District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — Happy Holidays December 2022

Hello District, 1 Residents

It is the most wonderful and most hectic time of the year. As we dash to get our holiday messages sent and gifts wrapped, it is important to take time to reach out to our loved ones and remember our blessings. The holiday lights, Santa coming to town, and family gathering certainly brings merriment and excitement. I loved traveling with Santa to greet the children and their families during the downtown tree lighting. The smiles on so many faces warmed my heart. This time of year can also be lonely and challenging for many. What makes Coconino County so special is the way our communities come together to help those in need. Through holiday loneliness, fires, floods, illness, and hard times, we are neighbors helping neighbors through acts of kindness, generosity, and goodwill. Together, we build the community where we want to live and where we want to raise our children.

A very merry holiday season to all,

Patrice

City of Flagstaff Emergency Management Director Stacey Brechler- Knaggs and Senior Project Manager Adam Miele toured Supervisors Horstman and Vasquez and City Councilmembers Austin Aslan and Khara House on the City’s newly completed sediment and flood detention basin constructed at the “Y” off Schultz Pass Road and Mt Elden Road.

This settlement detention basin was completed in record time. The project took less than two months and is necessary to assist with flood mitigation in west Flagstaff. The City obtained Emergency Watershed Protection Project Funds (EWPP) of $2.4 million to commence this mitigation project. These retention basins cover 20 acres and can hold 56-acre feet of storage. It is estimated that the retention basin can hold a 2-inch storm flow. In addition, the county is seeking federal funding to further assist in Westside flood mitigation by constructing an alluvial fan in the Schultz creek watershed on the San Francisco Peaks.

The Board of Supervisors, acting in its capacity as the Flood Control District (FCD), has reviewed recommendations for long-term flood mitigation projects designed to lessen the impact of flooding due to fire damage done to 9 watersheds from the Tunnel and Pipeline fires. Unfortunately, the cost for these long-term mitigation projects is estimated at over $100 million. This far exceeds the financial capacity of the Flood Control District. Therefore, the extent of mitigation efforts the County will be able to undertake is dependent on the ability to obtain federal funding for these mitigation projects.

With this in mind, the FCD approved the submission of applications for three separate grants to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The FCD is applying for a $26.6 million grant from FEMA from its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for long-term mitigation impacting the Government Tank flood corridor. This includes the Doney Park area in greater Flagstaff. The FCD is also submitting an application for this same project with another FEMA grant program known as the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant.

The FCD is pursuing $3.1 million from the BRIC program for funds to be used to engineer and construct drainage improvements to a culvert on Highway 89 impacted by Schultz/Pipeline post-wildfire flooding. Lastly, the District applied for $1.9 million to the Arizona Department of Emergency Management for a grant from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program post-fire. This is intended to upgrade the existing flood channel within the Brandis Way flood corridor.

Be assured that the FCD is pursuing all grant opportunities and other federal monies available to assist the FCD for these long-term flood mitigation projects. The County continues to look to its congressional representatives and senators for emergency funding through the congressional appropriations budget.

Supervisor Horstman will continue to provide updates on the progress of these grant applications and the progress of emergency funding through the congressional appropriation budget.

As promised, the Board of Supervisors awarded $5 million of the County ARPA funds to community service projects designed to provide direct services and supports to County residents. These ARPA funds were set aside by the Board of Supervisors, who thereafter solicited proposals from nonprofits and service organizations on projects to provide these direct services. The Board identified six priority areas for support, including; behavioral health, housing, business support, workforce development, education, and support for vulnerable populations. The Board also allowed local government entities to propose projects or programs that the County could partner with the government entity to provide services in these priority areas.

The Board awarded funding to 19 projects including: behavioral health care, long-term housing support, mental first aid training certification, substance-abuse treatment, home repairs to ensure healthy and safe homes, construction of a sewer line for Fredonia, support for JoJo’s place, transitional housing, workforce development training, technical assistance for the art communities through Creative Flagstaff, food distribution programs including Flagstaff Family Food Center, funding for DNA Peoples Legal Services, assistance for senior centers, and support for Flagstaff Shelter Services(FSS).

The County received many worthy proposals for programs from our community sponsors. Unfortunately, the total amount for these programs far exceeded the ARPA monies available. Therefore, it was a difficult decision for the County’s independent review committee to review these projects and hone them down to the $5 million available. Awards to the program were based on addressing the most critical needs across Coconino County. These partnerships with our nonprofits and service providers extends the capacity of Coconino County to provide essential services to our residents.

For Information contact Flagstaff Shelter Services at 928-225-2533

Shelter tonight. Home tomorrow. | Flagstaff Shelter Services (flagshelter.org)

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) CEO Carol Dykes, and staff hosted an event to thank community volunteers who answered the call during The Tunnel and Pipeline fires and the post-wildfire flooding that devasted communities this past summer. UWNA coordinated over 400 volunteers who provided over 160 hours of labor and assisted their neighbors during the over 45 flood events. UWNA volunteers provided relocation assistance cleared debris and built over 1 million sandbags. Neighbors helping neighbors and living up to the United Way motto of “Living United.” A special thank you to all that spent their weekends helping our residents get through this past summer’s devastating events. This is what community is all about.

United Way of Northern Arizona (nazunitedway.org)

Coconino County Sheriff’s Department was awarded a grant through the Opioid Litigation Settlement for a Pathways to Community program designed to assist newly released inmates for successful return back to community. Pathways is a partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and Coconino County Health and Human Services, working together in collaboration with many nonprofit community partners. The Pathways program offers a wide range of services and offers a “one stop shopping” for services and assistance. The program operates in a building directly adjacent to the jail. A newly released individual literally walks from the jail through a blue door, which leads directly to the Pathways to Community Center. Pathways offers a warm and inviting space that includes coffee, snacks, access to a phone, bus tickets, and numerous service providers who can counsel and offer services from private cubicle. These services include housing, transportation, addiction counseling, mental health assistance, job training, and numerous other supports.

Program Manager, Amy Bacon, toured Supervisor Horstman, and other community members, around the program space. Ms. Bacon pointed out that the program is designed to reduce recidivism and offers an opportunity for individuals to get back on their feet. CCHHS Division Manager for Recovery and Resiliency, Erica Shaw noted that Pathways was a beautiful nexus between public health and public safety and is intended to improve the overall well-being of our community.

Pathways is in need of warm clothing, including men’s and women’s coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. If you can help, please reach out to Amy Bacon at: abacon@coconino.az.gov

Our community is known for its generosity and its community spirit. This time of year, accentuates the spirit of giving back. November’s annual Stuff the Bus drive brought in over 8,500 pounds of food and donations totaling $60,000 to the Flagstaff Family Food Center. All three Flagstaff Safeway stores provided collection centers staffed by community volunteers. Mountain Line parked a bus so everyone could literally stuff the bus with frozen and non-perishable food items for holiday meals.

Thanks to all who participated and contributed to our communities most successful Stuff the Bus food drive. Please remember that Flagstaff Family Food Center needs our contributions year-round. The Flagstaff Family Food Center serves rural pantries and communities throughout Coconino County. The Food Center and its partners are expected to serve more than 80,000 families in 2022. Please keep Flagstaff Family Food Center at the top of your giving list.

This community rocks!

Supervisor Horstman and County and City Staff joined in the holiday celebration at the Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center. A holiday meal was served and enjoyed by all that participated.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the County’s winter parking ordinance. These amendments enable the Sheriff’s office to enhance enforcement during the winter recreation season and increase public safety on county roads and right of ways.

Coconino County is a winter wonderland that brings an influx of visitors. Unfortunately, this also increases traffic congestion, illegal parking, littering, and trespassing onto private property. To increase safety around roadways and reduce the negative impacts to our neighborhoods, the County’s winter parking ordinance is in effect from November 1, 2022 through April 1, 2022. It prohibits vehicles from parking along County maintained right of ways, facilitates safer snow removal operations, mitigates dangerous snow-related traffic congestion, and reduces parking problems. A violation of this parking ordinance carries a minimum of a $200 fine and may include the towing of the vehicle at the owner’s expense. The Board’s recent amendment to the winter parking ordinance, which took effect on December 15, clarifies that the responsible party for the fine and towing expense is the vehicle’s registered owner.

Coconino County continues to work with our partners, including Discover Flagstaff, for safe and approved snow play areas. Partnerships include working with Flagstaff, Williams, the Forest Services, Discover Flagstaff, and others on an educational campaign with maps and materials to guide visitors to approved snow play areas and to inform visitors of prohibited areas and no parking zones.

Coconino County is committed to supporting safe and fun winter recreation.

Winter Parking Information | Coconino (az.gov)

https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/things-to-do/outdoors-nature/ winter-adventure/winter-recreation-map/

Winter Preparedness Tips | Coconino (az.gov)

Coconino County Parks and Recreation partner, Flagstaff Snow Park, opens December 17th, 2022. Tickets are available online at www.flagstaffsnowpark.com

County Employees “Dex” along with his handler, Captain Ben Waibel of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department, was honored by the Board of Supervisors for their work in locating and safely apprehending three juveniles during a theft and evading arrest investigation. Dex is a three-year-old Belgian Malinois who has been with the Sheriff’s department for under a year. Dex is paired with his two-legged partner, Captain Waibel, a six-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department. This dream team has been instrumental in drug enforcement investigations and working together to keep our community safe. Job well done, Dex and Captain Waibel.

Supervisor Horstman welcomes Michael Jackiewicz to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) and Coconino County family as CJCC’s Director. Michael Jackiewicz comes to Coconino County with a wealth of experience working in the criminal justice system and serving diverse populations. Michael shares a passion for evidence- based practices, which he plans to apply to this position. He looks forward to using his leadership skills and experience in the efforts of CJCC.