City Council Recap

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

• On Nov. 12, 2025, City Council approved updates to the Land Development Code, which acts as a guiding document for the City’s land use. The changes bring the City into compliance with House Bill 2447, which allows certain development and design plans with proper zoning, as well as subdivisions, to be reviewed and approved by City staff without going through a public hearing. The updates also expand the notification area for all projects from 300 to 600 feet. In instances when the City initiates a project, every household would be notified via mail. These changes will take effect on Dec. 31, 2025.
• On Nov. 12, 2025, City Council heard an update on the economy, how the budget is doing so far this year, and options related to home rule and Permanent Base Adjustments. With two months of data in, both sales tax and bed tax revenues are coming in slightly higher than they were at the same point last fiscal year. Staff will keep a close eye on revenues in case things start to trend downward. For now, the numbers support staying cautious, but they don’t suggest the City needs to change course or make budget cuts at this time. A recording of the presentation is available to watch for more details.
• On Nov. 13, 2025, City Council interviewed the four selected applicants for the vacant City Council seat ending in November 2026, including Allan Affeldt, Charlotte Hosseini, Jean Buillet and Ernest Strauch. City Council unanimously appointed Charlotte Hosseini to fill the seat which began on Nov. 25, 2025.

Rumor Mill

There have been questions circulating about how and when the Pedestrian Crossing on Oak Creek (the surface-level crosswalk on SR 179) is being operated, so we want to provide a brief update.

The City manages the surface crosswalk based on real-time traffic conditions. When travel times on SR 179 become unusually slow, often during peak visitation periods, the crosswalk may be temporarily closed to help keep traffic moving. At other times, when conditions allow, the crosswalk remains open. This approach helps balance pedestrian access, roadway safety and overall traffic efficiency.

Even with the underpass in place, the surface-level crosswalk continues to serve important functions. It provides an alternate route during flooding events, maintenance or other situations when the underpass may be unavailable. It also offers additional flexibility during special events and for people with mobility considerations.

Under the Agreement with ADOT and Tlaquepaque, the City is required to periodically evaluate whether the surface crosswalk is warranted under state criteria. The first of these evaluations is currently underway, but not yet complete. If a future evaluation were to determine that the crosswalk is unwarranted, the agreement requires the City and ADOT to first study whether a traffic signal and other improvements could improve conditions before any decision about removal is considered.

Our Traffic Control Assistants help manage pedestrian crossings during busier times, like operations at Jordan Road and the Uptown mid-block crossing. Using traffic monitoring cameras and software, Traffic Control Assistants actively work to:

• Allow enough “green time” for vehicles to move through
• Prevent jaywalking by guiding pedestrians to safe crossing points
• Identify gaps in traffic to let pedestrians cross efficiently

This combination of real-time traffic monitoring and active management helps keep both vehicles and pedestrians moving safely through the corridor.

Did you Know

…that siren systems are one component of improving alerts and warnings for the public? They are more effective at reaching people in areas with limited connectivity on their mobile devices. Two sirens are being installed in the Uptown region. They are an “All-Hazards” system, and can be used for fires, floods or any other emergency. Alongside the City’s subscription-based Nixle text alert system, and FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), audible sirens help maximize the reach an emergency message can have. These sirens can also play a spoken message that can give instructions or important context during an emergency, helping to ensure that residents and visitors alike are notified of an emergency incident. Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) received a $269,200 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement two siren systems at 221 Brewer Road and at the new Parking Garage on Forest Road. These locations were identified and approved by Council on Dec. 9, 2025, and one more siren will be installed at Thompson Trail Water Tank. These locations were identified as optimal for the pilot siren program as they are positioned in densely populated locations on the Coconino County side of Sedona.

News 

• Local businesses need to renew their Business License now for calendar year 2026. Renewal applications must be submitted and approved by Jan. 29. Business owners will receive an email with a link to an online renewal application. A renewal fee of $35 is due at the time the application is submitted.
• The City of Sedona Maintenance team is busy making several upgrades to Posse Grounds Park, including: 

• Parking lot at Carruth and Posse Grounds Road: 20-25 new spaces dedicated to park users with improved drainage and landscaping with new mature trees.
• Softball Field upgrades: new grass, low irrigation sprinkler heads, new dugout roofs and ADA improvements. 
• Improvements to Posse Grounds Pavilion: adding new ADA stadium seating above the current gabion basket bench, using gabion baskets filled with red rocks with a concrete top for seating. 
• Posse Grounds Park ramada remodel by the playground: New grills, improved drainage and new metal roofs.
• New lights will be installed on the multi-use field and new shade structures will be installed at the pickleball courts.

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