Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter — 11th Edition

11th Edition

Sup. Vasquez, Sup. Horstman and Sheriff Driscoll attending the Field of Hope event that promotes awareness for children who have passed away due to neglect and abuse. This event can be prevented with your help, if you see something contact the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

• Message from Jeronimo
• Redistricting Supervisor Districts
• Museum Fire Flood Project
• Event Highlights
• Service Positions Open in District 2
• Services and Programs
• And more!

Hello Everyone,

Happy Spring! I am looking forward to the beautiful weather that this season brings and to connecting more with the District 2 community. April is a very important month to me, as it signifies the opening of the year much like the flowers in bloom. It also happens to be my birth month, so I feel like its my time to grow and reflect on the last year of my life. In addition, we celebrate Earth day in April and for the religious Easter is a very important time.

My focus for the month is community engagement and sustainability. Not just sustainability for Earth day, but for our everyday resources. We all do so much, but what we do impacts our lives as much and our community. Sustainability is so much more than recycling plastic, it is thinking about the bigger picture for all. It means taking time to check in with people, making plans to give back to the community, or reassessing your impacts mentally, physically and long term.

I am very excited get out more and talk to constituents, see people at events and to visit all areas of the district. We have all been affected by COVID in some way and as we all begin to interact more it is important to still stay mindful. In this edition you will see that District 2 has been very busy and that Coconino County is working to get things in place for the upcoming monsoon season.

I hope that you contact me whenever you need to. You can reach my office at 928 679-7162 or email me at jvasquez@coconino.az.gov

More info here: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2894/Tunnel-Fire

If you or anyone you know of is in need of shelter Red Cross Shelter is open for residents evacuated due to the Tunnel Fire. Sinagua Middle School3950 E Butler Ave Flagstaff Shelter Services (4185 E. Huntington Dr.) and open 24/7. If you have any questions please call 918-225-2533 ext. 301. Stay safe, Flagstaff.

• You can take your household animals to Coconino Humane Association: 3501 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

• You can take your horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens to the Fort Tuthill County Stables. The stables are self-service.

• You are responsible for all services related to your animals including feeding and watering. Bring cages for smaller livestock staying at Fort Tuthill.

MAP: https://www.google.com/maps? q=35.1490865,-111.6879575&hl=en-US&gl=us&entry=gps&shorturl=1

After months of discussions, public listening sessions and community input, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the final district boundary map. Although it is not the perfect map, Map F best managed to meet all requirements, especially when it came to maintaining important communities of interest such as the Grand Canyon communities and minority groups within each district. It also unites the Museum Fire flood area into one single district, which has historically been split into two districts, complicating post-flood relief and coordination efforts.

The established districts will also be use to establish the Coconino Community College District Governing Board boundaries. The adopted map will go into effect after the upcoming 2022 election cycle, which means not them until January 2025.

Sediment Reduction project Breaks Ground in Museum Flood Area

A Coconino County Flood Control District (District) project to reduce sediment production and transport on private lands below the Museum Fire burn scar is underway in Lockett Ranches & Mt. Elden Estates. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)- and District-funded Emergency Watershed Protection Project (EWPP) will reduce erosion and sediment transport downstream.

The $1.54 million project, which includes alluvial fan reconstruction, grade control and the installation of concrete low-water crossings, will help to prevent erosion and sediment transport that can impact homes, roadways, and utilities. Without a reduction in these very high levels of sediment, any expansion of the floodwater conveyances within the City of Flagstaff will not be effective at reducing the level of floodwater impacting homes.

The goal is to complete construction of the Emergency Watershed Protection Project before the 2022 monsoon season. Another U.S. Forest Service-funded project to create on-forest sediment reduction measures is expected to break ground later this spring and be completed by this fall. For more information, please visit www.coconino.az.gov/MuseumFloodArea.

Siren Warning System

A siren warning system will soon be installed in the Museum Flood Area within the City of Flagstaff. The four-tower speaker array system, which synchs with the County’s emergency notification system, can deliver both siren and intelligible voice notifications to outdoor areas. System parts are arriving and there should be construction on site in a few weeks.

For more information about these and other projects please visit www.coconino.az.gov/MuseumFire/FloodArea.

City of Flagstaff resources Click Here

Honoring the Legacy of Cesar Chavez with Bill Barquin, Andres Chavez, and Dr. Jose Moreno at the Northern Arizona University Office of Inclusion on March 24th. Today, the National Farm Workers Service Center has become the Cesar Chavez Foundation, which continues to expand on Cesar’s early work and vision to create a movement to improve the quality of life for Latinos and working people. Cesar Chavez’s vision was ambitious, and a half a century later, the lasting and ongoing effects of his work have transcended even his original aim.

Cesar Chavez Foundation Initiatives

• Housing and Economic Development Fund (HED) builds and manages high-quality, service-enhanced, affordable housing for working families and seniors across the Southwest
• Education Fund aims to build an educational enterprise that will impact one million students by 2028 and help transform the education system so that all Latinos, working families, and their children can experience high-quality learning
• Communications Fund reaches millions of people across its multiple platforms, engaging a multi-generational, multi-cultural audience with high-quality, current programming that entertains, informs and inspires

On March 26th, Supervisor Vasquez had the opportunity to visit and learn more about the Coconino County 4-H Demonstrations. Kids showcased 4-H projects as a way to learn valuable public speaking skills, connection to community and to become subject matter experts! Great job to all and I look forward to seeing more projects from our youth!

Learn how to get involved Here

Field of Hope

In memory of children who die from child abuse and neglect, Exchange Club of Flagstaff erects the Field of Hope in April as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each child who died in Arizona the previous year has a Blue Ribbon Flag posted in their memory. During the ceremony, Chair Horstman and Vice-Chair Vasquez declared April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Coconino County. Thank you to The Exchange Club of Flagstaff who led the dedication of the annual Field of Hope on April 1 at the County Courthouse lawn. While attendees places flags the Girl Scout Troop 212 rang the bell for each life lost. Ninety-five flags were raised, each representing an infant, child or youth who died from abuse or neglect last year in Arizona.

Northern Arizona University held a ceremony April 1 to rename the Health and Learning Center (HLC) in honor of John Haeger, former president of the university. President Haeger was also an advocate for diversity and inclusion through the implementation of NAU’s commitment to a flat tuition rate for incoming first-year students’ first four years.

Timberline Fernwood Watch Meeting

The first in person neighborhood watch meeting in 2 years! It was great to see everyone, connect and talk over important issues in the timberline fernwood area. Updates were given from the Sheriff’s Office, District 2, Public Works, Summit Fire and Emergency Management.

In addition, on April 14 USFS hosted a meeting to answer forest related questions and to give an update on the cinder hills project. If you would like more information please reach out to Areina Contreras at acontreras@coconino.az.gov or 928-679-7162.

Doney Park Timberline Fernwood Area Plan Open House

This was the second open house on the Doney Park Timberline Fernwood Area Plan. This plan is the guiding document for the Board of Supervisors for development in the area. The committee has been hard at work on the area plan for over 1.5 years, these are folks from the community that know the character and nuances of both Doney Park and Timberline Fernwood. The open house is a place for residents to ask questions or make comments on the current draft plan. It was great to see over 100 people who wanted to give input or check out what is in the area plan. Thank you to everyone in attendance, your participation is crucial for a document that captures the community.

McMillan Mesa Event

Areina Contreras, District Director, attended the 5th anniversary celebration of McMillan Mesa Natural Area. This event was significant due to the the recent City Council action to rezone McMillan Mesa Natural Area as Flagstaff’s latest Open Space! All in attendance witnessed Navajo Medicine Man, Jones Benally, provide a blessing for Flagstaff’s Open Spaces. Then open space commission chairman Mike Wilson lead the ribbon cutting for the new open space. Participants were welcomed to stay for a short program, browse several tables from community organizations, listen to several bands, or go on a guided hike and more!

The Coconino County Flood Control District’s Forest Restoration Initiative (FRI) won both the 2021 Governor’s and President’s awards at Arizona Forward’s 40th Annual Environmental Awards Gala on March 19 in Phoenix. The awards, which honor creative programs that foster the economic vitality and long-term sustainability of Arizona’s future, recognized the District’s Forest Restoration Initiative as an exemplary sustainability project dedicated to reducing the threat of wildfire and post-wildfire flooding, which are considered by the District to be the greatest public safety threats to the County’s residents and businesses, and which will have devastating economic, and financial impacts on our communities. Arizona Forward’s President & CEO Lori Singleton emphasized that wildfires and post- wildfire flooding are major threats throughout Arizona and are being accelerated by climate change.

The County will be celebrating its 8th Annual Earth Day Recognition with Ride n’ Learns scheduled every day the week of Earth Day and three cleanup events in partnership with the City of Flagstaff and the Forest Service. See flyer for more information.

• • County Ride n’ Learns – offered Monday through Friday April 18th-April 22nd – https://tinyurl.com/yc3vhxy6
  • Highway 180 Litter Cleanup on Wednesday April 20th from 10 am – 1 pm – https://tinyurl.com/et7jdajj
  • Fort Tuthill County Park Litter Cleanup on Thursday April 21st from 10 am – 1 pm – https://tinyurl.com/yc7t6ykn
  • Lake Ashurst Litter Cleanup on Friday April 22nd from 10 am – 1 pm – https://tinyurl.com/2s4pmk5v

More county events HERE

On Saturday, April 23rd, the city will be hosting a Community Earth Day Celebration at Bushmaster Park from 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. County Sustainability and the Sustainable Building Program will have a table with information on our new County Sustainability webpages, fun activities for kids and adults, and information on the Sustainable Building Program’s updated checklists and the new climate initiative.

The County is partnering with the City of Flagstaff for their Drop Off Day event scheduled for Saturday, April 30th. This is open to ANY Coconino County resident who would like to bring household hazardous waste. If you’re interested in volunteering at the event, please contact Marty Johnson mjohnson@coconino.az.gov

Health & Wellness Clinic Offers Affordable Alternatives

Patients can find a variety of services from the CCHHS Health and Wellness Clinic on a sliding scale of cost related to their income. These include: sports physicals, vaccines, immunizations, well-woman exams, birth control (pill, patch, IUD, ring), teen sexual health services, TB skin tests, and much more.

Learn more, including how to schedule an appointment, HERE.

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_

As gas prices fluctuate, a Mountain Line pass is always the same price. At $34 for 30 days or $2.50 for one day, you can get all over town and not think twice about the price of gas. Dump the pump and try transit! www.mountainline.az.gov

In addition, Mountain Line offers multiple types of services such as Mountain Line Go!, which takes you directly to the airport. There is also a transport for commuters option and the paratransit service. For more information call 928-779-6624.

The Literary Center provides accessible and affordable literacy for all teens, adults, and families in Coconino County

Free classes in person and online Tuesday – Thursday 11am – 7pm and Fridays 1pm – 5:30 pm Learn more

Catholic Charities Community Services helps reunite those in the United States legally with minor children and spouses who remain in their country of origin. We also help U.S. citizens and those with legal residency secure residency for their spouses and/or children. Services include:- Employment authorization- Travel documents- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival)- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)- Petitions/U Visas/ T Visas- Affidavit of Support- Fiancée Visa- DACA renewals- Green Card renewals- Family-based petitions- Adjustment of status- Cancellation of removal- Consular processing.

Famlias Unidas | All Locations | Get Help Pages (catholiccharitiesaz.org)

Arizona Center For Empowerment educates, empowers and engages our state’s working families to create solutions to issues of social and economic justice through Youth Leadership Academy, immigration services department, Community Schools Project and Defending our democracy through mobilizing ACE (empoweraz.org)