MINUTES
| OPEN SPACES COMMISSION MONDAY DECEMBER 8, 2025 |
HYBRID MEETING FLAGSTAFF AQUAPLEX AND MICROSOFT TEAMS 1702 N FOURTH STREET 4:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Commissioners may be in attendance through other technological means. |
| Chair Jacqueline Thomas - Present Co-Chair Bruce Fox - Present Commissioner Mary Norton (P&Z Liaison) - Present Commissioner William Kluwin - Present |
Commissioner Molly Joyce - Absent until 5:26 PM Commissioner Lina Wallen - Present Commissioner Nat White - Present Councilmember Rep: David Spence - Present |
Staff present: Rebecca Sayers (PROSE Director), Robert Wallace (Open Space Supervisor), Sylvia Struss (Open Space Coordinator), Lori Reynolds (Administrative Specialist)
3.
Land Acknowledgment
The Flagstaff Open Space 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.
The Flagstaff Open Space 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.
Read by Chair Thomas.
4.
Approval of October 27, 2025 Minutes
Commissioner Wallen motioned to approve the October 27, 2025 minutes. Commissioner Fox seconded the motion. All Commissioners present approved the motion.
5.
Open Call to the Public
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject that is not scheduled before the Commission on this day. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commission members may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject that is not scheduled before the Commission on this day. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commission members may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
Read by Chair Thomas. No comments or questions were received.
6.
Business Items
A.
Open Space Capital Improvement Project Priorities
Commissioners were asked for their input on project items they would like to see funded in future fiscal years. Robert Wallace shared with Commissioners a list of various projects the Commission had previously selected and their priority rankings — highest priority at the top and future priorities toward the bottom. The Commission reflected and discussed the prioritization of these capital improvement projects.
Robert shared highlights on different projects, mentioning that PROSE staff were trying to be realistic about funding and the projects that they could accomplish, giving them something to show for the community while enhancing Flagstaff's Open Spaces. Rebecca Sayers added that the Capital Improvement Plan was developed by looking at the funding, per year, that could be available for each project. This included consideration for grants available for application and staff available to help implement each step of the process. The Commission discussed projects and decided that they wanted to focus on completing the McMillan Mesa and Observatory Mesa projects, and then focus on Picture Canyon — removing Picture Canyon's restroom project from the ten-year plan but not the priority list.
Commissioner Fox motioned to remove the Picture Canyon toilet project from the ten-year plan and reallocate those funds to support McMillan Mesa project first, followed by Observatory Mesa's initial round of projects, and then Picture Canyon. Commissioner White seconded the motion. All Commissioners present were in favor of the motion.
Robert shared highlights on different projects, mentioning that PROSE staff were trying to be realistic about funding and the projects that they could accomplish, giving them something to show for the community while enhancing Flagstaff's Open Spaces. Rebecca Sayers added that the Capital Improvement Plan was developed by looking at the funding, per year, that could be available for each project. This included consideration for grants available for application and staff available to help implement each step of the process. The Commission discussed projects and decided that they wanted to focus on completing the McMillan Mesa and Observatory Mesa projects, and then focus on Picture Canyon — removing Picture Canyon's restroom project from the ten-year plan but not the priority list.
Commissioner Fox motioned to remove the Picture Canyon toilet project from the ten-year plan and reallocate those funds to support McMillan Mesa project first, followed by Observatory Mesa's initial round of projects, and then Picture Canyon. Commissioner White seconded the motion. All Commissioners present were in favor of the motion.
B.
Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events Division (PROSE) Master Plan Update
Rebecca Sayers informed Commissioners that PROSE is finalizing the review process for a consultant group. The selected consultant group will assist PROSE with the development of their Master Plan. Commissioners briefly discussed what their roles could be when the consultant group is selected and the Plan begins to take shape.
C.
Observatory Mesa Natural Preserve Name Change Implementation Plan
Robert briefly explained the implementation plan that he created for Observatory Mesa, including timelines.
- Phase 1: Internal Coordination, 2025-2026
- Phase 2: Website and Document Updates (2026-2027)
- Phase 3: Signage Design, Production, and Installation (2027-2029)
- Phase 4: Continues Signage Design, Production, and Installation (2032-2035)
D.
Jack Welch Memorial Bridge Update
Robert informed the Commission that the Jack Welch Memorial Bridge dedication was a success and had a good turnout. The public event honoring Jack Welch included a unveiling of the memorial plaque and accompanying Hopi artwork. He shared pictures of the dedication with Commissioners and noted that the Parks Department assisted with the art and plaque installation.
7.
Reports and Updates
A.
Council Representative Report, Council Representative David Spence
Councilmember Spence commented on how impressive he thought the turnout was at the Jack Welch Memorial Bridge dedication.
B.
Planning and Zoning Commission Representative Report, Representative Mary Norton
Commissioner Norton informed the Parks and Recreation Commission that the Pine Canyon extension did pass. It was the first test of a conditional use permit that applied to a golf course for the city.
C.
Open Space Management Report, Robert Wallace and Sylvia Struss
Sylvia Struss shared with Commissioners that the next full moon hike is scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026. She added that she has been working on trying to figure out how to fix the potholes on the drive to Picture Canyon trailhead, and is replacing and fixing interpretive signs at Picture Canyon. She also mentioned that the City of Flagstaff is planning a citywide volunteer appreciation video of thanks that will come from different city departments.
D.
PROSE Monthly Newsletter, October 2025 and November 2025
The October and November 2025 newsletters were acknowledged for their robust content. No additional comments were made.
8.
Informational Items To and From Commissioners and Staff
No comments were received from Commissioners or Staff.
9.
Potential Future Agenda Items
Future items for discussion include:
- Update on the John Wesley Powell as it will be released to the public for review and comment. When the draft is released, this item will be added to the agenda — either for February or March's meeting. The Commission will be encouraged to provide their feedback at that time.
- Update on LASS Cap - Development Services staff are working with a consultant on the final draft of recommendations. A presentation will be arranged for the Open Spaces Commission prior to the final draft being released for public review. When the LASS Cap draft is released, this will be added back onto the agenda for the Commission to discuss.
- Next steps with Observatory Mesa. Review what can be accomplished in 2026.
- Robert asked Commissioners to reach out to him if they had anything else they would like to see on future agendas.
10.
Adjournment
Chair Thomas adjourned the meeting at 5:55 PM.