Others present:  Acting City Manager Shannon Anderson; City Attorney Sterling Solomon.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of October 19, 2021, Regular Meeting of November 2, 2021, Regular Meeting of November 16, 2021, Work Session of November 30, 2021, Special Meeting (Executive Session) of October 25, 2022, Special Meeting (Executive Session) of November 1, 2022, Special Meeting (Executive Session) of November 8, 2022, and Special Meeting (Executive Session) of November 15, 2022.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Councilmember House reported that the Housing Commission met and discussed the Thorpe Park Annex, revisions to the Carbon Neutrality Plan, and an overview of the Sustainability Division. They also received updates on the 10-Year Housing Plan Year One Implementation Plan, ARPA and CDBG Funds, and the Habitat Starter Home Pilot Project. The Open Space Commission also met, and they engaged in a strategic planning and visioning exercise.
 
Councilmember Shimoni reported that the Bicycle Advisory Committee met and discussed a letter of recommendation from the Transportation Commission related to the Big Shift. They also got a sneak peak of the Butler/Beaver protected intersection project. He also reported that Mountain Line was in the process of updating their strategic plan.
 
Vice Mayor Sweet reported that all four Beautification and Action Grant applications were awarded funding. Projects included a pollinator education mural on the Sustainability building, the Killip Elementary School community garden greenhouse, the Flagstaff High School centennial timeline, and mural next to the business in Kachina Square.
 
Councilmember McCarthy reported that he was re-elected as Chair for MetroPlan.
 
Councilmember Aslan reported that he attended the MetroPlan meeting. Also, the Colorado Plateau Water Advisory Council met and received a presentation from the State Climatologist. It was anticipated that there would be more conversations coming forward with the change in state representation.
 
Councilmember Salas reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission met to discuss a possible public/private partnership to pursue a running track at the Cheshire Park. The Tourism Commission also met to discuss the ongoing survey regarding the Discover Flagstaff strategic planning efforts. She also reported that the MetroPlan and RTAC coalition have decided to pursue a $300 million allocation from the state surplus budget to go toward transportation projects in rural Arizona. They were prioritizing five projects for the grant including flood mitigation on Highway 180, the JW Powell project, and the Lone Tree Overpass project. They continue to strategize on how the organization would push for lobbying for the proposed greater Arizona rural transportation projects.

Moved by Councilmember Regina Salas, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to appoint Angelica Maria Sanchez to a term expiring September 2023.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Paul Deasy, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Councilmember House recused herself due to a potential conflict of interest and left the dais.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to read Ordinance No. 2022-24 by title only for the final time.

Vote: 5 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Adam Shimoni

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-24.

Vote: 5 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Adam Shimoni

At this time, Councilmember House returned to the dais.

Moved by Mayor Paul Deasy, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to read Ordinance No. 2022-31 by title only for the first time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Paul Deasy, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-31.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Capital Improvements Project Manager David Pedersen provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
BEULAH/UNIVERSITY REALIGNMENT PROJECT
PROJECT LOCATION MAP
PROJECT EXTENT
STAKEHOLDERS & GRATITUDE
ABBREVIATED PROJECT TIMELINE
PROJECT COMPONENTS
CONSTRUCTION COSTS
TIMELINE OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS (2022)
PROJECT FUNDING
BRIEF CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW
 
Councilmember Shimoni asked about any progress with ADOT for an at-grade crossing. Mr. Pedersen stated that there was no support from ADOT to incorporate an at-grade crossing.
 
Councilmember Shimoni voiced concern about two-lane roundabouts not being bike or pedestrian-friendly. The underlying value supports vehicles rather than pedestrians and cyclists. Given that and the cost of the project, he was not supportive.
 
Councilmember McCarthy asked if a traditional intersection would have saved money. Mr. Pedersen explained that a traditional intersection was considered and analyzed as part of the initial project and design but was not selected.
 
Councilmember Salas stated that the project had been approved and funded by voters in 2000. It had taken over 20 years to get to construction and in the last four years Council had spent countless hours discussing the design of the project. It was time to move forward.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Regina Salas to approve the Construction Manager at Risk Construction Services Agreement with Eagle Mountain Construction for a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $19,010,333.00 and a contract duration of 850 calendar days, approve an Owner’s Contingency of $299,000.00, which is 1.55% of the Guaranteed Maximum Price, and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Vote: 6 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Adam Shimoni

Mayor Deasy reordered the agenda and took Item 11A next.

Mayor Deasy recused himself due to a conflict of interest and left the dais. Vice Mayor Sweet presided over the meeting.

Vice Mayor Sweet opened the public hearing.
 
Zoning Code Manager Tiffany Antol provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
NORTHERN ARIZONA HEALTHCARE HEALTH VILLAGE
MINOR REGIONAL PLAN AMENDMENT
REQUEST
SUBJECT PROPERTY
CHANGE THE PLACE TYPE DESIGNATION
AMEND MAP 21
AMEND MAP 25
FINDINGS
REGIONAL PLAN VISION
POLICY ANALYSIS
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
RECOMMENDATION
 
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) representatives, Josh Tinkle and Steve Eiss provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
REGIONAL PLAN AMENDMENT
ABOUT US
HOW WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY
WE’VE OUTGROWN OUR HOME AT FMC
WHAT WE ARE FACING TODAY
SO WE’RE MAKING OUR LARGEST EVER INVESTMENT
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
ADDRESSING SDOH FACTORS
SUPPORTING FLAGSTAFF’S REGIONAL PLAN
ESTIMATED ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR CITY OF FLAGSTAFF
CONTINUED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
 
The following individuals addressed Council regarding the resolution:

• Heather Dalmolin, Mountain Line CEO and General Manager
• Whitney Cunningham
• David Hayward
• Alexander Shenkin
• Michele James, Executive Director of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future

The following comments were received:

• Transit and healthcare are linked.
• The new facility needed to be served by public transportation.
• There was no current capacity in the Mountain Line budget to expand the current system without additional funding.
• NAH does not have the funding to meet the additional cost and proposes that additional funding come from the city.
• Mountain Line is in the process of completing the five-year transit plan which includes service to the proposed area.
• We respect the mission of the hospital and the need for quality medical care in Flagstaff.
• The existing hospital facility was not able to provide the highest quality of care that Flagstaff deserves.
• Please approve the minor Regional Plan amendment and allow NAH to continue moving forward with the project.
• It is important to look forward to the issues that will come up with the rezone.
• Two significant problems need to be addressed, fire and police service and the traffic impact analysis.
• NAH has held several community meetings but very few of the outcomes from those meetings are reflected in their plans.
• Noise is a consistent concern as is the potential for increased vagrancy.
• The traffic safety concerns have not been addressed.
• Concerned about the lack of written commitments by NAH.
• There is a lack of information about roadway design, intersection design, public transit, fire service, and what will happen with the existing campus.
• Time must be taken to obtain firm commitments now about how the project will develop in years to come.

Written comments citing concerns with the NAH development were submitted by the following:

• Liz Golden
• Sean Ryan

Councilmember Salas asked about NAH’s meetings with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Mr. Eiss explained that they met with ADOT and MetroPlan to discuss future growth plans for Flagstaff and explore the possibility of a four-lane bridge on JW Powell instead of the originally proposed two-lane bridge. ADOT was reexamining the project and considering funding for a four-lane bridge and Metro Plan was involved in related efforts through their Board.
 
Councilmember Salas asked about NAH's plan for transportation services for patients and employees. Mr. Eiss stated that the discussion with Mountain Line was about funding. It was believed that there are others who will benefit from transit in the area and could also partner on funding. They are committed to designing roads to ensure proper transit access in the future including bus stop locations. They are dedicated to patient transportation for those who need it. They offer coordination with Lyft, paratransit, and point-to-point transportation when needed.
 
Councilmember Salas asked about continued community engagement. Mr. Eiss offered that from the new campus perspective, they had met the obligations for the zoning cases. They remain committed to meet with people and groups as needed to hear and address concerns. In terms of the old campus, they have contracted with PUMA for a study on what a community-based redevelopment could look like and they plan on including those efforts in the development agreement.
 
Councilmember Shimoni also expressed concerns about transit in the area. He noted that he would like to see more housing incorporated into the development. Mr. Eiss and Mr. Tinkle reiterated their desire to find an agreement with Mountain Line for transit services but that it was an issue of funding for both parties.
 
Councilmember Aslan stated that he understood the need for an expanded regional hospital but that he was not as convinced on the retail, lodging, research and development, or for-profit aspects. He voiced appreciation for the efforts to address public safety and dark sky maintenance. He added his concern about transit and that the larger goal was to reduce vehicle miles traveled and having a robust transit system in place encouraged that behavior.
 
Councilmember Aslan went on to state that he believed that the community deserved a historic record that reflected the dissatisfied and dispirited voices. He did not think it appropriate for the project to launch with unanimous support from the City Council. He noted that he would be casting a dissenting vote, so the tension was accurately represented. Just because it would be an entitlement case did not mean NAH was entitled to an automatic path forward.
 
Councilmember House acknowledged the tension within the community. The tension was related to the numerous unknowns and the idea of such a large project moving forward without solid solutions. She was grateful for NAH’s recognition and acknowledgment of the unknowns. She felt that there was general approval and understanding but the concerns had a lot of validity and she encouraged them to continue conversations and engaging with the community.
 
Vice Mayor Sweet stated that she shared many of the concerns articulated by other members of Council. She looked forward to seeing those concerns addressed as things moved forward.
 
There being no further comment, Vice Mayor Sweet closed the public hearing.
 
Councilmember Salas stated that what was before the Council was a minor Regional Plan amendment. It was the first step in a series of entitlement applications to move forward with the relocation of the facility. There would be a Specific Plan, a Concept Zoning Map, a rezone request, and a development agreement. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the request because the goals and policies presented were in conformance with the Flagstaff Regional Plan.

Moved by Councilmember Regina Salas, seconded by Councilmember Adam Shimoni to read Resolution No. 2022-56 by title only.

Vote: 5 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Austin Aslan

Moved by Councilmember Regina Salas, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to adopt Resolution No. 2022-56.

Vote: 5 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Austin Aslan

A break was held from 5:23 p.m. through 5:50 p.m. at which time Mayor Deasy returned to the dais.

Communications Specialist Meg Roederer addressed Council and stated that the purpose of the resolution was to honor Debbie Grogan. She was a pillar of the community and a member of the Tourism Commission. The naming the CVB conference room was to honor her legacy.
 
Councilmember Salas expressed appreciation for the request. She had known and worked with Debbie Grogan, and she was a stalwart advocate for tourism, economic vitality, and events in the community.
 
A written comment in support of the renaming was submitted by Rand Jenkins.

Moved by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to read Resolution No. 2022-57 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet, seconded by Mayor Paul Deasy to adopt Resolution No. 2022-57.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Assistant Parks, Recreation, Open Spaces, and Events Director Amy Hagin provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
THORPE PARK ANNEX FINAL CONCEPT ADOPTION
RECAP
DESIGN RENDERINGS
CITY EMPLOYEE HOUSING – KEY CONSIDERATIONS
WHAT DOES ADOPTION OF A CONCEPT DO?
 
The following individuals addressed Council regarding the Thorpe Park Annex Concept:

• Duffie Westheimer
• Charlie Silver
• Chris Jocks
• Travis Pinn

The following comments were received:

• There are 300 residents adjacent to the area; there are concerns about safety, noise, and traffic.
• The only things residents want in the area are things that are low use and low action to protect the quality of life.
• The consultants paid no attention to the context of the land.
• This is a reincorporation, not an annex.
• The city ordinance reaffirmed the park's purpose in 1957.
• The historical value of the park must be preserved.
• There is concern that the redevelopment would set a precedent for other parks.
• The concept focuses on active recreation versus passive.
• There has been no traffic analysis done.
• There needs to be more details on the proposed housing.
• Move the skate park and pump track to the north.
• The Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff supports the Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC).
• The inclusion of the ICCC is a milestone.
• The purpose of the ICCC is to be a source of knowledge, health, history, and conciliation.
• The Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff continues to be ready to take the lead on the planning and building of the ICCC.
• The ICCC will bring a quiet and peaceful place for people and youth.

Written comments with concerns about noise, traffic, housing, and parking were submitted by the following:

• Patti Hogan
• Michele James, Executive Director of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
• Ellen Ryan
• Rose Houk
• Zachary Zdinak

Councilmember Aslan expressed concern about the noise generated from the skate and pump track. Ms. Hagin stated that staff continues to research sound levels associated with the skate and pump tracks. They have been measuring sound levels at Foxglenn Park to better understand the level of sound generated. Councilmember Aslan added that children using the park amenities, and the noise generated by them was an appropriate use and fits within the concept of the original purpose of the land. He would be open to design changes to move it north if possible. On the topic of housing at the location, he noted that while he would like to see a housing component he was concerned about precedent as well as conflicts with Ordinance 425.
 
Councilmember Shimoni offered that he was excited about the ICCC and that he would support housing at the location. He also noted support for any adjustments in the design to buffer sound.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that he did not believe that the design was ready and that more changes were needed. He indicated that there should be a different approach that focused on passive recreation. He supported the inclusion of the ICCC but felt that housing should be removed from the concept. He stated that the skate park should be moved north and suggested swapping it with the parking or community gardens or removing it all together. He also suggested moving the traditional ceremonial space to the west side of the building.
 
Mayor Deasy commented that he had concerns about housing. He did not believe noise from the park would be significant. He was not opposed to switching the location of the skate track and the community garden. He noted that the community needed more places for kids to play. His suggestions were to remove the housing, move the skate park north, and include the pickleball courts with the overall plan for approval.
 
Vice Mayor Sweet voiced her support for the landscape barrier to mitigate noise. She did offer support for switching the community garden and skate park, as well as removing the housing from the project.
 
Councilmember House expressed that her biggest struggle was the housing component. She did not want to support removing it, but understood the challenges associated with the housing and that there was no guarantee that it would become a reality; for those reasons, she would not oppose removing it. She would support the relocation of the skate park so long as it did not impede on the ICCC and the peacefulness that was visioned for it.
 
Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events Director Rebecca Sayers stated that what had been proposed seemed doable. It was a concept to start from. There was no funding for the project yet and there would be many more discussions with Council in the future as the project and design evolved.

Moved by Mayor Paul Deasy, seconded by Councilmember Adam Shimoni to adopt the Thorpe Park Annex Concept Plan with the following adjustments: the skate park and community garden locations be switched, and the housing be removed and turned into passive space.

Moved by Councilmember Khara House, seconded by Councilmember Regina Salas to amend the motion adopt the Thorpe Park Annex concept plan, convert the proposed employee housing to passive space, and reexamine the location of the skate park.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Water Services Engineer Gary Miller provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENTS
WHAT IS A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT?
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT CHANGES

Moved by Mayor Paul Deasy, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to read Ordinance No. 2022-33 by title only for the first time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Climate Program Manager Jenny Niemann provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
CARBON NEUTRALITY PLAN REVISION UPDATE
AGENDA
THREE TYPES OF REVISIONS
INCORPORATION OF NEW INFORMATION
STANDARD ANNUAL REVISIONS
PLAN CONSOLIDATION
CAAP-CNP INTEGRATION
PREVIOUS CNP TARGET AREAS
THE REVISED CNP INCORPORATES SIX NEW TARGET AREAS
HOUSING FOR ALL
INCLUSIVE RECREATION
WATER SECURITY
HEALTHY FORESTS AND OPEN SPACES
HEALTH AND SAFETY
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Khara House to read Resolution No. 2022-59 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Khara House to adopt Resolution No. 2022-59.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Deputy Police Chief Paul Lasiewicki addressed Council and stated that the ordinance was a result of prior discussion and direction of Council.
 
Councilmember Shimoni stated that it was not a public safety issue but rather a behavior regulation. He would rather move forward with it as an on-the-spot enforcement rather than a dispatch and respond situation. He did not want to take officers off the road to respond to vehicle noise calls as the offender would likely be gone from the scene by the time the officer arrived.
 
Senior Assistant City Attorney Marianne Sullivan stated that if an ordinance was in place and a violation of the ordinance was reported, the police were obligated to respond. Deputy Chief Lasiewicki noted that the police respond to all calls for service. Councilmember Shimoni offered that he would not support the ordinance; there were bigger issues that needed to be addressed and it would pull already limited resources from the Police Department.
 
Mayor Deasy agreed and stated that he too would not support the ordinance. He believed that more serious criminal issues should be the focus of the Police Department.
 
Councilmember Salas also agreed and stated that it was about prioritization and resource allocation. She would vote against the ordinance.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that it would not be a criminal violation but a civil violation. There was nothing in the ordinance that required the police to respond, they could use their own discretion on what to respond to and when.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to read Resolution No. 2022-60 by title only.

Vote: 4 - 3

NAY:

Councilmember Adam Shimoni
Councilmember Regina Salas
Mayor Paul Deasy

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Khara House to read Ordinance No. 2022-34 by title only for the first time.

Vote: 4 - 3

NAY:

Councilmember Adam Shimoni
Councilmember Regina Salas
Mayor Paul Deasy

Traffic Engineer Jeff Bauman provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
TIMELY PUBLIC ACCESS TO TRAFFIC STUDY DATA PETITION

PETITION PURPOSE
CURRENT CITY PROCESS
ISSUES RAISED BY PETITION
ARIZONA PUBLIC RECORDS LAW
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
 
Brian Lee Wilson addressed Council and stated that there had been many discussions about traffic studies and traffic issues around the city. He had requested raw data for many of the studies and a consistent issue was not getting any data or that the data was provided too late. Additionally, the data that was received was not always consistent with the findings of staff. The public was not able to weigh in appropriately when the data was provided too late. He requested that the Council set a policy to stipulate that traffic study data be provided in a timely manner.
 
Mayor Deasy stated that that there needed to be more data sharing. He would support a discussion about how to provide more data to the public but he had concerns about specific timelines for staff. He liked the request to require information at least seven days in advance of a meeting but he was concerned with the request to require distribution of data within 15 days of the request.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that it should be the goal of staff to cooperate with requestors when they seek information and he believed that was generally the case.
 
Councilmember Shimoni offered that he saw value in the request, perhaps not he exact time frame. He suggested advancing the matter to a future discussion at which time they could adjust the timeline.
 
There was requisite Council support to advance the item to a future agenda for discussion.

Traffic Engineer Jeff Bauman provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
BOULDER POINT TRAFFIC CALMING PETITION
PETITION PURPOSE
BACKGROUND
HIGHLAND MESA
PUBLIC MEETINGS
APPEAL PROCESS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
 
Brian Lee Wilson addressed Council and stated that the opening of the Woody Way gate in April 2020 caused significant traffic issues in the neighborhood, with traffic increasing by 70%. Axe Handle experienced an almost 900% increase, while Highland Mesa tripled its traffic. Despite trial strategies implemented by staff, there had been minimal reductions in speed, and some features posed safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists. A survey of 465 owners revealed that 75% supported a comprehensive approach with better bike and pedestrian protections. The request was for continued collaboration with enhanced public engagement to address traffic issues and fulfill promises made to Boulder Pointe residents.
 
There was requisite Council support to advance the item to a future agenda for discussion.

Councilmember Salas reported that the Stone Soup community dinner at the Murdoch Center, the ECoNA open house, and the Holiday Light Parade in downtown Flagstaff were scheduled for later that week.
 
Councilmember Aslan requested that staff reach out to the incoming Attorney General to request a meeting with the City Council.
 
Vice Mayor Sweet thanked the Downtown Business Alliance and the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events team for their work on the tree lighting ceremony. It was a great success and she was looking forward to the light parade later that week.
 
Councilmember Shimoni stated that the Coconino County Recovery Court graduation was scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, 2020, and he encouraged the Council to attend.
 
Councilmember House stated that she planned to participate in the Stone Soup event. She also participated in the Winter Wonderland tree-lighting event the prior week. She noted that she recently attended a seminar titled Exploring the Mental Health of Native American Communities sponsored by Mental Health America. It was a great seminar that provided information and insight that she would be taking into the next year.