Collabortion of Flagstaff government and local businesses

from The Lumberjack -- March 9, 2023

NAU Football Recruiting: Let’s Meet The Recruits

Local government and local businesses interact with each other through taxes, zoning, codes and meetings

ABIGAIL CELAYA

There is a strong connection between local business and government. In a small town like Flagstaff, many local entrepreneurs find themselves also taking on a government role.

Miranda Sweet is a member of Flagstaff City Council and was the vice mayor for eight months in 2022. She is also the owner of downtown business Rainbows End

The business sells clothes and accessories. Sweet started her small business in Montana in 1998 before opening an additional shop in Flagstaff. After closing the Montana shop, Sweet decided to focus her time and energy on her business in Flagstaff. She tries to spend as much time in the store as possible while also balancing her position in government.

“When I opened up Rainbows End I wanted it to be a community focused business,” Sweet said. “With my role on the city council it’s the same thing, I want to give back to the community.”

Sweet said she noticed similarities between Flagstaff City Council and Rainbows End, specifically within the budgets.

She found both budgets include services and items that need to be purchased.

Jim McCarthy has been a member of the Flagstaff City Council for seven years. McCarthy said he has experience with businesses as he previously was a mechanical engineer and worked 26 years for Honeywell, a larger company.

McCarthy said he does not see many similarities between business and government. While businesses are for-profit and their goal is to make money, the council’s primary goal is to serve the people, he said. Although he does not find the two extremely similar, he did see one overarching similarity.

“We work with people, we manage people and we try to keep them happy,” McCarthy said. “We have those things in common.”

In terms of business regulation, city council regulates business taxes and permits. This includes building height requirements and where businesses can build.

Sweet said sign codes were one example of the government regulations she had to follow at Rainbows End. She has a painting for her store that she had to get approved by the city before use. Sweet’s logo could not be in the mural because it would be classified as a sign, and the painting was too big to be approved according to the city sign code

Along with sign codes, the city helps set the minimum wage – which was put in place by voter initiative – and establishes health codes. McCarthy said he meets with businesses and tours them in order to form and keep a good relationship with the Downtown Business Alliance

Beyond regulating businesses, local government and businesses work together. Businesses rely on the city to make sure workers and customers can safely visit storefronts.

“We work hand in hand,” McCarthy said. “If people can’t get to their business because there is too much snow on the roads, then that’s a city issue. We need to go out and plow the roads.”

One business that asked for help from the city council was Noble Herb. There are certain regulations marijuana businesses have to follow, including where they can locate and how long they can be open, McCarthy said. After speaking with the council, their request was approved to stay open until 10 p.m.

For business owners who might be nervous to bring their concerns to city council, Sweet recommends communicating with the council in person.

“We won’t know what the concern is unless you come to us,” Sweet said. “Bring those questions and concerns to us so we know what’s going on. We welcome it, we love hearing from the community.”

There is a department in city council dedicated to getting more businesses in town, McCarthy said. He mentioned Trader Joes, WhataBurger and a new Walgreens warehouse all as potentials businesses that may have a future in Flagstaff. Resources for local business owners can be find on the City of Flagstaff’s website

TOURISM continued from FRONT

Despite downtown drawing large crowds, one complaint by locals and tourists is the train tracks that run right before Southside Historic District. Even though the Flagstaff Amtrak Station serves as transportation, houses the visitor’s center and has historical value, some locals consider it a burden.

“The one downside to working in downtown is getting caught behind the train almost every day before work,” Smith said. “I recently got a job at Val’s Workshop, a coffee and a barber shop downtown, and I still run into the same problem I had while working at Mama Burger. I have to leave 10 minutes earlier than I usually would to account for the train and be on time to work.”

Besides locals and college students, tourism accounts for a lot of downtown business. Visitors looking for things to do in Flagstaff can go to the Flagstaff Visitor Center to check out the website

POLICE BEAT continued from PAGE 4

Feb. 7

At 4:43 p.m., FPD transferred a call to NAUPD about a chimney fire near Lot 3C. NAUPD and FFD responded, and one non-student was arrested and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for third-degree trespass.

Feb. 8

At 3:31 p.m., a student called to report a neglected animal at Skyview Apartments. An officer responded and took a report.

Feb. 9

At 7:15 a.m., a student called to report a subject matching the description of NAU crime alert #2023-01, a surreptitious viewing that happened on Jan. 28. The subject was reported near South Knoles Drive and West Riordan Road. An officer responded and the subject was not the suspect.

Feb. 10

At 9:20 p.m., a student called from The Suites to report an illness of a student due to a reaction to medication. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC.

Feb. 11

At 1:47 a.m., a student called from Gillenwater Hall to request assistance for their roommate who hit their head. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC. At 2:16 a.m., one non-student was cited and released for a DUI in the slightest degree during a traffic stop on West Forest Meadows. At 11:22 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop near South Knoles Drive and McCreary Drive and the driver was cited and released for underage consumption of alcohol.

Feb. 13

At 1:52 a.m., a student called from Raymond Hall to report hearing shouting and banging in a nearby room. Officers responded and the parties were separated for the night. At 8:45 p.m., a student called from the Honors College to report a student had been threatened. Upon further investigation, no criminal activity was witnessed.

Feb. 14

At 7:27 p.m., an officer reported being hit by an NAU vehicle near Pine Knoll Drive and East McConnell Drive. Another officer responded and took a report. At 8:25 p.m., an FPD officer called NAUPD to request assistance with a sexual assult situation. An officer responded and took a report.

Feb. 15

At 7:03 p.m., an officer reported being waved down near Lot 3 by a student with a head injury from an unknown cause. FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC.

Feb. 16

At 5:40 p.m., Chandler PD called NAUPD to request assistance with an investigation. Assistance was provided.