Others present: City Manager Josh Copley and City Attorney Sterling Solomon.

Deborah Harris addressed Council on behalf of the Southside Community Association to thank them for denying the liquor permit request associated with the Welcome Back Block Party. She also stated that the neighborhood is looking forward to collaborating with the City on the Southside Neighborhood Plan.
 
Joy Bond addressed Council regarding the funding for the Shultz Pass parcel and asked Council to place the item on a future agenda for further discussion.
 
Charlie Silver addressed Council regarding the lack of landscaping at the Murdoch Center.
 
A written comment card regarding open space was submitted to the Council by Sallie Page.

Community Investment Director David McIntire introduced the presenters, Jessica Stago with Native American Business Incubator Network, Carol Curtis and Neal Young of Coconino County, Cara Corbin of Local First Arizona and Christina Caldwell of Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
 
Ms. Stago addressed Council stating that the Native American Incubator Network is part of the Grand Canyon Trust and their mission is to build a strong entrepreneurial community through innovation and cultural integrity. They work to confront the challenges that Native Americans face while starting a business on the reservation. They provide direct assistance to businesses in the idea stage through technical support, business counseling and customized training opportunities. They are trying to build a community that brings people together to provide peer support and networking. Support and encouragement will help these business owners be successful and thrive in their communities.
 
Mr. Young spoke about the Joint Land Use Study and the efforts concerning economic development near Camp Navajo. There will be a lot of opportunity for community feedback. The consultant has been hired and there is a lot of movement happening in that area and it is exciting to see some economic development being started.
 
Ms. Curtis provided information to the Council on the Grand Spiral Passport Program. The impending closure of the Navajo Power Station in 2019 will have a big impact on Northern Arizona. Coconino County has taken a proactive stance and secured a grant aimed at strengthening the local economy in the Page and Navajo Nation areas. Through this grant, the Grand Spiral initiative was developed. The Grand Spiral is an astro-tourism route that outlines a traveler’s path beginning at Lowell Observatory and through many of the dark sky locations of Northern Arizona. As travelers visit the destinations, they can visit the local restaurants and breweries along the way to have their passport stamped. The goal is to get travelers up to the Page and Navajo Nation areas to stay, visit, and support their local economies.
 
Ms. Corbin introduced Local First Arizona. This organization aims to support and assist locally owned businesses throughout Arizona. Locally owned businesses strengthen their communities and local economies. The Health Foods Initiative is a program aimed at bringing awareness and education to consumers about the importance of eating healthy foods and where to find them; this connects people to their community and supports local farmers. There are two statewide educational campaigns; Independence Week happens each July and Buy Local Month begins on Black Friday.
 
Ms. Caldwell presented on the Arizona at Work Coconino County Business Services Team. Their mission is to develop, strengthen and grow business relationships in major industry sectors through interactive outreach, identifying and eliminating skills gaps and linking workforce with economic development by collaborating with community partners to give job seekers the required education and training necessary to deliver a qualified, pre-screened workforce. The team is organizing an event for local employers to connect with local resources. Organizations will be brought in to provide their expertise in various areas to local employers. A pilot program was rolled out in July and it had great success. This event is scheduled for some time in October and it is hoped that it will be even better than the pilot.
 
Mr. McIntire stated that the next business community update is scheduled for November 28, 2017.

Public Works Director Andy Bertelson introduced Sustainability Specialist McKenzie Jones. Ms. Jones provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
RETHINK WASTE PLAN
WHY DO WE NEED A RETHINK WASTE PLAN?
2017 COMMUNITY SURVEY
PRELIMINARY GOALS
IS THIS REALISTIC?
WHAT’S IN THE PLAN?
PHASED PLAN OF ACTION
BARRIER 1: POOR FRAMEWORK
SOLUTION
BARRIER 2: GAPS IN DATA
SOLUTIONS
BARRIER 3: POOR ACCESS
SOLUTIONS
BARRIER 4: COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE INCENTIVES
SOLUTIONS
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS?
 
Vice Mayor Whelan asked why the plan is phased over multiple years. Ms. Jones explained that each of the items identified in the plan need to be brought to Council for discussion and direction and that takes time. They are big programs and it will take time to launch them appropriately.
 
Councilmember Overton asked if any thought had been given to looking at things operationally with regards to recycling. Ms. Jones explained that the planning for the end of the Norton contract would include a discussion on operational matters. Flow control would help provide a better idea of what the City is producing so it can understand where improvements are needed. There are pros and cons to flow control but some of the strategies could be implemented to provide better data.
 
Councilmember Odegaard stated that he would like to see improvements in the multi-family and commercial recycling services. Councilmember McCarthy agreed stating that recycling in multi-family units would be very productive and if given the opportunity many residents would participate.
 
Mayor Evans offered that Goodwill has a great program in the valley where they recycle everything including mattresses; it may be something for staff to go and see how they accomplish zero waste.

Councilmember Barotz stated that there were several grammatical errors in the Employee Handbook; she asked that staff further proof and correct the document before it comes back to Council.
 
Councilmember Odegaard asked how the selection process on the 14 Commission members would work. Mr. Copley stated that Council could choose to use whatever process they would like. His suggestion is for every Councilmember to rotate and make a nomination and then repeat the rotation for the second nomination. After the nominations have been made the Council can vote for the selected applicants with one motion, similar to the Consent Agenda.
 
Councilmember Overton asked if the Council were to revert back to a mixed use parcel on the Elden Street property if the responses from the RFP could be considered. Deputy City Manager Barbara Goodrich explained that if there are no successful responses to the Affordable Housing RFP the City would still have to go back out for proposals on the Elden property.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan noted on items 10F and 10G that the staff summaries still reference Utilities versus Water Services. She asked that the documents be revised so they are consistent.

Councilmember Putzova requested a FAIR item to review and possibly revise Ordinance 2002-07 which amends Title 7 of the City Code.
 
Councilmember Putzova also requested a FAIR item to discuss the Wastewater Agreement between the City and Snowbowl.
 
Councilmember Barotz requested a short update on the plans for Tequila Sunrise.
 
Councilmember Barotz also asked if anything could be done about the landscaping at the Murdoch Center. Mr. Copley explained that staff will look into it but stated that he does not want to get out ahead of the park discussion with the Parks and Recreation Commission.
 
Councilmember Odegaard requested some information on the history of the Murdoch Center. Mr. Copley stated that there is a plaque that was removed from the Murdoch Center some years ago that identified some of the aspects of the Dunbar School. Staff has been unable to locate the plaque and he is asking if there is anyone in the community who might have some knowledge on it.
 
Councilmember Odegaard thanked the staff and the Arizona League of Cities and Towns for their work with the conference. He learned a lot and appreciated the networking opportunities.
 
Mayor Evans stated that she attended the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference. She also received an update on the Veterans Home; she thanked Senators McCain and Flake for their help in making Flagstaff more successful in competing for funds. She also spoke with the Arizona Veterans Administration, they are excited about the progress Flagstaff has made and they are looking at trying to get a home in the Kingman area as well as eastern Arizona.
 
Mayor Evans complimented the Parks and Recreation staff for their work at the Old Town Springs Park. She encouraged Council and the public to visit the park.
 
Mayor Evans reported that Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Liz Archuleta conducted a tour of Flagstaff; she stopped at the Market of Dreams where City staff provided an update on projects happening on the east side of town.
 
Mayor Evans also reported that she was interviewed by Jeff Goodwill, a contributing editor of the Rolling Stones magazine. His interview was focused on the City’s commitment to taking meaningful action to address climate change, the community conversation on High Occupancy Housing, the concept of gentrification and the preservation of historic neighborhoods, and Flagstaff’s sense of place and how people of all income levels fit into that. She was one of several people interviewed and she is excited to see the final article.
 
Mr. Copley stated that the Work Session of September 12, 2017 would include a review of the FY18 Budget Calendar. He asked that Council be prepared to set dates for the various budget retreats and discussions that will need to occur. He will also be looking for direction from the Council on how they would like the retreats to run.