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Sedona Eye City Talk

City of Sedona article

City of Sedona article

Sedona AZ (February 26, 2014)The following Sedona Eye on City Talk article was submitted by the City of Sedona Arizona:

I would be the first to admit that the excruciatingly slow pace of government progress makes me crazy. As a businessman, I know that if decisions took as long to implement in private business as they do in government, businesses would not be able to survive.

After serving in the Sedona government for eight years, I have come to realize that the slow pace of government is not necessarily because of the inefficiency of the structure of city administration. Instead, it has to do with the inherent process of a democratic government. Issues and decisions must be vetted at numerous levels before action can be taken. In many cases, a proposed action or idea must be considered and approved in different phases by staff, commissions or committees, the city council, and the general public. Sometimes, a study must be done by professional consultants. The timing of this process may take months or possibly years. The final decision should always be a majority consensus in each of these groups.

City of Sedona Mayor Rob Adams

City of Sedona Mayor Rob Adams

All that being said, there are a number of projects and initiatives that have been working their way through the process for quite some time that have a strong likelihood of becoming reality in 2014. I will give a brief synopsis of each one.

BARBARA’S PARK OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE VENUE – The community vision for this venue has been ongoing for over a decade. After numerous challenges and modifications, a competitive design process was initiated by the City. On Thursday, February 20, three architects presented their concepts at a public meeting at the Sedona Public Library. Citizen input will be solicited for 30 days until March 20. It is anticipated that a winning design will be selected and final approval by the City Council will occur in early May 2014. The design will then move forward to the engineering and construction phase. It is conceivable that construction will begin in late 2014 or early 2015. Funding has already been approved by the City Council.

ART AT THE SCHNEBLY HILL ROUNDABOUT – Three finalists were selected by the former Arts and Culture Commission. Public viewings and choices took place February 10 through February 14. An Art Selection Work Group will consider all of the collected opinions in their final selection of the artist. It is anticipated that a contract for the creation of the art will be awarded by the end of March. The selected artist will have a maximum of one year to complete the project.

HEART OF SEDONA – A community gathering place or Heart of Sedona has been a subject of discussion in Sedona for more than a decade. The City of Sedona has negotiated a purchase contract for approximately 3.5 acres of the former Forest Service Headquarters on Brewer Road. This specific property has been historically identified as a preferred location for a community gathering place. Due diligence is scheduled to be completed in early March. Upon approval of the due diligence findings, the sale could be consummated shortly thereafter. A public process would then be initiated to consider and plan future development opportunities for a community gathering place.

Sedona City Council

Sedona City Council

VERDE LYNX TRANSIT SHELTERS – Five transit shelters are scheduled to be installed along SR 89A sometime after July 2014. The transit shelters are an important and integral component of the public transit system that is being developed that will eventually link four of the five municipalities in the Verde Valley.

CULTURAL PARK – The City staff has begun the process of reviewing conceptual development proposals that have been submitted by the owners of the Cultural Park property. The Cultural Park owners are also working with the administration of Yavapai College to address the future development of the Yavapai College campus. Both entities have been closely monitoring the Community Plan Update and are awaiting the outcome of the public vote before moving forward with any specific proposals.

As many of you are aware, most of the projects that I have mentioned have been the subject of controversy and debate for years. Getting things done in Sedona is often a painful process. We turn over every rock. We argue and debate. We delay and modify. Eventually, we arrive at an outcome that is well thought out and unique for Sedona. During this process, I keep reminding myself, “It is not the process, it is the outcome…. God grant us all the patience to persevere through the process.”

This Sedona Eye City Talk article was written by Sedona Mayor Rob Adams and submitted by city staff with the following disclaimer:  The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of the staff or City Council of the City of Sedona.

 

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

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

 

12 Comments

  1. T.J. says:

    Mayor I recall your voiced opinion at several soirees that Hillside should be the anchor for the future city and not crowded uptown. I agree that area of Sedona has been developed properly but there is no parking or ability to facilitate transit and it is the best it will ever be. I’ve kept quiet for many months reading here. Now I want to say it’s time to smell the roses at the council table. The Brewer property shouldn’t be a parking lot or parking structure. In a mountainous area “pockets” are appropriate and walking to its various levels facilitated. In a peculiarly undramatic way the town of Jerome provides staircases and walking paths to its many levels. Go visit. Wide rock staircases from uptown to Hillside/Tlaquepaque are the right investment but no cars facilities. Blight and pollution are fast becoming the mantra in this drive for a vehicle friendly city that is impossible to do. I have personally spoken with several traffic engineers and they shake their heads and laugh at moving more traffic or faster traffic through Sedona but they won’t turn down money to create something. One from Cape Cod in Massachusetts said we should be ecstatic with our traffic flows during peak times. I replied that isn’t Sedona’s way of being. Another said what a shame that the city isn’t bike friendly. I replied that was counter to what council bragged about. Another suggested we turn the heat off in summer to enable people to walk outdoors. Now he’s a man with ideas. I said we went ahead and installed rows of lights in west Sedona that did nothing to bring people out or keep drivers and pedestrians safe but council wanted APS to lay lines at no cost except ugly. This is it for me. I’ll keep reading but won’t waste my time speaking to a choir of neophytes. Being from Scottsdale and other places doesn’t give insight into how to be a cowboy or how to live in the dry high desert Mayor and staff. Almost to the last every one of you aren’t knowledgeable how to live and maintain in a mountainous region or protect its resources like water and rocks. Now let me state once and only that I like this little upstart of a news program. It’s got a mountain man honesty about it and it’s scrappier than a coyote. Sign me T.J.

  2. Jean says:

    The City cannot afford the Brewer Road Property. Where are the funds to come from to pay the approximately $1 million tab to rid the three buildings of asbestos and bring them up to code? The City’s operating budget, naturally, which has a long list of competing capital projects, many drainage in nature.

    According to the City of Sedona Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013, non-WW expenditures exceeded revenue by $1,470,182 last year. The “intergovernmental Revenues” variance with the 2013 Annual Budget was ($1,014,282.)

    The City’s bonded indebtedness is approximately $50 million. In addition to protecting water and rocks and nature, the Mayor and Council must protect the taxpayers and stop spending money the City does not have.

  3. Tony Tonsich says:

    When is the mayor and the city council going to get the idea that most residents don’t want more congestion, more tourists and more of OUR tax money spent on projects. Most of these projects are created to draw more tourists or to say “We the council and city staff did something while in office.”

    The population of Sedona has shrunk, not grown in the last few years. As there are less residents, we don’t need more services and a huge increase in the city budget.

    If the average age is 56 and makes around $50,000, then about half are older and make less than that. You are taking food out of their budget and making them shop at thrift stores. For what, more tourists, more congestion?

    The city and city council has proven they will not stop spending on their own. They have proven they will not be frugal with OUR money. We must stand up and make them stop.

    The best way is to eliminate the city.

  4. Don says:

    The fastest way Tonsich is not to elect them again. Use the ballot box for its intended purpose. But first a complete audit of its rolls needs to be conducted. Who is in charge of that? The county does it periodically.

    Now’s the time to clean up the rolls after reading a comment that people not eligible are voting. Put that on the next agenda at council. The city would work fine if people held the council accountable.

  5. Jim uptown says:

    @Don The problem is that every city council seems to be worse than the ones they follow. something seems to happen once they sit on their thrones and take command.

    About the need to clean up the registration rolls. YES, much needed and long overdue. wonder why those who leave sedona are even wanting to vote in our elections? what’s it to them? Oh . . . of course. so they can have sedona taxes pay for all their fun and games Silly me.

  6. Marian says:

    Jean Jenks comment is very disconcerting.

    If my business ran those deficits we wouldn’t be in business.

    Oy!

  7. No thanks to the State for changing the dates for elections. Had things remained status quo we might be voting these fools out this month (March.) But oh no elections won’t be until August (primary) and general (November) which means we’re stuck with this onward march to destruction until the first of next year.

    Any bets that the majority of this council will put as much in motion to tie up future funding for years to come? Purchase of Brewer Road and ADOT “Y” property will probably not be the only cash hogs on the horizon. What about the Cultural Park disaster and then we have the grand slam plans for the sewer plant acreage. Wasn’t there talk of a five star resort in that neck of the woods? Let us pray that Yavapai County will have better sense than to grant zoning for such preposterous nonsense.

    If Jennifer, Steve, and their Chamber of Commerce/Lodging Council have their way, Sedona will become the sole source for funding the Holiday Central as well as the festivities at the Posse Grounds (ice skating rink, crappy light display, etc.) No wonder they don’t ask even a small token entrance fee. Who would be dumb enough to pay it?

    The ongoing transferring of pledged funding for the sewer at the time folks voted to incorporate Sedona will probably increase along with the monthly fees for those unfortunate to be connected to the system. It would be interesting to know if timeshares and other privileged “new” developments are being allowed special discounts.

    Already this council is making reference to implementation of the revised Community Plan. Example: Barbara Litrell equating the half-million-plus dollar splash pad as complying with the new stipulation for more family and children functions. Sad part is the “plan” will probably be approved and by what percentage of registered voters?

    Unless the train is derailed by public outcry, it will continue on the one-way run away track. And it won’t be the fault of city council present or future. Registered Sedona voters, even those outside city limits still receiving ballots via their post office boxes in Sedona, will be the sole cause of the direction Sedona is presently pursuing.

    So, these are my opinions unless the city council has also changed the rules to deny us the right to express thoughts disagreeing with theirs. Ha, as if it does any good anyway.

  8. Ben says:

    Hi James,

    just writing to let you know your words haven’t fallen on deaf ears here. And I appreciate your calm manner of laying out the facts, all of which this guy agrees with. I’ve noticed a couple other references to the new plan while watching city council which made me scratch my head cause I didn’t think the votes were in yet.

    to quote T.J. to the council “Almost to the last every one of you aren’t knowledgeable how to live and maintain in a mountainous region or protect its resources like water and rocks”. You have to know how to handle your environment, beauty and nature, and not strip flesh from her skin to sell to the highest bidder.

    My feelings are that this council, past councils and the chamber of commerce have stripped and sold Sedona so many time she is now just a prostitute, and you know what that makes them.

    I’m guessing that the list of projects the mayor has listed here are really just badges that he’s hoping to show off to us. I’m not impressed as none of them mean a lick to me
    .
    by the way mayor guess we won’t have to wait until july for the lynx shelter cause they went in the day this article came out Last Month.

  9. Carol says:

    @James Harrington: Don’t forget the “new plan” provides for “focus areas” and will encourage a “diverse range of housing options.”

    Mayor Adams has already gone on record to seek single family residential areas for rezoning to multiple housing units. Further undefined recommendations for changes to the Land Development Code is high priority in the new plan. Higher density is the name of the game. Will Sedona residents actually vote to support this? We will soon find out.

  10. What’s worse? A Mayor and Council that boldly lies to every man. Sedona deserves better. I read the first comment and then the others. Mayor Adams —- you are false faced. You wrote this letter and it sounds like no deals had been made —- no decisions made — that you and Council expected city feedback. Sedona Eye why print any more of these free advertising pieces in an election year or at any time? Uphold your coyote!

  11. THUMBS UP SEDONA SHARON YOU SAID IT BEST THEYRE FLUFF PIECES FOR PERSONAL & ELECTION ADS & DONT BOTHER WITH THEM

  12. Bonnie says:

    Probably these city items are news releases to all publications. So if Sedona Eye didn’t use them, they wouldn’t really be doing their job of remaining fair and unbiased. What’s really chicken (blank) is that the local hard copy publication reaps all the financial benefits from the city because of so many paid-for public notices. No fair. I say we should encourage a new practice for those notices to be legalized for online publication and cut yet another prejudiced city expenditure.

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