proposed 230-mile, high voltage electric transmission line between California and Arizona, parallel to SCE’s existing Devers-Palo Verde No. 1 line. SCE took this step in the interest of preserving all options for a successful project, given the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) decision last June rejecting the proposed transmission project.
Pedro J. Pizarro, SCE executive vice president for Power Operations, said that the utility will continue to pursue a new application with the ACC to build the Arizona portion of the proposed transmission project.
“SCE’s first priority and preference is to gain regulatory approval for the proposed transmission project from the ACC,” Pizarro said. “To support a new ACC filing, SCE is working with stakeholders, regional utilities and planning groups in Arizona to develop a mutually acceptable alternative plan to present to the ACC for approval of the project.”
Earlier this week, SCE filed a petition with the California Public Utilities Commission to modify its January 2007 approval of the project. SCE is seeking permission to start construction in California to satisfy interconnection requests for new renewable and conventional generation projects in the Southeastern part of the state for the benefit of the region. This effort should not, in any way, be interpreted as an indication that SCE prefers one portion of the line over another, as it is vital that the project is completed all the way to the Palo Verde hub in Arizona.
The proposed transmission project would provide significant regional economic benefits and allow neighboring states to access renewable energy sources, such as solar energy rich areas in California and Arizona. It would reduce energy congestion within a nationally designated, critical electricity corridor and help Western states satisfy their energy policy and environmental goals.
FERC has the authority to review and issue a permit for a transmission line project that has been denied by a state commission or other entity that has authority to approve facilities if the project is within a nationally designated critically congested electrical corridor. The Southwestern corridor between Arizona and Southern California has been deemed one of two nationally important, critically congested corridors in the country by the U.S. Department of Energy.

APACHE JUNCTION FIRE BOARD: There have been two important developments from the Apache Junction Fire Board. First, the Board did vote not to erect a gate at the end of Mountainbrook Drive. According to an article in the local newspaper, they are not planning to use the emergency fire access lane that runs through the common area at the end of Cascalote in Superstition Foothills. As President of the Superstition Foothills COA, I see this as positive news. The Mountainbrook gate alone would have cost taxpayers $90,000! We have not had a meeting of the board since this decision was announced. Previously, the Board voted to approach the AJ Fire Board to also build a gate at the end of Cascalote and to maintain the road if they are going to use it. Our community has experienced problems in this area with trespassers. Prior to requesting the gate on our end of the fire access lane, we were only budgeted for a sign package advising “No Trespassing”. We will be discussing this at our meeting and working with county officials to see if we can have this lane reverted back to us so that we can install a barrier and spruce up the area.

We are still in the process of verifying exactly what the status is of the recent proposed pay increase of 14% in salary and a total of 20% including benefits for firefighters; we are trying to verify whether or not this has passed. Without disparity in wages, there is concern as to why there is such a high increase at this time of economic hardship.

OCTOBER 9TH – 2008 CANDIDATE FORUM: The Gold Canyon United group will be presenting their final 2008 Candidate Forum on October 9th 2008. This forum will feature the final two candidates for Pinal County Supervisor District 2, Pinal County Sheriff, final candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Apache Fire District and the School Board. Further information will be forthcoming on this forum. Please mark your calendars, attend the forum and submit questions that you want the candidates to answer!

SUPERSTITION FOOTHILLS TRAILS: Upon receiving a complaint that our trails had been widened ten to twelve feet, I contacted our Trails Chairperson and asked him to look at the trails as I had been on several and could not find any widened trails. I have also requested that he be prepared to give a report on the progress of repairs at the September meeting. Following is information from various communications with our Trails Chairman: “I am also was working with Kevin on a trail that was washed out off of Cordia Ct. I met with Kevin about a month ago and we decided the best option was to bridge the washed out area with timbers instead of putting drainage pipes as we did a year ago. We also discussed putting in water bars (rock or timbers across the trail) to divert water on the trails behind Desert Trails 2. This might help the runoff that goes on S. Dalea Way.” “ Sculptured Earth took out a bridge from another development and installed it at the Cordia Ct. site. I went by it earlier today and it looks good.” “Two of us from the trail committee walked the trails this past weekend in Gateway, Arroyo Vista 1, Superstition Foothills. Superstition Shadows, Boulder Pass and Desert Trails 1. We thought the trails were pruned back sufficiently to restore them back to the 5 foot initially made width. The majority of the cleanup has been completed. We did notice 4 areas that needed attention and all of these areas have been marked with orange tape. The first 2 areas are on the trail between Superstition Foothills and Arroyo Vista 1 that starts off Superstition Mt. Dr. The first is a pile of logs that were cut by a tree about 30 yards into the trail on the right. The next is a tree that has fallen on part of the trail about 100 yards. down on the left. This tree may have toppled during the storms during past couple of days. The 3rd area is in Arroyo Vista off the first trail head sign on the left on Hacienda La Noria Ln. There is a dead tree that has been partially cut and the branches have not been removed. The last area is a bush that is growing in the middle of the trail that starts off on the southern end of Hacienda La Noria Ln. and goes behind the Gateway Subdivision. This bush is about 80 yards into the trail from the trail head sign. That should do it for Phase one. They (Sculptured Earth) have made a huge difference in the trails.” “We will check the phase 2 areas this week to see if they are completed.”

On behalf of the Board of Directors and residents of Superstition Foothills, we would like to thank the many members of the Trails Committee which is comprised of owners from throughout the SFCOA!

PCSO Dispatch Reports:
080822023 Shooting A weapon Firearms Illgeal Discharge
Incident Address : S KINGS RANCH RD; SO GOLDEN RIM GOLD CANYON AZ 85218 Time Reported: 06:42
Time Occurred between: 06:41:58 08/22/08 - 06:41:58 08/22/08
Cad Info: RP ADV HE HEARS ABOUT 10 SHOTS GOING OFF AND THERE STILL GOING OFF..ADV THEY BE HUNTING BUT ITS TO CLOSE TO HIS 42 HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE HIT..RP NOT REQ CONTACT

080822031 Break in (Not in progress) BURGLARY (DESCRIBE OFFENSE)
Incident Address : E HACIENDA LA NORIA LN GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 08:18 Time Occurred between: 08:17:55 08/22/08 - 08:17:55 08/22/08
Cad Info: RP ADV SHE IS HOME BUT CAN BE REACHED BY 21 FOR HER 42 BEING BROKEN INTO

080822068 Break in (Not in progress) BURGLARY (DESCRIBE OFFENSE)
Incident Address : E EL VIEJO DESIERTO GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 12:55 Time Occurred between: 12:53:45 08/22/08 - 12:53:45 08/22/08
Cad Info: 21 R/P... RE: A B/I TO HER HOUSE

080822069 Fraud FRAUD (DESCRIBE OFFENSE)
Incident Address : E CLIFF ROSE TRL GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 12:57 Time Occurred between: 12:57:26 08/22/08 - 12:57:26 08/22/08
Cad Info: 21 RP... FRAUDULENT SCAM

080822090 Juvenile Problem Incorrigible Juvenile
Incident Address : 21; FRANK GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 15:13 Time Occurred between: 15:11:39 08/22/08 - 15:11:39 08/22/08
Cad Info: IN THE MOUNTAINBROOKE VILLAGE AREA... RP ADVS THAT THERE ARE JUVENILES THAT ARE RIDING THERE BIKES THROUGH THE WASHES AND IN THE COMMON AREAS... THEY ARE NOT THERE AT THIS TIME...ADVS THAT THEY ARE USALLY THERE ABOUT 7PM... RP IS REQ 21 FOR MORE INFO...

080821027 Unsecure Premise Home - other types
Incident Address : S MOUNTAINGATE DR GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 08:31 Time Occurred between: 08:31:17 08/21/08 - 08:31:17 08/21/08
Cad Info: RP ADV AT THAT 20 THE GARGE DOOR IS OPEN SAYS THERE IS FURNITURE AND SUCH INSIDE THE GARAGE SAYS A 101 LIVES THERE DURING THE WINTER BUT NO ONE SHOULD BE THERE NOW. SAYS A MAINTANCE MAN COMES BY FROM TIME TO TIME BUT HASNT BEEN SEEN FOR A WHILE

080821063 BURGLARY BURGLARY (DESCRIBE OFFENSE)
Incident Address : S KINGS RANCH RD; GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 12:30 Time Occurred between: 12:30:30 08/21/08 - 12:30:30 08/21/08
Cad Info: 21 RP WANTS TO REPORT THAT HIS STORAGE UNIT AT CANYON ROSE STORAGE HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO. DAMAGE TO REPORT ALONG WITH ITEMS MISSING

080821111 Break in (Not in progress) BURGLARY (DESCRIBE OFFENSE)
Incident Address : S KINGS RANCH RD GOLD CANYON AZ 85218
Time Reported: 16:11 Time Occurred between: 16:11:13 08/21/08 - 16:11:13 08/21/08
Cad Info: RP SAYS SOMEONE BROKE INTO HIS MOTOR HOME AT CANYON ROSE STORAGE, HE IS 19 TO THE LOCATION. RP REQ CONTACT.