City Council Recap

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

• On Aug. 13, 2024, City Council adopted a resolution and ordinance to increase sewer rates by 3.6%. The new rates will become effective on October 1.
• On Aug. 13, 2024, City Council approved a request to revert the zoning for the property referred to as The Preserve at Oak Creek from Planned Development to Commercial, Single Family Residential, and Multifamily Residential in Uptown Sedona.
• On Aug. 13, 2024, City Council approved the Small Grants Review Committee recommendations for the fiscal year 2025 small grants program in the amount of $350,000.
• On Aug. 14, 2024, City Council authorized the reallocation of 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from Steps to Recovery Homes to the Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity Sedona Home Repair Program.
• On Aug. 14, 2024, City Council heard an update on Tourism Visitor Data and reviewed the draft tourism strategic plan, which is a roadmap that outlines the steps the Destination Management Organization (DMO) will take in the next 18-months to 2-years to accomplish its goals. Visitation estimates for 2020 - 2022 ranged from 3.16 million visits to 3.28 million visits, with the peak year being 2021. The rough estimate for unique visitors during this time was between 1.36 to 1.42 million people, with 2021 seeing the highest unique visitors. Read the finalized Sedona Tourism Plan.

Did You Know

• … that our new Sedona Shuttle Connect launched on August 29?! The Sedona Shuttle Connect is public transit on-demand, providing Uber™-like service to most of the city limits, Thursday through Sunday from 6:30 am – 6:00 pm. The Sedona Shuttle Connect also connects with the Sedona Shuttle trailhead service at three popular Park & Ride lots so you can hike and bike without driving or parking. Just $2 per person ($1 for seniors). Check out the service map, download the TransLoc app, and learn more.

Events

• Attend the free Red Dirt Fall Concert Series held every Friday in September from 5:00 - 8:00 pm! Bring the whole family, blankets, chairs, non-alcoholic beverages, and a picnic dinner to fully enjoy the show at the beautiful Posse Grounds Pavilion, located at 505 Posse Ground Rd. Well-behaved pets are welcome and must be always kept on a leash.
• The next artist reception will take place on Thursday, September 26, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers and Vultee Conference Room at City Hall, where photographs taken by Elaine and Bill Belvin will be on display. Special music guest at the reception will be singer/keyboardist Shaeri Richards.
• Begin preparations for the annual Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Event on Saturday, October 5 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at West Sedona School.
• The city’s Arts and Culture Program will celebrate two incredible artists and two organizations at the upcoming seventh Mayor’s Arts Awards event on Saturday, November 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, located at 2030 SR 89A. Click here to learn more about the awardees and their categories.

News

• Excavation has begun for the new Uptown Parking Garage. To learn more about the Uptown Parking Garage, the excavation operations and the associated impacts, click here.
• Our Parks & Recreation Department has extended our operations at the Sedona Community Pool to serve residents for an extra two months. Thanks to our dedicated Lifeguards, the pool will remain open for the months of September (closed on Mondays and Wednesdays), and October (open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only).
• The city is now welcoming applications for the 2024 Citizens Academy! With presentations from City Council and each of the city departments, the academy is a free, nine-session program. The deadline to apply is September 5.
• The city is accepting applications for the Sedona Community Police Academy, an 8-week program held every Tuesday from 6:00 - 9:00 pm starting October 8.
• The city’s Park and Recreation Department is welcoming volunteers for their new Park Ambassador Program, designed to promote community ownership and stewardship within our municipal parks. Learn more by calling 928-282-7098 or email at sedonarec@sedonaaz.gov.

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