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Council hears 2,843-signature petition for Rio Verde wildlife overpass; council directs staff to prepare response
Summary
Residents presented a 2,843-signature petition urging the city to keep the Rio Verde wildlife overpass in the park-and-preserve budget and to proceed with a feasibility study; council directed the city manager to investigate the petition and prepare a written response and to return information for council consideration.
A group of Scottsdale residents on May 6 delivered a petition with 2,843 signatures urging the City Council to include a long-planned Rio Verde wildlife overpass in the park-and-preserve program and to proceed with a feasibility study. Petitioners said signatures were collected citywide and without paid signature gatherers; they asked the city manager for a written response.
Several petition supporters, including preserve volunteers and long-time residents, told the council the overpass is part of preserve planning and would protect wildlife by connecting preserve segments across Rio Verde Drive and Dynamite Boulevard. Speakers said the crossing would allow wildlife genetic exchange with the Tonto National Forest and help preserve native species. The Budget Review Commission earlier recommended funding a feasibility study; the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission subsequently recommended a study with specific scope elements including wildlife and safety analysis, concept design alternatives, timing with future road improvements, and cost escalation considerations.
Vice Mayor Jan De Boscas moved to direct the city manager to investigate the petition and prepare a written response for council; the motion was seconded. Council members said they supported gathering feasibility data and that the study could examine project timing and options that would reduce construction cost and maximize wildlife benefits. Several residents urged preserving dedicated park-and-preserve tax revenues for projects consistent with voter intent; some speakers noted a recent charter amendment (Prop 4-20) but said it did not prohibit building trails or improvements already in preserve plans.
City staff and commission representatives said a feasibility study would analyze wildlife benefits, concept designs (including how to use natural topography and required fencing), timing with road projects and cost escalation, and return findings in time for the next budget cycle. Council directed staff to prepare a response and materials for future council review and budget deliberations.
