SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock
Sedona AZ – At a Special Sedona City Council Meeting, 3:00 Wednesday afternoon on January 11, 2017, after three long years of a contentious destination marketing agreement with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the City will again revisit the issue. We can only hope the negotiations will prove to be less controversial, fairer, and, in turn, result in acceptable transparency which will dismiss suspicion and mistrust of City Hall dealings. That might very well have been the case had the original commitment for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as well as certified outside audits been upheld as proposed during the initial negotiations. Ignoring both valid concerns was a disservice to everyone.
Five options will be discussed at this meeting as follows:
Option 1: Move forward with the negotiations of a new contract with the Chamber of Commerce.
Option 2: Issue an RFP for tourism promotion services.
Option 3: Create a stand-alone destination marketing organization (DMO) without ties to the Chamber of Commerce.
Option 4: Create a City Department to handle tourism promotion.
Option 5: Issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a travel industry consultancy to assess the current structure, funding relationships, etc. and provide recommendations to the city.
Pros and cons of each option will be discussed at length, such as concerns RFPs will include bids from for-profit agencies. That brings up several questions. Without an official outside audit from a qualified source, how do they know the Chamber has not been making a profit? How many employees have they hired? What has been the cost of improvement to its own facilities, etc? And what is the source of funding for those operating expenses?
And will the City acknowledge the Chamber currently offers its own RFPs for specific services, realistically reducing it to a mere middle-agency, acting on behalf of the City of Sedona?
And how do they justify the extended branding of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce that has occurred within the past three years? What has been the source of that promotional funding for the Chamber instead of the City?
By creating a stand-alone destination marketing organization, the City could avoid real or perceived conflicts between tourism promotion services and the various other functions of the Chamber of Commerce. Although they specify… it is unclear how local and regional partners would react… why should that concern the City? Should their focus at long last be redirected to the residents of incorporated Sedona? They are the people who created the City in the first place, clearly, and with the knowledge it attracted tourists.
Sure, a stand-alone destination marketing organization would result in the re-creation of an already established and successful local agency. However the extent of success of the present local agency has never been undisputedly proven. The source of increased revenue after the great recession coupled with a reduction in gasoline prices has never factually been factored into the increased tourism and resulting upswing in revenue. Nor has it been determined to what extent advertising monies have merely resulted in excessive daytripping, which the City’s infrastructure clearly cannot handle.
As for the suggestion for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a travel industry consultancy to assess and monitor the current structure, would that be nothing more than a babysitter for the contract with the Chamber of Commerce? Should the City have been serving that function for the past three years?
It has frequently been said the City could not afford to operate their stand-alone department. And how would they know? With a Chamber of Commerce now providing funding for USFS trail maintenance, contributing money back to the City for their traffic study, and other generous but questionably frivolous expenditures, most recently to propose purchasing property on behalf of the City with what appears to be leftover funds from the bed tax rebate, how can they make that determination without a precise and reliable audit from an authentic source? They cannot. Is there any reasonable explanation why the City should not take responsibility for allocating the bed tax revenue – all of it – including over and above destination marketing?
And the perfect opportunity to establish a genuine Sedona Visitors Center has been ignored by not including such a service at the Western Gateway. How long will this City tolerate discrimination of their own legitimate licensed, tax collecting businesses within City Limits unless they are forced to be members of what clearly is a regional Chamber of Commerce? And the practice of paid referrals is common, but should the City be involved by financing the activity with public funds and further discriminating against in-city businesses?
Molly Spangler recently hired by the city of Sedona AZ as its Economic Development Director.
With the recent hiring of a professional, Molly Spangler, to serve as Economic Development Director, there is really no need to burden our busy Chamber of Commerce with more additional duties besides servicing its members, which is the purpose of its non-profit organization.
Since when was the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau deemed the “Destination Marketing & Management Organization in Sedona for 65 years?” Up until just a few years ago was it not the Oak Creek Canyon Sedona Chamber of Commerce, then changed to Sedona Chamber of Commerce, and most recently “& Tourism Bureau” was tacked on? This elaborate extension of creating yet another illusion that simply does not exist is pretty much over the top. Wouldn’t you agree? Dumb question.
There is already a campaign in motion to “Make America Great Again.” How about a local endeavor to “Make Sedona Respectable Again”? Meet and greet our visitors with an authentic Sedona Visitors Center and related advertising?
Don’t we deserve it like other places?
Flagstaff (AZ) and Park City (UT) are but two examples that offer proof they survive very well without financial support to their respective Chambers of Commerce.
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Vacation rentals have already pretty much consumed Sedona’s regular rental housing inventory. So go ahead – raise sales tax. Up go rents even more. Commercial properties are already over the moon. And what about hotel/motel room rates? Don’t they collect sales tax as well as bed tax? What will that do to their rates?
You people should all be recalled back to whatever planet you came from. The cost of living in Sedona is close to unaffordable as is. You don’t seem to get it. We are NOT all millionaires or even close to it. Sorry. But sure, you would just as soon kick us to the curb or better yet out of city limits. Well, you’re well on your way.
The Chamber of Commerce and their regional members get richer while you unrealistic and unprofessional decision makers allow it to happen and at the same time drive the residents to the poor house – well – almost. Not the wealthy people from out of state that are buying up properties for vacation rentals. Affordable housing? Get a grip. But of course the question remains .. Will that become a product development commodity and not subject to taxes of any kind?
Better use the magic words so I won’t get sued: In my opinion.
First congratulations Mrs. Maddock as you are the most engaging writer in the entire Verde Valley. This includes those who claim to write for the snooze bias news.
SUGGESTION CITY COUNCIL- take the 3 million dollars that you GIFT the chamber and give it to the legitimate hotels that collect the bed tax. Since you have many claimers deserving this benefit from city bed tax I suggest that you take the 3 MILLION and divide it up among the 30 hotels that actually collect bed tax. Let them decide what brings them the most return or bed tax for their legitimate sales tax bed tax collecting business. If they find the chamber truly gives them the best return then they can invest in the chamber. If they feel a remodel gives them a better return then they should have the opportunity to remodel.
To keep the playing field fair divide the money up by how many rooms they offer for visitor stays. Why should TINY BnB get the same as a large resort or hotel? Fair is fair.
Since vacation rentals also contribute to those bed taxes they should be included in the scenario.
Why should we pay to advertise those that don’t contribute to the tax base? Time to change things up. So Amara. L’Aurgure and Poco would be the largest recipients as they have the most amount of rooms. PERFORMANCE will be the deciding factor for the hotels based on FACTS!
CITY let the businesses decide!!!!!!
IMO LET the businesses do what they are trained to do!!!!
Shopping for the weekends on Thursdays used to be a good time to do so. Judging on yesterday, no more. The traffic on W89 was bumper to bumper at 9:00 AM & creating congestion at the Y roundabouts. For once it wasn’t caused by a backup on 179!! Even the grocery store I shop at was overloaded with long lines at the check out lanes. Of course Sedona didn’t have enough congestion prior to all the money given to the chamber of commerce renewed once more. When timeshares were the going thing it was noticeable those part time residents were also shopping for groceries and cooking meals in their own space. Now we’re we deluged with vacation shortterm renters and guess what? Same thing? Of course that decision was made at state level. Isn’t it interesting how the state mandates their own dumb laws while at the same time completely ignoring the ones already on the books?? Such as forcing compliance of incorporated cities to stay within their own designated jurisdiction of metes and bounds and to represent primarily those living within those incorporated city limits. Not so in Sedona as we all know. Is it true? Are our state representatives even worse than city council? Keep that in mind next election.
So these hair-brained nut jobs continue to give money to the chamber of corruption only to attract more and more tourists and yet have the audacity to say we residents don’t pay our fair share? Well guess what and who isn’t paying their fair share? The city by giving to the chamber millions of dollars thus increasing the need for more fire stations and emergency services. The Fire District Bond will be on the November ballot asking for $17.5 million to accommodate the masses. Nothing is fair about this.
We continue to go down the path of MORE expensive housing. The city and the fire district are chasing everyone out. Vote no on the bond as it will raise the rents here. Enough SFD you get millions go take some business management classes and learn to save instead of spend.
HEY Segner you should be screaming at the SFD They are making affordable housing go bye bye
How about if the fire department bills the chamber of commerce every time they rescue a tourist? They love to take credit for them being in Sedona.
HEY Segner you should be screaming at the SFD They are making affordable housing go bye bye
Our governor did that not the fire dept. If you want to live in a up scale community they be ready to pay….. Black Canyon city may be for you
Hahahahah But then why don’t you pay Steve? The hotels should pay impact fees to the fire district
Segner I’ve seen where you live. Looks worse than Black Canyon City. What a (deleted by editor). No wonder you have to live (deleted by editor) citizens of Sedona.
@ At all hecklers at The Eye,
Beware, Doxxing in coming to The Eye, and there’s no way to stop it!
@the Thought Proctologist
Good news now we can all know that you are really J Rick. And find out all the Tea Party rags you subscribe to…
Awesome
Thank you for the heads up Rick!
So we will be blessed with some more mouth pieces from :
Heritage Foundation
Freedomworks
American Enterprise Institute
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
Lexington Institute
Claremont Institute
Hudson Institute
Cato Institute
Hoover Institution
Project for the New American Century
Center for Security Policy
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Center for Immigration Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies
The Federalist Foundation
NRA
“Eye on Sedona Taxation & Representation” – Sedona Eye – July 4, 2013 – Referencing the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and the Sedona Lodging Council:
“In myriads of publicity it’s been well publicized that both groups are proposing to increase city sales tax by .5% AND to increase the bed tax by .5% for the purpose of dedicating 45% of the TOTAL bed tax collections to be allocated to the “City’s Official Destination Marketing Organization” (under contract with the Chamber of Commerce) for marketing, 15% dedicated to visitor center management and 20% be allocated for tourism product development for as long as such tax is in place.” https://sedonaeye.com/eye-on-sedona-taxation-and-representation/
Fast forward – June 16, 2017 – Red Rock News – City OKs Chamber Contract:
“In regard to the chamber’s plans for the upcoming year, the goal is to attract more overnight guests, especially during the slower periods of summer and winter.”
Does anyone remember a song title – “It Seems to Me I’ve Heard That Song Before.” The entire promotion during the instigation of the City/Chamber contract based on the .5% bed tax four years ago was exactly the same – to increase “destination marketing” during the customary Sedona down-times, as related in the RRN article. The only tangible product from the chamber’s past advertising efforts resulted in lines upon lines of traffic, many of those cars not even stopping in Sedona for various reasons including lack of parking and disgust with the congestion. Isn’t the chamber’s present effort to embark in an effort “to attract more overnight guests” an admission of their failed attempt to do that very thing – FOUR YEARS AGO? Sound familiar?
Possibly the only thing that changed during that time is the ante has increased substantially to a whopping $2,141,700, plus an additional $245,000 from the anticipated current year’s collections that will be paid in next year. (2018)
And for the record, how about we address the fallacy of defending the chamber’s policy to promote only their members, many outside Sedona City Limits and not collecting city sales and bed taxes. The big hype has been defending the guests staying in those facilities because they drive into Sedona (city) and shop? Really? And what catchy phrase has been coined for those patrons? Could it, by chance, be “Day Trippers?”
Business as usual? NOT! Business even worse than usual sounds more like it to me. Although the increase in sales tax was dropped in 2013, it’s very likely to be back on the table in the very near future. Heads-up Sedona businesses – get those petitions ready to oppose it again and let us know where they are available.
Eddie Maddock
This is all so very sad. It was a difficult decision for us to move from Sedona in the 90’s but following events of the past few years it was definitely a wise choice.
Never ever when we lived there would it have been acceptable for a private, non-profit organization to be given money to run Sedona. (we were avid members of the C of C back then) What are these fools thinking? And as I read comments under other articles, the leader of the pack is someone named Steve Segner who according to one of his comments is an an advocate for communism? That is based on his remark that Sedona is NOT a democracy and the majority has no voice.
Yes we had guardian angels on both shoulders the day we followed our moving van out of what once was one of the most beautiful places in the world. If anything the current management of the Chamber of Commerce coached by local government is the worst thing that could happen short of a natural disaster (earthquake, fire, flood, etc.) So sad.
For sure things continue to worsen for Sedona city businesses.
For example, City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 8, there are FOUR items under the consent agenda for Special Event Liquor Licenses – three of which are for city sponsored events.
Two for Red Earth Theatre, city owned facility. One for the annual Wine Festival at city owned Posse Grounds property. The fourth is for the Rotary Club, surprisingly not being held at a city owned property but the library which was established entirely through the efforts of volunteers and does NOT belong to the city! Oh sure – it gets substantial funding but why not? Isn’t that the name of the game? Support special interests – period!
Wake up Sedona businesses! YOU are the ones now paying increased minimum wages for employees. YOU are ones collecting city sales tax and paying same high taxes on your commercial rentals! And the City of Sedona is slowly but surely turning out to be your greatest competition, sacrificing potential tax revenue and inviting the demise of struggling licensed business all to cater to a special few.
It would be bad enough IF Red Rock Theatre was leasing city owned Teen Center (now call The Hub). However, for the city to be paying them thousands of dollars annually to use the facility and now paying for cocktail lounge entertainment is – oh my – fill in the blank of words that could be used. And this so-called city is in need of new sources of tax revenue? Wonder why.
Marcella
Business as usual
Both are the same crazy lady who posts using 10-15 times a day using different names and hijacking names…..She is a tea party member and hates Sedona.
ESM is just stirring the pot and is a hot air mouthpiece …..she just complains and does her shopping in cottonwood anyway….
Stupid traffic survey. Since the chamber of commerce is getting close to 3 million annually, they should pay to fix the traffic problems. They are the ones that caused the traffic problems in the first place. It only makes sense that they should pay to fix them. They after all have more money than the city of sedona. Sedona is running close to 10 million dollar deficit. Retarded people running this city in my opinion.
They should be shunned. Every city council member, every chamber member. Refuse to speak or do business with them. Flip them off every time you see them.
(deleted by SedonaEye.com editor – visit theburningplatformdotcom if interested in this hyperlink)
The city council agenda (8/8/17) also includes a dandy little entry under “Consent Items” – translated – Slam Dunk Approval:
“AB 2271 Approval of endorsement of the vision statement and goals of the Red Rock Trails Sustainable Funding Work Group”
That means more accolades for the chamber of commerce when they so generously turn over city revenue to the USFS to assist in maintaining the hiking trails. Whoopee! C of C gets the credit – as if it’s their members coughing up the do-re-mi to throw at a federal agency. No folks, it’s your tax dollars going to further memorialize a rip-off special interest group that’s pulling and controlling all strings at city hall.
Just be prepared to cough up additional sales tax when they finalize their recommendations based on that costly traffic study. Results of a current traffic survey indicated more than 67% would favor a 1/2% increase, 53% would go for a 3/4% increase, and 51% would support a 1% increase. Really? But, of course, that presumably is based on that sales tax increase being “dedicated” to road improvements.
And what happened with the “dedicated sales tax” that was to have gone to fund the wastewater treatment plant? Believe their spiel and you you deserve what is in store.
Please – don’t buy into this nonsense. Most of the people now occupying seats in the Great White Towers of City Hall won’t be around by the time these improvements come about. (if they ever do) THAT’s a FACT based on the broken commitments such as those made during the sales pitch for incorporation. The list is lengthy.
To Sedona Residents connected to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (sewer):
Have you noticed an increase in your monthly bills lately? Keep in mind (and it was even confirmed by Vice Mayor John Martinez as indicated by other comments made on this site) sales tax money had previously been earmarked for maintaining that treatment plant. And what became of that commitment?
Therefore, also keep that in mind when loose talk about pledging a future increase in sales tax will be dedicated for road improvements is bantered about! Ain’t necessarily true – especially as the change of command at City Hall continues to revolve.
The comment about alleged “dedicated” taxes is right on! All these dictators want is new methods to collect taxes so they can continue to give hand outs to places like Red Earth Theatre to use a city owned facility to hold their events. And to boot they (RET) collect admittance fees? More “dedicated” sales taxes?
As Steve Segner went on record, Sedona is NOT democracy. Only when it comes to assessing taxes. Then and only then the majority seem to matter. (but NOT when allocating those funds) Legitimate crooks?
The only dedicated taxes this city honors is the ridiculous 55% of the bed tax revenue they give to the chamber of commerce. Sure state law mandates that a percentage of a discretionary tax be redistributed to benefit those collecting it. However the percentage amount isn’t set, that was done by the city. At any time they could lower it and use the money for what it’s really needed – Road Improvements. And that too would serve the Lodging Council well as it enhances the experience for tourists when they visit here. Why is that so difficult to comprehend?
OMG – After a couple vacation months of not watching City Council meetings I took a walk on the wild side and decided to join in today —- OMG —– Much to my dismay!!!
More than an hour and a half into the meeting they are still discussing items that were on the Consent Agenda!!!!! Would seem some people who are responsible for setting the council agenda just don’t have the grasp of the community and what the community feels important —— or 1 Council member.
Now chamber is saying the Dog park is one of the most ” treasured” parks in town…where the City wants to pay for plastic grass…think chamber just needs to stay out of at least ONE issue in town….or maybe the chamber can send over their members to hose off the plastic grass that gets hot in summer…..this is just too funny that city is spending this much time on this “consent agenda item”.
What struck me funny about that council meeting @sheri g had more to do with the consent items allowing liquor permits for special events. Nothing wrong in certain situations, but the give-away to Red Earth Theatre not only of city taxes to use the city owned facility but encouraging competition with licensed business is absurd.
The discussion of the dog park wasn’t part of the consent agenda. What struck me odd was once again one of the speakers (maybe the first) to support the funding was from the Village of Oak Creek. So here we go again – Sedona residents fund projects to be used free of charge for the entire Verde Valley. But the comment made by a member of the council that because the chamber promoted Sedona as being pet (dog) friendly it was a good idea – well – sheri g is right. Why must the chamber constantly be made center reference at every single incorporated City of Sedona Council Meeting? Oh – but of course – because they are “regional” and quite possibly it was by special invitation the guest from VOC was asked to speak on behalf of the dog park. Barf! oops – Bark.
Excuse me, but was I watching the same meeting? The meeting I watched August 8) approved the ENTIRE consent agenda in less than five minutes with the exception of “Item d. AB 2253 Approval of FY18 service contract between the Cify of Sedona and the Sedona Humane Society.” The reason being to move it for discussion under an item scheduled under “Regular Business” also dealing with issues of the Sedona Humane Society and animal control. When did it become unusual for consent agenda items to be pulled for further discussion?
Marcy
Sheri G
Exception to the rule
Bingo
Yes all the same crazy lady!!!!
She’s getting sicker
My imagination keeps running away with me. All those people I listed just has to be her. Oh why oh why did she reject me? I can’t stop complaining and criticizing imaginary person or persons that post on this site. It is an obsession I had my entire life. She turned me down and I can’t get it off my mind. Someone I can’t control. So I read into every post, thinking it must be her. I don’t like the Sedona Eye as it allows the truth to be posted.The flatlanders are getting informed. I like it better when I can spin things in my favor. Can anyone please help me? My Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is really out of control. Pleasseeee.
Really?
It was the Russians, the Russians, the Russians……….
Those 4 as listed plus many many more.
For those who don’t remember or new to our red rock city, Sheri G was on city council and while her group of 7 did some good work, she was one who made it rather divisive. Here she is saying “Much to my dismay” when her council was far worse. Like @ Sheri G above, I watched that part of the council video and saw them being very reasonable when it came to spending money which is exactly why I voted for the former police chief and the vice mayor. That new “John” was a bit over the top with the humane society. He spent an hour trying to save a few bucks on fees.
This city council is by far the wose ever. It is hard to beat Rob Adams and the destructive gang. But ET Mayor loud mouth and jm need to get off this planet.
Fun to follow these folks & sometimes you get a better view of things if you want to, but not a lot even try. I like the articles & comments.
Go east
Quite possibly the number one reason proposed for Sedona to incorporate was to control development – in particular density, height, color, and design – essentially for the purpose of maintaining open space, to avoid obstructing views, to preserve scenic surroundings, small town character, and quality of life.
Amending the Community Plan to allow High Density Development is currently under consideration. The following link will take you to the city site. Please note there is an option to make a comment.
If this is important to you, then it will be your own fault for having passed up the opportunity to voice your opinion if and when property near you is rezoned for higher density development. The time to put a halt to this is now and it may be your final chance.
http://sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/community-development/projects-and-proposals/multifamily-high-density-plan-amendment-proposal
What? Amend the Community Plan for High Density Housing Development?
So it wasn’t bad enough when the State forced short term/vacation rentals upon us? Now this property rights grabbing city is going to disregard our single family residential zoning for high density just because they think they can? And what’s to stop the State of Arizona to say those same rental properties CANNOT be restricted to low or affordable income? Isn’t that exactly what happened with the ADUs (Auxillary Dwelling Units) approved against public opinion not that many years ago?
How quickly was that scrapped when Sedona had to recently accept State of Arizona compromising our residential zoning by making vacation rentals legal? And now Sedona is willing to do the same thing? Force us to comprise the integrity of our subdivisions for multifamily housing?
Hope if it passes they ALL turn into vacation rentals and properly knock the sox off the greedy lodging council that is pushing for this latest not-so-small accommodation of affordable housing to benefit THEIR employees that they, themselves, refuse to provide for. SHAMEFUL BEASTS is maybe a more printable version of what I’d really like to call them.
Talk about being SMALL MINDED. I own a small shop in Uptown and have the most difficult time finding employees. Don’t you think that it’s important for us to keep open? Don’t you think that it’s important for the economy of Sedona that we have some “work force”.
Ohhh, I bet you’ll say that we should like “those people” live in Cottonwood or Camp Verde.
And the Sedona Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the national economic upswing as well as the surging stock market? Based on their reports, you should be well enough off to give all your employees a hefty raise. And maybe someone can sell a bridge over Red Rock Crossing to the VOC, too.
Too bad some of you haven’t lived in really big cities where people take it for granted that driving sometimes even 50 miles or more to a job is a fact of life. And you babies want more free government entitlements?
Well maybe some of us know a little more about the real world. Get a grip. Why can’t everyone in Southern California live in Beverly Hills? Or up north – the plushy coastal towns? Wonder how they would like government funded high rises there? Also tourist attractions – but not for long if that were to happen.
At least the responses to the revelation of what’s coming down the pike (high density development) has confirmed the ulterior motive. More futile justification for product development?
Keep It. Wicked bad hot there. Two of us live in Flagstaff & work Cottonwood. Our choice. Lots of Sedona people living here & working in Sedona or valley like Scottsdale. I (Caitlyn) lived in Portland & it took 1:15 to get to work & I lived in the city & took city trans. So what? Bilbo & Val lived in Santa Barbara & took 2 hrs to get to work. Where work is not where we want to live! We prefer living where we want, working where we want. Friends do to. OLD PEOPLE Sedona & & a tourist trap & hot for nine months so bad you can’t breathe. Keep it. Hopi had two friends move there one in VOC & one in town near creekside. She lives in east Flag & takes her 45 mins to get to west side and that’s OK by her. Her Sedona friends left after bad year & took six kids out of your schools, they say sucked big time & needed better. Sedona no way any day any way!
So you can’t get employees to work uptown? That should be the least of your problems. How about the comedy of ongoing city errors beginning but not ending with narrowing 89A through Uptown??? then creating mess with detour and construction to the city parking lot??? No wonder people just want to drive through Sedona and not bother to even stop in the cuckoo’s nest. That alone should give reason to NEVER return.
Logical words @Bean/B & V/HopiKim. Thanks but no thanks to the city for creating traffic problems and delays coming DOWN the canyon. It’s their own brilliant (or lack thereof) checkoff list of mistakes as outlined in the top paragraph. Next chapter? High Density Development (betcha ya’ll ain’t seen nothin’ yet)!!!!!
Once again thinking back the demand for the ADUs was pretty unrealistic considering some that were provided as required by city code but located offsite from one of the uptown lodging remodels and recalling back there were NO TAKERS!!!
How’s them apples?
Question? Does your city government have any type of checking on hiring of undocumented immigrants? The purpose in asking is because reading through so many comments it seems reasonable to think it would be the hotels (lodging council?) that would benefit most from alleged affordable housing. If it’s true then is there some sort of law (code?) for Sedona’s hotel industry to provide a certain amount of housing accommodations for various types of employees (we all know what they are – maids, gardeners, so forth) If so then why are they resistant to do so? Too cheap or are they hiring undocumented workers?
Is it Sedona’s ultimate goal to provide the comforts to accommodate benefits to provide and serve as a well equipped Sanctuary City which BTW is against federal law? Just asking.
For the record I’m a nonresident.
YES Flag comments, starbucks put java love + ravenheart out of biz & (deleted by editor) chain restaurants like shittooeetle mex food & ugly hotels & chain stores drove down all our salaries. YES they did. Driving down real estate prices. air pollution days we didn’t have before.
You all should be thanking the Chamber and Lodging council for the piss axx service related jobs…..Blah Blah. Who in their right mind want to sit in a tiny store in uptown to sell wares for $15 dollars an hour? No one. No college and this issue of no workers for the service related jobs is a NATIONAL issue. The population of sedona is too small. You don’t have a diversified economy or residents.
YOU road that horse so suck it up and work your own store @@Oh Brother. It is what it is. YOU KNEW THIS BEFORE you opened the store. You should be paying more and should be thankful to live here.
It does make me laugh reading when store owners cry about paying employees fair wages. They multiply their wholesale prices not 100%, not 300% and sometimes not 1000% to rip off stupid.
Minimum wage Sedona should be $25 an hour for part timers (40 hours or less) with mandated health and 401K benefits per employee paid by the employers based on government index poverty level. No Sedona shop employee should be taking home less than $50K a year in a salary and benefits package.
If you don’t like it employers, learn to work for your money.
@donna believe it
Wow Donna does that mean that when you had your bakery YOU paid your workers $25 and hour? Talk about “pie in the sky” Please tell me what business in this town can afford that.
I don’t own a bakery and don’t know what or why you said that @Donna (what’s your name?). I’m a professional and not a business owner. I believe in social fairness and that’s my point of view. Suggest that you use your own name please and not reference mine when you don’t know me. I make a six figure income and pay my housekeeper exactly what I suggested others should do. I know many business owners running stores in this town and they all can afford to pay their employees these kinds of salaries. Your business must be poorly conceived from its beginning to not afford proper pay or why aren’t you working it yourself if the business is faltering? Some people are not good business owners or partners. Address the responses and not your presumptions please.
Thanks to the City of Sedona Community Development (Audree Juhlin is the Director), a major amendment to the Community Plan to establish a Multifamily High Density Residential designation to allow for developments greater than 12 units per acre was on P & Z’s Agenda last Tuesday.
Didn’t this terrible, traffic generating idea come from Steve Segner, who doesn’t live in Sedona, but is pushing affordable housing here?
This is a matter of supply and demand. There’s a limited, extremely inadequate number of people who are willing to work for the low wages routinely paid in the Verde Valley. Very many have no interest whatsoever in living and working in Sedona as there’s little nightlife or other interesting amenities in this town with a median age of 58. The schools are bad as well. Retirees on limited incomes are more likely to want to live in low income housing in Sedona, if any.
There will be a Community Plan housing density discussion at City Hall on August 22 at 4:25 p.m.
Almost 3,000,000 people a year drive through or visit Sedona so you think putting a few more houses on an acre of land is going to cause more traffic if you don’t like it go to the meeting and say something , in case you haven’t noticed the millennial’s like to move to communities that are walking distance of stores where people live closer together, shops are closer together. Yes I would love to see more density done well under the community Plan,Sedona is not your retirement town
Just an update for I do live and and in Sedona . Anytime you’d like to compare tax bills let me know , oh yeah there is no city tax I forgot the visitors pay most of our expenses
@Supply & Demand you write ……. Didn’t this terrible, traffic generating idea come from Steve Segner, who doesn’t live in Sedona, but is pushing affordable housing here? Check out @Observation 8/15. You might just find your answer there :-). If feds came around and started checking for green cards there might REALLY be a shortage of hospitality employees. Just maybe?
Supply and demand nailed it.
If we increase the supply of moderate and low income housing we will have more people to fill them and more people who could work in Sedona , great idea . I know we all want a community that has a mix of low income retirees middle income and Rich and let’s not forget the tourists who support us, let’s make a sedona that works for everyone