City Council Recap

Below are the highlights of October City Council meetings and some decisions that may interest you:

• On Oct. 8, 2024, City Council received an update by Northern Arizona Healthcare regarding current and future health services plans for the Sedona area. Representatives gave an update on providers that were recently added to Verde Valley, their partnership with City of Hope for cancer care, and more.
• On Oct. 8, 2024, City Council adopted the Land Use Assumptions and Infrastructure Improvement Plan for the Development Impact Fees and directed staff to publish the draft Development Fee Report. The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed fees at their Nov. 12 meeting. Development Impact Fees are one-time charges applied to any new residential and/or commercial construction, in order that new growth will pay its fair share of infrastructure improvements needed to provide municipal services, and to ensure that existing residents are not unduly burdened to pay for improvements and services needed to accommodate new development. Development Impact Fees were last updated in 2019 and are required by statute to be updated every five years.
• On Oct. 8, 2024, City Council heard a presentation by the Finance Department regarding the June 2024 Sales and Bed Tax Report. In June 2024 sales tax was up 5% compared to the same month last year. Versus June bed tax was nearly flat compared to the same the month last year. Month-over-month, June sales tax revenues decreased by $311,248 from May, while bed tax revenues decreased by $215,029, reflecting the typical seasonal trend where June sees lower activity than April and May due to warmer weather and the conclusion of peak spring travel periods like spring break.
• On Oct. 8, 2024, City Council approved an ordinance allowing them to designate a 15 MPH speed limit for OHVs on City-owned roads determined by Council, which they will consider on a street-by-street basis. The first street they will be considering this speed limit for is Morgan Road, which will be brough forth as a resolution at the Nov. 12 meeting.
• On Oct. 8, 2024, City Council decided to continue the Historic Preservation Commission through 2025 and re-evaluate their responsibilities prior to the Sedona Historical Society contract renewal in 2026.
• On Oct. 9, 2024, City Council directed staff to draft amendments to the Land Development Code regarding construction of sport courts, like pickleball, tennis and basketball courts on private property, and look into updating setbacks, number of courts per property, lighting, hours of use, and screening requirements. In addition, staff were directed to look at the noise ordinance and ensure that the noise impacts from percussive noise sports such as pickleball can be adequately addressed and propose any changes, if deemed necessary. An update with draft amendments will go to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council at a later date.
• On Oct. 22, 2024, City Council approved a contract for the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Replacement Project, in an amount not-to-exceed $4,096,710, and approval of a Professional Services Agreement for the Construction Administration and Post-Design Services in the amount of $73,300. The project will replace the treatment plant’s UV disinfection system. The project is necessary as the existing UV system is experiencing reduced efficacy and increasingly high costs for maintenance and annual UV bulb replacement. Without proper UV disinfection, the Wastewater Treatment Plant would not be able to dispose of treated effluent to the wetlands or aquifer recharge. Construction for the project will start in Feb. 2025 and be completed in Nov. 2025.
• On Oct. 22, 2024, City Council discussed the installation of a Flagpole at Posse Grounds Park which would potentially exceed City Code Height regulations. No decisions were made and the topic will be discussed again in a future meeting.
• On Oct. 22, 2024, City Council heard an update on the ongoing traffic testing of the vehicle metering strategies at the Y Roundabout, the closing of the street level 179 crossing, and opening of the crosswalk along Oak Creek. Testing showed preliminary benefits in reducing traffic in peak visitation due to the use of metered traffic signals and closing the street level 179 crossing. Metering allows certain travel patters to be temporally stopped in order to let gridlock flow. A quarterly Sedona in Motion update is planned for the Nov. 13 Council meeting.
• On Oct. 23, 2024, City Council heard an update from the Arizona Water Company on a local Water Resource Assessment and Integrated Water Demand Management Program, including the progress made to date and the next steps for developing and protecting a sustainable water supply in our area. They also discussed supply and demand analysis for the Sedona water system and local area groundwater models that show healthy water levels in our aquifer.

Did You Know

• … that we celebrated the grand opening of the new pickleball courts at Posse Grounds Park on October 22? Construction for eight new Pickleball Courts at Posse Grounds Park began on June 3 and is now mostly complete, and open to the public! A few finishing touches to be installed in the next few weeks include wind screens, landscaping, and practice backboards.

Events

• Attend a free Emergency Preparedness Workshop on Wednesday, November 6, at the Sedona Public Library from 12:00 - 1:00 pm or 4:30 - 5:30 pm. The workshop will discuss important information on Ready Sedona: A Resident’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness.
• Get hungry for the Sedona Food Truck Festival on Saturday, November 9 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Posse Grounds Park! Admission is free so come enjoy music by DJ Pablo from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. then Johnny Malo Band from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Over a dozen food trucks will be prepared to serve mouthwatering specials. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
• The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is teaming up with 15 amazing organizations, including the City of Sedona, to clean up Oak Creek on Saturday, November 16. All cleanup supplies will be provided. The clean-up is from 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., meeting at Slide Rock State Park, located at 6871 SR 89A.

News

• The City of Sedona is planning the future of the 41-acre Western Gateway property at Cultural Park Place. To be sure that this city-owned property best serves the community for generations to come, please provide your feedback by taking a 2-minute planning survey. This survey closes on November 15.
• The sand volleyball court at Posse Grounds Park will be undergoing some exciting renovations and improvements through November 28. The court will have new features including a new trail, seating, shade, fresh sand, and a new and improved overall feel and look!
• The City of Sedona seeks applicants for one vacant seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission, apply today!
• Work on Phase Two of the shared-use pathway along Dry Creek Road, which will run from the Two Fence Trail to just north of Gringo Road, began on October 7. This new section of shared use path will connect to Phase One of the project, which runs between Two Fence Trail and the entrance to the Girdner Trail. A separate project is already underway to realign a small portion of Dry Creek Road to allow for this new shared-use pathway.
• Volunteer to be a youth basketball coach! To apply or ask any questions, email Carmen Brashier.
• Pavement rehabilitation work will take place along Soldiers Pass Road throughout the coming weeks, with a scheduled completion in November. The project consists of crack seal operations along Soldiers Pass Road, from St. John Vianney Lane to Shadow Rock Drive, and the removal and replacement of the asphalt pavement along Soldiers Pass Road between SR 89A and St. John Vianney Lane.
• Want to play some volleyball? Check out the drop-in open gym volleyball nights every Tuesday evening from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the West Sedona School Gym. The cost is $2 to participate.

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