Tucson NewsNet Daily Digest - A Service of the City of Tucson
CITY LEADERS RESPOND TO LEGAL REPORT FROM THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CONCERNING VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYEES - The Office of Attorney General Mark Brnovich this morning, Sept. 7, issued a report regarding a complaint filed against the City of Tucson relating to the City’s vaccine requirement for its employees. In the investigative report, Brnovich's office claims the City is violating Arizona law and Governor Doug Ducey's executive order prohibiting city governments in Arizona from imposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates on their employees. The report says the City must rescind the ordinance. In response, Mayor Regina Romero, City Attorney Mike Rankin, and City Manager Michael Ortega released statements saying they are reviewing the opinion. “It is deeply unfortunate, but not surprising, that the attorney general is prioritizing his political ambitions over his responsibility to objectively interpret the law,” said Mayor Romero. “This report reads more as a campaign speech filled with political commentary rather than a fact-based legal opinion. We are currently reviewing our options, and Mayor and Council will need to provide direction as to how we proceed from here.” Meanwhile, the City is pausing implementation of the vaccine policy until there is a better understanding of its legal position.
Read the City's news release
PUBLIC HEARING ON ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS CONTINUED TO SEPT. 15 - A proposal to allow casitas, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), in Tucson has been developed based on input from the public and a stakeholder group and it will be reviewed by the Planning Commission at a continued public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. Casitas are independent living spaces with their own kitchens. They provide more flexible housing options, support aging in place, and are a way of promoting sustainable infill development. Watch a video (link below) to see examples of casitas in Tucson and to learn more about the proposal. You can watch a recording of the Planning Commission hearing or previous public meetings, review materials related to this initiative, and respond to a survey on the project website linked below. You can submit written comments or request to speak at the next hearing by emailing PlanningCommission@tucsonaz.gov.
Project website
Watch the informational ADU video
Planning Commission
WATCH VIDEO OF COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT MEETING - The City of Tucson Commission on Equitable Housing and Development (CEHD) meeting on Sept. 2 included an update from the subcommittees, information about the Phoenix Housing Plan, a presentation from the Arizona Department of Housing, updates from the Housing and Community Development department (HCD), and an update on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance letter. The commission is focusing on increasing City investment in housing, preserving affordability while increasing housing production/stock, facilitating equitable conversations, and much more. Visit the commission's website linked below to view past meeting recordings, materials. agendas, and to join the upcoming meeting. The next commission meeting will be held online on Thursday, Oct. 7, from 4-6 p.m.
CEHD
Watch video of CEHD September meeting recording
TRAFFIC ALERT: BROADWAY BOULEVARD AND STONE AVENUE - Crews under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) are scheduled to work on the traffic signal pole on the northeast corner of the Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard intersection tomorrow, Sept. 8, and Thursday, Sept. 9. Crews will work from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day to adjust the pedestrian push button. During this work, one southbound lane on Stone Avenue will remain open. Turning movements will not be affected. Motorists can expect delays when driving in the work area. Please obey all traffic control signs and watch for construction personnel in the area.
Read the news release
DTM
COVID-19 UPDATE - Today's, Sept. 7, COVID-19 dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) adds 1,982 new cases and 54 deaths. ADHS has an interactive map with vaccine distribution sites (link below), and there are multiple locations throughout Tucson. The fully approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine offers protection against a virus that continues hospitalizing and killing those who aren’t vaccinated. Full approvals of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are expected in the near future. So far, more than 4 million people in Arizona, or 56.4% of the population, have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and nearly 3.58 million people are fully vaccinated with both doses.
Pima County vaccination sites or call (520) 222-0119
Arizona Department of Health Services interactive map
COVID-19 testing locations and hours
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website
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