Karin's Note: January 27, 2012

-2^nd Annual Math Fair at IST

-Monterey Court Presents “Mercury Portal”

-“Keeling On The Move” Kickoff

-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at Ward 3

-Fifth Annual “Beat Back Buffelgrass Day” is Saturday

-Grant Road Improvement Plan Hosts Workshops

- 58^th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Dear Tucsonans,

Stopping Mini-dorms

This week Mayor and Council held a Public Hearing on the proposed Land Use Code clarification addressing Group Dwellings (including mini-dorms). The LUC already explicitly prohibits Groups Dwellings in R1/RX1 and R2/RX2 neighborhoods. However a handful of developers have built to the maximum allowable lot coverage and height limits in the LUC, and then crossed that prohibition against Group Dwellings by using those structures as rentals for groups.

The clarification we’re poised to adopt will make it clear that the prohibition against Group Dwellings stands, because Group Dwellings stress the infrastructure and community fabric of low- and moderate-density neighborhoods. While the LUC has always noted examples of the types of Group Dwellings prohibited (everything from fraternities and sororities to convents) we’re preventing any future Group uses by explicitly clarifying that a group is defined more than four unrelated people (whether by blood, marriage/domestic partnership, or legal custodial relationships).

The opposition to this step by the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday has been withdrawn (we do not know yet whether the Hispanic Chamber will similarly withdraw their opposition). As more people learn about this issue and the current proposal, there is increasing support for it as a fair, balanced, and important step to help protect neighborhoods from mini-dorm and “rogue density” impacts.

Our progress on this would not have been possible without the tireless and smart leadership of residents in core City neighborhoods (most notably Jefferson Park, with help and support from others throughout central Tucson). City staff from Development Services and the City Attorney’s office, as well as several cooperating developers, also worked effectively through this process. Final action on this matter will occur at either the February 7 or February 15 Mayor and Council meeting. It’d be hard for me to overstate how excited I am to finally be in a position to enact policy that will halt the tide of mini-dorms and their associated harm in Tucson.

Central Business District

If there’s one thing history (and Rio Nuevo) has taught us, it is that the primary role of local government in economic development should be the improvement of public infrastructure. Infrastructure investments draw private investments to an area and benefit all taxpayers. So now, whenever the focus turns to direct incentives for private developments, red flags go up for me. Being pro-business does not mean doling handouts to developers; it means setting the stage upon which private investors can succeed.

Given the economic downturn there’s no doubt that securing financing for private projects has become difficult. Developers do face higher risk now than before as well. And having projects at a standstill hurts our overall economy because the jobs and revenues those projects could generate don’t materialize.

The concept of a Central Business District guards against the early mistakes made under Rio Nuevo (the attempts at backroom dealing rather than fair, open, competitive processes led the Mayor and Council to change management at the top and demand full audits in partnership with the State legislature). Through a CBD, competitive proposals would be accepted for project incentives that would return more to the taxpayers than the total amount of public funds awarded and invested. That guaranteed return on investment, as well as an assured open, competitive process seems to make a CBD worthy of consideration. Potential jobs and tax/fee revenues could be jump- started. As this concept receives further consideration I will remain vigilant in arguing for the appropriately limited scope of direct public involvement in private projects. Projects dying on the drawing board obviously add no value for our community; any that proceed through public-private partnership should benefit the involved parties in that order: public, then private.

Local Purchase Ordinance

I urged Local First Arizona to take root in Tucson several years ago because dollars spent with local companies return three times the value to the community over dollars spent at national chains. Local First has helped Tucson mobilize spending and support for local businesses and provided guidance to improve the City’s own procurement processes so we can now give smaller, local companies a reasonable edge in bidding. Tuesday we directed staff to keep pushing that envelop. They will to return to Mayor and Council with a draft ordinance to help us direct even more of City government spending to homegrown businesses. We will not sacrifice quality or cost savings in this measure; we will be giving the local economy as much of a boost as we can by buying local.

Transit System

 I invited representatives of the emerging Tucson Bus Riders Unions and their counterparts from Los Angeles to address the Mayor and Council on Tuesday as well. The presentation highlighted the importance of a top-notch transit system to our economy and our environment. You can read the report recently generated in Los Angeles (please click on the following link:) http://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/kvuufa45nyl31d55dzzehail/419047901302012102043611.PDF which I think holds lessons for us here in Tucson. We plan to join with the Tucson Bus Riders Union in advocating for more federal transit/transportation dollars, as well as a return of state lottery funds for transit which the Governor/legislature swept a few years ago (a move which has cost Tucson’s transit system close to $6 million to date!).

For more information on Mayor and Council agenda items, you can always link through the City’s website:  http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/.  Thanks for continuing to share your thoughts on issues facing Tucson!

Karin

P.S.  Please be sure and participate in the 58^th Annual Gem and Mineral Show which kicks off in Tucson this weekend!  Let the participants of this internationally recognized event know what a friendly, appreciative City we are. 

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Ward 3  Events:

-2^nd Annual Math Fair at International School of Tucson – Friday, January 27 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Near location in Jefferson Park Neighborhood: 1701 E. Seneca Street. For children 3-14 years of age. Games, prizes awarded. Refreshments for sale.

-Monterey Court Studio Galleries Venue Launch – Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. $6 admission. Saturday Night event (21 and over) begins at 5:00 p.m. $16 admission. Performance and installation art, live music, DJs, with guest performers from NYC, Mexico City and beyond. More info: www.montereycourtaz.com or 582-0514.

-“Keeling On The Move” Kickoff – Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come and join the Street Party (on Fontana between Blacklidge and Laguna) featuring food, entertainment, bike repairs, prizes and a lot of information on walking, biking and taking the bus. All neighbors are encouraged to attend. More info: Leslie at 661-6686.

-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance – Starts Tuesday, February 14 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Ward 3 Council Office, 1510 E. Grant Road. Volunteers will assist low and moderate income individuals and families complete 2011 taxes. Hours: every Tuesday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon through April 17. More info: 1-800-352-3792 or www.unitedwaytucson.org/vita

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City Wide Events:

 -Fifth Annual “Beat Back Buffelgrass” Day” – Saturday, January 28 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Buffelgrass will be removed from 18 sites in the Tucson area. Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves for protection. To register: www.buffelgrass.org to choose a work site. Note: In Ward 3, Rio Vista Recreational Park at the Rillito River is a designated work site. Take Tucson Boulevard north from Prince and Park in the assigned lot.

-Grant Road Improvement Plan Hosts Workshops – Three workshops are scheduled: Monday, February 6 at 6:00 p.m. Location: Executive Inn & Suites, 333 W. Drachman St. Area of focus: Oracle Road to Park Avenue. Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. Location: Tucson Association of Realtors, 2445 N. Tucson Boulevard. Area of focus: Park Avenue to Tucson Boulevard. Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 p.m. Location: Tucson Association of Realtors, 2445 N. Tucson Boulevard. Area of focus: Tucson Boulevard to Swan. Please join the Grant Road Improvement Plan Team to learn about and provide your input on land use planning for the roadway, and future character of Grant Road. More info: www.grantroad.info or 624-4727.

-58^th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show – Thursday, February 9 through Sunday, February 12. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church. 250 retail dealers, lectures and programs. Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. $10 admission, $8 parking at TCC. More info: www.tgms.org

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Did You Know…

…that the U.S. Air Force is holding a public hearing in which they will welcome the comments of the public on the proposed potential use of Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station as a pilot training center with F-35A training aircraft. The public hearings will be held at Tucson International Air Guard Station from February 21-23, 2012.  Further information is available at www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com.

…that the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department has two locations for after school programs in Ward 3? The “In-Betweeners Club (IBC) for students 11-14 years of age is a supervised, after school opportunity designed to offer social interaction, educational enrichment, arts and crafts and many other activities for youth. After school (approximately 2:30 p.m.) until 6:00 p.m. Locations: Donna Liggins Center at 2160 N. 6^th Avenue and Marty Birdman Center at 2536 N. Castro. Payment plan available when you register online: 222.ezeereg.com or call 791-4877.

… That 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese Zodiac? There are many Chinese New Year Festivities coming up soon. More info: www.tucsonchinese.org