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The 46 traffic calming, stormwater harvesting bump-outs, also known as chicanes, on the north side of Glenn Street between Country Club Rd and Columbus Blvd will continue to receive improvements over the coming year.
In addition to traffic control, these chicanes are green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) features designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater runoff close to where it falls to support native vegetation that cools and beautifies communities.
The chicanes on Glenn, maintained by Storm to Shade.
After years without dedicated maintenance, invasive grasses, unwanted volunteer trees, and sediment accumulation rendered many of the Glenn St chicanes non-functional eye sores at best. When the Storm to Shade (S2S) program launched in 2021, these 46 features were adopted into the S2S Maintenance Program and are now part of an inventory of approximately 500 GSI assets that receive quarterly maintenance visits from contractors that specialize in the care of GSI, whose highest priority is the health of the landscape, after health and human safety. Maintenance activities thus far have focused on trash collection, invasive species control, volunteer tree removal, and adding S2S’s custom native seed mix (grasses, shrubs, and flowers) to add beauty and biodiversity while deterring invasive species. Due to the presence of underground utilities, trees are not allowed to grow in the Glenn St. Chicanes, but native shrubs, grasses, and flowers with shallow root systems are invited to thrive.
 A view of a chicane on Glenn street looking east.
The next phase of improvements will include restoring stormwater harvesting capacity by adding sediment traps, deepening basins, and adding more native seed mix. Seeding is cost-effective alternative to planting nursery-grown plants, and plants grown from seed need less care to establish and tend to be more successful over the long-term.
 One of many beautifully designed chicanes with a blooming Fairy Duster lining the North side of Glenn street.
Want to help? Native Sonoran Desert plant sprouts are difficult to identify and easily confused with undesirable plants and weeds. Please do not tamper with the vegetation in the basins; leave it to the experts working on behalf of Storm to Shade! Also, dumping in/on the basins, which are City property, is against the law per T.C,C. Ch. 11, Sec 11-19. Finally, please let any landscape contractors working in the area know that the Glenn St. chicanes are not part of their work area. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Storm to Shade team by emailing S2S@tucsonaz.gov or calling 520-791-4331.
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Do you ever wonder if you can throw certain things away? Or where? Or when? Well, wonder no more, dear reader, for I have some good news. The City of Tucson Environmental Services now has a new website and handy dandy app that you can use to answer these questions. You can now learn about all the different programs the City of Tucson has to offer, things like recycling, zero waste, household hazardous waste, and much more. There is even a section for tips and tricks.
 The coolest addition is by far the "Recycle Coach" app. Just a download away on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, it helps to keep you informed about environmental and recycling services on your phone. Easily check pick-up schedules and holidays where the services may be unavailable. The app is not all business, however; there is also a trivia section just to keep things light and fun. One of the coolest features is the photo recognition option. You basically point the camera at an object and take a picture, then the app tells you if you can throw it away or recycle it.
The site also includes a section on the Foodcycle program and composting for the uninitiated, and you can compost almost anything organic and edible. The City provides containers for collecting food scraps after a resident completes a brief training session. These scraps can then be delivered to the nearest Foodcycle drop-off site for composting.
There is plenty more to explore on the site and the app. The Environmental Services Department has done a stellar job putting this together in a user-friendly interface. Go to the following link https://www.knowwheretothrow.com/ to check out the new site or download the app on your phone and enjoy!
 Study Session included a discussion on Mayor and Council Direction Relating to Executive Session – Authorizing the City Attorney to Initiate Litigation to Preserve and Promote the City’s Interests in Securing Federal Funding relating to Various City Matters.
A Special Session was held to hear presentations for candidates interested in being appointed to the Ward 5 Council Seat. Rocque Perez was selected and appointed the new Council Member representing the Ward.
Regular session included a discussion reviewing the 2025 Fiscal Year budget and compensation plan for City of Tucson Employees. Other discussions included the use of multifamily housing revenue bonds as well as designating May 5- May 9 Heat Season Awareness Week.
For the complete Study Session and Regular Agenda please click on the buttons below.
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