SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock looks at Sedona’s year ahead in the light of its problematic past.
Sedona AZ – Welcome to Sedona Arizona 2019.
Has our Golden Goose been cooked?
Is there anyone visiting Sedona or living here for that matter, let’s say since Thanksgiving 2018, who isn’t convinced there is a huge traffic problem? As the situation grows worse on a daily basis ongoing studies have been procured from professional consultants – most of whom are costly and ineffective – if for no other reason than they have yet to result in actually addressing the problem.
The root of the matter is never appropriately acknowledged by the culprits behind the continual onslaught to chop Sedona, the aforementioned Golden Goose, into teeny tiny pieces. Translated: Sedona was discovered a long time ago and is no longer in need of being promoted. Even efforts for alleged “destination tourists” haven’t been proven to be effective. Quite possibly the introduction of short term rentals via private property owners and Airbnb are contributing factors to this problematic situation which should have been addressed with serious intent to at least some degree a long time ago.
Instead Sedona planners forge ahead with one idea after another clearly without looking at or anticipating suggested plans might be seriously flawed. While the term sustainability has become a common catchword, the word feasibility all too often is overlooked prior to initiating “perceived” solutions.
View of Sedona – exclusive SedonaEye.com photo
For example; inflated foot traffic in the narrow ADOT corridor of SR179 in front of Tlaquepaque was ignored at the time approval was given to Tlaquepaque North across that very busy section of a State Highway. After the fact, the result has been a disaster. So what to do?
Number one suggestion on the drawing board seems to be a concept for some sort of a pedestrian overpass. Voila! Problem solved. Wait, not so fast. Has any consideration been given to the fact that said overpass must span SR 179, a state route? Just how high must a cute little footbridge be in order to clear traffic such as semi-trucks and 18-wheelers for which state routes are designed? Maybe an indication might be more clearly imagined if one were to think about overpasses on I-17.
Another potential solution to mitigate traffic congestion, created essentially due to lack of foresight, is the extension of Forest Road uptown to connect with West 89A someplace next to the Post Office location. This concept appears to be a wonderful idea on the surface, but has the depth of this proposal been extensively considered?
Now that becomes extremely interesting when viewing the terrain in actuality, as well as on maps.
View of Sedona – exclusive SedonaEye.com photo
The two photos offered here were taken December 30, 2018, on SR89A across from the vacant land just west of the Post Office, a portion of which has posted a For Sale sign. Clearly it is rugged and anticipating any portion being used as a connector from Forest Road uptown to SR89A becomes somewhat unclear. It appropriately should be noted the open space beyond the Hyatt and custom-built homes at the end of Forest Road is comparable terrain – hilly, rocky, and steep.
From the Post Office hill to Mariposa Restaurant is rocky, but relatively level with or below SR89A. Not to be overlooked is a portion of that land belongs to the U.S. Forest Service. It isn’t difficult to observe – with a quick glance to the left when driving east on 89A towards uptown – prior to the Brewer and Y roundabouts.
As previously mentioned, there are several upscale homes at the end of Forest Road, clearly sustaining their value because they are constructed on “view” lots. The city has gone on record admitting that to extend this proposed road would necessitate condemning some of those houses. However, what they haven’t addressed is the steep, rocky terrain. Even a non-engineer might question the complex construction required for a connector road in this location which should realistically be seriously addressed prior to pursuing this alleged “short cut” from Point A (Forest Road) to Point B (West 89A).
Where will all the remaining red rocks go? To parking lots and highways and tourists now going and many long time gone.
There are a multitude of unanswered questions pertaining to acquisition of land and related expenses, over and above feasibility for extending Forest Road to connect down and across extremely rocky, unlevel open terrain. Shouldn’t we insist on accurate and transparent accountability prior to, during, and at completion of this endeavor should it come to pass? And, more specifically, what will be the source of funding?
Likewise, shouldn’t more extensive consideration apply to accommodating additional traffic which surely will become further problematic at the Schnebly Hill roundabout if aggressive approval for multi-housing and additional shops comes to fruition as proposed in order to justify the designation of another Community Focus Area?
Another suggestion for constructing an additional bridge from Schnebly Hill Road to the northern portion of uptown to connect to 89A onward to Oak Creek Canyon will, in all probability, require trespassing on USFS property. Has any consideration been given to that by city planners if plans are pursued to extend Schnebly Hill Road as an alternate route to I-17… also USFS land.
A final question: Which should come first feasibility or sustainability?
The answer will emerge from the inner sanctum of City Hall.
Word for the day:
FEASIBLE
[fee-zuh-buh l]
Adjective
1. Capable of being done, effected, or accomplished: a feasible plan
2. probable; likely: a feasible theory
3. suitable: a road feasible for travel
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Can you provide the link to the audio? I really would like to listen in.
I’m sorry, please explain how that council retreat was illegal?
Did they violate the Open Meeting ordinance?
Are you saying that you couldn’t have sat in at the meeting if you wanted to??
Is there a requirement that meetings must be videotaped?
I listened to the audio and it was completely understood so what’s the problem? Ohhhh you didn’t know about the meeting so you didn’t get a lollipop.
Like it was said above, stop spreading Fake News and get a real life!!!!
was it a RETREAT or was it a MEETING
So Brewer Bros is no longer in business? Then why doesn’t Sedona retain another firm for Year Round city street maintenance? Before Sedona incorporated we had excellent road maintenance provided by Coconino County. Two makeshift utility trucks just don’t make the cut for the job people.
@Lonnie
Even if Sedona purchased the snow plow equipment…..
People here would still complain maybe something like this.
“What a waste of money it only snows a few times a year”
Blah blah blah… There is no solution that will ever satisfy the 4-6 people here on SE…. They will find a problem or complaint to any or all solutions..
Thanks for proving my point that I made about the city, Erica. You (obviously a city affiliated employee or sycophant) fail again to appreciate the broader scope of my and other citizens about street maintenance. It’s not only snow! It’s monsoons, it’s dirt. Think year round not your snippy little piece of the bigger picture, Erica.
Doesn’t matter what’s it about….you and you Tea Party clan would still be crying about the cost…. If you hate government so much you should of been out there with your shovel… You are never satisfied..Btw when you pay what little taxes you pay in Sedona……it ain’t your anymore..
@Erica,
What about the potholes on the poorly maintained side streets? Even if the city actually paved 4 miles a year like they say they do it would take 25 years to repave the 100 plus miles of city not really maintained streets. In fact in recent years they only paved about 1.5 miles. Drive the back streets, they are in terrible condition. When I pointed out the bad condition of my neighborhood streets, the city said, “others are worse”.
Chuck Schuface and Nancy Peloooney raped America for their left wing party. The next crime by an illegal alien is at their feet and every Arizona Democrat that supported them and voted against our Hispanic and Latino/Latina communities. Don’t lecture us on living paycheck to paycheck you two Anglo thieves and multi millionaires by a party that would enslave people of color again like Venezuela and Colombia. We find you disgusting and we will work to unseat Arizona Democrats for people of color that listen to the 33% of Arizonans held hostage by Democrats who are Mexican, Latin and Central American descendants and lawful immigrants.
Oh yea Mike…please tell us where you live and the potholes sround your neighborhood… I want to take pictures (Deleted by Editor)
“Doesn’t matter what’s it about….you and you Tea Party clan would still be crying about the cost…. If you hate government so much you should of been out there with your shovel… You are never satisfied..Btw when you pay what little taxes you pay in Sedona……it ain’t your anymore..”
Translate above ” You don’t’ pay enough taxes, so you should just do it yourself !”
OK, I’ll be happy to as I already do take care of things the city should do. I have one little request, can I stop paying taxes to the city of Sedona to work solely for the Chamber?
Yes I also realize “Sedona……it ain’t your anymore..” It makes me sad, to have to move from the home I loved. Ruined by greed.
Sad…..
Reading these comments gets funnier by the moment. The city admittedly can’t maintain the city streets/roads in existence and yet they entertain the idea of blasting away red rocks to make extensions for connectors? Maybe those of us who wreck our tires in pot holes should get a class action lawsuit going against the city. Bet that would get their attention.
Oh – BTW – it gets even funnier. Jennifer Wesselhoff, Chamber CEO, has now gone on record that all the increased traffic isn’t because of the Chamber’s advertising contract. Say what? And here all along she would have us believe that Sedona wouldn’t have been discovered without her and the C of C. Since when can they have it both ways? Whenever they feel it’s convenient?
Isn’t it also of record that this local regional chamber of commerce is NOT a professional ad agency, and because they had to subcontract a Phoenix firm proves it. However, apparently they were/are lousy too if all they could do is bring in miles and miles of traffic gridlock driving through Sedona on their way up to Flagstaff. (Like the guy from West Sedona who thinks it will be convenient for him
to take the new proposed short-cut to get to Flagstaff) Can’t stop laughing about that one. Oh, but Mrs. Wesselhoff now claims all those cars are not because of their advertising? And where is her proof of that? Or should we ask their subcontracted professional ad agency?
Then let’s not forget. After the great recession and the economy began to flourish wasn’t it the C of C claiming it was because of their advertising? Forked tongue(s) represent you-know-what.
V=I=P=E=R=S!!!
Wesselhoff of the Sedona Chamber at the recent “Council Retreat”:
“Maybe that’s the essence of what we’re getting to is that there doesn’t seem to be a strong feeling of trust,” Wesselhoff said.
Later in the meeting the topic was again raised and each member of council agreed that at this time a RFP ( request for proposals ) is not needed and that the topic will not come up among the seven of them in the foreseeable future.
“I’m not going to push for a RFP because it would be a waste of time,” Vice Mayor John Martinez said.
Martinez says, IMO,” I trust the chamber we don’t need no stinkin competitive bids. “
@@Mike H. “please tell us where you live and the potholes around your neighborhood:” No, I am NOT the original Mike H. but in my own subdivision it’s a fact the roads are in such disrepair it becomes increasingly more scary to drive – and we don’t have much traffic except local residents.
It’s disgraceful to think millions of dollars are thrown at an even more disgraceful local membership, regional organization instead of just keeping transportation moving comfortably on our city owned streets in subdivisions. Little wonder people are so distrustful.
Too bad Mike Ward wasn’t reelected because he stressed “transparency.” However, the cut-throats with the Lodging & Chamber groups frightened people about services being cut if they didn’t elect their candidates and support Home Rule. Fools they were and remain as long as they tolerate being subjected to this ongoing intimidation.
Pot holes? Maybe the results of pot heads? Can hardly wait til they start blasting for the extension from Forest Road to W89A beyond the main post office.
Shall we examine the facts:
1) The Chamber does not feel they are trusted
2) The chamber does not feel they are responsible for increased traffic
3) The city grants the chamber $2.5 million a year of tax revenue
4) The City Council thinks RFP, requests for proposals or competitive bidding is a waste of time.
Conclusion: The inmates are running the asylum.
I am truly flabbergasted that the entire city council, even after the Chamber of Commerce says there is an apparent lack of trust in chamber actions, does nothing. It is even more disgusting that they say they will do nothing in the “foreseeable future.” Then the icing on the cake is the Vice Mayor saying getting a RFP, in other words doing their duty by obtaining competitive bids is a “waste of time.” If you are too busy to waste your time doing your job Mr Martinez, you should resign !!
I actually think that her comments make a lot of sense. I so appreciate the CoC for helping to keep my uptown business filled with customers. I almost had to close up after the Slide Fire but I’m actually doing very good now.
I know it’s not popular on this crazy site but you should be open to all opinions. I’m sure that you’d all rather that all businesses closed up because we’re an inconvenience to you all but I have been here almost 29 years, I’m betting that’s far longer than most of you business haters.
Its’ been written:
“The phrase the be-all and end-all is a noun that designates a thing that is much more important than all other things, the ultimate part of something.”
It appears the City Council & Staff really believe that description exemplifies a regional Chamber of Commerce which just happens to be located within Sedona City Limits.
Now then, considering the outcome of how the residents voted during the recent election, wouldn’t it therefore be reasonable for Mayor Moriarty to turn her gavel over to Chamber CEO J. Wesselhoff who, in turn, appoints Lodging Council Chairman S. Segner as her assistant, and thus a single handed OFFICIAL jurisdiction is delegated to them? Under their alleged capable leadership the Forest Road extension and other traffic problems will become history and everybody should live in peace and harmony.
Amen & Hallelujah!
Lies from Jennifer in her “Tourism budget and traffic unrelated” article in the Jan. 25th SRRN abound. Flat screen TVs advertising Sedona at Sky Harbor Airport, visit Sedona billboards on highways, and brochures in Phoenix hotels have flooded Sedona with day-trippers and diminished our quality of life. Having more tourists than the City infrastructure and the local environment can sustain will not reduce and disperse traffic as Jen claims. Bringing I-17 traffic going to Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon through Sedona is a crime IMO.
You don’t have to look far to see streets in disrepair in Sedona. Just go off the two state maintained highways. Try the Kachina neighborhood, it’s a disgrace. The roads are so bad they will be dirt soon.
Why this guy continues to get elected is beyond me.
He also openly promised Marriott his vote on the second property(extended stay-more short term rentals) next to his home before it had gone through the city process.
Before the vote.
Commercial seems to rule with this guy.
Just rode around the Kachina area and the roads are fine… More lies from you Mike H…. Complainer about nothing..
What Mike failed to know or tell anyone is that there are miles and miles of road in this hick town that are OWNED PRIVATELY BY THE HOA’s. Perhaps Mike didn’t graduate a higher leaning venue that taught him to ask the right questions before inserting his foot into his mouth. If he had, Mike would have learned that the city can’t, nor should they, resurface private property.
In hindsight, I’m sure that Mike or whatever his/her name really is, knew the right answer but choose to spin their own tall tail to make the city look ineffective.
There are many roads that are private and not taken care of by the city.
Check the GIS map below.
http://www.sedonaaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=5116
What the hysteric above with caps and screams about hick town fails to tell you is that those same HOAs typically and always respond to the members of those HOAs wants and needs. Some of us don’t see a need for macadam or tar or cement or other ridiculous and costly covers when the hard packed dirt and natural rock and stones often are enough. Buy the right tires and the right car and no one has to pay for the other persons use or misuse of the road top, including heavy duty truck users. Mother Earth does her job.
All you chamber boosters that believe dirt roads are just fine. OK. So tell me again why we have a city with high sales taxes and many staff members making 6 figure incomes?
Tell me again why the city needs a $49 million budget that does not include the school district or fire district?
Quoting “Ron” above “Some of us don’t see a need for macadam or tar or cement or other ridiculous and costly covers when the hard packed dirt and natural rock and stones often are enough. Buy the right tires and the right car and no one has to pay for the other persons use or misuse of the road top, including heavy duty truck users. Mother Earth does her job.”
Mother Earth does not need a $49 million annual budget. Tax parasites do.
More anonymous lies. Take a drive in the Kachina subdivision. The roads are marked on the map mentioned above as maintained by the City of Sedona and are in terrible condition.
You know your neighborhood, How are the roads really?
It doesn’t matter if the roads are marked public or private, the city does not take care of them either way.
Curiouser and curiouser. We have the peanut gallery stating dirt roads are enough. The president of the chamber saying there is a trust problem, really? The City council thinks competitive bidding is a waste of time? We have an apparent insider saying many of the roads in the city are actually private roads. They seem to be dong an excellent job of stating all the reasons for dis incorporation. Time to end the madness, shut down the city of Sedona.
By the way, the Forest Road Extension was on all AAA Maps of Flagstaff Prescott/Sedona Arizona during the many years when John O’Brien was Director of Sedona Community Development.
The police budget has gone up 1.6 million in the last couple of years. Thebudget goes up while the population goes down. Cost of running a tourist town.
“Cost of running a tourist town.” — or more likely the nature of any bureaucracy.
when you say:
“It doesn’t matter if the roads are marked public or private, the city does not take care of them either way”.
either, It shows that you really have no idea of how government works or that you truly believe that if you spout lies enough people will believe you. The city cannot take care of private property. PERIOD!
Sedona is not just residents, The police department has been under funded and understaffed for years now thanks to visitors taxes the city has the money to run the department effectively. The olice department has been under funded and understaffed for years now thanks to visitors city has the money to run the department effectively.
You know you are hitting close to home when the replies get more illogical. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The city supporters fear their acts being exposed, so they attack. Obviously the city will not take care of private roads, as they don’t take care of the public roads they should take care of.
The most shocking is the city not getting competitive bids. One they ended was the no bid agreement with the Red Earth Theater, they refuse to consider the no bid contract with the chamber. This even when Jenn of the chamber admits there is a problem of trust, and then says the chamber advertising is not responsible for the increased traffic.
If these visible examples of the city council not doing their job are ignored, can you imagine all the small abuses that are going on? Why did the city donate money to a school in Chino Valley?
Someone writing as segner says the tourists pay the city expenses, look at your utility bills, and the sales tax you pay on everything you buy, even most of what is shipped to you online.
In the Old West, crooked politicians were escorted out of town on a rail while covered in tar and feathers. If you won’t even speak up, you ‘ll wake up and they will have stolen everything.
You keep bringing up the past may I remind you that those with your opinion lost soundly in the past election. Those who don’t give a darn what is printed on SE voted the opposite of you so, either suck it up and move along or do what Mr. Tonsich did and move to Cornville and offer them your opinion.
The median age of Sedona has increased from 50.5 in 2009 to 58.3 in 2018. In the meantime, the population has decreased from 11,463 to 10,336 (“Demographic and Economic Statistics Last Ten Fiscal Years, 2018 Comprehensive Annual Fiscal Report”).
The City of Sedona State Schedule G, “Full -Time Equivalent (FTE) 2019,” has increased from 142 employees in FY 2018 to 145 this year. In the meantime, the “Total Estimated Personnel Compensation 2018” has increased from $12,648,970 to $13,154,250 (Official Budget Forms City of Sedona FY 2018/2019).
The Attorrney General has an active investigation into the criminal behaviour of the city government and the special interests. I hope they have enough info. to lock them up.
Special interests blog FAKE NEWS like Steve.
The tourists aren’t paying to run the City YOU ARE!!!!
If you look at BED TAX it is only represents 8.79% of the city spending OOPS The City GIFTED 55% of that BED TAX which translate to only 3.9% going to CITY.
Bed tax% of spending 8.79% minus 55% to chamber = 3.9%
Wake up Sedona!!!!!
What is so wrong with visitors paying the majority of the bills for the locals. I would think you’d be happy to know that you’re not paying the majority of the cost of running the city of sedona. we are a tourist town always have been always will be and we will grow , why do you keep fighting the notion that visitors are paying the majority of taxes. You seem to want all the amenities of a tourist town, nature red rocks, restaurants, library’, please fire department, but you just don’t want the tourists. The fact is that only 2% of Sedona residence were born here and the remainder came as tourists settled in and then some started to complain , do you really think a desert town 100 hundred miles from the nearest city would have starting home prices at 600,000 To 12,000,000 and more. There’s a very simple answer just move I hear quartzite is nice.
Under the CONTROL of Steve Segner & the Chamber of Commerce they have succeeded in throwing out the locals, killing the livability and running the City into Debt. It is not an opinion as the numbers speak for themselves.
Does the chamber deserve a “kick back”? Are they entitled to “steal” Sedona resources? Are they entitled to special treatment and no bids RFP contracts? NO
Did the City have a infrastructure BEFORE they GIFTED the Chamber? YES
Should they have PLANNED before spending money? YES
Reckless disregard for PUBLIC safety for GREED. Playing the blame game is just another fake news spin by those stealing your Sedona.
Denial, denial ,denial. They keep spouting lies and then say, “. We won the election “either suck it up and move” . The majority of people bought our lies and we won. We are going to finish ruining Sedona as a place for residents because we can never have enough homes ourselves. We bought property in Montana, Chino Valley and other places because we are only looking after ourselves, Sedona is done, get over it ! They own the city council, the council has shown that since they never will ask for a competitive bid, their IQ is room temperature.
Get Real says January 29, 2019 at 1:54 PM ….. By the way, the Forest Road Extension was on all AAA Maps of Flagstaff Prescott/Sedona Arizona during the many years when John O’Brien was Director of Sedona Community Development.
Of course Forest Road existed when John O’Brien worked for Sedona as it also existed prior to Sedona’s incorporation. However your inclusion of “Extension” is inaccurate. Forest Road was always there, as a dead-end, because it housed (still does) the Fire Station which also was prior to Sedona forming their own Fire District. More misleading information.
What happens in Sedona doesn’t stay in Sedona.
Our quality of life DOWN!
Our schools DOWN!
Our ability to Play in Sedona DOWN!
Our Ability to shop DOWN!
Our Ability to vacation DOWN!
Sedona livability, income LIMITED! Services LIMITED! School CLOSED!
City Government UP
Chamber UP
Hotels UP
Traffic UP
Property Taxes UP
Special interests VOTE BUYING!
Now or NEVER You better speak up. Write ALL or be FORCE OUT by chamber-segner-city staff they live UNLIMITED off of LIMITING YOU.
Please write:
WBlackman@azleg.gov
bthorpe@azleg.gov
sallen@azleg.gov
mryan@coconino.az.gov
Randy.Garrison@yavapai.us
Holy Cow is there ANYTHING that Segner fellow DOESN’T know or thinks he knows may be more appropriate? Because of his vast knowledge it makes one wonder why he is wasting his talents on little Sedona since he and his chamber of commerce enjoy taking credit or blame(?) for it’s uncontrolled development and lack of adequate planning, roads for example. Retrofitting isn’t easy to do and it most assuredly isn’t CHEAP.
Thank Goodness for our wonderful tourists who so generously pay for the constant need for additional infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, the need for which we lowly residents are responsible for creating. Sure – right – N-0-T!!!
How about following your own advice Segner and check further into that “quartzite” (????) place???? Sounds as if it just might be be right up your alley since you’ve contributed so generously to Sedona. Beneficial or detrimental of course is a matter of opinion.
OK, Mr. Mallon, and whoever wrote “get rid of Martinez, I will be at Sedona Bakery and Cafe, next to Whole Foods at 9:00AM, February the 5th, Tuesday to discuss your issues (RFP) you have with me. You’ll find out why people elect me, and false stories people write with regards to the Residence Inn, next to my neighborhood. If there is a better time and date to meet, please advise.
Everybody else, who has issues with me, is also invited .
@vice mayor John
No worrys John….No one from SE will show. Most just like to spew thier nonsense anonymously… When push comes to shove they step off.
Way to go BTW
@lisagreene girl you spell A LOT like a segner
Well Mr Mallon I can say I’ve met with Martinez more than once. Sent emails and that elevator doesn’t go up all the way.
Don’t forget it was his idea to fund the Chamber the 55% of city-bed tax.
Easy to follow
The city went into a agreement with chamber let’s up the bed tax duh we need more money. Sounds great doesn’t it. 2013-2018 NUMBERS
• The 0.5% increase = $2,527,305
• Amount paid to CHAMBER = $9,219,325
• City loss in bed tax with paying the Chamber= $ (6,692,019)
• Percent of payout Chamber received 365% more than 0.5 the bed tax
increase. 3.65 times MORE than the actual 0.5%
Only (deleted by editor) would think it was a good idea to increase tax by $2.5 then GIFT $9.2 to a third party PRIVATE CLUB. Look at Sedona Now they BLAME the residents for Airbnb when they caused the problem.
Mallon I felt it was a complete WASTE (deleted by editor). IMO
@Terri
Your one of the people(small number) I’m talking about.
Step off Terri or whatever name you respond with…
In order to assure I would not incorrectly relay any of the pearls of wisdom you might impart in a one on one meeting, I suggest you enlighten the readership of the SedonaEye with your profound thoughts on why competitive bidding is inappropriate for the city of Sedona.
Frankly, when I had opportunity to ask you a question in the past your response was incorrect. In my opinion you are (deleted by editor). I have no time to spend with either (deleted by editor).
I’m sure the readership would love to see your rationale in print. I suggest you start a new topic by writing your response to the editor.