The city of Sedona has something new in the works and is seeking further input from the public before moving forward.
The city is in the process of creating its first Climate Action Plan. As part of it, the city is asking the community to take part in an online survey as well as participate in a pair of online open houses.
“The purpose of the Climate Action Plan is to create a path to a livable future for Sedona,” said McKenzie Jones, the city’s sustainability coordinator. “The plan will take into account the projected climate changes in the Verde Valley, Sedona’s greenhouse gas emissions, community vulnerabilities and the priorities, ideas and concerns of Sedona residents.”
Sedona’s plan will help build resilience to risks like flooding, wildfires and extreme heat, Jones said. As buildings and transportation are the largest sources of carbon pollution, strategies to reduce carbon pollution often include increasing renewable energy generation, moving toward electrified transportation, implementing energy efficiency measures in commercial and residential buildings, and creating more walkable and bikeable communities.
As part of the plan, the city is continuing to get public feedback. In light of COVID-19, the city is conducting the planning process virtually and asks that community members participate by joining an upcoming virtual open house and/or filling out an online community survey.
The public is encouraged to attend a virtual open house on one of the following dates:
• Monday, Sept. 21, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom open house information.
A draft of the plan is estimated to be completed in late fall.
According to Jones, the virtual open houses will focus on actions and strategies in the plan.
“This is an opportunity for community members to reflect on which actions are the most impactful and seem like a good fit for Sedona,” she said. “We will use Zoom breakout rooms to ensure community members have a chance to share their thoughts.”
In terms of the open houses, Jones said she was not concerned about conducting the process virtually.
“The community has been very engaged,” Jones said. “Community members have adapted to our virtual process and have provided thoughtful feedback by phone, email, social media, surveys and open houses.”
The city will take feedback from open houses and use it to craft a first draft of the plan. Staff will then bring the first draft of the plan back to Sedona City Council and the community for feedback. The topic is up for discussion only, and no action, at the council’s Wednesday, Sept. 9, meeting at 3 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.
For more information on the Climate Action Plan, visit www.sedonaaz. gov/climate.
If you have any questions, email Jones at mjones@sedonaaz.gov.
