Others present: Interim Deputy City Manager Kevin Treadway and City Attorney Sterling Solomon.

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Eva Putzova to approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of April 3, 2018; Regular Meeting of May 1, 2018; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of May 1, 2018; Regular Meeting of May 15, 2018; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of May 15, 2018; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of May 22, 2018; Regular Meeting of June 5, 2018; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of June 12, 2018.; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of July 3, 2018; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of July 24, 2018; Special Meeting (Executive Session) of August 7, 2018; and Special Meeting (Executive Session) of August 10, 2018.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to appoint Tim Behrens to a term expiring 2021.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Eva Putzova, seconded by Councilmember Celia Barotz to appoint Ryan Martin to a term expiring 2020.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Vice Mayor Jamie Whelan, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to appoint Bert Crockett to a term expiring 2019.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Celia Barotz, seconded by Councilmember Scott Overton to appoint Jennifer Grogan to a term expiring 2022.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Eva Putzova to appoint Brian Semonian to a term expiring 2021.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Vice Mayor Whelan opened the public hearing.
 
Police Sergeant Collin Seay provided a brief overview of the four licenses.

Vice Mayor Whelan asked the owner of Alpine Pizza, Tracy Heirigs, about a prior employee as well as the five liquor violations from 2016. Ms. Heirigs stated that the person Vice Mayor Whelan is inquiring about is no longer an employee, he retired and sold the establishment to her. She explained that he comes around occasionally and they have addressed the incident. Ms. Heirigs stated that the violations happened before she took over the management of the business.

Vice Mayor Whelan closed the public hearing.

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to forward all four applications to the State with a recommendation of approval.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Celia Barotz to approve Consent Item 8-A.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Sergeant Seay provided a brief background on the off-track wagering application.
 
A written comment card in support of the Off-Track Wagering Facility Permit was received by David Auther.

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Celia Barotz to approve the Off-Track Wagering Facility Permit with J&J Equine Enterprises, LLC, dba Arizona Downs, located at the Museum Club, 3404 Route 66.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Eva Putzova to read Resolution No. 2018-40.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Scott Overton to adopt Resolution No. 2018-40.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Celia Barotz to adopt Resolution No. 2018-36.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Celia Barotz to read Ordinance No. 2018-26 for the final time by title only.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Vice Mayor Jamie Whelan to adopt Ordinance No. 2018-26.

Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously

Others present: Interim Deputy City Manager Kevin Treadway and City Attorney Sterling Solomon.

Uri Farkas addressed Council about NAU Athletics' renewed commitment to the community. There has been a lot of outreach in the community and this year soccer will be a free event for everyone. He invited the Council to the Sky’s the Limit kickoff event. It is a free event at the Orpheum for the public to participate in.
 
Marilyn Weissman addressed Council with concerns about the County’s intent for making snow at Fort Tuthill for sledding and allowing water to be used for recreation purposes. She requested that the Council request a future agenda item to discuss the issue.
 
Alyicyn Gitlin addressed Council with concerns about the County’s intent for making snow at Fort Tuthill. She would also like to see a future agenda item to discuss a policy on snow making to make determinations on when and how to use water.
 
Andy Fernandez addressed Council regarding water and recycling issues.

Human Resources Director Shannon Anderson explained that she is bringing back the fingerprinting ordinance because the Department of Public Safety (DPS) requested an additional sentence be added to the ordinance that clarifies that the City is using the information from DPS but will also be sending it to the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Moved by Councilmember Scott Overton, seconded by Councilmember Celia Barotz to read Ordinance No. 2018-31 for the first time by title only.

Vote: 5 - 0

Grants and Contracts Manager Stacey Brechler-Knaggs and Business Retention and Expansion Manager John Saltonstall introduced Rural Community Assistance Corporation CEO Stan Keesling and Director of Loan Funds Juanita Halstrom who provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

RCAC
RCAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AREAS
RCAC’S 13 WESTERN STATES SERVICE AREA
RCAC LOAN FUND
LOAN FUND PROGRAM AREAS
SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM
BUSINESS LOANS – GENERAL
WORKING CAPITAL LOANS
LINES OF CREDIT
TERM LOANS

Mr. Keesling stated that they will be working closely with the City Council and staff to identify opportunities for loans and expansion.

Councilmember Overton asked what types of industries they look for most often. Mr. Keesling stated that they do not have a specialty, they have worked with a number of different industries ranging from hospitality to commercial industry.
 
Councilmember Barotz asked what the budget of the organization is. Mr. Keesling stated that their operating budget is about $18 million on a yearly basis.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan asked for additional details about their marketing efforts. Mr. Keesling stated that they are in Flagstaff exploring and they will be doing further outreach and hope to build connections with the City, the County, and NACOG. They will also be meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and their members.

Associate Planner Carlton Johnson provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
2017 ANNUAL REPORT
WHY IS THERE A REGIONAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT?
WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE REPORT?
ANNUAL REPORT OBJECTIVES
ANNUAL REPORT ORGANIZATION
KEY INSIGHTS
            NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
            BUILT ENVIRONMENT
            HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
WATER RESOURCES
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
            COMMUNITY CHARACTER
            GROWTH AREAS & LAND USE
            TRANSPORTATION
            COST OF DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
            INDICATORS OF OVERALL COMMUNITY WELL BEING
            NEIGHBORHOODS, HOUSING & URBAN CONSERVATION
            ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
            RECREATION
WHAT METRICS ARE NEW, WITHDRAWN, OR MISSING?
MOST CITED GOALS IN STAFF MEMOS TO COUNCIL
REGIONAL PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY PLAN
OTHER CURRENT WORK
FUTURE PROJECTS
 
Councilmember McCarthy asked about the status of the High Occupancy Housing Plan. Mr. Johnson stated that the Plan is fully adopted and active, anything that needs rezoning related to high occupancy would be required to reference the Plan and meet the requirements and guidelines.

Interim Police Chief Dan Musselman stated that Council expressed interested in discussing the possibility of a safe lot program to provide services to those without permanent shelter, especially those individuals who own a vehicle or RV and do not take advantage of shelter options. Safe lots are defined as a safe place to park with restroom access, security guard, and social service resources.
 
Some people prefer vehicles, they offer a sense of privacy and safety. Current City codes limit the location and duration where persons can live in a recreation vehicle. Some communities that have instituted safe parking lots have experience feedback and concerns about the lots bringing in more noise, trash, and crime into the neighborhood as well as taking up parking spaces. Some communities have also seen public health concerns with increased hepatitis outbreaks. Flagstaff would also be susceptible to wildlife attraction and severe weather impacts. Additional costs for fencing, power, water, port-a-potties, dumpsters, and security need to be considered as well.
 
Housing and Grants Administrator Leah Bloom continued the presentation. Ms. Bloom stated that all of Flagstaff’s key agencies are participating in Front Door which serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Many of the people who have utilized the Front Door Program are now permanently housed.
 
The 2018 Point in Time count showed that there were 86 un-sheltered households in Coconino County; of that, 14 spent the night in vehicles, 12 of which were in Flagstaff. While some homeless advocates are opposed to safe parking programs there are others who are supportive, especially in areas that have a high number of vehicular homeless populations.
 
Councilmember McCarthy asked if there are other cities that have programs that have worked well. Chief Musselman stated that most of the articles that he found were negative including reports from those utilizing the services. It is difficult to know because most of what is reported only stems from something contentious. Ms. Bloom added that the programs did offer a safe place for people to park and sleep without fear of citation but there were a number of issues with trash, sanitation, safety, and people refusing to move their vehicles when required.
 
Councilmember Putzova asked if there is some kind of social service agency that deals with homelessness and studies the different models, not from the police perspective but from the social service side. Ms. Bloom asked Executive Director of Flagstaff Shelter Services Ross Altenbaugh to field that question along with any others from the Council.
 
Ms. Altenbaugh stated that Flagstaff Shelter Service (FSS) is the largest emergency shelter in northern Arizona and they serve all individuals. In 2014 the forest was closed and FSS agreed to provide shelter and resources to those exiting the forest. These people were immediately assessed by the Front Door Program and some were able to be permanently housed. FSS has a parking lot that allows people to park and sleep. There is a loss of connection with people experiencing homelessness by opening a parking lot. Front Door offers assistance much quicker than other options but in order for it to work people have to be connected to the programs. Instead of encouraging people to sleep in their cars, those resources should be directed to getting those people connected with the amazing services that already exist in the community.
 
Councilmember McCarthy asked Ms. Altenbaugh if her recommendation is to keep things the way they are now. Ms. Altenbaugh stated yes, getting people to where they can get access to services is key and having a program with people working together to get these people to solutions and services is the win.
 
The following individuals spoke concerning the development of a safe lot program:

• Emily Melhorn
• Jody Clements
• Thomas Isakson
• Norma Gallegos

The following comments were received:

• Change the Zoning Code to allow RVs on the street for more than five days per month.
• Allowing people to sleep in their cars allows them to save money and minimize fire risk.
• There are noise and littering ordinances that can enforce those types of concerns.
• Do not let those who behave badly ruin the possibility for safe options for others.
• Living in an RV has allowed me to save money, I could not have done that living in an apartment.
• This is not an ask to do more it is an ask to do less and allow sleeping in vehicles.
• Being placed in permanent housing is not a solution for everyone.
• Safe parking has worked in Santa Barbara since 2004.
• A parking shelter can be well run and it can be a pipeline for people to get access to other services.
• If people are in one safe place they are more likely to get the services they need.
• There are concerns with allowing a designated space for sleeping and living activities.
• There are great services available in town, focus and improve on those.

Vice Mayor Whelan asked how many people live in their vehicles. Ms. Bloom stated that the last Point in Time count showed 14 individuals or families living in vehicles. Ms. Bloom explained that there is a collaborative effort and the PATH program is a partner that goes into the woods seeking out RVs and campers to make sure they have life sustaining supplies. There is a large partnership with NAU for volunteers who walk through the parks and various areas around the community to ensure that the count is accurate.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan asked if someone goes through Front Door, gets the services they need and having a place to park their RV is all that they need, if there are options for them. Ms. Altenbaugh stated that when an individual indicates a need, they help get them there. The program is not designed to prescribe to people what they must do and how they must live, they work with all the different things that people want and need to be successful. They are not trying to put people in housing that do not want to be there.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that she would like to see the City explore, through contracting with appropriate agencies, a model that can be successful and integrated into the community. She would also like staff to explore a change in the Zoning Code; it is getting more expensive to live in Flagstaff and living in RVs may become the only option. In many cities, people are not so poor they cannot live but the housing is out of reach.
 
Ms. Altenbaugh offered that if someone is living or sleeping in a vehicle they meet the federal standard for homelessness and this type of program is keeping people homeless and in their cars, the focus needs to be looking more at ending homelessness. There is not enough money to end homelessness but the effort and services are there. Put funding in to services and housing development.
 
Housing Director Sarah Darr stated that there will be discussion coming to Council in the fall to discuss the continuum of care and what is happening in the community. She suggested that this topic could be included in that discussion.
 
Interim Planning Director Tiffany Antol stated that she could do some research on what other cities do with regard to RV parking in commercial and residential areas. There are some other areas that need to be addressed with this such as the usage of RVs for short term rentals like Air BnB. It will be a discussion about how far to open that door and what services will be provided and for how long. The City currently does not allow RV’s as a housing element on a residential lot. The more the Council can narrow down what they are looking for the more helpful it will be to staff.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that she is not interested in renting RVs or space to put RVs but instead removing the time frame restrictions and allowing people to stay for whatever period of time necessary.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that he does not think the focus should be on allowing camping in residential areas. He believes that it is more about small scale living in RVs in designated areas.
 
Four members of Council were supportive of moving the discussion forward to a future agenda.

Councilmember Barotz stated that there will be an item on the September 4, 2018 meeting to appoint an alternate for the FMPO Board if anyone is interested in taking on that assignment.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan reported that she attended the CJCC meeting and participated in two sessions of strategic planning to set goals and priorities. She also reported that she had two meetings with Growing Pains and the community at the Murdoch Center to discuss initial points given by community members and provide an update on what has been done and what can be set as goals moving forward.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan congratulated Erika Mazza for being chosen as the new CEO and General Manager of NAIPTA. She also congratulated NAIPTA for receiving a $2.9 million grant of which $2.2 million will be used for Kasper Drive.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan reported that she attended the North Country Health Care in celebration of National Healthcare week. She thanked the them for all the work they do for Flagstaff and the communities across Arizona.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan reported that the NACOG Regional Transportation Study is ongoing. It is a multi-agency effort to study what is already happening in transportation in northern Arizona and where coordination and attention needs to be to fill in the blank spots.

Councilmember McCarthy reported that he attended a Coconino County Board of Supervisors meeting about snowmaking at Fort Tuthill. The City has expended significant resources to foster a culture of water conservation and if potable water is used for snowmaking it would be counter to this culture. Councilmember McCarthy requested a F.A.I.R. item to have a conversation about snowmaking and other water uses.
 
Councilmember Barotz requested a F.A.I.R. item to discuss specific policies regarding the use of potable water for the use of snowmaking both inside and outside city limits. Specifically, a discussion about creating policy so there is clear guidance for future applicants.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that water policy and goals should be discussed during the next rate study so the water services rate can be accurately reflect permitted uses.
 
Councilmember Putzova requested a F.A.I.R. item to discuss the Council sending a letter to APS asking them to refrain from influencing electoral politics.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan requested a F.A.I.R. item to discuss the of the landfill and the organic waste that goes into the landfill.