CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Daggett called the Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held March 10, 2026, to order at 3:00 p.m.
Mayor Daggett called the Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held March 10, 2026, to order at 3:00 p.m.
NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that, at this work session, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for discussion and consultation with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means. |
- Present:
-
- Mayor Becky Daggett
- Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet
- Councilmember Anthony Garcia
- Councilmember Khara House
- Councilmember Lori Matthews
- Councilmember David Spence
- Absent:
-
- Councilmember Austin Aslan
- Staff:
- City Manager Joanne Keene; City Attorney Sterling Solomon
3.
Pledge of Allegiance, Mission Statement, and Land Acknowledgement
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Garcia read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Councilmember Matthews read the Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Garcia read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Councilmember Matthews read the Land Acknowledgement.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Flagstaff City Council 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.
4.
Open Call to the Public
Open Call to the Public enables the public to address the Council about an item that is not on the prepared agenda. Comments relating to items that are on the agenda will be taken at the time that the item is discussed. Open Call to the Public appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end. The total time allotted for the first Open Call to the Public is 30 minutes; any additional comments will be held until the second Open Call to the Public.
If you wish to address the Council in person at today's meeting, please complete a comment card and submit it to the recording clerk as soon as possible. Your name will be called when it is your turn to speak. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Open Call to the Public and Public Comment. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting and wishing to speak may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak.
Open Call to the Public enables the public to address the Council about an item that is not on the prepared agenda. Comments relating to items that are on the agenda will be taken at the time that the item is discussed. Open Call to the Public appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end. The total time allotted for the first Open Call to the Public is 30 minutes; any additional comments will be held until the second Open Call to the Public.
If you wish to address the Council in person at today's meeting, please complete a comment card and submit it to the recording clerk as soon as possible. Your name will be called when it is your turn to speak. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Open Call to the Public and Public Comment. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting and wishing to speak may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak.
Dennis Givens urged the City Council to accelerate the Downtown Mile Project and pursue federal or state funding for railroad underpasses to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety. He expressed support for a proposed seven-story mixed-use building near City Hall that could include a grocery store, parking, housing, hotel space, rooftop amenities, and potential city employee housing. He suggested partnering with Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Market for the grocery component and adding a childcare center for city employees. He also recommended offering healthier beverage options in the visitor snack machine.
5.
Review of Draft Agenda for the March 17, 2026 City Council Meeting
Citizens wishing to speak on agenda items not specifically called out by the City Council may submit a speaker card for their items of interest to the recording clerk.
None.
6.
Presentation on the Mountain Rose and Mountain Arts Conservatory
Community Investment Director Dave McIntire introduced the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s Director of Vision and Impact Dawn Tucker who provided a presentation that followed:
THE MOUNTAIN ROSE AND MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
JOURNEY THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN ROSE AND MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
ABOUT FLAGSHAKES
A 2018 FEASIBILITY STUDY FOUND THAT
$5-7 MILLION IN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
THE COALLITION
THE MOUNTAIN ROSE
DESIGN
THE MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
THE ARCHITECTUAL VISION FOR THE MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
THE LOBBY
MOUNTAIN ROSE THEATRE
THE BLACK BOX
THE AERIAL DANCE STUDIO
THE PEAKS PLAYHOUSE
FUNDRAISING STRATEGY
CAMPAIGN REVENUE SOURCES
COMPARABLE MID-SIZE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
ANTICIPATED OPERATIONAL INCOME SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDY FINDINGS
Councilmember House said the presentation was exciting for the community and praised the thoughtful vision for Flagstaff and the region. She reflected on the opening of a science center in Pennsylvania in 1999 and noted the potential for a similar initiative in Flagstaff that could combine arts and science, create jobs, and create pathways for people to engage in both fields. She said seeing the concept presented so clearly was thrilling.
Vice Mayor Sweet commented on the significant amount of work that went into the proposal and appreciated the partnerships involved. She noted previous discussions related to the Orpheum and Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC) and expressed interest in meeting further to explore how the groups’ visions might align. She suggested future conversations to identify possible funding sources and ways the organizations could collaborate.
Councilmember Garcia emphasized that placemaking is just as important as public art and said the proposal demonstrates intentional thinking about the community’s future. He was impressed that the presenters recognized the government’s role would likely be only a small portion of the overall funding due to budget constraints. He expressed optimism about the project, asked about opportunities to share space, and requested feedback on what the team has heard from other major community stakeholders regarding support or concerns.
Councilmember Matthews asked whether a location had been identified for the project and about the potential timeline. Ms. Tucker responded that a possible site has been identified but is not yet official. She noted that, based on similar projects, the outdoor theater could potentially be completed in approximately two and a half years, with the full project possibly taking around five years. Councilmember Matthews also raised concerns about the community’s current tax burden but said she supported Vice Mayor Sweet’s suggestion to explore collaboration with ICCC and the Orpheum to create something that benefits the entire community.
Mayor Daggett thanked Ms. Tucker and the team for their work and said she was confident they could bring the project to Flagstaff. She expressed strong support and offered to help as time allows. She added that the project’s price tag should not discourage people, noting that large community projects can be achievable.
Councilmember Matthews encouraged Ms. Tucker to keep the Council informed about the project’s progress and invited her to send updates to the Council via email at council@flagstaffaz.gov
THE MOUNTAIN ROSE AND MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
JOURNEY THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN ROSE AND MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
ABOUT FLAGSHAKES
A 2018 FEASIBILITY STUDY FOUND THAT
$5-7 MILLION IN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
THE COALLITION
THE MOUNTAIN ROSE
DESIGN
THE MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
THE ARCHITECTUAL VISION FOR THE MOUNTAIN ARTS CONSERVATORY
THE LOBBY
MOUNTAIN ROSE THEATRE
THE BLACK BOX
THE AERIAL DANCE STUDIO
THE PEAKS PLAYHOUSE
FUNDRAISING STRATEGY
CAMPAIGN REVENUE SOURCES
COMPARABLE MID-SIZE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
ANTICIPATED OPERATIONAL INCOME SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDY FINDINGS
Councilmember House said the presentation was exciting for the community and praised the thoughtful vision for Flagstaff and the region. She reflected on the opening of a science center in Pennsylvania in 1999 and noted the potential for a similar initiative in Flagstaff that could combine arts and science, create jobs, and create pathways for people to engage in both fields. She said seeing the concept presented so clearly was thrilling.
Vice Mayor Sweet commented on the significant amount of work that went into the proposal and appreciated the partnerships involved. She noted previous discussions related to the Orpheum and Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC) and expressed interest in meeting further to explore how the groups’ visions might align. She suggested future conversations to identify possible funding sources and ways the organizations could collaborate.
Councilmember Garcia emphasized that placemaking is just as important as public art and said the proposal demonstrates intentional thinking about the community’s future. He was impressed that the presenters recognized the government’s role would likely be only a small portion of the overall funding due to budget constraints. He expressed optimism about the project, asked about opportunities to share space, and requested feedback on what the team has heard from other major community stakeholders regarding support or concerns.
Councilmember Matthews asked whether a location had been identified for the project and about the potential timeline. Ms. Tucker responded that a possible site has been identified but is not yet official. She noted that, based on similar projects, the outdoor theater could potentially be completed in approximately two and a half years, with the full project possibly taking around five years. Councilmember Matthews also raised concerns about the community’s current tax burden but said she supported Vice Mayor Sweet’s suggestion to explore collaboration with ICCC and the Orpheum to create something that benefits the entire community.
Mayor Daggett thanked Ms. Tucker and the team for their work and said she was confident they could bring the project to Flagstaff. She expressed strong support and offered to help as time allows. She added that the project’s price tag should not discourage people, noting that large community projects can be achievable.
Councilmember Matthews encouraged Ms. Tucker to keep the Council informed about the project’s progress and invited her to send updates to the Council via email at council@flagstaffaz.gov
7.
Open Call to the Public
None.
8.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
None.
9.
Adjournment
The meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held March 10, 2026, adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
_____________________________________ MAYOR |
|
| ATTEST: |
|
_____________________________________ CITY CLERK |