City Council Recap

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

• On Dec. 9, 2025, City Council approved the proposed locations for a new all-hazards emergency siren system. Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement a pilot program in Sedona. The awarded grant totaled $269,200, which covers the cost of two siren locations at 221 Brewer Road and at the new Parking Garage on Forest Road. These locations were identified as optimal for the pilot siren program, in addition to a third siren approved for installation at Thompson Trail Water Tank. These three locations are positioned in densely populated locations, with both residents and tourists, in the Coconino County portion of Sedona.
• On Dec. 9, 2025, City Council approved an agreement with Alternative Energy Systems Consulting, Inc. (AESC) to provide planning and design services for decarbonization projects to help meet the goal for municipal operations to be carbon neutral for an amount not-to-exceed $249,759.50. Municipal projects include EV infrastructure, solar power, HVAC electrification and more. The planning and design services will create the critical next step in moving from conceptual recommendations to implementation-ready projects.
• On Dec. 10, 2025, City Council heard a presentation from three groups: Cultural Park 2.0, a resident and the Sedona International Film Festival to share their concepts for the Western Gateway property as part of a broader Council effort to gather additional community input to inform the draft Western Gateway Master Plan. No decisions were made by City Council and the topic was placed on the Council’s retreat agenda for Dec. 18. 2025.
• On Dec. 10, 2025, City Council heard an update on the Wastewater Reclamation Plant (WWRP) Facility Plan on future effluent management strategies and the environmental study of the Dells land. The purpose of the plan was to evaluate the hydraulic and treatment capacity of the WWRP, evaluate treatment processes to address potential regulatory requirements, and evaluate effluent management alternatives. Council directed staff to move forward by adding recharge wells and to investigate how to supply water to the Dells land.
•  On Dec. 16, 17, and 18, 2025, City Council held their annual retreat, narrowing their priorities from 18 in fiscal year 2026 to four planned for fiscal year 2027. Top priorities include: Community, Housing, Mobility/Transit/Circulation, and Economy/Economic Development. Council gave staff direction to move forward with a lot line adjustment, zoning, and future land lease with Sedona International Film Festival at the Western Gateway site. Council reappointed three members to the Tourism Advisory Board. Council directed staff to form a Council Compensation Citizen Work Group consisting of seven residents, including one councilor as Chair.

Did you Know

…that you can recycle your Christmas Tree? The city of Sedona will accept Christmas trees for recycling through Jan. 31. Trees can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the city’s maintenance yard, located at 2070 Contractors Rd.

News 

• The city of Sedona is excited to announce our new Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Tyler Maffitt! Tyler comes with several years of private and public experience in all aspects of communications and public affairs. Welcome to the team, Tyler!
• The Sedona Police Department was awarded two grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety – totaling $10,000 to support overtime funding for traffic safety enforcement.

Events

• The 2026 Week of Service is back with a dozen volunteer events during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, Jan. 13-19. Pick an event or two and sign up to better our region!

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Questions, comments, or feedback? Please contact Kegn Hall, Public Relations Analyst.

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