Commissioner Tom Lammie motioned to approve the April minutes. Commissioner Scurlock seconded. All voted in favor, and the motion to approve the April 2025 minutes passed.

Staff Liaison Tia Hatton Tenny introduced the Innovate Green competition – an annual business pitch competition in collaboration with the Economic Vitality team.  

The 2025 Innovate Green winner, Jay Jones of Tech Genie, spoke about his Genie Tree aeroponics system. Mr. Jones introduced his business partner and engineer, Shilo Begay, and discussed various aspects relating to the system's sustainability, including water and resource conservation and waste reduction, as well as equity and partnership considerations.  

Commissioner Lammie asked about the system's light source. Mr. Jones responded that these systems typically use LED lights, and for this system, they are trying various creative prototypes to reduce the amount of light and energy needed. 

Chair Metzger asked how much the system cost and if Mr. Jones had a business card. Mr. Jones stated that this system was less than half the cost of similar systems on the market and that it has patent-pending design features. The Genie Tree is currently on pre-order and costs about $330. Mr. Jones shared a QR code on the back of his sweatshirt with the meeting attendees.

Climate Action Section Director Jenny Niemann presented on the upcoming 2025-2026 update to the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP). She started by providing context on the first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (passed in 2018) and the development of the Carbon Neutrality Plan, which was first passed in 2021 and has since been revised. Now, the city is coming up with large plan updates. She highlighted six ways the city is updating the CNP, including the following: data update, progress updates, municipal operations, equity scan, resilience and adaptation connections, and a redesign.  

Commissioner Lammie asked if we measure carbon dioxide in the air. Mrs. Niemann responded that while some folks are doing this, this is not what we do. We do an annual emission inventory, and techniques occasionally change slightly. 

Commissioner Scurlock asked how we could remove carbon dioxide from the air. Mrs. Niemann responded that it is emerging technology, and we are working with partners to seek out who we can partner with and purchase it from. We are part of a coalition called the Four Corners Carbon Coalition. We have also been working with local businesses, like Block Lite, which is seeking to remove carbon from concrete. Trees and landscaping also do this.  

Chair Metzger asked about various things that Tucson is monitoring. Mrs. Niemann mentioned Tucson is out of attainment for certain air quality standards and thus must measure and collect data on more things than Flagstaff does in that area. 

Commissioner Born asked if this was the most recent community emission wedge. Mrs. Niemann said yes, it is, but reiterated the emissions were from 2016 and before the 2021 plan passed. Some key actions have a long leeway and may go beyond the ten years of the plan. Chair Metzger commented that divisions and investments, such as the electric vehicle transition, are happening.  

Commissioner Tom Lammie asked if we think we underestimated emissions. Mrs. Niemann said we are using the same methodology.  

Mrs. Niemann said she will bring more CNP updates on a quarterly basis. In the fall, there will be community workshops, a climate and coffee meeting series for the community, and topic-specific deep dives at community events. 

Chair Metzger asked if the professional designers would have a feedback process incorporating this presentation's complexities. Mrs. Niemann said they would. 

Commissioner Lammie asked how we work with the County. Mrs. Niemann said the city will keep them looped in, and they have not yet set climate goals. When we discuss our Flagstaff climate plans, we talk about the city, but all are welcome to provide insight and attend events.  

Chair Metzger commented on a possible collaboration opportunity the city could take advantage of, such as bi-annual meetings. She will provide the city with this group’s name. 

Commissioner Born asked if the designer would work with an AI system that would allow community members to ask questions about the plan. Mrs. Niemann said we haven’t thought about it, but that is a good idea, and that we would want to be mindful of energy and water use.  

Commissioner Lammie asked how we share ways the community members can really support data-driven actions and recommended adding more specific “what can I do” actions that provide action. Mrs. Niemann commented that the city agrees and that the goal of the dashboard is to accomplish this.

Mrs. Hatton Tenny spoke with the Commissioners about the idea of having an annual retreat moving forward, which will be held in June, before her departure. She talked about the proposed agenda topics, the date (the same day and general time as the regular meeting time). She asked if anyone had free location ideas, as the easiest thing would be to host it at the Sustainability Office. Commissioners volunteered multiple clubhouse spaces and mentioned the Murdoch Center. She also showed the topics of interest for the Commission that they prioritized in a recent survey and asked if anyone had additional topics they would like to add to this discussion list.  

Commissioner Carlson clarified that the water pollution topic related to PFAS and microplastic pollution. Commissioner Lammie said he would like to hear about actions that people can take. Chair Metzger commented that she would like to add the Carbon Neutrality Plan as an ongoing topic and learning opportunity. Commissioner Born suggested we add the Kinsey elementary situation. Mrs. Niemann commented that the FUSD board unanimously chose to go with a mixed fuel source. The topic of FUSD sustainability could still be discussed. 

• Mrs. Hatton Tenny reminded Commissioners about the upcoming Ride & Drive event on May 31st at NAU. She also mentioned the Micromobility Share survey on ConnectFlagstaff.com if Commissioners would like to add additional feedback on the topic to the feedback they gave at the last Commission meeting. 

• Mrs. Niemann shared about another transportation-related survey from MetroPlan that is also listed on ConnectFlagstaff.com. This one is specifically for parents and caregivers and is likely aimed at grades K-12.  Mrs. Niemann also spoke about the Friday, June 13, all-day event for various city commissioners and city staff to discuss the LASS-CAP and Code Concepts priorities. This event will be facilitated by an outside entity. Mrs. Hatton Tenny forwarded the email and calendar invite for this event earlier in the week.  

• Commission Born shared that the Friends of Flagstaff Future is considering hosting a Strong Towns meeting this summer. He will share more in the future.