Sedona commissioners plan SHPO conference attendance, discuss local CLG training and city-vehicle use

The City of Sedona Historic Preservation Commission discussed plans for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) conference in Phoenix this May and the possibility of hosting a local Certified Local Government (CLG) training with SHPO coordinator Ariana Urban.

Commissioners were told that the conference will be held at ASU Downtown at the Cronkite School of Journalism in Phoenix and were asked to hold the date in May pending release of the conference schedule. A staff member said the commission already has a training budget line and asked commissioners to indicate if they plan to attend so staff can submit registrations once details are released. “There is there is a training budget within the HPC budget,” the staff member said.

The commission also discussed whether staff should request that Ariana Urban come to Sedona for tailored CLG training. Urban’s email sign-off, read during the meeting, said she is traveling in the region and can be requested for a meeting or site visit when in the area. Commissioners discussed whether to schedule the CLG training in April (to avoid duplicating the SHPO conference) or to wait until after the conference, and agreed staff should contact Urban to determine availability.

Members also raised logistics: several commissioners said they might drive themselves to Phoenix, while others asked whether city pool vehicles would be available for attendees. One commissioner volunteered to use a city vehicle if offered. Staff said they would follow up on the practical rules for use of city vehicles and submit registrations once commissioners confirm attendance.

The commission did not take a formal vote on registration or vehicle use during the meeting and agreed to return the item to a future agenda after staff confirms Urban’s availability and the conference schedule.