Happy New Year

As we say goodbye to 2022, here are a few reflections on my first year as a Tucson City Council Member serving the residents of Ward 3. It was a steep learning curve the first few months: getting our office up and running, meeting with Department Directors, City staff, neighborhood leaders, non-profits, and businesses in the Ward. During 2022, I was able to affect policy priorities such as supporting the Solar Empowerment Program providing a pathway for low-income homeowners to qualify for grants and low-interest loans for roof-top solar. We added additional inspectors and plan reviewers at the City’s Planning and Development Services Department to ensure the proper implementation of the Commercial Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance. I helped get the Electric Vehicle readiness plan for commercial and multi-family properties adopted. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of our Mayor. I am grateful to her and my Council colleagues, all of whom have the City’s best interests at heart. I also appreciate our Ward 3 staff. We're a great team.

During this past year, I also battled with cancer and now am feeling a renewed sense of purpose (and renewed health) heading into my second year. 

The newsletter this week features some highlights in pictures from the last 12 months. There were lots to choose from, but these are some of our favorites.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy New Year!

- Kevin

The Ward 3 office is open open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 am - 1 pm, Monday through Friday. 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].

Please note that our office will be closed on the following dates:
Monday, January 2nd, 2023 for New Year's Day
Friday, January 6th, 2023 (staff will be working remotely) 

Ward 3 Events

Team Up to Clean Up! at Amphi Neighborhood Park on Friday, January 6th!

Please join Ward 3, Team Up to Clean Up, and Tucson Clean and Beautiful to clean up at Amphi Neighborhood Park! You can RSVP here!

Rate Increase Info Session on Thursday, January 5th 

The City of Tucson recently gave notice of intention to update rates and fees for Tucson Water and Environmental & General Services Department customers beginning July 2023 and progressing through June 2027. The City of Tucson Mayor and Council will vote on the proposed increase at the January 11th meeting. Tucson Water and the Environmental & General Services Department will answer the community's questions at a virtual Rate Increase Info Session held on January 5th, at 4:00 pm. Please join the live discussion on the Tucson Water Facebook and/or Instagram pages or using this Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84044619319?pwd=MDZQSG5mRTFRL0NFMVJMK1RNWTRlQT09

Monthly Fort Lowell Corridor Crime + Safety Meetings begin on January 17th

To find out more, click here: https://northdodgena.weebly.com/tpd-flc-meeting.html    
(A printable version of the above flyer is available at the link)  

Tucson CSHW Winter Sock Drive now through January 30th

As part of the Homeless Protocol initiative, the Community Safety, Health and Wellness program has recently increased outreach to our unsheltered neighbors. The weather is only going to get colder, and the number one request from the campers is socks! The CSHW program is reaching out to the community for donations of unused socks in all sizes now through the end of January. Donations can be dropped in the collection box at the Ward 3 office at 1510 E. Grant Rd. 

Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave. 

Groceries are shared Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm-8pm and Saturdays from 8am-10am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery. 

Accepting Applications for Housing Programs including Section 8! 

The pre-application period for families and individuals seeking to be placed on a waitlist for public housing, and Section 8 vouchers for the City of Tucson and Pima County will be open from Tuesday, Jan. 3, through Tuesday, Jan. 24. All applications received in this three-week window will be placed in a lottery. Applicants in the lottery will be selected randomly by computer to be placed on the waitlist in the order they were selected. Applications will be available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese. In addition, assistance will be provided in alternative formats. Public sites with computers will be open during the application period. A list of those sites, the online application, and more information are available here

Beware of scams! The City of Tucson is seeing an increase in scams and false links. Do not fill out any application before Jan. 3 or on any site except waitlist.tucsonaz.gov. The City of Tucson will not ask for your social security number, any form of payment (credit card number, cash, bank transfer, etc.), or legal status to apply.

Public Housing Waitlist Video in English here: https://app.frame.io/reviews/64a50619-06b3-49b1-9705-04a96956deb5/49b4a02a-7dc3-40cc-b6ab-85756dc39152 

y video en español aquí: https://app.frame.io/reviews/aa5c81ba-1fd0-459f-8c70-4337cff5f4d3/32dcffb5-7d07-4d19-9f4c-6a45f1f11234 

Se Acceptan Solicitudes para los Programas de Vivienda Incluyendo Sección 8

Join Your Local Community Garden!

Plots are available at locations across town through the Community Gardens of Tucson. You can rent a 3 ft X 20 ft garden plot with automatic drip irrigation to grow your own food! Garden tools and supplies are provided on-site. Contact [email protected] or call 520-795-8823 for more information.

These Ward 3 gardens currently have available plots: 
-Mansfield Garden - 2000 N. 4th Ave.
-Blue Moon Garden - 1510 N. Oracle Rd
-Keeling Garden - 2919 N. Los Altos
-Homer Davis Garden - 4250 N. Romero Rd.
-Presidio Garden - Near Fort Lowell and Country Club

City Wide Events

Read Tucson Water's Guide to Responsible Desert Dwelling 

Tucson Water packaged its top water-saving tips and resources into a user-friendly online guide that also shares some of the regions unique water history and culture. The Guide to Responsible Desert Dwelling is part of a new public information campaign called "Tucson Water Runs Deep," which celebrates Tucsonans' shared heritage of wise water stewardship and seeks to educate residents on what it means to be a responsible desert dweller. View the online guide here or pick up a paper copy at the Ward 3 office at 1510 E. Grant Rd. 

Which Water Management Strategies are Most Important to You? 

The One Water 2100 master planning process, through public feedback, identified water supply and conservation as the top two areas of concern. Now, Tucson Water needs your help to guide long-range decisions about Tucson's water management practices and its Capital Improvement Program. Follow the One Water 2100 website link below and take the water management strategy survey. Share the survey with friends, family, and neighbors because community input is important to our water future. You can take a quick look at the Our Water Story before taking the survey. This interactive tool provides an overview of what the One Water approach is, information about Tucson’s water resources, and highlights some of the conservation program achievements. The survey will be online through January 31st. Take it and learn more here

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

Home Heating Tips from the Tucson Fire Department 

With cold temperatures upon us, Tucson Fire Department (TFD) Deputy Chief Barrett Baker has some tips on keeping you warm and safe during our cooler months. Watch the video here for safety tips, such as keeping potentially flammable objects at least 3 feet away from a space heater and turning it off when you leave the room or go to sleep, keeping your furnace room clear of anything flammable and having it inspected at least once a year, and making sure the flue is open when using your fireplace and not using too much wood.