None.

None.

Housing Director Sarah Darr gave an introduction on the purpose of the Community Development Block Grant presentation. Housing and Grants Administrator Kristine Pavlik gave an overview presentation on the grant program to help Council develop new priorities.
 
Tyler Denham submitted written comments requesting that the focus be on housing issues.
 
Councilmember Aslan asked staff to display a map of the four target neighborhoods for clarification, with Ms. Darr explaining that the boundaries were defined by HUD. Mayor Deasy inquired if the Federal Budget would increase CDBG funds due to the COVID crisis, and Ms. Darr mentioned a $25 million nationwide allocation. Deasy also asked if the Council was limited to five priorities, which Ms. Pavlik confirmed.
 
Councilmember Sweet asked about the Early Childhood Development priority area, and Ms. Pavlik explained that no project had been submitted under this category.
 
Councilmember McCarthy, influenced by the Housing Emergency, suggested that Housing – Rental and Ownership and Homelessness should be top priorities, as Flagstaff Shelter Services was running in the red. Vice Mayor Daggett expressed concern about restricting project types but acknowledged that many projects are housing-related.
 
Councilmember Sweet supported housing and homelessness as priorities, while Councilmember Shimoni emphasized the importance of focus but being open-minded, suggesting permanent supportive housing, cultural sensitivity, and revitalizing Section 8 housing.
 
Ms. Darr explained that CDBG funds could be used for community projects, but public housing units are funded separately by HUD. She clarified the concept of permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. Mayor Deasy asked if neighborhood revitalization could include improvements like high-speed internet, which Ms. Pavlik confirmed it would be eligible.
 
Councilmember Aslan supported housing as a priority and agreed with Vice Mayor Daggett’s idea of flexibility. Councilmember Salas also supported housing and homelessness as top priorities, with Neighborhood Revitalization as the third. She suggested combining Workforce Development with Job Training and Early Childhood Development as a priority, agreeing with Councilmember Shimoni on cultural sensitivity.
 
Mayor Deasy asked if Workforce Development could encompass both Job Training and Early Childhood Education, and Ms. Pavlik confirmed it could. Deasy emphasized that both should be included as critical priorities. Ms. Darr requested clarification on cultural sensitivity as a separate priority, and Councilmember Shimoni confirmed he wanted it to be a priority, he liked the idea of an additional place on the application to address it.
 
Mayor and Council agreed to the priorities and look forward to staff bringing it back.

Deputy City Clerk Stacy Fobar reviewed the history of City Council Liaisons stating members of the City Council are asked to participate on a number of external boards and/or commissions. She stated that some of these memberships are dictated by State Statute, by ordinance, or through agreements and IGA's with outside partners. There are a few boards that are discretionary.
 
Ms. Fobar reviewed the 2019-2020 City Council Liaison Assignments handout and updated the liaison assignments based on Council discussion.
 
Mayor Deasy called a break from 4:48 p.m. through 5:00 p.m.

Mayor Deasy invited Councilmember Salas to introduce the item, which concerned deferring new or increased fees. Several individuals, including Steve Finch, Joe Galli, and Scott Talboom, spoke in favor of deferring these fees.
 
Councilmember Salas asked staff to create projections on future fees, and Management Services Director Rick Tadder gave a presentation on the proposed changes, including fee increases for Solid Waste, Development Fees, the Airport, and ParkFlag, as well as what items were excluded from the fee increases.
 
Councilmember Sweet asked for clarification on when ParkFlag would be re-implemented, and Mr. Tadder mentioned a potential start date of March or May 2021.
 
 Vice Mayor Daggett inquired about the breakdown of the Solid Waste fee for households, and Solid Waste Director Todd Hanson clarified the increase would be $1.54 for trash and recycling and $0.34 for glass recycling.
 
Councilmember Aslan expressed concerns about deferring fees, calling it problematic. Councilmember Shimoni also had concerns, and City Attorney Sterling Solomon confirmed that "deferral" was the correct term for the agenda item. Mayor Deasy asked if deferring fees would delay projects, and Mr. Tadder noted that the full impact was unclear as staff needed more direction.
 
Councilmember McCarthy explained that fees are meant to break even, and reversing the fees would lead to service cuts or subsidies from other funds. He expressed concerns about the amount of work and public input required. Vice Mayor Daggett echoed his concerns, stating that deferring fees would not address the underlying issue. Councilmember Shimoni agreed, raising concerns about the definition of a global pandemic.
 
Councilmember Aslan agreed with the others, stating that although he sympathized with Councilmember Salas's intentions, he felt it was the wrong time for the measure. Councilmember Sweet thanked CouncilmemberSalas but also felt the benefits were minor and did not support further discussion.
 
Councilmember Salas explained the city's recession plan and the reduction in revenues, emphasizing her desire to provide relief for residents facing financial hardship. Mayor Deasy acknowledged Councilmember Salas’s efforts but suggested this could be more efficiently handled administratively rather than through policy. City Manager Clifton mentioned that staff could delay enforcement but would need direction from Council. City Attorney Solomon added that administratively deferring fees would be difficult, recommending an ordinance instead.

There was not requisite Council support to move the item forward for further discussion.

Mayor Deasy introduced the discussion about evictions, noting the eviction moratorium may be delayed until January 31, 2021, due to the federal budget.
 
Tyler Denham addressed the Council, expressing concern about the looming eviction crisis and blaming the City Council for decades of neglect in managing housing supply, which left Flagstaff residents housing cost burdened. He compared the situation to forest management, stating that the lack of housing planning led to a crisis, with COVID being the "spark" that worsened the problem.
 
Mayor Deasy responded by mentioning the resources available through Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) and the delay of the eviction moratorium, and asked City Attorney Solomon to explain the City’s role in evictions. Mr. Solomon clarified that evictions are governed by state and federal law, and the City is preempted from the process, though he could provide more specific guidance in an executive session.
 
Councilmember Shimoni thanked Mayor Deasy for addressing the issue and suggested sending a letter to the state to advocate for more support. He emphasized the need to focus on the housing crisis and recession recovery.
 
Vice Mayor Daggett added that the City should continue promoting the Front Door program through FSS and Catholic Charities for those needing housing assistance. Mayor Deasy requested a presentation from staff on housing resources related to evictions and rent help.
 
Housing Director Sarah Darr informed the Council that the County still had funds available for rent and utility assistance and provided information on where people could apply. She also mentioned Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona for foreclosure prevention.
 
Councilmember Shimoni asked about a list of resources, and Ms. Darr agreed to send it. Other resources mentioned included St. Vincent DePaul, FlagstaffResources.com, and the Salvation Army, as well as utility companies offering assistance. Ms. Darr explained that due to legal restrictions, it was not possible to send these resources directly to foreclosure lists, but staff had been distributing them as much as possible. Councilmember Shimoni also suggested posting resources at the Court, and Ms. Darr agreed, noting that staff was already working with DNA Legal services and others.
 
Mayor Deasy suggested providing a more structured resource list with steps rather than just a broad list of resources.

Senior Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson and City Attorney Sterling Solomon shared information regarding COVID.
 
Mr. Solomon shared a presentation on Proclamations and Executive Orders. He shared that the Mayor has the right to make a Declaration of Emergency. Typically, that opens up avenues for state and federal funding. Mr. Solomon gave more details about emergency orders. He also spoke about the ability of the Governor to give Executive Orders and Declare Emergencies. Mr. Solomon discussed the Governor’s Executive Orders and the preemptive language in the orders.
 
Ms. Anderson reviewed the data and Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives Rose Toehe gave an update on the Indigenous Nations.
 
Councilmember Shimoni asked Ms. Anderson if she could talk about vaccines being rolled out locally. He stated that Flagstaff Medical Center employees were receiving the vaccine today and first responders would get it next week. Ms. Anderson replied that the vaccinations were going to be received later this week and FMC would vaccinate their employees in Phase 1a, but they did not give a timeline. She added that Phase 1b will be first responders, such as our fire and police departments and individuals who were over 75. Councilmember Shimoni added that Phase 1b also includes congregate living. Ms. Anderson added that the vaccine information is updated weekly.

Mayor Deasy asked if there is a specific date for vaccinations for our first responders. Ms. Anderson does not have a date at this time.

None.

Vice Mayor Daggett shared that she received her copy of Walking Flagstaff, by George Breed. She recommended it to all and stated that it is sold locally.
 
Councilmember Salas shared a book called Conscious Capitalism. She added that it is a book that Quality Connections is having their board members read and she recently joined their board.
 
Councilmember Shimoni congratulated Dan Musselman on being named the new Police Chief. He stated the Alternative Work Group is expanding.
 
Councilmember Sweet thanked the Downtown Business Alliance, Council, and staff on the new gazebos downtown. She stated she met with Councilmember Shimoni and staff regarding sidewalk accessibility.
 
Mayor Deasy congratulated new Police Chief Dan Musselman.
 
Councilmember Shimoni thanked Ms. Deb Harris and the Southside Community Association for the COVID memorial they did at City Hall.

The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held December 2, 2020, adjourned at 7:11 p.m.