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This week Mayor and Council directed City staff to negotiate with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to renew their Franchise Agreement.
Under state law and the City charter, franchise agreements allow utilities to avoid permitting and other processes every time they install infrastructure on City land, easements, and rights-of-way, saving everyone time and money. Our current 25-year-old franchise https://tinyurl.com/2f7bxj4p requires TEP to pay the City a franchise fee that may be used for low-income energy assistance, expenses to place lines underground, or renewable energy incentives.
 Photo courtesy of TEP.
Voters defeated an attempt to renew the current TEP franchise in May 2023, in my opinion, largely due to an added $1/month fee that would have paid for proposed undergrounding along Kino/Campbell Ave, plus some climate action funding.
This time, I suspect voters won’t see any additional fees in the franchise proposal. However, the city wants to negotiate separate agreements with TEP as part of the process. Here is the heart of what we told city staff to do:
- Bring forward to the Mayor and Council a Power Purchase Agreement with TEP under which TEP, at a minimum, will commit to providing 100% of the electric power supplied by TEP to the City from renewable sources (and to be clear, this means electricity used by the City as a customer, NOT all electricity provided to City residents);
- Bring forward to Mayor and Council an agreement with TEP under which TEP will commit to providing essential infrastructure and equipment for an energy resiliency project at Donna Liggins Center;
- Engage with TEP to discuss an agreement to advance the goals and policies of the City’s Resilient Together/Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; and
- Move forward with public engagement relating to TEP’s request for a new franchise agreement, with a tentative election in November 2025.
The franchise agreement does not enable the city to regulate or force TEP to do these actions; both parties must agree. TEP is private utility regulated by the state, specifically the Arizona Corporation Commission, which enforces state oversight of all private utilities.
Be on the look-out for the robust public engagement to follow. The first public opportunity to learn more about the Tucson-TEP Franchise agreement is not a city function but should be an informative panel that includes local climate activists and a representative of TEP on Tuesday evening next week. See details at https://sustainabletucson.org/.
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At the end of January, I helped gather information for the 2025 Pima County Street Count, also known as the Point in Time (PIT) Count. Locally, this count is conducted annually by the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (https://tpch.net/), and the results provide a snapshot of the homeless population on a single day.
Communities across the country complete similar counts on the same day to help inform a national understanding of homelessness, and this was my 3rd year participating in our local count. I was assigned to interview folks in Sector 17 in Ward 1, which stretched from Grant Rd. south to St. Mary's and from the I-10 to the west.
Our team lead Zach Simmons has been working with people experiencing homelessness for the last 5 years. In advance of the count, he shared these tips with our team, which I think are good to keep in mind whenever interacting with houseless folks:
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Be respectful and aware of your surroundings,
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Do not take photos of people or places, and
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Lead with kindness
 Partial group photo of the Sector 17 PIT Count team. From left to right: Ward 3's Shannon Jenkins, UA student April Putney, Team Lead Zach Simmons, Carissa McGrath of Youth on Their Own, Jessica Cornidez of Youth on their Own, and Gretchen Lokey.
Our team spoke with all kinds of folks. Most of the people we talked to had spent the night in the dry Santa Cruz River bed or in the open desert nearby. At one point between surveys, I watched a coyote pacing back and forth through creosote scrub to the west of the Santa Cruz River; it was a reminder that our unsheltered neighbors face all kinds of risks on our streets. Similarly, one older man stayed seated while I interviewed him, complaining of hip pain; he told me that after he became homeless, a driver struck him while he was walking across a street, and then fled the scene. A younger man I spoke with shared that he'd recently finished serving a prison sentence.
My experience is just a tiny piece of the larger data set, and I look forward to learning the results of the Pima County Point in Time Count later this year - they're usually published around June.
 "Shogun" Mural next to American Mobility at 2280 N. Oracle Road.
Graffiti is a controversial subject. If it's done without consent it is illegal and most certainly qualifies as vandalism. If done with permission it can dress up a property and add some character to otherwise bland-looking surfaces. In Ward 3 we have some really nice pieces of graffiti that some business owners have commissioned to help decorate their properties. One such business is American Mobility located at 2280 N. Oracle Rd.
 The exterior of American Mobility.
In operation since 2002, owner Matt Fremont shared with me the story behind the graffiti mural that adorns the west-facing wall of his property. The piece features an image of Stevie Ray Vaughn in the center.
 Matt Fremont Owner of American Mobility
Matt tells me that before the mural he would have to call the City to come clean up illegal graffiti and tagging several times a year. This usually costs the taxpayers several thousands of dollars a year. As luck would have it, an artist by the name of Lawrence Rose stopped by one day in early 2024 and asked if he could put up a mural on his wall. Matt obliged and only made one request: include Stevie Ray Vaughn. He immediately got to work and in two days finished the "Shogun" mural.
 Lawrence painting Stevie Ray Vaughn
Since its completion, Matt tells me there has been no tagging on that wall and he has not called the City for any clean-up. The art piece also serves to dress up the wall that sits in a vacant lot next to American Mobility and add some pizzazz to the neighborhood.
 The finished graffiti portrait of Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Lawrence's work can be seen around town and near this location along Grant Rd. just east of 11th Ave. behind Tamayo's Appliance and behind Tacos de Cabeza y Birria Montaños Mexican Food. For more samples of his work check out his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stenzuno/?hl=en or on his website at https://stenz.co.uk/gallery1/
 Study Session included a discussion on Tucson Electric Power Special Exception request for relief from undergrounding requirements and the TEP Franchise agreement, and employee healthcare benefits for the next fiscal year.
For the complete Study Session and Regular Agenda please click on the buttons below.
To watch the full coverage of the Mayor and Council meeting on March 4, 2025, please click on the button below.
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 DEAN /ID#A855830
Age: 2 years
Qualities:
Unlike his namesake, this handsome boy isn’t a rebel without a cause. In fact, Dean goes out of his way to be as gentle and loving as possible to PACC staff and volunteers. Dean enjoys going for walks and swimming. He’s also friendly with people, especially when they’re giving him belly rubs, and gentle when taking treats. During a previous stint in a foster home, Dean was good with kids and other dogs.
Fee:
Dean is free to adopt. He is neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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Barrio Blue Moon Neighborhood Association
Sunday 3/9, 1-2 pm
Francisco Elias Esquer Park
1415 N 14th Ave.
Feldman Neighborhood Association
Thursday 3/13, 7-8 pm
Francisco Elias Esquer Park
1120 N 5th Ave.
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am -1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
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Donations Needed For the Wildcat Inn
Pascua Yaqui Tribe Schedule of Easter events
Rillito Bend Arts & Music Festival March 8 from 11 AM-2 PM
Tucson Parks & Rec To Host a Community Dialogue On Food Distribution At City Parks
The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation department invites the public to participate in a community conversation conducted by the Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation exploring ways the City can support local food distribution efforts at City parks to improve food access for community members experiencing food insecurity, while also addressing neighborhood and food safety concerns. The dialogue is part of an ongoing effort to engage the community in an authentic and inclusive conversation about food distribution challenges and opportunities.
- Date: Saturday, March 8, Time 9-11.30 a.m.
- Location: Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705
United Way VITA Tax Preparation in Our Ward 3 Community Room on Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM, February 8 - April 12
 Questions? Contact Us!
Email: vita@unitedwaytucson.org
Phone: 520-333-5810
Website: https://unitedwaytucson.org/vita/
Tucson City Court Warrant Quash Event March 14
Community members who have a warrant, or think they have a warrant, in Tucson City Court, are invited to appear in Tucson City Court on March 14, 2025, to get their warrant quashed. Tucson City Court is located at 103 E. Alameda Street.
Options for Appearing in Court
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Schedule an appointment (preferred)*. If you do this, your court cases will be referred in advance to the City Prosecutor for review. If eligible, you may be able to have your case(s) resolved the same day. Appointments may be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
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Appear by video (Zoom). If you cannot appear in person, you have the option of appearing by video. An appointment* is required to appear by video. When you make your appointment, you must request to appear by video, and you will be given instructions and a link.
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Walk in without an appointment. Report to the check-in table in the Court lobby between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you check in after 2 p.m., your court date will be scheduled for another date.
*Appointments must be made no later than March 11, 2025, 5 p.m.
To make the appointment you can:
- Register online by clicking the link here
- Email tccweb@courts.az.gov,
- Call (520) 791-3260
Full name, date of birth, address, phone number and email are required.
If you are interested in connecting with any social services (housing, mental health, substance abuse, etc.), in-person providers will be present during the event from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in Community Court (located in the City Court Building, 6th floor, Courtroom 605).
If you are unable to attend this event, you may report to Tucson City Court during regular hours any day and schedule a court date before a judge.
Robo Rumble Family Edition March 15 9 AM - 2 PM 3029 N Stone Ave.
Community Land Trust Homebuyer Readiness Series Starting March 12
Food 4 Life Free Food Distribution Saturday March 15 At 8 AM
Tucson Japanese Festival Saturday March 15 From 10 AM - 4 PM At The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center
Southern Arizona Home Share
Pima County Food Alliance Spring Meeting March 22 From 3-6 PM
The BICAS Art Mart Will Be Held March 23rd At BICAS, 9 AM To 3 PM
 From illustration to metalwork, ceramics, and everything in between, BICAS is hosting an artisan market. There will be food trucks, a raffle, prizes, more to be announced, but most importantly — local artists selling amazing art for the community to browse and purchase. It's a fun-filled opportunity not only to support the businesses of local artists and the BICAS nonprofit organization, but to end your day with new unique art. The BICAS Art Mart was created in early 2021 in response to Tucson art events being canceled in 2020. In continuing this inspired event, which is now the BICAS biannual tradition, we are excited to host local artists once more in the socially diverse and inclusive artistic space that is BICAS.
Artist vendor applications remain open until March 16th. Artists may apply through our website.
BICAS, 2001 N 7th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 (Shop Phone: 520-628-7950)
More about the BICAS Art Mart: https://bicas.org/art/artmart/ [bicas.org]
Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/16FC1dmapV/ [facebook.com]
BICAS on IG @bicastucson @bicasart @bicas_wtf @bicasyouth @teambicas BICAS on FB @bicastucson @bicasart @bicaswtf BICAS Art: [bicas.org]https://bicas.org/art [bicas.org]
Art Coordinator Email: art@bicas.org
Music Festival At Blue Moon Community Garden On March 23 From 4 - 5:30 PM
Solar Empowerment Program Lunch & Learn March 26 From 11:30 AM - 1 PM
TFS has partnered with SERI and The City of Tucson to provide grants to low-income households [tfssolar.com] for rooftop solar systems; helping to save money and create environmental resilience for low-income communities in Tucson.
Do you work with communities or know households that would benefit from reduced energy bills? Join us to learn about solar energy opportunities for low-income households in Tucson.
Learn More
Visit our Solar Empowerment Program page [tfssolar.com] to learn more about the program and its requirements, with additional options to get in touch with TFS at your convenience.
Upcoming Webinars
Can't make it to lunch but still want to learn more? Click here [us02web.zoom.us] to register for one of our free upcoming webinars on the program.
Tucson Clean & Beautiful Tree Planting March 29 In Flowing Wells Neighborhood
 Tucson Clean & Beautiful Job Opportunity
Free Hot Soup Until March 14
Need a break and a boost? You might find it just outside your door. Research shows that exposure to natural environments:
Want to learn about local nature areas? Check out this web page: https://sustainabletucson.org/nature/ [sustainabletucson.org]
Team Up To Clean Up Your Neighborhood
What is Team Up To Clean Up?
The City of Tucson, along with community partners, is organizing a citywide clean-up effort. Residents, families, students, community groups, and businesses are invited to join forces to clean and enhance our neighborhood.
For more details on events dates and times, visit: Team Up To Clean Up.
No Tools Needed!
The city provides all necessary materials and will handle trash disposal.
Want to Clean at Your Own Pace?
You can get recycled 55-gallon bags from your local ward office, courtesy of our local breweries.
For questions, email Steven at steven.laturco@tucsonaz.gov
Ready, Set, REC! in March
Help Reduce Waste & Support Refugees! Donate Mason Jars At The Ward 3 Office
$5000 Scholarship Opportunity
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30 - 6 pm, Thursdays 6 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8 - 9:30am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
Solar Empowerment Program
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