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Staying Safe this Thanksgiving.
First and foremost, I'd like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I am beyond thankful for the health of my loved ones this year, and I wish the same for you all as well.
For all our loved ones and the entire Tucson community, I urge everyone to follow Pima County's recommendations for celebrating Thanksgiving this year. The best plan is to celebrate only with people in your household. If you haven't heard, Zoom is waiving the time limit for free meetings on Thanksgiving so you can host a virtual dinner for your family and friends. Learn more here.
If you're looking for ways to give back this week, Interfaith Community Services, Community Food Bank and the Salvation Army are collecting Turkey donations. As always, Tucson Neighborhood Food Pantry, Saint Paul’s Food Bank, and Community Food Bank all accept food donations. Gospel Rescue Mission is holding a COVID-19 safe Drive-Thru this year instead of their usual sit-down dinner. Please check their websites for hours and more information.
Have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Nikki
Please find important City and Ward 4 updates below. If you'd like to see previous newsletters, you can find them here.
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Important Dates:
- Thursday, November 26: Happy Thanksgiving! Please review Pima County's holiday guidelines here to ensure a safe celebration.
- Tuesday, December 8: City Council Meeting. Click here and go to "Mayor & Council Meeting Live" to watch!
Please note, the December 22 City Council Meeting has been canceled. We will resume our meeting schedule in the new year.
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November 17 Council Session Recap
During last week's Council session, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council voted to remove glass from the residential and commercial blue barrel program. Starting Feb. 1, 2021, glass will no longer be accepted in the blue bins, but instead will be collected at drop-off sites across the city.
By removing glass from curbside collection, the Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD) will reduce processing costs at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), while implementing a community-wide glass collection program that keeps glass for reuse locally, and reducing our environmental footprint. The reuse of glass locally provides the City with more program control, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This program will support the City's adopted Climate Action Plan that was approved by Mayor and Council.
Drop-off sites will be opening in February, and information will be mailed to all EGSD customers in January. Glass dropped off should be empty, clean, and dry, with lids and caps removed. There is no need to remove the labels.
Starting Feb. 21, 2021, here is what will be accepted in the blue barrel program:
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Aluminum/tin cans
Anyone with questions can email EShelp@tucsonaz.gov or call 791-3171.
Additionally, The Mayor and Council allocated an additional $2.5 million in CARES Act funds to help families in need who are hurt by COVID-19 and behind on their utility payments. Each utility company will receive up to $500,000 that the utility company must match, to go toward relieving the utilities debts of qualified individuals.
The Mayor and Council also directed the planning and development services department to conduct an inclusive public outreach process throughout the community to discuss an amendment to the Unified Development Code that would allow construction of new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential property. An ADU is what we commonly refer to as a casita or mother in law units.
Finally, thinking outside the box and finding creative ways for the community to stay active yet safe, the Mayor and Council approved funds to purchase a mobile parks and recreation van for each ward in the City of Tucson. Stay tuned to learn more information about all of the fun and safe activities the Parks and Recreation team will be bringing to our Ward 4 parks in 2021!
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New Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Sites
In partnership with Pima County Health Department and Arizona State University, Pima Community College will be the site of multiple drive-through COVID-19 testing centers.
The centers will offer saliva tests instead of the nasal swab test. Participants must register prior to arrival and be at least 5 years old. Please see below for details and click here for more information.
West Campus
2202 W. Anklam Road (use West Anklam entrance)
Every Monday, beginning Nov. 16, 2020, through March 29, 2021, 9. a.m. to Noon.
Desert Vista Campus
5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz (Use S. Calle Santa Cruz entrance near the large parking lot)
Every Wednesday beginning Dec. 2, 2020, through March 31, 2021, 9 a.m. to Noon.
East Campus
8181 E. Irvington Road (use S. Fred Enke Entrance)
Every Friday beginning Dec. 4, 2020, through April 2, 2021 9 a.m. to Noon.
COVID-19 Vaccine Trial: Diverse Participants Needed
Here in Tucson, Quality of Life Medical and Research Center has had over 800 people participate in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial to date. However, they're hoping to get more minorities to participate. Minority groups have been hit the hardest by COVID-19, and the trial's leadership would like them to be better represented in the trial.
On a national scale, the trial is hoping to reach 30,000 participants by the end of this week.. The Tucson location is looking for 50 more minorities to enroll in the trial by Friday.
By enrolling more members of minority groups, Moderna hopes to ensure that the vaccine will work in every population.
If you'd like to participate in the study you can call (520) 495-5169 or click here.
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Delta Development Site Visit
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Delta Development Team, Inc., a local, innovative, veteran-owned small business in Ward 4. The military often has trouble getting blood transported to people injured in the field. It's hard to transport blood via helicopters and other military vehicles, under hostile conditions, while keeping the blood intact and at the proper temperature. Delta Development set out to solve this problem by creating the Autonomous Portable Refrigeration Unit (APRU). Not only does the APRU provide a vital tool for our military, but it has significant additional capacities as well. Right now, the APRU is being used to help the Navajo Nation transfer COVID-19 tests to labs without harming them in transport. I'm honored to have gotten to visit with these local heroes, making a huge difference right here in Ward 4!
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National League of Cities
As an incoming Councilmember, my #1 priority was to learn and build relationships. It’s so important not to re-invent the wheel every time a new elected leader comes in, which is why I set aside significant amounts of my time for training. As part of my commitment to learning and continued growth, I now participate in the National League of Cities (NLC) and serve on three of their committees: the Military Communities Council, the Information Technology and Communications Committee, and the University Communities Council. As an active NLC member, I’m advocating for our City’s needs on a national scale and in coalition with other major cities across the country.
Last week, NLC wrapped up their first-ever Virtual City Summit. With over 2,000+ local leaders, 3 days full of sessions, workshops and lots of networking and entertainment, it was a time of convening local leaders and partners to come together on key issues like COVID-19, racial equity, and more.
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Transgender Remembrance Day
Last Friday, November 20, was Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day honors all the transgender people we've lost to violence. One loss of life is too many, yet 2020 has been the deadliest year on record for the transgender community. It's on all of us to be educated and do our part to stand up for our gender non-conforming neighbors and loved ones. For more information on Transgender Day of Remembrance 2020, I recommend this article. More resources can be found on GLAAD's website.
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Wreaths Across America
In 2010, Marsha and Brian Moon lost their son, Chris, in Afghanistan, while he was on active duty. Chris is one of many fallen heroes buried at East Lawn, where each year thousands of wreaths are sponsored and placed to honor fallen soldiers through the Wreaths Across America program.
On December 19 at 10:00 am, 2020. Wreaths Across America will be held at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712, to remember and honor our veterans through a Laying of Remembrance Wreath Ceremony. Every volunteer will place a live balsam wreath on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and will say the name of each veteran aloud.
Marsha Moon's wreath goal for 2020 is 2,600 wreaths. The 2,600 wreaths will be placed on all our fallen heroes headstones at East Lawn Palms. To make donations online, click here. Please donate to AZELPC as those funds go directly to East Lawn Palms.
We hope you can support this amazing Gold Star Mother in our community by sponsoring a wreath or joining the physically-distanced event. Please find more information for the day on the Wreaths Across America website.
If you'd like to get in touch, contact Barb Brownlie at (520) 235-9234.
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Tucson CARES for Artists Reopened for Second Round of Funding
The purpose of the Arts and Culture COVID-19 Assistance Grants is to provide emergency assistance to arts workers impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and specifically to provide short-term emergency disaster relief to help prevent eviction, prevent homelessness, assist with rent or mortgage payments, assist with subsidies for utility payments to preserve essential services, and other needs arising out of the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Applicants will be asked to complete an online form including contact information, artistic background, demographics, and demonstration of financial loss due to COVID-19. One-time emergency relief funds will reimburse between $1,000 to $2,000 in arts-related lost income. No cash match is required. The final determination of award amount will be made based on volume of eligible applications and available funds.
Click here for additional award, eligibility, and application information. Applications close November 30.
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Retirement Planning Webinar Series
The following webinars are part of the retirement planning series with The Phoenix Public Libraries and The Area Agency on Aging, Phoenix (Arizona’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP). They are open to the general public and free of charge but registration IS required. Please find registration information at the links below.
Medicare 101: Navigating the complexities Tuesday, December 01, 2020 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Social Security 101, Everything You Wanted to Know Tuesday, December 08, 2020 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
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How Can I Stay Updated?
There are multiple ways to stay updated with my office and the City's work:
- Looking for city updates? Follow the Ward 4 City of Tucson page to learn about core services, projects, events and helpful information about all things Tucson.
- Looking for me? Follow my Councilwoman Nikki Lee page to see what I'm up to around town, articles I write, official events I'm hosting, and more!
- Follow my new Council Member twitter account, @CouncilwomanLee.
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