1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Okay, everyone, welcome to the Flagstaff City Council. 2 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:12,000 Today is Tuesday, November 10, 2009, tomorrow, of course, is Veterans Day. 3 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:18,000 We will notice the option to recess into executive session pursuant to ARS 384-3102. 4 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:25,000 This meeting is now called to order, and we'll have roll call with Councilmember Brewster being excused. 5 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:27,000 Mayor Pressler. 6 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:28,000 Present. 7 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:29,000 Vice Mayor White. 8 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,000 He's present, but out of the room. 9 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:32,000 Councilmember Evans. 10 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:33,000 Present. 11 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:34,000 Councilmember Howey. 12 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:35,000 Here. 13 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:36,000 Councilmember Overton. 14 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:37,000 Present. 15 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:38,000 Councilmember Swanson. 16 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Here. 17 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:51,000 As a reminder, if you're carrying a cell phone or other electronic device, I ask that you turn it off or turn it to silent at this time to minimize disruption to tonight's meeting. 18 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:53,000 We'll now open it for public participation. 19 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:59,000 Public participation enables the public to address the council about items that are not on tonight's prepared agenda. 20 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,000 We'll appear on the agenda twice now and, of course, at the end of the meeting. 21 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:07,000 I ask that you choose to speak at one or the other, but prefer that you do not speak at both. 22 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:15,000 If you'd like to talk to the council about an item that is on tonight's prepared agenda or on the agenda review for the upcoming council meeting next Tuesday, 23 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,000 I ask that you fill out a public comment form. 24 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,000 They're located at the back table underneath the television. 25 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:27,000 And you can fill that out and submit it to our deputy clerk who seated to my right, your left, and your name will be called when it's your turn to speak. 26 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:33,000 I ask, of course, that you limit your remarks to about three minutes per item to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. 27 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,000 But if you need more time, just let me know. 28 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:40,000 We'll begin our public participation this evening with a presentation from the American Cancer Society. 29 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,000 And I see all those fantastic red shirts standing up in the back. 30 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:48,000 I have my very own red shirt, and I would invite you up at this time to present to the council. 31 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:49,000 Good evening and welcome. 32 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,000 We're glad that you're here. 33 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:57,000 This is Ray Moran, and Ray, of course, serves on our Parks and Rec Commission and in some other areas in the city. 34 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,000 And we're so very glad that Ray's here with us. 35 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:00,000 Good evening. 36 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,000 Thank you. 37 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,000 Again, my name is Ray Moran. 38 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,000 I live at 5250 North Highway 89. 39 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:11,000 And I'd like to start off, I'd like to thank the mayor and city council for pointing me to the Parks and Rec Commission 40 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,000 and to the Bond Task Force between now and the 10. 41 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:19,000 To me, it's a great honor, and I thank you all for nominating me for them positions. 42 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,000 We're so glad you're on those boards and commissions. 43 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:22,000 Thank you for serving. 44 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:23,000 Absolutely. 45 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,000 It's my honor. 46 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:25,000 My honor. 47 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,000 Okay, first of all, I'm a volunteer of the American Cancer Society, 48 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,000 specific to climb to conquer cancer. 49 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:34,000 We just had our 21st season, our 21st walk. 50 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:40,000 And we was all worried, 2009, with this economy, how it was going to go. 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:45,000 But I'm proud to say, with the community of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona itself, 52 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:50,000 stepped up and we raised exactly $251,000. 53 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:54,000 That's fantastic. 54 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:58,000 It just shows you what a great event and what a great cause this is. 55 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:03,000 And it's an honor for me to work with that anxiety in here in the city of Flagstaff. 56 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:07,000 It just shows how much people love this cause, and it is a great cause. 57 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:12,000 And first of all, in 2010, August 21st, I'm inviting you all to come and join our walk. 58 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,000 It's a very special walk. 59 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,000 It's a fun event, and you guys will all enjoy it. 60 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:20,000 So I'm inviting each and every one of you to 2010, August 21st. 61 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:21,000 I'll be there again next year. 62 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,000 I look forward to it. 63 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:23,000 Great. 64 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,000 Okay, now I'd like to introduce you to Debbie Cook. 65 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,000 She's a district manager for Northern Arizona, 66 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,000 and she's going to make the announcement to this great team. 67 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,000 Thank you, Ray, and welcome, Debbie, to the City Council meeting. 68 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,000 Thank you for having us. 69 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:37,000 It's really a pleasure and an honor because these guys did a remarkable job. 70 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,000 The Climb to Conqueror Cancer had 200 teams. 71 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:44,000 The City of Flagstaff was the number one fundraising team. 72 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:48,000 It's official. 73 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:53,000 They raised $9,685. 74 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,000 Oh, that's great. 75 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,000 So really, I'd like for you to honor everybody here, 76 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:01,000 but to also have Stacey Breckler-Nap come up as the team captain. 77 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,000 I heard there's many team captains, 78 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,000 but this is a traveling trophy, 79 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:06,000 and we are already planning to come back 80 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,000 because they're going to be the top team again. 81 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,000 So on behalf of cancer patients, their families, 82 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,000 those have lost their battle with cancer in their families. 83 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:16,000 Thank you for helping us save lives. 84 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,000 We can't. 85 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:18,000 Thank you enough. 86 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:24,000 Thank you for having us. 87 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:25,000 Thank you. 88 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:26,000 We're so excited this year, 89 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:30,000 especially understanding that a lot of us walked and worked 90 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:34,000 for Mary Jo and knew how important she was in our lives 91 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:38,000 and what an impact Mary Jo had on the City of Flagstaff. 92 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,000 So it really was an honor for us to raise that money 93 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,000 and to walk in solidarity, not just for Mary Jo, 94 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:47,000 but for all of those people in our community 95 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,000 and throughout the state of Arizona 96 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:53,000 and throughout our country that have to battle cancer 97 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,000 and are surviving from cancer each and every day. 98 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,000 So congratulations. 99 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,000 We have the most fantastic leadership staff 100 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,000 for this initiative and effort, 101 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:06,000 and Stacey, I know, and Kim and others are just true champions. 102 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:08,000 So thank you to all of our captains 103 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,000 from all of our departments and areas. 104 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:12,000 As a council, we couldn't be more proud of your work. 105 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,000 So thank you on behalf of the City Council 106 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,000 and on all of the citizens in the City of Flagstaff 107 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,000 for raising good money and making sure 108 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,000 that we keep the memory of Mary Jo 109 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,000 and all of those who struggle and fight 110 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,000 and battle cancer every day a priority in our lives 111 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,000 and in the lives of all of our citizens. 112 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,000 So thanks for your good work. 113 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:38,000 That was really beautiful. 114 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,000 Well, at this time, we'll call forward anyone 115 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,000 who'd like to comment to the council 116 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,000 or bring something forward that's not 117 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:45,000 on tonight's prepared agenda. 118 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,000 If you'd like to do so, please do come forward at this time. 119 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:50,000 We welcome you to the council meeting. 120 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:00,000 Wow. 121 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:06,000 Lee Harsh is here. Good evening, Lee, and welcome. 122 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:10,000 I have just a few things. 123 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,000 I'm kidding. 124 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,000 My name is Lee Harsh, and I live in Sunnyside, 125 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:21,000 and I need to be reading this same reason as last time. 126 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,000 It seems, besides supporting the property maintenance ordinance, 127 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:29,000 which kind of fits right in with one of your presentations tonight, 128 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,000 I have some continuing issues. 129 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,000 And one of them is you all seem to be working hard 130 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,000 and yet some are out campaigning. 131 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,000 Is this on taxpayer dollars? 132 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,000 And I see, because I see where the president 133 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,000 hops all over on my dime, 134 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:49,000 and so I'm just wondering if you all do the same. 135 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,000 I do see in the paper the amount of money 136 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,000 spent by some of you on trips to better this city. 137 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,000 Is this also taxpayer money? 138 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,000 What do you accomplish? 139 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:02,000 And are we same taxpayers privy to what you have learned? 140 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:06,000 Do you all have a mechanism in place to inform the citizen 141 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:09,000 of taxpayers what good was accomplished? 142 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,000 I don't mind that you're going, 143 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,000 but if you come back with whatever it was you learned. 144 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,000 If you've brought back money or business to Flagstaff, 145 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,000 how much is it and where is it? 146 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:23,000 How important is it to visit DC when there are lobbyists there? 147 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:26,000 Last time a group of us nurses went, 148 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:29,000 I tried to visit with the senators, 149 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,000 but the closest we got was a room and an assistant. 150 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:35,000 So I guess it depends upon the title you wear. 151 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,000 I have one more issue and I hope to have this answered. 152 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,000 It's in regards to the cash basis fund 153 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:44,000 from the charter of the city of Flagstaff. 154 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,000 When did the city stop using it? 155 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,000 Why was it stopped? 156 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:52,000 How much money was in it when it was disbanded? 157 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,000 Where is that money now? 158 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:58,000 If it was spent, where is the council action on the spending? 159 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:01,000 If it was transferred to another use according to the charter, 160 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:04,000 it shall be the duty of the council to provide 161 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,000 that all money transferred from the cash basis fund 162 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:11,000 shall be returned there to before the end of the fiscal year. 163 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,000 Now I understand it is no longer in use 164 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:18,000 and so I'm just kind of wondering where did it all go to? 165 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,000 And so think about that. 166 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:22,000 Thank you, Leah. 167 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,000 While we can't, of course, as you know, 168 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,000 not being an agenda item engage in a conversation, 169 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,000 I can report back to you on information 170 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,000 that was at last council meeting 171 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,000 that I reported during the two from time, 172 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,000 which in response specifically to the travel, 173 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,000 at the last trip, for example, to Washington, DC, 174 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:41,000 the Department of Energy paid for airfare 175 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:44,000 at the hotel in three quarters of the per diem. 176 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:48,000 And so that was a cost share with the city fund there. 177 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:50,000 And so I wanted to just share with you 178 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:55,000 that I am as an individual member under budget 179 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:59,000 and as a council together, 180 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,000 we are mid-budget year to make those adjustments. 181 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:06,000 I don't need any justification of your travels. 182 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,000 I want to know that whatever you're learning 183 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:12,000 or whatever you bring back that there is a mechanism 184 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,000 to let the citizens of Flagstaff know what y'all are doing. 185 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,000 And Ms. Harsha, I do hear you, 186 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,000 but one of the points you made was about 187 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:22,000 what funding mechanisms are being used to fund those trips. 188 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,000 One of the things I shared last meeting is that 189 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,000 out of 190 projects that went through Congress, 190 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,000 half of them got less than the split, 191 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:32,000 25 got the split and the remainder got more than the split, 192 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,000 and the city of Flagstaff in particular 193 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:40,000 received 3.003 million for that Rio de Flag project. 194 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,000 And so we received more than the split 195 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:48,000 in contrast to approximately 160 plus other projects. 196 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,000 And I don't think that's by accident. 197 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,000 I don't think it's by mistake. 198 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,000 I think it's by active engagement. 199 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,000 Another thing that we've been able to do, of course, 200 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,000 is bring forward a lot of programs 201 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,000 that benefit many nonprofits in the community, 202 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,000 with United Way, for example. 203 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,000 The president's considering the VITA tax program 204 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:10,000 from our United Way as a community solution 205 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:13,000 to be addressed across the country, 206 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,000 and repeated in other communities 207 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,000 because we've been able to leverage in our community, 208 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,000 for example, 90,000 public dollars 209 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:25,000 and turn that into 1.7 million in tax returns 210 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:27,000 to constituents. 211 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,000 And so those kinds of examples I shared at the last meeting, 212 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:34,000 but I do take your criticism and your constructive feedback 213 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:37,000 to talk about how do we have more effective mechanisms 214 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:42,000 for communicating the outcomes of those conversations 215 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,000 and experiences. 216 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,000 And I continually invite the senators 217 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,000 to have a conversation with our constituents. 218 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,000 I have not been successful at engaging them 219 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:53,000 in those conversations, 220 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,000 but Councilman Howey in particular 221 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,000 made a comment to Senator Kyle's staff member 222 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:00,000 that we would of course welcome the senator here 223 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,000 to have a conversation with us 224 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:06,000 and did that in a meeting that he had where I was present. 225 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:07,000 Okay, thank you. 226 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,000 Now my next question is, 227 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,000 please research that cash basis fund. 228 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:12,000 Okay. 229 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:14,000 Thank you, Lee, for your time. 230 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,000 We'll make sure we follow up there. 231 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,000 Are there any other members of the public 232 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,000 that would like to comment to the Council 233 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,000 or bring an issue forward 234 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000 that's not on tonight's prepared agenda? 235 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,000 Really? 236 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:26,000 Okay. 237 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,000 Seeing none, we'll close public participation.