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Memorial Day, Mask Mandate Repealed, & Summer Break Begins
I'd like to start by wishing a meaningful Memorial day to everyone in our community who is honoring a loved one this weekend. We are forever indebted to the heroes who gave their lives for our country and those who continue to make the sacrifice by serving every day. In recognition of their service, Reid Park Zoo is offering a military discount to service members on Memorial Day.
What better way to celebrate the end of the school year than with the CDC's news that vaccinated people are able to safely de-mask in most settings? Given this guidance, Mayor & Council voted to repeal the City mask ordinance we had in place. More information about this can be found below.
We have a lot going on at the City right now. It's budget season and we are excited to introduce a participatory budgeting tool for residents. More details about this can be found later in the newsletter. Ward 4 and the City have multiple upcoming town halls and public meetings regarding various important topics.
Speaking of budget, the next Ward 4 Virtual Town Hall is this Thursday, May 27. This will be a budget conversation with the City Manager's Office. Register here.
Wishing all the kids in Ward 4 a safe & happy end of the school year. Enjoy your week!
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Important Dates:
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Tonight! Tuesday, May 25 at 5:30 PM: Water differential rates town hall. This is the second of two town halls organized for the public to learn more and ask questions about the differential water rate proposal.
- Wednesday, May 26 at 6 PM: Parklets + Streateries Virtual Information Session hosted by the Department of Transportation and Mobility. More information in the graphic below.
- Thursday, May 27 at 5:30 PM: Ward 4 Virtual Town Hall. This town hall will be a budget conversation with the City Manager's Office. Register here and RSVP on Facebook here.
- Friday, May 28 - Saturday, May 29, 7 AM to Noon daily: Pop-Up Parklet - Outdoor drop-in event at Presta Coffee (501 E 9th St).
- Monday, May 31: Memorial Day. City offices are closed.
- Sunday, June 6: Tucson Firefighter academy application deadline. Click here for eligibility and application information.
- Tuesday, June 8: City Council Meeting. 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).
- Save the date! The Annual Ward 4 Back to School Bash will take place on Saturday, July 24. This year, the event will be in drive-thru format. More details will be available soon.
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COVID-19 Update
Pfizer vaccinations open to children 12-15. Pima County and its community partners will be offering expanded opportunities to be vaccinated now that the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have endorsed the Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer vaccine to include children ages 12 to 15.
The Moderna and J&J vaccines are only approved for those 18 and older.
Pfizer is available at the University of Arizona location, run by the Arizona Department of Health Services, as well as at Tucson Medical Center’s vaccination site at Morris K. Udall Park, and selected pharmacies. A parent/guardian must be present to consent for their minor child to get a vaccine. Click here for more information about locations and registering.
Mask Mandate Repealed. Tucson's Mayor and Council repealed its mandatory mask-wearing ordinance for fully vaccinated people; more information about this can be found in the council session recap below. Some businesses may still require masks so be sure to check the signage outside restaurants and shops, even if you're vaccinated.
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May 18, 2021 Mayor & Council Session Recap
Mask Mandate Repealed. Tucson's Mayor and Council repealed its mandatory mask-wearing ordinance for fully vaccinated people, indoors and outdoors, while encouraging those not vaccinated to continue wearing masks. With the repeal of the ordinance, the City's guidance remains in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) updated guidance. Masks will still be required at hospitals, on planes and mass transit (including Sun Tran, Sun Link, and Sun Van), where state and local laws require masks, and there are a few other exceptions. The Pima County Board of Supervisors lifted its face mask mandate for fully vaccinated people while encouraging those not fully vaccinated to keep wearing face coverings.
CDC mask-wearing guidance
Updated Pima County Health Advisory
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Framework for Reauthorization. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) was created in 2006 through a law passed by Pima County voters. The law included a half-cent sales tax aimed to pay for transportation projects in the region. In 2026, the current RTA will expire, meaning it will be time to reauthorize the framework and tax.
Let me be clear that the RTA has provided benefits to our region. It has helped fund multiple large-scale projects, like Houghton Road Corridor, for example. That said, there are issues with the current framework that Tucson Mayor & Council would like remedied prior to reauthorization.
A majority of our region’s sales tax revenue is generated within the City of Tucson. The City represents over half of the region’s population and a significant share of regional travel occurs on our streets. In the initial call for named projects for the RTA Next plan, the RTA established the size of each jurisdiction’s project submittals at an equal level of $600 million for each jurisdiction. This equal level was established despite obvious and substantial differences in each jurisdiction’s population, size of network, and transportation needs.
Further, the City of Tucson represents over half of the regional population and approximately 60% of the regional sales tax base, yet has the same number of votes on the RTA Board as smaller areas like Marana and Sahuarita. This unfair distribution diminishes the voice of Tucson residents.
I want to ensure Tucsonans' needs are met and not diluted by disproportionate benefits to smaller communities. The City of Tucson pays the most into this program and makes up the majority of the region. Therefore, I support RTA reauthorization if certain conditions are met that will ensure fair treatment to Tucson voters.
At last week's meeting, Mayor & Council approved this framework and these conditions for continued RTA participation.
Sunshine Mile Overlay. Although this mostly impacts Wards 5 and 6, I'd like to also summarize Mayor & Council's discussion on the Sunshine Mile Urban Overlay District.
The overlay along Broadway included a process that allowed neighbors to provide input about what they'd like to see prioritized along the corridor. It was decided that the overlay would incentivize affordable housing and protect historic architecture, among other priorities. This allows development to continue along Broadway but in alignment with the wants and needs of the surrounding neighborhoods so that small businesses and historic spaces are not pushed out.
At last week's meeting, it was moved and seconded that the Planning and Development Services Department will work with the Ward 5 and Ward 6 Council offices, Rio Nuevo, and nearby neighborhoods to hold further meetings and discussions and come back to the Mayor and Council within 60 days or sooner to discuss the Sunshine Mile Overlay proposal.
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Out and About!
I think we're all happy it's getting safer to be out and about enjoying our community more. As things continue to open up, I'm excited to share my experiences enjoying Ward 4 and our beautiful city.
Register today for Tucson Parks and Recreation summer programs!
KIDCO (Completed Kindergarten - 5th grade) 5-11 years
Locations: Varies
Times: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fee: $125/City-resident/month or $157/Non-resident/month
In-Betweeners Club (12-14 years)
Locations: Donna Liggins Center and Oury Center
Times: 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
$70/Resident/month or $88/Non-resident/month
Jr. Staff in Training (14-17 years)
Locations: Varies
8 a.m.-2 p.m. or Noon-2 p.m.
$25/Resident/month
$30/Non-resident/month
Locations are available for viewing and registration online at EZEEreg.com. The Discount Program is available to those who qualify. Make an appointment at Registration Services prior to registration. For questions or more information on registration, programs, or to set up an account, contact Registration Services at (520) 791-4877.
Participatory Budget Tool
The City of Tucson has a Participatory Budget Tool in English and Spanish to provide a summary of the budget and gather public input. Community members can assign discretionary funds to different areas of the City’s budget. You'll find information about the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Tentative Budget for departments that provide direct services to the community and the City. After review of the city manager's proposed funding distribution, you'll have an opportunity to share how you would distribute funds to these departments. The Mayor and Council will review the feedback from this process, budget town hall meetings, and the city manager's recommendation prior to adopting the FY22 Budget. The full recommended budget has been posted to the City’s website, and public hearings will be held June 8 and June 22 before the final adoption on June 22.
Budget information and links to Participatory Budget Tool in English and Spanish
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Summer Safari Nights at the Zoo
In partnership with TMC Healthcare, Reid Park Zoo’s Summer Safari Nights are back every Saturday evening through August 14. Enjoy the Zoo during cooler evening temperatures with added fun including:
- Live Music from a variety of local bands
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Tucson Parks & Recreation’s Ready, Set, Rec activities
- Games & wildlife activities
- Carousel rides
- Theme Nights including fun family activities (see below)
- Food & Drink Specials
Find more information here.
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Restaurant Revitalization Funds Available
The Small Business Administration (SBA) says restaurants in Southern Arizona can now apply for relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Applicants can apply directly through the SBA using the application portal linked below.
The $28.6 billion fund was created by the American Rescue Plan. The program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue losses, up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023, and don't need to be repaid if all conditions are met. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. Click here to go to the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Award Portal
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2021 City of Tucson Voting Procedures
We've been getting questions about Tucson's 2021 voting procedures. To help clear things up, the City put together a helpful webpage that includes important election dates and FAQs.
Check it out for information about registration deadlines, offices up for election, and more.
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Registration Open for Tucson Parks and Recreation Summer Indoor Classes
Tucson Parks and Recreation will resume limited indoor leisure class offerings this summer. Classes and programs are available for viewing online at EZEEreg.com. Classes range from arts and crafts, ceramics, dance, gymnastics, health and fitness, jewelry making, music, and more for youth and adults. Timely registration is recommended, since summer offerings fill up quickly. Indoor activities will be limited to classes or programs only and at this time will not be open for drop-in access. Classes will be available at multiple centers, including:
- Armory Park Center
- Donna Liggins Center
- El Pueblo Senior Center
- El Rio Center
- Morris K. Udall Center Carol West Senior Addition
- Randolph Center
- William M. Clements Center
Registration Information:
Leisure Class Session Dates: June 6-July 31 (no classes July 4 or 5)
- Phone-in/Walk-in registration begins: (started Monday, May 24)
Specific COVID-19 guidelines must be followed. As a reminder, KIDCO, In-Betweeners Club, and Jr. Staff in Training summer programs are all open for registration on EZEEreg.com.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit
On May 12, The Federal Communications Commission launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.tucsonaz.gov/manager/emergency-broadband-benefit, www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.
A Message from Startup Tucson:
Startup Tucson was awarded $420,000 under the EDA SPRINT Challenge to help small businesses pivot and thrive after COVID using tech-enabled solutions.
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Under the grant, Startup Tucson will be serving 60 companies in the next 18 months. We will be focused on tech-enabled strategies to ramp up revenue and job growth to help our community bounce back stronger. All programs and services will be free of charge for entrepreneurs. Learn more about the new offerings below! Pre-register your company today >>
We are currently seeking input from entrepreneurs about specific equipment and features to be included in the build out of a new Media & Design Lab (makerspace) as part of the project. Take the survey here >>
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Ward 4 Update
Did you know Ward 4 is home to Tucson's first mountain bike skills park? 100-Acre Wood Bike Park is a partnership between Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists, the City of Tucson, and Davis Monthan Air Force Base. Mountain bike skills parks can include a number of bike-specific features, including BMX tracks, dirt jumps and pump tracks. While used by cyclists of all ages, they are particularly popular with youth, and provide opportunities for fitness activities within or near the urban environment. We are lucky to have this great resource in Ward 4! 100-Acre Wood Bike Park is located at 2681 S Alvernon Way. Follow their Facebook page here.
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