Scottsdale City Council accepts Lisa McNeilly resignation Dec. 5 at City Hall
By Terrance Thornton | Community Updates
As Scottsdale City Council approved its sustainability plan Tuesday, Dec. 3 about 48 hours later elected leaders of the municipality learned of the resignation of Lisa McNeilly, the city’s sustainability director.
“I’m writing to share the bittersweet news that I have accepted a new position giving me the opportunity to work at a regional scale with a larger portfolio,” she said of her resignation at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. “Thank you for all your support as we worked to stand up a sustainability program in Scottsdale and adopt our first plan. We hit an exciting milestone on Tuesday, which would not have been possible without the involvement of you and your teams!”
Scottsdale City Council approved its sustainability plan by a measure of 5 to 2 with Councilman Barry Graham dissenting and Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield dissenting, who voted remotely.
The approval vote came following a 90-minute discussion, public presentation and testimony on the virtues and ills of pursuing tenets of municipal behavior that promotes efficient uses of natural resources at Tuesday, Dec. 3 at City Hall.
“The Scottsdale Community Sustainability Plan (the plan) helps us envision and realize our future as a sustainable, resilient and thriving community that embraces a comprehensive approach for achieving ambitious targets,” the executive summary of the 110-page Scottsdale Sustainability Plan executive summary states.
“As [envisaged] by City Council and Scottsdale voters through the approval of the 2035 General Plan, this plan will enhance and expand the work already being done by city staff, residents and businesses. The plan provides a roadmap and specific action steps for achieving long-term targets and will require cohesive implementation by the city of Scottsdale, businesses, civic organizations and individual members of the community.”
The sustainability plan calls for the establishment for long-term goals to be defined in five distinct areas: Energy, Water, Beyond Waste, Air Quality and Extreme Heat.
City officials say the goals grew from policies for sustainability outlined in the voter-approved 2035 General Plan.
“This was a difficult decision,” Ms. McNeilly said of her decision to leave her position as Scottsdale sustainability director.
“It has been a privilege to work with so many dedicated professionals and passionate residents to identify solutions that reflect Scottsdale’s values. The collaboration between departments and the support from leadership and colleagues have been highlights of my tenure. I can honestly say that the staff commitment to working together and the value placed on partnerships have been unmatched compared to my previous roles.”
City leaders contend the sustainability plan is an ‘aspirational document and not a mandate’ whereas penalties for goals not met will not be assessed on municipal departments that fall short of the goals set out by the guidelines.
Each chapter of the sustainability plan contains goals for each curated section of a more ‘green’ city of Scottsdale. Here is a rundown of each guideline now adopted at City Hall:
The plan has been debated atop the local dais since November 2023, Digital Free Press archives show, meanwhile this past October the Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission provided a letter of recommendation to City Council.
Read the plan now adopted at City Hall HERE.
