Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Page public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Youth needs assessment for PERA building programming
The Youth Advisory Commission is hosting its first community event — a movie day on April 25 at the PERA Community Building. They picked 'The Sandlot' (with 'Top Gun: Maverick' as backup), set a 4 p.m. showtime, and are borrowing a popcorn machine from the Page library. It's a free, family-friendly activity organized by the city's youth members.
Commission goal-setting
The commission will decide its short-term and long-term priorities, which could steer future youth programs, events, and partnerships in Page.
Water Supply and Treatment Plant Expansion
Installing filters at the wastewater treatment plant is on the agenda as new business. The upgrade could improve treatment performance and keep the plant compliant with environmental standards.
Second Water Source Project Funding
The board will get an update on funding for water projects — money that ultimately affects how Page maintains and upgrades its water system, and potentially what customers pay.
Terminal construction and airport projects
The terminal counter renovation should start in early April if environmental testing clears, but the larger expansion is briefly delayed while the city decides whether to build a bigger TSA secure area — a choice partly driven by which EAS carrier and routes are selected.
Contour Airlines Service Performance
Contour Airlines provides commercial air service at Page Municipal Airport, and its monthly report was on the agenda. Riders and local businesses depend on this service for connections.
Page Magistrate Treatment Court Enhancement Grant
Page's recovery court won a rare national $759,189 grant to add a DUI track and double its reach to 80-100 more participants over four years. About 75% of graduates stay arrest-free, and the program emphasizes treatment over jail time.
Downtown Beautification Design Contract Amendment
The downtown beautification project is underway with heavy business involvement, and a business facade program is proposed for next fiscal year; parking on Sixth Avenue for oversized vehicles came up as a safety concern.
Albertsons Opioid Settlement Agreement
The council will consider joining the Albertsons opioid settlement, part of the nationwide wave of settlements with companies over the opioid crisis. Any funds coming to the city could support opioid remediation efforts.
Potential Tymco Street Sweeper Purchase
The city's old street sweeper is past its service life; a new Tymco unit was bought at $401,006 through a cooperative bid, about $34,000 under budget.
Proposed Land Sale Agreement with Trebol Hospitality
Trebol Hospitality wanted more city land south of Highway 98 for resort guest security, but the land carries popular hiking and biking trails on Red Mesa. The council weighed roughly 100 resort jobs and tourism dollars against a trail that serves over 12,000 users a year and can't really be replicated.
Council and Board Code of Ethics
The council couldn't agree on a proposed ethics code — several members doubted it is enforceable and favor a "dignity pledge" instead. It goes back to staff for a reworked draft.
Data Center Overlay Zoning Rules
Resident Maschelle Zia sharply criticized the council over a secret land deal with Huntley for a hyperscale AI data center, saying the city hid vital information and intimidated peaceful protesters with a heavy police presence.
Substance Abuse Task Force and Recovery Court
Community Bridges is serving over 1,100 people, and a new 16-bed residential treatment facility is finally moving toward furnishing and hiring after contractor delays — but there's still no opening date.
Small business support and recruitment
The board wants to survey local businesses about their needs — staffing, equipment, marketing, training — and hold stakeholder meetings beyond just chamber members. A prior survey got only ~20 responses, so reaching people is the challenge. Customer service training came up repeatedly.
Tourism rebound in September
After five straight months of declines, September hotel occupancy ticked up about 4.7%, thanks mostly to international visitors — good news for the city's tax revenue, though one month doesn't make a trend.
Library Board Leadership Turnover
Vice Chair Tracy Salmi is resigning in June due to family health issues, forcing new elections for chair and vice chair and a search for a new board member by July. The board is recruiting, and remote participation by Zoom is possible.
New Residential Treatment Center in Page
The long-awaited detox facility is still hoping to open by end of summer — it just needs furnishing and state licensure. It's a big deal for a region with few treatment options.
Youth prevention programs in Page schools
County health is finally getting vaping and nicotine prevention into area schools, and the task force will run a booth with impairment goggles and giveaways at National Night Out. Freshmen Focus support for Page High School, including possible funding, waits until October.
Colt Springs Phase 3 rezoning to larger lots
The Colt Springs development is seeking a minor general plan amendment and zoning map change for its Phase 3. This shapes how the next phase of that neighborhood grows.
November 3 general election services and logistics
Page voters get early voting, a drop box, and Election Day voting all at City Hall. Key dates: request a mail ballot by October 23, early in-person voting ends October 29 locally, polls open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. November 3. Ballots carry eight statewide propositions plus Page's Prop 406.
Billing & Operations Software Replacement (NISC)
The aging Cassell software is deteriorating under private-equity ownership, and the board agreed to move to NISC — the industry standard — at roughly $200,000-plus up front and $8,000 a month in support. Full transition will take up to two years and be budgeted next fiscal year.
Youth Advisory Commission goals and priorities
Future Youth Advisory Commission meetings will move from Coconino Community College to the PERA Community Building. Residents who attend or watch these meetings should note the new location.
General Manager's Performance Review
The board went into closed-door executive session to review General Manager Bryan Hill's job performance, as permitted under state open-meeting law.
Electrical supply, rates, and on-site generation
A station-service transformer at the dam failed and is being replaced by a rental unit, raising board concerns about whether the dam can reliably power the pumps that supply Page's water. Staff stressed the water intake sits far below power pool, countering viral rumors that Page will run out of water.
Noise, vibration, and enforcement of sound limits
Speakers pushed for stricter sound rules — low-frequency G-weighted measurements, limits tied to measured baselines, quarterly third-party monitoring, and real enforcement with fines up to $25,000 a day. Commissioners noted the draft's sleep-disruption vibration standard is subjective and wants clearer, enforceable limits including cumulative noise across multiple facilities.
New Shade Structures at John C. Page Memorial Park
The board discussed installing shade structures at the city's main memorial park — a quality-of-life upgrade for anyone using playgrounds or bleachers in the desert sun. No decision was made yet.
Splash pad water costs far above estimate
The board discussed reworking the landscaping around the splash pad. Details are still early — no vote was taken.
Future Parks Projects List
The board floated big FY28 ideas: an urban trail, an ultra-accessible ADA playground at Annex Park, and improvements to the Vermillion View Trail Network. These discussions shape what parks projects could get funded in the next budget cycle.
October library programming
August visits, circulation, and computer use all dropped compared to last August, but program counts exploded — 165 programs with 3,163 attendees versus 97 and 1,976 last year — and the library served 894 meals to kids. The library is leaning harder into programming and community services.
Trunk-or-treat moved off Halloween
The library's trunk-or-treat event is happening October 24 this year instead of Halloween night, after community feedback that families were forced to choose between it and door-to-door trick-or-treating. A movie in the park on Halloween gives kids a second option. Board members discussed safety benefits of the old single-venue format and generally supported the change.
Library Makerspace and Record Usage
The library's makerspace finished its first month of programming with 55 attendees, offering 3D-printed spider painting, coaster engraving, origami, and Cricut earring-making, plus walk-in tours. It's a new creative resource the community can use for free.
500-Acre Data Center Land Sale (Huntley Group)
Three residents blasted the data center deal during public comment, citing noise, rising electric bills, tourism impacts, and secrecy. The related Trebol land purchase amendment advanced 4-2, with a final vote still to come.
Balloon Regatta sponsorship and promotion
With 56 balloons signed up, Paul Meehan urged the board to land one major annual sponsor — like Albuquerque's fest attracts — to help small businesses host the event and draw more visitors. An influencer will document this year's event for next year's promotion.
Tourism visitation and marketing
Visitor numbers at Carl Hayden and the Chamber hub are down, and international travelers are still far below the 4.5 million pre-COVID peak. Franz cited visa costs, expensive food and tours, and geopolitical factors; the board discussed whether the city or state tourism office could advocate for relief.
Facade Improvement Program amendments
The updated program — $100,000 in pilot-year funding, clearer facade definition, half the funds reserved for retroactive projects — should launch within about 30 days, helping downtown property owners spruce up buildings.
Wesley Hotel rezoning
A zoning map amendment was on the docket for the Wesley Hotel project, which could move the hotel concept forward. Hotel development can affect tourism traffic and downtown activity in Page.
Tesla Supercharger station and EV charging zoning
Tesla Inc. is seeking a text amendment to allow electric vehicle charging facilities in Page. It could expand where EV chargers can be installed around town.
County-funded youth mental health programming for Page
Coconino County has grant money dedicated to Page for a full-time and part-time youth program staff, art and music supplies, and instructors — but needs community input on what to build. Teens say they want hands-on art workshops, gaming and hangout space, and career exploration. A long-term student center idea surfaced, and a work session was set for October 13 to plan a survey and goals.
Shop With A Hero volunteer assistance
The Page Police Department asked the commission to help with its Shop With A Hero event on December 5 — wrapping presents and supervising kids at the library while they play games. Commissioners responded enthusiastically; no formal vote was needed.
National Night Out community engagement
The Page Police Department invited the commission to host a booth at National Night Out on October 6 at John C. Page Memorial Park, featuring impaired-driving awareness games like cornhole with drunk goggles. Commissioners saw it as good community service, though it falls during homecoming week.
Overdose fatality review and tribal partnerships
Coconino County Health's overdose fatality review team finally got records from Navajo Nation police after six months, Page PD is joining the review team, and the county will present its rural-tribal partnership model at a statewide opioid summit.
Alcohol-related police incidents and retailer overservice
Police data shows alcohol-related calls spiked in 2025 but have dropped below 2024 levels. Board members want arrests broken down by location, naming Safeway, Maverik, and Circle K as problem spots, and want to renew conversations with store management about moving mini-bottles away from self-checkout.
Page High School Freshmen Focus support
The task force considered getting involved in a program that helps freshmen adjust to high school and stay engaged. Task force backing could mean mentors, resources, or prevention programming for young students.
Airport security and gate card enforcement
Councilmember Roundtree raised resident complaints that hangar owners share gate keys with friends, and Scott Golba described joggers, scooters, and even illegal dumping inside the fence. The director explained the hangar area isn't technically a secure SIDA zone, but stricter rules could come with future security upgrades.
Airport Hangar Lease Terms
Board members raised concerns about non-aviation use of hangars, people with gate cards who have no aviation business on the field, fake tail numbers, and speeding between hangars. The item was deferred so members can study current lease language and bring recommendations to the City Council.
Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot Resurfacing
Council wants a cheaper, better-defined annual pass for Page residents at Horseshoe Bend — possibly $10-15 for a non-commercial vehicle of up to five people — instead of the proposed $50 for ten visits.
Axon Contract and License Plate Readers
PD plans to seek a real-time crime center in the budget; council asked for a public education presentation on license plate readers before expanding their use.
Water Team Update
The board was scheduled to hear an update on funding for water projects. Water funding affects rates and the reliability of Page's water infrastructure.
Middle School Feasibility Study
City Manager Frank Marbury outlined next steps for a feasibility study on a recreation and aquatic center at the middle school site. No action was taken.