CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Deasy called the Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held April 26, 2022, to order at 3:01 p.m.
Mayor Deasy called the Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held April 26, 2022, to order at 3:01 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.
Roll Call
NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means.
Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton and City Attorney Sterling Solomon.
NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means.
| PRESENT: MAYOR DEASY VICE MAYOR SWEET COUNCILMEMBER ASLAN COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY COUNCILMEMBER SALAS COUNCILMEMBER SHIMONI (virtually) |
ABSENT: |
3.
Pledge of Allegiance, Mission Statement, and Land Acknowledgement
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Aslan read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Mayor Deasy read the Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Aslan read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Mayor Deasy read the Land Acknowledgement.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Flagstaff City Council humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
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.
Stormwater Manager Ed Schenk introduced Senior Stormwater Project Manager Sharon Masek Lopez.
City Clerk Stacy Saltzburg gave an update on the Council vacancy appointment process and announced the applicants moving forward.
City Clerk Stacy Saltzburg gave an update on the Council vacancy appointment process and announced the applicants moving forward.
5.
Review of Draft Agenda for the May 3, 2022 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.
City Manager Report
City Manager Greg Clifton called out a few highlights from his report.
Councilmember McCarthy asked when the water rates study will be in front of Council. Ms. Deem stated that the study is still being prepared for RFQ and that she estimates that it might appear before Council in July of 2023.
Interim Deputy City Manager and Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen reviewed the Economic Vitality Monthly Report.
Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos reviewed the Sustainability Monthly Report.
City Manager Greg Clifton, Senior Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson, and Interim Deputy City Manager Heidi Hansen presented the monthly employment anniversaries.
- Training with Flagstaff Fire Department
- Public Notice regarding the current Tunnel Fire crisis
- National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
- Acknowledgments to Officer Dustin Eberhardt
- Acknowledgments to Officers Jackson Potts and Brant Chapin
- Afterschool Alliance
- Congratulations to Dan Carrick and Ryan Reynolds for their promotions
- Acknowledgments to Manny Rivera, Brian George, Steve Camp, Krista Snow, Matt Morales and Ken Fergason
- Alliance meeting
- Meeting regarding Pulliam Airport with Congressman O’Halleran
Councilmember McCarthy asked when the water rates study will be in front of Council. Ms. Deem stated that the study is still being prepared for RFQ and that she estimates that it might appear before Council in July of 2023.
Interim Deputy City Manager and Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen reviewed the Economic Vitality Monthly Report.
Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos reviewed the Sustainability Monthly Report.
City Manager Greg Clifton, Senior Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson, and Interim Deputy City Manager Heidi Hansen presented the monthly employment anniversaries.
7.
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) North Central District seasonal project update.
City Engineer Rick Barrett introduced the Northcentral District Administrator for ADOT Brenden Foley. He gave a presentation to Council on project updates. Slides included:
Councilmember Shimoni thanked Mr. Foley for being at the meeting and for his updates. He asked about increasing margins on Milton. Mr. Foley stated that increasing the margins on Milton is still being prioritized. Councilmember Shimoni asked about the 13-feet center lane and if anything can be done about it being narrowed for more bike lane. Mr. Foley pointed out the SR89A and Milton Road Preservation diagram which narrows the center-lane and takes advantage of the current width. Councilmember Shimoni asked for Mr. Foley to come back to talk about Rt. 66 and Lone Tree Road and the City’s priorities for that intersection. Mr. Foley stated that ADOT will try to speak to Council regarding that in the future.
Councilmember McCarthy asked about the tunnel underpass for bicycles and pedestrians on Milton. Mr. Foley stated that it is not an ADOT project and Mr. Barrett stated that the project is associated with the Milltown project and that the City is designing that project. The City will be seeking a permit with ADOT on that project and it will be back to Council soon.
Mayor Deasy spoke about the JW Powell Bridge in relation with the hospital and future growth and collaboration with ADOT on the expansions.
- Agenda
- Northcentral district area
- Projects in Construction
- Upcoming projects
Councilmember Shimoni thanked Mr. Foley for being at the meeting and for his updates. He asked about increasing margins on Milton. Mr. Foley stated that increasing the margins on Milton is still being prioritized. Councilmember Shimoni asked about the 13-feet center lane and if anything can be done about it being narrowed for more bike lane. Mr. Foley pointed out the SR89A and Milton Road Preservation diagram which narrows the center-lane and takes advantage of the current width. Councilmember Shimoni asked for Mr. Foley to come back to talk about Rt. 66 and Lone Tree Road and the City’s priorities for that intersection. Mr. Foley stated that ADOT will try to speak to Council regarding that in the future.
Councilmember McCarthy asked about the tunnel underpass for bicycles and pedestrians on Milton. Mr. Foley stated that it is not an ADOT project and Mr. Barrett stated that the project is associated with the Milltown project and that the City is designing that project. The City will be seeking a permit with ADOT on that project and it will be back to Council soon.
Mayor Deasy spoke about the JW Powell Bridge in relation with the hospital and future growth and collaboration with ADOT on the expansions.
8.
Draft Rio de Flag Watershed Management Plan Work Session
Comprehensive Planning Manager Sara Dechter introduced Rick Miller from the Friends of the Rio de Flag Watershed Group. The presentation focused on creating a watershed stakeholders’ group and developing a watershed plan. He presented a video about the Rio de Flag and then gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Slides covered:
Councilmember McCarthy thanked the group for their work and stated that the Rio de Flag is a gem, and he is supportive of the restoration and protection of the river.
Vice Mayor Sweet expressed her support and expressed her desire to personally get involved.
Councilmember Salas stated her support. She asked for Council’s support for finding funding in the budget for the project.
Mayor Deasy also expressed his support and his thanks.
A break was held from 4:50 p.m. through 5:10 p.m.
Slides covered:
- WaterSMART Grant awarded to the Friends of the Rio de Flag
- Watershed Alliance for the Rio de Flag
- Sketch map of the Rio de Flag Watershed
- Interviews with Stakeholders and Public Meetings
- Goals
- Responses to forums
- Site Specific Projects
- Priority Projects
- Benefits of a Watershed Alliance
- What we are asking of the City
- Participation in the WARF
- Master Participating Agreement for the WARF
- Cooperation on Projects of Interest to the City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Councilmember McCarthy thanked the group for their work and stated that the Rio de Flag is a gem, and he is supportive of the restoration and protection of the river.
Vice Mayor Sweet expressed her support and expressed her desire to personally get involved.
Councilmember Salas stated her support. She asked for Council’s support for finding funding in the budget for the project.
Mayor Deasy also expressed his support and his thanks.
A break was held from 4:50 p.m. through 5:10 p.m.
9.
Flood Projects Updates
Public Works Director Scott Overton, Streets Director Sam Beckett, Stormwater Management Ed Schenk, Project Manager Christine Cameron, Deputy County Manager Lucinda Andreani, and Public Affairs Director Sarah Langley provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
Slides included:
Tara Roark submitted written comments with questions and comments concerning accountability and communication.
Vice Mayor Sweet expressed her gratitude.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that the message is from the whole Council.
Mayor Deasy stated his appreciation of the monthly updates.
City Manager Greg Clifton expressed his appreciation for the hard work on the Dortha Channel and on the Killip School Retention Basins and Inlet.
Slides included:
- Agenda – Scott Overton
- Museum Flood Financial Focus Group
- DFFM Funded Resources
- FEMA grants update
- Cedar to Dortha Channel and Inlet
- Killip School Regional Detention Basins
- Killip Inlet at Ponderosa Park
- Ponderosa Park barriers
- Upstream Work
- Addressed the Tunnel Fire and a community-based fire risk team using ARPA funding and IIGA. The Forest Service will allow the County into the forest in case of forest closures.
- Siren system
- Spring 2022 sandbag refresh
- Volunteer/Service Coordination
- Emergency Operations Response
- Communications
Tara Roark submitted written comments with questions and comments concerning accountability and communication.
Vice Mayor Sweet expressed her gratitude.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that the message is from the whole Council.
Mayor Deasy stated his appreciation of the monthly updates.
City Manager Greg Clifton expressed his appreciation for the hard work on the Dortha Channel and on the Killip School Retention Basins and Inlet.
10.
Discuss potential bond projects for the November 2022 election
Senior Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson led a discussion on the potential bond measures. The four categories are:
Mayor Deasy stated that it will be important to couple and bundle these measures and to only have two or three bond measures and to not “pit them against each other.” He added that he would like to stay to $70 to $75 million in asks.
Mr. Clifton stated that staff is sticking with the target ask and they are framing the discussion on bundling the bond asks. He added that the next few Citizen Bond Committee meetings will be facilitated.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that Council would like to review how much each ask might cost once the committee comes back with more detail.
Councilmember Salas expressed her gratitude to the committee.
Councilmember Shimoni echoed the gratitude that has already been expressed and expressed his support of coupling the bond measures and capping the ask.
- Public Safety Infrastructure
- Stormwater and Wastewater Infrastructure
- Energy Efficient Buildings and Transportation
- Housing
Mayor Deasy stated that it will be important to couple and bundle these measures and to only have two or three bond measures and to not “pit them against each other.” He added that he would like to stay to $70 to $75 million in asks.
Mr. Clifton stated that staff is sticking with the target ask and they are framing the discussion on bundling the bond asks. He added that the next few Citizen Bond Committee meetings will be facilitated.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that Council would like to review how much each ask might cost once the committee comes back with more detail.
Councilmember Salas expressed her gratitude to the committee.
Councilmember Shimoni echoed the gratitude that has already been expressed and expressed his support of coupling the bond measures and capping the ask.
11.
Public Participation
None.
12.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
Councilmember Shimoni thanked the Budget Team and Leadership for the budget retreat. He asked about CARE team updates and requested regular updates.
Vice Mayor Sweet expressed her gratitude for the budget retreat. She spoke about attending the Viola Awards.
Councilmember McCarthy stated his appreciation for the staff for their work for the budget retreat.
Councilmember Salas expressed her gratitude for the successful Earth Day event.
Mayor Deasy spoke about the Earth Day event and the volunteer cleanup events. He also thanked Flagstaff Fire Department and Flagstaff Police Department regarding their work on the Tunnel Fire.
Vice Mayor Sweet expressed her gratitude for the budget retreat. She spoke about attending the Viola Awards.
Councilmember McCarthy stated his appreciation for the staff for their work for the budget retreat.
Councilmember Salas expressed her gratitude for the successful Earth Day event.
Mayor Deasy spoke about the Earth Day event and the volunteer cleanup events. He also thanked Flagstaff Fire Department and Flagstaff Police Department regarding their work on the Tunnel Fire.
13.
Adjournment
The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held April 26, 2022, adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
_____________________________________ MAYOR |
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| ATTEST: |
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_____________________________________ CITY CLERK |