Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-27:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff for a jointly funded dark sky code compliance specialist position.
 

1. Read Resolution No. 2026-27 by title only
2. City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2026-27 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-27

The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) in February 2020, to equally fund the salary of a Dark Sky Specialist position. The original IGA was renewed in May 2021 with all components of the original IGA and proposed a 5-year term set to expire on July 31, 2026. The new IGA continues to propose a 5-year term, and all the other components remain generally the same. Some language under funding has been modified, though the 50% match has been retained with no cap. Objectives have been modified to bring the intent of the position more toward the Coconino Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), and reporting has been modified to give the City more flexibility in deciding frequency and format. Other changes are minor and just intended to provide clarification.

The IGA states the County and City will split the cost of the salary equally. The City is responsible for benefits, including retirement and worker's compensation. The financial terms remain the same in the new IGA. The original IGA included a $10,000 contribution from Lowell Observatory. At this point, no third-party contribution is anticipated, but the IGA recognizes if a contribution is realized, the parties will evenly split the cost after the application of the outside contribution.

The Coconino JLUS created policies to protect the military missions of the Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (NOFS) and Camp Navajo. It was adopted by both organizations in the spring of 2019.

• Strategy 20 - Fund a joint Coconino County and City of Flagstaff lighting specialist position for education/enforcement in the next fiscal year (JLUS pg. 91)

The JLUS identifies responsibilities for the position including establishing a baseline database of non-conforming lighting, refining enforcement practices and policies to bring non-conforming lighting into compliance, creating a public education series for the community, creating a volunteer dark sky ambassador program to assist with public education, and providing training for developers, builders, architects, and other building professionals and develop educational materials.

The Coconino Joint Land Use Study can be downloaded from here: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2212/JLUS 

The Flagstaff City Council approved the first IGA in February 2020 and renewed a second IGA in May 2021.

N/A

High Performing Governance

• Implement innovative local government programs, new ideas and best practices; be recognized as a model for others to follow

Safe & Healthy Community

• Foster a safe, secure, and healthy community

Livable Community

• Create a welcoming community through partnerships, strong neighborhoods, civic engagement, and resident participation
• Achieve a well-maintained community through comprehensive and equitable code compliance

Environmental Stewardship

• Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources

Environmental Planning & Conservation
Goal E&C.5. Preserve dark skies as an unspoiled natural resource, basis for an important economic sector, and core elements of community character.

• Policy E&C.5.3. Continue to enforce dark sky ordinances

N/A

N/A

N/A