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Friends,
Women's History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and raise awareness of the ongoing challenges they continue to face. By recognizing and honoring the contributions of women throughout history, we can inspire future generations of women to reach their full potential and positively impact their communities.
Throughout history, women have faced and overcome many challenges, including discrimination, inequality, and limited opportunities. Despite these obstacles, women have persevered and contributed in fields such as science, medicine, politics, and the arts. Women continue to face challenges such as gender pay gaps, unequal representation in leadership positions, and limited access to education and resources.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women globally, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new challenges. Women have been disproportionately affected by job losses and reduced income, as well as increased caregiving responsibilities and exposure to violence.
Our communities play a key role in helping women overcome these challenges and achieve their goals. Through access to resources, mentoring, and support, our community can help women build the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Additionally, we can advocate for policies and programs that specifically support women and girls and help break down barriers to equality and equal opportunity.
Despite these challenges, the future of women globally is bright, and there are many opportunities for progress and change. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles and making their voices heard on a range of important issues. Additionally, new technologies and innovative solutions are providing new opportunities for women to build careers, start businesses, and connect with others around the world.
Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and recognize the challenges women continue to face. By acknowledging and celebrating women's contributions and supporting them in their challenges, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future for all women and girls. Through our collective efforts, we can help create a better future for women and communities everywhere.
Important Dates:
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Saturday, March 18th from 9am-1pm: Dietz Neighborhood Cleanup. This location is part of TPD PNI location. We will be cleaning up the alleyway just behind the apartment complex Tierra Sol/Tierra Luna on 22nd and Prudence. We will work our way west through the alleyway towards Turquoise Vista. If you have any questions, please contact the Ward 4 office at ward4@tucsonaz.gov.
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Tuesday, March 21st: 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).
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Friday, March 24th from 10am-Noon: Community Conversation “Equity and the Internet” will be held at We Care Tucson on North Stone. Call (520) 514-1588 to have the zoom link sent to you. Are you having trouble connecting to the internet? Is your internet too expensive? Do you need help learning how to use a computer or tablet? Bring your concerns to this event.
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Saturday, April 8th, 10am-12pm, at Lincoln Park, Ramada #1: The City of Tucson is updating Plan Tucson, the general plan adopted by Tucson voters in 2013. Help us plan Tucson's future with us by registering to attend a Community Workshop. Virtual and in-person options are available for Ward 4. Please register here.
March 7, 2023 Mayor and Council Meeting Highlights
Planning and Development Services Code Update Package: On June 7, 2022, the Mayor and Council directed Planning and Development Services (PDSD) staff to develop a proposal for a package of amendments to the City’s development code. Over the past nine months, PDSD has conducted outreach to the public, local groups, and review staff through presentations, meetings, and a survey which recorded over 130 responses. The result is a proposal for ten amendments to the development code in the following areas:
· Improve PDSD Processes
· Remove Barriers to Small-scale Infill
· Simplify Development Standards
· Correct Minor Code Errors
The list of amendments may be found here. A public hearing will be held at the March 21, 2023 Mayor and Council Regular Meeting prior to any final adoption decisions.
One-Year Review of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance: Staff presented a one-year review of the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance including permit data as well as stakeholder and public feedback to the Mayor and Council. Mayor and Council directed staff to develop programs to provide resources and technical support to make ADUs accessible and affordable to Tucson homeowners and residents, including a pilot program to fund ADU repairs and improvements and to establish an amnesty program for unpermitted ADUs. Since the ordinance allowing ADUs became effective, 61 applications to build an ADU have been submitted, demonstrating strong interest among property owners in Tucson. PDSD suggests a number of strategies to reduce costs and make ADUs more accessible, including: develop a model plan library, create a resource directory, promote rehab and other support programs, review impact fees as part of the next citywide update, and continue to support homeowners in bringing existing units up to code through an amnesty program. Mayor and Council voted to direct the City Manager to return as quickly as possible with a plan to remove barriers and impact fees on ADU’s and Casitas and give explicit direction on that process.
Mayor and Council Approved Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: Tucson's Mayor and Council, March 7, approved a climate action and adaptation plan that will provide a strategic pathway to reduce the City’s emissions to net zero by 2030, explain the anticipated impacts of climate change across the City, identify the communities that will be most vulnerable to those impacts, and provide strategies that will assure Tucson can adapt and be resilient to the impacts of climate change now and into the future. The plan is called "Tucson Resilient Together," and is posted on the Climate Action Hub website linked below. I look forward to working together with our residents, business community, and federal partners, as we find ways to implement some of the core strategies into the city.
Tucson Resilient Together
Climate Action Hub
Out and About
Congratulations SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair Winners!
 Every year, PreK-12th grade students from across Southern Arizona participate in a SARSEF-affiliated fair, conducting research projects to be considered as a representative of their school at the SARSEF Regional Fair, a week-long competition and celebration of their achievements.
 Around 2,000 projects competed at the SARSEF Regional Fair, and over $100,000 in prizes, trips, and scholarships were awarded, thanks to community support. Top high school students now move on to international levels of competition.
 I want to personally congratulate and celebrate this year’s brilliant award winners! It is your determination and insight on the most complicated issues our world faces that gives me hope for our future. Being able to witness how SARSEF works to create Arizona’s future critical thinkers and problem solvers through science and engineering for the state of Arizona is truly inspiring. Thank you for the work you do and for your contributions to our community. Check out the winners and their accomplishments here.
Celebrating 16 Years of Community Excellence with Strauss Manor!
 Strauss Manor on Pantano is a HUD-funded low-income housing community for persons 62 years old or older. The funding for the building comes from the HUD 202 program, which allows the mortgage to be forgiven if the facility is kept as a low income, senior housing facility for 40 years. In addition, a Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) from HUD ensures that the residents pay no more than 30% of their monthly income for rent.
Strauss Manor was the dream of Gerd and Inge Strauss. The Strausses were Holocaust survivors who immigrated to the United States after World War II and spent many years back east, helping to develop and manage affordable housing apartments for low income seniors. In 1986, they retired to Tucson, but their passion for giving continued. Working with B’nai B’rith Senior Housing, they established Covenant House in 1995 and Strauss Manor in 2006.
 Strauss Manor has a total of 80 one-bedroom apartments, with one two-bedroom apartment set aside for the maintenance staff. As of February 2023, over 190 individuals were on the waiting list for an apartment. The average rent paid by residents is $342 per month, with the lowest rent being just $91 per month and the highest $698. Utilities are included in rent. The average age of the residents is 79.
The teamwork and collaboration required to continue to provide for these facilities at such an incredibly high standard is truly inspiring. Hearing from residents like Teresa Crocco, Thomas Greenwood, Margaret Hensley, and many more about their experience solidifies Strauss Manor as a pillar of compassion and light here in Tucson year after year. We celebrate this sweet 16 milestone with you and appreciate the heart you display for your residents every single day.
Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Graduation
 My team had the pleasure of attending the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Graduation. Congratulations to the 18 new TPD Police Officers. We are honored to have you serve our city.
Biondo, Anthony
Burke, Connor
Carpenter, Kyle
Castro Marin, Armairani
Flores, Aaron
Flores, Marisa
French, Dillon
Hernandez, Giovanna
Ibarra, Cristian
Lopez, Eliezer
Mancha, Joshua
Novak, Jarred
Oviedo, Francisco
Pimentel, Omar
Quijada, Daniel
Rice, Elizabeth
Sias, AnaisValle
Rivera, Maria
Reporting Potholes
Help the City identify street, lighting, drainage, signage, and other transportation related issues such as:
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Maintenance: filling potholes and cracks, sweeping, trimming vegetation
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Traffic Control: signing, lane striping, crossing signal repair
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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. Report a problem online here or use the application with your phone.
Painted Turtle Lane Resurfacing Project Update
Thank you for reaching out to us about your concerns. We initiated our legal team and are finally getting the road fixed by the builder. The materials the builder used on this neighborhood road in Sierra Morado would cause excessive oil to come to the top of the road surface when it would heat up, and the resident’s cars would have black oil on their vehicles and driveways. We are so glad it will be fixed before this year’s summer heat.
On Monday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Tucson Asphalt, under contract with Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) , will mill (remove) the surface layer of old asphalt and repave with new asphalt. Work is scheduled to take place from about 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The project is scheduled to be completed by April 4. The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
There should be no major impacts to your property, but you will see travel lane restrictions and access restrictions when heavy equipment is directly in front of your driveway. On-street parking restrictions will be in effect when crews work on your street. No parking signs will be placed on the street 24-hours in advance to notify you when on-street parking is prohibited.
If you have any questions on the project, please call Project Manager David Burbank (520) 345-0653 or Public Information Officer Erica Frazelle at (520) 429-9646.
Arizona Attorney General Upholds Tucson’s Source of Income Protection Ordinance
New Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes yesterday, March 8, rejected former Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s December 2022 report which briefly put on hold the City of Tucson’s ordinance to protect renters from discriminatory housing practices. Mayes’ report stated that the ordinance does not violate state law or the Arizona Constitution. Tucson's Mayor and Council adopted the ordinance on Sept. 27, 2022, adding a protected class to stem housing discrimination based on a person’s source of income, which is defined as “any lawful source of income or support” for a renter or buyer. Various sources of income include child support, spousal support, rental assistance, social security or disability insurance, veterans’ benefits, or any other form of governmental assistance.
Read the news release
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
United Way of Tucson's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides FREE tax preparation for households earning less than $73,000 annually! Each year, United Way of Tucson trains hundreds of volunteers to help thousands of low- and moderate-income families across the state file their taxes for free while ensuring they receive the maximum refund they deserve. In-person VITA sites are now accepting walk-ins and appointments, or you can receive the same great service from the comfort of your home using our fully virtual options. More information is available here.
Introducing Pima Helpline!
Pima Helpline is a community-driven and community-made resource. They believe that is should be easy for Pima County residents to find help they are looking for. The Pima Helpline aims to be a centralized source for resources for those in Pima County. Pima Helpline is working to reduce barriers and end stigma and make it easier for people to get into treatment when they need it. Pima Helpline provides an easy way to find mental health and addiction treatment, services, and support.
About Pima Helpline
Pima Helpline Twitter
What's Happening in Town?
Tucson Parks and Recreation Virtual Egg Hunt
To participate, visit one of 41 parks throughout Tucson, from March 10-20, and hunt for 500 egg-shaped signs, scan the QR code on the sign, and submit your information and a picture (optional). Each egg you find is an entry into the prize Easter basket drawing. Winners will be contacted via phone or email provided on the entry form. There is no limit on the number of eggs you find. The public is asked to leave the eggs in the park for others to discover. Visit the website linked below to learn more about these events and to find out which parks the eggs are hidden at for the virtual egg hunt.
Read the announcement
Register Your Young Kids for Power Wheels Fun Race
Tucson Parks and Recreation is hosting a Power Wheels Fun Race on Saturday, April 15, beginning at 10 a.m., at 900 S. Randolph Way. Kids 3-8 years old will compete in age groups and race their power wheels. The cost is $5 per racer. Only stock Power Wheels with four wheels are allowed. No modifications are permitted. Other rules apply. Visit the website linked below for more details.
Power Wheels Fun Race information
Register
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