RTA CONSTRUCTION ON GRANT

Bob Roggenthen 520-349-3963 Bob.Roggenthen@tucsonaz.gov

grantroad.info

GDNA RECENT POLICE INCIDENT REPORTS- also reports for other neighborhoods

COOLING CENTERS

CALL 311 Help Line for non-emergency assistance - TPD, City services, report violations, etc.

www.tucsonaz.gov/311

FRONT DESK AT HARDESTY POLICE STATION 791-4253 8 to 5 pm M - Th

FILE ONLINE POLICE REPORT

LEAD POLICE OFFICERS:

Scott Wakefield (520)589-8822

scott.wakefield@tucsonaz.gov 

Tues.-Fri. 5:30am until 3:30pm

Tyler Ashton(520)306-0202 

tyler.ashton@tucsonaz.gov 

Mon.-Thurs. 5:00pm until 3:00am.

Lt. Kimberly Frie 

Kimberly.frie@tucsonaz.gov

TPD CSO RAMON SILVAS Neighborhood Watch, share video/photos of criminals, report suspicious activity or on-going crime concerns

HOMELESS CONCERNS:

Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)

• HOMELESS PROTOCOL
• ONLINE FORM TO REPORT HOMELESS CAMP

Services & Resources for Homeless:

Call: 520-791-2540

Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness

TRAFFIC WATCH - report dangerous driving.

AGI COMMUNITY SAFETY RESOURCES PAGE

CONTACT GARDEN DISTRICT NA

CODE ENFORCEMENT, REPORT CODE VIOLATIONS 520-792-CITY (2489)

GARDEN DISTRICT WEBSITE

CODE VIOLATION REPORT STATUS

REPORT GRAFFITI

POTHOLES, STREET SWEEPER, SIGNS, etc. 520-792-CITY (2489)

SHOPPING CARTS - . Call 520-791-3171 or email to ESHelp@tucsonaz.gov.

IF THE WRIGHT SCHOOL PARK IS LOCKED, CALL TUSD SECURITY 520-584-7676

AND PARKS & REC 520-791-4144

TRASH AND RECYCLING THIS WEEK

BAG TRASH,

BUT

NO PLASTIC BAGS IN

BLUE RECYCLING BIN.

RECYCLING OR TRASH CAN BROKEN?

GET A FREE REPLACEMENT

520-791-3171 or contact ES.

Reports vary as to how much rain we got yesterday. It was one of those storms where the rain gauge in the front yard had a different amount than the one in the backyard. But all of us can agree that it was significantly more rain than a Monsoon storm usually brings us. There was more flooding and damage than normal to our streets.

DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT THE CITY:

REPORT YOUR CONCERNS 

• Is there a pothole you'd like to see filled?
• Is a street sign missing?
• Is a Storm Drain plugged with debris?

You can report these issues via the new Tucson 311 app, 311 service request portal via web, or call 311.

Or email TDOTconcerns@tucsonaz.gov

Or report on See, Click, Fix

Tucson 311 Service Request Portal and download links

Department of Transportation and Mobility

OPERATION SPLASH

FREE SANDBAGS

For the ninth consecutive year, DTM will assist residents concerned with flooding by offering free self-serve sandbags in the east parking lot of Hi Corbett Field, 700 S. Randolph Way, at Reid Park. DTM staff will monitor the weather forecast as well as the National Weather Service to open the self-serve sandbag program ahead of the first forecasted storm, to ensure the community is prepared.

This location will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sand and sandbags will be provided by DTM staff, and residents should bring their own shovel. To accommodate as many residents as possible with sandbags, there is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Be sure to follow DTM on social media to be informed about the opening of the self-serve sandbag program. Since the sandbag program began in 2016, DTM has distributed approximately 177,200 sandbags to the community.

For more info: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Transportation-Mobility/DTM-News-Releases/Operation-Splash-2024

FILING A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY

Reportedly, some residents have been reimbursed for tire or vehicle damage caused by potholes or debris in the street.

Download and Fill Out a Claim Form

In order to file a Notice of Claim against a public entity or employee, please refer to

• Arizona Revised Statutes §12-821 and 821.01.
• Download Notice of Claim form and instructions(PDF, 74KB) (pdf)

Claimants have 180 days from an accident or injury to file a claim against the City.

Email- Preferred method of delivery

Please email your completed Notice of Claim form to the City Clerk at CityClerk@tucsonaz.gov.

• Mail - Claim forms can be mailed to: City of Tucson, Attn: City Clerk, PO Box 27210, Tucson, AZ 85726

• Deliver - Claim forms can be hand-delivered at the Tucson City Clerk’s Office at 255 W. Alameda, 9th Floor.

BE FLOOD SAFE

THINK TWICE BEFORE DRIVING IN A MAJOR STORM

AND READJUST YOUR ROUTE IF NEEDED

In the desert, we go months and months without seeing any rain. It's easy to forget how dangerous a strong monsoon can be and how much damage it can cause. We have major waterways in Garden District and are part of the watershed from the south side of Tucson to the Rillito.

ALL Low-lying areas in the City of Tucson are subject to flooding during the summer thunderstorm season. This includes Belvedere and Catalina which run with water curb to curb and sometimes over the curb. Remember, a barricade in place on a roadway is a sign that unsafe conditions exist ahead. You cannot see what is below the waters - the condition of the roadway, the depth of the water, whether there are potholes, etc. See the stories below.

TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN!

Also, if you encounter traffic signals that are out due to a power outage, known as dark signals, treat the intersection as a four-way stop and come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. Also report the outage to 311.

This driver did not realize how deep the water was at Village and Justin. Her vehicle started to float as she tried to drive through the intersection.

Thanks to Scott on Justin and Aaron on Desmond who noticed what was happening and ran out in the storm to push her vehicle to safety.

WATCH OUT FOR UNFINISHED MANHOLES IN SE QUADRANT

Thank you to Helen in the Southeast quadrant for taking initiative and addressing some problems that resulted from multiple streets flooding yesterday. She walked the SE quadrant after the storm and saw some items that concerned her so she took action and reported the problems to 311.

For instance, after resurfacing the streets, the contractor had not sealed the manholes into the asphalt -- Sprinkled throughout the quadrant, they had left the manholes unfinished with a deep cut trench around the outside of each and placed A-frame barricades to mark them on the streets. The unfinished manholes are definite traffic hazards. Helen found that some of the barricades and even the heavy manhole covers had washed away and that the manholes were hidden under the flood waters. She reported these to 311, but also tried to locate the barricades and covers and put them back.

If your drive the SE Quadrant, be wary of the unfinished manholes!

The barricade and cover of this manhole were swept away by the flood waters. Evidently, someone could not see the hole under the water and hit the sewer pipe in it knocking it askew. Must have done a number on their vehicle!

Thanks to Dave on Catalina for sharing this video of what became Catalina Ave River yesterday.

Thanks to two brothers , Adam & Will who live in apartments on the corner of Pima and Belvedere. After the huge storm we had yesterday, they noticed a large amount of debris built up and blocking the storm grates on Belvedere. Within a few hours of the storm, they were out in the street cleaning up the clogged drain grates. They have evidently been doing this for years! 

Thank you, Adam and Will!

Someone also went out and dragged the debris and trash that had built up at the raised storm drain on the southside of Pima at Belvedere and piled it on top of the median. They probably helped prevent Belvedere from backing up and overflowing the curbs.

CAUTION IF YOU CLEAN UP STORM DEBRIS . . .

Be careful and use tools and wear gloves. Much of the trash and debris washes down from the Midway Wash that empties onto Belvedere and the Columbus Wash that flows down Catalina. These washes and our easements and alleys are common camping sites for Unhoused individuals or drug addicts. There is bound to be drug paraphernalia and sharp items in this buildup of trash.

PUBLIC MEETING RE:

PROPOSED CHANGE IN REZONING CONDITIONS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2024

10 AM

DAIRY QUEEN, 1526 N ALVERNON

Benjamin Vogel, Architect, is representing the property owners who are developing the commercial property at 1526 N Alvernon. They would like to make the following changes to the rezoning conditions that were placed on the property when it was re-zoned to commercial in 2000. This is a second meeting for the same requests. The original submittal was lost when the City changed their online line submittal portal so DQ is having a second meeting for comments and questions:

• They would like to utilize a 6' corrugated metal fence in lieu or a block wall along the perimeter of the property. They feel that this will better complement the site by being similar to the existing corrugated fencing in the area. At the original meeting, they also said the corrugated fencing was easier and faster for them to clean up if graffitied. See attached plan below.
• They would like to allow for vehicular access off of Lee Street. They feel that having a second access to the site will be safer and will make it easier to access and exit the property. At the first meeting, it was suggested that the access point off Lee be designed such that traffic exiting the property can NOT turn right into the neighborhood, but can only turn left. A traffic mitigation device called a "Pork Chop median" is therefore planned to discourage motorists from going east on Lee. See below.

The site plan above with the three buildings north of Dairy Queen is more than likely NOT how the site will be developed. It will probably not have three buildings on the vacant section. An open air food court has been discussed in the past.

Years ago, in order for the owners of Dairy Queen to build the Dairy Queen, they had to submit to the City of Tucson a site plan for the whole property. They told the City of Tucson Planners at an in-person meeting that they had absolutely no idea what would eventually be built on the remaining property. The owners say they still do not yet have a set plan for the remaining 1.5 acres north of the DQ.

The owners are in the midst of developing two other properties, one in Marana and one in Gold Canyon. At this point, they have no immediate plans to develop the property nor any prospective businesses lined up to build/sell/lease to. They will continue to rent to El Sinaloense Hot Dog stand and remain committed to bringing in businesses that will compliment and draw customers to DQ and that the neighborhood would like to see in our community. It was appreciated that the DQ owners at one time did say NO when approached by Take 5 Oil Change who wanted to build on the lot. That is not the "look", the type of businesses they wanted to bring to the property.

Tara Foxx-Lupo, who was and will be again the manager of Martha Cooper Library, contacted the neighborhood this week to give an update. She will be meeting with library administration next week. One of the things they hope to accomplish is determining a reopening date.

The past few weeks a lot of outdoor work has been done: artificial grass, benches, water harvesting basins, sidewalks, etc. As of now. the construction company is nearing "substantial completion". Various Pima County departments will then be working on processes like data cabling, systems furniture installation, computer installation and configuration, restocking shelves, and anything else that is needed to prepare the building for reopening. The library will have all new books!

ALSO, the storm knocked down the construction fence at Martha Cooper yesterday. It has been reported through 311 and also Tara Foxx-Lupo, the manager.

Fraud Notify

Fraud Notify is a simple way to help you avoid becoming a victim of property fraud.

It is a free service provided by the Pima County Recorder for the benefit of all who own property or businesses in Pima County.

Fraud Notify allows you to set an alert for your individual or business name, and when a document is recorded with your name on it, you will be notified via email. This gives you an early warning of property fraud being committed in your name.

How to Sign Up for Fraud Notify Alerts

Enrolling in Fraud Notify is a two-step process:

1. Click here to sign up for an account. Once you have filled in and submitted the registration form, a verification link will be sent to the email address you provided. Click on the link in the email to activate your account.
2. Once your account is active, log in to Fraud Notify, and click “Continue” on the disclaimer page to go to your Alerts page. Follow the instructions to create Alerts for your individual or business names so you can receive notification of new recordings using those names. Be sure to click the “Save” button to save your Alerts.

CITY OF TUCSON OPENS NEW COOLING CENTER

AS SUMMER HEATS UP

The City of Tucson has opened a new cooling center to help individuals escape the punishing heat by providing people with a safe and comfortable place to recover and relax.

Two new “COOLtainers,” provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the governor’s office, were placed at the Amazon Shelter, 1135 W. Miracle Mile, to provide a restful place for people to get out the sun and heat. The Amazon is a shelter operated by the Housing First Division of the City of Tucson’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).



“We want people to come take advantage of the amazing air conditioning, cool down, re-hydrate, and relax,” said Allison Chappell, the Community Services Manager at the Amazon Shelter.

The Amazon cooling center will be available from 12-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It will operate until Aug. 31. In addition to the pods, HCD’s portable shower will be available at Amazon but that schedule has not yet been set.

People who need an escape from the heat can go directly to the cooling center which is located immediately west of the shelter. Inside the “quiet COOLtainer” there will be cots for individuals to nap or rest. Both COOLtainers have television and staff is working on securing internet service for people to access Wi-Fi on their devices. In the second COOLtainer there are board games, dominos, cards, adult coloring books, snacks, and hygiene items.

The new cooling site adds to six existing City of Tucson centers:

• Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6^th
• El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Rd., Building #9
• El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd.
• Freedom Center, 5000 E. 29^th
• Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
• Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way.

These six cooling centers are open until August 31, from noon to 4 p.m., daily, and closed on holidays.

In addition, the St. Francis Shelter is operating a cooling center at the Ward 3 Office, 1510 E. Grant Rd., Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.

For additional information on the City of Tucson’s cooling centers, visit the HCD website. Other resources for summer assistance can be found on the websites for the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness and Pima County.

Why the Hefty Orange bags?

The partnership between ByFusion, Hefty, and the City of Tucson will benefit our plastic recycling program and ensure its continued success into the future as a permanent part of Tucson's Environmental Services program:

1. The Hefty Renew bags limit the size of the plastic items that can be recycled. Over time, ByFusion found that really large plastic items that were made of industrial/commercial plastic were difficult and time consuming to shred and did not make a good mix of plastic for building blocks. Everything that will fit in an orange bag will be able to fit in ByFusion’s shredder. By limiting the size of the plastic that can go in the orange bag, it is hoped that it will reduce contamination and will help citizens become more conscientious, more educated about what can and cannot be recycled.
2. Hefty pays the costs of having the bags processed and baled at our local recycling facility.  Right now, the city is paying the processor a large sum per month for baling and storage. Hefty will pay for processing and transporting of the plastic to ByFusion thus eliminating the processing fee for the city. It will also eliminate the need for the City to store excess recycled plastic. Hefty will send ByFusion the plastic they have the capacity to process, and then also transport any extra plastic to other end markets in the US that they collaborate with.
3. Eventually -- in about a year - all of Tucson will be able to put their orange bags of plastic into their Blue Recycling Bins at home. The bags’ orange color will make them easy to spot on the belt at the Materials Recycling Facility, so the crew can quickly pull them out of the stream and direct them to the Byfusion plant.

As Nancy DeFeo of Sam Hughes says: "Even though we have to take the orange bags to the Ward 6 orange dumpster until the end of the year, I think of it as a training period for the switch to being able to put the orange bag in the blue bin next year. At that point, ALL of Tucson will be able to participate using the blue bins because the orange bag can be easily seen and separated for use by Byfusion for blocks. It’s color coding."

CHANGE # 1: Starting July 1, ONLY Hefty ReNew orange bags will be accepted in the orange recycling Roll Offs.

No more clear bags. No more dog food bags or Costco toilet paper bags, etc.

ONLY THE ORANGE HEFTY BAGS.

CHANGE # 2: NO INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL PLASTIC

ByFusion has requested the plastic we recycle be limited to “household size” plastic items that can fit in the orange bags.

Initially, when Steve K started the program anything made of plastic was allowed. ANYTHING. This included PVC pipe, plastic car bumpers and car parts, laundry baskets, lawn chairs, storage totes, kids’ swimming pools, etc. 

ByFusion has found over time that the large items made of industrial or commercial plastic are too difficult and time consuming to put through their shredder and that it did not add to a good mix of what they actually needed to make construction blocks. The Industrial and Commercial plastic is considered a contaminant now. If it does not fit in the orange bag, do not recycle it.

Q. Do we really have to start using the Hefty ReNew orange bags on July 1?

A. Yes.  ONLY orange bags.

Q. Can I still use clear bags or dogfood, bags from packaging, etc?

A. NO. Not after July 1.

Q. Can we put the orange bags in our blue recycling bins?

A. No.  In about a year, you will be able to put the orange bags in your Blue Bin, but NOT now.

Q. Where do I take my orange bags of "Hard to Recycle" Plastic?

Drop Off Locations

• Ward 2 Office, 7820 E. Broadway
• Ward 4 Office, 8123 E. Poinciana Drive
• Ward 5 Office, 4300 S Park Ave
• Ward 6 Office, 3202 E. 1st Street
• Fire Station 15, 1925 S. San Antonio Drive

Q. What plastic should go in the Blue Bins and what should go in the orange Hefty bags in the orange Roll-offs?

A. The City of Tucson makes money from the higher value plastics. Plastic bottles, jugs, and food containers labeled # 1, 2, and 5 offset some of the costs for the Tucson Recycling Program. Yes, they could go in the orange roll offs, but by putting the #1, 2, and 5 plastics in the Blue Bin you are helping to pay for our recycling program, so keep up the good work!

Q. What plastics are considered "Hard to Recycle" plastics and can be recycled in the Orange Hefty ReNew bag?

A. Check if an item is accepted. Scroll down the page and type the item's name and search: https://www.hefty.com/products/hefty-renew/hefty-renew-accepted-items

Q. Where can I buy Hefty ReNew orange bags?

A. Bags are for sale locally at WalMart for $8 and Fry's for $9 for 20. They are for sale online at Target for $7.99 per 20 count and also at WalMart online for $7.48 per 20 count.

You can request a Hefty Orange Bag Starter Kit with one free orange bag: 

https://www.hefty.com/hefty-renew-starter-kit-for-drop-off

Q. What contaminates a load of plastic?

A. At the beginning of the program, there was not much contamination from food, non-plastic items, industrial or commercial plastic, etc. But for the past few months contamination rates have continued to grow and grow and this has become a real issue.

Industrial and commercial plastic can no longer be recycled in the program. If it does not fit in the orange bag, do not recycle it! NO car bumpers, pools, or lawn furniture!

When in doubt, throw it out.

Prevent food contamination by wiping out or rinsing plastic ziplocks, utensils, food containers/bags/wrappers, etc so they are clean. Leaving the bagels in the plastic bag when you throw the bag in the recycling is not cool.

One final point made in this town hall: 

the ReNew program is not an ideal solution to the proliferation of plastics. 

It's better than the landfill. 

Better still, is if you employ the other two Rs: Reduce and Reuse. 

Thanks for caring about our community and our environment!

Thanks to Dora Maldonado from Ward VI, Diana Lett of Feldman’s Neighborhood and Joan Hall from Jefferson Park for contributing some of the information.

A resident walking her dog on Bell this week was rushed by an unleashed chihuahua who attacked her dog. Everyone is fine, but it scared her and her dog.

Tucson has a leash law that you must keep your dog on a leash or restrained whenever they are outdoors.

It is also common courtesy to your neighbors

And, PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG! -- it is a quality of living issue and a health hazard to humans, other dogs and wildlife. Plus, it is against Tucson City codes and Pima County law!

And, please be respectful of others. Ask before approaching someone with your dog. Just because your dog is friendly does not mean the dog you are approaching is.

61st Annual 4th of July Parade

Thursday, July 4, 2024

7:00 AM 10:00 AM

Catalina High School Park & Playground

NEW LOCATION, NEW ROUTE!

Our next-door neighbor, Palo Verde Neighborhood on the west side of Alvernon, is having a parade and we are invited!  Garden District residents may attend either as participants in the parade or as spectators. It is the longest running non-mechanized 4th of July parade in Tucson. 

It is neighborhoods and "small town America" at their very best with lots of crepe paper streamers, painted faces, patriotic hats, and decorated wagons, dogs, and bikes. It is a fun way to start the Fourth. 

Featured Activities

• City of Tucson’s Ready, Set, Rec! is bringing games and activities for the kids

• Music performances by The Manhattan Dolls, Al Perry, Ron Pandy, Brass Band, and more!

• Ben’s Bells Temporary Tattoos, and pick up one of their “Be Kind” Flower Signs to walk in the parade with

• Holiday piñata with candy 

Sign Up Your Parade Group / Float

All Palo Verde residents and organizations are encouraged to participate in the parade! Walk with your family, friends, pets, and neighbors. Win prizes for:

• Best bicycle
• Best dog
• Best group
• Best individual
• Best float
• Best of show

Pima Animal Care Center is holding a free pet vaccine and microchip clinic on June 26 at the shelter, 4000 N. Silverbell Road.

PACC will be closed to the public for other services during the vaccine and microchip clinic to allow staff resources to be devoted to that effort. Emergency services will be available via PACC’s dispatch line, 520-724-5900 ext. 4.

“One of the most common reasons we’re seeing pets be surrendered to PACC these days is due to lack of access to affordable, preventative pet care like vaccines and simple wellness,” said Director of Animal Services, Monica Dangler. “We’re hopeful that by providing these services as well as lost-and-found resources like chips and tags, we can help more pets stay with the families who love them.”

Gates will open at 9 a.m., and shelter staff will begin processing pets at 9:30 a.m. The clinic will run until 6:30 p.m. or until the first 400 pets have been served. This is a first-come, first-served event. Pet owners should plan to wait in line and bring water for themselves and their pets. Dogs must be on leashes. Cats need to be in carriers.

Services that will be offered include:

• Brief exam by licensed veterinarian
• FVRCP vaccines for cats (Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
• DHPP vaccines for dogs (Canine Distemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus)
• Rabies vaccines for cats and dogs
• Deworming for pets under six months old
• Microchip implantation
• Customized ID tag

This clinic is sponsored by Petco Love and Friends of Pima Animal Care Center. Learn more about PACC’s services and available pets, please visit pima.gov/animalcare.

From PACC: Pima County, our dogs need help. Today.

PACC had 518 dogs in the shelter yesterday morning.

There were three kennels open this morning for incoming dogs. On average, we have been seeing about 40 dogs come into the shelter a day.

We absolutely need your help and must find adoptive and foster homes for dogs of all ages, shapes, and sizes. 518 is way, way full - and with the 4th of July right around the corner, when PACC will see 250-300 dogs come into the shelter as a result of the fireworks, we are ALL deeply concerned.

How you can help:

ADOPT. All dogs and puppies are currently FREE to adopt! All pets adopted from PACC are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines.

FOSTER. If you can't adopt a dog, can you foster, even just for two weeks to give a pup a break from the shelter? PACC provides all medical care for fosters and can provide supplies based on what we have available. The majority of dogs who go home for a short-term foster quickly find adopters while in foster or shortly after returning to the shelter. It can be a literal life-changer for them!

HELP PETS GET HOME without bringing them straight to the shelter. If you lose or find a healthy, friendly lost pet, please file a report at lost.petcolove.org, which uses image recognition technology to reunite them. Using this tool, flyers, and social media are all proven to be more successful at getting the dog home than bringing them to the shelter is. While it may take a little extra work, it will also help save lives and keep families together. (Plus: saves you the drive to PACC.)

If your pet is at PACC, please come down to reclaim them ASAP. Reclaim fees are waived in most cases.

PACC is open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To put it simply: We and they need you.

Sandbag Stations

Also Available

in Pima County

Sandbags are free and available onsite. You are invited to fill up no more than 20 sandbags per vehicle. For safety and convenience, residents need to bring a shovel and gloves to assemble the sandbags.

For your convenience, there are various sandbag locations throughout the County including:

1. 16091 W Universal Ranch Rd - fire station in Arivaca 
2. E Snyder Rd and N Lason Ln
3. Carter Canyon Rd and N Sabino Canyon Parkway-Mt Lemmon
4. Golder Ranch Dr - fire station in Catalina
5. N Pima Canyon Dr and E Ina Rd
6. E Dawson Rd and County Club
7. 1313 S Mission Road - Mission Yard
8. Camino Verde and W Ajo Hwy-fire station 
9. Trico Rd and Silverbell Rd-fire station
10. Picture Rocks-fire station
11. La Canada Dr and Paseo Del Chino in Green Valley

WATER RIGHT NOW TO SAVE YOUR TREES

Some urban trees are at risk of dying, especially the Aleppo Pines.

Slow deep watering less often

is better than

shallow watering more often.

Make sure you water your trees when they can take in the water - later in the evening (when it cools off ) or early morning (before it gets too hot.) . Water will evaporate during the heat of the day.

Download the below info sheet.

Building a Resilient Neighborhood-BaRN

Are Our Tucson Water Supplies Resilient?

Date: Wed June 26

Time: 7-8 pm

Venue: Zoom REGISTER HERE

You are warmly invited to attend an online conversation with Scott Schladweiler, deputy director of Tucson Water. Scott has 14 years’ experience at the utility, starting as a senior engineering associate, progressing through engineering manager and chief engineering positions before taking his current role last year.

He is deeply familiar with the structures and processes comprising our water delivery system. After a brief introduction, he will take our questions on how the utility ensures reliable service, the risks of increasing intensity and duration of heat waves, and how we can best prepare for an extended power outage.

Building a Resilient Neighborhood (BaRN) is a coalition of Tucson residents from diverse neighborhoods. Inspired by Physicians for Social Responsibility, we have come together to spread the word among neighbors about extreme weather and build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. In the last minutes of our meeting, volunteers in the program will report on their outreach, emergency planning by neighborhoods, and other elements of the project.

For more info, write to rbolza@me.com or stuartfieldmoody@hotmail.com

BECOME A BLOCK CONNECTOR

HELP BUILD A MORE RESILIENT NEIGHBORHOOD

Tuesday, July 2nd, 4-5 pm

Register here

In a city with over 500,000 residents, connecting with our neighbors is as important as ever for the quality of life. One issue which touches us all is our changing climate. How are we going to be prepared for an extreme heat crisis?

You are invited to a 1-hr informational Zoom session on building a resilient community by making connections between neighbors and preparing for climate-related emergencies. These sessions are once or twice monthly via Zoom. The next one will be:

At the orientation, you will learn how to become a Block Connector – a volunteer who reaches out to neighbors in their own block of households – whether the block is your own street, your apartment complex, or your section of a trailer park. The job is simple and straightforward, and takes only a few hours to accomplish on your own schedule

$3 tickets on Tuesdays in July

Reid Park Zoo is reducing the cost of daytime admission for guests every Tuesday in July to $3 per person. The $3 tickets are only available in person at the gate on Tuesdays. Summer hours for the Zoo are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. through Sept. 30.

Reid Park Zoo

You can be one of the first to Shape Your Transportation Future by participating in our brief survey. Your input is needed to inform development of PAG’s long-range transportation plan, the 2055 Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan. Share your transportation priorities for the greater Tucson region to guide future improvements to the network. Your input matters. Take the survey at PAGregion.com/2055

All a mosquito needs to lay eggs and complete its life cycle is a tablespoon of water. Check all those hidden spots in your yard where water might have collected.

If you’ve considered installing water harvesting features on your property, now is the time to act to be ready for monsoon storms.

Take advantage of the big changes Tucson Water made to its rainwater harvesting rebate in 2023, offering more benefits to customers:

• Customers who properly follow rainwater harvesting system installation guidelines can receive up to $2,000 per property, based on the size of the system installed.
• A system can now be any combination of active and passive features like basins, berms, and swales.

Why harvest rainwater to use on your landscape? It conserves valuable tap water, helps to prevent erosion and runoff, nurtures plants with water that has less salt and lower mineral content, replenishes groundwater, may reduce your utility bill, and more!

Now there’s online pre-approval and review to better ensure your system meets rebate guidelines and maximizes rainfall capture.

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

Before installing a rainwater harvesting system,

applicants must take a free rebate workshop.

(See below!)

Watershed Management Group is just around the corner from us!

Water Harvesting Rebate ClassesThe Tucson Water Rainwater Harvesting Rebate will reimburse up to $2,000 for residential rainwater-harvesting systems. To qualify for the rainwater harvesting rebate, you must attend a class, submit an online application, and a project plan. Visit the City of Tucson website for further information about the residential rainwater harvesting rebate program.



The Tucson Water Greywater Harvesting Rebate will reimburse up to $1,000 for residential greywater systems. To qualify for the greywater rebate, you must attend a class, submit an online application, and project plan. Visit the City of Tucson website for further information about the residential greywater rebate program.

Virtual Greywater Class (Tucson Water Rebate)

06/18/2024 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Rainwater Harvesting Class (Tucson Water)

07/09/2024 - 8:00am to 10:30am

Virtual Greywater Class (Tucson Water Rebate)

07/11/2024 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm

In-Person Rainwater Harvesting Class (Tucson Water)

07/16/2024 - 8:00am to 10:30am

This is only a few of the classes. Click here for the full schedule.

Click below to read this week's or past Ward VI newsletters.



BEGINNING JULY 1, ONLY ORANGE HEFTY BAGS

IN THE ORANGE ROLL OFFS FOR RECYCLING PLASTIC,

RECYCLING STYROFOAM!?!?

YES!

BUT ONLY IN THE ORANGE HEFTY RENEW BAGS.

ORANGE HEFTY BAGS - ok for styrofoam and plastic mixed in one bag.

Put in the Roll Offs with other bags of plastic.

Drop Off Locations

• Ward 2 Office, 7820 E. Broadway
• Ward 4 Office, 8123 E. Poinciana Drive
• Ward 5 Office, 4300 S Park Ave
• Ward 6 Office, 3202 E. 1st Street
• Fire Station 15, 1925 S. San Antonio Drive

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Alvernon/Grant Initiative (AGI) - meet with police and neighborhoods in our area. 2nd Tuesday of EVERY month. 6 - 7pm at Emmanuel Church.

Bookmobile at Wright Elementary - 2nd Wednesday of every month, 3 - 4 pm until Martha Cooper Library reopens in late Spring.

DUMPSTERS IN EACH QUADRANT

Oct. 3 to Oct 6, 2024

BRUSH AND BULKY CURB-SIDE PICK UP

• August 19, 2024

REOPENING OF MARTHA COOPER LIBRARY CELEBRATION -July 2024?

WIDENING OF GRANT RD CONSTRUCTION - Has started. Not expected to be completed until sometime in early 2027.

REVISED AND UPDATED GRANT/ALVERNON AREA PLAN will hopefully be approved by Mayor and Council this year.

GRANT RD INVESTMENT DISTRICT OVERLAY GRID - will be developed this year working with neighborhoods bordering Grant Rd and City of Tucson Planning & Development Services. It will be critical that our neighborhood have a strong voice from many GDNA residents in creating it.