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

Eric Kolvig addressed Council with concerns about the lack of affordable housing in Flagstaff.

Mayor Deasy opened the public hearing
 
Sergeant Ryan Turley introduced the application.
 
There being no public comment, Mayor Deasy closed the public hearing.

Moved by Councilmember Regina Salas, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to forward the application to the State with a recommendation of approval.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Miranda Sweet to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Councilmember Shimoni asked if the Job Order Contracts are reviewed annually. Purchasing Manager Matt Luhman indicated that they are evaluated every three years but if there are issues with a particular vendor, since they are on-call only, the City can chose to no longer utilize their services.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Risk Management Specialist Becky Penado reported that Risk Management is comfortable with reducing the insurance coverage and the other changes within the amendment.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Adam Shimoni to read Resolution No. 2021-01 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Adam Shimoni, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to adopt Resolution No. 2021-01.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Grants and Contracts Manager Stacey Brechler-Knaggs stated that the mutual aid agreement is needed because many jurisdictions do not always have adequate resources to independently respond to emergency events. A mutual aid agreement allows for partnering agencies to share resources to better respond to emergency events.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to read Resolution No. 2021-02 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Paul Deasy, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to adopt Resolution No. 2021-02.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Ms. Brechler-Knaggs reported that the City has had a long-standing relationship with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) for after school programming. The prior Intergovernmental Agreement expired on June 30, 2020. The new IGA would be effective back to July 1, 2020 and would include a five-year term that is subject to the budget process each year. She introduced Travis Drake and Frank Garcia with FUSD who discussed the services that they have been able to provide during the school closures. While there are not the same activities as there were before, they have been able to provide tutoring services and an online band and choir program. They have been preparing and remain ready to resume functions once schools are reopened.
 
Mayor Deasy asked how many students are generally served by the program. Mr. Travis stated that it varies each year but last year was around 700. Councilmember Shimoni asked how many are currently being served during the school closures to which Mr. Travis stated about 50 students. Councilmember Shimoni asked if there are any plans to increase virtual programming. Mr. Garcia stated that many kids are experiencing screen burnout and the participation levels are low to nonexistent.
 
Councilmember Sweet asked if there are any changes from past agreements. Ms. Brechler-Knaggs stated that the agreement began in 1999 and since then there have not been any significant changes.

Moved by Councilmember Regina Salas, seconded by Councilmember Miranda Sweet to read Resolution No. 2021-04 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Regina Salas, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to adopt Resolution No. 2021-04.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

A break was held from 3:39 p.m. through 3:50 p.m.

Capital Improvements Project Manager David Pedersen provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
SHEEP CROSSING FUTS TRAIL IGA WITH COCONINO COUNTY
AERIAL MAP
SHEEP CROSSING FUTS IGA
WESTERN PORTAL
INTERSTATE TANK BENCH
LOOKING WEST THROUGH TUNNEL
EASTERN PORTAL
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
 
Councilmember Aslan asked if there were plans to lay a substrate surfacing or if it would remain compacted dirt. Mr. Pedersen stated that the surface is complete and is made up of decomposed granite. There will be not additional asphalt along the trail but there are a few concrete sections planned.
 
Councilmember Shimoni asked if the Stronger as One plaques could be used on the benches on the trail. Parks Manager Amy Hagin stated that the Parks Section has ten signs and those benches could be a great location for placement.

Moved by Vice Mayor Becky Daggett, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to read Resolution No. 2021-03 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Vice Mayor Becky Daggett to adopt Resolution No. 2021-03.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Councilmember Salas reported that the Flagstaff Sister City Board meeting occurred in December, they are looking forward to seeking out sister cities for Flagstaff. She also reported that the Tourism Commission will have its annual retreat next week.

Mr. Clifton provided a brief recap of his report.

Public Works Director Andy Bertelsen provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
COVID-19 UPDATE
AGENDA
THE DATA
CCHHS: COVID-19 WEEKLY CASES
CCHHS: COVID-19 DAILY CASES
CCHHS: HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
CCHHS: COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS
CCHHS: COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION
ADHS DASHBOARD
NAH: HOSPITAL CENSUS
 
Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives Rose Toehe continued the presentation:
 
INDIGENOUS NATIONS DATA
NAVAJO NATION
HOPI TRIBE
INDIGENOUS NATIONS UPDATE
NAVAJO NATION
HOPI TRIBE
 
Mr. Bertelsen introduced Coconino County Health and Human Services Interim Director Kim Musselman who continued the presentation.
 
COCONINO COUNTY COVID-19 WEEKLY CASES
TESTING OPERATIONS
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
COVID-19 VACCINE & EXECUTIVE ORDER UPDATE
POTENTIAL COCONINO COUNTY COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITIZATION
COVID-19 VACCINE PHASE BY ARIZONA COUNTY
PPE BLITZ: UPDATE
 
Mayor Deasy asked if there are any issues with healthcare professionals who do not want the vaccine. Ms. Musselman explained that much of the information is anecdotal but that 60% are indicating that they want the vaccine and the other 40% are wanting to wait. She stated that they are encouraging everyone to get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible.
 
Mayor Deasy asked if Ms. Musselman was aware of employers mandating that they employees get a vaccine. Ms. Musselman stated that she has not come across an employer who is requiring employees to get a vaccine.
 
Councilmember Shimoni asked if there is any charge for the vaccine. Ms. Musselman stated that the way it is set up is that no one will be charged a fee to receive a vaccine however, insurance information must be provided and the administering entity would receive the administrative fee back from the carrier; individuals are not being charged. If someone does not have insurance, they can still sign up and receive the vaccine at no cost.
 
Mr. Bertelsen introduced NAU Associate Vice President for Community Relations Josh Maher and NAU Vice President for External Affairs and Christy Farley who provided an update to Council concerning the testing and vaccination efforts on campus.
 
Mr. Maher indicated that he will continue update Council weekly on the campus testing information.
 
Ms. Farley stated that NAU is preparing for the fall semester and plans on continuing many of the strategies implemented last year. They will continue to do significant testing and they are preparing to reopen the field house location. NAU will continue to do mitigation testing of students, staff, and faculty with 2,500 to 3,000 notifications per week. They will also be asking students who will be residing on campus to provide a negative test result prior to move in. In addition to those who are on campus, they are also encouraging those off campus to be diligent and to test frequently. She also reported that spring classes are ending on April 29, 2021 since spring break was eliminated in an effort to mitigate travel back to campus after leaving town.
 
Councilmember Shimoni asked about contact tracing. Ms. Farley explained that NAU continues to support the contact tracing efforts in partnership with the County. They have also included responses to contact tracing in the students code of conduct. They are working hard to remove the stigma that someone must have done something wrong to contract COVID and encourage people to report. NAU continues to improve their quarantine accommodations and offer on campus options in an effort to make students comfortable with reporting any illness.
 
Mr. Maher added that with the volume of mitigation testing NAU has been able to identify very quickly who has come in contact with the virus. This has been reflected in the lower rates of positivity on campus than in the broader community.
 
Mr. Bertelsen introduced Dr. David Engelthaler with TGen North who continued the presentation.
 
COVID-19 – THE UPDATE
THE STATE OF COVID
COVID FATALITIES – AZ
COVID AND ALL CAUSE MORTALITY
COVID IMPACT ON NATIVE AMERICAN: DEATHS
DEATHS IN THE TIME OF COVID
COVID VS FLU
MY OBSERVATIONS
MY RECOMMENDED STRATEGY – PREVENT DEATHS, LIMIT HARM
A ROLE FOR EVERYONE
THE CURRENT BIG QUESTIONS
THE AZ GENOMIC FIRST RESPONDERS
 
Councilmember Aslan asked if after the vaccine people will still need to wear a mask or if the virus could still be transmitted even after someone has received a vaccine. He also asked when things might be able to safely open up. Dr. Engelthaler stated that there is still a lot that is unknown and that is still being learned. He indicated that seven to ten days following the vaccine a person is still at the same risk for contracting the virus. It will be important for people to not change their behaviors until after they receive the second vaccine dose. He did indicate that while still at risk after the first vaccine, the risk of contracting is much lower and those who do get the virus experience a significantly weaker case. He stated that by March the community effects of the vaccine will hopefully start to be seen. He believes that by the fall and winter of 2021 people can go to concerts, sporting events, and other types of gatherings.
 
Councilmember Sweet asked if there is any information about how long the antibodies remain in people who have had COVID. Dr. Engelthaler stated that there are a number of studies being done but it does seem that most are showing those infected eight months ago still have immunities. At this point it appears there will be at least a year immunity from the vaccine but there is still so much unknown at this time. He added that even if someone had COVID they should still get a vaccine.
 
Mayor Deasy asked about the new mutations that are being discovered. Dr. Engelthaler stated that what has been looked at now is the way antibodies will attach to those viruses, there may not be good attachment in some areas but there would good effective attachments elsewhere keeping the vaccines effective. It would require a really substantial change in the virus to render the vaccine ineffective.

Vice Mayor Daggett stated that there has been conversation in the community about artists providing art for vacant building windows and she asked for staff to provide some information to the Council.
 
Beautification, Arts, and Sciences Manager Eliza Kretzmann indicated that it is a small public/private art project that has been confused with as economic development project. The project is funded with BBB funding and the pilot is $10,000 or less. The project is supported by the Beautification and Public Art Commission and it is based on best practices from other communities across the country. She stated that staff can provide a summary to Council with more information.
 
Councilmember Shimoni expressed a desire to discuss options for a possible relocation of the Babbitt House. Mr. Clifton indicated that there are meetings later in the week to discuss the matter and he indicated that more information will be forthcoming to Council.
 
Councilmember Sweet thanked the community for continuing to support local businesses. She also reported that she met with the Fire Department to talk about their concerns and how Council may be able to help. She also stated that she will be meeting with Steve Finch with the Flagstaff Lodging, Restaurant, and Tourism Association soon.
 
Mayor Deasy stated that he is excited for 2021 and that it feels that there is an upward trajectory to seeing some normalcy on the horizon.