District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez — November 2023 — January 2024 Newsletter

Hello Everyone,

Greetings from District 2! This summer, I had the great honor to be elected as the new Board Chair by my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors. We also elected District 4 Supervisor Judy Begay to be the new Vice Chair at our August 22 Board meeting. I am humbled by this honor, and I have been working hard to support our residents, our County employees, and our community partners.

As I reflect on 2023, I offer a tremendous thank you to District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan who retired on December 31, 2023, after 27 years of service on the Board. Supervisor Ryan has been a great mentor, leader, and friend. I will miss his wisdom, his encouragement, his experience, and his humor. I join my fellow Supervisors in wishing him well. After an extensive search process, the Board appointed Adam Hess on January 9, 2024, to be the new District 3 Supervisor to complete the final year of Supervisor Ryan’s term.

Running Board meetings, traveling across Coconino County, and visiting the Arizona Legislature as the Board Chair have kept me busy. This has also helped me focus on my vision for the County.

My goal as Board Chair is to provide services to as many people in our County as possible. I also am a strong advocate for mental health services. I support our County Community Health Services in the development and expansion of a mental health division – the Recovery & Resiliency Division. The COVID pandemic highlighted the need for targeted mental health services in our County. A larger percentage of County residents requested support for mental health needs during the height of the pandemic and the request for mental health services continues. We responded by approving $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support behavioral health, housing, business support, workforce development and support for vulnerable populations to 19 community organizations in December 2022. We also invested $2 million in ARPA funding in Coconino County behavioral health programming. These services include community and social support, linkages to care, substance use treatment, housing support, education and prevention, system navigation and re-entry support. Please reach out on the County website at https://coconino.az.gov for support. We build the healthy community that we want to live in.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about what is going on in District 2 and in Coconino County. I am here to serve our community, so please don’t hesitate to email me at jvasquez@coconino.az.gov with any questions or concerns. I am working hard to obtain the resources our County needs and I look forward to hearing from you. Gracias.

2023 was an eventful year for Coconino County. The Board of Supervisors saw the fruits of their labor with several accomplishments and special events this past year.

1. Supervisor Vasquez had the honor to be elected Chair of the Board of Supervisors in August 2023.

2. New Grand Canyon National Monument – Supervisors presented at a U.S. Department of Interior meeting and President Biden designated this a national monument after the meeting. The Board of Supervisors had the great honor of joining President Joe Biden in Tusayan in August where he designated the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. The monument protects water sources from additional uranium mining and industrial development. The monument also preserves the cultural, historical, spiritual, recreational, economic, and ecological importance of the land.

3. Board of Supervisors passed a balanced County FY24 budget in June 2023 and complied with new expenditure limit requirements.

4. Board of Supervisors increased funds for County Mental Health Programming that helped support a new County Health and Human Services (HHS) Recovery & Resiliency Division.

5. Board of Supervisors efforts resulted in federal, state, and local increase in Transportation funding. Supervisor Vasquez presented remarks on two state transportation board SMART grant matches and the State Transportation Board awarded both funding matches to Coconino County.

6. Board of Supervisors efforts resulted in increased funding for flood mitigation and fire management/forest restoration.

7. Board appointed District 3 Supervisor Adam Hess for final year of Supervisor Matt Ryan’s term.

8. Coconino County hosted CSA Annual Policy Summit in October.

9. The Board of Supervisors passed a new Coconino County Short Term Rental Ordinance and updated the Dark Sky Ordinance. The Board unanimously approved the Coconino County Short Term Rental Ordinance on August 8, 2023, following the second public hearing on the ordinance.

10. County Supervisors met Vice President Kamala Harris when she visited Northern Arizona University on her Fight for our Freedom tour of college campuses nationwide.

Adam Hess was appointed as the new Coconino County District 3 Supervisor following long-time Supervisor Matt Ryan’s retirement on December 31, 2023. The Board of Supervisors extended a warm welcome and expressed their desire to start working with Supervisor Hess. Former District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan also congratulated Supervisor Hess for his commitment to District 3 and wished him the best of luck. Welcome to the County Board Supervisor Hess!

Supervisor Vasquez traveled throughout Coconino County celebrating holiday events in our community. From the Williams Light Parade at the end of November to the Flagstaff Light Parade and the Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting in Flagstaff in December. He finished the year at the Noon Year’s Eve Pine Cone drop at the Weatherford hotel in downtown Flagstaff on New Year’s Eve.

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies recently conducted a study to assess the affordability of housing in the United States and found that nearly 23 million Americans are cost-burdened by rent, with 12 million Americans severely cost-burdened. Cost burdened means that people are paying more than 30% of their pay for rent. Severely cost-burdened means that people are paying more than half (50%+) of their take home pay for rent.

Families in Flagstaff are experiencing the same levels of housing cost burden and severe cost burden described in the Harvard study. Some families have had to move away from Flagstaff because they cannot afford housing and the high cost of living. Other people are moving back in with their parents because they cannot afford the rent.

The Alliance group, a partnership of government agencies and educational institutions that includes Coconino County, the City of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff Unified School District and Mountain Line, is beginning to explore strategies to support affordable housing for their workforces.

The Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) also is exploring strategies to increase the supply of affordable housing.

According to ECoNA, “A survey of apartment complexes in Flagstaff conducted by Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona this past fall indicates that households will spend an average of $1,971 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in the city. That’s a 12.1% hike from the last time the survey was conducted in early 2022.

The results are even more dramatic for studio apartment rentals, which now average $1,342 per month, representing a 23.2% increase over the past 20 months.”

You can read the Housing Solutions report at this link: Rental Attainability Report

Supervisor Vasquez is working with his fellow Supervisors on the Board and with partnerships such as the Alliance to find solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Hope is on the horizon.

Supervisor Vasquez commends the County Flood Control District and all the County flood mitigation efforts that have made a huge difference during Monsoon season this year in the County neighborhoods most impacted by flooding. Flood mitigation that included basins, trenches, and canals successfully diverted stormwaters this year away from residential areas and roads. The County Public Works Department responded quickly to clear storm debris. Supervisor Vasquez also thanks all of the community members for attending Flood Control meetings, giving input, and providing easements when needed so that the County could implement flood mitigation. “We appreciate your partnership!” said Supervisor Vasquez.

Coconino County Response to Wildfire Crisis

The three main points of the Wildfire Crisis are the increase of catastrophic level wildfires, the unique opportunity to leverage federal funds, and the vast public safety threat of wildfires. Coconino County Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani and Director Jay Smith provided the public with data about current wildfire threats in Coconino County at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. The data presented showed catastrophic wildfires as the greatest public safety threat within Coconino County, followed by post-wildfire flooding as the second major threat.

During the presentation, the panelists mentioned new studies in compliance with the First Street Foundation 2023 Wildfire Risk Model, showing “93% of Coconino County properties are at risk of wildfires in the next 30 years.” Although material loss is a significant effect of wildfires, the discussion also mentioned how wildfires can have lasting impacts on a person’s mental and physical health as well as other environmental issues and hazards.

Stay tuned to upcoming Board meetings when County staff will describe the plan to mitigate the wildfire crisis and protect Coconino County residents.

Supervisor Vasquez Elected Chair of MetroPlan for 2024

December 4, 2023, marked the start of Supervisor Vasquez’s Chairmanship of MetroPlan. MetroPlan is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Greater Flagstaff region. The most relevant topics on the agenda included the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) Bus Service Reduction Update, State and Federal funding priorities, and the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Master Plan.

The FUSD Bus Service Reduction is a result of the shortage of drivers needed to continue service and budget constraints. This reduction will discontinue transportation services for middle and high school students attending out-of-boundary schools or magnet programs, as well as discontinuing transportation for high school students who live within the Flagstaff city limits.

At the State level, some priorities mentioned were the Mountain Line Facility, Lone Tree improvements, and Coconino County Flood Mitigation. The Federal priorities mentioned were the expansion of programs such as carbon reduction, transportation alternatives, and the reauthorization of funds for levels in IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). It was also noted that the Federal Standard priorities included supporting the modernization of car safety ratings and updating the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to advance safety.

NAU presented the Master Plan to the group for discussion. Since NAU developed a Comprehensive Sustainable Smart Campus Plan, several collaboration opportunities have been identified as they align with some MetroPlan projects related to safety and sustainability.

NACOG TPAC Meetings

In January 2024, Supervisor Vasquez attended NACOG’s Transportation Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC) meeting. Members of the committee discussed various topics regarding transportation issues in Northern Arizona and introduced a new Regional Transportation Safety Plan Story Map. This map includes relevant statistics and data about injuries on roadways and resources for the community. The story map can be found at: https:// storymaps.arcgis.com/ stories/612389dae2794179a49ca0b20255a75d

A significant discussion looked at recommendations to prevent serious injuries and fatalities on roadways and the strategies that can be implemented to create awareness on these issues. The three contributing factors were the lack of seatbelt use, lane departures, and impaired driving. Some recommendations made by the committee include the creation of public awareness campaigns, the implementation of stricter laws and penalties, and infrastructure improvements. Information about meetings being held in the future can be found at https://nacog.org/transportation-policy-advisory- committee/

This has been a busy season for the County Supervisors at the Arizona State Legislature. Supervisor Vasquez and his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors have visited State Representatives, State Senators, and staff of Governor Katie Hobbs to advocate for funding and policies that support Coconino County residents.

Supervisor Vasquez met with state Appropriations Committee leaders and state transportation leaders in November and December to discuss ongoing state funding for fire restoration and forest management. These funds would bring relief to communities devastated by the impacts of catastrophic wildfires and post-wildfire flooding. He also advocated for funding to complete drainage improvements on US 89 to minimize post-wildfire impacts.

Supervisor Vasquez and his fellow Supervisors head to Phoenix each month to participate in the County Supervisors Association (CSA) of Arizona Medium County Caucus and CSA Board meeting. These sessions allow all 61 Supervisors in each of Arizona’s 15 counties to come together to find solutions to common issues as well as needs that are unique to communities.

Native American Heritage Month

Coconino County celebrated Native American Heritage Month in November with a proclamation. The proclamation recognizes the vast contributions and struggles of the Native American people across the state and nation.

The Board recognized January as Human Trafficking and Prevention Month. This month focuses on bringing awareness and education to the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. For more information regarding this issue, visit https://northlandfamily.org/ flagstaff-initiative-trafficking/ or call the following numbers:

1. Domestic Violence Shelter 24-Hour Crisis Line: 928-527-1900
2. Youth Shelter 24-Hour Crisis Line: 928-527-1800
3. Counseling Services: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Monday-Friday 928-527-1700
4. Legal Advocacy: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Monday-Friday 928-233-4306
5. Community Education: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Monday-Friday 928-233-2212

In addition, January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This acknowledges the 6 million Jewish victims of the holocaust and the impacts it has left on our society across generations.

Each proclamation is created with the intention of keeping topics and conversations relevant within Coconino County.

Coconino County has three Diversity Advisory Councils that were created by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. The councils serve as a liaison between underrepresented communities and Coconino County government through collaboration with elected leaders and community members. These three Diversity Councils include:

• Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) meets the first Wednesday of each month.
• African Diaspora Advisory Council (ADAC) meets the second Wednesday of each month.
• Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (IPAC) meets the second Thursday of each month.

At this time most meetings are held virtually unless otherwise stated. In addition, all three councils meet quarterly as the Tri- Diversity Council. All meetings are open to the public and have opportunities for engagement. The councils are made up of community volunteers with a shared interest in these specific communities.

If you would like information for the meetings or to engage with the councils please contact, Areina Contreras at acontreras@coconino.az.gov

The Coconino County Sherriff’s Department has partnered with our Health and Human Services to launch and manage the Pathways to Community Program that supports people once they are released from the Coconino County Detention Facility. After one year in existence, we are seeing great success with this program that has helped to reduce the rate of recidivism (repeat criminal behavior) from 24% before the Pathways program to only 8% for participants in the Pathways to Community program. Supervisor Vasquez had the opportunity to speak about the County Pathways to Community program during a Re-entry Summit for Justice Involved Tribal Members in August at Twin Arrows. The Board is continuing to work with Tribes to learn how to expand re-entry services to tribal members.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Approves Youth Behavioral Health Project

The Board of Supervisors approved a Youth Mental Health Prevention Program Hub located in Flagstaff at the December 12, 2023, Board meeting. Board Chair Vasquez expressed his excitement for the project and gratitude towards the people working to make it happen. This initiative will allow county youth to access a variety of resources to help with issues related to mental health. It is expected that the Flagstaff hub will be ready for use by 2025.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the implementation phase of the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Youth Behavioral Health Project (YBHP) at their December 12, 2023, regular meeting. The YBHP, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will offer preemptive behavioral healthcare for youth utilizing a hub and spoke youth-based and youth–led model. YBHP facilities and services will provide emotional, physical, and social support services for youth aged 12-18.

As a result of the Board’s approval, CCHHS will move forward with the final planning and construction of an innovative, youth behavioral resource center facility in Flagstaff, and begin planning for services in outlying communities including Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Fredonia. The environmental design and facilities will all look different for each community where services are provided, but the approach to facility/environment design will remain intentional and youth led.

The YBHP will utilize the Allcove Model, developed by Dr. Steve Addelsheim and the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing, to guide operations. The strength-based youth mental health model is an evidence-based integrated service model that empowers youth.

Services may include mental and behavioral health drop-in clinical services, physical health services, peer and family support, educational support, community building activities, prevention support including wrap around services and resource navigation, and other services identified as priorities by youth.

Community engagement and partnerships, critical components of the project, will be individualized for each location. CCHHS is meeting with collaborating community partners to discuss project goals and vision and will begin gathering youth feedback. The YBHP calls for close collaboration and coordination with the existing service providers to meet a pressing need for youth in partnership with the current providers.

More information about the project and ongoing project updates can be found at https://coconino.az.gov/3279/Youth-Behavioral-Health- Project

NALEO Educational Fund’s Policy Institute on Health

Supervisor Vasquez joined the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund and a cohort of more than 45 Latino policymakers in Newport Beach, California in November for a health Policy Institute that focused on how to develop a framework that supports policies that contribute to better health outcomes for Latinos nationwide. The NALEO Policy Institute on Health: Creating Pathways Toward Latino Well-Being took place November 16–17, 2023, in Newport Beach, California.

The convening provided Supervisor Vasquez and other Latino policymakers with an opportunity to dive into the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent need to eliminate barriers that improve the health of Latinos. In addition, participants explored the conditions that can contribute to poor Latino health outcomes.

During the Policy Institute, Supervisor Vasquez networked with other Latino leaders and heard from experts about how to be better equipped to support, develop, and advance policies that promote healthier lifestyles and better health outcomes for their constituents. The Policy Institute also provided insight into the importance of local Latino policymakers being at the forefront of a concerted and strategic movement for a healthier Latino community.

Topics addressed during the convening included:

• Laying the Foundation: The Social Determinants of Health
• Latinos Post COVID-19: Same Challenges, New Opportunities
• Effective Governance: A Tool to Promote Healthier Communities
• Exploring Policy Levers for Local Government

AACo Conference

The Arizona Association of Counties (AACo) Annual Conference took place from December 12 to 15, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez attended this conference with the purpose of discussing some of the most important issues and topics concerning Arizona counties.

AACo’s 2023 Annual Conference at provided an opportunity for county leaders and staff to learn, network and guide the direction of the Arizona Association of Counties. This annual conference is the only event of its kind: bringing Arizona’s elected county leaders of every office and every county together to prioritize the public policy choices facing county government and collaborate to create a legislative agenda for the Association. Supervisor Vasquez joined colleagues from every county office and every county across the state to celebrate innovative county programs, find out about issues on the horizon and those presently impacting county government, craft the Association’s legislative agenda, and select the future leadership of the Association.

Secretary of State Table Top Exercises (TTX)

Deep fake and other artificial intelligence (AI) disruptions took center stage at the Arizona Secretary of State’s (SOS) two-day election security tabletop training exercise (TTX) in Mesa. The training, offered to stakeholders and representatives from all 15 counties, is the first in a series to help election officials prepare for the upcoming election cycle.

“Mis, dis and mal-information – or MDM – remain a primary threat to the security of our elections,” Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said. “Advances in AI and deepfake technology heighten the potential for chaos. We are going to make sure we are prepared for what is coming our way.”

The event on Dec. 15 and 16 was designed to increase readiness and resilience in protecting Arizona’s election infrastructure by exposing election administrators to realistic scenarios and challenges that may occur during an election. The various threats and situations included cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, natural disasters, and more.

“AI is going to increase the quality, quantity and urgency of MDM. Training events like this are one of the best ways we can ensure we are ready for what’s coming,” Michael Moore, SOS Chief Information Security Officer, said.

Training participants worked with stakeholders from various levels of government, law enforcement agencies, and IT and cybersecurity experts to find best practices and areas for improvement in securing Arizona’s elections. It was also an opportunity for county election officials from around the state to share ideas and build relationships.

For this first-of-its-kind training event, the SOS and Arizona county election and other government officials were joined by state and national organizations working on or interested in how election administrators are preparing to address election security issues. Participants and observers also included representatives from congressional offices, Citizens clean Elections Commission (CCEC), the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Local law enforcement partners from the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), the state’s fusion center, as well as the Arizona Department of Homeland Security (AZDHS) also joined the training.

Representatives from prominent technology firms working on AI issues including Open AI, Institute for the Future, and Microsoft also attended the event to share information firsthand about how this emerging technology could impact election security. The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law and the The Election Group helped develop some portions of the training, pulling from their national election experience and policy expertise.

“It’s an honor to help state and local election officials prepare for safe and secure elections in 2024 in the face of evolving threats,” Liz Howard, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program said.

A video montage of photos from the event is available at the link below:

Video Montage Link- https://youtu.be/wkxXL-SF0pg

Coconino County Elections Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Among the many events these past few months, the celebration of the new Coconino County Elections Center stands out as a critical event that will benefit Coconino County for years to come.

On January 22, 2024, Supervisor Vasquez joined members of the board of supervisors on the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the new Coconino County Elections Center. This event started with a guided tour of the facilities where the attendees were able to learn more about the process of an election day and the work that has been put into this new center. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes also attended the event and delivered a speech expressing his excitement towards the new elections center. On behalf of District 2, Supervisor Vasquez would like to extend his sincere gratitude to everyone involved in this project. He is certain that the opening of the new elections center will remain a memorable event in the history of Coconino County elections.

Check Out More Upcoming Events on County and City Calendars:

Coconino County Calendar: https://www.coconino.az.gov/ calendar.aspx

Flagstaff Community Calendar: https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/ events/

Coconino County District 2 has a number of neighborhood meetings that residents can attend to learn about local events, resources, and needs, and to ask questions of County staff and elected officials.

These meetings include:

• Timberline-Fernwood Neighborhood Watch Meetings – Contact: Jon Paxton at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office jpaxton@coconino.az.gov or (928)226-5089 (Office). Meets 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Community Meeting – Contact: Coral Evans. Meets: 2nd Thursdays at 6 pm at 2304 N. Third Street (Sunnyside Weed and Seed). Phone: 928-213-5900 .Click here to join the Facebook group!
• Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Association Meeting – Contact: Jesse Dominguez or Laura Myers for meeting times. Email: La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Association
• Southside Neighborhood Association Community Meeting – Contact: Deb Harris. Meets: 3rd Thursdays at 6:00 pm at 203 E Brannen (Murdoch Center). Phone: 928-226-7566. Email: Southside Community Association. Website: Southside Community AssociationClick here to follow the Facebook Page!

Please join us in 2024!

We are excited to announce that Mary Knight has joined the Coconino County Information Technology Department as Rural Broadband Manager. This position reflects the importance of broadband access and improving services in underserved communities throughout our County. Mary is committed to public service and will be diligently leading broadband initiatives on behalf of Coconino County, especially around BEAD funding opportunities.

Please join us in welcoming Mary to the Coconino County Team!

Mary Knight was an educator with the Flagstaff Unified School District for 30 years. As the previous Director of Technology, she oversaw student information systems, district infrastructure and instructional technology services. Her work in providing a well- functioning and secure technology environment was guided by a strong commitment to bridging the digital divide for students, teachers, and the community.

Supervisor Vasquez participated in the January celebration of life for Klee Banally, a respected Navajo activist and musician who was known for the Táala Hooghan Infoshop in Sunnyside and the anti- uranium organization Haul No.

Mr. Benally was a tireless advocate for our neighbors without homes. He spoke against Flagstaff’s “anti-camping” ordinance that limits where people can sleep outdoors in Flagstaff.

From his music to his role as a voice for the voiceless, Mr. Benally enriched our community in so many ways. Supervisor Vasquez appreciated the opportunity to honor Mr. Benally’s memory.

If you are experiencing a crisis or difficulties, we may be able to help you with necessities like transportation and communication. In order to qualify you must:

– Be a Coconino County resident,

– Meet our income criteria, and

– Have a need for these services (including for employment, education, medical, criminal justice, etc.)

For more information:

Flagstaff-region | Call 928-679-7258 | Walk-in hours: Tues/Thurs, 9-10:30AM

Page-region | Call 928-679-7296 | Walk-in hours: Mon/Tues/Fri, 8AM-12PM

Healthy Families is a voluntary, free support program serving families in their quest to be the best parents they can be. The program offers child development information, group activities, community resources, and ongoing supportive visits for up to five years in your home. The Healthy Families Arizona program will help you:- Be prepared for your baby’s birth- Be a successful parent- Communicate with and understand your baby- Help your child learn about the world through play. If you would like more information regarding eligibility and participation, please contact us at (928) 679-7216.

Local services list: This is a list of local organizations with details about their offerings for assistance. Please look over for yourself or to refer to people you may know that need help. https:// www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35228/COVID-19- Social-Safety-Net-Services-Coalition-Resource-Guide-V9_