What’s Your Typical Day Like?
Friends and family have been asking me this question. But there is no “typical day” for me. Instead I try to hit some highlights of our office’s regular activities.
In past two weeks, for instance:
- There are the twice-a-month City Council study and regular session. I spend a lot of time preparing for these – for the meeting before last I had 1,442 pages of background material to read, or at least scan. The meetings themselves can be long and exhausting; every topic deserves my best attention. While these meetings currently take place online, our intent is to return to in-person meetings soon (fingers crossed that the pandemic situation will allow this).
- I had separate meetings with the Mayorand the City Manager – we do this regularly – to talk about current and upcoming issues.
- Ward staff and I enjoyed a tour of the city landfill – now called the Los Reales Sustainability Campusto reflect our goal of becoming a Zero Waste community. Carlos De La Torre, the Director of Environmental and General Services, drove us all around the facility.
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We saw a huge stockpile of recycled glass that will soon be picked up by a Phoenix firm. Our agreement, in addition to the amount they will pay, is that they return some finished product – ground glass – that we will offer to Tucson businesses that want to experiment with using it. Nearby, the University of Arizona’s Compost Cats are managing a pilot green waste composting project. We saw the station where methane gas produced by underground garbage is being burned off rather than released into the air. Eventually, this landfill gass will be refined and compressed to be used in city vehicles. From atop the landfill itself we could see places where plans are to establish a tree nursery and put in industrial pads for associated recycling companies. Its an amazing operation with a lot of potential.
The Ward 3 office conference room was a great place for a meeting to fine-tune wildlife connectivity for the soon to be widened Silverbell Road. At the table were concerned members of the Tucson Mountains Association, Arizona Game & Fish Department experts, leaders from Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility and Regional Transit Authority, design consultants, and Ward 3 staff.
A consensus was reached to improve the design of three culverts and replace barbed wire with smooth wire. These wildlife friendly measures will help maintain the important link for coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, and other wildlife going back and forth between the Santa Cruz River and the Tucson Mountains.
The restaurant/music venue Monterey Court was a generous host, providing delicious snacks to the small business owners, neighborhood leaders, city staff, and nonprofit executives at a regular meeting, part of our Thrive in the ’05 effort. Organized by the city’s Office of Economic Initiatives, the meetings allow networking, a better understand of common challenges in this area, and an opportunity to come up with solutions.
As I walk through the office, I might overhear staff communicatingwith constituents and others: CJ assisting someone about to be evicted; Kristin going through phone messages and emails so people needing help can get it from us or be directed to others; Marlene doing the same but in fluent Spanish; Mike responding to another crisis at Tucson House (our largest affordable housing project); or Katie doing research on a policy issue. I, too, spend a lot of time on the phone, and responding to emails.
My days can also include fascinating meetings with folks like Nancy Kluge from the Tucson Zoo or the new Tucson Audubon director Michael McDonald. And I talk to the media, sometimes off camera (recent topic: climate change plan) or on camera (topic: how to stop thefts of saguaro and other cacti). Which reminds me, I will be interviewed live next week Wednesday, noon, on the Bill Buckmaster show (KVOI AM 1030 or via buckmastershow.com).
I’m enjoying learning so many new things and details about our city and its partners, and trying to do a little good here or there. But if I am pressed for time, I can simply describe my typical day in just two words: it is typically fun and productive.
-Kevin
Neighborhood Resources By Marlene Avelino
On the city website, on the Planning and Development Services page, towards the bottom of the list of links on the left-hand side is Neighborhood Resources. This program was started at the request of Mayor and Council many years ago to support neighborhood associations in their goals, provide a central location for information and forms for associations, and as a database of all existing associations within city limits - including by-laws and officer information. Rebecca Roupp is the Neighborhood Engagement Specialist and Becky Flores handles the administrative side.
Neighborhood Resources assists neighbors in forming new or restarting inactive associations and providing the appropriate forms and guidance as needed. They maintain the Associations Directory with officer information for each and maps with clearly marked boundaries. The city provides one mailing per fiscal year to every address within boundaries, either a postcard or four page newsletter.
As part of resources provided, associations can reach out to Environmental Services to coordinate roll offs for clean up events and they will send out one mailing per fiscal year as well. If the clean up event involves clearing buffelgrass or other vegetation, Tucson Clean and Beautiful can provide tools or supplies such as rakes, shovels, digging bars, trash bags, and/or gloves. If you really want to go wild you can also coordinate with Trees for Tucson and plant some trees while you’re at it.
Pre-pandemic, Neighborhood Resources facilitated and hosted workshops for association leaders on subjects such as accessing census data, meaningful engagement, and strategies to address community issues.
The Ward 3 office and City of Tucson Neighborhood Resources encourages and supports neighbors in their organizing efforts to advocate for the issues that affect them.
www.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/neighborhood-resources
neighborhood@tucsonaz.gov
Neighborhood Series: Jefferson Park
To kick off this series of neighborhood highlights, we thought we’d start with the neighborhood where our Ward 3 office is located: Jefferson Park. Stretching from Euclid Ave to Campbell Ave, and from Grant Road to Chauncey Lane (just North of Elm street), Jefferson Park has an active neighborhood association and enjoys and is designated a national historical district. Located six blocks north of the University of Arizona, there is a substantial student population along with many homeowners who have called the neighborhood home for decades. About 76% of the homes are occupied by renters, compared to the Tucson general average, which is just under 40%.
The area was homesteaded in 1898 by Anna Stattelman, who later married and became Anna Stattleman Lester. That's where Lester Street derives its name, and where the original Stattleman Lester house still sits. According the the neighborhood association’s website, around 1942, in an effort to get more families to purchase land and build homes in the areal, Woodson Allen was offered a plot of land from Anna Lester for $150. These days, the median cost of a home in Jefferson Park is $327,500.
Anna Stattleman Lester Somewhere in Jefferson Park in 1890
JP is home to Iskashitaa Refugee Network, a nonprofit that runs a community garden, reduces food waste throughout the city, and assists refugees in our community. Three churches are located in the neighborhood—New Life Pentacostal Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Bible Chapel. The west edge of the neighborhood features the colorful Lizard and Gila Monster mural by Joe Pagac, near where Euclid Avenue bends, south of Grant Road.
Though Jefferson Park is very close to lots of local restaurants on Campbell and North 1st between Grant and Glenn, the neighborhood itself is almost entirely residential with only a small handful of businesses actually in its bounds. A notable exception is Sausage Deli, on the corner of Grant and Euclid.
Neighbor Joan Hall told me, "We used to do a duck race down Vine Ave back when there was more rain in the summer. The first year that Tucson Police Chief Magnus was hired, he entered a ducky and won first prize."
Vine Avenue during the monsoon
Joanne Osuna and Joan Hall, organizers of the duck race
In addition to a thriving neighborhood association, the residents of Jefferson Park also started a non-profit for the neighborhood, simply named “Friends of Jefferson Park”. Asked why she loves living there, JP resident and long time neighborhood organizer Joan Daniels said, “We have a wonderful inclusive neighborhood board with ‘can do’ people who pull weeds, clean parks and offer their homes for tours to pay for the historic nomination. Colleen Nichols moved to the neighborhood 45 years ago. Her family liked the proximity to the U of A, and loved the southwestern features of their little stuccoed adobe house with mission tile roof,arched openings and the large covered front porch and the like. Most recently greenspace is has been added in the form of a linear park along the southern edge of Grant Road between Hampton Street and Santa Rita Ave. If you’re interested in helping out, they will be planting trees in the park starting at 9am on March 26th. For more information, contact Joan Hall at joanchall@yahoo.com
St. Lukes by Katie Bolger
In 1918, Episcopal Reverend Julius Atwood started a home for tuberculosis patients at the corner of Adams St. and 1st ave., in what is now the Feldmans neighborhood. The original Joesler chapel still stands.Currently, St. Luke’s Home is a 64 room, non-profit, assisted living for low-income seniors. St Lukes Home is required to take in residents at 30/50/60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and through the years, it’s been harder and harder for them to raise the necessary funds to cover costs.
Council Member Dahl, Terri Waldman, Katie Bolger, Kristin Woodall, Marlene Avelino and CJ Boyd outside of the Joesler Chapel.
Fudraising, grant writing and donor engagement is a never ending task for Marie Reyna, Development Director for St. Lukes. Marie reached out to the Ward 3 office to see how we can assist with potential partnerships and resources. For those of us on the tour who had some familiarity with assisted living facilities, we were struck by the beautiful landscaped grounds, lots of natural light in the building, a small space for gardening along with a resident dog who keeps everyone company.
Councilman Dahl and his staff received our tour on St Patrick’s Day. We were blessed with a little Luck of the Irish ☘️ as our visit included a special lunch prepared by local celebrity chef and all around good guy, Doug Levy from Feast restaurant. Doug prepares the special meal as a treat to the residents (and visiting guests!).
Marie Reyna, Council Member Dahl, Terri Waldman, CJ Boyd, Marlene Avelino, Kristin Woodall and Katie Bolger inside of the Joesler Chapel
Thank you to Marie Reyna and Terri Waldman for their advocacy and commitment to the people they serve. We look forward to partnering with them moving forward.
Cyclovia is Coming!
Closing down streets to cars and opening them up to people, Cyclovia is back for a free 5 mile block party connecting Downtown and South Tucson. Walk, roll, play, or bring a lawn chair to hang out on the route March 27th 9 AM - 3 PM for a great time presented by Banner--University Medicine. Plus, make new friends while volunteering. For more information about Sunday or volunteering, you can look at www.cycloviatucson.org.
Cerrando las calles a los autos y abriéndolas a las personas, Cyclovia está de vuelta para una fiesta en el vecindario gratuita de 5 millas que conecta el centro y el sur de Tucson. Camina, rueda, juega o trae una silla de jardín para pasar el rato en la ruta el 27 de marzo de 9 am a 3 pm, presentado por Banner--University Medicine. Además de divertirte, podrás hacer nuevos amigos si participas como voluntario. Para obtener más información sobre el evento o el voluntariado, consulte el sitio web, www.cycloviatucson.org.
Ward 3 Neighborhood and Coalition Meetings
Flowing Wells Estates Neighborhood Watch Meeting
Neighborhood Watch Meeting this Saturday, March 19, at Old Times Cafe at 4PM. If you want to join via zoom, click below 👇 to get to website and click the Virtual Meeting Link https://sites.google.com/view/fwenw/home
Hedrick Acres Sunday March 20 5/6 pm Navajo Wash Park
Jefferson Park Wednesday March 23 6:00pm Zoom Meeting go to the link at: http://www.jeffersonpark.info
The Ward 3 office is open from 9am-1pm M-F. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next working day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email at ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
Ward 3 Events
Sustainable Landscapes EXPO
March 19, 2022
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND AND/OR FOR FREE RAFFLE ENTRY!
10am-2pm – 4210 N. Campbell Ave
(enter from Roger Rd., east of Campbell)
PARA ESPAÑOL, HAGA CLIC AQUÍ
This free, family-friendly event will include over 40 exhibits to increase your knowledge on efficient water usage and sustainable landscaping in the Southern Arizona desert. Enjoy educational, hands-on and interactive activities for adults and kids, a (free) raffle for items and services, and take home one of 100 FREE TREES from Civano Growers!
NEW EXHIBITORS, NEW ACTIVITIES!
The 2022 Sustainable Landscapes Expo is hosted by Pima Smartscape, Tucson Water and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and sponsored by Civano Growers and Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply.
SEE WHO WILL BE EXHIBITING HERE!
Share input on transit-oriented development downtown and beyond
The greater downtown area has seen substantial investment as a result of transit-oriented development tools. Through a combination of transportation investments, land use tools, and economic incentives, downtown has seen substantial growth in housing, jobs and businesses since the launch of the streetcar in 2014. The Infill Incentive District, the zoning tool that has facilitated much of the development in the greater downtown area, is up for renewal in January 2023. Mayor and Council initiated a review and update of this zoning overlay on February 8, 2022.
At the same time, Tucson is planning for an expansion of our high-capacity transit network, with a 15-mile long North-South corridor connecting the Tucson Mall on the northside to downtown Tucson and to the Tucson Airport on the southside in the works. Tucson Norte-Sur is a plan that will work with Tucson communities to identify opportunities for equitable reinvestment and access along this corridor, including the downtown area. Attend one of these upcoming community events to share your vision for the future of this corridor:
- Friday March 18, 5-7pm, Armory Park
- Saturday March 19, 10am-12pm, Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo Library
- Saturday March 19, 2-4pm, Limberlost Park
Check out a flyer for more info.
Food4Life Food distribution
This Saturday, March 19th, at New Life Community Church of the Nazarene (3367 N. Geronimo). Sign-up begins at 8 a.m. They have vegetables, fruit, packaged food, desserts, dairy, and some meat. You get to select your own food. There are no income, residency, or other requirements.
They also have a clothing distribution from 8:30 to 9:30.
Literacy Connects Neighborhood Clean Up
March 19
8:30-9:30 am
BICAS Youth Earn-A-Bike: Spring Break Camp Ages 9-13
March 14th-18th Monday-Friday 9am-12pm Enroll in our 5 sessions bicycle repair course and earn a bicycle, helmet, and lock to take home. All camps are sliding scale, scholarships available. Register at: www.bicas.org/camp
2001 N 7th Ave, Tucson AZ 85705
MAKE SHADE Saturday, March 26
Tucson Clean and Beautiful, Trees for Tucson, Parks and Recreation and volunteers from Jefferson Park will plant 24 new trees on the east end of the Linear Park Trail. We need the muscle to plant the new trees. Please volunteer to help.
Chairperson: Joan Daniels jdchama@msn.com. Contact her with questions or to be added to the volunteer list.
Literacy Connects Blood Drive
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