A Message from Steve K...10/09/2023

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Date: 10/09/2023

Topics in This Issue:

Plastics Program

Outreach promoting the plastics program continued this week. I spoke to an HOA over on east Grant Road – they're organizing a once-per-week neighborhood collection effort so one or two people will be gathering everyone else’s bagged plastics and driving them over to the office. It’ll save 40-50 different trips. Every neighborhood can easily form that kind of cooperative effort. In addition, I spoke to a group of students at Gregory School – they had a campus-wide program last semester. The two students who were leading it graduated so this new group will be picking up the effort. Every school in the city can form a similar effort. And Diana did presentations at Grace St. Paul’s Sunday environmental fair. At each of these events we give out the free flyers and plastic collection bags. Those will be available at the ward 6 office once we’re back in operation over there. And I spoke to a group at Streams in the Desert on Sunday on the topic of homelessness – but when someone mentioned the plastics program the room erupted in applause. Thank you for your support of and caring about the program.

And over the weekend ByFusion’s local rep Heather waved the ByBlock flag at the SAHBA Home Show. Getting the word out to architects, builders and home improvement planners will be one important key to the on-going success of the program. A part of her presentation was a collage of the 600 sq/ft house that’s now built using ByBlocks up in Flagstaff. Here’s a piece of what Heather was sharing during the home show: 

In addition, ByFusion has a display that shows how easy it is to stack and build with the blocks. All of these public outreach events are getting the community even more familiar with the product.

We had another 5-ton collection week. Many of you have commented on how nice the ‘new’ recycle center is over in the Century Link parking lot across the street from the ward office. I agree it’s far better than the operation we had behind the office. And it’s sadly temporary. We don’t own that lot and once our construction is done, we’ll be moving the bins back to our place. We’re grateful for the loan of the parking area though.

Projects in design – the tack room for TROT, water station kiosks for some local shopping centers, and a perimeter wall for the UA. We’re delivering another bench this week and the mural wall out at Mission Garden is beginning in the next couple of weeks. We have longer term plans for some security fencing at a planned low-income community, and more general discussions for tiny homes once our partners find the right site. With all of that in the works getting ByFusion up and operating in Tucson is a key to their success. I met with TEP last week and expressed an urgency in them doing what they can to expedite the delivery of their parts and pieces of the blocker machinery. They’ll do what they can to help.

Microgrids

...and speaking of TEP, credit to them for beginning construction on a new 200-megawatt energy storage system. Once completed in mid-2025 it’ll have the ability to store enough power to serve roughly 42,000 homes for up to 4 hours. The plan is for them to charge the battery with low cost solar energy during the heat of the day and deliver the stored energy when demand is highest in the early evening hours. The project is going in out on the southeast side of the city near their Vail substation. It’s an example of how the utility is making an effort to ‘green’ their sourcing. About 70% of what they’re delivering now comes from fossil fuel sources, much of which is driven by the conversion from coal to natural gas. Solar is great – storage is expensive and is a necessary key to the transition to renewables.

Last week Kevin and I and the mayor brought to the council a study session item intended to kick start the conversation about the city beginning the process of setting up solar microgrids around the city. As is true of the work TEP is doing, storage of the energy the solar panels collect is the key and is the expensive part of the process.

Last summer during our brief but intense monsoon one of our cooling centers lost power for a couple of days. The Donna Liggins center is in ward 3. When it lost power it also lost the ability to serve as a cooling center for the community. On Tuesday the M&C voted to begin exploring the costs involved with setting up a microgrid for Donna Liggins to build resiliency into the facility so it can be decoupled from TEP grid outages and continue serving as a cooling center – and as an activity center more generally. Kevin and I met with some TEP representatives late last week and they indicated a willingness to explore how the utility can play a role in helping secure funding for some of that effort. We’ll jointly learn from this first step and I’m hopeful will be able to take these lessons learned into other more widely distributed projects throughout the community. Getting some federal environmental grant money will be an important piece to moving the microgrid idea along.

As an aside – during our meeting last week the folks from TEP indicated their interest in continuing the community outreach on the midtown power upgrade project with a goal of getting a proposed route to the siting committee of the Arizona Corporation Commission by mid next year. Their goal is to get a map update to the public by later this fall. We had a couple of things confirmed – one is they are not planning on running the large transmission lines down residential streets. However, another confirmation is that they do intend on running the large poles down some combination of arterials. Those linkages are what is yet to be determined – and it won’t be until they hear a decision from the October 25^th Board of Adjustment hearing in which they’re asking for relief from the city gateway ordinance that mandates undergrounding new utilities along the Campbell corridor.

Differential Water Rates

In June, 2021 M&C passed an ordinance that did two primary things – it authorized a different water rate for Tucson Water customers living outside of city limits, and it authorized a ‘Cost of Service’ analysis to ensure the rates we adopted were reasonable. The differential was roughly 10% across all rate classes. The new rates were to go into effect in December 2021. In October, based on the results of the cost of service analysis we re-adopted the same rates we had done in June. The analysis had concluded our rates were within the range of being reasonable. Following that the county filed suit against the city alleging the differential rates were not “just and reasonable.” They filed on behalf of themselves, not as a class-action on behalf of all of our customers who live outside city limits. So, in March of 2023 we passed an ordinance exempting the county and other governmental customers from the rates. That’s the history of how we got here.

Last month the court issued a ruling in favor of the county. The court took the position that our cost of service study was performed to support the rates we had already put into place and that we should have done the study first, and then discuss rates based on the study. This is a summary statement I pulled from the court decision: 

The fact that Tucson obtained a cost-of-service study after it set the rates does not cure the problem. The record shows the study was done for the purpose of justifying already-set rates, which Tucson then re-approved.

Last week we held an executive session to talk about our next steps. Here’s the motion we adopted after coming out from that exec:

I move that the Mayor and Council authorize and direct the City Manager and City Attorney to attempt to resolve this matter with Pima County in the manner discussed in Executive Session. 

If that effort is unsuccessful, the City Attorney and City Manager are authorized to proceed as discussed in Executive Session, including but not limited to the following:

1. The City Attorney will object to Pima County’s proposed form of judgment for the reasons discussed in Executive Session;
2. The City Attorney is authorized to appeal or special action the trial court’s determination that the City’s differential rate is not compliant with Arizona law;
3. The City Manager is directed to commence the process to secure a new cost-of-service study relating to the provision of water service to customers located outside of the incorporated city limits.
4. Based on the trial court’s ruling, Tucson Water will stop billing the current differential rate as soon as practicable.

I’ve said publicly before we met last week that it’s my belief that with the city and the county litigating against one another everybody loses. I also believe there’s a middle ground we can land on to avoid any further litigation. I’ve shared the idea with one member of the Board of Supervisors.

The court said When Tucson set the rates, it did not base them on costs or other financial data. What the court did not say was that differential water rates are illegal per se. The court can’t say that because a half dozen other cities in Arizona have them – including Phoenix which charges non-city residents nearly a 50% differential. In our case the court took issue with our sequencing – we did rates, we did a study – we re-did rates based on the study. So part one of what I proposed to my counterpart on the Board is we redo the Cost of Service study, invite the county to be a part of the process and we all agree to live with the results ahead of knowing the outcome.

Part two of the proposal was based on the county not having filed a class-action suit. They also never filed for an injunction against us imposing the new rates. Once the court formally files its decision anyone ‘harmed’ by our action can file suit. About 30% of Tucson Water customers live outside the city limits. To avoid having to manage all of those potential court actions we agree to sit down with the county now and find a middle ground on reimbursing non-city customers for some portion of the increased rates. Then we all live with the results of the new study and whether the city elects to once again adopt differential rates.

It was estimated the differential rates would yield to the city utility about $10M annually. When we adopted them, we made it clear that the bulk of that new money would be invested in maintaining and upgrading the water delivery infrastructure that is outside of city limits. It’s a legitimate cost of doing business. Going to court will cost each side in the neighborhood of a half million dollars and will keep this argument going for 1-2 years. I’m hopeful we can find a way to a middle ground and avoid spending those dollars when they could be better invested in our water delivery system.

When we adopted our rates, the county issued a memo with certain demands. This is the list they sent to us at the time. I believe the middle ground we can land on will adequately address most of those points. Without sitting at the table trying to work towards an agreement though, we won’t get there. Per our motion, the city attorney and city manager are ‘attempting to resolve’ this matter with the county folks.

Sustainable Tucson

This month’s Sustainable Tucson topic will speak to the Tucson history of local agriculture.

I mentioned the Mission Garden’s in the plastics section. When you visit out there (https://www.missiongarden.org/) you’ll be walking through their living agricultural history exhibit. This month’s ST meeting will build on that with a presentation on our local distinctive food traditions.

We live in a desert. That climate has played a role in how some of our unique ‘desert-adapted foods’ have evolved over time. On Tuesday, October 10th ST will have two speakers, each of whom will share their own expertise on our local food culture. Sterling Johnson and DeAnndra Porter are in leadership roles for the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture. That’s a Native American-governed non-profit located out in Ajo whose mission it is to develop a sustainable food system in Ajo and the Tohono O’odham Nation. Sign into the meeting a bit before 6pm using this link:  www.sustainabletucson.org

Casita Model Plan Voting

In previous newsletters I’ve invited local builders and architects to submit their plan for our pre-approved casita design competition. The competition was made possible by an AARP Community Challenge Grant. The designs are all in and now you have a chance to vote for your favorites.

The public vote will constitute 10 points out of a possible 90. A panel of design professionals will also review the 63 entries and fill in the scoring. The results will be announced in November. Each of the top 10 entrants will receive $1,000 and will be shown on the city website as having been pre-approved for permitting. The entries range in size from this 144 sq/ft model -

To this one that’s a bit over 600 sq/ft -

Use this link to see all the entries and to cast your vote. The public vote will be open until 5pm on Sunday, October 22^nd.  

https://casitas-in-tucson-cotgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/casita-competition-public-voting

From the New to the Old

Back in 1963 nobody was talking about living in a tiny home. But living in Tucson House was all the rage. That’s the year it opened. At the time it was Tucson’s tallest building and was featured in Time Magazine as one of the anchor properties on the newly developing Miracle Mile Strip. Now, 60 years later the city owns the building and we’re starting on a multi-million-dollar Grant funded renovation process.

As a part of the renovating our housing staff is putting together a pictorial history of the site – and of the Miracle Mile area generally. Here’s an example – it's a diner that was on the Strip back in 1958. Note the old cars, neon signs (our astronomers would not be happy) – and the telephone booth. Ask your kids what they think that was used for.

We’re looking for any pictures you have that can be added to this photo history. They can be of Tucson House, or of the surrounding area. Include a narrative with any photo you contribute – we're after both the visuals, and the stories behind them. If you have pictures you can contribute, please follow these steps:

How to Participate:

1. Submit online. Share your historic photos and memories using the online form at: Call for Historic Photos and Stories of Tucson House (arcgis.com)
2. Submit in person. Contact Ernesto Portillo to schedule a time to scan your photos or share your story in person: Ernesto Portillo, portillo@tucsonaz.gov
3. Attend the Tucson House History Community Meeting. The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation will share more about the Historic Miracle Mile and its role in Tucson history, project architects from Poster Mirto McDonald will give an overview of the preservation work to occur at Tucson House, and a sample of the stories and photos collected from the community will be shared.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 5:30 pm

Sentinel Building, 320 N Commerce Park Loop

RSVP for in-person or virtual here

In order to be included in the Community Meeting, photos and stories must be submitted by October 20^th so staff has a chance to get them into the mix.

Local News

Since the 2016 election we’ve all seen and heard an increase in accusations about the trustworthiness of the news media – and local news in general. When I first moved to Tucson, we had both a morning and an evening newspaper, staffed by entirely different reporters and editorial boards, and the local television was not owned by corporate conglomerates that own dozens of stations nationwide. The focus on local news was far greater ‘in those days’ than is now the case. Several factors have played a role in the evolution to where we are today.

“Trustworthy” is a documentary whose team travelled over 5,300 miles across the country interviewing journalists and the public about how we got to today’s media condition. A part of their work included interviewing local KVOA staff. You’ll see them highlighted in the documentary. It’s undeniable that there’s a current issue of trust in the media. The documentary and the panel discussion that will follow the show will explore the issue of trust and whether we can find a way to common ground. We rely on a strong and trustworthy 4^th estate as a watchdog over public affairs.

The show will be at the Fox on Thursday, October 12^th – it'll begin at 6pm. Although the screening is free, you must register ahead of time as seating is limited. Here’s a link you can use to get your ‘ticket’ online - https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/bdvu8up/lp/d0da1214-992a-4beb-a7c8-285f8947cb2b

The Fox is located at 17 W. Congress downtown. Stop in and support one of our local businesses either going to or after the show.

Homeless Camps

We get calls every day about homeless camps that spring up in and around neighborhoods and businesses. The city follows a 3-tier approach to addressing the camps. When you see us in emails including our ‘homeless protocol’ team, that’s referring to the various city staffers who are sent out to clear the camps where necessary and offer services to the ‘campers.’ Prior to this tier approach being implemented the only department handling ‘camp’ calls were the police. The goal has been to reduce the need for commissioned officers taking their time away from crime to do the social service work now being handled through this process. Last week our housing and homeless protocol group put together this video that explains the way the city is handling the issue. It’s only about 3 minutes long.

Right Work, Right Hands - Encampment Cleanups

What happens after a camp is cleared is often an issue residents and businesses scratch their heads about, wondering if all we’re doing is moving the issue from site to site and not addressing the needs of the people – or the crime that might have been tied to the camp. While being unhoused is not illegal, we see some criminal activity in or associated with some camp situations.

The city follows a ‘housing first’ model. With that we’ve been buying up old hotels and using the bed space as a way to get people started towards stabilization. We cannot compel a person to accept the services, but when beds are available, we make the offer. So far, the system has resulted in between 600 and 700 people getting situated in permanent housing.

One of the flaws in the housing first model is that we’re putting people with widely varying needs into the same living environment. I heard from one lady last week how it impacted her journey back to stability. I’ll share snippets of her email:

Dear Councilman

I heard you today (10/4) on Bill Buckmaster's show and I am so heartened to hear you discuss the many inherent problems with the Housing First Model. For the longest time it seemed all Democrats were viewing it as the perfect solution to all homelessness. I endured 3 long years in a brand new apartment complex downtown (Westpoint Apartments) that was intended as low income housing for seniors. We took up residency in September of 2018 and within 6 months, housing first became all the rage; homeless people of all stripes were swept off the streets and given 100% free housing with absolutely no requirements with respect to substance use and/or participation in treatment for severe mental illness. I cannot tell you how awful it was. It took me 2 and 1/2 years to secure appropriate housing elsewhere and it took months for me to recover from the hell I experienced in that building. By the time I got out of there, less than 10 of the original group of 50 who had moved in thinking they would never have to move again were still there.

She goes on to speak about ‘mixing sensitive populations with such varied needs’ and the impact that has on those ‘for whom a safe, quiet home is the primary determining factor’ to successful recovery. Housing first is fine for some – it can’t be our only approach to addressing homelessness. Until now though, it has been.

At 2:45 into the video you hear Mari speaking about our willingness to try new approaches. I’m working with a couple of council members in the hopes of acting on that willingness – safe camp areas, away from residential and away from commercial. Provided with a hand washing station and a porta-john. Monitored by social service providers and by the police. Maintained with a cap on the number of people allowed at a given time. Set up with the expressed goal of the site being transitional until a person is ready for a more structured environment, and when space exists. We’ll soon see how fluid our approach truly is – or if the people who aren’t ready for a room at the Inn will simply continue to be moved from site to site under our current process.

COVID in Pima County

Last week a friend wrote to me to let me know COVID had spread to over 45 members of the choir that serves at her place of worship. The rabbi was also sick with it. None of the illnesses appeared to be severe or life-threatening, but it’s worth noting that we’re seeing an uptick in numbers, so please be careful when you’re out in crowds. And don’t go out into crowds if you have symptoms – get a COVID test and follow CDC rules related to isolation.

In Pima County last week there were just under 600 new COVID cases reported – that's about an 11% increase from the prior week. Twenty-eight of those resulted in hospitalization – a 16% increase. These are relatively small numbers compared to what we saw during the pandemic. But I share them here to indicate that COVID is not a thing of the past, and the same protocols you may have been following (masking when in large groups, for example) might still be worth considering, especially if you’re immune compromised or a senior.

Home Improvement Materials

A friend who is involved in several downtown construction projects has been slowly building up a supply of post-construction materials. They were filling up a warehouse that he needs for other uses. Last week I helped get much of it to new homes – these are some remaining pieces that you might have a use for.

These are about 500 sq/ft of Travertine Pavers:

Here’s a Mirage split heat pump (used):

Two brand new Trane air handlers:

And a Lennox compressor (used):

The pricing is better than what you’ll find at a commercial ‘clearance sale’ so if you think you can make use of any of this material email to Samantha.stiteler@gmail.com. There’s also some kitchen equipment in the mix.

Music and Activities in October

Nearly 11 years ago to the day I met with the owners of the Food Conspiracy Co-Op to hear their vision about expansion and remodeling. Coming on Saturday, October 28^th they’ll be cutting the ribbon on the new east side entrance for their operation. When they broke ground in early ‘22 they had a goal of mid ‘23 for the opening. They pretty much are hitting that mark.

The east entry is a combination green community contemplative commercial space. If that sounds like it doesn’t make sense, come to the opening and you’ll see how it does. The opening will take place at 11am on the 28^th. I’m doing some music at around 11:30 and there’ll be bands filling the remainder of the afternoon. They’re located at 412 N. 4^th Avenue.

That weekend will be the start of some neighborhood porch fests for the fall. At noon on Sunday, 10/29 the Catalina Vista neighborhood will begin their 3^rd annual porch fest. Catalina Vista has one porch going at a time, and after a roughly hour-long music set neighbors stroll to a new porch in the neighborhood. This year’s celebration starts at 2162 E. Edison. It’s just up the street from Tahoe Park so you can park there and walk to the porch. I’m doing the opening music set. The day concludes back at the park with some mariachi music. This is close to Halloween, so kids and pets are encouraged to be in costume.

Later that afternoon the Garden District will hold their annual porch fest. The Garden folks have 8 porches going at the same time, and in most cases the music runs for about 90 minutes and the next band/performer steps in. I’m closing the day starting at 4:30 at 4026 E. Justin. I’m told the guy opening that porch has a very interactive kid-focused act, so if you’ve got kids you might want to check out Mr. Nature starting at 2:30pm. Here’s a map showing the full line up for Garden District.

Porch fests are not restricted to, or even intended for the neighbors of the immediate neighborhood. They’re community-building opportunities to get out and just be with other friendly people, listen to some music, eat some food and have a nice afternoon. I hope to see you at some or all these activities.

PCOA – Medicare Open Enrollment

The open enrollment window for Medicare runs from October 7^th until December 7^th. If you rely on Medicare for your health insurance needs, you should take advantage of the informational sessions the Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) is offering.

The PCOA Medicare team has been trained by the State Health Insurance Assistance Program so they’re in a position to help you navigate your way through the enrollment process. Making informed decisions now can save you some real financial headaches later on. The sessions will take place on Wednesday’s throughout October. The first one (October 11^th ) will have both an in-person and a virtual option. It’ll run from noon until 3pm at the PCOA midtown headquarters – The Katie – 600 S. Country Club. Register for the in-person here:  https://katiemedicareip.eventbrite.com   And the zoom here: https://umvirtual22.eventbrite.com

The other two October meetings will be in-person only.

• October 18^th, 10am until 1pm at the Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library – 7800 N. Schisler - https://wheelertaftabbetsrmedicare.eventbrite.com
• October 25^th, 2pm until 5pm at the Murphy-Wilmot Library – 530 N. Wilmot - https://murphywilmotmedicare.eventbrite.com

Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona

There are a few different ‘meals on wheels’ types of services operating in Tucson and around Pima County. Each is needed to assure seniors are getting nutritious meals on a regular basis. One commonality is they each need volunteers to help get the food out.

Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona recently opened a new kitchen facility. With that they’ll be able to increase the number of meals they can deliver from the current 100,000 up to about 400,000. Here’s a KGUN story that highlighted the new facility: https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/mobile-meals-of-southern-arizona-serves-food-out-of-new-kitchen    

That’s the good news. It’ll give them the capacity to expand the number of people they can serve. However now they’re a victim of their own success and need volunteers to help deliver the food. This isn’t entirely a volunteer effort – drivers are paid a mileage allowance to help defray at least that cost. If you’d like to get involved and help people in our community get a warm meal, please go to the Mobile Meals website - https://mobilemealssoaz.org/  - scroll down and you’ll see the Volunteer tab where you can sign up. And thanks to Sam Hughes resident Richard for letting me know about the need.

Cyclovia Volunteers

Another community opportunity to do some volunteer work is for the upcoming Cyclovia. This one will be held on Sunday, October 29^th from 9am until 3pm. The volunteer work can be done ahead of the event, or on the day of Cyclovia.

The fall route will run along 6^th and 4^th Avenues, ending up in the Amphi school district. It’ll cross Speedway, Grant and Ft. Lowell so if you participate please obey all traffic control signals and the instructions of the volunteers you see along the route.

Cyclovia is not a race – unless you just want to spin. It’s an opportunity to get out and enjoy the ride/walk/jog on streets where cars won’t be an issue during the event. If you’d like to check into volunteering – before or during the event, check their website at https://www.cycloviatucson.org/ This will be the 20^th Cyclovia event held in Tucson so you’re joining up with a well-oiled machine.

Halloween Activities

It’s almost that time of year again – Halloween – and with the partnership of TPD we’re offering some safe and fun options for you and your family.

The 29^th Street Coalition of neighborhoods and businesses is joining with TPD on Friday, October 27^th to host a Halloween event that’ll include music, games of all sorts and of course sugar. The sugar will come in various forms, each of which will make your efforts to get your kids to bed after the party ‘interesting.’

The event will be held at the Pima Community College 29^th street campus – 4355 E. Calle Aurora. The event is open to all – is free and will provide a safe and fun environment for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Steve Kozachik
Council Member, Ward 6
ward6@tucsonaz.gov

City of Tucson Resources

• COVID-19 Updates: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/covid-19/covid-19-updates
• I Want To... : https://www.tucsonaz.gov/i-want-to