CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
6:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.
Mayor Evans called the Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held September 24, 2019, to order at 6:01 p.m.
NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that, at this work session, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for legal advice and discussion with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).
2.
Pledge of Allegiance and Mission Statement
The Council and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilmember Aslan read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.
The Council and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilmember Aslan read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.
3.
Roll Call
Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon.
| NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| PRESENT: MAYOR EVANS VICE MAYOR SHIMONI (via phone) COUNCILMEMBER ASLAN COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY COUNCILMEMBER ODEGAARD COUNCILMEMBER SALAS COUNCILMEMBER WHELAN |
ABSENT: |
Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon.
4.
Public Participation
Public Participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on the prepared agenda. Public Participation appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end of the work session. You may speak at one or the other, but not both. Anyone wishing to comment at the meeting is asked to fill out a speaker card and submit it to the recording clerk. When the item comes up on the agenda, your name will be called. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone to have an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting and wishing to speak may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak.
Public Participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on the prepared agenda. Public Participation appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end of the work session. You may speak at one or the other, but not both. Anyone wishing to comment at the meeting is asked to fill out a speaker card and submit it to the recording clerk. When the item comes up on the agenda, your name will be called. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone to have an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting and wishing to speak may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak.
Paul Beier addressed Council representing the Friends of the Rio de Flag. He shared a handout with Council that showed an estimate of costs to compare ACE projects with the possibility of the City working on the Rio de Flag project on their own. He urged Council to evaluate the cost of a “Go-It-Alone” approach for the Rio de Flag project. He mentioned that the Army Corps’ plan does not include abetting the Southside flooding.
Jesse Rodriguez and Sarah Gometiz addressed Council regarding the Climate Strike. They submitted a citizen’s petition from the Climate Strike regarding the City of Flagstaff declaring a climate emergency and proposing that sustainability becomes a stand-alone department.
Jesse Rodriguez and Sarah Gometiz addressed Council regarding the Climate Strike. They submitted a citizen’s petition from the Climate Strike regarding the City of Flagstaff declaring a climate emergency and proposing that sustainability becomes a stand-alone department.
5.
Review of Draft Agenda for the October 1, 2019 City Council Meeting
Citizens wishing to speak on agenda items not specifically called out by the City Council may submit a speaker card for their items of interest to the recording clerk.
Councilmember Odegaard asked about item 8C regarding the Wedge. He mentioned that there is a section of Woody Mountain Road that has a wash during the winter and if the wash would be improved with the Wedge development. The Wedge had previously asked for a waiver regarding continuous improvement across their property line. Councilmember Odegaard would like to see the developer address the wash or learn if the wash is outside the property line.
6.
Proclamation: Hunger Action Month followed by Public Comment
Councilmember Odegaard read the proclamation and Monica Foss and Lina Wallen representing the Family Food Center accepted the award.
Ms. Foss addressed the Council and audience and spoke about the impacts of Hunger Action Month and stated that they are grateful for the community support.
Ms. Foss addressed the Council and audience and spoke about the impacts of Hunger Action Month and stated that they are grateful for the community support.
7.
Proclamation: Keep Families Free and Together followed by Public Comment
Mayor Evans read the proclamation.
8.
Public Participation
None.
9.
Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
Vice Mayor Shimoni shared that he went to the Arizona Forward gala in Phoenix where the Flagstaff Climate and Adaptation Plan received an award. Vice Mayor Shimoni accepted the award on behalf of the City.
Councilmember Salas reported that she is a member of the Workforce Development Board and their quarterly meeting was last Wednesday. She shared that there is a workforce placement location in Page to help assist people who worked at the Navajo Generating Station. She recognized staff who serve on the Board, such as Business Retention and Expansion Manager John Saltonstall. She also shared that she attended the Arizona Community Foundation’s Awards Ceremony.
Councilmember Odegaard shared that he went with Business Attraction Manager Gail Jackson to the International Shopping Centers Conference. He stated that it was very helpful and robust. He is hopeful that one of the businesses he spoke with will move to Flagstaff soon. He also thanked Council regarding their recognition last week regarding the IGA for the Fourth Street bridge.
Councilmember Aslan shared that he is the new liaison for the Sustainability Commission. He also shared that the Festival of Science is ongoing, and he attended the kick-off event at Lowell Observatory. He asked for a FAIR item based off of a discussion from the budget retreat about the formation of a commission that focuses on NAU students. Mayor Evans asked Deputy City Manager Dille if he could share information about the past Town and Gown commission. Mr. Dille stated he would look into it and distribute information to Council regarding the past commission makeup.
Councilmember McCarthy shared that he and City Manager Greg Clifton met with All Aboard Arizona to keep the Southwest Chief, the Amtrak route going from Chicago to Los Angeles through Flagstaff, running. He thanked the other staff members involved. He went to the Peace Day celebration in Heritage Square where he gave a demonstration on where the peace symbol comes from. He also attended the Science Festival in Wheeler Park.
Vice Mayor Shimoni added that he would like to see Councilmember Aslan’s FAIR item extended to other colleges such as Coconino Community College. He also asked for a CCR to be sent regarding the pension liability fund specifically around the payment plan and interest potential since there is confusion on if there is interest on that account.
City Manager Clifton thanked Council for their participation in the budget retreat. He also shared that he attended the Board of Supervisors meeting today.
Vice Mayor Shimoni thanked Council and staff for the great discussions at the Budget retreat. He shared that the video from the meeting will be posted online.
Mayor Evans shared that the weekend was very busy for Council. For example, she attended Constitution Day, Festival in the Park, and Peace Day, and that many Council members attended these events as well. She mentioned that she was on the Coconino Workforce Development Board and stepped down as a Board member. She shared that Councilmember Salas is now attending the meetings. Mayor Evans also stated that she attended the Arizona Mayors Education Roundtable addressing education crisis. She suggested that the Decision Theater at ASU could be a useful tool to solve issues. They are willing to bring the theater to Flagstaff for water discussions, budget issues, outreach problems, etc. since it is a versatile tool. She would also like Council to consider an initiative Mayor Rothschild from Tucson has been working with the Tucson Council to ask students who have dropped out of school to reengage with school. She would like Council to consider that and figure out how to work with Flagstaff Unified School District. Deputy City Manager Shane Dille asked if it would be a reasonable topic for the Alliance meeting. Mayor Evans asked if another Councilmember could attend the next Alliance meeting. She also requested a copy of Ordinance 2007-38.
Councilmember Salas reported that she is a member of the Workforce Development Board and their quarterly meeting was last Wednesday. She shared that there is a workforce placement location in Page to help assist people who worked at the Navajo Generating Station. She recognized staff who serve on the Board, such as Business Retention and Expansion Manager John Saltonstall. She also shared that she attended the Arizona Community Foundation’s Awards Ceremony.
Councilmember Odegaard shared that he went with Business Attraction Manager Gail Jackson to the International Shopping Centers Conference. He stated that it was very helpful and robust. He is hopeful that one of the businesses he spoke with will move to Flagstaff soon. He also thanked Council regarding their recognition last week regarding the IGA for the Fourth Street bridge.
Councilmember Aslan shared that he is the new liaison for the Sustainability Commission. He also shared that the Festival of Science is ongoing, and he attended the kick-off event at Lowell Observatory. He asked for a FAIR item based off of a discussion from the budget retreat about the formation of a commission that focuses on NAU students. Mayor Evans asked Deputy City Manager Dille if he could share information about the past Town and Gown commission. Mr. Dille stated he would look into it and distribute information to Council regarding the past commission makeup.
Councilmember McCarthy shared that he and City Manager Greg Clifton met with All Aboard Arizona to keep the Southwest Chief, the Amtrak route going from Chicago to Los Angeles through Flagstaff, running. He thanked the other staff members involved. He went to the Peace Day celebration in Heritage Square where he gave a demonstration on where the peace symbol comes from. He also attended the Science Festival in Wheeler Park.
Vice Mayor Shimoni added that he would like to see Councilmember Aslan’s FAIR item extended to other colleges such as Coconino Community College. He also asked for a CCR to be sent regarding the pension liability fund specifically around the payment plan and interest potential since there is confusion on if there is interest on that account.
City Manager Clifton thanked Council for their participation in the budget retreat. He also shared that he attended the Board of Supervisors meeting today.
Vice Mayor Shimoni thanked Council and staff for the great discussions at the Budget retreat. He shared that the video from the meeting will be posted online.
Mayor Evans shared that the weekend was very busy for Council. For example, she attended Constitution Day, Festival in the Park, and Peace Day, and that many Council members attended these events as well. She mentioned that she was on the Coconino Workforce Development Board and stepped down as a Board member. She shared that Councilmember Salas is now attending the meetings. Mayor Evans also stated that she attended the Arizona Mayors Education Roundtable addressing education crisis. She suggested that the Decision Theater at ASU could be a useful tool to solve issues. They are willing to bring the theater to Flagstaff for water discussions, budget issues, outreach problems, etc. since it is a versatile tool. She would also like Council to consider an initiative Mayor Rothschild from Tucson has been working with the Tucson Council to ask students who have dropped out of school to reengage with school. She would like Council to consider that and figure out how to work with Flagstaff Unified School District. Deputy City Manager Shane Dille asked if it would be a reasonable topic for the Alliance meeting. Mayor Evans asked if another Councilmember could attend the next Alliance meeting. She also requested a copy of Ordinance 2007-38.
10.
Adjournment
The Flagstaff City Council Work Session of September 24, 2019, adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
The Flagstaff City Council Work Session of September 24, 2019, adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
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MAYOR |
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ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK |