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CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVE
3:00 P.M.

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Daggett called the meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held March 5, 2024, to order at 3:03 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 regular meeting, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for discussion and consultation 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).

ROLL CALL

NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance through other technological means.

PRESENT:

MAYOR DAGGETT
VICE MAYOR ASLAN
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS
COUNCILMEMBER HOUSE (virtually)
COUNCILMEMBER MATTHEWS
COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY
COUNCILMEMBER SWEET

ABSENT:

Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, MISSION STATEMENT, AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember Matthews read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Vice Mayor Aslan read the Land Acknowledgement.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the City of Flagstaff is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Flagstaff City Council humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Public Participation enables the public to address the Council about an item that is not on the prepared agenda. Comments relating to items that are on the agenda will be taken at the time that the item is discussed. Public Participation appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end. If you wish to address the Council at today's meeting, please complete a comment card and submit it to the recording clerk as soon as possible. Your name will be called when it is your turn to speak. 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 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.

Mayor Daggett announced that she would be enacting a new protocol for open call to the public. The first open call to the public would be for a period of 30 minutes and then the remainder of the comments could occur at the second open call at the end of the meeting.

Jesse Ochoa addressed Council and stated that he would like the City Council to enter executive session to discuss matters related to human trafficking involving individuals over the age of 17 in the City of Flagstaff.

Dennis Givens addressed Council and advocated for funding jiu-jitsu training for police officers because it was beneficial for de-escalation, physical fitness, and mental health. He expressed support for increased police funding overall, community outreach programs to build trust, and opposed further military funding abroad

Tom Pearson, speaking on behalf of ten or more people, addressed Council and challenged the Sustainability Commission’s opposition to the Flagstaff First petition, which asked the City Council to reinstate wildfire, flooding, and drought as top priorities in the Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP), as they were in the 2018 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The current CNP largely overlooked those critical threats, despite recent devastating wildfires and floods across the city. There was a lack of a comprehensive, integrated strategy within the CNP and disagreed that the issues were already prioritized. He also denied accusations of climate change skepticism and clarified that the concern lied with the limited global impact of local carbon neutrality efforts without major changes from countries like China and India. He urged the Council to restore balance between climate mitigation and adaptation, warning that without making wildfire, flooding, and drought central to the CNP, Flagstaff remained vulnerable to escalating environmental threats.

Joan Harris submitted a written comment that stated climate is climate and we are not going to change it.

PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

Proclamation: Red Cross Month

Mayor Daggett read and presented the proclamation to representatives of the Red Cross.

COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

Councilmember House stated that the Housing Commission reviewed current homebuying trends and discussed potential options for a bond-funded homebuyer assistance program. The Commission on Diversity Awareness continued discussions on Flagstaff Pride’s proposal for colorful crosswalks, upcoming partnerships with NAU, and city proclamations. She also attended a vigil held by Flagstaff Pride in honor of Nex Benedict and stated that it was an honor to participate in that moment of solidarity. She also shared that she was being sworn in to the Arizona Commission on African American Affairs and that she spoke at a Black History Month event about the importance of local elections and civic participation.

Councilmember Sweet shared information about Mountain Line, including progress on the Downtown Connection Center and the new administrative facility set to open in 2025. She also announced a new grant to support construction of Phase 2, which would add bus lanes to improve passenger transfers.

Councilmember Harris attended the Women of Resilience Project reception, which honored 20 women from different decades who had made significant contributions to Flagstaff. The event, held in partnership with the Martin Springer Institute at NAU and Cultural Connections, provided an opportunity to engage with community members. Three honorees were present at the reception, and the display would remain open through the end of March.

Councilmember Matthews attended the Mountain Line Board meeting, where they discussed the budget, five-year plan, rising insurance and minimum wage impacts, and related mitigation efforts. She also attended the joint Water Commission meeting focused on water rate research and recommendations. Lastly, she attended a Coconino Plateau Water Partnership meeting centered on regional water resources.

Vice Mayor Aslan stated that the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council met, and they received an update from ADEQ and introductions to the new leader of the northern regional office. He also attended the Sustainability Commission meeting, where grant recipients from FY 22–23 presented outcomes of their projects. The commission discussed and voted on a recommendation related to revising the Carbon Neutrality Plan and explored ways to engage in the regional planning process. The Tourism Commission and updates were shared on events like the Chocolate Walk, the iHeart Pluto Festival, and the sold-out Diana Gabaldon event. He noted a presentation on the Discovery Center, announced Flagstaff’s sponsorship of the Planet Earth project, and shared excitement around the reveal of new Flagstaff film branding.

APPOINTMENTS

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 the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for the purpose of discussing or considering employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, salaries, disciplining or resignation of a public officer, appointee, or employee of any public body...., pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1).

Consideration of Appointments: Sustainability Commission.

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to appoint Noah Baker to a term expiring February 2027.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Mayor Becky Daggett, seconded by Councilmember Lori Matthews to appoint Rodger Scurlock to a term expiring February 2026.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Khara House to appoint Tom Lammie to a term expiring February 2025.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Consideration of Appointments: Housing Commission

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Khara House to appoint Kevin Bond to a Building and Real Estate Professional - Builder seat with a term expiring September 2027.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

CONSENT AGENDA

All matters under Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be routine. Unless a member of City Council expresses a desire at the meeting to remove an item from the Consent Agenda for discussion, the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion approving the recommendations listed on the agenda. Unless otherwise indicated, expenditures approved by Council are budgeted items.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Miranda Sweet to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Consideration and Approval of Contract: First Amendment to Contract for Services with TB Real Property Consultants, LLC for property acquisitions necessary for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Capital Project in an amount not to exceed $99,500.

Approve First Amendment to Contract for Services in an amount not to exceed $99,500 for property acquisitions necessary for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Capital Project; and
Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.

Consideration and Approval of Grant Agreement: Water Conservation Grant Fund Agreement with Water Infrastructure Finance Authority

Approve the Grant Agreement with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) Water Conservation Grant Program for the City's Nonrevenue Water Auditing Program for $136,000.00 (75% WIFA Share), with a minimum $45,500.00 (25% Non-Federal Share) match requirement; and
Direct the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Consideration and Approval of Cooperative Purchase Contract: Sport Surfaces Distributing, Inc. in the amount of $50,150.00 for the floor replacement of the high traffic areas at Jay Lively Activity Center.

Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract in the amount of $50,150.00 with Sports Surfaces Distributing, Inc. for floor replacement of the high traffic areas at Jay Lively Activity Center; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Consideration and Approval of Engineering Contract Change Order: Change Order #2 to WSP USA, Inc. in the amount of $243,441.40 for the Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement Project.

Approve the Engineering Professional Services Change Order #2 to WSP USA, Inc. (WSP) in the amount of $243,441.40; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Consideration and Approval of a Relocation Benefit: Approve payment of claim for a warehouse freezer for Kelly and Liberty Hanson as a result of being displaced by the Lone Tree Overpass Project

Approve claim for funds to purchase a warehouse freezer from Image Concrete LLC, in an amount not to exceed $368,000, with City Attorney to approve final claim form language

Consideration and Approval of Purchase Agreement: ZH Holdings Butler, LLC for exchange of real property of substantially equal value and purchase of property in the amount of $31,952.00 for the Lone Tree Overpass Project.

Approve the Purchase Agreement with ZH Holdings Butler, LLC for the exchange of real property of substantially equal value and for purchase of property in the amount of $31,952.00 for the Lone Tree Overpass Project; and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents

ROUTINE ITEMS

Consideration of Motion to Reject all Bids: Solicitation to sell a City-owned 12.52 acre parcel located off Silver Saddle Road in Doney Park; discussion and request for direction related to disposal of both the 12.52 acre parcel and a 9.26 acre parcel

Senior Assistant City Attorney Anja Wendel provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

KOCH FIELD PARCEL DIRECTION
VICINITY MAP
BACKGROUND
12.5-ACRE PARCEL
9.26-ACRE PARCEL

Council discussed zoning and development challenges for county land. There were questions about the county’s ability to rezone land for less than one-acre lots. Staff confirmed that, to their knowledge, zoning under one acre was not allowed in the county, which presented challenges for affordable housing development.

Council also discussed a financial obligation to return approximately $1.126 million to the trust, reflecting the city’s original investment and environmental remediation costs. Staff confirmed that no further remediation was needed for the parcels in question. Currently, the land was zoned rural agricultural and could be used for residential lots (at about 2.5 acres each) or farming.

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Lori Matthews to reject all bids from the 2022-126 solicitation for sale of a 12.52 acre parcel and issue an invitation for bids for the sale of the 12.52 acre parcel and the 9.26 acre parcel.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Consideration and Approval of First Amendment: Construction Manager at Risk - Construction Phase Services Agreement - Phase 2 - GMP 2 with Eagle Mountain Construction, Inc. in the total amount of $7,614,149.06 for the Spruce Wash Drainage Suite of Improvements Projects.

Capital Improvements Project Manager Eli Riesner, provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:

SPRUCE WASH
SUITE OF PROJECTS
AMENDMENT ONE – PROJECTS
AMENDMENT ONE – COSTS
AMENDMENT ONE – SCHEDULE
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Vice Mayor Austin Aslan to approve the First Amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) - Construction Phase Services Agreement - Phase 2 - GMP 2 with Eagle Mountain Construction, Inc. for the Spruce Wash Drainage Improvements Projects in the amount of $7,429,149.06 and approve an Owner’s Contingency of $185,000.00, which is approximately 2.5% of GMP 2, add 180 calendar days to the contract duration, and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance 2024-05: An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff authorizing the acquisition of real property for the Killip Inlet as part of the Spruce Wash Channel Improvements Project; providing for delegation of authority, repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, clerical corrections, and establishing an effective date

Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Miranda Sweet to read Ordinance No. 2024-05 by title only for the final time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE KILLIP INLET AS PART OF THE SPRUCE WASH CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT; PROVIDING FOR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Moved by Councilmember Deborah Harris, seconded by Councilmember Miranda Sweet to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-05.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

10.

REGULAR AGENDA

Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-08: An ordinance amending the Flagstaff City Code, Chapter 1-14, Personnel System by amending the Employee Handbook of Regulations, Section 1-70-030 Retiree Insurance; providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, authority for clerical correction, and establishing an effective date.

Interim Deputy Human Resources Director Jennifer Caputo presented a proposed amendment to the employee handbook to clarify changes to the city's retiree insurance program. Under the amendment, only employees hired on or before July 1, 2024, would be eligible for the city’s current retiree insurance through the Northern Arizona Public Employees Benefits Trust (NAPEBT). The change was part of a broader effort by the NAPEBT board to phase out its retiree insurance, as the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) now offered comparable coverage, including better support for retirees who become Medicare-eligible or live out of state.

A network analysis showed minimal disruption to care, and surveys of current and recent hires indicated retiree insurance was not a major factor in their employment decisions. Employees hired after July 1, 2024, would still have access to retiree insurance through ASRS, which offered several low- or no-cost benefits. The amendment did not affect current employees or retirees. Staff confirmed that the change applied only to retiree health insurance, not pension or retirement benefits.

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to read Ordinance No. 2024-08 by title only for the first time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, AMENDING THE FLAGSTAFF CITY CODE, CHAPTER 1-14, PERSONNEL SYSTEM, BY AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OF REGULATIONS, SECTION 1-70-030 RETIREE INSURANCE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, AUTHORITY FOR CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-07: An ordinance of the Council of the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Arizona (1) providing for sale and issuance of City of Flagstaff, Arizona General Obligation Bonds and General Obligation Refunding Bonds, in one or more series, and for the annual levy of a tax for the payment of the bonds; (2) approving the form and authorizing the execution and delivery of necessary agreements, instruments and documents related to the sale and issuance of the bonds; (3) delegating authority to the Mayor and Management Services Director of the City to determine certain matters and terms with respect to the foregoing as well as certain matters with respect to the bonds being refunded with the proceeds of the sale of the bonds; and (4) authorizing the taking of all other actions necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this ordinance and ratifying all actions taken to further this ordinance.

Management Services Director and City Treasurer Rick Tadder stated that the ordinance would authorize the issuing of general obligation debt, focused solely on financing rather than specific projects. It ensured appropriate cash flow for voter-approved initiatives from the November 2022 ballot.

The city planned to issue $30 million of the $57 million approved for wildfire suppression, stormwater and flood mitigation, and wastewater infrastructure. Rather than issuing the full amount up front, funds would be released in phases based on cash flow needs. Additionally, the city would issue $10 million of the $20 million housing bond to support affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. That portion would be taxable due to its partnership-based structure.

The ordinance also included potential refinancing of existing debt, which could save approximately $270,000 if interest rates remained favorable. All debt would be repaid through secondary property tax assessments, and the city expected to maintain its current tax rate of $0.800, as previously communicated to voters.

Moved by Councilmember Lori Matthews, seconded by Councilmember Miranda Sweet to read Ordinance No. 2024-07 by title only for the first time.

Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA (1) PROVIDING FOR THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES, AND FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF A TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE BONDS; (2) APPROVING THE FORM AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF NECESSARY AGREEMENTS, INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS; (3) DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE MAYOR AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR OF THE CITY TO DETERMINE CERTAIN MATTERS AND TERMS WITH RESPECT TO THE FOREGOING AS WELL AS CERTAIN MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO BONDS BEING REFUNDED WITH THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF THE BONDS; AND (4) AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF ALL OTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CONSUMMATE THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS ORDINANCE AND RATIFYING ALL ACTIONS TAKEN TO FURTHER THIS ORDINANCE

11.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS

After discussion and upon agreement by three members of the Council, an item will be moved to a regularly-scheduled Council meeting.

Future Agenda Item Request (F.A.I.R.): A request by Councilmember McCarthy to place on a future agenda a discussion to consider a resolution in support of the aid bill for Ukraine to be sent to the CIty's congressional delegation.

Councilmember McCarthy stated that the country had a long history of defending freedom and fighting fascism. Ukraine, the largest European country after Russia, was currently under attack by Russia and he stressed the need to continue supporting a free Europe by sending supplies to Ukrainian defenders. He referenced past mistakes when nations ignored Nazi aggression in the 1930s, underscoring the importance of acting now to prevent further aggression. He noted strong bipartisan support in the Senate for an aid bill to Ukraine but expressed concern that the House might reject it. He urged Council to send a resolution to Congress in support of the aid bill.

Council shared broad agreement on the importance of aid but had differing views on their role. Concerns were expressed about staying focused on local issues and avoiding politically charged national debates. Other concerns referenced the challenge of addressing global conflicts selectively and whether the Council should act on all such issues. It was suggested that councilmembers could send individual letters of support to Congress as an alternative so Council could remain within their local responsibilities while still showing personal support for aid to Ukraine.

There was not requisite Council support to advance the item to a future agenda for discussion.

12.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Certain remarks were made during Public Participation that could be considered offensive or objectionable. A summary of remarks made by Rex Yuden, Jim Conley, and Albert (no last name given) are summarized below.

A speaker stated that Council should pass a resolution to declare April as White History Month. He was concerned about demographic changes due to immigration since 1965. They argued that increasing diversity had led to social division and declining birth rates among white populations and suggested that white people would become a minority in the near future. The speaker emphasized a need to acknowledge and respect the heritage of European Americans as foundational to the nation.

A speaker expressed opposition to supporting foreign aid, specifically to Ukraine and Israel. They criticized the idea of using taxpayer money to fund foreign wars while many Americans were struggling with basic living expenses. They argued that the Council was not representing the interests of Flagstaff residents but instead advancing personal agendas, calling the resolution offensive and unacceptable.

A speaker delivered an extremist statement promoting white supremacist ideology, Holocaust denial, and antisemitic conspiracy theories. The remarks included praise for Adolf Hitler, calls for racial separation, and denial of documented historical events.

Dennis Givens addressed Council and shared hope for respect and humanity for all people.

13.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS

None

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The Regular Meeting of the Flagstaff City Council held March 5, 2024, adjourned at 4:38 p.m.

_____________________________________
MAYOR

ATTEST:

_____________________________________
CITY CLERK

CERTIFICATION

I, STACY SALTZBURG, do hereby certify that I am the City Clerk of the City of Flagstaff, County of Coconino, State of Arizona, and that the above Minutes are a true and correct summary of the Meeting of the Council of the City of Flagstaff held on March 5, 2024. I further certify that the Meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

DATED this 26th day of August, 2025

________________________________________
CITY CLERK