| SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION THURSDAY November 21, 2024 |
HYBRID MEETING STAFF CONFERENCE ROOM AND MICROSOFT TEAMS 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE 4:30 P.M. |
Vision: The City of Flagstaff is a culture and community that thrives in response to the Climate Crisis.
Mission: To advise Sustainability Division Staff on matters related to climate and sustainability, support community projects through Neighborhood Sustainability Grants, and provide feedback to the City Council on sustainability issues.
Members of the public may join the meeting online via Microsoft Teams or in-person.
- Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
- To comment on a discussion item, please use the Teams Chat function: simply type in ‘public comment’ to indicate to the Chair that you want to comment. The Chair will then recognize you when it is time for public comment, and staff will unmute your microphone if needed.
- Public comments may be sent to Tia Hatton at tia.hatton@flagstaffaz.gov in advance of the meeting. They should be limited to three minutes of reading time.
| AMY WOLKOWINSKY - CHAIR (Present) MARY METZGER - VICE CHAIR (Present) COMMISSIONER ELIJAH BORN (Present) COMMISSIONER CAMERON CARLSON (Present) |
COMMISSIONER KRISTEN KONKEL (Present) COMMISSIONER TOM LAMMIE (Present) COMMISSIONER RODGER SCURLOCK (Present) |
The Sustainability Commission 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.
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please use the Teams Chat function: simply type in "public comment" to indicate to the Chair that you would like to comment. The Chair will then recognize you when it is time for public comment, and staff will unmute your microphone if needed.
Flagstaff Shelter Services requested an extension of their grant through June 30th to finish installing bicycle racks. Staff supported this request.
Flagstaff Community Fridges requested a budget revision to use their funds for a concrete pad for a commercial fridge (now that they are at a new location at Murdoch Center with electricity hookups), rather than to harness solar energy as originally requested. They did not request more funding as they saved money with a lower bidder. Staff supported this request. Commissioner Carlson expressed concerns about concrete emissions.
Commissioner Konkel motioned to approve both requests, and Chair Wolkowinsky seconded the motion. There were four ayes and one abstention (Commissioner Carlson). Motion passed.
Following a lengthy review and discussion, the ten applications with the highest scores were:
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The Coco-op Maker Space, to expand its shared tool library.
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The Arboretum at Flagstaff, to continue native and edible plant propagation, install mini-tunnels to increase food production benefiting food insecure populations, and provide educational edible native plant workshops.
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Elevated Gardening, to increase capacity to host community workshops and expand the production of resilient plants and available seeds to improve food security across Flagstaff.
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Quality Connections, to expand local e-waste recycling opportunities in Flagstaff while providing training and job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
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Townsite Urban Farm (TUF), to improve community inclusion and accessibility through enhancements to TUF’s physical, educational, and programmatic offerings.
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Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA), to build a classroom kitchen and enhance its campus garden spaces to further connect food and cooking skills to culture, chemistry, and sustainability.
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Flagstaff Mountain-Town Market, to purchase clean and quiet solar generators for markets. The generators will be available to other community events and farming operations during non-market days. Education will be provided regarding the benefits of solar power and climate action.
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Southside Community Association (SCA), to invest in social infrastructure, equipment, and materials to build a pilot Southside Service Corps.
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Dr. Kate Rose, in partnership with local community partners, to explore school carpooling opportunities and methods to connect parents in need and reduce emissions.
Chair Wolkowinsky motioned to award these ten grants with their stated budgets, and to partially fund Flagstaff Water Group, with remaining NSG funds, to test biochar to cleanup reclaimed water (if they submit a new lower budget). Vice Chair Metzger seconded the motion, and there were five ayes. Motion passed.
The Commission’s next meeting will be a shortened one on Thursday, December 12th from 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. to discuss the Regional Plan feedback letter.
A happy hour gathering was suggested to follow at 5:30 P.M. Ms. Hatton will post a potential quorum.