Kevin's Ward 3 News and Updates

Friday, September 23, 2022

News and Updates
Next Mayor and Council Meeting
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings
Ward 3 Events
City Wide Events
Did You Know?

Water Rates
At our next Mayor and Council Study Session (9/27) we will be receiving a presentation on proposed rate increases for our Parks and Recreation programs, Planning and Development Services fees, Environmental Services fees, and a rate increase for all water customers.

While I have questions and concerns regarding all of the proposed increases, I am particularly focused on our water rates; as most people know who pay their water bill, all residential (single family) water users pay a graduated or tiered rate - meaning the more water you use the more you pay per unit. This unique rate structure was a policy decision adopted by Mayor and Council and meant to send “a conservation signal” through pricing.

Although residential water users are just one of 8 different classifications of Tucson Water customers (Commercial, Industrial, Multi-family, etc.), they are the only class that pays inclining rates and “conservation pricing." Our water bill is measured in ccfs. One ccf (cubic foot) is equal to 748 gallons. On the lowest tier, a resident who uses 7 ccfs pays a rate of $2.07 per ccf. On the high end, when a resident uses 30 ccfs or more, they pay $12.93 per ccf - 6 times higher than the first block rate.

Commercial water users pay a flat rate - meaning that one ccf of water costs the same as ten thousand ccfs of water. The Commercial flat rate of $3.60 per ccf is also lower than all but the first residential tier. There is no “conservation signal” through pricing built into commercial rates.

The Commercial water classification accounts for only 6.2% of Tucson Water customers and is responsible for 22.8% of all water consumption, while residential customers account for 89.3% of Tucson Water customers and comprise 53.8% of all water consumption.

Additionally, a recent Tucson Water report forecasted that all classes except Commercial are expected to decrease consumption in the near future.

I support the tiered rate structure and acknowledge that Tucson was a leader in adopting this structure, but I also believe it is inequitable to ask only residents to pay “conservation rates” for water.

I do recognize that Commercial customers are a widely diverse class (from bike shops and bookstores to restaurants, golf courses and resorts) so there will be some nuances in breaking up the flat rate currently paid. At the same time, water intensive industry and businesses will have a significant impact on our community's overall water security - particularly in our hotter, drier future where we will likely be reverting back to groundwater pumping due to Colorado river shortages.

- Kevin

Visual Improvement Program by Marlene Avelino

The Office of Economic Initiatives has launched a new grant program designed to encourage investment in key commercial areas and corridors through incentives and infrastructure improvements. The Visual Improvement Program, or VIP, is designed to enhance properties in need of revitalization and strives to increase sales and/or revenue for the property owner or tenant.

Small business owners can apply to have up to $50,000 in costs reimbursed for property improvements. These improvements can include new storefront construction, awnings or canopies, lighting, window replacement, curbing, irrigation, trees and vegetation, and removal of architectural barriers to public accessibility.

This program extends throughout the City of Tucson, and there is additional funding on behalf of the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Thrive in the 05 Choice Neighborhoods area that extends this program to encompass non-profits in the 85705 zip code as well.

For more information please head to: https://connecttucson.com/visual-improvement-program/ 

Feldman's Neighborhood by CJ Boyd

Spanning from Stone Ave. to Park Ave. and from Lee St. down to Speedway Blvd., Feldman’s is one of the 5 neighborhoods that is only partially in Ward 3. Of the five blocks north to south, and the ten blocks east to west, only the blocks along the north and west borders are in Ward 3, with the bulk (3/4) of the neighborhood falling in Ward 6.

The neighborhood’s namesake is Alther Marcus Feldman, a German Jewish immigrant who was born in 1833, arrived in the US in 1858, and landed in Tucson in 1878. One of many who moved to Tucson because they were priced out of living in California, Feldman and his family left California after losing a great deal of money in the economic crisis of 1873. With what he had left, Feldman purchased a 160 acre chunk of land that was just outside the Tucson city limits at the time and moved his family into the house that still sits at 906 N. First Ave. That location currently serves as the Kappa Alpha Order frat house for University of Arizona students.

The neighborhood’s oldest house was built in 1902 and is thought to be the oldest house still standing anywhere along Speedway Blvd. As in much of the area, construction boomed in Feldman’s in the 1920s as tuberculosis swept the US because the southwest was thought to have the best climate to treat the condition. Feldman’s in particular housed four sanitaria where folks were treated for tuberculosis, with two of those buildings surviving today as the St. Luke’s Home on East Adams Street and what is now the Castle Apartments, formerly Whitwell Sanitorium, also on East Adams Street. St. Luke’s Home is now an assisted-living community for seniors of limited financial means.

Before the sanitaria were built for those suffering from tuberculosis, the neighborhood was popularly known as Tent City, Tentville, Lung Hill, or Lunger Hill, because so many of those afflicted with tuberculosis moved to the area from all over the US and camped out in hopes of recovering. According to 36-year resident of Feldman’s, Diana Lett, “Their homes were elevated platforms with half-height wooden walls. The rest of the structure was canvas.”

Compared to some of the other neighborhoods in the area during the early 20th century, the homes in Feldman’s were a little smaller and more affordable. And unlike some of the surrounding neighborhoods, Feldman's did not exclude people from buying homes on the basis of race.

While the neighborhood has been around for a long time, the name actually wasn’t adopted until 2005 when the neighborhoods boundaries were expanded and it was officially designated as a national historic district.  It is now one of just four neighborhoods in Ward 3 to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Besides being along the edge of the U of A, the neighborhood also contains a Montessori preschool on North 6th Ave. and Pima Partnership High School on Drachman St. According to our Ward 3 Chief of Staff, Pima Partnership used to be a grocery store where her dad worked as a teenager. Feldman’s also contains four churches: Siloam Christian Church on Adams St., Campus Community Church on Speedway Blvd., First Southern Baptist Church on Speedway Blvd., and Tucson Chinese Christian Church on Helen St.

Because Feldman's is just across the street from the University, many of the culinary delights within Feldman’s bounds are geared toward the student population, including many fast food chains. There are also a few local spots of particular note;  Zemam’s Too is an Ethiopian eatery on Speedway Blvd., and Wok Fire & Grill is a pan-Asian restaurant on Park Ave. that serves mostly Vietnamese dishes with some Chinese and Thai selections as well.

Many other local businesses are scattered throughout the neighborhood, including local mechanic Wood-Oberholtzer on Mabel St. and 6th Ave., who has been in business for decades and comes highly recommended by our Chief of Staff.

Though the Sun Link doesn't run through Feldman's, it is worth noting Feldman's  connection to the original street car in Tucson built in 1897. Like much of the US before automobiles dominated our cities, Tucson had several street car routes. And when the street car was made electric in 1906, the first person to die falling off of it was none other than Alther M. Feldman, who either fell or jumped poorly and hit his head on a rock.

When asked what she likes about living in Feldman’s, Diana Lett said “My two favorite things about Feldman's are the friendly neighbors and the walkable sidewalks.” Recent arrival to the neighborhood Miranda Schubert said, “I love the location and the mix of residents. Grad students, undergrads, families with and without kids.” The membership and board of the Feldman’s Neighborhood Association is reflective of that mix in that in spans a broad range of ages. Whereas the majority of Neighborhood Associations are comprised entirely or almost entirely of retirees who have the free time to participate, Feldman’s Neighborhood Association enlists members of all ages with no concentration in any particular age bracket.

Next Mayor and Council Meeting 

The next Mayor and Council Meeting is on September 27, 2022.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here: Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings

Keeling Neighborhood Association 
Monday 
September 26th 
7:00- 8:00 pm
Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall 
2902 N. Geronimo Ave. 

Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association 
Wednesday
September 28th 
6:00- 7:00 pm
Ward 3 Office or Zoom
1510 E. Grant Rd.

The Ward 3 office is open. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email [email protected].

Ward 3 Events

Free Vaccines at the Humane Society

GOAT HEAD plant removal in Keeling Neighborhood  
EVERY THURSDAY MORNING in September from 7 am – 9 am

Joy Holdread is activating the GOAT HEAD plant removal program in the Keeling neighborhood. The goal is to remove every goat head plant growing between sidewalk area and street on the bike path Blacklidge to Fontana and Fontana heading south to Grant Rd.  Enjoy meeting your neighbors, taking out your frustrations on those miserable goat heads, and be a hero to every biker and dog who walks on our streets. Joy has made two great new friends met some lovely grateful puppies.

Please RSVP by email to [email protected]. If you’re unable to pull goat heads but would like to support the Goat Head Plant Removal Program in another way, please email [email protected].

Ward 3 is Hosting an Public Gathering about Home Sharing on Thursday, September 29th! 

When: 1:00-2:30
Where: The Ward 3 Community Room   
1510 E. Grant Rd. 

RSVP to [email protected] or 520-791-4711 to learn more about this affordable choice for senior living and meet like-minded persons. You'll have an opportunity to ask questions, and we'll teach you how to work towards a successful home sharing arrangement. 

Fresh Start Expo on Saturday, October 22nd

Services Include:
- Civil rights restoration
- Warrant resolution (misdemeanors)
- Juvenile record expungement
- Marijuana conviction expungement
- Apply for government assistance programs such as SNAP, TANF, AHCCCS, WIC
- Justice-friendly housing
- Justice-friendly employers
- Job fair hosted by Pima County One Stop
- Education opportunities
- Access to behavioral health and addiction services
- Access to basic medical services
- Clothing, haircuts, and more
- COVID vaccine clinic

City Wide Events

Zero Waste Survey

The City of Tucson is taking the first step to Zero Waste by creating a Roadmap to Zero Waste. This means we are developing a guide on what Zero Waste means to Tucson before we develop a Zero Waste Plan. This is where you come in! We want your feedback on what Zero Waste means to you and Tucson. Take our survey now through September 30 and share it with your Tucson Community. Send us your thoughts today: bit.ly/tucsonzw #RoadmappingTucsonZeroWaste

Sun Tran Fare Survey

Speak up, Tucson! There is still time to share your thoughts on the future of transit fares. Whether you ride transit or not, please fill out the online survey by clicking the link below. Transit fares have been free since March of 2020. We need your input to help decision-makers determine how to move forward.

surveymonkey.com/r/SunTranFares

Health Department Extends COVID-19 Test to Treat Call-in Program

The Pima County Health Department is extending its free COVID-19 Test to Treat program, although there will be some changes.

Test to Treat is also available at some health care providers in Pima County as part of a nationwide, federal initiative. The County’s program helps ensure that those who don’t have easy access to care, or can’t see their usual health care provider, can get the timely treatment they need after a COVID-19 infection.

The County program will pause after Sept. 20 and resume Monday, Sept. 26, with a continuation of the call-in option at 520-724-7895, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Health Department believes Test to Treat is an important resource for the community and is happy to continue to use its resources to offer this option, which can help people avoid serious outcomes from COVID-19,” said Pima County Health Department Director Theresa Cullen. “And we want to thank FEMA, which has been a valuable partner through the pandemic, helping us provide COVID-19 vaccination, testing and treatment.”

Individuals who already have a positive test (from an at-home test or a testing site) can call 520-724-7895 to determine eligibility for medication. If individuals meet certain eligibility requirements, they immediately will receive a prescription for antiviral pills against COVID-19. There is no cost and no insurance required.

People are potentially eligible for oral antiviral treatment after a positive test if:    
- They are 12 or older 

- Weigh at least 88 pounds    

- Have mild to moderate symptoms 

- Have a high risk of severe COVID-19 illness

Individuals will be asked to provide some general information, such as contact information and when they tested positive for COVID-19. The oral medication available by prescription is effective against COVID-19 when started within five days of the start of symptoms.

For more information on COVID-19 treatment, go to pima.gov/covid19treatment.

For more information on where to get tested for COVID-19 in Pima County, go to pima.gov/covid19testing.

Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report! 

You can use this link to subscribe to the Climate Action Report through the City Manager's Office:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/subscriber/new

Allyship in Ownership Online Course  

As part of the Tucson Alliance for Housing Justice's (TAHJ) multi-pronged approach to addressing evictions and homelessness, Justice Movement is offering a four-week course online for property owners, landlords, and folks who want to better understand how to engage in rent collecting in ethical and equitable ways.

Join Justice Movement founders Nat and Danya as they guide you through a deep dive into allyship and accountability: Register Here

Heat Relief Centers

The City of Tucson has opened six cooling centers, one in each city council ward, open from noon-6 p.m. The centers are located at Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road; El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd; Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road; Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way; and William M. Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive. Additionally, the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness has compiled a list of additional cooling stations and locations for water and supplies. Follow the link below for more information and locations.

Cooling centers

Tucson Water Discounts
Call 520-791-5443 to make an appointment or visit this site for more information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/low-income-assistance-program

COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance

Funding requests for unpaid rent and utilities are available for up to 12 months in arrears and three months in advance. Those without internet access can call (520) 447-4423 to apply, and bilingual case managers are available. Go to this site for more information.

We welcome your feedback !

Please feel free to email us at [email protected]

To subscribe to this newsletter please go to https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-3