Pima BOS 7/16/24: 🌡️ Feeling the Heat: Pima Passes Worker Protections as Temps Soar
🚨 Ballot Box Blowup: Pima County Election Integrity Under Fire 🏟️ Game On: Mosaic Quarter Clears Key Hurdle Despite Concerns 🎻 Viva Valenzuela! Mariachi Trailblazer Honored by Pima County
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Quick Summaries
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😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
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At the big meeting 🏢, people had a lot to say! Some were worried about making sure elections are fair 🗳️. Others want to protect workers from getting too hot in the summer ☀️🥵. They also talked about building a new place to play lots of sports 🏟️🏀⚽. And they decided to honor a famous music teacher 🎵👩🏫 with a special day and statue 🗓️🗽. The grown-ups have a lot to think about to keep making the county better! 🤔💡
👵🏾👴🏾 Summary for Politically-Engaged Seniors
At their latest meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors grappled with major issues. Election integrity concerns dominated the Call to the Public, as speakers alleged widespread irregularities and called for an investigation.
The board approved a controversial heat safety ordinance to protect workers, but critics said it either goes too far or not far enough. Significant revisions to the $425M Mosaic Quarter development agreement were approved despite questions over the financial risks and the University of Arizona's commitment.
On a lighter note, the board honored the late mariachi education pioneer Alfredo "Dr. V" Valenzuela. While the meeting tackled tough topics, the overall goal was to address the county's critical challenges.
🗝️ Takeaways
🗳️ Many speakers expressed serious concerns about election procedures and called for an investigation into alleged irregularities.
🌡️ The board approved measures to protect workers and the public during dangerous heat, including a new ordinance for county contractors.
🏗️ Amendments to agreements for the Mosaic Quarter sports complex were approved, allowing the $425M project to proceed to the next phase.
🎖️ The board voted to honor mariachi music education pioneer Alfredo "Dr. V" Valenzuela by proclaiming a day in his honor.
🚨 Ballot Box Blowup: Pima County Election Integrity in Question
In a contentious Call to the Public session, over a dozen speakers lambasted the Pima County election process, alleging widespread irregularities, lack of proper procedures, and even "fraud."
Sharon Bigus boldly declared that "no elections going back to 2016 should have ever been certified" based on the group's findings after examining the chain of custody documents obtained through public records requests.
"Our trust has been violated and you have violated your oath," charged Tim Locks.
Speakers pointed to issues like:
Ballot drop boxes left unstaffed and unsecured
Ballot transfers lacking proper chain of custody
Ineligible voters remaining on the rolls
Sample ballots sent with the wrong election date
"The chain of custody process is disgraceful in Pima [County]," said Bigus. "All the people of Pima County have been disenfranchised."
Gail Barry highlighted over 109,000 registrations of inactive elderly voters, asking "What happened to these ballots? Were they inserted during post office and recorder transfers?"
Supervisor Steve Christy, the Board's sole Republican, requested a full investigation, stating: "It's obvious there are some deep, deep and serious problems with the electoral process." He called for the County Recorder and Elections Director to appear at the next meeting to address the issues.
While the speakers made serious claims, it's unclear if evidence exists to substantiate allegations of outright fraud. But the impassioned testimony points to a deficit of trust in Pima County elections that officials must now contend with. With 2024 votes looming, time is short to restore full faith in the integrity of the process. 🗳️
☀️ Beating the Heat: Pima Passes Worker Protections as Temps Soar
With climate change driving deadly temps, Pima County is taking action to safeguard workers and the public. The board approved a new Extreme Heat Mitigation and Response plan, which includes:
An ordinance requiring county contractors to provide heat safety measures for outdoor workers
A 3-year heat response strategy
A "Beat the Heat" public education campaign
Updated procedures to protect county employees
Supervisor Steve Christy was the sole "no" vote on the ordinance, arguing it was premature to act before expected federal OSHA rules are released. But the majority stressed the urgency.
"I would rather us put some safeguards in for our employees and our community," said Chair Adelita Grijalva.
The county's chief medical officer Dr. Francisco Garcia noted that federal heat standards have been in the works for 5 years. "I would fully anticipate that this would be the law of the land in 120 days," he said of the pending OSHA rules.
The ordinance will undergo a 15-day public comment period before a final vote in August. If approved, it would take effect 30 days after the peak summer heat has passed. But the 3-digit temperatures aren't going away anytime soon. As the climate crisis grows, Pima County is smart to get proactive now to protect its most vulnerable workers. 🌡️💼😓
🏟️ Game On: Mosaic Quarter Clears Key Hurdle
The ambitious $425 million Mosaic Quarter sports and entertainment complex leaped a significant hurdle as the board approved key amendments to development agreements and leases. The changes were needed to finalize financing and allow construction to begin on phase one.
The revisions pushed the targeted completion date back nearly two years, from 2025 to 2027 - drawing scrutiny from Supervisor Christy. But officials said the extra time was needed to finalize the immense amount of design detail and county review for the iceplex, fieldhouse and other anchor facilities.
When Christy pressed on risks to the county if the project goes south, Mosaic Quarter developer Frank Knott revealed additional financial safeguards. Thanks to strong tenant interest, Knott said he agreed to put up another $52 million in reserves to shield the county. According to Knott, the expanded cushion would cover debt payments for 22 years and limit the county's liability to $42 million even in a "doomsday" 40% revenue drop scenario.
"I find it hard to imagine that my staff or my facilities management team or I would be sitting idly by while money was going out the door that we had put up," Knott assured.
Supervisor Steve Christy sounded notes of caution. "We hear talk about an economic recession, a stock market crash, or a worst-case scenario financially," he said. "It's a lot of money, and there's a lot on the line."
"It seems like the horse is being put before the cart... It's a little concerning that what if one of these items that you are giving the renditions to today, what if something went haywire at some point, but we've already approved the plan."
"Theoretically, any one of those changes that you discovered during this process could have blown up the whole deal."
But in the end, the allure of a world-class sports mecca proved too strong. The board approved the amendments 4-1, with Christy dissenting. It's game on for Mosaic Quarter - but the county is betting big that it won't be game over for taxpayers if fortunes change. 🏟️🏒🏀
🎖️ Viva Valenzuela! Mariachi Trailblazer Honored
In a refreshing respite from the weighty agenda, the board recognized a community icon - Alfredo "Dr. V" Valenzuela. The revered musician and educator was a pioneer in teaching mariachi music in schools, starting at Davis Elementary before expanding the program districtwide.
Board Chair Adelita Grijalva worked with Dr. V's children to organize the honor, including a statue unveiling on August 10th, now known as "Dr. V Day" in the county.
Grijalva shared warm remembrances of Dr. V's wide-ranging impact. "He taught my [child] in kindergarten at Davis mariachi camp to play the guitar," she recalled. "It was too much!"
County Attorney Laura Conover chimed in with her own nostalgic note. "Dr. V taught me accordion in third grade and guitar in fourth grade!"
Conover jokingly demurred at a request for a live demo. However, the lively discussion showed how Dr. V's legacy still strikes a chord across the community.
The recognition is well-deserved for a trailblazing talent who brought the joy of mariachi music to generations of Pima County kids - and helped elevate a proud cultural tradition. Bravo, maestro! 🎶🎻🎸
🗳️ Votes and Key Decisions
Key decisions made at the July 16, 2024, Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting:
Approved 5-0: Consent agenda
Approved 5-0 as amended: 2025 Legislative Agenda
Approved 4-1 as amended (Christy no): Extreme Heat Mitigation and Response Plan
Approved 4-1 (Christy no): Mosaic Quarter development agreement and lease amendments
Continued to 8/13: Executive session on local wage ordinances
Approved 5-0: Proclaiming "Dr. Alfredo Valenzuela Day" on August 10, 2024
The board also heard an update from the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) on its efforts to strategically plan workforce development. Key topics included aligning WIB work with the county's economic development plan and facilitating deeper engagement between the WIB and the board of supervisors.
In a monthly financial update, the county administrator reported that the general fund is forecast to finish the fiscal year with $18 million over budget on revenues and $11.6 million under budget on expenses, leaving an extra $5.6 million in fund balance. After a previously approved $1.5 million for affordable housing, staff recommended putting the remaining $4.1 million into the county's contingency fund for FY2024/25.
Other approved contracts and agreements covered a wide range of county business - from a new housing rehab grant to a data-sharing deal with the Marana school district to a revised fee schedule for the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Finally, the board appointed George Garcia to the State Board of Equalization and continued an executive session on a recent court ruling on local wage laws to the next meeting on August 13.
🤔 Analysis: Christy Contrarian as Board Wades into Weighty Issues
The jam-packed agenda found the board grappling with significant issues - and Supervisor Steve Christy often playing the loyal opposition. The sole Republican was the only "no" vote on the heat safety ordinance, Mosaic Quarter revisions, and a slew of grant acceptances.
On the heat plan, Christy argued the county should wait for OSHA to act first to avoid crafting an "unconstitutional" policy. But the board majority felt the perils of extreme heat were too pressing to wait on Washington.
Christy was more pointed in his criticism of the Mosaic Quarter amendments, arguing that the late financial revisions were "putting the cart before the horse." He complained that "we approved the whole plan, and it could have been assumed that what you just outlined was already in the plan" back in March.
Christy also raised concerns about the University of Arizona's financial commitment to its planned Ice Den. However, developer Frank Knott assured him the U of A has a long-term lease, and the costs are "not coming out of the university's budget" but rather from "dues that the men and women club team players pay" plus ticket and merchandise revenues.
Ultimately, the mammoth project's rewards again outweighed the risks for most on the board. Supervisor Adelita Grijalva argued that families will still prioritize youth sports, even in a downturn. "Parents are not going to give that up for anything, especially their children," she said.
Still, Christy wasn't alone in urging vigilance as the county takes big swings on Mosaic and other fronts. "I'm trying to look at this as positively as I can, but it's a lot of money, and there's a lot on the line," said Supervisor Rex Scott. "I think there's a lot of issues with the whole location, the timing, the involvement of the county rather than the private sector."
But Scott joined the 4-1 majority, keeping the sports megaplex on track. The board is willing to stay in the game on pivotal issues, even if it means going to bat without its designated contrarian.
👥 People Mentioned
Sharon Bigus: A speaker at the Call to the Public who alleged widespread problems with Pima County elections. Key quotes:
"No elections going back to 2016 should have ever been certified," based on the group's review of the chain of custody documents.
"The chain of custody process is disgraceful in Pima [County]. All the people of Pima County have been disenfranchised." Bigus appears to be part of a group that examined election records and presented their claims of irregularities and misconduct to the board.
Gail Barry: Another speaker on election integrity issues. Key quote:
Noted over 109,000 voter registrations of inactive elderly voters and asked, "What happened to these ballots? Were they inserted during post office and recorder transfers?" Like Bigus, Barry seems to be part of the group that is alleging election problems and calling for an investigation.
Tim Locks: An elections speaker who criticized the board. Key quote:
"Our trust has been violated, and you have violated your oath."
Steve Christy: Pima County Supervisor for District 4, the board's only Republican. Key actions:
Called for the County Recorder and Elections Director to appear at the next meeting to address issues raised about election integrity.
Voted against the heat safety ordinance, arguing it was premature ahead of expected federal rules.
Raised concerns about the Mosaic Quarter development, saying financial revisions were "putting the cart before the horse" and questioning the University of Arizona's commitment.
Matt Heinz: Pima County Supervisor for District 2. Voted against the heat ordinance along with Christy.
Adelita Grijalva: Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Key actions/quotes:
Stressed the need for urgent action on heat safety. "I would rather us put some safeguards in for our employees and our community."
Worked with the family of mariachi education pioneer Alfredo Valenzuela to organize a day and statue in his honor.
Argued families will still prioritize youth sports at Mosaic Quarter facilities even in an economic downturn.
Shared memories of Valenzuela teaching her own child guitar at a young age.
Rex Scott: Pima County Supervisor for District 1. Key quote:
Expressed concerns about Mosaic Quarter plans. "It's a lot of money, and there's a lot on the line. I think there's a lot of issues with the whole location, the timing, the involvement of the county rather than the private sector." Still, Scott voted to approve the Mosaic amendments and other key agenda items.
Francisco Garcia: Pima County Chief Medical Officer. Provided an update on expected federal heat safety regulations, noting OSHA rules have been in development for 5 years. Predicted federal heat standards would become "the law of the land" within 120 days.
Frank Knott: Developer of the Mosaic Quarter project. Assured the board his firm was putting up an additional $52 million in financial safeguards to shield the county from risk. Argued the funding model would prevent the county from facing major liability even in a "doomsday" scenario.
Alfredo "Dr. V" Valenzuela: Beloved mariachi musician and educator. Pioneered teaching mariachi in Tucson schools. Though not present, Valenzuela was honored by the board, which approved a proclamation to make August 10, 2024, "Dr. V Day." Chair Grijalva shared memories of Valenzuela teaching her own child guitar.
Laura Conover: Pima County Attorney. She shared her own fond memories of Valenzuela teaching her accordion and guitar as a child.
🌵 Three Sonorans Analysis
Pima Supes Weather Storms of Controversy Amidst Calls for Election Justice, Worker Protections
🚨 Voting Vigilantes or Vindicators? Election Integrity Ignites Debate
The Pima County Board of Supervisors faced a firestorm of criticism over its election practices during a blistering Call to the Public session at its latest meeting. More than 20 speakers lambasted the county's handling of the electoral process, alleging a shocking slew of irregularities that some say have "disenfranchised" voters and undermined democracy itself.
Armed with reams of documents obtained through public records requests, a group of dogged citizens laid out a damning case against the county's election apparatus. From unsecured ballot boxes to botched chain of custody to bungled voter rolls, they painted an alarming picture of a system rife with either rampant incompetence or outright malfeasance.
"No elections going back to 2016 should have ever been certified," declared Sharon Bigus, one of the speakers who has painstakingly pored over the records. Tim Locks leveled an even more searing indictment, telling the supervisors: "Our trust has been violated and you have violated your oath."
While the prospect of a 2000 Mules-style conspiracy in Pima County may strain credulity for some, the speakers clearly hit a nerve with the supervisors. The board's lone Republican, Steve Christy, speedily demanded a formal investigation and hauled elections officials before the board for an inquisition - ahem, inquiry.
Whether this group are voting vigilantes or vindicators remains to be seen. But their dogged efforts have at least exposed some galling gaps in the county's handling of this most sacred of civic duties. Even if their worst fears of fraud prove unfounded, the integrity of Pima County elections is in serious doubt for a vocal contingent of constituents. Restoring trust - and robust checks and balances - should be a top priority for the supervisors. Our democracy demands nothing less.
☀️ Scorching Supervisors Advance Heat Protections - But Is It Enough?
As southern Arizona sizzles under the broiling sun, the Pima supes aimed to throw some much-needed shade to the county's most vulnerable workers. A new heat ordinance will require county contractors to provide basic human rights - err, heat safety measures - like water, rest, shade and training to outdoor workers. In a state that's seen a ghastly spike in heat-related deaths among farm workers, construction crews and other essential laborers, these are quite literally life-saving steps.
Still, even this small oasis of worker protection amidst a Sonoran Desert of exploitation sparked pushback from some quarters. Supervisor Steve Christy, the board's token conservative, sounded the typical GOP alarms of government overreach, arguing the county should genuflect before the altar of almighty capitalism - sorry, wait for pending federal OSHA regulations - before acting.
But fortunately, the board majority saw through this smoggy smokescreen. "I would rather us put some safeguards in for our employees and our community," said Chair Adelita Grijalva, clearly grasping the urgency of action amidst a mounting death toll.
Yet, as historic heat waves hammer the county's most helpless, it's fair to ask if these measures are too little, too late. The ordinance's limited scope covers only county contractors, not the teeming masses of workers who face the fiery furnace of climate change across Pima County. And with the regulations not taking effect until the end of August at the earliest, untold workers will remain at risk during the scalding peak of summer.
The hard truth is that no amount of half-measures can shield workers from the baking realities of a rapidly warming world. Only bold, sweeping action to slash carbon pollution, swiftly transition to clean energy, and remake our economy around human need rather than corporate greed can genuinely protect people from the pyre of planetary heating. Pima's politicians should be applauded for at least doing something to address the crisis - but so much more is needed to meet a challenge of this scale. In an age of environmental emergency, we need a New Deal for the Earth - not a raw deal for the people.
🏗️Mosaic Quarter or Capitalist Catastrophe? Supes Spin Wheel on $ports $pectacle
In the meeting's most contentious and consequential move, the board narrowly voted 4-1 to roll the dice on the colossal $425 million Mosaic Quarter development. With visions of ice rinks and sports fields dancing in their heads, a majority of supervisors looked past escalating costs, elongated timelines, and eleventh-hour financing tweaks to keep the project chugging along. But the specter of a Field of Schemes still looms over this high-stakes gamble.
The torrent of late amendments offered a taste of the fun house economics underpinning the Mosaic monolith. First, completion of the complex's initial phase was punted down the calendar by nearly two years, from 2025 to 2027. Then, a fresh round of financial finagling magically materialized, as Mosaic's moneyman Frank Knott unveiled another $52 million in sketchy safeguards to (allegedly) shield the county from risk. Nothing to see here, folks!
Suddenly channeling his inner AOC, Supervisor Steve Christy offered some astute analysis of the capitalist chicanery at work. "It's putting the cart before the horse," Christy protested. "We approved the whole plan and it could have been assumed that what you just outlined was already in the plan." Indeed, this smacks of the sordid, subprime skulduggery that swindled us into the last mega-recession.
Yet Knott, the Music Man of Mosaic, launched into a tortured defense of the deal, painting a rosy picture of the project's (imaginary) ironclad immunity from recessions, depressions, market meltdowns and other "doomsday scenarios." Echoing the cheery refrains of 2008's bankers' chorus, Knott crowed that his Rube Goldberg financial contraption can withstand any economic calamity. Pay no attention to the teetering Jenga tower behind the curtain!
Alas, a slim board majority ultimately fell under Knott's wizardly spell, bewitched by the Shangri-La sales pitch of Sports Utopia springing from the desert. Never mind the mushrooming price tag, forever-slipping deadlines and funhouse financing - there's children to entertain! "Parents are not going to give that up for anything," pronounced Chair Grijalva, dazzled by the Mosaic mirage.
Only Supervisor Rex Scott seemed to grasp the gravity of the gambit. "It's a lot of money and there's a lot on the line," Scott cautioned. "I think there's a lot of issues with the whole location, the timing, the involvement of the county rather than the private sector." In an era of economic upheaval, climate chaos, and crumbling public services, should the county really be rolling the dice on a gilded playground for the privileged?
But in the end, the visions of grandeur and glory trumped any glimmers of reason. Like so many communities before them, Pima is betting big that the fantasy of a suburban sportsplex will somehow be an economic grand slam. But as countless stadium scams and Olympics-sized boondoggles have shown, the house always wins in these deals - and taxpayers and workers get stuck with the bill when the Ponzi scheme goes bust.
The Mosaic vote was a master class in the warped priorities of late-stage capitalism. The same supervisors who just pinched pennies on paltry worker protections had no qualms about backstopping a titanic corporate giveaway with a sky-high risk of failure. The same county that cries poverty when human needs hang in the balance suddenly has infinite largesse for a billionaire's ballpark daydream.
In a society where the playing field were truly level, our elected officials' most pressing priority would be investing in the unglamorous essentials that lift up the least among us - quality housing, clean energy, free healthcare and education, a just transition for working families. Instead, they fritter away our common treasury on circuses to entertain the affluent, hoping the carnival act will conceal the crumbling foundations all around.
To their credit, the supervisors didn't shy away from tackling thorny topics at this meeting. But their split-screen approach speaks volumes about whom they truly serve. They'll throw a few drops of water to the workers - but oceans of cash to the wealthy. Nibble around the edges of democracy - but place big bets on plutocracy. The Mosaic vote wasn't just an economic fumble - it was a revealing MRI of our broken democracy itself. Until we mend the tattered fabric of this unequal system, we'll be forever patching over the symptoms - while the disease rages on unseen.
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