FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017
2:00 P.M.
FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017
2:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Evans called the Council Retreat of January 10, 2017, to order at 2:00 p.m.
Mayor Evans called the Council Retreat of January 10, 2017, to order at 2:00 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 legal advice and discussion 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.
Pledge of Allegiance
The audience and City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The audience and City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| PRESENT: MAYOR EVANS VICE MAYOR WHELAN COUNCILMEMBER BAROTZ COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY COUNCILMEMBER ODEGAARD COUNCILMEMBER PUTZOVA |
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER OVERTON |
Others present: City Manager Josh Copley and City Attorney Sterling Solomon.
4.
Public Participation
Public Participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on the prepared agenda. Anyone wishing to comment at the meeting is asked to fill out a speaker card and submit it to the recording clerk. When the item comes up on the agenda, your name will be called. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone to have 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.
Public Participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on the prepared agenda. Anyone wishing to comment at the meeting is asked to fill out a speaker card and submit it to the recording clerk. When the item comes up on the agenda, your name will be called. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone to have 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.
Barotz asked that another item be added to the State Priority page, that being to have the City participate in some way (to be defined later) in the APS rate case. She said that they received a CCR in response to requests raised about what APS is proposing. Concern is not only for the City and its increase in their electric bill, but what the impact would be on customers in the City as well as the viability of solar in the future in Arizona. She requested that Council work with Richard Travis to determine how he may weigh in on the City's values.
The following individuals addressed the City Council asking that the City Council add this item to the City's State Priorities, as requested:
•Hadassah Ziegler
•Sergio Guerrero
•Tom Chabin
Comments included:
•One of the owners of Rooftop Solar; employ roughly 30 people
•Two years ago APS brought rates forward; at that time Flagstaff did not take a stand resulting in a new solar fee of $5-$20/month
•New proposed rate increases will have the effect of stopping solar in Arizona
•Arizona should be a leader around the country; these changes will place Arizona far behind
•Lived in Flagstaff for 17 years; native to Arizona
•Solar is an investment to a home and the community
•Started with Rooftop Solar four years ago; was happy to know that not just his expertise in construction and solar, but also the community and environmental factors bring joy to his heart
•Continues to feel this pride for his town and himself
•Hard to see the community continually under the threat of the ACC and APS
•The question for Council now is whether to expand their legislative role beyond the Legislature and address the Arizona Corporation Commission
•APS is a big and powerful company. Historically it never involved itself until two years ago when they put in $2 million of dark money to elect commissioners to the ACC
•Every time someone pays their bill (APS) they take a little bit of that money to pay for who they want on the commission
•While the overall rate increase is around 5%, the increase to residential customers is over 7% and the critical issue is the net metering
Other Councilmembers voiced support for addressing the rate issue. Mayor Evans said that the conversation was interesting and meaningful and if Council decides to forward this, she was not sure if it would be some for their state lobbyist, or perhaps the Legal Department. She said that it was important to note that APS has been a great partner in Flagstaff and if they do move forward, she wants to be sure that they have an opportunity to address the Council as well.
It was noted that time was of the essence and staff was directed to invite the various parties to attend a work session on the issue.
After further discussion of other items to be included in their Legislative Priorities, staff was directed to compile these and bring back to Council for action.
The following individuals addressed the City Council asking that the City Council add this item to the City's State Priorities, as requested:
•Hadassah Ziegler
•Sergio Guerrero
•Tom Chabin
Comments included:
•One of the owners of Rooftop Solar; employ roughly 30 people
•Two years ago APS brought rates forward; at that time Flagstaff did not take a stand resulting in a new solar fee of $5-$20/month
•New proposed rate increases will have the effect of stopping solar in Arizona
•Arizona should be a leader around the country; these changes will place Arizona far behind
•Lived in Flagstaff for 17 years; native to Arizona
•Solar is an investment to a home and the community
•Started with Rooftop Solar four years ago; was happy to know that not just his expertise in construction and solar, but also the community and environmental factors bring joy to his heart
•Continues to feel this pride for his town and himself
•Hard to see the community continually under the threat of the ACC and APS
•The question for Council now is whether to expand their legislative role beyond the Legislature and address the Arizona Corporation Commission
•APS is a big and powerful company. Historically it never involved itself until two years ago when they put in $2 million of dark money to elect commissioners to the ACC
•Every time someone pays their bill (APS) they take a little bit of that money to pay for who they want on the commission
•While the overall rate increase is around 5%, the increase to residential customers is over 7% and the critical issue is the net metering
Other Councilmembers voiced support for addressing the rate issue. Mayor Evans said that the conversation was interesting and meaningful and if Council decides to forward this, she was not sure if it would be some for their state lobbyist, or perhaps the Legal Department. She said that it was important to note that APS has been a great partner in Flagstaff and if they do move forward, she wants to be sure that they have an opportunity to address the Council as well.
It was noted that time was of the essence and staff was directed to invite the various parties to attend a work session on the issue.
After further discussion of other items to be included in their Legislative Priorities, staff was directed to compile these and bring back to Council for action.
5.
Continuation of City Council Goal-Setting Retreat.
Continued discussion of Council goals was held and staff was directed to bring back a final document for adoption.
6.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests.
None
None
7.
Adjournment
The Council Retreat of January 10, 2017, adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
| ________________________________________ MAYOR |
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| ATTEST: ___________________________________________ CITY CLERK |