Others present:  City Manager Greg Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon.

Written comments in opposition to the Tract 22 development were submitted by the following:
 

• Jerome Lammer
• Rita Patel
• Constant and Mary Neeley
• Ben Fischer
• Ted & Judy Wojtasik
• Katie Stringham
• John Riley
• Xiao Ma
• Rich Dubek
• Sara Gordon
• Ashok C. Patel
• Arthur Gordon
• Angela Feldman
• Dan Werner

Bert Chavez submitted a written comment in opposition to defunding the Flagstaff Police Department.
 
Thomas Brennan submitted a written comment regarding enforcing carbon limits.

Business Retention and Expansion Manager John Saltonstall provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
CITY OF FLAGSTAFF UPDATE
NEW PROGRAMS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS
PANDEMIC
 
Mr. Saltonstall introduced Chris Pasterz, Eve Walters, and Gina Coulliard with Coconino County who continued the presentation.
 
COCONINO COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MULTIPLE WEEKLY WEBINARS DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF THE COVID PANDEMIC
COCONINO COUNTY AND SEDONA BUSINESS LEADERS SURVEY
ENHANCED FOOD HANDLER’S CERTIFICATION
COCONINO COUNTY SBDC
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC) OVERVIEW
CARES ACT
COVID RESPONSE
 
The City Council expressed their appreciation for the update and for all the work being done in the community to help with the impacts of COVID-19.
 
The Council discussed opportunities for outreach and messaging about the programs and encourage city staff to continue its engagement with the county and other community stakeholders.

Mr. Clifton reported that the idea is a very organic discussion that originated from the community. Essentially, the closures would allow for expanded areas for dining at a time when building capacity is limited due to the pandemic. City staff are playing the role of facilitating the discussion. The Downtown Business Alliance Board met last week and had a very in-depth discussion about the idea. The idea is developing and details will be forth coming.
 
Terry Madeksza with the Downtown Business Alliance stated that the plan was created with best practices from around the country. There are logistics that do need to be figured out and they will continue to work through those. Action is needed now to assist the downtown businesses who are struggling with limited capacities.
 
Ms. Madeksza introduced the Downtown Vision Consultant Team who provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
FLAGSTAFF TEMPORARY BUSINESS EXPANSION PLAN
RE-OPENING IN THE AGE OF COVID: A BUSINESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST APPROACH
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DOWNTOWNS TAKE TO THE STREETS
RECENT HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
FLAGSTAFF TEMPORARY BUSINESS EXPANSION PLAN – NORTHSIDE
FLAGSTAFF TEMPORARY BUSINESS EXPANSION PLAN – SOUTHSIDE
EXPANDED OUTDOOR SEATING ZONE
FLEXIBLE ALLEY/EXPANDED BUSINESS ZONE
CURBSIDE FLEX ZONE
DEDICATED CURBSIDE PICKUP ZONE
SPECIAL SIGNAGE
TIMELINE AND ACTION ITEMS
PARTNERSHIP ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Councilmember Odegaard asked about the timeline for completion of the Downtown Visioning Plan. Ms. Madeksza reported that the plan is to bring an update back to Council following summer break. The hope is that the Plan can be completed by the end of the year.
 
Vice Mayor Shimoni asked why the lot across from the Orpheum was not being utilized. Ms. Madeksza explained that the feedback from Century Link, who owns the property, is that their lot is utilized for their vehicles and they have expensive equipment staged there.
 
Council asked what the needs are from the city. Ms. Madeksza stated that the ask is that the city continue to work as a partner for permitting and fire access. In terms of funding there are funds set aside for alley and murals and perhaps projects that are already planned can offer additional leverage for funding. Additionally, there are opportunities to match funding for seating and hardscapes.
 
Maury Herman submitted a written comment in support of the expanded use of public space downtown.
 
Council discussed concerns regarding the loss of parking and the impacts that could have on other businesses in the downtown area. Other items discussed were safety, how alcohol would be addressed, the possibility of continuing the efforts into future years, and the importance of diversity in the artwork that is installed.
 
Council was supportive of staff continuing discussions with the DBA for the expanded use of public spaces.

Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
RE-ENTRY PLAN
AGENDA
 
Planning Director Tiffany Antol continued the presentation.
 
TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
TYPES OF TEMPORARY USES INVOLVING PUBLIC ATTENDANCE
TUP COVID-19 PHASING OPTIONS
OPTION #1
OPTION #2
OPTION #3
EVENT COVID-19 PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES
 
Mayor Evans asked how things could be impacted by the Governor’s Executive Order that was released the day before. Mr. Solomon stated that the Executive Order limits gatherings to under 50 people. The Governor ordered that cities have the authority to curtail or prohibit events of 50 or more and arguably down to groups of ten. Every TUP application is different, and staff can rely on the Executive Order with respect to groups of 50 very easily. He would recommend Option 3.
 
Mr. Clifton noted that consistency is important, and Option 3 may be convenient because it is consistent with what was heard from the Governor.
 
Following further discussion, Council gave direction to move forward with Option 3 with the ability for the Mayor to make changes if needed during the Council summer break.
 
Ms. Anderson continued the presentation.
 
SITE SPECIFIC PLANS
PROCLAMATION
CURRENT EMPLOYEE LANGUAGE
CURRENT CUSTOMER LANGUAGE
 
Mr. Clifton explained that Phase 3 opens up facilities in accordance with the established tiers and site specific plans.
 
Council expressed appreciation with the work and thoughtfulness that went into developing and revising the plan. Council discussed messaging to businesses about masking requirements and how those requirements are enforced. Council further discussed the use of fields while in Phase 2; it was determined that further conversation would be needed before making any changes to the plan.
 
A break was held from 6:12 p.m. through 6:25 p.m.

Ms. Antol provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
DEVELOPMENT FEES
EVERY 5 YEARS
LAND USE ASSUMPTIONS
FIRE
OPTION #1
PROPOSED FIRE FEES
PROPOSED POLICE FEES
PROPOSED COMBINED FEES
SINGLE-FAMILY COMPARISON
MULTI-FAMILY COMPARISON
COMMERCIAL/RETAIL COMPARISON
OFFICE COMPARISON
INDUSTRIAL COMPARISON
OPTION #2
OPTION #3
CURRENT FEE % OF PROPOSED FEES
34% OF PROPOSED FEES
39% OF PROPOSED FEES
55% OF PROPOSED FEES
 
Council discussed the options; the following key points were discussed:

• Homeowners and taxpayers should not be subsidizing new development.
• The fees should be based on the number of bedrooms.
• Growth should be paying for itself.
• All land uses must be treated the same.
• The impact of fees on housing affordability.
• The significant needs of Police and Fire

Following discussion, Council gave direction to move forward with Option 1, Alternative 2.

Grants and Contracts Manager Stacey Brechler-Knaggs provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
FLAGSTAFF AIRPORT $18.1 MILLION GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS

FLAGSTAFF AIRPORT GRANT USES
PERSONNEL
OPERATIONS
OPERATING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
 
Airport Director Barney Helmick continued the presentation.
 
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
 
Council discussed routine facility maintenance, runway maintenance, future improvements, and improvements related to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

Water Resources Manager Erin Young provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
RECLAIMED WATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE
TONIGHT’S UPDATE
RWMP OBJECTIVE
RECLAIMED WATER AVAILABLE
HOW MUCH WATER “UNCOMMITTED”?
RWMP SCOPE OF WORK
PHASE 1 – COMPILE DATA
PHASE 2 – STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
PHASE 3 – REPORTING RESULTS
SOLICITATION OF APPLICANTS
CO-BENEFITS OF RWMP
 
Written comments in support of the reclaimed water component of the Master Plan Update were submitted by the following:

• John Nauman
• Robert Vane

Council discussed the following points:

• Broad representation on the stakeholder committee.
• The completion of the Red Gap Ranch study.
• The timeline associated with Capital Improvement Projects.

Interim Business Attraction Manager Jack Fitchett provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
POTENTIAL BUSINESS ATTRACTION POLICIES
OVERVIEW
BACKGROUND
SUSTAINABLE AUTOMOTIVE SALES TAX REBATE
CRITERIA

Council discussed the following points:
 

• The demand for electric vehicles in Flagstaff.
• The possibility of increasing the amount of money available for the incentive.
• The possibility of offering the incentive to anyone with an additional incentive to city residents.

Mr. Fitchett continued the presentation.
 
BUSINESS ATTRACTION JOB CREATION INCENTIVE
CRITERIA
KEY INDUSTRY SECTORS (WHY?)
BUSINESS ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENT REINVESTMENT INCENTIVE
CRITERIA
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
 
Council discussed the following points:

• Concerns about incentivizing sprawl when the focus really should be on infill and redevelopment.
• Flagstaff needs to develop beyond just tourism.
• Values do not always align with business attraction; we want them to come but the expectations are too high.
• Additional support and resources are needed in the business attraction area.

Following discussion, the Council direction was to move forward with Option 2.

Water Services Director Brad Hill offered that City Code 7-03-001-0014 E.2.c - Strategy Level II Water Emergency states that “No Person shall use potable water for filling ornamental fountains, artificial ponds and streams”. However, the City Council may want to consider prohibiting the filling of recreational or amenity lakes using potable water outright and not just during a Stage II Water Emergency.
 
Council may also want to consider what the Arizona Department of Water Resources adopted in 1987, known at that time as the Lakes Bill. That Bill was adopted into Statute as A.R.S. §45-132 which generally prohibits the filling of bodies of water for landscape, scenic or recreational purposes unless it is filled with effluent (i.e., recycled water) or stormwater, etc. This prohibition only applies within the large urban parts of our State, known as Active Management Areas and does not apply to the rest of the State including the City of Flagstaff.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that the city should not allow the filling of amenity lakes with potable water. Furthermore, there should also be consideration that only reclaimed water can be used for lawns.
 
Councilmember Aslan indicated that Flagstaff promotes water conservation, and the regulations should reflect that.
 
Council agreed to have the item come back for a larger discussion and to provide direction on possible amendments to the code.

Dr. Stephen Nuno commented in favor of instituting Ranked Choice Voting in Flagstaff.
 
Councilmember McCarthy, Vice Mayor Shimoni, and Councilmember Whelan shared their concerns about conflicts with state law. It was suggested that a state ballot initiative may be a better option.
 
There was not requisite support to move the item forward to a future agenda for discussion.

Councilmember Whelan suggested using the community forum for community engagement about the economy and business attraction. She requested a letter of support to close the forest be sent to the Forest Service. She also stated that she would like to see any money that is freed up in the General Fund brought back to Council for discussion. She would like to consider using those funds for social, cultural, and institutional change. Lastly, she reported that Flagstaff Shelter has zero positive cases and hopes that it can remain that way.
 
Councilmember Salas reported that she presented a Mayoral Recognition for Maxine Vickers who celebrated her 100th birthday.
 
Councilmember McCarthy reported that he attended the Housing Commission meeting last week where they discussed the Mountain Line bus rapid transit proposal that is being worked on. They also discussed the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
 
Vice Mayor Shimoni asked for an update on the Southside Community Association’s plans for the Black Lived Experience community forums. He also asked for a consideration of waiving court fines of $100 or less.