Moved by Councilmember Khara House, seconded by Councilmember Anthony Garcia to approve the meeting minutes of City Council Regular Meeting of May 16, 2023, Work Session of March 26, 2024, Budget Retreat of April 25, 2024, Budget Retreat of April 26, 2024, Regular Meeting of May 7, 2024, Regular Meeting of June 18, 2024, Regular Meeting of July 2, 2024, Regular Meeting of November 19, 2024, Regular Meeting of November 18, 2025, Regular Meeting of December 2, 2025, Work Session of December 9, 2025, Special Meeting/Executive Session of December 16, 2025, Regular Meeting of December 16, 2025, and Budget Retreat of December 19, 2025.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Dennis Givens addressed Council regarding Flock cameras.

Colleen Maring, Chief People Officer at Northern Arizona Healthcare addressed Council to share that Flagstaff Medical Center again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for fall 2025.

Michele James, Friends of Flagstaff's Future, addressed Council asking for information regarding the Technology Committee and Public Safety Committee and how they were formed and operate.

Fire Battalion Chief Seth Gregar introduced the new Downtown Ambassador.

Councilmember House read and presented the proclamation.

Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos introduced Lori Singleton, Executive Director of Arizona Forward, who presented the Rising Sustainability Star Award for Clean Energy and Climate to Climate Section Director Jenny Niemann, in recognition of her measurable impact and leadership in climate and energy initiatives. Ms. Niemann was selected for her work in leading Flagstaff’s climate plan and carbon neutrality goals.

Councilmember Garcia provided a library board update, sharing that the library received a large shipment of 250 new computers, which will replace existing units for patrons and staff across the county. They also discussed the possibility of the Eastside Public Library needing to relocate in light of the recent Coconino Community College bond passage. 

Councilmember Aslan shared information about an upcoming Discover Flagstaff meeting focused on FY 2027 priorities, objectives, and tactics. The annual meeting will include a deep dive into tourism strategy, outreach operations, and vision-setting for the coming year.

Vice Mayor Sweet noted the upcoming the MetroPlan Executive Board meeting.

Councilmember House reported on a recent meeting with the Commission on Diversity Awareness Chair and Vice Chair. She shared that they are seeking greater visibility, engagement, and more action-oriented involvement. The commission is interested in contributing more substantively to Council discussions where diverse perspectives may be underrepresented.

Councilmember Spence provided updates from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committees, which recognized the long-standing service of Martin Ince. He also reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission is entering the implementation phase of its master plan development, with a contract being awarded and extensive public input planned over the coming year to update long-range parks and recreation planning.

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Councilmember Khara House to appoint Angie Grubb to the Tourism Commission.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Austin Aslan, seconded by Councilmember Anthony Garcia to appoint Cody Half-moon to the Tourism Commission.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Khara House, seconded by Councilmember Lori Matthews to appoint Michael Marquess to the Tourism Commission.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet, seconded by Councilmember Anthony Garcia to appoint Mariah Zavala to the Indigenous Commission.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Becky Daggett, seconded by Councilmember Lori Matthews to appoint Darren Lance to the Indigenous Commission.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Mayor Daggett pulled Item 9B for public comment and Councilmember House requested Items 9E and 9G be pulled for discussion.

Moved by Councilmember Anthony Garcia, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the exception of Items 9B, 9E, and 9G.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Public comment focused on ongoing problems related to short-term rentals (STRs) in the Juniper Point neighborhood. Residents Ron Doba and Douglas Loveday described repeated issues including excessive parking, trash, noise, overcrowding, and a recent serious incident involving unsupervised youths firing pellet guns from an STR, resulting in property damage and a near injury. Police responded quickly, and charges were referred to the City Prosecutor. Both commenters expressed frustration with lack of feedback after submitting complaints through the STR software and requested greater transparency, including updates on complaints and possible public access to complaint histories to encourage better property management.

Ms. Keene acknowledged the severity of the concerns and discussed existing enforcement tools, including the potential for action after repeated violations, advertising practices that may exceed zoning limits, and staffing challenges in code enforcement. She committed to reviewing the specific incidents, evaluating whether the city is fully using its existing statutory authority, and exploring improvements to complaint tracking, communication, and transparency within legal limits. Mayor Daggett also encouraged residents to engage state legislators, noting that local authority over STRs is limited under state law and remains a key advocacy issue.

Moved by Councilmember Anthony Garcia, seconded by Councilmember David Spence to approve the First Amendment to Cooperative Purchase Contract No. 2025-27 with CDW Government, LLC for Deckard/Rentalscape short-term rental monitoring software and services in the amount of $72,407.95, plus one additional optional year at an estimated cost of $75,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Councilmember House asked about the implementation of the programming and how funding would be used.

Deputy Police Chief Hernandez explained that it was the second year of funding supporting the Police Department’s human trafficking initiative, following a successful first year that resulted in more than 25 arrests across four operations and the creation of a dedicated full-time detective position.

The current year’s funding will continue support for the human trafficking detective, fund four additional operations, and provide more than $140,000 for overtime needed to staff these efforts. The grant also allocates $40,000 for victim outreach and advocacy services, an increase from the prior year, to ensure identified victims receive comprehensive support. Additional funds will support prevention and community awareness efforts, officer training, wellness and post-operation support, and approximately $42,000 in digital forensic software to investigate and retain evidence related to online exploitation.

Deputy Chief Hernandez further highlighted the formalization of the North Star Task Force, a multidisciplinary partnership including local law enforcement, NAU Police, healthcare and advocacy organizations, coordinated through an executive and multidisciplinary team with established protocols. The task force addresses both sexual and labor trafficking, recognizing Flagstaff’s high-risk location as a transportation and tourism hub. 

Councilmember House expressed appreciation for the program’s success, the collaborative approach, and the department’s ability to secure near-maximum grant funding to continue this critical work.

Moved by Councilmember Khara House, seconded by Councilmember Lori Matthews to approve the acceptance of the grant from the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Anti-Human Trafficking grant funds in the amount of $360,100.00 for FY2026.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Councilmember House asked staff to share information about the program, what the RAD process is, what it means for public housing units, and the anticipated timelines for the project.

Housing Program Manager Adriana Fisher explained that the RAD process will help stabilize funding for the City’s 265 public housing units at Siler, Brannen, and scattered sites by repositioning the housing portfolio, preserving affordability and tenant protections, and enabling access to private financing for rehabilitation and potential expansion of affordable housing. The contract with Nan McKay and Associates would provide specialized HUD, financial, and tax credit expertise needed to manage the complex RAD process, while keeping all major decisions with Council. The contract term is two years, with hopes of selecting a development partner by summer or early fall, which will help clarify project timelines. 

Councilmember House emphasized that the RAD process will not displace current residents; all tenants will be able to return to improved, still-affordable housing.

Moved by Councilmember Khara House, seconded by Councilmember Lori Matthews to approve Consultant Services Agreement #2025-17 with Nan McKay and Associates, Inc. for comprehensive project management and consulting services for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Interim Deputy City Manager Kevin Fincel provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF ADVERTISING POLICY
AGENDA 
BACKGROUND
CHANGES TO DRAFT POLICY SINCE OCTOBER 2025

Councilmember House thanked staff for their extensive work on the revised advertising policy, noting it successfully addressed past challenges and achieved a balanced, fair, and unbiased approach. 

Councilmember Spence asked about fiscal impacts. Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen estimated potential airport advertising revenue of approximately $25,000 annually, with the possibility of growth up to $100,000 under optimal conditions, benefiting the airport enterprise fund.

Vice Mayor Sweet also expressed support for the final policy and asked about community outreach; Mr. Fincel confirmed that key stakeholders had been consulted and were comfortable with the current draft. 

Councilmember Matthews raised concerns about legal risk and whether the policy would adequately protect the city from future disputes or discrimination claims. Mr. Fincel and Mr. Solomon expressed confidence in the policy and legal review, acknowledging that while not all risks can be eliminated, the policy reflects thorough consideration and strong legal vetting.

Moved by Councilmember Anthony Garcia, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to approve the proposed advertising policy for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Senior Project Manager Ivey Coss provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

CONSIDERATION OF AZ SMART GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE JW POWELL – LAKE MARY TO I-17 PROJECT
AZ SMART GRANT RESOLUTION
ANTICIPATED PROJECT COSTS: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Councilmember Matthews asked when the awards were expected to be announced. Capital Improvement Engineer Trevor Henry explained that the city plans to apply for an Arizona SMART Grant next month to fund design, with award decisions expected around June. The project is part of Proposition 419, with $200,000 allocated in the current fiscal year for preliminary work and approximately $14.3 million programmed in FY 2030 for construction.

Councilmembers expressed general support for pursuing the grant, particularly for its multimodal design, which includes vehicle lanes, bike lanes, and a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. They highlighted the project’s benefits for safety, connectivity, and future traffic relief. 

Councilmember Aslan raised concerns about a proposed connection through High Country, noting potential neighborhood impacts and impacts to heavily used forested areas, and emphasized the need for robust public outreach and further evaluation of alternatives. Staff clarified that the grant would fund design only, with construction funding to be pursued later through additional grants. Public engagement, environmental review, land ownership issues, and right-of-way needs, including potential Forest Service land swaps, will be evaluated during design. 

Mayor Daggett asked what the alternative was if grant funding is not secured. Staff stated that the city may need to delay construction, seek other grants, or reduce project scope, while continuing to prioritize multimodal transportation goals.

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to read Resolution No. 2026-01 by title only.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet to adopt Resolution No. 2026-01.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Communication and Civic Engagement Director Stacy Saltzburg presented a request from Councilmember Matthews to allocate $1,000 to support NAU’s first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Gala. Council discussion expanded the request, noting an outstanding need of $3,000 for the event, with multiple councilmembers expressing support for fully funding the gala given its first-year status and community significance.

Council also discussed a second potential allocation to support the community “Big Read” program. While broadly supportive of the program’s value, several councilmembers emphasized caution about creating expectations for recurring annual funding from the initiative fund. Consensus leaned toward a smaller, one-time contribution of $500 to support the program this year while maintaining flexibility for future requests.

There was strong support for both initiatives, coupled with a shared desire to keep the Council Initiative Fund nimble, non-recurring, and broadly accessible across the community.

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to allocate the use of the Council Initiative Fund in the amount of $3,000 of the to support NAU’s first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Gala and $500 to support the Big Read.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Senior Sustainability Planner Genevieve Pearthree provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

ENERGY CODE UPDATE OPTIONS
SEEKING COUNCIL DIRECTION
AGENDA
ENERGY CODE OVERVIEW
WHY ARE WE HERE TODAY?
FLAGSTAFF’S ADOPTED BUILDING & FIRE CODES
2024 SUITE OF CODES
DRAFT TIMELINE: 2024 BUILDING AND FIRE CODE UPDATES
THE ENERGY CODE IS…
WHAT THE ENERGY CODE REGULATES
WHAT THE ENERGY CODE IS NOT
2018 VS. 2024 ENERGY CODE
ENERGY CODE IMPORTANCE
OUR APPROACH: KEY PRINCIPALS
1. WE ARE BUILDING FOR THE NEXT 75+ YEARS
2. HEALTHY, MORE EFFICIENT BUILDINGS CAN BENEFIT EVERYONE
3. UTILITY COSTS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE OVER THE NEXT 75 YEARS
4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND LOWER MONTHLY OPERATIONAL COSTS CAN HELP WITH AFFORDABILITY
5. ENERGY EFFICIENCY FEATURES ARE A SMALL % OF TOTAL HOUSING CONSTRUCTION COSTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS A SMALL % OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT COSTS
6. THE ENERGY CODE IS LINKED TO OTHER DEVELOPMENT CODE CHANGES
7. THE ENERGY CODE SUPPORTS RESILIENCE TO EXTREME WEATHER AND GRID OUTAGES
MORE EFFICIENT HOMES STAY WARMER LONGER
8. FLAGSTAFF HAS A UNIQUE CLIMATE IN ARIZONA, AND WE CAN LEARN FROM OTHER PEER CITIES
9. THE ENERGY CODE IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO ACCELERATE CLIMATE ACTION
10. LOCAL AMENDMENTS WILL HELP FIT THE CODE TO OUR LOCAL NEEDS

A question was raised about whether a referenced study on how long homes take to fall below 40 degrees during a power outage accounted for retrofits versus new construction. Ms. Pearthree indicated that the study compared homes with different levels of energy efficiency, noting that older homes, such as those built in the 1950s, are generally less efficient than newer net-zero or passive homes. The study appears to reflect varying efficiency levels rather than focusing specifically on retrofits.

ENERGY CODE OPTIONS
OPTION 1: NO CHANGE FROM CURRENT CODE
OPTION 2: MAINTAIN FLAGSTAFF’S CURRENT PATH
OPTION 2: BASE 2024 IECC + MINOR APPENDICES
OPTION 3: MORE PROGRESS TO NET-ZERO
OPTION 4: NET-ZERO READY
THE PATH TO NET ZERO
POTENTIAL COST IMPACTS OF ENERGY CODE UPDATES
MORE INFORMATION ON COST ESTIMATES
DATA SOURCES
COST ESTIMATE ASSUMPTIONS
OPTION 1: NO CHANGE
OPTION 2: STAY THE COURSE
OPTION 3: PROGRESS TO NET-ZERO
OPTION 4: NET-ZERO READY
GOING FURTHER: NET-ZERO
SUMMARY OF AVERAGE COST ESTIMATES
NOTES ON COMMERCIAL IECC COSTS
“COMPLEMENTARY” CODE UPDATE OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
“COMPLEMENTARY” CODE OPTIONS
LARGE MULTIFAMILY CAN OPT INTO THE RESIDENTIAL IECC
RADON GAS OVERVIEW
WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT RADON?
BENEFITS OF RADON MITIGATION DURING CONSTRUCTION
NEXT STEPS
THE PATH TO NET ZERO
SEEKING COUNCIL DIRECTION
WHAT ENERGY CODE OPTION SHOULD S TAFF EXPLORE?
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ENERGY CODE OPTIONS THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE STAFF TO PURSUE BEYOND THE OPTIONS PRESENTED
WHAT “COMPLEMENTARY” CODE OPTIONS SHOULD STAFF EXPLORE, IF ANY?
WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE HELPFUL TO INCLUDE WHEN STAFF RETURN TO COUNCIL?

Council engaged in an in-depth discussion regarding proposed updates to Flagstaff’s energy codes, focusing on the tension between advancing climate goals and maintaining housing affordability. Ms. Pearthree emphasized that the current presentation is preliminary and meant to set a reference point for community engagement rather than finalize any code adoption. She explained that the proposed options are layered: Option 2 serves as a base code with some amendments and appendices, Option 3 adds additional energy efficiency measures, and Option 4 represents the most aggressive “net zero ready” standards. Adopting a higher option does not require discarding the lower options; rather, the elements build on each other, and staff will analyze the layered impacts.

Councilmembers voiced a range of considerations:

Housing affordability concerns: Residents prioritize housing costs, mortgage payments and down payments, over long-term utility savings. There was worry that aggressive energy code adoption could increase upfront costs, potentially excluding first-time buyers, younger professionals, and the working class from the market. Council stressed the importance of considering multifamily housing and workforce housing in these codes.

Long-term benefits and sustainability: Higher energy efficiency standards offer long-term utility savings, public health benefits, and climate resilience, and that these codes set an important leadership example for other communities. Construction costs for energy-efficient technologies, like heat pumps and solar panels, tend to decrease over time with increased adoption and market scale.

Multifamily housing considerations: Allowing large multifamily projects to opt into residential energy codes could reduce construction costs and help maintain affordability. Radon testing and mitigation was also highlighted as an important consideration for new construction.

Community engagement and process: Council and staff agreed that the next steps involve comprehensive community outreach, including engaging city commissions, builders, interest groups, and residents, to ensure that adoption decisions reflect local needs and equity considerations. Ms. Pearthree stressed that the code adoption process is iterative and will incorporate feedback before final adoption, with potential adjustments if unintended negative impacts arise.

The following individuals addressed Council regarding the Energy Code Options:

• Tom Pearson
• Jill Stephenson
• Dee Hoagland
• Andrea Guerrette
• Michele James, Friends of Flagstaff's Future

A written comment was submitted by James Schweikert.

The following comments were received:

• Concerned about housing costs.
• The proposed building codes intended to promote carbon neutrality could increase the upfront cost of homes. 
• Most buyers focus on down payments and monthly mortgage payments rather than long-term utility savings.
• High housing costs are driving young professionals out of Flagstaff, and stricter codes could worsen this trend by making homes less affordable.
• Proposed features like electric car charging stations may add cost without significant benefit for middle-class buyers.
• Prioritize lowering the purchase price of housing to tangibly improve affordability.
• Support strong energy codes and sustainability.
• It is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
• Building energy accounts for a significant portion of Flagstaff’s emissions (55% in 2023).
• Sustainable building codes can reduce long-term utility costs through improved energy and water efficiency, benefiting residents financially over time.
• Support Option 4, which would adopt advanced energy codes toward net-zero-ready buildings.
• Option 4 is expected to improve energy efficiency by 31–42% and support climate goals.
• Sustainable codes are both environmentally responsible and complementary to housing affordability, particularly over the lifespan of a building.
• New construction lasts for decades, so building codes have a long-term impact on both energy consumption and housing costs.
• Explore local amendments to allow flexibility for multi-family housing to reduce costs while still meeting energy efficiency goals.
• Decisions should balance climate action with housing affordability, as one approach should not undermine the other.

Following additional discussion, Council concluded that they are still in a deliberative phase. There was general agreement to focus further study and outreach on Options 3 and 4, while also analyzing impacts from Option 2 as a baseline. Council heavily emphasized the importance of outreach and hearing from all community voices and that housing affordability and sustainability goals are interconnected rather than competing.

Transportation Director Jeff Bauman introduced Transportation Engineer Associate Sydney Juve provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

SPEED HUMPS CONSIDERATION FOR TRAFFIC CALMING USE
PURPOSE
TRAFFIC CALMING OVERVIEW
EXISTING TOOLBOX
NEW AND EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS
COMPLETED TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS
SPEED HUMP OVERVIEW
THRESHOLDS FOR SPEED HUMPS
WHERE SPEED HUMPS CAN GO
ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS
COSTS
OTHER CONSIDERATION
CONCLUSION

Council expressed strong support for implementing speed humps, speed tables, and other traffic calming measures in Flagstaff neighborhoods. Mayor Daggett and Vice Mayor House highlighted that lowering the threshold for implementing these measures from 30% to 10% for speeding violations would allow more neighborhoods to qualify, addressing safety concerns in areas built under older, less ideal standards. 

It was emphasized that residents should not have to pay for traffic calming on roads that were poorly designed in the past and the city provide funding for these improvements. Vice Mayor Sweet and Councilmember Garcia noted the potential safety and quality-of-life benefits, explaining that traffic calming measures could reduce speeding, enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, and support the city’s Vision Zero and sustainability goals by encouraging walking and biking.

Councilmember Spence sought clarification on the definitions of different traffic calming infrastructure, particularly speed tables. Ms. Juve explained that speed tables are longer than speed humps and are often installed at intersections to allow emergency vehicles and snowplows to pass more easily, while other options include speed cushions and parking lot bumps. 

Dapper Dre addressed Council to emphasize that traffic calming measures are essential for quality of life, pointing out that older neighborhood streets were built without current safety standards and stressing the importance of observational data on pedestrian and bicycle usage. 

Jay Wellman addressed Council and shared personal experiences with excessive speeding in several neighborhoods, supported the reduction of the implementation threshold, and advocated for prioritizing elevated crosswalks and speed tables, noting that they provide sustainable, long-term safety benefits while allowing emergency vehicles to pass smoothly.

Council raised operational considerations, asking about maintenance costs and the feasibility of snow removal with these installations. Staff indicated that long-term maintenance would tie into typical street upkeep and that more detailed information would be provided in future presentations. 

There was support from Council for expanding Flagstaff’s traffic calming tools, with a focus on safety, accessibility, long-term planning, and enhancing residents’ quality of life.
 

Public Works Streets Section Director Sam Beckett and Streets Manager Greg Krahe provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

STREETS 2025-26 SNOW OPERATIONS
PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES
EL NINO/LA NINA STATUS AND OUTLOOK
SNOW OPERATIONS STAFFING
STREETS OVERALL STAFFING
SNOW SHIFTS- EQUIP AND STAFFING

Councilmember Garcia asked interdepartmental support during snow events. Mr. Krahe explained that while solid waste crews have their own schedules and must continue operations, the street department coordinates with them as much as possible. Other city departments, including Fire and Water Services, sometimes assist, particularly after hours or on weekends. Temporary employees also help, but their availability is limited, so they cannot always be relied on during critical snow events. 

STREET SNOWPLOW FLEET
STREETS WINTER RESPONSIBILITIES
STREETS SNOW RESPONSE POLICY
STREETS SNOW PLOWING PRIORITIES
POST EVENT
SNOW OPERATIONS STRATEGIC VISION AND GOALS

Council discussion focused on snow removal operations, bike lane clearing, and related challenges. Common community concerns, including snow being pushed back onto shoveled sidewalks and the safety of bike lanes were raised. Staff acknowledged these issues, noting that operators are trained to avoid putting snow on cleared sidewalks, but visibility can become difficult as snow accumulates. Newer communities have parkways for snow storage, but older areas remain challenging.

Regarding bike lanes, staff explained that they use specialized equipment, including Bobcat-style vehicles, to clear narrower areas. Priority is given to main arterial roads first, with bike lanes and downtown streets addressed afterward, often requiring multiple pieces of equipment to avoid damaging parked cars. Candlesticks marking bike lane edges are replaced as needed, but they are frequently knocked down by snow removal operations and traffic.

There were questions about the different agencies that managed roads within Flagstaff. Staff noted that ADOT handles major corridors like Route 66, Milton, and Highway 89, and some private neighborhoods are not maintained or plowed by the city. Downtown streets are prioritized due to higher traffic, tight roadways, and competing demands from deliveries and businesses. The use of cinders instead of de-icer was explained as a historical decision made by Council. Overall, the focus is on balancing safety, efficiency, and operational constraints while addressing community concerns and maintaining priority routes during snow events.

Fire Battalion Chief Seth Gregar introduced Thea Sherman, Regional Director for Terros and Danielle Simmons, Clinical Coordinator for Terros who provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

PRE-JULY 2025
JULY 2025
HOW IS THE TRANSITION GOING?
CALL VOLUME
JULY-DEC PRE 2024 VS POST 2025
OUTREACH AND CLIENTS SERVED
OUTREACH COMPARISON 2024-2025 (JULY-DECEMBER)
OUTREACH
UPGRADES
MEDICAL UPGRADES
PD UPGRADES
CANCELLED CALLS
FFD-ALCOHOL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CALLS OCTOBER 2024-SEPTEMBER 2025
FPD-ALCOHOL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CALLS OCTOBER 2024-SEPTEMBER 2025
WHAT’S NEXT?

Council discussed the impact, challenges, and future of the program. Overall, morale among firefighters and EMTs assigned to the CARE team has improved, as members are able to engage in the work they were trained and passionate for. The emotional intensity of the work, particularly building connections with clients and seeing repeated crises, has required additional support, including weekly one-on-one check-ins, clinical supervision, on-call relief for high-volume days, and access to mental health resources. A new initiative, Crisis to Recovery, is expected to provide post-crisis support and further strengthen the team.

Call trends indicate that most responses involve substance use, particularly alcohol, while mental health calls are typically handled by a mobile crisis unit. The CARE team provides practical support such as wound care, food, and assistance connecting clients to shelters or guidance centers. While detailed client-level data is collected internally, it cannot be shared externally due to HIPAA protections.

Council also discussed potential program expansion. Plans under consideration include additional units for outreach and transport, possibly covering both east and west sides of the city, and the potential for a 24-hour operation. Infrastructure, such as facilities for housing the team, is also being evaluated. Any expansion would be balanced with measures to prevent burnout and maintain mission focus.

Council praised the team’s impact, noting that their work not only addresses immediate crises but also supports broader community health by de-escalating situations and affirming clients’ humanity, rather than criminalizing their behavior. Plans are in place to report back with outcomes and metrics in approximately a year, allowing time to implement changes and gather meaningful data for evaluating the program’s effectiveness.

None

None

Councilmember Spence requested a FAIR item for the Council to consider supporting a letter from the Sierra Club to the Forest Service, urging them not to conduct an administrative-only review of Snowball’s early use permit renewal.

Councilmember House shared highlights from the recent community Kwanzaa celebration, emphasizing the seven principles and their role in fostering unity and community engagement in Flagstaff. She noted how the event represented sending a message of community values outward to the broader region. She also commemorated the passing of longtime Flagstaff NAACP member and vice chair, Deacon Wayne Carter Jones, honoring his impactful contributions to the community and announcing his funeral service on January 17th.

Vice Mayor Sweet expressed gratitude to all involved in making Flagstaff a vibrant holiday destination, acknowledging the effort behind the city’s seasonal events.

Councilmember Garcia highlighted several upcoming community events, including a family history talk by Maury Herman at the Weatherford Hotel, a meeting of Moms Demand Action at the Flagstaff Public Library, the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association gathering, and the grand opening of Tynkertopia Makerspace.

The Regular Meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held January 6, 2026, adjourned at 8:08 p.m.