A to Z with Nikki Lee: February 14th, 2023

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February 14th, 2023

A Community in Hope and Change

Black History Month is an opportunity for local governments to recognize the importance of the African American experience, celebrate its achievements, and take actionable steps to create change. This year, many local governments are taking a closer look at how their communities can honor this special month authentically, through initiatives that will promote growth and help create a better future for everyone.

It is important for any initiative taken during Black History Month—or any month—to be more than just symbolic gestures; rather, it should strive towards creating lasting change. Local governments should consider how they can use this month as an opportunity for meaningful growth in both tangible ways (like education or infrastructure projects) and intangible ways (like greater understanding). It is only through meaningful action that we can bring about real transformation in our communities; true hope begins when we act together. 

Black History Month serves as an important reminder that there is still much work to be done towards a more equitable future for all members of our society—as individuals but also as members of a larger community. By supporting meaningful initiatives run by local governments during Black History Month, we can ensure that these efforts continue beyond this month so that each day brings us closer to establishing progress and creating lasting change. We must come together now more than ever before not only during Black History Month but throughout the year if we are going to honor its purpose authentically and help move our communities forward together. Let us lift each other up so we can continue working towards a brighter tomorrow!

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at ward4@tucsonaz.gov with any questions or concerns. We are happy to help you in any way we can. Previous newsletters can be found here. 

With Gratitude,

January 24^th 2023 Mayor and Council Highlights

Transform Tucson Fund:  A presentation was provided by Dre Thompson, CEO, Tucson Industrial Development Authority (IDA), and Francisca Villegas, Small Business Program Manager describing their work with Mayor Regina Romero to co-locate the City’s Small Business Program with the IDA. I moved to direct the City Manager and City Attorney to work with the Industrial Development Authority to prepare the agreements necessary to carry out the proposal for the co-location and establishment of the Avanza Empowerment Center and to schedule the agreements for Mayor and Council approval as soon as they are ready. Click here to find out more about the collaboration Mayor Romero has spearheaded with the Industrial Development Authority. 

City Regulation of Smoke Shops: With Councilmember Fimbres' leadership, information and presentation were provided by Jamal Givens, LPKNC (Liberty Partnership Kino Neighborhoods Council) President and CEO, and members of the Youth Empowered Success (YES) Club: students Angela Moreno and Angelica Martinez, Desert View High School, Parth Verma, Sunnyside High School, and Captain Mickey Petersen, Tucson Police Department, pertaining to the need for increased regulation on smoke shops by working with the Pima County Health Department, and through education and policy.  Ordinance 11703 that was adopted in 2019 and specifically included smoke shops and “vape” products, and enhanced penalties for violations. Mayor and Council directed staff to review Ordinance 11703, including the enforcement component, and return within 90 days with provisions similar to the liquor license process.

Expungement of Convictions for Marijuana Offenses; and Sealing of Other Conviction Records: With Councilmember Dahl and City Attorney Rankin's leadership, Mayor and Council endorsed an approach for the City of Tucson to work with the University of Arizona (UA) Law School to assist with a program to initiate marijuana conviction expungements. The program is anticipated to start in the fall of 2023, using existing protocols for establishing internships and externships. It is estimated approximately 10,000 cases would be eligible for expungement. 

Discussion and Direction on RTA Next Plan Development: Michael J. Ortega, City Manager, explained the evolution of the ongoing conversation towards a holistic approach to investments in the entire community on a macro scale, similar to Move Tucson. Staff will work with the Mayor and Council to create a draft plan at the February 22 and March 7, 2023 Mayor and Council meetings and any final adjustments could be made at the meeting on March 21, 2023. I reiterated the importance of the following road projects in Ward 4: 

• Widen Mary Ann Cleveland Way to a 4-lane divided roadway
• Widen Colossal Cave Road to a 4-lane divided roadway
• Widen Harrison Road to a 4-lane roadway from Irvington to Golf Links
• Widen Irvington to a 4-lane divided roadway from Houghton to Kolb

Pantano Vistas Final Plat: I moved to approve the Pantano Vistas final plat located in Ward 4, north of E. Golf Links Road and east of E. Lakeside Parkway.  It is a 32-lot subdivision on 6.36 acres.

Out and About!

This weekend we joined the Wingate Community Association in celebrating their 30th anniversary! Wingate is a master-planned community in Ward 4, consisting of 845 homes. Many of the homeowners have ties to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and all the current volunteer members of the Wingate Board of Directors have ties to the military.

Over the last 30 years, the Board members have worked countless hours to keep Wingate safe, looking its best, and its residents engaged. It was great having Mayor Regina Romero join today as we celebrated this milestone on the East side. Follow for more Out and About updates! And yes, that is McGruff! 

Important Dates:

• Wednesday, Feb 15^th, 5pm: High School Battle of Bands applications are due. The event will be held on Saturday, March 26, at noon, at Gene C. Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center. For more information or to apply: bit.ly/3DlB6nT.
  
  
• Wednesday, Feb 15th at 5:30pm: The Environmental and General Services Department, along with representatives from Housing & Community Development, Tucson Police Department and the Tucson Fire Department will be hosting an open house in each of the City’s six wards to present information about services available to residents and neighborhoods that support a clean community.  In person: 8155 E. Poinciana Dr.  Zoom Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87239731662.  More information is available online at tucsonax.gov/EGSD. 
  
  
• Sunday, February 19^th, 8am-1pm, at Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum: It is a beautiful time of year to be outside, so join us on the west side of town for a morning of hiking and pulling! (Buffelgrass and Fountain Grass Pull Site) We will hike cross-country and up a canyon about a mile to arrive at our site. We will be working in the sun, often on rocky slopes. All that attend will receive a very cool Save Our Saguaros sticker.
  Full Pull Site List
  
  
• Tuesday, February 21st at 5:30pm:  Meet the Tucson Police Department Command Staff of Operations Division East at the next Division Advisory Committee meeting.  9670 E Golf Links Rd - TPD Erik D. Hite Substation in the meeting room between the library and substation.
  
  
• Tuesday, February 22nd: 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).
  
  
• Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd: Enjoy family fun, including coloring and origami, fitness, STEM, miniature golf, disc golf, gardening and yard games, and more for the Ready Set Rec Showcase. Other activities include raffle prizes, food trucks, and music. Ready, Set, Rec! website

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Women and girls continue to be underrepresented in the fields of science and technology, despite significant advancements in gender equality in recent years. The playing field has changed quite a bit since I started my career in tech 23 years ago, but there is still much work to be done. Equity is a significant issue, as diversity in both industries is critical to driving innovation and solving complex problems. By encouraging and empowering more women and girls to pursue careers in science and technology, we can help to bridge the gender gap and create a more inclusive and equitable future.

Corbett Clean Up

In an effort to help our neighbors in high-crime areas the Ward 4 office, along with our partners and volunteers, continued to make incredible progress this weekend!

Thank you to everyone who participated in both clean-up events! Every shovel matters. Every single wheelbarrow filled made a difference. Thank you to the Corbett Neighborhood Association for the second clean-up off Craycroft. We also want to thank Tucson Environmental Services, we would not have been able to accomplish as much as we did without your help.

This effort highlights our pride in our city—when so many people are willing to dedicate their time to helping their fellow citizens without expecting anything in return. All this would not be possible without the continued dedication of Martha Cantrell and the Ward 4 staff. Our beloved Tucson is safer and cleaner today because of your tremendous gift in collaboration. 

Reporting Potholes

Help the City identify street, lighting, drainage, signage, and other transportation related issues such as:

• Maintenance: filling potholes and cracks, sweeping, trimming vegetation
• Traffic Control: signing, lane striping, crossing signal repair
• Reconstruction: asphalt paving, utilities, curbs, ramps and sidewalks

You can contact the City of Tucson's Transportation Department via phone at (520) 791-3154 or by email at TDOTConcerns@tucsonaz.gov with the precise location.

Save our Saguaros month is back! From February 4th to March 4th, you can volunteer to pull buffelgrass. Buffelgrass is an invasive species that outcompetes and crowds out native vegetation. Buffelgrass burns easily and spreads wildfire as far and wide as the fire-loving grass will carry it destroying our precious Sonoran desert habitat including our beloved Saguaros. The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum website has a list of dates and locations for buffelgrass pulling events happening around Tucson. Sign up by visiting: website. Saguaro National Park Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Save our Saguaros - Beat Back Buffelgrass events

High-Efficiency Rebates 

Tucson Water customers can apply for rebates when purchasing and installing a qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer and/or toilet. Single-family rebates are $100 for the purchase of a qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer or if you're replacing your old front-loading machine with a new front-loader. Get a $200 rebate if you're replacing your old top-loading machine with a new front-loader. Residential, multi-family, and commercial customers can also get a $100 rebate when buying Premium High Efficiency toilets.

Learn more about the rebate programs and see eligibility and requirements by following the link: Tucson Water Rebates.

Ward 4 Pupdate! Meet Jackson This past weekend we celebrated my nephew dog’s 4th birthday! Jackson is such a sweet and handsome boy, and he can’t wait to enjoy the future dog park in Lincoln Park. We look forward to seeing you and your family there!

What’s going on in Tucson?

Tucson Festival of Books Needs Volunteers
The annual Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) will be held the weekend of March 4-5 at the University of Arizona. The nonprofit TFOB is dependent on volunteers to stage the festival, with more than 2,000 people giving their time each year to present a friendly and welcoming atmosphere to guests. Opportunities are available to help before, during, and the day after the event (if needed). Follow the links below for more information about TFOB and how you can help.
TFOB Volunteer Opportunities
TFOB Website

New Teen Program: Switch City Introducing a NEW teen program, Switch City! Teens 12-17 can play in monthly Nintendo Switch tournaments at different recreation centers. A different game is played each month, and winners from each center tournament will play in a Tournament of Champions. No equipment is required; everything is supplied at Parks and Rec. Registration is now open for February tournaments. Find out more HERE.

Get Paid to Get Lifeguard Certified Are you or someone you know looking for a part-time job? Tucson Parks and Recreation is hiring lifeguards to operate and maintain the safety at City pools year-round. The minimum age to be a lifeguard is 15 years old. Pay starts at $16.75/hour. The City will pay applicants to get their Lifeguard Certification through the City’s certification path. The lifeguard class is an intense, fast-paced course, and strong swim skills are required. All applicants must pass a swim test to qualify. For more information on becoming a lifeguard or to register for the swim test, visit the website. Check out what it's like being a lifeguard!

Nominations Open for The Southern Arizona Food Hero’s Awards
The nonprofit Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCoG) recently announced the creation of an annual award program that will recognize Southern Arizona’s Food Heroes. TCoG is looking for local heroes in two categories: the “Food Visionary Award” and the “Jim Griffith Foodways Keeper Award.” The submission deadline is Monday, Feb. 20. The 2023 awardees will be selected through a nomination process and receive cash prizes of $1,500 each. The awards are created in partnership with Si Charro!, the Southwest Folklife Alliance, and the University of Arizona Southwest Center. The winners will be announced in April, and an event to honor the recipients will be held in early May.
Tucson Foodie
Tucson City of Gastronomy

See Big, Big Bugs at Reid Pard Zoo Giant, robotic bugs are buzzing and swarming throughout Reid Park Zoo. Free with Zoo admission or membership, the Big, Big Bugs exhibition presents more than 30 super-sized, animatronic insects and spiders. Guests can get a close-up view of these creatures, and they can also get a taste of an insect in the Zoo's gift shop. Watch the video

Cyclovia Tucson Returns in April Cyclovia Tucson is returning Sunday, April 16, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. About 3.5 miles of car-free city streets, from the Lost Barrio to Himmel Park, will be open to people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, roll, or skate and enjoy neighborhoods, participate in free activities, support local businesses, and connect with one another. Soak up some of Tucson’s beautiful spring weather as you make your way between four activity hubs. Explore Sam Hughes, Rincon Heights, Miles, and San Antonio neighborhoods while you enjoy great entertainment, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. Cyclovia Tucson is a program of Living Streets Alliance, in partnership with numerous sponsors. Learn more about the event by following the links below. Cyclovia Tucson Cyclovia Volunteer Opportunities Living Streets Alliance

Find The ‘Ready, Set, Rec!’ Mobile Recreation Vans Throughout Tucson Tucson Parks and Recreation's mobile recreation program, "Ready, Set, Rec!", is touring parks throughout Tucson. Play is for all ages, and the fun includes cornhole, board games, hula hoops, giant chess/checkers, giant Connect 4, music, giant Jenga, giant ring toss, walking sticks, etc. Find a schedule of where the vans will be on the website linked below or follow @readysetrec on Facebook or Instagram. Ready, Set, Rec! website Readysetrec on Facebook Readysetrec on Instagram Watch a video about Ready, Set, Rec!

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 Council Member Twitter account: @CouncilwomanLee.
• Follow my Council Member Instagram account: @Nikkilee_az.