CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 2021
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 2021
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Deasy called the Work Session held September 14, 2021 to order at 3:05 p.m.
Mayor Deasy called the Work Session held September 14, 2021 to order at 3:05 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 Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon
NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means.
| PRESENT: MAYOR DEASY VICE MAYOR DAGGETT COUNCILMEMBER ASLAN COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY COUNCILMEMBER SALAS COUNCILMEMBER SHIMONI COUNCILMEMBER SWEET |
ABSENT: |
Others present: City Manager 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.
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.
Art Babbott, Meg Kabotie, and Terry Madeksza addressed Mayor and Council regarding the success of the Wednesday Downtown Community Market.
Devonna McLaughlin addressed Mayor and Council regarding Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona and shared that the organization purchased a 44-room apartment motel using CARES fund for transitional housing. She shared that the property is the former Travel Lodge property. She shared gratitude to the City and to their partners.
Devonna McLaughlin addressed Mayor and Council regarding Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona and shared that the organization purchased a 44-room apartment motel using CARES fund for transitional housing. She shared that the property is the former Travel Lodge property. She shared gratitude to the City and to their partners.
5.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Proclamation
Mayor Deasy read the proclamation.
Mayor Deasy read the proclamation.
6.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
Councilmember Salas thanked Mayor Deasy for the proclamation on suicide prevention awareness month and discussed the implications that suicide has had on the Police Department. She also discussed resources for suicide prevention and mental health. She added that she went to the state legislature with MetroPlan Planner David Wessel to lobby for transportation dollars for rural Arizona.
Councilmember Sweet shared that she will present to a class at Puente de Hohzo on what it means to be a business owner and about city government.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that this weekend is Pickin in the Pines, where he is volunteering. He suggested that To/From be moved back to the end of the agenda.
Mayor Deasy mentioned that he had a good conversation regarding broadband in the region with a group of stakeholders. He added that the alternative response model working group has been doing some good work and that there will be a town hall Friday, September 24, 2021 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Daggett spoke about the public meetings regarding the Flagstaff Housing Plan, which will be held online. She added that the Festival of Science starts Friday.
Councilmember Shimoni spoke about the upcoming Mountain Line board meeting. He reported that Northland Family Help Center currently does not have a waitlist for counseling with their interns. Health Choice will hold an Indigenous Summit and he will be doing a walk along with the Police Department. He added that City Clerk Stacy Saltzburg joined him for a live stream on how to participate in public comment.
City Manager Greg Clifton spoke about the ordering of this agenda item. He asked Council how they felt about the ordering.
Councilmember Aslan and Mayor Deasy stated that they were in support of having this agenda item reordered to the beginning of the meeting.
Councilmember Shimoni added that he would like to have a section for discussion at the end of the agenda if to/from is left at the beginning.
Councilmember Sweet added her support.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that he supports Councilmember Shimoni’s idea of adding a discussion item at the end of the agenda as well.
The majority of Council supported that idea.
Councilmember Sweet shared that she will present to a class at Puente de Hohzo on what it means to be a business owner and about city government.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that this weekend is Pickin in the Pines, where he is volunteering. He suggested that To/From be moved back to the end of the agenda.
Mayor Deasy mentioned that he had a good conversation regarding broadband in the region with a group of stakeholders. He added that the alternative response model working group has been doing some good work and that there will be a town hall Friday, September 24, 2021 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Daggett spoke about the public meetings regarding the Flagstaff Housing Plan, which will be held online. She added that the Festival of Science starts Friday.
Councilmember Shimoni spoke about the upcoming Mountain Line board meeting. He reported that Northland Family Help Center currently does not have a waitlist for counseling with their interns. Health Choice will hold an Indigenous Summit and he will be doing a walk along with the Police Department. He added that City Clerk Stacy Saltzburg joined him for a live stream on how to participate in public comment.
City Manager Greg Clifton spoke about the ordering of this agenda item. He asked Council how they felt about the ordering.
Councilmember Aslan and Mayor Deasy stated that they were in support of having this agenda item reordered to the beginning of the meeting.
Councilmember Shimoni added that he would like to have a section for discussion at the end of the agenda if to/from is left at the beginning.
Councilmember Sweet added her support.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that he supports Councilmember Shimoni’s idea of adding a discussion item at the end of the agenda as well.
The majority of Council supported that idea.
7.
Review of Draft Agenda for the September 21, 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.
8.
Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030: 2020 Annual Report
Associate Planner Jordan Hollinger presented to Mayor and Council the annual report on Flagstaff’s 2030 Regional Plan. Slides included:
- Why is there a Regional Plan Annual Report?
- Where can you find the Report?
- Annual Report Organization
- COVID-19 and the Annual Report
- Natural Environment
- Built Environment
- COVID-19 Key Insight
- Built Environment
- Human Environment
- What metrics are new, withdrawn, or missing?
- Most cited goals in staff memos to Council
- Regional Plan Accomplishments
- Other Accomplishments
- Future Projects
9.
Off-Campus Life & Neighborhood Liaison Update
Interim Public Affairs Director Sarah Langley introduced Off-Campus Life and Neighborhood Liaison Valeria Chase and External Affairs Director Josh Lance. Ms. Chase gave a presentation to Mayor and Council on the work program of the Off-Campus Life and Neighborhood Liaison. Slides included:
Councilmember Salas thanked Ms. Chase for her work on this program and spoke about the sense of community that has been built. She asked Ms. Chase to speak more about the partners and stakeholders and the Blockwatch meetings. She asked when the meetings happen and who the partners are. Ms. Chase stated that the blockwatch meetings are in the University Heights neighborhood and the stakeholders are the neighbors and that code enforcement and police attend as well. Councilmember Salas asked if Ms. Chase intended on expanding that program into the Southside Neighborhood and Plaza de Vieja. Ms. Chase stated that the Neighborhood Associations in those neighborhoods serve the same purpose.
Councilmember Shimoni stated that he is happy that the partnership with NAU is moving forward, especially with the new leadership. He added that he was at the housing symposium in 2014 and that it was a good event which led to this program. He asked where the videos will be promoted. Ms. Chase stated that they will be marketed to students looking to move off-campus and they will be promoted in dorms, on campus, and via social media. It will be an online training. Councilmember Shimoni recommended increased communications to students and ways to get the program in front of any captive audience.
Councilmember Sweet extended her appreciation and stated that she attended the community welcome and saw the value in bridging the conversation with NAU and Flagstaff locals. She would like to see more events that focus on communications.
- Personal Background
- History of the Role
- Dual Program Management
- Collaboration as One Community
- Implemented Projects to Date
- Key Internal & External Partners
- Future Initiatives
Councilmember Salas thanked Ms. Chase for her work on this program and spoke about the sense of community that has been built. She asked Ms. Chase to speak more about the partners and stakeholders and the Blockwatch meetings. She asked when the meetings happen and who the partners are. Ms. Chase stated that the blockwatch meetings are in the University Heights neighborhood and the stakeholders are the neighbors and that code enforcement and police attend as well. Councilmember Salas asked if Ms. Chase intended on expanding that program into the Southside Neighborhood and Plaza de Vieja. Ms. Chase stated that the Neighborhood Associations in those neighborhoods serve the same purpose.
Councilmember Shimoni stated that he is happy that the partnership with NAU is moving forward, especially with the new leadership. He added that he was at the housing symposium in 2014 and that it was a good event which led to this program. He asked where the videos will be promoted. Ms. Chase stated that they will be marketed to students looking to move off-campus and they will be promoted in dorms, on campus, and via social media. It will be an online training. Councilmember Shimoni recommended increased communications to students and ways to get the program in front of any captive audience.
Councilmember Sweet extended her appreciation and stated that she attended the community welcome and saw the value in bridging the conversation with NAU and Flagstaff locals. She would like to see more events that focus on communications.
10.
Carbon Neutrality Plan Quarterly Update
Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos, Sustainability Specialist Jenny Niemann, and Climate and Energy Coordinator Ramon Alatorre gave the first quarterly update to Mayor and Council on the Carbon Neutrality Plan.
Slides included:
Vice Mayor Daggett asked about the sustainability leaders program, and Ms. Antonopoulos clarified that it is a staff-led, in-person class held every Thursday, with potential for online options in the future.
Councilmember Shimoni expressed support for the sustainability matrix and raised concerns about the increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). He discussed the importance of aligning sustainability goals with traffic analysis and advocated for using Transportation Demand Management (TDM) to reduce transportation demand and increase walking and alternative transport. He requested a policy discussion on TIA and TDM.
Councilmember McCarthy emphasized the connection between land-use policies and transportation demand, advocating for higher-density neighborhoods to encourage walking and biking. Councilmember Salas asked for clarification on the 10% increase in VMT for FY 2019-2020, suggesting that the pandemic might have affected it, and acknowledged the impact of land-use policies.
Councilmember Sweet expressed her appreciation for the discussions.
Slides included:
- Today’s Discussion
- Carbon Neutrality Action Updates
- Strong Neighborhoods
- Equitable Systems
- Community Resilience
- Decreased Dependence on Cars
- Clean Energy Sources
- Building Electrification
- Electric Mobility
- Clean Electricity
- Managed Consumption
- Reduced Building Energy Use
- Sustainable Consumption & Waste Management
- Upholding our Commitment
- Carbon Dioxide Removal
- Investment Strategy
- Example of deep decarbonization retrofits
- Implementation Tools
- 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
- 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory – VMT
- 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory – Waste
- 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory – Bar Graph
- Engagement
- Regional Plan Amendment
- Thank You to Climate Action Interns
- Become a Flagstaff Sustainability Leader!
Vice Mayor Daggett asked about the sustainability leaders program, and Ms. Antonopoulos clarified that it is a staff-led, in-person class held every Thursday, with potential for online options in the future.
Councilmember Shimoni expressed support for the sustainability matrix and raised concerns about the increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). He discussed the importance of aligning sustainability goals with traffic analysis and advocated for using Transportation Demand Management (TDM) to reduce transportation demand and increase walking and alternative transport. He requested a policy discussion on TIA and TDM.
Councilmember McCarthy emphasized the connection between land-use policies and transportation demand, advocating for higher-density neighborhoods to encourage walking and biking. Councilmember Salas asked for clarification on the 10% increase in VMT for FY 2019-2020, suggesting that the pandemic might have affected it, and acknowledged the impact of land-use policies.
Councilmember Sweet expressed her appreciation for the discussions.
11.
Public Participation
None.
12.
Adjournment
The Work Session held September 14, 2021, adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
_____________________________________ MAYOR |
|
| ATTEST: |
|
_____________________________________ CITY CLERK |