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Date: 4/17/26
Topics in This Issue:
Questions or comments? Let us know by emailing ward6@tucsonaz.gov
 Ward 6 staff photo by Julius Schlosburg
Today marks a somewhat obscure holiday: World Public Transport Day, a day when we acknowledge an essential public service that delivers an outsized return on investment: it connects people to work, school, healthcare, and daily needs, reduces congestion, and supports economic activity across the city for a fraction of the price we spend on building and maintaining car infrastructure. I’m sure you already do this regularly, but I hope you’ll make an extra effort today to thank your bus or streetcar operator! You can read more thoughts about public transit in the Mass Transit Funding section of the Mayor & Council Preview below.
The Ward 6 office continued to buzz with activity this week, buoyed by the momentum of last weekend’s excellent Cyclovia which took place this past Sunday. On Saturday, Elaina and I attended back-to-back neighborhood events: the Peter Howell Spring Plant and Party Bash, as well as the Miramonte Neighborhood Association’s Annual Meeting. Here’s a photo of the nature walk we went on with Peter Howell neighbors, at Alvernon Park:
 “I went out to contemplate the garden and accidentally accomplished nothing—turns out, that was the point.”
And Elaina had to get a snapshot of Miramonte Neighborhood Association President Marc Salerno and I at the annual meeting, since we accidentally dressed in coordinating off-white shirts and olive-green pants.
 CM Schubert and Marc, twinning.
Since I mentioned it in the last newsletter, I wanted to let you know that we had a great time last Friday at the opening of the new Nathan’s Hot Dogs on 4th Avenue. We had the honor of meeting local celebrity champion hot dog eater Michelle Lesco, whose record is 31 hot dogs in under 10 minutes.
 “I only planned to have one hot dog, but they travel in packs and I’m not one to break up a family.”
The week was packed with highlights. On Tuesday, I joined my colleagues Vice Mayor Santa Cruz and Council Member Barajas for a tour of the Amity Foundation’s Circle Tree Ranch. The campus we toured is a teaching community located on 60 acres between the Catalina and Rincon mountain ranges. The Amity Foundation’s mission resonates deeply with me: they’re dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, homelessness, and violence.
 I really liked this quote I saw written on a whiteboard in one of the community rooms. It says “If you know how to make good use of the mud, you grow beautiful lotuses. If you know how to make good use of suffering, you can produce happiness. No mud, no lotus.”
On Wednesday, we were able to tell our new City Clerk Marisa Stoller how much we appreciated receiving the April 21 Mayor and Council meeting agendas a week in advance. We sat down for lunch at the Ward 6 office to connect and discuss our shared priorities. The rest of the day was spent reading through meeting materials and starting to prep notes, and we closed out with a check-in with Chief McDonough and Assistant Chief Moore of the Tucson Fire Department.
Meeting prep continued on Thursday, and that afternoon we connected with a group of concerned neighbors for a productive conversation regarding how our city parks are managed. We talked about everything from drought-resistant vegetation to irrigation systems to systemic solutions to unsheltered homelessness. The themes that emerged in our discussion mirror conversations we’ve had with Ward 6 residents in other neighborhoods about parks and green space and will inform our perspective as we look forward to perhaps putting together another bond when Prop 407 expires after next year.
We also connected with a couple of constituents who want to add some improvements to the Randolph Skatepark. I really appreciate their dedication to activating more public spaces, and their approach is cost-effective, smart, and minimally invasive. Tucson is full of people who are passionate about skateboarding, roller skating, and rollerblading—including your Ward 6 representative!
I’m writing this on Friday afternoon after a busy day that started off at Casa Maria as usual. Kylie and I toured Tucson House this morning and were so impressed by the progress being made in this massive renovation. In case you missed it, the renovations are being funded by a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) grant that was awarded to the City of Tucson in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Looking ahead to the weekend as the day winds down, I’m definitely planning to stop by a neighborhood event or two (or three). This Sunday, we’re attending closing night of Anita at Borderlands Theatre with Vice Mayor Santa Cruz and the Ward 1 team. Whether you decide to go out or stay in, I hope you get some moments of joy and ease.
  All smiles at the end of our open house. Photo by June Hucko
Mayor and Council Meeting Preview
The next Mayor & Council Study Session and Regular Meeting is set for Tuesday, April 21st. A reminder that Study Sessions happen first and are longer meetings intended for Mayor and Council to hear reports, dig into details, and request more information. Regular Meetings include call to the audience, proclamations, consent agenda items, and public hearings. You can watch both meetings online via the livestream link or attend in-person at City Hall.
Keep in mind that you can always find the full agendas (with addendum materials) for upcoming meetings and summary reports from past meetings (which include details such as final votes and who made motions) on the Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas & Legal Action Reports page. And if you have thoughts or expertise on items, we encourage you to connect with us!
Here are few items of note on Tuesday’s agendas:
City Manager's Recommended FY27 Budget
During Study Session, the City Manager will present his FY27 Recommended Budget. Our City Charter requires that the City Manager recommend a balanced budget before the first Monday in May, and this FY27 proposal delivers on that requirement. Full materials can be found under Item 2 on the Study Session agenda, and you can also check out the memo directly here: City Manager’s FY27 Budget Memo
Back in February, the FY27 budget was looking at a nearly $30m deficit from FY26. Since then, that gap has been narrowed significantly—thanks in large part to higher-than-expected state shared revenue and a mix of internal adjustments. The Budget Memo includes a list of changes that the City Manager’s office flagged as helping to close that deficit - a few of note:
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Increase to State Shared Income Tax Revenues ($8.7 million)
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Inclusion of new operating revenues subject to Notices of Intent already issued by Mayor and Council (including expenditure reductions) ($2.33 million)
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Overtime reduction goal for Tucson Fire Department ($2 million)
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Overtime reduction goal Tucson Police Department ($1 million)
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50% efficiency reduction to TC-3 and Fire Public Education programs ($0.5 million)
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Updated proposed reductions to Parks and Recreation operations, with no reductions to pool operations ($500,000)
The City Manager is also recommending funding four efforts that had been considered for cuts, using rollover savings of an estimated $950k from Mayor & Council offices:
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Fund Domestic Violence Firearm Technical Assistance Program (DVFTAP) in partnership with Pima County
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Fund Year 2 of STAR Village operations
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Fund Non-Profit discounts at the Tucson Convention Center
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Fund FY27 Development Impact Fees for Affordable Housing projects
Three efforts not recommended for funding, all with the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), include:
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Tucson HEART Navigation - Memo notes that HCD has successfully transitioned Tucson HEART Care Coordinators into the Housing First Permanent Supportive Housing program, preserving the staff positions.
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Housing First Navigators - Memo notes that HCD has secured new funding through AHCCCS and the Vitalyst Health Foundation, allowing HCD to retain all existing positions and maintain operational capacity.
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Mobile Shower Program – Memo notes that HCD will transition the Mobile Shower Program to a nonprofit
Notably, the FY27 Recommended Budget does not assume the resumption of transit fare collection during FY27, closing Fire Stations, closing pools, or ending the PCHIP and Economic Workforce Development RFP grant programs.
Next steps include Mayor & Council responding to and recommending adjustments to this budget proposal. We encourage you to reach out to our office with your thoughts. You can also tune in to the Study Session or watch for updates in next week’s newsletter for more about CM Schubert’s priorities.
Tucson’s transit system continues to show strong results under the fare-free model, with ridership exceeding pre-pandemic levels (up 23% pre-pandemic) and increased use among low-income residents, workers without cars, and younger riders. For many households, eliminating fares has functioned as a direct cost-of-living relief while improving access to jobs, education, and essential services. There is growing evidence that transit corridors are attracting housing, jobs, and investment, highlighting transit’s role as part of Tucson’s broader economic and development strategy.
 At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge a real and widely held concern: many residents perceive the transit system as unsafe, a view that has been reinforced by media coverage and community experience. While serious incidents remain relatively rare, perception matters—both for current riders and for those deciding whether to use transit at all. Addressing this requires continued investment in safety measures, including visible staffing (ambassadors), system design, and partnerships that ensure riders feel secure and supported every time they board, including those who may be experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness. This is a reality of living in urban areas in increasingly difficult times.
We are also operating in a period of economic uncertainty, with rising costs for everyday essentials and gas prices that have, at times, reached recent record highs. In this environment, Tucson’s commitment to a fare-free transit system serves as an important safety net—ensuring that residents who suddenly find themselves unable to afford a tank of gas or stretched thin at the grocery store still have a reliable way to get to work, school, and essential services. Maintaining access to mobility during times like these is a critical component of household stability and addressing the broader issue of affordability.
A recent review of transit finances found that returning to fare collection would generate limited net revenue (about $5.7 million per year) while requiring significant upfront costs (at least $800,000 per year in operating costs, plus at least $6 million in one-time system upgrade costs) and likely reducing ridership, a lot. The majority of current riders would qualify for free or reduced fares under a reinstated system, further diminishing any financial benefit. Based on this analysis, Dept of Transportation and Mobility and City Manager staff do not recommend reinstating fares at this time, pointing instead to the efficiency and equity advantages of maintaining a fare-free system. You can review the full materials and analysis related to this topic under Item 3 on the Study Session Agenda.
Looking ahead, the focus is on building a more sustainable funding model—leveraging regional investments and strengthening local funding sources—while continuing to treat transit as essential infrastructure that supports economic opportunity, affordability, and quality of life across the community.
Other agenda items of note set for the 4/21 Study Session and Regular Meeting include an overview of the City’s Prosperity Initiative Action Plan, STAR Village update from Primavera Foundation, consideration of a GPLET for The Moxy hotel downtown, quarterly update about the City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan progress, and a Tucson Renewable Energy Enterprise (TREE) proposal from Ward 2.
Policies and Projects of Note
Community Safety - TC-3 Program
On Wednesday, Ward 6 staff attended the Quarterly meeting for the Tucson Collaborative Community Care (TC-3) Program. Started in 2018 by now Fire Chief Sharon McDonough, TC-3 is a Tucson Fire Department (TFD) program dedicated to reducing repetitive 911 calls. By identifying the root cause of recurring callers, such as housing issues, food insecurity, or medical needs, TC-3 improves quality of life, reduces city costs, and creates long-term safety.
 Becca with the TC-3 Team!
Since its establishment, TC-3 has adapted to the ever-changing needs of the Tucson community. Community Safety and Response Center (CSARC) and TFD work together to refer callers at earlier stages of need by asking pointed questions and active listening.
Major results of the TC-3 program include:
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Improve 911 Response Time: By identifying high-utilizers of the 911 system, TC-3 helps reduce response time to ensure staff are available for urgent calls.
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Low-Investment, High Reward: TC-3 Navigators help underlying needs, providing comprehensive preventative care to avoid expensive interventions such as ambulance rides and emergency room visits.
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Special Population Support: Veterans and people with disabilities who require unique case management are connected with specialized resources.
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Community Partnerships: Collaboration with Tucson Medical Center and over 100 nonprofits, ensures efficient delivery without duplication of services.
At the meeting on Wednesday, TC-3 staff shared impressive statistics from the program and uplifted the experience of someone directly impacted. Anna Marie, pictured below with her TC-3 Navigator, shared her story of connecting with the TC-3 program following a scooter accident. Injuries and broken prescription lenses left her struggling to maintain her two jobs and pay her rent. TC-3 helped connect her with local partners to replace her prescription glasses and provide two months of rental assistance. This support allowed her to focus on studying for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). She ultimately achieved a score of 68 and will be joining boot camp this May.
 Natalie (TC-3 Navigator) and Anna Marie (shared with permission) at Quarterly Meeting
Programs like TC-3 are vital because they implement proactive prevention strategies in Tucson’s public safety department. As TFD responds to over 100,000 calls per year, TC-3 structure allows city staff to recognize patterns, utilize existing resources, and resolve problems before a crisis occurs. Programs like this are a cost-effective, holistic, and efficient way that fosters true community safety.
World Public Transport Day
Today, April 17th, marks the inaugural celebration of World Public Transport Day! The International Association of Public Transport, a worldwide membership organization dedicated to championing sustainable urban mobility, first announced the celebration during the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport back in December 2025. The vision for the day is to highlight the essential role public transport plays in our lives and the success of our cities.
Here in Tucson, CM Schubert took the opportunity to chat with a Tucson House resident and frequent SunTran rider about their experiences – see the video on our @tucsonschubert Instagram channel. CM Schubert and Kylie also used the #4 bus to head back to our office from Tucson House – a quick, easy ride down Speedway!
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And in our office, we continue our commitment to transit – and specifically, to improving daily transit experiences for riders, transit operators, and neighbors. In the past week, our staff has been checking back in on the Transit Safety and Security Action Plan approved in December 2025. The plan was developed with input from Sun Tran operators, the Tucson Transit Advisory Committee (TTAC), labor reps, and City staff from TPD and Community Safety Health and Wellness. Its adopted actions include a hot spot database and map of priority bus stops based on reported incidents; implementing improvements such as increased lighting and improved signage; engaging coordination between ambassadors, security, and social service providers; and much more. We look forward to staying engaged with the plan as well as sharing updates about its implementation and investments!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our Cyclovia tent last Sunday! We had a blast chatting with so many cyclists, bladers, walkers, and strollers who stopped by to decorate bikes, make buttons, vote in our poll, or pick up a limited edition "Lead the Charge" sticker. The creativity and artistry was at a true fever pitch, even as the wind howled around us! Much thanks to Living Streets Alliance for putting together a fabulous event as always - and special thanks to Tucson Fire for the Catalina Park wetdown!
Join Us for an Earth Day Cleanup!
We hope you can make it to our special cleanup event in celebration of Earth Day, which is this Wednesday, April 22. We’ll meet in the northwest parking lot of PCC’s 29th Street Coalition (4355 E. Calle Aurora) at 8:30am. Bring your friends and kick off the day with some energizing litter pick-up and beautification in the 29th Thrive Zone. Sign up here
Community Input Sessions
Public Budget Information Sessions
Don't forget - the City of Tucson will be holding five Budget Information Sessions to present the City Manager’s Recommended Budget to the community – save the dates if interested:
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Wed, April 22 - Virtual Budget Information Session, 6pm – 7pm
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Thurs, April 23 - Udahl Recreation Center Budget Information Session, 6pm – 7pm
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Tues, April 28 - El Pueblo Recreation Center Budget Information Session, 6pm – 7pm
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Thurs, April 30 - Donna Liggins Recreation Center Budget Information Session, 6pm – 7pm
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Fri, May 1 - Virtual Budget Information Session, 9am – 10am
The info sessions will occur after the City Manager presents the Recommended Budget to the Mayor & Council on April 21, and before the May 5 Public Hearing on the FY27 Recommended Budget.
Constituent Corner
May 2026 Pool Season
As the temperatures heat up, you may be tempted to find a pool. The City of Tucson's Extended Season for a few pools will start in May - see below for additional hours at select locations! And stay tuned - the Summer Pool Season should be coming soon.
Residents encouraged to apply to serve on RTA Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee
Pima County residents who are interested in serving the region are encouraged to apply for the Regional Transportation Authority's Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee. The current CART Committee members will serve through June 2026.
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Provide oversight on RTA project and program delivery of the newly voter-approved $2.67 billion regional transportation plan and fiscal management of the plan’s funding source, a countywide half-cent sales tax.
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The plan and tax went into effect on April 1.
The committee will consist of:
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8 will be appointed by each of the RTA member jurisdictions
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7 at-large members will be appointed by the RTA Board.
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4 of the 7 will be City of Tucson residents.
The overall membership of the CART Committee will be geographically balanced from across Pima County and will include at least four members with professional backgrounds. Preferred professional expertise will include backgrounds in audit, finance, multi-project capital planning, project management, engineering, construction, land use planning, public outreach, public transportation (transit), archaeology, anthropology, habitat conservation/wildlife mitigation, or related project delivery experience.
Application Process and Deadline:
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Submit a letter of interest and why you would like to serve or why you would like to nominate an individual from your organization to serve
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Identify professional background
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No. of years you have lived in Pima County
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Name, phone, email, mailing address, home address
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Group name if representing a specific organization
Regional Transportation Authority
1 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 401
Mail electronic submissions to: info@RTAmobility.com
Submission deadline: Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on April 30, 2026
Selected CART Committee members will serve four-year terms, and the committee will meet quarterly, or as needed. All meetings will be open to the public.
Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings
Ward 6 is happy to share information about upcoming Neighborhood Association and community coalition meetings in our newsletter. If we are missing a meeting that you are used to seeing here, please reach out ward6@tucsonaz.gov to help us keep our list updated!
Sunday, April 19th:
San Gabriel NA - 4:00 pm
San Gabriel Park - 4056 E Montecito St
Sam Hughes NA - 7:00 pm
Ward 6 - 3202 E 1st St.
Wednesday, April 22nd:
Alvernon - 5th Coalition - 6:00 pm
Ward 6 - 3202 E 1st St
Highland Vista NA - 7:00 pm
Highland Vista Park - 350 N Cloverland Ave
Country Club Manor AKA Arroyo Chico
Prop 411 will be in the Country Club Manor neighborhood beginning April 27th for a mill and pave project. Postcards will go out to residents early next week.
ADA Ramps: 4/27
Tree Trimming: 5/26
Mill & Pave: 6/15
Speed Humps/Striping: 7/10
 
Spring Preservation in Rincon Heights and Garden District
DTM will be in the Rincon Heights and Garden District neighborhoods, on or around May 4, May 9, and May 11, 2026. This project is part of the Prop 411: Tucson Delivers Better Streets Program. Here is the link for the Spring Pavement Preservation project website, which includes maps of the areas receiving treatments: https://arcg.is/0bHu4a0
If changes are made to the project schedule, we will immediately update the above link.
Additional Community Events and Opportunities
Borderlands Theater - World Premiere
A joyful, heartfelt, and electrifying new musical infused with cumbia, bolero, and R&B-pop, Anita tells the story of a brave young girl navigating a world far bigger than she ever imagined.
By Milta Ortiz & Quetzal Guerrero
Directed by Chach Snook
Choreography by Vanessa Corona
Music Direction by Quetzal Guerrero
Help Shape the Future of Transit - Route Changes
Sun Tran is proposing route and service enhancements to Routes 4, 8, 9, 102X, 104X, 108X, Sun On Demand, along with a new Route 124X, and new Sun Tran bus stop sign design. These recommendations are part of the 2024 Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) study. The recommendations will need to be approved by Mayor and Council in order to take effect in August of 2026.
We encourage riders and community members to attend a one-hour session and provide feedback on the future of Sun Tran’s transit system. Here’s how you can participate:
Iskashitaa - Spring Fair
Swan Way Park Spring Potluck
Native Nations Day at the Presidio Museum
Turquoise Trail 20th! A Community Fun Walk - April 19th
Santa Cruz Watershed Day of Connection
- The fun all kicks off at 8AM with our Days of Connection welcome and practice of arrival - a short grounding and ice breaker to kick the day off right and make some new friends.
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Thanks to the Pima Connecting Children to Nature Coalition, there will be a central program tent located in the middle of the park where partners and community leaders will share why and how they connect young people to the natural world. We are excited to listen, learn, and engage with all the amazing individuals and organizations who will be sharing their stories with the public!
 
Preparing for the Summer Heat
 
Free Community Sing
BICAS Spring Clothing Swap
More Earth Day Clean-Ups
 Tucson Poetry Festival 2026
 
The Reason I Jump - The Loft Cinema
Resources and Asks for Donations
Available at the Ward 6 Office
Know Your Rights Cards, Rapid Response Cards, ICE Out of Tucson placards from Gloo Factory. Pick them up from the office Monday - Friday, 9am to 1pm.
Rapid Response Tucson
520-221-4077
Raids. Prolonged stops. Interactions with ICE or Border Patrol
Request witnesses and community presence to ensure your rights are respected
Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families
Tucson’s Community Safety, Health and Welfare Program has prepared a very useful document, Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families, in English and Spanish. Click the buttons below to download a PDF file of the plans.
Take Action Tucson
If you’re looking for ways to get involved in local efforts to support democracy and protect our fundamental rights, Take Action Tucson is a valuable resource: https://www.takeactiontucson.org/
 Together We Can - Business Pledge
Local, small businesses have organized to pledge no service or cooperation with ICE, BP, and HSI. Feel free to print the flyer from our newsletter or come in the ward 6 office and ask for a copy.
SERI - Fight Against Lead Poisoning
Donate Your Jars
 Donate Your Fruit
Donations for Kaleidoscope
State Engagement: Request to Speak
Did you know you can submit your comments on AZ State Policies with a simple online platform? The Request to Speak (RTS) system allows people to make comments on bills as they pass through the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives. The one catch is that the first time you register for the system, you have to do so in person. Luckily, there are groups that will go and register for you – for example, if you complete this RTS registration form, staff from the nonprofit Civic Engagement Beyond Voting will activate your account within the next few days. Don’t delay, register today!
Transit App
Did You Know that Sun Tran now uses the Transit App? This app is available through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
If you are familiar with the Transit App, you may notice that the Pro features that are typically an extra cost are now included for FREE in the City of Tucson and surrounding Sun Tran service areas.
If you are not familiar with the Transit App, you can watch Sun Tran’s explainer videos:
Note: if you press *GO* for your route, at the end of your trip, you will be asked to complete a user survey, where you can give valuable feedback directly to Sun Tran about your ride.
311- Non Emergency number
Want to report an issue related to city services? 311 is the City of Tucson’s nonemergency number - but phone isn't the only way to utilize the service:
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Website: Allows you to see all your options for Request Category in one easy-to-navigate place. You can also choose the location of your request on an interactive map: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Residents/311-Service-Request-Portal
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App: Gives you the ability to input your request category, intersection, and email address to receive an immediate email confirmation that your request was submitted. Under the "Requests" tab at the bottom of the app, you can also see a map of all existing map of all the existing 311 contacts your neighbors and fellow Tucsonans have submitted across the city, request status, and submission date.
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Call: And of course, as always - you can dial 311!
Slow Down Signs, Now Available!
The Department of Transportation and Mobility has printed up these Slow Down signs for neighborhoods. Speeding on your street? Feel free to stop by the office Monday - Friday, 9am - 1pm and pick up one up!
 Two safety enthusiasts wearing surprisingly similar outfits, uncoordinated
22nd St Bridge Closure
The 22nd Street Bridge will be widened from a four-lane divided roadway to a six-lane divided roadway to match the lane configurations on each end of the project. This will increase the operational capacity and remove the bottleneck created by the current four-lane configuration. The 22nd Street Bridge is structurally deficient and will be replaced with a new bridge along the same alignment.
 
Prop 411 - Iron Horse
Project Start: Mid-April 2026
Tree Trimming: April 27th, 2026
Mill & Pave: Early June 2026
 Don't forget to slow down and smell the flowers!
Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend!
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