District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — October/November 2023 District 1 Newsletter

On a recent Sunday afternoon, I joined the Flagstaff Family Food Center at the University Safeway for the annual Thanksgiving “Stuff the Bus” event. In greeting the Safeway shoppers and asking them to consider purchasing food items to add to the Family Food Center holiday food drive, I was reminded of what a caring and generous community we have in Coconino County. As we enter the hectic pace of the holiday season, it is appropriate that we pause and take a moment to count our blessings. If we find we have a few “extra blessings” to share, let’s pass our good fortune on, so others can partake in some holiday cheer.

As 2023 gently winds down, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Supervisor Matt Ryan, our longest serving member on the Board of Supervisors. He is retiring in January after 27 years of advocating for District 3 and for all of Coconino County. Supervisor Ryan has been a teacher, mentor, and calming presence on the Board; a true example of what it means to be a public servant. Although I will miss his presence, the lessons he taught remain with us. Thank you, Matt, and thank you to his wife Theresa and their children and grandchildren for sharing this special guy with Coconino County.

Together we build the community where we want to live, and where we want to raise our children.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Patrice

Supervisor Patrice Horstman has been appointed by Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, to a three-year appointment to the Arizona Resource Advisory Council for Arizona’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.

The Arizona BLM Advisory Council is a 15-member statewide council, which provides advice and recommendations to the Federal BLM on resource and land management issues for approximately 12.1 million acres of federal surface and 36 million acres of subsurface mineral estate in Arizona. Horstman expects this will include working with the BLM on the management plan for the newly designated Baaj Navaajo I’Tak Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.

“It is very important for local representatives to have a seat at the table when it comes to managing our federal public lands,” commented Supervisor Horstman. “I appreciate Secretary Haaland’s appointment to the Council and will be a voice for Coconino County residents concerned about management of our land and natural resources.”

Supervisor Patrice Horstman toured post wildfire flood mitigation projects with Flood Control District (FCD) Director Lucinda Andreani and saw first-hand the substantial progress made on the County’s various flood control projects. Post wildfire flooding on the east side off Highway 89 from the Tunnel and Pipeline fires caused massive damage and loss of property. Flood Control District projects in the Copeland and Campbell flood corridors are now nearing completion and include watershed restoration, drainage easements and channel work.

The Government Tank corridor watershed restoration work, which includes a 40-acre alluvial fan restoration project is substantially underway. This 40-acre restoration project is the largest watershed restoration project ever undertaken by Coconino County. The restoration of this large naturally occurring alluvial fan was necessary due to the unwrapping of the fan from the extreme post wildfire floods during the 2022 monsoon season. The flooding brought hundreds of boulders, debris and floodwaters through this corridor, devastating homes and property.

The Government Tank alluvial fan restoration project is funded, in part, by federal dollars, along with County Flood Control District funds. The restoration of the alluvial fan in this watershed, below Waterline Road, includes engineered regrading of the fan and embedding rock sills made of enormous boulders. The boulders act as the first line of defense to slow down the velocity of the runoff and spread out the flow. This serves to reduce the sediment flowing downstream which is necessary for the channels and culverts to function effectively. Downstream of the fans the County has also utilized easements from private property owners for water retention basins, widened channels, enlarged culverts, and storm drains. All of this is intended to mitigate the destructive force of post wildfire flooding in this corridor which includes residents of Hutchison Acres, Switchback/Heppel, Johnson Ranch and Doney Park.

On the west side, along Highway 180, the County and City of Flagstaff have partnered to complete flood mitigation projects for those westside neighborhoods affected by the Museum Fire post wildfire flooding in the Paradise, Linda Vista, Grandview, and Sunnyside neighborhoods. Phase 1 of the Flagstaff/Spruce Wash mitigation project was completed this last summer and consisted of constructing a sediment basin downstream of the Spruce Wash flows.

Phase 2 included the County FCD constructing two additional sediment basins upstream of the Linda Vista/ Spruce Wash crossing, just northwest of East Park Way. These final two sediment basins will be the last chance to capture the sediment from the Spruce Wash flows before the water enters the City of Flagstaff stormwater drainage projects being upgraded through the neighborhoods. Once completed, the City of Flagstaff will take over the maintenance and upkeep of these sediment basins.

The Spruce Wash mitigation projects were funded by the US Forest Service, Federal Disaster relief funds, and the County FCD. These measures are intended to protect these Flagstaff neighborhoods for decades to come.

Supervisor Horstman values the collaboration and partnerships between the County, City, US Forest Service, private partners, and residents, all working together to mitigate the devastation caused by post wildfire flooding. These extensive watershed restoration and flood mitigation projects are being completed in record time, all for the betterment and protection of our communities.

Flood Mitigation AZ Family Interview

Supervisor Patrice Horstman recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society on rural groundwater management in Coconino County. Supervisor Horstman has long been an advocate for the need to revise the 1980 Groundwater Act to allow rural communities the right to manage and control their own groundwater. Besides Supervisor Horstman, the panel included other water experts; Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail, City of Flagstaff Water Resources Manager Erin Young, Blue Ridge Domestic Water Improvement District Chair Tom Osterday, and NAU Hydrogeologist Dr. Abe Springer.

As the panelists pointed out, most of rural Arizona, including Coconino County, is not covered under state groundwater laws. Therefore, Coconino County has no ability to manage its own groundwater or plan for future sustainability and water needs. This has resulted in the unsustainable practice of whoever gets there first or whoever has the deepest straw, gets the groundwater in Coconino County.

When the 1980s groundwater law was enacted, the law created two types of special groundwater management areas, Active Management Areas (AMAs) and Active Irrigation Non-Expansive Areas (INAs). This law established rules, permits, management plans, and monitoring of wells and groundwater use. Among other things, these active management areas require developers to demonstrate a 100-year water supply for new growth. At the time of its passage, it was hailed as an innovation to water management. Unfortunately, the law concentrated on major population centers. Meanwhile, for the last few decades, the fastest growing areas in Arizona are rural Arizona outside these active management districts. This has resulted in 80% of the lands in Arizona and 1.5 million people that do not have the ability to manage their groundwater.

Both Supervisor Horstman and Mayor Vail discussed the various attempts at introducing legislation at the state legislature to expand active management areas to rural Arizona, including the most recent legislation to create rural management through Groundwater Stewardship Districts. These Stewardship Districts would allow rural counties to opt in and voluntarily set up a local board to oversee groundwater management. This bill, like all the proper water management bills proposed, has not even gotten a hearing at the state legislature.

Supervisor Horstman and Mayor Vail applauded Governor Katie Hobbs for her prioritization of groundwater and water management through the creation of the Governor’s Groundwater Policy Council. This Council represents a cross section of Arizona and was tasked with making proposals for amendments to the 1980 Groundwater Act. Panel member, Dr. Abe Springer, is part of the Governor’s Groundwater Policy Council and reported that the group expects to have proposals for modifications in the 1980 law to the Governor by this December.

Dr. Springer discussed how it took millions of years to accumulate the aquifers in Arizona. He stated that the groundwater from these aquifers is being withdrawn at a rate that does not allow adequate recharge through rain and snow melt. This leads to over pumping, depletion of municipal groundwater supplies, declining wells, and threatens the flow of existing rivers and streams. Dr. Springer noted that over 50% of Arizona’s water supply comes through groundwater and underscored the need for immediate action to address Arizona’s water sustainability and water future.

Panelists Erin Young and Tom Osterday discussed the steps undertaken by the City of Flagstaff and Blue Ridge Water District, respectively, for conservation. Both noted that awareness and education is part of the overall need to address Arizona’s water future, and both support the need for rural groundwater management.

The roundtable discussion included comments and questions from the over 70 residents and stakeholders. The community meeting represented a wide range of interests, including realtors, business owners, outdoor recreation advocates, ranchers, and homeowners. There was a consensus that more needs to be done for our rural water management. Water is not only vital to our homes, economy, businesses, agriculture, and ranching, it is also vital for trees, plants, birds and wildlife. Protecting and managing our water not only makes good economic sense, but it is also the essence of life and vital for our County’s future.

Add your voice to the conversation about rural groundwater management by contacting your state representatives.

For more information:

Governor Hobbs Rural Water Council

Interviews Ground Water

Audubon Western Water

Audubon Press Release

Coconino County was on display when the Coconino County Board of Supervisors hosted the state-wide County Supervisors Association (CSA) summit in Flagstaff last month. All 15 Arizona counties and their supervisors were represented at this summit. The statewide summit provides county leaders the opportunity to share innovative ideas, discuss ongoing issues, develop policies, advocate for common interests, and develop resolutions to advocate on issues at the state legislature. This is an important annual meeting intended to produce a common agenda and create advocacy for local government.

The Summit also gives the host county an opportunity to showcase its county, and Coconino County took this opportunity and highlighted our county’s diversity of people, culture, and landscapes. This included a tour led by Supervisor Judy Begay highlighting Coconino County’s public land and diverse landscapes at Walnut Canyon National Monument. Walnut Canyon features remarkable geological formations, ancient cliff dwellings and displays a part of our County’s Indigenous history.

Supervisors Horstman and Lena Fowler, along with County Sustainability Building Program Manager, Amanda Atcheson, led the County Supervisors on a sustainable building tour which provided an up-close look at leading edge engineering and construction materials and methods which are promoted through the County’s sustainable building program. This program is further enhanced through the County’s awarding sustainable building certification, which recognizes achievement in building sustainability. Launched in 2003, the Coconino County Sustainability Building program has certified over 300 homes throughout Coconino County.

The sustainable building tour included a look at tiny homes, straw- bale home construction, gray water utilization, and rainwater capture and other water sustainability programs for domestic use.

Supervisor Horstman also addressed the County’s broader outlook on sustainability, including the County’s newly passed Renewable Energy Ordinance. This ordinance promotes renewable energy production and has encouraged large scale wind and solar energy partnerships between county ranch owners and renewable energy production companies. Supervisor Horstman also shared the County’s Dark Sky commitment and its partnership with the City of Flagstaff, the first dark sky compliant city in the world. Coconino County is world renowned for its brilliant night skies which promote Lowell Observatory’s astronomical observatory, which brings science, education and astrotourism to Coconino County. Our County’s dark skies bring over 100,000 visitors to our region per year. The County’s dark skies and remote location are also critically important for our US military mission as Coconino County is home to two naval facilities, the Naval Observatory, and the Naval Precision Optical Interferometer.

Coconino County capped off the CSA summit by hosting a dinner and celebration at Fort Tuthill’s Pepsi Amphitheater. The dinner featured performances by Ballet Folklorico de Colores and the Jones Benally Family Dancers, both bringing a part of Coconino County’s diverse cultures to the forefront through dance and music. The county also highlighted local artists that displayed their work for sale. All and all, a fitting conclusion recognizing Coconino County’s diversity and inclusiveness.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is a countywide collaboration between county, municipal, and state criminal justice agencies and departments, treatment providers, administrative departments, elected officials, and concerned citizens that addresses issues and needs arising within the criminal justice system. The purpose of the CJCC is to study the criminal justice systems throughout Coconino County and identify areas for improvement to formulate policies, plans, and programs.

Supervisor Horstman was appointed by her colleagues as a CJCC representative. Horstman brings to the CJCC decades of experience as an attorney. Presiding Judge Dan Slayton chairs the CJCC, and it includes active participation from the County Attorney and Sheriff, Flagstaff Police Chief, Public Defender, Legal Defender, Juvenile Court, Juvenile and Adult Probation, Jail Administration, Indigenous Organizations, Court Administrators, and Community Representatives. Michael Jackiewicz is the director of the CJCC.

The impetus for the formation of the CJCC included the overwhelming number of people jailed for matters that are related to addiction and mental and behavioral issues. The second is the disproportionate number Indigenous people in the county jail system.

CJCC is committed to instituting programmatic changes so that addictions and mental health issues can be addressed outside of the criminal justice system. CJCC also looks to institute effective anti- recidivism programs along with community and cultural support programs that address social issues like poverty, joblessness, home insecurity, juvenile delinquency, and family crisis situations outside of the criminal justice and court systems. Programs like the County Jail’s Exodus addiction program and Pathways to Community have proven effective against recidivism. Utilizing diversion programs and specialty courts like the County’s Veterans, Family, Mental Health, and Recovery Courts promote recovery and accountability and can result in early termination of probation and dismissal of charges. Likewise, the County’s commitment of American Recovery Act Plan funds and partnerships with local service providers have allowed the county to utilize behavioral and mental health programs for children, youth and families and reaches into the roots of problems and to bring solutions before the criminal justice system gets involved.

CJCC has also been instrumental in working to solve a COVID induced court backlog in the Superior Court system. Recognizing that justice delayed is justice denied, the CJCC recommended, and the BOS authorized, the creation of a new Division VII focusing on mental health issues and assisting in expediting jury trials and criminal trials.

Supervisor Horstman is pleased to serve on the CJCC and honors the commitment to provide equal justice under the law to all residents. She fully supports CJCC’s mission to eliminate injustice for all those that have been historically underserved and/or marginalized by society.

Northern Arizona University was honored to be included on the Vice President Kamala Harris Fight for our Freedoms Tour. Students at NAU enthusiastically and warmly welcomed her to Audrey Auditorium for a monitored conversation with students. Supervisor Horstman joined in with her alma mater and was honored to meet Vice President Harris

The diverse crowd alternated between cheers and rapt silence as Harris discussed the erosion of essential freedoms and her hopes for their future. The Vice President connected with students on the need to address their concerns about economic justice, climate change, immigration, gun violence, and reproductive healthcare.

The capacity crowd heard NAU President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speak to the value of higher education, and the need for students from underrepresented and underserved communities to have full access higher education.

Vice President Harris’s final words to the students continue to resonate: “Go live your best life, be your best self, don’t let anyone tell you to give up; and when you’re the only person who looks like you in the room, remember that we are all there with you.”

The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission released their report to Congress this week, urging swift action to advance the holistic solutions needed to reduce the risk of wildfire to the nation.

The Commission, which included Coconino County Deputy Manager and Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani and a bipartisan group of 52 other leaders from governmental, tribal, scientific, private industry and nonprofit backgrounds, spent the last year conducting a “sweeping review” of the wildfire system in the United States. The fruits of this review have now been released in a report that includes 148 recommendations for Congressional action.

Of the themes that emerge throughout these recommendations, one is a call for greater coordination and collaboration across agencies and industries positioned to address wildfire. No single entity has the capacity to solve this crisis alone, the Commission reports, “the whole of society must be involved.”

“Wildfire and post-wildfire flooding impacts do not stop at the forest boundary, as we have experienced after six major wildfires in the Flagstaff, Arizona area,” Andreani said of this theme. “It is vital that all levels of government recognize the importance of partnership and continued investment in forest restoration and its supporting industries. The BOS acting in their capacity as the Coconino County Flood Control District Board, has taken a leadership role working with the Forest Service to pursue several projects, such as the treatment of Bill Williams Mountain and now moving to the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed, where partnerships between the District, National Forest Foundation, Forest Service, State, and industry have been groundbreaking and successful.”

Andreani added, “this Commission has compiled a thorough and thoughtful set of actions that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government programs designed to provide wildfire prevention, response, and recovery. We are fortunate in Arizona to have legislators like Senator Kelly and Senator Sinema who have demonstrated leadership in this arena for many years.” Supervisor Horstman praised Andreani for Andreani’s leadership role with the Commission and hopes it will receive bipartisan support and implementation of these recommendations by Congress.

The full Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report can be accessed at wfmmc-final-report-09-2023.pdf (usda.gov)

Governor Katie Hobbs recently announced new appointments to the Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA), including two from Coconino County, Pats Shriver and Kyung-Lim Turrell. Supervisor Horstman congratulates new Arts Commissioners Shriver and Turrell. Horstman notes, “Coconino County has a diverse, vibrant and thriving arts community and Shriver and Turrell will represent our arts community well”.

Pats Shriver, a long time County resident, recently retired as the Director of the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff and has also worked for and served on numerous community organizations and nonprofits throughout Northern Arizona, including tribal lands. Kyung- Lim Turrell emigrated from South Korea and graduated from Pratt Institute in New York City where she had a thriving arts career. Turrell moved to Flagstaff where she continues her art and serves on the Turrell Arts Foundation and Skystone Foundation.

The ACA creates opportunities for all Arizonans to participate in and experience the arts by delivering grants and support to cultivate sustainable arts communities and promote statewide public access to arts and cultural activities. The fifteen-member Commission is appointed by the Governor, with a charge to represent communities across Arizona. Shriver and Turrell bring a unique Flagstaff voice to the table and a rural Northern Arizona sensibility to the Arts Commission.

Thanks to the efforts of community members, including local historian John Vankat and longtime Fort Valley resident Cindy Doskocil, Supervisor Horstman and County staff were able to join in the celebration of a Fort Valley sign installation on Highway 180. The new sign proudly informs motorists that they are entering historic Fort Valley. When Vankat, Doskocil, and other residents first asked Supervisor Horstman to join them in getting a Fort Valley sign approved along State Highway 180, Horstman thought it would be a relatively easy process. She and community members contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). However, after numerous attempts to jump through the various approval hoops, it became clear that ADOT approval was never going to happen.

Rather than accept defeat, the group approached Arizona Snowbowl General Manager Rob Linde. The Arizona Snow Bowl owns private property along 180. Linde and the Snowbowl offered the County an easement for the sign placement. Using private property meant that the Fort Valley group was back on track for its sign! Supervisor Horstman and Public Works Director Christopher Tressler worked with the community on the sign design and Public Works committed to its installation and maintenance. After the long and difficult journey to get a simple sign installed, Horstman and Tressler were extremely pleased to join the Fort Valley community in celebration of the Fort Valley sign unveiling on October 21st.

Coconino County is a land of ancient peoples whose descendants live and work here today. In the mid-1800’s, settlers and pioneers explored the valley, finding a freshwater spring, grassland, and forests. Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints built an early settlement in the Fort Valley area and worked building the railroad and later started a cattle company. Although it’s not certain how Fort Valley got its name, the records show Fort Valley’s historical significance to the early pioneering times in Coconino County.

As noted by Coconino County Manager, Steve Peru, who also attended the sign unveiling, “the sign is a testament to the sense of place that residents have for the area.” Supervisor Horstman was pleased to be a part of recognizing this historic community and recommends that as you travel down Highway 180, going north past Snowbowl Road, be sure to look for the sign on the east side of the highway.

Dia de Los Muertos is a special holiday celebrated by Hispanic and Latino communities around the worlds. It is a loving celebration and remembrance of loved ones who have passed on. Here in Flagstaff, Supervisor Horstman was happy to attend the celebration at Mayan Winds Coffee Emporium on November 1 hosted by the Coconino County Democratic Party and again on the 2nd for the Mayan Winds sponsored Family Celebration. The Community Ofrenda, an altar, was created to honor local leaders and beloved community members that have left a legacy in our community, including Mel Hannah (first African American Flagstaff City Councilman), Judge Joe Sedillo, and Hopi organizer Lorraine Coin, among others. Community members learned about the meaning of the ofrenda, enjoyed Mexican hot chocolate, pan muerto, crafts, and conversation with local candidates and community members in the beautifully decorated and locally owned coffee shop.

The annual United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) campaign officially kicked off this September. This year’s campaign theme is “United in Purpose”. This fitting theme recognizes the important role UWNA has played in Coconino County in organizing community volunteers and providing services, especially during times of emergencies including the recent Museum, Tunnel and Pipeline Fires and during numerous post-wildfire floods that devastated our communities.

At the annual campaign kickoff, UWNA Director, Liz Archuletta outlined the organization’s continued commitment to “Step Up for Our Youth” through early child development-kindergarten readiness programs (including Kindercamp), early childhood literacy programs, youth leadership, and shelter and food security programs.

Coconino County employees have traditionally shown their support and remain “united for a purpose” by generously contributing to the annual campaign. This is especially appropriate as this year‘s campaign co-chairs are Coconino County Health and Human Services Director Kim Musselman, and her husband, Flagstaff Police Chief Dan Musselman.

Together, Coconino County joins UWNA to help make a positive difference in the lives of our residence, living united and working to build a better tomorrow for all of Coconino County’s children and families.

For more information on volunteering and donating:

United Way

Coconino County is known for the generous way we take care of our community members.

Supervisor Horstman joined with other community leaders and volunteers in the annual Flagstaff Family Food Center Pantry “Stuff the Bus” event on Sunday, November 12. Food insecurity is an issue we must all work together to resolve, during the holidays and all year long.

This year’s food drive is expected to provide holiday meals for 120-140 families. A total of 7514 lbs., was donated totaling 4126 lbs., of turkey and 3388 lbs. of dry goods of food was donated during the “Stuff the Bus” food drive.

For Donations and Volunteer opportunities:

https://hotfood.org/