City Council Recap

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

• On Aug. 12, 2025, City Council approved a development agreement with Dutchman’s Cove, LLC for a 99-year public access agreement, and to construct a 10-foot wide shared-use path at the proposed new Ambiente Creekside hotel, in exchange for a City contribution of $140,000 and abandonment of existing easements. If built, the hotel will be located on the southeast side of N. SR 89A at the Owenby Way roundabout in Uptown. The 1,800-foot shared-use path will run from the Owenby Way roundabout to the southern border of the property where it could tie into future pathways near Oak Creek.
• On Aug. 12, 2025, City Council amended the Sedona City Code by approving a new chapter about wild and/or exotic animal displays/performances. The purpose of the new chapter is to protect public health and safety against hazards that wild and exotic animals pose and to protect wild and exotic animals from cruel and inhumane treatment. The new chapter prohibits the display and performance of wild or exotic animals within Sedona city limits unless under clearly defined exceptions—such as with permission of the property owner and with a license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Any display or performance of wild or exotic animals on city property, including rights-of-way, requires liability insurance. The new chapter is effective on Sept. 11, 2025.
• On Aug. 12, 2025, City Council approved a contribution of $1,000,000 to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) as the City’s contribution toward the construction cost of a concrete shared-use path on the east side of Shelby Drive, from approximately Sedona Recycles to Whippet Way, or 1950 feet. This is the agreed upon match to receive a $500,000 Congressional Grant toward this project that ADOT is managing. ADOT will be going out for bid this winter for a contractor and the project is estimated to be complete mid-2026. The pathway will increase walkability and bikeability, and improve safety.
• On Aug. 13, 2025, City Council directed the Sedona Police Department (SPD) to turn off the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program, provide a timeline of past discussions regarding the ALPR program, form a citizen work group, and return to Council at a later date with parameters and a proposal for a potential pilot program. However, note that on Sept. 9 City Council voted to cancel the contract all-together and the cameras will be removed soon.
• On Aug. 26, 2025, City Council approved the City to sponsor and apply for the U.S. Forest Service’s Arizona State Parks’ Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund Competitive Grant Program application for the Broken Arrow Trailhead Redesign Project. The $750,000 in grant funds includes new trailhead amenities such as new signage, paved access to the trailhead and gravel at the trailhead to reduce dust and stormwater runoff, improved traffic flow, a vault toilet, and an OHV staging area.
• On Aug. 26, 2025, City Council approved a linking agreement to purchase new tasers, patrol car cameras, body worn cameras, and related hardware/software in the amount of $1,199,393.15 for the Sedona Police Department (SPD). Replacing equipment with new models means the SPD will stay current with industry leading technology to deliver optimal responsiveness, transparency, and accountability to the community.
• On Aug. 26, 2025, City Council approved a $320,000 contract for a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) consultant to help City staff implement the new ERP system. City Council also approved a contract for a 5-year new ERP system in an amount-not-to-exceed $1,530,663.00. The new ERP software will help integrate internal financial management processes into one tool across all City departments.

Did you Know

• …that several wonderful job opportunities are available right now? Check out our job board today.

Events

• The Red Dirt Concert Series resumes in September! Get ready for some great music every Friday in September.
• Attend the new artist Exhibit and Reception on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 4 - 6 p.m. at City Hall to view naturalist Greg Lawson’s photographs and impressionistic painter Hope Riccardi’s work, on display through Jan. 8, 2026.
• Join a public meeting for a new potential City Shuttle Service on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at The Hub, located at 525-B Posse Ground Rd. The new shuttle service would aim to improve connectivity between the shopping areas of Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, Hillside Sedona, and the Uptown area.
• The annual WagFest + Fair is on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 8 - 11 a.m. at Posse Grounds Park Pavilion, located at 525 Posse Ground Rd.
• Bring the whole family to the Community Outreach Event on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 3 - 5 p.m. at The Hub, located at 525-B Posse Ground Rd. Learn about SWAT, K9, Drone, Traffic Stops and see DUI demos. Enjoy free hamburgers, hot dogs and chips. 
• The city of Sedona and Yavapai County will host the free Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Event on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Sedona Red Rock High School parking lot at 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd. In addition to household hazardous waste and electronics, participants may also bring medical waste and paper documents for shredding.

News

• The City is seeking five Tourism Advisory Board members. Help shape the City’s tourism strategy that consists of 11 volunteers appointed to advise the city council and staff on decisions related to tourism strategic planning, marketing, visitor management, regional tourism efforts and any other tourism related matters assigned to it by the city council. Applicants should be at least one of the following: a Sedona resident, own or operate a business within the city limits or represent an organization serving the community. Interested? Apply today!
• Help the City shape the new shuttle service by attending an upcoming public meeting and taking a brief survey. The City is exploring a potential new shuttle service that aims to improve connectivity between the shopping areas of Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, Hillside Sedona, and the Uptown area, it asks residents, businesses and visitors to take a survey by Sept. 21, 2025 to help assess the feasibility for this type of service for the community. Also, the city will host a public meeting to gain additional feedback on Sept. 18, 2025 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Sedona Hub at 525-B Posse Ground Rd. Community feedback is crucial in shaping this potential new service.
• The city of Sedona promoted both previous city Finance Director Barbara Whitehorn and Communications and Tourism Director Lauren Browne as new deputy city managers after a national search with over 150 interested applicants for the best, most qualified candidates. “We are incredibly lucky to have the two best candidates in our very own organization. They both bring diverse skillsets that will benefit our community and usher in a new phase of leadership that allows me to be out in the community more while the three deputies work in concert with our staff to carry out our city initiatives,” said City Manager Anette Spickard. Congratulations Lauren and Barbara!

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