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OK. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM ONLINE, SO WE CAN START AT YOUR PLEASURE.

[1. CALL TO ORDER NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that, at this regular meeting, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for legal advice and discussion with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).]

[00:00:07]

EXCELLENT. YEAH.

LET'S GET GOING HERE. GREAT.

WE ARE GOOD TO GO. ALL RIGHT.

IT'S JUNE 29, 2022 OF OUR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA, CALLING TO ORDER AND NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE MAY GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ITEMS. ROLL CALL, PLEASE, FROM SALTZBURG.

MAYOR DEASY? HERE. VICE MAYOR SWEET? HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN?PRESENT.

COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE? HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY? HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER SALAS? COUNCIL MEMBER.

GREAT THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SHIMONI? PRESENT. THANK YOU AND TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

SO PLEASE STAND.

IF YOU'RE ABLE AND FACE TO THE EAST, YOU DON'T HAVE A FLAG IN FRONT OF YOU.

WELL, THANK YOU.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER SHIMONI OUR MISSION STATEMENT, PLEASE? THE MISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF IS TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. AND VICE MAYOR SWEET, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND.

WITH THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

THANK YOU. THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS OF THIS AREA'S INDIGENOUS NATIONS AND ORIGINAL STEWARDS. THESE LANDS STILL INHABITED BY NATIVE DESCENDANTS, BORDER MOUNTAINS, SACRED TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

WE HONOR THEM THEIR LEGACIES, THEIR TRADITIONS, AND THEIR CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS.

WE CELEBRATE THEIR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO WILL FOREVER KNOW THIS PLACE AS HOME.

[4. Discussion and Direction: Potential prohibition of the use of fireworks in the City of Flagstaff between June 29, 2022 and July 6, 2022.]

THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. THIS BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM FOUR DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION, POTENTIAL PROHIBITION OF THE USE OF FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF BETWEEN JUNE 29, 2022 AND JULY SIXTH, 2022.

I'D LIKE TO OPEN THIS UP.

I KNOW THIS IS SHORT NOTICE, BUT IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR STAFF PRESENTATION TO START US OFF HERE? MAYOR. IT'S YOUR CITY MANAGER.

I DO NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION.

I DON'T WANT TO MISSPEAK.

IF OTHERS ARE PREPARED WITH THE PRESENTATION, THAT WOULD BE FINE.

IF NOT, I'M GLAD TO GIVE A VERBAL NARRATIVE TO HELP SET THE STAGE FOR THE DISCUSSION.

IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND. YEAH.

SETTING THE STAGE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

CITY MANAGER. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, COUNSIL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ASSEMBLING DURING THIS SPECIAL MEETING.

THIS SUBJECT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE.

IT CONCERNS FIRE RESTRICTIONS.

AND NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TOPIC IS HEIGHTENED THIS YEAR WITH THE RECENT CATASTROPHIC FIRES THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS ENDURED.

WE WERE NOTIFIED AT THE CITY YESTERDAY EARLY THAT THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN COCONINO COUNTY AND U.S.

FOREST SERVICE FOREST LAND, NATIONAL FOREST LAND WERE BEING LIFTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

SO ALL THE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED.

THAT PROMPTED IMMEDIATE DISCUSSION IN CITY HALL REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THAT LIFTING OF THE RESTRICTIONS TO THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.

THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ON THAT AND A LOT OF PERSPECTIVES, SHARED CONCERNS ARTICULATED.

AND THAT BROUGHT US TO THE NEED TO CONVENE FOR A SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS WHAT OUR OPTIONS MAY BE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SOME MOISTURE OF LATE, BUT I DON'T THINK I'M OVERREACHING IN STATING THAT THE COMPLETE LIFTING OF THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS WAS A BIT OF A SURPRISE FOR MANY OF US WITHOUT A LOT OF ADVANCE NOTICE.

SO IT DID PROMPT SOME DISCUSSION IN MAYOR WITH THAT AS A BACKDROP.

PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSION.

AND AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR CONVENING ON SHORT NOTICE AT THE MAYOR'S REQUEST.

THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER.

AND I DO WANT TO ECHO AND SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.

[00:05:03]

I REALLY APPRECIATE OUR STAFF RALLYING ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE.

IT WAS A BIT OF A POKE OF THE BEEHIVE YESTERDAY WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE TOTAL RETRACTION OF RESTRICTIONS.

THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT MADE US ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND THAT ESPECIALLY COMING INTO A 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND, A HOLIDAY THAT IS CENTERED A LOT ON THE USE OF FIREWORKS AND POTENTIALLY INCREASED DANGERS ASSOCIATED THAT THIS LED US TO REALLY KIND OF WANT TO KNOW MORE, WANT TO KNOW MORE WHAT'S GOING ON AND WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF CAN DO IF WE AS A COLLECTIVE BODY DECIDE TO PURSUE POTENTIAL MEASURES ONTO OURSELVES TO TAKE.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SHORT NOTICE.

WE GOT ON SHORT NOTICE AND TRIED TO RALLY AND GIVE EVERYONE AS MUCH NOTIFICATION AS POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AS WE SEE FIT.

BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO BE INFORMED AND TO DIRECT OUR PLAN OF ACTION ACCORDINGLY TO THE NEW INFORMATION THAT WAS DISSEMINATED ON THE REMOVAL OF FIRE RESTRICTIONS WITHIN OUR SURROUNDING AREA.

SO I GUESS THAT'S A BIT OF AN INTRODUCTION.

TO BE FRANK, I THINK THAT THOSE HERE ON COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHERE I KIND OF STAND ON THIS SITUATION, ON THE PROHIBITION. WHICH IS TO SAY THAT.

I JUST WANT ONE WEEKEND.

ONE WEEKEND WITHOUT FIREWORKS.

ONE WEEKEND AMIDST A LITTLE BIT OF A SHOCK YESTERDAY.

THAT. CAN WE.

CAN WE HAVE A WEEK HERE, GUYS? CAN WE. CAN WE HAVE A WEEK WHERE WE'RE NOT SHOOTING THESE OFF, WHERE WE'RE EXPECTING TO HAVE 20 PLUS THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE 4TH OF JULY PARADE, INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT BE AS FIRE WEARY LIKE WE MAY BE AS LOCAL CITIZENS.

WHEN YOU'RE IN THE DESERT AND GROWING UP THERE, IT'S NOT AS KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED AND AS OUR MOUNTAIN.

IS STILL SMOLDERING FROM THE PIPELINE FIRE AND THAT.

THIS MAY NOT BE THE BEST MESSAGE OF LET'S OPEN UP ALL FRONTS AND WE CAN SHOOT OFF FIREWORKS AND BOTTLE ROCKETS, ETC., THROUGHOUT THE CITY FOR 4TH OF JULY.

SO THAT'S ENOUGH PREMISE AND JABBERING FOR ME.

I DO REALLY, REALLY WANT OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS OPINIONS ON THIS, ON HOW WE MOVE FORWARD, CONCERNS ASSOCIATED.

BUT I WILL BE ASKING FOR SOME REAL INPUT INTO THIS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE TAKE A STAND OR TO REALLY EXPLAIN OUR REASONING FOR ACTION OR INACTION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.

SO AT THAT, I WOULD BE HAPPILY OPENING IT UP TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR ANY QUESTIONS, CONSIDERATIONS, CONCERNS, OR IDEAS REGARDING THE AGENDA ITEM ON FIREWORK POTENTIAL PROHIBITION UNTIL JULY 6TH.

IT'S JUST JULY 6TH, ONE WEEK.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL OPEN THAT UP AND COUNCIL MEMBERS IN AT THE DAIS.

FEEL FREE TO RAISE YOUR HAND.

PHYSICALLY, I AM WATCHING.

SO THAT WAY WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT I'M KEEPING TRACK OF WHO TO GO TO.

AND I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN FOLLOWED BY SHIMONI AND THEN MCCARTHY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THIS CONVERSATION.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE PUBLIC.

THERE NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE DIFFICULTIES AROUND THIS.

BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AS THE ELECTED OFFICIAL.

HERE IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.

WE SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS MEETING.

[00:10:04]

WE ARE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW FROM DOING ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE CONTRARY TO WHAT IS ALLOWED UNDER STATE LAW? AND WE SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

SO I'LL BE VOTING NO ON THIS MATTER.

AND I'M VERY FRUSTRATED THAT WE'RE BEING PUT IN THE POSITION TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN.

COUNCIL MEMBER SHIMONI.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

SO, MAYOR, LOVE FOR PASSING THE MIC TO NEAL CHAPMAN FOR A MINUTE JUST TO TALK ABOUT THE SITUATION CURRENTLY AND JUST GIVE HIM A MINUTE TO UPDATE THE COMMUNITY.

NEIL, TAKE US AWAY. SURE.

WAS THIS A SORRY, AN UPDATE ON THE PIPELINE FIRE STATUS? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR? WELL, JUST I THINK JUST A GENERAL FIRE RISK TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE ARE ON OUR COLLABORATIVE FIRE RESTRICTIONS CALL.

ON MONDAY, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WENT OVER THE INDICES THAT ARE BEING TRACKED ON WEATHER AND THEN THE FOREST SERVICE WENT OVER THEIR FUEL, MOISTURE AND ENERGY RELEASE COMPONENTS AND IN FORECASTS.

AND WE'RE IN A VERY SIMILAR POSITION TO WHERE WE WERE A YEAR AGO WHEN WE DROPPED OUT OF FIRE RESTRICTIONS.

AND SO THE DECISION WAS MADE.

IT INCLUDED A CITY, COUNTY, FOREST SERVICE, PARK SERVICE, STATE AGENCY OFFICIALS AS WELL, THAT WE WERE ALL IN A SAFE ZONE TO REMOVE FIRE RESTRICTIONS.

AND AND SO I KNOW THE PIPELINE FIRE IS STILL TECHNICALLY ACTIVE.

IT'S 90% CONTAINED.

IT HAS 40 PEOPLE STILL WORKING ON IT.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF LINES VERY HIGH UP ON THE MOUNTAIN THAT ARE STILL NOT DECLARED CONTAINED.

THAT COULD TAKE QUITE SOME TIME FOR THOSE AREAS TO REACH THAT DESIGNATION.

BUT JUST WITH WITH THE MOISTURE THAT WE'RE SEEING, WE'RE SEEING RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS REALLY RECOVERING WELL IN THE EVENING AND STAYING FAIRLY HIGH DURING THE DAY THERE.

THEY'RE OVER 20% DURING THE DAY.

WE'RE SEEING 80% IN THE EVENINGS THAT THE DATA BASICALLY SHOW THAT WE REACH THAT POINT WHERE WE DROP FIRE RESTRICTIONS.

AND SO THE PRESENTATION WAS COLLABORATIVE, THE DECISIONS WERE COLLABORATIVE.

AND THAT TOOK PLACE AT ABOUT 1 P.M.

IN THE AFTERNOON ON MONDAY.

AND THE DECISION WAS THAT ON NOON THE FOLLOWING DAY.

SO IT WAS A SHORT NOTICE TO SOME DEGREE.

WE USUALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THOSE SITUATIONS BETWEEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE DECISION TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS AND THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT.

SO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT SHORTER THAN NORMAL, BUT IT WAS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

IT'S ONE OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR THAT FROM YOU.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

SO, OF COURSE, THIS TOPIC IS VERY IMPORTANT, RIGHT? I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE UPON THAT.

AND BEING RESPONSIBLE DURING THIS UPCOMING HOLIDAY WEEKEND IS CRITICAL.

IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT. RIGHT.

SO AND OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE RESTRICTIONS, IT LEAVES US IN A REALLY AWKWARD AND DIFFICULT POSITION.

SO GIVEN STATE LAW, ALONG WITH FURTHERING ENFORCEMENT TO ADDRESS THIS, BECAUSE WHAT WOULD THIS DO? COUNCIL IF WE PUT THIS IN PLACE AND A CITATION IS MADE, IT'S JUST FURTHERING ENFORCEMENT ONTO OUR COMMUNITY AND I STRUGGLE WITH THAT THERE, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS OUR GOAL.

RIGHT. MAYOR, I THINK YOU OUTLINED IT PRETTY WELL.

HOW DO WE REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FIREWORKS UTILIZED OVER THIS NEXT WEEK? RIGHT. AND SO IF THAT'S OUR GOAL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE'S WAYS OF DOING THAT THROUGH PROMOTING PROPER BEHAVIOR AND REALLY COMMUNICATING.

RIGHT. IN A WAY THAT GOES VIRAL, YOU KNOW, THROUGH GOOD VIDEO WORK, THROUGH PRODUCTION THAT I'M SURE SARAH AND HEIDI CAN REALLY COLLABORATE ON WITH THEIR TEAMS. THAT'S WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN.

AND I FULLY SUPPORT US DOING THAT AND REALLY DOUBLING DOWN ON THAT BECAUSE THAT'S IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC.

BUT THROUGH THE LENS OF, COME BACK TO ME, I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER SHIMONI.

OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR MIC ON AND IT'S.

WE'RE HEARING BACKGROUND NOISE, SO.

I TRY TO APPROACH THINGS FROM A RATIONAL VIEWPOINT, NOT FROM A POLITICAL VIEWPOINT, NOT FROM AN EMOTIONAL VIEWPOINT.

SO I'M GOING TO TRY TO THINK THIS THROUGH RATIONALLY.

DO I TAKE FIRE? AS A SERIOUS ISSUE? ABSOLUTELY. THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

WHAT'S HAPPENED.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IS WE HAD SOME FIRES.

[00:15:04]

AND OUR FORESTS WERE VERY DRY AND THERE WAS A LOT OF WIND AND THEY MOVED AND THEY BURNED A LOT OF LAND.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

BUT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE LAST WEEK IS THAT OUR FORESTS HAVE BEEN MOISTENED BY A LOT OF RAIN.

WE HAD ENOUGH RAIN THAT THERE WAS FLOODING UP INTO PEOPLE'S HOUSES IN THIS AREA.

SO WE'VE HAD A LOT OF RAIN.

THE PINE NEEDLES IN THE TREES AND THE GROUND ARE MOIST.

AND SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, IF CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG WITH THAT, INCLUDES COCONINO COUNTY.

IT INCLUDES THE FOREST SERVICE, COCONINO GRAND CANYON, NATIONAL PARK.

THEY'VE ALL DECIDED.

THEIR TECHNICAL STAFF.

HAVE ANALYZED THIS RATIONALLY AND DECIDED THAT THERE IS NO NEED AT THIS POINT TO OUTLAW FIREWORKS.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT I, AS A NONPROFESSIONAL, SHOULD, IN EFFECT, TRY TO OVERRULE THE OPINIONS OF THE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE THAT SPEND THEIR WHOLE LIFE STUDYING THESE ISSUES AND TRYING TO MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS.

SO IN MY MIND, THERE IS NO SHOW NEED TO OUTLAW FIREWORKS.

I MEAN, AS FAR AS AN EDUCATION PLAN, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

I MEAN, THE BIGGEST EXISTING DANGER IN THIS AREA WITH FOR MOST MOIST FORESTS IS THAT FIREWORKS CAN BE DANGEROUS.

LIKE YOU CAN BLOW YOUR HAND OFF OR SOMETHING IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL.

SO IN EDUCATION PLAN, FINE.

BUT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'VE LIVED WITH FOR YEARS.

AND SO I DON'T SEE ANY NEED TO HAVE THE CITY TRY TO, IN EFFECT, PREEMPT THE FOREST SERVICE, THE PARK SERVICE, THE COUNTY.

AND TO IN MY I'M NOT A LAWYER, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW IS THAT WE ARE PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW FROM DOING THIS.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE, BUT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AND MY TAKE ON THE LAW.

SO I DO NOT SUPPORT THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE MAYOR MAKING A PROCLAMATION AT THIS POINT.

THEY WOULD OUTLAW FIREWORKS FOR THE INDICATED PERIOD.

NOW, WHAT MIGHT IT MAKE SENSE NEXT YEAR IF IT'S DRY AT THIS AROUND THE 4TH OF JULY? WELL, WE CAN DISCUSS THAT NEXT YEAR ANYWAY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, HERE I AM.

BUT THAT'S BASICALLY HOW I FEEL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.

I DIDN'T WANT TO ASK A QUESTION OF NEIL REGARDING THIS.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE THE EXPERTS IN TERMS OF THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT, THE RESPONSE.

AND I SURE AS HECK WILL NOT OVERSTATE ANY UNDERSTANDING THAT I HAVE OVER YOU ALL REGARDING THIS.

BUT AS THIS IS DECIDED AT THE DC OFFICE, NOT EVEN HERE LOCALLY WITHIN THE COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST AT THE DC OFFICE, DO THOSE METRICS INCLUDE MORE SPECIFIC THINGS SPECIFICALLY TO FLAGSTAFF OR DO THEY ACCOUNT FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR, SUCH AS A 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND IN A CITY, SMALL CITY SURROUNDED BY FORESTS WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF TOURISM TOURISTS EXPECTED OVER THE WEEKEND.

ARE THOSE PART OF THE METRICS? SO I BELIEVE THE ESCALATION OF THE CLOSURE ORDER DOES REQUIRE REGIONAL AND TO SOME DEGREE WASHINGTON OFFICE APPROVAL FOR THE FOREST SERVICE.

REMOVING OR MOVING INTO A STAGE ONE OR A STAGE TWO RESTRICTION CAN BE DONE LOCALLY.

AND RELIEVING THE THE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE FOREST SERVICE, I BELIEVE, IS DONE LOCALLY.

THERE WAS NO DISCUSSIONS OF REQUIRING A REGIONAL OR WASHINGTON OFFICE APPROVAL FOR RELIEVING THOSE RESTRICTIONS FROM THE FOREST LANDS.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT'S ALL JUST SCIENCE BASED ON THE FUEL METRICS, THE WEATHER.

IT'S NOT BASED ON ANY SORT OF HUMAN METRICS OR USE CONCERNS.

AND ALSO JUST TO ADD THAT FIREWORKS THAT ARE ALWAYS BANNED ON FOREST SERVICE, SO CONSUMER OR COMMERCIAL LEVEL FIREWORKS WITHOUT A PROPER PERMIT ARE NEVER ALLOWED ON FOREST SERVICE LANDS AROUND FLAGSTAFF.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE GUIDELINE IS TWO THIRDS OF THE FOREST GETS TWO THIRDS OR MORE OF AN INCH OF RAIN, AND THEY'VE MET THAT METRIC.

AND THEN AGAIN, THE ENERGY RELEASE COMPONENT, THE FUEL MOISTURE AND THE RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AND THE PRECIPITATION NUMBERS WERE ALL IN ALIGNMENT.

[00:20:08]

SO, YEAH, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE, YOU KNOW, METRICS OF PEOPLE IN THE WOODS OR ANY HISTORY OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING IN THE WOODS.

IT'S REALLY JUST ON THE ACTUAL FUEL METRICS.

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION ON THAT.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, WITH THE FIREWORKS DISALLOWED ON THE NATIONAL FOREST IN GENERAL AROUND US, WOULD THEREFORE A PROHIBITION WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OVER THE WEEKEND IN SOME WAYS BE CONSISTENT WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES REGULATION IN TERMS OF THE SURROUNDING OF THE CITY LIMITS, THE NATIONAL FOREST THAT ENCOMPASSES US THAT DOES NOT ALLOW FIREWORKS? IS THAT NOT SOME WAY ACTUALLY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR SURROUNDINGS? I THINK I WOULD LEAVE THAT UP TO STERLING OR SOMEBODY A LITTLE MORE FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE LANGUAGE WE NEED TO GO OVER REGARDING THE STATE LAWS BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT'S ALLOWED ON FOREST SERVICE LAND.

WE'RE BOUND BY VERY DIFFERENT NEEDS HERE IN THE CITY ON THE STATE LAWS REGARDING THE FIREWORKS.

SO I'M NOT SURE IF CONSISTENCY IS THE ISSUE OR I THINK FOR DISCUSSING THIS STUFF IN THE FUTURE, IT CERTAINLY WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE SOME CLARITY ON THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, FOR TODAY, I'M NOT SURE IF, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL LAND GUIDELINES WHEN WE'RE POTENTIALLY NOT ABLE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT IS REALLY SOMETHING WE SHOULD I CAN COMMENT ON AT THE MOMENT.

THANK YOU, NEAL. SORRY, I DON'T MEAN TO PUT YOU I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE POINT THAT FIREWORKS ARE NOT ALLOWED RIGHT AROUND THE CITY.

AND, YOU KNOW, PROHIBITING IT WITHIN THE CITY, TOO, IS KIND OF WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE DONUT HOLE HERE.

CHIEF GAILLARD. MAYOR IF WE CAN.

I THINK FOR THE PURPOSES OF CLARITY, [INAUDIBLE] MAY BE ABLE TO KIND OF BRING SOME CLARITY TO THE TERM FIREWORKS BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT GRADES, CLASSES AND SO FORTH.

WE TALK ABOUT CONSUMER FIREWORKS JUST KIND OF WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

FOR INSTANCE, AERIAL FIREWORKS WOULD REQUIRE A PERMIT FROM THE CITY.

NO FIREWORKS PERMITS HAVE BEEN APPLIED FOR, NOR HAVE THEY BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS UPCOMING HOLIDAY EVENT.

AND THERE'S SOME OTHER CLARITY THAT [INAUDIBLE] FEELS MAY BE ABLE TO BRING.

SO, JERRY, WOULD YOU MIND JUST KIND OF PROVIDING A BIT OF AN OVERVIEW? NOT AT ALL, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF FIREWORKS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THERE ARE FIRST ONES THAT ARE CALLED NOVELTIES, AND THOSE ARE DEREGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOBODY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM.

AND THERE'S THOSE REAL ODD ONES, THOSE LITTLE POPPERS THAT YOU THROW IN THE GROUND.

THEY CALL THEM SNAP CAPS, PARTY POPPERS, GLOW WORMS, SNAKES, TOY SMOKE DEVICES, SPARKLERS AND CERTAIN TOYS AS DEFINED BY STATE STATUTES. BUT THOSE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE REGULATED WHATSOEVER AND CAN BE USED YEAR ROUND EVERYWHERE.

OTHER ONES LIKE CONSUMER FIREWORKS, WHICH ARE THE ONES WE'RE SPEAKING OF HERE TODAY, IS ANY FIREWORK THAT STAYS ON THE GROUND.

IT CAN FIZZ, IT CAN EXPLODE, IT CAN DO THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT IT CANNOT FLY.

IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE GROUND.

THEY CALL IT NO RISE IN THE FIREWORKS INTO THE AIR.

ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT IS NOT LEGAL IN THIS COMMUNITY AT ALL BY OUR DEFINITIONS AND BY OUR CONSUMER FIREWORK ORDINANCES.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE OVERVIEW.

THE OTHER HALF OF THOSE ARE THOSE THAT ARE FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY, WHICH TAKES A PERMIT AND LIKE THE ONES WE DO FOR NEW YEAR'S AND THAT PEOPLE APPLY FOR A PERMIT, WE DO THE SAFETY CHECKS AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE FOREST AROUND THE AREA.

SO THOSE ARE THE THREE BIGS.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD HELP A LITTLE BIT IF EVERYBODY KNEW THAT IF THERE'S THINGS FLYING OUT OF SOMEONE'S BACKYARD THAT IS NOT A LEGAL FIREWORK IN THE CITY NO MATTER WHAT, AND THAT'S NOT ALLOWED. THAT'S ALL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JERRY. I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATIONS ON THAT.

SURE. ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHERS WHO WANT TO JUMP INTO THIS MIX HERE? COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE. THANK YOU.

ONE THING THAT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE IS SAID DURING THIS MEETING AND FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC, IS THAT.

I THINK SO MUCH OF OUR COMMUNITY IS STILL REELING FROM THE IMPACT OF THE TWO MAJOR FIRES THAT WE'VE JUST SEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE IGNORING AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GONE UNHEARD.

[00:25:06]

AND FOLLOWING ALONG WITH ALL OF THE NOTIFICATIONS THAT HAVE COME OUT ABOUT FIRE RESTRICTIONS AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AND AROUND OUR CITY, WE'VE SEEN AND I THINK HEARD VERY CLEARLY THAT LEVEL OF CONCERN FROM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S EXPRESSED THAT WE HAVE HEARD THAT AS WELL.

AND WE AND I CAN SAY I SHARE THAT CONCERN AND I HAVE HEARD THAT.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THATS SAID THIS EVENING.

WITH THAT SAID, I ALSO HOPE THAT AS AS FOLKS MAY BE LISTENING IN, THEY'VE HEARD SOME OF WHAT'S BEEN SHARED FROM OUR FIRE OFFICIALS.

THAT HAS NOT COMPLETELY ASSUAGED ANY CONCERNS THAT I HAVE FOR THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND, BUT HAVE CERTAINLY ANSWERED SOME OF THE OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS THAT I THINK EXIST FOR MYSELF AND FOR SO MUCH OF THE PUBLIC.

ALL OF THAT SAID, I.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO IS SERVE THE PEOPLE OF FLAGSTAFF.

AND AS MUCH AS I AM FRUSTRATED BY THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE PUT IN BECAUSE OF THIS RAPID SWITCH IN THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT PART OF THAT DUTY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF FLAGSTAFF IS TO UPHOLD AND ABIDE BY OUR LAWS AND CHAMPION OURSELVES.

I KNOW THAT IT IS A HARD THING TO HEAR THAT THE EXPECTATION IS THAT WE WILL SELF-REGULATE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE RISKS TO THE COMMUNITY WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT SAFE AND WHEN THEY'RE NOT LISTENING TO THE RULES.

HOWEVER, I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER UNTENABLE SITUATION THAT WE WOULD BE FACING IF WE PUT THESE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE BESIDES GOING AGAINST STATE PREEMPTION, THE AWKWARD SITUATION THAT IT WOULD PUT SO MANY OF THOSE WHO WOULD BE ASKED TO ENFORCE THAT INTO.

AND I WANT TO KEEP THEM IN MIND AS WELL.

SO I AGREE THAT THE MESSAGE OF REDUCING FIRE RESTRICTIONS IS WRONG AND ILL TIMED, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT GOING AGAINST OUR STATE LAW PUTS US IN A VERY DIFFERENT BUT NO LESS PRECARIOUS POSITION.

SO. I WANT TO EXPRESS THAT.

I HAVE HEARD THE PEOPLE OF FLAGSTAFF.

I SHARE YOUR CONCERNS, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION TO GO AGAINST THAT STATE PREEMPTION IN THIS SITUATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER [INAUDIBLE] . THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I ECHO.

WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE, COUNCIL MEMBER, MCCARTHY.

COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN HAVE POINTED SO FAR.

AND I AGREE, I AM STILL WORRIED ABOUT.

PERSONALLY, I STILL WORRIED ABOUT FIRE DANGERS, FIRE WILDLAND FIRE DANGERS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WITH BARBECUES AND CAMPFIRES GOING ON AND THEN ADDING. FIREWORKS.

YOU KNOW, HOWEVER.

I'M VERY MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE PREEMPTED BY STATE STATUTES FOR IN EMBARKING ON SUCH A RESTRICTION.

AND I KNOW THE RISK, THE RISK OF LITIGATION AND THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL RISK BECAUSE ONCE A COMPLAINT IS FILED AGAINST THE CITY IN VIOLATING STATE LAW.

THE STATE COULD TAKE AWAY OUR SHARED REVENUE.

AND THAT'S AT LEAST 1.5 MILLION.

SO THOUGH I RESPECT AND UNDERSTAND THE MAYOR'S INTENTION AND PASSION ABOUT PUTTING THIS IN THE DISCUSSION TODAY IN PUBLIC AND TRYING TO CHANGE POLICY AT OUR LEVEL.

WE CANNOT DO SO.

HOWEVER, MOVING FORWARD NEXT YEAR.

[00:30:06]

I THINK IT'S TIME TO HEIGHTEN OUR COORDINATED COMMUNICATION AND DECISION MAKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THAT INCLUDES THE COUNTY FOREST SERVICE AND OTHER REGIONAL PARTNERS IN DECLARING AND IN DECLARING FIRE RESTRICTIONS OR LIFTING FIRE RESTRICTIONS.

SO WE'RE NOT BE PUT IN THE SAME POSITION AS WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND YEAH, IT WORKS, IT'S WORKS.

AND IT'S I THINK RIGHT NOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO BE PROACTIVE IS GET THAT MESSAGING ABOUT. ESPECIALLY FOR OUR VISITORS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH POTENTIAL FIRE, RISK AND WILDFIRE RISK IN OUR REGION.

IS THAT MESSAGE THAT THAT OUR CITY HAVE BEEN SPREADING IN TERMS OF STAYING AND PLAYING RESPONSIBLY? YEAH. AND I CAN CALL ON MISS HEIDI HANSEN OF OUR ECONOMIC VITALITY.

OR IF THERE'S SOMEONE FROM DISCOVER [INAUDIBLE] AND I BELIEVE THAT MESSAGE HAS BEEN AMPLIFIED IN MULTIPLE PLATFORMS IN MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT ALSO US AS WE HAVE VISITORS, AS WE SOCIALIZE THIS WEEKEND, JUST GET THAT MESSAGE OUT.

THANK YOU. AND I'M SORRY, MR. MAYOR, I HAVE TO LOG OUT IN A MINUTE HERE, BECAUSE MY SON IS ACTUALLY COMING HOME.

I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN GOSH TEN MONTHS.

SO THANK YOU.

I UNDERSTOOD. AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US WHILE YOU CAN.

COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'M NOT ABLE TO USE THE CHAT RIGHT NOW.

I'M LOCKED OUT OF IT FOR SOME REASON.

SO I'M GLAD YOU SAW MY HAND RAISED THERE.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A CLARIFYING POINT AND BE VERY CLEAR FOR THE PUBLIC THAT I'M VERY, VERY FRUSTRATED THAT OUR HANDS ARE TIED ABOUT THIS.

IF WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY THAT ALLOW FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.

I WOULD BE THE FIRST TO THE TABLE TO APPROVE THAT AUTHORITY.

DO I HAVE I USED FIREWORKS BEFORE? SURE, I HAVE. ON THE BEACH.

WOULD I EVER USE FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF? HELL, NO. IT'S A TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE THING.

THERE ARE OTHER PATRIOTIC WAYS FOR US TO EXPRESS OUR GREAT LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND THE HISTORY OF OUR INDEPENDENCE.

FIRE DANGER IS VERY HIGH.

THERE ARE ONGOING CONCERNS.

WE ARE ALL REELING DEEPLY AND SPIRITUALLY FROM AND FINANCIALLY AND IN OUR KITCHEN TABLE POCKETBOOKS.

FROM THE FIRES THAT JUST OCCURRED.

AND IT'S COMPLETELY ABSURD THAT THESE RESTRICTIONS WERE LIFTED AND THAT.

WE HAVE OUR HANDS TIED IN TERMS OF TELLING PEOPLE AND IN TERMS OF MANDATING THAT THERE ARE NO FIREWORKS TO BE USED WITHIN THE CITY.

SO I JUST WANT THAT TO BE VERY CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD, THAT POSITION.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS PUTS IF WE WERE TO SIGN AN ORDER OR MAKE A PROCLAMATION THAT GOES AGAINST STATE LAW, WE WOULD BE PUTTING OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND OUR ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS IN VERY AWKWARD POSITION.

WE WOULD BE PUTTING OURSELVES AT HEAVY RISK.

AND NOT JUST IN TERMS OF FOREST HEALTH AND FIRE SAFETY, BUT ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT WE AS COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO CONSIDER.

AND IT'S JUST NOT APPROPRIATE TO MAKE THIS A DECISION THAT'S HAPPENING AT THE DAIS.

UM. I KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS.

MAYOR KNOWS WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS.

AND I'M VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT WE'RE BEING PUT IN THE POSITION TO HAVE TO VOTE UP OR DOWN.

ON WHETHER OR NOT TO PROHIBIT FIREWORKS IN THE CITY.

WE SIMPLY CAN'T DO THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO BE CONFUSED ABOUT THIS.

AND IT'S VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING.

AND. STARTING TO REPEAT MYSELF, SO I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN VICE MAYOR.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS.

[00:35:04]

THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS MATTER.

AND I DO BELIEVE THIS IS IMPORTANT.

THE FOREST SERVICE IDEALLY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN US A HEADS UP THAT THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS WERE GOING TO BE LIFTED SO THAT WE COULD PREP OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE RECENT FIRES.

I HAVE FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN HEAVILY IMPACTED AND NOW I NEED TO EXPLAIN THIS MEETING.

HOWEVER, WE ARE PREEMPTED AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE OUR HANDS ARE TIED AT THE MOMENT AND FOR NOW I WILL ABDICATE FOR EDUCATION.

KEEPING OUR VISITORS APPRIZED OF WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING FOR THIS NEXT WEEK WITH SAFE BEHAVIOR.

AND AT THIS POINT, I WILL VOTE TO NOT GO AGAINST THE STATE PREEMPTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR.

WELL, WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'LL JUST MENTION THAT WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF ASSUMPTION OF THIS BEING A BLACK AND WHITE LEGAL ISSUE.

AND ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THIS IS NOT A BLACK AND WHITE.

WE CANNOT DO THINGS.

AND ONE COUNCIL, ONE CITY STAFF MEMBER TOLD ME A WHILE, A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

BUT THERE'S NO YOU CAN OR CANNOT DO ON COUNCIL.

IT'S WHAT RISKS YOU'RE WILLING TO DO, WHAT YOU TO DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.

SO WE KNOW THIS IS NOT BLACK AND WHITE.

AND I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR FROM THE LEGAL PRESUMPTIONS AND SO FORTH.

BUT I AM CERTAINLY OUT SPOKEN HERE.

I RESPECT THE POSITION OF INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THIS IS THE DIRECTION THEY'RE SEEKING NOT TO NOT TAKE ACTION, DESPITE ME CERTAINLY DISAGREEING WITH IT.

BUT I DO APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S TIME TODAY TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THIS AND ALL THE STAFF TIME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.

I AM VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THIS WEEKEND IS GOING TO ENTAIL.

AND FOR ME PERSONALLY, ANY LEGAL RISKS ASSOCIATED TO AND POTENTIAL POTENTIALITIES AND WHAT IFS TO ME DON'T COMPARE TO ALL OF THE POTENTIALITIES AND WHAT IFS, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THIS WEEKEND WITH FIRES BEFORE WE ARE REALLY FULLY.

SEEING WHAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH IN TERMS OF MOISTURE AND NOT JUST PREDICTIONS OF MOISTURE.

ANYWAYS, I'VE MADE MY POINT AND I THINK WE ALL HAVE, SO I WON'T BELABOR THE ISSUE.

APPRECIATE EVERYONE DOING.

KIND OF A LAST CALL HERE, THOUGH, ON ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE ADJOURN ? MR. MAYOR, CAN I JUMP IN AND JUST OFFER ONE QUICK COMMENT? I DO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION AND HAS NOW BEEN IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

AND SO, AT THE VERY LEAST, AWARENESS IS HOPEFULLY BEING BEING RAISED TOWARD THAT EFFORT.

HEIDI HANSEN MAKES NOTE THAT THE MARKETING PROGRAM FOR FIRE SAFETY, WHICH IS QUITE EXTENSIVE, WILL CONTINUE.

WE WILL DO OUR PART AT THE STAFF LEVEL TO OUTREACH ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ITEM, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF OUR VISITORS COMING IN WHO DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS THAT WE NOT JUST UNDERSTAND BUT ARE NOW LIVING WITH.

AND I THINK HEIDI HANSEN HAS A COMMENT TO BE MADE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

HEIDI PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN.

MAYOR, VICE MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.

HEIDI HANSEN, INTERIM DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.

I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN GOOD AND I JUST WANT TO EASE EVERYBODY'S MIND ALSO THAT OUR DISCOVER FLEX TEAM.

THIS IS AN ENTIRE CAMPAIGN THAT WE DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

AND IT'S NOT JUST FIRE SAFETY DURING THE SUMMER FIRE SEASON.

IT'S ALL YEAR THAT WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT FIRE, BUT WE DEFINITELY RAMP IT UP DURING THESE HOT MONTHS.

AND I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN SEEING ALL OF IT BECAUSE YOU'RE ACTUALLY NOT THE CUSTOMER THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE TO.

BUT THE MESSAGES ARE CONSTANT IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIA.

[00:40:01]

THEY'RE IN PRINT, THEY'RE IN DIGITAL.

WE HAVE THEM ALL OVER.

WE TALK ABOUT THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE DIGITAL ADS THAT CHANGE WHEN THE FIRE RESTRICTIONS CHANGE AND THE STAGES IS CHANGED.

SO IF YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE, OUR MARKETING TEAM IS CONSTANTLY MESSAGING AND REMESSAGING, WHICH WE ARE HAPPY TO DO.

THE ONE MESSAGE THAT IS CONSTANT IS ALWAYS PLAY AND STAY RESPONSIBLY AND WE EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW WE WANT THEM TO ACT WHEN THEY'RE IN OUR MARKET.

WE SHARE THAT NOT ONLY TO ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND WE HAVE THE MESSAGING AVAILABLE AT HOTELS, ATTRACTIONS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, ALL OF THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE.

BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE IT IN ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIA.

SO I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW THAT AS SOON AS WE HEARD THAT THINGS WERE BEING LIFTED, WE HAD TO CHANGE THAT.

WE WEREN'T IN STAGE THREE RESTRICTIONS, BUT WE DID NOT CHANGE HOW WE WANT THEM TO ACT WHEN THEY ARE IN MARKET.

SO I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S CONSTANT AND OUR TEAM IS CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FOREST SERVICE AND OTHERS.

ONE REMARK I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SINCE YOU ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE WOULD LOVE MORE NOTICE THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL IN OUR MARKETING EFFORTS TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THOSE MESSAGES AND NOT HAVE TO PIVOT SO QUICKLY.

BUT AGAIN, WE CAN AND WE HAVE.

SO THE ONLY REQUEST THAT I WOULD ASK IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THESE DECISIONS, THAT BASICALLY MAYBE THEY BRING A FEW MORE OF US INTO THE FOLD SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AND WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THAT MESSAGE OUT IN A TIMELY MANNER AS WELL.

BUT PLEASE REST ASSURED, THIS WEEKEND THOSE MESSAGES ARE OUT AND ANYBODY THAT IS COMING AND TRAVELING TO FLAGSTAFF THAT IS INQUIRING OR EVEN STEPPING INTO OUR VISITOR CENTER WILL HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, HEIDI.

COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN? OH, THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU SAW THAT.

SO ONE POSITIVE STEP FORWARD THAT I THINK I'D LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION FOR US WHEN IT COMES TO OUR NEXT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THE NEXT TIME THAT WE TALK ABOUT WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AT THE CAPITOL, AT THE STATE CAPITOL, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST AND I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER THIS MYSELF, BUT I'M MENTIONING IT NOW FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

AND SO THAT OTHER COUNCILS MIGHT REMEMBER, IN CASE I FORGET, PROBABLY WON'T AT THIS POINT.

BUT WE SHOULD INCLUDE BANNING FIREWORKS AT THE STATE LEVEL AS ONE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, OR AT LEAST ALLOWING LOCALITIES TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN FATE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, BASED ON THE CONTEXT OF THEIR OWN FIRE DANGER AND THEIR OWN LOCAL ASSESSMENTS.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VERY APPROPRIATE NEXT STEP FOR US.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ASLAN.

I APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTION AND I'M IN AGREEMENT.

I AM NOT SEEING ANYTHING FURTHER FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS OR ANY OTHER HANDS UP.

SO I THINK WE HAVE COME TO SOME FINALITY IN THIS ISSUE.

I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S TIME AT THE LAST MINUTE.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

AND MEETING ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.