The City Council has a Capital Budget Retreat this Friday and your engagement could help the Council and City Staff find the funding needed for a few key safety projects along with needed additional staffing. The projects include building Protected Intersections (a design style that significantly improves the safety and comfort for those walking and biking) at both Butler & Beaver and Butler & San Francisco st. These are two of the most dangerous intersections in Flagstaff backed by the City’s Crash data outlined in the Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP). The other project is the elevation of the Butler bike pilot lanes to the height of the sidewalk creating 10′ FUTS along both sides of Butler. This will improve riding conditions giving riders the ability to pass one another while also streamlining snow maintenance efforts.
Currently, Martin Ince is the City’s Multi Modal Planner, and although Martin does great work for Flagstaff, he has been a team of one for way too long. Towns like Boulder, CO have 10+ Martin’s and we are hoping the City funds three additional positions to support him in the coming year.
Knowing that most won’t be able to attend the budget retreat on Friday, we are encouraging people to engage with the City Council during public comment at their Tuesday Public Meeting. The meeting starts at 3pm and you can give public comment in person or virtually from home. Every commenter has 3 min to speak, and public comment is the first thing on the agenda. Emails to Council are also a great way to be heard and can be sent any day of the week prior to the Friday retreat.
Please consider sending an email to Council by Friday and giving a public comment Tuesday @ 3pm.
Attached you will find FBO’s letter to Council and you are welcome to use it as a template for yours.
Email the Mayor, Vice Mayor & Council using this email address: Council@Flagstaffaz.gov
Learn more about the City’s Crash Data in the ATMP:
Learn more about Protected Intersections:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXJIZ5xLzaM
Link to Tuesday’s City Council meeting with information about how to give virtual public comment:
Thank you for speaking up and helping to improve cycling and walking in Flagstaff.
– FBO Team