NEIGHBORHOODS

City of Apache Junction Neighborhood Partnership Program

The City of Apache Junction has created a Neighborhood Partnership Program designed to promote 360-degree feedback between citizens, local government officials and City employees.

The Neighborhood Partnership Program is for citizens who want to form a partnership between their neighborhood and the City of Apache Junction.  We assist by bringing the tools to preserve and develop neighborhoods and keep neighborhoods informed of the activities and goals of the City of Apache Junction’s leaders.

The program’s mission is to foster informed citizen participation in the future of our community.  The citizen/neighbor is the true focal point of the Neighborhood Partnership Program.  Most importantly, Apache Junction residents will find that one does not have to “fight City Hall”, but rather work with it to improve and maintain the high quality of life in our community.

To help every participating neighborhood thrive, the Neighborhood Partnership Program identifies specific ways in which to facilitate proper communication.  Neighborhood representatives are provided with information that will help them start and sustain a viable neighborhood organization.  The City will assist with establishing mailing lists for meetings with neighborhood groups and the City.  By coordinating meetings between neighborhood residents and City staff and elected officials, issues that are of concern or interest to residents are addressed. The City will additionally follow up on any issues or concerns brought up by residents, to work toward a satisfactory outcome.  The City of Apache Junction will also help coordinate neighborhood planning efforts to identify the area’s short and long-range goals.  The City will also maintain a registration database of neighborhood and homeowners associations.

The program highlights include:

• How to establish and maintain an effective Neighborhood Association
• Identification of neighborhood needs and solutions.  It is a forum for neighbors to tell us what’s on their minds.  Our job is to listen!
• Establishing a partnership between the City its neighborhoods and the business community
• Arranging meetings between neighborhood groups and City officials and staff.  Problem solving and issue resolution between the City and its citizen/customers.

Additional information on the City of Apache Junction Neighborhood Partnership program can be found at the City of Apache Junction website at www.ajcity.net, then clicking on Community Outreach.   You may also call Patrick Brenner, Community Relations Manager at (480) 474-5080, or email pbrenner@ajcity.net. 

Neighborhood News:

In February and March the City conducted Neighborhood Partnership meetings with a number of different neighborhoods in the City. These included the Quail Run, Pueblo, Saguaro Canyon Village and Dolce Vita Neighborhoods. Among many items of interest that were discussed during these informative meetings, subjects and information included:

- The need to keep weeds trimmed and vegetation areas cleared of potential fire materials.

- To report a mosquito problem neighbors should contact Pinal County at 1-866-287-0209 ext. 6200.

- The City’s SMART Trailer can be placed on roads to help motorists be reminded about their driving speed and the need especially to slow down in neighborhoods. To have the SMART Trailer scheduled to be set up in your neighborhood call the Police Department at (480) 982-8260.

- The City will be asking the Arizona Department of Transportation to install a traffic signal at Idaho and 16th because the City does believe it meets the proper warrants for one.

- Questions related to economic development showed that neighbors are happy with the positive evolution of the ABCO Plaza but would like to see more upscale, not just dollar stores, coming into the city.

- In response to a question about gangs in Apache Junction it was noted that it is hard to positively identify a gang member. There are no known or “turf gangs” in the City but mainly copycats. The D.A.R.E. Program has been of assistance in controlling gang activity in the schools.

- Residents inquired as to why mobile home parks cannot participate in the City’s Quarterly Clean-Up Days? The reason is that a park is private commercial property. It is not City right of way like the streets and sidewalks are in front of other types of residences.

- The importance of each neighborhood having an active Block Watch on each street was highly encouraged. For more information on starting a Block Watch residents were urged to contact Suzanne Strong, Community Resource Coordinator for the Police Department at (480) 474-5442.

- It is illegal to discharge a firearm anywhere in the City. Outside the City limits it is illegal to shoot within one quarter of a mile ofany road or structure such as a home.

- Phelps Drive up to the Trail is soon to be widened and include new lighting, landscaping and other amenities.

- Traffic signals are coming to San Marcos and Broadway and Delaware and Superstition.

- A streets and roads paving schedule is available by calling the City Engineer’s Office at (480) 474-8513.

- The City paves approximately two miles per year of surface roads.

- The City’s capacity for infrastructure is good including sewer and water.

- A new Social Security Administration regional office is going in by the post office on Superstition and there is new retail space onBroadway and Idaho as well as Broadway and Ironwood.   

A few reminders to all citizens in Apache Junction: 

• Visit the City website at www.ajcity.net for city event and program information.  If you don’t have access to the Internet at home, visit the City Library at 1177 N. Idaho Road and log on.

• Drop-off recycling is available in the City of Apache Junction. For a complete listing of materials accepted and drop-off locations, visit www.ajcity.net.  Click on City Services, Administration, and then the big blue recycle bin.