>> BEFORE WE GET STARTED THIS AFTERNOON,
[00:00:04]
FLAGSTAFF LOST A VITAL MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.THE CITY ALSO LOST A VITAL FRIEND WHO FACILITATED OUR RETREATS AND CONDUCTED SOME OF OUR STAFF TRAINING AND WAS JUST AN ALL-AROUND BELOVED PERSON.
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IF WE COULD FOR KATIE WOOD AGAIN.
[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).]
MAY 16TH, 2023.I'M CALLING THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER.
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 ON ANY ITEM LISTED ON THE FOLLOWING AGENDA.
CAN WE HAVE ROLL CALL, PLEASE?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE?
>> WOULD BE, MY HONOR. IF YOU ARE ABLE PLEASE STAND.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SWEET, WOULD YOU READ OUR MOTION STATEMENT?
>> WOULD BE HONORED. THE MISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF IS TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT?
>> MADAM MAYOR, 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 NOW THIS PLACE IS HOME.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 4, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
[4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Public Participation enables the public to address the Council about an item that is not on the agenda. Comments relating to items that are on the agenda will be taken at the time that the item is discussed. If you wish to address the Council at tonight's meeting, please complete a comment card and submit it to the recording clerk as soon as possible. Your name will be called when it is your turn to speak. You may address the Council up to three times throughout the meeting, including comments made during Public Participation. Please limit your remarks to three minutes per item to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. At the discretion of the Chair, ten or more persons present at the meeting may appoint a representative who may have no more than fifteen minutes to speak. ]
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.THIS IS A CHANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND THERE IS A CLOCK DOWN HERE, AND I WILL CALL MICHAEL PAPPUS.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR DAGGETT. COUNCIL, THANK YOU.
THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER WE HAVE IN TOWN. I'M FED UP.
I'VE SPOKEN HERE A FEW TIMES ABOUT OUR FLAGSTAFF NAPE, THE PUBLIC BUS AGENCY.
ON THE BOOK, TRUST ME, EVERYONE.
NEPTA IS ALLOWED TO LET US KNOW THAT THEY'RE CALLING THE SHOTS.
REASON BEING IS THAT NEPTA IS TOTALLY A TAXPAYER FUNDED BUS, THEREFORE, MAKING NEPTA THE PUBLIC PROPERTY FLEX THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT'S OUR PROPERTY.
WHEN THE NEPTA TROLLS CALLED DOWN FLEX THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO TRESPASS A SWAP THE BUS TO SATISFY THEIR POWER, TRIPS, FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT, IMMEDIATELY TAKES NEPTA'S EMPLOYEE STATEMENTS AND THEN COMES OVER TO WASP PASSENGERS AND SAYS, YOU GOT TO GO ON NEPTA SAYS YOU GOT TO GO.
FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT, YOU NEED TO GET WITH IT.
NOT ONLY THAT, I HAVE SENT I'M JUST COMING OFF SIX HOUR LONG CONVERSATION WITH FLAGSTAFF SUPERIOR OFFICER RUBEN.
I GAVE HIM THE WHOLE NEPTA STORY AS I DID WITH LIEUTENANT HERNANDEZ.
I POINTED OUT TO HERNANDEZ AND RUBEN, I PROVED TO THEM THAT NEPTA IS LITERALLY A PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN, ABUSING OUR PUBLIC.
[00:05:06]
LIEUTENANT HERNANDEZ AND RUBEN WERE ALLOWED TO SHIELD NEPTA 100% IN MY CONVERSATIONS, THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD AND THEY FINALLY DID.I ALSO SENT MANY EMAILS, ACHIEVED MUSCLE MAN.
I SENT A VIDEO EVIDENCE OF NEPTA'S CORRUPTION, AND I ASKED FOR A CONTACT BACK, MANY TIMES.
I DO UNDERSTAND CHEAP MUSCLE MAN AND IS IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS ANSWER IS TO THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO END IT RIGHT HERE.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS BRINGING BROAD EVIDENCE THAT A PUBLIC BUS AGENCY IS ABUSING OUR PUBLIC TO THE CORE.
THERE ARE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN, AND OUR FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PROTECTING NEPTA.
YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING CHIEF MUSCLE MAN. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCILS, STERLING SOLOMON, CITY ATTORNEY.
IT IS MY HONOR TODAY TO INTRODUCE TO YOU OUR CITY PROSECUTOR, JOHN ROTEBAR.
HE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN WORKING FOR THE CITY FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS.
HOWEVER, HAVING HAILED TO US FROM THE GREAT CITY OF SEATTLE, HE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE CHARACTER AND FITNESS EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION PROCESS WITH THE ARIZONA STATE BAR, WHICH WAS JUST COMPLETED LAST WEEK.
HE'S NOW OFFICIAL IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND WE WANTED TO CONGRATULATE HIM, PRESENT HIM TO YOU, AND GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> THANK YOU. THE ARIZONA STATE BAR DECIDED TO TAKE 6.5 MONTHS TO REALIZE THAT AN ATTORNEY WHO'D BEEN PRACTICING FOR 30 YEARS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON WAS ACTUALLY FIT TO BE HERE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
I FEEL AS THOUGH I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO ESCAPE FROM THE STATE OF WASHINGTON TO COME TO ARIZONA.
I STARTED ON HALLOWEEN, WHICH WAS AN INTERESTING DAY TO START WORKING HERE.
BUT MY JOURNEY TO FLAGSTAFF ACTUALLY STARTED A LITTLE BEFORE THAT, ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, I CAME TO FLAGSTAFF WITH MY THEN 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO VISIT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE WAS BEING RECRUITED TO PLAY BASKETBALL.
MY DAUGHTER IS ON THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.
SHE'LL BE HAVING HER FIFTH YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY NEXT YEAR, AND IT'S BEEN GREAT FUN COMING DOWN HERE AND WORKING HERE, LIVING HERE IN THIS FINE COMMUNITY AND GETTING TO GO TO OLIVER BASKETBALL GAMES.
BUT THE REST OF MY FAMILY WILL BE JOINING US SHORTLY AFTER MY YOUNGEST SON GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN TWO MORE WEEKS, AND THEN WE'LL GET OUR HOUSE SOLD UP THERE AND BUY A HOUSE HERE IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF HOPEFULLY.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET A HOUSE HERE IN THE CITY FLAGSTAFF.
BUT I'VE REALLY ENJOYED MY TIME HERE SO FAR AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A WHOLE LOT MORE YEARS OF THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, ALTHOUGH LOOKED LIKE THE NORTHWEST OUT THERE THIS AFTERNOON FOR AWHILE, BUT I'M GRATEFUL THAT I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND ANYTHING I CAN DO TO ASSIST THE VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS.
ANYONE FROM THE COUNCIL FEEL FREE TO COME BY TO THE MUNICIPAL COURT AND I'LL SHOW YOU AROUND AND KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.
IT'S MY GOAL AND MY MISSION TO MAKE FLAGSTAFF A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE AND TO BRING EQUAL PROTECTION IN BOTH, WHETHER THEY'RE VISITING FOR THE DAY, FOR THE WEEK TO GO TO COLLEGE HERE, WHATEVER FLAGSTAFF IS GOING TO BE A SAFE COMMUNITY AND WORK HAND IN GLOVE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CLAMP DOWN ON THE CRIME TO MAKE IT SAFE TO WALK ANYWHERE IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AT ANY HOUR OF THE DAY.
WHICH WOULD BE A VAST DIFFERENCE THAN MY LAST EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE. ANYWAY, THANK YOU.
>> LET'S SEE, BEFORE WE MOVE DOWN TO PROCLAMATIONS, JUST BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SUCH A PACKED AGENDA WITH A LOT OF INTEREST.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT DEPENDING ON WHERE WE LAND AFTER THE PICKLEBALL DISCUSSION, WE MAY TAKE A BREAK AT THAT POINT.
PROBABLY A 20 MINUTE BREAK SO THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN GRAB SOMETHING TO EAT AND JUST TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, AND ALSO WHEN WE GET TO THE NAH DISCUSSION, IT'S GOING TO BE A CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE HELD TWO WEEKS AGO ON MAY 2ND.
IF YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN AS PART OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION,
[00:10:01]
WE JUST ASK THAT YOU ALLOW OTHERS WHO HAVEN'T SPOKEN YET TO SPEAK UNLESS YOU HAVE NEW INFORMATION THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US.OTHERWISE, YOU'RE ON THE PUBLIC RECORD AND WE ARE CERTAINLY TAKING YOUR TESTIMONY INTO CONSIDERATION.
[A. Proclamation: Arizona Water Professionals Appreciation]
NOW WE CAN MOVE DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 5, A PROCLAMATIONS, ARIZONA WATER PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION.COUNCIL, IF YOU WOULD JOIN ME DOWN FRONT.
THANK YOU, SIR. I SEE WE HAVE EIGHT-POINT FONT SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS.
OUR FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES IN WATER SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUING SAFE AND RELIABLE WATER MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE SERVICES PROVIDED DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
OUR EMERGENCY FLOOD RESPONSE EMPLOYEES IN OPERATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, ENGINEERING, GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROPERTY.
EVERY HOME AND EVERY SECTOR OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF ECONOMY, FROM FINANCE TO HEALTH CARE, REQUIRES SAFE AND RELIABLE WATER TO THRIVE.
THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF HAS SECURED A DIVERSITY OF WATER RESOURCES.
GROUNDWATER IN VAST UNDERGROUND AQUIFERS, RUNOFF FROM MOUNTAIN RAINFALL, AND SNOW MELT COLLECTED FROM SPRING RECHARGE IN THE LAKE MARY RESERVOIRS, AND RECYCLED WASTEWATER TREATED TO THE HIGHEST REUSE STANDARD AVAILABLE IN ARIZONA.
THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF IS A LEADER IN RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AS A RURAL ARIZONA COMMUNITY OUTSIDE THE STATES ACTIVE MANAGEMENT AREAS WITH A 100-YEAR DESIGNATION OF ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY.
CITY OF FLAGSTAFF INVESTS ANNUALLY IN WATER-RELATED PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE DRINKING WATER AND SANITARY SERVICES, PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY.
WATER CONSERVATION, EFFICIENCY AND WATER REUSE ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF WATER MANAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WATER FUTURE.
THE PROTECTION OF OUR WATER RESOURCES IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF'S FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF OUR NEIGHBORS, AND REQUIRES A WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE OF WATER PROFESSIONALS.
ARIZONA'S WATER INDUSTRY OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF REWARDING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN WATER OPERATIONS, ENGINEERING, HYDROLOGY, BIOLOGY, POLICY, ECONOMICS, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, LAW AND COMMUNICATIONS.
THOUSANDS OF WATER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN NORTHERN ARIZONA AND ACROSS THE STATE ARE DEDICATED TO ENSURING THOSE WATER RESOURCES ARE SAFE AND RELIABLE FOR USE BY ARIZONANS AND ARE WELL-MANAGED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF JOIN THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN DECLARING MAY 7TH THROUGH 13, 2023, ARIZONA'S WATER PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION WEEK AND EXTENDS ITS SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO THE WATER PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ON THE FRONTLINE MANAGING WATER FOR THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF TO ENSURE SAFE AND RELIABLE WATER.
>> GREAT. SUZANNE, ARE YOU ONLINE?
COULD YOU PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF?
I'M SUZANNE DURKIN-BIGHORN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AZ WATER ASSOCIATION.
I WANTED TO THANK THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF THE AZ WATER ASSOCIATION FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
LAST WEEK WE HELD OUR 96TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION AT THE PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER.
[00:15:03]
THE CONFERENCE BROUGHT MORE THAN 2,800 WATER PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS ARIZONA TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE OUR MEMBERS AND RECOGNIZE THE WORK THEY DO THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES.WE'RE THANKFUL TO THE SENATE, SENATOR GABALDON, DISTRICT 21, SPONSORED A PROCLAMATION IN THE SENATE TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS IN THE STATE.
SHE HAS DONE THIS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE STAHL HAMILTON, DISTRICT 10, FOR SPONSORING A SIMILAR PROCLAMATION IN THE HOUSE.
AZ WATER ASSOCIATION IS THANKFUL TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF FLAGSTAFF FOR TODAY'S PROCLAMATION.
WE HOLD OUR ANNUAL LEADERSHIP RETREAT IN FLAGSTAFF EACH SUMMER AND PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTHERN ARIZONA WATER PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION EVENT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS IN FLAGSTAFF.
OUR MEMBERS IN FLAGSTAFF AND ACROSS NORTHERN ARIZONA ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF AZ WATER, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND WATER PROFESSIONALS IN ARIZONA.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [OVERLAPPING]
[6. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS]
>> I'M GOING TO PASS THIS WEEK.
>> YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THAT I MET WITH THE AIRPORT COMMISSION LAST WEEK AND THINGS ARE ON TRACK FOR THE NEW PAID PARKING LOT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO READ UP ON THAT AND FIND OUT HOW IT'S WORKING.
UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF US ARE NOT REALLY HAPPY WITH THAT, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, I'M SURE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE.
THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS.
>> I'LL PASS UNTIL NEXT WEEK. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE NOTHING TONIGHT, MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SWEET.
>> NOTHING FOR ME THIS WEEK. THANK YOU.
[A. Consideration of Appointments: Heritage Preservation Commission. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: Make one AT-LARGE appointment to a term expiring December 2025.]
LET'S MOVE DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 7, APPOINTMENTS.THIS IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
I BELIEVE THIS APPOINTMENT IS BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I BELIEVE IT IS MY TURN.
FOR THIS COMMISSION, THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF SEATS.
FOR INSTANCE, AS A HISTORIC PROPERTY OWNER OR AN AT-LARGE SEAT, THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF SEAT DUFFIE WESTHEIMER HAS.
SHE IS CURRENTLY ON THE COMMISSION, ENLISTED AS A HERITAGE PROPERTY OWNER ON THE LIST I GOT FROM THIS FOUR-BAR OR AS DEPUTY CITY.
HOWEVER, TO CLARIFY THE SITUATION, I WILL INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO HER IN MY MOTION.
I HEREBY MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
FIRST IS HEREBY CLARIFY THE DUFFY WEST MATTER AS AN HISTORIC PROPERTY OWNERS SEAT ON THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
SECONDLY, I NOMINATE AMY HAGEN TO FILL THE OPEN SEAT AT LARGE WITH A TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 2025. THANK YOU.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU. MOVING DOWN TO, I DON'T REMEMBER 8 A, B, C,
[8. LIQUOR LICENSE PUBLIC HEARINGS]
AND D. WE HAVE LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH US.>> MADAM MAYOR, IF YOU COULD JUST MAKE SURE YOU OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR ITEMS 8A THROUGH D BEFORE WE BEGIN?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS NUMBER 8, A, B, C, AND D.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL. I'M KEVIN SAPP.
I'M A SERGEANT OVER THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I HAVE FOUR APPLICATIONS HERE FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE FIRST IS A SERIES 12 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE BLUFFS LOCATED AT 3100'S BUTLER AVENUE.
[00:20:10]
THE SECOND IS A SERIES NINE LIQUOR LICENSE FOURTH STREET MARKET AND LIQUOR.IT'S LOCATED AT 2901 NORTH, FOURTH STREET.
THE THIRD IS LOCATION TRANSFER FOR A SERIES NINE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR CIRCLE K, LOCATED AT 5650 NORTH HIGHWAY 89.
THE LAST IS A SERIES 12 LIQUOR LICENSE FOR CAFE STELLA, MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE AND BAR.
IT'S LOCATED AT 7 EAST ASPEN AVENUE.
IN MY INVESTIGATION, I FOUND NO DEROGATORY REMARKS FOR THOSE LISTED ON THE APPLICATIONS.
>> THANK YOU. DO ANY OF THE APPLICANTS WISH TO SPEAK?
>> MAYOR, I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE ANY DESIRE TO SPEAK, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THEM, THEY ARE PRESENT ONLINE AND IN PERSON.
>> THANK YOU. DO ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS? STERLING, CAN WE TAKE THESE ALL AS ONE OR DO WE NEED TO VOTE EACH SEPARATELY?
>> YOU CAN TAKE THEM ALL AS ONE.
BUT YOU DO NEED TO ASK WHETHER THERE'S ANY COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> OH, YES. I DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ONLINE.
NOW I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, I MOVE TO MOVE THE ITEMS UNDER ITEM 8, A, B, C, AND D, TO FOLLOW THE APPLICATIONS TO THE STATE WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ARE THERE ANY OPPOSED? IT CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 9, CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.
[9. CONSENT ITEMS All matters under Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion approving the recommendations listed on the agenda. Unless otherwise indicated, expenditures approved by Council are budgeted items.]
ALL MATTERS UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS LISTED ON THE AGENDA UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, EXPENDITURES APPROVED BY COUNCIL ARE BUDGETED ITEMS. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT ITEM 9A OR 9B? NINE A IS A CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF FINAL PLAT PZ-15-00015-24, SERIOUS AT TIMBER SKY BLOCK 4, CAPSTONE HOMES REQUEST FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR SERIOUS AT TIMBER SKY BLOCK 4 LOCATED AT 3191 MCALLISTER RANCH ROAD, A 63 LOT SINGLE-FAMILY SUBDIVISION ON 21.87 ACRES IN THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL R1 ZONE.NINE B IS CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF FINAL PLAT PZ-21-00236-07 WOODSHIRE ON CONDOMINIUMS, WOODSHIRE ON OAK LLC, REQUIRES FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR WOODSHIRE ON OAK CONDOMINIUMS LOCATED AT 302 WEST OAK AVENUE, A CONDOMINIUM SUBDIVISION ON 0.94 ACRES IN THE MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL MR AND HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL HR ZONES.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? COME ON SOMEONE. COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
>> MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS AS LISTED, ITEM 10A AND 10B.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? OH, EXCUSE ME.
>> I THINK I JUST NEED TO AMEND THE ITEM NUMBER.
I THINK IT'S 9A AND 9B, IT WASN'T 10.
>> IT WAS 9A, 9B, YOU STATED IT CORRECTLY.
>> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T EVEN CATCH THAT YOU SAID THAT.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS 9A, 9B AS PRESENTED.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY, DO YOU SECOND THAT?
>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
[00:25:01]
>> ANY OPPOSED? ITEM NUMBER 10, ROUTINE ITEMS.
[A. Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-05: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, amending Flagstaff City Code, Title 14 Human Relations, Chapter 14-02 Civil Rights, Section 14-02-001-0006 Complaint Procedures, to allow a verified charge to be filed within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days after the alleged violation occurred; providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, authority for clerical corrections, and establishing an effective date. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Read Ordinance No. 2023-05 by title only for the final time 2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-05 3) Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-05]
A, CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-05, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, AMENDING FLAGSTAFF CITY CODE TITLE 14, HUMAN RELATIONS CHAPTER 14-02, CIVIL RIGHTS, SECTION 14-02- 001-006, COMPLAINT PROCEDURES TO ALLOW A VERIFIED CHARGE TO BE FILED WITHIN 180 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OCCURRED.PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, SEVERAL ABILITY AUTHORITY FOR CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
HELLO. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ADDITIONAL TO SHARE WITH US?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL? NOT PARTICULARLY, NO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREAT JOB READING ALL THOSE ZEROS IN THE SHORT TITLE.
THIS WAS HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO AND IT CAME AS A REQUEST FROM A PRESENTATION THAT WAS GIVEN NOTHING BACK IN MARCH ON CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.
THIS IS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OUR CITY STATUTE AND THE FILING PERIOD THAT WE HAVE FOR THOSE COMPLAINTS IN LINE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL RULES AND I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I THINK WE'RE GOOD. THANK YOU.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS?
>> MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO READ ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-05 BY TITLE ONLY FOR THE FINAL TIME.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ARE THERE ANY OPPOSED? IT CARRIES. CITY CLERK?
>> ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, AMENDING FLAGSTAFF CITY CODE TITLE 14, HUMAN RELATIONS, CHAPTER 14-02, CIVIL RIGHTS, SECTION 14-02 -001-0006, COMPLAINT PROCEDURES, TO ALLOW A VERIFIED CHARGE TO BE FILED WITHIN 180 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OCCURRED.
PROVIDING FOR APPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, SEPARABILITY, AUTHORITY FOR CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE WANT TO MOVE TO ADOPT?
>> YOU'RE FINE. JUST MOVED TO ADOPT. THAT'S FINE.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOVING DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 10B,
[B. Consideration and Approval of Contract: Approve a Cooperative Purchase Contract with General Acrylics, Inc., in the total amount of $920,642.42 to design and build eight pickleball courts and overlay existing tennis and basketball courts at Bushmaster Park. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider and approve a Cooperative Purchase Contract with General Acrylics, Inc., in the total amount of $920,642.42 to design and build eight pickleball courts and overlay existing tennis and basketball courts at Bushmaster Park; and Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.]
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACT.APPROVE A COOPERATIVE PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH GENERAL ACRYLICS, INCORPORATED IN THE AMOUNT OF $920,642.42 TO DESIGN AND BUILD EIGHT PICKLEBALL COURTS AND OVERLAY EXISTING TENANTS AND BASKETBALL COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK. HELLO, AMY.
>> HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AMY HAGEN, THE ASSISTANT PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THE DESIGN-BUILD, OR DESIGN CONSTRUCTION OF PICKLEBALL COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK.
CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME OKAY? PERFECT. FELT LIKE I COULDN'T HEAR MYSELF VERY WELL.
I KINDLY REQUEST THAT WE GET THROUGH THE PRESENTATION WHILE EVERYONE GATHERS QUESTIONS AND THEN BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTARY OF THOSE IN FAVOR AND THOSE OPPOSED FROM OUR CITIZENS.
I APPRECIATE THE TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN ADVANCE WHILE WE HOLD THIS HEALTHY CONVERSATION, SO LET'S BOUNCE RIGHT INTO THE PRESENTATION.
[LAUGHTER] WE'RE GOING TO COVER A HANDFUL OF TOPICS.
I'M GOING TO GO OVER THE HISTORY OF PICKLEBALL.
WHY BUSHMASTER PARK, THE CONCEPT DESIGN, AND THE WORK WITH FLAGSTAFF PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION.
WHAT DID WE LEARN IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS? OBVIOUSLY THE PROPOSAL AND WHAT THE PROPOSAL ENTAILS, AND THEN SOME OF THE INFORM AND FEEDBACK THAT WAS RECEIVED IN THE POSTCARD MAILER.
WE WILL START OFF WITH THE HISTORY IN FLAGSTAFF.
DUAL STRIPED COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK ARRIVED IN AUGUST OF 2019, INCLUDING PROVIDING TEMPORARY ON-SITE NETS.
THERE ARE DEDICATED HOURS FROM 08:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. DAILY.
[00:30:02]
THAT WAS AGREED UPON TIME LIMIT TO ENABLE TENNIS AND BASKETBALL PLAY THEN DURING THE OTHER TIMES INTO THE EVENING BECAUSE THOSE COURTS ARE LIGHTED OUT THERE.THE INTENT THAT IS PICKLEBALL IS OCCURRING OUTSIDE THOSE DEDICATED HOURS, THEN THE GAME IS TO BE COMPLETED AND ALLOW THE OTHER SPORT TO PLAY [NOISE].
THEN IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, THE PARKS RECREATION OPEN SPACE, AND EVENTS DIVISION WAS HERE AT THE DIETS TO DISCUSS A POTENTIAL BOND INITIATIVE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME, THE PRIORITIES WERE A DERIVATIVE OF THE COMMISSION, A HANDFUL OF COMMISSIONS, AND STAFF.
IT INCLUDED AN OUTDOOR RACKET FACILITY LOCATED ON A CITY-OWNED PROPERTY ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN THAT IS LABELED CHRISTIANSEN PARK.
THE BOND INITIATIVE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL JUST FOR HISTORY FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING ANY OF THE PROS' PRIORITIES AT THAT TIME TO THE BOND.
THAT OUTDOOR RACKET FACILITY, GREATER THAN THREE YEARS AGO WAS GOING TO COST OVER EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS.
ADD SOME ESCALATION TO THAT, AND THAT'S WHERE THAT WAS GOING TO BE.
THEN IN OCTOBER OF 2021, THE DIVISION WAS ABLE TO DELIVER TWO DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS AT PONDEROSA PARK IN LIEU OF ONE TENNIS COURT WITH THE TENNIS COMMUNITY BUY-IN AND THAT WAS A PART OF A GRANT-FUNDED PROJECT WITH THE PHOENIX SUNS AND APS.
THE COURTS ARE LESS THAN ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY FROM ADJACENT RESIDENTS AND WE'LL SEE WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT WHEN WE GET INTO SOME OF OUR FUTURE SLIDES.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS NOT APPROACHED REGARDING THIS CHANGE TO THE SPORT COURT PLAY FROM TENNIS TO A PICKLEBALL.
THEN LASTLY, IN THE SPRING OF 2022, THE DIVISION PROVIDED MORE SUBSTANTIAL TEMPORARY NETS ON-SITE IN BUSHMASTER PARK AT THE DUAL STRIPED COURTS AS A BEST PRACTICE GIVEN JUST IN GENERAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND JUST FOR EVERYONE'S KNOWLEDGE SO THAT THE PUBLIC FREE COURTS IN OUR PUBLIC PARK SYSTEM, THERE ARE THE TWO DEDICATED COURTS AT PONDEROSA PARK AND THEN THE EIGHT DUAL STRIPED COURTS.
ALL OTHER COURT LOCATIONS WOULD BE CONSIDERED PRIVATE OR THERE'S A FEE ASSOCIATED OR MEMBERSHIP.
SOME OF THOSE LOCATIONS DO HAPPEN TO BE NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY CONTINENTAL COUNTRY CLUB FOR THE FOREST HIGHLAND SUBDIVISION, AS WELL AS THE FLAGSTAFF ATHLETIC CLUBS SPORTS STAFF.
NOW, WHY BUSHMASTER? I'M SURE EVERYONE IS WONDERING THAT.
THE DIVISION WHEN WE WERE TASKED WITH THOSE OVERARCHING KEY COMMUNITY PRIORITIES.
THEN I KNOW THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS AWARE OF.
LIVABLE COMMUNITY BEING ONE OF THEM, SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY.
WE STARTED WITH REVIEWING WHERE SOME OF THESE SHOVEL-READY PARK LOCATIONS WITHIN OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM SHOULD FUNDING BECOME AVAILABLE.
BUSHMASTER PARK IS CLASSIFIED AS A COMMUNITY PARK AND I'M SURE EVERYONE'S WONDERING WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A COMMUNITY PARK MEANS.
BASED ON NATIONAL STANDARDS IN THE CITY'S 2013 PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN, AS WELL AS NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION, A COMMUNITY PARK CLASSIFICATION IS DEFINED AS BEING 20 AND 40 ACRES IN SIZE AND MAY INCLUDE AMENITIES SUCH AS PLAYGROUNDS, TENNIS COURTS, BASKETBALL COURTS, SOCCER FIELD, BASEBALL, SOFTBALL FIELDS, ESCAPE PARKS, PICNIC RAMADA, RESTROOM FACILITIES, DISC GOLF COURSES, AND OFF-LEASH DOG FACILITIES.
THE INTENT OF A COMMUNITY PARK, WHEN DEFINED IN THAT MANNER IS TO SERVE A BROADER PURPOSE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
BUSHMASTER PARK IS 20 ACRES IN SIZE, WITH 15 OF THOSE ACRES CURRENTLY DEVELOPED INTO ONE OF THOSE AMENITIES.
THE LAST DEVELOPMENT WAS IN THE YEAR 2015 WHEN THERE WAS A LARGE EXPANSION WHICH ACCOMPANIED AN OUTREACH.
AN OUTREACH WAS PERFORMED AS MANY AMENITIES WERE BEING ADDED TO THE SUGGESTED TO BE ADDED TO THE PARK AT THAT TIME AND WERE PROPOSED AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED.
THERE IS PART OF THAT 2015 EXPANSION INCLUDED THREE PICNIC REMODELS, A LARGE PLAYGROUND, AN OUTDOOR ROLLER RINK, A RELOCATED OFF-LEASH DOG PARK, ANOTHER RESTROOM FACILITY TO THE COMMUNITY PARK, A SECOND PARKING LOT, AN OUTDOOR FITNESS CENTER, AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN.
SINCE DEVELOPMENT WAS COMPLETED SHORTLY AFTER THAT EXPANSION PROCESS, THE COMMUNITY GARDEN DID NOT COME TO FRUITION, UNFORTUNATELY, BY THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
RECENTLY, BOTH PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND EVENTS AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICES, HAVE DISCUSSED HOW WE COULD MOVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS FORWARD.
I THINK AS YOU ALL KNOW, SUSTAINABILITY OFFICES AND PROS WE ADORE
[00:35:04]
A GOOD CHALLENGE I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT CAN BE DONE BETWEEN THOSE TWO DIVISIONS, BUT LET'S GET BACK TO THE UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE.THE UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE WITHIN BUSHMASTER PARK IS APPROXIMATELY 5 ACRES.
WITHIN THOSE 5 ACRES, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED BEHAVIORS.
WHAT IS PROFESSIONALLY KNOWN IS THAT BETWEEN ACTIVATION OF SPACE AND PROGRAMMING OF SPACE, UNWANTED BEHAVIORS TEND TO DISSIPATE, OR IN OTHER WORDS, CREATE WANTED BEHAVIORS.
IN MARCH OF 2022, THE PROS DIVISION WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS BBB RECREATION SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDING, A SOURCE THAT'S DERIVED FROM GREATER REVENUES.
IT WAS DERIVED AND THERE WERE GREATER REVENUES THAN EXPECTED.
IT HONESTLY BECAME AS A SURPRISE TO THE DIVISION.
UPON RECEIVING THIS AMAZING INFORMATION, THE DIVISION BEGAN TO EXPLORE HOW TO DELIVER THOSE PRIORITIZED PICKLEBALL COURTS BASED ON THE FUNDING AMOUNT THAT WAS PROVIDED, THAT AMOUNT PROVIDED WOULD NOT SURMOUNT TO WHAT OUR NUMBER 1 PRIORITY HAS BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME, WHICH IS A GIRL SOFTBALL COMPLEX.
I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE INFORMATION REGARDING PICKLEBALL COURTS AND A SHOVEL-READY LOCATION AT BUSHMASTER PARK AS THE COMMUNITY PARK, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED, STARTED TO COME TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION BEGINNING IN AUGUST OF 2022, AND THEN AGAIN IN FEBRUARY OF 2023.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE OTHER COMMUNITY PARKS IN OUR PARK SYSTEM, I DO NOT HAVE ANY UNDEVELOPED LAND.
THOSE ARE THE LOCATIONS JUST FOR EVERYONE'S INFORMATION WOULD BE FOX GLAND PARK AND MACPHERSON PARK.
THEY'RE BOTH ALSO CONSIDERED A COMMUNITY PARK CLASSIFICATION.
COURT DESIGN, PROPOSAL, AND FUNDING AND YES, THAT IS AN ACTUAL IMAGE OF THE BASKETBALL COURTS OUT ON SITE, WHICH MAY START TO RESONATE, HOW IN THE WORLD WE GOT HERE? SOME COURT DESIGN, PROPOSAL, AND FUNDING, SOME CONCEPT IDEAS WERE HONESTLY DERIVED.
THERE WERE A LOT OF COLLABORATIVE MEETINGS WITH THE FLAGSTAFF PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION, REGARDING THE DESIRED DESIGN, SHOULD THE COURTS EVER BE FUNDED? WHAT HAS COME TO FRUITION IS THIS FOUR COURT POD AND I'M NOT KIDDING THAT'S INCREDIBLY HARD TO SAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT IF FOUR COURT POD LAYOUT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE, THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY TO IT FOR THE SPORT.
THESE MEETINGS HAPPENED TO BE A DIRECT DERIVATIVE FROM WHEN THERE WAS A LARGE PUBLIC OUTREACH THAT OCCURRED FOR THORPE PARK, WHICH IS A REGIONAL PARK WHEN THERE WERE EIGHT AND A HALF ACRES TO DISCUSS THEIR, MANY AMENITIES VERSUS ONE.
A FOUR COURT POD LAYOUT, THAT IS A FOUR COURT POD LAYOUT IS 84 FEET BY 140 FEET OR THAT IT HAPPENS TO CALCULATE OUT TO 11,760 SQUARE FEET.
SEE, I TOLD YOU THAT WAS HARD TO SAY.
ONE 4-POD COURT HAPPENS TO BE 0.26 OF AN ACRE IN SIZE.
WHEN THERE ARE TWO, THAT HAPPENS TO BE 0.52 ACRES OR JUST A TOUCH OF A HALF ACRE IF THAT HELPS ANYONE VISUALLY.
BASED ON RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED PODS IN OTHER AREAS, A LOW 4-FOOT TALL FENCING IS DESIRED BY THE ASSOCIATION IN THE PLAYER GROUP VERSUS A TYPICAL 12-FOOT TALL FENCING.
A 12-FOOT TALL FENCING WOULD BE WHAT YOU WOULD SEE IN ALMOST, I BELIEVE, EVERY SINGLE SPORT COURT THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PARK SYSTEM TODAY.
THAT LOWER FENCING CREATES A MORE INVITING ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SOCIAL PILLARS OF THE SPORT AND THEN WIDER PERIMETER WALKWAYS ARE ALSO DESIRED THAT DO EXIST TODAY AT BUSHMASTER PARK AND CONTINUE THAT INVITING NATURE, IF YOU WILL.
ALSO, A PART OF THE PROPOSAL IS LED LIGHTING AND THERE ARE SOME MORE BENEFITS OF A 4-POD LAYOUT AND SOME MORE IMAGES TO TRY TO GIVE THAT FEEL.
THE LOW FENCING AND THERE ARE SOME, AS I STATED, CONSTRUCTION EFFICIENCIES AND MAKES THE COURTS VERY ACCESSIBLE.
LET'S JUMP INTO THE LED LIGHTING.
THE LED LIGHTING IS A PART OF THIS PROPOSAL AMOUNT.
THE LIGHTING DOES DIFFER FROM WHAT IS CURRENTLY ON SITE, ON THE TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS, AND FOR WHAT WAS DISPLAYED IN SOME OF THOSE PREVIOUS IMAGES IN THIS PRESENTATION.
IT'S GOT A LOW PROFILE AND IT DOES MEET DARK SKIES COMPLIANCY.
THE LED LIGHTING IS SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD REDUCE UP TO 75 PERCENT OF AN ENERGY LOADS.
THAT OBVIOUSLY ASSIST WITH OUR CARBON NEUTRALITY GOALS THAT WE HAVE AND PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIGHTING IN THIS PROPOSAL IS ONLY FOR THESE NEW COURTS, NOT FOR THE EXISTING COURTS.
[00:40:02]
THE PROPOSAL AMOUNT.THE PROPOSAL AMOUNT IS [LAUGHTER] $920,643, WHICH INCLUDES TWO-FOUR POD COURTS WITH THE FOUR-FOOT TALL FENCING, PERIMETER WALKWAY ADJUSTMENTS SINCE MANY DO EXIST ON-SITE, THAT LED LOW-PROFILE LIGHTING, AND THE OVERLAY OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A RESURFACING OF THE EXISTING TENANTS AND BASKETBALL COURTS, WHICH IS GREATLY NEEDED.
THE COLOR SCHEME IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
THAT SIMPLY DOES NEED TO BE A DISCUSSION AS A PART OF A DESIGN.
THERE COULD ALSO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR DIVISION'S LOGO AND I DEFINITELY THINK FOR A BBB RECREATION LOGO SINCE THAT IS A PART OF THE FUNDING SOURCE WITH THE SPECIAL REVENUE.
AGAIN, THE COURTS HAVE NOT BEEN DESIGNED WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING THE LAYOUT, SO THERE IS SOME INACCURACIES OUT THERE REGARDING, I BELIEVE, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY STATEMENTS THAT UP TO IF NOT GREATER THAN 15 TREES ARE GOING TO BE CUT DOWN.
IN ADDITION, IF THIS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, STAFF HOLD A LARGE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THE LEAST INTRUSIVE TO REMOVE NATURALLY ANY TREES AS PARKS PROFESSIONALS.
THE INFORM AND SOME OF THE FEEDBACK AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT OF FEEDBACK AS WE SHOULD THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO PERFORM AN OUTREACH WHEN ADDING ONE SINGLE AMENITY TO A LARGE COMMUNITY PARK.
HOWEVER, STAFF, TO BE SELF-DETERMINED, TRANSPARENCY AND BEING INFORMATIVE WOULD BE THE METHOD FOR IT'S A LARGE EXPENDITURE IN OUR OPINION.
POSTCARD WAS MAILED OUT TO 78 RESIDENCES THAT DO ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARK THAT WENT OUT IN MID-MARCH WITH A QR CODE AND A WEB LINK IN CASE THE QR CODE WAS NOT GOOD FOR FUNCTIONALITY REGARDING THESE PROPOSED COURTS AND WITH THE CITY COUNCIL DATE.
THE COLOR DRAWING THAT YOU SEE UP HERE ON THE SCREEN, AND THAT WAS A PART OF THAT POSTCARD MAILER., IT'S MERELY JUST A COLOR DRAWING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS NO APPROVED DESIGN FOR THESE COURTS.
IT WAS WHAT WE FELT WAS THE BEST TO DO.
NATURALLY, WE PRESUMED THERE WAS GOING TO BE OPPOSITION TO THIS WITH SOME OF THE DIRECT COMMENTARY THAT I HAVE LISTED HERE ON THIS SIDE.
THESE WERE SOME OF THE FIRST EMAILS THAT WERE RECEIVED A RECEIPT OF THE POSTCARD HERE, PICKLEBALL COURTS QUESTION MARK, AND THEY HAPPEN TO BE NESTLING DIRECTLY BEHIND MY HOME ABOUT HEARING LIGHTING AND THE NOISE FOR MORNING WELL INTO TONIGHT.
WE'VE HEARD QUITE A BIT FROM THE COMMUNITY RIGHTFULLY SO.
IF THIS SLIDE IS HARD FOR ANYONE TO READ, ESPECIALLY IN OUR AUDIENCE, WE PRACTICED THIS SLIDE WITH OUR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS YESTERDAY SO WE'LL START UP AT THE 12 O'CLOCK, IF YOU WILL.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT EXACTLY WHERE THE COURTS MUST GO, THAT THOSE GRAY RECTANGLES ARE EXACTLY 84 FEET BY 140 FEET SO AT LEAST IT GIVES US AN IDEA.
BUT STARTING AT 12:00, SO TO THE RESIDENTS THAT THE REAR OF THEIR PROPERTIES BORDER BUSHMASTER PARK ON THE NORTH, THAT WOULD BE ROUGHLY 418 FEET AWAY.
THEN AS WE GO DOWN THE DIAL, WE HAVE OVER HERE AROUND THE 3:00 TO SILER HOMES WOULD ROUGHLY BE 490 FEET AWAY FROM THE NEAREST COURT.
THEN THE DIMENSION START TO SHRINK AS WE START TO COME AROUND SO WE'VE GOT ROUGHLY ANYWHERE FROM 234 FEET, A COUPLE 151 FEET, TO THE SHORTEST DISTANCE OF 125 FEET, 142, 138, 149.
THEN AS WE HEAD OUT TO THE WEST, WE INCREASE QUITE A BIT BACK UP TO 643 FEET AWAY FROM THE NEAREST PROPERTY LINE OF A RESIDENT.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE THAT AND WE CAN ALWAYS REFER BACK TO THAT IF NEEDED.
WITH THAT INFORMATION, UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE NUANCES WITH PICKLEBALL COURTS, ESPECIALLY IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS SOME RECENTLY DEVELOPED ONES IN A PRIVATE COMMUNITY IN COCONINO COUNTY, A PROPOSAL WAS SOLICITED FOR WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY CALLED ACOUSTICAL WALL FENCING, SOME NOISE ABATEMENT, IF YOU WILL.
THE PROPOSAL AMOUNT IS JUST UNDER $150,000.
THERE ARE SOME CHANGES WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
IT TAKES AWAY THE LOW FOUR-FOOT FENCING BRINGS IT UP TO 12-FOOT TALL AND IT'S AN ACOUSTICAL WALL THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE THERE IN THE IMAGE, SO THAT TAKES THEN THAT ACOUSTICAL WALL WRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND THAT FOUR COURT POD.
AGAIN, THAT IS FOR $150,000 TOTAL FOR THE TWO PODS.
[00:45:04]
IT'S SUGGESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ACOUSTICAL WALLS POTENTIALLY REDUCE THE SOUND OF THE BALL TO THE PADDLE ABOUT 30% SO FROM A STAFF AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY LENS, THAT EXPENDITURE IS NOT RECOMMENDED IN YOUR STAFF SUMMARY.THAT JUST SEEMS LIKE QUITE A BIT FOR MAYBE MINIMAL REDUCTION THERE.
WITH THAT LAST BIT OF INFORMATION, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AND HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM ABOUT THE PRESENTATION AND CAN GO BACKWARDS ON SLIDES.
>> THANK YOU, AMY. COUNCIL WILL ASK QUESTIONS AMONG OURSELVES AND THEN I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK AND DELIBERATE.
WHO HAS A QUESTION OR A COMMENT? COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY?
WHEN YOU SAY THAT IT'LL REDUCE THE NOISE ABOUT 30% IN TB, THAT'S ABOUT ONE OR TWO DB, WHICH ISN'T EVEN PERCEPTIBLE TO THE HUMAN EAR.
THAT WOULD BE A VERY MINOR CHANGE.
THE MEETING PACKAGE STATES THAT STAFF DOES NOT RECOMMEND NOISE ABATEMENT WALLS BECAUSE OF, "A LACK OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED REGARDING PICKLEBALL NOISE".
THIS IS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT INCLUDING THIS IN THE PRESENTATION ABOUT THE EXISTING PICKLEBALL, THAT, "THE NOISE FROM PICKLEBALL IS AN INCESSANT IRRITATION".
COUNCIL HAS RECEIVED BETWEEN 2-3 DOZEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT PICKLEBALL AT BUSHMASTER WITH THE COMMON CONCERN ABOUT NOISE.
I GUESS, I FIND IT FRUSTRATING THAT PART OF THE STAFF REPORT DISCOUNTS THE NOISE ISSUE AND THEN ANOTHER PART OF THE STAFF REPORT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE'VE HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOISE.
I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT FOR NOW.
>> ACTUALLY, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY, AND YOU ARE SPOT ON WITH YOUR COMMENTS.
THE ORIGINAL DATE FOR THIS AGENDA ITEM WAS GOING TO BE IN EARLY APRIL, THEN WAS PUSHED TO MAY 2ND, AND THEN PUSHED WITH SOME GREATER THINGS TO DISCUSS.
AT THE TIME WHEN THE STAFF REPORT WAS WRITTEN, THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING NOISE.
THERE MOST CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS EVER SINCE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'LL BE QUICK.
AMY, HOW LATE ARE THOSE COURTS GOING TO BE OPEN IN TERMS OF NIGHT LIGHTING AND DARK SKY COMPLIANCE?
>> THE LIGHTS THEMSELVES ARE DARK SKY COMPLIANCE, SO THERE'S NO CHANGE THAT OCCURS THERE, VICE MAYOR.
IN CITY CODE, ALL CITY PARKS, ALL 24 OF THEM HAVE OPERATING HOURS OF SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 05:00 AM-10:00 PM, AND FRIDAY, SATURDAY, 05:00 AM-12:00 AM.
THE LIGHTS COULD OPERATE DURING THOSE TIMES.
THE LIGHTS ARE ON A ONE-HOUR TIMER, SO EVEN IF YOU SAY IT'S THURSDAY NIGHT, YOU WENT OUT TO GO PLAY BASKETBALL AT 09:50 PM, YOU TURN ON THE LIGHTS FOR ONE HOUR, THEY WILL SHUT OFF AT 10:00 PM, OR ON THAT FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHICH ZONE OF DARK SKY LIGHTING BUSHMASTER PARK IS IN?
>> I WANT TO SAY IT'S ZONE 2, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, AND I KNOW WE DO HAVE SOME OF OUR PLANNING FRIENDS BEHIND US, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S ZONE 2.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. YOU WENT OVER IT LIGHTLY IN THE BEGINNING OF YOUR PRESENTATION.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF UNDESIRABLE ACTIVITIES THERE, WHICH HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR A LONG TIME.
SOME OF IT I FEEL MAYBE IT'S THE DESIGN OF THE PARK.
I DROVE AROUND IT THE OTHER DAY AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT I COULDN'T DRIVE THROUGH IT.
[LAUGHTER] BUT THAT'S ANOTHER TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY.
EACH ONE OF THESE PICKLEBALL, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, THEY ALL HAVE A BALL BOUNCING FROM SOMETHING, SO THERE'S A LOT OF NOISE.
I'M JUST CURIOUS AND I THINK YOU ANSWERED IT TO MR. MCCARTHY, BUT I WAS MAKING A NOTE SO I DIDN'T PICK UP ON IT.
[00:50:02]
WAS THERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS THEN OR JUST WHEN WE SENT OUT THE POSTCARD ABOUT MAKING IT PERMANENT?
>> THE DIVISION DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPLAINTS UNTIL THE POSTCARD.
>> THEN THE DUAL-STRIPED COURTS RIGHT NOW, WILL THEY CONTINUE TO STAY THERE OR WILL THEY GO BACK TO A DEDICATED TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURT AND THEN HAVE A DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURT, OR WILL THEY HAVE BOTH?
SHOULD THIS PROPOSAL GO THROUGH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE RESURFACING OF THE EXISTING TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS, THEY WILL STILL BE DUAL STRIPED FOR PICKLEBALL PLAY.
HOWEVER, THOSE DEDICATED HOURS OF 08:00 AM-12:00 PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WILL GO AWAY.
THEY NEED TO HAVE THEIR DEDICATION TO THEIR ORIGINATING SPORT.
THAT IS, IF THERE ARE THESE EIGHT NEW COURTS THAT WOULD HAVE 100% DEDICATED PLAY FOR PICKLEBALL.
>> THANK YOU. ONE LAST QUESTION.
THE PICTURE OF THE BASKETBALL COURTS SEEMS TO NEED SOME WORK.
[LAUGHTER] DEFINITELY THAT NEEDS BEFORE SOMEBODY TWISTS THEIR ANKLE ON SOMETHING, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE THAT'S STARTING TO WEAR A LITTLE BIT.
>> OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF YOUR PRESENTATION, YOU HAD SAID THAT THE BOND, INCLUDING PICKLEBALL IN 2020 WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
IF I'M REMEMBERING CORRECTLY, THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT THE CITY CHOSE NOT TO ADVANCE ANY BOND MEASURES.
IT'S NOT THAT IT WASN'T SUCCESSFUL WITH JUST DIDN'T ADVANCE. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. NONE OF THE PRIORITIES FOR THE DIVISION ADVANCED? CORRECT.
>> OKAY. THEN I JUST HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE SLIDE WHERE YOU SHOW THE PROPOSED OVERLAY OF WHERE THE COURTS MAY GO.
I GUESS MY CONCERN IS IT WAS STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED YET.
THERE WAS NOT A GUARANTEED REMOVAL OF EIGHT TREES.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO SEE IN THIS PICTURE, BUT COUNTING ROUGHLY, IT LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 6-8 TREES ARE UNDER THAT OVERLAY MAP AND THAT'S WHERE THE SOUND MEASURE WAS TAKEN FROM.
IS THIS THE DEDICATED LOCATION OF WHERE THOSE WOULD GO? IS THERE A WAY TO DESIGN IN A WAY THAT WOULD NOT BE REMOVING THOSE TREES?
HONESTLY, STAFF HAVE NOT GONE OUT THERE AND MEASURED FOOT BY FOOT SINCE IT'S UNCERTAIN, WE NEED TO MAKE THAT DECISION THIS EVENING TO DIRECT STAFF ON THIS.
YES, IN THIS AERIAL IMAGE, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN DO TO ADJUST THAT.
I THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME STATEMENTS REGARDING 15 PLUS TREES.
AGAIN, WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE THESE ARE GOING TO GO OR HOW MUCH SPACE THEY'RE GETTING.
I MEAN, WE KNOW HOW MUCH SPACE THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE UP, BUT I MEAN, EVEN IN THIS IMAGE RIGHT HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE, I COULD SEE THAT THIS COURT ON WHAT IS AT LEAST MY FAR LEFT ARE CLOSEST TO THE BASKETBALL COURTS COULD SHIFT UPWARD OR NORTH MORE OR THERE'S A LOT OF OPEN AREA THERE.
JUST TO BE FRANK, WHERE THE OTHER COURT, I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME SMALLER PONDEROSA PINES THAT COULD BE IMPACTED WITH THE IDEA I'VE THOUGHT THAT IT'S IN OUR BEST INTERESTS TO ALWAYS BE THE LEAST INTRUSIVE AS POSSIBLE.
I JUST DON'T HAVE AN EXACT NUMBER.
>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR MEETING ME OUT THERE IN PERSON AND SHOWING ME AROUND THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND TO THE RESIDENTS THAT ALSO MET ME OUT THERE.
I HAVE PLAYED PICKLEBALL AND I HAD A LOT OF FUN.
MY FIRST QUESTION IS WITH THE SAFETY ASPECT, THE FOUR-FOOT FENCE, ARE THERE CONCERNS OF THE BALLS FLYING OUT? WHEN THEY'RE PRETTY FAST BALLS, WOULD THEY BE GOING OUT OF A FOUR-FOOT FENCE?
>> I GUESS THERE COULD BE SOME POTENTIAL WITH THAT COUNCIL MEMBER, SWEET.
ALSO, I'LL SHOW IN WITH THE PROPOSAL AMOUNT, THERE'S SOME OPENS SIDES WHICH CREATES INVITING ATMOSPHERE.
YET I'M SURE SOME OF THE BALLS COULD MAKE IT'S WAY OFF THE COURT.
THAT IS ONE THING THAT DOES FEEL, I SUPPOSE,
[00:55:03]
WARM AND FUZZY ABOUT THIS IS THAT THERE THE BASKETBALL COURTS HAVE 12-FOOT TALL FENCE AND THE TENNIS COURTS HAVE 12-FOOT TALL THE FENCING.WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THE TWO SPORTS BECOMING IN CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER OR ANY OTHER AMENITY THAT'S IN THIS SPACE.
>> GOING OUT THERE, I DEFINITELY NOTICED THE HIGHER FENCE DID FEEL ENCLOSED AND I WOULD SEE THE FOUR-FOOT FENCE BEING MORE INVITING.
MY SECOND QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THE LIGHTING, THE NEIGHBORS OUT THERE HAVE EXPRESSED SOME CONCERNS ON THE LIGHTING.
I KNOW THAT THEY ARE ON AN HOUR TIMER, BUT CAN THEY ALSO BE HONEST SENSOR SO THAT IF PEOPLE ARE DONE BEFORE THE HOUR IS UP, THE LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY GO OFF.
>> THAT COULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD EXPLORE AND SEE IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD EXECUTE.
>> HI. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
JUST FOR SOME CLARIFICATION AND THEN A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
THE ORIGINAL COURTS THAT ARE THERE NOW THAT ARE DUAL STRIPED, THOSE WILL CONTINUE TO BE DUAL STRIPED. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> OKAY. THOSE ARE NOT LIGHTED?
>> THEY ARE. OKAY. THE NEW COURTS WILL BE LIGHTED ALSO.
>> THAT IS WHAT'S IN THE PROPOSAL TONIGHT. YES.
>> OKAY. IN TERMS OF NOISE, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO HANG OUT IN THE PARK.
I HAD CHILDCARE DUTIES ON FRIDAY FOR MAU GRADUATION, SO THERE'S A GREAT PLACE TO GO HANG OUT.
IN TERMS OF NOISE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO STILL HAVE DEDICATED HOURS AND MORE SO TO GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE BREAK? IF WE'RE OPENING AT EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND WE'RE GOING TO MIDNIGHT?
ALL OF OUR 24 PARKS IN OUR SYSTEM, ARE SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 05:00 A.M. TO 10:00 P.M. AND THEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IT'S 05:00 A.M. TO 12:00 A.M.
>> I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO GET REALLY CONFUSING, SO IF WE'RE OPENING AT 5:00 AND PICKLEBALL, THE BANKING IS GOING ALL DAY BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WANTING TO USE THE COURTS, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO MAYBE GIVE EVERYBODY A LITTLE BREAK SOMETIME IN THERE SO THEY CAN MAYBE HAVE A NICE LUNCH OUTSIDE? GO OUTSIDE AND SIT WITHOUT HAVING THAT NOISE.
WOULD THAT BE TOO DISRUPTIVE OR TOO CONFUSING?
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN CITY CODE OR WITH ANY OTHER PARK AMENITY.
DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE, BUT I DO THINK IT WOULD NEED TO BE CODIFIED WITHIN CITY CODE FOR THAT TO OCCUR.
>> OKAY. SO RIGHT NOW, THE NOTICE ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT THAT I SAW WAS PLAYED FROM 8:00 TO NOON?
>> THOSE HOURS ARE GOING TO GO AWAY AND YOU'RE GOING TO START AT 5:00- 10:00, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THOSE HOURS THAT ARE POSTED ON THE TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS WHERE IT'S DUAL STRIPED TO ENABLE PICKLEBALL PLAY, THOSE HOURS ARE JUST SO THAT THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY HAS DEDICATED HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THEN TENNIS OR BASKETBALL PLAY CAN OCCUR DURING THE OTHER HOURS IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CONFLICT BETWEEN ALL THOSE THAT PLAY ALL THE SPORTS.
IF CITY COUNCIL CHOOSES TO APPROVE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THESE EIGHT NEW COURTS, THOSE DEDICATED HOURS ON TENNIS AND BASKETBALL WOULD BE REMOVED.
>> I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AMY, CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE SLIDE THAT SHOWS THE OVERLAY OF WHERE THE PROPOSED COURTS WOULD BE.
>> WE'VE GOT THE 643.5 FEET COURSE.
IF WE MOVED HIM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BASKETBALL COURTS HAVE BEEN LESS, BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THAT'S GOING TOWARDS A PARKING SPOT.
IS THAT A CONSIDERATION THAT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S LESS TREES AND MAYBE FURTHER AWAY FROM HOUSES?
>> THERE ARE POSSIBLY LESS TREES.
IT IS A TOUGH SPACE AND I BELIEVE THERE'S A SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT THERE.
[01:00:05]
THERE IS A REMODEL NEARBY, OBVIOUSLY A PARKING LOT, AND MAYBE SOME HORSESHOE PITS.SO THERE COULD JUST BE SOME REORGANIZATION THERE.
IF I'M PICKING UP ON WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING IS TAKING THE PROPOSED COURT TO THE FAR RIGHT ON EVERYONE'S SCREEN AND BRINGING IT OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BASKETBALL COURTS, CORRECT?
>> RIGHT. AND RE-POSITIONING IF THERE'S SAND, VOLLEYBALL, AND HORSESHOE, BUT MOVING IT THE FURTHEST AWAY WE COULD FROM ANY OF THE HOUSES AROUND THERE MIGHT SEEM TO BE MORE PALATABLE.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL DO MUCH TO THE DIMENSION THAT GOES TO THE HOMES TO THE SOUTH BECAUSE I THINK IT'LL STILL BE FAIRLY PARALLEL.
>> AND THAT'S WHERE THE MOST CONCERNS COME FROM, IS THE HOUSES FROM THE SOUTH.
>> I THINK WE'LL HAVE THOSE MEMBERS IF THEY'RE HERE TONIGHT, BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, THIS QUESTION IS A BIT OF A FOLLOW-UP FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS.
GIVEN THE AVERAGE AGE OF A PICKLEBALL PLAYER OF GUESSING AT 11:00 PM, MOST ARE OUT LINE DANCING SOMEWHERE [LAUGHTER] AS OPPOSED TO PLAYING PICKLEBALL.
I'M WONDERING IF I'M AMENABLE TO THESE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE NOISE AND LIGHT LEVELS LATER IN THE EVENING.
THIS IS NEW INFORMATION TO ME.
IN ADDITION TO MY PASSION FOR DARK SKY CLIENTS, I DO SHARE THAT CONCERN, ESPECIALLY AS IT GETS LATER.
IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO PUT IN THE RULES FOR THESE COURTS THAT THEY'RE NOT TO BE USED OR THAT THE LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF AT A SLIGHTLY EARLIER HOUR I THINK THAT WOULD BE PRUDENT INAPPROPRIATE.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE DETAILS OF NEGOTIATING WHAT HOUR THAT SHOULD BE RIGHT NOW, BUT PLEASE PUT A PIN IN THAT AND MAKE SURE WE WRAP BACK AROUND ON IT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
>> I TOO WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PICKLEBALL PLAYERS WHO TOWARD ME AROUND AND TALK TO ME AND ALSO THE CONCERNED RESIDENTS WHO LIVE NEAR BUSHMASTER WHO TOOK ME AROUND AND WE LOOKED AT THE TREES.
AND AMY, YOU AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THERE ARE SOME DEFINITE OLD GROWTH TREES.
AND I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF US, IF THIS MOVES FORWARD, THAT THOSE BIG TREES CANNOT COME DOWN.
>> SORRY, THAT WASN'T A QUESTION.
[LAUGHTER] I TOLD YOU ALL THAT WE HAD TO ASK QUESTIONS.
LET ME MAKE SURE I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY.
IF BASKETBALL PLAYERS ARE ON THE BASKETBALL COURT PLAYING NO ONE CAN ASK THEM TO MOVE IF THESE NEW COURTS GET BUILT.
>> AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY SOME RESIDENTS THAT SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS ARE ON ON THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS PAST THE TIME THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON.
IS THERE A PLAN FOR EITHER TURNING THEM OFF AT AN EARLIER HOUR OR MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE OFF WHEN THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OFF?
>> THIS WINTER WE RECEIVED THE MESSAGE ON THAT TOO, FROM A CITIZEN.
THIS WINTER THE LIGHTS WERE BROKEN, SOMEHOW BROKEN, I BELIEVE IN THE ON FASHION THAT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
>> ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
>> YEAH. MAYBE YOU ALREADY SAID THIS, BUT I DIDN'T WRITE IT DOWN.
THE HOURS THAT THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON AGAIN.
>> [LAUGHTER] SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 5:00 AM TO 10:00 PM AT NIGHT.
AND THEN FRIDAY, SATURDAYS STILL 5:00 AM TO 12:00 AM OR MIDNIGHT, IS WHEN PARKS ARE OPEN AND DOES ENABLE THE PLAY WITH LIGHTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST I GUESS ANOTHER POINT OF CLARIFICATION, SO WITH THE RESTRIPING THAT WOULD HAPPEN ON THE OTHER COURTS.
IS IT A REQUIREMENT THAT THEY STAY DUAL STRIPED OR IS THAT A NEGOTIABLE OF THIS [LAUGHTER] PROPOSAL.
>> YOU KNOW REQUIREMENT, I'M NOT SURE I CAN LEAN TOWARD ANYTHING AS A REQUIREMENT OTHER THAN THAT THEY EXIST TODAY SO THAT CERTAINLY SHOULD BE A DISCUSSION.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS TO BE REDONE IS NOT RETURNED TO ITS CURRENT STATE.
[01:05:04]
THERE'S ALSO HAS BEEN AN INVESTMENT IN THE TEMPORARY NETS FOR PLAY THERE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE A LOCATION TO REALLOCATE THOSE.>> ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, COUNCIL, BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> I'M SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS.
>> CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY PICKLEBALL COURTS WE HAVE IN OUR CITY FOR FREE, NOT THOSE THAT BELONG TO SOMEBODY ELSE?
>> THERE ARE TWO PERMANENT PICKLEBALL OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DEDICATED AT PONDEROSA PARK IN SUNNY SIDE ON 1ST STREET.
AND THEN THESE EIGHT THAT ARE DUAL STRIPED.
WE DO ENABLE CERTAIN HOURS AND CERTAIN DAYS OF THE WEEK, BUT ITS MEMBERSHIP ONLY WE HAVE PICKLEBALL PLAY INSIDE THE GYMNASIUM AT THE FLAGSTAFF AQUA FLEX, BUT THAT IS NOT FREE.
>> WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THE PICKLEBALL COURTS? I BELIEVE THERE'S THREE OF THEM THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE INSTALLED AT THE ARRA DEVELOPMENT OVER BY HIGH COUNTRY AND SOUTH LAKE MARY?
>> I'M AWARE OF THAT PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, BUT I'M NOT AWARE OF A STATUS ON THOSE.
AND I DO KNOW THAT THAT WAS A PART IN THAT AGREEMENT FOR THOSE TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, IF NOT MISTAKEN.
>> SO THOSE WOULD PROBABLY COME IN LINE WHEN THAT APARTMENT COMPLEX OPENS UP, I'M GUESSING, A COUPLE OF YEARS FROM NOW.
>> MAYBE AN ADDITIONAL ONE, AMY HAS SAID.
>> JUST THOSE WOULD NOT BE MAINTAINED BY CITY STAFF AT ALL.
>> ALSO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COURTS PROPOSED FOR THORPE PARK.
IF THAT PROPOSAL AND THOSE DESIGN CONCEPTS MOVE FORWARD, MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT JUST VERY BRIEFLY.
>> YEAH. AND I THINK VERY VALUABLE, VICE MAYOR.
>> I HEARD THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE AURA DEVELOPMENT.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THOSE PICKLEBALL COURTS THAT'LL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, NOT MANAGED BY THE CITY, BUT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE.
THEY'RE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW.
REPEAT THE QUESTION AGAIN, VICE MAYOR, SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> YEAH. SO THROUGH THAT ROBUST DESIGN PROCESS AND THAT CONCEPT DRAWING, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'LL BE FUNDING FOR THAT, HONESTLY.
WE DON'T EVEN HAVE IT IN OUR FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN, BUT WE DO HAVE IT IN YEAR 6-10.
BUT TO CLARIFY THE DIRECT QUESTION ON THAT CONCEPT DRAWING, THERE WERE SIX COURTS TO GO WHERE THE CURRENT OFF LEASH DOG PARK IS LOCATED ALONG THORPE ROAD WITH A RELOCATION OF THAT DOG PARK TO ANOTHER PART WITHIN THAT REGIONAL PARK.
>> WELL, I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION, MR. AZTLAN ASKED ABOUT THORPE PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS.
AND NOW I HEAR FROM AMY THAT WHILE WE MIGHT DO THAT WAY OFF IN THE FUTURE, MAYBE WE SHOULD PUT THE MONEY FOR THIS PROPOSAL AND PUT IT TOWARDS THE THORPE PARK PROJECT.
ANYWAY, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> I ALSO HEARD THAT THERE WERE PICKLEBALL COURTS DROPPED IN OVER BY THE ADULT CENTER, JOE MONTOYA CENTER.
>> THEY ARE NOT. THOSE ARE FOUR TENNIS COURTS THERE.
>> AND THEY'RE NOT FOR PICKLEBALL?
>> THEY ARE NOT FOR PICKLEBALL.
>> THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL.
BEFORE WE TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, AS MANY OF YOU WHO'VE BEEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES NOW, I ALWAYS ASK THAT WE REFRAIN FROM SHOWING SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION TO WHAT SPEAKERS ARE SAYING BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A PLACE WHERE DESCENT CAN BE A COMFORTABLE THING TO EXPRESS.
IF YOU WOULD REFRAIN AND SHOW YOUR FELLOW RESIDENTS THE RESPECT AND ALLOW THEM TO SPEAK, WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
WE HAVE ONLINE COMMENTS AND I HAVE A STACK OF CARDS HERE.
I'M GOING TO START WITH MICHAEL LEIGH.
>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR, COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL LEIGH, 2935 SOUTH PORT O'KAI, HERE IN FLAGSTAFF.
I'M A MILITARY OFFICER RETIREE.
[01:10:02]
I MOVED HERE IN THE END OF '18, STARTED PLAYING PICKLEBALL ON 2019.PRIOR TO THAT TIME, I WAS THE ANTI TERRORISM OFFICER DOWN AT JACKSONVILLE FOR THE MARINES, PLAYED BASKETBALL ABOUT EVERY DAY.
WHEN I GOT HERE, VERY LITTLE BASKETBALL THAT I FOUND AVAILABLE AND I GOT INTO PICKLEBALL, SINCE THEN I'VE LOST 25 POUNDS.
IN JULY AND AUGUST LAST YEAR, I CONDUCTED A 4,000 MILE TRIP THROUGH THE MIDWEST, VISITED TWO UNIVERSITIES, FOUR MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, 32 CITIES, AND 14 STATES.
EVERYWHERE I SAW THE CONSTRUCTION OF PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND THIS INCLUDES CONVERSION OF TENNIS COURTS AND PICKLEBALL COURTS.
ALSO, IN NUMEROUS CITIES I SAW MALLS THAT WERE GOING TO FEATURE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
THE UNITED STATES MILITARY IS ADOPTING PICKLEBALL AS A MEANS OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONING WITH LESS OFF DUTY TIME CAUSED BY INJURIES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND SOCCER.
I SAW THIS IN ALL THE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS THAT I VISITED.
I CAN TELL YOU HAVING PLAYED BASKETBALL WITH THE MARINES FOR 13 YEARS, THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF INJURIES, AND WHEN THEY PICKED UP THE PICKLEBALL, THEN ALMOST DISAPPEARED.
CITIES PROVIDING TOURNAMENT LEVEL PICKLEBALL FACILITIES ARE NOW REAPING TOURIST FINANCIAL AND ADVERTISING BENEFITS AS THOUSANDS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS CONVERGE FOR THOSE TOURNAMENTS.
YOU CAN DO THE RESEARCH YOURSELF, BUT YOU'LL SEE THAT A LOT OF MONEY COMES IN IF YOU HAVE THE FACILITIES.
AS A FINAL NOTE, SOME HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE NOISE POLLUTION.
HOWEVER, BUSHMASTER PARK IS ONLY 500 YARDS AWAY FROM THE RAILROAD CENTER.
THOSE TRAINS GO THROUGH HERE 100 TIMES A DAY.
THAT NOISE IS MUCH LOUDER THAN ANYTHING GENERATED BY THE PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND I CAN SPEAK FROM HAVING BEEN ON THE COURTS ABOUT 4-5 TIMES A WEEK.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, WE HAVE CJ MOORE AND THEN DAVID STEVENS, AND JUST A REMINDER TO PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.
>> THIS MICROPHONE? [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, FOR TAKING MY COMMENT.
MY NAME IS CJ MOORE, MY REAL NAME IS CHRISTOPHER, BUT I'M ONLY CHRISTOPHER WHEN I'M IN TROUBLE SO INVITING YOU TO CALL ME CJ.
I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS NOW.
I DO LOCAL WELL-WATERED SYSTEMS FOR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE FLAGSTAFF AREA.
I STARTED PICKLEBALL WHILE I WAS IN THE FIRE PROGRAM AT COCONINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF EXERCISE.
SINCE THEN, IT STARTED AS JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS IN THE MORNING TO LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE IN THE FLAGSTAFF AREA, AND I'D LIKE TO READ THE STATEMENT I PREPARED.
PICKLEBALL IS A SPORT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE.
ANYONE WHO HAS PLAYED A NET SPORT CAN AND DOES BRING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THE PICKLEBALL COURT.
UNLIKE OTHER SPORTS THAT REQUIRE SPECIFIC TRAINING, TYPICALLY EXPENSIVE LESSONS AT A YOUNG AGE TO BE COMPETITIVE, THE SKILLS NEEDED TO THRIVE AT PICKLEBALL CAN BE DEVELOPED AND ARE DEVELOPED FROM ON COURT EXPERIENCE IN A MATTER OF HOURS, AND LEARNING THE SPORT IS FUN.
OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, I'VE TAUGHT DOZENS OF PEOPLE THAT GAME, AND I'M PROUD TO SAY MANY OF THEM ARE TODAY BETTER THAN I AM.
[LAUGHTER] TYPICALLY, IT'S AS SIMPLE AS PUTTING A PADDLE IN SOMEONE'S HAND AND INVITING THEM TO STAND WITH YOU.
THIS HAPPENS IN FLAGSTAFF DOZENS OF TIMES EVERY WEEK.
THIS IS A SPORT THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF ANYONE AT ANY LEVEL OF SKILL, ATHLETICISM, OR EXPERIENCE.
IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT OPPONENTS WHO ARE YOUNGER, TALLER, AND IN BETTER SHAPE THAN I AM.
BY THAT SAME TOKEN, I'VE BEEN ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED AT PICKLEBALL BY INDIVIDUALS IN EXCESS OF 80 YEARS.
EVERY WEEK OUR BUSHMASTER COURTS HOST PEOPLE FROM OUT-OF-TOWN, WHETHER ON BUSINESS OR HERE ON VACATION.
THE QUALITY OF THE EXISTING FACILITIES WERE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND UTILIZED, IS INADEQUATE TO HOST LARGE NUMBERS OF POTENTIAL ATHLETES AND THE SURFACE AREA IS SUBSTANDARD.
AS FAR AS PROFESSIONAL SPORTS IS CONCERNED, FLAGSTAFF IS A HOT-SPOT FOR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES LOOKING TO TRAIN IN A LOW OXYGEN ENVIRONMENT.
IT IS A SHAME THAT THERE ARE NO EXISTING FACILITIES CAPABLE OF HOSTING PROFESSIONAL PICKLEBALL PLAYERS.
IT WOULD BEHOOVE THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF TO TAKE STEPS TOWARDS EMBRACING THE FASTEST-GROWING SPORT IN THE COUNTRY, AND INVEST IN A SPORT THAT HAS PROVEN TO GROW OUR SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND MAKES
[01:15:04]
FLAGSTAFF AN INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO ENJOY PICKLEBALL HERE, AND THOSE WHO VISIT OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY LOOKING FOR A QUALITY PICKLEBALL EXPERIENCE.THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW COURTS AND MAINTENANCE ON THE EXISTING COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK IS A GREAT STEP IN THAT DIRECTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CJ. DAVID STEVENS, AND THEN SHELLY ALVIN.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
CAN I PLEASE JUST ASK THAT EVERYBODY THAT'S HERE TO SUPPORT THE PICKLEBALL COURTS OF BUSHMASTER TO STAND UP SO WE CAN SEE WHO'S HERE.
THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DAVID STEVENS, AND I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF.
I GREW UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WENT TO SCHOOL AT THOMAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM BUSHMASTER PARK.
I'VE PLAYED AT BUSHMASTER PARK SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID AT 10 YEARS OLD.
I WENT TO EASTFLAG JUNIOR HIGH BACK WHEN IT WAS EASTFLAG JUNIOR HIGH, AND I CURRENTLY LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM BUSHMASTER PARK.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT IN MY LIFELINE EXPERIENCE, THE BEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO BUSHMASTER PARK IS THAT WE WENT UP THERE AND STARTED PLAYING PICKLEBALL ON THE TENNIS COURTS THERE.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KID, IT WASN'T SAFE TO GO TO BUSHMASTER PARK.
WE WEREN'T ALLOWED TO GO PLAY AT BUSHMASTER PARK BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS, AND I'VE SEEN A CHANGE IN THAT.
THE CITY I KNOW HAS WORKED HARD.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE UNWELCOME ACTIVITIES THAT WERE TAKING PLACE AT BUSHMASTER PARK.
I MYSELF WAS THERE ONE NIGHT WHEN WE WERE PLAYING, IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT, WE HAD THE LIGHTS ON, WE'RE PLAYING PICKUP BALL AND WE HEARD A WOMAN SCREAMING FOR HELP.
US THAT WERE PLAYING PICKLEBALL WENT OVER, THERE WAS A WOMAN BEING ASSAULTED NEAR THE PICKLEBALL COURTS, WE WENT OVER AND STOPPED THE ASSAULT.
WE SAT WITH THE WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN ASSAULTED UNTIL THE POLICE AND THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVED, AND WE KEPT AN EYE ON THE PERSON THAT WAS COMMITTING THE ASSAULT UNTIL THE POLICE ARRIVED SO WE COULD POINT OUT WHO IT WAS THAT HE COMMITTED THE ASSAULT.
WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT UNWELCOME ACTIVITIES AND WELCOMED ACTIVITIES AT BUSHMASTER PARK.
NUMBER 1, HAVING PEOPLE THERE PLAYING AND USING THE PARK IS A HUGE THING.
NUMBER 2, HAVING PEOPLE THERE AND HAVING LIGHTS ON AT NIGHT SO THAT THOSE UNWELCOME ACTIVITIES AREN'T TAKING PLACE NEAR THE RAMADI IN THE DARKNESS AND WHERE THE TREES ARE IS A GREAT BENEFIT TO THE PARK AND TO THE COMMUNITY OVERALL.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COMMUNITY PARK AND I'M HEARING A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TREES BEING REMOVED.
I LOVE THE TREES AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE, BUT I WONDER IF THERE WAS THAT MUCH DISCUSSION TAKING PLACE WHEN THEY PUT THE PARKING LOT IN, WHEN THEY PUT THE SKATE PARK IN, WHEN THEY PUT THE TENNIS COURTS IN, WHEN THEY PUT THE BASKETBALL COURT IN, WHEN THEY PUT THE SKATING ARENA IN, IF THERE WAS THAT MUCH CONCERN ABOUT THE TREES THEN, OR DO WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE TYPICAL NOT IN MY BACKYARD MENTALITY ABOUT THE PICKLEBALL COURTS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR EXCUSES SUCH AS THE NOISE, SUCH AS THE TREES.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS NOISE RESEARCH THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON PICKLEBALL COURTS, THAT HAS SHOWN THAT THE NOISE DISSIPATES AFTER ABOUT 150 FEET.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS TRUE SO I WENT OUT AND I STOOD IN THE FENCE TO THE BACKYARD OF THE HOUSES THAT ARE TO THE SOUTH OF THE PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND JUST LIKE EVERYBODY SAID, I COULDN'T HEAR THE PICKLEBALLS BEING HIT WHEN THE TRAIN WENT BY BECAUSE THE TRAIN WAS LOUDER THAN THE PICKLEBALLS WERE.
THERE WERE KIDS THAT WERE YELLING AND SCREAMING IN THE PLAYGROUND, THAT WAS LOUDER THAN THE PICKLEBALLS BEING HIT.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T WANT THEM IN MY BACKYARD, DOESN'T WANT IT TO TAKE PLACE SO THEY'RE LOOKING FOR EXCUSES SUCH AS THE NOISE, SUCH AS THE TREE REMOVAL AND THOSE OTHER THINGS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SHELLY ALVIN, AND THEN SANDRA SMITH.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
MY NAME IS SHELLY ALVIN AND RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF.
MY ENTIRE CAREER AS A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER INCLUDED COACHING MANY SPORTS.
I ENDED MY CAREER WITH A 16 YEARS AS THE VARSITY TENNIS COACH, SO I HAVE A BIG TENNIS BACKGROUND.
BUT NOW I'M A VERY AVID PICKLEBALL PLAYER AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY, I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A SPORT THAT HAS THIS MUCH FUN AND IT'S SO INCLUSIVE TO ALL AGES AND ALL ABILITIES.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHY I WANTED TO COME UP TONIGHT WAS TO THANK YOU THE COUNCIL AND TO THANK THE PART BOARD FOR ALL THE TIME, YEARS AND YEARS YOU'VE PUT INTO THIS AND ALL THE THOUGHTFUL WORK AND RESEARCH YOU'VE DONE TO PUT INTO COMING UP WITH AN AMAZING PLAN FOR BUSHMASTER PARK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FLAGSTAFF, FOR DROP-IN ACTIVITIES FOR A MULTIPLE SPORTS IN A MULTIPLE SPORT FACILITY AT BUSHMASTER.
WE REALLY NEED THIS SOON. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SANDRA SMITH AND THEN LAURA SHARON.
[01:20:08]
>> HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS SANDRA SMITH AND I LIVE IN FLAGSTAFF 8325 WEST SUZETTE.
WE'VE OWNED OUR HOME SINCE 1992 AND SINCE RETIRING IN 2000, WE TRAVELED IN OUR RV MAINLY TO STAY IN RESORTS THAT HAD PICKLEBALL SINCE THERE WAS NO PICKLEBALL HERE.
BUT SINCE WE'VE HAD PICKLEBALL NOW, WE HAVE MOVED BACK INTO OUR HOUSE AND STAY HAVE BEEN LIVING THERE.
IN PICKLEBALL IS IMPORTANT TO US NOT ONLY FOR THE SOCIAL ACTIVITY, BUT IT DID I REVERSE MY OSTEOPOROSIS, THAT ACTIVITY AS WELL AS TENNIS DOES HAS BEEN KNOWN TO DO THAT.
I AM THE ORGANIZER FOR WHAT IS CALLED CHICKLEBALL, IT'S A WOMEN'S ROUND ROBIN AND WE PLAY ON TUESDAY AFTERNOONS, WHICH IS WHY I'M DRESSED LIKE THIS.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT, FROM 12-2.
THIS HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR BECAUSE PLAYERS HAVE A GREAT TIME GETTING EXERCISE AND MEETING OTHER LOCAL WOMEN IN A POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION.
I MEAN, PICKLEBALL IS VERY ADDICTIVE.
[LAUGHTER], IF YOU DO START PLAYING.
WE'RE IN DESPERATE NEED OF QUALITY COURTS.
WE'VE HAD UP TO ALL EIGHT COURT'S FILLED ON CHICK-A-BALL BUT I'VE HAD MANY WOMEN SAY THEY AREN'T GOING TO PLAY BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF THE COURTS.
THEY STOPPED COMING AND THEY GO TO THE SMALL TOWNS NEARBY THAT DO HAVE QUALITY COURTS.
I ALSO HOPE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THE THIS.
I'M VERY THANKFUL AS SHELLY SAID, THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING IT.
IT IS A FAST GROWING SPORT IN WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS VERY POPULAR AT ANY AGE.
ELDERS CAN PLAY, CHILDREN CAN PLAY, FAMILIES, LOVE SEEING THE FAMILIES COME IN AFTER WE FINISH OUR CHICKEBALL IN PLAY.
WE LOVED THE PROSPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MAYBE 16 COURTS.
IF YOU'VE HAD REPORTS SEND TO YOU OF THE NUMBERS THAT PLAY EVEN ON THE PARK WHILE THE COURTS, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. LAURA SHARON AND THEN BERNICE CARVER.
>> HI. MY NAME IS LAURA SHARON.
I LIVE AT 1120 WEST AZURE DIVE.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF FOR 23 YEARS AND I WAS A 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
I'VE BEEN RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS.
I AM HERE TO REQUEST THAT WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU AS A DONE DEAL BE PAUSED AND BE PART OF A PUBLIC PROCESS TO DEVELOP THE BEST PLACE FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I'M HERE TO PLEAD THAT THE CITY STAND DOWN WITH PRECEDING WITH THIS PROPOSED CONTRACT TO MAKE A PERMANENT, SIGNIFICANT AND DISRUPTIVE CHANGED TO BUSHMASTER PARK AND ITS NEIGHBORHOODS.
FIVE IN THE MORNING TILL MIDNIGHT, POP.
THAT ISN'T EVEN MY FOCUS, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT.
FLAGSTAFF HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.
HOWEVER, FLAGSTAFF AND ITS DEVELOPERS HAVE NOT GROWN IT'S PARK SYSTEM COMMENSURATE WITH CITY GROWTH.
INSTEAD, THE CITY CONTINUES TO SHOEHORN NEW ACTIVITIES IN LONG-ESTABLISHED PARTS.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO LONGTIME PARK NEIGHBORS.
BUSHMASTER PARK HAS BEEN MANAGED FOR INFORMAL RECREATION FOR A YEARS, DELIBERATELY NOT FOR TOURNAMENTS, DELIBERATELY NOT FOR BIG TEAM PLAY.
THE SOCCER FIELDS WERE NOT PUT THERE FOR A REASON.
IT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD FOR INFORMAL ACTIVITY, FOR FAMILY PICNICS, CONTEMPLATION TO WALK AMONG THE OLD GROWTH PONDEROSA.
FIVE ACRES UNDEVELOPED IS NOT TOO MUCH UNDEVELOPED.
WHERE SHOULD PICKLEBALL BE? IT'S FUN.
I LIKE IT, I HAVE PLAYED IT, I ENJOY IT.
HOW ABOUT AS THE FIRST-PERSON MENTIONED, AT ONE OF FLAGSTAFF UNDERUSED SHOPPING OR STRIP MALLS? JUST THIS PAST SATURDAY, THERE WAS A CNN ARTICLE ABOUT THAT.
[01:25:01]
I THINK IT'S BEEN SENT TO, NO NEW CONSTRUCTION, NO NEIGHBORS TO DISTURB.IF THE INDOOR SPACE IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE CITY, WHAT ABOUT A PARKING LOT? RE-PURPOSING A PARKING LOT? THE ONE BY THE CHINA'S STAR IS NEVER EVER MORE THAN MAYBE A QUARTER FULL.
THE MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG FOR THE BUSHMASTER PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS COULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS THE LEASE.
WHERE'S MY TIME? I HAVE A LIST.
I SUBMITTED IT. THERE ARE A BUNCH OF PLACES IN TOWN THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT THAT ARE NOT NEAR PEOPLE'S HOMES.
LET'S CHOOSE ONE TO GATHER THAT MEETS ALL OF OUR NEEDS AS PART OF A PUBLIC PROCESS IN WHICH WE ALL PARTICIPATE.
I DON'T BLAME THE PICKLEBALERS FOR BENDING THE ERA OF WHO'S AVAILABLE, BUT LET'S LISTEN TO EVERYBODY.
LET'S FIND THE BEST PLACE. THAT'S IT.
BERNICE CARVER AND THEN VANESSA MILLER.
>> HI, I'M BERNICE CARVER AND I'VE LIVED IN FLAGSTAFF FOR 45 YEARS, AND MY HUSBAND WENT TO MARSHALL SCHOOL.
HE'S IN HIS LATE 70S AND I'M ALMOST 70.
PICKLEBALL REALLY KEEPS US IN SHAPE.
MY HUSBAND'S A VIETNAM VETERAN.
HE HAD SOME INJURIES TO HIS KNEE.
HE'S HAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT AND HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH HIS OTHER KNEE.
PICKLEBALL GOT HIM WALKING AGAIN AND GOT HIM WHERE HE CAN RUN AGAIN AND WHERE HE CAN HELP AROUND THE HOUSE AND DO A LOT MORE AROUND THE HOUSE THAN HE EVER USED TO THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO BECAUSE OF INJURIES.
DURING 2019 WHEN COVID STARTED, WE WERE TAKING SOME OF THE KIDS FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO PLAY PICKLEBALL THAT WERE HOME-BOUND AND HAVING TO DO SCHOOL ONLINE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS THAT COME PLAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE SUMMER AND WHEN THEY ARE HOME FROM SCHOOL.
THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SEE HERE TONIGHT THAT STOOD UP, THIS IS A TINY FRACTION OF THE PEOPLE THAT PLAY PICKLEBALL HERE IN FLAGSTAFF.
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT JUST LOVE IT, AND IT'S REALLY HELPED THEM PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND I REALLY THINK SPIRITUALLY.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE NOISE, THE WAY THE WIND BLOWS, THE PREVAILING WIND THAT GOES THROUGH THE PARK TAKES THE MAJORITY.
I NOTICED THIS WHEN I WAS WALKING AROUND BUSHMASTER THE OTHER DAY, THAT THE PREVAILING WIND TAKES THE NOISE MORE TOWARDS THE NEW PARKING LOTS INTO THE AREA WHERE THERE'S NO HOUSING.
I DON'T LIKE CUTTING DOWN ANY TREES AT ALL EITHER.
I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE COULD BE SOME COLORFUL DECIDUOUS TREES LIKE WE HAVE OVER IN WHEELER PARK PLANTED IN DIFFERENT AREAS TO ADD TO THE TREES THAT ARE THERE NOW.
RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COURTS, EVEN WITH THE EIGHT COURTS.
IF WE WERE TO NOT STRIPE, RESTRIPE THOSE EIGHT COURTS, WE WOULD BE HAVING EIGHT COURTS THAT ARE CLOSER TO THE HOUSES AND WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH COURTS FOR US, ESPECIALLY WHEN MORE PEOPLE COME UP FROM PHOENIX DURING THE SUMMER.
IT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY, IT'S GOOD FOR THE KIDS.
THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE NOW, I GUESS THAT'S IT.
VANESSA MILLER AND THEN JENNIFER KATRA.
>> GOOD EVENING. PICKLEBALL IS FOR EVERYBODY.
PICKLEBALL SAVED MY DAD'S LIFE AND I WANTED TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.
WE WENT ABOUT THINGS A LITTLE BIT BACKWARDS.
MY HUSBAND AND I INTRODUCE PICKLEBALL TO MY PARENTS, WHO ARE OF RETIREMENT AGE.
ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO I WAS PLAYING WITH MY DAD AND HE WAS THINKING HE WAS HAVING SOME ASTHMA ISSUES AND HE WASN'T FEELING VERY GOOD, HE WAS HURTING. I TATTLED ON HIM.
I TOLD MY MOM THAT HE WAS HAVING THESE ISSUES.
WE GOT HIM TO THE DOCTOR AND FOUND OUT THAT HIS WIDOW MAKER WAS ABOUT 90% BLOCKED.
THEY HAD TO DO AN EMERGENCY SURGERY SCHEDULED
[01:30:02]
THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND GOT THAT TAKEN CARE OF.WITHIN SEVERAL MONTHS HE WAS BACK TO PLAYING PICKLEBALL AND NOW FOUR YEARS LATER HE'S 79.
HE'S GOING TO BE UP HERE FOR THE FLAGSTAFF TOURNAMENT, PLAYING WITH MY MOM AND I'M SO EXCITED THAT WE GOT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THAT WITH MY DAD.
NOW, I AM A MEMBER OF THE FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY.
WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR 17 YEARS THIS MONTH, AND I'M A WIFE, A MOM.
I WORK FOR A LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND I'M IN THE FLUX AS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
I LOVE TO PLAY PICKLEBALL WITH MY KIDS.
WE CAN BIKE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PARK, WHICH IS BUSHMASTER.
WE'RE RIGHT THERE IN THAT AREA WE'RE AT 1345 LINDA VISTA.
IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO KNOW THAT MY PARENTS ARE GOING TO COME TO VISIT AND MY KIDS CAN COME AND WE CAN HAVE A PICNIC AT THE PARK, WE CAN PLAY PICKLEBALL TOGETHER, WE CAN HAVE SUCH A GREAT TIME TOGETHER.
IT'S IN MY LOCAL AREA AND IT'S RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NEAR MY HOUSE.
IT'S JUST SUCH A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY THAT I'M EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE STILL WITH MY PARENTS AND THEY'RE TRAINING MY CHILDREN AND IT'S A WONDERFUL THING.
I THINK THAT BUSHMASTER PARK IS ALREADY SO SET UP FOR US TO BE THERE AND THE NUMBERS CAN GET A BIT OVERWHELMING AND THAT'S OKAY.
WE CAN MANAGE IT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN EVEN WHEN WE'RE WAITING OUR TURN TO PLAY.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING HAVING THESE DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS AND CONTINUE TO STRIPE THE OTHER COURTS AS WELL.
IT'S MUCH NEEDED, IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED THAT IT'S HERE, AND I JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. JENNIFER KATRA, AND [NOISE] THEN IRV CALLAHAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR DAGGETT AND MEMBERS OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF FOR 23 YEARS.
AS YOU HEARD, THE PARKS AND REC PROFESSIONALS AT PROSE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH GENERAL ACRYLICS AND CONSIDER BUSHMASTER PARK TO BE THE IDEAL LOCATION FOR THIS PROJECT.
NOT JUST AN ACCEPTABLE LOCATION, BUT THE IDEAL LOCATION.
THAT DETERMINATION DID NOT COME EASILY OR QUICKLY.
PARKS AND REC HAS BEEN WORKING FOR OVER FOUR YEARS TO FIND THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS IN FLAGSTAFF.
PEOPLE MAY ASK WHY BUSHMASTER, WHY NOT SOMEWHERE ELSE? WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS THAT EVERY PARCEL OF UNDEVELOPED PARKS AND REC LAND IN THE CITY HAS BEEN CONSIDERED AT SOME POINT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY IS THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE SPORTS COURTS.
MUCH, MAYBE MOST OF THE UNDEVELOPED PARKS AND REC LAND IS IN FLOODPLAINS, WHICH PRECLUDES SPORTS COURTS.
SOME OF THE LANDS IS ACTUALLY INACCESSIBLE AT THIS TIME, AND SOME HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR OTHER PROJECTS.
THE EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THORPE PARK ANNEX LAST SUMMER UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS IN FLAGSTAFF AND WEIGHING ALL FACTORS HELPED TO IDENTIFY BUSHMASTER PARK AS THE BEST LOCATION FOR THE COURTS TO BE BUILT.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT NOT ONLY THE LOCATION BUT ALSO THE DESIGN OF THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.
AT ONE POINT, THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING 16 OR MORE DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK WAS RAISED.
HOWEVER, AFTER LOOKING AT THE EXISTING AMENITIES AND THE CHARACTER OF THE PARK, IT WAS DETERMINED BY PROSE THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO BUILD ONLY EIGHT NEW DEDICATED COURTS WHILE CONTINUING TO USE THE EXISTING EIGHT DUAL-STRIPE COURTS TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF A 16-COURT COMPLEX.
I BELIEVE THIS SPEAKS TO A BALANCED CONSIDERATION OF ALL FACTORS IN BRINGING THIS PROJECT BEFORE YOU FOR APPROVAL.
AS AN INSIDER, I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE GOAL OF 16 COURTS BECAUSE I'M HEARING PEOPLE SAY A FEW COURTS HERE, A FEW COURTS THERE.
WELL, 16 COURTS MAY SEEM LIKE A LARGE NUMBER TO THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH PICKLEBALL.
IN THE PICKLEBALL WORLD, IT'S NOT A LARGE NUMBER AT ALL.
WHILE 10 YEARS AGO, CITIES WERE BUILDING EIGHT-COURT PICKLEBALL COMPLEXES.
IT'S NOW COMMONPLACE FOR CITIES TO BUILD 16, 20, OR 24 COURT COMPLEXES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE DROP-IN STYLE OF PLAY.
THE DROP-IN STYLE OF PLAY IS EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THE COURTS ARE AND INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL OVER THE CITY SHOW UP, THEY MIX AND MATCH WITH PEOPLE THEY DON'T KNOW, PEOPLE THEY'VE JUST MET.
THAT'S WHY YOU NEED A COMPLEX ALTOGETHER.
WHILE BUSHMASTER IS CONSIDERED AN IMPERFECT LOCATION BY SOME, THE PROFESSIONALS AT PROSE WHOSE EXPERTISE IT IS TO MAKE THESE DETERMINATIONS FOR THE CITY, BELIEVE BUSHMASTER PARK IS INDEED THE IDEAL LOCATION FOR THIS PROJECT.
AFTER FOUR LONG YEARS OF EFFORT, NOW WITH THE IDEAL LOCATION IDENTIFIED AND APPROPRIATE DESIGN AND FUNDING IN PLACE, I URGE YOU TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF PROSE AND APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH GENERAL ACRYLICS BEFORE YOU. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER. IRV CALLAHAN AND THEN SAMUEL TOMITCH.
[01:35:05]
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS IRV CALLAHAN.
I'M A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF AND AN AVID PICKLEBALL PLAYER.
WE'VE BEEN PLAYING PICKLEBALL AT BUSHMASTER PARK FOR FOUR YEARS ON EIGHT COURTS, FOUR ON THE CRACKED AND BROKEN TENNIS COURTS AND FOUR ON THE CRACKED AND BROKEN BASKETBALL COURTS.
AT OUR BUSIEST TIMES, WE'RE USING ALL THOSE COURTS.
BUSHMASTER PARK IS A LARGE FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY PARK WITH TENNIS COURTS, BASKETBALL COURTS, A LARGE SKATE PARK, LARGE PLAYGROUND AREAS, A ROLLER RINK, A DOG PARK, LARGE GROUP PICNIC AREAS, VOLLEYBALL, HORSESHOES, AND QUITE A BIT OF OPEN SPACE.
IF YOU LOOK AT OBJECTIVE NOISE STUDIES OF DIFFERENT PARK ACTIVITIES, YOU'LL SEE THAT MANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES PRODUCE NOISE LEVELS AS LOUDER THAN PICKLEBALL.
I HAVE BEEN THERE ON DAYS WHERE THERE'S A LARGE GROUP OF YOUTH BASKETBALL PLAYING ON THE COURTS.
THE PLAYGROUNDS ARE PACKED WITH KIDS PLAYING, LOTS OF PEOPLE IN THE SKATE PARK WITH THE BOOM BOX GOING, LARGE PICNIC GROUPS THERE ENJOYING THEMSELVES, DOGS BARKING, DRUMS DRUMMING, AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL USING AND ENJOYING THE PARK FACILITIES.
ON THOSE DAYS, YOU CAN'T EVEN HEAR THE PICKLEBALL.
I BELIEVE ONE OF THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF LIVING NEXT TO A PARK LIKE BUSHMASTER IS YOU HAVE A GREAT PARK WITH ALL THESE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES JUST BEYOND THE EDGE OF YOUR BACKYARD.
BUT THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS, YES, YOU HAVE A PARK WITH ALL THE ASSOCIATED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES GOING ON JUST BEYOND THE EDGE OF YOUR BACKYARD.
YOU MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THOSE ACTIVITIES AND NOT IN OTHERS, BUT ALL OF THE PARK FACILITIES ARE THERE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF FLAGSTAFF TO USE AND ENJOY AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
PICKLEBALL PLAYERS ENCOMPASS A COMPLETE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE SCHOOL KIDS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, FAMILIES, WORKING FOLKS, SENIORS, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, ALL OUT THERE PLAYING TOGETHER.
THE PRESENCE OF PICKLEBALL PLAYERS HAS BEEN A BENEFIT TO BUSHMASTER PARK.
[NOISE] COME ON OUT AND PLAY SOME PICKLEBALL.
YOU'LL GET SOME EXERCISE AND YOU'LL MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS.
HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU COME OUT TO PLAY, WE WILL BE PLAYING ON EIGHT BRAND NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS.
COUNCIL, I URGE YOU TO PASS THIS ITEM AND ALLOW THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR COURT PLANS FOR BUSHMASTER PARK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SAMUEL TOMITCH AND THEN STEVE MEAD.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS SAMUEL TOMITCH, AND I AM GLAD TO BE HERE.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, AND I LIVE JUST A MILE AWAY FROM BUSHMASTER PARK.
I STARTED PLAYING IN 2019 WITH MY DAD AND IT'S BEEN GREAT FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP.
AS SOON AS I STARTED PLAYING, I STARTED MEETING NEW PEOPLE.
I STARTED MEETING PEOPLE WHO WERE A GENERATION, MAYBE GENERATIONS OLDER THAN ME.
BUT THESE PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS EXTREMELY KIND, EXTREMELY FUN TO BE AROUND, AND THE COMMUNITY OF PICKLEBALL REALLY FOSTERS THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.
A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, THESE AWESOME PEOPLE OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, I WOULD NEVER HAVE MET WITHOUT PICKLEBALL. I WOULDN'T BE HERE.
BECAUSE I LOVE THIS SPORT SO MUCH AND I ENJOY PLAYING.
I'VE BROUGHT OTHER YOUTH TO PLAY.
I HAVE FOUR YOUNGER SIBLINGS AND MANY YOUNGER COUSINS AND WE GO WEEKLY, IF NOT MORE OFTEN, TO PLAY AT BUSHMASTER PARK.
I'VE BROUGHT MY CHURCH YOUTH GROUP TO BUSHMASTER AND TAUGHT THEM HOW TO PLAY.
EVERYONE LOVES IT. EVERYONE LOVES INTERACTING WITH THESE PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, THESE VERY CRACKED COURTS CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR NEW PEOPLE TO PLAY.
IT CAN EVEN BE A HAZARD PLAYING ON THESE CRACKED COURTS.
RESURFACING THE EXISTING COURTS WOULD BE AMAZING FOR TENNIS AND BASKETBALL, NOT TO MENTION PICKLEBALL, AND NEW COURTS WOULD HELP GROW AND ENCOURAGE THIS COMMUNITY THAT VALUES WHAT FLAGSTAFF VALUES.
THEY VALUE OUTDOOR EXERCISE, WE VALUE COMMUNITY AND THESE CROSS GENERATION RELATIONSHIPS.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. STEVE MEAD, AND THEN AUTUMN LADEN.
I'M A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF, A PICKLEBALL PLAYER AS WELL.
I'M NOT GOING TO REITERATE A BUNCH OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE PREVIOUSLY ABOUT COMMUNITY AND THE EFFECTS THAT THIS CAN HAVE ON THE CITY.
BUT I DO THINK THIS IS JUST A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT WITH THE RIGHT DESIGN, WE CAN MITIGATE MANY OF THE SOUND PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE GOT AND ALSO THE LIGHT PROBLEMS.
[01:40:05]
I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IN THE ASSOCIATION WANTS TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO SURROUND BUSHMASTER PARK.WE WANT TO WORK WITH THEM TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY AND TO MAKE FLAGSTAFF A BETTER PLACE.
I URGE YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL TODAY.
I THINK IT WILL MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, STEVE. AUTUMN LADEN AND THEN RITA LECOURE.
>> HI, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M AUTUMN, AND I AM 23, AND I PLAY PICKLEBALL.
I GRADUATED FROM NYU AND I NOW LIVE AND WORK IN FLAGSTAFF FULL-TIME.
I STARTED PLAYING PICKLEBALL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I'VE HAD A HEAD UP ON SOME OTHER FOLKS.
I WAS INTRODUCED BY MY GRANDPA.
NOW AT 23, I'M ONE OF THE TOP RATED FEMALE PICKLEBALL PLAYERS IN ARIZONA.
THIS SUMMER, I WILL BE HELPING OUT WITH THE PICKLEBALL PROGRAM AT PINE CANYON, TEACHING BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS PICKLEBALL AND A LITTLE TENNIS IN THERE TOO.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LIVING OUTSIDE OF FLAGSTAFF'S PRIVATE COMMUNITIES, BUT STILL IN FLAGSTAFF.
I'M HERE TO JUST REITERATE THAT FLAGSTAFF IS IN NEED OF DEDICATED PUBLIC COURTS AND I'M HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT AS WELL FOR THE PROPOSED LOCATION OF BUSHMASTER PARK.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPEN-MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO I'VE TAUGHT WHO FALL IN LOVE WITH ONCE, THEY THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A SILLY LITTLE GAME.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW FRIENDS OF ALL AGES, LIKE WE'VE HEARD THAT I'VE MET THROUGH PICKLEBALL.
MOST OF ALL, I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I'M RETIRED SO I CAN PLAY EVERY MORNING.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> RITA, AND THEN AARON YOUNG.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, COUNCIL AND MAYOR FOR HAVING US THIS EVENING.
I WILL ECHO WHAT ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ON THE PICKLEBALL COURTS HAVE SAID IN TERMS OF POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND IN THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE ALL HAVE MADE OUT ON THE COURTS.
I'VE STARTED PLAYING ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.
I LEARNED WITH MY EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MOTHER AT THAT TIME IN A DIFFERENT STATE.
BUT WHEN I CAME BACK TO PHOENIX AND I WAS A 25-YEAR RESIDENT OF PHOENIX UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN I MOVED HERE FULL-TIME.
I FOUND A GREAT SET OF FRIENDS DOWN THERE WHEN SOME SITUATION IN MY LIFE OCCURRED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FOR ME TO DECIDE WHERE I WANT IT TO MOVE FULL-TIME.
I CHOSE FLAGSTAFF BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS FEW YEARS WHERE I WOULD COME UP IN THE SUMMERS AND I MET SOME OF MY VERY BEST FRIENDS HERE AND HAVE CREATED, QUITE A COMMUNITY AMONG THOSE FRIENDS.
THERE'S ALSO AN ISSUE OF THE DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED, BUT THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PRESENT FROM, I THINK WE'VE HAD 9, 10-YEAR-OLD KIDS TO A 90-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN WHO CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY WITH EVERYBODY ON THE COURTS OVER THE WINTERTIME.
IT IS QUICK TO LEARN, IT IS INEXPENSIVE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT. IT'S NOT LIKE TENNIS.
I PLAY TENNIS FOR 20 YEARS AND IS NOT AS EXPENSIVE OR AS TIME-CONSUMING AS TENNIS.
IT IS JUST A WONDERFUL WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
MY TWO ADULT DAUGHTERS DON'T LIVE NEAR ME.
THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT I HAVE ENJOYED SO MUCH IS BEING ABLE TO ENJOY OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS.
WE CAN GET PRETTY COMPETITIVE OUT THERE AS PLAYERS.
BUT WHEN WE WALK OFF THE COURT, WE ARE JUST LIKE FAMILY TO ONE ANOTHER.
I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU AND URGE YOU TO PASS THIS TONIGHT AND VOTE.
YES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. AARON YOUNG AND THEN ALICIA, JORA HERRERA.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. AARON YOUNG.
I LIVE AT 3117 EAST MOUNT ALDEN DRIVE.
MY HOUSE WHEN I LOOK OUT MY LIVING ROOM, I LOOK ACROSS BUSHMASTER PARK AT MOUNT ALDEN.
I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE PARK AND THE AMENITIES THAT ARE THERE TODAY.
I'VE PLAYED PICKLEBALL. I'VE BROUGHT MY DAUGHTER TO PLAY PICKLEBALL.
SHE'S NOT A FAN PROBABLY BECAUSE I ASKED HER TO DO IT.
WE DO GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT JOKING THAT WE HEAR PICKLEBALL.
[01:45:04]
I'M 450 FEET FROM THE CURRENT PLAY.THEIR HOMES ENTRIES IN BETWEEN.
IF THESE PICKLEBALL COURTS ARE DEVELOPED, THERE'LL BE 300 FEET AWAY AND IN MUCH MORE OF A DIRECT LOCATION.
MY CONCERN, I REALIZE I LIVE NEXT TO A PARK AND I'M GOING TO HEAR NOISE.
PICKLEBALL IS CONSISTENT AND IT'S VERY POPULAR AT BUSHMASTER PARK, THAT POPULARITY IS SUPPOSED TO GROW WITH PROPOSED TOURNAMENTS.
I TOOK A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO ASSEMBLE MY THOUGHTS ON THIS TOPIC.
I DID GOOGLE LIKE MANY PEOPLE, DENVER, COLORADO AND ANOTHER COLORADO CITY, PARK CITY.
THEY HAVE, THE TWO COMMUNITIES AND COLORADO HAVE PAUSED THE CONSTRUCTION OF PICKLEBALL COURTS UNTIL I UNDERSTAND THEY DEVELOPED CODES AROUND THE SIZE OF COURTS I UNDERSTAND ONE CORD PER ACRE, FOR EXAMPLE WITH 600 FEET, MINIMUM TO RESIDENTIAL HOMES, 150 FEET OF THE SOUND MITIGATION IS PROVEN TO MEET CITY CODE SOUND REGULATIONS, PARK CITY, UTAH, MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR GOING ON.
I URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THIS TONIGHT AND CONSIDER DEVELOPING RULES AND REGULATIONS AROUND ALL THE CONCERNS YOU'RE HEARING.
THERE'S NO ARGUMENT THAT PICKLEBALL COURTS THEY'RE NEEDED AND THAT IT'S NOT AN AWESOME SPORT FOR PEOPLE.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY COMMENTS AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION.
>> THANK YOU, AARON. ALICIA. THEN PERHAPS NATALIE MCNALLY.
>> THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR, AND COUNCIL AND FOLKS OF FLAGSTAFF.
MY NAME IS ALICIA HODORIA AND I AM ACTUALLY FROM YUMA COUNTY.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE NAU GRADUATES.
HIS FAMILY HAS DEEP ROOTS IN FLAGSTAFF, WHICH HAS BROUGHT US BACK TO EVERY SUMMER.
WE USED TO BRING HIGH SCHOOL KIDS UP EVERY SINGLE SUMMER.
BUT FOR THE LAST TWO SUMMERS, THIS IS OUR THIRD SUMMER TO BE HERE.
WE'VE BROUGHT OUR RV UP AND WE STAY AT KIT CARSON.
WE LOVED THE PEOPLE HERE BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY RECENTLY WENT OUT UNEXPLORED BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LIVING IS A LITTLE HIGHER.
WE'VE GONE TO SOME NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND LOOKED, AROUND AND EXPLORED SOME OPTIONS.
MAYBE TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, WE COULDN'T FIND WHAT WE LIKED.
WE COULDN'T FIND THE SAME PEOPLE AND WE COULDN'T FIND A PLACE WITH PICKLEBALL COURTS.
YOUR MAINTENANCE PEOPLE ARE AMAZING.
THEY'RE VERY QUIET UNTIL YOU UNTIL I'VE APPROACHED THEM AND SAID, THE GRASS IS SO BEAUTIFUL HERE.
THEY'RE JUST NICE PEOPLE THAT RUN THAT PARK AND KEEP IT SO BEAUTIFUL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SO TORN THAT PEOPLE ARE POUNDING YOU WITH OUR OPINIONS.
I WOULD LOVE TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON AND SAY, I LOVE PICKLEBALL, IT'S GOOD.
IT'S BEEN GREAT FOR MY HEALTH 20 POUNDS AGO, 25 MAYBE.
MY HUSBAND HAS FOUND OUT THAT HE LOVES PICKLEBALL AS WELL AND HE'S FORCED TO PLAY WITH ME.
I'M GETTING ON AND ON. EVEN MY DOCTOR IS NOW ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT PICKLEBALL.
I DO I WANT TO SAY PLEASE MAKE YOUR PICKLEBALL COURTS BETTER.
FROM WHERE I COME FROM, A LITTLE TOWN OF WEALTH AND ARIZONA. THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I HEAR YOU HOMEOWNERS, AND MY HEART HURTS FOR YOU.
I WISH YOU COULD FEEL WHAT WE FEEL ABOUT PICKLEBALL.
MIKE, CAN I COME UP HERE? WE'VE PLAYED WITH FROM OUR LITTLE TOWN OF WEALTH AND WE'VE PLAYED WITH PEOPLE FROM PUERTO RICO, WITH DOCTORS, WITH FIREFIGHTERS, WITH RETIRED TEACHERS.
WE'VE MET PEOPLE FROM MICHIGAN AND CANADA.
THEY'RE FROM ALL OVER AND THEY STOP HERE AND FLEX STUFF.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FIND BUSHMASTER AT THE SAME WAY MIKE AND I DID.
BUT WE WANT TO THANK YOU TONIGHT LISTENING TO ALL THIS.
I FEEL LIKE A TINY PIECE OF SAND AND A BIG, HUGE BEACH. I'M SO HUMBLED.
I DON'T OWN MY PROPERTY HERE, BUT I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I LOVED THE PEOPLE OF FLAGSTAFF AND I'M GOING TO CRY. THANK YOU.
IS IT NATALIE MCNALLY AND THEN CJ?
>> CJ WHITE AND THEN JENNY ZAMORA GARCIA.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US OUT HERE. I'LL BE QUICK.
[01:50:03]
PICKLEBALL CAN BE ENJOYED BY EVERYBODY FROM THE AGE 9-90.ANY DAY THAT YOU GO OUT TO THE PARKS ON A GOOD DAY AT BUSHMASTER, IT'S NOT REALLY THE SOUND OF THE PICKLEBALL THAT YOU'LL HEAR.
YOU'LL HEAR THE SOUND OF LAUGHTER IN COMMUNITY.
THIS GROWS JUST SUCH A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE.
IT WILL HELP MAKE FLAGSTAFF A BETTER PLACE BY BUILDING THESE COURTS.
YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF CITIES IN ARIZONA HAVE SURPASSED US BY A LOT.
WHEN WE PEOPLE COME TO VISIT FLAGSTAFF AND THEY WANTED TO PLAY PICKLEBALL AND GET OUT THERE AND SEE IT WHEN WE'RE SHOWING THEM WHAT WE HAVE AT BUSHMASTER, IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT DOESN'T SHOW HOW GOOD THE CITY CAN BE.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR CONSIDERING THIS.
THIS WILL MAKE THE CITY A BETTER PLACE AND IT WILL BE THE GREATER GOOD FOR THE MOST PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JENNY ZAMORA GARCIA, AND THEN MELINDA MCKINNEY.
>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JENNY ZAMORA GARCIA.
I RECEIVED MY DEGREE FOR NAU IN 1986.
I MARRIED FRANK GARCIA, FAMILY OF LA FONDA, KATRINA DOWNTOWN IN 88, AND RAISED TWO SUCCESSFUL SONS.
AS A 2022 FLAGSTAFF FEMALE CITIZEN OF A YEAR, IT IS MY HONOR TO REPRESENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ENJOY PLAYING BOTH TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL, WHICH INCLUDES ME PLAYING COMPETITIVE TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL ON TUESDAYS.
TENNIS HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE MIDDLE AGES.
PICKLEBALL ORIGINATED IN 1965.
IN 1984, THE UNITED STATES PICKLEBALL AMATEUR ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED.
IN 2022 PICKLEBALL WAS THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF FLAGSTAFF BRINGS PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVE TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL PLAYERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH TENNIS OR PICKLEBALL COURTS TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THE ORGANIZED OR DROP IN PLAY WITHOUT HAVING TO BELONG TO A CLUB AND PAY A MEMBERSHIP FEE.
DESIGNATED TIMES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR BOTH TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL AT VARIOUS COURTS.
I COACH HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS FOR FOUR YEARS WITH ONLY FOUR COURTS AND NO LIGHTS.
WE WERE LUCKY IF WE WERE ABLE TO FINISH OUR THREE DOUBLES AND SIX SINGLES MATCHES BEFORE DARK.
FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS OR MORE, FLAGSTAFF TENNIS ASSOCIATION HOSTS A TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN JUNE THAT DRAWS PEOPLE FROM THE VALLEY VEGAS IN CALIFORNIA.
DUE TO NOT HAVING ENOUGH COURTS, WE HAVE TO PAY NAU TO UTILIZE TENNIS AT THE TENNIS COMPLEX, USTA SOUTHWEST NAC TENNIS, TOGETHER WITH FTA MEMBERS, HAVE INTRODUCED TENNIS TO SOME OF THE LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE FACTS PROGRAM.
I'M SURE IF YOU ASK THE FLAGSTAFF PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION, THEY WOULD ALSO INTRODUCE PICKLEBALL INTO THE FACTS PROGRAM.
FTA HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GROW TENNIS IN OUR FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY FOR YEARS.
TENNIS IS NOW IN ALL FOUR HIGH-SCHOOLS.
FLAGSTAFF ALSO HAS USTA SANCTION MEN AND WOMEN'S LEAGUES.
THESE LEAGUES PLAY COMPETITIVE TENNIS AND AGAINST OTHER COMMUNITIES SUCH AS PRESCOTT, SEDONA.
WINNERS ADVANCED TO SECTIONALS AND HOPEFULLY TO NATIONALS.
NORTHERN ARIZONA HAS HAD SEVERAL TEAMS ADVANCED TO NATIONALS.
I WON'T SAY THAT. FOR THE CURRENT ISSUE AT HAND, PLEASE VOTE YES TO APPROVE NEW COURTS AND REFURBISH COURTS UNDER THE COOPERATIVE PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH GENERAL ACRYLICS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MELINDA MCKINNEY AND THEN SHERRY PERALTA.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MELINDA MCKINNEY, I HAVE BEEN A FLAGSTAFF RESIDENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 YEARS.
I AM TERRIFIED TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC, BUT I WANTED TO JUST COME AND VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I DO HAVE SOME SOCIAL ANXIETY SOMETIMES, AND THE DROP-IN NATURE OF THE COURTS HAS BEEN AMAZING FOR ME JUST TO SHOW UP AND BE ABLE TO.
THERE'S ENOUGH COURTS THAT THERE'S ALL LEVELS AND THAT THERE'S OPENINGS AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO BE REALLY GOOD TO START TO PLAY.
I JUST LOVE THE VARIETY OF MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I LIVED IN SUNNYSIDE FOR MANY YEARS AND A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AWAY FROM BUSHMASTER AS WELL.
WHEN I FIRST WENT THERE, I WAS AFRAID TO GO THERE AT NIGHT.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT LOCATION.
I HAVE FRIENDS THAT LIVE CLOSE AND IT'S NICE JUST TO HAVE A GAME.
I CAN TALK TO THEM AND WE CAN WALK OR RIDE OUR BIKES OVER TO BUSHMASTER AND MEET UP THERE. THANK YOU.
>> SHERRY PERALTA AND THEN SHARON WELCH FOWLER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[01:55:03]
MY NAME IS SHERRY PERALTA.FOR 10 YEARS, I USED TO LIVE ACROSS THE BUSHMASTER PARK.
I NOW AM A KITCHENER RESIDENT.
HOWEVER, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, KITCHENER RESIDENTS USE BUSHMASTER PARK.
YES, KITCHENER RESIDENTS DO COME INTO TOWN SO WE THINK IT'S APPLICABLE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK.
I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT PICKLEBALL SINCE I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE.
I CAME IN HERE STAUNCHLY AGAINST WHAT IS GOING ON.
HOWEVER, I AM ALSO A YOGA INSTRUCTOR AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR SOCIALIZATION.
I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR EXERCISE.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT FROM 9-90 PLAY IN THIS GAME.
I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.
HOWEVER, NOT ONLY AM I A DISABILITY ADVOCATE, WHICH MR. MCCARTHY MAY REMEMBER ME FROM THOSE DAYS, I'M ALSO A TREE HUGGER.
I SAW THOSE NOTICES ON THE TREE I HUG THE TREES.
IT'S BEING ABLE TO RUN AROUND AND PLAY, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO, WHICH I SEE ALL THE TIME WHEN I VISIT THE DOG PARK, WHICH BY THE WAY, IF YOU HAVE PICKLEBALLERS THERE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE BARKING DOGS BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE BARKING AT THE PLAYERS.
VERY MUCH INTO NOTICE THAT PEOPLE ARE USING THE WORD, THE PARK HAS UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE.
I DON'T THINK THAT HAVING NATURAL TREES IN A NATURAL PARK IS UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE.
I THINK THAT THAT AREA IS IMPORTANT AND IT NEEDS TO STAY THE WAY IT IS.
IT DEFINITELY SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED PICKLEBALL COURTS.
ABSOLUTELY. I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY, BUT WHAT I DO NOT AGREE WITH IS THE LOCATION.
AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED, AND MR. MCCARTHY MENTIONED, WHAT'S WRONG WITH FORT PARK? YOU DECIDE NOT TO BUILD THEM THERE BECAUSE OF THE HOUSES.
WHY ARE YOU LESS CONSIDERATE TO PEOPLE THAT ARE IN LOWER GREEN LAW THAT NOW HAVE TO PUT UP WITH ALL THE PARK NOISES AND NOW THIS ADDITIONAL NOISE? I'M ASKING A BETTER LOCATION.
OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED TAKE TIME, SLOW DOWN, LISTEN TO RESIDENTS AND FIND A BETTER PLACE TO PUT THIS PARK.
IT SEEMS NECESSARY, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS NECESSARY WHERE YOU'RE PLANNING ON PUTTING IT.
NOW, KEEP IN MIND YOU FOLKS DON'T LIVE THERE AND NEITHER DO ALL THESE SPECIALISTS AND EXPERTS THAT ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS THE THING TO DO.
YOU GUYS DON'T LIVE THERE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THE NOISE.
CNN, AS SOMEONE ELSE MENTIONED.
WE HAVE PLENTY OF EMPTY SPACES, PLENTY OF EMPTY BUILDINGS, PLENTY OF EMPTY PARKING LOTS.
PLEASE MOVE THE PICKLEBALL THERE.
LOCATION NOT SO MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. SHERRY. SHARON WELCH FOWLER, AND THEN DAN CUNNINGHAM.
I CAME TO FLAGSTAFF IN 1989 AS A WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AS AN ASSISTANT COACH.
I SPENT THE LAST 20 YEARS OF MY CAREER AS AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT FLAGSTAFF HIGH SCHOOL.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COACH MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CITY OVER THE YEARS.
I'M COMING HERE TO SPEAK MAINLY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT THIS CAN DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
I SEE, BE A PART OF MAKING FLAGSTAFF THRIVE ALL OVER THE CITY.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ONE WAY TO MAKE FLAGSTAFF THRIVE.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A STRONG, HEALTHY COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO ALLOW FAMILIES OF ALL GENERATIONS TO PARTICIPATE AND TO DRAW MORE PEOPLE TO THIS COMMUNITY AS A SUMMER LOCATION OR AS A VACATION SPOT.
ON ALL OF OUR APPS WE HAVE, WHERE CAN WE PLAY PICKLEBALL? I TRAVEL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
I LOOK AT THAT APP EVERYWHERE I GO TO SEE WHO HAS COURTS TO WHERE I CAN PLAY, HOW OFTEN I CAN PLAY.
I'VE PLAYED INTERNATIONALLY, I'VE PLAYED IN IRELAND, GERMANY, SPAIN.
THIS IS A SPORT THAT IS GOING TO DO NOTHING BUT GROW.
I MADE A PROMISE TO MY NOW 11-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON, JOEY, THAT I WOULD PLAY IN A TOURNAMENT WITH HIM AND I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH IF FLAGSTAFF DOESN'T GET GOING ON THIS.
YOUR LONG-RANGE PLAN OF MAYBE 6-10 YEARS FOR A FACILITY AT THORPE PARK IS JUST NOT IMAGINABLE.
I SPEND MY WINTERS IN GREEN VALLEY, ARIZONA.
IT'S A 55 AND OLDER COMMUNITY.
THREE YEARS AGO WE BUILT A COMPLEX OF 32 COURTS IN ADDITION TO OUR EIGHT COURTS,
[02:00:05]
IN ADDITION TO A FOUR COURT VENUE.WE HAVE OVER 40 COURTS AVAILABLE FOR 22,000 PEOPLE BECAUSE IT DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO COME AND PLAY IN THE WINTER MONTHS.
YOUR POPULATION WILL BLOOM, IT WILL FLOURISH.
YOU WILL DRAW TONS OF PEOPLE TO THE COMMUNITY IF YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BUILD THESE COURTS.
I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS IS SUCH A DIFFICULT DECISION.
I JUST TAUGHT A WOMAN THIS MORNING WHO'S 86 YEARS OLD.
THEY HAVE EIGHT COURTS, 86 YEAR-OLD WOMAN.
I HAVE SEVERAL 92-YEAR-OLD PEOPLE.
I OFFER MY TIME TO TEACH AND TO COACH.
I THINK THAT YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU'LL BRING AMAZING PEOPLE TO THIS COMMUNITY IF YOU TAKE THE STEP OF MAKING THIS PLACE THRIVE.
>> THANK YOU, SHARON. DAN CUNNINGHAM AND THEN LINDA STRYKER OR STRIKER.
>> HI. THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I LIVE AT 3605 NORTH LANGDALE TRAIL HERE IN FLAGSTAFF.
MY WIFE AND I STARTED PLAYING PICKLEBALL NOT TOO LONG AGO.
WE ARE SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGED PEOPLE OUT THERE ON THE COURT.
WE HAVE TO GET TO THE PICKLEBALL COURT EARLY BEFORE ANYONE ELSE GETS THERE.
ALTHOUGH THE LIGHTS MAY BE AVAILABLE TO TURN ON MAYBE FROM 05:00 UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
WE WERE THERE, WE GOT THERE AT 07:30 THIS MORNING.
LAST WEEK WE WERE THE FIRST ONES THERE.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT.
I WON'T REITERATE ANY OF THE OTHER POINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE, BUT THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO SPEAK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. LINDA STRYKER AND THEN JOHN HOOK.
I TUNE THAT TO GOING TO THE DENTIST AND HAVING A ROOT CANAL, BUT I LOVE PICKLEBALL AND I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.
I HAVE NOT LIVED HERE VERY LONG.
IN FACT, WE RENTED HERE IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 IN COVID TO SEE IF WE WANTED TO RELOCATE TO FLAGSTAFF.
I'VE ALWAYS PLAYED ORGANIZED SPORTS, SO THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME.
BUT RESTAURANTS WERE CLOSED, FITNESS CENTERS CLOSED, EVERYTHING WAS SHUT DOWN, BUT I SEARCHED PICKLEBALL AND I HAD BEEN PLAYING PICKLEBALL ALREADY, AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE PLAYING OPEN PLAY AT BUSHMASTER, SO I SHOWED UP.
EVEN THOUGH WE PLAYED ON CRACKED TENNIS COURTS WITH TEMPORARY NETS, I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AND IT WAS A BIG DECISION OF US MOVING HERE TO FLAGSTAFF.
I FOUND MY COMMUNITY WHEN I WAS PLAYING PICKLEBALL.
EVERYBODY WAS SO WELCOMING AND THE BUSHMASTER PARK IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
ANOTHER THING THAT I FOUND PLAYING PICKLEBALL THERE WAS, IT'S CARING COMMUNITY.
ONE DAY WE WERE PLAYING PICKLEBALL AND A LADY CAME UP OUTSIDE THE COURTS AND JUST LAID DOWN IN THE GRASS, AND WE WALKED OVER AND SAID, "ARE YOU OKAY?" SHE SAID, "NO.' SHE WAS SHAKING AND IT LOOKED LIKE SHE WAS HAVING SOME WITHDRAWAL.
WE TOOK HER WATER, WE CALLED 911.
THEY CAME AND TREATED HER, TOOK HER AWAY IN AN AMBULANCE, BUT WE NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT AND PEOPLE WERE CARING AND WENT OVER AND TALKED TO HER ABOUT IT.
LASTLY, PICKLEBALL IS SO EASY TO LEARN.
I'VE PLAYED ORGANIZED SPORTS SINCE I WAS 10.
ONE THING THAT I REALLY ENJOY ABOUT OPEN PLAY PICKLEBALL IS YOU JUST SHOW UP, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ORGANIZE PLAY.
IT'S NOT LIKE TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, ORGANIZED SPORTS.
YOU JUST SHOW UP AND PLAY AND YOU MEET NEW PEOPLE EVERY TIME YOU GET ON THE COURTS, AND IT'S GREAT EXERCISE.
ADVANCED PLAYERS JUST NATURALLY HELP THE BEGINNERS, WHEREAS IN A LOT OF SPORTS,
[02:05:01]
THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT LEVEL YOU ARE, THEY WON'T EVEN GET ON THE COURT WITH YOU.IT'S GREAT TO GET OUT AND SOCIALIZE AND MEET NEW PEOPLE.
IT'S INEXPENSIVE IF YOU CAN PLAY ON PUBLIC COURTS WHICH FLAGSTAFF REALLY DESPERATELY NEEDS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF HAVING COURTS AT BUSHMASTER.
>> THANK YOU. JOHN HOOK AND THEN ERIC FISHER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M JOHN HOOK. I'M FULL-TIME RESIDENT OF FLAGSTAFF, BEEN HERE FOR SIX YEARS.
MY WIFE AND I GREW UP PLAYING TENNIS, SO I HAVEN'T PLAYED ONE GAME OF TENNIS SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE WE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY PICKLEBALL.
I WON'T REITERATE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID.
WE ALL REALIZE WHAT A GREAT SPORT IT IS, HOW SOCIAL IT IS.
ONE THING I'D LIKE TO EMPHASIZE ABOUT THE CURRENT PLAN.
THANKS TO AMY, AND PARKS, AND RICK FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY PUT INTO THIS PLAN.
THE OVERLAY OF THE EXISTING TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS IS MUCH NEEDED AS YOU SAW BY THE PICTURES OF THE CRACKED COURTS.
WE'VE STARTED TO NAME THE CRACKS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY OF THEM, BUT WHAT WHAT THAT OVERLAY IS GOING TO DO IS GOING TO OPEN UP THOSE COURTS FOR THE EXISTING SPORTS THAT THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR, THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS.
THE BUSIEST DAYS FOR PICKLEBALL ARE REALLY ON THE WEEKENDS.
I WOULD FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WE'D HAVE MORE THAN THOSE EIGHT COURTS GOING CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, ALTHOUGH THE SPORT IS GROWING TREMENDOUSLY, BUT IT'S GOING TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'VE HAD BETWEEN THE OTHER SPORTS.
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU SUPPORT AND VOTE YES ON THIS PROPOSAL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ERIC FISHER AND THEN ADRIANA CUNNINGHAM.
>> MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THIS IS MY SECOND SUMMER HERE.
WE HAVE A PLACE ALSO DOWN IN GOLD CANYON.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, PICKLEBALL, AND ALL THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE DONE A TERRIFIC JOB OF EXPLAINING THE BENEFITS, IS A SOCIAL SPORT YOU'RE ABLE TO PLAY WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
COMING UP TO FLAGSTAFF, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR MY WIFE AND MY KIDS WAS TO CHECK OUT THE PICKLEBALL FACILITIES UP HERE AND WE ENDED UP AT BUSHMASTER AS MANY PEOPLE DO.
BEFORE TALKING ABOUT THE EIGHT COURTS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED, I DO WANT TO ECHO COMING OUT THERE, I GOT BACK IN TOWN LAST WEEK, HEADED OUT THERE, AND THE CURRENT COURTS ARE SIMPLY INADEQUATE.
THE BASKETBALL COURTS, IF YOU ENVISION IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OUT THERE, THERE'S BASKETBALL COURTS AND THEN THERE'S THE TENNIS COURTS.
ON THE BASKETBALL COURTS, THEN NETS ARE TEMPORARY, PLUS YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO RUN AROUND BECAUSE THERE'S NO DIVIDERS AND THE CRACKING IS VERY SEVERE.
ON THE TENNIS COURTS, WE CALL IT CRACK BALL BECAUSE THE BALL HITS A CRACK, GOES SIDEWAYS, YOU'RE JUMPING AROUND.
IT IS DEGRADED TO A SITUATION THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN AND I PLAY PICKLEBALL IN MANY LOCATIONS.
I THINK THAT'S ONE THING FOR THE COUNCIL TO UNDERSTAND.
A COUPLE OF POINTS AND I WON'T GET INTO, AGAIN THE BENEFITS BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN HANDLED VERY NICELY, THERE WAS A POINT EARLY ON AND QUESTION ABOUT THE ACOUSTICS AND THE ACOUSTIC SCREENS.
I ALSO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME IN COLORADO.
I HAVE BEEN ON [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT.
WE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH ACOUSTICS AND COURTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE ACOUSTICS DO WORK TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S LOOKED AT.
HERE, THERE WAS A COST THROWN AROUND, A COST OF 150,000.
ONE THING YOU HAVE HERE IS YOU HAVE HOUSES THAT ARE FURTHER AWAY.
IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WANT TO LOOK AT, YOU CAN'T SCREEN.
WHAT WE DID IN DENVER OR IN LITTLETON, YOU HAVE HOUSES THAT ARE CLOSE, YOU CAN PUT UP ACOUSTICS ON ONE SIDE.
YOU DO NEED A HIGHER FENCE THAT SIDE, BUT IT'S NOT THAT YOU HAVE TO ENCLOSE IT AND MAKE IT A DARK SPACE.
THAT IS SOMETHING, NOISE SEEMS TO BE THE PRIMARY OBJECTION TYPICALLY IS, THAT CAN BE MITIGATED AND MANY COMPANIES DO THAT.
YOU FIND THAT USED IN MANY NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE HOUSES ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE COURTS.
I THINK HERE, I DID THE MATH, THAT'S ABOUT 37,500 IF YOU PUT IT ON THE SIDE NEAREST TO THE HOUSES TO THE SOUTH.
LITTLETON, WHERE I ALSO SPEND SOME TIME, THE COURTS ARE CONTINUED TO GO IN.
THERE WAS A PLACE I MENTIONED IN DENVER.
DENVER IS LOOKING AT SOME THINGS.
LITTLETON JUST BUILT 10 MORE COURTS IN CLEMENT PARK BY COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL CLOSE TO NEIGHBORHOODS.
THOSE ARE THRIVING AND DOING VERY WELL.
I THINK THOSE ARE THE POINTS I WANT TO RAISE.
AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND THANKS EVERYONE THAT WORK SO HARD ON THIS.
[02:10:01]
ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT PICKLEBALL PEOPLE ARE NICE PEOPLE AND DO WANT TO WORK WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS. THANK VERY MUCH.THANK YOU. ADRIANA CUNNINGHAM AND THEN BROOKS HEART.
HI. MY NAME IS ADRIANA CUNNINGHAM AND I AM A PICKLEBALL ADDICT.
[LAUGHTER] LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HERE, I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THE BENEFITS.
I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT PICKLEBALL IS AWESOME.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF THE COURTS AT BUSHMASTER AND STRONGLY URGE YOU TO VOTE YES.
THERE HAS BEEN PICKLEBALL AT BUSHMASTER FOR FOUR YEARS AND ACCORDING TO WHAT I HEARD EARLIER, THERE WASN'T ONE COMPLAINT OF THE NOISE UNTIL THE POSTCARD WENT OUT.
PLEASE VOTE YES ON THE BUILDING OF THE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
FLAGSTAFF IS AN AMAZING CITY AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE PART OF THE GROWTH AND SUPPORTING THIS GREAT SPORT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. BROOKS HEART AND THEN ANDREA SMITH.
MAYOR, I BELIEVE SOMEBODY SAID THAT BROOK HAD TO LEAVE IN THE BACK.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. ADRIA SMITH AND THEN PAUL HARROW.
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS ADRIA SMITH.
I'M A 35-YEAR RESIDENT ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH EDGE OF BUSHMASTER PARK.
I AM THE ONE THAT LIVES 125 FEET AWAY FROM THE PROPOSED COURTS.
I'VE BEEN WORKING FROM MY HOME SINCE 1995 AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST AND AN ARTIST.
AT THE END OF MARCH 78 RESIDENTS AS YOU KNOW, ABIDING BUSHMASTER PARK RECEIVED A POSTCARD NOTIFYING US.
I MIGHT ADD JUST NOW THAT THE REASON THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE NOISE IS BECAUSE THE SPORT IS GROWING INCREMENTALLY EVERY YEAR.
REMEMBER, THERE WAS ALL THAT SNOW ON THE COURTS UNTIL APRIL.
IT HAS BEEN GETTING NOISIER THIS YEAR.
WE WERE TOLD PICKLEBALL COURTS ARE COMING TO BUSHMASTER PARK, NESTLED IN THE HEART OF OUR VIBRANT MOUNTAIN TOWN FOR YOU TO ENJOY.
THAT STATEMENT IS STILL SO LAUGHABLE.
HOWEVER, IT'S JUST PLAIN HORRIBLE.
THIS SEEMED LIKE A DECLARATION OF A DONE DEAL TO US.
THERE WAS NO FORMAL PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESS FOR SUCH A MAJOR CHANGE TO THE PARK AND FOR THE RESIDENTS AS THERE HAD BEEN IN 1997 AND 2015.
AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK OF ABOUT A WEEK OR SO, ME AND MY NEIGHBOR OVER THE FENCE FROM ME KNEW WE HAD TO ORGANIZE IN THE NEXT 3-4 WEEKS BEFORE THIS WENT TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
WE HAVE SCRAMBLED DESPERATELY TRYING TO INFORM OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND PARK USERS, GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR AND APPROACHING PEOPLE IN THE PARK WITH INFORMATION AND A PETITION.
WE PUT UP 25 POSTERS ON THE TREES WE FEARED WERE IN JEOPARDY OF REMOVAL.
THOSE POSTERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN TWO TIMES.
STILL I CONTINUE TO BE VIGIL IN MANAGING A HANDFUL OF POSTERS THAT STILL GET PARK USERS' ATTENTION.
OUR NEXT-DOOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS HAVE GOTTEN NUMEROUS RESPONSES IN OPPOSITION ARE QUESTIONING THIS MISUSE OF OUR RESOURCES.
WE ALSO MADE OUR POSITION KNOWN IN LAST SUNDAY'S DAILY SUN ARTICLE, PICKLING THE PINES.
WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO EACH OF YOU INVITING YOU TO SEE FIRSTHAND OF DILEMMA.
THAT INVITE IS STILL OPEN TO THOSE OF YOU WHO I HAVE NOT YET MET.
WHILE THE FLAGSTAFF PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION HAS HAD FOUR YEARS TO GROW AND ORGANIZE AND WORK ON GETTING NEW COURTS, WE HAVE HAD ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO BUILD AN OPPOSITION.
I KNOW THAT OUR 90 PETITION SIGNATURES ARE MEASLY IN COMPARISON TO FPAS 1,000.
YOU'VE RECEIVED SEVERAL EMAILS FROM ME IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
THE LISTS OF VIDEOS AND ARTICLES AT THE START WERE ABOUT THE HEAVY IMPACTS THAT OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL PLAY HAS HAD ON COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING PITTING NEIGHBORS AGAINST NEIGHBORS AND THE MYRIAD LAWSUITS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED.
AS LATE AS THIS MORNING, I SENT YOU A NEW LIST OF ARTICLES AND VIDEOS WHERE CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE FINDING NEW INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ADAPT.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE GROWING PAINS.
>> THANK YOU. PAUL HARROW AND CONNIE FOLSOM.
>> HI, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS STAFF.
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2018, '19, I'VE MENTIONED EVERYTHING BEFORE THAT I TALKED ABOUT AND EMAILED YOU ABOUT AND ALL THE LINKS AND EVERYTHING YOU GUYS ARE UP TO DATE WITH
[02:15:02]
EVERYTHING PRETTY MUCH FROM MY SIDE.BUT ONE THING I WANTED TO DISCUSS IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP.
I SERVED WITH SOME GREAT LEADERS IN THE NAVY.
SOME OF THE GREATEST MEN HAD OUR BACKS AND KEPT US ALIVE, SO I KNOW GREAT LEADERSHIP.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE IN FLAGSTAFF IS THERE'S SOME LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CAN HAVE A LACK OF LEADERSHIP.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN HAVE A LACK OF LEADERSHIP.
I'VE TALKED TO POLICEMEN ABOUT THE RACIAL PROFILING STUFF GOING ON.
I SAID, WHAT CAN I DO AS A CITIZEN, AS A VET? IT'S LIKE, WOW, IT'S LEADERSHIP.
PAUL, IT'S LEADERSHIP THAT WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH, BUT THEY'RE AFRAID TO TALK UP TO THEIR LEADERSHIP SOMETIMES.
I'M NOT AFRAID TO TALK TO THE LEADERSHIP.
I'VE BEEN AT MEETINGS FROM GANG TASK FORCE AND WHATNOT.
JUST TRY TO GET A FEEL OF WHAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOING AND HOW ARE THEY TREATING PEOPLE? WHY ARE THEY TARGETING CERTAIN PEOPLE? WHAT COLOR IS? WHY THE BROWN? WHY THE NATIVE? WHY ARE YOU GETTING PULLED OVER DRIVING WHILE NATIVE, DRIVING WHILE BROWN, DRIVING WHILE BLACK.
RACIAL PROFILING IS REAL IN THIS TOWN.
I'VE TALKED TO TOM HOLLERED ABOUT IT IN 2018 AFTER 4TH JULY THING.
HE'S A POLICEMAN FROM CHICAGO, HE SAYS, "YEAH, PAUL, I DON'T LIKE RACIAL PROFILING IN FLAGSTAFF.
I'M GOING TO LOOK INTO THAT." DID HE? I DON'T THINK SO.
LEADERSHIP AT FLAGSTAFF PD, RACIAL PROFILE, WHEN YOU GET PICKLEBALL PLAYERS CALLING THE POLICE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE TAKING A NAP, GETTING SOME SHADE.
THEY MAY HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF BEERS, THEY MAY HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO TALK, RELAXING, WHATEVER.
IT'S A PUBLIC PARK, BUT THERE ARE POLICE COMING UP TO THEM AND I'M HEARING THIS FROM THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES BECAUSE I TALK TO THEM PERSONALLY.
BUT THEY'LL COME UP TO ME AND THEY'LL SAY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? I WILL JUST SAY, I WAS JUST CHILLING, ENJOYING THE SHADE, ENJOYING MY AFTERNOON.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE HARASSMENT. I BELIEVE THAT.
THERE'S A GUY, CHRIS HE IS A MEXICAN HE SAID THEY STARTED INCLUSIVE.
WELL, WHY THE HECK THIS ONE PICKLEBALL PLAYER WAS NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM A PADDLE? THEN ANOTHER PICKLEBALL PLAYER SAYS, "WHY DID YOU GIVE HIM A PADDLE?" "NO, HE'S BROWN." I WAS LIKE, WELL, HE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE HE WAS INCLUSIVE, BUT THEN HE GOES AND HE STILL WANTS TO BE INCLUDED WITH THE PICKLEBALL PLAYERS, SO HE GOES AND BUYS INDOOR, AND OUTDOOR PICKLEBALLS.
YOU'VE BROUGHT THE WRONG PICKLEBALLS, THESE ARE THE WRONG PICKLEBALLS, YOU JUST DON'T BRING INDOOR-OUTDOOR PICKLEBALLS.
THESE ARE THE ONES WE'RE USING.
WHY WE'VE ASKED A LEADERSHIP FPA LYNN WALSH, DON'T THEY MAKE QUIETER PICKLEBALLS? DON'T THEY MAKE QUIETER PICKLE PADDLES? THEY DO, BUT THEY DON'T LIKE TO USE THEM.
MAYBE THIS GUY, CHRIS A MEXICAN BROUGHT THE WRONG PICKLEBALLS, THEY ARE JUST TOO QUIET TO USE FOR THAT.
BUT I BROUGHT SOMETHING HERE, IT'S SOME EVIDENCE UNDER LAWYER.
HERE'S A PICKLEBALL. THIS THING IS SMASHED.
THIS IS THE TRASH THEY LEAVE ON THE COURTS.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BREAK A PICKLEBALL LIKE THIS? HERE'S THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> SPEAK INTO THE MIC, PLEASE.
FOR THE ONLINE AUDIENCE, PLEASE USE THE MICROPHONE.
>> OH, SORRY. MORE TRASH I PICKED UP IN THE MORNING IN THE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
THIS IS WHAT THEY LEAVE PRETTY MUCH AND THESE THINGS THEY'RE EQUIPMENTS FALLING APART.
>> THANK YOU, PAUL. CONNIE FOLSOM, AND THEN JULIET PARKUM.
>> I WANT TO KEEP THESE SUNGLASSES FOR THE SHELTER PEOPLE.
BUT PICKLEBALL PLAYERS, YOU CAN TAKE THIS BACK.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THIS BOTTLE CAP, THEY'RE DRINKING BEER.
>> CONNIE FOLSOM AND THEN JULIET PARNUM.
>> YOU CAN TAKE THAT BACK TO THE PICKLEBALL PLAYERS THOUGH.
YOU CAN PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. HERE'S A BALL, COORS LIGHT.
>> [NOISE] GOOD EVENING. PICKLEBALL IS A GREAT SPORT.
IT DOES NOT BELONG IN BUSHMASTER PARK.
I LIVE ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF BUSHMASTER PARK, DIRECTLY BELOW THE CITY'S PLANNED INSTALLATION OF EIGHT NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS ILL-CONCEIVED PLAN.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS THAT BUSHMASTER PARK IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR PICKLEBALL AND AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IS NOISE.
STUDIES SHOW THAT NOISE POLLUTION GENERATED BY PICKLEBALL COURTS CAN HAVE NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTS LIVING NEARBY.
[02:20:03]
THESE CAN INCLUDE HEARING DAMAGE, STRESS, SLEEP DISTURBANCES, AND EVEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.THESE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS CAN GREATLY DIMINISH THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS.
EVEN WITH THE EXISTING COURTS BEING PLAYED IN BUSHMASTER, I CANNOT OPEN A WINDOW OR STEP OUTSIDE WITHOUT BEING ASSAULTED BY THE INCESSANT, IRRITATING ANXIETY-PRODUCING SOUND OF A PICKLEBALL.
THIS SOUND IS NOT NORMAL PARK NOISE WHICH WE WELCOME AND ENJOY.
IT IS AGGRAVATING WHACKING OF PLASTIC AGAINST WOOD AND EVEN WHEN ONLY ONE COURT IS BEING PLAYED, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO FIND PEACE IN MY OWN BACKYARD.
NOW YOU PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE NOISE LEVEL EXPONENTIALLY FROM FOUR COURTS TO 16, EIGHT OF WHICH WOULD BE DIRECTLY BEHIND MY HOME.
EVEN IF YOU WERE TO INSTALL SOUND BARRIERS THAT WOULD REDUCE THE NOISE LEVEL BY APPROXIMATELY 30%, NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE POLLUTION THROUGHOUT THE PARK AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
AS WE ALL KNOW, REAL ESTATE VALUES ARE INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS FACTORS, INCLUDING LOCATION, AMENITIES, AND NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE LEVELS.
THE NOISE GENERATED BY NEARBY PICKLEBALL COURTS IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A CONCERN FOR HOMEOWNERS.
ALTHOUGH PICKLEBALL HAS GAINED A SIGNIFICANT FOLLOWING IN RECENT YEARS, THE NOISE IT GENERATES CAN AND DOES NEGATIVELY IMPACT REAL ESTATE VALUES IN SURROUNDING AREAS.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PROPERTIES LOCATED CLOSE TO PICKLEBALL COURTS EXPERIENCE A REDUCTION IN THEIR VALUE BY MORE THAN 10%.
ADDITIONALLY, HOMEOWNERS WHO LIVE IN SUCH AREAS MAY FIND IT CHALLENGING TO EVEN SELL THEIR PROPERTY AT A REASONABLE PRICE DUE TO THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF NOISE POLLUTION.
THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION OR ENGAGEMENT REGARDING THIS PLANNED MAJOR CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY PARK.
THERE ARE MANY PLACES IN FLAGSTAFF THAT ARE MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PICKLEBALL SPORT, AND WHICH WOULD NOT INFRINGE UPON THE LIVES OF NEARBY RESIDENTS.
I FEEL CONFIDENT IN SAYING THAT NOT ONE OF YOU WHO WILL BE DECIDING THE FATE OF BUSHMASTER PARK WOULD WELCOME EVEN ONE PICKLEBALL COURT BEHIND YOUR HOME, MUCH LESS 16.
PLEASE DO NOT GO FORWARD WITH THIS UNWELCOME PLAN.
>> JULIET PARNUM AND NANCY PELLENA.
>>MY NAME IS JULIET PARNUM, I'M 12 YEARS OLD AND I LIVE IN FLAGSTAFF AT 3117 EAST ELDER AND DRIVE.
WHEN I TRY AND GO TO BED AT NIGHT, AROUND 8:00, I CAN HEAR THE SCREAMS OF THE PEOPLE PLAYING PICKLEBALL AND HEAR THEM HITTING THE BALLS ACROSS, AND IT'S PRETTY ANNOYING, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO SLEEP, AND JUST THINKING ABOUT DOUBLING THE NOISE WOULD BE REALLY HARD.
SOMETIMES I CAN ALSO SEE THE LIGHTS AND THEY'RE LEFT ON A LOT.
DURING THE WINTER WHEN THERE WERE LIKE FEW SNOW, IN THE PICKLEBALL COURTS OR IN THE TENNIS COURTS PEOPLE WEREN'T PLAYING BECAUSE THERE WERE FEET OF SNOW AND YOU CAN'T REALLY PLAY, AND THE LIGHTS WERE STILL BEING LEFT ON UNTIL MIDNIGHT, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO SLEEP WHEN THERE'S A BUNCH OF LIGHTS COMING IN YOUR BEDROOM WINDOW.
THEY WANT TO CUT DOWN 18 CHEESE IS WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME, AND IF PICKLEBALL ISN'T A SPORT THAT'S GOING TO STAY AROUND FOR MUCH LONGER THEN PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE TREES THAT BIG, THAT FAST IT WAS GOING TO TAKE 20 YEARS FOR THEM TO GROW THAT MUCH BIGGER, AND HAVING THOSE SHADE IS REALLY NICE.
WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO HAVE A NICE FAMILY LUNCH AT THE PARK AND YOU CAN HEAR THE NOISE OF PEOPLE HITTING BALLS WITH PADDLES IS HARD TO ENJOY YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAN HEAR THAT NOISE.
[02:25:01]
NANCY BERLINER, AND JUDY LAUKS.>> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'VE LIVED IN PINE PARK MANOR FOR 40 YEARS.
I'VE LIVED IN IN FLAGSTAFF LONGER THAN THAT, AND IT ACTUALLY WHEN WE MOVE THERE, THERE WAS A SIGN WHEN YOU FIRST WENT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SAID PINE PARK MANOR, AND IT JUST TOOK ME 40 YEARS ALMOST TO REALIZE THAT THE NAME OF THAT WAS THE THREE STREETS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
PINE, I LIVE ON, AND THEN THERE'S PARK AND THERE'S MANOR.
I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS CRAZY.
I DO PLAY PICKLEBALL, I WANT PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS AN ENCLOSED NEIGHBORHOOD, EXCEPT FOR LOUIS ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH PEOPLE USE IT AS A THROUGH STREET.
THE PINE PARK MANOR ROADS ARE ALL ENCLOSED AND THERE'S NO REASON FOR PEOPLE TO BE DRIVING THROUGH THERE TO GO FROM EAST FLAGSTAFF TO WESTLAKE STAFF.
ON PINE, WE NEVER GOT A POSTCARD BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ADJACENT TO THE PARK.
LIKE ADRIA SAID, WE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AND IT DID SOUND LIKE A DONE DEAL, WHICH WAS SURPRISING.
I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT MORE THAN JUST THE ADJACENT HOUSES WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS INCREASE IN COURTS BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WILL BE COMING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM THE SOUTH SIDE, AND DO YOU REALIZE THERE'S A DIRT PARKING LOT RIGHT AT ALDEN? PEOPLE USE THAT TO PARK, AND SO THEY'RE COMING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO ACCESS THE PARK, SO WE WILL BE AFFECTED AND WE DIDN'T GET ANY POSTCARD, SO THAT WASN'T TOO COOL.
THE CLOSEST HOMES ARE DEFINITELY THE LOSERS IN THIS, AND I JUST REALLY WANT TO STRESS THAT THIS IS NOT A PRO OR CON ISSUE ON PICKLEBALL, IT IS A WONDERFUL SPORT, IT IS A GROWING SPORT.
IT'S NOT GOING AWAY, BUT IT IS AN ISSUE OF LOCATION IN TOWN, AND I REALLY AGREE WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY SUGGESTION OF TAKING THIS PROJECT AND FAST TRACKING IT TO THE THORPE PARK AREA.
I THINK THAT'S A FABULOUS IDEA AND WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? COMPROMISE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT PERSON I CALLED WAS ACTUALLY HERE FOR AN ITEM LATER ON THE AGENDA.
NEXT WE HAVE RICHARD SMITH, AND THEN I THINK ACTUALLY SOME OF THESE OTHER SPEAKERS, SO I HAVE RICHARD SMITH.
ACTUALLY, THEY ARE HERE FOR LATER AS WELL.
ESTHER BRECKENRIDGE, TANYA RAY AND THEN STEVE WALTER.
>> GOOD EVENING. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I BELIEVED IN FLAGSTAFF, 38 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE BUSHMASTER PARK.
I THINK MOST OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY IS ALREADY BEEN COVERED BY ALL THE OTHER PICKLEBALL OR I CAN SPEAK TO THE AGE THING, FIVE-DAY 95.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PLAYING WITH 90-YEAR-OLD LEE ON HIS BIRTHDAY HERE IN FLAGSTAFF IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, IT WAS AMAZING.
I'VE ALSO HAD MY BUTT KICKED BY LEE WHEN HE WAS ON THE OPPOSING TEAM BEFORE AT 90, HE'S PRETTY SPRAY.
THIS REALLY IS A SPORT THAT CAN BE PLAYED BY ALL AGES.
I THINK, I JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT WATCHING BUSHMASTER PARK GROW FROM WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER AND IT WAS JUST SIDEWALKS AND DIRT.
TO WHERE IT IS NOW WITH GRASS AND ACTIVITY SPOTS FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE, FROM THE BASKETBALL TO THE SKATE PARK, TO THE CONCERTS IN THE PARK IT'S BEEN JUST HEARTWARMING TO SEE THIS PART COME ALIVE.
[02:30:04]
MY CHILD, I RAISED HIM IN THE PARK WE WENT THERE WITH MOMS CLUB WHEN HE WAS TWO AND HE DID HIS EARLY SOCIALIZING AND THEN LATER HE WAS TAKING TENNIS LESSONS AND UTILIZED THE TENNIS COURTS THERE BUSHMASTER PARK.COME FULL CIRCLE TO ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, MY DESK PERRIN TAUGHT ME HOW TO PLAY PICKLEBALL.
MY SON WAS PART OF THIS, HE PICKED IT UP AND HE'S NOW IN COLLEGE AND HAPPENED TO BE PART OF THE FIRST EVER NATIONAL COLLEGIATE PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT THAT WAS HELD IN TEXAS IN NOVEMBER.
WHAT AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY, AND THIS COMMUNITY IS WHERE HE LEARNED PICKLEBALL.
I LOVE BUSHMASTER PARK, I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE ANY TREES CUT DOWN UNNECESSARILY IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE NOISE PROBLEMS. IT IS SOMETHING I THINK THAT AS A COMMUNITY WE CAN SOLVE, WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION.
BUT I THINK THAT PICKLEBALL IS JUST ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT'S EVER HAPPENED IN MY LIFE, I'VE HIKED THE GRAND CANYON THUNDER RIVER OF REALLY HARD HIKE.
I'VE BEEN TO DISNEYLAND AND ALL THESE WONDERFUL THINGS I'VE DONE IN MY LIFE, I GO BACK TO PICKLEBALL AS OFTEN AS I CAN AND I'LL PLAY WHEREVER I'LL PLAY AND ROAD, I'LL PLAY AT ANY ONE OF THE COURTS AND TOWN BUT I THINK THAT THEY'RE REALLY TRULY IS A NEED FOR MORE PICKLEBALL, AND I THINK THAT HAVING BEEN UP TO COUNCIL MEETING JUST BEFORE COVID WHEN IT WAS DISCUSSED AND IT LOOKED LIKE, IT WAS FINALLY GOING TO HAPPEN WITH A SOFTBALL COMPLEX FOR THE GIRLS.
I'VE GOT FIVE SECONDS, GO PICKLEBALL.
>> THANK YOU TANYA. STEVE WALTER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'VE LIVED IN FLAGSTAFF 62 YEARS.
I'VE LIVED IN BUSHMASTER NEIGHBORHOOD, 27 YEARS.
I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROCESS THAT THIS WENT THROUGH.
I WAS INVOLVED WITH THE 1998, IS WHEN THE PARK WAS IMPROVED THE FIRST TIME.
IN 1995, A SURVEY WAS SENT OUT BY THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION TO, ALL ACROSS TOWN, RESIDENTS ACROSS TOWN.
I HAPPENED TO TAKE THAT SURVEY AND IT ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES DID YOU DO IN THE PARK.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESPONSES WERE WALKING MY DOG, BICYCLING, PICNICKING, ETC.
THEN IN 1996, THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION CREATED THE MASTER PLAN FROM THE RESULTS OF THAT SURVEY.
SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THERE WAS A VERY WELL-ADVERTISED MEETING AT THOMAS SCHOOL WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND LOTS OF NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE WENT, LOTS OF SOCCER PEOPLE WHO WENT.
THE OUTPUT OF THAT MEETING WAS THAT THE PARKS AND REC HAD DECIDED THAT A SOCCER FIELD NEEDS TO GO ONTO BUSHMASTER PARK.
THAT WAS DECIDED BEFORE THE MEETING WAS EVEN STARTED.
WE WERE TOLD THAT THAT SOCCER FIELD WAS GOING GO IN AND A SKATE PARK WAS GOING TO GO IN.
THEN WE BROKE UP INTO DIFFERENT GROUPS AND DECIDED WHERE WE WANTED THE SOCCER FIELD AND WHERE WE WANTED THE SKATE PARK TO GO.
WELL, SEVERAL OF US DIDN'T WANT THE SOCCER FIELD.
IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SOCCER MOMS HAD LOBBIED THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION BEFOREHAND, AND ONE OF THEM WORKED AT CITY HALL AND THEY HAD TO CONVINCE THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION THAT THAT WAS WHAT ARE THE SOCCER FIELD SHOULD GO.
ANYWAY, A DIFFERENT PLAN WAS COME UP, WE WERE ABLE TO DRAW A MAP,
[02:35:02]
AND THERE WAS NO SOCCER FIELD.>> THERE'S STILL NO SOCCER FIELD.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ONLINE COMMENTS NOW.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WE HAVE FOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS TONIGHT.
OUR FIRST COMMENTER IS GOING TO BE CRAIG.
CRAIG, YOU MAY GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY NAME IS CRAIG MICHELSON.
I LIVE IN PHOENIX, BUT I HAVE A PLACE UP IN FLAGSTAFF THAT I GO TO UP IN THE SUMMER.
CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME, BY THE WAY? HOPEFULLY SO.
ANYWAY, I COME UP AND PLAY PICKLEBALL IN THE SUMMERS.
I'M NOT GOING TO BRING UP ANYTHING THAT NOBODY HAS BROUGHT UP, AND I UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY'S CONCERNS AND TREPIDATION ABOUT SOMETHING NEW THAT THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT.
BUT THE WHOLE POINT, I THINK, OF THIS IS THAT, LIKE I SAID, I LIVE IN PHOENIX.
I PLAY AT A LOCAL PARK THAT'S IN THE ARCADIA AREA OF PHOENIX.
WE HAVE FOUR CRACK COURTS BASICALLY THE SAME POSITION THAT BUSHMASTER IS IN, IN A VERY NICE AREA OF PHOENIX.
BUT THE WHOLE POINT IS, WE COULD GET 80,100 PEOPLE TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY IF THEY KNEW THAT THERE'S COURTS AVAILABLE THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT 30 MINUTES IN-BETWEEN GAMES TO PLAY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE AND SO FEW COURTS, AND THEY'VE MADE BAD DECISIONS IN THERE, AND I JUST HOPE THAT FLAGSTAFF MAKES BETTER DECISIONS FOR THEIR RESIDENTS.
BUT I THINK THE WHOLE POINT IS, THERE'S A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO'VE MENTIONED THAT THEY LIVE CLOSE AND THEY'RE GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BY JUST MOVING IT TO THORPE.
THORPE HAS ALREADY BEEN LOOKED AT AS A PLACE AND IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK THERE, SO THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.
BUSHMASTER IS THE BEST AND REALLY ONLY OPTION, AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT FLAGSTAFF DOESN'T MISS THIS BOAT THAT'S ALREADY SAILING.
I JUST IMPLORE THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR TO APPROVE THIS AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE.
THE WHOLE THING THAT'S BEEN MENTIONED IS, IT'S A COMMUNITY PARK.
I UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE INCONVENIENCED AND SOME PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO LIKE THE ISSUE AND THE NOISE PROBLEM.
I UNDERSTAND THE NOISE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING IS A PERFECT SCENARIO.
IF THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM THIS AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BENEFITS, IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT BE INCONVENIENCED, BUT THAT'S JUST A FACT OF LIFE, AND I FEEL BAD FOR THEM.
MAYBE THEY SHOULD JUST COME OUT AND PLAY PICKLEBALL WITH US AND THEN IT PROBABLY WON'T BOTHER HIM SO MUCH.
BUT ANYWAY, I THINK IT'S A COMMUNITY PARK AND ANYTHING THAT MAKES THE COMMUNITY BETTER WILL BE A POSITIVE.
I IMPLORE THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE THIS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR, OUR NEXT COMMENTER TONIGHT I'S GOING TO BE DINA JOLLY.
DINA, YOU MAY GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.
LISTEN, I'VE LIVED IN FLAGSTAFF FOR 36 YEARS AND I WANT TO FOCUS ON SOME PROCESS.
ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THE PROCESS THAT MAKE PICKLEBALL COURTS A PRIORITY OVER MANY OF THE OTHER WORTHWHILE YET UNFUNDED PROJECTS ON THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS LIST.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU, COUNCIL, THAT CITIZENS PROVIDED INPUT AND CONTRIBUTED INPUT TO OUR PARKS AND REC'S LIST OF PRIORITY NEEDS THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN 2013.
HERE'S THE QUESTION I'M GOING TO ASK YOU.
AM I WRONG TO HAVE ASSUMED THAT CITY STAFF, THE COUNCIL, AND THE PROS COMMISSION WOULD USE THIS DOCUMENT WHEN MAKING DECISIONS REGARDING THE ALLOCATION OF STAFF TIME AND FISCAL RESOURCES TO RECREATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE? THAT'S ONE QUESTION I WOULD WANT TO HAVE ANSWERED.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO REMIND YOU, COUNCIL, THAT THE VOTERS THAT LIVE IN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES VOTED IN 2004, THAT'S 19 YEARS AGO, TO PROVIDE SEED MONEY FOR REGIONAL PARK ON LAKE MARY ROAD.
I THINK WE HAVE A SOLUTION TO SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, GET THAT REGIONAL PARK GOING ON LAKE MARY ROAD.
[02:40:01]
WITH ALL THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S HAPPENING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT IN 12A AND THE BOOM THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF TOWN, I THINK WE ARE WAY PAST TIME FROM ALL THE COMMENTS.IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT WE NEED MUCH MORE HARDCORE RECREATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS TOWN.
NOW, I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THE BLAME AND WHERE THAT LIES, BUT THAT'S TO NO BENEFIT.
TO THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY, I AM NOT OPPOSED TO PICKLEBALL, I WANT SPORTS FOR EVERYBODY, BUT I'M GOING TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT.
I AM MASTER SWIMMER AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE ECHOING ABOUT PICKLEBALL, I CAN ECHO FROM THE SWIM COMMUNITY.
YOU CANNOT GET POOL TIME IN THIS TOWN.
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LAP POOL FOR 40 YEARS OR LONGER.
THE OTHER QUESTION I WANT TO ASK, PROS, THE CITY COUNCIL, AND THE COMMISSION IS IF YOU APPROVE THIS AND PICKLEBALL GETS WHAT THEY WANT, DO THEY THEN GO TO THE BACK OF THE LIST IN TERMS OF RECREATIONAL PRIORITY NEEDS? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE'S A LOT OF US THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME ADVOCATING FOR THESE THINGS, AND IT'S NOT JUST SWIMMING, IT'S SOCCER FIELDS, IT'S SOFTBALL.
I THINK YOU HAVE SOME REALLY HARD DECISIONS TO MAKE GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR, OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER TONIGHT IT'S GOING TO BE LYNN WALSH.
LYNN, YOU MAY GO HEAD AND GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THIS TIME.
I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN MUCH LONGER THAN I'M SURE YOU ALL EXPECTED, AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALLOWING US ALL TO SPEAK.
I THINK WE'VE ALL COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT PICKLEBALL IS NOT THE QUESTION, THE QUESTION IS BUSHMASTER.
I WILL TELL YOU JENNIFER RICOTTA THE PAST FPA PRECEDENT AND THE CITY HAVE WORKED LONG AND HARD TO TRY TO FIND DIFFERENT SPACES AND DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
THORPE PARK IS NOT ONE OF THEM AND IT'S CURRENTLY NOT ONE OF THEM, AND THERE ARE MANY REASONS AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF JUST NOISE.
BUT I THINK THERE ARE A FEW POINTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
WE HAVE THE TWO PARKS AT PONDEROSA, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS.
THOSE OF US THAT WORK AND I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB AND TOOK THE TIME OUT TODAY TO LISTEN TO THIS PIECE UNFORTUNATELY, CANNOT BE THERE BECAUSE I DO HAVE MY JOB AND I'M DOWN.
I'M TRAVELING AT THE CURRENT MOMENT.
I CAN ONLY PLAY AT NIGHT OR ON SATURDAY MORNINGS.
HENCE WHY SATURDAY IS SO BUSY? BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE WORKING PEOPLE IN FLAGSTAFF WHO ALSO WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING PICKLEBALL.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION AT NIGHT AT PONDEROSA, SO THERE ARE NO PUBLIC COURTS FOR US TO GO TO EXCEPT FOR THE CURRENT ONES THAT WE HAVE AT BUSHMASTER.
WE'RE ASKING TO HAVE PERMANENT COURTS.
THEREFORE, TENNIS CAN HAVE THEIR COURTS BACK AT NIGHT IF THEY WANT THEM, AND BASKETBALL CAN HAVE THEIR COURTS BACK.
IT TURNS INTO BEING AN EXTRA IF THERE'S NOBODY PLAYING TENNIS AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WAITING TO PLAY, THEN WE HAVE ADDITIONAL PARKS THAT WE CAN GO PLAY ON.
THAT'S THE POINT. PICKLEBALL, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY IS WHERE IT IS, BUT THERE'S NO PERMANENT HOME FOR PICKLEBALL HERE IN FLAGSTAFF.
ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS TO JUST USE THE PLACE WE ALREADY HAVE.
THE CITY HAS THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT THIS.
THERE'S PARKING, THERE IS THE RESTROOMS, ALL THOSE PIECES THAT FACILITY NEEDS IN ORDER TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL IS THAT BUSHMASTER.
AGAIN, I BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE HELPED IN THE COMMUNITY, AS DAVE STEVENS MENTIONED, WE HELPED A LADY WHO WAS GETTING BEAT UP.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE SEEN LESS POLICE DRIVE AROUND WHEN I FIRST STARTED PLAYING HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
I RARELY SEE A POLICE OFFICER DRIVING AROUND BUSHMASTER.
IT USED TO HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE NIGHT WHEN I PLAYED THERE.
I THINK THERE'S JUST THE PIECE.
IT'S NOT ABOUT PICKLEBALL, I THINK WE ALL GET THAT.
IT'S JUST WE NEED TO HAVE A HOME, AND FOR RIGHT NOW, THIS IS THE BEST AND HAS BEEN SEARCHED THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS, AND SO WE'RE JUST ASKING TO JUST ACTUALLY GIVE US A HOME.
SOFTBALL HAS A HOME, TENNIS HAS A HOME, SOCCER HAS A HOME.
EVERYBODY DOES EXCEPT FOR PICKLEBALL.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A BIG DECISION AND CONSIDERATION AND A LOT OF MONEY THAT GOES TOWARDS IT.
THANK YOU FOR GETTING THE OPTION OF HOPING TO GIVE FLAGSTAFF PICKLEBALL A HOME WHERE THEY CAN PLAY.
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST COMMENTER TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE MARY WALTER.
MARY, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR DAGGETT AND COUNCIL.
[02:45:01]
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN FLAGSTAFF, 67 YEARS NOW.I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM BUSHMASTER PARK.
EVEN THOUGH I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET, I STILL CAN HEAR THE CLICK-CLACK OF THE GAME BALLS.
EVERY EVENING WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK, I CAN HEAR THEM.
ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS ARE WHY WERE THE NEIGHBORS OF BUSHMASTER PARK NOT INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.
WE HAVE A BUSHMASTER PARK WEBSITE AND WE HAVE A BUSHMASTER PARK BLOCK WATCH BUT THE NEIGHBORS WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS PROCESS.
I THINK THAT'S VERY DISTURBING.
THE WEBSITE ON THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF HAD THE PICTURE LIKE THE VOTE HAD BEEN MADE.
I DISAGREE HOW THIS PROCESS HAPPENED.
ANOTHER THING, APPARENTLY, THE SKATE PARK IS OVERWHELMED WITH GRAFFITI.
THE SIDEWALK OVER BY THE RESTROOMS, AND THE SKATE RINK HAS BEEN BROKEN UP, NEEDS REPAIR FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.
I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THAT MONEY GO IN TAKING CARE OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD WHEN WE WENT TO THE SKATE PARK.
I WAS PART OF THAT COMMITTEE. NOISE LEVEL.
WHEN I WALK TO THE PARK, I WALK THROUGH THE PARK EVERY NIGHT AFTER I GET OUT OF WORK, VERY CALMING EFFECT, BUT NOW I HEAR THE CLICK-CLACK OF PICKLEBALL.
AS FAR AS PICKLEBALL PLAYERS BEING FRIENDLY, MAYBE THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE.
I HAVE OBSERVED PICKLEBALL PLAYERS RACING INTO THE PARKING LOT.
WE HAVE KIDS CROSSING THE STREET, GOING TO THE CARS.
I ACTUALLY CONFRONTED A COUPLE OF THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE RACING BECAUSE THEY RELATE TO THEIR GAME.
THEY MUMBLED SOMETHING VERY NEGATIVE TO ME AND KEPT GOING.
PUTTING PICKLEBALL IN THIS PARK, I THINK IS REALLY NOT A GOOD THING TO DO.
I'M NOT AGAINST PICKLEBALL, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PLACES THESE PICKLEBALL COURTS CAN GO.
YES, WE DO HAVE LESS PROBLEMS IN THE PARK, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORS AROUND THE PARK TAKE CARE OF THE PARK.
WE WATCH, WE TAKE CARE, WE MAKE THE PHONE CALLS TO THE POLICE WHEN WE SEE ANYBODY THAT'S DOING SOMETHING WRONG.
THAT'S BEEN PART OF OUR PROTOCOL AS WE HAVE BEEN NEIGHBORS OF THE BUSHMASTER PARK BLOCK WATCH.
I HOPE MAYOR DAGGETT AND COUNCIL THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER THE NEIGHBORS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE INFRINGEMENT OF THE NOISE AND VOTE NO ON THIS AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. THANK YOU.
>> ARE THERE ANY MORE ONLINE OR IN-PERSON COMMENTERS?
>> MAYOR, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE EILEEN TAGGART.
EILEEN, ARE YOU ABLE TO UNMUTE YOURSELF?
>> EILEEN, YOU MAY GO AHEAD AND UNMUTE YOURSELF AND ADDRESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
>> GREAT. HI, I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I WAS KICKED OFF TODAY'S CALL ABOUT 14 TIMES, I'M ON MY PHONE.
I THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'VE LIVED IN FLAGSTAFF SINCE 2004, SO I'M A CITIZEN AND I'M ALSO A REAL ESTATE AGENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE ONE AMENITY THAT IS ASKED FOR MOST IS PICKLEBALL.
I WAS A TENNIS PLAYER FOR YEARS.
NOBODY EVER ASKED ME ABOUT TENNIS THE WAY THAT PEOPLE ASKED ME ABOUT PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I'M TALKING EVERY PRICE RANGE, EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC, MEANING WHOEVER IS HERE IN FLAGSTAFF.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR TOWN IS WE'RE HAVING NEGATED COMMUNITIES EXPAND THEIR PICKLEBALL WITH SOME SERIOUS DRAMA OVER THAT, AND THEN DO I HAVE TO SAY TO MY PEOPLE, WELL, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY PICKLEBALL, YOU HAVE TO JOIN A CLUB, WE ARE AN ELITE TOWN.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT FLAGSTAFF WANTS TO BE.
[02:50:03]
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES IN BUSHMASTER, IT'S ALWAYS NOT IN MY BACKYARD.WE CAN COUNT ON THAT AND I MEAN, NO DISRESPECT TO ANYBODY WHO HAS ISSUES WITH THAT.
BUT AS LYNN SAID, THIS HAS BEEN LOOKED AT AT A VERY DIFFERENT ANGLE.
BUSHMASTER HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE PARKING, THE SPACE.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN MORE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER OVER ANY SPORT.
MAYBE SOFTBALL FOR THE KIDS, PEOPLE DON'T GATHER AROUND SWIMMING POOLS THE WAY THEY GO IN DROVES TO PICKLEBALL COURTS, EVERY PRICE RANGE, EVERY BRACKET, EVERY AGE, IT REALLY IS A COMMUNITY BUILDER.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I LOVE PICKLEBALL.
I REALLY TRY TO LOVE PICKLEBALL.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN'T SEEN ME ON THE COURTS FOR A WHILE.
BUT I KNOW THAT IF I AM GOING TO BE PART OF THE FLAGSTAFF ATHLETIC COMMUNITY, PICKLEBALL IS MY FUTURE AS WELL AS ALMOST EVERYBODY BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ATHLETE TO PLAY IT.
PEOPLE ARE LIMPING ON THE COURTS.
PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY ALMOST FALLING DOWN AND THEY'RE PLAYING PERIOD.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M OVER MY TIME, BUT I THINK BUSHMASTER IS A PERFECT PLACE.
I WOULD LOVE TO TELL PEOPLE WE'RE NOT AN ELITIST TOWN AND YOU HAVE TO JOIN A CLUB TO PLAY.
I WOULD LOVE FLAGSTAFF TO BE A TRUE GROWING COMMUNITY FOR EVERYBODY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, THAT IS ALL WE HAVE.
>> GREAT, THANKS. COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, I PUT MY MIC BACK ON.
FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THAT PICKLEBALL IS A GREAT SPORT IN APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS.
A WE'VE HEARD THERE'S MISS CONCERNS ABOUT CHANGES TO THE NATURE OF BUSHMASTER PART AND THE NOISE PICKLEBALL IS GOING TO MAKE FOR THE RESIDENTS.
THERE WERE SIMILAR CONCERNS WHEN COUNCIL CONSIDER THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD MAINTENANCE YARD.
IN THAT CASE, COUNCIL DECIDED TO RELOCATE THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AWAY FROM HOUSING.
I WAS TOLD THAT THE CITIZEN PETITION AGAINST PICKLEBALL AT BUSHMASTER HAS GOTTEN OVER 100 SIGNATURES, AND I TALKED TO THE DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND SHE TOLD ME THAT THEIR BRANDS IS TO TURN THE PETITIONS IF COUNCIL APPROVES THE ADA COURTS TO BUSHMASTER, THE PETITION WILL ASK US TO RECONSIDER THE APPROVAL.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT LIGHTING WOULD BE PROVIDED TO BUSHMASTER SO THAT PEOPLE COULD PLAY NIGHT AND DAY AS WE HEARD EARLIER TONIGHT.
THAT WOULD BE A REAL CONCERN TO THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA, AS WE HAVE ACTUALLY HEARD ALREADY.
THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM IS ABSOLUTE UP TO THE POINT THAT IT INTERFERES WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S FREEDOM.
THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE.
THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY THAT THE ISSUE TODAY IS THE FREEDOM TO MAKE NOISE VERSUS THE FREEDOM FROM NOISE.
FREEDOM TO VERSUS FREEDOM FROM.
LET US HAVE DARK SKIES SO ASTRONOMERS CAN SEE THE STARS.
LET US HAVE QUIET SO FAMILIES CAN ENJOY THEIR HOMES.
I HAVE WALKED ALONG THE EDGES OF THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF THE PARK, RIGHT NEXT TO THE RESIDENTS FENCES.
I FOUND WITH MY OWN EARS THAT THE IMPACT NOISE FROM PICKLEBALL WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT.
I DIDN'T HEAR ANY TRAINS INCIDENTALLY, BUT MAYBE THEY JUST WEREN'T THERE WHEN I WAS THERE.
I FEEL PICKLEBALL IS A WONDERFUL SPORT, BUT IT IS NOISY, IT'S MORE ANNOYING THAN THE OTHER SPORTS THAT ARE AT THE PARK NOW.
THE PICKLEBALL COURTS TO BE CLOSE TO RESIDENCES.
WE GOT ONE LETTER FROM A WOMAN THAT SAYS THAT SHE HAS A MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESS IN HER HOME, AND SHE TOLD US THAT SHE CAN'T DO THAT WHEN THE PICKLEBALL PEOPLE ARE PLAYING, IF WE ADD MORE COURTS, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THAT WORSE.
BESIDES THE NOISE ISSUES, THE NEW COURTS WOULD CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF THE PARK BY DECREASING
[02:55:01]
THE PASSIVE RECREATION TO ACTIVE RECREATION, WHICH SHOULD BE CONTRARY TO ESTABLISH PLANNING DECISIONS AT THE PARK.THE NEIGHBORS AT THE PARK BOUGHT THEIR HOMES, KNOWING THAT THE PARK WAS THERE, AND WITH A REASONABLE ANTICIPATION OF STAYING ROUGHLY THE SAME.
BUT NOW THERE'S A PROPOSAL TO DRAMATICALLY CHANGE WHAT THEY CONSIDERED WHEN THEY MADE THEIR DECISIONS.
WHAT ARE THOSE PEOPLE TO DO? SHOULD THEY HAVE TO SELL THEIR HOUSE AT A REDUCED PRICE OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF THE NEW NOISE? WHERE'S IT'S ALWAYS LEADING IN MY MIND, IT IS MY CONCLUSION THAT BUSHMASTER PARK IS AN INAPPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS, I SUGGEST THE STAFF FIND A MORE APPROPRIATE LOCATION TO BUILD PICKLEBALL COURTS.
YES. BUILD PICKLEBALL COURTS, BUT NOT IN BUSHMASTER PARK.
IT'S A COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE LOCATION.
NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT ON COUNCIL I ONLY GET ONE VOTE.
IF I GET OUT VOTED ON THIS, AT THE VERY LEAST, WE NEED TO MOVE THOSE PROPOSED NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS TO THE NORTH SO THAT THEY ARE NOT RIDE UP AGAINST THE FENCE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE, AND THAT'S THE VERY LEAST WE CAN DO.
FIGURED IT OUT. I'M A NO VOTER ON THIS PROPOSAL.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> I MUST SAY I'M A HARD NO VOTE ON THIS. THANK YOU.
>> I THINK WE GOT THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AMY, CAN YOU REFRESH MY MEMORY ON RIGHT NOW SINCE THE PICKLEBALL COURTS ARE OVER THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS, THEY HAVE RESTRICTED HOURS, CORRECT?
>> THEY HAVE DEDICATED HOURS, COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS, FROM 08:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THAT'S WHEN PICKLEBALL PLAY CAN OCCUR WITHOUT ANY ISSUE WITH BASKETBALL OR TENNIS.
>> THESE DECISIONS ARE NEVER EASY.
IT'S NOT A NO BRAINER ON ONE SIDE.
I'M VERY MUCH FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND I DO SHARE FRUSTRATION THAT SOME CITIZENS EXPRESS THAT IT TAKES SO LONG FOR OUR CITY TO MATERIALIZE THINGS THAT RESIDENTS HAVE VOTED ON OR REQUESTED.
I RECOGNIZE THAT BUSHMASTER IS CLASSIFIED AS A COMMUNITY PARK, BUT THE NEIGHBORS, HOWEVER, MANY HOUSES THAT IS IMPACTED, PICKLEBALL HAS A UNIQUE ISSUE WHERE IT'S THAT HARD PLASTIC AGAINST WOODEN PADDLES, AND SO IT'S NOT THE SAME AS ADDING MORE TENNIS COURTS, OR MORE BASKETBALL COURTS, AND SO THAT'S A CHALLENGE.
I THINK AS OUR MISSIONS SAYS, WE WANT TO PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.
I DIDN'T APPRECIATE THE INCONVENIENCED TERM BECAUSE IT'S MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE, IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE FOR THEM.
BUT I DO THINK THAT WE DO HAVE A UNIQUE CHARACTER HERE IN FLAGSTAFF WHERE WE CAN FIND SOLUTIONS THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL PARTIES.
I WAS JUST DOING SOME RESEARCH ON MY PHONE.
THANK GOODNESS FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY ON SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH PICKLEBALL THAT WERE BROUGHT UP TONIGHT, QUIETER PADDLES.
I KNOW THE SOFTER BALLS AREN'T ACCEPTABLE IN TOURNAMENTS, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING IF RESTRICTED HOURS, WE HAVE A NOISE ORDINANCE, AND PICKLEBALL SEEMS TO FIT INTO THAT, LIKE HAVING A BAR BUILT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PLAY DISCO, OR WHATEVER MUSIC.
[LAUGHTER] I HATE BANGING MUSIC NOW TILL 02:00 IN THE MORNING.
I'M JUST WONDERING, I KNOW THAT ALL THE CITY PARKS HAVE A SET HOURS ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING IN THIS UNIQUE SITUATION THAT WE COULDN'T FIND A HAPPY, OR MEDIUM WHERE I KNOW DURING THE DAY,
[03:00:04]
YOU CAN'T REALLY CONTROL THE NOISE TOO MUCH, BUT AT A CERTAIN TIME AT NIGHT, PICKLEBALL AND I KNOW MAYBE ALL THE PICKLEBALL PLAYERS FROWN ON THAT, THAT THEY LIKE FULL ACCESS.BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD NEIGHBORLY GESTURE TO HAVE A RESTRICTION ON THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AFTER 08:00 OR 09:00, AS PEOPLE GO TO BED.
I'M AN EARLY PERSON THAT GOES A BIT EARLY, NOT TONIGHT PROBABLY.
BUT [LAUGHTER] JUST SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN PLAN TO MAYBE HAVE IN THE PLANNING TO PLANT TREE BARRIERS TO HELP WITH THAT NOISE MOVING FORWARD.
JUST OTHER THINGS THAT WEREN'T IN THIS INITIAL PRESENTATION TO WHERE IT'S NOT AN ALL OR NOTHING, BUILD THE PICKLEBALL COURTS BUT LIMIT OF THE NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY.
I THINK THAT SOME OF THE LIGHTING ISSUES SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OUR TIMERS THAT ARE OF NO FAULT TO ANYONE USING THE COURTS, AND SO I DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT ON PICKLEBALL USERS.
BUT I THINK THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME HAPPY MEDIUMS THAT WE DO NEED MORE RECREATION.
FOR OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, WE'VE EXPERIENCED THAT THROUGH COVID WHERE PEOPLE WORK COOPED UP IN THEIR HOUSES.
AND KIDS JUST GOT TO PLAYING THEIR VIDEO GAMES BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE, AND I THINK WE ALL BROUGHT A NEW AWARENESS TO HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUTSIDE ACTIVITY, AND FOR THE HEALTH OF ALL OF US, AND IT IS A GROWING SPORT.
IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY IN FIVE YEARS.
TO DO IT MINDFULLY, AND SOMETHING THAT IS ACCEPTABLE BY THE FULL COMMUNITY, I THINK WOULD BE SOMETHING I COULD GET BEHIND.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SWEET.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, AMY.
TRAFFIC WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER BY A RESIDENT, AND I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT THE DIRT PARKING LOT THAT THEY ARE CLAIMING IS A PARKING LOT.
>> I CAN THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP, COUNCIL MEMBERS SWEET SO THAT THEY'RE ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE PARK ALONG MELDEN.
THERE IS A CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, IT IS NOT A PART OF THE PARK OF BUSHMASTER PARK.
IT'S JUST THE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY.
IT DOES HAVE AN ENTRANCE INTO THE PARK, AND THAT WAS DEVELOPED AS A PART OF THE 2015 EXPANSION FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES, SHOULD THEY BE NEEDED SINCE THIS IS SUCH A LARGE RECTANGULAR SPACE.
IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS IN PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING PLACING NO PARKING SIGNS.
THEN, CAN I JUST CLARIFY THAT RESURFACING THE EXISTING COURTS WILL HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF TONIGHT?
>> THAT IS A PART OF THE PROPOSAL TONIGHT.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE BROKEN OUT.
I'VE GONE AHEAD AND BROKEN OUT THAT PRICE OUT OF THE TOTAL PROPOSAL ON THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.
FOR THE TENNIS OVERLAY, THAT IS $203,000.
THESE FIGURES ARE JUST ROUNDED UP.
FOR THE BASKETBALL OVERLAY, IT'S SLIGHTLY LARGER COURT THAT IS $219,000.
THAT WOULD STILL INCLUDE THE DUAL STRIPING.
>> THANK YOU. THEN TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT, I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS A WAY TO ADD IN UPGRADING THE LIGHTS ON THE EXISTING COURTS IN THIS PROPOSAL?
>> THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT I DO NOT HAVE, BUT THAT COULD CERTAINLY BE SOMETHING THAT STAFF COULD GO SEEK A SOLICITATION ON THAT.
SINCE THEY ARE EXISTING LIGHTS, I HONESTLY COULDN'T EVEN GUESSTIMATE WHERE THAT WOULD BE.
I OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE PRICE OF THE ACTUAL LIGHTS THEMSELVES FOR THESE EIGHT COURTS, FOR THE TWO COURT PODS, BUT SINCE THERE WOULD BE A REMOVAL AND DEMOLITION OF EXISTING, OBVIOUSLY CHECKING INFRASTRUCTURE AS FAR AS ELECTRICITY IS CONCERNED AND THEN INSTALLATION.
I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT PRICE WOULD BE.
>> THANK YOU. I GUESS MY THOUGHT ON THAT WOULD BE IF WE TOOK THE MOUNT OF COURTS DOWN TO THE ONE FOR FORCE BASE COURT, MAYBE THAT WOULD FREE UP SOME DOLLARS FOR LIGHTING ON THE EXISTING COURTS.
I ALSO WENT AHEAD AND DID THAT WORK TOO FOR OUR PURPOSES THIS EVENING.
A FOUR POD COURT, TOLD YOU THAT IT WAS HARD TO SAY.
A FOUR POD COURT WITH LIGHTS IS ESSENTIALLY $250,000, THAT'S WITH LIGHTS.
THEN A FOUR POD COURT WITH NO LIGHTS IS $200,000, SO LIGHTING ON THE FOUR COURTS TOGETHER IN THAT FASHION AS CURRENTLY PROPOSED IS $50,000.
[03:05:04]
>> THANK YOU. I GUESS A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
I'M NOT REALLY THROWING MY DECISION OUT RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS SAYING.
I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT MOVING THE COURTS AS NORTH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, AND LOOKING AT MODIFYING THE HOURS.
THOSE SEEM TO BE THE BIGGEST CONCERNS, THE NOISE AND THE LIGHTING.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION, I THINK, AS WE DIVE FURTHER INTO THIS.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT AND SPOKE TONIGHT, WHETHER IN SUPPORT OR IN OPPOSITION TO THIS.
I THINK YOU BROUGHT A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT POINTS FORWARD AND THINGS FOR US TO CONSIDER IN THIS CONVERSATION.
I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF ADDITIONAL PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I USED TO PLAY IN HIGH SCHOOL, I LOVED THE GAME.
IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE I PLAYED, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY HOW MANY.
BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE GENUINE CONCERNS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY, WHICH RAISED SOME QUESTIONS FOR ME AND CREATE SOME HESITANCY AND WILLINGNESS TO JUST MOVE THIS FORWARD.
I DO AGREE THAT IF WE DO ADVANCE THIS, IT WOULD NEED TO BE LOOKING VERY CLOSELY AT THE DESIGN, LOOKING AT THE ABILITY TO MOVE THOSE IN A WAY THAT A, IS PRESERVING THE TREES AND THE EXISTING NATURAL LANDSCAPE THAT EXISTS, THAT'S HIGHLY VALUED IT SEEMS, BY THE COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT ALSO IN A WAY THAT HELPS TO REDUCE, IF NOT ELIMINATE SOME OF THE NOISE CONCERNS.
I THINK THAT THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT ARE HIGHLY VALUABLE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED THIS EVENING.
I THROW THIS OUT MAINLY FOR THE REST OF COUNCIL DISCUSSION, I FOUND VERY INTERESTING THE CONCERNS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE NOT IN MY BACKYARD MINDSET.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE TYPICALLY TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF HOUSING, AND YET IT IS A VERY INTERESTING CONCEPT TO APPLY TO A SITUATION LIKE THIS, WHERE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TO ADVANCE SOME OF OUR GOALS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY AND A VIBRANT COMMUNITY, AND YET THE ANSWER IS, IT CAN EXIST BUT NOT HERE.
I FIND THAT A VERY CHALLENGING QUESTION.
I AM NOT SURE THAT BUSHMASTER PARK IS THE CORRECT LOCATION FOR THIS.
HOWEVER, I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE THE ULTIMATE ANSWER THAT WE ARE JUST CONSTANTLY SAYING, YES, IT'S GREAT, JUST NOT IN THIS LOCATION.
I THINK THAT THAT IS A WRONG PATH FOR US TO GO DOWN, AND I'D LIKE US TO BE THOUGHTFUL IN CONSIDERING IF IT GOES HERE, HOW IT WORKS IN A WAY THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND NOT DETRIMENTAL.
IF NOT, THEN ENSURING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER LOCATIONS THAT ARE TRULY VIABLE AND NOT A SITUATION WHERE WE SAY, MAYBE IT CAN GO HERE ONLY TO GET TO THE POINT OF DISCUSSING IT AND DECIDING NO, IT'S PROBABLY NOT REALLY A GOOD FIT THERE EITHER.
THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FURTHERING OF THE CONVERSATION, AND I THINK THAT'S IT FOR NOW. THANK YOU.
THIS HAS BEEN A VERY INVIGORATING BACK-AND-FORTH. YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE? I GOT IT [LAUGHTER].
I MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET THAT I WAS AMENABLE TO THIS PROPOSAL AND I THINK I STILL AM.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IF THIS NEEDS TO BE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE, I BELIEVE I'LL BE SUPPORTIVE OF IT.
I DID FIND A COUPLE OF THE ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO BE COMPELLING.
WHILE I AGREE WITH WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE WAS JUST MENTIONING ABOUT NIMBYISM, I WAS CHALLENGED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD I THINK IF THIS WERE BEING PROPOSED RIGHT IN MY OWN BACKYARD? I WRESTLED WITH THAT. I DO THINK THAT I WOULD BE VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED.
IF WE'VE LEARNED ANYTHING TONIGHT, WE'VE LEARNED THAT THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY IS VERY PERSISTENT AND TAKES UP A LOT OF SPACE AND HAS A LOT OF ENERGY.
I'VE SEEN THAT, AND I APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY ACTUALLY.
BUT I THINK ABOUT THAT AND WEIGHED AGAINST BEING A RESIDENT WITH
[03:10:03]
MY BACKYARD LINED UP AGAINST THE SOUNDS OF PICKLEBALL, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, ALL DAY LONG, WELL INTO THE EVENING, AND I CAN SEE HOW THERE NEEDS TO BE PERHAPS A BETTER MIDDLE GROUND THERE.I THINK I WOULD ALSO BE AMENABLE TO A BIT OF A COMPROMISE.
WE COULD SAVE SOME MONEY BY NOT PUTTING IN THE LIGHTING, AND ADDRESS ONE OF THE LINGERING ISSUES THAT I HAVE WITH THE IDEA.
AND IT'D BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROPOSAL, BUT NOT INTRODUCE THE NIGHTTIME ASPECT TO IT, AND CHALK IT UP AS A WIN WIN FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED, A COMPROMISE, A MOMENT FOR EVERYBODY TO TAKE A TIMEOUT ON A DAILY BASIS.
MAYBE THAT'S WHERE THE SWEET SPOT IS ON THIS PADDLE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT.
I KNOW IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILIES AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF THAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO PARTICIPATE.
BUT I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE AUDIENCE FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AND OTHERS.
AM I CORRECT IN ASSUMING THAT STAFF HAS LOOKED AT ALL THE ALTERNATIVES IN TERMS OF WHERE TO PLACE THE COURTS? I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU'VE LOOKED AT EVERY OPTION, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT, COUNCIL MEMBER.
WE HAVE TWO OTHER COMMUNITY LEVEL SIZED PARKS.
THAT'S WITH FOXGLENN PARK, THAT IS 100 PERCENT DEVELOPED.
WE HAVE MACPHERSON PARK, WHICH TO THE PLANE EYE WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL SPACE THAT THAT COMMUNITY-LEVEL PARK, AGAIN, BASED ON SIZE.
IT HAS A LARGE PLAYGROUND, IT HAS BASKETBALL COURTS, IT HAS THREE TENNIS COURTS, AND AN 18-HOLE DISC GOLF COURSE.
IT ALSO DOES NOT HAVE SPACE AVAILABLE.
>> WITH THAT BEING SAID, AND YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE.
WE HIRE GOOD STAFF AND WE LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS, AND SO YOU'RE TELLING US THAT THERE IS NO OTHER VIABLE SPACE FOR THESE COURTS, AND SO AS A PROFESSIONAL, I'M TAKING YOU FOR YOUR WORD?
THERE IS NO SHOVEL-READY SPACE IN OUR PARK SYSTEM AT THIS TIME.
WE'VE TALKED QUITE A BIT ALREADY THIS EVENING ABOUT THORPE PARK AND THAT IT IS NOT SHOVEL-READY.
THERE'S A BARK PARK THERE THAT EXIST TODAY.
LAST DECEMBER WE IDENTIFIED FOR SIX FUTURE PICKLEBALL COURTS, SO IT'S NOT SHOVEL-READY AS COMPARED TO THIS.
>> BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED, I ALSO WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
HOWEVER, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THE TIME, TAKE A BREAK.
WE DO SOME PICKLEBALL AND THEN WE TAKE A BREAK, AND THEN WE DO SOME PICKLEBALL AND WE TAKE A BREAK.
THE CONSTANT BACK AND FORTH CAN BE ANNOYING.
I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THOSE NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
NO ONE EVER WALKS AWAY WITH ALL THE MARBLES.
EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT IN THIS.
NO ONE'S GOING TO WALK AWAY WITH EVERYTHING THAT THEY WANT.
I WOULD ASK THAT WE LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS HERE IN TERMS OF TIME.
MAYBE PICKLEBALL PEOPLE DON'T GET TO PLAY ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
MAYBE YOU ONLY GET TO PLAY SIX HOURS A DAY OR SEVEN HOURS A DAY OR WHATEVER IT IS.
I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT UP TO STAFF TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
BUT I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE LOOK AT THAT AND I'M ALSO GOING TO ASK THAT WE MOVE THE COURTS AS FAR AWAY FROM HOMES AS WE POSSIBLY CAN GIVEN THE DESIGN, WHATEVER DESIGN WE CAN COME UP WITH, AND OF COURSE SAVE AS MANY TREES AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD GO IN AND JUST WIPE OUT TREES WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.
I'M NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THAT.
SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT UP TO STAFF TO FIGURE THAT OUT ALONG WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND WHOEVER ELSE NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME THOUGHTS FOR ME.
WE'LL GO FROM THERE. THANK YOU.
HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANY PICKLEBALL COURTS BEING ENTERTAINED FOR INDOOR SPACE?
>> I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECENTLY.
I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FULL REGULATION SIZE, BUT I BELIEVE A COURT INSIDE THE FLAGSTAFF MALL AT A VENDOR CALLED BOWLSKI.
[03:15:08]
>> EVERYONE IN THE ECONOMIC VITALITY DEPARTMENT AND THOSE WHO MAY HAVE SPACE OPEN, THIS COULD BE A VIABLE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK I GOT THE EXPRESSION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER SWEET AFTER VICE MAYOR MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT MAYBE NOT PUTTING IN THE LIGHTS.
I THINK THAT PLAYS INTO MY CONCERN ABOUT LIMITED HOURS INTO THE EVENINGS.
BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO ADD THOUGH, JUST TO ADD ONTO IT IS, YOU'D MENTIONED THAT 50,000 PER COURT GOES TO THE DARK SKIES LIGHTING, CORRECT?
>> WE JUST NOT TOO LONG AGO APPROVED A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO CHANGE OUT LIGHT BULBS, [LAUGHTER] IN CITY BUILDINGS, AND SO I THINK THAT $50,000 TO MAYBE KEEP THAT IN THE BUDGET, BUT REPLACE THE LIGHTS ALREADY AT BUSHMASTER FOR THE PLACES THAT HAVE IT ARE READY TO START MOVING TOWARDS OUR DARK SKIES INITIATIVE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT MAYBE IN THERE.
NOT ON THE NEW COURTS, BUT REPLACE THE EXISTING.
>> UNDERSTOOD COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS.
MY GUT TELLS ME IT WOULD CLEARLY BE GREATER THAN $50,000 SINCE THERE ARE EXISTING DARK SKY COMPLIANT LIGHTS THERE.
SINCE THIS WOULD BE A DEMO AND REPLACEMENT OF WITH THAT SUGGESTION?
>> WELL, IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM, THAT'S FINE.
BUT IF WE DON'T, I'M JUST SAYING THIS WOULD BE GOOD MONEY TO PUT TOWARDS ADDING THOSE THAT WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE.
>> UNDERSTOOD, YES. THE SPORT COURT LIGHTS THAT EXIST TODAY OUT THERE ON BOTH THE TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS ARE DARK SKY COMPLIANT.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO JOIN AND THANKS TO YOU FOR WORKING SO HARD TO BALANCE THE NEEDS, AND THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.
JUST TO VOICE AGAIN, THAT WE DO NEED ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN PARKS AND RECREATION.
CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE POINT THAT'S BEEN MADE A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS ABOUT EARLIER WISH-LIST THAT WAS DEVELOPED IN TERMS OF PARKS, AMENITIES, PROJECTS AND HOW WE'RE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE OTHER NEEDS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO GREAT DETAIL, BUT HOW WE HAVE OR HOW WE ARE GOING TO TO SPEAK TO THOSE NEEDS.
THROUGH THAT 2020 BOND INITIATIVE COMMITTEE GROUP THAT WE HAD, I THINK THAT BEGAN IN 2019 AND THEN WRAPPED UP IN 2020, THERE WERE THREE TOP PRIORITIES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.
NUMBER 1, GIRL'S SOFTBALL COMPLEX, MULTIPLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.
NUMBER 2 WAS AN OUTDOOR RACKET FACILITIES THAT WAS A COMBINATION OF PICKLEBALL AND TENNIS.
BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TENNIS COURTS AS WELL.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE NOTE THAT FUSD UTILIZES CITY PARK TENNIS COURTS FOR TENNIS PLAY, SO WE HAVE A DEFINITE NEED FOR TENNIS COURTS TOO.
THEN NUMBER 3 WAS MORE MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS.
THAT COULD SUIT A HANDFUL OF ATHLETICS, SOCCER, ULTIMATE FRISBEE, FLAG FOOTBALL, RUGBY, YOU NAME IT.
THOSE WERE THE TOP THREE THAT WERE DERIVED FROM THAT COMMITTEE IN THAT GROUP.
THOSE STILL DO EXIST AS TOP PRIORITIES TODAY.
WHEN OUR DIVISION WAS NOTIFIED OF THESE BBB RECREATION SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS FOR SPORT COURTS, IT'S NOT NEARLY A DOLLAR AMOUNT TO DELIVER THE TOP PRIORITY OF A GIRL'S SOFTBALL COMPLEX.
HOWEVER, A PART OF THIS SHIFT THAT IS OCCURRED FOR OUR DIVISION WITH THESE BBB RECREATION SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, IT'S ENABLED US FROM A PROFESSIONAL STAFF LENS AS COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS WAS REFERENCING TO BUILD A FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN.
SO WE ARE WORKING TOWARD DELIVERING THOSE OTHER TOP PRIORITIES.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL, HAVE WE EXHAUSTED OUR QUESTIONS? DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
[03:20:04]
IS ANYONE READY TO MAKE A MOTION?>> MAYOR I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK WITH THE CONDITIONS THAT THE PLANNING AND POSITION ARE AS FAR NORTH AS POSSIBLE AWAY FROM THE HOUSES.
THAT MINIMAL TREE DISRUPTION AND NO LIGHTS ADDED.
>> YEAH, I DO WANT TO SAY ONE ADDITIONAL THING.
I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE THREE COURTS ON THE ASA PROPERTY THE ORAL DEVELOPMENT, JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, THAT THOSE WILL GO ONLINE IN THE MIDTERM.
WHILE THAT WAS A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT I ULTIMATELY DIDN'T SUPPORT, IT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M PROUD OF THAT I NEGOTIATED INTO THE CONTRACT, THOSE THREE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THAT AND PUBLIC ADVISEMENT THAT THOSE COURTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE BURDEN AND THE WEALTH OF THE PICKLEBALL EXPERIENCE BEING SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT TOWN AS TIME MOVES ON INTO THE MID AND LONG-TERM FUTURE HERE IN FLAGSTAFF.
IT'S A GREAT SPORT. IT'S A GREAT COMMUNITY ASSET.
IT'S A WONDERFUL BIT OF MENTAL HEALTH, AND I'M PROUD TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS COMMUNITY.
>> ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
>> YES. I THINK THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T HEAR IN THE MOTION WAS THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE HOURS OF PLAY.
I DON'T KNOW, IF WE WANT TO AMEND AND BROADEN IT TO JUST A FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE CONTRACT AGREEMENT OR THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS OR HOWEVER WE REPHRASE THAT, BUT SO THAT WE ENSURE THAT ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE PART OF THE CONSIDERATION.
I KNOW THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE LIGHTS WAS MEANT TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THAT, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT FULLY ADDRESSES THAT QUESTION OF MITIGATING SOME OF THE CONCERNS FOR THE CONSISTENCY OF THE NOISE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
AND THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I WOULD ADD FOR THE CONVERSATION IS, I REALLY LIKE THE POINT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SWEET BROUGHT UP OF LOOKING AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WHERE WE MIGHT MAKE CREATIVE USE.
I BELIEVE EARLIER THIS WEEK I SAW A FUN POST FROM THE VICE MAYOR ABOUT VISITING A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN SOME OF THE MULTI-USE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, AND I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF THOSE STILL STAND EMPTY.
I THINK THIS COULD BE A CREATIVE OPTION FOR FILLING SOME OF THOSE SPACES AS WELL?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I HEARD THE MOTION AND BEFORE SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION TO AMEND, I JUST WANTED TO SEEK SOME CLARIFICATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS.
I DID HEAR HER INDICATE NO LIGHTS TO BE INCLUDED.
WAS THAT YOUR INTENT TO LIMIT THE HOURS TO JUST DAY PLAY ONLY, AND THAT'S WHY YOU DIDN'T MENTION ANY HOURS?
>> ANY POINT OF ORDER, STERLING.
IF COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE WANTED TO ASK COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS TO AMEND HER MOTION, WOULD THAT BE APPROPRIATE?
>> YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS COULD DECLINE, AND SOMEBODY ELSE COULD MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND BEFORE THE VOTE ON THE REGULAR MOTION, BUT THAT MOTION TO AMEND WOULD HAVE TO BE VOTED ON FIRST, AND THEN THE ULTIMATE MOTION.
>> GREAT. CAN I AT THIS POINT ASK A QUESTION OF AMY?
>> ABSOLUTELY, MAYOR, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. FROM A PARKS AND RECREATION STANDPOINT, DOES IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO YOU TO HAVE NO LIGHTS OR TO LIMIT HOURS OF PLAY.
>> LOADED QUESTION, HOWEVER, AT THIS LOCATION IT MAKES SENSE TO INCLUDE THE LIGHTS AND RESTRICT THE HOURS BECAUSE LIGHTS EXIST.
>> CORRECT. LIGHTS EXIST ON THE CURRENT DUAL STRAIGHT COURTS,
[03:25:01]
SO THAT COULD STILL ENABLE LATER INTO THE EVENING PLAY IF THE HOURS ARE NOT RESTRICTED.>> OKAY. SO COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS, DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR MOTION IN ANY WAY?
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IF I MIGHT, IF YOU WANT TO JUST WITHDRAW YOUR MOTION, AND COUNCIL MEMBER ASLYN WITHDRAW HIS SECOND AND START FROM SCRATCH, THAT MIGHT BE AN EASIER WAY TO.
>> MAYOR, I'LL WITHDRAWAL MY INITIAL MOTION.
>> NOW COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> I WOULD. [LAUGHTER] MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AT BUSHMASTER PARK, WITH THE CONDITIONS THAT THE THAT THE COURTS ARE MOVED AS FAR NORTH AS FEASIBLY POSSIBLE WITH MINIMAL TREE DISTURBANCE, AS WELL AS SET A TIME LIMIT, SPECIAL HOURS I GUESS I'D SAY, ONTO THOSE NEW COURTS.
DID I COVER EVERYTHING? ALL THE COURTS?
>> I'LL SECOND THAT AS LONG AS WE CAN AGREE TO DIFFERENTIATE WHAT THOSE HOURS ARE AT SOME FUTURE DATE.
>> YES. I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN ITEM BROUGHT FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL SINCE THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO GO INTO OUR CITY CODE.
>> THEN I SECOND THE MOTION AS IS.
>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS TIME ON THAT THING WOULD APPLY THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS AS WELL.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO THINK THROUGH.
I'LL JUST SAY I'M STILL GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE EFFORT BY THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY REGARDING NIGHTTIME LIGHTS, MOVING THE COURTS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AWAY FROM THE CLOSE HOUSES.
SO I THANK YOU FOR THAT. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> MADAM MAYOR, I DID HAVE ONE FURTHER COMMENT.
SORRY, I DON'T KNOW IF MY MIC IS WORKING. I THINK IT IS.
SO WITH THE MOTION TO INCLUDE THE CHANGES, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS, THIS IS ALSO TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH GENERAL ACRYLIC INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $920,642.42 TO DESIGN AND BUILD THE PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND OVERLAY ON TWO EXISTING TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS IN BUSHMASTER PARK, CORRECT?
>> OKAY. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT'S IN THE RECORD. THANKS.
>> SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT, SPOKE TO US, SPENT A GOOD PORTION OF YOUR EVENING WITH US.
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR PARTICIPATION.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A 20-MINUTE BREAK NOW.
[BACKGROUND] WE ARE DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 11 OF OUR REGULAR AGENDA.
[A. Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-18: A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University and the City of Flagstaff for Information Technology Network Services STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Read Resolution No. 2023-18 by title only 2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2023-18 by title only (if approved above) 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-18]
11 A IS CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023 - 18, A RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NETWORK SERVICES.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M PAUL SANTANA, DEPUTY IT DIRECTOR.
I DON'T HAVE PRESENTATION, I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK FOR A MOMENT ON THIS ITEM.
THIS IS AN IGA BETWEEN THE CITY AND NAU.
IT'S AN OVERARCHING IGA TO HANDLE FUTURE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND NAU.
AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE, WE ARE BUILDING FIBER FROM CITY HALL TO BUTLER AND INTERCONNECTING WITH NAUS FIBER NETWORK.
THIS IGA PROVIDES A GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION.
WE HAVE NO EXISTING PLANS OR AGREEMENTS.
HOWEVER, WE COULD FORESEE FUTURE AGREEMENTS THAT WOULD ALLOW NAU ACCESS TO CITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESEARCH AND SMART CITY INITIATIVES,
[03:30:01]
OR PROVIDING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY TO NAU STUDENTS IN LOW-INCOME AREAS.WE COULD ALSO UTILIZE NAU FIBER INFRASTRUCTURE TO EXPAND OUR OWN FIBER DEVELOPMENT NEEDS ACROSS TOWN WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND THE CAPITAL NEEDED TO GET FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE SOUTHERN EDGES OF FLAGSTAFF.
THIS IGA SIMPLY ALLOWS FOR AND ENCOURAGES THOSE AGREEMENTS.
IT PROVIDES A DATA-SHARING AGREEMENT AROUND THE LOCATION AND OWNERSHIP STAKES OF VARIOUS PIECES OF THE FIBER INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'RE HOPING THIS COLLABORATION CAN LEAD TO NEW AND EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND TECHNOLOGY AND BROADBAND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS.
>> I WAS READY TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE READ RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023 -18 BY TITLE ONLY.
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> A RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NETWORK SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, WE ARE LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
MOVING DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 11B,
[B. Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-25: A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council providing for the Economic Incentive Programs, providing for delegation of authority, repeal of conflicting ordinances, and establishing an effective date. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Read Resolution No. 2023-25 by title only 2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2023-25 by title only (if approved above) 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-25]
CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023 -25, A RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL PROVIDING FOR THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, PROVIDING FOR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.>> YEP. THAT'S IT. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COUNCIL.
I'M JOHN SALTONSTALL, BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.
I'M HERE WITH JACK FITCHETT, OUR BUSINESS ATTRACTION MANAGER TO PROPOSE A RESOLUTION TO STREAMLINE THE ADMINISTRATION OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES.
IN THE NEXT SLIDE, I'LL GET INTO THE RESOLUTION LITTLE BIT.
AND THEN AFTER THAT WE'LL GET INTO EACH SUBSEQUENT INCENTIVE THAT WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY, THE STATUS OF IT AND SOME OF THOSE PROPOSED CHANGES.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT REALLY DELEGATING THE AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER THE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
IT WOULD DELEGATE THAT AUTHORITY TO THE ECONOMIC VITALITY DIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE AND THE CITY ATTORNEY OR DESIGNEE.
THIS WOULD REALLY ALLOW US TO UNDERTAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THESE INCENTIVES AND PROVIDE THAT ANNUAL REPORTING AS WE DO.
THE SECOND BULLET REALLY IS THE WHY, AND IT IS JUST ABOUT STREAMLINING EACH YEAR.
AS WE ROLL THESE OUT, WE LEARN MORE THINGS AND WAYS THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO MODIFY THESE JUST TO MAKE THEM A LITTLE MORE EFFECTIVE WITH THIS PROPOSAL.
ON SOME OF THE HISTORY, IN 2020 THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE ADAPTIVE REUSE PROGRAM.
THIS WAS DESIGNED TO HELP SMALLER BUSINESSES EXPAND INTO VACANT SPACES, AND IT WOULD PROVIDE UP TO $5,000 TO COVER DEVELOPMENT FEES TO EACH OF THOSE ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES.
YOU'D HAVE TO BE GOING INTO A SPACE THAT'S SMALLER THAN 5,000 SQUARE FEET, YOU'D HAVE TO DO THE FREE PRE APPLICATION MEETING, HAVE A CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN AND WORKING WITH A DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH FIVE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR THIS.
BUT AFTER A FEW YEARS, WE STILL HAVE A BALANCE OF $17,000, EVEN THOUGH WE STARTED AT 25,000.
WHAT WE FOUND IS EVEN WITH ONE OF THE BUSINESSES THAT USE THIS PROGRAM THE MOST, THEIR BALANCED IS $3,200.
WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS THAT WE WOULD USE THE REMAINDER OF THAT $5,000 THAT ALLOCATED FOR EACH BUSINESS AND ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE THE BUSINESS FOR THE DESIGN FEES.
WE'VE HEARD FROM EACH ONE OF THESE BUSINESSES, THEY SAID THAT OF ALL THE COSTS THAT THEY HAVE TO COVER, THE FEES TO THE CITY ARE NOT THE BIGGEST ONES, BUT IT'S THE DESIGN FEES AFTER CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.
THEN THE OTHER CHANGE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WE'D LIKE TO MAKE THE REQUIREMENT OF THE FUNDS NEED TO BE USED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF BEING AWARDED.
THESE ARE TWO SPECIFICS, BUT THEY ALSO SERVE AS EXAMPLES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES WE'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO
[03:35:02]
MAKE INSTEAD OF BRINGING EACH ONE OF THESE BACK UP TO YOU EACH YEAR.THE NEXT INCENTIVE IS THE BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION INCENTIVE.
THIS WAS ALSO ADOPTED IN 2020.
WE'VE HAD FIVE BUSINESSES APPLY.
ACTUALLY, WE'VE HAD 17 BUSINESSES APPLY, BUT WE'VE AWARDED FIVE.
OF THOSE FIVE WE'VE GOT 70 NEW JOBS OUT OF THOSE BUSINESSES.
ONE OF THE CHANGES WE WANT TO MAKE HERE RELATES TO THE SCORING OF THE APPLICATIONS.
WE SCORE, WAGES, DIRECT COMMUNITY BENEFIT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, AND A MATCH AND REALLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO GEAR THIS MORE TOWARDS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
WE SEE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY BUILDING AS A DIRECT COMMUNITY BENEFIT.
WE ALSO THEN WANT TO WAIT THAT MORE SO THE WAY IT CURRENTLY IS 30 POINTS FOR EACH OF THOSE EXCEPT THE MATCH WHICH IS AT 10 AND WE REALLY JUST WANT TO RAISE THAT DIRECT COMMUNITY BENEFIT TO A 40 THAN 25, 25 FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND THE WAGES, AND THEN THE MATCH KEEP THAT AT 10.
THEY'RE MINOR, BUT THERE ARE MODIFICATIONS AND THESE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS WE ALSO WANT TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS RESOLUTION AND KEEPING IT TO 12 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF AWARD FOR THOSE FUNDS TO BE EXPANDED.
I BLEW THROUGH THAT, BUT THAT'S THE THOSE TWO PROGRAMS AND THEN I'LL HAVE JACK ON UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE BUSINESS ATTRACTION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M JACK FITCHETT, YOUR BUSINESS ATTRACTION MANAGER, AND KEEPING WITH THE THEME JUST BRIEF HISTORY OF THE INCENTIVES THAT I MANAGE AND THEN ONE PROPOSED CHANGE TO THESE THREE.
THIS IS THE SUSTAINABLE AUTOMOTIVE SALES TAX REBATE.
THIS ASSISTS PURCHASERS TO BUY AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR HYBRID OR HIGHLY FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLE, AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS.
IT'S ASSISTED OVER 40 APPLICANTS THIS FAR AND THERE'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY LONG WAITING LISTS TO SEE IF THE FUNDING WILL BE APPROVED FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
HOWEVER, AFTER SPEAKING WITH MOST OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS, THEY HAVE SAID THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD THAT WOULD ASSIST THEM FACILITATE THIS REBATE IS ALLOWING THEM TO DIRECTLY GIVE THE REBATE TO THE PURCHASER AND THEN WE REBATE THE DEALERSHIP.
AGAIN, THIS IS A MINOR CHANGE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION.
MOVING ON THE JOB CREATION INCENTIVE, YOU ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS.
THIS IS WHAT HELPED US HELP UACJ WHITEHALL INDUSTRIES AND KATALYST SPACE TECHNOLOGIES LAND IN FLAGSTAFF.
IT'S GRADED OVER 130 JOBS TODAY AND OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, THOSE TWO COMPANIES WILL BE AT OVER 400 JOBS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROPOSED CHANGES FOR THIS INCENTIVE.
THEN LASTLY, THE DEVELOPMENT REINVESTMENT INCENTIVE, WHICH ALLOWS FOR A PORTION OF CONSTRUCTION SALES TAX TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BUSINESS, TO BE REBATED BACK TO THEM FOR A VARIETY OF USES SUCH AS RELOCATION EXPENSES, TRAINING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, OR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE NOT SEEN ANY USE OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR INCENTIVE YET.
BUT THIS INCENTIVE IS REALLY DESIGNED FOR REALLY LARGE BUSINESS COMING INTO TOWN TO BUILD A FACILITY OR A LARGE DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS THE NH DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU ALL WILL BE DISCUSSING LATER THIS EVENING, OR THE 32 ACRES WHICH WE HOPE WILL BE IN FRONT OF YOU SOON.
THEN JUST IN SUMMARY, THIS RESOLUTION IS DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO OUR FEARLESS LEADER, HEIDI HANSON.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ENHANCEMENTS AS NEEDED TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THESE INCENTIVES.
THEN LASTLY, THIS JUST CONTINUES TO HELP BOLSTER OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
WITH THAT, I WILL ASK IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS, COUNCIL?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, THE MONEY IS BUDGETED THROUGH THE REGULAR BUDGET PROCESS, AND WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR IS THE DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM THROUGH HEIDI HANSON AND THROUGH OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE FUNDING HAS ALREADY BEEN BUDGETED AND APPROVED BY YOU ALL.
REALLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS JUST THE ABILITY TO MAKE MINOR CHANGES WITH THE APPROVAL THROUGH OUR DIRECTOR.
ANY MAJOR CHANGES THAT WILL ULTIMATELY AFFECT THE PURPOSE OF THESE INCENTIVES, THAT'D BE SOMETHING THAT WE COME BACK TO YOU FOR, BUT THIS IS JUST A REGULAR ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK IN FRONT OF YOU EVERY THREE MONTHS TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS.
>>THANK YOU. COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? I'M NOT SEEING ANY.
>> MAYOR, I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE READ RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-25 BY TITLE ONLY.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> MAYOR, I DIDN'T HEAR A SECOND ON THAT.
>> THAT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
[03:40:02]
>> RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL PROVIDING FOR THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING FOR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, REPEAL OF CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT? I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-25.
>> IT IS MOTIONED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> MOVING DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 11C CONSIDERATION
[C. Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-23: A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council finding that taking of property interests is necessary for the Milton Road and University Avenue Right-of-Way Project, a public use, and establishing an effective date. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Read Resolution No. 2023-23 by title only 2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2023-23 by title only (if approved above) 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-23]
AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-23.A RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL FINDING THAT TAKING OF PROPERTY INTERESTS IS NECESSARY FOR THE MOUNTAIN ROAD AND UNIVERSITY AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY PROJECT, A PUBLIC USE AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
ANJA WENDEL, SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY.
I THOUGHT WE'D START WITH THE PARTIAL QUOTE FROM WINSTON CHURCHILL.
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP." WE'VE COME TO YOU MANY TIMES TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY INTERESTS NECESSARY FOR THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY DRIVE PROJECT, AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE OUR LAST TIME.
THE CITY NEEDED TO ACQUIRE OVER 75 PROPERTY INTERESTS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND THE DESIGN HAS CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS.
WE'RE DOWN TO FIVE DIFFERENT PROPERTY FROM WHOM WE NEED PROPERTY RIGHTS.
THIS RESOLUTION, IF YOU PROVE IT TONIGHT, WILL ALLOW US TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH FINDING THAT THE TAKING IS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC USE.
THEN WE WILL PROCEED WITH FILING CONDEMNATION ACTIONS FOR FIVE DIFFERENT PROPERTY OWNERS AND THOSE WILL BE FILED THIS WEEK.
>> CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE APPROXIMATE SIZE OF EACH OF THE PARCELS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A PIECE OF FIVE DIFFERENT PARCELS.
>> CORRECT. PIECES. THE FIVE PROPERTIES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE FROM WHOM WE NEED PROPERTY RIGHTS ARE THE LA QUINTA INN AND SUITES, THE BELMONT BY WINDHAM HOTEL, BURGER KING, TARGET, AND THE GREEN TREE STRIP MALL.
>> THE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE BEING COMPENSATED?
>> YES. PER ARIZONA CONSTITUTION, ALL PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO JUST COMPENSATION FOR PROPERTY INTERESTS TAKEN.
THE CITY HAS ALREADY OBTAINED APPRAISALS FOR ALL OF THESE PROPERTY RIGHTS.
WE WAITED THE 20 DAYS, ACTUALLY WE'VE WAITED A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS SO THAT WE CAN ACQUIRE THESE RIGHTS.
BECAUSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE IMPACTS OF THEIR PROPERTIES, AND BECAUSE SOME OF THESE ARE OWNED BY CORPORATIONS, OUT OF STATE, LOTS OF BUREAUCRACY, WE JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PROPERTY RIGHTS YET.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COUNCIL? IS ANYONE READY TO MAKE A MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. I MOVE TO READ RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-23 BY TITLE ONLY.
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> A RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL FINDING THAT TAKING OF PROPERTY INTERESTS IS NECESSARY FOR THE MOUNTAIN ROAD AND UNIVERSITY AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY PROJECT, A PUBLIC USE AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT?
>> MAYOR, I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-23.
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY FOR MOVING ONTO THE NEXT ONE.
[LAUGHTER] I'D LIKE TO START WITH A WINSTON CHURCHILL QUOTE,
[D. Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-29: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, approving the First Amendment to an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Board of Regents related to Consolidation of University Campus and Road Projects. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Read Resolution No. 2023-29 by title only 2) City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2023-29 by title only (if approved above) 3) Adopt Resolution No.2023-29.]
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP." WE WERE BEFORE YOU ON MARCH 7TH, AND YOU APPROVED THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS, NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY.THAT IS FOR AN EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL VALUE.
IN THIS CASE, THE CITY WILL BE OBTAINING A UNIVERSITY DRIVE, WHICH IS ALREADY BEING USED AS PUBLIC RIGHT AWAY FOR
[03:45:02]
TARGET AND GREEN TREE AND THOSE OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS.WE WILL BE GIVING UP A PORTION OF HOSKYNS AVENUE, WHICH IS NEXT TO THE NAU CAMPUS.
THE CITY WILL ALSO BE GETTING A COUPLE OF DRAINAGE EASEMENTS FOR THIS PROJECT.
AFTER THIS FIRST AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED, THE NAU ASKED FOR SOME ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO THE DRAINAGE EASEMENTS AND THEY WERE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAD INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET.
WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOU TO RE-APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE IGA WITH THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> SURE. I MOVE THAT WE READ RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-29 BY TITLE ONLY.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> A RESOLUTION OF THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.
WITH THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS RELATED TO CONSOLIDATION OF UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AND BROAD PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT?
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOVING DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 11E
[E. Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-13: an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, authorizing the acquisition of additional real property interests for the Highway 180 Culvert Project; providing for delegation of authority, severability, repeal of conflicting ordinances, authority for clerical corrections, and establishing an effective date; and Consideration and Ratification of Irrevocable Right of Entry for purchase of real property required for the project. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Read Ordinance No. 2023-13 by title only for the first time 2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-13 by title only (if approved above) 3) Read Ordinance No. 2023-13 by title only for the final time (requires unanimous vote) 4) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-13 by title only (if unanimously approved above) 5) Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-13 (requires unanimous vote) 6) Motion to ratify Irrevocable Right of Entry contract for purchase of real property.]
CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-13 AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS FOR THE HIGHWAY 180 CULVERT PROJECT, PROVIDING FOR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, SEPARABILITY, REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, AUTHORITY FOR CLERICAL CORRECTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND CONSIDERATION AND RATIFICATION OF IRREVOCABLE RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT.>> GOOD AFTERNOON. NO. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS IS BRYCE DODE, REAL ESTATE MANAGER.
I'M HERE BEFORE YOU ARE ASKING FOR TWO ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA.
A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I CAME TO YOU LAST MONTH ABOUT THE HIGHWAY 180 CULVERT.
MAINLY, AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S ONE LANE REDUCED AND SOME OF THE SIDEWALK IS FALLING BY THE FIRE STATION.
WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THAT'S GOT OUR WHEELS IN MOTION ABOUT HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THAT EXISTING EMERGENCY SITUATION AND HOW CAN WE TURN THAT EMERGENCY SITUATION INTO A FINAL PRODUCT? LAST MONTH, I BROUGHT BEFORE YOU THIS PLAN WHICH HAD A CULVERT GOING THROUGH THE LUTHERAN CHURCH PARKING LOT AND THEN DEPOSITING INTO THE RIO.
TODAY, I AM ASKING FOR THE AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTIES REQUIRED TO DO THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF THE PREVIOUS PROJECT.
NOW THIS IS JUST A CONCEPT PLAN.
THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL, SEVERAL ITERATIONS OF THIS.
THIS IS PROBABLY NOT WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE FINALLY.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE'S GOING TO BE TWO DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF IT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE AN EMERGENCY PLAN WITH ADOT TO START DIVERTING SCHULTZ CREEK WATER TO THE RIO FOR THIS MONSOON SEASON.
THE GOAL IS GOING TO BE AN EMERGENCY PROJECT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN THIS SEASON, AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE A FINAL DESIGN PROJECT THAT WE WILL LATER DO FOR NEXT MONSOON SEASON.
WE'RE TRYING TO ALIGN THOSE TWO PLANS SO THAT WE'RE NOT DUPLICATING EFFORTS.
IT'S GOING TO LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
BUT THE GOAL IS TO GET ALL OF THE PROPERTY WE NEED SO THAT WE CAN START DOING THIS PROJECT BEFORE MONSOONS, WHICH IF ANY ONE WAS CAUGHT OUTSIDE TODAY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT BE STARTING EARLY.
THESE ARE THE THREE ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES THAT WE NEED.
WE'VE ALREADY GOT A TCE ON THAT, BUT WE DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT EXACTLY PERMANENT RIGHTS WILL NEED ON THAT.
THERE'S A VACANT PARCEL JUST TO THE WEST OF THE GRAND CANYON TRUST PROPERTY.
THAT IS THE ONE WHERE WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE OWNER OF THAT.
WE ACTUALLY WENT AHEAD AND SIGNED A RIGHT OF ENTRY THAT OBLIGATES THE CITY TO PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY FOR $500,000.
THAT'S THE SECOND ITEM IS WE'RE ASKING YOU TO RATIFY THAT RIGHT OF ENTRY.
WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED OUR APPRAISAL BACK, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WITHIN RANGE OF AN APPRAISED VALUE.
THERE WAS OPPORTUNITIES JUST TO DO A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT ON THAT, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THE FINAL DESIGN OF THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO NEED THAT ENTIRE PARCEL.
[03:50:02]
A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUT THEY'VE AGREED TO SELL THAT TO THE CITY FOR THIS URGENT NEED.THEN THE LAST ONE IS WE NEED THE RIGHTS TO ACTUALLY DUMP INTO THE RIO, WHICH IS THE PARCEL LINE IS RIGHT HERE.
THIS VACANT PARCEL THAT THE CITY IS GOING TO PURCHASE, THE PROPERTY LINE DOESN'T EXTEND ALL THE WAY INTO THE RIO.
WE DO NEED SOME DRAINAGE EASEMENT RIGHTS ON THAT LAST PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS GOING TO DO, IS AUTHORIZE THE AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE ALL OF THOSE RIGHTS, AND WE'RE ASKING YOU TO DO THAT ON A FIRST AND SECOND REACH AND NIGHT BECAUSE WE WANT TO TRY TO GET THIS THING DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. I'D JUST LIKE TO THROW OUT A THANK YOU TO THE GRAND CANYON TRUST BECAUSE IT WAS ORIGINALLY THEIR SUGGESTION AND THEIR OFFER TO USE THEIR LAND TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE FLOODING ON 180, THAT STARTED THIS PROCESS IN THE PROJECT, MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION.
AS I UNDERSTAND, THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE BEEN VERY POSITIVE AND AMICABLE.
>> AMAZING COMMUNITY PARTNERS, CORRECT.
>> I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE PRUDENT FOR SOMEONE TO POINT OUT HOW WE'RE DOING IN YOUR FIRST AND SECOND READ TONIGHT.
JUST FOR A PUBLIC INTEREST, I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE ARTICULATED.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT VICE MAYOR. I WAS PLANNING ON IT.
THE FIRST READ WOULD BE JUST LIKE A FIRST READ OF ANY ORDINANCE, YOU WOULD MAKE A MOTION, SECOND, VOTE ON IT IF APPROVED THE CITY CLERK WOULD READ THAT, THEN YOU WOULD PROPOSE A SECOND READ TONIGHT.
IT WOULD REQUIRE A MOTION SECOND AND A UNANIMOUS VOTE FOR THAT SECOND READ TO OCCUR.
IF YOU GET THE UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE SECOND READ OCCURS.
THEN A MOTION TO ADOPT, WHICH ALSO REQUIRES UNANIMOUS VOTE AFTER A FIRST AND A SECOND.
THAT'S ALLOWED FOR IN THE CHARTER.
IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK THAT MAY BE PART OF THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS GOING OUT THERE.
RIGHT NOW, IT REQUIRES A UNANIMOUS VOTE.
IT WOULD REQUIRE ONLY A THREE-QUARTERS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? IS ANYONE READY TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? SORRY. PLEASE SAY THE WHOLE THING.
>> I MOVE TO READ ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-13 BY TITLE ONLY FOR THE FIRST TIME.