CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 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 May 10, 2022, to order at 3:01 p.m.
Mayor Deasy called the Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held May 10, 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 HOUSE COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY COUNCILMEMBER SALAS COUNCILMEMBER SHIMONI (virtually) |
ABSENT: |
Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton and City Attorney Sterling Solomon
3.
Pledge of Allegiance, Mission Statement, and Land Acknowledgement
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Salas read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Councilmember Shimoni read the Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Salas read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Councilmember Shimoni 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.
Rose Houk addressed Mayor and Council and stated northbound San Francisco at Butler is unsafe. She stated there is no signage and bicycle stencils have disappeared. She requests the streets department to put stencils back on the bike lane and put up a sign on shared right lane for bikes.
Tom Martin addressed Mayor and Council thanking Dr. Steven Ritland, Neurosurgeon. He requests a letter of recognition for him.
Eric Wolverton Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona addressed Mayor and Council regarding the land trusts and lending.
Tom Martin addressed Mayor and Council thanking Dr. Steven Ritland, Neurosurgeon. He requests a letter of recognition for him.
Eric Wolverton Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona addressed Mayor and Council regarding the land trusts and lending.
5.
Review of Draft Agenda for the May 17, 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.
Councilmember McCarthy asked about item 9B, a plat in Timber Sky for review. He stated he took a look at it in respect to the Timber Sky Development Agreement and wants to ensure that the city is fulfilling what is in that agreement.
6.
City Manager Report
City Manager Clifton called out a few highlights from the report.
Deputy City Clerk Stacy Fobar highlighted a few items from the Boards and Commissions Newsletter.
Councilmember Salas spoke about Economic Development Week and asked Interim Deputy City Manager Heidi Hansen to speak on Economic Development Week and recognized Mr. Josh Mayer in the audience.
Ms. Hansen thanked Councilmember Salas for recognizing that it is Economic Development Week. There are several business incentive programs that businesses can apply for. Councilmember Salas mentioned that there are also café conversations with the economic development team this week. The first will be at White Dove on Wednesday and there will be one at Late for the Train Downtown on Thursday.
- Updates on Fire Department
- Human Resources and Risk Management
- Brad Hill as Interim Water Services Director
- Filing other vacancies with some temporary promotions
- Working to get professional recruiter for high level positions
- Internal recruitment marketing efforts
- Chosen as the Public Affairs Director Sarah Langley
- Citizen Bond Committee Update
- Police Department
- Youth of the Year Awards with Boys and Girls Club
- Coffee with a Cop
- Sgt. Grant Kelly accolades
- PROSE
- Aligning closures with messaging to public
- New floor coverings in Joe C. Montoya
- FJA joined Open Space about invasive weeds
- Public Works
- Weekend cleanup for Tunnel Fire
- Meetings updates
Deputy City Clerk Stacy Fobar highlighted a few items from the Boards and Commissions Newsletter.
- Explanation of newsletter.
- Commission meetings will be going hybrid.
- Upcoming vacancies.
Councilmember Salas spoke about Economic Development Week and asked Interim Deputy City Manager Heidi Hansen to speak on Economic Development Week and recognized Mr. Josh Mayer in the audience.
Ms. Hansen thanked Councilmember Salas for recognizing that it is Economic Development Week. There are several business incentive programs that businesses can apply for. Councilmember Salas mentioned that there are also café conversations with the economic development team this week. The first will be at White Dove on Wednesday and there will be one at Late for the Train Downtown on Thursday.
7.
Northern Arizona University Update
NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera provided an update to the City Council. Highlights included:
Vice Mayor Sweet stated that she is an NAU alumni and thanked President Cruz Rivera for his work and his commitment to the community.
Mayor Deasy spoke about NAU’s Carbon Neutrality Plan and that he would like to arrange a meeting with President Cruz Rivera and Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos.
Councilmember Aslan also addressed the Carbon Neutrality Plan and expressed his excitement. He also addressed the Rio de Flag flood control efforts and creating a partnership with NAU.
Councilmember Salas stated that NAU has always been an integral partner with Flagstaff with Workforce Training, Workforce Development, Community Vitality, etc. She added that she looks forward to strengthening the relationship.
Councilmember Shimoni addressed and land trust development at NAU. President Cruz Rivera stated that they are looking at expanding on-campus housing to meet the demand. They are also looking into how to support the City with affordable housing, and they are interested in being good partners for housing issues.
Councilmember Shimoni addressed the data regarding bike and car crashes in the City of Flagstaff and the data shows that it is mostly males between the ages of 18 to 22 around the campus. He had an idea about communications regarding bikes and bike safety, especially about cars making a right turn.
Councilmember Shimoni added that it would be nice to see Louie representative of the student population. President Cruz Rivera stated that the diversity, equity, and justice are themes in the strategic plans and that the issues that Councilmember Shimoni brought up will be addressed in them.
Councilmember McCarthy spoke about the Access to Excellence program and thanked President Cruz Rivera for his efforts on it.
Councilmember House thanked President Cruz Rivera for his work and addressed the 16 paid hours for the community involvement and thanked NAU for that effort.
Mayor Deasy spoke about future plans for creating preschool opportunities for NAU staff and how he would like to collaborate for City employees and NAU employees. President Cruz Rivera spoke about the opportunities.
Councilmember Salas spoke about strengthening the partnership with NAU on the regional transportation plan and collaborating on projects for workforce housing.
- Thank you for the support from Council
- Record year for NAU Giving Day
- 2025 Strategic Priorities Plan
- Community Engagement is one of the seven priorities
- Access to Excellence program
- Carbon Neutrality by 2030
- Sustainable Smart Campus Master Plan
- Striking that 53% of homes in Flagstaff are NAU alumni and 35% of employees at NAU are alumni.
- 16 paid hours of community service offered for NAU employees
Vice Mayor Sweet stated that she is an NAU alumni and thanked President Cruz Rivera for his work and his commitment to the community.
Mayor Deasy spoke about NAU’s Carbon Neutrality Plan and that he would like to arrange a meeting with President Cruz Rivera and Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos.
Councilmember Aslan also addressed the Carbon Neutrality Plan and expressed his excitement. He also addressed the Rio de Flag flood control efforts and creating a partnership with NAU.
Councilmember Salas stated that NAU has always been an integral partner with Flagstaff with Workforce Training, Workforce Development, Community Vitality, etc. She added that she looks forward to strengthening the relationship.
Councilmember Shimoni addressed and land trust development at NAU. President Cruz Rivera stated that they are looking at expanding on-campus housing to meet the demand. They are also looking into how to support the City with affordable housing, and they are interested in being good partners for housing issues.
Councilmember Shimoni addressed the data regarding bike and car crashes in the City of Flagstaff and the data shows that it is mostly males between the ages of 18 to 22 around the campus. He had an idea about communications regarding bikes and bike safety, especially about cars making a right turn.
Councilmember Shimoni added that it would be nice to see Louie representative of the student population. President Cruz Rivera stated that the diversity, equity, and justice are themes in the strategic plans and that the issues that Councilmember Shimoni brought up will be addressed in them.
Councilmember McCarthy spoke about the Access to Excellence program and thanked President Cruz Rivera for his efforts on it.
Councilmember House thanked President Cruz Rivera for his work and addressed the 16 paid hours for the community involvement and thanked NAU for that effort.
Mayor Deasy spoke about future plans for creating preschool opportunities for NAU staff and how he would like to collaborate for City employees and NAU employees. President Cruz Rivera spoke about the opportunities.
Councilmember Salas spoke about strengthening the partnership with NAU on the regional transportation plan and collaborating on projects for workforce housing.
8.
Presentation and Discussion on Development Listening Tour
Community Development Director Dan Folke gave a presentation on the Development Listening Tour. Slides included:
Councilmember McCarthy thanked staff for their work on the listening tour and asked about the single point of contact.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that he was on the Planning and Zoning Commission when the code was created and he regrets not doing a better job. Mr. Folke replied that staff is working on thinning the code.
Councilmember House commented on the affordable and workforce housing information in the presentation. She asked if there were any specific affordable housing developers or only developers who do affordable housing in the interviews. The issue that she has heard is that there is not land available for affordable developments and that there is a need for creativity for land trust housing. Mr. Folke spoke about land trust units and the equity contained in them.
Councilmember Shimoni thanked staff for taking the time to do the listening tour.
Vice Mayor Sweet thanked staff for doing the listening tour and stated that the online tools are terrific. She commented on the customer service comments and land trusts.
Councilmember McCarthy commented that he has done two projects on his house that required input from the City. Both projects went very smoothly, and they were positive interactions.
Councilmember Salas spoke about integrating the portal into the online Business One Stop Shop.
Mayor Deasy asked about the Development Status Reports and updating it. Mr. Folke stated that staff is working on updating it at this time.
Councilmember Aslan addressed affordability as a complaint and asked Mr. Folke to speak about it. Mr. Folke spoke about the approach staff took with the Center for Senior Housing.
A break was held from 4:55 p.m. through 5:15 p.m.
- Development Listening Tour
- Responding to the Pandemic
- New technology
- Timing of Results
- Current work programs
- Why, Who, What, and When
- Participants and Interviews
- Questions from interviews
- Notes Compilation Attachment
- Common Terms and Process
- Comment Summation
- Next Steps
Councilmember McCarthy thanked staff for their work on the listening tour and asked about the single point of contact.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that he was on the Planning and Zoning Commission when the code was created and he regrets not doing a better job. Mr. Folke replied that staff is working on thinning the code.
Councilmember House commented on the affordable and workforce housing information in the presentation. She asked if there were any specific affordable housing developers or only developers who do affordable housing in the interviews. The issue that she has heard is that there is not land available for affordable developments and that there is a need for creativity for land trust housing. Mr. Folke spoke about land trust units and the equity contained in them.
Councilmember Shimoni thanked staff for taking the time to do the listening tour.
Vice Mayor Sweet thanked staff for doing the listening tour and stated that the online tools are terrific. She commented on the customer service comments and land trusts.
Councilmember McCarthy commented that he has done two projects on his house that required input from the City. Both projects went very smoothly, and they were positive interactions.
Councilmember Salas spoke about integrating the portal into the online Business One Stop Shop.
Mayor Deasy asked about the Development Status Reports and updating it. Mr. Folke stated that staff is working on updating it at this time.
Councilmember Aslan addressed affordability as a complaint and asked Mr. Folke to speak about it. Mr. Folke spoke about the approach staff took with the Center for Senior Housing.
A break was held from 4:55 p.m. through 5:15 p.m.
9.
Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP) Quarterly Update
Climate Program Manager Jenny Niemann, Sustainability Analyst Jenna Ortega, Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos, and Sustainability Analyst Ramon Alatorre gave an update on the CNP.
Slides included:
Councilmember Aslan stated that it is not about whether or not we can afford to do this, it’s about whether or not we can afford not to do this.
Vice Mayor Sweet asked about the Business Advisory Group. Ms. Ortega replied that it is a brand-new group, and the goals are getting advice on CNP, what resources businesses need most and to explore concerns that are important to businesses. The goal is to learn how to implement the CNP in businesses and how to engage businesses.
Vice Mayor Sweet also asked about the EV Scooters and if there is anything in the pipeline for a ride share program. Ms. Niemann spoke about the Spin Bikes pilot program and then addressed the contract with Gotcha in 2019. She added that the bike share community has changed dramatically and that if the City wanted a bike share in the community, the City would need to invest in one. Bike Shares programs are less profitable and need to rely on partnerships and advertising to be successful. Scooter companies are much more self-sufficient and are expanding at this time. The sustainability staff recommends only going into an agreement in a partnership with NAU.
Councilmember Shimoni stated that he was pleased with the update. He asked about the shuttle in Sedona for forest access. Ms. Niemann spoke about the program and how it has helped with neighborhoods and parking at trailheads. Councilmember Shimoni stressed the importance of partners.
Councilmember Shimoni asked how to help the Council to align their decisions to the CNP moving forward. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that staff really needs to complete the financial analysis before she can fully answer and stated that Priority Based Budgeting will assist. In terms of funding, the City has a lot of needs.
Slides included:
- Team Members
- Discussion Outline
- Four Categories of carbon neutrality target areas
- Strong Neighborhoods
- Community Resilience
- Equitable Systems
- Climate Advisory Group
- Youth Advisory Group
- Business Advisory Group
- Equity Advisory Group
- Community Engagement
- Decreased Dependence on cars
- Electric Mobility
- Building Fuel Switching
- Clean Electricity
- Solar United Neighbors
- Reduced Building Energy Use
- Sustainable Consumption and Waste Management
- Carbon Dioxide Removal
- CNP Annual Revisions
- Total Community Investment Analysis
- Financial Analysis Methodology
- Investment analysis – Quantification
- Total Community Investment Needed
- Total Community Investment in Perspective
- Pause for a Breath…
- Moving the Needle
- Total Community Investment – Funding Potential
Councilmember Aslan stated that it is not about whether or not we can afford to do this, it’s about whether or not we can afford not to do this.
Vice Mayor Sweet asked about the Business Advisory Group. Ms. Ortega replied that it is a brand-new group, and the goals are getting advice on CNP, what resources businesses need most and to explore concerns that are important to businesses. The goal is to learn how to implement the CNP in businesses and how to engage businesses.
Vice Mayor Sweet also asked about the EV Scooters and if there is anything in the pipeline for a ride share program. Ms. Niemann spoke about the Spin Bikes pilot program and then addressed the contract with Gotcha in 2019. She added that the bike share community has changed dramatically and that if the City wanted a bike share in the community, the City would need to invest in one. Bike Shares programs are less profitable and need to rely on partnerships and advertising to be successful. Scooter companies are much more self-sufficient and are expanding at this time. The sustainability staff recommends only going into an agreement in a partnership with NAU.
Councilmember Shimoni stated that he was pleased with the update. He asked about the shuttle in Sedona for forest access. Ms. Niemann spoke about the program and how it has helped with neighborhoods and parking at trailheads. Councilmember Shimoni stressed the importance of partners.
Councilmember Shimoni asked how to help the Council to align their decisions to the CNP moving forward. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that staff really needs to complete the financial analysis before she can fully answer and stated that Priority Based Budgeting will assist. In terms of funding, the City has a lot of needs.
10.
Public Participation
None.
11.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
Councilmember Salas stated that later week was the Elevate Pre-K Celebration.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that the bicycle lanes on San Francisco Street need repainting and asked staff to follow up on it. He recognized Dr. Ritland and requested a letter from Mayor.
Mayor Deasy spoke of the Executive Committee meeting for Arizona League of Cities and Towns.
Vice Mayor Sweet stated Dr. Ritland worked on her husband’s spine to repair feeling in his arm and she supports the letter.
Councilmember Aslan spoke of the 911 Diversion Call meeting held earlier that week. He gave accolades to Communications Manager Katie Brandis and her team. He also spoke of a conversation with Mountain Line and ADOT for an appeal to add a light at corner of Butler and Phoenix for bus movement. He stated the CJCC meeting was the following day and meetings are open to the public.
Councilmember House spoke of the stakeholder meeting for Creative Flagstaff on a city-wide festival concept. She reminded the community about the Boys and Girls Club Kentucky Derby Fundraiser.
Mr. Clifton stated he would be out of the office next week and Shannon Anderson will be acting City Manager. He stated staff is putting together some volunteer days for city employees to get involved. The volunteer efforts will be to head out to Sunnyside and Grandview neighborhoods for the sandbag refresh.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that the bicycle lanes on San Francisco Street need repainting and asked staff to follow up on it. He recognized Dr. Ritland and requested a letter from Mayor.
Mayor Deasy spoke of the Executive Committee meeting for Arizona League of Cities and Towns.
Vice Mayor Sweet stated Dr. Ritland worked on her husband’s spine to repair feeling in his arm and she supports the letter.
Councilmember Aslan spoke of the 911 Diversion Call meeting held earlier that week. He gave accolades to Communications Manager Katie Brandis and her team. He also spoke of a conversation with Mountain Line and ADOT for an appeal to add a light at corner of Butler and Phoenix for bus movement. He stated the CJCC meeting was the following day and meetings are open to the public.
Councilmember House spoke of the stakeholder meeting for Creative Flagstaff on a city-wide festival concept. She reminded the community about the Boys and Girls Club Kentucky Derby Fundraiser.
Mr. Clifton stated he would be out of the office next week and Shannon Anderson will be acting City Manager. He stated staff is putting together some volunteer days for city employees to get involved. The volunteer efforts will be to head out to Sunnyside and Grandview neighborhoods for the sandbag refresh.
12.
Adjournment
The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held May 10, 2022, adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
_____________________________________ MAYOR |
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| ATTEST: |
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_____________________________________ CITY CLERK |