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Date: 04/14/2025

Hello Tucson,

Councilmember Richard Fimbres of Ward 5 will be stepping down on May 1 to fully devote himself to his own health and his family. His decades of public service—from the military to the State of Arizona, Pima Community College Board to Tucson City Council—leave a legacy that we’ll all benefit from for many decades more. Thank you, Richard, for your steadiness and kindness and your dedication to our community.

The Mayor and Council will discuss the process to appoint someone for Ward 5 at our meeting April 22. Given the importance of having Ward 5 represented during our critical budget decisions (and so much more) I suspect we’ll want to move quickly to fill the seat May-November until the newly elected Councilmember has been chosen by voters.

Our discussion on the budget will continue as well on April 22. The City Manager will offer his recommended budget at that meeting. We’ll also discuss whether to adopt a “placeholder” for a sales tax or bond question to pose to voters this November (the legal timelines require that we act in April if we want to work though June to finalize any voter Propositions for November 2025; it does not mean that anything will appear on the November ballot but does allow for the option as we work on 2026 budget challenges and beyond). The half-cent RTA sales tax will end July 2026 (an RTA Next tax may be proposed for voter approval). City property taxes are now $1.03 per $100 of assessed valuation, well below the cap in our City Charter of $1.75/$100. Still a tough decision to consider given the economic turbulence and uncertainties facing all of us these days.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors also faces budget shortfalls and difficult choices. Our work to coordinate with them on “covering all the bases” as best we can together (along with other public and private sector partners) will be more important than ever.

Work on a pilot Safe Outdoor Space project continues. As noted previously, residents made it clear that 6-12 park ramadas dispersed across the city should not be considered as sites. Feedback steered next steps toward looking at other city or partner-owned vacant parcels or buildings more buffered from neighborhoods and businesses.

At the urging of Mayor Romero, the Opioid Settlement Committee (joint City-County oversight of funds/interventions) will be prioritizing focus on developing accessible treatment options for persons addicted. I’ll share more updates soon, but key to that move is the involvement of the County Attorney, Sheriff (who oversees programs in the jail, including detox and medication-assisted treatment through the contracted medical provider), and TPD Chief Kasmar. Arizona Senate Bill 1257 passed in the Senate and is under consideration in the House (it has not appeared yet on a House Rules Committee agenda for required action). The bill would create a court-ordered treatment option for individuals whose use/addiction poses a documented danger to self or others (similar to court-ordered treatment for some individuals with serious mental illness). The Pima County Board of Supervisors and Tucson Mayor and Council have communicated support of the legislation.

Take good care of yourself and your loved ones Tucson, and thank you for all you do! for our community too.

Karin Uhlich

City of Tucson Pools and Splash Pads Now Open 

Camino Miramonte - Palo Verde Bike Boulevard 

Your feedback is requested for the new Camino Miramonte- Palo Verde Bicycle Boulevard. See below for details. 

National Telecommunicators Week

It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), and the Ward 6 office wants to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all public safety telecommunicators for their unwavering dedication and service. This week is dedicated to honoring the essential role telecommunicators play in public safety—especially as the “first, first responders” during emergencies. We are incredibly grateful for everything you do, every hour of every day, all year long.

THANK YOU! 

If you’d like to show your appreciation—whether by dropping off snacks, cards, or simply saying thank you—you’re welcome to visit the Telecommunications building at 4004 S Park Avenue, Building 2. 

Sahuara/ Copper-Flower Bicycle Boulevards - Public Design POP-UPS 

Restricted Access to "A" Mountain - April 18th 

A” Mountain will host the Good Friday Cross Procession (Procesión de la Cruz del Viernes Santo) and Easter Sunday Sunrise Services (Servicio al Amanecer), which will restrict vehicular access to Sentinel Peak Park. In order to accommodate these events, Sentinel Peak Road will be closed to vehicles beginning Friday, April 18, at 3 p.m. Normal operations will resume on Saturday, April 19. The Sunday procession is expected to begin at 5 a.m. and be completed by 10 a.m.

Motorists driving in the area may experience traffic delays associated with these events. The traveling public should use caution when driving, bicycling, or walking in these areas. Please watch for event participants and obey all neighborhood posted speed limits.

Donations

We are happy to announce that we have began to accept donations again for immigrants and those in needs through the non-profit organization, Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Aid. They also support local organizations that serve unhoused people, veterans, immigrants who have settled in Tucson and are going through the asylum process.

Here are the items that they currently need: 

1. Toiletries - feminine hygiene items, shampoo, toilet paper, tissues

2. Gently used kitchen items - cutlery, plates, pots and pans, paper napkins

Donations can be dropped off at the Ward 6 Council Office, located at 3202 E. 1st Street, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 1pm.

To find more information about Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Aid, please visit their website: https://www.khaid.org/

Community Events and Resources 

McCormick Park welcomed 44 new trees this weekend during a successful Tree Planting Event!

Thanks to the incredible effort of more than 30 enthusiastic volunteers—including participants from the TCB Workforce Development program and our dedicated YTL (Youth Tree Leaders)—the park is now greener and more vibrant than ever.

Among the volunteers were Macy, a new Sun Tran employee, and her friend Faith, who was inspired to join even though she lives outside the city limits. Macy learned about the event through our Ward 6 newsletter and was excited to get involved. Both brought great energy and were proud to contribute—you can spot them in the photos below!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Tucson Clean and Beautiful, the Parks and Recreation staff, and every volunteer who came out and made a lasting impact at McCormick Park.

Interested in learning more about the Climate Equity Workforce Leadership programs? Visit:
https://tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org/programs/youth-workforce-development/

The Children’s Museum Earth Day Festival

The Earth Day Festival at Children's Museum Tucson is from 9 am-1 pm on Saturday, April 19. The event spans 6th Avenue, which will be closed to traffic, with exhibitors on both the Museum grounds and in Armory Park. Admission to the Museum is pay-what-you-wish all day! With more than 40 organizations in attendance, there’s something for everyone who’s interested in making the world a better place to live. Learn about recycling and composting, the joy of gardening and the fun of getting out and enjoying nature. Ride your bike to the event, where Living Streets Alliance will offer free minor repairs, bike decorating and free bike helmets. Hungry? Pick up a snack from one of the food trucks scheduled to be on 6th Avenue. For more information: https://childrensmuseumtucson.org/earth-day/

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Data Resources Roundtable

The Regional Flood Control District’s Low Impact Development (LID) Working Group is hosting a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Data Resources Roundtable Thursday April 17th, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Join for a collaborative discussion and resource sharing. Register [events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com

Step Up to Justice Free Education Workshops

The RENT Project (Renter Education for Neighborhoods and Tenants) provides tenants with a general understanding of their rights and obligations under Arizona landlord and tenant law. The presentation covers topics including landlords’ obligations regarding making repairs, what tenants can do to minimize the possibility of eviction, and what a tenant should do if an eviction is filed against them. We have written materials and videos already available on our website in both English [stepuptojustice.org] and Spanish [stepuptojustice.org]. 

The MAPP Project (Mobile Home Asset and Property Protection) is similar to RENT. The curriculum explains mobile home owners’ legal rights and responsibilities when they own their mobile home, but rent the land beneath the home. The intent of the project is to help mobile home owners avoid disputes with their landlords and preserve their primary asset.  Additionally, written materials and videos are also available on our website (English [stepuptojustice.org] and Spanish [stepuptojustice.org]). 

If you are interested in any of these workshops, please visit them directly at https://www.stepuptojustice.org/

Pet of the Week 

BILLY

ID# A767158

Age: 5 years old

Qualities: When Billy was first taken to PACC in 2022, the shelter’s vet discovered that he had broken his spine. He spent a good amount of time recuperating in a foster home, and has been in and out of other foster homes ever since. Now, you wouldn’t even know he’d been seriously injured.  According to a previous foster family, he’s quiet, calm well-behaved and super cuddly. He’s also done well around a cat. This guy is a major staff and volunteer favorite at PACC, well-loved for his sweet demeanor.

Fee: Billy is free to adopt. He is neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccines.

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.

Ready, Set, Rec Ward 6 Van

Upcoming Meetings

City of Tucson Resources

• Report non-emergency problems at 311. You can call or use the link below to submit a request. https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Residents/311-Service-Request-Portal
• View completed, in progress/scheduled, planned Prop 411 projects.... : https://tucsondelivers.tucsonaz.gov