Amethyst On the Issues
1. NAH Rezoning: 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?
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.
2. Carbon Neutrality Plan: 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?
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 timeframe. 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.
Northern Arizona Association of Realtors Questionnaire
1. Regional Plan: The city will soon be presenting our new “regional” plan for the public to vote on next year. Do you support the plan as written (to date) and how would you change it if elected?
I support the plan, but I believe that it should provide more prioritization. Sometimes I see it as throwing in everything but the kitchen sink, but inevitably major decisions are made amidst competing values. Most people agree that open spaces, housing, and sustainable development are important. They are in the regional plan, but some decisions require us to promote one area in ways that may be a loss in another area. I think this is where we could improve on our plans in general, not just our regional plan. Understanding a ranking of goals could help us be more representative of the public’s sentiment.
2. Community Engagement: What will you do to help our citizens become more aware of what the city is doing?
I would encourage more community engagement by utilizing multiple communication platforms to provide information in ways people will naturally be exposed to. I am glad that the city has been increasing their presence on social media and informing the public about what is on the City Council’s upcoming meetings. Not everyone is on social media however, or checks the city website agenda regularly. One idea to increase public engagement would be to have an electronic sign outside City Hall that can provide similar information as they post on Facebook and Instagram. It could list the hot topics happening at the next Council meeting, or ask people to apply to be on a commission. That way, anyone driving by Humphrey’s and Rte 66 could see what was going on or what opportunities there are available to become more engaged in local government. My hope is that this transparency will provide residents with the information they need to understand how city council decisions effect their everyday lives and inspire them to become more aware independently.
Climate Action: What is your opinion on the status of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan?
It is my opinion regarding the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan that although progress has been made, we are far from being on track to meet our goals outlined within the plan. I’d like to see greater transparency in the progress of the plan, more accountability to upholding the plan in new developments as well as more action to remove any city funds from the fossil fuel industry. Right now, the city is financing the fossil fuel industry through Wells Fargo, and I think it is counterintuitive to our goals, and quite honestly underhanded, that we invest in fossil fuels with Flagstaff taxpayer money and then spend more Flagstaff taxpayer money to undo what the fossil fuel industry is doing.
Housing: What steps should Flagstaff take to address affordable housing?
I would like to see the city take steps to address affordable housing particularly in the area of home ownership. We have fallen massively short of addressing the availability of reasonable, affordable homes. It seems that most everything being built are large apartment complexes or expensive, luxury homes. I would like to see neighborhoods that offer starter homes or affordable homes, townhouses or duplexes with yards that are far more fitting of the character of Flagstaff. We need to fully review the housing incentives of the city that, in my opinion, have not provided the intended results, and are not incentivizing the types of development we would like to see. We should also continue to partner with our local non-profits to support small scale development of open lots in town such as the Habitat for Humanity homes on Butler.
What is your favorite part about Flagstaff and/or northern Arizona?
What isn’t my favorite part would be a shorter list. My most favorite thing about Flagstaff is it feels like home. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what that is but it includes family and best friends I have known most my life. It’s the smell after monsoon storms, the green that takes over the mountain in spring and the golden yellow that takes it over in fall. It’s drinking coffee outside enjoying chirping birds, mountain views and crisp, dewy beginnings of another day. It’s seeing familiar faces around town and smiling at strangers. It’s taking my children to the same schools I attended. It’s hiking and camping at Lockett Meadow. Sometimes it’s shaking my head at drivers turning the wrong way on downtowns one-way streets or braving a Target run during move in week. There is a comfortable familiarity to every neighborhood, memories that built who I am at every turn.