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COMBINED SPECIAL MEETING / WORK SESSION AGENDA

SPECIAL MEETING / WORK SESSION
TUESDAY
APRIL 23, 2024

COUNCIL CHAMBERS
211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE
3:00 P.M.

All City Council Meetings are live streamed on the city's website
(https://www.flagstaffaz.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings)

***PUBLIC COMMENT***

Verbal public comments not related to items appearing on the posted agenda may be provided during the "Open Call to the Public" at the beginning and end of the meeting and may only be provided in person.

Verbal public comments related to items appearing on the posted agenda may be given in person or online and will be taken at the time the item is discussed.

To provide online verbal comment on an item that appears on the posted agenda, use the link below.

ONLINE VERBAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Written comments may be submitted to publiccomment@flagstaffaz.gov. All comments submitted via email will be considered written comments and will be documented in the record as such.

Call to Order

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 special 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.

MAYOR DAGGETT
VICE MAYOR ASLAN
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS
COUNCILMEMBER HOUSE

COUNCILMEMBER MATTHEWS
COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY
COUNCILMEMBER SWEET

Pledge of Allegiance, Mission Statement, and 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.

Proclamation: Administrative Professionals Day

Consideration and Approval: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests and Federal Lobbying Trip to DC Materials

Approve the 2024 Federal Lobbying Packet and retroactively approve the Congressionally Directed Spending Requests.

Adjournment

WORK SESSION

Call to Order

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 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).

Open Call to the Public

Open Call to the Public 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. Open Call to the Public appears on the agenda twice, at the beginning and at the end. The total time allotted for the first Open Call to the Public is 30 minutes; any additional comments will be held until the second Open Call to the Public.

If you wish to address the Council in person 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 Open Call to the Public and Public Comment. 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.

City Manager Report

Information Only

Discussion and Direction on City Seal/Logo

Direct Staff to convene a working group and begin work on project in coordination with NAU VisualDESIGNLab

Proposed Relocation of Arizona Materials to adjacent BNSF Railway Parcel

Discussion and receive comments from the Council and the public.

Bed, Board, and Booze (BBB) Tax Renewal & Related Code Change Discussion

Inform the Council and public about the upcoming BBB Tax Renewal ballot measure, share the components of the informational outreach, as well as discuss recommended code changes related to the role of Commissions and Economic Development programs.

Initial Discussion of the Draft Economic Development Strategic Plan

Hear a presentation from Stiletto: Make A Point (Stiletto), the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan consultant, as well as from City staff. Provide questions, feedback and guidance on the direction of the draft plan.

Emergency Management Briefing - Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

Discuss with the Mayor and Council how Arizona Public Safety (APS) PSPS events will work and the impact it will have on the city in the immediate and long term.

Open Call to the Public

10.

Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests

11.

Adjournment

CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted at Flagstaff City Hall on                , at                    a.m./p.m. in accordance with the statement filed by the City Council with the City Clerk.

Dated this                   day of                                          , 2024.

__________________________________________
Stacy Saltzburg, MMC, City Clerk

THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF ENDEAVORS TO MAKE ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. With 48-hour advance notice, reasonable accommodations will be made upon request for persons with disabilities or non-English speaking residents. Please call the City Clerk (928) 213-2076 or email at stacy.saltzburg@flagstaffaz.gov to request an accommodation to participate in this public meeting.

NOTICE TO PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS: Parents and legal guardians have the right to consent before the City of Flagstaff makes a video or voice recording of a minor child, pursuant to A.R.S. § 1-602(A)(9). The Flagstaff City Council meetings are live-streamed and recorded and may be viewed on the City of Flagstaff's website. If you permit your child to attend/participate in a televised Council meeting, a recording will be made. You may exercise your right not to consent by not allowing your child to attend/participate in the meeting.

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

Co-Submitter:

Sarah Langley

Co-Submitter:

Sarah Langley

Date:

04/16/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE:

Consideration and Approval: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests and Federal Lobbying Trip to DC Materials

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the 2024 Federal Lobbying Packet and retroactively approve the Congressionally Directed Spending Requests.

Executive Summary:

Congressionally Directed Spending Requests provide limited amounts of funding for specific projects not funded through regular appropriations and are similar to small grants. Congressionally Directed Spending Requests are also open to Arizona local governments, universities, community colleges, and some state organizations with a very quick turnaround time for submission to our Congressional Representatives. The 2024 Federal Lobbying Packet for the trip to Washington, DC has been created through work with our Federal Lobbyists, City Staff, and City Leadership.

In connection with the Water Services Strategic Plan, City staff will plan to include a one-page overview of the Red Gap Ranch Regional Pipeline Project within the lobbying packet. During the lobbying trip, staff and council members will briefly mention ongoing water settlement efforts and bring their attention to the one-page document and the importance of the project to the City.

Financial Impact:

None.

Policy Impact:

None.

Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:

None.

Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:

None.

Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:

The Flagstaff City Council decided on the Key Community Priorities and Objectives as well as priorities for state and federal lobbying last year. The federal lobbying packet and the Congressionally Directed Spending Requests reflect those priorities and objectives.

Connection to Regional Plan:

None

Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:

Healthy Forests and Open Spaces

HF-1 Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces.
HF-2 Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3 Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.
HF-4 Support innovation in the forest health and wildland fire sectors.
HF-5 Encourage diverse native plant ecosystems in the built environment.
HF-6 Proactively manage for expected ecosystem transitions, including the potential threats to ponderosa pine forests.

Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:

Create housing options for households at all income levels and family sizes occupied by local residents.
Connect people to equitable housing solutions.
Preserve affordable housing.

Attachments:

Presentation

Draft DC Schedule

2024 Federal Lobbying Packet

Congressioanlly Directed Spending Requests

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

Stacy Saltzburg, City Clerk

Date:

04/18/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE:

City Manager Report

DESIRED OUTCOME:

Information Only

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

These reports will be included in the City Council packet for regularly scheduled Work Session meetings. The reports are intended to be informational, covering miscellaneous events and topics involving the City organization.

INFORMATION:

Attachments:

City Manager Report

Annual Flood Risk Notice

Sustainability Monthly Report

IT Quarterly Report

Water Services Quarterly Report

Economic Vitality Monthly Report

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

Date:

04/16/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE:

Discussion and Direction on City Seal/Logo

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Direct Staff to convene a working group and begin work on project in coordination with NAU VisualDESIGNLab

Executive Summary:

This presentation seeks to provide limited background on the logo used by the City of Flagstaff and to recommend a process by which the logo could be redesigned in partnership with the NAU VisualDESIGNLab.

Financial Impact:

None.

Policy Impact:

If approved, this item would begin a process by which a proposal for a City logo would be created. If that design is approved by the council in the future, it will be codified into the City Code as such.

Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:

This FAIR Item was previously discussed at the January 23, 2024 Council Work Session. This item ended with Council directing staff to do further research on the project and present a single recommendation on how to proceed.

Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:

As discussed previously on this topic, alternative actions which are not currently recommended by City Staff include the following:
1. Redesign using a hired design firm
2. Redesign internally
3. Redesign through public-first process where members of the public could submit their own original designs

Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:

None

Connection to Regional Plan:

None

Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:

None

Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:

None

Attachments:

2024.04.23 - City Seal, Logo Presentation to Council

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

Anja Wendel, Senior Assistant City Attorney AW

Co-Submitter:

Bryce Doty

Date:

04/17/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE

Proposed Relocation of Arizona Materials to adjacent BNSF Railway Parcel

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Discussion and receive comments from the Council and the public.

Executive Summary:

Arizona Materials operates a concrete batch plant at 633 E. Brannen Avenue in the Southside (north of Butler Avenue). The City needs to acquire the property for the construction of the Lone Tree Overpass and the Rio de Flag Flood Control Projects. The City is committed to providing relocation assistance to Arizona Materials in accordance with the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act (Uniform Relocation Act). As part of the relocation efforts, the City and Arizona Materials both have been searching for a suitable relocation site for over three (3) years. Arizona Materials requires industrial zoning, at least 2.5 acres of land, and seeks a central location to serve its customers without increased transportation and operational costs. The City is not required to guarantee that a suitable relocation site has been found, but is required to assist in finding such a site. The City has filed a condemnation proceeding against Arizona Materials to acquire its property, but has deferred efforts to obtain a court order for immediate possession of the Arizona Materials property, in an effort to avoid putting Arizona Materials out of business in Flagstaff and to avoid additional costs and risks of litigation.

The City also needs to acquire property from BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) for Lone Tree Overpass and Rio de Flag Flood Control Projects. BNSF Railway is proposing that the City purchase BNSF Railway parcels that are located on either side of Arizona Materials. BNSF is making this request due to railway access to those parcels being limited as a result of the Projects. In lieu of purchasing easements from BNSF Railway, which would leave remnant properties that are not valuable to BNSF, BNSF Railway is proposing that the City purchase the parcels in full. BNSF is in the process of obtaining appraisals for these parcels, and it is anticipated BNSF will make an offer to the City. Any purchase of these parcels will be part of an "overall package" for acquisition of all property rights needed from BNSF, and will be considered at a future public meeting. If the City purchases the BNSF Parcels, the City will have the ability to sell or redevelop the parcels.

Arizona Materials would like to relocate immediately east of its current site onto one of the BNSF Parcels (the East Parcel) at 840 E. Butler Avenue. Arizona Materials is seeking Council support for relocation to this site. The East Parcel is zoned light industrial and batch plant operations would require a conditional use permit to operate. The property is located in the Live/Make Area as designated in the Southside Community Specific Plan (Specific Plan) that is described as an entrepreneurial craft/manufacturing area which supports commercial and large-scale residential development, and a vibrant and creative environment for small businesses. The Specific Plan also provides that the City should consider land exchanges to allow for continuation of businesses and residences affected by the Lone Tree construction and to create more usable park space for the Southside community.

City staff has sent notices of this Work Session to the Southside community and other interested persons in order to obtain public comments. Arizona Materials will also be participating in this Work Session and desires to hear from the public.

This discussion item is an opportunity for Council and the public to ask questions and provide input on the following issues:

Current and ongoing relocation efforts for Arizona Materials
Potential land swap where the City receives the current Arizona Materials site in exchange for the adjacent parcel (assuming the City purchases this parcel from BNSF and that Arizona Materials obtains a conditional use permit to operate on this site)
Development of 840 E. Butler as a relocated batch plant for Arizona Materials

Arizona Materials will be in attendance to discuss its operations and preference to remain adjacent to its existing location.

Information:

A separate presentation is attached.

Attachments:

Presentation

Written Public Comment

Additional Public Comment

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

Heidi Hansen, Economic Vitality Division Director

Co-Submitter:

Rebecca Sayers

Date:

04/15/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE

Bed, Board, and Booze (BBB) Tax Renewal & Related Code Change Discussion

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Executive Summary:

The Bed, Board, and Booze (BBB) is a 2% local transaction privilege tax (sales tax) on the gross revenues of every hotel/motel, campground, short-term rental, restaurant, and bar in the city. The BBB tax is in addition to the 2.281% local sales tax on all taxable business activities. Local sales taxes are set forth in Division 3-05-004 Privilege Taxes of the Flagstaff City Code.

The BBB tax was originally approved by voters in 1988 with a ten year sunset clause. In 1996, voters extended the tax for 15 years with a sunset in 2013. In 2010, it was passed for a third renewal for an additional 15-year period to sunset in 2028. Per the Flagstaff City Charter, Article VI, Section 2, the City Council has the power to levy a sales tax subject to approval of the voters in Flagstaff. There is no legal requirement as to sunset clauses or how long a sales tax may remain in effect.

Currently, the BBB tax generates revenues over $12 million dollars annually. The BBB tax provides a dependable source of revenue for parks and recreation, beautification, economic development, tourism and visitor services, and arts and sciences. BBB tax revenues are distributed per the Flagstaff City Code, Section 3-06-001-0002 Distribution of Hospitality Industry Tax Revenues. City staff is not proposing any changes to the categories of use or distribution percentages.

The Tourism Commission, Beautification and Public Art Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the City's Economic Vitality Division all have a role in managing use of the funds along with the City Council. City staff is recommending relatively minor City Code changes related to their duties and that the Open Spaces Commission be included in managing use of funds.

City Council directed at both the January 2023 and February 2024 council retreats to place a BBB tax renewal on the November 2024 election ballot for voter consideration.

The timeline for the BBB tax renewal and recommended ordinance/code changes are as follows:
April 2024: Work session to go over BBB tax renewal information campaign and recommended ordinance/code changes.
May 2024: Ordinance 1st Read BBB Code Updates
June 2024: Ordinance 2nd Read BBB Code Updates
June 2024: City Council Calls the Election
November 2024: BBB tax renewal on the Ballot

Information:

Attached to the staff summary is a presentation that staff will share at the April 23, 2024 council work session. Included is a copy of the BBB ordinance as it is today to help guide City Council with the recommended code change discussion.

Attachments:

BBB Tax Renewal and Code Change Recommendations

BPAC Authority

Parks and Recreation Commission Authority

Tourism Commission Authority

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

David McIntire, Community Investment Director

Date:

04/15/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE:

Initial Discussion of the Draft Economic Development Strategic Plan

DESIRED OUTCOME:

Executive Summary:

The City of Flagstaff's Economic Development Program has retained Stiletto: Make A Point through a Request for Qualifications process in order to have its expertise and assistance in crafting an Economic Development strategy for the next five years. The draft plan has been developed with significant public input and will be presented for feedback and guidance. After this presentation, Stiletto and staff will work to further refine the plan based on the guidance received. Additional opportunity for public comment will also be a part of the process. It is hoped that Council approval of the plan will be in May 2024.

Information:

The City of Flagstaff's Economic Develpoment Program has been successfully working from a group of specific focus areas including advanced manufacturing, bio-medical, software and digital products, research and development and tourism/retail. While the Economic Development program will work with any business in our community, or interested in being a part of our community, these are the areas of specific focus. Our business incentives, and the incubation and acceleration programs at the City's NACET building, are offered to these sectors for economic development.

Over the past 5 years there have been significant changes that have impacted Flagstaff's economic landscape. The impacts of Covid-19, increased labor costs, increased borrowing costs, a housing crisis, a climate crisis, and many other local, national and international factors led to the need for an analysis of current conditions and a potential refocusing on strategic sectors and activities. To ensure decisions and investments are driven by data, staff released a Request for Statement of Qualifications and identified Stiletto: Make a Point from among numerous respondents.

Stiletto has reviewed the City's adopted plans to ensure our economic strategies are consistent with the Regional Plan, the 10-year Housing Plan, the Climate Neutrality Plan and others. Additionally, Stiletto reviewed the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona's plan and other regional partners to best ensure alignment. A public survey and facilitated group discussions with business and economic development practitioners were also part of the process. As a note for reference, direction was provided by staff that the plan should acknowledge the significant impacts of the affordable housing crisis and the importance of the tourism and visitation sectors, but that because the City already has a 10-year Housing Plan managed by the Housing Section, and a visitation strategy driven by Discover Flagstaff, this plan should focus on more diverse economic development programming to ensure these strategies are also being developed, refined and enhanced. Action to preserve Flagstaff's unique character, and address the housing and climate crisis, must build upon a robust, resilient and diverse economy to ensure prosperity for the community and resources available for the solutions being identified.

From this activity, and much more that will be discussed in the presentation, a draft plan has been developed. This plan will be presented in the work session to receive feedback and guidance from the Council. That feedback will guide the creation of the final document which is intended to come back to the Council for adoption in May.

Attachments:

Draft Economic Development Strategic Plan Presentation

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF

STAFF SUMMARY REPORT

To:

The Honorable Mayor and Council

From:

Co-Submitter:

Stacey Brechler-Knaggs

Date:

04/17/2024

Meeting Date:

04/23/2024

TITLE

Emergency Management Briefing - Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Discuss with the Mayor and Council how Arizona Public Safety (APS) PSPS events will work and the impact it will have on the city in the immediate and long term.

Executive Summary:

In late February, APS informed City Emergency Management that they would be carrying out Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for certain power lines that they consider to be at high risk of causing a wildfire, or in the event of a wildfire the line would be de-energized. This decision was made due to several different factors. City Emergency Management has been working closely with APS and other key city partners to assess the potential impact of PSPS events, and to devise a plan for mitigating those impacts.

For the upcoming fire season, PSPS events will not affect the power supply of any city residential areas. However, some crucial city water infrastructure will be impacted. In this briefing, we will provide an overview of the expected impacts and the measures that city staff will take to minimize those impacts as much as possible.

Information:

City staff and APS will provide an overview and the impacts on the city.

THE POWERPOINT WILL BE PROVIDED BY MONDAY, APRIL 22.

Attachments:

Presentation