Please attend and, if you choose, make a public comment in support of keeping the Carbon Neutrality Plan in its current form.
Many thanks to the citizens who attended and spoke at the Nov. 28th Council meeting! Chambers were packed with Carbon Neutrality Plan supporters and the many speakers were passionate about not modifying the Plan.
Flagstaff citizens need to demonstrate our support again this Tuesday.
Join the Giving Tuesday global movement and support your local nonprofits!
Your end-of-year donation will go directly toward supporting F3’s on-going work as we continue to be fully integrated into the decision-making processes of our community, educating and advocating for a livable, sustainable, affordable, and climate resilient Flagstaff.
F3 attends all City Council meetings and we speak directly to Council about important policy and on-the-ground decisions that relate to our Focus Areas.* We seek accountability and transparency from our local local leaders through meeting with city staff and individual council members and we participate in local and regional planning efforts including the development of the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045, which will be a major focus of our work in 2024.
The application process to fill District 3 County Supervisor Matt Ryan’s seat on the Board of Supervisors is now open. Applications are being accepted through November 13th at 8:00 am. The seat will become vacant on January 1, 2014.
Flagstaff Community First will hold their No on Prop. 480 campaign kick-off on Saturday at Bushmaster Park’s Community Ramada.
Flagstaff Community First is the political action committee composed of local organizations, including F3, and individuals that spearheaded the collection and delivery of more than 5,000 voter signatures to the City Clerk in July. That effort has ensured that the citizens of Flagstaff have a voice in determining if the City Council’s approval to rezone 98 acres of land just north of Ft Tuthill will stand.
This citizens’ referendum will be included on the November 7, 2023 mail-in ballot as Proposition 480. A “NO” vote on Prop. 480 will overturn Council’s decision allowing the rezoning of the 98 acres (Phase I) of the Northern Arizona Healthcare Corporation (NAH) proposed new hospital and ambulatory care center. Phase I is the first step in NAH’s proposed two phased medical and commercial complex.
In the wake of City Council’s June 6 decision to approve the Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) request for rezoning 98 acres to allow for a new hospital north of Ft. Tuthill, F3 has decided to support the work of the Flagstaff Community First (FCF) PAC to gather signatures for a referendum to allow Flagstaff residents to vote on this decision. A referendum is a way for voters to override a legislative decision at the state or city level and is a critically important part of the democratic process.
The concerns that F3 continues to raise with regards to the NAH proposal to relocate the hospital relate directly to providing quality health care that benefits Flagstaff residents as well as the Region.
NAH continues to state that a new greenfield hospital is what’s best for Flagstaff and that a new hospital is needed in order to recruit and retain good doctors. These are questionable statements. While every doctor would like to work in a shiny new building, there are many hundreds of thousands who do not. In fact, many of these doctors work at the highest-rated hospitals in the US that are located in dense cities, such as Johns Hopkins and Mass General. Older hospitals in dense cities cannot always be moved miles away and rebuilt. Instead they are renovated or rebuilt in the same place.
Starting April 22nd and meeting one Saturday evening a month through August, we invite you to “pro-vision” ways to shape robust community life.
Pro-visioning is the intentional practice of planning for the future, preparing for its challenges and possibilities, and providing for generations to come. It is a practice of care, foresight, and positive action.
In the tradition of salon gatherings where cutting-edge conversations encouraged friendship and creativity, we’ll share a meal and learn how to re-frame our thinking, write our own public narratives, and understand how to leverage our power for social change.
Most of all, we’ll inspire each other to initiate the changes we’ll need in the years ahead.
View this email in your browser Watch the trailer here. All films shown at 7 PM The Murdoch Community Center 203 E. Brannen Avenue Free! Upcoming Film March 29: Powerlands In this award-winning documentary, Flagstaff-raised Diné filmmaker…
FLAGSTAFF — Friends of Flagstaff’s Future announces a benefit concert for No on Prop 480 from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 at Charly’s Pub & Grill, 23 N, Leroux St., downtown Flagstaff.
Join the Giving Tuesday global movement and support your local nonprofits!
Please consider supporting the work of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future as we educate & advocate for policies and decisions that will lead Flagstaff towards a more sustainable, resilient, and just community.
Help us reach our year-end fundraising goal of $5,000.
Your donation and/or membership will go directly towards:
Ensuring that City Council and officials hear the voices of the Flagstaff Community in 2023 about these important issues:
This month’s newsletter focuses on providing information that will be helpful as you prepare for the the upcoming General Election. We provide F3’s 2022 Voter Guide to statewide and local propositions, and information about how to vote for the official write-in City Council candidates. Lend your voice to community decisions by attending local meetings in October that are outlined below, and check out the upcoming workshop on socially-responsible investing.
In This Issue:
F3’s City Council Candidate Forum October 1
Request for Volunteers to Assist at F3’s Candidate Forum
City & County Regional Plan Visioning Workshops
F3 Supports City Bond Proposition 442: Housing Bond
City Operations will be Powered with 100% Renewable Energy
Introducing Fossil Free Arizona
It’s time to start providing input into the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County’s Planning Process.
The Regional Plan is a policy guide and serves as the general plan for the City of Flagstaff and an amendment to the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan. It reflects the community’s vision for the future, and describes how the community wants to grow and change over the next 20+ years. The current Regional Plan was adopted in 2014 and this new update will guide future growth and development in our region.
The Arizona Legislature voted this June to pass universal ESA vouchers. This impacts public education in the state by diverting over $1 billion away from public schools. The Legislature defied the will of 1.5 million Arizona voters who overwhelmingly rejected this dangerous voucher expansion in 2018 through Prop 305.
Arizona voters have one chance to stop this bill from going into effect – a referendum of HB2853 (Universal ESA Voucher Expansion): “Stop Voucher Expansion.” The Arizona Constitution allows voters the right to determine whether a law can go into effect via a referendum.
In order to stop the Voucher Expansion, 118,823 valid signatures must be collected before September 24, 2022. This will put the law on hold until the November 2024 election, when AZ voters will be able to eject these destructive universal ESA vouchers.
In This Issue:
F3 Supports Prop 438: Special Election May 17
Mayor and Council Elections
Join F3’s Election Committee
Coconino County Redistricting
Become an Election Poll Worker
Thorpe Park Annex Design Meeting
Earth Day: April 23rd
This Tuesday (Jan. 24), City Council will be selecting a design alternative for the intersection of Butler Ave. and Lone Tree in association with the planned Lone Tree Overpass road extension.
We need you to comment at the virtual City Council meeting on Jan. 25th.
The design alternatives for the intersection of Butler and Lone Tree prioritize vehicles over other modes of transportation such as walking and biking. The intersection designs are overbuilt, provide inadequate protection for bicyclists and pedestrians, and are in conflict with the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan.
We had a busy and productive 2021!
By the Numbers
Our membership increased to 355 at year’s end, an increase of 255%.
Our revenue increased from a combination of memberships, appeals, and grants.
Other important numbers for 2021 include:
Join Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) as community members ask questions and hear answers from the seven candidates running for City Council: incumbent Austin Aslan, and Lori Matthews (both listed on the ballot), and the five official write in candidates: Kevin Dobbe, Sean Golliher, Deborah Harris, incumbent Khara House, and incumbent Regina Salas.
Join Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) at our Annual Meeting and Potluck.
Sunday, October 16th, 3:00-5:00 pm
Outside at Riordan Mansion’s Veranda
409 W Riordan Rd.
Parking is available at Riordan State Park. Backup parking is available in the adjacent NAU parking garage for a fee.
Come learn about F3’s work this year and important issues on which we’ll be focusing in 2023. Meet F3’s Executive Director, F3 Board members, and many community members.
How will Flagstaff address our transportation challenges in the next 20-25 years as we implement the Climate Neutrality Plan and predicted population growth?
Join the F3 Board as they discuss Flagstaff’s Stride Upward Plan and strategy with MetroPlan’s Planning Manager on Thursday Nov. 3 @ 6:00 pm via Zoom.
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is concerned that the proposed design for Lone Tree Overpass, currently under consideration by Council, is overbuilt, provides inadequate protection for pedestrians and bicyclists, encourages an increase in automobile traffic, negatively impacts the Southside neighborhood, and is in conflict with the city’s Carbon Neutrality Plan.
Want to help Flagstaff grow sustainably?
Are you concerned about housing, providing multi-modal transportation, climate change adaptation and resilience, open space, and ensuring we have water into the future?
Yes? Please consider running for Flagstaff City Council in 2022.
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Babbitt, one of the founding members of the organization and a member of our formal Advisory Board. Jim’s passion for Flagstaff and his understanding of the how and why of past community decisions were integral to helping F3 understand and respond to local issues during the first 10 years of the organization’s existence. Nat White, of F3’s Advisory Board, described Jim as a quiet friend who understood the importance of Flagstaff’s history and strived to maintain the quality and character of the social and built environment in both word and deed.
The video recording of the F3 Virtual Public Forum held November 8th is now available to view at: https://youtu.be/ULHOB9Ishj0
In this Public Forum held by Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, we hear a presentation by Northern Arizona Healthcare about their proposed relocation of Flagstaff Medical Center to the area just north of Fort Tuthill on the southern edge of Flagstaff.
The presentation by NAH is packed with interesting information, some of it new, and is followed by questions from the audience and a short community discussion that focuses on identifying community uses for the existing hospital location and other properties owned by NAH.
Please join F3 TONIGHT (November 8th) 6:30-8:00 pm for a virtual public forum to learn more about the proposed Flagstaff hospital move.
Do you want to know more or have questions about the proposed move of the hospital to the southern edge of town, just to the north of Fort Tuthill County Park?
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has been presenting information to neighborhood and community groups and answering their questions since this summer. F3 is now bringing this opportunity to you with this public forum and community discussion.
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) “finalized” draft maps for Legislative and Congressional Districts last Thursday after conducting a “listening tour” around the state.
The IRC is now required to receive public input for 30 days on the draft maps.
F3 is concerned that these maps to not respect Flagstaff and its surrounding areas as a “community of interest.”
The first public hearing will be a virtual town hall on Saturday, November 6 starting at 10:00 am. Click here to register to speak in advance (note: you must pre-register by 9 am on Nov. 6). Your comments will be limited to 3 minutes.
You may also choose to provide written comments to the IRC. Comments can be submitted here.
F3 wants to make you aware of the 3.5% Project that has just been launched locally by Flagstaff College. Through a combination of reading a novel that focuses on climate change, in-person and virtual discussions with a small group of fellow participants, and renowned guest presenters, the 3.5% Project goal is to create a “small group of thoughtful, committed individuals” who, working together, make big changes.
What if “the answer to climate change is organizing,” as Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, recently said? And what if what we need is only 3.5% of the public actively engaged in making a change? Flagstaff College is launching the Flagstaff 3.5% Project because of the belief that both of these things are true.
Interested in how land use, affordability, water, transportation, and climate change are interrelated in Flagstaff?
Come to F3’s Community Forum!
F3 is excited to tell you that City Council will be considering and, we believe, approving the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan at their meeting this week, Tuesday, June 15. The Plan addresses our Climate Emergency and outlines our strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
The Plan establishes a vision for how Flagstaff will create a carbon-neutral future. Achieving this goal will require reducing greenhouse gas emissions through drastic shifts in how we heat and power our buildings, travel from place to place, and manage our waste. These shifts must occur at multiple levels within the community, as well as across the state, the country, and the world. This Plan includes nine target areas for reducing our community’s emissions, each with specific strategies to guide Flagstaff’s work. They include:
It’s time to start thinking about updating Flagstaff’s Regional Plan. Every 10 years, the City is required to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and update of the Regional Plan. A critical part of the creation of an updated Regional Plan is input from Flagstaff residents about changes in community needs, outside conditions that affect the region, emerging needs (such as equity, carbon neutrality, affordable housing, public health), and emerging technologies, and updating the vision of what the community wants Flagstaff to be in the future. Regional Plans are required to have a minimum 20 year planning horizon.
Tall buildings like those recently built for student housing along Milton Road and W. Route 66 are currently allowed in places that would surprise most of us. They are allowed anywhere north (N. End) and south of downtown (Southside), even next to the public library. Five and six story buildings are also allowed anywhere in the Sunnyside Neighborhood bordered by 4thStreet, Cedar Avenue and McMillan Mesa. This is not the result of any recent comprehensive planning, but an historic artifact.
City staff is proposing to council on April 27th a new zone called the Neighborhood Community Commercial (NCC).
Flagstaff has an ambitious mission: reach net carbon neutrality by the year 2030. City Council declared a climate change emergency last year, spurred by a citizen’s petition and recent scientific findings. Flagstaff’s Carbon Neutrality Plan updates our award-winning Climate Action and Adaption Plan (2018) by significantly reducing the timeline in which we must work to reach net carbon neutrality. The new target of 100% net carbon neutrality by 2030 is in line with urgent international recommendations that a sharp decline in greenhouse gas emissions is needed in the next nine years in order to avoid exceeding 1.5°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels. Exceeding 1.5°C will lead to irreversible loss of fragile ecosystems and extreme crisis for the most vulnerable people.
One of Flagstaff’s oldest institutions, Lowell Observatory, is working with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to draft revised bill language to address the management and development of Section 17, located immediately adjacent and west of the existing observatory campus on Observatory Mesa. Once the bill language is written, Lowell plans to ask Senator Kelly and Congressman O’Halleran to draft legislation through the Legislative Counsel.
As we look back at the many events of 2020, I am reminded of the importance of participatory action. At both the national and local levels, we made our voices heard about issues of importance this past year, from the presidential campaign, to the BLM movement, to the need for Flagstaff to declare a climate emergency.
These Communications from F3 are designed to make it easier for you to participate in our community. They provide an easily accessible way for you to track what’s going on in Flagstaff and to participate in the discussions and local decisions that affect you. Join us and help make 2021 a year of joyful participation in our Flagstaff community. Happy New Year!
Dear Friends of F3,
As executive Director of F3, I plan to use these Communications to keep you informed of trending issues of importance to our membership. Sometimes decisions that affect us have been made years ago. My goal is to get us engaged in the important conversations before decisions are made, and in this way, ensure that F3 can have a proactive presence in the community.
I’m excited to join F3, an organization with a long (25 years!) and positive history of advocacy in Flagstaff. I look forward to revitalizing the organization’s tradition of working closely with the city, county and community to guide Flagstaff’s development in a way that maintains the city’s livability and beauty.
While I grew up in the Midwest, Flagstaff was the first place that felt like home. Over my 25 years here, I have explored the mountains, canyons, rivers and mesas that surround our city. I’ve walked and biked miles of the FUTS trails around the city, tended the gardens at Willow Bend and searched for bargains at the ReStore on 4th Street. I’ve walked around the lakes in Country Club, skied at Buffalo Park, and listened to the spring frogs on McMillan Mesa. I’ve monitored my son during the First Friday Artwalk as he busked on San Francisco Street with his violin on those nights that weren’t too cold. Like you, I want to see all parts of our town stabilize from the economic and social effects of this global pandemic so that we can all once again fully participate in our community.
We’ve hired a new Executive Director! Michele James has lived and worked in Flagstaff for over twenty years and brings her knowledge of Flagstaff and love of the community to her new leadership position.
With a background in both science and art, including a master’s degree in Sustainable Communities (NAU) and a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology & Technical Journalism (Colorado State University), Michele has spent two decades doing advocacy work on northern Arizona ecosystems.
Michele has been a wildlife biologist with Grand Canyon National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a research coordinator for NAU’s Fossil Creek restoration, a species conservation program manager with the Grand Canyon Trust, and a stakeholder with the Flagstaff Forest Partnership. Most recently, she has been on the NAU faculty, teaching interdisciplinary courses related to sustainability, climate change, art as an advocacy tool, and civic engagement.
Six stouthearted citizens are running for a seat on Flagstaff’s City Council (in addition to two mayoral candidates). Three will be seated, with the top vote-getter becoming vice-mayor.
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future asked candidates 10 questions, focused on affordable housing, reclaimed water, climate action, policing, building heights, undocumented residents, and the minimum wage.
To read their answers go to https://www.friendsofflagstaff.org/2020-council-candidate-questionnaire/ Click on each candidate or, to compare candidate answers, click on each questio
The Flagstaff Water Group published an important editorial in Saturday’s AZDaily Sun on a permit request to conduct acid-fracking operations in the Little Colorado River Basin in areas over the Coconino Aquifer, thereby potentially affecting Red Gap Ranch water, a potential future water source for Flagstaff.
Although this is very short notice, the issue is extremely important and we urge you to read the editorial statement (below) and send your comments to greenslade.maribeth@azdeq.gov. NO LATER THAN EARLY A.M. AUGUST 26th.
How high should we go? That’s the question raised by The Hub and other new and proposed 60-plus foot buildings. For over a year, the City Development Department has been working to develop a new zone—Neighborhood Community Commercial (NCC)—that would reduce height limits on new construction from 60 feet to 45 feet in areas north and west of Downtown, Southside, and Sunnyside.
This is an important and complex issue, involving the effort to balance neighborhood integrity, city character, and high density. Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is following the discussion closely and will make recommendations.
Dear Friends,
Election season has begun! On the ballot for the August 4th primary are three candidates for Mayor.
Because we could not hold our usual Candidate Forum, Friends of Flagstaff’s Future asked candidates for written responses to 12 questions.
Find out what the candidates have to say about development, spending priorities, cost of living, climate action, policing, and responding to the challenges of Covid-19!
We are adding two small corrections to the links for the Southside Plan and related public hearings.
Southside Plan
After several years of community participation, the Southside Community Plan, which will define how the Southside will develop for years to come, is almost ready for adoption. Go to www.flagstaff.az.gov/southsideplan [updated] to read.
To participate in the public forum, please visit:
https://www.opentownhall.com/9105
Dear friends of Flagstaff’s future,
The work of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is directed toward achieving a
“sustainable, just, and thriving community.” But until people of color, indigenous
people, and undocumented people in our community know they are safe,
protected, and valued, we will fall short of this goal.
The death of George Floyd makes it clear that it is not enough to condemn
racism. And it is not enough to condemn police violence and the many crushing
forms that discrimination takes. We must hold ourselves accountable for what
happens to people of color, native peoples, and undocumented people in our
community. And we must pay attention to all the ways in which discrimination has
taken hold and all the ways it plays out in the life of our community.
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future commits itself to participating in meaningful change
to dismantle racism in our community. As we monitor issues related to
development, planning, land and resource use, and the local economy, we will
listen closely to the guidance given by people of color, native peoples, and
members of our immigrant community. Now, more than ever, we will ensure that
justice and equity—and the dismantling of the legacy of racism and white
supremacy—is an orienting principle of our organization.
Racism is a pandemic. Each of us can be an antidote, counteracting the poison
of racism. True sustainability and community vitality depend on it.
Let’s create the change we want to be and push for better conditions for all!
The Board of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
What a season! Up high, the Peaks are cleared of snow welcoming the coming summer sun; down below, the fruit trees are blossom-filled and mountain irises are quietly opening their wings. Nature’s breath, thank goodness, is as close and intimate as ever.
Still, social isolation is hard. There’s just no good substitute for gathering in a coffee shop or sharing a meal with friends. The need to be in a common space with one another is so strong that it feels like a magnetic force.
But physical distancing doesn’t have to mean social distancing! Below are some links to local projects of mutual aid and solidarity in action, as well as ideas from other communities.
Let’s create the change we want to be! Stay healthy!
The Board of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
Dear Friends,
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is entering a new phase in its 24 years of promoting the value of open spaces, participating in city planning, and supporting locally owned businesses.
This is the first of a bi-weekly communication containing information about Local Efforts and just plain good information to have and share about our community. Each communication will also contain quotes and references to Educational articles and New Ideas followed by a Thought for the Day.
If you have ideas to share, send them to us.
If you want more information about Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, take a look at our website: https://www.friendsofflagstaff.org/ or our Facebook page.
Let’s create the change we want to be! Stay healthy!
~Board of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
Click here for more information In This Issue -NAIPTA Proposes New Transit Center -Scattered Affordable Housing Designs Approved -Dan Folke permanent Community Development Director -Community Involvement this Week Donate Now NAIPTA Proposes New Transit Center As NAIPTA has increased transit…
In This Issue -NAU Climate Action Plan -Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update -Council Upholds P&Z Veto of new Cell Tower on Eastside -Community Involvement this Week Donate Now NAU Starts a New Climate Action Plan NAU held a…
In This Issue -F3 Supports Building Code Amendments -Elections 2020: What Might be Included on the Flagstaff Ballot? -Council Supports Ban on Uranium Mining around Grand Canyon -Community Involvement this Week Donate Now F3 Supports Building Code Amendments Flagstaff is…
In This Issue -Update on Fracking Near City Water Supplies -Downtown Master Plan is Being Proposed -Planning and Zoning Goals for 2019 -Community Involvement this Week Donate Now Update on Fracking Near City Water Supplies Last evening, F3 showed…
In This Issue F3 Voter Guide The Candidates on Zero Waste Community Involvement this Week Donate Now F3 Voter Guide Use our quick and easy voter guide to fill out your local and state propositions this election season. Also check…
In This Issue The Candidates Discuss the Climate Action Plan The Candidates Discuss the Energy Code More Information on Propositions Donate Now The Candidates Discuss the Climate Action Plan How our community mitigates and adapts to climate change will have…
Click here for more information In This Issue The Candidates Discuss Student Housing F3 Fundraising at Wildflower Community Involvement this Week Donate Now The Candidates Discuss Student Housing How our city responds to dormitory-style housing that mostly cater to…
Click here for more information In This Issue The Candidates on Props 419 & 421 F3’s Position on 419 F3’s Position on 421 F3 Fundraising at Trail Crest Community Involvement this Week Donate Now The Candidates Discuss Propositions 419 &…
Click here for more information In This Issue The Candidates Discuss Proposition 420 (the Lone Tree Bridge) Our Position on 420 F3 Transitions Fundraising at Trail Crest Community Involvement this Week Donate Now The Candidates Discuss Proposition 420 (the Lone…
Click here for more information In This Issue The Candidates Discuss FUSD (Propositions 423 & 424) F3’s Position on 423 & 424 F3 Fundraising at Trail Crest Community Involvement this Week Donate Now The Candidates Discuss the FUSD Propositions…
Click here for more information In This Issue The Candidates Discuss 418 and Cost of Living Issues F3’s Position on 418 F3 Fundraising at Chipotle this Saturday Living Off Tips event Tonight and More Community Events Donate Now The Candidates…
Click here for more information In This Issue The Candidates Discuss NAU F3 Fundraising at Chipotle Many Opportunities to Get Involved Donate Now The Candidates Discuss NAU NAU is almost as old as Flagstaff. And the relationship between these two…
Click here for more information In This Issue Candidates give their views on Prop 417 F3’s Position on Prop 417 Candidate Forum August 30th Donate Now The Candidates Gives Their Views on Prop 417 With the #RedforEd movement gaining large…
