City Council Recap

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

• On Sept. 9, City Council approved a new Arts & Culture Organizations Grant Program in which qualifying organizations are able to apply for annual grant funding from a $200,000 pool of money. Arts and Culture organizations that can apply to this program include those who have a $1,000,000 annual budget with regular or reoccurring annual programs which support the Sedona Community Plan. This program will be active in fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).
• On Sept. 9, City Council approved additional lighting at the Multi-Use Field at Posse Grounds Park in the amount of $248,025. This project will add dark-sky compliant lighting to the athletic field. The lights are expected to be installed by February 2026.
• On Sept. 9, City Council voted to cancel the contract for the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program. Since then, the cameras have been removed. This decision was based on their vote during the Aug. 13, 2025 meeting.
• On Sept. 10, City Council discussed the Western Gateway Draft Master Plan which included a comprehensive review of the property, project history, the public input collected, the new Housing Needs Assessment, the draft plan site characteristics and analysis, and Planning and Zoning Commission feedback. Council directed staff to set up a meeting with the Sedona Oak Creek School Board to better understand their needs; explore recreation center initial costs; explore options for buildings no higher than three stories; continue public outreach through Plan Sedona to help determine ideal housing types; explore optimizing the allocation of property uses and associated acreages for each block listed in the draft master plan and provide more details of mixed-use blocks; and maintain or increase the size of the natural areas. Council directed staff to complete a housing strategy that will outline what types of housing are needed in the future to assist them with housing allocation with the Western Gateway Master Plan and when complete, bring that back to council. More meetings will be planned with both the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council soon.
• On Sept. 23, City Council heard a quarterly update on the Sedona in Motion (SIM) projects, including traffic and parking analysis updates, the Transit Maintenance and Operations Facility currently in the design process, proposed roundabouts at Brewer/Ranger Roads and 89A/Forest/Ranger Roads, signaled metering of the Y, and shared-use pathways.

Did you Know

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

Events

• Attend a community engagement event on concepts of the draft Sedona Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness on Wednesday, October 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, located at 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd.
• The Fest of Fall is fun for the whole family and the perfect celebration for the Fall season! Grab lunch, dinner and treats from a wide selection of food trucks while enjoying the autumn atmosphere with family fun and games, craft beers, live music and much more!
• Looking for a unique alternative to the usual pumpkin patch routine? Dive into our floating pumpkin patch! Learn more about the Pumpkin Splash!
• Join us for safe Trick or Treating, flash mob dancing, costumes, candy and lots of family fun in Uptown Sedona on Friday, October 31 from 5 to 8 pm.

News

• Join the Planning and Zoning Commission! The city of Sedona seeks applicants for one expiring seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. This voluntary body, established by city council, consists of seven citizens appointed to play a critical role in the city’s planning process. Learn more and apply today.
• The City is seeking three 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!
• The Historic Preservation Commission is looking for a new member. This voluntary body consists of five citizens appointed and established by City Council to promote and protect Sedona’s historic character and identity. As an extension of the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, the Sedona Historic Preservation Commission reviews the approval of restoration and improvements to designated historical landmark homes and properties.

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