919 East Halcyon RoadTucson, Arizona 85719December 23, 2015

Mr. Michael Ortega, City ManagerCity of Tucson255 AlamedaTucson, Arizona 85701 Dear Mr. Ortega: On behalf of the Mountain View Neighborhood Association, I would like to welcome you to Tucson and look forward to working with you in efforts to provide for a clean and safe neighborhood.   Our neighborhood is bounded by 1st Avenue on the west, Mountain Avenue on the east, Ft. Lowell Road on the south and Prince Road on the north. I would like to thank you for your rapid response to the continuing problem of illegal and improper dumping at the Amphi Plaza (corner of 1st Avenue and Ft. Lowell Road). After a November 2015 complaint of illegal dumping at Amphi Plaza was made, through your timely efforts, not only was the area cleaned up promptly, but the  city dumpster on the east side of the plaza was relocated to the south side of the plaza. We had recommended this dumpster be removed, and this relocation has definitely improved the chronic problem of illegal dumping associated with this dumpster. For years, our neighborhood, and other city neighborhoods, have been plagued with the blight of improper or illegally dumped mattresses, sofas, and other furniture.   Several residents of our neighborhood have assisted me in removing these pieces of furniture from alleys and on the sides of streets and placing them in roll offs. We believe the city has not managed this blight problem properly. Public health may also be affected with the presence of bed bugs in the discarded furniture. 

The city's  Code Enforcement Division has informed us that they have up to 15 days to inspect an illegal dumping complaint. This policy is unacceptable and shows a pattern of mismanagement from the prior city managers, their assistants, and directors. Other cities have criminal ordinances in place to deal with illegal dumping.  My understanding is that the City of Tucson has only civil remedies.

REQUE ST FOR PUBLIC MEETING   We are requesting your attendance at a public meeting, preferably at the Woods Memorial Library on 1st Avenue, to discuss the chronic problem of illegal dumping and to explore and examine solutions. We would prefer this meeting be held during an evening, at approximately 6 or 6:30pm, to allow for maximum public attendance and input. If you feel a pre-conference is advisable, I would be more than eager to meet with you prior to the public meeting. We request that the meetings be held sometime next month (January 2016).

Note: From public records requests we have made, it appears the city’s internal audit unit has been deficient in its responsibilities to perform professional internal audits on the city’s Code Enforcement Division.

Photographs of illegal dumping and recommendations for corrective action will be sent in a separate email  Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. Sincerely,

  Bill Crouse, PresidentMountain View Neighborhood Association520-237-9078 cc Mayor Rothschild and City Council Members     KVOA news KOLD news KGUN news Ward 3 Neighborhood Alliance