Article submitted by City of Sedona AZ and written by City Clerk Susan Irvine
Sedona AZ (July 8, 2015) – The position of City Clerk is one of the most common positions in municipal government worldwide. It is also one of the least understood offices in local government.
The municipal clerk is one of the oldest of public servants and traces back before biblical times. Over the years, municipal clerks have become the hub of government, the direct link between the residents of their community and their government. The City Clerk is the historian of the community.
The job duties of City Clerks vary extensively from one community to another based on its size and structure. Here in Sedona, the City Clerk’s Office is responsible for City Council support and prepares City Council meeting agendas and packets, completes meeting minutes and action item lists, and ensures compliance with the State Open Meeting Law. We also maintain all City records such as ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts and more, comply with State records retention laws and guidelines, provide records for public inspection, and coordinate public records requests.
Another responsibility is that of serving as the election official for the City which includes conducting City elections, providing candidate packets, and accepting filings including political finance campaign reports. We also process Peddler/Solicitor Permits for door-to-door contacts.
The City Clerk’s Office also manages the Sedona Citizens Connect application. This is a smartphone application which allows Sedona residents to report non-emergency civic issues, such as potholes, flooding, and abandoned vehicles. Sedona Citizens Connect allows a user to capture a photo, video, or audio of the issue. The user then uploads the media, along with GPS location information pulled from the device, and submits a report directly to the City. The report is routed by the City Clerk’s Office to the appropriate staff for follow up. Feedback is available to the user based on the action taken by the department handling the report. The mobile app is free for iPhone, Android, and Windows smartphone devices. To download the App, search for “Sedona Citizens Connect.”
If you do not have a smartphone, you can report an issue via the City’s website at www.SedonaAZ.gov. On the homepage, click on the “Report It!” button. Using Sedona Citizens Connect allows the City to use technology to save both time and money while improving accountability and responsiveness.
Other duties of our office include administering loyalty oaths, publishing ordinances and other official documents, posting meeting notices, recording legal documents, serving as custodian of the City Seal, preparing proclamations, notarizing documents, and serving as the initial point of contact for citizens. Our customers include the public, elected and appointed officials, City staff, and other intergovernmental contacts.
In 1934, the eminent political scientist Professor William Bennett Munro said, “No other office in municipal service has so many contacts. It serves the mayor, the city council, the city manager (when there is one), and all administrative departments without exception. All of them call upon it, almost daily, for some service or information. Its work is not spectacular, but it demands versatility, alertness, accuracy, and no end of patience. The public does not realize how many loose ends of city administration this office pulls together.” Although written over 80 years ago, this still holds true today.
The Sedona City Clerk’s Office would like to thank our citizens for the opportunity to serve this wonderful City and hope that we can be of assistance to you when needed.
Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!
City of Sedona is proud to be featuring the colorful, textured art work created by painter Jan Sitts. Currently on display in the Council Chambers through October 1st, her large mixed media paintings have delighted art lovers and collectors for over thirty years. Jan is a layerist, as her pieces are layered, integrating paper, plaster, sand and other materials.
Jan is an international artist and a national art instructor. Living in the high desert of Red Rock country has inspired her energetic and intuitive approach to art. As an art instructor, Jan shares the experimental techniques she has developed for achieving her color drenched tactile surfaces. She stated, “Many techniques, materials, approaches to composition and above all emotions, play off of each other when I am creating a piece. By combining aggressive textures, unusual media and various raw materials, I work toward an end result, which is the creative accomplishment of the painting. I am attracted to mixed media for its endless possibilities. The adventure lies in not knowing where you are going – until you get there!”
Jan was formally trained at the Kansas City Art Institute and received a B.A. in Art from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. She has worked in the commercial arts and movie animation, as well as a gallery director and art teacher. She has received many awards, exhibition honors and art jury assignments. Her work is featured in public, private and corporate collections. Her paintings are featured in galleries in Colorado, California and Arizona. Jan is a member of Arizona Watercolor Association, International Acrylic Painters Society, The Society of Experimental Artists and The Society of Layerists. She has published two art books, “Texture, Color, Feeling” and “It’s in the Detail.”
The public is welcome to view this wonderful exhibit. To schedule a viewing or for more information, please contact Nancy Lattanzi, Arts & Culture Coordinator, at 928-203-5078, or email NLattanzi@SedonaAZ.gov.
Sedona City Hall is currently featuring the beautiful paintings created by 20 members of the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society (NAWS). This varied and expansive spring exhibit has now been extended through the end of September.
The Northern Arizona Watercolor Society was founded to create, foster and sustain interest in the art of water media painting and is dedicated to promoting watercolor painting throughout Arizona. NAWS sponsor educational programs at the monthly meetings, plus workshops, both of which are available to the general public.
NAWS has an extensive library for members. It sponsors exhibitions for members, which are juried by nationally known artists. Also, available for educational purposes are critique groups and plein-air painting events.
In addition to providing educational opportunities for members, NAWS supports the development of young artists in northern Arizona through an annual Student Art Show. NAWS also contributes scholarships funds to assist students with commitment to the arts.
The public is welcome to view this wonderful exhibit. To schedule an exclusive viewing, please contact Arts & Culture Coordinator Nancy Lattanzi at 928-203-5078 or email NLattanzi@SedonaAZ.gov.