You undoubtedly wish that road and other infrastructure construction would come to an end. Nobody enjoys the inconvenience of the delays and noise that comes with these projects, but we all do enjoy the results. I want to update you on some current and future infrastructure projects discussed at a recent capital improvements retreat. The city maintains a multi-year capital improvements program (CIP) to adequately plan, finance, design and implement construction. Capital improvements staff work … [Read more...] about How Flagstaff Funds Improvements, Mitigation, Restoration, Safety, Beautification
Becky Daggett
Wildland Fire Preparedness: We All Play a Part
Living in Northern Arizona, destructive wildland fire is always on our minds. This year has been warmer than normal, with below average precipitation. I want to share a few updates on what’s being done to make sure that Flagstaff is as prepared as possible should we be faced with such a fire. A large part of Flagstaff’s strategy for protection from destructive wildland fire involves many partners engaged in the planning of forest thinning treatments, prescribed fire and wildfire response. … [Read more...] about Wildland Fire Preparedness: We All Play a Part
What’s Next for Flagstaff City Council?
On Dec. 17, Councilmembers Anthony Garcia and David Spence were sworn in and joined the Flagstaff City Council and, as the highest vote getter, Miranda Sweet was selected as Vice Mayor. I’m eager to get to know our new councilmembers better and look forward to continuing to work well together as a City Council. I’d like to give you an update on some of the issues and projects that will soon be before us. At our first meeting in 2025, we’ll be discussing our state and federal legislative … [Read more...] about What’s Next for Flagstaff City Council?
Promoting a Healthy Community through Trauma-Informed Systems Change
During the post-wildfire flooding of 2021, I witnessed interactions between people who were worried, tired and angry. Residents, volunteers and staff were all scrambling to protect homes, find solutions and bring relief to those impacted. We were all doing our best during a time when nobody’s best seemed good enough. As my time as a city councilmember and then mayor has progressed, I’ve gotten to know many city staff and I see how difficult and stressful their jobs often are. Most would agree … [Read more...] about Promoting a Healthy Community through Trauma-Informed Systems Change
Making Quality-of-Life Improvements in Flagstaff
I’m happy to report progress on Flagstaff’s Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP). I’m proud of our community for its planning, utilization of the latest science, and advocacy that created the CNP. To watch the latest update provided at the June 18 Flagstaff City Council meeting, go to https://flagstaffaz.new.swagit.com/videos/308308?ts=11339. I’m a strong supporter of the CNP for several reasons. This plan emerged from several years of work by thousands of residents and the city’s sustainability staff. … [Read more...] about Making Quality-of-Life Improvements in Flagstaff
Making Progress in Affordable Housing
Flagstaff’s housing problem is acute, and I know it can sometimes feel like not enough is being done to address it. I wish we had double the resources to tackle this problem, but we’re making progress – due, in large part, to the partnerships the city has with our non-profit housing partners combined with some smart investments of our resources. Yet, there’s still much work to do. First, I’ll speak to the housing programs led by the city’s housing section and some of the work of our non-profit … [Read more...] about Making Progress in Affordable Housing
Exploring Technology, Sharing Solutions with Other Cities
I attended my first South by Southwest (SXSW) last month. I went to Austin, Texas, to be a part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Civic I/O, an annual part of SXSW that brings together mayors, creatives and entrepreneurs from across the country to explore how technology can help solve some of our cities’ biggest challenges. I was one of 27 mayors who participated in panels, discussions and exercises, diving into future trends and the impacts of emerging technologies like artificial … [Read more...] about Exploring Technology, Sharing Solutions with Other Cities
Floodplain Project to Have Transformational Effect on Flagstaff
Flagstaff City Hall played host to the first Flagstaff Senate field hearing in 30 years when, on Feb. 15, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly convened a hearing of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which he chairs. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Water Resources Development Act. Senator Kelly requested testimony from the Army Corps of Engineers, City of Flagstaff, Navajo County and the Pascua Yaqui tribe. The common element between the three projects discussed is that all … [Read more...] about Floodplain Project to Have Transformational Effect on Flagstaff
Planning for the Future of Flagstaff’s Water Resources
The City of Flagstaff is a leader in water conservation, quality, delivery and management. Planning for the future of our water resources started decades ago and is continuous. To see how thoroughly Flagstaff has planned for its water future, I suggest you take a look at the Utilities Integrated Master Plan (UIMP) and specifically, the “water resources” chapter. This and other water planning documents can be found on the city’s website under Water Services: flagstaffaz.gov. “The major objective … [Read more...] about Planning for the Future of Flagstaff’s Water Resources
Collaborative Efforts Underway to Keep Flagstaff Safe from Wildfire, Floods
Hot and dry weather renews our concerns about destructive wildland fires. They can start in an instant and our strong winds can quickly cause them to grow, sometimes taking them out of the control of our firefighters. What’s being done to protect our community and ensure that fire in the surrounding forests is helping to keep them healthy instead of scorching everything in its path and leaving the soil hydrophobic, resulting in flooding? Quite a bit, with more to come. I want to emphasize the … [Read more...] about Collaborative Efforts Underway to Keep Flagstaff Safe from Wildfire, Floods
