CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
3:00 P.M.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
3:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Deasy called the meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held April 28, 2022, to order at 3:03 p.m.
Mayor Deasy called the meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held April 28, 2022, to order at 3:03 p.m.
NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that, at this work session, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for legal advice and discussion with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).
2.
ROLL CALL
| NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| PRESENT: MAYOR DEASY VICE MAYOR SWEET COUNCILMEMBER ASLAN COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY COUNCILMEMBER SALAS COUNCILMEMBER SHIMONI |
ABSENT: |
Others present: Interim Deputy City Manager Heidi Hansen; 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 Vice Mayor Sweet 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 Vice Mayor Sweet 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.
City Council Vacancy Interviews
The City Council interviewed the following applicants:
Vice Mayor Sweet thanked all the applicants. It is a strong applicant pool and each of them could serve in the position well. Each candidate brings something valuable to the table and that is what she will be considering in her evaluation.
Councilmember Aslan stated that the Council cannot go wrong in their appointment because the applicant pool is so strong. He encouraged those who may not get the position to consider running as a write-in candidate at the election. He stated that he appreciates the experience that Mr. Washington and Mr. White bring to the table. It is important to him that the person appointed can hit the ground running. Community representation is important to him as well.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that every candidate interviewed has high integrity which is important to him. Experience is also a consideration and it make some sense to appoint someone who has served on Council before, but he is open minded to appointing someone new to Council. There are other types of experience to draw from to be successful; communication skills are very important and the ability to work together despite differing opinions.
Councilmember Shimoni also stated that he would like to appoint someone who can hit the ground running. He is looking for someone to join the team and be a pillar to lean on. He would like someone who can bring a strong rooted energy to the dais especially when there are difficult conversations. He would also like to see more diversity and community representation on the Council.
Councilmember Salas echoed the thoughts of the others. She is looking at knowledge, skills, and abilities; the value and potential of candidates to bring unity and cohesion in adversity.
Mayor Deasy stated that the number one consideration for him is if the individual would be elected if going through the formal process. Experience is important but each of the candidates bring different experiences, backgrounds, and influences but for him it is who would be voted in if the election was now. He encouraged those who are not selected for the appointment to consider running for Council as a write-in candidate.
- Alethea Karlin
- Al White
- Khara House
- Joe Washington
- Samantha Stone
- McKenzie Jones
- How have your policy views changed over time? Give an example when you have changed your mind on a critical and salient issue that could have a substantial impact on our community as a City Councilmember. Why did you change your mind on that issue?
- Given the many issues City Council deliberates, how would you tackle conflicting policy decisions, such as housing vs. open space?
- The City of Flagstaff is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. This lofty goal is the product of a bottom-up community-driven process that has demanded the global climate crisis be treated locally like the emergency that it is. Council has also recognized another emergency driven by the ground up, related to affordable housing. Are these two urgent challenges compatible with each other, or at odds? How will you address both crises simultaneously? How will you look at the question of Flagstaff‘s potential explosive growth over the next two decades through these two different lenses?
- Flagstaff has a pilot alternate response program to serve as an alternative to traditional police responses to 911 calls. Do you believe that police funding should be reduced to fully implement this program? Please discuss your thoughts. How would you approach the issue of public safety?
- Elaborate on your understanding of the city manager/city council form of government.
- Follow Up Question: Describe your decision-making process within the city manager/city council form of government.
- Give an example of when you felt that people of underrepresented backgrounds were not being treated in a way you were okay with and what did you do?
- What is your favorite breakfast cereal and why?
Vice Mayor Sweet thanked all the applicants. It is a strong applicant pool and each of them could serve in the position well. Each candidate brings something valuable to the table and that is what she will be considering in her evaluation.
Councilmember Aslan stated that the Council cannot go wrong in their appointment because the applicant pool is so strong. He encouraged those who may not get the position to consider running as a write-in candidate at the election. He stated that he appreciates the experience that Mr. Washington and Mr. White bring to the table. It is important to him that the person appointed can hit the ground running. Community representation is important to him as well.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that every candidate interviewed has high integrity which is important to him. Experience is also a consideration and it make some sense to appoint someone who has served on Council before, but he is open minded to appointing someone new to Council. There are other types of experience to draw from to be successful; communication skills are very important and the ability to work together despite differing opinions.
Councilmember Shimoni also stated that he would like to appoint someone who can hit the ground running. He is looking for someone to join the team and be a pillar to lean on. He would like someone who can bring a strong rooted energy to the dais especially when there are difficult conversations. He would also like to see more diversity and community representation on the Council.
Councilmember Salas echoed the thoughts of the others. She is looking at knowledge, skills, and abilities; the value and potential of candidates to bring unity and cohesion in adversity.
Mayor Deasy stated that the number one consideration for him is if the individual would be elected if going through the formal process. Experience is important but each of the candidates bring different experiences, backgrounds, and influences but for him it is who would be voted in if the election was now. He encouraged those who are not selected for the appointment to consider running for Council as a write-in candidate.
5.
Public Participation
None
None
6.
Adjournment
The Special Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held April 25, 2022, adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
The Special Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held April 25, 2022, adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
___________________________________ MAYOR |
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| ATTEST: |
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| _________________________________ CITY CLERK |