Iron Horse Meeting Minutes January 21, 2020
Mindy Blake (RTA), Monique (FAMA), Al (board member at large), Lee, Ruth, Matt (treasurer), Hannah (president), Jonathan (Secretary), Andrew (board member at large), Dereka (board member at large), Kelly (co-president), Hadley
Regional Transportation Authority Mindy Blake, outreach coordinator for the Regional Transportation Authority, presented about a new transportation plan that is being developed for Pima County to start in 2026. The current plan started in 2006 with the support of a sales tax initiative and has delivered about 870 projects, including bike lanes, sidewalks, roads, and bus pullouts. The second 20-year plan is in the process of development, after which it will go through public input, plan refinement, plan review, and a call for an election. You can find her presentation here: https://youtu.be/8WaoafsgX3s
You can find more information, see plans, and comment at: rtanext.com Neighbors asked if RTA is involved with E-Scooter plans, and Mindy responded that they are not. Hannah asked if there was a plan for the light rail to go to the airport, and Mindy responded that it is one of the possibilities. Maintenance for existing transportation options is not included in the current RTA.
Traffic Circle Select board members recently met with Jessie Soto from the City of Tucson Transportation Department to understand the procedural details of installing a traffic circle 3rd avenue & 9th street. The traffic circle would probably cost us between $12,000 and $15,000, with an additional $2000 because the sewer hole at the center must be elevated 6”. IHNA has $14,000 in funds from negotiations with The Junction and $3,800 in parking fees that could be applied. There are significant limitations to the size of the traffic circle because it must be 20’ from each of the curbs. Al is working on getting 60% of neighbors in the blocks affected by to sign his petition; there are 25 impacted homeowners, so 15 would need to approve. Signatures would then need to be certified and the traffic circle plans would be reviewed by city departments (e.g. fire, police, trash). Al would like the traffic circle to be a welcoming monument to our neighborhood with an art installation.
Erika reported that the neighborhood voted down this traffic circle 7 years ago, with one concern being that there is not enough space for bikes to ride safely through the intersection.
Kelly suggested that it might be a good idea to think about adding a traffic circle at 8th Street and 3rd Avenue.
Al will work on getting signatures and pushing it forward to see the city’s plans before the neighborhood votes on using funds to complete it.
FAMA Monique reported that FAMA has cancelled the Spring Street Fair. She reported that FAMA only has 2 workers (herself and Terry) and Eddie, who does streetscape on 4th. She reported that, with the re-introduction of the Bird Scooters, e-scooter use and parking has been out of control along 4th Avenue. FAMA has repeatedly reported poor parkers and unsafe riding to the City of Tucson. If you have pictures of badly parked scooters, you can forward them along to Monique at: [email protected]
Monique reported that construction at 4th and 6th Street has caused significant parking problems (including trash and lack of the use of masks) among workers along 3rd Avenue. She reported that the District apartments did not open up parking for the construction workers, as they had promised during the CBA process.
FAMA worked with 65 merchants to get CARES funding and provided COVID packages with masks, sanitizer, and thermometers to merchants. Monique reported that Ermanos put in permanent outdoor seating in the street in front of their restaurant.
Iron Horse Park Matt reported that the next meeting for the park design will be on February 11th at 5:30 PM with Tucson Parks and Wheat Design. Wheat Design will present a summary of survey responses and provide a consolidated, refined plan for the park. The Tucson Skate Park Alliance was invited to this meeting.
Ward 6 Letter Matt shared a link to a letter that he wrote thanking Steve K, Diana, and Ward 6 staff for advocating for public health and safety. Al thought it was a nicely written letter and advocated that Matt work in the State Department. Matt made a motion to send the letter, signed by IHNA, to Mayor & Council and the President of the University of Arizona. Jan seconded the letter. Erika requested that the letter be sent to the list-serv for discussion before sending because there was no specific agenda sent out for this meeting. Neighbors discussed how IHNA decisions must be made at meeting, with voting members present. The motion to send the letter was approved unanimously with no abstentions. The board agreed to send out a planned agenda before each monthly meeting.
You can find the letter here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PzmHO_JD4nN-GWL2myNYwOjoc-DvlQjQnuOUaYcgTZo/edit?usp=sharing
Chicanes Hannah spoke to Jon Choi from Tucson Clean and Beautiful. She will try to schedule the planting on Sunday, March 7th. She will find a pre-planning day in the middle of February, which she will promote over email.
Sunshine Mile Overlay / Central Business District Matt reported that the block of Iron Horse that was previously included in the Sunshine Mile Overlay has been pulled out of the new zoning because of the board’s lobbying. The block is still included in the Infill Incentive Zoning. Official approvals for the Sunshine Mile Overlay have been delayed until February 4th at the earliest.
The Central Business District (CBD) is a zoning area that goes through 4th Avenue and downtown. The city is having a discussion with interested groups about what kinds of incentives to provide to builders to encourage development in these areas. One of the incentives is the GPLET, which reduces property taxes for builders for 8 years. You can provide input to the survey here: https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/310/Issue_10153
CCRC Dereka reported that Campus/Community Relations Committee focused their discussion COVID measures at UofA. Currently there are only about 5,000 students taking in-person classes at UofA. Spring break has been spread out over the course of the semester, so that there is no full week without classes. On-campus students are supposed to be tested for COVID twice per week with gargle tests and use an app that can alert them to potential COVID exposures. You can use this hotline to report students being bad COVID neighbors: 520-282-3649
HFAC Erika reported from the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition. The general meeting is Tuesday, January 26th. HFAC has been helping merchants apply for PPP loans, providing COVID training, and support the gift certificate launch that happened during early COVID. IHNA is a dues paying member of the organization. Dues cost $250 per year and are owed this month. Erika made a motion to spend $250 dues to stay involved with HFAC. Al seconded the motion. The motion passed with 0 nos and 2 abstentions.
Garden Hannah is working on cleaning out the Bermuda grass that is slowly taking over the garden. The Indian Center recently reached out to talk about creating a composting station in the garden.
THERE WILL BE IHNA BOARD ELECTIONS IN FEBRUARY!