[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6146999,"mediaKeyId","5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162","parentId",5523732,"title","Flagstaff council declines to send formal resolution supporting congressional Ukraine aid; some members offer personal endorsement","audioSeconds",455,"startMs",3915000,"endMs",4370000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162&start=3915&end=4370","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162/thumbnail_3915000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146999/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Flagstaff-council-declines-to-send-formal-resolution-supporting-congressional-Ukraine-aid-some-members-offer-personal-endorsement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146999-8e0008303b4444f56ccd0ca9a70fa57a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119022&Signature=BJqEeRQiEakA01ZsU1U5WNn7NYF1Ump5YBXaVLUESjz4Qyc4IKhRq1QmPXh5Zcod5Ff-f4x~PIMOGvcGt-b-EKqeBR8YPXLgj4rt4Edr4hnBYyooiHrRmk-niNxqJKMWu875SRVoB-p50RpE0rPflWt2-30SqSdVcJSiNqA2B3TdX0lJkv4veZG4MnL-S6AnS5nyqPWcMc48VsED6U8BIizM2I5yNtA7nRAcu1QKLU6T5GgzCIKFXbjmSNYdpaPp~mBPnWh1x-tQleWsRV1C0sZtNrXqJyfoN2iZFTXL8dUlq2QGPSZ-IH7~L1YOeS0HIrK9yoaiAED~XNV3QJIZbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Flagstaff, AZ","date","2025-07-31T23:49:11Z","article","Council member Jim McCarthy asked the Flagstaff City Council on March 5 to place a resolution on a future agenda urging the city’s congressional delegation to support an aid bill for Ukraine.
McCarthy argued the United States should continue material support to Ukraine to counter Russian aggression and invoked historical parallels to World War II. He noted a recent U.S. Senate vote that supported an aid package.
Council members discussed whether a federal foreign policy resolution was appropriate for the city council. Council member Matthews said she supports aid to Ukraine personally but cited concerns about staying “in our lane” and the political polarization of the debate. Council member House said the issue is global and tragic but questioned whether the council should adopt official positions on international conflicts; she offered to sign a personal letter in support if McCarthy prepared one. Other council members expressed a similar view: supportive of personal letters but reluctant to adopt an official municipal resolution.
City manager and legal staff briefed council on policy: administration advised staff would not take a formal role preparing or sending a resolution because such actions do not fall under routine city business and would require staff time; however, council members remain free to act individually and staff said chief of staff could provide limited assistance to members pursuing individual letters.
Outcome: McCarthy’s request for a council-sponsored resolution did not receive majority support; the council did not adopt an official resolution. Multiple members volunteered to sign a personal letter or to work privately with McCarthy on non‑official communications to Congress.
Public comment during the meeting included pro- and anti‑aid remarks; several online and in-person speakers urged or opposed U.S. funding for Ukraine. A small number of public commenters used racist or antisemitic language during general public participation; those remarks were not adopted or endorsed by the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Flagstaff City Council Meeting - March 5, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","Council member Jim McCarthy asked the council to send a resolution to the city’s congressional delegation supporting an aid bill for Ukraine. Several council members said they would not support an official council resolution but expressed willingness to sign a personal letter of support.","taxTitle","Flagstaff City, Coconino County, Arizona","taxId",4650,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147004,"Flagstaff council rejects low bid for Doney Park parcels, keeping proceeds tied to self‑insurance trust fund",537,2139000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162&start=2139&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162/thumbnail_2139000.jpg","/articles/6147004/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Flagstaff-council-rejects-low-bid-for-Doney-Park-parcels-keeping-proceeds-tied-to-selfinsurance-trust-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147004-941f83b33dbd51b56440dea4f211590d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119022&Signature=J9BH7WYZgwinzJJx846bBjbjEBRpd9ZXGtnaphQFmPcAWGhLno3uvMuU0PWolxTc9m7vS7~lvCwQhhfrZj6oEUWjcwjSpqxQW6DOEGIXrSjz3I354ddkW5qdC0rbAIsU9NwvMeIdsC4FbJISY2BqXv~FfLsgIMu1owVP~XpxgimSAxiHcJnQ0xWfHr~o-NsPUGm4-qxPIJhzgmPICVWBU3B04Mmz7uNQDhaVFkkcNDMGClY6MId9rzs9SWicr8ffE2JB1mgYArSYEyb52lCPx3zVfe94l2T8nRjqZyLZJKVK472E6jsDC5R4PV5uAIpGgBLt7XXgN2wXuD8xl2UO~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flagstaff City Council on March 5 approved staff’s recommendation to reject a low bid for two city-owned parcels near Doney (Doney) Park and to retain the parcels as assets of the city’s self‑insured trust fund.
City attorney’s office representative Anya Wendell presented background: the city holds two remnant parcels from a larger sale in the 1990s — one about 9 acres and the other about 12.5 acres, both located in the county and zoned rural agricultural (with a minimum parcel size of roughly 2.5 acres). Wendell said the parcels are held as assets of the city’s self-insured trust fund, and proceeds from any sale are returned to that trust.
Wendell said a 2022 solicitation produced a single bid equal to roughly 15% of fair-market value. Older appraisals discussed in staff materials put the 12.5-acre parcel near $600,000 and the 9-acre parcel near $300,000, giving an approximate combined appraisal near $900,000; staff also referenced the city’s hoped-for return to the trust of roughly $1,126,000 as an initial investment figure tied to the parcels.
Staff told the council the parcels are unlikely to be feasible for affordable housing development because of county zoning constraints and utility/septic limitations. Wendell noted the parcels are connected to Doney Park water but rely on septic systems and would require substantial development investment.
Council approved staff’s recommendation (to reject the bid and proceed with staff options outlined in the agenda packet) by motion and recorded voice vote.
What to watch for: Staff said any future disposition must consider zoning, septic and utility constraints and the council’s adopted resolution that requires staff to assess whether city-owned land being disposed is suitable for affordable housing.","Council voted to reject a prior bid to purchase two city-owned parcels near Doney Park (roughly 9 acres and 12.5 acres) that had come in at about 15% of appraised value; staff said proceeds would be returned to the city’s self-insured trust fund and that the parcels are county-rural zoned, making affordable-housing development difficult.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147009,"Flagstaff amends retiree insurance eligibility; new hires after July 1, 2024 excluded from city program",509,3106000,3615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162&start=3106&end=3615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162/thumbnail_3106000.jpg","/articles/6147009/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Flagstaff-amends-retiree-insurance-eligibility-new-hires-after-July-1-2024-excluded-from-city-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147009-df4bd8d114189ae3c010c838dc4a4f8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119022&Signature=PIb9m8mMcJprOZNLlpXFL0h~XG0J5Dge7gPbzeHmNUj-QAQvmo8Pxq98iJCUFWyyzu860HO-AmblnYmdGjWM0wP4RrxAr8NnatmNb9YUJkdXznGMwDOvvuweBMqgpdpHBXh3NkEiV9Nmlmkx2RGx9tGTZaoABA5CBfYOTELYjX0HK2hn15a02mF6gqqGR9-iFgW5XOQ5UXDh32vLCyaJO1p2OGSDPTib0JFqR~Ib7AEdyEDzuZUPsvBkJ6a8FuK7qVRHA~Co4XNtpn5BwvTLb4DIbhLRzMzLruY1BuJoPqYc8zkZVKYXaqxpRP1phigcxlNbt~M4J4c1wd-F2qmpOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Flagstaff on March 5 introduced an ordinance amending the employee handbook to clarify eligibility for the city’s retiree insurance program.
Jennifer Caputo, interim deputy HR director, said the change would limit access to the city’s retiree insurance administered through the Northern Arizona Public Employees Benefits Trust (NAPEP) to employees hired on or before July 1, 2024. Employees hired after that date would not be eligible to remain on the city’s retiree plan but would be eligible for retiree coverage available through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Caputo described the rationale as a regional trust decision: NAPEP has evaluated whether to continue the city’s retiree program after ASRS developed a more comparable network of providers for northern Arizona. Staff surveyed current employees, recent hires and retirees and reported that retiree benefits were not a primary factor for recent hires’ employment decisions.
Caputo said ASRS offers plans that include continued eligibility after Medicare enrollment and subsidies for retirees and provides ancillary benefits such as virtual visits and tobacco cessation programs. She said current employees and existing retirees will retain their existing eligibility under the city plan; the proposed change affects only hires on or after July 1, 2024.
Council discussion focused on ensuring the council and staff correctly understood the scope: the amendment affects retiree insurance provisions only and does not change retirement benefits. The council read the ordinance by title for the first time and advanced it for later consideration.
What to watch for: The change will be folded into the employee handbook and will require coordination with ASRS enrollment processes for affected future retirees; staff said agencies in the NAPEP trust coordinated communications and surveys prior to the recommendation.","The council introduced an ordinance to amend the employee handbook retiree insurance section so that retiree insurance through the city's NAPEP trust would be available only to employees hired on or before July 1, 2024; future retirees would enroll in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retiree programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147014,"Flagstaff council approves Spruce Wash contract amendment and authorizes property acquisition for Killip Inlet",477,2581000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162&start=2581&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162/thumbnail_2581000.jpg","/articles/6147014/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Flagstaff-council-approves-Spruce-Wash-contract-amendment-and-authorizes-property-acquisition-for-Killip-Inlet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147014-adcaaba442284580c7738b8c55354406/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119022&Signature=o0iMFHzH~CM72vNqx2s9pPpqw~NqhYBrH9klcCxiF4QUsquoMJaO2PkTnqCqaeVnoc7YYHdzm1Tlnsjx~oOxmZToMY-qDAdqlnVi~2qQ92zLMvdVvQQT1Xjs1qfSNVGD45TLdYH8TDUHDoRaiFNNQLqwSkN6omswN0u-DLszieDTReVn3f3nQ594ymW-pemKZLu8qtl1yxLGi4XXF6VPgMkxKi-3SOuH6KXdSm7HCfL~fWE2XQscm8esxd1m7HMuJ0ZOZprWUwlkR-iW3gg0PhdJmVIsE4icv4ijnR9V-JGuKJRUapkxLYfUMrJC9WCZqTbHCp4tuwYEy-dVwmbdSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flagstaff City Council voted March 5 to approve Amendment 1 to the Spruce Wash Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) agreement, adding Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) No. 2 and authorizing a related purchase of two parcels for the Killip Inlet phase of the Spruce Wash channel improvements.
City project manager Eli Reisner told council the amendment adds four construction phases including Grandview Phase 2 (roadway work), Linda Vista Crossing (new box culvert and inlet), Linda Vista to Cedar Channel Phase 1 (utility work), and Wedge Phase 2 (utility work). GMP No. 2 is $7.4 million with an owner’s contingency of $185,000; that raises the total contract amount to $10.5 million and adds 180 days to the contract for a combined duration of 1,025 days.
Public works director Scott Overton presented ordinance 2024-05, which the council adopted as the final reading. The ordinance authorizes acquisition of two parcels adjacent to Spruce Wash needed for the Killip Inlet component of the project.
Why it matters: The suite of projects is funded in part by Proposition 441 and other federal and county programs cited in staff materials; project work will largely occur in city right-of-way and public utility and drainage easements. Reisner said no immediate property acquisitions are needed for the GMP No. 2 work, though additional easements and temporary construction easements will be required for some elements as design is finalized.
Community outreach and schedule: Reisner said staff and contractor outreach included 18 council and community meetings and weekly e-newsletters to over 500 subscribers, with an informational project website and hotline. Grandview Phase 2 and Linda Vista Crossing were scheduled to be constructed in 2024 with the goal of completion prior to monsoon season; Wedge Phase 2 utilities work was slated to extend into 2025.
Council action: A motion to approve the contract amendment and associated staff recommendations carried at the meeting. The council also read and adopted ordinance 2024-05 by title to authorize property acquisition for Killip Inlet.
Implementation notes: Staff said some project elements will require additional easements to be finalized as design proceeds.","Council approved Amendment 1 to the Spruce Wash Construction Manager at Risk contract, adding GMP #2 for multiple Spruce Wash flood-mitigation projects and increased the contract total to $10.5 million; the council also adopted an ordinance authorizing acquisition of two parcels needed for the Killip Inlet project.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147019,"Public advocate urges Flagstaff to add wildfire, flood and drought as top priorities in carbon-neutrality plan",570,473000,1043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162&start=473&end=1043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523732-1d439a4fd93b6a15d7f81468ff281162/thumbnail_473000.jpg","/articles/6147019/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Public-advocate-urges-Flagstaff-to-add-wildfire-flood-and-drought-as-top-priorities-in-carbon-neutrality-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147019-884c444683d087f8fc26af8493951433/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119022&Signature=orxYaJRo1IpFfpMi-DKgLmPn7ounaOF9oN64z~GtT4PMX6fOs~eKYziA4J~D6ISyiB1ACE7eINTfZxKSYGwPhw8fqv6rL6beOF-Vt-0Qj96MX5KKWTLO8vUenEqd-k~NLjc6Pryh5vz~~IcC99xVeH0mEwGiYAPkxaKHv8fLjX2XT7nRbZ-FjynLrCR2lHjznUozvw0m7Jo7VLjlrXUYJmtux9hf-8hlnaOXuIj-2A2VhVn0yk~VAKbq3FkHr2owPn8M2h7qUuObjv9NJ1vdxOptfs1MsuAS33W86uJgX-AWqQywLGkT6YcDQhkuHcTeWy6fXKunutta31EW1hW2~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Pearson, a representative of the grassroots group Flagstaff First, told the Flagstaff City Council on March 5 that the city's Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP) should be amended to list wildfire, flooding and drought as top priorities.
Pearson said the 2018 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan explicitly named those threats and that, in his view, the CNP’s coverage of adaptation is limited: “The CNP’s 162 pages only devotes 9 pages to a single climate adaptation topic,” he said during public comment. He described local experience with large wildfires and damaging floods since 2018 and said the city needs a comprehensive, integrated adaptation program rather than piecemeal projects.
Why it matters: Pearson argued that treating adaptation as a lower priority leaves the city vulnerable to continuing damage and to missed funding opportunities. He cited a recent county briefing and a hydrology study projecting combined damage and lost revenue of about $2.8 billion from catastrophic wildfire and post-fire flooding in the Upper Rio de Flag watershed.
Pearson criticized a March letter from the Sustainability Commission that advised against the Flagstaff First petition, calling the commission’s four stated objections — that the CNP already prioritizes adaptation, that existing projects address the risks, that federal attention (including a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works hearing hosted by Sen. Mark Kelly) was already focused on Flagstaff, and that Flagstaff First stems from climate skepticism — either misplaced or incorrect according to his reading of the plan and local risk assessments.
Pearson said Flagstaff First does not call for cuts to carbon-neutrality funding but seeks a better balance between mitigation (carbon neutrality) and adaptation (wildfire, flooding, drought). He also told the council he believes a new Army Corps funding program (the ‘‘595’’ program as described to the Senate hearing) would suit Flagstaff applications if adaptation were elevated as a priority in the CNP.
What the council did: This topic was raised during the public participation portion of the meeting; the transcript records the public comment but no formal council action on the petition during the March 5 session.
Context and caveats: The remarks were delivered as public comment by a citizen representing Flagstaff First. The Sustainability Commission had submitted written opposition to the petition, and Pearson referenced that letter in his remarks. The council did not vote on revisions to the Carbon Neutrality Plan at this meeting.","At the March 5 Flagstaff City Council meeting, Tom Pearson of Flagstaff First urged the council to restore wildfire, flooding and drought as top priorities in the city's Carbon Neutrality Plan, arguing current plan pages give insufficient emphasis to adaptation despite recent local disasters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Flagstaff council declines to send formal resolution supporting congressional Ukraine aid; some members offer personal endorsement

Flagstaff council rejects low bid for Doney Park parcels, keeping proceeds tied to self‑insurance trust fund

Flagstaff amends retiree insurance eligibility; new hires after July 1, 2024 excluded from city program

Flagstaff council approves Spruce Wash contract amendment and authorizes property acquisition for Killip Inlet

Public advocate urges Flagstaff to add wildfire, flood and drought as top priorities in carbon-neutrality plan