NewsNet

Tucson's Mayor and Council is meeting today, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m., in Study Session, and the body will meet again at 5:30 p.m. Due to COVID-19, the meetings will again be held remotely and online. You can watch the meetings live (and recordings of previous meetings) on the City of Tucson's YouTube channel linked below, and you can also see what's on the agendas.
City of Tucson YouTube page
View Mayor and Council agenda

As of today, Jan. 20, Arizona now has 690,544 positive coronavirus cases, with 4,845 new cases reported today (down from 6,746 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 92,519 cases are in Pima County (up 779 from yesterday). There have been 11,528 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (262 reported today), and 1,495 of those occurred in Pima County (73 reported today). Meanwhile, the City's pop-up testing locations are available on a walk-up basis only. No appointment is necessary. The free, saliva tests are administered by Rescue Me Wellness, and results are available in 3-5 days. For a full list of times and locations, follow the testing link below.
COVID-19 testing
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) $600,000 to develop operational solutions that address challenges faced by public transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are from the FTA’s Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program and were awarded to 37 projects nationwide. DTM, working in partnership with Sun Tran, will use the funds to upgrade fare payment systems to allow riders to use mobile and other touchless fare payment options. The grant money also will be used to install automated wheelchair securing systems on buses to allow riders to secure themselves, reducing contact with operators and improving mobility, confidence, and independence.
Read the DTM news release
Read the FTA news release

Organizers of the Fourth Avenue Street Fair say the 2021 spring edition will not happen this year due to the coronavirus. As of now, the North Fourth Avenue Merchants Association says the 2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair is scheduled for Dec. 10-12.
North Fourth Avenue Merchants Association

All passengers are required to use a face covering, mask, or face shield while riding in public transit vehicles and at transit centers. Passengers can wear non-medical masks, cloths, bandannas, and scarves. Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Van, and Sun Shuttle have the right to refuse a ride to passengers not wearing a mask. Sun Tran has a limited supply of masks at the Ronstadt and Laos Transit Center information booths (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), while supplies last. Passengers who are 5 years old and under are exempt from the mask mandate. Sun Tran and Sun Van operators also are required to wear a mask or shield at all times.
Sun Tran
Sun Link
City of Tucson face coverings FAQ

All City of Tucson offices, except for emergency services, will be closed Monday, Jan. 18, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Residential and commercial trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, and all collections will be delayed by one day. The Los Reales Landfill will be open on Monday. Sun Tran, Sun Van, and the Sun Link streetcar will operate on a regular schedule on Monday.
Environmental and General Services Department
Sun Tran
Sun Link

As of today, Jan. 14, Arizona now has 649,040 positive coronavirus cases, with 7,311 new cases reported today (up from 5,629 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 86,345 cases are in Pima County (up 1,089 from yesterday). There have been 10,855 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (182 reported today), and 1,362 of those occurred in Pima County (27 reported today). Meanwhile, the City's pop-up testing locations are available on a walk-up basis only. No appointment is necessary. The free, saliva tests are administered by Rescue Me Wellness. and results are available in 3-5 days. For a full list of times and locations, follow the testing link below.
COVID-19 testing sites
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website

Tucson's Mayor and Council and the Office of Economic Initiatives (ConnectTucson) are hosting several virtual meetings this month to engage the community in co-creating a shared vision for the future of the Central Business District (CBD). Arizona statute ARS § 42-6209(c) grants the City of Tucson authority to abate property tax for up to eight years if a property is located within a designated CBD and meets other specific criteria that would improve the property for economic development purposes. The 90-minute meetings will inform the Mayor and Council about the future of the CBD boundaries and requirements for the Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET). The next meeting is Saturday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m., hosted by Ward 2. Register for this session and others by following the link below.
Register for CBD sessions
ConnectTucson

The City of Tucson's annual TreeCycle program continues through Sunday, Jan. 17. Nine sites are open for collection. Residents are asked to remove all lights, ornaments, decorations, plastic tree bags, and tree stands before dropping off real trees at a TreeCycle site. Due to the pandemic, please wear a mask and practice social distancing when dropping off your tree. Please do not leave trees outside the collection time or area due to fire hazards. The City of Tucson will not collect Christmas trees from curbs and alleys. For more information on sites, hours, and locations, follow the link below.
TreeCycle

Is there a pothole you'd like to see filled? Is a street sign missing? Is a tree limb hanging too close over a roadway or sidewalk? You can report these issues to the City of Tucson's Department of Transportation and Mobility, (520) 791-3154, or email the exact location to TDOTConcerns@tucsonaz.gov. 
Department of Transportation and Mobility

Self-driving truck company TuSimple says it plans to add 100 jobs over the next year or so. The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives assisted in the San Diego-based company's expansion, which includes plans to enlarge TuSimple's test center and trucking hub on East Old Vail Road by 35,000 square feet. The company's nationwide network of autonomous commercial trucks also is adding new partners. When hired, the new engineers and drivers will join about 200 employees currently working at the now-50,000-square-foot facility. The company says it's partnering with its landowner, Diamond Ventures, to break ground on its building expansion soon, and construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
From the Arizona Daily Star
TuSimple 
Office of Economic Initiatives (ConnectTucson)

As of today, Jan. 13, Arizona now has 641,729 positive coronavirus cases, with 5,629 new cases reported today (down from 8,559 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 85,256 cases are in Pima County (up 830 from yesterday). There have been 10,673 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (191 reported today), and 1,335 of those occurred in Pima County (24 reported today). The City of Tucson and Pima County remind you to always wear a mask in public and avoid socializing with anyone outside of your household during the pandemic.
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website

Starting Feb. 1, glass no longer will be accepted in Tucson's blue bin recycling program, but it will be collected at drop-off sites across the city. Tucson's Mayor and Council voted last November to remove glass from the blue barrel program and start a local glass reuse program. The City's Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD) is hosting two more virtual town hall events for residents to learn more about the new program and why the glass decision was made. The town halls are open to the public and will be conducted via Zoom. The next meeting is this Friday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. Registration information can be found by following the link below.
EGSD glass reuse plan

Tucson Parks and Recreation has canceled the 2021 Senior Olympic Festival, but it wants to encourage all seniors (ages 50 years or older) to stay active and healthy during these uncertain times. Send in a recent photo or short video clip (10 seconds maximum) of you staying active, and you will receive a free gift bag. You will be notified by email with location, dates, and times for a contactless, drive-thru pick-up. Each participant also will be entered into drawings for additional prizes. Email your photo or video clip to SeniorOlympics@tucsonaz.gov. Follow the link below for more details, and complete a short survey to help choose the theme for the 2022 Senior Olympic Festival.
Senior Olympic Festival

To honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. and in the spirit of service, Reid Park Zoo is partnering with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to fight hunger in our community. The Zoo will be hosting a food drive this Friday, Jan. 15, through Monday, Jan. 18 (MLK Day). Donations will be accepted at the Zoo's front gate, and guests can receive $1 off a carousel ride as a thank you when they drop off their donations at the Zoo's Cox Wildlife Carousel. The most-needed food items include canned protein (chicken, tuna, meats, beans); canned fruits and vegetables; pasta and sauce; peanut butter; and cereal. As part of COVID-19 health precautions, tickets to the Zoo must be reserved online and in advance.
From Reid Park Zoo
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

- Tucson's Mayor and Council last week approved the sale of Certificates of Participation (COPs) to fund the City’s growing obligation to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), which funds the pensions for fire and police personnel. The obligation currently stands at $1.5 billion and is projected to grow to a peak annual cost of $240 million to the City’s General Fund. The strategy addresses the long-term PSPRS obligation by borrowing money at unusually low interest rates to help fund the pension obligation. This has the potential to save the City more than $800 million over 25 years, reducing future burdens to the General Fund, preserving essential services, saving taxpayer dollars, and helping to stabilize the City’s financial future. Mayor and Council also created the City of Tucson Public Safety Pension Trust to manage, invest, and safeguard the bond proceeds. The trust also will have an independent investment advisor and trust administrator. Additionally, the trust will be audited as part of the City’s annual audit.
Read the news release
Mayor and Council agenda materials (item 11)

- Tucson's Mayor and Council and the Office of Economic Initiatives (ConnectTucson) are hosting several virtual meetings this month to engage the community in co-creating a shared vision for the future of the Central Business District (CBD). Arizona statute ARS § 42-6209(c) grants the City of Tucson authority to abate property tax for up to eight years if a property is located within a designated CBD and meets other specific criteria that would improve the property for economic development purposes. The 90-minute meetings will inform the Mayor and Council about the future of the CBD boundaries and requirements for the Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET). The next meetings are tomorrow, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m., hosted by Ward 5, and Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m., hosted by Ward 6. Register for these and other sessions by following the link below.
Register for CBD sessions
ConnectTucson

As of today, Jan. 11, Arizona now has 627,541 positive coronavirus cases, with 8,995 new cases reported today (down from 11,201 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 83,386 cases are in Pima County (up 1,189 from yesterday). There have been 10,147 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (6 reported today), and 1,263 of those occurred in Pima County (0 reported today). The City of Tucson and Pima County remind you to always wear a mask in public and avoid socializing with anyone outside of your household during the pandemic.
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website

Starting Feb. 1, glass no longer will be accepted in Tucson's blue bin recycling program, but it instead will be collected at drop-off sites across the city. Tucson's Mayor and Council voted last November to remove glass from the blue barrel program and start a local glass reuse program. The City's Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD) is hosting three virtual town hall events for residents to learn more about the new program and why the glass decision was made. The town halls are open to the public and will be conducted via Zoom. Registration information can be found by following the link below.
EGSD glass reuse plan

Occupational cancer is taking the lives of many firefighters, but thanks to the investment in public safety made by taxpayers, Tucson fire stations are being modernized in an attempt to reduce toxic exposures. The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) lost two firefighters to occupational cancer in the past 10 years, including Captain Jacki DeHaro, who passed away this past June. In the KVOA story linked below, DeHaro's widow, retired TFD Assistant Chief Laura Baker, remarks on the importance these improvements will have for generations of Tucson firefighters to come.
Watch the story from KVOA