Others present: City Manager Barbara Goodrich and Senior Assistant City Attorney Christina Rubalcava

Mayor Evans called for a moment of silence in honor of former Streets Superintendent Mike O’Connor.
 
Steve Finch addressed the City Council concerning the Rio de Flag and the need for the City to have a contingency plan without the assistance of the Army Corp of Engineers.

Community Design & Redevelopment Manager Mark DiLucido addressed Council and asked for consideration and direction on a policy for the display of private art at City Hall. This is coming forward now because there has been an increase in requests and having standards and parameters in place would be helpful. He suggested a policy that is similar to the one that is in place for the library.
 
A majority of Council agreed that having a policy would be good and gave direction to bring back a draft policy for consideration and possible approval.

Water Conservation Manager Tamara Lawless introduced Lisa Maddaus of Maddaus Water Management, Inc. who has been the consultant on the strategic plan.

Ms. Lawless provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
OVERVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN
WATER RESOURCES PLANNING GRAPH
FLAGSTAFF OVERALL WATER CONSUMPTION (PAST 5 YEARS)
SINGLE FAMILY GALLONS PER DAY PER ADDRESS
CURRENT – PHASE 2 – MEASURE SELECTION
ACTION CATEGORY POSTERS
            WATER USED OUTSIDE
            GOVERNMENT CONSERVATION
            EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
            POLICIES AND ORDINANCES
            BUSINESS CONSERVATION
            WATER SAVING TECHNOLOGY
            RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION
PHASE 3 – SCENARIO BUILDING
PHASE 4 – DRAFT PLAN
CITY COUNCIL INPUT
 
Councilmember Barotz suggested including information in the plan about costs related to new measures.
 
Councilmember Overton noted that the plan is heavy on rebates and he has not always been of the mindset to put money into a rebate fund. He requested that staff work with the consultant to identify ideas that are not rebate heavy for inclusion in the plan.
 
Councilmember McCarthy suggested that there be a requirement in new residential and commercial buildings to have shower fixtures that control the volume of water being used.
 
Councilmember Putzova asked if there were other communities who have tried measures that target rental properties where the occupants do not have as much capacity to change fixtures. Ms. Maddaus stated that their plan is to bring case study examples from other communities. Those plans are typically focused on the activities the user and payer can use. It would require a release from the landlord but there are options available and that is something that can be looked at for possible options. Ms. Lawless added that the City provides water checkups for free, regardless of ownership status. This gives renters information that they can use to advocate to their landlord.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan indicated that she would like to see a focus on the water usage of City buildings and model the desired behavior. She offered the ideas of a rain barrel program or the xeriscaping of one facility each year.
 
Adam Shimoni addressed Council suggesting that the messaging be channeled through schools and social media to engage the youth more. He advocated for the City being a model to its citizens and lead the effort for change.
 
Mayor Evans requested that staff look at what can be done by way of incentives to residents and how to offset business improvements.

Public Works Director Andy Bertelsen introduced Solid Waste Director Todd Hanson who provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
 
A SUSTAINABLE SOLID WASTE FUND
OUTLINE
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST RATE ADJUSTMENT – 10 YEARS AGO
THREE RATE INCREASE OPTIONS ANALYZED
RATE INCREASE – OPTION 1
            RESIDENTIAL SCENARIO – 7.5% ANNUAL INCREASE FOR 5 YEARS
RATE INCREASE – OPTION 2
            RESIDENTIAL SCENARIO – 5% ANNUAL INCREASE FOR 5 YEARS
RATE INCREASE – OPTION 3
            RESIDENTIAL SCENARIO – 3% ANNUAL INCREASE FOR 5 YEARS
IMPACTS TO OTHER FEES
NOVEMBER 2018 RATES IN ARIZONA
HOW DO FLAGSTAFF RATES CURRENTLY COMPARE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – OPTION 1 – 7.5% ANNUAL INCREASE
REINVESTING IN BUSINESS
BENEFITS OF THE RATE PROPOSAL
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – OPTION 2 – 5% ANNUAL INCREASE
POLICY DECISIONS
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – OPTION 3 – 3% ANNUAL INCREASE
POLICY DECISIONS
OTHER POTENTIAL COST REDUCTIONS
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
 
Councilmember Barotz stated that she is supportive of the 7.5% annual increase for five years as it allows for the accomplishments of many of the critical things.
 
Councilmember McCarthy stated that rates have not been increase in ten years and he is supportive of Option 1 as well.
 
Councilmember Putzova expressed her support of Option 1.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan expressed frustration with the options stating that the decision is in contrast to recommendations of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. An increase of 7.5% is a lot over five years.
 
Councilmember Odegaard stated that over the last few months the Council has been approached with a number of requests to raise fees and sales taxes. He expressed disappointment with the timing  of the request and indicated that it should have come forward much earlier in 2019.
 
Councilmember Overton stated that the City is providing a service for a good price to the citizens and are probably doing too much for what is charged; he believes that the proposed cutbacks in service are reasonable. His biggest concern is with the Materials Recycling Facility and what recycling looks like in the future.
 
Mayor Evans offered that she understands the frustration on the timing of the request for an increase in rates but the recession caused a lot of things to be put on hold and they are unfortunately now catching up. It is difficult to balance regulatory needs with desired needs and what is willing to be given up. As the City moves forward balancing all those needs with the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan there will be important and difficult decisions that will need to be made.
 
Council gave direction to staff to move forward with Option 1.

Mayor Evans declared a conflict of interest and excused herself from the dais.
 
Councilmember Putzova stated that the item was brought forward before the election when there was a lot of money being spent by APS for ballot measures and other campaigning. The City facilitate APS’s monopoly in Flagstaff since people do not other options to consider for electric power. APS is spending resident’s money on lobbying, and campaigning is inappropriate. She requested that the Council submit a letter to APS expressing its dissatisfaction with the way APS revenues are being used to influence elections.
 
Councilmember Barotz indicated that she is supportive of the letter being sent.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan offered concern about policing agencies that the City has no jurisdiction over.
 
Councilmember Odegaard stated that he is not interested in using tax dollars to generate a letter that will not garner a response.
 
Adam Shimoni addressed Council in support of a letter to APS.
 
A majority of Council was in support of moving forward with a letter to APS.

Mayor Evans returned to the dais.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan stated that she has done some research on the use of organic products to extend the life of the landfill. She is requesting that staff bring back a discussion on the cost to implement a composting program.
 
Sustainability Manager Nicole Antonopoulos stated that this type of programming is included in the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
 
The following individuals addressed Council in support of moving forward with a composting program:

• Margie Goulden
• Adam Shimoni

The following comments were received:

• Too much food waste is thrown away.
• Not enough has been done to address food waste and alternative uses.
• Perhaps food waste could be collected and sold back to the community.

A majority of Council was supportive of moving forward with the analysis of possible programs.

Vice Mayor Whelan offered thanks to Parks and Recreation staff for taking action on the perceived fire danger in Thorpe Park.
 
Vice Mayor Whelan also reported that she has received calls and emails about predatory towing in Flagstaff and asked if there is any information available from staff. Ms. Goodrich explained that the research has indicated that it is a civil matter between the citizen and the towing company. She offered that the City Attorney’s office may be able to provide information in a confidential legal memo to Council concerning the matter.
 
Ms. Goodrich reported that the City is expecting its first snowstorm Thursday and Friday. She also reminded the Council that there is a Joint City/County Work Session on Monday, December 3, 2018.