Click here to view answers by candidate.

1) What was your position on the rezoning for the Northern Arizona Healthcare Hospital
and Health Care Village at Fort Tuthill? How do you believe the city can encourage
renovation of our current hospital? If NAH chooses to relocate the hospital, how can you,
as a council member, play a role in ensuring significant citizen participation in the future
development of the existing hospital property on Beaver Street?

Robert Breunig
I voted “No” on the hospital relocation issue. I voted this way for several reasons. The proposed hospital, as designed, did not meet the City of Flagstaff’s long-term sustainability goals. If the City truly believes that there is a “climate emergency, major facility such as our future hospital should be a model of sustainability. I also did not like the ancillary development proposed next to the new hospital. It struck me as a money-making scheme that did nothing to provide homes for the hospital workforce. I would like to see the hospital remain in the heart of Flagstaff; I would encourage FMC to hire architects and planning firms that specialize in sustainable hospital renovations. I do believe the existing hospital can be renovated to current standards and, as a council member, would strongly advocate for the citizen’s desire to see the hospital remain in the central part of Flagstaff.

Amethyst Deasy
I was adamantly against the rezoning for NAH’s Health and Wellness Village at Fort Tuthill. NAH purchased 26 acres of developable land right next to their facility in 2009 for the purpose of expansion, and there are opportunities for renovations at their current location. The city can encourage renovation by continuing to communicate and work with NAH to balance the needs of the community with the reality of administering a hospital. The city can also help by potentially streamlining the permit process for renovations. I believe that developments of this magnitude should require more public meetings and outreach than smaller developments. This needs to be placed in the code, which would apply to NAH if they decide to relocate, as well as other massive development. If it’s not a requirement, I have doubts NAH and developers will engage the public to the degree our community expects.

Anthony Garcia
I was a NO vote on the Prop. 480. Although, I am against the current zoning ((ER) Estate Residential) aka “Millionaire Sprawl”, I felt that the project NAH wanted to deliver did not address our current housing needs and could have been developed with more consideration for our community values. If given the opportunity as a Council member my goals will reflect our values in actionable ways. I will be inviting NAH to a Work Session where we can have an open dialog about next steps for our current hospital’s redevelopment. I believe that having a public discussion about our community health partners next steps will be helpful for everyone involved. Public discourse is the key to making certain that all parties involved are part of the process. Opening NAH’s future decision making to public input will keep the public informed and NAH accountable.

Dennis Givens
Although Flagstaff needs a state-of-the-art hospital, I agreed with the residents who believed that rezoning for the Northern Arizona Healthcare Hospital and Health Care Village at Fort Tuthill was a bad idea, because of a conflict of interests. The city can work with Northern Arizona Healthcare to encourage renovation of our current hospital. If NAH chooses to relocate the hospital, as a city council member, I will invite the residents to participate in the public comment at city hall, hold meetings to discussion this matter and use the internet to ensure significant citizen participation in the future development of the existing hospital property on Beaver Street. Let the voters decide the fate of Flagstaff.

David Spence
I campaigned actively against the hospital move to Ft Tuthill, and 72% of voters agreed. Renovation at the current location should be given a second look; that is, dusting off the 2019 NAH planning document which did just that. Perhaps there are avenues to encourage dialogue between the NAH Board and the community. If that voluntary approach is not fruitful, a more coercive approach could be taken. Either way, a tone deaf Board is not in the best interest of patients in Flagstaff and surrounding communities.

If hospital relocation becomes a reality, the vacant hospital and many of the medical offices, clinics and Taylor House would need to be repurposed to avoid serious urban blight. I would seek community input and hire redevelopment consultants to salvage the area. An extreme solution would be to encourage a new hospital owner/operator to continue a “hospital on the hill”. That would seriously affect the bottom line of NAH operation of a relocated hospital.

Miranda Sweet
The zoning decision before council was whether to rezone for a hospital and ambulatory care facility. A significant number of Flagstaff citizens made a strong case on renovating the current hospital location and I believe Northern Arizona Healthcare has discussed this desire with many individuals and organizations. My hope moving forward is that the hospital leadership will engage with the community about both the hospital’s and the community’s needs. NAH hired out PUMA to address the re- development of the current location and as a Council member, if redevelopment is necessary, I will continue to ensure we have an advisory council, with citizens included, to continue discussions surrounding the current campus. I understand the importance of creating something meaningful for Flagstaff with the current hospital location, should NAH determine it must move the hospital, regardless of the proposed location.

2) Market-based development (such as construction of 7000 more market rate housing units), increasing housing density, and building on city-owned properties are all strategies that the City of Flagstaff has proposed to address our city’s housing emergency. What are your thoughts on the efficacy of these solutions in addressing the needs of low and middle income residents? Are there any other solutions that you believe should also be considered or implemented?

Robert Breunig
Construction of housing units on city owned properties may help relieve the current housing emergency, depending on how the units are developed and priced. Zoning changes that permit construction of multi-family housing units will address housing shortages. However, housing developments should not occur on city-owned land now designated as potential park land or open space.

This question begins with the term “market based” development. The city should encourage “non-Market” development housing solutions. Non-Market development is the construction of housing units by organizations other than profit-making developers, such as non-profit organizations, co-ops, land trusts, churches, etc.—that is, organizations not simply devoted to profit making. In non-market based development, the profit is taken out of the equation, reducing the over-all cost of the development, and making the housing affordable. If non-market housing is developed on city-owned, non-park land, the cost of the housing could be further reduced for the buyer.

Amethyst Deasy
Using the term “market-based development” gives the impression of attainable homes. What I’ve seen regarding recent developments is large properties with expansive luxury homes, thus filling a higher income base with only the bare minimum reserved as “affordable.” It’s my opinion that we are not meeting the needs of residents, particularly middle-income residents, and we should incentivize building neighborhoods that resemble Bow and Arrow or Upper and Lower Greenlaw. I would like to look at building medium density with yards, homes that fit with the character of our town. We should also prioritize building low-income housing on spaces such as the lot adjoining Siler Homes, which the housing bond is intended for, but has thus far gone towards developer subsidies. We need to fully review the housing incentives of the city that, in my opinion, have not provided the intended results, and have not been substantively changed recently.

Anthony Garcia
First off, Market-rate development will never serve to help us gaining more attainable/affordable housing stock, since it’s designed to benefit the bottom line of those controlling the “market” with little consideration for those that feed the market (home owners). My plan is to work with what the City has more control over since Arizona state restricts us from most local control mechanisms over Market-rate housing. I believe redesigning our current city owned housing projects is a great place to start. Siler, Brannen and Clark homes can increase its housing stock by 300% with my vision of redevelopment. I will personally be lobbying Federal funding to help this process. Additionally, promoting city owned land trust development on the 28.5-acre city owned parcel adjacent to Pine Canyon is another practical and actionable step in leading us out of our current housing crisis. Seeking partnerships with like-minded developers is another attainable goal!

Dennis Givens
The city’s 10-year housing plan is a thoughtful strategy to address Flagstaff’s housing crisis. Building more housing for low- and middle-income residents can help solve the problems of the storage of homes for the workforce and the unsheltered. The accessibility of responsible and sustainable building of market rate housing units will keep skilled labor in our community and people from being homeless. When the city builds more affordable units, those who have lived with housing problems will be able to live better lives.

David Spence
I commend the city staff and Council for the programs and initiatives they have provided up to this point regarding affordable housing. However more can and should be done. Flagstaff’s non-profits working in this area need recognition and support: Habitat for Humanity, Townsite Community Land Trust and Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona. Entry level home ownership options must be supported, such as RV parks, mobile home parks and tiny homes. Co-housing should be approved whenever requested by a group of individuals wanting communal style living. Regarding rental options, I will work with city staff to inventory the rental properties in Flagstaff, including all the apartment complexes, individual homes and the 5 story structures. This inventory will include rental rates, occupancy rates and eligibility criteria.

Miranda Sweet
I believe there is always more work to be done when talking about housing in Flagstaff. We must continue to think outside of the box. Two years ago I was integral in facilitating 40 starter homes being built in Flagstaff by Habitat for Humanity. This model is new and created here in Flagstaff, and will support over 200 Flagstaff families over the next 30 years. These homes will empower families as they save $10,000 every year, moving them from poverty to middle class. We need to continue to think of new and innovative ideas, it will take the entire community with different thoughts to tackle our housing emergency. The City is looking at streamlining burdensome building codes and permitting fees, I have been very supportive of looking at the streamlining process. I will continue to search out ideas from other communities to add to the dialogue.

3) What is your position on the city council’s recent decision to increase water and wastewater rates? How will you address the disproportionate burden these increases place on low income residents?

Robert Breunig
First, I think it was unconscionable for past Councils to defer action on the need to upgrade our water and wastewater infrastructure. We cannot and should not put off modernizing our water system any longer. The costs of delay will only escalate, threatening our city’s ability to properly manage our water system. I advocate taking timely measures to improve our water infrastructure in a measured way, tackling the most critical needs first within the next five years, then working on longer term needs over the subsequent several five-year terms. I support a short-term increase in water rates to address the most critical infrastructure needs now–and then support carefully planning for future needs. Options for proportioning water costs to income levels deserve study by staff and council.

Amethyst Deasy
I am concerned about the increased financial burden this increase places on Flagstaff residents. The water rate increase will disproportionately impact our most socioeconomically vulnerable residents who, historically, have had the least infrastructural improvements. Instead, the improvements to water infrastructure have been directed to new developments and neighborhoods with residents of a high socioeconomic status. My main issue with the increase is that the projects being funded were not prioritized before the vote. We need to triage the dozens of projects it is intended to fund, and I will advocate for our low-income neighborhoods and most neglected infrastructure to take precedence.

Anthony Garcia
As a perspective City Council member, I want to get back to the basics when it comes to providing the best essential services for our community while preparing Flagstaff to be a city of the future. This includes addressing a lofty backlog of differed maintenance at our public works department and infrastructure improvements across the board. Water is life and none of us can live more that one week without clean drinking water. If we are going to rely on the city to provide us with this amazing finite resource every time we twist the tap on our faucets or flush our toilets, we should be prepared to pay our fair share for the infrastructure to provide us with safe water, waste water and storm water. I will seek out Federal and State funding to help pay for future water needs like Potable Reuse and Advanced Purification techniques.

Dennis Givens
Water is the most crucial resource to sustain life. Without water, life would cease to exist. The city council’s recent decision to increase water and wastewater rates was a tough decision but needed to happen. Although we should not add more debt for future generations, a decision to lower the rates, less than the recommended amount, happened to decrease the cost liability on residents and businesses. When elected I will address the disproportionate burden these increases place on low-income residents by offering water credits or subsidies from the city for those who practice water conservation methods or qualify due to limited income.

David Spence
The rate increases were necessary to maintain a functional and safe service. The long period since the last rate increase led to the severity of the rate hike at this time. I commend the City staff and Council for listening to the impacts and willingness to modify the rate structure in response. If it does not already exist, there should be a policy of not terminating service because of unpaid utility bills. Such forbearance could be factored into the budget and explained to the public as a humanitarian matter. This is an example of how I would work on the Council to solve problems.

Miranda Sweet
Flagstaff has infrastructure needs that require funding to ensure water reliability today and into the future. I struggled with trying to balance the needs to increase water rates while looking at the impact the increase will have on our residents and businesses. I ended up calling an emergency meeting to take one last look at what Council could do to lessen the financial burden on the community, including small businesses, while addressing our infrastructure needs.

Council was able to cut the rates significantly while funding 80% of our infrastructure needs. In the end I felt that we continue to have several safeguards to make sure we remain on track with our water needs and that taking that final look was crucial. I am committed to working with staff and community leaders in coming up with ways to address the disproportionate burden the increases may have on our community.

4) What will you do to ensure that the city’s Carbon Neutrality Plan is rigorously implemented throughout all city departments? Do you believe, for example, that the city should have investment and purchasing policies that reduce support for the fossil fuel industry as a way to implement the Carbon Neutrality Plan?

Robert Breunig
I strongly support the city’s Carbon Neutrality Plan and would advocate for the continuation—and strengthening—of the plan. I would like to see more regular reports from the Sustainability Department to the City Council and public on the implementation of this plan, with reference to specific benchmarks—will we reach carbon neutrality by 2030? The plan as currently written places too much emphasis or carbon capture. Carbon neutrality should be the mandate and focus of every city department going forward, with each working towards the stated goals. If an organization that does business with the city engages in actions in conflict with the city’s climate goals, such as Wells Fargo Bank’s major investment in fossil fuels, the city should end that business relationship.

Amethyst Deasy
In an effort to ensure the Carbon Neutrality Plan is implemented across all of the city’s departments I would advocate that the entire council and city utilize the goals from the carbon neutrality plan as part of the key performance indicators for the departments. Ultimately it greatly incentivizes the departments to take the carbon neutrality plan into consideration consistently. I strongly support Fossil Free Arizona’s movement to shift the city’s finances to banks that don’t support the fossil fuel industry. Beyond that approach I’d like to see more clear planning and measurable progress to provide transparency in the expectations of meeting the carbon neutrality plan within the defined time frame. With these or other measures in place we can create accountability. Much of this approach stems from my years as an RN, once you assess the patient, then you implement interventions and reassess the effectiveness for meeting your treatment goals.

Anthony Garcia
The idea of offsetting carbon emissions is an opportunity where we can balance one negative carbon influence against its positive counterpart, so that there is no great difference as a result. We are starting to see more opportunities for this in our local economy and as a Climate Ambassador for the City of Flagstaff I’ve been working to forward this progression in every actionable way. Enforcing environmental impact fees can be a way to not only mitigate energy exploitation by industrial/corporate use, but also can help to fund the future of our sustainability programs. Environmental, ecological, cultural and climate impact studies are an essential tool to give a better understanding of what our future development capacity can withstand. I support making sustainability the common thread that is woven throughout all departments at the city.

Dennis Givens
I will attend weekly meetings with the city’s departments to ensure they are moving towards implementing the goals of the Carbon Neutrality Plan. The city must move away from investing and purchasing policies that support the fossil fuel industry as fast as we are able. Not only are we making unethical oil barons wealthier, but we are also polluting the air we breathe. The city needs to focus its energies on renewable resources that the voting populace want. As always, let the voters decide what is best for them.

David Spence
Yes, each Department should have an implementation plan for the CNP. Dialogue followed by recommended action, followed by mandates would be my approach. Yes, I am a member of Fossil Free Arizona, a climate action team of Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, which asked that banking services RFP have criteria against fossil fuel support. When enough customers shun the dirty banks they will stop that support.

Miranda Sweet
Every agenda item that comes to Council has to state how it is advancing our Carbon Neutrality Goals. A couple of things slowing down our advancement of the CNP is the inventory and technology needed in various sectors. One example is the City working to obtain an all electric fleet of vehicles. There continues to be a backlog for attaining all electric vehicles. Even if all electric vehicles are available they may not always fit into the needs of the City using their current technology. There have been several robust discussions surrounding moving the needle in our CNP goals and the foundation work is set for our goals to be achieved. Recently the City added a question to our RFP looking for companies that do not invest in fossil fuel investments, and I am very supportive of this addition.

5) City ballot Proposition 487 renews the Bed, Board and Booze tax, and city ballot Proposition 488 renews and increases the transit tax to fund Mountain Line’s expansion of public transit. What is your position on each of these propositions?

Robert Breunig
I support both propositions. The BBB tax supports activities that make our city more beautiful and interesting through the Beautification Commission and it also supports numerous non-profit arts and science organizations. This tax enhances our community in ways that make it a better and more attractive place to live. The Mountain Line tax will support both the expansion of services to areas now unserved, and the number of times service is available to riders. Supporting the Mountain Line, Proposition 488, is critical to enhancing a transportation strategy that places less emphasis on the use of the automobile and greater support of mass transit. It is a key pillar of MetroPlan’s “Upward” long term plan.

Amethyst Deasy
I support the renewal of the BBB tax because it is disproportionately funded by tourists. Placing the tax burden more on tourists helps us maintain city services without unduly impacting locals. We need expanded public transportation, and I support Proposition 488. This helps all of us, not just those that use the bus system. It reduces traffic by taking more cars off the roads, reduces our carbon emissions, and improves public health. People who ride Mountain Line also use other alternative means of transportation—walking, bicycles, etc. that improves their health and the health of our community.

Anthony Garcia
I encourage everyone to please vote YES on both Prop. 487 and 488. As Beautification and Public Art Commissioner for the City of Flagstaff 2017-2024 I helped to allocate over 15 million in BBB funding to progress essential arts, cultural, science and humanities programing. None of this would have been possible without the BBB tax. My vision is to make Flagstaff an Art and Cultural hub and economic driver for the southwest region. YES on Prop 487 will help enable this. This 2% convivence tax (primarily paid for by tourism at the rate of 75% tourist to 25% local) is a great way to fund Arts and Science, Parks and Recreation, Economic Development and Beautification at a discount to us, locals. Voting YES on Proposition 488 will help Mountain Line expand its services, reduce traffic congestion, and transition its fleet to electrified and Hybrid vehicles that better serve our environment.

Dennis Givens
Flagstaff has a significant sales tax, even though not everyone believes in added taxes, it helps the city out tremendously. Proposition 487 renews the Bed, Board, and Booze tax which allows more marketing of Flagstaff’s local business, builds parks/community gardens, promotes the beautification of the city which keeps Flagstaff uniquely attractive and other wonderful things. Proposition 488 renews and increases the transit tax to fund Mountain Line’s expansion of public transit. This is important if we want to get more cars off the road and reduce traffic. Better public transportation is an essential solution to our congestion on the streets and a way to get people from place to place with less resources, especially if we electrify the entire bus fleet. Both propositions will cost the taxpayers a little more, but the price is a better city.

David Spence
I support both of these propositions. The BBB tax supports beautification projects that, in turn, support our tourism industry. The transit tax is a key funding stream for public transit which is a key to reducing Flagstaff’s carbon footprint: an urgent matter because we are in a climate crisis.

Miranda Sweet
I serve on the Mountain Line Board and have worked for years on ways to improve the ridership experience for our Flagstaff citizens. Prop 488 will increase the level of service with adding convenience, increasing routes, adding frequent bus service, increasing hours of service, and adding electric buses to the fleet. All of these reasons should help address the hesitation in using the bus system and increase our ridership. All of these attributes will help increase the accessibility for our community to take the bus. Proposition 487 will continue to fund Parks and recreation, tourism, economic development, arts and sciences, and beautification. All of these are values we prioritize and are what make Flagstaff a wonderful place to live, work, and play. Many may not realize the impact of our BBB funds in our community supporting non profits, fostering business retention and expansion, preserving our open space – keeping our economy strong.

6) The Arizona State Legislature has referred twelve measures to the November ballot. One in particular will affect Flagstaff directly. State Proposition 138 will change the state constitution by allowing employers to pay tipped workers 75% of the state minimum wage. This will have the effect of overturning Flagstaff’s minimum wage increases for tipped workers. What is your position on this proposition and why?

Robert Breunig
I oppose this proposition. The voters of Flagstaff selected and approved the language of the current minimum wage ordinance. The Arizona State Legislature’s practice of amending or overturning locally decided measures flies in the face of local decision making and is a hypocritical practice for a legislative body, many of whose members state that government should be close to the people. The people of Flagstaff made their decision and only they should amend it.

Amethyst Deasy
I think that this proposition will negatively impact Flagstaffs tipped workers. Many Flagstaff businesses have accommodated the increase in Flagstaff’s minimum wage by adding a service charge in place of tips, or tip sharing, or no longer accepting tips due to the change. If we revert to the old way of paying tipped workers with the state proposition I think there will not be enough education regarding that change and many tipped workers will be shorted because the change in Flagstaff’s minimum wage has become our new normal.

Anthony Garcia
I will be voting NO on 138 because it will be hard for employees to prove that they’re not making $2 more than Minimum wage, giving the advantage to the employers dictating their earnings. The amendment would allow for tipped workers to be paid 25% less per hour than the minimum wage if any tips received by the employee were not less than the minimum wage plus $2 for all hours worked. Currently, businesses in Arizona can pay tipped workers $11.35, which is $3 less than the current minimum wage of $14.35, as long as their take-home pay, including tips, amounts to the minimum wage. Under this new amendment, businesses would be able to pay workers $3.58 (25%) less than the current minimum wage of $14.35, which is $10.77, provided that the total take-home pay of each worker is at least the hourly minimum wage plus $2 for each hour worked.

Dennis Givens
I say let the voters decide, if most Arizonians want to change the state constitution to allow employers to pay tipped workers 75% of the state minimum wage or not then so be it. As a tipped worker in Flagstaff, I have seen the pros and cons of the high minimum wage. Employers are paying more for labor in Flagstaff, small businesses are struggling to compete with major corporations causing prices to go up, leaving tipped workers with less tips. When business owners have more control over their revenue, things are less out of control. If businesses are not paying a living wage to their most dependable workers, then employees ought to take their talents elsewhere. Having a one size fits all policy on businesses only hurts the mom-and-pop shops who need more help than ever to survive.

David Spence
I oppose Proposition 138 because, once again, it preempts local government from enacting policies that apply specifically to each locality. Service workers, who commonly receive tips, need a living wage just as much as non-tipped workers. The solution is to pay more to the latter group. A restaurant or beauty shop can raise their prices to offer a fair, living wage for their employees. The consuming public, in turn, can then choose whether to buy that service.

Miranda Sweet
Voters will decide on Proposition 138 in November. A healthy minimum wage boosts employee morale, reduces turnover, and helps energize the economy. When I talk to business owners I have heard more often than not that there is agreement with this sentiment. I have worked in the restaurant industry and will say that I relied heavily on my tips and I am not sure what the impact will be if Prop 138 fails. As I study the Bill I can’t help but wonder what the impact will be to the service industry. There are many countries that don’t tip and I question if that will start to happen in Flagstaff, if Prop138 were to fail. I continue to do research and interview small business owners and service industry workers to get a sense of the pros and cons of Prop 138.

7) How do you propose balancing the significant competing needs for land use in the city including housing, future parks, open space, agricultural uses, and forest resource Protection?

Robert Breunig
Land use issues need to be looked at comprehensively, not within departmental silos. Our city needs more land for housing but cannot ignore the important contributions of parks, open space and gardens to the character and quality of life within the city. In making land use decisions, finding an appropriate balance among competing needs is a priority for the city council. In addressing one single problem, the city cannot ignore all the potential needs that make the city an attractive place to live.

Amethyst Deasy
I think balancing the diverse needs regarding development is largely dependent on the momentin time it is being discussed. Needs ebb and flow so having a multidimensional approach to solutions while keeping in constant communication with our community is a good way to address them. I don’t think any of us expected the fires and floods we’ve faced, and that changed our plans for some land use in the city. I think some infill of land within the city could be extremely beneficial, incentivizing open land use for homes or community garden space, expanding the FUTS and parks while also maintaining some open spaces are all within the realm of possibilities. In my opinion, if we consistently keep in mind the character and values of our town, the reasons we all stay and continue to call Flagstaff home, we will improve our results in the end.

Anthony Garcia
Since 2021 I have been participating in the Regional Plan 2045 visioning and writing process with over 1000 other locals. In November 2023 I was nominated by District 2 County Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez to represent Sunnyside neighborhood and Flagstaff as member of the Regional Plan 2045 Final Draft Committee. Shortly after earning my seat at that table I was nominated Vice-chair by my fellow committee members based on my leadership abilities. I have spent a copious amount of time and effort helping to construct this document that will serve as the playbook for future leadership in their role of understanding our current values, mixed with our current future vision.. IE, if you’ve read the plan in its current form you will see my “fingerprints” all over it, and through the plan understand where my values align within the question stated above. Your voice matters
https://flagstaff-regional-plan-2045-flagstaff.hub.arcgis.com/pages/regional-plan-committee

Dennis Givens
The sky is the limit between downtown and fourth street. Flagstaff must build higher, replace outdated/unused buildings, and have more density between these two areas if they want to have more housing, future parks, open space, agricultural uses, and forest resource protection. Without doing so, the city will give up these valuable spaces with outward horizontal expansion. No one wants to block the views of the precious mountains with tall buildings, but the residents need more affordable housing and freed up zones. The city can dedicate more spaces for natural environment and mountain views, if we build up, repurpose older/vacated buildings and have more density in between downtown and fourth Street.

David Spence
My over-arching guiding principle in this area will be to prevent urban sprawl. This approach places a premium on infill and redevelopment within the City. Preserving the current park system is adequate, I believe, for the future. However, each new housing development should be required to preserve some open space, with connectivity, wherever possible, to the existing parks. I support the thoughtful approach the Council is taking on revising zoning regulations. This should lead to balancing the competing uses of land.

Miranda Sweet
Flagstaff has a Regional Plan and we are currently reevaluating our current zoning codes as we update and our Plan. We have been working on engaging the community and receiving public input on the various needs for Flagstaff. The Regional Plan is a policy guide that covers a range of topics with a vision for the community’s future, including housing, future parks, open space, agriculture, and forest resource protection and sets the vision for the future of Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Region is rapidly changing and a reevaluation and collaboration of goals and policies is necessary to ensure that Flagstaff continues to grow in a sustainable way. The City also relies on our Commissions to have public dialogue surrounding the competing needs for land use. The City is lucky to have high engagement from commissioners and its citizens ensuring that the balance of our needs remains intact.

8) In a democracy, communication with the public and managing conflicts are critical responsibilities of elected officials. How do you think future city council members can enhance the public throughout city government, and manage contentious issues? Please be specific.

Robert Breunig
I support the City’s current provisions for citizen participation: Access to council member e-mail addresses on the Council’s website; the ability to speak on any topic at the beginning of each council meeting; the ability to write comment cards or speak directly to council on a meeting’s agenda items, and the option of participating in council meetings through on-line video. I would encourage frequent and transparent presentations by leaders of city commissions or departments regarding their activities, accomplishments, and any obstacles they face in reaching their goals.

As a City Council member, I would personally hold regular sessions, at public locations, for members of the public to exchange their opinions with me. There will always be contentious issues. As a council member, I will listen carefully to divergent viewpoints but not shy away from taking and explaining my own positions on important public questions.

Amethyst Deasy
I think both current and future council members could do better to enhance communication with the public by making themselves accessible and not remain in a silo of elite groups. It is critical to build bridges among all walks of life and all backgrounds in our community to create a space of respect and safety where contentious issues can be discussed and solutions can be reached that serve the greatest good. Instead of perpetuating an idea that there is an “us” and a “them” I prefer to use the term “we.” I think more engagement should happen by having elected leaders and city staff hosting more events in neighborhoods to discuss issues. Too often, leaders expect people to go to them rather than the other way around. I also like how Coconino County mails newsletters on a regular basis, and the city should consider doing the same.

Anthony Garcia
Community engagement is an essential component to our local political process. It inspires inclusion, ensuring that every Flagstaff citizen has the opportunity to utilize their voices to foster change and shape our vision. As leadership, public comment is the road map we follow to better understand where policy can effectively meet the needs of our community. As citizens, we are the experts of our streets, neighborhoods and the pathways we traverse. This is an important perspective that adds value to our community when expressed publicly. I currently serve our community as the RegionalPlan2045 vice-chair. In this role, my priority is to garner robust community input and keep the public engaged throughout the process. Essentially, it’s our (taxpayer) money that enables the city’s budget. We the people deserve a say in how that money is spent. Public engagement is one key element to consider when establishing balanced public policy.

Dennis Givens
With more encouraged community engagement, future city council members can enhance communication with Flagstaff residents, facilitate greater communication with the public throughout city government and manage contentious issues. Inviting residents to participate at city council discussions, informing and asking residents to summit their comments, questions, and concerns about important topics via email or social media, holding weekly public forums with community organizations and individuals who can engage with elected officials to have their voices heard and be in the know on various city subjects. Communication is key. Opening more lines of information flow between the local governments and the citizenry is essential to democracy. When elected, I want everyone to be knowledgeable and heard when the city council makes decisions that affect us all.

David Spence
The agenda for Council meeting should be widely publicized as far in advance as possible and in a wide variety of media. The current limit of three minutes per person for items not on the agenda is sufficient. Procedures for future agenda items should remain unless there is a consensus to liberalize, balancing public input with time constraints. Managing contentious issues requires listening respectfully to both sides, followed by seeking the compromise for the greater good. Local media (newspaper, radio, and TV) are a vital communication means for the public. Perhaps paid features would help create funding for support of any missing media venues.

Miranda Sweet
While serving Council I have pushed for better communication between the City and our community members. The City has hired several media positions to assist in getting communications out into the public. As a Councilmember I strive to be available and share any and all communication with the community. I remain accessible, open to challenging dialogue, and truly work to listen to all sides while honoring differing opinions. There have been several contentious issues and I don’t shy away from having the difficult conversations, I know that I don’t have all of the answers. It is my job to get a well rounded perspective with all voices being present. I try to think of who I am reaching, but also who isn’t present in the conversation, with a goal to truly represent the community as a whole while making those tough decisions on the dais.