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Karin’s Ward 3 News and Updates
Friday, March 19, 2021
News and Updates
Pet of the Week
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association/Coalition Meetings
Ward 3 Events
City Wide Events
Did You Know?
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Dear Tucsonans,
I’m looking forward to attending the annual Eggstravaganza event at Mansfield Park in the Sugar Hill neighborhood tomorrow, and want to thank our Parks and Recreation Department for doing such a great job innovating during the pandemic to offer this traditional, family-fun activity to our community.
I’ll also be joining Mayor Romero and the community in a budget Town Hall from 10:30-12 focusing on Community Safety. As I noted last week, assuring the appropriate City response to calls from residents involves many of our teams and departments. It also involves partner entities and resources.
This week I attended an hour-long webinar hosted by a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that featured the Phoenix Police Department’s and 911 Dispatch Center’s partnership with the Medicaid-funded crisis response system. You can view the webinar and slide deck here.
I’m pleased to share that our own TPD and Dispatch Center have forged similar approaches in recent years that are yielding tremendous outcomes. It’s just one example—partnering with certified behavioral health organizations to address mental health crises—of providing callers with the best possible care and outcomes.
I also heard more this week, during Councilmember Fimbres’ Homeless Task Force meeting, about the results being achieved through the Tucson Fire Department’s TC3 program, a special team dispatched to respond to calls involving homeless people and other concerns. Additional presentations were offered by key nonprofit partners and our Housing and Community Development Department.
And, coincidentally this week, I read a post on one of the neighborhood listservs from a resident shocked to have a TPD Community Service Officer knocking at the door in response to a complaint about weeds in the front yard. The resident, rightly I think, asked whether that represents the best use of our police personnel.
Tucson’s Community Safety Program, championed by Mayor Romero as well as the City Council, holds tremendous promise as we seek to relieve pressure from TPD to respond to the full range of issues that lead residents to call 911. Taking a more holistic approach to community safety and well-being will bring us to a better place. I hope you’ll consider joining the Town Hall.
I want to express my support as well for Mayor Romero’s decision to keep in place the public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID virus. We can all appreciate progress against the pandemic, and even get out more than we’ve been able to over the past year while still adhering to guidance from the Pima County Health Department and CDC. There’s no good reason to take unnecessary risks that will spike the spread. Our front-line essential workers and health care workers need us to stay safe so they too can be safer.
Finally, I wish to offer you good health, happiness and a safe Passover.
Please take good care and have a great weekend.
Thanks,
Karin
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César E. Chávez
Monday, March 29, is César E. Chávez Day, an official city holiday. There will be no garbage collection on Monday. Customers with collection on any day Monday-Friday will have their services delayed by one day. City offices and services, with the exception of police, fire and safety, will be closed.
In 2014 the Mayor and Council formally made a holiday to honor the Arizona-born civil rights leader whose birth date is March 31. Pima County and South Tucson also honor Chávez, as do the states of California, Colorado and Texas. Chávez died in San Luis, Arizona, on April 23, 1993. He was 66 years old.
Chávez, born to a farmworker family, came to prominence in the 1960s when he helped create a national union and movement to improve the working conditions and lives for individuals and families who harvested seasonal crops that feed America. In doing so he emerged as a labor rights and environmental justice advocate.
In Tucson and elsewhere the holiday is devoted to a day of service. While the pandemic has disrupted the annual commemoration of Chávez’s life and contributions, consider spending some time in the next several days of service to your neighborhood and community. One easy and productive idea is to pick up trash on your street, in your neighborhood park or school. Or find a local community organization that could use your time and talent.
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Richard Elías
Sunday, March 28, marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías. His sudden and unexpected death left a deep hole in the Tucson community. Richard, who for 18 years represented District 5, which included a portion of Ward 3, championed human rights, justice and equality, and insisted on greater protections for our neighborhoods and the environment. He was known for this thoughtfulness, compassion and sense of humor.
This Sunday, his widow Emily and daughter Luz Elías, and State Representative Andrés Cano, who served as an aide to Richard, have created a video presentation to honor his work and legacy. The video, hosted by Ward 3 City Council aide Ernesto Portillo, will feature Richard’s friends and community colleagues.
Join me in remembering my good friend, our friend. You can watch the video here. The video can be seen on Facebook and You Tube.
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Mineral City
In last week’s newsletter we brought you advance news that the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show will be absent this year because of the pandemic. However various gem shows nonetheless will sprout up next month to the delight of the many, many rock, gem and mineral hounds.
True fans of the gem shows know that Ward 3, with multiple sites where vendors will be located, is tops for finding those hard-to-find natural treasures. One of those sites, growing in size and popularity, is called Mineral City, a two-block zone just west of Oracle Road, between Lester and Plata streets. There a rising number of sellers and exhibitors have opened year-round and seasonal gem shops for minerals, gems and rocks.
A Tucson family has been instrumental in igniting that growth. Gus Gonzalez and his step-son, Ian Wan, have spearheaded the expansion. Gus is the owner of Arcal Precision Components which since 1986 has been manufacturing highly designed components for the aerospace industry. Several years ago he and Ian, an engineer, realized the growth potential. They began to lease spaces to dealers who have set up shop in Barrio Blue Moon along North Oracle Road.
“Gus's investment in the community has been a game changer,” Ian wrote us.
A new exhibition building is being readied.
In Mineral City there are 91 dealers in six buildings. Since Gus and Ian launched the concept three years ago, $5 million has been spent on new facilities on Lester and Plata streets with more buildings in the planning stages for 2022.
Currently there are six dealers using the buildings year-round. More dealers are expected to call Mineral City home now that the critical mass of dealers to have a successful show has been reached, wrote Ian.
“Several foreign dealers are setting up permanent businesses in Tucson. A few US based dealers are relocating to Tucson as well to take advantage of the more business friendly climate here.”
One of those dealers is Daniel Ulibarri of Piritas de Navajún who move his mineral wholesale business into Mineral City in 2018. By establishing a permanent presence, Daniel said the move has improved business and avoids the hassle of moving the minerals and display cases for the annual gem show. “It has made a big difference,” he said. The family, based in Mexico City, has been bringing its pyrite minerals from Spain to Tucson for nearly 50 years.Click to edit this placeholder text.
 Pyrite Specimens
In recent years, Daniel has seen other dealers open their permanent spaces in town. It makes sense because the display spaces in Mineral City are secure, clean and accessible to customers, he said.
The next stage in creating a permanent presence of gem dealers is more ambitious -- establish year-round mineral-related show and activities. That idea and bringing gem shows more than once a year will need City collaboration, he wrote.
“We are currently working on ideas to create mineral-related art on our buildings using local artists. We think that replacing the sterile walls with interesting art will encourage some non-mineral related groups to utilize the area for other kinds of markets or events.”
There are other ideas of creating pockets of gem and mineral related vendors in other parts of Tucson, Ian wrote. “They are in the early planning stages for their mineral city style buildings. Mineral city pioneered the permanent showroom model that others are now following.”
The benefits of more, permanent gem dealers will spread across the city, Ian wrote.
 Daniel Ulibarri holding a cube of pyrite from Navajún, Spain.
“In the short term there will be additional construction related work. As more dealers move their businesses here they will need staff to watch the store. The service industries will see additional business as people start to come multiple times a year to shop. Other businesses that provide support related services (printers, shipping supplies, website design and maintenance) will now have year round sales.”
The Mineral City show will be staged from April 8-18. Many dealers will be open early. Check with individual dealers for their schedule. Throughout the official show dates all dealers will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Neighborhood Traffic Calming
We had an excellent session last week on Green Storm Water Infrastructure (GSI) mini-grants. Last week’s and next week’s session are designed to give neighbors information about what options exist to help calm traffic on local streets while improving our environment.
 The pictures above and below are from the Dodge Flower Neighborhood. These GSI projects collect storm water and allow for plantings that both beautify the area and reduce the heat island effect. The projects also reduce the size of the roadway which should also cause drivers to slow down.
 Deirdre Brosnihan, the President of Dodge Flower NA, had this to say: “We were very happy to be awarded a roundabout and chicane for Dodge Flower on Richey Boulevard. As you know we've expressed concerns with speeding on this street for many years. The opportunity to address the speeding with traffic calming infrastructure as well as create more green space in the neighborhood made it a very appealing project.”
Sometimes, however, a more direct approach is needed to calm traffic in areas.
 For the Ward 3 neighborhood session on April 1st at 5:30pm we will hear from the Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) about the tools that it employs. Register here. We will have representatives from DTM present the options and processes that neighborhoods can undertake to address the need for traffic calming.
This is from a neighbor after the recent bollard installation that is pictured above: “The bollard barrier was installed yesterday and the positive effects were immediate. Automobile traffic was reduced to a small fraction of the previously reported numbers. Pedestrians and cyclists continue to use the alley, but now much more safely.”
Hope to see you next week.
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Community Safety Program and TPD Call Response
Many readers saw news reports that TPD was limiting response to some calls that do not require a commissioned officer to respond and in many cases may be better handled by other service providers. This shift aligns with the City’s Community Safety Pilot Program which aims to ensure that the right person with the right training is responding to calls. The categories that will be impacted this spring are reviewed below.
Contraband at Hospitals and Schools: TPD will stop responding to these calls at the end of April unless they involve a firearm. After that time, hospitals will use their secure containers to dispose of suspected hazardous material. Police will work with schools to develop safe ways to dispose of hazardous contraband or have it disposed of at a police substation.
Naturally Caused Deaths at Medical Facilities: Officers do not play a role in these calls currently other than responding to provide a case report number. At the end of April, medical facilities will complete an online report.
Non-Criminal Houseless Subjects on Public Property: Community members frequently call 911 to report houseless individuals present in public spaces without articulating any criminal act being committed. If an individual is, or appears to be, unconscious, a medical response will occur. Currently, protocols already exist to have outreach offered in these cases and concerns can be reported to your Council office.
Loud Music: Whenever possible, officers will continue to respond to calls involving large, disorderly parties or gatherings if those present are engaged in violent/dangerous conduct, such as fighting, etc. TPD will stop responding to these calls at the end of April and will review moving forward.
Medical Check Welfare: These are non-criminal service calls that will be directed to use other public or private resources. TPD will stop responding to these calls at the end of April.
Uncooperative Adult Victims at Hospitals: Data analysis indicates that calls identified under this category may not have been vetted effectively, limiting the response impact. The City of Tucson’s Public Safety Working Group will help identify calls for service from hospitals involving uncooperative adult victims and allow for a more appropriate response, whether that involves a patrol officer or personnel from other agencies. The department will stop responding to these calls at the end of April but will conduct further evaluation to determine alternative plans/resources for response.
Non-Criminal Transports: Officers are currently utilized to transport people to different resources throughout the city in a broad range of circumstances, but especially to treatment facilities. Officers will still have the discretion to do transports associated with calls for service that they are handling as they deem necessary. Cost efficient transportation services such as public transit and private vendors that do not involve TPD resources will be explored for these types of requests. The department will stop responding to these calls at the end of April.
 Finally, if you’d like to learn more about the City’s Community Safety efforts, please attend the Community Safety Budget Townhall Saturday, March 27 at 10:30am.
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COVID Update
It’s been a busy week in COVID-related developments. Before reviewing the new categories that are eligible for vaccination at state PODs versus Pima County PODs, it’s important to remind readers that we are still experiencing a pandemic and public health mitigation measures are still needed.
The City of Tucson has not lifted the mask mandate precisely because public health officials have repeatedly indicated how effective this mitigation measure is to keep the UK variant, recently identified in Tucson, and other variants at bay.
State of Arizona PODs: The state POD at the UA along with the other state PODS are now allowing all individuals above age 16 to schedule a vaccination appointment online or those without computer access can call 1-844-542-8201 for assistance or to make an appointment.
Pima County Health Department:
Yesterday Pima County expanded current COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include three major groups based on three criteria:
- AGE – anyone over age 55, regardless of other health conditions or type of employment.
- RISK – anyone over age 16 who has a disability OR is experiencing homelessness OR lives in a congregate setting/receives in-home or long-term care OR has a high-risk medical condition as defined by the Centers for Disease Control:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions (including heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies)
- Immunocompromised state aka weakened immune system, from solid organ transplant
- Obesity (Body Max Index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2 or higher or < 40 kg/m2)
- Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
WORK – anyone over age 16 who works in the following fields, regardless of other health conditions:
- Healthcare worker and healthcare support
- Emergency medical services
- Long-term care facility staff
- In-home long-term care
- Protective services
- Education and childcare
- Food and agriculture
- Restaurants and bars
- U.S. Postal Service
- Manufacturing
- Grocery and convenience stores (including carnicerias)
- State and local government
- Public transportation (buses, light rail, Uber, Lyft, taxis, etc.)
- Auto repair
- Business/financial services
- Clergy/faith leaders/ traditional healers
- Court personnel
- Critical trade (plumber, electrician, HVAC, etc.)
- Food packaging
- Funeral services
- Gas stations
- Media members
- Power/utility
- Shelters
- Warehouse distribution
- Veterinarians and veterinary staff
If you are in one of these categories, you can register with Pima County to get an appointment by visiting here or calling (520) 222-0119 (TMC or TCC PODs) or (833) 509-0908 (Banner). Assuming vaccine supplies stay at or increase above current levels, then Pima County will be able to open up appointments for frontline workers and adults with high-risk conditions more quickly. Stay tuned and watch the PCHD website for future updates.
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Tamale
Hot Tamale is a spicy boy! He's looking for a cat savvy home that can help him with his moods and where it is OK being the only pet in the home. He does enjoy attention from people on his terms and receives daily medication to help support his behavior. If you have the spirit for an equally spirited cat, Tamale may be the one for you!
Tamale is currently at Pima Animal Care Center and waiting to meet you! If you are interested in adopting him or any other animal, please email pacc.adopt@pima.gov with questions. If you are interested in browsing the kennels, please submit an adoption survey and schedule an appointment using the link found in the survey confirmation email.
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Ward 3 Neighborhood Association/Coalition Meetings |
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El Cortez
Thursday
April 1
6:15-7:45 pm
Zoom
Limberlost
Saturday
April 10
10-11:30 am
Limberlost Family Park
(Limberlost and N. 4th Ave.).
Please wear a mask and bring a chair. Social distancing will be adhered to.
Alvernon Grant Initiative
Tuesday
April 13
6 pm
ZOOM Meeting
If you would like to attend the January Zoom AGI meeting, send an email to paloverdena@gmail.com by Tuesday, April 13 at 12 pm.
You will be sent the link to the meeting and the agenda.
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Community Safety Budget Townhall
Saturday
March 27
10:30 am.
Register for March 27 budget town hall
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and City Manager Michael Ortega invite the public to a series of town halls that the City of Tucson will be hosting to provide a platform for community members to voice their priorities for the next fiscal year budget, which begins on July 1.
The series is organized into four unique town halls. The town hall this weekend is about Community Safety
This new and innovative approach to receiving community input for the City's annual budget includes moderated discussions on each of the four topics to enable community members to provide direct feedback to City leadership. Stay tuned and visit the website link below for more information.
Budget town halls information and schedule
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Open Air Mini Market & Open House
Saturday & Sunday
March 27 & 28
11 am-4 pm
2028 E 14th St
Featuring local artists/artisans
Saturday Afternoon Jazz with Guy Senese and his Big Harmony Jazz band (2-4 PM)
Sunday Afternoon Music with Emmanuel Uwayezu’s, The Tucson Refugee Beats (TBD)
 Get out in the open air & pick up your favorite Iskashitaa Justice Jams. Hand crafted by Chef Roy DeBise with locally harvested citrus as well as other specialty items.
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City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Click here and go to "Mayor & Council Meeting Live" to watch
(To watch past meetings, visit the City of Tucson YouTube page. This is also where future meetings will be live streamed).
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Eviction Prevention and Utility Assistance
This program provides support for residents struggling to pay rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit tucsonpimaep.com or call (831) 292-4302 today.
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