Friends of Flagstaff’s Future update for Jan. 17

They want YOUR input to help complete the study!

Input from the community is essential to help ArtsMarket develop a realistic path for new or updated facilities in the arts sector. They need to understand the demand that exists and what you, as patrons of the arts, want to see in arts programming, venues, and operations. The survey asks you how often you attend events and what your existing level of arts participation is. It also asks for your opinion about the need for new venues.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will help this important effort considerably. Please take a moment to complete the survey at this link.

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate of $100 to Whole Foods Market.

Complete the Flagstaff Cultural Facilities Survey >

Thank you!

Last Tuesday, council saw a presentation about options to remove the wayside horns at Fanning Drive and Steves Boulevard as a result of a citizens petition to have them removed to improve quality of life around these intersections.

You may have noticed that the train still uses it’s horn periodically downtown even though Ponderosa, Butler and Cherry are “quiet zones.” So, when are horns still used in current “quiet zones?”

• Trespassing • Wildlife • Maintenance work or Crossing Warning System malfunction

What is necessary according to federal regulation to make a crossing a “quiet zone” where horns are not used routinely? One of the criteria below must be met:

• Medians to prevent gate circumnavigation – As we see at Ponderosa. This is one proposed change for Fanning Drive and Steves Boulevard. This has a very significant price tag, which is why it was not perviously explored for Fanning and Steves. Ponderosa was built this way originally which is why is was done there.
• Four-Quadrant Gate System – Also a proposed change for Fanning Drive and Steves Boulevard. Also has a steep price tag.
• Converting a two-way street into a one-way street – As we see on San Fransisco and Beaver. This is not an option for Fanning and Steves because of the traffic logistics.
• Permanent closure of crossing – This was rejected by business owners on Steves and Fanning when Flagstaff first established “quiet zones” on Beaver, Cherry, and Ponderosa.
• Wayside horns – Currently in use at Fanning Drive and Steves Boulevard (lower decibel than train horn which is110-120 decibels and multi-directional a wayside horn is 90-100 decibels and limited in direction). This was the least costly option at the time.

The wayside horns at Fanning and Steves have proved to be a much less than ideal solution for the residents of these neighborhoods. A Citizen’s Petition brought this issue before council.

After the presentation of options and associated costs, the council was in agreement that the first step should be looking at the wayside horns and seeing if the noise they make can be altered or shortened and the decibel level can be lowered. Maybe even try a newer horn that is more amenable to residents of the east-side. This solution is preferred because of costs.  If this does not work, council will revisit the other options. 

• Right now, residents and prospective residents must be informed 180 days prior to sale according to Federal Law. Sometimes, people purchase a home before this 180 day, but after the owner of the park has already begun the sale process.

• Not only are relocation fees high, but often restrictions at other parks prevent owner from moving older mobile homes all together. The Mayor asked if potential purchasers can be warned about the issues of relocating a trailer more than 10yrs old. 

• There are restrictions due to the Federal Law, but council directed staff to continue to explore options for how mobile home buyer can be protected from purchasing a home that quickly becomes a burden when the park is sold, especially if they’ve purchased an older mobile home.

• Address impacts from development/tourism (i.e., trash, traffic, etc.) in a multi-division effort
• Expand outreach to Mexican market with a multi-season focus
• Work with Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) in other areas of Flagstaff (i.e., 4th Street Corridor) to strengthen businesses
•  Explore options (i.e., farming, solar energy, etc.) for large parcel revenue production (i.e., Red Gap)

Affordable Housing

• Affordable Housing bond question and continued community dialogue (comprehensive revolving fund consideration)
• Examine ECONA report recommendations with staff recommendations – next steps
• Explore more subsidies/incentives to increase the number of affordable homes (including agreements with developers)
• Revisit our current stock and determine current best uses (redevelopment options, etc.)
• Improve/strengthen path from rental to ownership of homes
• Create partnerships (i.e., United Way) for relocations such as for those impacted by the closure of trailer parks
• Subsidize new infrastructure (i.e., sewer, etc.) for Affordable Housing and receive agreements with the development community

Social Justice

• ICF Strategic Plan funding consideration
• Indigenous community marketing funds to produce an event (i.e., pow-wow)
• Improve relationship between Mexican Consulate and City (i.e., staff time, insurance, rental fees)
• Explore expanding cultural awareness training to other City staff
• Address lack of downtown public restrooms – staff plan and recommendations
• Explore ongoing funding revenue sources to support programming for those with disabilities in the community
• Address social impacts (i.e., public safety) of the daytime needs of the homeless and loitering community and facilities – explore options from CJCC, etc.
• Additional staff/funding for social service issues

Transportation and Other Public Infrastructure

• Revisit impact fees (align with needs of the community)
• Wayside Horns community policy development and budget discussion
• Support Courthouse funding options (i.e., IGA, building proposals, etc.)
• Core Facility completion emphasis
• Explore the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) – what does future look like
• Additional equipment for Fleet (i.e., plows, graders, etc.) – levels of service (i.e., snow removal, bulk trash, etc.)
• Actively advocate for infrastructure projects at the State/Federal level (i.e., lobbyist) to get the programmed money into our community
• Continue working towards 75% recycle rate
• Add infrastructure to open up city lands for development
• Address lack of downtown public restrooms – staff plan and recommendations

Building and Zoning/Regional Plan

• Recommendations for code changes (internal staff vs external resources)
• Effort to link all documents (i.e., Regional Plan, Resource Plan, Neighborhood Plan, Zoning Codes, etc.)
• Succession plan and talent retention preparedness to keep the level of services in place – capture under Administrative section

Climate Change

• Align the City’s organizational structure with Council’s priority of Climate Change – elevate the Sustainability division (provide tools and decision making ability)

Water Conservation

• N/A 8. Environmental and Natural Resources
• Allocate resources for litter clean-up – explore options/evaluate resources (i.e., public campaign, commercial properties, construction sites, etc.)
• Dedicated staff for robust Dark Skies management

Personnel

• Strategically evaluate the needs and priorities of police (i.e., additional officers, funding, retention, recruitment, etc.) – consider how to communicate public safety issues with community (i.e., statistics with narrative)
• Ensure additional four officers are hired/approved to reach the total of six positions approved in FY 2018 budget
• Maternity/paternity leave policy
• Fire Station 2 reopened with some type of activity
• All paramedics receive assignment pay
• Strategic Plan for Fire/Police
• Partnership with NAU for fire services (training for non-emergency situations)
• Plans for high occupancy dwelling units – strategically identify options for addressing those areas
• Solution to addressing problems and issues with public intoxicants
• Cost sharing with NAU x Council salaries/travel allowance and travel & expense budget

Community Outreach

• Mobile streaming for non-City Hall council meetings
• Closed captioning for meetings
• Neighborhood Services division/personnel for City (i.e., staff position, strategic position)
• Structure of City’s website – steps to make easier to use (functionality, accessibility, update links and documents)

Town and Gown

• Impact of NAU and student population on Public Safety
• Funding for Community Forum with NAU and citizens
• Internship stipends/compensation/fees
• Lobby state for funding the Rio de Flag project

Code Compliance

• Strengthen code enforcement with Police and Fire resources (moved from Personnel)
• Funds for graffiti outreach and abatement (revisit ordinance)
• Funds for litter removal in City
• Proactive in talking to neighborhoods and streets affected by parking districts
• Identify areas for graffiti where it would be appropriate
• Revisit codes for better enforcement and ensuring they serve the purpose as intended

Council and staff are continuing to refine the language on this list of priorities. If you have thoughts on these priorities, projects to help see them accomplished, or other priorities you would like to see, email council at council@flagstaffaz.gov. 

– Mike Caulkins

* Image and information from the City of Flagstaff

The High Occupancy Housing Plan process is entering the public hearing and adoption phase. The Citizen’s Review Session is the first and a very important step for the plan. This is a critical opportunity for your input.

The Citizen’s Review Session draft of the High Occupancy Housing Plan is available here.
You can also review all the public comments received during the 60 day public review.
More information is available on the project website at www.flagstaff.az.gov/hohplan.

Schedule of upcoming public meetings

You can also stream all of these meetings at www.flagstaff.az.gov/streaming.