Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Oravits to approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of November 3, 2014.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Vice Mayor Barotz asked about the training that Board and Commission members are required to do and if that is being taken into consideration for those members who are seeking reappointment. Deputy City Clerk Stacy Saltzburg stated that members are currently required to attend training within the first two years of their term. The applicant roster that is provided to Council in the agenda packet shows those commissioners who are seeking reappointment and if they have attended the training or not. This is certainly something that the appointment team can consider as they make recommendations for appointments.
 
Mayor Nabours stated that during recent discussions about Boards and Commissions it was suggested that this information be available on the website for people to review and subsequently sign an affidavit that acknowledges they have done so. Ms. Saltzburg stated that staff is working on making that available to commissioners and it should be in place very soon.

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Mayor Jerry Nabours to appoint Ben Murphy to the At Large appointment of the Tourism Commission with a term expiring January 2018.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz to appoint Ardis Easton to the Parks and Recreation Commission, with a term expiring August 2015 and Charles Hammersley, Adam Kaupish, and Jim Stratton to terms expiring August 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jeff Oravits, seconded by Councilmember Coral Evans to appoint Paul Shankland, Stuart McDaniel, and Roger Brace to the Airport Commission, terms expiring October 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to appoint Bradley Garner to the Water Commission with a term expiring December 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Karla Brewster, seconded by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz to appoint Karin Wadsack to the Water Commission with a term expiring December 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Eva Putzova, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Oravits to appoint Ellen Vaughn and Jodi Norris to the Sustainability Commission with terms expiring October 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Coral Evans, seconded by Councilmember Eva Putzova to appoint Jean Hockman to the At Large position of the Heritage Preservation Commission with a term expiring December 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Coral Evans, seconded by Councilmember Eva Putzova to appoint Josh Edwards as the Professional position of the Heritage Preservation Commission with a term expiring December 2017.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Mayor Nabours stated that having such a large number of commissions come up altogether caught many by surprise and in discussing the appointments around the community he would like to suggest postponing appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission to allow more time for applications. 

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to postpone appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission to the regular Council meeting of January 20, 2015.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Vice Mayor Barotz noted that there is an incumbent that has reapplied who will be added to the list of applicants and that there are some good applicants already on the list as well.

Mayor Nabours said that the Police Department, Community Development and Sales Tax have all reviewed the two liquor licenses and none of them presented a reason for denial. At this time he opened the Public Hearing for both licenses. There being no input, the Public Hearing was closed.

Moved by Councilmember Jeff Oravits, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to forward both applications to the State with a recommendation for approval.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Utilities Director Brad Hill showed a picture of the dredge equipment currently used at the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant purchased 35 years ago and a picture of the new dredge should the Council approve the purchase.

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Oravits to reject all bids as submitted for Invitation for Bids (IFB), bid # 2015-07, Utilities Wastewater Dredge Equipment and approve the purchase of one (1) Model MD-615 diesel powered Dredge and attachments in the amount of $304,691.70 from VMI, Inc. located in Cushing, Oklahoma, for the replacement of the existing Dredge equipment at Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz to approve Consent Agenda items 9-B and 9-C.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Vice Mayor Barotz offered an official welcome to Mr. Meilback.

Moved by Councilmember Karla Brewster, seconded by Councilmember Coral Evans to read Ordinance No. 2014-34 by title only for the final time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AMENDING THE FLAGSTAFF CITY CODE, TITLE 3, BUSINESS REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 3-05, PRIVILEGE TAXES, LEVYING A LOCAL TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX INCREASE OF 33 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE GROSS INCOME (SALES) AS APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY VOTING IN THE NOVEMBER 4, 2014, GENERAL ELECTION, PROPOSITION 406, "ROAD REPAIR AND STREET SAFETY INITIATIVE," PROVIDING FOR USE OF TAX REVENUES, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES, REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, AUTHORITY FOR CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Moved by Councilmember Jeff Oravits, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to adopt Ordinance No. 2014-34.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Oravits to adopt Resolution No. 2014-39.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Scott Overton to read Ordinance No. 2014-32 by title only for the final time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OF REGULATIONS AND FLAGSTAFF CITY CODE BY ADOPTING THOSE AMENDMENTS AS SHOWN IN "2014 ADDENDUM 6OF THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OF REGULATIONS" BY REFERENCE, RATIFYING THE 2014 ELECTION RESULTS AND TWO-YEAR TERMS, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES, REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, AUTHORITY FOR CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
 

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to adopt Ordinance No. 2014-32.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Wildland Fire Manager Paul Summerfelt provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
FLAGSTAFF WATERSHED PROTECTION PROJECT IGA WITH AZ STATE FORESTRY
SECTION 30 LOCATION MAP
EQUESTRIAN PROJECT SURVEY
 
Mayor Nabours stated that this is a result of a joint venture with the City and State land and a result of legislation last year. He asked if any other cities had taken advantage of the dollars allocated by Governor Brewer for the treatment of state land.
 
Mr. Summerfelt stated that the State wants to spend more of this money with the Flagstaff because it is not being used by others.

Moved by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz, seconded by Councilmember Eva Putzova to approve FWPP Intergovernmental Agreement 15-1 Section 30 Forest Treatment Agreement with AZ State Forestry.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Mr. Summerfelt provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
FWPP AMENDMENT #1 TO IGA
INTENT OF AMENDMENT

Moved by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to amend the effective date of the FWPP Vegetation Monitoring IGA to July 1, 2014.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

A Flagstaff citizen addressed Council expressing his opposition to a plastic bag ban in Flagstaff.
 
Wes Lockwood, resident, read a letter from the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition stating that a lighting committee should be developed and led by citizens and stakeholders rather than the City.
 
David Engelthaler addressed Council on behalf of Flagstaff 40 in support of an ad hoc committee to inform and advise the Council on needed changes.
 
Nat White, resident, addressed Council in favor of a lighting committee led by citizens and stakeholders.
 
Gabor Kovacs, resident, addressed Council requesting that the signs indicating Flagstaff as a diverse community be taken down and replaced with signs that state Flagstaff is a community of unity.
 
Katie Nelson, resident, addressed Council encouraging them to put the principles of sound water management back on a future agenda.
 
Dawn Dyer, resident, addressed Council encouraging them to put the principles of sound water management back on a future agenda.
 
Rudy Preston, resident, addressed Council urging them to consider banning the use of tasers in medical situations. He urged Council to tour the jail facility unannounced to observe conditions.
 
Mr. Preston also stated that in Eugene, Oregon the city gives homeless people a place to park their cars to sleep in and they buy tiny houses that can be utilized for sleeping as well. He encouraged the Council to look further into the programs offered in Eugene.

None

City Clerk Elizabeth Burke provided a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the final twelve questions for the charter amendments.

1. Term of Mayor
2. Term of Councilmembers

Mayor Nabours mentioned that there is the possibility that Flagstaff may change its election to be odd numbered years. Ms. Burke stated that the change would be separate from this one. Mayor Nabours asked if it would be necessary to change the charter again. Ms. Burke stated that it would have to be changed and because it is one of the more substantive changes it would be coming back to Council at a later time. Councilmember Oravits asked if there was any way to reword the question to include the change. Ms. D’Andrea explained that each change requires a single question on the ballot and it would require an additional question. It is likely something that will be addressed at an election in the fall.

3. Induction of Mayor and Council
4. Vacancies in the Council and Office of Mayor
5. Appointment of the Clerk
6. Appointment of the Treasurer
7. City Attorney ability to schedule an Executive Session
8. Affirmative vote of ¾ for first and final read of Ordinances and Resolutions
9. Emergency Measures and Publication of Ordinances and Resolutions
10. Publication of Ordinances and Resolutions
11. Sale of Property
12. Nomination for primary election

Ms. Burke explained that the resolution would call the election for May and allow staff to get notice out in the paper inviting arguments in favor or opposed.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz stated that she would be happy to help with the outreach and education. Mayor Nabours added that Councilmembers can also write a pro-statement if they are so inclined.
 
Rudy Preston, resident, asked Council if the ¾ vote includes the Mayor. Mayor Nabours stated that it does include the Mayor.
 
Councilmember Putzova expressed concern with question eight; the approving of an ordinance on the same night it is presented and asked that it be removed from the list of questions. She feels that the current language in the Charter is the preferred method. Vice Mayor Evans added that this issue goes to the heart of the people’s ability to interact with the City Council. The Council often changes things between the first and second read.

At the request of Council, Mayor Nabours took each item individually asking for a vote.
 
Item 1, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 2, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 3, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 4, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 5, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 6, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 7, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 8, Vice Mayor Barotz, and Councilmembers Putzova and Evans were opposed.
Item 9, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 10, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 11, all Councilmembers were in favor.
Item 12, all Councilmembers were in favor.

Moved by Councilmember Eva Putzova, seconded by Councilmember Coral Evans to remove Question 8 from the list to move forward.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Oravits to read Resolution No. 2014-43 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, ORDERING QUESTIONS BE SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY WITH RESPECT TO AMENDMENTS TO THE FLAGSTAFF CITY CHARTER, SAID QUESTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED AT A CITY SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2015

Moved by Mayor Jerry Nabours, seconded by Councilmember Karla Brewster to adopt Resolution No. 2014-43.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Community Design and Redevelopment Manager Karl Eberhard explained that the resolution would make the Redevelopment Policy active, establish three objectives, and establish a preliminary list of implementation strategies. Any actions taken on behalf of the policy will come back to Council in the form of ordinances and resolutions.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz expressed concern about the empty building tax and suggested that it be taken out of the policy. Mayor Nabours clarified that any such tax would have to come back to the Council for approval and specifics. Vice Mayor Barotz agreed but stated that the Council would be making a value statement by including it in the plan and she is not comfortable with that. Councilmember Oravits agreed stating that he would like to see it removed as well.
 
Councilmember Overton stated that it was helpful having the policy with the red lines. What is confusing is that those elements are in the draft version of the policy. The annotated version cleared up a lot of questions and he suggested to either clean up the policy to reflect the annotations or leave the annotations in. He expressed concern with the implementation strategy; specifically, the practicality of implementing some of the items is far reaching.
 
Mr. Eberhard stated that in many ways the items within the policy are place holders, they are things that Council and the community have talked about but it does not mean that they will be implemented. If there are things that the City does not want to pursue lets take them out of the policy now so as not to expend staff resources for things that there is no interest in. Essentially, this is a menu of things for the Council to consider and staff to develop further for Council consideration.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that in reading document it appears that the intent is to shift the interest from Greenfield development to reinvestment. Mr. Eberhard stated that he is cautious to call it a shift but rather how the City can make infill and redevelopment more appealing to the community.
 
Councilmember Putzova noted that objective 1 item 4 states that the City will identify a mechanism to invest. She suggested adding language that identifies a funding source as well.
 
She also brought up objective 2 item 8 asking for a specific example. Mr. Eberhard offered that in southside on Beaver and San Francisco we still require parking for the businesses that front those two streets we regularly waive those requirements because we don’t want those features there.
 
Councilmember Putzova then stated that she would like to see the City avoid the issue of losing affordable housing due to redevelopment policies. She specifically would like to see a provision that would protect affordable housing.
 
Councilmember Evans stated that the Council appears to not want an empty building tax but something needs to be in place to address the issue of long standing vacant buildings. They are causing the neighboring property values to decline. Mayor Nabours agreed stating that there needs to be a mechanism in place to get the property owner to do something with the property.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz added that her concern is that the net is too big as it is presented and it will affect functioning strip malls that cannot attract tenants. Councilmember Oravits stated that Walgreens will soon be vacant and he could see it being vacant for quite some time. He would like to see another avenue to pursue.
 
Deputy City Attorney Sterling Solomon offered that when the policy is brought back he will include a legal memo to address some of the concerns expressed and possibly look at tightening up some of the things.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that she believes that there is still value in having some strategies that address commercial property that has been vacant for an extended period of time.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz stated that there are many different situations and the City’s solution needs to be tailored to the specific problems. She stated that she would be more supportive of looking into empty buildings that are blight.
 
Councilmember Oravits stated that the Council recently made changes in the City Code to address dilapidated property; he asked how that might apply to the situation. Councilmember Evans stated that the department in charge of dealing with dilapidated property does not have the resources they need to address these types of issues.
 
Ms. D’Andrea offered that Legal could give the Council information on what has already been legislated in the current ordinance and give legal options that other cities have adopted.
 
Moran Henn addressed Council on behalf of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future stating that the community does not view every redevelopment project as a positive. Redevelopment should not harm existing neighborhoods and it must meet the neighborhood’s needs and character with no net loss of affordable housing. Look forward to a policy that the community can get behind.
 
Councilmember Oravits asked Ms. Henn how it is suggested that the City deals with a case where a four-plex that has not been used for years is knocked down and a new four-plex is built but the rent is higher due to new construction and an improvement of the conditions. Ms. Henn stated that there are a lot of opportunities to replace affordable housing and it would not necessarily have to be at the same location. That is something the City and the community should be discussing along with how to incentivize redevelopment with affordable housing.
 
Mayor Nabours added that the question becomes if there are incentives for the developer to develop in a redevelopment area. The first step is determining if it is a good project in a good location.
 
Mr. Burke stated that the main incentive of reinvestment is the ease of reinvestment. What staff has been wrestling with is how do they identify those universally accepted good projects in straight code language. Some of the task of this policy is to identify common acceptance of what is a good reinvestment project. Ms. Henn added that there is a difference between not everyone liking it and a whole community not liking it.
 
Councilmember Putzova asked why staff chose not to include maps that would identify areas that would meet the definition of infill and redevelopment. Mr. Eberhard stated that mapping redevelopment areas is challenging and it also ties their hands in terms of Arizona laws. The other reason is that redevelopment anywhere in the city is desirable. Councilmember Putzova added that she could see some benefits to focusing efforts in specific areas because strategies and tools could be customized to those areas. Mr. Eberhard stated that creating districts will be part of the answer as the policy moves forward.
 
A break was held from 7:23 p.m. through 7:33 p.m.

Mr. Burke stated there were three changes requested by Council; the first being in section 1b to address student housing within predominately single family detached housing. The second change is in section 4; it was reworded to specify the zoning code as the location where the neighborhood meetings are required. The last change was in section 8b; it was reworded to get greater clarity on the Milton road corridor study.
 
Moran Henn addressed Council on behalf of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future. Ms. Henn stated that the proposed work plan is a good start. She stated that an important goal identified by the student housing group was to establish predictability for where housing for students should occur. She requested that this be addressed by the task force and in future discussions as well as the plan.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz requested legal information on what Council is able to regulate in terms of preferred locations for student housing. In the context of the zoning code what more can the City do in regard to room and board to ensure that these kinds of projects are not in areas that are not compatible. Mr. Burke stated that it is something for a regional plan discussion. The City can say where it would like to see student housing but if there is correct zoning elsewhere it will be allowed.
 
Ms. D’Andrea stated that she can provide this information with a focus on what can be done without a Prop. 207 challenge.

Moved by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz, seconded by Councilmember Coral Evans to read Resolution No. 2015-01 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, ADOPTING THE 2015 STUDENT HOUSING WORK PLAN FOR THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

Moved by Vice Mayor Celia Barotz, seconded by Councilmember Coral Evans to adopt Resolution No. 2015-01.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Sales and Marketing Specialist Gail Jackson provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

• ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES FLAGSTAFF VETERANS HOME
• AZ STATE VETERAN HOMES
• REGIONAL FACILITY
• FLAGSTAFF 

Assistant to City Manager for Real Estate David McIntire continued the presentation.

• PROPOSED LAND TOUR
• DISCUSSION

Mayor Nabours asked the status of the veterans in the facility in Tucson and what qualifications are there to become a resident of the facility. Mr. Burke stated that the veterans that are there are those that are considered disabled by Veterans Affairs. Most of the funding is going through typical reimbursements of Medicare and Medicaid and Veterans Affairs. There are specialized treatment for Alzheimers and other physical and mental ailments that would not likely be present in Flagstaff due to the size and scope of facility. It is not just veterans but also spouses of veterans with those attributes. There is a percentage of disability that determines the funding they are qualified for.
 
Councilmember Oravits stated that he is in support of the veterans home at McMillan Mesa and would urge staff to move the project forward and get it going as soon as possible.
 
Mayor Nabours asked for clarification on what is required from the City. Ms. Jackson stated that a municipality is required to donate the land. It is an approximately $13.5 million project where $10 million comes from the State and the remainder comes from the federal government. Mayor Nabours asked if there were any additional City requirements in order to operate the facility. Mr. McIntire stated that the City donation of the land is where the City contribution ends; there may be some soft costs associated with the donation but the operations costs would be solely subsidized by the state.
 
Mr. Burke added that the additional City role will be in the lobbying effort with the state legislature. The request of the $10 million and the initial operating budget has to be approved and the City would be doing a lot of that advocacy work.
 
Councilmember Putzova asked whose jurisdiction the facility and land would become. Mr. McIntire stated that Veterans Services would be the owner of the land but they would be subject to local rules and codes. Staff did ask if they would be interested in a 100 year lease and they are willing to try to push that concept though. This would allow the City to maintain the land in its possession. Mr. Burke added that a lease would be much easier relative to the City’s procurement rules.
 
Councilmember Evans stated that she is excited to see this item before Council. Securing the land is just one step. The City needs to lobby collectively and individually for the matching funds and then start lobbying the federal side. There is an additional 18-24 months before the facility is here.
 
The following individuals addressed Council in favor of the use of McMillan Mesa for a Veteran’s home:
 

• Billy Weldon
• Lt. Col. Griffin
• Charles Ward

Below are the comments received:

• Would really like to see this program move forward and the City’s committement to the land is a huge step.
• This will be a huge asset to the community.
• These economic times are hard to make ends meet but give to those who gave blood.

Written comments were also received from the following individuals in support of the project:

• Kathleen S. Jones
• Kim Branges
• Robin Cook

Mayor Nabours stated that as a Council they are interested in moving this project forward
 
Councilmember Overton asked for staff to be prepared to discuss the parcel further with the community and asked that outreach be done to the Parks and Recreation Commission to allow them to discuss the value and purpose of the project. Mr. McIntire stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Commission have been notified about the project and the discussion with Council tonight. Staff and the commissions will reach out to the community letting them know that there will be additional Council items in the future for discussion and input.
 
Councilmember Evans stated that while staff is working on securing the property the Council needs to start working on securing the funds. She suggested speaking with the County Supervisors to get them involved in the lobbying efforts as well. She encouraged all councilmembers to speak with Flagstaff’s congressional representatives about securing the federal monies.
 
Mr. Burke added that staff has discussed the project with the City’s state lobbyist and he has some good strategies on how to approach this. He asked that Council and staff speak with him before they start reaching out to representatives. Deputy City Manager Jerene Watson added that there is some sequencing that the lobbyist feels is important which is why coordination with him is important.
 
Mayor Nabours requested that Legal look into any procurement restrictions that there may be with regards to this property. Ms. D’Andrea stated that legal staff has already started looking at that and there are some different ways to structure this to work with procurement and charter issues. She will keep the Council up to date on that information as it becomes available.

Rudy Preston addressed Council with regards to his petition to place the Principles of Sound Water Management on a future agenda. He stated that he does not feel that the Council got to the heart of many of the issues. He expressed frustration with the Council giving their right to approve water contracts away to the Utilities Director. He requested that Council bring the document back to the table so it can be further vetted and refined.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz stated that the City has an ordinance in place that says that the decision to renew reclaim water contracts is done administratively; she asked his intent is for the Council to revisit that ordinance. She feels that because reclaim water is such a valuable resource the Council should have the decision making ability in the contracts. Mr. Preston stated that the Principles of Sound Water Management should be discussed further to identify areas that should be revisited with this being one of them. The review will lead to changing some of the ordinances that back the policy up and yes, the Council should take its power back to determine who gets to use City water outside the city.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz suggested that it might make more sense to examine if there is majority support to look at the ordinance that gives this power to staff rather than take up the entire water policy again. Mr. Preston stated that he is specifically looking for majority support to revisit the water policy. The Principles of Sound Water Management needs to be brought back and openly and publicly discussed on whether or not it should be changed. There are a lot of big decisions to make about water that need to be included in the Principles of Sound Water Management. Better decisions would have been made if more time would have been spent on it.
 
Councilmember Evans thanked Mr. Preston for bringing the issue forward. She would like to look at how reclaim water contracts are renewed and since the initial discussion new things have happened that can now be taken under consideration. She is in favor of putting the item on a future agenda.
 
Councilmember Putzova also stated that she is in favor of placing the item on a future agenda.
 
Mr. Burke asked for clarification on whether or not the Council would be looking at all reclaim water contracts. Concilmember Evans stated that she would like to look at how reclaim water contracts are renewed and the ordinance that authorizes that action.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz also expressed support for putting this on a future agenda and added that it is essential that the public and the Council knows what is being done with the City’s water.
 
Mayor Nabours stated that there are three Councilmembers in favor or putting the item on a future agenda and asked staff to schedule the item.

Mayor Nabours stated that his thinking was to get a committee of interested citizens together with the City and the County along with various lighting representatives to see where the community is with lighting and to see if revisions are needed to the lighting section of the zoning code. There is more technology now and the lighting code does not address these changes in technology. There are issues regarding City owned and State owned lights and it would be good to find out what possibilities there are. He would like to get all the issues on the table and get the involved parties together to see if any resolution can be made.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz stated that what she heard from the public during public participation is that they are in support of reviewing the issues but do not think that the City should drive the process because it is a cross jurisdictional issue. The public would like to see a completely independent committee run the process and bring recommendations back to the City Council.
 
Councilmember Putzova asked if the intent of the committee is to figure out ways to strengthen the City’s position on dark skies. Mayor Nabours statated that he does not have a specific goal other than having the various parties give information on what issues need to be addressed. A specific goal is something that could be discussed if this issue was placed on a future agenda. Councilmember Putzova stated that she would be supportive of a committee that would work to strengthen the dark sky initiative.
 
Councilmember Brewster stated that it would be a good idea to take this process out of the City’s hand but it is important to get all sides involved.
 
Councilmember Evans stated that the community has come to the Council and stated that they are not sure that the committee would be best developed by the City. The community has said that they would rather set and run the committee and she feels that the Council should let the community drive the process.
 
 Councilmember Overton stated that the lighting code is outdated; it does not matter how it is achieved but modification to the City lighting regulation will need to be done to better meet the dark skies community and the building community needs. There needs to be a robust discussion to find what would be an acceptable regulation and an acceptable acceptance of the regulation. A community discussion is necessary to make sure the outcomes work for all.
 
There was disagreeance at the summertime lighting forum within the industry as to what is best. As the land development code is further utilized these issues will continue to arise.
Mr. Burke stated that the decision is for the community to initiate their own committee and there is no action for the Council. He would suggest to the committee that the recommendations are submitted in the form of a petition to the Council so they can discuss the recommendations. He added that regardless of whether it is a City or citizen committee there is a legal perspective. Typically legal issues are handled in closed executive sessions and he wants to be sure that the community is aware of that element.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz suggested that Flag 40 be the convening group.
 
Councilmember Overton stated that he feels that it is important for the City to participate in the committee and asked if the Council can provide direction to staff to make sure staff is assigned should a committee be formed.

Councilmember Oravits stated that he would like to withdraw the request and instead request a memo from staff.
 
He stated that there is currently a prohibition of City staff running for public office. He can understand if they were running for City Council but has concerns about restricting them from running for any public office. He would like more information on why that provision exists and if this is a common practice for others cities and towns in the state.
 
Vice Mayor Barotz added that it is important to note that the Council is able to bring this issue forward because of the way the Charter is written, if the proposed charter amendments pass the authority to make and change the provisions in the employee handbook will lie solely with the City Manager.

Councilmember Oravits reported that he went down to Phoenix for the Governor's inauguration. He stated that it was a neat event and he enjoyed seeing the new process and the new people coming in.
 
Councilmember Putzova reported that on December 20 she attended a concert produced to support indigenous people who have found themselves on the street. Homelessness, alcoholism, and mental illness are big issues in the community and she looks forward to discussing these items in the future. There are some great ideas out there and she would be in support of a task force aimed with addressing these issues.
 
Councilmember Evans acknowledged the death of Officer Stewart and thanked the community for their response to the tragedy. She thanked Mr. Burke for being the City Manager and wished him well in his new position.
 
Councilmember Evans asked for a written copy on the policy for the use of tasers. She would also like information regarding the CUP for room and board or dormitory style housing. The Plaza Vieja neighborhood believes that they have a lot of these types of permits. She would like a memo from Community Development that discusses these permits in that area how they are granted and what the appeal process is if any.
 
Mr. Burke stated that he does not believe that the City has the resources to determine who is boarding without a permit and if people think this is going on they should report it to Code Enforcement.
 
Councilmember Overton thanked Mr. Burke for his time to the organization.
 
Mr. Burke worked through dates for the mini budget retreats with Council; the dates decided on are January 22, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., January 28, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and February 5, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. He also reminded Council that February 11 and 12 are the full budget retreat.
 
He stated that he put a copy of the psychological contract at each of their seats for their use and reminder; the idea is to leave it at the dais for reference each week.
 
Lastly, he thanked the Council and the community for his opportunity to serve; he said it was a real privilege and pleasure.

The Regular Meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held January 6, 2015, adjourned at 9:08 p.m.