By John Martinez
Sedona, AZ — I, like everyone else, think the Most Critical Issue Facing Sedona is the management of Traffic. As previously stated, Maricopa/Pinal Counties are the second fasting growing counties in the United States, and those residents will be coming to our city to see the beauty of what our town has to offer.
Whoever the Civil Engineer was when the city was planned, did a pretty poor job of deciding how to get from one end of the city to the other side with only one road (North and South).
We also must realize that we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, we are a Vacation Destination. I would estimate that over 90% of the current residents were once guests. Therefore, we must adapt and implement transportation proposals that reduce the number of cars on our roads.
One suggestion is incentivizing the city and hospitality workers to carpool. Provide discounted fares for the Verde Shuttle, or provide employer van/shuttle for their employees, as some of the hoteliers are currently providing. Implement a partnership agreement amongst the hoteliers for van/shuttle service.
I believe with the implementation of the Micro-Transit buses, and with a thorough educational program, the city can reduce the number of automobiles on city roads. Educational information would apply not only to our guests but also the residents.
It must be noted that to accomplish these tasks we must be fiscally responsible for spending and revenue collections in the future. I remember back in 2013 the city manager and I talking and observing Budget Creep, when the fiscal budget was around $50M. We are currently saddled with over $50M in debt, when only four years ago it was around $7M. The current city just approved a record budget amount of over $106M. Something must change.
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13 Comments
John, I have listened to you very closely. As a person I like you. There are times you say things that dont add up at all. Why?
Quote: Whoever the Civil Engineer was when the city was planned, did a pretty poor job of deciding how to get from one end of the city to the other side with only one road (North and South).
Do you think this city was planned? Its was founded in 1902, by settlers. And we became a city in 1988. Do you think the county cares about anything but tax revenues? ( look at VOC!)
So decade after decade, builders built their subdivisions, never tying neighborhoods together!
You think that when the state crashed 179 into 89a that was a problem at the time?
I get real sick of this fiscal conservative stuff when we have problems that MUST BE FIXED!
Now you want workforce to carpool? I much rather put more pressure on tourist to stay out of their cars and ride public transportation!
You have seen the numbers, public transportation takes lots of time and even more money. Im happy your for that, but we throw so little into it, it wont even make a dent in the problem.
I dont see myself voting for you? And Scott has some ideas I dont like either.
The both of you are making hard to pick. But going around writing stupid things on websites sure isn’t helping your cause!
I want to thank you for reading my concern regarding the question that was presented to me by Sedona.Biz. “What do I feel is the Most Crucial Issue or Challenge Facing Sedona today?”
It is very obvious that putting a person’s thoughts on paper leaves much in question. You are definitely right regarding my position on fiscal matters, I have always said that I am a fiscal conservative, but I am also a Social Moderate. Since the day I was elected to council I always said that we must address the Needs of the city, the Wants are to be prioritized.
I am from CA and carpooling does work, when incentivized. Between 1902 and 1988, when the counties were responsible for the Safety, Health, and Welfare of Sedona they should have put more thought into infrastructure.
I would love to have the opportunity to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you and discuss these and other topics of interest concerning our great city.
“Whoever the Civil Engineer was when the city was planned, did a pretty poor job of deciding how to get from one end of the city to the other side with only one road (North and South).”
Kinda think terrain had a bit role in the planning after the lands were stolen from Apache and Hopi landowners by “Sedona” and other founding squatters. Coach roads were built atop indigenous trade routes, road’s followed and the rest as they say is history.
From 1950 to 1988 when Sedona was the responsibility of two counties there was plenty of opportunities to address the future of growth in Sedna. I have an article from the Red Rock News, dated March 13, 2019, showing a reunion of three Old Arizona Cowboys discussing the growth of Sedona. The picture was taken in early 1980, and it has Earl Van Deren discussing why he moved to Montana in 1940, because there were too many people. The city and the counties knew Sedona would need better infrastructure.
I’m not asking that we provide a connector road similar to Sanborn/Thunder Mountain, but we could connect neighborhoods that would also provide safe routes in case of an emergency.
TJ Hall, I would love the opportunity to meet and discuss these concerns over a cup of coffee. My cell phone number is (714) 606-3266.
Mr Martinez what you say is accurate and correct to a point. I have live north south east and west and city planning has never been logical because nobody envisioned the waves of people to come. In the North you have to drive long rectangular road patterns that primarily go one way. In the South the patterns are predominantly circular especially for cities. Here people went for prime real estate next to Oak Creek or Oak Creek adjacent and neighborhoods were built outwards from there.
Just think it’s a bit late to fix the un fixable without doing massive damage to our delicate ecosystem here or encroaching upon otherwise quiet areas with more heavy traffic and subsequent noise.
Appreciate the invite. Why not hold an open coffee with everyone at one time?
Mr Martinez, I live in Cottonwood and work afternoons in Uptown at a coffee shop, my co-workers who live in Cottonwood work mornings, how do you expect us to carpool? With you supporting the CP, (RRN back page) how do you expect me to get home with thousands of extra cars in West Sedona?
Randy, it is obvious that carpooling doesn’t work for everyone, but I would think taking the Verde Shuttle would be a great alternative to carpooling. The Micro-Shuttle would provide the necessary transportation for in town shopping or emergencies.
The Verde Shuttle would be the perfect mode of transportation for residents that are living at the Dells. Having the City or local businesses provide incentives for their employees, I think would encourage shuttle ridership.
It worked in CA, because I took the bus from Yorba Linda to Fullerton.
Randy, I would love the opportunity to meet and discuss these concerns over a cup of coffee. My cell phone number is (714) 606-3266, and my website is John4SedonaMayor@gmail.com.
John, I have lived in West Sedona for over 30 years, I am well aware of your time working on the council your post is utterly ridiculous and lip service. I know that worked with that human trafficking group but left and never accomplished anything. Can you please share with all of us what you have accomplished?
Nancy, I’m sorry but I am totally confused with your innuendos and timeframe for what I have accomplished. When I was on council or after.
Maybe we can meet for coffee and get to the bottom of your concerns.
(714) 606-3266, John4SedonaMayor@gmail.com
Ive lived here for 30 years, traffic is NOT the biggest issue HOUSING is! With the majority of workers having to drive in, with the addition to short term rentals and new hotels that have only added to the problem.How many city employees live out side of the city limits? 99% not including the city council! Not one police officer, hardly any of the Firemen live here! Yet in the 90s almost all of them did. Even back then we had traffic. Guess what there will always be traffic is Sedona! Always, we will NEVER out build it! It’s a town of 10thousand trying to support 4 million visitors! What I Dont see is the city supporting alternative means of transportation, BIKING, and walking. Have you ever tried biking in Sedona? It’s so dangerous that’s why most Dont. Maybe if the bike lane line was a rumble strip the cars would stay out of it. I walk because I Dont want to deal with traffic and the views are amazing. Maybe just maybe if there were bike racks and rental bikes at every hotel and trail head. There would be less cars on the road. To say the workers now need to car pool is ridiculous, why Dont you build some housing for the workers and than they will be able to walk or bike to work…. The biggest issue other than housing right Now is why the City is Destroying the field at Posse Grounds for Pickle Ball when an empty vacant lot for over 10years that’s owned by the school sits 200 ft away is an example of how this city has failed every local!!! Because the school board and city can’t work together to save & preserve the most beautiful view in the City. I don’t have any hope for this council to do what’s right. Instead they continue to pave paradise and put up a parking lot! Spending 20+million but not 1 affordable housing unit! Pathetic politics!
Wow Allison, you were spot on in your response until you blamed the city for the school district’s weed-infested ball field. I spend 6 days a week at Posse Grounds and even I know that one has nothing to do with the other. Two separate governments grounds next to each other.
Excellent! Need more of this kind of intelligence on the City Council.
Allison, I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with you to discuss your topics of concerns. Too many points of interest to reply in a written format.
(714) 606-3266, John4SedonaMayor@gmail.com