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Smooth Sailing with Eddie Maddock

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie Maddock

Sedona AZ (December 10, 2014)Yes, indeed, the first official Regular Meeting of the newly seated City Council set sail for a smooth journey commencing promptly at 4:30 in the afternoon of Tuesday, December 9, 2014.

The consent agenda was approved, with one item pulled for discussion by Councilman John Martinez. He questioned the appointment of Construction Manager at Risk professional services for the contract design of the Posse Grounds Pavilion to Loven Contracting Incorporated in the amount of $17,711. His concern remains that the project will again fail without the benefit of increased hours of operation. Because events must conclude by 7:00 p.m., Martinez believes it will be a detriment to the success of the facility. His was the only dissenting vote.

A brief report from Assistant City Manager Karen Daines noted the total number of people presently signed up to participate in various aspects of Citizens Engagement is now at 150, and considered a remarkable achievement for the relatively short duration of this new program designed as a substitute for most of the City’s former “commissions.”

Council sailed through a Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition update from Executive Director Kent Ellsworth regarding services to Sedona, and plans for service expansion in the coming years. All comments from council members reflected praise and support for the efforts exerted by VVCC.

Also, at this point, City Council was graced with a record fifteen minute ahead-of-time rating for moving through agenda items! Will that swift pace prevail?

Moving onto perhaps the “big event” of the meeting:

  • Agenda Item 9B:  Proposed Action & Subject; Discussion/possible action regarding a request by the US Forest Service Red Rock Ranger District for City funding in the amount of $18,000 to complete a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study to assess potential management actions to manage motorized vehicular use on the Forest Service portion of Soldiers Pass Road.

sedona marathon 23As explained by USFS representative Julie Rowe, the Forest Service has previously funded nearly $35,000 to conduct use level surveys and initial analysis. It now needs approximately $18,000 to fund the salary time for resource specialists to complete the final analysis, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Increased vehicular usage over the years has caused soil erosion, removal of vegetation, concerns with sinkhole collapsing, degradation of air quality, negative impacts to certain species of wildlife, and increased disruption to the surrounding residential areas. Additionally, the present use is out of compliance with the Forest Plan.

“The District used the results of previous scoping to begin drafting a framework for a formal analysis under NEPA. However, in June 2012 the Recreation Special Uses Staff Officer position became vacant and the project stalled. This position was refilled in August 2014, and the District now seeks to revive this project.”

Without completion of the NEPA process, little if anything can be done to mitigate or restrict increasing use and damage to the area.

The $18,000 concerned certain council members:  Angela LeFevre wondered whether or not the NEPA process would positively serve to create solutions to the problems, and questioned the possibility of future additional costs to the City. Also not completely sold on the concept, Jon Thompson withheld his decision, pending listening to public input.

City of Sedona Arizona has a population of approximately 10K of which about 6K are considered year round residents.

City of Sedona Arizona has a population of approximately 10K of which about 6K are considered year round residents.

Eight cards were submitted from public speakers and, in addition to the residents impacted by the Soldiers Pass trail head, David Soto, President of the Broken Arrow Estates HOA, also expressed concerns of similar negative impacts from over-use on the trail head at the end of Morgan Road. All, of course, spoke in favor of proceeding with the NEPA, Mr. Soto believing it could set forth a precedent for future problems at all Sedona trail heads confronted with increased usage.

Others related sightings of drivers smoking cigarettes, and two public speakers made reference to the Sedona Vision Statement, one gentleman taking time to read it in entirety with specific reference to the closing condition:  “To be a city that lives up to the challenges of proper stewardship of one of the earth’s great treasures.”

At the conclusion of the discussion, the vote was unanimous to move ahead with the NEPA study. Time spent addressing Council questions and subsequent comments “sort of” consumed that 15 minute jump start plus an additional 25 minutes or so, but all things considered, the public speakers were well received, treated kindly, and their kindred souls in the audience were not reprimanded when they expressed agreement by gentle but not lengthy applause.

The balance of the meeting consisted of approval of two State mandated measures:

  • Sedona the Beautiful  Melissa Morrison photographer c2010

    Sedona the Beautiful by Melissa Morrison for Sedona Eye copyright 2010

    Agenda Item: 9C:  Proposed Action & Subject; Public hearing/discussion/possible action on a Resolution
    and Ordinance amending language in Article III – Licensing and Recordkeeping of the
    City’s tax code to be consistent with adopted changes to the Model City Tax Code.

  • Agenda Item: 9D: Proposed Action & Subject; Discussion/possible action regarding approval of a resolution authorizing the execution of a modification to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Arizona Department of Revenue and the City of Sedona providing for an interim method of disclosing information and conducting Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) audits, until final agreement is completed.

Finalization of the balance of Council Agenda, routine business matters, moved rapidly and hastened to moment of adjournment.

So a successful 2-1/2 hour cruise enjoyed calm water without stormy weather. Will Sedona be so fortunate to enjoy smooth sailing on future journeys? Much will depend on the Captain, crew, and deck hands’ ability to command the ship, maintain balance, and keep the vessel from sinking during future rough and tumultuous seas.

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

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

51 Comments

  1. The 1.3 was supposed to give a return on investment for the City of Sedona. Since those monies are being used to promote a regional group then those not benefiting from the club benefits cannot be included. For example Leasing, Construction and Unities have nothing to do with this 1.3 investment.

    When looking on the return the lodging group said they take that 1.3 and make a return. That is where your eyes should be. Did they? NO
    Take the 1.3 and divide it up among the Chamber members. Those outside the city should pay to play. Those that receive the benefit without paying can pay a special business license fee to keep the playing field level.

    Then in addition to that all those non city businesses selling their businesses at the visitor center can pay the city of sedona a licensing fee to be promoted their.

    If the city did that they bring in over a million back in fees. They do not pay so they do NOT deserve to get our taxes. Simple Pay to play for ALL.

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