23 things that made '23 memorable in Scottsdale

Dec. 31—So, it's been just another uneventful year in quiet, sleepy, suburban Scottsdale — right?

To quote a recent Jordan Peele movie: "Nope."

From New Year's Day onward, the Scottsdale air was filled with controversy — and, occasionally, bullets.

The West's Most Western City was the scene of several shootouts in 2023, unfortunately, though none resulted in death.

Thankfully, the great majority of the disputes in the city were battled with tongues as sharply differing views led to clashes over the city's near-future direction.

While there were certainly many "good news moments," battle lines were drawn in many of the top 23 stories of 2023.

1) Developers vs. residents

Developers trotted out one grandiose development plan after another.

They included the Parque, a $1 billion live-work-play renovation of the former CrackerJax amusement park, and Optima McDowell Mountain, another $1 billion development, this one near Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101.

Axon and One Scottsdale developers floated plans to add more apartments by the hundreds.

The city acted as a sort of developer itself, pushing for a North Scottsdale "completion" of Miller Road — likely to be the gateway to more development — in North Scottsdale.

In every case, neighbors cried out: "No!"

Yet, in every case, Scottsdale's planners and city officials sided with developers.

2) Water war

Though Scottsdale has so much water in supply it annually "banks" enough to fill a small lake, City Council essentially declared a water war — starting 2023 by shutting off the city water residents of Rio Verde Foothills relied on for years.

Even after national stories threatened Scottsdale's formerly pristine reputation, the city refused to budge on the issue. Only after a state law was passed specifically aimed at forcing Scottsdale to resume indirectly providing water to RVF did the city finally relent.

The ultimate agreement turned out to be quite similar to a "treat and transport" deal proposed in mid-2022.

3) STRs vs. residents

Airbnb and VRBO — a great way to make a little money renting out your home, right?

Wrong, say many Scottsdale residents who complain short-term rentals — now known as STRs — are "ruining our neighborhoods."

Sparked by a rowdy STR party that ended in a shooting (no one injured, although someone who attended was killed later that night at another party in Phoenix), Mayor David Ortega decried "short-term rental chaos" caused by "pop-up hotels."

Though the city said it has made progress in demanding Scottsdale's 4,500 STRs obtain licenses and though the Scottsdale Police Department is forming a special unit to patrol the Airbnb/VRBO crowd, city officials say state law largely handcuffs them when dealing with short-term rentals.

4) Road diet rage

After an explosion of rage at council meetings where plans to reduce car lanes for bike lanes were unveiled, city staff and some representatives began chanting a mantra: "We don't do road diets."

Contrary to contracts that specifically state "road diet," the city says the correct term is ... "complete street."

Terminology aside, despite vehement opposition, Council gave the green light to a road diet on 68th Street.

But the opposition apparently led city officials to kick a request for a similar Thomas Road plan down the road.

5) Runaway budgets

In 2019, an overwhelming majority of Scottsdale voters approved a $318 million bond package to fund 58 projects, from parks to fire stations to a renovated Civic Center.

Four years later, the Civic Center has a new look — but at a cost of $33.5 million, 23% above its original $27.3 million price tag.

And that was nothing.

"Modernize and expand the police and fire training facility" was originally billed at $4.2 million. But, due primarily to what Fire Chief Tom Shannon called "a clerical error," the price tag is now $20.3 million — a stunning 382% increase.

In all, projects are now budgeted at $421 million with the meter still running. The 39% increase is due to inflation, according to city staff.

But, with less than a quarter of the projects complete, Councilman Barry Graham and others worry the final cost may soar over a half billion dollars.

6) Super Bowl bonanza

While the actual game was played in Glendale, all the visitors knew where to go for Super Week fun: Scottsdale.

ESPN hosted its daily Super Week show in Old Town, where cash registers were ringing.

The only sour note of the week came when a gallery owner unleashed epithets on a Native American dance group. Caught on camera, of course.

7) Jobs, jobs, jobs

Banner Health plans in North Scottsdale? The medical center projects it will hire 2,500.

The Parque, Axon and ASM projects? Thousands more jobs projected to be filled.

Meanwhile, the city has "more than 300 (staff) vacancies," according to a recent year-end presentation.

8) Homeless hotel

Accept nearly $1 million from the state to let homeless people stay at the underused Independence 47 motel ... what would upset anyone about that?

Plenty.

Many were outraged when the fine print on the state contract was revealed: While the money was primarily for older city residents, Scottsdale also would be required to provide shelter for some from the Zone in Phoenix as well as Title 42 migrants.

After scores howled in outrage at a town hall hosted by project critic State Rep. Matt Gress, R-Scottsdale, the state Department of Housing said it would not force the city to house the Zone/Title 42 migrants stipulation.

9) SUSD election

Other public school districts around the Valley struggled to find support for funding, with some measures failing miserably and others barely passing.

But not Scottsdale.

In a crucial funding vote, an override continuance request by the Scottsdale Unified School District passed by a comfortable margin in November — the only issue on Scottsdale ballots.

Results from the Nov. 7 election showed 57.7% for the override and 42.3% rejecting it. This despite aggressive opposition, with "Vote No!" signs around the city.

Yet SUSD successfully pitched the 15% override request, providing $22 million in additional funding to the district, with a tax rate of $0.33 per $100 of net assessed valuation.

10) The mayor vs. ... everyone?

First, Ortega rubbed residents of Rio Verde Foothills' noses in the problem, proclaiming "There is no Santa Claus" in leading the shutdown of Scottsdale water to the community.

Throughout the first part of this year, he continued to trade shots with RVF leaders like Cody Reim — while also elevating an insult battle with County Supervisor Tom Galvin even after the water situation was resolved.

At City Council meetings, the mayor on several occasions interrupted citizens for "going off track" in public comments (which are normally loosely officiated).

And Ortega verbally jousted with Councilman Barry Graham on several issues, including road diets and bond project overruns.

11) Civic Center reopens

Though it took nearly an extra year and millions of dollars more than expected, the sprawling Civic Center park between City Hall and the library reopened — with new kids play areas, gardens and an impressive amphitheater and other performance areas.

While many raved over the sleek new look of the center, others grumbled about a lake of shade — and some cried "fowl" after the ducks and geese were displaced when the old lagoon being replaced.

12) Record spending

Over the last few years, Scottsdale has raked in an annual 30% increase in sales tax due to pandemic spending, according to the city.

Record revenues invited the approval of record spending: Council approved a monster $2.5 billion budget in July — with an operating budget of $1.1 billion and capital budget of $1.4 billion.

The total was a 20% increase over the previous year, including a $44 million increase in the city's General Fund — an 13% jump from $456 million in the fund that covers many of the city's services (police, fire, public works).

Employee raises, bonuses, vacation buybacks and benefits fueled the increased spending by the city.

13) Powerhouse economy

Pumped up by the Super Bowl, the city's sales tax revenue increased nearly 10% from the previous year — landing 17% over what now looks like extremely modest projections.

The good news for renters — but bad news for the city: "Starting in January 2025, residential rental tax will no longer be collected," Sonia Andrews, Scottsdale's treasurer, told City Council. "In total for the city, we will lose about $14 million."

14) Curious city manager case

The somewhat cryptic case of City Manager Jim Thompson came full circle in 2023.

In mid-2022, he announced he was retiring after seven years as city manager — but wanted to be rehired immediately as "acting city manager." Council acquiesced, with the understanding the agreement would be "until a new city manager or acting city manager is appointed, but no longer than Oct. 13, 2023."

In August, City Council voted "to direct "Human Resources Department to explore options for the recruitment of a charter city manager and to report back to the City Council."

Four months later, Thompson was rehired at $375,000 per year — but with some curious stipulations.

Thompson, who has been working largely remotely, now must work a minimum 10 hours per week at City Hall and "meet in person with the assistant city managers and the executives managing the city's separate divisions no less than once every three months."

15) Out-of-The-Parque home run

A $1 billion live-work-eat-shop development on Scottsdale Road next to the Promenade was too tantalizing to resist for city elected officials.

In mid-November, Ortega and Council approved tech billionaire George Kurtz's "transformational" project at the former CrackerJax site by a 5-2 vote — with Barry Graham and Kathy Littlefield opposed.

Even those who voted for it agreed the project would bring more traffic to an already-clogged Scottdale Road.

16) An "A" for SUSD

It would be tough not to say Scottsdale Unified scored an "ace" this year after state report cards were released.

Of 1,370 elementary schools in the state, Redfield Elementary School came in third in total points.

With Redfield and Desert Mountain High School leading the way, 22 of SUSD's 29 schools received "A" grades. Six were given "B" grades, with one "C."

As a whole, SUSD received an "A" from the state.

17) Budding superstar

Of all Scottsdale's high school state champs (Saguaro High football, Desert Mountain girls swimming, etc.), the standout is ... Ella Minor.

Just in her second year at Chaparral High, she was crowned the AZ D1 High School Dive state champion.

The district said, "We couldn't be more proud of Ella and all her hard work!"

18) Downtown parking

Though it was part of the 2019 bond package, nothing has been done about the Old Town/downtown parking situation.

Some want more parking in the north part of Old Town, others in the south part.

At a December meeting, Thompson told City Council a downtown parking study is still months away — from beginning.

Meanwhile, with a renovated Civic Center hosting more — and larger — events, some are wondering: Where's everyone going to park?

19) Menzel standing

Early this year, some were wondering if SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel's days leading the district were numbered.

In February, three Scottsdale state legislators demanded his "immediate removal" for comments he made over three years ago.

State Reps. Joseph Chaplik and Alexander Kolodin and Sen. John Kavanagh slammed Menzel for "offensive and hateful comments he made in a 2019 interview."

But Menzel fought back, saying claims he said "white people are problematic" were misleading.

At a raucous board meeting, former Mayor Jim Lane and others harshly criticized Menzel. But others fiercely defended him.

"Our students learn how to think — not what to think," said Laura Weeshof, calling Menzel "our outstanding superintendent."

Rather than forcing their leader out, the board majority rallied around Menzel. "It is a great overreach for a legislative representative to call for the termination of any district school superintendent," said board President Julie Cieniawski. "Especially when the claims are based on twisted bits of information and inaccurate facts."

20) Museum hits jackpot

Todd Bankofier, new CEO/executive director of Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, quickly struck gold with a $12 million donation by Louis "Buzz" Sands IV that will fund an expansion adding two new floors and two galleries.

On Oct. 9, Bankofier and Western Spirit hit the jackpot a second time with the donation of the Eddie Basha Collection of American Indian and Western American fine art.

A staggering collection put together over four decades by Bashas' founder will be split between the Scottsdale museum and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, thrilling founding Chairman Jim Bruner.

21) How sustainable is it?

Early in the year, city council members took turns shooting at the draft of the city's long-awaited "sustainability plan" — with Lisa McNeilly, the city's sustainability director, sustaining a withering attack.

The plan, covering everything from energy conservation to water use, was originally scheduled to be in place at the beginning of 2023.

Though subsequent sections of new drafts received lukewarm approval, McNeilly's plan in its entirety is not scheduled to be presented to City Council until mid-2024.

22) Hottest Summer EVER

According to the National Weather Service, before this year Phoenix hit 119 degrees five times: 122 on June 26, 1990; 121 on July 28, 1995; 120 on June 25, 1990; and 119 on June 20, 2017, and June 29, 2013.

Notably, four of those five 119+ days came during June, typically the Valley's hottest month. This year, Scottsdale and the rest of the Valley enjoyed an unusually cool June — but in July, a crazy run of 110-plus days began.

This year, Valley temperatures hit or topped 110 degrees a record 53 times.

While some parts of North Scottsdale can be as much as 5 degrees cooler than Phoenix, much of South Scottsdale is just as hot — and occasionally even more blazing than the big city.

With many expecting the heat to continue indefinitely, part of the city's sustainability plan may be an effort to encourage the planting of more trees. The Parque, meanwhile, appears to be leading the way.

According to the developer's plan submitted to the city, "Pedestrian streetscapes will be carefully crafted to provide shade and environmental comfort through significant tree plantings."

23) Diamond Fire

The blaze many in northeast Scottsdale have feared for years erupted June 27.

The Diamond Fire — the cause has yet to be announced by state investigators — ignited near million-dollar homes being built on the edge of the city, quickly spreading to county and state land.

About 1,100 evacuated over the next two days but there were no injuries and no significant property damage.

Still, a frightening warning?