A Note from Ward 6 Council Office...

Hello Tucson, 

Budget 

Since Proposition 414 did not pass, Mayor and Council continues its focus on our city budget. As always, we will fund core services and approve a balanced budget, which will require some tough decisions.  

Here is the link to the city’s 2024 audit (aka Annual Comprehensive Financial Report-CAFR) which was reviewed by independent auditing firm (Forvis Mavars): 

COT 2024 ACFR Document 

The City Manager is planning a series of Town Halls beginning in April to answer questions and hear community input. We’ll share all the details in our next newsletter. 

Phoenix’s Charter is different from Tucson’s, and the Mayor and Council there just adopted a .5% sales tax increase. I’m sharing this for your information: 

Sales tax hike approved in Phoenix to help fund public safety and other services 

Doesn’t change the truth of the matter here. We will balance our annual budget working with the revenues we have and work with our employees and management team to craft the very best plans possible for service delivery for Tucson. 

Housing and Help for Unsheltered Residents 

As the city and our nonprofit partners continue to develop more housing and shelter to the extent that we can with available resources, we know the need will outpace the supply/services in the immediate future. An element of community dialogue regards concern over whether community aid groups should be able to offer aid in city parks as well as whether the city can and should establish a sanctioned camp somewhere like the one in Phoenix: 

azcentral: Phoenix's campground now open for people who are experiencing homelessness - Circle the City  

The sanctioned camp model has been posed for some years now (including by former Councilmember Kozachik). If and as development of such a site proceeds (including securing resources, contracting with a managing nonprofit partner and selecting a location), it’s fair to say it could take a year or two to open.  

In the meantime there’s no doubt we want to continue to help address the needs of unsheltered people and reduce associated stresses and impacts on neighborhoods and businesses across the city. 

Before I share with you one idea for a pilot program called Help Huts, let me make a few things clear: 

• I have not scheduled this for Mayor and Council consideration yet, and I will not unless it merits consideration 

• I want to hear from you 1) whether it’s worth considering and 2) your ideas on this concept or other ideas you believe could be viable 

• Please email Ward6@tucsonaz.gov with Help Huts in the subject line; my team and I will compile initial reactions and input and we’ll see if I ought to be request consideration by Mayor and Council at an upcoming Mayor and Council meeting. 

• This is my attempt to outline an idea for consideration and my thinking alone (i.e. please direct your initial thoughts to me at Ward6@tucsonaz.gov subject: Help Huts). Mayor and Council colleagues and staff won’t know more than you do at this point and have not expressed any reactions about it...that’ll happen only if my team and I get responses to indicate it’d be worth proposing to Mayor and Council and our community for consideration formally through our public meetings/process. 

Tucson HELP HUTS Program DRAFT 

(Pilot Period July 1-December 31 2025) 

Background 

A growing number of Tucsonans have expressed interest in reviewing a) the rules established for providing aid to unsheltered people in our parks, and b) the potentials for creating a low or no barrier, sanctioned/managed site for unsheltered people to camp. 

Goals 

• Expand no/low-barrier aid to unsheltered people 

• Formalize partnerships between the city and nonprofit/faith aid organizations in order to achieve greater impacts addressing homelessness 

• Increase formalized presence and stewardship within designated host city parks 

• Build communication and constructive relationships that bridge aid organizations and unsheltered residents with the city and neighbors (including neighborhood associations, businesses) 

Pilot Program 

HELP HUTS would be a pilot program aimed at increasing daytime and overnight aid to unsheltered people utilizing existing, designated park spaces. Currently the city has approximately 160 park ramadas within 64 of its (134 total) city parks.  

The HELP HUT pilot would designate a total of 12 ramadas citywide, with 6 of those also being available for overnight aid uses (see draft guidelines below). 

In each of the twelve parks citywide which have more than three rental ramadas*, one shall be designated as available under the HELP HUT PROGRAM for the purpose of providing daytime space for organizations offering aid to unsheltered Tucson residents.  

In the six parks with more than six ramadas**, HELP HUT ramadas can be used by the renting organization during daytime and/or dusk to dawn hours subject to the additional requirements outlined below.  

Partner Requirements 

To reserve a HELP HUT Ramada, the aid organization will: 

• Fund and manage the provision of aid to unsheltered Tucson residents 

• Maintain the safety and cleanliness of the ramada and environs  

• Stipulate schedule with planned hours of aid  

• Provide an organization point of contact, as well as an on-site supervisory/security point contact during all hours of aid provision 

• Join Tucson Clean and Beautiful Adopt a Park Program to assist with regular cleanups of the host park (current requirement is monthly cleanups) 

• Obtain liability insurance coverage indemnifying the City of Tucson as is currently required of events/uses open to the public 

• Participate in neighborhood association meetings of those neighborhood associations immediately bordering the host park, or otherwise establish regular meetings with neighborhood associations/neighbors 

• Meet other requirements existing under the Tucson Parks and Recreation Parks and Rental Program and comply with all applicable codes/ordinances/statutes.  

Additional overnight parameters: 

• Persons may be referred by Tucson Police and/or established/designated outreach teams for overnight space as available 

• Within a marked 20-yard perimeter around the HELP HUT ramada, partner organization can erect no more than ten tents to accommodate overnight stays 

The City of Tucson will: 

• Designate HELP HUT ramadas in the parks designated (12 daytime use only, 6 of which could also be approved for dusk to dawn/overnight aid uses 

• Waive rental charges for ramadas under this pilot program 

• Provide aid organizations with contact information for TPD and Homeless Outreach Protocol communications and collaboration 

• Provide and service appropriately sized trash and recycling receptacles 

• For overnight HELP HUTS, provide and service portable toilets 

• Designate a City Point of Contact for the HELP HUT program for aid organization and neighborhood communications 

• Collaborate with Help Hut aid organizations to raise awareness and donations/support 

HELP HUT rental agreements can be issued for up to 90 days. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the city to organizations with demonstrated fulfillment of all partnership requirements outlined above. Rental agreements may be immediately terminated by the city or aid organization for any reason, including failure to maintain safe and clean ramadas and environs. 

*Parks for HELP HUT Ramada Designations: Danny Lopez, Fort Lowell, Garcia, James Thomas, Kennedy, Chuck Ford Lakeside, Lincoln, McCormick, Mission, Purple Heart, Reid, Udall. Parks in bold have more than 6 ramadas and can include dawn to dusk/overnight aid uses. 

Tucson's Mayor and Council held a public hearing on March 18 to review the Community Corridors Tool (CCT) code amendment and subsequently approved its adoption into the Unified Development Code (UDC), set to take effect on April 17. As part of this decision, they mandated notifications for surrounding property owners, neighborhood associations, and ward offices when the tool is utilized. Additionally, Planning and Development Services (PDSD) staff will conduct a two-year review to evaluate its implementation and impact. 

This amendment follows a two-year public process led by Mayor and Council, involving extensive stakeholder engagement, community input, and technical analysis. The adopted changes aim to revitalize underutilized sites along Tucson’s commercial corridors, expanding housing options and enhancing affordability. By repurposing vacant lots, empty strip malls, and large parking areas along major streets, the CCT seeks to create dynamic, mixed-use spaces that strengthen the community’s economic and social well-being. 

Sun Tran is hosting a series of Title VI Open House Meetings to engage with the community about our commitment to equitable public transportation. During these meetings, Sun Tran will also discuss the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) implementations that will take place in August 2025. Passengers and community members are encouraged to attend these one-hour meetings and ask questions and/or provide feedback on the future of Sun Tran’s transit system. 

The 2024 Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) was conducted to improve transit options in the Greater Tucson area, creating a more equitable, effective and efficient transit network. Now in the implementation phase, Sun Tran will be introducing major service changes in August 2025 to the following routes: 

Have you wanted to adopt sustainable practices but feel like you can’t because you rent? Join us for a renter-specific workshop that will introduce you to simple, practical ways to live more sustainably in your home. Learn how to grow native plants in small spaces, reduce your water usage with simple tricks, reduce plastic in your day-to-day life, and so much more.  We'll have demonstrations and discussion, so come prepared to "do" and mingle with like-minded folks! 

Wednesday, March 26, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

ID# A828871

Age: 2 years

Qualities: Shelter life might be hard for some dogs, but it’s not enough to get this sweet boy down. Prince is PACC's current longest-stay dog and has been at the shelter for about 10 months, and in that time, he’s quickly become a favorite among staff and volunteers. He’s affectionate, housebroken, crate-trained and a big fan of car rides. He gets along great with young children and the other dogs at PACC. If you’re looking for years of love and laughter, Prince is your guy!

Fee: Prince is free to adopt. He is neutered, 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.

Mayor and Council Meeting 

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

View agenda online: https://tucsonaz.hylandcloud.com/221agendaonline 

Watch live:https://www.youtube.com/@cityoftucson/live 

 

5th/Alvernon Crime Coalition 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6-7pm (every 4th Wednesday of the month) 

Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E 1st Street 

 

29th Street Coalition Meeting

Thursday, March 27, 6-8pm (every 4th Thursday of the month)

Midtown Police Station Public Meeting Room, 1100 S. Alvernon