In 2020, just as COVID started changing our lives, M&C (Mayor and Council) adopted what was then conceived as a pilot program called Storm to Shade. Using green stormwater infrastructure projects, the goal was to capture water runoff and divert it into our rights of way – creating more tree canopy and other landscape amenities for the community to enjoy. Like this -
Since the program began, we’ve all been paying about $1 per month on our water bills to fund the projects. The money is evenly distributed to projects across the city. In ward 6 you can think of the work done on the Treat Street bike boulevard and all of the landscaping at the ward office as two of our more recent projects. Many more are in the queue. In addition, maintenance of all the city GSI work is funded by the fee. I’ve got copies of the pocket guide to GSI maintenance at the ward 6 office if you’d like to pop over and get one.
On Tuesday we’ll be considering whether or not to keep the program going beyond it’s June 30th, 2023 sunset date. I’ll be a solid yes on making this a regular ongoing program for the city. You can go online and see the full review of projects the program has either completed, or that are in design. There are half dozen local contractors set up for maintenance. This is not only a program that’s beneficial to the environment but adds to our initiatives on water security and is a job creator in our local economy.
If you would like to show support, you can contact your city council member (find out how to contact them here) - or speak up at the Call to the Audience at the City Council Meeting:
When: December 20, 2022, meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Mayor and Council Chambers, City Hall, 255 W. Alameda
To address the Mayor and Council at the city council meeting:
Complete a speaker’s card and deposit it in the tray at the podium. Upon being recognized, state your name, whether you reside in the City of Tucson and whom you represent, before proceeding. Any person who is representing people other than themselves and is receiving compensation to influence an action by the Mayor & Council, shall, before speaking, identify themselves as a “retained speaker”.
Note: Seating capacity in the Chambers will be limited to accommodate recommended physical distancing. Also, it is recommended that employees and members of the public who access City buildings wear a mask in City facilities in common areas, lobbies and elevators, in areas where proper physical distancing is not feasible and members of the public who are 65 years of age or have a high-risk underlying medical condition.
The agenda
https://tucsonaz.onbaseonline.com/1801AgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=1657&doctype=1
Sometime after the call to the audience, the council will address:
Ordinance No. 11976 relating to Water; directing an amendment to Section 2 of Ordinance No. 11726 adopted by Mayor and Council on February 4, 2020 to remove the sunset date of the Green stormwater Infrastructure Fee and establish Storm to Shade as a permanent City Program; and declaring and emergency. You can also listen in on the meeting live on Youtube live:
NOTE: The study session for Storm to Shade will be held during the 2 o'clock study session. (Scheduled for 3:10 p.m.) |
