SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock provides a forum for Sedona mayoral candidate, Kurt Gehlbach, to provide his perspective on the March 2020 City Council decision to approve the purchase of 430 Forest Road (Uptown) for over its appraised value, and encumbering more than $11 million in new debt for city taxpayers if projected tourism parking meter income fails to service the debt.
Sedona AZ – Although earth as an orb continues its normal rotation, global inhabitants have been thrown into an alien orbit which is NOT in outer space. The seriousness of the deadly coronavirus is reality in the truest form. Isn’t it somewhat stunning to become shell-shocked and forced to face the fact that mere mortals really don’t have a great deal of control?
However and in spite of the turmoil, it is an election year and survivors of the pandemic will have the privilege of casting votes in Sedona for candidates vying for Sedona Mayor and rotating seats on the Sedona City Council.
The two mayoral contenders remain Mayor Sandy Moriarty, opting for yet another term, and a new name on the slate, Kurt Gehlbach.
Because the coronavirus conflict quite likely will obstruct the opportunity for city council candidate forums prior to the primary vote in August, Mr. Gehlbach contacted me inquiring about the possibility for Sedona Eye to feature some information about him. Therefore, this resulting article has been derived solely from e-mail communication obliging the mandate for no private meetings, consultations, or even phone calls.
Mr. Gehlbach opted to focus on his own perspective relating to the city council’s recent approval at the council meeting on March 24, 2020:
- AB 2570 Approval of a Resolution authorizing a Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for the City of Sedona to purchase the property located at 430 Forest Road (APN 401-160-71) located in Coconino County, City of Sedona, Arizona, for the sum of $480,000 for use as a parking structure.
Due to recent global events creating such an upheaval and uncertain economic predictions, Kurt Gehlbach maintains this premise:
Sedona AZ uptown tourist traffic. The city plans to build parking garages for 500 additional vehicles in Uptown to encourage shopping. [Photo courtesy The Arizona Republic]
He continues: “With regards to real estate, I personally have 24 years as a licensed residential Real Estate Agent and Developer, always successful through every negotiation. Why? Experience, research, knowledge and always emotionally prepared to negotiate.
Considering all circumstances I would never move forward with the purchase of any property during an election year and certainly not when we know there’s the possibility for another financial recession.
When moving forward within favorable conditions I first request a current appraisal to be accomplished by the property owner. While waiting for the appraisal, I personally research all comparative properties in order to compare to the appraisal. When the appraisal comes in, I scrutinize the hell out of it making sure everything is accurate and up to date. When negotiations begin, I never offer appraised value, starting the negotiation below appraisal, especially when it’s a cash transaction.”
Questioning the wisdom of the city having paid $100,000 OVER appraised value at the recommendation of the city manager, Mr. Gehlbach stated: “The people of Sedona have now been ripped off through pure ignorance!”
His conclusion is the city of Sedona has now set a precedent for any FUTURE land acquisitions to be overvalued, questioning the premise of “property is only worth what the Buyer is willing to pay.” Is that true when the investment was overpriced to begin with?
Regarding future Uptown parking, here’s what Kurt Gehlbach has to say:
A recent ADOT traffic study found the majority of Sedona tourist traffic backs up miles just to drive through the Sedona city limits without stopping before continuing along SR 89A to reach their northern destinations.
“$11.5 million to place 300 automobiles in the center of uptown, and that’s one of two parking structures, totaling roughly an additional 500 automobiles in Uptown Sedona. Add another $500,000 or more for the “ledge work” they will find digging down at least 2 floors or 30 feet (??)”
Kurt continues: “Not long ago our Mayor, Sandy Moriarty, was headstrong to be part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, designed to cut emissions, basically decreasing Sedona’s carbon footprint within the next three years. Does this make sense to anyone?”
Regarding Sedona residents, Kurt Gehlbach relates:
“Prior to lockdown, I spent days and many hours walking door to door throughout our city gathering 200 signatures myself while sharing in conversation.
The emotions are all over the place, and many of our residents are very angry. I’m truly, truly worried about the future of Sedona so I believe the conversation needs to be about Sedona herself and our residents, to include their mixed levels of anger toward this government. We, as a city, must now come together to create change through a government that will listen, respond, inform, create and prosper with and for the Residents of Sedona. How about grasping the opportunity for such a collaboration giving new life and hope for Sedona’s survival?”
End of input from city of Sedona mayoral candidate Kurt Gehlbach. Read, study, ask questions and by all means plan to vote in August. Life in Sedona continues and be grateful each and every day for what we have and consider by way of your own judgment what will be the best way to preserve and protect this special corner of the world.
Over and Out. Cheers. Be Safe. Stay Well.
I am excited about getting more parking in uptown . I Approve this decision wholeheartedly.
Mayor Sandy has done a phenomenal Job here during her time in Office.
I plan to campaign Nd vote for her .
My wife Krystal and I own and operate two businesses in Tlaquepaque for the last ten years, and had one in uptown for four years .
My understanding that city has a great Reserve Account.
Let’s make these improvements Now instead of when the Visitors come back . They will be so happy to have a convenient place to Park.
I am disappointed in your playing the Angry Citizens Card . Not a way to negotiate our Unite our City of Peace .
At PeCe in the Present Moment, Nicholas Kirsten/Honshin.
Anyone but Sandy. The city needs a complete house cleaning.
Sedona should be more than a tourist trap.
I now know who I’m voting for. Mayor Sandy, here’s to another term.
The first thing the new mayor should do is fire Justin Clifton.
If in fact he is instrumental in completing a real estate transaction where the city is willing to pay $100,000 OVER APPRAISED VALUE, his firing is justified for dereliction of duty and violation of fiduciary responsibility. I would fire the city manager and assistant city manager. If they allow a quite visible $100,000 overpayment , how many other smaller overpayments have they allowed? Then there is the misuse of funds by granting OVER $2 MILLION to the Sedona Chamber to teach about sustainability.
To be clear, as author of the above article my role was not to take a position against Mayor Sandy Moriarty. She’s one of the few people still around who has lived here even longer than I have. She is smart, savvy, and serves Sedona well.
However having been asked by Kurt Gehlbach, as another candidate vying for Mayor of Sedona, to present his profile was, in my opinion, an opportunity to introduce the views of a Sedona resident willing to serve our community.
There really aren’t many people who are inclined to enter the lion’s den of Sedona’s political arena and it seems only fair to offer a level playing field and give all contenders equal opportunity.
My concluding statement summarizes my position: ” Read, study, ask questions and by all means plan to vote in August.” It might also be suggested to act like adults and do away with name calling, accusations, and applying dirty politics. Doesn’t Sedona deserve better?
This sincerely,
Eddie S. Maddock
Very interesting that someone in real estate sales would have discouraged purchase of over-valued property (Forest Road). Also to astutely point out the financial challenge Sedona is sure to be facing due to coronavirus. Definitely not a time to be spending money even though backed up allegedly with a substantial slush fund or some such nonsense.
But, of course, the most ridiculous thing just doesn’t seem to go away. The outrageous glorification of the chamber of commerce! They are NOT a department of city government. They represent ONLY their members most of which don’t collect city taxes. And a fake “city” Visitors Center refusing to give referrals to legitimate city businesses that DO collect city sales tax? OMG that’s nuts!
What is it going to take to pull the plug on the scam and let the C of C sink or swim on behalf of its own survival? A person who will finally recognize and put Sedona Residents first is a delightful concept, a breath of fresh air in a stagnant ho hum business-as-usual state of mind.
Justin Clifton should be fired in my opinion.
“A narcissist paints a picture of themselves as being the victim or innocent in all aspects. They will be offended by the truth. But what is done in the dark will come to light. Time has a way of showing people’s true colors.”
Karla Grimes
“Imagining that you are deep and complex, but others are simple, is one of the primary signs of malignant selfishness.”
Stefan Molyneux
@Nicholas Kirsten Honshin @Tlaquepaque
The Sedona you remember isn’t here any longer. You’re both older now and should see the difference. Take a walk past Tlaq doors and look with opened eyes. See the missing rocks of a decade ago, see the missing sweetly quiet star kissed night skies, see the missing Javelinas and coyotes and the increase in rats and insects. See today and stop with the PC that shouldn’t be in your soul because it will appear in your work, and if it is in both isn’t it time to reevaluate? Sedona is being smothered with toxicity, car fumes, China cheap imports masquerading as the real thing, Turkish turquoise masquerading as the real thing, artwork and galleries that sold out vision for profits. We need less to be more. Please remember the days when joy and self discovery were our guiding lights and not chasing wallets.
I love the do nothing armchair quarterback comments here. What a Boring And Predictable comment section mostly by two or three people
Tony Tonsich says:
April 19, 2020 at 7:33 am
The first thing the new mayor should do is fire Justin Clifton.
(Deleted by editor) the mayor has no control over the City manager, the mayor can not even direct the city manager to do something, he works for the city council….. (deleted by editor)
Same old same old trivial tripe coming from someone probably with the initials JW.
B O R I N G. Y A W N and yet that person still reads Sedona Eye? How sad to be that desperate to find something to complain about IMO.
@steve Segner
So you are telling me the Mayor cannot make a motion to fire the city manager and the Mayor is not part of the city council? Talk about ignorance. You are almost as bad as the soy boys of the Sedona Red Rock News.
It’s like those idiots who said I could not read a financial statement and I was supposed to know that the date posted on the accounts payable for an expense was not really when the expense happened. Even if I was wrong on the date, it was the date posted on the city accounts payable, they always ignore team building dinners at 4 star resorts for city staff.
The city is out of control and the inmates are running the asylum.
In my opinion Justin Clifton should absolutely be fired by the city council. In my own interactions with him, I found someone who is inexperienced, rigid in his thinking, unwilling to genuinely consider new viewpoints and has been (deleted by editor) on a number of occasions. In my opinion his decision to send an “information” letter to the city’s nonprofits warning about budget cuts prior to the Home Rule election was cravenly designed to influence the election, there can be no other interpretation. For this reason alone he should be fired.
In my opinion Sandy Moriarity, sad to say, continues to pander only to the tourism industry and lost her judgement about what is right for Sedona a very long time ago. She has been in office too long and has lost her ability to see, let alone do, the right thing.
Not just the $100K over appraisal, but how about the phony need for parking that only services Uptown and nowhere else in the city? You can get a couple hundred spaces if striped correctly on surface without a huge monster of a parking garage that services no resident.
Tony Tonsich said The first thing the new mayor should do is fire Justin Clifton.
I’m sorry don’t see where you said “you cannot make a motion! ”
you said The first thing the new mayor should do is( fire) Justin Clifton. you just do not know what you are talking about the mayor can not fire anyone and it takes two council people to get it on the agenda… for discussion and you wanted to be mayor!
Can anyone on city council or city management explain why it is OK to pay $100,000 over appraisal ?
It seems like that should never be done.
Trying to have a logical argument with Segner is like arguing with a moron. They try to bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Mr Tonsich, they never address the issue, they just make personal attacks.
Mr Segner, why is it appropriate to pay $100,000 over appraisal for a piece of property?
When Justin Clifton made the decision to extend the city contract with the chamber of commerce for EIGHT YEARS it spoke volumes.
Does anyone remember when Babs and Robbie were on the council and were the cheerleaders for the controversial contract in the first place? And that came with a pledge to go out for competitive bids the following year! Of course it never happened.
Understand the Babs lady now lives in Cottonwood. Funny how so many Sedona “leaders” leave town after having left their unwelcome calling cards. Similar to those incorporation supporters who after the fact realized their mistakes then said “Goodbye.” If they had the courage of their convictions wouldn’t they have moved on prior to activating their dirty little deeds?
Here’s an idea why or about the reason no real estate agent was involved, take it or leave it, it’s an idea.
No real estate company or their agents (remember company’s hold agent licenses) could get involved because of the numbers being in excess of appraised value? Like a bank, it could lead to a lawsuit and loss of licenses and investigations of parties to the contract.
How about it agents and lawyers? What would happen if you were party to this? Weigh in.
What were the reasons given for paying over, we golfers need to know. Keep doing a good job here SedonaEye, you’ve got people talking again Eddie M.
I fail to see why anyone continues to listen to someone who has chosen to live outside of Sedona but feels the rights of someone who lives here. I voted for Sandy in 2018 and I’ll continue to vote for her until she decides otherwise.
Us retired people on social security want to know why $100,000 does not matter to the City of Sedona. If it does not matter and tourists pay so much, when do I get my $100,000 check ?
Mr Clifton, I’d like my $100,000 check please.
Answer the questions Segner. Answer the questions Mayor. Answer the questions staff. Answer the questions city manager and assistant manager. Answer the questions city attorney.
I have a better question, Why no answer ?
RED ALERT & HEADS UP:
There’s a creepy rumor bug extending beyond Coronavirus. Will our Mayor Sandy Moriarty, in fact, attempt to extract funding from tax money we pay to our respective counties (Yavapai & Coconino) as supplementary funding because Sedona (city) cannot nail property owners because we do NOT HAVE A CITY PROPERTY TAX???
YIPPEE, AMEN & HALLELUJAH – LORD BE PRAISED FOR THAT BLESSING
Suggest you contact your appropriate county supervisor and give them a heads-up to this potential. And let them know City of Sedona can afford to give millions, most recent ANNUAL budget $2.5 million, to the local chamber of commerce. Flagstaff gives nothing to their “chamber” – not sure about Prescott and other towns in Yavapai. Camp Verde doesn’t even have a C of C.
Your respective representatives should be forewarned of this potential money grab.
Matt Ryan, Coconino County: mryan@coconino.az.gov
Randy Garrison, Yavapai County: web.bos.district3@yavapai.us
God, thank you that I actually own property here. The comedy is worth is all!
It is regrettable. The city took a gamble, and has lost. As permanent residents, the hope is that upcoming local elections provide some new direction. The current elected leaders have failed, along with the civil service gentry here. #rebootsedona
I suggest you email the mayor and city council. Ask them why the city would pay $100,000 over appraisal. Ask them why no one lost their job because if it.
You’ll just get crickets from them on the Sedonaeye.
There is always the torches, pitchforks, tar and feathers method. It is a small town in the west after all. Maybe that is the only way you will get their attention.
Try email to the council first. Let us know if you get an answer.
https://patriotpost.us/opinion/69983-the-press-is-a-threat-to-the-country-2020-04-16
The council and staff have been asked by a public voice. They need to address it. I think someone should contact the seller who is well known in town and ask him. His name is public record and he has more property.
Further the city staff and the chamber and its tourism bureau need to be immediately furloughed and salaries suspended. They can file for unemployment like everyone else. They are not working. A public announcement to that effect needs to be this week.
I just caught up on the city council meeting of last week and, once again, am stunned by the poorly informed pontificating of the city manager, Justin Clifton. Will I never learn?. Among his pronouncements: No one knows whether there will be a rapid rebound in the economy because of pent-up demand.
Sigh. Justin, other people DO know the answer to that, and the answer is that there will not be a rapid rebound. You might be able to figure it out, too, if you read something other than the Red Rock News. Try visiting investment websites, reading (and understanding) poll results, read the statements of the heads of the country’s major banks. All we ask is that you try to think outside of the box. Just a little bit.
Another highlight of the meeting? Justin Clifton tells the council they might need to think about cutting services so he can protect city jobs. No, no, no, Justin! PROTECT THE SERVICES to your residents, and keep the jobs of ONLY those who are essential to providing the services, not the jobs of the a bunch of people who are, literally, sitting around at home doing nothing right now. What the heck is the “Sustainability Coordinator” going to do during the next 2 years of pandemic recovery? Whatever it is, it is certainly not an essential service. What is the “Economic Development Director” doing? How much “city maintenance” is going on when Sedona tourism is down to zero?
And what, exactly, is the Sedona chamber of commerce doing right now? Enough to justify getting two million dollars a year? (Hint: this is not a trick question, Justin).
I’ve studied the situation and played this game more intently than most , that is why I get attacked. They will ignore you on the Sedona Eye. They will ignore you if only a few individuals show up at a city council meeting.
The only way is if they get hundreds of calls and emails. If when meetings open again hundreds of people show up to a city council meeting, the meeting is standing room only.
You don’t stand a chance changing the council this election, the only potentially dissident voice is Mr Gehlbach. From what I can ascertain he is not nearly as pro resident and anti tourist trap as I was.
From what I can see there are many choices.
1) do nothing, the city continues along it’s present tourist trap path
2) In two years run a slate for city council. Good luck with that.
3) Complain on the SedonaEye. You will be ignored by the city and staff.
4) Write emails and call, the city will change for a brief period of time, then go back to doing things as always.
5) Disincorporate, shut the city down. The best option in my opinion. The counties will take over the few necessary city functions. The counties will do a better job. The Village of Oak Creek does quite well without a city.
Maybe the tourist economy worldwide had been killed by the corona virus. Time will tell.
Obviously the inmates are in charge of the asylum in city hall.
Seller allowed to continue using property after its sale at no cost which is fine perk incentive except he was also paid more than appraised value. What’s that perk about except it went into his pocket and out of taxpayers? He’ll have a lot of Christmas presents to buy this year.
On what planet does this city manager operate in his 30 something philosophically idiotic and unsound world? Can we get someone with an economics or business degree or public admin degree or best would be decades of experience on the job?
There will be no swarms of tourists in future moving about the country or the world. Think of Sedona as a cruise ship and figure it out. One in four out restaurants will fail according to Tom Callechio whose the national restauranteur like Lisa Dahl. Cheap labor will remain unemployed and totally unnecessary. Cheap goods will become expensive. Tourism and service industry jobs have disappeared into the ether because those jobs had no value except to serve and now we will need manufacturing and not caterers. No country can sustain being unable to support themselves without growing their own food and making their own medicines and necessities for living. That’s not marijuana either.
So the city pays more for 2 lots( total $100k) for a possible parking garage?
They pay an extra $50K, for each lot.( for those who didnt know its 2 lots)
Now if the city wanted to play hardball, they could of just flexed their muscle and just used Eminent domain?….Then you would be all screaming about that…..
A bunch a whiny losers who cant find anything good, and complain about everything!
Leave, move, just go away or shut up…..2 years ago we voted, and you lost…
Maureen says: Further the city staff and the chamber and its tourism bureau need to be immediately furloughed and salaries suspended.
Chamber employees are not city employees and they are working on plans the get visitors back to Sedona when the state opens up. hope that helps
City employees are working to keep the city running, and you are doing what?
Karen, Uptown says: No real estate company or their agents (remember company’s hold agent licenses) could get involved because of the numbers being in excess of the appraised value?
Sorry Karen, not true, not even close to true, you sound like Trump. homes and lots sell every day above and below appraised value. Karen, the city paid (market value) not appraised value, the price that is fixed between buyer and seller, the city did not want to go through eminent domain and TAKE, a property they wanted to be fair to the seller and paid” market value” good for them P.S the money came from visitors, tax not locals.
Karen, appraised value the same as market value? NO
Differences in Determination
The market value of a property is the amount a buyer is willing to pay, not the value placed on the property by the seller. … Appraised value is the value of the interested buyer’s bank or mortgage company places on the property which is conservative.
Almost no homes are sold at appraised value. hope that helps
Even hundreds of calls/emails and standing room only at their meetings often has no effect. I’ve seen that repeatedly with every Council going back 12 years.
But don’t you all get it? Could it turn out this global disaster will be yet another opportunity for the City Manager to laud and applaud the services of his 8-year pledge to maintain the love affair with the chamber of commerce? Such a deal!
But NOT for Sedona residents. Be aware – let your county supervisors know you do not want them to act as agents for collecting property taxes on the city’s behalf.
The fair market value is the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.
By stevie’s idiot definition, if I sent my 6 year old with a $20 bill to buy a candy bar, and he handed the clerk $20, did not get change and took the normally $1 candy bar, that would be fair market value by stevie’s idiot logic.
Having been in real estate, if you buy something above appraised value the bank will usually require you put in your own money above the normal down payment as you overpaid.
Our professional city management are like the 6 year old in the candy store, spending someone else’s money. They have the six year old’s concept of the value of money. They should be fired.
Hope this helps.
Wm D, if you don’t want a city property tax then support the chamber in bringing back visitors to Sedona. A city property tax can only be voted in by Sedona voters not the county. Do don’t like city government-run for office
I’ve never heard such disgusting explanations from a city representative accepted as fact. Mr. Segner does not speak for the city and no one should accept his comment. The city needs to be transparent to us.
You are saying property always sells for the appraised value? no, it sells for the fair market value the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts. “between a willing buyer and a willing seller,”
the city wanted the land and the sell wanted more money he controlled the lot the city wanted he got his asking price and the city got the property, without going to court. win-win if the city had condemned the property you would be the first to yell…..rotten city. and. it would have cost the city almost 100,000. more
You have never been in real estate who you are kidding!
The city went to the owner that did not have those 2 lots for sale! So whats the market for something NOT ON SALE!….
Yea, your a realtor and Im a rocket scientist!
The seller is getting older and needs to offload assets to live? That’s what makes sales.
Segner, no one would ever accuse you of being a rocket scientist. The same goes for city management, no rocket scientists there either.
The city wanted the lots they paid a premium for them because the owner had what the city wanted, that’s how it works you can attack me all you want but it doesn’t make your statement any more true the value of the property is what somebody is willing to pay not want an appraiser says conservatively it’s worth it might be worth $400,000 for a house it might be worth $800,000 for a parking lot and that’s a fact. I’m out a lot is changed from residential to commercial it’s value will triple
Our city government pays above appraised value, they don’t need no stinking appraisals !!! The city wants it, who cares about the cost !!
City staff hold team building meetings in 4 star hotels and restaurants at city expense.
Our city pays office staff generous car and phone allowances.
Our city pays new hires 2 weeks paid leave and 2 weeks paid vacation, along with 8 Monday holidays the first year of employment.
Don’t be surprised when you hear of $10,000 hammers or solid gold toilets.
They don’t listen to residents. They are professionals. They know what is best.
Are you mad yet?
The only solution is to shut the city down.
City Manager : How much do you want for it?
Seller : I’m not interested in selling.
City Manager: The city will buy it !! We will pay any price !! Then the city will let you use it for free !!
Like taking candy from a baby.
Hey segner your place in canyon I want and I’ll pay you $100K. It’s a gift. Glad you agree.
I hear that Tlaquepaque needed more parking so the city offered Segner 200 million for his little hotel. Segner said it was not enough so the City Manager is considering making a higher offer.
steve Segner says:
April 20, 2020 at 9:25 am
“Chamber employees are not city employees and they are working on plans the get visitors back to Sedona when the state opens up. hope that helps
City employees are working to keep the city running, and you are doing what?”
So Chamber employees are busy working on plans to get visitors back to Sedona!
And who authorized them to do that and at what price? Could the source be Justin Clifton, city manager, and/or his assistant, Karen Daines Osburn?
Wow no grass is growing under the feet of the sneaks at city hall! All this conniving and manipulating taking place behind closed doors while Sedona businesses struggle to keep afloat. Secrecy. No transparency.
Just remember this fiscal year will soon end so the Chamber’s up for another chance to freeload and feast upon public funds.
Wait until the well runs dry. Then let all the con artists move on to another location where they can exploit and use stupid elected officials and deal in questionably unethical transactions. Good riddance! No honor among thieves, can there be a more vivid example?
Gehlbach, are you paying attention to these contrived manipulations? Unlike those presently controlling Sedona, are you a person with higher morals and integrity? Ingredients sorely lacking in Sedona’s current political arena as evidenced in the admissions posted on this site by Steve Segner himself.
Have you, Gehlbach, been one of the “chosen few” to be entertained by Segner at his famous estate in Oak Creek Canyon outside city limits?