CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
6:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Nabours called the Work Session to order at 6:02 p.m.
Mayor Nabours called the Work Session to order at 6:02 p.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
The audience and City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The audience and City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Roll Call
Others present: City Manager Josh Copley and City Attorney Michelle D'Andrea.
| NOTE: | One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| PRESENT: MAYOR NABOURS VICE MAYOR BAROTZ COUNCILMEMBER BREWSTER COUNCILMEMBER EVANS COUNCILMEMBER ORAVITS COUNCILMEMBER OVERTON COUNCILMEMBER PUTZOVA |
ABSENT: NONE |
4.
Preliminary Review of Draft Agenda for the October 6, 2015, City Council Meeting.*
* Public comment on draft agenda items may be taken under “Review of Draft Agenda Items”, at the discretion of the Mayor. Citizens wishing to speak on agenda items not specifically called out by the City Council for discussion under the Review section may submit a speaker card for their items of interest to the recording clerk.
Councilmember Putzova asked why there would be no public comment received at next week's meeting regarding the rate increase. Mayor Nabours said that for a possible rate increase they have to have a public hearing and take it in steps. The public hearing will open next week, but the first thing they will get is a presentation from the consultant and from staff. That is probably about as much as they can get done that evening. They will then continue the public hearing to the following week (October 13) and will have public comment at that time. Then, if they need to they can continue the public hearing to another time.
Councilmember Putzova requested that they change that and allow public comment. Mayor Nabours explained that it was more of a time constraint. They want to have plenty of time for the consultant and questions of staff and the consultants, and they do not want to keep the public too late.
Councilmember Evans asked if the consultant would be available for the next meetings in case the public asks questions. Mr. Hill replied that the consultant would be prepared to be at the next three meetings if needed.
In reference to Item 15B (Picture Canyon Management Plan), Councilmember Overton asked if they could get any financial analysis of what some of the elements might cost.
Mayor Nabours said that the review of another chapter of the Zoning Code next week would be removed. They are going to have some special meetings to work on the Zoning Code so they are not always addressing that late in the evening.
Councilmember Putzova requested that they change that and allow public comment. Mayor Nabours explained that it was more of a time constraint. They want to have plenty of time for the consultant and questions of staff and the consultants, and they do not want to keep the public too late.
Councilmember Evans asked if the consultant would be available for the next meetings in case the public asks questions. Mr. Hill replied that the consultant would be prepared to be at the next three meetings if needed.
In reference to Item 15B (Picture Canyon Management Plan), Councilmember Overton asked if they could get any financial analysis of what some of the elements might cost.
Mayor Nabours said that the review of another chapter of the Zoning Code next week would be removed. They are going to have some special meetings to work on the Zoning Code so they are not always addressing that late in the evening.
A.
Review of 10/06/2015 Item 10-C: Microwave network design and build to replace current fiber network.
IT Director Ladd Vagen gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the City's microwave network, which addressed:
MICROWAVE NETWORK - A Brief History of Time
FAST FORWARD TO 2015
FY16 BUDGET PROCESS
IF WE LOSE ONE OF THESE LINKS
WHERE WE WANT TO GO
MICROWAVE NETWORK
MICROWAVE NETWORK - A Brief History of Time
FAST FORWARD TO 2015
FY16 BUDGET PROCESS
IF WE LOSE ONE OF THESE LINKS
WHERE WE WANT TO GO
MICROWAVE NETWORK
5.
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.
The following individuals addressed Council regarding the issues listed:
Andy Fernandez, free speech, recycling, 4th Street overpass
Ward Davis, Flagstaff Water Group, utility rate increases and need to continue conservation efforts
Steve Garno, need for a fully-adaptive playground in Flagstaff
Amy McCackran, fully-adaptive playground needed
Andy Fernandez, free speech, recycling, 4th Street overpass
Ward Davis, Flagstaff Water Group, utility rate increases and need to continue conservation efforts
Steve Garno, need for a fully-adaptive playground in Flagstaff
Amy McCackran, fully-adaptive playground needed
6.
Presentation on the City's Investments by The PFM Group.
Revenue Director Andy Wakemaker gave a brief report on the City's investments, and began a PowerPoint presentation which addressed:
CITY RATES OF RETURN
FY10 / FY11 / FY15
He said that they had representatives from PFM Group tonight as they are the professionals and know the ins and outs of the market. He then introduced Paulina Woo, Senior Management Consultant, and Laura, Brant, Managing Director, who continued the presentation:
CITY'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
OVERVIEW OF PFM ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
HOW PFM SUPPORTS THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF
INVESTMENT PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS
OVERVIEW OF CITY'S CURRENT MANAGED PORTFOLIO
DYNAMIC SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
VALUE OF PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
ECONOMIC UPDATE
CURRENT INVESTMENT STRATEGY
CITY RATES OF RETURN
FY10 / FY11 / FY15
He said that they had representatives from PFM Group tonight as they are the professionals and know the ins and outs of the market. He then introduced Paulina Woo, Senior Management Consultant, and Laura, Brant, Managing Director, who continued the presentation:
CITY'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
OVERVIEW OF PFM ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
HOW PFM SUPPORTS THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF
INVESTMENT PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS
OVERVIEW OF CITY'S CURRENT MANAGED PORTFOLIO
DYNAMIC SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
VALUE OF PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
ECONOMIC UPDATE
CURRENT INVESTMENT STRATEGY
7.
Review of Constitutional Issues and Panhandling within the City of Flagstaff.
Public Safety Legal Advisor Marianne Sullivan began a PowerPoint presentation which addressed:
BACKGROUND
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PANHANDLING PROBLEM IN FLAGSTAFF
FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT'S RULING
AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION ORDINANCE
ROLE OF POLICE
WHAT FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT (FDP) IS DOING
Better Bucks
FPD ONGOING EFFORTS
Woods Watch
Operation 40
Repeat Offender (ROPE) Program
Alcohol Stabilization Support (financial)
Homeless Shelter Support
DATE COMPARISON
CONCLUSION
Mayor Nabours complimented them on the presentation and the department on doing what they can in a compassionate way and under the Constitutional limitations they face. He said that it is becoming obvious from the presentations that they cannot preclude someone from standing on public property with a sign asking for help. They cannot preclude them from having that sign and cannot preclude someone from giving them money, unless there is a safety issue. He said that he would assume that it would be difficult to have an area of town where no panhandling was signed. Ms. D'Andrea said that if they were going to discuss the legal issues they would need to go into executive session.
Mayor Nabours said that it has been addressed in the conclusion--this is a tough problem. He appreciated the Better Bucks program and asked if the panhandlers were generally receptive to the information provided by officers. Lt. Lasiewicki said that they do not often take advantage of it at that time, but may later.
Discussion was held on the fact that there are people struggling and have a need for assistance, while there are others that are professional panhandlers. Councilmember Oravits said that he receives calls from people talking about fights between panhandlers they have seen and asked what they should be told. Lt. Lasiewicki said that if people see things like that, they should call 9-1-1.
Councilmember Oravits asked what the City could do to assist private property owners that have to clean up after the panhandlers to keep the corners litter free. Lt. Lasiewicki said that they have limited resources at the Police Department, but they will place priorities to have officers patrol specific areas. When they get a call from a citizen or business, it puts them higher up on the priority list. Councilmember Oravits said that perhaps it was something they need to be looking at going into the budget season.
Councilmember Evans thanked them for the presentation. She said that she knows that getting more information out about the Better Bucks program is an issue with staff, and the Foundation is helping. She would like to get more information out about where they can be purchased.
Councilmember Brewster thanked the presenters as well, stating that she agreed that they need to get more businesses involved to provide more choices.
Councilmember Putzova said that it was a good presentation. She hopted that one day they can start addressing the issue; they seems to talk about how to treat the symptoms. She was not thrilled about the undertones they have been engaging in, with criminalizing poverty. She said that she receives comments from people that they do not like looking at the homeless and she hoped they could move beyond that and talk about addressing homelessness or mental illness.
A break was held from 7:42 p.m. to 7:52 p.m.
Mayor Nabours noted that the item later on the agenda regarding Zoning Code amendments was being removed from the agenda as they will be holding special meetings for that topic.
BACKGROUND
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PANHANDLING PROBLEM IN FLAGSTAFF
FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT'S RULING
AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION ORDINANCE
ROLE OF POLICE
WHAT FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT (FDP) IS DOING
Better Bucks
FPD ONGOING EFFORTS
Woods Watch
Operation 40
Repeat Offender (ROPE) Program
Alcohol Stabilization Support (financial)
Homeless Shelter Support
DATE COMPARISON
CONCLUSION
Mayor Nabours complimented them on the presentation and the department on doing what they can in a compassionate way and under the Constitutional limitations they face. He said that it is becoming obvious from the presentations that they cannot preclude someone from standing on public property with a sign asking for help. They cannot preclude them from having that sign and cannot preclude someone from giving them money, unless there is a safety issue. He said that he would assume that it would be difficult to have an area of town where no panhandling was signed. Ms. D'Andrea said that if they were going to discuss the legal issues they would need to go into executive session.
Mayor Nabours said that it has been addressed in the conclusion--this is a tough problem. He appreciated the Better Bucks program and asked if the panhandlers were generally receptive to the information provided by officers. Lt. Lasiewicki said that they do not often take advantage of it at that time, but may later.
Discussion was held on the fact that there are people struggling and have a need for assistance, while there are others that are professional panhandlers. Councilmember Oravits said that he receives calls from people talking about fights between panhandlers they have seen and asked what they should be told. Lt. Lasiewicki said that if people see things like that, they should call 9-1-1.
Councilmember Oravits asked what the City could do to assist private property owners that have to clean up after the panhandlers to keep the corners litter free. Lt. Lasiewicki said that they have limited resources at the Police Department, but they will place priorities to have officers patrol specific areas. When they get a call from a citizen or business, it puts them higher up on the priority list. Councilmember Oravits said that perhaps it was something they need to be looking at going into the budget season.
Councilmember Evans thanked them for the presentation. She said that she knows that getting more information out about the Better Bucks program is an issue with staff, and the Foundation is helping. She would like to get more information out about where they can be purchased.
Councilmember Brewster thanked the presenters as well, stating that she agreed that they need to get more businesses involved to provide more choices.
Councilmember Putzova said that it was a good presentation. She hopted that one day they can start addressing the issue; they seems to talk about how to treat the symptoms. She was not thrilled about the undertones they have been engaging in, with criminalizing poverty. She said that she receives comments from people that they do not like looking at the homeless and she hoped they could move beyond that and talk about addressing homelessness or mental illness.
A break was held from 7:42 p.m. to 7:52 p.m.
Mayor Nabours noted that the item later on the agenda regarding Zoning Code amendments was being removed from the agenda as they will be holding special meetings for that topic.
8.
Fourth Street Safety/Pedestrian Improvements.
City Engineer Rick Barrett said that there had been questions raised about this project's progress. They were committed to the project, but they also wanted Council to provide them feedback about the great work that Randy and his team are doing before they go out with the Open House.
Engineering Project Manager Randy Whitaker then gave a PowerPoint presentation to review this project which addressed:
KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS
Signalized Crosswalks
Sidewalk Along East Side of Fourth Street, Seventh to Route 66
Improve Operation of Sixth/Seventh and Lockett/Cedar Intersections
PHASES
Signalized crosswalks - Fall 2015 (JOC)
Bus Pullouts & Sidewalk Along East Side of Fourth Street
Additional right-of-way is required
Improve Operation of Sixth/Seventh & Lockett/Cedar Intersecitons
Scope needs to be defined
FUNDING
Transportation Tax
FY15/16 $ 412,060
Beautification/Streetscape
FY15/16 $1,575,000
CURRENT STATUS
Crosswalk and Pedestrian Signal Drawings Completed
30% Plans completed for general layout of sidewalk and bus pullouts along Fourth
PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS
Initially will place vertical poles with beacons (similar to Gore and University at Butler)
Once right-of-way is acquired may look at overhead signage and possible street light
THIRD AVENUE CROSSWALK
Center median
Permanent ramp and temporary ramp
This is where temporary crosswalk is located
DORTHA AVENUE CROSSWALK
THIRD AVENUE BUS PULLOUTS
JANUARY 23, 2014
APRIL 15, 2014
DISCUSSION
Key Project Elements
Signalized Crosswalks
Sidewalk Along East Side of Fourth Street
Improve operation of Sixth/Seventh Intersection and Lockett-Cedar
Councilmember Evans said that she thought it was important to have open houses and different dates and times to allow for as many people to attend as possible. It was also noted that efforts need to be made to contact as many business owners and property owners as possible.
Discussion was held on the potential changes to parking lots with the sidewalk installations. Mr. Whitaker said that even though the restriping may not be part of the project, they have diagrams to show that through reconfigurations they could actually increase the number of spaces available.
Andy Fernandez, Flagstaff, said that he had concerns with the location of the Dortha crosswalk.
Engineering Project Manager Randy Whitaker then gave a PowerPoint presentation to review this project which addressed:
KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS
Signalized Crosswalks
Sidewalk Along East Side of Fourth Street, Seventh to Route 66
Improve Operation of Sixth/Seventh and Lockett/Cedar Intersections
PHASES
Signalized crosswalks - Fall 2015 (JOC)
Bus Pullouts & Sidewalk Along East Side of Fourth Street
Additional right-of-way is required
Improve Operation of Sixth/Seventh & Lockett/Cedar Intersecitons
Scope needs to be defined
FUNDING
Transportation Tax
FY15/16 $ 412,060
Beautification/Streetscape
FY15/16 $1,575,000
CURRENT STATUS
Crosswalk and Pedestrian Signal Drawings Completed
30% Plans completed for general layout of sidewalk and bus pullouts along Fourth
PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS
Initially will place vertical poles with beacons (similar to Gore and University at Butler)
Once right-of-way is acquired may look at overhead signage and possible street light
THIRD AVENUE CROSSWALK
Center median
Permanent ramp and temporary ramp
This is where temporary crosswalk is located
DORTHA AVENUE CROSSWALK
THIRD AVENUE BUS PULLOUTS
JANUARY 23, 2014
APRIL 15, 2014
DISCUSSION
Key Project Elements
Signalized Crosswalks
Sidewalk Along East Side of Fourth Street
Improve operation of Sixth/Seventh Intersection and Lockett-Cedar
Councilmember Evans said that she thought it was important to have open houses and different dates and times to allow for as many people to attend as possible. It was also noted that efforts need to be made to contact as many business owners and property owners as possible.
Discussion was held on the potential changes to parking lots with the sidewalk installations. Mr. Whitaker said that even though the restriping may not be part of the project, they have diagrams to show that through reconfigurations they could actually increase the number of spaces available.
Andy Fernandez, Flagstaff, said that he had concerns with the location of the Dortha crosswalk.
9.
Policy Discussion on Proposed Amendments to Zoning Code Chapter 10-30 (General to All).
Removed from the agenda.
10.
Review of Draft Agenda Items for the October 6, 2015, City Council Meeting.*
* Public comment on draft agenda items will be taken at this time, at the discretion of the Mayor.
None
11.
Public Participation
None
12.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests.
Vice Mayor Barotz said that she had attended the Rodel Foundation dinner the other night at Forest Hylands and Dr Will Grundy from Lowell Observatory provide the most fantastic pictures of Pluto.
Councilmember Putzova requested a CCR on adaptive playgrounds. She said that it would be good to understand what is and is not available and what policies they have.
Councilmember Evans requested to expand that prior request. She would also like to know what Parks and Recreation has that is adaptive, not only in parks but all of the facilities.She would also like to find out what the plan and timeline is for Thorpe Park improvements.
Mr. Copley reminded everyone to save the dates for the upcoming budget retreat. He also reminded everyone that Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be recognized at City Hall and purple lights will be installed.
Councilmember Putzova requested a CCR on adaptive playgrounds. She said that it would be good to understand what is and is not available and what policies they have.
Councilmember Evans requested to expand that prior request. She would also like to know what Parks and Recreation has that is adaptive, not only in parks but all of the facilities.She would also like to find out what the plan and timeline is for Thorpe Park improvements.
Mr. Copley reminded everyone to save the dates for the upcoming budget retreat. He also reminded everyone that Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be recognized at City Hall and purple lights will be installed.
13.
Adjournment
The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held September 29, 2015, adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
| _______________________________ MAYOR |
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| ATTEST: |
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| _________________________________ CITY CLERK |