CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Deasy called the meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held May 25, 2021, to order at 3:03 p.m.
Mayor Deasy called the meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held May 25, 2021, to order at 3:03 p.m.
NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that, at this work session, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for legal advice and discussion with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).
2.
Pledge of Allegiance and Mission Statement
The Council and attendees recited the pledge of allegiance and Councilmember McCarthy read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff.
The Council and attendees recited the pledge of allegiance and Councilmember McCarthy read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.
3.
Roll Call
NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means.
Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton; Deputy City Attorney Kevin Fincel.
NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means.
| PRESENT: MAYOR DEASY (virtually) VICE MAYOR DAGGETT (virtually) COUNCILMEMBER ASLAN (virtually) COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY (virtually) COUNCILMEMBER SALAS (virtually) COUNCILMEMBER SHIMONI (virtually) COUNCILMEMBER SWEET (virtually) |
ABSENT: |
Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton; Deputy City Attorney Kevin Fincel.
4.
Public Participation
Public Participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on the prepared agenda. Public Participation appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end of the work session. You may speak at one or the other, but not both. Anyone wishing to comment at the meeting is asked to fill out a speaker card and submit it to the recording clerk. When the item comes up on the agenda, your name will be called. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone to have an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting and wishing to speak may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak.
Public Participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on the prepared agenda. Public Participation appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end of the work session. You may speak at one or the other, but not both. Anyone wishing to comment at the meeting is asked to fill out a speaker card and submit it to the recording clerk. When the item comes up on the agenda, your name will be called. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone to have an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting and wishing to speak may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak.
Public Affairs Director Jessica Drum introduced Management Analyst Chris Rhode.
Anthony Garcia addressed Mayor and Council regarding the Bike Strike for Climate Change being held on Saturday May 28, 2021.
Anthony Garcia addressed Mayor and Council regarding the Bike Strike for Climate Change being held on Saturday May 28, 2021.
5.
Review of Draft Agenda for the June 1, 2021 City Council Meeting
Citizens wishing to speak on agenda items not specifically called out by the City Council may submit a speaker card for their items of interest to the recording clerk.
Councilmember Salas asked for a breakdown for the funds allocated to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan for the potential approval of the budget.
6.
Carbon Neutrality Plan Review and Community Conversation
Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos, Sustainability Specialist Jenny Niemann, and Climate and Energy Coordinator Ramon Alatorre gave a presentation to Mayor and Council to provide an overview of the Carbon Neutrality Plan final draft. Slides included:
Public Participation:
David Smith
Steve Zavodnyik
Amanda Ormond
Dara Marks Marino
Caryn Potter representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Marco Alatorre
Michele James the Executive Director of the Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
Emily Melhorn representing the Azulita Project
Megan Kelly representing the Grand Canyon Trust
Robert Breunig
Eli Chamberlain
Shawn Newell
Kelly Bingham
Stated they were in support of the plan.
Joey Bono asked about appendix A and the EV Car Share program. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that staff has not identified funding yet and are still working on the framework of the program.
Comments included:
Councilmember Sweet also supported the plan and asked about water usage in solar panel production. Ms. Antonopoulos mentioned that solar panels do not require much cleaning due to their tilt and promised to follow up on water usage in production. She added that a business engagement committee will be created to ensure ongoing community and business involvement.
Vice Mayor Daggett thanked the steering committee and staff for their work, expressing confidence that the plan would create unforeseen economic development opportunities without mandating personal changes in people's lives. She emphasized that the public would benefit from and be encouraged to embrace the changes.
Councilmember Salas raised a concern about waiting for input from the Chamber and Northern Arizona businesses, who are planning a summit on the recommendations. She suggested postponing the adoption until the community's feedback is incorporated. Ms. Antonopoulos recommended moving forward with the plan and incorporating the summit’s feedback into its first implementation.
Councilmember Shimoni supported the plan, noting the value of a business committee and suggested that the plan be reviewed by the Indigenous Commission to add an Indigenous perspective. Ms. Antonopoulos confirmed that the plan will be presented to various commissions to ensure equity and emphasized that the plan is a living document that can evolve over time.
Councilmember Aslan supported the plan, calling it necessary but not overly ambitious. He mentioned that the public input period was already extended and that no concerns from the business community were raised at the meeting.
Mayor Deasy expressed his support for the plan, appreciating the efforts of staff and the community in its development.
Mayor Deasy called a break from 6:09 p.m. to 6:20 p.m..
- Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan
- Discussion Agenda
- First a Thank You
- Climate Emergency Declaration
- How We Got Here
- Climate Emergency Declaration
- We Are Not Alone in Our Commitment
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- Technical Analysis
- Carbon Neutrality – “Rules of the Game”
- Emission Reductions – How?
- Emissions Reductions and CDR Obligation
- Middle of the path: Clean Electricity
- Middle of the path: Fuel Switching
- Middle of the path: Vehicle Miles Traveled
- Further down the path
- Remaining Emissions and CDR Obligation
- Why This Decade – A Limited Window
- Why This Decade – Leadership Needed
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- Community Conversations
- Target Area Feedback: Surveys 3 and 4
- Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Survey 3 Results
- Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Survey 4 Results
- Survey 5 Responses
- Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Survey 5 Results
- Community Conversations
- The Numbers….more than 2600 Community Members Engaged
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- Carbon Neutrality Plan
- Carbon Neutrality Plan Goals
- Our Approach
- To Achieve carbon neutrality, we will….
- Community Resilience
- Equitable Systems
- Decreased Dependence on Cars
- Highlights
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- To Achieve carbon neutrality, we will….
- Electric mobility
- Clean Electricity
- Building Fuel Switching
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- To Achieve carbon neutrality, we will….
- Reduced Building Energy Use
- Sustainable Consumption and Waste Management
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- To Achieve carbon neutrality, we will….
- Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
- Clarifications
- Opportunities
- Implementation 2021-2023
- Let’s Build a Stronger Community
- Discussion
- Thank You
Public Participation:
David Smith
Steve Zavodnyik
Amanda Ormond
Dara Marks Marino
Caryn Potter representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Marco Alatorre
Michele James the Executive Director of the Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
Emily Melhorn representing the Azulita Project
Megan Kelly representing the Grand Canyon Trust
Robert Breunig
Eli Chamberlain
Shawn Newell
Kelly Bingham
Stated they were in support of the plan.
Joey Bono asked about appendix A and the EV Car Share program. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that staff has not identified funding yet and are still working on the framework of the program.
Comments included:
- Community Steel Composting to reduce landfill volumes and coordinate with Purina
- Monetize hydrogen
- Promote micro-mobility
- Helps with marketing of Flagstaff
- Carbon Neutrality goal is achievable
- Must work together and act quickly
- Leadership and actions are fundamental to the plan and the goal vision
- Cheaper energy and energy utilities already transitioning
- The economic development opportunities of the plan
- Cleaner air benefits
- Wildfire reduction
- The climate crisis has not been going fast enough and the plan has taken too long to implement with too many concessions
- Cost of inaction is great
- New heat pump technology operates well in Flagstaff
- As many as one in ten people die from air complications from burning fossil fuels
- Dr. Charles Cahill
- Marlee Stephens
- Libby Stortz
- Autumn Johnson, Arizona Government Affairs Manager, Western Resource Advocates
- Dustin Kuluris
- Abraham Henn
- Samantha Meier
- T. Paul Thomas
- Erik Nolan
- Jim Babbitt
Councilmember Sweet also supported the plan and asked about water usage in solar panel production. Ms. Antonopoulos mentioned that solar panels do not require much cleaning due to their tilt and promised to follow up on water usage in production. She added that a business engagement committee will be created to ensure ongoing community and business involvement.
Vice Mayor Daggett thanked the steering committee and staff for their work, expressing confidence that the plan would create unforeseen economic development opportunities without mandating personal changes in people's lives. She emphasized that the public would benefit from and be encouraged to embrace the changes.
Councilmember Salas raised a concern about waiting for input from the Chamber and Northern Arizona businesses, who are planning a summit on the recommendations. She suggested postponing the adoption until the community's feedback is incorporated. Ms. Antonopoulos recommended moving forward with the plan and incorporating the summit’s feedback into its first implementation.
Councilmember Shimoni supported the plan, noting the value of a business committee and suggested that the plan be reviewed by the Indigenous Commission to add an Indigenous perspective. Ms. Antonopoulos confirmed that the plan will be presented to various commissions to ensure equity and emphasized that the plan is a living document that can evolve over time.
Councilmember Aslan supported the plan, calling it necessary but not overly ambitious. He mentioned that the public input period was already extended and that no concerns from the business community were raised at the meeting.
Mayor Deasy expressed his support for the plan, appreciating the efforts of staff and the community in its development.
Mayor Deasy called a break from 6:09 p.m. to 6:20 p.m..
7.
Discussion of the potential rescinding of the face-covering proclamation and the use City fields
Senior Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson gave an update to Council on COVID-19. Slides included:
Mayor Deasy requested Council’s input on the face mask proclamation, and Councilmembers discussed their positions.
Councilmember Aslan emphasized following CDC guidelines, supporting mask-wearing indoors and for the unvaccinated but did not feel a mandate was necessary. Councilmember Shimoni did not strongly oppose rescinding the mask proclamation and supported Option 2 for City fields, arguing that event organizers should not enforce outdoor mask-wearing.
Vice Mayor Daggett, Councilmember Salas, and Councilmember Sweet all expressed support for Option 2 for both items. Councilmember McCarthy was comfortable with Option 2 for City fields but preferred rescinding the mask mandate by July 1 instead of June 1, though he would follow the majority’s decision.
City Manager Clifton explained the June 1 date aligns with the County's decision and other City facility openings. The County had decided to rescind its mask mandate on June 1, as noted in their press release.
Councilmember Shimoni asked about mask requirements for observers at fields, and it was confirmed that masks were required for field spectators. Mayor Deasy decided to rescind the face covering proclamation effective May 26, 2021, while maintaining mask requirements for indoor City facilities.
Councilmembers McCarthy and Aslan sought clarity on the separate issues of rescinding the proclamation and requiring masks in City facilities. City Manager Clifton clarified that individual businesses could enforce mask mandates, and the City would follow administrative decisions.
Councilmembers McCarthy, Aslan, and Sweet all supported the immediate rescindment of the face mask proclamation and the lifting of outdoor field capacity limits. Councilmember McCarthy expressed understanding but sought clarity on the policy versus proclamation distinction.
The discussion concluded with confirmation that the mask proclamation would be rescinded immediately, and the capacity restrictions on City fields would also be lifted. Masks would still be required inside City facilities.
- Agenda
- Community Transmission
- Monitoring Criteria
- Vaccination Rates
- Updated CDC Guidelines
- CCHHS: Community Transmission
- Currently moderate, but has dropped significantly
- City’s Monitoring Criteria has had a downward trajectory for over four weeks
- CCHHS: Community Vaccination
- CDC: Updated Guidelines
- Masks still required on Public Transportation, Healthcare Facility, and Jails
- Use of City Fields
- Council Discussion
- Face Covering Proclamation options
- Use of City Fields options
Mayor Deasy requested Council’s input on the face mask proclamation, and Councilmembers discussed their positions.
Councilmember Aslan emphasized following CDC guidelines, supporting mask-wearing indoors and for the unvaccinated but did not feel a mandate was necessary. Councilmember Shimoni did not strongly oppose rescinding the mask proclamation and supported Option 2 for City fields, arguing that event organizers should not enforce outdoor mask-wearing.
Vice Mayor Daggett, Councilmember Salas, and Councilmember Sweet all expressed support for Option 2 for both items. Councilmember McCarthy was comfortable with Option 2 for City fields but preferred rescinding the mask mandate by July 1 instead of June 1, though he would follow the majority’s decision.
City Manager Clifton explained the June 1 date aligns with the County's decision and other City facility openings. The County had decided to rescind its mask mandate on June 1, as noted in their press release.
Councilmember Shimoni asked about mask requirements for observers at fields, and it was confirmed that masks were required for field spectators. Mayor Deasy decided to rescind the face covering proclamation effective May 26, 2021, while maintaining mask requirements for indoor City facilities.
Councilmembers McCarthy and Aslan sought clarity on the separate issues of rescinding the proclamation and requiring masks in City facilities. City Manager Clifton clarified that individual businesses could enforce mask mandates, and the City would follow administrative decisions.
Councilmembers McCarthy, Aslan, and Sweet all supported the immediate rescindment of the face mask proclamation and the lifting of outdoor field capacity limits. Councilmember McCarthy expressed understanding but sought clarity on the policy versus proclamation distinction.
The discussion concluded with confirmation that the mask proclamation would be rescinded immediately, and the capacity restrictions on City fields would also be lifted. Masks would still be required inside City facilities.
8.
Public Participation
None.
9.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
Councilmember Aslan requested a conversation around incentives for vaccinations. City Manager Clifton added the City is working with the County on pop-up vaccination facilities. He stated that there has been discussions on employee vaccination incentives. Mayor Deasy asked for the information to be sent to Council. Ms. Anderson showed the information on the Big Shot Incentive Program. Public Affairs Director Jessica Drum stated that an update on state legislation will be sent out tomorrow.
Councilmember McCarthy mentioned that he toured Sharon’s Manor’s new addition and he was very impressed with the facility and the programs.
Councilmember Salas spoke about the commemorative flags policy she stated there are no flags listed for the months of July and August and she requests a FAIR item to review the current flag schedule and to identify flags for July and August. She requested flying the Military order of Purple Heart flag for August (August 17). She asked Mayor Deasy to issue a proclamation for Purple Heart Day.
Mayor Deasy spoke about a meeting he had with Councilmembers McCarthy and Aslan, Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives Rose Toehe, and Navajo Nation delegate with Thomas Walker. He requested that Councilmembers post their calendars on their city pages each week.
Councilmember McCarthy mentioned that he toured Sharon’s Manor’s new addition and he was very impressed with the facility and the programs.
Councilmember Salas spoke about the commemorative flags policy she stated there are no flags listed for the months of July and August and she requests a FAIR item to review the current flag schedule and to identify flags for July and August. She requested flying the Military order of Purple Heart flag for August (August 17). She asked Mayor Deasy to issue a proclamation for Purple Heart Day.
Mayor Deasy spoke about a meeting he had with Councilmembers McCarthy and Aslan, Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives Rose Toehe, and Navajo Nation delegate with Thomas Walker. He requested that Councilmembers post their calendars on their city pages each week.
10.
Adjournment
The City Council Work Session held May 25, 2021, adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
_____________________________________ MAYOR |
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| ATTEST: |
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_____________________________________ CITY CLERK |