City News

If you'd like to play a role in determining the future of Tucson's Residential Parking Permit Program, you can apply to be a task force member. The application deadline is Monday. Task force members will review the current permit program, in light of significant changes to parking usage and needs in certain areas, and determine whether modifications are needed to better serve the community. The recommendations and input made by the 20-member task force will be submitted to the City of Tucson Park Tucson Commission.

Construction is underway on a new signal to help bicyclists and pedestrians cross Euclid Avenue at Fifth Street. The bicycle and pedestrian crossing is the first phase of the Fifth Street Bicycle Boulevard. Future phases will improve bicycling and walking along Fifth Street, from Seventh Avenue to Old Main, on the University of Arizona campus. The Fifth Street Bicycle Boulevard will limit the speed and volume of motor vehicle traffic while prioritizing the safety, comfort, and convenience of bicyclists and pedestrians.

The number of Pima County residents who reported driving alone to work, school, shopping, and for leisure dropped significantly since last year's survey, resulting in more than 8 million fewer miles driven each day. In May and June, FMR Associates Inc. conducted an Internet and telephone survey of 500 random Pima County households to analyze and track the overall effectiveness of the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality’s (PDEQ) Clean Air Program and actions taken to improve to air quality.

The Mayor and Tucson City Council voted last month to combine the City General Election with the Pima County Bond Election, projected to save the City of Tucson approximately $100,000. The final Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is up for a vote tonight. If approved, Pima County would be in control of the General Election.

The Mayor and Tucson City Council tonight will vote on a Memorial urging Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and the Arizona Legislature not to cut funding for Joint Technical Education Districts (JTEDs) that provide career and technical programs for future workers. The Memorial up for consideration says JTED programs are proven to significantly increase test scores, improve high school graduation rates, and move students to careers and college with greater success than any other model of education. The current State of Arizona budget cuts JTEDs by 7.5 percent, or $355 per student.

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is warning its customers about a continuing scam involving threats to turn off electricity at a customer's home. The scam involves a phone call from someone claiming to work for TEP demanding the purchase of a money card within an hour to avoid a power disconnection, the utility said. If you have a question about the status of your bill, call TEP's customer service line at (520) 623-7711.