COURTESY POST from Steve Chucri > Weekly County Update

Hold on! 
NOTHING - NADA! - about Maricopa County consistently violating federal Clean Air Standards for years. 
Is there anything from Steve Chucri here that we don't already know?

District 2 COVID-19 Update & Other News

Statewide Declaration of Emergency Governor Doug Ducey issued a statewide Declaration of Emergency, putting in place a curfew that is in effect from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. and shall expire on Monday, June 8, at 5:00 a.m. unless further extended. Read the Governor's Emergency Declaration here.  _______________________________________________________________________ COVID-19 Update The Maricopa County Joint Information Center continues to provide the community with updated information about the county's response to the pandemic.  You can find press releases, daily and weekly COVID-19 updates, and other resources on our county news page. Summer Camp Guidance Many parents are considering summer camps for their kids.  Click here to watch guidance on summer camp protocols from Maricopa County Public Health. Roadmap for Reopening Schools The Arizona Department of Education released specific plans and guidelines for reopening public schools at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.  Schools have been closed since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here from Kathy Hoffman, Superintendent of Public Instruction. Court Changes Protective masks are now required for everyone entering Superior Court, Justice Courts, Adult Probation, or Juvenile Probation facilities in Maricopa County. The mask requirement was part of a directive from Arizona Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel and applies to court buildings throughout the state.  What you need to know > Text-Message Outreach Now Available for Positive COVID-19 Cases Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has now added text messaging to its toolbox to inform COVID-19-positive Maricopa County residents about what they need to do to take care of themselves and reduce the spread of disease. Read the press release here. Anyone seeking testing should contact their healthcare provider or visit azhealth.gov/TestingBlitz for upcoming testing dates and locations. Interested In Becoming A Public Health Volunteer? At the beginning of the Arizona COVID-19 outbreak, the Maricopa County Public Health Department volunteer group would take over 400 calls a day from residents and provide them with resources and answers to their questions. Watch the video here or for more information on how to volunteer visit here. Building Permits Increase Despite COVID-19 Economic Fallout There’s not a lot of good economic news out there these days, but data from Maricopa County Planning and Development Department shows some encouraging signs for the nation’s fastest-growing county.  Building permit submissions are up substantially year-over-year, with a greater percentage of these being completed online.  Read more here. Job Assistance Approximately 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic.  Maricopa County provides support services for those who are unemployed through Arizona @ Work.  Career services are available online and in person, by appointment.  Job seekers are asked to complete this form.  If you have difficulty completing the form, you can visit www.azjobconnection.gov or call the phone numbers below: East Valley Residents: 602-372-9700 West Valley Residents: 602-372-4200 Unemployment insurance claims are handled at the state level, not through any department of Maricopa County.  Visit the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s website for more details, or find additional advice for how to apply at arizonatogether.org.  Maricopa County Library Summer Reading Program Maricopa County Reads is the award-winning online summer reading program provided by the Maricopa County Library District to all public libraries within Maricopa County. Our County Reads program will begin on June 1 and go through August 1, 2020. For more information about this reading program and to register, visit Maricopa Reads. Sincerely, Steve Chucri, District 2 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors www.maricopa.gov/steve 602-506-7431

CORRECTION: Arizona Department of Health Services Provides Updates on COVID-19 Cases and Hospital Capacity

ADHS is being very careful
They're for some reason good at "counting hospital beds", but can't seem to want to provide more specific data in a more timely matter, without pretending to claim the reasons for the results

News Release

For Immediate Release: June 6, 2020

Media Contact: 

Chris J. Minnick 

Mobile: 480-772-1568 (Text for quickest response)

E-Mail: chris.minnick@azdhs.gov

________________________________________________________________
CORRECTION: The first bullet of the third bulleted list has been corrected to read "78% of occupied inpatient beds are occupied by non-COVID related patients, with 22% of all inpatients reported by hospitals to be infected with or suspected to be infected with COVID-19." 

Arizona Department of Health Services Provides Updates on COVID-19 Cases and Hospital Capacity Arizonans Urged to Take Prevention Steps to Protect Themselves and Their Communities

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)  today released the latest data related to COVID-19 cases reported in the state and the status of hospital capacity in the state.

COVID-19 Cases in Arizona

As the total number of COVID-19 cases surpasses 1,891,690 nationwide, Arizona has reached 25,451 cases. COVID-19 related deaths nationwide total 109,192, with 1,042 deaths reported in Arizona. Nationwide the percentage of positive tests is at 11%, with 7.2% COVID-19 positive PCR tests in Arizona.
“As this pandemic continues to spread across the world, the country, and our state, we continue to see increased cases in Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, ADHS director. “With the phased reopening, it’s important for Arizonans to understand that COVID-19 is widespread and still circulating in our community. We urge every Arizonan, especially Arizonans in routine contact with our older residents or those at high risk of complications, to take precautions to prevent the further transmission of COVID-19.”
Arizonans can take the following precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19: 

• Physically distance by staying at least six feet away from others and wearing a cloth face-covering in public settings where physical distancing is difficult to maintain. 
• Arizonans at higher risk for severe illness should continue to stay at home and avoid attending congregate settings. People at higher risk for severe illness include adults 65 or older and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) and immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Pick up the phone when your health department calls.

If you believe you have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, stay home unless you are seeking medical care. Arizonans can find COVID-19 testing locations at azhealth.gov/COVID19testing.

Hospital Capacity in Arizona

With increased cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations have also increased, with more than 1,200 COVID-19 inpatients reported in Arizona hospitals. These increases, while expected, indicate continuing community spread of COVID-19 and underscore the importance of COVID-19 prevention measures all Arizonans should  take. Since March 11, 2020, when Governor Ducey declared a statewide public health emergency, Arizona has taken aggressive action to increase hospital capacity for Arizonans, including:  

• Governor Ducey’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected order, that provided time for Arizona’s hospitals to make preparations to expand capacity and implement strategies to respond to a surge in cases expected to occur with increased community spread. While the order was in place, hospitals reported their success in increasing their capacity by 600 ICU beds and 2,600 medical surgical beds statewide. In addition, during the time the order was in place, hospitals indicated their ability to procure necessary personal protective equipment that previously was in short supply, to keep their staff and patients safe.
• Governor Ducey’s Statewide Access to Care for COVID-19 order, and the creation of the Arizona Surge Line, a free statewide 24/7 call line for hospitals and their providers that optimizes hospital resources by quickly coordinating the transfer, admission, and discharge of patients statewide. 

Data reported by Arizona hospitals indicates that while the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is rising, the majority of both inpatient and ICU beds are occupied by non-COVID patients. 

• 78% of occupied inpatient beds are occupied by non-COVID related patients, with 22% of all inpatients reported by hospitals to be infected with or suspected to be infected with COVID-19.
• 67% of occupied ICU beds are occupied by non-COVID related patients, with 33% of ICU patients infected with or suspected to be infected with COVID-19.
• 24% of ICU beds and 20% of inpatient beds remain available statewide.

Public health monitors the health of Arizona’s healthcare system using data reported by hospitals and works to facilitate resource and staffing support at the local, state, or federal level for facilities with assistance needs that exceed what is available through implementation of their emergency plans. Working together and using resources like the Arizona Surge Line and the Emergency System for Advanced Registration of Volunteer Healthcare Professionals, public health and hospitals will continue to support the health of Arizonans through this COVID-19 response.  
ADHS activated its Health Emergency Operations Center on January 27th after the first case of travel-associated COVID-19 was confirmed in Arizona. The Health Emergency Operations Center remains open to coordinate the State’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. For more information about Arizona’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, visit azhealth.gov/COVID-19.

# # #

Prelude & Dress Rehearsal Try-Outs For Arizona As Site of Republican Party Convention 2020?

It sure looks looks like Governor Ducey is stone-cold serious:

Standing Together Governor Ducey Provides Health And Safety Updates Governor Doug Ducey, ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ, Arizona DEMA Director Major General Michael T. McGuire and Arizona DPS Director Colonel Heston Silbert today held a briefing to provide Arizona health and safety updates. Watch the briefing HERE. Governor Ducey Takes Action On All Remaining Bills Governor Ducey this week took action on all remaining legislation on his desk, signing a total of 32 bills. In total, the Governor signed 90 bills during the Second Regular Session of the Fifty-Fourth Legislature, an all-time low. There were no vetoes.

QUEEN CREEK: Barney's Kingdom & The Family Farms

Belfiore: Queen Creek, Hunt Highway show housing market’s resilience against COVID impacts

Posted by Staff  /  June 5, 2020  /  No Comments 

By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter

"The regional housing market continues to show that it has not been hit as hard as expected by the COVID-19 shutdowns and job losses.

“It’s a lot stronger than I expected,” said real estate expert Jim Belfiore.

Belfiore, who is president of Belfiore Real Estate Consulting in Phoenix, points to a bellwether growth submarket – the Queen Creek, San Tan and Hunt Highway areas in the Southeast Valley.

. . . Belfiore initially projected as much as an 80 percent drop in home sales because of pandemic shutdowns.

The Queen Creek and San Tan areas have seen significant growth as the East Valley continues to grow and gain jobs before COVID. Belfiore said closer-in East Valley suburbs such as Gilbert, Chandler and the Mesa Gateway area are still popular but are increasingly getting built out. . . "

________________________________________________________________________

12 September 2019

IMAGINE THAT! The Land-Baron Barney Family in Queen Creek: Turning The Family Farm Into A Real Estate Gold Mine

QC Mayor Gail Barney had to 
recuse himself over a conflict
of interest for Barney Farms

Sure looks like Queen Creek is becoming a BIG BONANZA for "Sons of The Pioneers", six generations on where one of them _ Gail Barney - is the Mayor of Queen Creek, and another just happens to be the President/Chief Executive Officer of The East Valley Partnership.
Denny Barney - please use the Search box on this blog for more than a few posts, that include Denny Barney and Roc Arnett and the redevelopment of the Mesa Temple Area by City Creek Reserve, a for-profit affiliate of The Church of Jesus Christ of The Latter-Day Saints to build a small-scale version of the 23-acre City Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah. No financial details were every disclosed to the public. 
_________________________________________________________________________
Note: Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney recused himself due to "a conflict of interest" when motions were made in front of the city council
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In 2016, 500 acres of Barney Farms was rezoned to residential. The original family farm land holdings were 1,575 acres 
For a background and history, in a video from Jason Barney uploaded to YouTube telling the story they want to be told, readers of this blog can  click here.

"In 2018, the residential portion of Barney Farms was purchased by Fulton Homes. Construction on the 1,702 lots with a spectacular lake and park began in 2019.


Currently Available for Sale and Development:

• 90 Acres of Light Industrial
• 20 Acres of Commercial
• 20 Acres of Multifamily
• 40 Acres of Light Industrial
• Click for Map 
• Image to the right:
  The proposed sites for the Barney Farms lake well and well/tank site. (Submitted graphic)  Details farther down

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How about another one of those "pretty pictures"

 

< ... Here it is with a monument at the front.

Also included:

An Aquatic Center 

Source > http://www.barneygpa.com/ 

 

For more information:

Jason Barney

For More Information: Jason Barney

480-818-2000 - jason@jasonbarney.com

__________________________________________________________________________________

"A $210,184 contract with Clear Creek Associates for design, construction management and evaluation services for two new wells to be drilled at the Barney Farms residential development was approved in a recent 6-0 vote by the Queen Creek Town Council.
The decision was made at a Sept. 19 town council meeting.
The wells are to be west of Meridian Drive, between Germann and Queen Creek roads.
“The two wells are identified to be constructed in areas agreeable to both the town and the developers of the Barney Farms project,” Paul Gardner, utilities director, said in a memo to the council. . . 
Voting to approve the contract with Clear Creek Associates at the Sept. 19 meeting were Vice Mayor Emilina Turley and council members Jake Hoffman, Robin Benning, Dawn Oliphant (by phone), Julia Wheatley and Jeff Brown. 
Mayor Gail Barney recused himself for a conflict of interest.
The Barney Farms lake well was included in the fiscal year 2018-19 approved budget. 
The Barney Farms well and tank was originally programmed for the fiscal year 2018-20 timeline, Mr. Gardner said in the memo.
“An accelerated schedule is required to keep pace with development,” he said.
Source: https://queencreekindependent.com/news/

Rose Law Group’s New Economy (Virtual) Power Lunch

Season 1 Episode 11 05 JUNE 20202 

Rose Law Group hosted the eleventh episode of The New Economy (Virtual) Power Lunch today. 

RLG Founder and President Jordan Rose and RLG Co-Founder and Partner Court Rich engaged with another panel of local leaders who shared their insights on COVID-19’s impact on our state. 

• Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord She has led her great City to attracting some of the most prominent economic development projects to locate in the Valley in the last five years, including Microsoft. Mayor Lord is a member of Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors and has also been recognized as one of the top 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business by AZ Business Magazine. 
• Harry Lourimore, the Division President of Mattamy Homes – the largest privately held homebuilder in North America. Lourimore joined Mattamy in 2016 and has over 20 years of experience in the homebuilding industry. Harry is a great leader in the industry and will give us the latest on Mattamy’s success. 
• John Graham, Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings Graham is one of the very most respected leaders in the Arizona real estate industry with extensive knowledge on asset management, real estate investment and development. Sunbelt Holdings was founded in 1998 and invests in residential, office, and industrial sectors. We are thrilled that John accepted this speaking gig as he hasn’t spoken in a large public setting since the virus chaos. 
• RLG Partner Adam Trenk also provides a brief update on changes to PPP that may give your biz more money.