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

John Viktora addressed Council about the recent border wall resolution and freedom of speech.
 
Carrie Heinonen addressed Council in support of NAU and their contributions to the Museum of Northern Arizona.
 
Jeff Hall addressed Council also in support of NAU and the relationship and collaboration that they have with Lowell Observatory.
 
Scott Hathcock addressed Council in support of NAU and their partnership with NACET. Half of the interns at NACET come from NAU and they offer exceptional work.
 
Goia Woods addressed Council in support of the resolution against the border wall and offered appreciation for the words spoken at the Women’s March.

Northern Arizona University President Dr. Rita Cheng joined the Mayor and Council at the dais.

The NAU Men’s Cross Country team came forward to be recognized by the City Council and President Cheng.
 
President Cheng thanked the City for the invitation to join the Council for a joint meeting. She introduced Coach Mike Smith who was honored as the National Men’s Coach of the Year. She stated that the team won it’s second National Championship last November and their success is due to the exceptional students and team members as well as training. She recognized High Altitude Training and their partnership with NAU to aid in the necessary training for the team.
 
Coach Smith offered that the team is very fortunate to have the opportunity to train directly in the community on the FUTs trails and there are no athletes more prepared than those who train here. In addition to being a great team, the men do a great job in the classroom as well with an average GPA above 3.0.
 
Coach Smith then introduced Assistant Coaches Becca Deloache and Jarred Cornfield and the Men’s Cross Country team members.
 
Matt Baxter, Geordie Beamish, Cade Burks, Tyler Day, Joey Defeo, Blaise Ferro, James Fitzgerald, Elliot Gindi, Cory Glines, Luis Grijalva, Kyle Havriliak, Soren Knudsen, Ryan Lanley, Peter Lomong, Harvey Nelson, Beau Prince, Jack Shea, Andrew Trouard and Ryan Wolff.
 
Mayor Evans thanked the team and offered that the City is proud of how they represent the City of Flagstaff.

Mayor Evans welcomed President Cheng and staff for attending the meeting. She stated that she would like the meeting to be an annual event for the City of Flagstaff and NAU. She then offered a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the great work and partnerships the City and NAU have.
 
NAU HOMECOMING WEEK PARADE
RIO DE FLAG FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT
MEXICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
OFF-CAMPUS LIFE AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON
ARIZONA MEXICO COMMISSION 2018 SUMMIT
OTHER CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PARTNERSHIPS

President Cheng thanked the City for inviting them to come. NAU has the pleasure of working with the City on many issues and the staff has always been very collaborative and dedicated to problem solving and problem recognition. President Cheng introduced Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Joanne Keene, Vice President for Capital Planning and Campus Operation Dan Okoli, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Jane Kuhn, Assistant to the President for Executive Communication and Media Relations Kim Ott and Director of Alumni Engagement Stephanie Smith.
 
President Cheng provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED & LOCALLY VITAL
ONE OF THE BEST COLLEGE TOWNS IN THE NATION
BEST OF…
NEIGHBORS AND PARTNERS
TOGETHER
LOOKING BACK
LOOKING FORWARD
THANK YOU

Assistant to the City Manager Caleb Blaschke introduced City of Flagstaff/NAU Neighborhood Liaison Valeria Chase and Director of Student Life Kevin Gemoets.

Ms. Chase introduced herself and provided a PowerPoint Presentation that covered the following:

6-MONTH WORK PLAN
KEY PRIORITIES
OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION
ESTABLISH COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
BUILD STUDENT-NEIGHBOR CONNECTIONS
CONTACT INFORMATION

Capital Improvements Manager James Duval provided a PowerPoint Presentation that covered the following:
 
RIO DE FLAG STORM WATER PROJECT UPDATE
100-YEAR FLOOD IMPACT
PROJECT AREA
RECENT EVENTS
PATH FORWARD
 
Councilmember Barotz asked about the RSOQ and what it is for. Mr. Duval stated that it is part of a public relations campaign; the goal is to find a firm to help with the message to the community about why the project is needed, why it is important and the funding needs.
 
Councilmember Barotz offered that the earlier meeting discussed the options for paying for the project. President Cheng offered that NAU appreciated the opportunity to go out into the field and see the areas that would be impacted with a 100 year flood. NAU is a large water user and a large partner with the City. They are included in the recent stormwater fee increases and they do have sales tax revenues from some of their business operations. If the City chooses a sales tax option for funding then NAU will be a partner in that aspect as well. She added that if there are opportunities for NAU to voice support outside the financial piece they will use their government relations to do that.
 
Councilmember Odegaard indicated that 25% of the university would be affected by a flood and asked if there could be any chance of funding from the Board of Regents to assist in the project. President Cheng stated that she does not have any answers at this time, but indicated that the state funds that go to the university are to support the education efforts of the community. NAU is self-insured so the Risk Management Department may be an option to pursue.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that there will come a time where the City will need some help lobbying for the project. The City has been successful thus far but would appreciate NAU contributing in the lobbying efforts to help get the funding and support from the federal government.

Capital Improvements Engineer Bret Peterson provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
COF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
A – ADVANCED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
B – FOUNTAINE WATER AND SEWER
C – FRANKLIN & SAN FRANCISCO TRAFFIC SIGNAL
D – LONE TREE FUTS TRAIL – NAU ACCESS TRAIL
E – MILL TOWN (P3)
 
President Cheng asked if it has been determined when ADOT will be moving. Mr. Peterson stated that there is no date set yet. The developer needs to accommodate the reconstruction of the Harkins building in order for ADOT to be moved.
 
Councilmember Barotz asked about the pedestrian tunnel. City Engineer Rick Barrett stated that the pedestrian tunnel is part of the zoning case, the traffic impact analysis and the site plan review. Depending on the outcome of the zoning case there will be a better understanding of the timeline.
 
F – LONE TREE PEDESTRIAN PATH AND WATERLINE
 
Vice Mayor Whelan stated that at one point there was concern about the safety of the kids walking to Kinsey School because there are no sidewalks. She asked if the pedestrian path would provide that safety for students. Mr. Copley explained that one of the reasons the City did the delineation for the parking was because there are no sidewalks on the west side and the students did not want to cross the street and it meant that they had to walk into the roadway to go around the cars. There is a lot of use in that field so the City will have to work with NAU and Kinsey School about the kinds of parking amenities that might be needed for weekend users.
 
G – PINE KNOLL FUTS TRAIL
 
President Cheng thanked the City for the work on the trail. The south side of the Pine Knoll entrance was completed last year because parents and students were having to walk in cinders, snow, ice and puddles and the trail further aids those efforts. She added that NAU is looking at improving the walkability of the rest of Pine Knoll by expanding sidewalks.
 
H – MCCONNELL SIDEWALK (ADOT)
I – ZUNI
 
Councilmember Odegaard noted that the staging area on Lake Mary Road was cleaned up beautifully and it looks great.
 
J – JOHN WESLEY POWELL – SPECIFIC PLAN

Mr. Okoli provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECTS
HONORS HALL
RECITAL HALL
DUBOIS SOUTH DINING RENOVATION
SCIENCE ANNEX
SKYVIEW RESIDENCE APARTMENTS
 
Vice Mayor Whelan asked if there is any plan for family housing on campus. Ms. Kuhn stated that there is family housing on south campus and the demand has really ebbed and flowed over the last few years. The priority always goes to families seeking residence but currently the majority of residents in those areas are upper classman. There are currently no plans to add additional family housing because the demand has been low over the last 10 years.
 
Councilmember Odegaard asked how NAU ranks in terms of housing students. Ms. Kuhn explained that NAU ranks in the top 1% by the International Association of College and University Housing. NAU currently houses about 47% of the students that come to the Flagstaff campus. President Cheng added that the housing has been fairly consistent over time and it is at a high now at 47%.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan asked if the new developments on campus have to go through the City development process. Mr. Okoli stated that NAU does not go through the City process; they do their own inspections through the campus but they always work with City staff on all projects. President Cheng offered that NAU guidelines are state guidelines and the collaboration between the City and NAU is to understand and address the impacts on sewer and electricity. Mr. Copley added that NAU also pays sales tax and construction tax.

Councilmember Odegaard thanked President Cheng and the staff from NAU for attending stating that the joint meeting is all about creating transparency in the community.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan stated that it is an honor to have NAU at the dais. She offered appreciation for the willingness that the City and NAU have to work through some misconceptions and great ideas. NAU and the City rely heavily on each other and to have this kind of communication is great.
 
Councilmember Barotz also thanked NAU for coming and being a part of the meeting. She also reported that she and Vice Mayor Whelan attended the Commission on Disability Awareness meeting and had a good conversation about their efforts to rename the Commission.
 
Councilmember Overton thanked NAU for coming. He stated that the things that are happening on campus are great for the community. He offered thanks on behalf of transit and the improvements that have been made with Route 10 and moving the community and students efficiently through campus. As the City tries to tackle all the transportation challenges, the university will be an important piece to those efforts.
 
Mr. Copley stated that almost every City staff person that presented tonight is a proud alum of NAU; there are many NAU colors flowing in the City of Flagstaff.
 
President Cheng thanked the City for the invitation to participate in the meeting and she is pleased to be here and take part. She also thanked the City for its support and recognition of NAU’s contribution to the community. She looks forward to addressing the issues that a large campus means to the community.
 
Mayor Evans stated that she, Vice Mayor Whelan, Mr. Copley and Mr. Blaschke attended the Governors Budget Overview which was very informative. Today she met with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to provide an overview of the City’s state and legislative priorities.
 
Mayor Evans thanked President Cheng and her staff for attending and participating in the meeting. She also offered thanks to Rich Bowen for his partnership with the City.