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

Assistant to the City Manager Caleb Blaschke provided a brief overview of the resolution. He stated that the draft resolution includes the suggestions from Congressman O’Halleran and Representative Descheenie.
 
The following individuals spoke in support of the Resolution:

• Carletta Tilousi
• Alicyn Gitlin
• Roderick Putesoy
• Time Uqualla

The following comments were received:

• The Havasupai Tribal Council is in support of the Resolution.
• Appreciative of the City Council efforts to protect the areas around the Grand Canyon.
• Keep the 20 year moratorium.
• The area provides habitat to wildlife.
• Groundwater movement is complicated and often misunderstood.
• The Grand Canyon has sustained Arizona and it needs to be protected.
• There are still mines that can move forward even with the mining ban.
• Please pass the resolution.
• Supportive of the joint efforts with the Havasupai Tribe.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Vice Mayor Jamie Whelan moved to read Resolution 2018-06 by title only.

Vote: 6 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Scott Overton

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Vice Mayor Jamie Whelan to adopt Resolution 2018-06.

Vote: 6 - 1

NAY:

Councilmember Scott Overton

Councilmember Overton addressed item 13A requesting information regarding the engineering analysis and what is needed to accommodate the equipment necessary.
 
Councilmember Barotz addressed item 8B requesting more information about the waiving of the prior rent adjustments, the amount being waived, how it happened and what revenues are not being collected.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan also inquired about item 13A asking if there is any guarantee that the Sustainability Section will be able to be active members of the process.
 
Public Works Director Andy Bertelsen stated that staff will be prepared to address the questions for 13A at the next meeting. He added that there is an internal review team that Sustainability will be included in.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan inquired about item 8D and requested information about the past performance of the contract. She specifically would like to know how much the prior contract was and the breakdown for the costs. She would also like to know what the City’s intent is for the workers and the kind of work that is planned.
 
Councilmember Putzova added that she would like to see what the City can do beyond the IGA that can benefit the inmates, not just the taxpayers. Maybe the City can be a partner in providing future employment for inmates that provided work while they were incarcerated.

Current Planning Manager Tiffany Antol provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
DIRECT TO ORDINANCE ZONING MAP AMENDMENT FOR THE SWIFT TRAVEL CENTER
APPROVED SITE PLAN
 
Councilmember Odegaard stated that the rental car businesses do not have any car washing services nearby.
 
Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen stated that there are some washing services over by the AARF building; it is not a full car wash but a wash bay. There were prior discussions with the developer about the need for a car wash but they do not have plans for one at this time.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Trace Ward introduced Amtrak District Station Manager Martin Sobels and Superintendent of Operations and Customer Service Erik Smith and provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
FLAGSTAFF TRAIN STATION PRESENTATION
AMTRAK RIDERSHIP
AMTRAK AND CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AGREEMENT
AMTRAK LEASE AGREEMENT
TRAIN STATION FLOOR PLAN
PLATFORM
SIGNAGE
 
Vice Mayor Whelan indicated that while the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) may not want to add signage, the City could add their own signage on City streets. Mr. Ward explained that the wayfinding signage is between ADOT and Amtrak. Mr. Copley added that the City could facilitate and work with ADOT and other entities to explore options for signage and there is potential for signage to be place on City controlled streets. He will work with staff to identify where signage could potentially be placed.
 
Mr. Ward continued the presentation.
 
AMTRAK WAITING AREA
 
Mr. Smith stated that Amtrak is the thread and stitches keeping America together. Amtrak is proud to serve Flagstaff, with the closure of the Williams station they feel that they are better serving their customers.
 
Mr. Sobels stated that Amtrak has a formalized program for supplying signage and if there are jurisdictions willing to put them up they are excited to work with them. He is happy to work with Flagstaff on signs and other concerns or ideas.

Sustainability Manager Nicole Woodman provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
WATER SERVICES VULNERABILITY TO CATASTROPHIC POWER LOSS
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
WHY MUST WE PREPARE FOR POWER LOSS?
WHY WE MUST PREPARE FOR POWER LOSS?
VULNERABILITIES AND RISKS TO POWER LOSS
POLICY QUESTION
POWER LOSS SCENARIO
 
Water Production Manager Thomas Boylen continued the presentation.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR POWER LOSS SCENARIO
TECHNICAL CONSEQUENCES OF POWER LOSS SCENARIO
FISCAL CONSEQUENCES OF POWER LOSS SCENARIO
 
Councilmember Odegaard asked if the estimate of 44 hours of water available is accurate. Mr. Boylen explained that 44 hours is the best estimate based on usage; if there was an additional issue such as a fire, that number will be impacted. Water Services Director Brad Hill added that the 44 hours does not account for people filling bathtubs and stock piling water once they are aware of issues.
 
Ms. Woodman continued the presentation.
 
POLICY QUESTION – HOW VULNERABLE ARE WE WILLING TO BE?
COUNCIL DIRECTION ON POLICY?
 
Councilmember Putzova asked about the possibility of competing with other communities to get equipment if the City leases versus owning. Mr. Boylen stated that the generators are huge and the City has to get them here when needed. It is possible that the City could be competing for equipment regardless of a contract. He offered that there are pricing structures that allow generators to be kept on site.
 
Councilmember Overton stated that it is important to make sure that the generator sources are the best sources of power and if so, he is not interested in rental but rather purchase.
 
Mr. Copley asked for clarification of the generators at Wildcat. Mr. Hill explained that there are two generators at Wildcat for the wastewater treatment plant; the water production side has no backup generators in place.
 
Mr. Copley added that the collaboration between Sustainability and Water Services has been great and it has improved the presentation.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan asked Fire Chief Mark Gaillard to offer his perspective of the issue. Chief Gaillard stated that he worries about the potential issues that would arise from power failure. Water infrastructure is critical; there is one water system and it is critical to make sure there are redundant power systems. There needs to be a certain amount of self-reliance to be able to manage a power failure.
 
Councilmember Barotz indicated that a sustained minimal supply is most appropriate. Councilmember Odegaard also expressed a desire for a sustained supply.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that a minimum supply makes sense but asked how that threshold is determined. Mr. Hill stated that if the Lake Mary Water Treatment Plant is hooked up to two generators it can produce average day water.
 
Councilmember McCarthy asked the cost of the two generators and the ability to secure diesel fuel. Mr. Hill stated that the cost is somewhere north of $500,000 but no more than $1 million. Mr. Boylen stated that agreements can be made with Fleet Services for fuel and transportation; there are 1,000 gallons on-site and the Landfill has a 2,000 gallon truck so the City has the resources to move the fuel, it will be more of an issue about obtaining it.
 
Councilmember Putzova asked how this overlaps with the City’s climate change goals. She asked if there is any thinking about working on a micro-grid or power generation outside APS. Ms. Woodman explained that the current discussion focuses on the policy direction to help staff develop a well-functioning plan that can work given all the variables. There is a lot of work to do with community partners. This was something that was identified in the City’s Resiliency and Preparedness Plan and staff recognizes the nexus with energy efficiencies and power generation. It is on the radar and is something that will be continuously worked on.
 
A majority of Council supported Option 3, a sustained minimal supply.
 
A break was held from 7:19 p.m. through 7:29 p.m.

Comprehensive Planning Manager Sara Dechter provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
FUTURE WORK PROGRAM FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
WHAT FAR ITEMS WILL WE COVER?
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
THREE ROLES OF WORK PROGRAM
WORK COMPLETED IN 2016-2017
INTER & INTRA GOVERNMENTAL WORK FOR 2018-2019
PLAN AMENDMENTS
FAR ITEM – REGIONAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND REZONING FOR PROPOSITION 413
AREA MAP
COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON MCMILLAN MESA NATURAL AREA MAJOR PLAN
      AMENDMENT
OTHER COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON PLAN AMENDMENT PRIORITIES
SPECIFIC PLANS
OPTIONS FOR NEXT PLAN TO WORK ON
POTENTIAL NEXT SPECIFIC PLANS MAP
COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON SPECIFIC PLAN PRIORITIES
 
Councilmember Barotz stated that she believes the Regional Plan amendment along with the rezoning for McMillan Mesa should be completed sooner rather than later. If the City does not proceed with it, the maps will stay the way they are now. People will see an employment area that is not actually available for employment. Because 87% of voters approved Proposition 413 it is important that City documents reflect what the law is.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that there is no real danger for a developer to come into that area. In this case, nothing bad can come from it as it could in other cases. Other items should take precedent.
 
Mayor Evans offered that the maps need to be re-drawn to make sure they are correct and minimize confusion. Maybe this is an issue of resources in the Planning Department and Council can look at what additional staff is needed.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that the City needs to take the Regional Plan seriously. The City is implementing the will of the voters and the process needs to be finished and the documents updated. She would like to finish the process and respect the Regional Plan as a living document that is as updated as possible.
 
Ms. Dechter stated that with the current staffing level this update can be done along with another specific plan.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan stated that she does not think the answer is adding people to a process that clearly is not working. When Council gives direct statements, those things should be carried out in that priority but that is not always the case. She would like to go back and challenge the process of what is being heard from the Council and what leadership and staff are doing to accomplish it. The extended period of time it is taking to complete these tasks is not working.
 
Councilmember Overton asked how much time a Planner needs to accomplish these tasks. Ms. Dechter explained that it takes 50-70% of her time to work on the plan depending on the week. The goal is to always have a true consensus building that brings everyone to the table; that does not happen because a mailer was sent out but because staff are walking the areas and going door to door. This is not something that is easy to contract out and it is a service that is provided to the community.
 
Mayor Evans asked how many other Planners are in Ms. Dechter’s program. Ms. Dechter stated that it is just her. Mayor Evans stated that knowing the process takes up so much of her time, completion of the list is seven years out. So much can happen in that time and by the time staff gets to some items things may have significantly changed. Ms. Dechter stated that because of that, the prioritization exercise is so important so staff knows where to focus their time.
 
Council agreed to the staff presented Specific Plan as well as the McMillan Mesa Proposition 413 Major Plan Amendment.
 
Ms. Dechter continued the presentation.
 
FAR ITEM – INITIATE REGIONAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR HOH OVERLAY TO INDICATE
      WHERE COMMUNITY FINDS HOH ACCEPTABLE
FAR ITEM – HOH MAP
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that every time there is a high occupant housing (HOH) project in front of Council there is always resistance to the project. Rather than be reactive areas where the community finds HOH acceptable can be identified. Delaying the discussion makes the process more cumbersome for developers and the citizens. The map could provide a framework and a tool for Council to consider with rezoning requests.
 
Community Development Director Mark Landsiedel suggested that the map could be included in the HOH Specific Plan that is coming forward for discussion. Ms. Dechter stated that the map is based on the public input received through the HOH process. One of the issues that is very hard to address are the projects that pop up and then there is opposition. Staff’s recommendation is to do the map with area plans because there is generally better citizen attendance and input.
 
Councilmember Overton stated that the map is a reflection of community values. He is concerned about the purple areas which are areas of use by right and it is important to communicate to the public that these HOH developments can build in these areas. The map is a little misleading and the focus should be on zoning.
 
A majority of Council agreed that the map should be included with the HOH plan.
 
OTHER POTENTIAL WORK
 
Councilmember Putzova suggested that a similar analysis with modeling and visualizing should be built into the next Regional Plan process.
 
Zoning Code Manager Brian Kulina continued the presentation.
 
ZONING CODE WORK PROGRAM
WORK COMPLETED IN 2016-2017
CURRENT PLANNING
COUNCIL IDENTIFIED
OTHER DEPARTMENTS/DIVISIONS
PUBLIC
FAR – SIGNS IN ROW
 
Mayor Evans stated that she brought this FAIR forward because of what happened during the last election and renters not being allowed to display signs of their chosen candidate for fear of being evicted. The right of way is owned by everyone and if people are saying they cannot put up a political sign then it could be put in the right of way.
 
Four Councilmembers are not in favor of moving the item forward.
 
FAR – DESIGN STANDARDS
 
Vice Mayor Whelan stated that the reason she brought this FAIR item forward was because the community was getting projects that did not take on the community character or spirit. Given the solutions proposed and prior action already taken she does not feel that the item needs to be taken any further.
 
FAR – BUILDING HEIGHT
 
Vice Mayor Whelan indicated that this item is similar to the last in that the solutions proposed and prior action already taken will address the concerns and the FAIR needs to go no further.
 
FAR – RESOURCE PROTECTION CONSERVATION STUDY FORUM
 
Councilmember Overton stated that if the Resource Protection Standards are evaluated he would like to look at the 50% canopy requirement and how it applies to communities as they are developed and how it impacts building. A majority of Council agreed that the canopy requirement be reviewed.
 
Nat White addressed Council on behalf of the Conservation Study Forum. Mr. White stated that the Conservation Study Forum attended almost every Regional Plan meeting. Resource protection is an important part of the Regional Plan and sometimes the small things that do not seem important can have a great impact. We hope that this can be expedited as it fits with the other plans.
 
Mr. Kulina continued.
 
FAR – CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
 
Mr. Kulina explained that Conditional Use Permits are scheduled for a Council discussion in March.
 
TIA/TRANSECT RSOQ
 
Marie Jones with Stand Up for Flagstaff addressed Council and provided some recommendations for prioritizing. The public engagement process is inconsistent and not always meaningful; there is a fairly low expectation for public engagement right now and many discouraged people are disengaged. The RSOQ could be directed to improve the engagement process. There is a perception that engaging the public slows down the process and she would suggest it does the opposite. If the community is engaged much earlier in the process things may move through the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council much earlier.
 
Ms. Jones also stated that the idea of moving the remapping back until the Southside Plan is done is concerning. Council has identified that the map is an issue and there is a lot of agreement that the remapping could make a big difference. Also the implementation of a Design Review Commission is something that would not take much staff time to get started.
 
Rick Lopez also addressed Council stating that failure to plan leads to redundant work. For example, this summer Riordan Road was repaved and it will be torn up in the next few months to facilitate the new light for the Standard. Having strong discussions about the future transportation needs is important especially for the major transportation corridors that run down Lone Tree and Fourth Street that will have a huge impact on the neighborhoods. It would be a mistake to plan all the transportation and not think in synchronicity of the surrounding neighborhoods. There has to be a better way of figuring out how to prioritize things so there is continuity over time.
 
Charlie Silver addressed Council stating that there are differences between guiding documents and regulatory documents; the focus should be on the documents that really have some teeth. Stand Up For Flagstaff is recommending the preservation of historic communities, creating a Design Review Commission and recalibrating zoning maps.
 
Mr. Kulina continued the presentation.
 
2018-2019 WORK PROGRAM
REMINDERS
 
Councilmember Odegaard stated that he would like to see mapping be brought forward as a high priority as well as alleyways. Councilmember McCarthy agreed adding that it is frustrating that things take so long and there needs to be a way to get things done faster.
 
Mayor Evans stated that there is a lot of good work that is needed. Staff does not have the tools for adequate public engagement. Mr. Copley is working on rolling something out that will provide training for public engagement and she requested that Council have an opportunity to see what the program looks like. With regards to the money not being used for the RSOQ she would like to see it be applied towards a public engagement process and see who responds and what the proposals may be.
 
Mayor Evans also expressed a desire to recalibrate the zoning map as well as developing a Design Review Commission.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan requested a timeline to know how long it will take to have the community engagement processes set up and the mapping to be re-done. She asked that it happen within the first six months of 2018.
 
Written comment cards regarding the Planning and Zoning Work Plans were submitted by the following individuals:

• David Wilcox
• Dr. Barbara Phillips
• Tish Bogan-Ozmun
• Sat Best
• William Towler
   

A majority of Council was supportive of advancing the remapping of the Dowtown Regulating Plan, the development of a Design Review Commission and a Community Engagement Program.

Moved by Councilmember Charlie Odegaard, seconded by Councilmember Scott Overton moved to continue the meeting, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

Vote: 5 - 2

NAY:

Councilmember Celia Barotz
Councilmember Eva Putzova

Councilmember Barotz left the meeting at 10:18 p.m.
 
Mr. Blaschke provided a brief update on Dark Sky Specialty Plates and indicated that it should hopefully be in front of Council very soon.
 
Councilmember Overton stated that he was surprised to hear about the financial obligation and asked if there is a community group that has been discussing the funding. Mr. Blaschke stated that there are current discussions with the Dark Skies Coalition as well as the County. It is a $32,000 start up cost and the funds raised will go to ADOT for advancing dark sky lighting. Councilmember Overton stated that he does not believe City funds should be used to fund the startup. Mr. Blaschke explained that because ADOT has limited capacity for new licenses plates the new plate would not come out until December 2019. This gives the City time to work with its partners to determine funding.
 
Mr. Blaschke also reported that Representative Thorpe asked that the City support one of his bills regarding highway traffic in the left lane. He is proposing to increase signage along I-17 and other highways that tell drivers driving under the speed limit that they need to be driving in the right lane. Mayor Evans asked Mr. Blaschke to send the full language of the bill to Council for review.
 
Mayor Evans stated that she was contacted about HB2333; the bill has the possibility of limiting the City’s ability to limit home based businesses. Councilmember Overton stated that the League is opposing this bill. Mr. Blaschke added that the bill has been sent to staff for review and there are a number of things that go against the City Code. A majority of cities are opposed to the bill and the League has been successful with getting some of the language removed.
 
Councilmember Odegaard stated that he was at the ADOT Board Meeting and they were discussing their challenge with funding; he asked if there are any bills proposed for raising dollars for transportation. Mr. Blaschke stated that there are a few bills that were unsuccessful in the past that are being brought back this year that deal with HURF funding. He will provide those bills to the Council for review.
 
Lastly, Mr. Blaschke stated that the Veterans’ Home funding is still a high priority. He met with the Director of Veteran Affairs who indicated that she does not believe the funds will be swept.
 
Councilmember Putzova left the meeting at 10:27 p.m.

Councilmember Odegaard stated that he and Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization Manager Dave Wessel attended the ADOT Board Meeting where ADOT rolled out their five year plan. The plan included a 50/50 match for the Fourth Street Bridge and there is an IGA for design in 2018 and construction in 2020 that will be coming to Council for approval soon. He thanked everyone who was involved for their efforts in seeing this through.
 
Mr. Copley stated that the Work Session scheduled for February 27, 2018 will be moved to Monday, February 26, 2018 due to the departure of a few Councilmembers for the Washington D.C lobbying trip. Additionally, the Citizens Transportation Tax Commission meeting that normally would have been scheduled for Monday February 26, 2018 has been reschedule for Tuesday February 27, 2018.