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Off and Running in 2015 with Eddie Maddock

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

Sedona AZ (January 21, 2015)A Special Meeting of the newly elected Sedona City Council was greeted head on with enthusiasm and occasional bickering, requiring gentle “reigning in” by Mayor Sandy Moriarty. The meeting was for the purpose of updating the Council Priority List, set in motion during a previous meeting held on December 5 of last year.

During the six hour, forty-six minute discussion which commenced at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, and continued to conclusion beginning at 3:00 PM on Thursday, January 15, the subjects discussed as they appear on the City’s web site are as follows:

ACTION ITEM LIST:  The AIL is intended to comply with the requirements of A.R.S. § 38-431(E) regarding the posting on the City website within 3 days of a statement of legal actions taken at the Special City Council meeting held on January 14, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. and continued to January 15, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: All present.

TOPIC COUNCIL ACTION STAFF SPECIAL BUSINESS: Discussion regarding Individual City Council Priorities. (No Action Taken)

(Suggestions expressed by council members relating to their own priorities included, but were not limited to: Delinquent Tax Collections; Short Term Rental Enforcement; Central Meeting Places; Traffic; Art Museum; Pursuit of City/Private Partnerships; Election Procedures and Campaign Financing; Smart Meters; and, interest in the updating procedures of the mesa Airport.)

DISCUSSION REGARDING CITIZEN IDEAS & REQUESTS: (No Action Taken)

(This produced an extremely long list from citizens, including those participating in the Citizen Engagement Program. It was quickly ascertained that many suggestions did not realistically apply to the function or responsibility of an incorporated area. Observers might have regarded this portion of the meeting as a learning experience for the City itself, that being the need to define, refine, and educate citizens prior to accepting so many suggestions that were not applicable or appropriate for City action. A review of State Statutes relating to the purpose of incorporated areas might serve well as a guideline for keeping both city council members and interested citizens on the right track.)

Meeting continued to January 15, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. (Break at 7:10 p.m. on 1-14-15.) Reconvened at 3:11 p.m. on 1-15-15:

Sedona Arizona

Sedona Arizona

DISCUSSION/CONSENSUS/POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING FINAL AGREEMENT ON THE CITY COUNCIL’S PRIORITIES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015 AND FY 2015-2016:

By majority consensus, Council agreed to the following priorities:

1. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance Update.

2. Arts community support for their development of museum, galleries and studio space for Sedona artists – this item was combined with Item #5.

3. Beautification of SR 89A including installation of landscaping in right-of -way:  This item requires a budget decision package.

4. Central Meeting Place/Community Gathering Place/Places pursuant through Brewer Road master planning, CFA or String of Pearls planning processes:  This item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

5. Citywide Cultural and Arts Plan – this item was combined with Item #2.

6. Community Development ability to accept electronic applications and plans submittal – this item requires a budget decision package.

7. Economic Development Program – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

8. Explore concepts for new design and aesthetics for street signs – this item requires a budget decision package.

9. Garbage and recycling service franchise plan – this item requires a budget decision package.

10. Hazardous materials disposal – this item requires a budget decision package.

Hart Store Hummingbird House11. Historic Hummingbird House (Hart Store) storm water protection grant project – this item was removed from Council priorities.

12. Housing In-lieu policy update and develop policy around spending affordable housing funds.

13. Human Rights Ordinance for the City.

14. Illegal conversion of single family homes to multifamily units – this item was combined with Item #21 and requires a budget decision package.

15. Land Development Code Review and Update – this item requires a budget decision package. (High Priority)

16. Long term Funding for Capital Projects – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

17. Mitigate traffic and parking issues & completion of citywide multi-modal transportation/traffic study – this item requires a budget decision package. (High Priority)

18. Monitoring of destination marketing and product development funding and efforts – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

19. Alternative Expenditure Limitation Options for Future – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

20. Scenic Area Protection – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

21. Short Term (Vacation) Rentals Code Enforcement – this item was combined with Item #14 and requires a budget decision package.

22. Storm water management – this item is a Capital Improvements Project and will have a budgetary impact.

23. Street Performers Ordinance – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

24. Take the lead in an effort to bring various stakeholders together to develop recommendations regarding how to implement the USFS Trailheads and Oak Creek Canyon Shuttle Transportation Study.

25. Traffic Safety Options Citywide – this item requires a budget decision package.

26. Uptown crosswalk and safety improvements – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

27. Website enhancement – this item is in process and should be worked on prior to new priorities being started.

28. Wireless Master Plan/Broadband – this item requires a budget decision package.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: No discussion took place

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2015.

******

dollar billWith reference to Item 16 above, Long ferm Funding for Capital Projects, it was specifically noted by Assistant City Manager Karen Daines that this encompasses ideas for funding options. Bonding through GO bonds, property taxes, improvement districts, general debt financing, sales tax increase to be earmarked for specific projects were offered as suggestions for new sources of revenue: She reminded the Council of the “two to three year time frame before we’ll have depleted our existing capital reserves” and, that “everything beyond the next three years is unfunded” regarding capital improvement needs.

Although both Coconino and Yavapai Counties assist financially with storm water management, which is derived from respective property taxes for each county, additional funding will still be required in the future.

Prior to adjournment, Ms. Karen Daines also emphatically called the Council’s attention to the fact that right now budgetary items exceeded one million dollars.

“I think a million dollars is a big number,” stated Ms. Daines.

Mayor Moriarty suggested to “Deal with it during the budget process.”

******

Arizona State Capitol Building

Arizona state capitol roof

For those who might have missed it, the following is a portion of the Arizona Revised Statutes which appeared as a comment on Sedona Eye. Of significance is defining “the common council” as having power within the “limits of the town” as designated by physical city boundaries:

UNDER TITLE 9, CITIES AND TOWNS:
9-240. General powers of common council
B. The common council shall also have power within the limits of the town:
2. To appropriate money and provide for the payment of its debts and expenses.
3. (a) To exercise exclusive control over the streets, alleys, avenues and sidewalks of the town and to give and change the names thereof.
(b) To prevent and punish for the encumbering thereof, and to abate and remove all encumbrances and obstructions thereon.
(c) To widen, extend, straighten, regulate, grade, clean or otherwise improve the same.
(d) To open, lay out and improve new streets, avenues and alleys.
(e) To vacate or abandon any street, avenue, alley, park, public place or sidewalk in such town or to abolish them, provided that rights-of-way or easements of existing sewer, gas, water or similar pipelines and appurtenances and for canals, laterals or ditches and appurtenances, and for electric, telephone, and similar lines and appurtenances shall continue as they existed prior to the vacating, abandonment, or abolishment thereof.
(f) To protect the same from encroachment and injury.
4. To erect and maintain bridges, culverts, sidewalks and crossways, and prevent and punish for injuries thereto or obstructions thereon.
5. (a) To construct and maintain sewers and drains, and prevent and punish for any obstruction thereof, or thereto.
(b) To change the channels of natural watercourses, to wall the same and cover them over, and regulate the same as sewers.
(c) To prevent and punish for the filling up, altering or changing of natural watercourses by private persons.

imagine sedona community planUnder those same terms, it’s the “common” residents and businesses located within the confines of the designated area who not only pay the sales tax (as do ALL people who shop in Sedona), but, in addition, we pay for business licenses, utility franchise fees, development impact fees, permits for special events, monthly sewer assessments (for those on sewer), rental tax on commercial properties, and quite possibly other “in city” assessments not mentioned in this list.

Therefore, if it’s State mandated that creature comforts such as adequate streets and storm drainage, presently doomed in Sedona due to lack of financing while funding in the past has been available for “whatevers” then, maybe, just maybe, could there be hope for this new Council to reassess their priorities?

The Community Plan serves only as a “guide” for future planning, presumably at such a time when funding is conveniently available without sacrificing Arizona State mandated amenities.

The Community Plan is not the written law. In fact, the “Revised Plan” was approved early last year (2014) when a mere 37% of 6495 registered voters even showed enough interest to bother to vote.

Don’t be fooled though. Voters will turn out when you might least expect it.

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

13 Comments

  1. Sedona Sam says:

    Great article! Thank you for such a clear, factual and well written accounting of things.
    Love the refresher course on Arizona Revised Statutes UNDER TITLE 9, CITIES AND TOWNS. This seems to be forgotten.
    Thank you

  2. jack says:

    Thank you Eddie.
    Thank you Karen Daines.

    Concerned with:
    “With reference to Item 16 above, long term funding for Capital Projects, it was specifically noted by Assistant City Manager Karen Daines that this encompasses ideas for funding options. Bonding through GO bonds, property taxes, improvement districts, general debt financing, sales tax increase to be earmarked for specific projects were offered as suggestions for new sources of revenue. She reminded the Council of the “two to three year time frame before we’ll have depleted our existing capital reserves.” That “everything beyond the next three years is unfunded” regarding capital improvement needs.
    Although both Coconino and Yavapai Counties assist financially with storm water management, which is derived from respective property taxes for each county, additional funding will still be required in the future.
    Prior to adjournment, Ms. Karen Daines also emphatically called the Council’s attention to the fact that right now budgetary items exceeded one million dollars.
    “I think a million dollars is a big number,” stated Ms. Daines. Mayor Moriarty suggested to “Deal with it during the budget process.””

    If the 1.3 million stayed at the city level instead of funding the regional chamber we would be better off. Cancel the chamber contract, no return on investment and they do not represent the incorporated sales and bed tax generators. They are private special interest group.

    PLEASE city council do the right thing, cut off supporting and funding special interest groups.

  3. Maybe this helps explain why the residential population of Sedona dropped when the last census was taken. What was it? Over a 1,000 less than the previous ten years? Interesting reading.

  4. Marv says:

    Can’t help but wonder why in last year’s budget (fiscal year 2014-15 commencing July 1) staff recommended the source of funding in the amount of $150,000 for Brewer Road property design for future development to come from Community Facilities District (in-lieu of bed tax fees) generated by the Fairfield and Summit timeshare complexes, earmarked use to be directly beneficial to residents. Does that mean improvements to over-priced vacant land is more important than cited provisions under Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 9, Cities and Towns?

    Appreciating Ms. Daines recognition that one million dollars is a lot of money, using $150,000 for improvements to vacant property primarily for recreational purposes was not in the best interest of benefiting residents in general. It remains a mystery to me why “dedicated revenue streams” for such things as drainage, roads, and public safety projects are not adequately addressed prior to frivolous designation. Wouldn’t that eliminate the need to pursue “new money” for funding our essential needs?

  5. sharlett says:

    Oh, come on folks! The biggest issue is that Mz Daines reported (correctly) that with in the next 2 to 3 years there will be no money = $$$$$ – in the City’s Capital account to spend on all the crap, this Council (and the last) want to spend that is way above and beyond the basic issues of Health, Safety and Welfare this and every Council is charged with dealing with!

    Yet again we have a new council and Mayor who just love to spend our money (even if it’s not there!) and then Mz Daines boldly, and correctly, reminds them that they have just added another $1m to the evaporating capital funds!

    What ever happened to the concept that if you want to spend more money then you should look for the ways to remove money from other areas in order to pay for the new items? ………Instead of ramping up expenses with no earthly way to pay for those feel goods?

    If anyone starts talking about Go Bonds or City Prop Taxes or higher Sales Taxes – to pay for the wish list – well then the fight is on!

    If I can budget my accounts to not go in the hole and can pay for my primary bills, and save money for the rainy day surprises, and not ask for substance from my neighbors = how come City can’t do the same???

  6. WOO HOO says:

    Editor/Publisher:

    LOVE the addition of the Hart Store photo (on the list of official national historic places) since this council chose to cancel the Hummingbird House from the list of priorities. Just when you think you’ve seen and heard it all! Hope the sign is preserved the next time it gets flooded.

  7. Eric says:

    Sedona issues fixed by less council interference and less than grand ideas. Try it.

  8. FYI says:

    This is the breakdown on the vote for approving the revised Community Plan:

    Sedona AZ (March 11, 2014) – With approximately 37% of the City of Sedona registered 6495 voters casting ballots (2422), the Unofficial Preliminary Special Election Results for the March 11, 2014, election for the City of Sedona Arizona are below:

    Proposition 427 Resolution #2013-25, a resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Sedona, Arizona, finding and determining certain facts and adopting the November 2013 New Sedona Community Plan of the City of Sedona Arizona received the following vote totals and percentages:

    PROPOSITION 427 VOTE/BALLOT TOTAL PERCENT OF VOTES

    YES 1499 61.89%

    NO 923 38.11%

    Yavapai County has reported that they have at least 63 ballots that have not been processed. For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 928-282-3113 or SIrvine@SedonaAZ.gov.

  9. It is very disturbing to learn that at a council meeting yesterday (1/27) Asst. City Mgr. Karen Daines accused those of us with second homes as being non-contributors to the city tax base.

    Well Ms. Daines, you are mistaken.

    Our primary residence is in City of Sedona and we do have a second property elsewhere where we visit occasionally throughout the year and may extend our stay during the heat of the summer for one or two months.

    We do not disconnect our utility services which means although our usage may be reduced during our absence, we continue to pay a City Franchise Fee in addition to a City Utility Tax or State, County and City Sales Tax where applicable. And of course we are not forgiven our monthly sewer fee during our absence nor are we given a property tax break from the county where we reside.

    In addition we arrange for someone to do house checks during our absence and pay for upkeep on our property, also contributing to the employment market.

    To recklessly deem part-time residents as city albatrosses is grossly unfair, in particular in the context that it’s a reason to seek additional ways to acquire “new money.”

    Of course if Ms. Daines herself lives outside Sedona City Limits she may not be aware of what is included on our in-city utility bills. As Asst. City Mgr. we suggest she checks it out prior to passing such hasty judgment.

  10. Frank says:

    RE “Sedona Residents” It became pretty common for the last city council to bash residents for not paying their fair share. Now to learn at least one city staff member is doing the same thing is extremely discouraging. If the population of Sedona continues to drop during census reports it isn’t because of those who own properties in more than one location. It’s because increasingly Sedona’s reputation is that it isn’t a nice place to live anymore.

  11. Sedona voter says:

    It appears to this Sedona resident that any time any of us do not openly accept whatever scheme the city presents to us, we are treated with disdain by city staff members. In addition, the manipulative practice of accusing of us of being “guilty” in some way; whether it’s not being “community minded,” or selfish is often applied to us and especially in public settings in the hopes our vocalization will be stifled.

  12. Norm says:

    Doesn’t just looking at the low turnout vote on the Community Plan revision indicate the really vast majority of Sedona residents are peace loving folks who moved here for the pleasure of small town living in an atmosphere free from big city life most of us left behind?

    Unfortunately it’s the really small minority who want and are succeeding to change things to “what they were back there” and those are the ones controlling our destiny. Listening to demands from the 40’ish generation for more things to do? What happened to the concept of being creative, entertaining at home, patronizing local night spots, or perhaps resuming a tightly knit family with appropriate activities? Since when was it the responsibility of government, at any level, to be all things to all people over and above mandatory infrastructure necessities that are obvious?

    Take those folks and unite them with council members not willing to live within their charge, Sedona City Limits, and we have an ongoing demise of what the Chamber would like us to believe is the most beautiful place on earth. Sadly their egos and pocket books are being fed financially by those who continue to ignore State Statutes that should have prevented this gross destruction under the flag of incorporation.

  13. And just how do time share owners factor into the population count? While 10,000 might be what the census reflects, at any given time we have maybe 18,000 living in this pretty small space. Have you ever driven through the Summit in West Sedona? That’s just one example. And people wonder why the traffic?

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