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1.
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Call to Order
Mayor Daggett called the Work Session of January 24, 2023, to order at 3:04 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).
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2.
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ROLL CALL
| NOTE: One or more Councilmembers may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
PRESENT:
MAYOR DAGGETT
VICE MAYOR ASLAN
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS
COUNCILMEMBER HOUSE
COUNCILMEMBER MATTHEWS
COUNCILMEMBER MCCARTHY
COUNCILMEMBER SWEET |
ABSENT:
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Others present: City Manager Greg Clifton; City Attorney Sterling Solomon. |
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3.
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Pledge of Allegiance, Mission Statement, and Land Acknowledgement
The Council and audience recited the pledge of allegiance, Councilmember House read the Mission Statement of the City of Flagstaff, and Councilmember Sweet 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.
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4.
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Prayer - Indigenous Elder
Dianne Lomahaftewa-Albert offered a Native American prayer over the City Council. |
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5.
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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. |
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Anthony Garcia addressed Council about the winter parking ordinance and asked that it be slated for a future discussion item.
Chief of Staff Shawn Johnson introduced Doris Mensa who is the new Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council. |
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6.
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Attorney General Kris Mayes Introduction and Informational Presentation
ITEM PULLED FROM AGENDA |
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7.
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Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP) Quarterly Update
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Sustainability Director Nicole Antonopoulos introduced the agenda item and together with Climate Program Manager Jenny Niemann, Youth Climate Leadership Vista Gracie Rechkemmer, and Climate Engagement Coordinator Jenna Ortega provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
FLAGSTAFF CARBON NEUTRALITY PLAN BI-ANNAL UPDATE
OUR TEAM
TODAY’S DISCUSSION
CLIMATE ACTION PRINCIPLES
CLIMATE GOALS
WE CATALYZE CLIMATE ACTION THROUGH:
CNP TARGET AREAS
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
SERVICES
CAPACITY BUILDING
ELEVATING VOICES
SUPPORTING OUR PARTNERS
DATA ANALYSIS
MUNICIPAL CARBON NEUTRALITY
REALITIES
PUTTING THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE
HELP BUILD A STRONGER FLAGSTAFF
The following individuals addressed Council regarding the Carbon Neutrality Plan:
- Laura Kessler
- Travis Smith
- Tom Pearson
The following comments were received:
- There is too much ambiguity in the plan.
- What is the cost to the tax payers and what is the benefit they will receive?
- The people who are concerned about the plan are not organized to voice their concerns, fears, or disapproval.
- The Carbon Neutrality Plan is not a priority for everyone in Flagstaff.
- There are significant concerns about being so dependent upon electricity.
- Pollution from mining for electric vehicle battery materials is a concern.
- Solar farms are dangerous to animals.
- It is important to consider and listen to the voices of those who do not support the Carbon Neutrality Plan.
- The plan mirrors the same language and plans of every city and the Rockefeller Foundation is behind each of them.
- There needs to be more research on who is writing and funding these types of plans.
- Take the forecasted positions with a degree of doubt and have alternative plans in place.
- Even if Flagstaff accomplishes all carbon neutrality goals, total atmospheric CO2 will continue to grow rapidly and the trajectory of global warming will be minimally affected.
- The city’s efforts must be focused on mitigating the effects of global warming not trying to stop it.
- More alternative energy sources need to be developed.
Robert Collis submitted a written public comment stating that in order for the Carbon Neutrality Plan to be successful there needs to be reliable and connected routes for non-motorized transportation throughout the year.
Councilmember McCarthy stated that climate change is happening and the effects are being seen. There is a big push to move toward electric transportation, heating, cooking, etc. but that only makes sense if the electricity is generated from a renewable source. He requested that the next update on the Carbon Neutrality Plan include an update on how much electric energy is generated by renewable resources.
Councilmember Matthews asked if there is a way to measure the city’s carbon emissions as there is no information currently available on how much is being released within the Flagstaff. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that staff is working with a local laboratory on that initiative. It is hoped that there will be a way to gather real time data points to help guide future discussions and directions.
Councilmember Harris asked what considerations are being made on how information is being disseminated to people about the rebate programs available to low-income residents. Ms. Niemann stated that the topic is one that they are constantly working on. They have been running ads on the radio combined with extensive social media campaigning. They are currently working on building a more robust campaign. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that word of mouth is very impactful and they are trying to build trust within the community and they are leaning on key community partners and people to share information.
Councilmember Harris stated that doing door to door and direct outreach to people who may not otherwise have access to the information is critical. There is also a need in the community for education about cost and benefit. She also noted that it is sometimes difficult for low-income people to participate in rebate programs because they do not have the up front resources to contribute. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that they are exploring opportunities to provide prebates rather than rebates in certain cases.
Councilmember Sweet asked about the Business Advisory group and how often they meet. Ms. Ortega stated that the group is made up of 11 businesses and they meet one time per month.
Vice Mayor Aslan stated that there was a story recently about SRP putting in a large solar array near Flagstaff and asked what impact and benefit that may have for Flagstaff. Ms. Antonopoulos stated that it is part of a broader project. The more renewables that can be set in up in the southwest the cleaner the grid will get. The project helps support the push for more electrification.
Mayor Daggett stated that there is a lot of opportunity to build relationships between neighbors and within the community. There is hesitancy for improved walkability because the message being heard is other transportation is being eliminated. A change in messaging that focuses on making it more enjoyable to walk should one choose may be more effective.
Council thanked staff for the presentation and thanked them for the work being done to advance the plan forward. |
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8.
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Spruce Wash and Schultz Creek Watershed Update
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Public Works Director Scott Overton, Julie Leid with Peak Engineering, Joe Loverich with JE Fuller, Capital Improvements Project Manager Mac McNamara, Stormwater Manager Ed Schenk, and Public Affairs Director Sarah Langley provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
POST-WILDFIRE FLOODING UPDATE
OBJECTIVES FOR TONIGHT
FIRE/FLOOD HISTORY
OVERALL MAP
SPRUCE WASH
FEASIBILITY STUDY PHASE II
PROJECT TIMELINE
SPRUCE WASH HYDROLOGY UPDATE
MODELING SUMMARY
NOVEMBER BOND SUCCESS
MITIGATION POST BOND
SPRUCE WASH PROJECT DELIVERY
SPRUCE WASH CONSTRUCTION
SPRUCE WASH PROJECT DELIVERY
SCHULTZ CREEK
SCHULTZ CREEK PROJECT DELIVERY
SCHULTZ BASINS
SCHULTZ CREEK
SCHULTZ CREEK AT HWY 180
FRANCES SHORT POND
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
SPRUCE WASH COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE
MUSEUM FLOOD AREA COMMUNICATIONS
PIPELINE WEST COMMUNICATIONS
Laura Kessler addressed Council stating that she appreciates the work being done on the channel on Highway 180.
Mayor Daggett asked how much more money is needed to complete the project and what the short-term mitigation strategies are. Mr. Schenk stated that it is still too early to know. They have to get through design and survey and there is also property acquisition to consider as well as coordination with partner agencies including the County and State of Arizona. When it was first costed out it was about $5 million total, they anticipate ADOT to fund their portion which is approximately $1 million. In terms of shorter-term mitigation, there is not much more than what has been done already. That area is a challenge and they are working with private property owners to enhance a temporary non-engineered ditch to help move some water.
Vice Mayor Aslan asked about the detention basin project mentioned at the wedge. He is concerned about removing the trees in that area. Ms. Leid stated that the plan is similar to what is on Kaspar which is an area that includes vegetation but no trees. They remain very sensitive to the tree removal but also need to be cognizant of downstream effects.
Mayor Daggett asked about the use of Ponderosa Park for water conveyance; she asked if residents will be able to use the park again. Ms. Leid stated that the intent is to have a mitigation through the park that allows it to still be useable.
Mayor Daggett asked about temporary fixes in terms of Meade and Stevannah and if there will be presentations on personal mitigation options. Mr. Overton stated that a more thorough presentation will come in the spring that focuses on short-term mitigation. The focus has been shifted to getting the long-term projects completed and that does have an impact on the short-term mitigation and response. |
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9.
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Public Participation
None |
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10.
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Informational Items To/From Mayor, Council, and City Manager; future agenda item requests
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Councilmember Sweet reported that she and the Mayor will be heading to the State Capital to testify in front of the State Transportation Board requesting more funding for flood mitigation and stormwater needs.
Mayor Daggett reminded the public about the upcoming Open Doors, Art in Action panel discussion happening on Friday at Epiphany Church. |
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11.
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Adjournment
The Work Session of the Flagstaff City Council held January 24, 2023, adjourned at 5:44 p.m. |