JOINT CITY/COUNTY WORK SESSION
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE 4:00 P.M. MINUTES |
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1. | Call to Order |
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Chairman Metzger called the Joint City/County Work Session of April 6, 2015, to order at 4:00 p.m. | |||||||||||||
2. | Pledge of Allegiance |
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The audience, City Council and Board of Supervisors recited the Pledge of Allegiance. | |||||||||||||
3. |
Roll Call:
Others present: Interim City Manager Jeff Meilbeck; City Attorney Michelle D'Andrea; County Manager Cynthia Seelhammer; County Senior Civil Deputy Attorney Bill Ring. |
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4. | Public Participation:
Public Participation enables the public to address the Council about an items that are not on the 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 on an item that is on the agenda 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 an opportunity to speak.
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None | |||||||||||||
5. | Annual Update: Flagstaff Downtown Business Improvement and Revitalization District. | ||||||||||||
Community Design and Redevelopment Manager Karl Eberhard introduced Executive Director of the Flagstaff Downtown Business Improvement and Revitalization District Terry Madeksza and Chairman of the Board John VanLandingham who provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: FLAGSTAFF DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AND REVITALIZATION DISTRICT –
ANNUAL REPORT
BACKGROUND
BOUNDARIES 2014 MILESTONES 2014 ADDITIONAL MILESTONES LOOKING AHEAD
Supervisor Babbott thanked Ms. Madeksza and Mr. VanLandingham for the presentation and stated that it is great to see the evolution of the Downtown Business Alliance and all the positive that has come from that. He asked for additional information on the foundation of the ARS statutes which enable the district in regards to infrastructure improvements and what that looks like going forward. Mr. VanLandingham stated that the requirement is that there be one capital improvement project completed within the first two years of the district forming. Legal counsel has advised the District that there is a legal minimum threshold of $15,000. The goal is to meet that legal threshold in a way that addresses parking. Beyond that there is no legal requirement for additional capital improvement projects. The District may choose to take on additional projects to help address the large concerns around parking.
Supervisor Babbott asked how the District visualizes the relationship with the City Parks and Recreation special event process. Ms. Medeksza stated that the District has been in conversations with City staff about the process and a great relationship has been established. The District worked with City staff to provide input for guidelines for street closures around Heritage Square and provided specific content that is being included in the packet. Additionally, the District has established itself as a primary contact for special events downtown. Vice Mayor Barotz stated that the City Council just started reviewing the packet for special events and the new process will include the District in a different way than before. Ms. Medeksza added that the City has offered the District a seat at the table for discussion on all events in the downtown area. Lance Diskan addressed the City Council and Board of Supervisors stating that he hopes that Flagstaff’s indigenous identity is taken into account. Flagstaff has a tradition of being a dark sky community and he hopes that the District will capitalize on that. |
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6. | State FY16 Budget Update - City and County Impacts | |||||||
Deputy City Manager Jerene Watson introduced the City’s State Lobbyist Richard Travis who provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: CITY AND COUNTY FY16 STATE BUDGET UPDATE STATE BUDGET OVERVIEW – STATEWIDE IMPACTS Councilmember Oravits stated that SB1079 was a bill that opened multi-family housing trash pick up to private haulers; he asked for more information on how that affects the City. Mr. Travis stated that it allows the owner of a multi family unit to decide if they want to stay with a municipal contractor or move to a private hauler. The City will be losing this revenue should the owners decide to move to a private contractor. The rate that the City charges is determined by how much it costs to operate the landfill; as that shifts the remaining users will have to carry that increased cost. Councilmember Oravits asked if there has been work done on SB1187. Mr. Travis stated that an amendment was proposed to Representative Thorpe to clarify and limit municipal exposure. The complaint of the private trash haulers is that they cannot compete with municipal governments because they are not required to pay various fees and taxes. The amendment was designed to limit the municipal exposure and the amendment did pass. Vice Mayor Barotz asked Mr. Travis to speak about the Federal healthcare spending decrease. Mr. Travis stated that Arizona operates on a max system with the Federal government for a lot of healthcare costs. For every dollar that is put in two are returned back. Over a two year period the Legislature cut $80 million in funds that were to go into the AHCCCS program for providers. By cutting this $80 million it reduced the amount that the State is able to draw down from the Federal government by an additional $80 million so there is a loss of $160 million total. Ms. Watson continued the presentation. STATE BUDGET OVERVIEW – CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS Government Relations Director Joanne Keene continued the presentation with information from Coconino County. COCONINO COUNTY STATE BUDGET UPDATE FY2016 STATE BUDGET IMPACTS Councilmember Overton asked if the County saw any increases in revenue from the casino at Twin Arrows. County Manager Cynthia Seelhammer stated that anything built on tribal lands is not taxed. The tribe does have a requirement to provide charitable funds and they have made a contribution of $25,000 to the County for public safety. Mr. Travis added that there is an 8% of total revenue that is paid to the general fund; however, that total is not tracked because the revenues are kept confidential. Supervisor Ryan stated that the budgeting process is extremely frustrating because the counties and cities have balanced their budgets only to have to come back and figure it all out again to accommodate significant changes in State funding. |
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7. | Coconino County Community Development Project Update | |||||||
Coconino County Community Development Director Jay Christelman provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: COCONINO COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROWTH TRENDS COUNTY AND CITY POPULATION OVERVIEW COLOR INDEX NATIONWIDE TRENDS CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY MAP HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL PERMIT ACTIVITY OVERALL PERMIT ACTIVITY FUTURE COUNTY GROWTH CHALLENGES Supervisor Archuleta stated that the 64 unit proposal is actually in the Timberline area and is off of the landfill road. Supervisor Babbott noted that the recent census numbers showed a decrease in population in the City and an increase in the County; he asked if that might have any financial impact on the City. Mr. Meilbeck stated that he will research those implications and report back. Supervisor Babbott also noted that there are some significant service-related challenges in the County. The Arizona Daily Sun recently reported on challenges faced by small water providers to be fiscally viable. Fire districts and special districts are at their limit financially and there are going to be some difficult challenges in the future and that can certainly have an impact on how the County moves forward with further development. |
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8. | Community Development Projects Update | |||||||
Community Development Director Mark Landsiedel provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MISSION AND VALUES TOTAL BUILDING PERMIT VALUATION HISTORIC CAPITAL EXPENDITURES PLANNED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES LA PLAZA VIEJA – 2010 BOND IMPROVEMENTS ROSE STREET 2010 BOND IMPROVEMENTS WEST STREET ARROWHEAD AVENUE FLORENCE WALNUT FUTS UNDERCROSSING FOURTH STREET SWITZER CANYON ROUNDABOUT PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (P3) – BEULAH BOULEVARD AND UNIVERSITY
DRIVE REALIGNMENT
EAST HOTEL
WEST HOTEL MOUNTAIN TRAIL APARTMENTS TRAILSIDE APARTMENTS THE STANDARD MIXED USE CVS PHARMACY GUARDIAN AMBULANCE BUILDING INNOVATION MESA BUSINESS ACCELERATOR AND SECONDARY EMERGENCY
OPERATIONS PROJECT
CANYON DEL RIO
LITTLE AMERICA THE LOFTS OF FLAGSTAFF HARKINS THEATER THE VILLAGE AT ASPEN PLACE SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE
Vice Mayor Barotz stated that the hotels on Country Club are right next to each other and asked if they are catering to a specific base. Mr. Landsiedel stated that it is unknown but the applications were submitted by the same company.
Councilmember Overton asked for an update on Juniper Point. Mr. Landsiedel stated that it is still moving through the process for the rezoning application and he believes that the development agreement may be before Council in the next couple of months. Councilmember Putzova asked how many multi-family units are currently under construction, not including the projects that were presented. Planning Director Dan Folke stated that other than Aspen Place he is not sure there are any other significant developments going up at this time. Councilmember Putzova stated that the new units should accommodate approximately 2,200 people and asked what the clientele is anticipated for at the apartment complexes. Mr. Landsiedel explained that he does not have an answer to that question but stated that the University is driving the project so it will likely be a mixture of students and faculty. Vice Mayor Barotz asked if there are any projects that are multi-family but will apply for the CUP for room and board. Mr. Landsiedel explained that there are some projects being talked about in the community but no applications have been received. Supervisor Archuleta indicated that part of the Canyon Del Rio project includes Harold Ranch Road and she asked about the plans and impacts to that road. Mr. Landsiedel stated that through the project Harold Ranch Road will be paved where it goes through Canyon Del Rio but it will not be paved off of Butler until it reaches Canyon Del Rio. Supervisor Archuleta then asked about the temporary pedestrian walkways on Fourth Street and if those will become permanent structures. Mr. Landsiedel explained that the temporary pedestrian crossings have been utilized quite well and locations are good so moving forward they will be formalized and made into permanent structures. Supervisor Archuleta stated that she appreciates the walkways and the way that the City tested them out prior to making them permanent; she asked if there is any additional outreach planned for the surrounding neighborhoods as that project continues forward. Mr. Landsiedel stated that more outreach will be done as the plans are perfected and formalized. Vice Mayor Barotz asked how many units are in the Switzer Canyon Townhomes that are under construction. Mr. Folke stated that the project is a single family attached project with 48 units on just over 10 acres. |
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9. | City of Flagstaff Cinder Lake Landfill Significant Benchmarks | |||||||
Public Works Section Head Pat Bourque displayed an aerial photo of the landfill. He stated that the landfill was scheduled to close in 2024. The City purchased additional land around the landfill and the life of the landfill was extended to 2042. Since then the landfill has done some things in efficiencies and have further extended the life to 2054. Mr. Bourque provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: PAPER SLUDGE GREEN WASTE/WOOD WASTE RECYCLING PROGRAMS HAZARDOUS PRODUCT CENTER REVISITED LANDFILL OPERATIONS TECHNIQUES RESURVEYED LANDFILL FOOTPRINT SUNDAY CLOSURE EQUIPMENT COMPACTOR GPS SCREENSHOT OTHER PROJECTS Mr. Bourque stated that staff is working with ADEQ to attempt to mine and sell rock materials within the landfill property; the sale of that rock will pay for the excavation project. In doing that the landfill will gain air space and another ten years of life. Supervisor Ryan asked if decomposition has been considered with the use of the paper sludge at the landfill. Mr. Bourque explained that as the paper sludge material dries out it takes on the consistency of clay; there is no decomposition once the water comes out. Decomposition of the landfill is natural and staff monitors the settling to make sure that the landfill is used to its max capacity. Mayor Nabours asked about the relationship between the landfill and county residents; he also asked what other users there are of the landfill besides City residents. Mr. Bourque stated that Cinder Lake is the only landfill in the northern, central part of the state. County residents do use the landfill along with City residents. The City did have an IGA with Williams and unfortunately they decided to end the contract and take their material to Waste Management on Flag Ranch Road because Waste Management is about 15 miles closer to Williams. The landfill does collect refuse from the transfer stations on the reservation. Mayor Nabours asked the percentage of the trash that is brought in by the City and County. Mr. Bourque stated that about 10% of the total landfill tonnage is from county materials. That number does fluctuate due to private haulers utilizing the landfill as the cost of transferring material is expensive and contractors will use the closest landfill available. |
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10. | Fort Tuthill County Park - Update | |||||||
Coconino County Parks and Recreation Director Judy Weiss provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: FORT TUTHILL COUNTY PARK WHERE WE STARTED THEN AND NOW Commercial building Rodeo County Fair Amphitheater THE FUTURE FORT TUTHILL VISION IMPLEMENTATION MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Entry Monumentation Fort Tuthill Mountain Bike Skills Park Amphitheater Acquisition of State Land APS Substation Snow Play DESIGN/CONTRACTS UNDERWAY PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS – 2014 Councilmember Putzova asked if there is a cost associated with the partnership that refers revenue to the County. Ms. Weiss stated that the only costs are for administrating the contracts and that is fairly minimal. Mayor Nabours asked if there are plans to make snow at the snow play area in the coming year. Ms. Weiss explained that it is a discussion that will be had with staff and the City first to see what thoughts there are to make it a more successful facility. Supervisor Ryan stated that grassroots support would be helpful as the County moves forward with acquiring State Trust land coming up for auction this summer. He also stated that the bike park is doing a lot of fundraising and support of those efforts would also be appreciated. Additionally, the sewage project that is coming up will benefit the City and County and the County looks forward to working with the City on that. |
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11. | Informational Items To/From Chairman, Supervisors and County Manager/Mayor, Council and City Manager. |
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Supervisor Fowler stated that the long wait for Highway 89 to reopen is over; the temporary route will be transferred back to the Navajo Nation but it will remain open to the public. Councilmember Oravits thanked staff for the increase in streaming of public meetings. He noted that the City is moving towards having Board and Commission meeting streamed. He stated that he had received questions about whether or not the County will move in this direction and urged the County to look into the technology as a benefit for their citizens. Councilmember Brewster thanked the Board of Supervisors for participating in the meeting and thanked staff for their informative reports. Supervisor Ryan stated that the astronomical community and Camp Navajo have been involved in long term discussions that have lead to a desire to work together to protect their own missions. The idea is to work with the community on how to protect the visions and missions. He stated that public participation will be an essential piece for developing their plans. Vice Mayor Barotz thanked the Board of Supervisors for attending and the staff for their great presentations. Councilmember Putzova extended an invitation to the public to attend a Veteran’s Home open house on Saturday, April 11, 2015 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the lobby to discuss the City’s consideration of gifting a parcel of land on McMillan Mesa. Supervisor Archuleta thanked staff for their presentations and the information that was given. She also stated that the majority of the economic impact generated by Fort Tuthill comes to the City of Flagstaff. There is some increased opportunity for City partnership with the County for advertisement of the activities available at Fort Tuthill. Councilmember Evans thanked the Board of Supervisors for attending and thanked all staff for their presentations. Supervisor Babbott also thanked staff for their informative presentations and the Council for their participation. Councilmember Overton thanked everyone for their participation and noted that it is always good to have the County at the table with the City. Chairwoman Metzger stated that she enjoyed being at the meeting and hearing what the City and County is doing. She stated that there are some wonderful festivities and activities that are coming up as the rural communities start becoming active after the winter. Mayor Nabours stated that he appreciated that the discussions about the landfill and Fort Tuthill were back to back because they are such a benefit to both the City and County. He stated that it is a testament of how the City and County can work so much better by working together and these two projects show that. |
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12. | Public Participation | |||||||
None | ||||||||
13. | Adjournment | |||||||
The Flagstaff Joint City Council/County Board of Supervisors Work Session of April 6, 2015, adjourned at 6:25 p.m. |
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