Tucson City Council Passes Resolution 23626 in opposition of new Federal Mining Legislation
Government body: Tucson City Council
Meeting date: June 6, 2023
The City Council:
• Approved Resolution 23626 in opposition to HR209 andS1281:
Both Acts do not provide meaningful mining reform and instead would make it easier for mining companies to gain access to federal lands at the expense of all other uses such as recreation, tourism, conservation, watershed protection, climate mitigation, traditional uses by Tribal Nations, cultural and historic preservation, healthy forest management, and other uses that contribute significantly to the local, state, and national economies.
• Updated plumbing codes to require use of EPA WaterSense Certified fixtures or equivalent in all new development.
• Adopted Unified Development Code (UDC) text amendment to prohibit ornamental turf in new commercial, industrial, institutional and common areas of residential development, in order to further support water conservation measures administered by Planning and Development Services (PDSD).
• Approved Revised and Extended Master Operating Agreement (MOA) between the City of Tucson and Visit Tucson for Promoting Tourism, Tradeshow, Conference and Meeting Activities in the City (City Wide). The MOA agreement provides for a minimum of thirty-four percent (34%) of the annual transient occupancy tax (TOT) collected by the City of Tucson to be allocated to Visit Tucson for the services stipulated in the agreement.
•Relating to the Downtown Tucson Enhanced Municipal Services Improvement District (The “Bid”); Renewing the Bid for an Additional Five-Year Term; Approving the Enhanced Services. The purpose of this Agreement is to establish and carry out a strategy for managing the District and providing enhanced services therein, including streetscape maintenance, security, and, to a lesser extent, marketing and public relations.
Public Comments:
• A large contingency of the audience was in opposition to continued growth of 5G cell towers in the city. These individuals want a new protective wireless ordinance that would require the minimum power necessary and alternative technology. They request a moratorium on any new towers until the new ordinance is enacted.
• Several people From Save the Scenic Santa Ritas spoke in favor of the council’s opposition to the Federal Mining bills and thanked the council for their continued efforts on behalf to preserve Santa Rita Mountains
Observer: Ginny Simontacchi