A Note from Karin
Hello Tucson,
Sharing some highlights from the Mayor and Council meeting last Tuesday, June 18 as well as additional highlights and updates we hope you’ll find of interest.
Mayor and Council Meeting
Pie Allen/Rincon Heights NPZ
After years of time and effort, the Pie Allen/Rincon Heights neighborhoods have successfully created their Neighborhood Preservation Zone, which was unanimously adopted by Mayor and Council. The NPZ, as has been the case for other neighborhoods, will help to protect the character and quality of life so cherished by area residents. NPZ’s also help to sustain property values so that past and future investments contribute to, rather than detract from, the fabric of the areas covered. It’s another example of how residents in Tucson devote themselves to protecting and improving “their corner of Tucson”; those efforts across the city combine to help Tucson thrive.
Pilot Housing First Resource Center and Micro Homes Project
I moved to Tucson in 1993 for the CEO job at the Primavera Foundation—a nonprofit that to this day focuses on addressing homelessness by helping people survive and ultimately to regain security. Since rejoining the City Council in May I have been impressed with the depth and range of programs and projects being implemented by nonprofits and the city to respond to the national crisis of homelessness manifesting here.
The most recent, innovative approach being launched is the city’s conversion of an old fire station into the Amphi Housing First Resource Center with several micro homes on the site to be available for sheltering people. I’m used to bracing myself when new projects helping homeless folks come to any forum…Primavera faced lawsuits and all forms of resistance in its early days. Tuesday evening brought no such resistance. Tucsonans—lots of Tucsonans--spoke passionately in favor of the project. They not only recognize the need, but also the benefits to the area (near First and Ft Lowell) of having a 24/7 staffed refuge for people living outside. I suspect we will learn through the pilot that it will benefit everyone in the area; reminds me of how much crime went down in the area of the Primavera Men’s shelter after it opened in the late 1980’s.
Our Mayor deserves tremendous credit for pushing nonstop to respond to homelessness in Tucson. Council Member Fimbres, who has initiated projects such as the Homeless Work Project and downtown “Help Meters” for cash contributions, was the first to see the fire station as this kind of opportunity. And Vice Mayor Dahl worked with residents in the immediate area to foster understanding and, ultimately, widespread support. Senator Kyrsten Sinema and former Representative Ann Kirkpatrick earmarked funds for the project, and Housing and Community Development Department Director Ann Chaneka and the HCD team have once again taken an innovation all the way to concrete action. Lessons from this pilot will offer us many chances to bring refuge to homeless residents throughout Tucson.
Tucson’s generosity seems boundless. I’m seeing calls out for volunteers to assemble hygiene kits on neighborhood list serves. I learned more about the “better neighbors project” (an experiment with neighborhood-supported homeless camps), which mobilized countless volunteers to clean washes and gauge the needs and circumstances of people living in dozens of encampments across Tucson. It’s clear that we still have much to learn. Mayor and Council remain committed to implementing a wide range of efforts involving our the entire community.
Vacant and Neglected Structures (VANS)
Carlos De La Torre of Environmental/General Services and City Attorney Mike Rankin offered an update on the city’s process of pursuing lien, foreclosure and abatement actions on nuisance/dangerous properties. Over $2.1M in liens have been recorded to recover costs and heighten enforcement. The City continues to develop action plans to engage unresponsive owners of vacant and neglected properties so we can more effectively prevent blight in our neighborhoods
Additional Updates
TEP Midtown Transmission Line Proposal
Some residents have asked clarifying questions about TEP’s proposal for routing the Midtown transmission lines which is receiving consideration from the Arizona Corporation Commission. Here’s a recap:
TEP must secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) from the ACC before building the proposed overhead transmission line. The company’s CEC application will 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.
TEP developed 10 route alternatives that can be combined into 24 potential routes for the transmission line, including one designated by TEP as the preferred route in the CEC application. That route, identified as “B4,” connects the DeMoss-Petrie Substation near Interstate 10 and East Grant Road to the proposed Vine Substation near Banner – University Medical Center via Grant, North Park Avenue, East Adams Street and North Vine Avenue. The route connects the Vine Substation to the Kino Substation at South Kino Parkway and East 36th Street using Vine, Adams and Park before turning west on East Speedway Boulevard and then south on South Euclid Avenue. After crossing Barraza Aviation Highway, the route continues on South Toole Avenue, Euclid and 36th Street.
Further details and filed documents can be found at this site: https://www.tep.com/midtown-reliability-project/ .
City Attorney Mike Rankin and his team will represent Tucson and advise Mayor and Council throughout this process. Local rules and regulations still apply to transmission lines (and substations), and we have many well-informed and active citizens weighing in, including https://undergroundarizona.org/ .
Neighborhood Connections
I had the chance to attend the Palo Verde Neighborhood Association meeting this week. Sixteen residents in attendance to organize their family-friendly July 4 parade and festivities, to solve for serious ingress/egress concerns (especially in light of the Grant Road Corridor project), and to network across each quadrant on core quality of life concerns.
I also met the President of the new Colonia Del Valle Neighborhood Association. So important to have area neighbors come together through an association, especially since the eastern areas of Ward 6 have fewer organized efforts like this. The Ward 6 team looks forward to partnering with this area’s residents on the on-the-ground concerns they prioritize.
Plastics Recycling
The Ward 6 team continues to work with Environmental Services, ByFusion, and Hefty ReNew to sustain our community’s extensive involvement in extending the pilot program citywide (we’ll continue to pass on information here and in partnership with the Environmental Services Department’s education and outreach).
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent town hall meeting. For those who could not attend or wish to revisit the discussion, we have made the recording available. You can watch the full session by clicking the link below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK9s5YjHrMs.
The power point presentation is available here:
Tucson Town Hall_Presentation Slides.pdf
We are still in the process of compiling and addressing the questions that were asked during the event. Your patience is greatly appreciated as we work to provide thorough and accurate responses. We will share the finalized FAQ document as soon as it is ready!
Reminder: Meet & Greet with Karin Uhlich
Ward 6 staff is invited you to come to our Meet & Greet for our new Council Member Karin Uhlich. A bid farewell to our long time standing, Chief of Staff Ann Charles, who’s last day will be June 21st and welcome new staff member Stacy Balstad to our team. An evening of causal conversation. June 27th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, here at the Ward 6 office.
Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility Prepares for Summer Thuderstorm Season- Initiates Operation Splash
Protecting the traveling public on City streets during Tucson’s summer thunderstorm season is the objective of the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility’s (DTM) Operation Splash campaign. As weather patterns shift to bring moisture into Tucson, crews from DTM’s Streets Maintenance Division will deliver and stage barricades at hundreds of dip crossings throughout the city, beginning today, June 17, 2024.
During Monsoon, DTM Street Maintenance staff will be on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week through mid-September. As washes flood, crews will close roadways at dip crossings and washes using the more than 500 barricades that will be placed on the side of the roadways, near the crossings.
For the ninth consecutive year, DTM will assist residents concerned with flooding by offering free self-serve sandbags in the east parking lot of Hi Corbett Field, 700 S. Randolph Way, at Reid Park. DTM staff will monitor the weather forecast as well as the National Weather Service to open the self-serve sandbag program ahead of the first forecasted storm, to ensure the community is prepared. This location will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sand and sandbags will be provided by DTM staff, and residents should bring their own shovel. To accommodate as many residents as possible with sandbags, there is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Be sure to follow DTM on social media to be informed about the opening of the self-serve sandbag program. Since the sandbag program began in 2016, DTM has distributed approximately 177,200 sandbags to the community.
In the event that severe weather is forecasted in the region, DTM staff will initiate Operation Splash and mobilize to monitor dip crossings and washes. By monitoring radar from the National Weather Service in Tucson and the Pima County Regional Flood Control District ALERT System, staff may also begin barricading dip crossings in anticipation of incoming stormwater.
All low-lying areas in the City of Tucson are subject to flooding during the summer thunderstorm season. The goal of the program is to make sure motorists do not enter flooded roadways. Remember, a barricade in place on a roadway is a sign that unsafe conditions exist ahead. After the floodwater recedes, Streets Maintenance crews begin evaluating conditions of the roadway and remove any accumulation of hazardous debris.
Motorists, if you encounter traffic signals that are out due to a power outage, known as dark signals, treat the intersection as a four-way stop and come to a complete stop before entering the intersection.
Follow DTM on social media for up to date information on the sandbag station going into place as well as road closures that occur during monsoon.
Community Events and Resources
Casa Alitas Donations
We are still accepting donations for Casa Alitas, please see list of items needed. Anything you can help with is greatly appreciated.
- Women’s new underpants (any style) size S, M, and L
- New or gently used socks for men, women, and kids
- Toiletries and female hygiene
- New or gently used men’s t-shirt size S and M, men’s pants size 26 to 32
- New or gently used children’s tops and pants size 2 to 6
Drop off your donations at the Ward 6 office (3202 East 1st Street), between the hours of 9-1pm, Monday through Friday. Thank you for your continued support.
City Cooling Stations during Extreme Heat
City of Tucson is offering cooling centers seven days a week, from noon-4 p.m. See link below for all locations.
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Housing-and-Community-Development/HCD-News/Cooling-Center-Locations-in-Tucson
SteveK Music Events
A reminder to attend upcoming music performance by former CM Steve K at Tohono Chul on July 6th from 6-9pm. Consider inviting friends and family to enjoy Saturday night with great music and company.
Building a Resilient Neighborhood (BaRN)
Are Our Tucson Water Supplies Resilient?
You are warmly invited to attend an online conversation with Scott Schladweiler, deputy director of Tucson Water. Scott has 14 years’ experience at the utility, starting as a senior engineering associate, progressing through engineering manager and chief engineering positions before taking his current role last year.
He is deeply familiar with the structures and processes comprising our water delivery system. After a brief introduction, he will take our questions on how the utility ensures reliable service, the risks of increasing intensity and duration of heat waves, and how we can best prepare for an extended power outage.
Date: Wednesday, June 26
Time: 7-8 pm
Venue: Zoom
REGISTER HERE
Building a Resilient Neighborhood (BaRN) is a coalition of Tucson residents from diverse neighborhoods. Inspired by Physicians for Social Responsibility, we have come together to spread the word among neighbors about extreme weather and build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. In the last minutes of our meeting, volunteers in the program will report on their outreach, emergency planning by neighborhoods, and other elements of the project.
For more info, write to rbolza@me.com or stuartfieldmoody@hotmail.com
 Resilience in our neighborhoods – mini-training July 2 at 4 pm
In a city with over 500,000 residents, connecting with our neighbors is as important as ever for the quality of life. One issue which touches us all is our changing climate. How are we going to be prepared for an extreme heat crisis?
You are invited to a 1-hr informational Zoom session on building a resilient community by making connections between neighbors and preparing for climate-related emergencies. These sessions are once or twice monthly via Zoom. The next one will be:
Tuesday, July 2nd, 4-5 pm
REGISTER HERE
At the orientation, you will learn how to become a Block Connector – a volunteer who reaches out to neighbors in their own block of households – whether the block is your own street, your apartment complex, or your section of a trailer park. The job is simple and straightforward, and takes only a few hours to accomplish on your own schedule. For more info, write to rbolza@me.com or stuartfieldmoody@hotmail.com
Ready, Set, Rec Ward 6 Van
City of Tucson Resources
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