District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — August/September 2023 District 1 Newsletter

Hello District 1 Residents,

For me, it’s fields blanketed by Black-eyed Susans and Goldenrods as evening temperatures drop that herald the return Fall. For many households it’s the yellow school buses carrying students back to school and families taking in that last ride at the County Fair midway that signals a returning Fall. Autumn has arrived in all its splendor, closing out an almost emergency-free summer marked by hotter than average temperatures with early, and then late, Monsoon rains. Fall offers extended months of warm days and cool nights. The declining daylight reminds us to stack the firewood and clean the pine needles from our gutters to prepare for winter, waiting around the corner.

This Fall also brought an end to my eighteen months as Chair of the Board of Supervisors. My Chair-ship started amidst the COVID pandemic and the County’s response and carried through the Museum Fire post- wildfire flooding in the Paradise/ Grandview/Linda Vista/ Sunnyside neighborhoods. As Chair of the Board, I signed the emergency declarations for the Tunnel and Pipeline Fires providing aid and support through the post-fire floods that devastated our eastside communities in Timberline, Doney Park and Fernwood along Highway 89 and our western communities in Cheshire and Coconino Estates along Highway 180. I was pleased to work with our U.S. Senators and former Representative Tom O’Halleran to advocate for and help deliver the $100 million in federal flood mitigation funding.

As Chair of the Flood Control District Board of Directors, the Board and I oversaw the successful implementation and completion of extensive flood control projects throughout the County. These critical projects were completed within a year from the Tunnel and Pipelines fires and prior to this summer’s Monsoon season. This incredible accomplishment was made possible due to the County’s experienced, committed and dedicated Flood Control District Director and staff and demonstrated the “one County, all hands-on deck” approach all County Departments take when our residents are in need.

During my tenure as Chair, the Board of Supervisors completed Re- districting, passed the County’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance, enacted the Renewable Energy Ordinance and strengthened our Dark Sky zoning. As I pass the gavel to Vice-Chair Jeronimo Vasquez, I know our Board leadership is in good hands and look forward to serving with our new Chair and my Board colleagues to further the objectives of our communities as we work together to create a resilient, dynamic, and vibrant Coconino County. Together we build the community where we want to live, and where we want to raise our children.

Onward together.

Patrice

After years of advocacy to protect the Grand Canyon from the threats caused by uranium mining, President Biden declared the Baaj Nwaavjo I’Tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, which forever protects over 1,000,000 acres of land surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park from mining. Supervisor Horstman was honored to join President Biden along with members of the 14 Indigenous Tribes affiliated with the Grand Canyon, environmentalists, conservationist, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, sportsmen, Federal and State agencies, community leader and others, in a joyous celebration. Under sunny blue skies, and on sacred ground, the crowd cheered as President Biden signed the proclamation for the new National Monument.

The vast majority of the land beneath the National Monument designation is public lands under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Private lands in this area are not part of the National Monument declaration. It is envisioned that the USFS and BLM will continue to manage the National Monument lands currently under their respective jurisdictions and that the lands current uses, including livestock grazing, private property access, recreation, hunting, fishing, and hiking will continue. The Grand Canyon affiliated Indigenous Tribes will be part of a co-stewardship management plan with the federal agencies.

Supervisor Horstman looks forward to Coconino County’s involvement in the drafting of the management plan for the Grand Canyon National Monument and believes the proclamation honors Indigenous rights, protects the Grand Canyon, and promises to benefit Coconino County’s outdoor recreation and tourist economy.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (BOS) unanimously passed a Short Term Rental Ordinance, which affects all residents of the county not living within a municipality, such as an incorporated city or town. This new county ordinance is intended to be common-sense, good neighbor provisions which will more easily allow short term rentals to exist together in single-family residential neighborhoods. The ordinance will help alleviate concerns such as traffic, noise, trash, parking, and other safety concerns.

All short term rentals located in the unincorporated portions of Coconino County must obtain a permit through the County. Permits require the payment of a $250 fee and the applicant must include contact information for the owner/agent and contact information for a person responsible for responding to complaints and emergencies. The permit process also requires acknowledgment that the owner/agent has complied with all applicable codes, ordinances, and laws and proof of liability insurance coverage of no less than $500,000. More information on the permit requirements may be found at: www.coconino.az.gov/ communitydevelopment

Although neighbors are encouraged to reach out to the listed party for the owner/ agent of the STR, the new ordinance sets forth a complaint procedure and an enforcement process through the County’s code enforcement officer. The code enforcement officer may be reached at 928–679–8856 or by email mstento@coconino.az.gov

The County’s Community Development staff is empowered to receive and investigate complaints within 72 hours. If violations cannot be rectified within 30 days, Community Development may issue a verified violation and impose fines. Three or more verified violations may subject the owner/agent to a suspension of the STR permit for up to a year.

Supervisor Horstman encourages everyone to protect the peace and character of our local neighborhoods by embracing the County’s Short Term Rental Ordinance.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the new STR, please contact Community Development at 928–679–8850.

For more Information:

Short Term Rental Brochure

Short Term Rental Ordinance

Northern Arizona is globally renowned for its glorious dark skies. Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff have long been at the forefront of the effort to reduce light pollution through community education and best practices, including instituting residential and commercial lighting ordinances. The City of Flagstaff was recognized as the world’s first International Dark Sky City in 2001. Both Flagstaff and Coconino County are committed to preserving our dark skies not only for our residents and our visitors, but also to preserve our night sky for astronomical research at Lowell Observatory and the Naval Observatory. These institutions attract scientists and researchers from across the world. Coconino County also hosts critical military facilities, which rely on natural darkness for astronomical research and critical night training operations.

As our County continues to grow and lighting technologies continue to improve, the Board of Supervisors continues to implement the best practices in lighting technology to maintain our brilliant night sky. Therefore, the BOS adopted new residential properties and commercial and industrial properties dark sky lighting requirements to strengthen the County’s existing lighting ordinances.

These dark sky lighting requirements will be incorporated in all zoning and development requests that come before the County.

Lighting requirements are enforced through the City/County Dark Sky Code Enforcement and Compliance Manager, Mark Stento. Reach him at the Community Development office, mstento@coconino.az.gov, (928) 679-8856.

For more information, contact City of Flagstaff Dark Sky Compliance Specialist, Janice Hakala,

Janice.hakala@flagstaffaz.gov, (928) 213-2104

Find additional information about Dark Skies in Flagstaff:

Dark Skies Residential

Dark Skies Commercial

Flagstaff’s own Lowell Observatory has always reached for the stars, so it is not surprising that Lowell has raised its bar with the construction of the Astronomy Discovery Center. This Discovery Center will be a world- renowned planetarium and a premier astronomy learning center, expanding Flagstaff’s reputation even further as a top science and astronomy destination. The new Center, together with Flagstaff and Coconino County’s commitment to preserving our dark skies, ensures that Flagstaff will be the place to travel for star and planetary viewing.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors recently toured the Discovery Center, currently under construction. It is an impressive building and design, shaped like an expanding universe of concentric levels. The first floor will house various educational galleries, including a galley dedicated to children encouraging curiosity, interaction and education. Besides a cafe and Starry Skies shop, there will be a Universe Theatre with an enormous screen to bring the public closer to the wonders of the planets and stars. The second-floor houses lecture halls, classrooms and a public area available for events. The third floor offers a skylight terrace and a portal to the sky. The top floor features open deck Dark Sky Planetarium, complete with heated seats for added comfort during night sky viewing.

The Astronomy Discovery Center is awe inspiring and will provide a tremendous learning opportunity for local residents and students, and for a worldwide audience of visitors. With the new Discovery Center, Lowell Observatory brilliantly lives up to its motto: “Infinite Wonders Await”.

43 years ago, Governor Bruce Babbitt convened the Arizona Groundwater Management Commission. This Commission led to the passage of the 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act (GMA). This law was revolutionary during its time, as it established Active Water Management Districts (AMA) across portions of Arizona. Those counties included within an AMA allowed local management and control over water use and sustainability. Unfortunately, more than 80% of Arizona, mostly rural Arizona, was excluded from the AMA’s. As such, most of rural Arizona, including Coconino County, had no legal authority to manage or protect its water, or even consider water availability when making zoning or community development decisions. This created an unwritten rule that whoever had the deepest well or longest straw got the water. This approach robbed rural Arizona and Coconino County of the ability to manage its own water and guide its own fate.

Supervisor Horstman has long advocated for amending the GMA to allow rural groundwater management. Horstman has been active not only within the Western Interstate Region Board (WIR) on water policies, she also is a member of the Rural Arizona Water Working Group made up of four rural counties: Yavapai, LaPaz, Mohave and Coconino. These four counties, together representing 625,000 Arizonans, are united in their goal of amending the GMA to allow for local governance of rural groundwater. To achieve this goal, rural groundwater legislation has been introduced in every legislative session since 2017, including this year with the introduction of the Local Groundwater Stewardship Areas bill (LGSA). This bill would allow county governments an opt-in provision to create a LGSA, providing rural counties the authority to make local groundwater decisions and putting rural counties in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, the legislature has failed to consider any such rural groundwater management legislation. In fact, the State Legislature has failed to even give rural groundwater management a hearing.

In one of her first acts in office, Governor Katie Hobbs created the Governors Water Policy Council to analyze and recommend additions to the GMA, including allowing rural counties the authority to make groundwater decisions. The Governor’s actions, addressing water security, are overwhelmingly popular in Arizona. Polls show that water security is one of the top three issues of concern for Arizona residents. Water concerns as a top priority is felt among both rural and urban residents and across political affiliations.

Supervisor Horstman and Supervisors from each of the three rural counties, along with Prescott Mayor Goode, Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail and Water for Arizona Coalition members Nick Ponder and Chris Kuzdas, met with Governor Hobbs and her staff to discuss the importance of getting appropriate groundwater laws enacted which would rural Arizona to decide its own needs and its own future. This group received a positive reception from the Governor, who promised action once she gets the report from her Water Policy Council.

Supervisor Horstman and Coconino County will continue to advocate for passing legislation to enable Local Groundwater Stewardship Areas, and, if necessary, request executive action to allow Coconino County and other rural countries the authority make its own decisions and to control its own water future.

For more information:

Governor Hobbs Rural Water Council

On August 31, 2023, the city of Flagstaff provided an update on its flood mitigation projects associated with the Museum fire and the post – wildfire flooding that occurred in the Paradise, Grandview, Linda Vista and Sunnyside neighborhoods. Coconino County and Flagstaff have been working in coordination with each other on extensive flood mitigation projects designed to assist those affected by the flooding caused by the Museum Fire’s catastrophic scarring of the Spruce Watershed. Coconino County has completed watershed restoration and sediment basin projects including the Parkway sediment basins located off Paradise and north of Linda Vista. This October, Coconino County will commence on the Schultz Creek channel/ sediment reduction measures which will be implemented on Schultz Creek north of Flagstaff’s newly constructed city detention basins. (See Coconino County Map below)

The City of Flagstaff provided the community with an update on the key flood projects and storm water improvements including the Grandview Drive reconstruction, the Wedge Detention Basin off Cedar, the Linda Vista Drive crossing and the construction of the Cedar Avenue to Linda Vista Drive Channel. The City also outlined the flood projects through Sunnyside from Arroyo Seco Drive to the Dortha Avenue Channel and the Killip School Basins outlet and inlet. (See Flagstaff Key Flood Projects Map).

Flagstaff City manager, Greg Clifton commended the voters for the successful passing of the $26 million bond that supported this critical flood mitigation and stormwater improvement projects. Flagstaff engineers and the city’s contractors were available to answer community members’ questions and meet personally to explain the projects.

Supervisor Horstman expressed that this City- County collaborative effort is a shining example of how good government works.

PowerPoint Presentation available at:

https://www.museumfloodprojects.com/watch-city-council-updates

Senator Kyrsten Sinema met with Coconino County Fire Districts, the Forest Service, Flagstaff and Coconino County to discuss her bill to protect pay for wildland firefighters. Supervisors Horstman and Jeronimo Vasquez joined this round table meeting and expressed support for Senator Sinema’s Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, which makes permanent the fair pay provisions for wildland firefighters included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. Unfortunately, these fair pay provisions in the Infrastructure Act are set to expire on October 1. If Congress does not pass the Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, firefighters and their families face a potential 50% cut in pay. Senator Sinema‘s proposed bill makes permanent the wage change and helps ensure that wildland firefighters will be available to help protect our communities from wildfires.

Supervisor Horstman noted that firefighting resources are incredibly important to Coconino County, stating, “through our recent history of wildfires, 5 major wildfires in 5 years, Coconino County has seen firsthand the value of highly trained, professional, firefighters. Recruitment and retention of firefighters is vital, and men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities, deserve a livable wage”.

Following the roundtable meeting with Senator Sinema, all present wholeheartedly supported her efforts and requested that Congress pass the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protect Act without delay.

Press Release for more information:

Arizona’s Wildland Firefighters Receive Raise Thanks to Sinema’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | Senator Kyrsten Sinema (senate.gov)

Tusayan, the gateway to the south rim of Grand Canyon, experienced an unprecedented summer rainfall, estimated as a 100–200-year rain event on the Coconino Basin. This storm which brought 2-3 feet of water gushing through Tusayan’s downtown, flooding some businesses and residences. The County Sheriff issued a “shelter in place” order which kept the town’s school children sequestered at their school at Grand Canyon Village. The flooded main road (Highway 64) separated Grand Canyon Village from the town of Tusayan. As evening approached, the Grand Canyon hotels brought blankets and food to the school and the students settled into a movie night and looking forward to a big slumber party. However, the quick action of the Coconino County Road crew and ADOT, together with the Tusayan Fire District, got the road opened and the kids safely home to their families, spoiling a perfectly good school party.

The town of Tusayan once again demonstrated the resiliency our rural County is known for, with neighbors helping neighbors and the town and County working to deliver for its residents. There are still some repairs, roadwork and other clean up being done, but Tusayan has fully returned to a bustling town.

Tusayan Mayor, Clarinda Vail, was born and raised in Tusayan and she told Supervisor Horstman that in her 51 years she has never witnessed anything like the recent torrential rainfall and sudden flooding. She reported that Tusayan’s main street looked more like the Colorado River than a road. Mayor Vail was thankful that no one was injured and that the Tusayan Sanitation District and town water supply were not affected. She and many residents have been keeping a close eye on our summer rains. Local government and services remain ready to respond whenever crises arise.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema joined Mountain Line and Metro Plan staff and Board members, including Supervisors Horstman and Vasquez, in celebrating Mountain Line’s $16.3 million dollar award through the Bus and Bus Facilities Federal Grant, which allows Mountain Line to build a new and much needed maintenance facility. This grant supplemented the Facilities Grant Award utilized for the construction of the new Downtown Connection Center. Both grants were funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provided essential funding for Mountain Line to be able to properly serve our Flagstaff residence with clean and affordable public transportation.

Mountain Line CEO, Heather Dalmolin thanked Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly and Arizona Legislators for their leadership and support of Mountain Line’s grant application. Supervisor Horstman expressed her gratitude to the Senators and State Legislators and gave a big thanks to Heather and the Mountain Line and Metro Plan staff for their advocacy and dedication to improving and expanding Flagstaff’s public transportation system. Supervisor Horstman encourages us all to take the bus and enjoy the scenic beauty of our area.

For more information:

Mountain Line

On September 6th Coconino County joined the Williams community and the Bill Williams Senior Center for a special lunch to celebrate the grand opening of the Williams Senior Center’s new kitchen remodel completion. The remodel was accomplished through the Board of Supervisors allocation of County ARPA funds. Loven Contracting began construction on the project on May 30, 2023, and work was completed August 21, 2023.

The transformation includes new stainless-steel shelving to replace the old wood cabinets, installation of a state-of-the-art walk-in refrigerator and freezer, ice machine, air conditioning, a dropped ceiling, and a newly painted dining room, new dishwasher, and ventilation hood. This project is a much-needed rejuvenation and remodeling of the existing facilities to serve Williams area seniors.

The Senior Center staff thanked its residents for their patience and understanding during the remodeling project and recognized many others for their support, including those in attendance: Coconino County BOS Supervisors Matt Ryan, Jeronimo Vasquez, and Patrice Horstman, CCHHS staff, County Manager Steve Peru, the City of Williams, and the Loven Contracting team.

A special recognition was given to Northern Arizona University for the free loan of the university’s kitchen trailer which was used while the remodel took place. This allowed for uninterrupted meals to be served throughout the remodeling process.

County Coconino Williams Senior Services Team includes CCHHS Senior Nutrition Program Coordinator, Tara Lowe, Chris Sanders, Williams Senior Center Cook, and Meals on Wheels Driver, Julie Perkins.

Supervisor Horstman extends a big thank you to all involved in this project as it helps to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable environment for the Senior Centers seniors and staff members.

Supervisors Horstman and Vasquez joined a City of Flagstaff led tour for new U.S. Representative Eli Crane and his entire staff. Representative Crane and the other attendees toured the Spruce Wash/ Museum Fire City-County flood mitigation projects located in the Paradise/Grandview/ Sunnyside neighborhoods. These flood mitigation projects highlight the effective partnership of the Coconino County Flood Control District and the City of Flagstaff working in collaboration for the safety and protection of our residents. The City and County officials made it clear that these projects could not have been accomplished without federal grants and federal assistance, championed by our U.S. Senators Sinema and Kelly and former Representative Tom O’Halleran.

The Spruce watershed flood mitigation projects demonstrate that government partnerships work. As noted by Supervisor Horstman, our communities now look to Congressman Crane, our new Representative, to work with local governments to serve Coconino County and its residents, especially in times of crisis.

Coconino County Envision 2045 is coming to your neighborhood! Please join Coconino County and help develop our future by participating in the County Comprehensive Plan. We envision the County we want to see in 2045 as we create our 2025 County Comprehensive Plan update. The Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap for the future of Coconino County. It develops vision, goals, and policies to guide the County on land-use decisions, directs future growth, solves problems, embraces economic development, and looks to improve the quality of life for all County residents. County staff and the Board of Supervisors look to the County Comprehensive Plan in making zoning decisions and before making decisions on growth or on the direction for a community.

The County Comprehensive Plan is updated every 10 years. Please join in the planning process by attending a community meeting, being held throughout the County. Be heard and let’s develop our new Comprehensive Plan together.

If you can’t attend a community meeting, please take the survey and provide your input using the QR code below. As Supervisor Horstman often says, “together, we build the community where we want to live, and where we want to raise our children”.

For more information:

Comprehensive Plan Envision 2045

Supervisor Horstman joined fellow Supervisor and retired Marine veteran, Matt Ryan, at the 4th annual Matthew J. Boehmer Memorial Williams Stand Down. The event featured veterans helping veterans by distributing food, clothing, and providing essential services. Multiple organizations attended the Stand Down, including N.A.U. (offering scholarship and education), Coconino County Health and Human Services, Catholic Social Services, law firms (specializing in veteran’s needs), Department of Economic Security, and numerous veteran organizations. As noted, by the Williams Stand Down community liaison, John Davison, “the best way to help veterans is to give them honor and respect”. The Williams Stand Down movingly did that and honored the men and women in thanks for their service to our country.

What a thrill to be back at the Coconino County Fair over Labor Day weekend! Coconino County showed up, along with their exhibits of sheep, rabbits, chickens, quilts, flowers, pies, and more. The weather was glorious, and while the lightning shut down the Midway for a few hours, no one regretted the rain. Coconino County local government was well- represented with a booth full of information and great swag for the children. We’ve been told that the County had the most visited booth at the Fair! Supervisor Horstman enjoyed meeting and listening to friends and constituents from across District 1 and the County. Thank you for visiting the Coconino County booth.

On Saturday night, Supervisor Horstman introduced the Country Western artist Jerrod Neimann to the appreciative applause of hundreds of locals and visitors from across the state. A special thank you to the County Parks and Recreation Department and the dedicated staff and volunteers for their hard work and efforts to make our County Fair one to remember. Congratulations to the prize winners and thank you for sharing your passion and talent with the community. See you next year for the 75th annual Coconino County Fair at Fort Tuthill!