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Friends of Flagstaff’s Future update for April 3 — NAU Starts a New Climate Action Plan

by Community Contributor • April 3, 2019 • Comments Off

In This Issue
-NAU Climate Action Plan
-Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update
-Council Upholds P&Z Veto of new Cell Tower on Eastside
-Community Involvement this Week

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NAU Starts a New Climate Action Plan

NAU held a meeting on April 1st to discuss the goals of a new 2019 Climate Action Plan. It was decided that a new Climate Action Plan was necessary: 1. To obtain buy-in from the community and administration and 2. To create clear accountability steps to make sure the goals of the Climate Action Plan are met. The main goal of the new Climate Action Plan is to reach carbon neutrality. NAU hopes to model the new plan after the Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan recently adopted, as well as the ASU Climate Action Plan.
NAU would like input and to collaborate with the larger Flagstaff community to meet the goals of carbon neutrality for NAU. There are several action teams that NAU is encouraging the Flagstaff community to join and/or provide input to this year. The 11 Action teams include: Energy; Waste Minimization and Recycling; Landscaping; Transportation; Environmental Justice; Academics; Water; Purchasing; Art, Media and Communication; Residence Life; Implementation and Adaptation. Regardless of when the new Climate Action Plan is finished, recommendations from the Action Teams will begin in Fall 2019.
NAU will soon create an RFP for a consultant to create the new Climate Action Plan. NAU is hoping to select the consultant in June and start the planning process in July.
If any of our members would like to join one of the NAU Action Teams, please respond to this newsletter with area of interest.

Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update

In connection with Earth Day, April typically sees a lot of community outreach for environmental sustainability initiatives. The Office of Sustainability presented updates to Council on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) last evening. Making this a community-shared plan is one of the stated goals of the CAAP. They will be holding a Climate Ambassador Training this evening from 5:30-8 pm at the East Flagstaff Library for those who would like to help lead in climate action and awareness. Attendees need to register with Lee.Bryant@flagstaffaz.gov
They will also be holding a series of work sessions with community groups and meet with every department of City staff to help reach the goals of the CAAP. Equity is a particularly important aspect of the CAAP, The Office of Sustainability is looking to integrate equity issues in all stages of implementation and encourages ideas from others to increase participation with vulnerable populations.
The CAAP implementation looks to reduce Flagstaff emissions by 60% from 2016 baseline measures by 2050. The Climate Action and Adaptation plan will be updated every five years and is expected to reach 80% reduction by 2050 as new technologies emerge and costs are reduced.

Council Upholds P&Z Veto of New Cell Phone Tower on Eastside

Pinnacle Consulting on behalf of Verizon Wireless requested a conditional use permit to construct a cell phone tower at 3500 N. 4^th St., on the Trinity Church property. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to deny the conditional use permit. An appeal of the conditional use permit was on City Council’s agenda last evening. City planning staff and Pinnacle Consulting both made presentations. Council also heard public comments from many neighborhood residents who opposed the construction of a cell tower. Council voted to uphold the Planning and Zoning Commission decision and did not grant the conditional use permit.

Community Involvement this Week

Make a difference in our community by joining a city commission! There are many city commission positions open at this time, including Transportation Commission, Water Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Sustainability Commission. This is an opportunity for passionate citizens to advocate for their values a couple of hours a month while working alongside City Staff to create sustainable policies for Flagstaff. Applications are available here: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1886/Vacancies

This First Friday, the City of Flagstaff Water Services will be kicking off Water Awareness Month. They will be at Heritage Square from 4-7pm taking Pledges for the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Come take the pledge and get awesome prizes and free snacks. You can also take the pledge here: http://mywaterpledge.com/

Thank you for your membership, participation and advocacy!

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future Board of Directors
Emily Melhorn, Michael Caulkins, Darren Bingham, , Rachel Ellis,
Marilyn Weissman, Marcus Ford, Susie Garretson, Eric Nolan, and Eli Cohen

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