District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman —January 2023 Newsletter

Hello District 1 Residents.

The New Year started with a bang when greater Flagstaff was hit by a band of winter storms that dropped over 60 inches of snow— making this January the third snowiest January on record. I greatly appreciate the County, City, and ADOT road crews with their plows, graders, and trucks. They worked around the clock to keep our streets and highways passable during the storms.

I was fortunate to join the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (FDBA) for the “Noon Year’s Eve” pinecone drop at Heritage Square. This was organized so our young residents and their families could experience Flagstaff’s New Year’s Eve tradition. Over 3,500 children and families were present for the noon countdown to bring in an early 2023. Later, the downtown was again filled with thousands more to celebrate the 10 o’clock and midnight pinecone drop. This year’s pinecone drops included large fireworks displays, which carried our hopes and dream for 2023 into the stratosphere.

New Year’s is also a time of reflection. Looking back, 2022 brought significant challenges with drought, fires, post-wildfire flooding, and Covid. Yet, the year 2022 showed us the resiliency and determination of our communities. Neighbors helping neighbors got us through the evacuation, assisted with the flood mitigation, and helped with the rebuilding that followed. More work is needed, and our federal legislators and agencies have joined us in this effort by providing emergency fire and flood funding. Just prior to the holidays Congress passed an appropriations bill that will likely bring $90 million dollars to the County for watershed restoration and flood mitigation.

The County Board of Supervisors knows that 2023 brings challenges and opportunities to our County. This next year the Board will grapple with managing development and growth, instituting rural water management, reviewing zoning for campgrounds/glamping, passing an ordinance for short-term rentals, committing to sustainability/ renewable energy, working to meet region-wide transportation, embarking on economic development, creating an effective and innovative criminal justice system, ensuring efficient judicial management, maintaining and expanding parks and recreation, planning for emergency preparedness, addressing the needs of our most vulnerable, tackling housing issues, and maintaining financial accountability. This is a lofty agenda. But, it is optimism we need as we proceed with the new year.

Working together, we create the community where we want to live and where we want to raise our children.

Onward together,

Patrice Horstman

The mid-term elections brought new leadership to Arizona. This included the election of County Board of Supervisor (Vice Chair) Jeronimo Vasquez to fill the remaining term for District 2. The 2023 elections also brought the election of mayors and city/town councils across Coconino County. Congratulations to our new mayors: Becky Daggett (Flagstaff), Clarinda Vail (Tusayan), Don Dent (Williams), Bill Diak (Page), and Christy Riddle (Fredonia)

Last year’s redistricting resulted in changes to Arizona’s sprawling U.S. Congressional Districts. This was especially true in northern Arizona Congressional Districts 1 and 2. Redistricting resulted in the northern portion of Coconino County, including Flagstaff, moving from old Congressional District 1 to the newly redrawn Congressional District 2. New Congressional District 2 now includes the Navajo Nation, Coconino County, Yavapai County, Gila County, and parts of Pinal County.

The newly redrawn State Legislative Districts 6 and 7 splits Coconino County and Flagstaff. Newly redrawn State Legislative District 6 encompasses most of the northeastern portion of Arizona (including the Navajo reservation and Flagstaff communities north of Interstate 40 and Route 66). While newly drawn Legislative District 7 encompasses the southern portions of Coconino County and Flagstaff (communities south of Interstate 40 and Route 66) and stretches to rural southern Arizona into Gila County and eastern Pinal).

These redrawn Congressional Districts and State Legislative Districts have caused a shake-up in representation for northern Arizona. Our longtime incumbent Congressman, Tom O’Halleran, was replaced by our new Congressman, Eli Crane. Our new State Legislative District 6 includes State Senator Theresa Hatathlie and State Representatives Mae Peshlakai and Myron Tsosie. Our District 7 state senator is Wendy Rogers, and State Representatives David Marshall and David Cook.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly handily won his election for a full six-year senate term. Senator Kelly remains a tremendous advocate for Coconino County and is a champion for forest restoration and flood mitigation. A special thank you to former Representative Tom O” Halleran for his advocacy on our county’s behalf. We look forward to forging a close working relationship with Congressman Eli Crane.

It was a special honor for Supervisor Horstman to travel to attend the swearing-in for Arizona’s new Governor, Katie Hobbs. Three years of Covid had limited the public swearing-in celebration of our state officials. This year, Arizona was able to hold a public ceremony. A large gathering of Arizona residents and elected officials gathered between the State House and Senate to watch the swearing-in of Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.

Coconino County congratulates our new state officials. Public service is an honor and privilege. For all us that serve, from local school boards, special districts, city and town councils, county offices, state offices, and the U.S. Congress and Senate, we are public servants that serve at the will of the people and on behalf of all of Arizona. There’s work to be done. Let us all begin.

Coconino County received an early Christmas present when President Biden signed the Omnibus Appropriations bill. This bill included $5 million dollars for specific programs for Coconino County. This included monies for the construction of a County Tribal Lands Service Center, Fort Tuthill water and sewer improvements, and emergency management enhancements.

The Tribal Service Center will better serve tribal communities in the Tuba City area and extend county services onto tribal lands. This will reduce travel to County offices primarily located in Flagstaff, Williams, and Page. The Tribal Service Center will include job development services, a vital records depository, supervisor offices, community space, and other County offices.

The $3.3 million awarded for Fort Tuthill water and sewer improvements will provide much-needed infrastructure for the quad buildings that historically served as a National Guard Training Facility from 1929 -1948. The quad now houses offices and buildings for community purposes.

Lastly, approximately $1.2 million was awarded for emergency management enhancements which included monies for updated radios, emergency trailers, drones, and other needed equipment.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE:

The Omnibus Appropriations bill approved federal funding of $925 million for the US Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) and $210 million for Post Wildfire Disaster Relief. The County applied for EWPP project funds totaling $50 million for flood mitigation in six neighbors within the Schulz/ Pipeline flood area. In addition, the County requested $40 million from the Post Wildfire Disaster Relief funding for flood mitigation. This included funding for mitigation efforts in our downstream communities affected by the Tunnel and Pipeline wildfires.

This federal funding, totaling $90 million, is essential for the County to commence long-term flood mitigation projects in the impacted Schultz/Pipeline neighborhoods. The EWPP funding requires a 4 to1 match, federal to county dollars. This translates to the County spending upwards of $12 million from County general funds for watershed flood mitigation projects. Further, it is also expected that there will be additional costs to the county migration efforts that will not be covered by the federal monies. $12 million dollars is a huge expense for the County FCD. However, the need is great, and the County’s contribution allows access to sizable federal dollars. The BOS is looking at ways to offset the County’s contribution by leveraging ARPA funds and requesting state funding through the Department of Forest Management.

Chair Horstman expressed her gratitude to Senator Krysten Sinema, Senator Mark Kelly, Congressmen Tom O’Halleran, and their dedicated staffs for their steadfast efforts to address the critical community needs in Coconino County.

Since the mid-90s, short term rentals of residential homes have become popular through such companies as VRBO and Airbnb. These short-term rentals, defined as rentals less than 30 days, provided a way for some homeowners to afford their mortgage, make home improvements, or save for retirement. For many, it provides the income to make ends meet. The short-term industry has taken off but is largely unregulated. Prior Arizona law prohibited local municipalities communities from banning or limiting short term rentals in their jurisdictions. With local government’s hands tied, some rentals became party houses which brought noise, traffic, parking issues, and litter to quiet residential neighborhoods. Absentee landlords, many living out of state, failed to monitor or protect neighborhoods. Houses for sale in popular destination places, like Flagstaff, were snapped up for these “quasi commercial” short term rental purposes. This quasi – commercial use has changed the nature of established communities and diminished housing availability and affordability.

During this last legislative session, Arizona modified its short-term rental laws to allow local jurisdictions SOME oversight including the permitting/licensing of short-term rentals. The new law also allows jurisdictions to impose penalties, including fines, for violations of local short term rental ordinances.

The County Board of Supervisors recognizes the positive impact short term rentals have on tourism and the economic benefits it provides some families.

However, the BOS also acknowledges the negative impact that this largely unregulated industry has had on neighborhoods. Therefore, the County has developed a proposed ordinance that provides regulations and monitoring designed to reduce abuses and negative impacts to neighborhoods. Once approved by the BOS the County ordinance would be effective within the unincorporated area within Coconino County. The City of Flagstaff and Sedona are working on a similar ordinance for short term rentals within their city limits. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for the BOS meeting on February 28th.

The main element of the ordinance are as follows:

• Requires short-term rental operators to notify neighbors of intent to use property as a short-term rental.
• Requires providing an emergency point of contact to be notified for emergencies and complaints listing the contact information of the person responsible for responding.
• Requires the operator to provide a transaction privilege tax license number.
• Specifically requires a permit.
• Allows for a process to suspend a permit for up to 12 months depending on verified violations.
• Allows an increasing of financial penalties for verified violations.
• Prevents Short-Term Rentals from being used for special events.
• Prevents a Short-Term Rental to be rented to a registered sex offender.
• Provides enforcement and expedited due process hearings.

A copy of the full ordinance can be found: SHORT TERM RENTAL standalone v3.pdf

We would like to hear from you. Please email me at: phorstman@coconino.az.gov or call my office at: 928-679-7151.

Or go to the County website short-term rental link at: Coconino County Short Term Rental Landing Page

STR brochure link: Short Term Rental Brochure

To reduce the risk of wildfires, the Coconino National Forest Service is proposing additional fire restriction including changes to limit camping, campfires, and motorized use in strategic and sensitive areas within the Flagstaff Ranger District. This includes increasing the boundaries of the existing year-round camping and campfire ban for forest property located adjacent to the City and the greater Flagstaff communities. Additionally, the Flagstaff Ranger District is proposing that during stage two fire restrictions, the use of motorized vehicles in areas around the San Francisco Peaks, Walnut Canyon, and Pumphouse Wash be prohibited. These areas would still be open for hiking, mountain, biking, and equestrian use during stage two fire restrictions.

Supervisor Horstman and rangers from the Flagstaff Ranger District, will hold a community meeting on March 1st at 6pm, at the Coconino Center for the Arts, to discuss these proposed fire restrictions. Please join us and provide your input on these proposed fire restrictions. Supervisor Horstman believes these proposed changes are a step in the right direction and will reduce catastrophic wildfire.

Supervisor Horstman recommends that in making fire restriction and forest closure staging decisions, the Forest Service must factor in our megadrought and windy spring conditions. These decisions are best made at the local forest level and not at a regional or national level.

Please see the included maps for details on the areas subject to these expanded forest restrictions. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please see links below for more information:

Coconino National Forest – Land & Resources Management (usda.gov)

Coconino Fire Restrictions Proposed Changes

Arizona received a special visit in January. USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Homer Wilkes, and US Forest Service Chief, Randy Moore, came to Arizona to announce Biden’s two-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

This newly announced Wildfire Crisis Strategy adds $490 million for forest restoration for an additional eleven forest landscapes. These additional landscapes include areas on the San Carlos reservation lands and on the National Forests of Apache–Sitgreaves, Coronado, and Tonto. This announcement means that, the Forest Service is expanding its 2022 Forest Service commitment wherein it invested in ten fire prone landscapes in the western United States. The 2022 Forest Service commitment included areas in the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests that were prioritized as part of the Forest Service commitment of $54 million dollars annually for a period of 5 years to the Four Forest Initiative(4FRI).

Bidens, new two-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy extends forest restoration to millions of additional forest acres that will potentially mitigate the risk of wildfires for an additional 200 communities. The 2022 investment, together with Biden’s two-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, represents the largest commitment for forest restoration and forest management funding ever made to our national forests! Historic times indeed and this is a much-needed investment to create healthy forests and reduce wildfire risks.

In December the Coconino National Forest announced it was accepting proposals for outfitter and guide services in the Mount Elden/Dry Lakes areas. The Coconino National Forest is considering issuing seven special use permits to various commercial outfitters and guide services to allow commercial companies to provide guided hiking, biking, motorized tours, and rock climbing in Mount Elden Estates and Dry Lake Hills areas of the Coconino National Forest. Forest Service representatives noted that “outfitter and guided experiences can play an important role in providing a safe and educational outdoor experience for forest visitors.”

This includes areas impacted by the Pipeline fire including portions that experienced post-wildfire flooding. The Dry Hills area has long been recognized as an area of prime wildfire concern. Any wildfire and post-wildfire flooding in Dry Hills could jeopardize west Flagstaff.

Supervisor Horstman provided written comments in which she expressed concerns regarding possible unintended consequences from the proposal. She noted that the area is in a sensitive wildland and urban interface that has long been recognized as vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire and post wildfire flooding.

After reviewing initial public input, the Coconino National Forest Service has re-opened the comment period and delayed the awarding of the proposal. The Forest Service intends to utilize additional time for public outreach and to address public comments and concerns.

For additional information and to make comments contact:

Paul Dawson, Recreation Specialist Use Permit Administrator, at: paul.dawson@usda.gov or 928-606-0506.

Please see link below for more information on the Outfitters guide

Forest Service (usda.gov)

Coconino Community College has been selected by the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) as the nonprofit partner to launch the Pathways for Single Moms program in the state’s northern region.

This program is designed to eliminate barriers to higher education for single moms by giving them the necessary resources to secure livable wages and forge a career path. Taking a holistic approach, the program helps women navigate life’s challenges by supporting the successful completion of a certificate program in growing fields. The tuition-free certificate prepares these women for careers in growing industries that pay a thriving wage, thus confronting the cycle of poverty in their families.

Pathways for Single Moms was launched in 2020 in Southern Arizona and, due to its success, it has expanded to cover central Arizona and now the state’s northern region. Coconino Community College aims to support 30 to 40 women for the duration of the program. In addition, there will be 11 career tracks determined to pay living wages for mothers.

“The wraparound support design and holistic approach of Pathways Program for Single Moms is truly a best practice model with a track record of success.” Said Vice President of Student Services Tony Williams, “We are honored to be partnering with the women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona in their fight to eliminate barriers to a higher education and livable wage careers for single moms.”

Pathways Program for Single Moms provides wraparound support in common roadblocks prohibiting single moms from going to school, including tuition costs, equipment expenses, childcare, and transportation. In addition, Coconino Community College will assist program recipients in navigating the enrollment process.

Those accepted into the Pathways program will be awarded 100% paid tuition and Quality-First/Kindergarten-ready childcare. They will also receive a stipend for living expenses, computer equipment, transportation, and more, as well as emergency funds. Recipients will also receive ongoing coaching, planning, and career services.

Pathways for Single Moms make it possible for participants to have support beyond a technical education and truly make an impact for single moms and their families in Arizona,” said Director of Pilot Programs Joanna Marroquin.

Upon completion of the certificate program, participants will receive additional resources to ensure women are ready for career advancement, such as application, resume building, interview and work attire, connections to hiring employers, and financial coaching.

Coconino Community College is accepting applications for the Pathways Program for Single Moms. For more information or to apply, visit pathwaysflagstaff.org

Shared with permission from Coconino Community College. Important program! Story Provided by Larry Hendricks – CCC