WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE
6:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Nabours called the Work Session of November 10, 2015, to order at 6:06 p.m. He apologized for getting started, but noted that Councilmember Brewster had just fallen on the ice and broke her hip.
Mayor Nabours called the Work Session of November 10, 2015, to order at 6:06 p.m. He apologized for getting started, but noted that Councilmember Brewster had just fallen on the ice and broke her hip.
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 EVANS COUNCILMEMBER ORAVITS COUNCILMEMBER OVERTON COUNCILMEMBER PUTZOVA |
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER BREWSTER |
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.
Tarama Heisling, Flagstaff, expressed concern with the overnight parking ordiance, stating that she lives downtown and if often unable to find parking, requiring her to park far away.
5.
Preliminary Review of Draft Agenda for the November 17, 2015, City Council Meeting.*
* Public comment on draft agenda items not individually listed may be taken under “Review of Draft Agenda Items” later in the meeting, 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 second Review section may submit a speaker card for their items of interest to the recording clerk.
A.
Discussion of Intergovernmental Agreement With Summit Fire District (Item 10-C on the November 17, 2015, Agenda)
Fire Chief Mark Gaillard provided a PowerPoint which addressed the following:
SERVICE AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
Regionalism
Professional Development
Improved Operational Efficiencies
SMALLER GOVERNMENT
Reduce Duplicative Efforts
Increase Capacity
Defer Costs
Allocate Future Resources to Direct Service Delivery
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Return to Status Quo
Continue Objectives of the IGA Under New Terms
Advance a New IGA for Increased Levels of Collaboration
ELEMENTS OF THE IGA
PROVIDE FIRE CHIEF/CHIEF OFFICER SERVICES
FLAGSTAFF DIRECT ADDITIONAL COSTS OF IGA
Mayor Nabours said that his concern would be that they are not subsidizing the Summit Fire Department with the City's taxpayer money. He said that if it is a good deal for the City this is a good reason, but he wants to be sure that the money received from Summit Fire Department will cover the costs of the employee that would be loaned to them.
MAINTAIN LOCAL CONTROL
LINE AND STAFF
EMS Support
Equipment and Apparatus Support
Training and Recruitment
Safety and Health
ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Fuel and Maintenance for a Chief's Vehicle
Two-Year Term
Indemnity
SUMMARY
Opportunity to Innovate
Improve Fire and Life Safety Services
Improve Firefighter Safety
Chief Gaillard said that they have spoken with members Flagstaff Fire Department's elected board and then sat in two series of teleconferences with the Flagstaff Fire Department. They discussed, heard concerns, and were able to remedy valid concerns. He said that they were able to clarify some information that had not been accurate.
Vice Mayor Barotz asked what the biggest misunderstanding was. Chief Gaillard said there was a concern that a vacancy created by the IGA at the firefighter level could periodically require someone to be held over to work an extra shift, especially since they had other vacancies. He said that they have three new firefighters in the Academy which will be done in January, getting them back to full staff quicker.
Councilmember Oravits thanked Chief Gaillard for the presentation, and said that one of the opportunities created is that for advancing and training. Chief Gaillard said that the recruitment and retention efforts of the Flagstaff Police Department are also at the Fire Department. He said that this is a rare opportunity for them to provide a number of their folks to prepare for leadership positions in the future.
Discussion was held on the process of temporarily moving employees into other positions and then going back to their old position in two years, and the possibility of them being better trained and moving on to another community. Chief Gaillard said that they are all going into it as an opportunity for special professional development. He said that those participating will not be promoted, so there would be no demotion at the end of the period. He added that those participating will not necessarily serve for the two-year period, but rather they anticipate having several different staff members benefit from the opportunity.
SERVICE AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
Regionalism
Professional Development
Improved Operational Efficiencies
SMALLER GOVERNMENT
Reduce Duplicative Efforts
Increase Capacity
Defer Costs
Allocate Future Resources to Direct Service Delivery
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Return to Status Quo
Continue Objectives of the IGA Under New Terms
Advance a New IGA for Increased Levels of Collaboration
ELEMENTS OF THE IGA
PROVIDE FIRE CHIEF/CHIEF OFFICER SERVICES
FLAGSTAFF DIRECT ADDITIONAL COSTS OF IGA
Mayor Nabours said that his concern would be that they are not subsidizing the Summit Fire Department with the City's taxpayer money. He said that if it is a good deal for the City this is a good reason, but he wants to be sure that the money received from Summit Fire Department will cover the costs of the employee that would be loaned to them.
MAINTAIN LOCAL CONTROL
LINE AND STAFF
EMS Support
Equipment and Apparatus Support
Training and Recruitment
Safety and Health
ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Fuel and Maintenance for a Chief's Vehicle
Two-Year Term
Indemnity
SUMMARY
Opportunity to Innovate
Improve Fire and Life Safety Services
Improve Firefighter Safety
Chief Gaillard said that they have spoken with members Flagstaff Fire Department's elected board and then sat in two series of teleconferences with the Flagstaff Fire Department. They discussed, heard concerns, and were able to remedy valid concerns. He said that they were able to clarify some information that had not been accurate.
Vice Mayor Barotz asked what the biggest misunderstanding was. Chief Gaillard said there was a concern that a vacancy created by the IGA at the firefighter level could periodically require someone to be held over to work an extra shift, especially since they had other vacancies. He said that they have three new firefighters in the Academy which will be done in January, getting them back to full staff quicker.
Councilmember Oravits thanked Chief Gaillard for the presentation, and said that one of the opportunities created is that for advancing and training. Chief Gaillard said that the recruitment and retention efforts of the Flagstaff Police Department are also at the Fire Department. He said that this is a rare opportunity for them to provide a number of their folks to prepare for leadership positions in the future.
Discussion was held on the process of temporarily moving employees into other positions and then going back to their old position in two years, and the possibility of them being better trained and moving on to another community. Chief Gaillard said that they are all going into it as an opportunity for special professional development. He said that those participating will not be promoted, so there would be no demotion at the end of the period. He added that those participating will not necessarily serve for the two-year period, but rather they anticipate having several different staff members benefit from the opportunity.
At this time Mayor Nabours asked Council if there were any questions related to next week's agenda.
Councilmember Evans said that she was confused about the Dew Downtown. She thought it was premature to be talking about a street closure when they had not yet had the discussion on whether they were going to continue with the event. She asked if they could pull that item from the agenda until they had an opportunity to hold a Work Session to discuss it further.
Vice Mayor Barotz said that the staff summary also mentions an outside organizer, and she asked who that would be. Glorice Pavey said that there is a partnership between the City and the Downtown Business Alliiance who has hired an outside event contractor.
Vice Mayor Barotz also referenced the liquor license and requested that the memo previously sent to Council on what can be considered could be resent for reference.
Vice Mayor Barotz voiced concern with the length of the agenda and suggested that they prioritize the items. Mr. Copley said that their intent is to put some time limitations on the bigger items.
Councilmember Evans said that she was confused about the Dew Downtown. She thought it was premature to be talking about a street closure when they had not yet had the discussion on whether they were going to continue with the event. She asked if they could pull that item from the agenda until they had an opportunity to hold a Work Session to discuss it further.
Vice Mayor Barotz said that the staff summary also mentions an outside organizer, and she asked who that would be. Glorice Pavey said that there is a partnership between the City and the Downtown Business Alliiance who has hired an outside event contractor.
Vice Mayor Barotz also referenced the liquor license and requested that the memo previously sent to Council on what can be considered could be resent for reference.
Vice Mayor Barotz voiced concern with the length of the agenda and suggested that they prioritize the items. Mr. Copley said that their intent is to put some time limitations on the bigger items.
B.
Discussion of 2016 State and Federal Legislative Agenda. (Item 10-E on the November 17, 2015, agenda)
Assistant to the City Manager Stephanie Smith began the presentation, noting that Richard Travis was streaming the meeting, but was not on the line, and Bob Holmes was on the line if they should have any questions. She said that last week she received input on the 2016 State, Federal and Tribal Legislative Priorities, and next week Council would be voting on them for adoption. She wanted to take time to ensure that what is in the draft agenda accurately incorporates the input received last week.
Councilmember Putzova said that she would like to see some type of statement along the lines of, "protect and recover some of the local control that was lost." Ms. Smith said that she could expand that statement before next week to include recapture.
Councilmember Oravits said that there were several additions made last week, and he would like to go through each one to see if there is support. Myaor Nabours said that just because an item has been added, it does not mean it will pass. They were not taking action tonight as far as the agenda item. Ms. Smith noted that the goal of bringing this forward tonight was to have that discussion.
Mayor Nabours noted that Mr. Eastman has taken ill so they would not be discussing the Zoning Code amendments this evening. He suggested that they set the matter aside for now and hear the rest of the items, and then take it back up at the end of the meeting.
Councilmember Putzova said that she would like to see some type of statement along the lines of, "protect and recover some of the local control that was lost." Ms. Smith said that she could expand that statement before next week to include recapture.
Councilmember Oravits said that there were several additions made last week, and he would like to go through each one to see if there is support. Myaor Nabours said that just because an item has been added, it does not mean it will pass. They were not taking action tonight as far as the agenda item. Ms. Smith noted that the goal of bringing this forward tonight was to have that discussion.
Mayor Nabours noted that Mr. Eastman has taken ill so they would not be discussing the Zoning Code amendments this evening. He suggested that they set the matter aside for now and hear the rest of the items, and then take it back up at the end of the meeting.
6.
Community Code Compliance FY 2015 Program Review.
Code Compliance Manager Tom Boughner came forward to give a PowerPoint presentation on their FY2015 Program, which included:
TYPES OF CASES
ZONING CASE TYPES
PARKING STANDARDS
DISTRESSED PROPERTIES
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE-FAMILY
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
MULTIFAMILY
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
GRAFFITI BUSTERS
SHOPPING CAR REMOVALS
Mayor Nabours said that the Code Compliance Department does not get attention if they do not see problems. He commended him and his department for their great work.
TYPES OF CASES
ZONING CASE TYPES
PARKING STANDARDS
DISTRESSED PROPERTIES
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE-FAMILY
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
MULTIFAMILY
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
GRAFFITI BUSTERS
SHOPPING CAR REMOVALS
Mayor Nabours said that the Code Compliance Department does not get attention if they do not see problems. He commended him and his department for their great work.
7.
Policy Discussion on Proposed Amendments to Zoning Code Chapter 10-30 (General to All).
Mayor Nabours said that although Mr. Eastman has gone home, he did have a card from someone wanting to address the Council, and he invited him forward.
Patrick Hurley, Flagstaff, voiced concern over Section 10-30.60.060 regarding Building Placement. He said that after the last meeting he talked with Mark Sawyers, who explained that this was part of the 2002 Code and it did get left out of the 2011 changes; however, it has been under the parking code section. He said that there are a lot of factors to be considered; the location should be determined by typography.
Mayor Nabours asked Mr. Hurley what he suggested. Mr. Hurley said that this should be a guideline and not a requirement. The location takes into account the owner's needs and those other items. Looking at the Sportsman Warehouse building, they wanted it to be pedestrian friendly, but it shades Route 66 and is up against the sidewalks.
Mayor Nabours said that his understanding was they do not want to drive down the street and have a sea of parking lots either, but he can see both sides of the issue.
Mr. Hurley said that if in the end this becomes code, he would hope that they have a good appeal process in place. He does not necessarily like strip malls with parking in front, but it should not be everything forward either.
Tory Syracuse, Friends of Flagstaff's Future, addressed the Council regarding this same issue.
Discussion then continued on parking lot standards and it was mentioned that there is a suggested addition that in considering a CUP or rezoning request that there be a compatibility requirement for whatever the new proposal is with the surrounding areas. He believed the requirement to get a CUP now, and to get a rezoning from Council, includes a whole list of criteria they look at, and one of the items is compatibility of the surrounding uses.
Vice Mayor Barotz said that her understanding was that when an applicant makes a request for zone change the Council has to have findings; those are more general. They they get to the CUP, that is where they get to the issue of compatibility. Mr. Folke noted that there are different findings for those two applications.
Further discussion was held on front entrances, or entrances connecting to the sidewalk.Mr. Folke said that he did not believe they require an entrance on the sidewalk side. The primary entrance can be on the side; what they are trying to achieve is a connectivity.
Councilmember Putzova said that with those requirements they may end up with buildings that have unattractive fronts. She said that if they did require the entrance to be at the front, so it becomes a front-facing building, that could have additional entrances for those that may be driving, it seems like it would mitigate some of the issue. The fact that they allow the two ways creates the opportunity for a building to be unpleasant to walk by. Mr. Folke said that they would look at this further. He said that there are some shortcomings to some of the sites that have been completed. They do work hard with applicants, but there are things they do not always think about--security, costs, franchises, etc.
Mayor Nabours questioned Section 10-30.50.060 regarding right-of-way. He said that his concern is that if a property will not give some right-of-way the City could extract property from a development because of some future widening of a road that does not have anything to do with their development. Ms. D'Andrea said that there has to be some rationale nexus. They would look at that wording and try to clarify it.
Councilmember Oravits referenced Section 10-30.60.070 - Parking Lots, Driveways and Service Areas. He said that an example of this was the entrance to the Aquaplex. He gets a lot of complaints about the width of that, and asked if they would be addressing that at all. Mr. Folke said that he believed those standards are going to be addressed in the engineering standards. He said that there was a committee in Community Development reviewing those standards right now. Mr. Landsieldel said that he would bring that issue up to the City Engineer to make sure it is considered.
A break was held from 8:03 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Patrick Hurley, Flagstaff, voiced concern over Section 10-30.60.060 regarding Building Placement. He said that after the last meeting he talked with Mark Sawyers, who explained that this was part of the 2002 Code and it did get left out of the 2011 changes; however, it has been under the parking code section. He said that there are a lot of factors to be considered; the location should be determined by typography.
Mayor Nabours asked Mr. Hurley what he suggested. Mr. Hurley said that this should be a guideline and not a requirement. The location takes into account the owner's needs and those other items. Looking at the Sportsman Warehouse building, they wanted it to be pedestrian friendly, but it shades Route 66 and is up against the sidewalks.
Mayor Nabours said that his understanding was they do not want to drive down the street and have a sea of parking lots either, but he can see both sides of the issue.
Mr. Hurley said that if in the end this becomes code, he would hope that they have a good appeal process in place. He does not necessarily like strip malls with parking in front, but it should not be everything forward either.
Tory Syracuse, Friends of Flagstaff's Future, addressed the Council regarding this same issue.
Discussion then continued on parking lot standards and it was mentioned that there is a suggested addition that in considering a CUP or rezoning request that there be a compatibility requirement for whatever the new proposal is with the surrounding areas. He believed the requirement to get a CUP now, and to get a rezoning from Council, includes a whole list of criteria they look at, and one of the items is compatibility of the surrounding uses.
Vice Mayor Barotz said that her understanding was that when an applicant makes a request for zone change the Council has to have findings; those are more general. They they get to the CUP, that is where they get to the issue of compatibility. Mr. Folke noted that there are different findings for those two applications.
Further discussion was held on front entrances, or entrances connecting to the sidewalk.Mr. Folke said that he did not believe they require an entrance on the sidewalk side. The primary entrance can be on the side; what they are trying to achieve is a connectivity.
Councilmember Putzova said that with those requirements they may end up with buildings that have unattractive fronts. She said that if they did require the entrance to be at the front, so it becomes a front-facing building, that could have additional entrances for those that may be driving, it seems like it would mitigate some of the issue. The fact that they allow the two ways creates the opportunity for a building to be unpleasant to walk by. Mr. Folke said that they would look at this further. He said that there are some shortcomings to some of the sites that have been completed. They do work hard with applicants, but there are things they do not always think about--security, costs, franchises, etc.
Mayor Nabours questioned Section 10-30.50.060 regarding right-of-way. He said that his concern is that if a property will not give some right-of-way the City could extract property from a development because of some future widening of a road that does not have anything to do with their development. Ms. D'Andrea said that there has to be some rationale nexus. They would look at that wording and try to clarify it.
Councilmember Oravits referenced Section 10-30.60.070 - Parking Lots, Driveways and Service Areas. He said that an example of this was the entrance to the Aquaplex. He gets a lot of complaints about the width of that, and asked if they would be addressing that at all. Mr. Folke said that he believed those standards are going to be addressed in the engineering standards. He said that there was a committee in Community Development reviewing those standards right now. Mr. Landsieldel said that he would bring that issue up to the City Engineer to make sure it is considered.
A break was held from 8:03 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
8.
Policy discussion on proposed amendments to Chapter 10-40 of the Flagstaff Zoning Code.
9.
Policy discussion on proposed amendments to Zoning Code Chapter 10-50 (Supplemental to Zones), except for Division 10-50.100 (Sign Standards).
10.
Review of Draft Agenda Items for the November 17, 2015, City Council Meeting.*
* Public comment on draft agenda items will be taken at this time, at the discretion of the Mayor.
Discussion then continued on the Legislative Agenda item, beginning with further talk of local control. Mayor Nabours and Councilmember Oravits voiced concern with always opposing legislative that restricts local control. Mayor Nabours said that one issue he believes should be regulated statewide is cell phone texting. They said that they did not want to be painted into a box with that language.
Ms. Smith said that she would add Councilmember Putzova's language and she would include a few options for them to consider next week.
Mayor Nabours said that he noticed that there has been some talk and federal senators asking the Forest Service to open areas outside of the 4FRI so they could get other contractors working on the thinning, even if the contractor with 4FRI is not moving as fast as they would like. He said that he wondered if the City should get on board with that. Councilmember Overton agreed.
Vice Mayor Barotz provided suggested language for the second bullet regarding Tribal Relations, to be "facilitate annual meetings with tribal nations and collaborate on agenda development."
Vice Mayor Barotz said that in preparation for the next meeting, she would like to get a list of the state's last session bills that they were actively watching, their sponsors and the outcomes, and in those instances where the bills failed, the expectations that the bill will be brought forward again.
NEXT STEPS
Councilmember Putzova said that looking at the priorities, they think of the City as an organization versus the community. There are so many bills and so many opportunities for them to get involved that could make a huge difference.
Ms. Smith said that she would add Councilmember Putzova's language and she would include a few options for them to consider next week.
Mayor Nabours said that he noticed that there has been some talk and federal senators asking the Forest Service to open areas outside of the 4FRI so they could get other contractors working on the thinning, even if the contractor with 4FRI is not moving as fast as they would like. He said that he wondered if the City should get on board with that. Councilmember Overton agreed.
Vice Mayor Barotz provided suggested language for the second bullet regarding Tribal Relations, to be "facilitate annual meetings with tribal nations and collaborate on agenda development."
Vice Mayor Barotz said that in preparation for the next meeting, she would like to get a list of the state's last session bills that they were actively watching, their sponsors and the outcomes, and in those instances where the bills failed, the expectations that the bill will be brought forward again.
NEXT STEPS
Councilmember Putzova said that looking at the priorities, they think of the City as an organization versus the community. There are so many bills and so many opportunities for them to get involved that could make a huge difference.
11.
Public Participation
None
None
12.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests.
Vice Mayor Barotz asked for a FAIR to hold a Work Session to follow up on the Student Housing Task Force proposals.
She added that she attended a good presentation by former ADWR Director Rita Maguire regarding water rights. Although Flagstaff is not part of the conversation in the Valley and much of what she said did not relate, it was hard to argue that they make water decisions in isolation.
Councilmember Evans asked for a FAIR for a discussion for conservation easements on properties that have been set aside as open space.
Councilmember Overton commended staff for the great work done by staff and leadership at Bushmaster Park. It was well received by the residents.
Mayor Nabours reminded everyone that last weekend was the challenge between the City and County to raise food for the Family Food Center. The City lost raising 48 hams to the County's 112 turkeys. They also received 3,000 pounds of additional nonperishable goods and $1,200.
She added that she attended a good presentation by former ADWR Director Rita Maguire regarding water rights. Although Flagstaff is not part of the conversation in the Valley and much of what she said did not relate, it was hard to argue that they make water decisions in isolation.
Councilmember Evans asked for a FAIR for a discussion for conservation easements on properties that have been set aside as open space.
Councilmember Overton commended staff for the great work done by staff and leadership at Bushmaster Park. It was well received by the residents.
Mayor Nabours reminded everyone that last weekend was the challenge between the City and County to raise food for the Family Food Center. The City lost raising 48 hams to the County's 112 turkeys. They also received 3,000 pounds of additional nonperishable goods and $1,200.
13.
Adjournment
The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held November 10, 2015, adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held November 10, 2015, adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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