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Council Member Fimbres’ February Letter
Dear Friends,
Since I announced that I would not be seeking another term as the Council Member for Ward 5, things have been a constant whirlwind.
As I prepare for my retirement, I reflect on all that has transpired since the beginning of my term, which began in December 2009. There is so much that I am extremely proud of and so very grateful for.
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When I was sworn into office, I heard a strong message from the voters asking for city government reform, economic development, and more jobs. Our city was in the midst of a great economic recession at that time.
At my second Council meeting, held on December 15, 2009, the Mayor and Council were informed that they were facing a $44 million budget shortfall. Through our Mayor and Council's hard work and effort, we worked together to fix that budget shortfall. Since then, my colleagues and I have worked together through the most challenging times, including the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working through these challenges together, we have persevered, and it has only made us stronger.
When I look back at the very beginning, I also think of the great people I have had the privilege to work with, who have profoundly impacted my life. They are neighborhood leaders, business owners, church pastors, employees, colleagues, etc.
As we celebrate Black History Month, there are a few individuals in Ward 5 that I would like to recognize for their contributions to Black History in our city. They are Annie Sykes, Pastor Grady Scott, Pastor Amos Lewis, Willie Blake, James Christopher, Mr. Charles “Mr. K” Kendrick, Larry Starks, and Jon Covington with the Buffalo Soldiers and GSAAC. These individuals are historians, leaders, and role models. They have created paths for others to follow and have a place in the rich black history of our great city.
I have been blessed to experience so much these past 15 years as your Ward 5 Councilmember, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you in the coming letters.
Peace.
 Your Ward 5 Council Member
Ward 5 Welcomes Mueller, Inc.!
On Tuesday, February 11, the Ward 5 Council Office attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of Mueller, Inc. Mueller Inc. is the leading steel building, metal roofing, and component distributor in the Southwest. In all, it has about 900 employees, 38 retail branches, and five manufacturing sites throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Phoenix. Its newest branch in Tucson will usher in job growth and economic opportunities. I want to thank the Tucson Metro Chamber for inviting us to this great event, and I want to wish Mueller, Inc, the best of luck.
Located at E. Ajo Way & E. Benson Hwy., Ajo Bikes is a hub for cycling enthusiasts, founded by Brian Newbrey, who shifted from managing motorcycle dealerships to pursuing his passion for cycling. After discovering the shop in 2016 and purchasing it in 2018, Brian emphasized quality and service, offering a wide selection of brands like Trek and Catrikes, and specializing in recumbent bikes.
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Beyond sales, Ajo Bikes provides comprehensive services, including repairs, custom builds, and delivery, creating a one-stop shop for cyclists. Despite challenges like rising operational costs, Brian fosters a positive work culture, celebrating team milestones to build camaraderie.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: “Start now and don’t wait for the perfect moment.” Planning for the future, Ajo Bikes aims to enhance its online presence and explore manufacturing bike accessories.
Community engagement is vital, with partnerships supporting underserved youth through various initiatives. For newcomers, Brian suggests choosing a bike that fits your style for a better riding experience.
In summary, Ajo Bikes is more than a store; it’s a community-focused space dedicated to cycling, quality service, and customer engagement, welcoming all riders to join in the journey.
Ajo Bikes is located at 1301 E Ajo Way #117. For more information, you can go to www.ajobikes.com
We want to thank Brian for his time, and we wish him and Ajo Bikes continued success.
COT Employee Shout Out: Brandi Champion
We are proud to feature Brandi Champion in this month’s COT Employee Shout Out. Brandi is the Community, Safety, Health and Wellness Director and has been with the City of Tucson since 2020 after 10 years at Old Pueblo Community Services. Her job is very dynamic, encompassing many public safety components such as the city’s opioid response, homelessness, violence interruption and other matters that affect our community. She actively works with key players, like TPD and our local and national governments, to tackle these issues head-on.
Her typical day is composed of many meetings; however, she makes it a point to be available to her staff. “When you’re with your staff,” she explains, “and you’re willing to jump in with them, and relate with them, it gives you buy-in.” Having dedicated staff who support you truly goes a long way. It’s this dedicated staff that helped put together a presentation on the City’s Tiered Homeless Response System before the US Interagency of Council on Homelessness which was very much praised.
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Brandi’s role certainly comes with its challenges. She notes transitioning out of the Housing & Community Development Department into the City Manager’s Office as a major challenge as she has had to learn other components, including the political aspect of the job. However, she states that the best part of working for the City, is everyone’s willingness to collaborate. She credits her excellent rapport with all the City’s departments, including the Ward offices and the Mayor’s Office, as instrumental in helping her do the best job she can.
Brandi’s advice to anyone considering a career in public service/human services is simple: volunteer. She mentioned that she volunteered for six months at OPCS before working there. She further states that once you volunteer, you will figure out if this career is for you.
We want to thank Brandi for providing insight into her role with the City of Tucson, and we want to wish her and her team continued success.
100th Annual Rodeo Parade
The 100th Annual Rodeo Parade was held on Thursday, February 20. This was the second year that the parade followed a new route which started S. 12th Ave and W. Drexel Rd and ended at W. Irvington Rd. Just like last year, this new route was not an impediment to the continued success of this beloved and treasured Tucson tradition. I want to thank everyone who worked hard for this special event, as well as all the residents who came out to watch the participants march with pride. 100 years would not be possible without the support of our community and the hard work and dedication of the Tucson Rodeo Committee. Thank you!
VIVA Site Community Tree Planting Celebration
On Saturday, February 22, the Ward 5 Council Office attended the VIVA Site Community Tree Planting Celebration. This is a revitalization project as part of the City of Tucson’s ongoing VIVA (Violence Interruption and Vitalization Action) work in the 6200 S. Campbell Ave. area. This event brought together many members of our community, including Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure, City of Tucson’s Community Safety, Health and Wellness Department, Tucson Police Department, and Tucson Clean and Beautiful to plant 26 trees which will provide much-needed shade for the youth who play basketball and engage in other outdoor activities during the summer months. It was truly a wonderful event which ended in a friendly basketball game. I want to thank everyone who helped make this revitalization possible.
 
ALI
ID# A861902
Age: 8 years
Qualities: If you're looking for a frosty-faced, kind-hearted gal, meet Ali! This sweet senior Malinois found herself at the shelter when her family's housing situation changed. Her family had had her since she was a puppy and said she was housebroken, crate-trained, well-behaved when left alone, good with other big dogs, and affectionate. She'd love to get back to sleeping in a bed ASAP!
Fee: Ali is free to adopt. She is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped.
Contact: Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., 520-724-5900. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12pm - 7pm. Wednesday 1:30pm - 7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
 
Ward 5 Welcomes Gyro Shack!
The Ward 5 Council Office is happy to welcome Gyro Shack to the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges.
We have seen tremendous growth in this area and feel strongly that Gyro Shack will offer delicious lunch and dinner options that will be a big hit among this surrounding community. Gyro Shack has chosen a prime location that will offer fast and convenient access from I-10 and for those who travel the Gateway of Tucson.
We want to welcome Gyro Shack to Tucson. As my friend, the late Byron Howard said, the “Renaissance of the Southside Continues!
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Upcoming Ward 5
Neighborhood Association Meetings
Neighborhood: South Park
Date: Monday, March 3
Time: 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Location: Quincie Douglas Center (1575 E. 36th St.)
Neighborhood: Fairgrounds
Date: Thursday, March 6
Time: 6:00PM—7:00PM
Location: La Mariposa Park (301 E. Aviation Dr.)
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Date: Monday, March 17
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: El Pueblo Activity Center (101 W. Irvington Rd.)
Neighborhood: Pueblo Gardens
Date: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 6:00PM—7:00PM
Location: Quincie Douglas Center (1575 E. 36th St.)
Neighborhood: Miles
Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Miles Exploratory Learning Center (1400 E. Broadway Blvd.)
Neighborhood: Las Vistas
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Southside Community School (2701 S. Campbell Ave.)
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Upcoming Mayor and Council Meetings
Date: Tuesday, March 4
Study Session: 3:00 PM
Regular Meeting: 5:30 PM
Location: Mayor and Council Chambers
City Hall, 1st Floor.
255 West Alameda Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Date: Tuesday, March 18
Study Session: 2:00 PM
Regular Meeting: 5:30 PM
Location: Mayor and Council Chambers
City Hall, 1st Floor.
255 West Alameda Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701
(Doors open 30 minutes before start time)
You can also watch the Mayor & Council Meetings on the City of Tucson’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cityoftucson/live
A Message From Julia Keen Neighborhood Association
Help Shape the Future of Julia Keen Stormwater Park!
About the Project Nested within Parkview Park, the new Julia Keen Stormwater Park will capture stormwater from neighboring streets, allowing it to slow down and sink into the ground. The site will feature a series of basins to collect the stormwater, grow native plants, and provide a vibrant community space.
Share Your Ideas The outreach process kicked off in January with a Community Listening Session, where attendees shared their ideas through activities and a survey about what amenities they’d like to see and how they envision using the space. The design is still in progress, and your input is needed to help shape the final plan.
Survey Open Until March 8 – There’s still time to provide feedback, so take the survey today!
Design Workshop Join the Design Workshop on Saturday, March 22nd at Parkview Park to view design options presented by the Pima County Regional Flood Control District team. At this event, you can enjoy a free lunch while asking questions about the design options and sharing your feedback for consideration before the design is finalized. Please RSVP in advance here!
Art in the Park Don’t miss Art in the Park on Saturday, April 5th. Packed with activities for all ages to get creative, plus a free lunch, we hope you will join us and your neighbors to celebrate the future of the park.
Learn More & Stay Connected. For details on the project and a full list of events, visit the Julia Keen Stormwater Park Website. We look forward to your input and participation!
Pima County Flood Regional Flood Control is grateful to our wonderful partners, Ward 5, Storm to Shade, Julia Keen Neighborhood Association, and Flowers and Bullets, for helping make this project happen.
 
2025 City of Tucson Environmental Services Holiday Schedule
  
Eviction and Homelessness Prevention
Find the Ward 5 Van!
 Important City Contacts
STAY INFORMED!
Check out our other
information outlets
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-5
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WARD 5 OFFICE
4300 S. Park Ave.
Tucson, Arizona 85714
Phone: (520) 791-4231
Fax: (520) 791-3188
Ward5@tucsonaz.gov
WARD 5 STAFF
Lupita Robles - Chief of Staff
Mary Kuchar - Council Aide
Gabriel Holguin – Council Aide
Cindy Gonzales – Council Aide
Lita Reyes - Staff Assistant
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