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Protecting Tucson’s Scenic & Gateway Corridors

At the last Mayor and Council (M&C) meeting, we made changes to our development code that some folks have interpreted as allowing Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to build large electric poles along routes where they have previously been required to put them underground.

That’s not quite true. 

Here’s what happened. Thanks to the great work of my colleague Steve Kozachik, along with city staff and the advocacy of the neighborhood-based Undergrounding Coalition (full disclosure: my wife represents our neighborhood in this group), we adopted a new and improved public process regarding TEP requests for exemptions to undergrounding power lines in some locations based on list of criteria.

Currently, TEP may obtain a variance to build overhead transmission lines along Tucson’s Scenic and Gateway Corridors by applying to the Board of Adjustment. They did this recently to avoid going underground along Silverbell Road, a designated scenic corridor rich in archaeological sites. Under this system, the public could speak at the one hearing before the Board, but any appeal of the Board’s decision must go to court, not Mayor and Counci

The Campbell Avenue median near East Ninth Street sports a sign opposing TEP's former proposal to run high-voltage utility poles along the edge of the Sam Hughes neighborhood. TEP will need to go through a new process now to obtain permission to build new aboveground powerlines along Campbell and other Tucson Scenic and Gateway Corridors. Photo by Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

The new system requires TEP to obtain a Special Exception. Here’s how Council Member Kozachik described the process in his recent newsletter: 

“The first step is for TEP to hold a neighborhood meeting with residents in the area around where they’re asking for the variance. They consider that input and move onto the next step – a zoning examiner public hearing. At that hearing the public can speak – everybody is under oath – and the zoning examiner hears all sides before making a ruling. That ruling can be appealed by any interested party to the M&C. Appeals to us also involve a public hearing, and we take a final vote. Going to the Board of Adjustment is still an option for TEP, but they have to go through the Special Exception process first, and all of those records are then in front of the board when they make a ruling. The members of the board are appointed by M&C so expecting them to overturn our vote after the full Special Exception process is a bit of a stretch.”

I feel this is a much better process with more opportunities for public involvement. It’s based on reasonable exceptions, such as an industrial area or a railroad crossing, for going above ground. I also like that the final decision is subject to review by Mayor and Council.

-Kevin

TEP Assistance Programs by CJ Boyd 

Many folks may not know that there are programs to help renters and homeowners with their utility bills. With record high inflation and soaring housing costs, one of our office’s top priorities is informing our constituents of the programs that can help them through financially difficult times. 

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has partnered with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to help customers who rent their homes apply for funding through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, over $11 million of this $14 million federal fund has been distributed, which leaves about $3 million available for those who still need it.

To qualify, renters must:

- Rent their home or apartment
- Have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Have difficulty paying utility bills in their name
- Have a household income less than or equal to 80% of the Area Median Income, which is $38,300 for a single person or $54,700 for a family of four in Pima County

If you’re not sure that you qualify, you can call TEP Customer Care at 520-623-7711 or complete an online survey at http://www.tep.com/utility-assistance-for-renters/. If DES approves your eligibility, funds will be sent to TEP and applied directly to your account. Even if you don’t qualify, you can contact TEP for other payment options and assistance programs that help you manage your energy costs, including a low-income discount on monthly bills.

There is also a program to help homeowners who are facing financial hardships through the Arizona Department of Housing. To see if you qualify for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), visit https://haf.azhousing.gov. 

To qualify, homeowners must:

- Be applying for your primary residence
- Have experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship
- Be currently experiencing delinquency
- Have an income equal to or less than 150% of the area median income.

TEP also has a  programs to help folks transition to solar power. The GoSolar Home program gives customers a fixed monthly bill for 10 years based on current annual usage, as long as annual usage remains relatively consistent. The fixed monthly price could save participants money if the rates of TEP's other plans increase in the future.

 Enrollment in the GoSolar Home program re-opened just recently. New customers will buy power from Raptor Ridge, and participation will be limited to the capacity of this local energy resource. Customers can sign up by calling TEP Customer Care at 520-623-7711 or on TEP's website. While this program does not save customers as much money as installing their own solar panels, it's a good way to transition to solar if you are unable to invest in your own energy infrastructure.

El Cortez by Marlene Avelino

El Cortez is a small neighborhood of about 200 homes, bordered by Grant Road to the north, 1st Avenue to the east, Seneca Street to the south, and 4th Avenue to the west. The neighborhood was annexed by the city in 1938, but most of the homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s. The majority are single family homes built out of brick, but there are a handful of adobe and slump block homes  sprinkled throughout. El Cortez is a neighborly place, conveniently located close to grocery stores, downtown, and major transit routes.

A unique feature of the neighborhood is that it is 100% residential, and over 60% of residents own their homes; there are no businesses, churches, or schools within the bounds of El Cortez. Enchanted Dragon Tattoo used to be on the corner of 4th Avenue and Grant Road, but it was swallowed up by the Grant Road widening project. Jefferson Park Elementary School is just to the east and Mansfield Park is just across 4th Avenue to the west.

At the start of the 20th century this was part of a larger area known pejoratively as "Tentville." The area stretched all the way down to Speedway and was made up of tents that housed the many impoverished people suffering from tuberculosis who had moved to Tucson for the dry climate. Eventually sanitariums were built, including St. Luke's Home, which is now an assisted living facility. 

El Cortez has an active neighborhood association headed by President Will Nelson, Vice President Martha Retallick, and Secretary Michael Tamarack. The association started in 1995 when it seceded from Sugar Hill, then known as Northwest. The neighborhood association meets quarterly, and the next meeting will be held in October. During weekly Thursdat night clean ups, the association also strolls the streets picking up trash with their neighbors. You can visit their website at: http://elcortezheights.org/ and reach out for information at: [email protected].

El Cortez received its first public art installation as part of the Grant Road widening project, and it's located along Grant Road between 3rd Avenue and Los Altos. There you can see "Unity": the 20 foot sculpture depicting 5 people standing in a circle, facing outward, holding hands, and leaning forward.  “Unity” is made of hundreds of parallel, vertically aligned stainless steel plates, each held 1 inch apart. The piece shows cooperation, trust, and the collective effort required to form the unbroken ring.

New Council Aide at Ward 3 by Shannon Jenkins 

Hello! My name is Shannon Jenkins, and this week was my first week working as an Aide to Council Member Kevin Dahl. I'm excited to bring my communication and organization skills to the Ward 3 office, and I'm looking forward to engaging with constituents and connecting them to resources. 

I'm from Brandon, Mississippi, but I've lived in Arizona for 12 years and in Tucson for 5 years. I like commuting by bike, and within the last few months, I've seen quail, roadrunners, coyotes, and javelinas while biking to or from work. I'm fascinated by the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert and the Sky Islands, so I spend lots of time hiking, camping, biking, and observing the natural beauty of Southern Arizona. The last time I went camping, I visited Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to see the cactus flowering.  

Organ Pipe Cactus blooming at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in May 2022. 

I graduated from ASU with a degree in Women and Gender Studies and minors in Political Science and Sustainability. I've spent the last few years working as an administrative professional, but I've also worked in retail, in the food service industry, and at a plant nursery.

For the last six months, I worked at the Tucson City Clerk's Office. While there, I worked with voters during the May 2022 Special Election, and I worked with Tucson's various Boards and Commissions, which facilitate participation and transparency in municipal democracy. I'll miss the Clerk's Office, but I'm thrilled to have joined the Ward 3 team. 

Ward 3 Neighborhood and Coalition Meetings

Keeling Neighborhood Association 
Monday
July 25
7:00-8:00 pm 
Zoom

Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association
Wednesday
July 27
5:30-7:30 pm
Ward 3 Office 
1510 E. Grant Rd. 

Amphi Neighborhood Association
Thursday
July 28
6:30-7:30 pm
Amphi High Library Classroom 
125 W. Yavapai 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

Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence and Conflict Reconciliation Workshop

City Wide Events

Request Your Vote-By-Mail Ballot By Today - July 22

Time’s running out! Request your vote-by-mail ballot for the 2022 Primary Election by Friday, July 22. Early voting has begun and runs through Friday, July 29. In 2020, nearly 90 percent of Pima County voters cast an Early Ballot. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 2. Request your ballot and learn more about early voting by following the links below. Request Your Ballot Learn More about Early Voting Your Vote 2022

Reid Park Zoo’s Summer Safari Nights Program Continues This Weekend - Enjoy Reid Park Zoo and cooler evening temperatures as you watch the sunset at this series of themed nights, featuring different keeper chats, animal encounters, artifact stations, and special activities. Refresh with dinner at the Zoofari Market, listen to live music by some of Tucson’s best bands, take a ride on the Cox Jungle Carousel, and play games with Tucson Parks and Recreation’s Ready, Set, Rec! program. There's a different theme each week. This Saturday, July 23, the theme is "Hoofin’ It." A hoof is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal strengthened by a thick keratin covering. Some of the Zoo’s most iconic animals, including the giraffes, rhinos, and zebras are hoofstock and have some of the fanciest feet around. Wear your best walking shoes for this evening celebrating fantastic phalanges. Music will be provided by Scotty Freel and the Flying Diamonds, and there will be interactive line dancing demos with the Sahuaro Strutters.Reid Park Zoo Summer Safari Nights

School Supply Drive

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 !

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