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Hello Tucsonans,
I want to thank Ward 6 area neighborhoods for inviting me to sit in on recent events/meetings. I had the chance to join Armory Park, Rincon Heights, Catalina Vistas, Highland Vistas, and the 5th/Alvernon Anti-Crime Coalition this month and look forward to joining others as schedules and timing allow. In the meantime, please continue to work with the Ward 6 team so we can offer you our best in constituent and neighborhood services.
Here a few highlights from our broader work in May:
Plastics Recycling Update
We can all be proud of Tucson’s passion for diverting plastics from our landfills, and of former CM Kozachik’s tireless work to create a pilot and road map for future success. I’ve met many, many Tucsonans who have devoted themselves to the success of the initiative. We want to be 100% transparent about the transition needed for the pilot to be scaled city/regionwide.
Right now, some key points of emphasis:
- Please continue to reduce the stream of plastics “at the source” by choosing less plastics packaging and opting for reusable containers (e.g. water bottles)
- Please continue to recycle everything allowed in the City’s Blue Recycling Barrels picked up curbside rather than dropping those items in the Byfusion stream
“The City is not an authorized dealer…”. That’s part of a message received this week from Byfusion, which adds to some key questions the City is wrestling with as we work to scale the program:
- The statement above indicates constraints on the distribution of the ByFusion blocks produced; that wasn’t called out in the agreement with ByFusion so we need to assess the impacts of that news
- The current flow of plastics is outpacing current capacity to process through ByFusion (we’re getting drop-offs from across the entire valley so I’ll be reaching out to Pima County to see about regional collaboration on the program)
- There is a parallel plastics recycling program through Hefty’s “orange bags” program (more information below); styrofoam and other plastics that are not allowed in the ByFusion stream are accepted by Hefty, so we need to understand and maximize use of that option
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I’m grateful to the leadership of our Environmental Services Department for hosting a Town Hall with full updates on plastics recycling on June 11, 5:30pm here at the Ward 6 Council Office (full details below). Scaling a pilot program to serve a region of 1 million plus people will require all of us to keep working together.
Zoom link to the Town Hall:
https://bit.ly/COTTownHall
Meeting ID: 884 1642 4122
TEP Midtown Reliability Project
As anticipated TEP has been proceeding with alternatives to the proposed Midtown Line route and posed in Proposition 412. TEP has filed route options and their preferred route with the ACC line siting committee today. Further information can be found here (See Route B4):
https://www.tep.com/midtown-reliability-project/
and should be posted here soon:
https://www.azcc.gov/arizona-power-plant/line-siting-committee
Per TEP: TEP filed its application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) today with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). It will now be reviewed by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee in a public hearing scheduled to begin on Monday, July 8, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way. A special public comment session is scheduled to begin that day at 5:30 p.m.
Time will likely be tight for public and city action to file responses with the ACC Committee, so I wanted to share with you what I know sooner rather than later. I’m sure my Council colleagues and the Mayor will want guidance from the City attorney in Executive Session at one of our June meetings as well. I’ll share more as I learn more.
Tentative Budget Adoption
At the Mayor and Council meeting this week we adopted the tentative budget (a step before final budget adoption that will set projected revenue/spending limits for FY25). Before final adoption the City Manager will be working on options for M&C to consider on potential July compensation adjustments. The city has done extensive week in recent years to bring salaries and benefits to competitive and fair levels and we want to be sure a) our employees don’t lose ground b) our decisions remain sustainable given revenue/expense projections we face through FY26 and beyond.
Additional concerns will also be addressed by the City Manager and staff, including more about the swimming pools schedule released recently that curtails hours considerably. Everyone at the M&C table expressed concern about that, and the need for more information and options to serve residents through the hot summer months.
Speed Limit Adjustments
Mayor and Council approved recommended speed limit adjustments. Per the Department of Transportation: Based on several factors, including speed limit studies, surrounding land uses and roadway conditions, it was determined that several roadways require speed limit adjustments. These include:
- 22nd Street from Interstate 10 to Park Avenue; reduce posted speed limit from 35 miles per hour (mph) to 30 mph.
- 36th Street from west end of road to Mission Road; reduce posted speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph. Alvernon Way from Broadway Boulevard to Concord Stravenue, excepting those segments outside of City limits; reduce posted speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph.
- Alvernon Way from Concord Stravenue to Valencia Road; reduce posted speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph.
- Broadway Boulevard from Country Club Road to Wilmot Road; reduce posted speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph.
- Grant Road from Silverbell Road to 15th Avenue; reduce posted speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph. Ironwood Hill Drive from west City limits to Greasewood Road; reduce posted speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph.
- Ironwood Hill Drive from Greasewood Road to Silverbell Road; reduce posted speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph.
- Old Spanish Trail from Broadway Boulevard to 22nd Street; reduce posted speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph.
Regional Transportation Authority and RTA Next
I actually misspoke at the M&C table when I noted “sounds like we’re a no” at this point on RTA Next, which would extend the Regional tax and investments ten years beyond 2026. Truth is the Mayor and City have offered the needs of our community for the RTA Next plan consistently for the past many, many months. The RTA Board has consistently responded with a “no” to Tucson. As a result it’s clear that we need to plan for the City’s transportation and other infrastructure needs for the future even as the RTA continues its deliberations. I’ll have more to share on that in future newsletters.
Casa Alitas Donations
We are excited to announce that we are continuing our efforts to collect donations for Casa Alitas. Come and drop your donations at the Ward 6 office (3202 East 1st Street), our office is open from 9am to 1pm. Here are some of the most needed items:
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Women’s new underpants (any style) size S, M, and L
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New or gently used socks for men, women, and kids
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Toiletries and female hygiene
Please note that at this time we are not accepting cash donations or any type of clothing. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to this important cause.
Community Events and Resources
Tucson Home Sharing – June Event Calendar
Big Brothers, Big Sisters is looking for a mentor
Friends of PACC offering community-wide free spay/neuter clinics in June
Friends of Pima Animal Care Center and PACC will offer free spay/neuter surgeries for large dogs across Pima County June 4-8.
The event, dubbed “Big Fix,” is part of Friends of PACC’s new Spay/Neuter Support project, which is designed to help reduce future shelter overcrowding. June’s event will feature seven spay/neuter clinics in targeted areas with a demonstrated need based on PACC data. Surgeries will be performed by PACC’s vets in the mobile medical unit, Karen’s Karing Van, and by Asavet Charities.
The clinics will take place:
- Tuesday, June 4
- Primavera Foundation. (Registration full.)
- Wednesday, June 5
- El Güero Canelo, 2480 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. First-come, first-served starting at 8 a.m. 40 spots available.
- Youth on Their Own (old location), 1642 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. First-come, first-served starting at 8 a.m. 35 spots available.
- Thursday, June 6
- San Miguel High School, 6601 San Fernando Ave. First-come, first-served starting at 8 a.m. 35 spots available.
- El Güero Canelo. (Registration full.)
- Saturday, June 8
- Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic, 5408 S. 12th Ave., Tucson. First-come, first-served starting at 8 a.m. 35 spots available.
- San Miguel High School. (Registration full.)
The June clinics are only for large breed dogs (dogs who currently weigh 40+ pounds or puppies who will reach an adult weight of 40+ pounds), as they are the most likely to come into PACC and other shelters, wait the longest to find homes, and face overcrowding.
Registration for the first-come, first-served clinics begins at 8 a.m. at each location. Pet families should plan to arrive early. Complimentary services include standard spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, microchip, and a cone.
For more information about Friends of PACC and the Big Fix, visit friendsofpacc.org. For more information about PACC, visit pima.gov/animalcare.
Elder Fraud Prevention Seminar at First Southern Baptist Church
Ready, Set, Rec Ward 6 Van
Wishing you a safe, enjoyable and meaningful Memorial Day Weekend,
Karin Uhlich
Council Member, Ward 6
ward6@tucsonaz.gov
City of Tucson Resources
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