The Council, Board of Supervisors, and audience recited the pledge of allegiance and Councilmember Odegaard read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff.

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City of Flagstaff Comprehensive Planning Manager Sara Dechter and Coconino County Director of Special Initiatives Kim Musselman gave an update on the 2020 Census. The presentation was prepared by the US Census Bureau Partnership Specialist for Coconino, Navajo, and Apache County Kim Robinson. Ms. Dechter and Ms. Musselman shared the Census toolkit with the group. The presentation covered the following:

• 2020 Census Operational Timeline
• Phased Approach to Communications
• Sample Advertisement

Ms. Musselman shared that the Public Relations subcommittee was going with the message “I Count. You Count” and that the subcommittee has selected a public relations firm.

• Subcommittees
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Language
  • Rural Outreach
  • Business
  • K12
  • NAU
• Circle of Influence

Ms. Musselman shared that there was an opportunity for each person to make the Census “real” for everyone in their circle. They proposed doing a workshop in January or February to have a discussion on ways to communicate with constituents on how to talk about the Census. She also discussed the Fall 2019 Progress Report.

Supervisor Archuleta shared that the National Association of Latino Elected Officials has a website that could be a good resource.

Councilmember McCarthy asked Ms. Musselman to explain why the Census mattered. Ms. Musselman stated that the Census determined redistricting and legislative breakdowns for the state and stated that the funding allocated by population was a huge component of the Census that allowed for funding for roads, housing, and other programs. She encouraged everyone to find the area that was most important to the person they were speaking with.

Chairwoman Fowler shared the importance of the Census. She also shared the other avenues which people could register for the Census. Ms. Musselman added that they hoped to provide detailed information at their next meeting for areas where people could get access to the Census to ensure that they were counted.

Vice Mayor Shimoni asked about the possibility of a coordinator for social media. Ms. Musselman shared that they were looking into that.

Coconino County Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani and City of Flagstaff Public Works Director Andy Bertelsen provided an update on the Museum Fire incident and the flood mitigation efforts.

Assistant Fire Management Officer and Battalion Chief Jesse Causer stated that there was a quick and measured response to the fire and within the first hour and a half, the entire Newman Fire organization that was working on the fire by Lake Mary was able to be refocused to the Museum Fire and transition to the Type III team. They were also able to make an order for the Type I team quickly, especially since there were a lot of local members in the Type I team, so they were able to transition much faster than typical.

Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) Project Manager and Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Coordinator Jake Thomas spoke about the BAER implementation. They worked to reinforce the burned area against the damage from the next large storm. There are three phases to help mitigate storm damage that are being worked on: aerial mulching, trail stabilization, and road stabilization. The total cost for the road work is about $2 million and the work will reinforce the roads against the next damaging storm.

Supervisor Babbott asked that the fuels reduction and tree removal treatments overlay be presented to the FWPP crew and the community to help continue the support for building resilient landscapes. He also asked what had been done to educate the public on the efforts. Mr. Thomas responded that there had been open forums to educate the public and that there had been open and transparent conversations in the community. He stated that the crews hit non-traditional areas first where the most damage would occur. The ground-based activity ensured that any fuel cut would be removed. Mr. Thomas stated that there is a continuing dialogue with the public.

Councilmember Odegaard asked if there were water retention ponds planned for the burn area to prevent flooding. Mr. Thomas stated that he did not know of one from the BAER perspective because water retention is outside their scope.

Coconino County and Flood Control Engineer Christopher Tressler provided a presentation that covered the following:

• Museum Fire
• EOC Operations by Director of Emergency Management Todd Whitney 

Chairwoman Fowler asked if the reimbursement for the incident had been completed Mr. Whitney stated that the State should have an answer regarding reimbursement for the incident in the next couple of weeks. 

• County/City Emergency Operations Center
• One County Response with Statewide & Local Partnerships
• Flood Control District Flood Mitigation Experience
• Flood Control District Experience Applied to Museum Flood Response
• Museum Flood Area Mitigation
• Serious Flood Risk
• Museum Fire Flood Impacts
• Science-Based Approach to Flood Mitigation
• Flood Map
• Flood Mitigation Overview 
• Flood Mitigation: Barriers
• Flood Mitigation: Sandbags
• Vegetation Removal
• Mitigating Flood Debris
• Utilities Protection
• Museum Flood Mitigation
• The Power of Partnerships 

Vice Mayor Shimoni asked about the cost reimbursement and where the funds were coming from. Mr. Tressler responded that the funds are anticipated from DEMA and the reimbursement was expected to be about 75% of eligible expenses. Vice Mayor Shimoni asked about eligible expenses. Mr. Tressler stated that most of what was done was eligible, but some of the proactive measures may not be.

The presentation continued.

• Communications & Outreach Efforts
• Community Meetings
• Museum Fire Flood Area Webpage
• Information Materials
• Recent Communication to Residents & Property Owners

Vice Mayor Shimoni asked about the emergency notification link and where the videos were streamed. Mr. Peterson stated that the site was www.coconino.az.gov/ready and the videos were streamed on Facebook. Vice Mayor Shimoni asked about ongoing communications and storage of videos for future viewings.

• 2019: “Non-Soon”
• Flood Mitigation Recommendations
• Keep your Sand Bags!

Councilmember Whelan asked if the elderly would receive help with returning sandbags. Ms. Andreani stated that there would be assistance and that a volunteer effort would be provided to help relocate bags.
 
Supervisor Archuleta asked about replacing broken sandbags and if there are sandbags on site. Ms. Andreani stated that there were, and that broken sandbags could be taken to the King Street location and the public could secure new bags there.
 
Supervisor Archuleta asked if there would be assistance in covering bags and if there would be information available regarding what kind of plastic. Ms. Andreani stated that the information would be at the site and that if people need help, it would be available.
 
Councilmember Aslan noted how many hours staff put into the effort and expressed his appreciation. He asked about the watershed health and restoration if there were no heavy rains that summer or if that would just delay the crisis. Ms. Andreani stated that their experience showed that it would lead to a delayed crisis. She added that the steep slopes that were burned significantly would have impacts for up to another five years. The snow pack would affect the re-vegetation. North-facing slopes that held moisture in the Schultz Burn Scar had the most re-vegetation and it was a slow process.
 
Supervisor Parks asked about the mulching efforts and asked what kind of rain event would wash them off. Staff stated that they cannot be sure. Supervisor Parks asked if there was enough seed in that area to be beneficial to the mulching process. Staff responded that there were sprouts throughout the area.  

• Going Forward: Long-Term Mitigation
• On-Forest Measures
• Linda Vista Culvert Emergency Protective Measures
• Continuing Vigilance
• Discussion

Councilmember McCarthy asked if the mitigation efforts were left in place, how concerned should residents be that they would get flooding in their homes. Ms. Andreani stated that they developed the mitigation plan for a two-inch storm based on the Schultz Fire Burn Scar watershed impacts and the plan was developed for this. She added that if there is a larger storm, then there would likely be impacts. Vigilance was still necessary and she expected that there would be a flood event next summer.
 
Vice Mayor Shimoni asked if anyone has driven through high-risk communities to observe the mitigation efforts. Ms. Andreani stated that they had seen some degradation, likely due to vehicular impacts and other various impacts. Vice Mayor Shimoni suggested a “winter get-ready campaign” to reset flood mitigation efforts. Ms. Andreani stated that the intention was to do that before the monsoon season. Vice Mayor Shimoni asked if there was reseeding in the area. Staff responded that there was no reseeding in the area currently and there was no plan to reseed due to research showing that steep, windy slopes did not benefit from reseeding due to seeds washing or blowing away. They added that low-intensity areas have a substantial seed bank.
 
Councilmember Whelan asked about the parking areas with jersey barriers and if the questions should go to the Flagstaff Flood Control District or Public Works at the City. Staff explained that residents could reach out to either entity.

Supervisor Archuleta invited the Coconino County Deputy County Manager and Financial Officer Mike Townsend to the podium to recognize him for his 20-year contribution to the County. The City Council also expressed appreciation and well wishes to Mr. Townsend. Mr. Townsend thanked the Supervisors and Council for their words and spoke about his new direction.

Councilmember Odegaard expressed his gratitude for the partnership with the County. He stated that the way the fire was handled showed how strong the partnership between the City and the County was.

Supervisor Parks thanked everyone for their work on the Museum Fire and flood mitigation.

Councilmember McCarthy stated that he appreciated the County coming and that the County and City work well together.

Supervisor Ryan stated that the joint meetings were about the community at large and that working together allows for greater opportunities and ideas. He stated that it was important to recognize the people who worked on the Museum Fire.

Supervisor Archuleta recognized everyone who participated in the Museum Fire relief efforts and stated that she was proud of the way the two organizations pulled together to respond to the crisis. Councilmember Whelan added that it was an honor to work with everyone through the event.

Supervisor Babbott stated that he appreciated taking the time to recognize the work. He expressed that relationships drive the community and that both groups do a great job controlling what can be controlled. He spoke about the Mt. Elden Estates Homeowners Association meeting and stated the need to do a good job in getting info out regarding open trails and roads.

Vice Mayor Shimoni expressed gratitude for the partnership with the County. He was overseas in Israel when the fire started, and he was reassured that the crisis would be handled because of that partnership.

City Manager Greg Clifton extended his thanks to the Mayor and Chairwoman regarding the creation of the agenda.

County Manager James Jayne reiterated that the partnership between the City and the County worked well. He also stated that he was grateful to work with City Manager Greg Clifton and looked forward to working with him in the future.

Mayor Evans recognized Chairwoman Fowler for her work with the mental health and well-being of the people who were working on the fire. She stated that Chairwoman Fowler brought out a medicine man to bless the workers and the mountain during the fire incident.

Chairwoman Fowler stated that partnerships work, and that her district was also working closely with other communities and Representative Tom O’Halloran on a bill regarding the closing of the Navajo Generating Station. The bill was drafted by multiple parties and all the support received had been appreciated. She stated that the partnership between the City and County was special, and she thanked everyone for their work.

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