CityScope: Nov. - Dec. 2022

Chandler Fire to hold annual toy drive event — donate a toy for a ride in a fire truck!

The Chandler Fire Department will hold its annual toy drive from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. All donations will be distributed to Chandler children in need.

The event takes place at Chandler Fashion Center, in front of the south-facing entry point in the valet parking area near the food court. Anyone who donates new, unwrapped toys or gift cards will be provided a ride in a fire truck. Drive up, drop-off only toy donations will also be accepted in the parking lot west of the valet parking area.

In addition, toys can be dropped off from Nov. 14 through Dec. 12 at all of Chandler’s fire stations and the Fire Administration Headquarters (HQ) located at 151 E. Boston St. (gift cards will only be accepted at HQ). 

Choose Chandler this holiday season

We encourage you to support your Chandler business community by shopping local and shopping early this holiday season. Launched by the City’s Economic Development Division, the #ChooseChandler initiative is about choosing Chandler businesses first. Keep in mind that every time you make a purchase at a local business, you’re not just helping that individual business. It’s a fact that $43 out of every $100 spent at a Chandler business gets recirculated back into our local economy to stimulate jobs, improve community infrastructure and provide services to maintain Chandler’s high quality of life.

And it all starts with a single purchase — from day-to-day purchases like a meal at the neighborhood eatery, new clothes from your favorite boutique, weekly groceries and even those more infrequent purchases like a new car — they all add up.

Follow along at @VisitChandler on Instagram and Facebook for holiday-themed giveaways, profiles and information on how you can support local business and make lasting memories here in Chandler.         
 

Applications open for ‘CIVIC’
Connect with your local government

Mayor Kevin Hartke and the Chandler City Council are excited to announce that applications are open for CIVIC, an interactive, 13-session program providing Chandler residents with a behind-the-scenes look at City services.   

This free program will again launch in January 2023 and is the latest offering by the City of Chandler to help residents connect with their government. Each session, participants will meet with City leaders, tour facilities that keep our City running, participate in interactive sessions and learn how to stay engaged with the City and in their community.   

Applications will be open from Nov. 1 to Dec. 2. Find more information, including the full program schedule and application.  

ChangeUp
Change a life by changing the way you give

Are you familiar with Chandler’s ChangeUp initiative? ChangeUp is a program that offers residents an alternative way to give to people experiencing homelessness.

Instead of giving to people asking for money on the streets, you can make real, long-term change by contributing to ChangeUp. All proceeds go directly to programs and services to help end homelessness in Chandler. 

It’s easy to donate. Text “ChangeUp” to 44-321 to make a one-time or monthly donation of $1, $5, $10, $25, or any amount. Donations also are accepted online.

By donating to ChangeUp, you can ensure that your contribution is working directly to support long-term solutions to end homelessness in Chandler.      

Flood zones in Chandler

Several small areas in Chandler are located in what is commonly referred to as the 100-year floodplain. These areas are generally adjacent to canal banks and railroad track embankments where water ponds can develop during periods of heavy rainfall.

To determine whether your property is located in a floodplain, go to chandleraz.gov/floodplains to find a link to the Maricopa County Flood Control District website. This site provides the current effective floodplain map and additional resources including available Elevation Certificates and Flood Hazard Identification Studies. Currently, there is an active study, the Tempe Area Drainage Master Study (ADMS), in which west Chandler is included, to assess flooding in this region.

The City of Chandler participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a participant of the NFIP, the City adopted Floodplain Management Resolution 5004 and has established development requirements consistent with federal criteria.

Flood insurance is available to almost everyone from the federal government’s NFIP. Most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood losses. Contact your insurance agent concerning  such coverage. More information regarding flood protection is available from FEMA at fema.gov or floodsmart.gov. Construction within flood zones is tightly regulated. Permits are required for any building or site alterations to ensure maximum protection against flooding is maintained.

The Downtown Chandler Library has a reference collection that includes several FEMA publications, which are available for public review; many are available for public distribution, and some are available in e-book format. Also, the Library has current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Studies for Maricopa County and incorporated areas. Call the Chandler Public Library at 480-782-2800.

To report illegal dumping/discharges into streets or storm drains, or standing water or flooding issues in Chandler, please call 480-782-3503. Staff can provide property assistance visits to assist you to evaluate and mitigate ponding and flooding issues. Visit chandleraz.gov (search flood-plains) to download the Property Owner’s Manual for Stormwater Management (PDF) for information and requirements for stormwater collection systems. For more information on flood zones including floodways, flood studies and depths and historic flooding, call 480-782-3300 or visit Development Services, located at 215 E. Buffalo St.