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Minutes for City Council Combined Special Meeting/Work Session

CITY COUNCIL COMBINED WORK
SESSION / SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021
CITY HALL STAFF CONFERENCE ROOM
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
 

MINUTES
 
1.
Call to Order

Mayor Deasy called the Work Session held June 29, 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.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.
 
3.
ROLL CALL
Present:
  • Mayor Paul Deasy
  • Vice Mayor Becky Daggett
  • Councilmember Austin Aslan
  • Councilmember Jim McCarthy
  • Councilmember Regina Salas
  • Councilmember Adam Shimoni
  • Councilmember Miranda Sweet
Staff:
City Manager Greg Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon
 
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.
None
 
5.
Review of Draft Agenda for the July 6, 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.
None
 
6.
Elevate Pre-K Progress Update
Rebecca Cirzan, Northern Arizona Regional Lead for the Association for Supportive Child Care and Scott Pettitt from the Wharton Foundation provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:  

AGENDA
ELEVATE PRE K HISTORY
THREE PART STRATEGY
GOAL 1: HIGH QUALITY
GOAL 2: INCREASED ACCESS
GOAL 3: SUSTAINABILITY
COLLECTIVE IMPACT PARTNERS 
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND NEXT STEPS
COVID RESPONSE
POST-COVID: CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO A RETURNING WORKFORCE
OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT 
MOVING FORWARD

Councilmember Shimoni expressed support for the program, and suggested involving City Commissions. He requested financial details, to which Ms. Cirzan responded that $1 million over three years would expedite the pilot project, with another $500,000 anticipated for partnership and family support efforts. She emphasized the importance of planning with Council input. 

Council expressed strong support, emphasizing the connection between childcare, education, and workforce development.
 
7.
Beulah/University Roadway Project - 60% Design Review
Capital Improvements Project Manager David Pedersen, City Engineer Rick Barrett, and Multimodal Transportation Project Manager Martin Ince provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

MAPS
THE DESIGN TEAM
BEULAH BLVD – SOUTHERN SECTION 1
BEULAH BLVD – SOUTHERN SECTION 2
ROUNDABOUT
WEST UNIVERSITY AVENUE
WEST UNIVERSITY AVENUE (NEW)
UNIVERSITY DRIVE
SOUTH YALE STREET
UNIVERSITY AVENUE (CURRENT)
PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS
RECENT DISCUSSIONS
BEULAH BLVD – SOUTHERN SECTION 1
BEULAH BLVD – SOUTHERN SECTION 2

Councilmember Sweet asked if the bike lanes are separated. Mr. Pedersen said they are currently on-street and requested Council direction, especially for the new Beulah extension.

Councilmember Aslan advocated for off-street bike lanes on all future projects and suggested converting the Milton/University intersection into a roundabout. Staff responded that while a roundabout was considered, it would require extensive property acquisition and has not been formally studied.

Councilmember Shimoni inquired about Milltown access, tunnel placement, and pedestrian traffic flow. Mr. Ince explained the tunnel’s northside placement aimed to minimize property impacts. Councilmember Shimoni emphasized designing the roundabout with pedestrian experience in mind and asked about the involvement of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees, which Mr. Ince confirmed.

Councilmembers Aslan, Sweet, and Mayor Deasy all expressed concerns about access to the tunnel from all four corners, high speeds, and the potential for six traffic lanes.

Overall, Councilmembers supported prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle access, reducing speeds, and ensuring an inclusive roundabout design.

A break was called at 4:43 p.m. through 4:55 p.m. 
 
8.
Zoning Code parking location requirements for recreational vehicles, trailers and boats on residential lots
Zoning Code Manager Dan Symer provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: 

WORK SESSION OBJECTIVES
CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS: DOES THE CITY COUNCIL DESIRE TO AMEND THE EXISTING VEHICLE(S) AND TRAILER(S) PARKING REGULATIONS TO ALLOW VEHICLE(S) AND TRAILER(S) TO BE PARKED ON A DRIVEWAY AND WITHIN 10 FEET OF THE DRIVEWAY IN THE FRONT YARD?
BACKGROUND
CONSIDERATIONS
CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS: DOES THE CITY COUNCIL DESIRE TO AMEND THE EXISTING VEHICLE(S) AND TRAILER(S) PARKING REGULATIONS TO ALLOW VEHICLE(S) AND TRAILER(S) TO BE PARKED ON A DRIVEWAY AND WITHIN 10 FEET OF THE DRIVEWAY IN THE FRONT YARD?

Community Development Director Dan Folke spoke about the history of the zoning code and the complications that surround the issue. 

Mac McGeary addressed Council on some of the issues he has faced with recreational vehicles parked on street. He suggested a cap of two months a year for vehicles to be parked in the street. 

Councilmember McCarthy noted RVs are similar to small homes and sees it as a planning issue. He is hesitant to change the existing five-day parking rule.

Councilmember Shimoni supported having a conversation, especially due to RVs blocking bike lanes.

Vice Mayor Daggett, Councilmembers Sweet, and Salas supported further discussion, with interest in limiting street parking to five days and allowing RVs in driveways.

Councilmember Aslan supported removing street parking rights for large vehicles and limiting parking to driveways.

Mayor Deasy also supported using private driveways for RVs and trailers, preferring fewer restrictions overall.

Mr. Folke clarified that RV street parking is not a zoning code issue but can still be addressed by Council. Staff handles abandoned/inoperable vehicle complaints and encourages movement of long-parked vehicles.

Council agreed to continue discussions on RV and large vehicle street parking at a future meeting.
 
 
9.
Potential Local Campaign Finance Ordinance
City Attorney Sterling Solomon asked Council if there is interest in pursuing a local campaign finance ordinance to limit "dark money" in local elections. He explained that if four councilmembers support the idea, he can begin researching and possibly present a draft ordinance at the next meeting.

Mayor Deasy clarified the ordinance would apply only to local elections and supported placing it on a future agenda.

Councilmember McCarthy raised questions about contributions from entities like the Chamber of Commerce and supported further discussion.

There was a consensus to move the item forward for further discussion. 
 
10.
COVID Update - Return to in person Council meetings
Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: 

AGENDA
RECENT COVID DATA
NEW HYBRID MEETING OPTION
COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE
DISCUSSION
CCHHS: COVID-19 WEEKLY CASES
CCHHS: HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
CCHHS: COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS
CCHHS: COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION
CCHHS: COMMUNITY VACCINATION
NAH: HOSPITAL CENSUS
NEW HYBRID MEETING OPTION
COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE
DISCUSSION

Councilmember Sweet suggested gathering public feedback on meeting times.

Councilmember Salas asked IT to confirm readiness for hybrid meetings by August 24th and prefers having one consistent meeting time.

Vice Mayor Daggett questioned earlier start times now that public participation can happen virtually but agreed with the one-time format.

Councilmember McCarthy supported starting routine items at 3:00 p.m. and regular/work sessions at 5:00 p.m., opposing 6:00 p.m. starts.

Councilmember Aslan supported earlier start times and emphasized scheduling high-interest items at convenient times for the public. He also supported one consistent meeting time.

Councilmember Shimoni was open to earlier times but expressed concern about working hours. He requested that commission meetings be streamed and archived again.

Councilmember McCarthy suggested all meetings start at 3:00 p.m., which would require a rules of procedure amendment. Council requested this be agendized.
 
11.
Adjournment
The Work Session held June 29, 2021, adjourned at 6:08 p.m. 
 

SPECIAL MEETING
 
1.
Call to Order

Mayor Deasy called the Special Meeting held June 29, 2021, to order at 6:08 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.
Consideration and Possible Authorization: For the use of Council Initiative Fund
City Manager Clifton gave a brief overview of the discretionary fund.

Mayor Deasy supported allocating $5,000 to $10,000 to Flagstaff Trails Initiative (FTI) and directing the remaining funds to organizations aiding mental health services.

Councilmember McCarthy preferred addressing funding requests separately and was hesitant to fund FTI due to timing, though he supports mental health organizations. He also felt such requests should have been raised during the budget retreat.

Mr. Clifton noted ongoing support for United Way, which distributes funds, and mentioned prior FTI funding last year; he also noted growing needs for High Country Humane.

Councilmember Shimoni expressed concerns about funding Terros, preferring funds go toward Fourth Street pop-up urbanism and bike safety signage.

Management Services Director Rick Tadder explained procurement rules for amounts over $5,000 and noted that FTI was funded through United Way last year.

Justin Inglis from FTI addressed Council and spoke in favor of funding FTI.

Stacy Stumpf submitted written comments in support of FTI.

Councilmember Salas supported at least $5,000 for FTI.

Councilmember Aslan recommended $5,000–$10,000 for FTI and the rest for mental health support, suggesting the fund be reviewed two – three times annually and calling for improved processes on discretionary spending.

Mr. Clifton emphasized that while more structure could be added to the $25,000 fund, it is designed to allow quicker decisions for unforeseen needs and to encourage a wider range of requests.

Council thanked staff and each other for understanding the use of the funds and the projects that may come forward for it. 

Council directed staff to provide $7,500 of funding to FTI and $17,500 for mental health services. 
 
3.
Public Participation
None
 
4.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
Councilmember Aslan stated he sent in an email requesting a future agenda item on draft language for a resolution for the Endangered Species Act. 

Councilmember Salas stated she made some connections and has ideas on workforce development from a recent conference. 

Councilmember Shimoni reported that the Alternative Response Group met to discuss an RFP for a new detox center. He highlighted recent efforts related to sandbagging and the Raphael Fire. He mentioned attending the Lowell Observatory groundbreaking and a Neighborhood Association meeting, emphasizing the importance of incorporating neighborhood needs into CDBG plans. He also announced an upcoming town hall to discuss the new Arizona Rehab Center, which will offer detox services and residency.

Mayor Deasy thanked the community for flood mitigation and Raphael Fire efforts. 
 
5.
Adjournment
The Special Meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held June 29, 2021, adjourned at 7:13 p.m. 
   
 

_____________________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
 
 

_____________________________________
CITY CLERK
 


CERTIFICATION

I, STACY SALTZBURG, do hereby certify that I am the City Clerk of the City of Flagstaff, County of Coconino, State of Arizona, and that the above Minutes are a true and correct summary of the Meeting of the Council of the City of Flagstaff held on June 29, 2021. I further certify that the Meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
 
DATED this 16th day of December, 2025  
 

________________________________________
CITY CLERK