Kevin's Ward 3 News and Updates
Friday, January 27, 2023

Special Election May 16 on TEP Franchise Agreement

This week Mayor and Council voted unanimously to call a May 16th special election to put a new franchise agreement with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) before Tucson’s voters. The 25-year-agreement would include a renewal of the existing 2.25% franchise fee on monthly electric bills of TEP customers within the city, as well as a new 0.75% Community Resilience Fee (which will amount to annually about $14 million generated from the franchise fee and almost $5 million from the Community Resilience Fee). The funds generated by the new Community Resilience Fee will be used to help finance the cost of undergrounding powerlines and to fund efforts that support the City’s Climate Action Plan. The immediate need for undergrounding is for the proposed Kino to DeMoss Petrie transmission line along Kino/Campbell Ave, where undergounding is required because this is a designated Scenic Gateway Corridor.

I agree with the legitimate concern from many community members who felt that the agreement was rushed. I nevertheless voted to move forward. I felt the time was right to put the proposed franchise agreement before the voters. Additionally, TEP has agreed to negotiate with Tucson separately on terms of agreements that are outside of the franchise, so that we can purchase electricity for City operations from exclusively renewable sources and work together on other climate action items.

If voters approve the franchise, the projected monthly impact of the new Community Resilience Fee to TEP customers within Tucson city limits would be approximately $0.93 per month for residential and $2.65 per month for small business customers.

Some helpful links: 
Watch the Mayor and Council meeting (item 12)
TEP information on the agreement
TEP information on DeMoss Petrie Transmission Line
Arizona Daily Star article on franchise agreement 
City of Tucson's Climate Action Hub

-Kevin 

Cookout at the Blue Moon Garden by Katie Bolger 

Last week the Community Gardens of Tucson and the Ward 3 Council office partnered to host a barbecue in the Blue Moon Community Garden. The garden (previously highlighted in our newsletter ) was created after a long planning process involving neighbors and residents in the area. The need for fresh, accessible produce was one of many necessities expressed by those living in the Tucson House and surrounding neighborhoods.

Tucson House is the City’s largest public housing units with a population of over 400 people - all of whom are low-income (or no-income) along with elderly and disabled residents. 

Tucson House residents enjoying a beautiful January day at Blue Moon Garden BBQ

Although the Blue Moon Garden sits adjacent to the Tucson House (on a former parking lot) there are many residents who have not spent any time in the public garden. The idea behind the barbecue was to invite gardeners and non-gardeners alike to utilize the space for socializing, getting to know neighbors and as an opportunity to get outdoors into the sun and fresh air. The barbecue was a huge success with well over 100 people attending.

Sasha Timpson from Community Gardens of Tucson and Mike Edmonds Ward 3 staff and Tucson House resident

Council Member Dahl and Mike Edmonds (Tucson House resident and Ward 3 staff) at Blue Mon Garden with Tucson House in background

Our office plans to continue to partner with Community Gardens of Tucson for future events in Blue Moon Garden. We are currently planning a Valentine's Tea on February 14, 2023. 

For more information please see Community Gardens of Tucson at https://communitygardensoftucson.org

Community Safety Hub Open House by C.J. Boyd

Last week, Ward 3 staff attended the open house for the new Community Safety Hub located at the El Pueblo Center on West Irvington Road. This hub includes new offices for both the Community Safety, Health and Wellness Program, as well as the City’s Housing First Program. 

El Pueblo Community Safety Hub

Community Safety, Health and Wellness (CSHW) is a relatively new program headed by Sarah Launius, the former Chief of Staff in our own Ward 3 office. Mayor and Council created this program in order to bring more of a social work approach to problems that had previously been handled by the police department or were not being addressed at all. The program helps constituents who had often slipped through the cracks, both to make sure they get the help they need, while freeing up other City staff who don’t have the capacity to assist.

As an example, there are people who call 911 for non-emergency issues, sometimes calling multiple times a day. Due to the nature of being a 911 dispatcher, there is not the time to address many of these non-emergency issues- most of which come from folks who need help dealing with larger problems related to mental health, substance use, houselessness, and extreme poverty. When CSHW Care Coordinators are able to connect these community members to the resources they need, it takes some strain off of our 911 dispatchers, who are already under incredible stress. 

City Staff and partners are welcomed by Community Safety Health and Wellness Director Sarah Launius

Having CSHW just across the hall from Housing First is a strategic pairing. Both programs have been developed within the City Manager's Office to address the needs of our most vulnerable populations. Housing First is focused on providing temporary and permanent low-barrier housing for the unhoused. There is significant overlap between the demographic who CSHW help and those who are either unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused, so the entire city benefits from the collaboration between these two programs. 

The population of people experiencing houselessness has risen significantly in Tucson and across the country over the last few years. In response, the City of Tucson is investing more financial resources than ever before, to hire staff and purchase properties for shelters.This is not always obvious to those unfamiliar with the city budget and programs - largely because houselessness is such a massive problem. Even with the considerable resources the City has dedicated it is not yet been enough to solve the problem or keep Tucson's population of houseless folks from growing. But the Housing First Program, which is relatively new, has helped transition more people from houselessness to permanent housing than any program in the City’s history. The Housing First Program is headed by Brandi Champion, who has overseen the opening of multiple low barrier, city-run shelters, where she works with Housing and Community Development staff to find permanent housing for individuals and families. 

In attendance at the open house were many City staff who work with Tucson’s most vulnerable populations: Amaris Vasquez, the City Manager’s Multi Agency Resource Coordinator for homeless protocol; Sgt. Jack Julsing who heads TDP’s Homeless Outreach Team, as well as representatives from the Mayor’s Office, the City Manager’s Office, and several Ward offices.

We in the Ward 3 office work with Community Safety Health and Wellness as well as Housing First on a regular basis, and look forward to the collaborations between them in their new space.

Office of Equity by Marlene Avelino

“Within the City of Tucson, equity means that our policies, policy-making processes, delivery of services, and distribution of resources account for the different histories, challenges, and needs of the people we serve.” - City of Tucson

The Office of Equity (OOE) hosted a “Lunch and Learn” for City staff this week to introduce the Equity team and provide an update on their work. They have hosted several “Lunch and Learns" in the last year on a variety of topics with the goal of making the City a inclusive and diverse organization. The November lunch was a TEDx talk with Tiffany Jana on the Power of Privilege. The December lunch discussed autism inclusivity and was led by a disability advocate who herself is autistic. 

Mayor and Council created the office in 2020, and Laurice Walker was hired in 2022 after a long national search. She relocated from Minneapolis where she had held the role of Project Manager in the Minneapolis Division of Race and Equity from 2016 to 2021. The team also includes Minako Johnson (also hailing from Minneapolis) as Employee Engagement Project Manager, who is currently working on a program focusing on Departmental Equity Coordinators, hosting the Lunch and Learns, and will soon be launching a Reading for Equity and Diversity (READ) book club.

Laura Sharp is a Project Manager (and data analyst!) in the Office of Equity, and has been working on Demographic Collection Policy by standardizing survey questions across various city departments so that data collected from residents can be easily compared and analyzed. Laura is also developing metrics and tools to help departments track and measure progress towards equity. 

Yolanda Parker is the newest addition to the team as their Executive Assistant.

The OOE has a wide scope: demographic data, public engagement, equitable policies, diversifying our workforce, budget analysis, accessible programs, and shifting the culture of the City. Their mission statement is: "The Office of Equity’s purpose is to represent and reflect the unique experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints of our residents, businesses, employees, and visitors. In partnership with city leadership and various stakeholders, the OOE will champion equity as a fuel for innovation, inclusivity, and dismantling institutional barriers." 

Next month’s Lunch and Learn will host Jason R. Jurjevich - Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona who founded the Mapping Racist Covenants project in 2022, which tells the story of racist covenants across Tucson neighborhoods and subdivisions, focusing on those enacted between 1912-1968. His presentation will outline the history of these covenants and summarize the goals of the project. I’m looking forward to it in order to help me better understand how we arrived at the current housing and homeless crises that we are experiencing today.  

Paul Durham 

As many of you know, former Ward 3 City Councilman Paul Durham passed away this week. Paul was known for his advocacy on environmental issues and helped lead the charge to declare a climate emergency in Tucson which helped lead to the initiation of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Many people have reached out asking where to send condolences. At this time there is not a date for a memorial service, but we will keep everyone posted. 

For those wanting to contribute in Paul’s honor, there are two opportunities.

Paul served on the board of The Rillito River Project. The Rillito River Project brings artists and scientists together to address climate change in the Southwest. The Rillito River Project is a 501(c)3 and donations are tax deductible. Gifts in honor of Paul Durham to the Rillito River Project can be made by check and mailed to:

Rillito River Project

7080 N Cathedral Rock Place

Tucson, AZ 85718

Paul also served on the board of El Grupo, a nonprofit empowering youth through bicycles. Donations in his honor can be made online at https://www.elgrupocycling.org/donate/.

Former Ward 3 Council Member Paul Durham. 

Next Mayor and Council Meeting 

The next Mayor and Council Meeting is on Tuesday, February 7th.
The agenda is available here: Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings

Limberlost Neighborhood Association 
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00- 11:00 am 
on Zoom (email [email protected] for link)

Cabrini Neighborhood Association 
Thursday, February 2nd, 6:00- 7:00 pm 
Vineyard City Church, 3150 E. Fort Lowell Rd. 

Feldman's Neighborhood Association   
Thursday, February 2nd, 7:00- 8:15 pm 
on Zoom

The Ward 3 office is open open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 am - 1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email [email protected].

Ward 3 Events

Tree Planting and Buffelgrass Pulling in Sugar Hill on Saturday, January 28th

Join Tucson Clean and Beautiful for neighborhood tree planting and green stormwater infrastructure maintenance in Sugar Hill Neighborhood on Saturday, January 28th from 9am-11am! Our team will be meeting at Mansfield Park Pool Parking Lot, 2275 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705. G

Please wear close-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bring along a refillable water bottle (to reduce plastic waste). You can register here. We supply all necessary tools, gloves, and filtered drinking water.

VITA at Ward 3 Saturdays through April 15^th

Once again, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will be available at Ward 3 on Saturdays beginning this Saturday, January 28th, from 9am to 1pm. Appointments are required and can be made online here: unitedwaytucson.org/vita. If you have questions about the program at Ward 3, please call 520-837-4231 and leave a message so one of the Ward 3 VITA volunteers can return your call. 

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona’s VITA program trains hundreds of volunteers each year to provide FREE tax preparation to thousands of households throughout Arizona. Taxpayers who use our service have the opportunity to work with IRS-certified VITA volunteer tax preparers, and every return is quality reviewed for accuracy and to ensure you receive the largest refund possible! Let us ease the financial and mental burden of tax season. Visit us at a VITA tax site this tax season – we can’t wait to see you! Tax sites and online preparation begin the week of January 23rd - visit unitedwaytucson.org/vita to learn more about our program and the variety of ways you can access our services! VITA tax preparation services are available to households earning less than $73,000. AARP Foundation is a sponsor of The United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona’s 2023 VITA Program. 

Come on over to 2500 N Stone Ave on the 28th and 29th starting at 8:00am for the very first Tucson Food Share yard sale! Everything will be PRICED LOW, so take this opportunity to clear out your extras and find something new while supporting the food share!

¡Venga a 2500 N Stone Ave los días 28 y 29 a partir de las 8:00 a.m. para la primera venta de garaje de Tucson Food Share! ¡Todo tendrá un PRECIO BAJO, así que aproveche esta oportunidad para deshacerse de sus extras y encontrar algo nuevo mientras apoya a Tucson Food Share!

Join The Drawing Studio to Celebrate Their Expansion on Sunday, January 29th

Last week to donate socks! The CSHW Sock Drive ends on January 30th! 

As part of the Homeless Protocol initiative, the Community Safety, Health and Wellness program has recently increased outreach to our unsheltered neighbors. The weather is only going to get colder, and the number one request from the campers is socks! The CSHW program is reaching out to the community for donations of unused socks in all sizes now through the end of January. Donations can be dropped in the collection box at the Ward 3 office at 1510 E. Grant Rd. 

Sign up to donate your citrus to the Iskashitaa Refugee Network! using this link: https://www.iskashitaa.org/donate-your-fruit

Community Food Bank Super Citrus Saturdays begin on January 28th!

The Community Food Bank will collect extra citrus from backyard trees
on three upcoming Super Citrus Saturday events in Tucson. Anyone with extra oranges, lemons, grapefruits, or other citrus is invited to drop them off in the monthly Saturday collections beginning in January. 

On Saturday, January 28th, citrus will be collected from 11am – 2pm at:
-Ashley Home Furnishings at Broadway and Pantano
- Rillito Garden Nursery at 6303 N. La Cholla

Get Paid to Get Lifeguard Certified! 

Are you or someone you know looking for a part-time job? Tucson Parks and Recreation is hiring lifeguards to operate and maintain the safety at City pools year-round. The minimum age to be a lifeguard is 15 years old. Pay starts at $16.75/hour.

The City will pay applicants to get their Lifeguard Certification through the City’s certification path. The lifeguard class is an intense, fast-paced course, and strong swim skills are required. All applicants must pass a swim test to qualify. For more information on becoming a lifeguard or to register for the swim test, visit the website. 

Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans Clothing and Hygiene Drive at Ward 3 Office

The Ward 3 office will be collecting donations to Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans through March 15th. New hygiene items and new and gently used clothing are requested. 

Bronx Park Rain Garden Planting Party on Sunday, February 5th

Bronx Park neighbors are celebrating the completion of two new community raingardens! Join us for a sunny Sunday morning of playing in the dirt as we plant trees and pollinator plants with the neighborhood. A buffelgrass pull will also be taking place in the nearby Bronx Wash for those wanting an urban jungle adventure! Come learn with us, grow with us, and be part of building a more resilient Tucson.

This heat vulnerable neighborhood is harvesting the rain to grow a pollinator pocket park and tree-lined greenway for walkers and bikers. THANKS to these amazing partners: Bronx Park Neighborhood, One Big Yard, Thrive in the 05, Tucson Water, Ward 3, and Dryland Design.

Weeducate Yourself on Saturday, February 11th at 9 am!  At McCormick Park

City Wide Events

One Water 2100 Survey Ends January 31st

The One Water 2100 master planning process, through public feedback, identified water supply and conservation as the top two areas of concern. Now, Tucson Water needs your help to guide long-range decisions about Tucson's water management practices and its Capital Improvement Program. Follow the One Water 2100 website link below and take the water management strategy survey. Share the survey with friends, family, and neighbors because community input is important to our water future. This interactive tool provides an overview of what the One Water approach is, information about Tucson’s water resources, and highlights some of the conservation program achievements. The survey will be online through January 31st. Take it and learn more here

Sustainable Tucson applauds the City’s efforts to reach out to the community. To aid in that effort, members of the water committee have reviewed the survey and developed an INFORMATION SHEET clarifying and sharing some considerations for the different strategies - while pointing out the options that the city is already undertaking.

The Plan Tucson Survey is now available! 

The City of Tucson is starting a two-year process to update the City’s General and Sustainability Plan from 2013, known as Plan Tucson. During the first phase, in Spring 2023, Tucson residents will be asked to share their priorities and vision for the future of Tucson. This information will help us identify visions and goals for initial refinement by the Plan Tucson Working Groups that are in development. The Plan Tucson Update Team is grateful for your contributions to assess the city’s challenges and needs and guiding Tucson’s long-term direction. Take the survey here

Read Tucson's Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) !

Throughout 2022, the City worked to develop a climate action and adaptation plan that will provide a strategic pathway to reduce the City’s emissions to net zero by 2030, explain the anticipated impacts of climate change across the City, identify the communities that will be most vulnerable to those impacts, and provide strategies that will assure that Tucson can adapt and be resilient to the impacts of climate change – now and in the future. The City has posted the draft climate action and adaptation plan, "Tucson Resilient Together," on the Climate Action Hub website here. The plan is open for public review and comments until Tuesday, February 21st. Use the link on that site to add your comments on the plan.

Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report!   

You can use this link to subscribe to the Climate Action Report through the City Manager's Office:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/subscriber/new

Above: 2022 Climate Action Measurements from the December 16th Action Report

Home Heating Tips from the Tucson Fire Department 

With cold temperatures upon us, Tucson Fire Department (TFD) Deputy Chief Barrett Baker has some tips on keeping you warm and safe during our cooler months. Watch the video here for safety tips, such as keeping potentially flammable objects at least 3 feet away from a space heater and turning it off when you leave the room or go to sleep, keeping your furnace room clear of anything flammable and having it inspected at least once a year, and making sure the flue is open when using your fireplace and not using too much wood.

Connect Arizona Affordable Connectivity Program

Tucson Water Discounts

Call 520-791-5443 to make an appointment or visit this site for more information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/low-income-assistance-program