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NewsNet 5-21-13

newsnet - May 21, 4:06 pm

STREET REPAIR SPOTLIGHT: PATCHING AND MICROSURFACING ON SOUTH 12TH - Intermountain Slurry Seal, under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), will be patching and micro-surfacing 12th Avenue between Santa Paula Street and Los Reales Road on May 21 and 22, 2013. All work will be performed between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Read the City of Tucson news release here. Learn more about Microsurfacing at the International Slurry Seal Association's info page.

FY14 BUDGET, PROPERTY TAXES, WATER RATES TO BE FINALIZED AFTER PUBLIC HEARINGS TONIGHT - Final adoption of the City's Fiscal 2014 budget, which totals about $1.3B, is scheduled for tonight's M&C regular session, following a public hearing. Public hearings will also be held on the City's primary property tax, to which an increase of about $2.66M has been recommended, and on proposed increases to water rates and fees. Story from KOLD/KMSB on final budget adoption here, City of Tucson news release, Truth in Taxation Hearing Notice here, story from KOLD/KMSB on water rates and fees here.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RESTORES RANK OF TFD CAPTAIN - The City of Tucson's Civil Service Commission voted unanimously to restore the rank of Captain Roger Sloan Tamietti, who had been demoted over allegations of misconduct. After hearing two days of testimony, the commission decided there wasn't enough evidence to support the previous punishment. Commissioners cited lack of witness corroboration, dubious investigative methods and improper application of TFD's own code as some of the reasons they voted to reinstate Tamietti's rank. From the Star.

TFD HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO FREON LEAK AT PIMA COUNTY JAIL - Tucson Fire Department hazardous materials crews were dispatched yesterday to the Pima County Jail for a refrigerant leak. Maintenance crews were working on rooftop A/C units, under the impression that the refrigerant had been drained. After a valve was opened, it was discovered refrigerant remained in the system. Hazardous Materials crews arrived and took safety precautions to identify the substance that had leaked. The substance that leaked was identified as Dichlorodifluoromethane, a colorless gas usually sold under the brand name of Freon. No injuries were reported, but the Tucson Fire Department reminds everyone that acute exposure to Freon can be dangerous. Symptoms include dizziness, drowsiness, and sometimes an irregular heartbeat. If you ever suspect a Freon leak, remove yourself from the area and call for emergency services. News release from TFD.

WILDFIRE NEAR NOGALES IS ABOUT 8% CONTAINED, HAS BURNED OVER 3,800 ACRES - As of this morning, fire crews battling the Soldier Basin Fire northeast of Nogales were saying the fire had burned over 3,800 acres, and was about eight percent contained. The fire was first reported last Friday. Soldier Basin Wildfire Information Officer Michelle Fidler says the fire was human-caused. "We know that because there was no lightning reported in the area," she said, adding that an investigation is underway. From KOLD/KMSB.

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NewsNet 5-20-13

newsnet - May 21, 3:53 pm

WELCOME, MARTHA DURKIN - The City Managers Office is pleased to announce Ms. Martha Durkin, currently General Counsel for the Tucson Unified School District, has accepted the position of Assistant City Manager. Ms. Durkin has extensive experience in local government, having previously served the City of Tucson, Pima County and TUSD. She starts July 1st.

STREETCAR UPDATE: I-10 FRONTAGE TO REOPEN THIS WEEK - The northbound frontage road along Interstate 10 between 22nd Street and Broadway as well as the nearby intersection of Granada Avenue and Cushing Street are scheduled to re-open this week. This will give some commuters a new route into downtown, allowing them to avoid traffic delays caused by the continued construction of the tracks for the modern streetcar, mainly along Broadway. From the Star.

AGENDA SPOTLIGHT: RELOCATING HISTORIC SIGNS - A working group convened by the City's Safe Harbor Program, the mission of which is to mitigate negative impacts of roadway construction projects upon businesses, is recommending that the City provide a sign relocation option to businesses impacted by City street projects. Typically, these projects only pay for the removal of the existing signs and replacing them with signs that compliy with the current sign code, in a new location on the same property. The recommended change would allow such businesses to relocate their historic signs instead, thus preserving them. This option would only be available to owners of signs eligible for designation as Historic Landmark Signs. The item will be discussed in tomorrow's M&C Study Session. Read the M&C memo here.

NO-WHISTLE ZONE PROPOSED FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS IN DOWNTOWN LINKS AREA - Rail crossings at Ninth Avenue and Sixth Street; Main Avenue and Davis Street; Sixth Street, west of Stone Avenue; and Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street may soon become quieter. "We have 51 to 55 trains a day coming through and that is set to increase because of increased trade with Mexico," says Tucson Department of Transportation project manager Tom Fisher. City consultants are working with the Federal Railroad Administration and have applied for what the federal agency calls "Quiet Zones." From the Star.

DEDICATION FOR "IVAN'S SPOT" JUNE 1 - On Saturday, June 1, at 9 a.m., City officials, members of the law enforcement community and friends will gather at Purple Heart Park, 10050 East Rita Road, to celebrate the life and memory of Ivan, a two year old Belgian Malinois killed in action on December 12 while serving as a TPD K-9. The dog park at Purple Heart Park, where Officer Chris Fenoglio would often take Ivan to run off energy after a shift, will be named "Ivan's Spot." "Ivan gave his life honorably while doing what he was trained to do," said Chief of Police Roberto Villasenor. "Protect the lives of the officers and citizens of this City, and help remove violent individuals from the streets of Tucson." Read the news release from Parks & Rec here.

TUCSON 12: SUPERVISORY CORE SERIES - Tucson 12 visits Supervisory Core Series, a human resources curriculum that teaches new and aspiring supervisors about basic city policy and procedures. The underlying goal of Supervisory Core Series is to inspire employees to examine what they do, and how they do it. From Tucson 12.

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Property Tax Information

ward4 - May 21, 12:50 pm

There are 3 issues that have increased the property tax:

1) Increase allowed by the State law 2% 2) Increase related to Insurance Tort and ... 3) Loss of revenue based on a reduction of sales tax revenue

For more info click below:

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/fllmhnbwb5hecl55hmio02za/5270773052120131201065.PDF

Compensation Plan Information

ward4 - May 21, 12:03 pm

Want more information on the compensation plan...click on this link. http://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/zj5403bcvoy35455zu22td45/527403805212013115820783.PDF

NewsNet 5-17-13

newsnet - May 20, 5:35 pm

AGENDA SPOTLIGHT: FINAL ADOPTION OF FY14 BUDGET - A special session has been scheduled during the regular meeting Tuesday, May 21 for final adoption of the City's Annual Budget for Fiscal 2014. This budget, totaling approximately $1.27B, was tentatively adopted by M&C on May 7. A final public hearing on the budget is also scheduled for next Tuesday during the regular session, immediately after which M&C will recess and convene a special meeting for the purpose of the budget's final adoption. Read the M&C memo re: final budget public hearing here. Read the M&C memo re: adoption of FY2014 budget here.

TPD TO BEGIN ZERO-TOLERANCE SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT NEXT WEEK - As part of the national "Click it or Ticket" campaign, the Tucson Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies are partnering with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to increase seat belt usage throughout the state. The Arizona campaign, called "Buckle Up Arizona… Its the Law!," is based upon high visibility and aggressive traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach towards seat belt and child safety seat usage. The enforcement mobilization will run from May 20, 2013 to June 2, 2013. Read the news release from TPD here.

JUDGE DENIES REQUEST FOR PRETRIAL RULING IN TUCSON'S CHALLENGE TO NEW ELECTION LAW - A lawsuit challenging a 2012 state law that would require Arizona's local governments to move their elections to even-numbered years will now go to trial. The new law, which takes effect in 2014, affects about half of Arizona's cities and towns, is being challenged on constitutional grounds by the cities of Tucson and Phoenix. Judge James Marner denied motions for summary judgmemnt filed by the case's plaintiffs and defendant, asking Marner to either overturn the law or dismiss the suit. Marner said conflicting evidence presented by the state and cities regarding voter turnout and cost savings needs to be heard in court. From the Republic. From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://bit.ly/10zilVx

SEQUESTER SPOTLIGHT: 1,300 CIVILIAN DM EMPLOYEES TO BE FURLOUGHED - Due to federal budget cuts, about ten percent of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's workforce will be forced to take one day off per week for 11 weeks, starting July 8th. Military employees may pick up some of the work civilian employees were doing, in order to keep those priorities functioning, including training A-10 pilots. From Arizona Public Media.

REMINDER: OPEN ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY - City employees' annual opportunity to make changes to their insurance benefits is now underway, and will last until May 31st. Employees who do not wish to make changes to their current benefits do not need to do anything, however; employees who make personal contributions to health savings accounts must re-enroll. For more info, see the City's Open Enrollment page.

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NewsNet 5-16-13

newsnet - May 20, 5:06 pm

CITY OF TUCSON FLEET NAMED TOP 100 BEST FLEETS IN THE NATION - Government Fleet Magazine has recognized the City of Tucson with the 100 Best Fleets Award for 2013. The award program recognizes and rewards peak performing public sector fleet operations in North America. The program also identifies and encourages ever-increasing levels of performance improvement within the fleet industry. The City of Tucson fleet was acknowledged for its operational efficiency, significant savings and increased fleet availability. Read the City of Tucson news release here.

TUCSON 12 PRESENTS: CAPTAIN AWESOME! - Tucson artist Maloree Renaud and her two-year-old son, Captain Awesome, are on a mission to visit all 127 of Tucsons city parks. Renaud is keeping an online journal with photos of the parks theyve visited, and is creating paintings of some of them, too. Their project, called Playable Parks, can be found on the web at www.playableparks.com. Tucson 12 caught up with Renaud and Captain Awesome last week. From Tucson 12.

CITY OF PHOENIX RECOMMENDED FY14 BUDGET INCREASES BY $12.6M, BOOSTS CITY SERVICES - Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos has proposed a general fund budget of $1.16B for FY14, an increase of about $12.6M over the current fiscal year. The FY14 budget increases or restores previously cut services in several areas, including 18 additional police patrol officers, four firefighters, three paramedics, restoration of five of the city's after-school program sites, and other enhancements. The budget is set for tentative adoption May 21. From the Republic.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON ADOT FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM WRAPS UP TOMORROW - The public has one more day to submit comments on the Arizona Department of Transportation's 2014-2018 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. The public comment period is open until the end of the business day on Friday, May 17 to provide community members with a chance to submit their feedback online or by phone. The program is available for public review and comment at www.azdot.gov. ADOT has developed a how to read it guide that is posted on the website and welcomes feedback at FiveYearProgram@azdot.gov. A phone line is also available for callers to leave their comments and ask questions: (855) 712-8530.

TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING: NOTICE OF TAX INCREASE - In compliance with A.R.S. §42-17107, the City of Tucson, Arizona, is notifying its property taxpayers of the City of Tucson's intention to raise primary property taxes over last year's level. The City is proposing an increase of primary property taxes of $2,662,460 or 19.5%. All interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on the tax increase that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at or after 5:30 p.m. at the Mayor and Council Chambers in City Hall. Read the City of Tucson news release here.

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NewsNet 5-15-13

newsnet - May 20, 2:46 pm

TUCSON WATER: 36-INCH PIPELINE AT PIMA MINE ROAD CANNOT ACCOMMODATE TWO INCOMING 36-INCH CONNECTIONS - M&C voted unanimously yesterday to tentatively adopt 11 criteria determining who may connect to an existing 36-inch pipeline, serving the Pima Mine Road Recharge Project, jointly owned by the City and the Central Arizona Project. Before the vote, Tucson Water officials told the council that the utility's 36-inch existing pipeline can't accommodate both 36-inch pipelines that Farmers Investment Co. and Community Water Co. of Green Valley have proposed to take CAP to southern Pima County. Community Water Co. plans to recharge CAP water to compensate for groundwater pumping that Rosemont Copper will do for its proposed mine. From the Star.

TUCSON WATER RECIEVES HIGH CREDIT RATING - Moody’s Investor Service has assigned a rating of Aa2 and stable outlook to three upcoming Tucson Water bond sales. The rating of Aa2 describes an investment grade of high quality and very low credit risk. From Moody’s.

TPD OFFICERS TRAIN IN SPECIAL EXERCISE AT TCC - TPD officers participated in a training exercise at the Tucson Convention Center today. Members of the department’s Specialized Response Division, the SWAT Team and the Explosive and Hazardous Device Detail (a.k.a. Bomb Squad) are running scenarios of “high-risk or armed resistance type incidents ... in light of recent events that have occurred in Aurora, Colo., and Boston,” said TPD spokesman Sgt. Chris Widmer. From the Star.

TUCSON NAMED IN TRAVEL CHANNEL’S “TOP 10 CYCLING CITIES” - “This desert oasis has more bicycle infrastructure than any other city in the US, boasting more than 700 miles of designated bikeways,” says the Travel Channel in their recent feature, “Top 10 Cycling Cities in US.” From the Travel Channel.

TUCSON PARKS FOUNDATION PRESENTS THIRD ANNUAL “NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK” WITH TUCSON PADRES - The Tucson Parks Foundation, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, is sponsoring its 3rd annual Night at the Ballpark with the Tucson Padres on Wednesday , May 29th, at 7:05 p.m. at Kino Stadium. Discounted general admission Padres tickets are available for $4 (a $7 value) from the Tucson Parks Foundation website. All fundraising from this event helps to support Tucson Parks and Recreation KIDCO programs. Purchases of 20 tickets or more will receive a 25% discount at checkout. Read the news release from Parks & Rec here.

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Family Fun Day

ward4 - May 20, 11:37 am

May 25, 9am-12noon @ Purple Heart Park, 10050 E. Rita Rd.

Rita Ranch Neighborhood Association will be having a Family Fun Day. There will be face painting, kiddy train, food and more. It's a great time to get out and enjoy the park with the whole family.