Chair Amy Wolkowinsky called the meeting to order at 4:31 P.M.

NOTE: One or more Commissioner may be in attendance through other technological means.  

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) 

Also Present: 
Katie Seals, Minute Taker 
Diane Bridger, Sustainability Specialist 
Jenna Ortega, Climate Program Manager 
Jenny Niemann, Climate Section Director 
Sierra Frydenlund, Food Systems Coordinator 
Nicole Antonopoulos, Sustainability Director 
Blake Commisso, Community Service Coordinator    
Dara Marks Marino, Community Member 
Melissa Eckstrom, Community Member 

Commissioner Born read the Land Acknowledgment.

No public comment was given.

The minutes of the October 2025 meeting are available here: October Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes.

Commissioner Lammie motioned to approve the minutes. Chair Wolkowinsky seconded. All approved and the October minutes were approved. 

Director Nicole Antonopoulos presented on the City of Flagstaff’s legislative priorities and how they are determined. Every year, the City Council formally approves its legislative priorities, both at the state level and at the federal level, which provide city staff with an opportunity to work on initiatives related to these priorities. Director Antonopoulos discussed the 2025 Federal Legislative Priorities, which included areas such as Guiding Priorities, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, and Community Infrastructure. Legislative priorities allow the City of Flagstaff to respond quickly to proposed legislation, such as requesting to testify in a rate case. Additionally, these priorities help the city acquire grants for those areas. City Council will decide on the 2026 legislative priorities in December. Director Antonopoulos will provide a written update to the Commission by January 2026.  
 
Vice Chair Metzger asked how the city will correct being previously unable to testify at a previous rate case. Director Antonopoulos responded the language in the legislative priorities draft being brought to City Council has been changed to include rate cases. 
 
Chair Wolkowinsky asked if a commissioner wanted to be involved in the process of determining the legislative priorities, could they attend the December 9th 2025 City Council meeting to hear the discussion on the legislative priorities and attend the following meeting for the vote. Director Antonopoulos replied that commissioners could attend the City Council meetings in December, but she hopes to work with the Commission next year to develop the legislative priorities to bring to City Council for 2027.  
 
Nicole Antonopoulos will provide the Commission with finalized Legislative Priorities.  

Chair Wolkowinsky introduced the Flagstaff Sustainability Grants (FSG) review and voting. Diane Bridger kicked off the discussion with the five applications with high variability in scoring. There is $74,250 allocated for approved applicants. There were 31 initial applications, but one applicant rescinded, leading to a total of 30 applicants. Applications that had high score discrepancies prompted further review by Sustainability Office Staff. To start the discussion, commissioners were prompted to say a brief summary of each grant. There was an opportunity for reviewers to alter scores after the discussion period.  
 
Commissioner Konkel inquired if the process will incorporate asking clarifying questions to applicants. Diane responded that beyond initial legal or code compliance concerns, she wanted to avoid soliciting additional information and would rather base scores on the information provided in the application to preserve equity amongst applications.  
 
The first application reviewed was the United Native Wood Lot application. The applicant is looking to obtain mechanical tools to aid their process. There was concern with eligibility as a Nevada address was submitted and the program brings a portion of the wood to the Navajo reservation outside of city limits. The majority of the work, volunteers, and distribution are within city limits, meaning the application was deemed eligible. There are positive impacts both within and outside of Flagstaff City limits such as reducing the amount of wood going to the landfill and local recipients. Commissioner Konkel opted to raise her score after confirming eligibility. All other commissioners opted to not alter their scores.  
 
The next reviewed application was the Flagstaff Community Fridges – Fridge II. The applicant sought funding to add a second community fridge in a different location. There was concern from Commissioner Scurlock that the program had some pending details so the program might not be ready to receive funds. There were additional concerns by multiple reviewers that the application used previous scoring guidelines and the application did not meet some aspects of the current scoring guidelines. Mrs. Bridger expressed concerns on eligibility due to the lack of compliance with Coconino County Health Department which can be resolved with signage. She had additional concerns for feasibility and longevity. Chair Wolkowinsky expressed that she does think the project is feasible and with the project being a grassroots effort, it is okay to not have all the details finalized. Vice Chair Metzger expressed that there is no post-grant evaluation system, and advocated for the project given its impact on feeding at-risk community members. Mrs. Ortega explained that there is a post-grant self-assessment.  Commissioner Konkel expressed support for the project. She highlighted some of the methods of advertising the program. Commissioner Lammie asked if the City of Flagstaff would have liability concerns. Director Antonopoulos responded that the organization would have liability, not the city. Mrs. Bridger confirmed the Deputy Director of Coconino County Health and Human Services reviewed the application and raised some concerns, but did not reject the application and rather advised the Sustainability Office to monitor those concerns. Vice Chair Metzger inquired if the requirements could be communicated prior to providing funding. Jenny Neimann responded that the funds are withheld until all qualifications are met. Commissioner Born asked if the approved applicants do not qualify, can the funds be allocated to another applicant. Mrs. Ortega responded that yes, allocated funds can go to another applicant if requirements are not met in a specified time period. Mrs. Bridger opted to increase her score. Chair Wolkowinsky opted to lower her score due to feasibility concerns. All other reviewers kept their original scoring.  
 
The next application reviewed was the Community Care & Climate Preparedness Closets application. Vice Chair Metzger provided a brief overview of the grant, stating the applicant wanted to secure funding for a shed structure to stock with donated materials such as blankets, water bottles, etc., in case of emergency. The applicant would install security measures as well. Vice Chair Metzger raised concerns on installation location permissions for the project. Commissioner Konkel raised concerns about the feasibility and longevity. Commissioner Born stated the community goals were not very developed, and longevity raised concerns. Mrs. Ortega agreed with the points raised by others. Vice Chair Metzger, Mrs. Ortega, and Mrs. Bridger reduced their scores. All other reviewers kept their original scoring.  
 
The next application reviewed was the Reviving Traditions: Indigenous Art from Reclaimed Materials application. Chair Wolkowinsky provided a brief overview of the application, stating the applicant is seeking funding to collect, prepare, and install an art installation in the county courthouse from materials destined for the landfill. The majority of the funding would go to commissioning the piece from an indigenous artist. The art piece would showcase ties to the land, culture, and sustainability. Chair Wolkowinsky supported the project initiatives. Commissioner Born raised concerns about elevating indigenous voices when only one artist is commissioned. He also expressed concerns in the categories of volunteer engagement, alignment with the Carbon Neutrality Plan, community strengthening, and equity.  Mrs. Ortega had concerns for the alignment with the Carbon Neutrality Plan. She did provide points for mitigation and equity. Commissioner Scurlock raised concerns on the lack of volunteerism as the commissioned artist is paid and not a volunteer. He stated the project could be more applicable to funding through the Beautification program. Mrs. Bridger expressed that the display of the art raises more indigenous voices than just the artist’s. She also expressed the application does qualify for the Flagstaff Sustainability Grant given the intentional use of waste and education. Vice Chair Metzger highlighted the connection to sustainability by targeting groups of people that might not have much exposure to waste reduction concepts. Commissioner Konkel pointed out that up to half of the budget can be used to finance personal labor time, so it would be unfair to penalize an applicant for paying the artist. Commissioner Born asked if he can assume the greenhouse gas emission impacts as it is not explicitly stated in the application. Chair Wolkowinsky and Vice Chair Metzger supported the assumption of greenhouse gas emission impacts. Mrs. Bridger expressed that waste reduction was a greenhouse gas impact. Chair Wolkowinsky, Vice Chair Metzger, Commissioner Scurlock, and Commissioner Born opted to raise their scores. 

The next application reviewed was the Kendrick Peak Associate Community Garden application. Mrs. Bridger gave an overview of the application, stating their proposal is to construct a community garden on their property and to maintain the garden through their gardening club. Food production is anticipated to be donated to the Family Food Center. Mrs. Bridger raised concerns about the unconfirmed partnership with the Family Food Center. Commissioner Konkel inquired if the applicant needs the funds for this project. She expressed that Gore pays employees to volunteer in the garden, which aids the longevity of the program. Several commissioners stated concern over the garden not being open to the public. Commissioner Konkel expressed concern about the percentage of produce that will be donated as that was unspecified in the application. Mrs. Bridger proposed going to the last-reviewed application to see the new ranking to determine if this application needs to be revisited. 

The final reviewed application was the Cedar Closet of Flagstaff Water Heater Replacement application. Commissioner Carlson provided a brief overview of the application where he stated the applicant is seeking funding to replace Cedar Closet’s water heater with an electric version, as well as install carbon monoxide detectors and monitors. Commissioner Carlson expressed concern on the lack of direct impacts, however he did acknowledge indirect impacts. He also expressed concern on the application not meeting CNP goals, community resilience, project innovation, education, community goals, and volunteer engagement. He stated there was a lack of information in the application on which water heater the applicant was looking to purchase, which was a concern. Commissioner Konkel stated that in a past grant cycle the commission stipulated purchasing efficient appliances, which could apply to this applicant. Chair Wolkowinsky praised the program on their outreach, partnerships, and meeting Carbon Neutrality Plan goals. She refuted the indirect impact as that appliance directly impacts their day-to-day business operations.  Commissioner Carlson requested indirect and direct impacts be incorporated into the scoring guide. Commissioner Konkel shared that the applicant operates only through volunteers and donations. Mrs. Ortega brought up the commitment to fund three microgrants this year, however, this application is over the dollar value of the microgrants. Mrs. Bridger stated it is possible to partially fund this application to be below the threshold to become a microgrant. Jenna Ortega defined the criteria for a Microgrant for 2025 as being rewarded a maximum dollar amount of $2,500 and having an average score of 20 or higher. Vice Chair Metzger increased her score. Other reviewers opted to keep their original scores.  
 
Of the five applicants reviewed at the meeting, three applicants’ scores dropped below the other 14 applicants following the discussion and subsequent scoring adjustments. Mrs. Bridger stated the top 13 applicants to be funded. She included the remaining funding would go to a 14th award to partially fund the additional application.  

Chair Wolkowinsky motioned to approve the 14 highest-scoring FY 2026 Flagstaff Sustainability Grants applicants as awardees. For the 14th applicant (receiving partial funding), allocation of the remaining funds is contingent upon their selection of a heat pump water heater.  All approved and the motion passed.  
 
The awardees are:  

• CATS on Wheels, Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff 

• Expanding Access and Education in Sustainable Transportation, The Salvation Army Flagstaff Corps 

• UP-CYCLE, Saylor Darling 

• McAllister Ranch Rainwater Collection System, NAU Sustainable Communities Program 

• Garden Development and Accessibility, Evergreen Academy Preschool 

• Wood for Life, United Natives 

• Reviving Traditions: Indigenous Art from Reclaimed Materials, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) 

• Seeds & Skills: Hands-On Community Food Workshops, Willow Bend Environmental Education Center 

• Linda Vista Corridor Sustainability Partnership, Dara Marks Marino 

• 2026 Gardeners Market, Lily of the Field 

• Learn and Earn a Sewing Machine, Threaded Together 

• Campus Community Waste Reduction, Indigenous Bible College 

• Freedom Garden – Sustainable Community Greenhouse & Resilience Hub, Liberation Earth 

• Increase Energy Efficiency, Cedar Closet 

Diane Bridger presented on the Flagstaff Sustainability Office Monthly Report. She highlighted the Wildfire Resilient Homes Initiative (WRHI), Neighborhood Engagement and Volunteer Services (NEVS) engagement, Engage, Empower, Elevate (E3) program, Drop-off Day, and the Sustainability Office Facebook and Instagram accounts engagement. 
 
Commissioner Born inquired if there were any available sections in the Stream Steward’s program to which Mrs. Bridger replied yes. Vice Chair Metzger proposed every two months the Commission could clean up different locations in town instead of adopting a section of stream, Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS), or roadway. The topic will be further discussed in the January Commission meeting.  

Commissioner Carlson stated the first read of "PZ-25-00027 - Middle Housing" is in progress.  

Commissioner Born shared that Mountain Line is contributing to affordable housing initiatives. 

Commissioner Scurlock asked if he could share the grant results with applicants prior to the official notice, to which Chair Wolkowinsky stated that he could since the meeting is public and live. There will be a formal announcement at a later time.  

Erik Neilsen is a desired speaker at the January Commission meeting to discuss the Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) and Commissioner Carlson indicated that staff should contact him to confirm this. 

Commissioner Scurlock inquired if the lowest scoring applicant would be contacted as the application was to fund work on their house. Mrs. Bridger responded the Sustainability Office would reach out and provide resources to the applicant. 

1. Nicole Antonopoulos stated that a future agenda item will be the Sustainability Office’s strategy to help educate the community on both natural gas and electric rate increases. 

2. Vice Chair Metzger sought confirmation that the discussion on the Commission’s involvement in the Adopt-an Ave, Adopt-a FUTS, or Stream Stewards Programs would be in January.  

3. Commissioner Carlson requested to add time to research and advocate for the “Fair Free” approach to public transportation, particularly Mountain Line. This will be added to the February agenda. 

Vice Chair Metzger motioned to adjourn the meeting which Chair Wolkowinsky seconded. All agreed and the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 P.M.