City Council Recap

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

• On June 11, 2025, City Council heard an update on the Sustainability Department programming, including an update on the Climate Action Plan (CAP). Council heard about the successes of the new Sustainable Neighborhoods Program, the Home Energy Retrofit Project, 149 new LED streetlights, and much more. Council directed staff to provide the public with educational materials about invasive plant species and gather information on the number of homes in Sedona that currently have solar power.
• On June 24, 2025, City Council adopted the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 in the amount of $103,291,695 which is $2M less than the fiscal year 2025 budget. A few key highlights in the budget includes funding for nine new Sedona Police Department officers and an emergency management coordinator, $26M for traffic improvements (a large portion of which is for the Uptown Parking Garage), and $1.7M for parks improvements. The final Budget Adoption went into effect on July 1, 2025.
• On June 24, 2025, City Council discussed a possible new Arts & Culture Organizations Grant Program in which qualifying organizations would be able to apply for grants from a $200,000 pool of money. City Council asked staff to make edits to the possible program – like adding a definition of what constitutes as arts and culture, clarifying some of the details around the requirements of applicants and considering festivals as applicants – and bring back another draft on August 26, 2025.
• On June 24, 2025, City Council approved a construction contract for Phase 3 of the Dry Creek Road Shared-Use Pathway, from Gringo Road to White Bear Road, in an amount not to exceed $1,930,259. The project is located on the west side of Dry Creek Road and runs approximately 3,960 feet. The southern portion will be concrete and the northern portion will be decomposed granite. The next phase of the Dry Creek Road Shared Use Pathway, from White Bear to SR 89A is in the design phase. The purpose of the shared-use pathway is to increase walkability, reduce traffic and improve safety.
• On June 24, 2025, City Council approved a Resolution formally opposing the mandatory disposal of National Forest System Land in Sedona, authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute and deliver a letter to federal representatives to this effect.

• On June 25, 2025, City Council heard a presentation about the Transit Program including an update on current services, ridership trends, implementation milestones related to the Sedona Transit Implementation Plan, upcoming planning efforts, transit funding opportunities, and future operational needs, such as the development of the Maintenance & Operations Center. Collectively, these elements support our ongoing efforts to advance the Sedona in Motion (SIM) priorities and enhance local transit service. Council directed staff to conduct public outreach with business owners and stakeholders to enhance local connections and explore future service opportunities, taking into account cost implications and potential collaborations.  In addition, Council requested staff evaluate the possibility of adding Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) onto vehicles, and research options for a regional governance structure. Transit staff also provided an update on the business analysis and the design progress   for the Maintenance & Operations Center, which will be discussed at a quarterly SIM update at a City Council meeting this fall.

Did you know?

• ......that on June 18, the Sedona Fire District moved into Stage II Fire Restrictions? The Sedona Fire District joins Coconino County, Yavapai County, Coconino National Forest, and other local fire jurisdictions in this action. Learn more about what is and is not prohibited during this stage.

Events

• Join weekly line dancing classes every Wednesday in August at The Hub (525 Posse Grounds Rd.) from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. These classes are free and no experience is necessary!
• The next Free To Be Me Drum Circle is scheduled for Saturday, August 16 from 12:00 - 2:00 pm in the air-conditioned Hub, located at 525 Posse Grounds Rd. This event is free and perfect for all ages and abilities.

News

• The City of Sedona celebrated a major milestone on June 11 with the groundbreaking of Villas on Shelby, a new deed-restricted affordable housing complex that will provide 30 rental apartments to those earning an average of 60% of the area medium income (AMI), meaning rent for a 1-bedroom unit will be approximately $862 per month and rent for a 3-bedroom unit will be approximately $1,188 per month. The complex is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
• The City of Sedona began construction of a new shared-use path (SUP) along Andante Drive to improve pedestrian access and safety in the Harmony neighborhood. This new 10-foot-wide SUP will begin at SR 89A on the west side of Andante Drive, cross the road via a raised crosswalk just south of Lyric Drive, and continue north on the east side of Andante Drive to Thunder Mountain Road. There will be two speed humps installed along Andante Drive to keep vehicle speeds low. Additional work includes drainage improvements and the installation of underground conduit for future utilities use.
• New roundabout artwork Eternal, created by James Muir, was installed Friday, June 13 in the Chapel Road roundabout. This art installation consists of a 15-foot fabricated steel mobius ring, lamp antiqued bronze tubing, with a low voltage solar flame in keeping with dark skies and a red rock cairn base.

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