Surviving the Heat, Notice of Construction, Summer Reading Continues, COVID-19 Updates

Maricopa County, Arizona sent this bulletin at 06/10/2021 02:10 PM MST

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June 10, 2021

Message from Supervisor Gates
Welcome to the New Clerk of the Board
Cool Off, Find Water and Shelter
Notice of Construction and Drilling Activities
Don't Miss Out on Summer Reading
Help Keep Ozone Away
Latest COVID-19 Updates
Quick Links to Helpful COVID-19 Resources
Maricopa County is Hiring!
Looking for a Maricopa County Contact?
Follow Supervisor Gates on Social Media

Message from Supervisor Gates

Dear Friends,

As things are heating up in the Valley with our beloved Phoenix Suns taking a two-win lead in the Western Conference semifinals, the temperature outside is also heating up. With long and short term drought, dry vegetation, and unpredictable fire behavior, this summer is already looking to be a very active fire season. I encourage everyone to use caution when enjoying the outdoors and report any wildfire immediately to 911.

I have also included information below about cooling stations for those struggling to find relief from the heat. The high temperatures are expected to continue throughout the next week potentially endangering the public. High temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death, particularly in our most vulnerable population. Let's continue doing our part by being safe, frequently checking in on the elderly and never leaving a child or a pet in a hot car. If you must go out please use extreme caution by limiting your outdoor activities to morning and evening hours, rest often in shady areas, wear a hat, and pack extra bottles of water.

As many of you prepare for summer travel and vacations, it's a great time to get your COVID-19 vaccine. Below you will find links to vaccine locations and facts and FAQs about the vaccine.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have questions, concerns, or need help finding resources. You may reach us at 602-506-7562 or district3@maricopa.gov.

All my best,

Bill

Welcome to the New Clerk of the Board

For the first time in 30 years, the Board of Supervisors has sworn in a new Clerk of the Board. Congratulations to Juanita Garza who was sworn in on Wednesday as the new Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. Juanita has been a steady hand these last few months as the Interim Clerk of the Board, and I am delighted to continue working with her.

Cool Off, Find Water and Shelter

Emergency cooling centers and water distribution areas have been established throughout Maricopa County for those who do not have access to indoor cool environments. Cooling centers can be community centers, churches, and other community based organizations that provide water and serve as a safe, cool indoor place during the day for refuge from the heat. Please visit the Heat Relief Regional Network to download lists of sites by region.

Donate Water and Other Heat Relief Supplies

Anyone wishing to donate water or other heat relief supplies, can do so throughout Maricopa County at the collection sites.

View the full-size map of cooling stations and donation sites.

Notice of Construction and Drilling Activities

Public Meeting Scheduled for June 16, 2021

This is to notify area residents of upcoming drilling and construction activities in support of the Cave Creek Landfill remedial effort. The work activities include installation of four new groundwater wells and construction of infrastructure associated with a groundwater treatment system (GWTS).

Design and construction of the Cave Creek landfill GWTS started in 2016 after a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to remediate contamination associated with the landfill was approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Contaminated groundwater is more than 700 feet below the surface and is not used for drinking water. However, Maricopa County is required to clean the water and remove the vapors from under the landfill.

The approved RAP has led County contractors to drill wells in strategic areas around the landfill. New well locations are shown on the map. Of the four new planned wells, two (EW-02 and EW-03) will be drilled and installed near the eastern and southern edges of the landfill, and two (MW-16 and MW-17) will be drilled and installed on Arizona State Trust land south of the landfill. EW-02 and EW-03 are extraction wells related to the GWTS and MW-16 and MW-17 are monitoring wells associated with groundwater characterization. Well installation activities will begin in late July 2021 and are expected to conclude by November 2021. There will be some noisy operation during this time, and drilling operations will be conducted on a 24/7 basis due to the depth of the wells. Sound abatement panels will be used to mitigate noise and limit light pollution to surrounding properties.

Construction work related to the GWTS includes offsite electrical infrastructure for an existing well IW-01, to be installed from its location at 4050 E. Sleepy Ranch Road west along Sleepy Ranch Road and north along 40th street as shown on the map. Additionally, the final Phase of the GWTS will be constructed at the IW-01 site, with work anticipated to start in mid-July 2021 and conclude in May 2022. All IW-01 infrastructure construction activities will take place during daylight hours on weekdays only.

Maricopa County will host a public meeting on June 16, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to present additional details regarding the aforementioned drilling and construction work. The public meeting will be held in the Quail room of the Holland Center (34250 N 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, AZ 85266).

The goal of this work is to protect groundwater for future generations.

Site Details

View Maps

Don't Miss Out on Summer Reading

Have you and your family signed up for the Maricopa County Library District's Summer Reading Program yet? The program kicked off on June 1st and runs through August 1st. It's not too late for readers of all ages to sign up and earn points in return for prizes.

PRIZES:

500 Points:
- Free personal pizza coupon from Peter Piper Pizza (ages 0-11)
- Free lemonade coupon from Raising Cane's (all ages)
- Free kids meal from Rubio's (kids)
750 Points:
- Arizona State Park Pass (all ages)
- Phoenix Mercury (all ages - up to 4 tickets)
1,000 Points:
- Free Book (all ages)*
Grand Prize Drawings:
- Family Passes to Legoland Discovery Center
- Family Passes to Sea Life Aquarium
- Phoenix Zoo Prize Bundle
Weekly Drawing Prizes:
- Harkins Theater Prize Pack (all ages - Countywide Drawing Prize)
- The Phoenix Zoo Prize Pack (kids - Countywide Drawing Prize)
- Samurai Comics Prize Pack (teens - MCLD Libraries only)
- Changing Hands Bookstore Prize Pack (adults - MCLD Libraries only)

* Participants can choose a physical book from a list of 120 titles. Participants can also choose to donate their book to a local Head Start classroom.

Register for the Summer Reading Program

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're already registered, enter my secret code for 10 bonus points!

Help Keep Ozone Away

Maricopa County residents are all familiar with intense summer heat. What many don't realize is that a harmful air pollutant also increases during the summer. Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from our daily lives react to the Valley's intense sunlight and heat. It affects everyone's health, especially the young and elderly. At ground level, ozone can trigger chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. By making a commitment of at least one day a week, county residents can help keep ozone away. Drive less, telework, carpool, bike to work, use public transit, and refuel after dark. Commit to One Day and Help Keep Ozone Away.

For more information on ozone and how you can help fight it, visit CleanAirMakeMore.com

Download MCAQD’s Clean Air Make More app!

Latest COVID-19 Updates

How Has COVID-19 Impacted Your Life?

COVID-19 had a big impact on the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our workforce, with some more affected than others. Take this brief survey to tell us how the pandemic has impacted your life, and you'll help inform future recovery efforts. The Maricopa County COVID-19 Impact Survey just takes a few minutes, is completely confidential, and open to ages 12+.

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Data

With COVID-19 hospitalizations among teenagers on the rise, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging parents to vaccinate their teenage kids. Remember: kids 12 years and older are eligible for vaccine right now. You can find vaccination sites at Maricopa.gov/COVID19VaccineLocations and updated FAQs about vaccine effectiveness and safety at Maricopa.gov/COVID19VaccineFacts.

As of June 1, 2021, 3.4 million+ COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to Maricopa County residents, and more than 1.6 million residents are fully vaccinated. Fewer than half our neighbors--43% of all Maricopa residents and 49% of Maricopa County residents 10 years and older--have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. With hundreds of new cases of COVID-19 still being reported each day, it’s clear we don’t have enough people vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus. If you want to get vaccinated but are planning to wait, please don’t delay. Getting the vaccine now protects you, your family, and your friends from serious illness.

Public Health Data

If You’re Not Vaccinated

Find a place to get vaccinated

Get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines

Sign Up for Vaccine Event Alerts

Take precautions to limit your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone age 12 and older at no cost, regardless of insurance status. There is no residency requirement in Maricopa County, meaning visitors, vacationers, travelers and seasonal residents may receive a vaccine while in Maricopa County. Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order makes COVID-19 vaccines free as long as the state's public health emergency declaration is in effect. If you do have insurance, you may be asked for it so that the provider can bill the insurer for its administrative fee. You will not receive a bill.

Reminder: Resources for Non-English Speakers

Maricopa County Public Health has partnered with 2-1-1 to bring Spanish-speaking Promotores on board to assist residents with information on the COVID-19 vaccine and also help book appointments. If you need vaccine assistance in Spanish, you can dial 2-1-1, Monday through Friday, from 8-5 pm.

Salud Pública del Condado Maricopa se ha asociado con 2-1-1 para que Promotores de Salud estén disponibles para contestar llamadas en español y dar información o hacer citas para la vacuna COVID-19. Si usted desea asistencia en español, marque al 2-1-1 y luego 271 de lunes a viernes de 8am a 5pm.

Multilingual Call Center

Public Health is also answering questions from community members in at least seven different languages including Spanish, French, and Arabic. Need assistance? You can dial 602-506-6767 and choose option 3 to be connected to our multilingual call center.

Quick Links to Helpful COVID-19 Resources

Maricopa County is Hiring!

Maricopa County is always looking for motivated individuals to join our team. Click HERE to see what jobs are currently open.

With great benefits, fun health challenges, and amazing people, the Human Resources department at Maricopa County continues to do an amazing job of finding, attracting, and keeping great talent.

Is your next career waiting for you at Maricopa County?