The Flagstaff City Sustainability Commission on a voice vote approved funding for the top 14 projects in its 2025 sustainability grants competition and directed that the remaining budget be used to partially fund Cedar Closet’s request as a microgrant, with a condition that the organization install a heat‑pump water heater.

Diane, the sustainability office staff member who managed the scoring process, told commissioners the total award budget available for grants that night was $74,002.50 after set‑asides and explained that 30 applications remained in contention after one applicant withdrew. She described a ranked list that left roughly $2,000 available and recommended using that remainder to cover a microgrant for Cedar Closet to replace a gas water heater (request: $2,800).

Vice Chair Metzger moved to approve the top 14 grants above the funding cutoff and to allocate the remaining funds to Cedar Closet as a microgrant “with the stipulation that it’s a heat‑pump water heater.” The motion was seconded and approved by voice consensus; commissioners indicated general assent.

Commissioners debated the Cedar Closet request before the motion. One reviewer noted that the nonprofit is nearly all volunteer‑run and that replacing the heater supports its core operations; other reviewers questioned whether an equipment purchase was a direct sustainability intervention or an indirect support of mission. To resolve that tension, the commission approved the microgrant with the heat‑pump requirement to ensure carbon‑reduction value.

The commission also discussed several projects near the funding cutoff that raised eligibility or compliance questions. Diane said staff performed eligibility screenings and had flagged a few items requiring follow‑up; in one case (a community fridge proposal) Coconino County Health and Human Services raised concerns and asked the commission to monitor compliance. Commissioners agreed they could fund projects conditionally and hold or release funds based on documented compliance with health department requirements.

Diane said the final award list will include 13 full awards and the microgrant for Cedar Closet, and staff will update the public record and notify applicants. The commission’s grant process includes a review worksheet with reviewer scores and comments; multiple commissioners noted they’d been able to add reviewers where score discrepancies were high.