Category: Government

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

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2024 • Comments Off

Message from Jeronimo
TOP 10 Accomplishments and Events for 2023
Welcome to New District 3 Supervisor Adam Hess
Holiday Celebrations
Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis
Flood Mitigation Activities
Fire Management
Transportation News
Coconino County Legislative News
County Supervisors Association (CSA) Board Meetings
Board of Supervisors Proclamations
Coconino County Diversity Council Activities
Re-entry Program in Coconino County
New Coconino County Youth Mental Health Hub
Supervisor Vasquez Conferences
Coconino County and Community Events
District 2 Neighborhood Meetings
Welcome to Mary Knight – Coconino County’s New Rural Broadband Manager
Supervisor Vasquez Remembers Benally Klee
Coconino County Job Opportunities
Coconino County Services and Programs

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: January 29-February 2, 2024

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2024 • Comments Off

What’s going on with the Transcanyon Waterline Project?

Since initial construction activities began on the South Rim nearly a year ago, the focus was on developing the construction sites and various South Rim facilities. Currently, the two new raw water tanks, laydown and staging areas, Staging Road, and contractor support facilities are nearly completed. Construction for the South Rim water treatment plant and Helibase infrastructure are well underway. New helicopter landing pads are completed and much of the concrete foundations and conduit lines are installed for the facilities at both of those construction areas.

Coconino County Opens New Elections Center in Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Elections Department announced (this week) the opening of the new Elections Center in Flagstaff. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, and was attended by local dignitaries, including Arizona SOS Adrian Fontes.

The new Elections Center, spanning 9,000-square-feet, provides space for the entire Elections Department staff to work on-site, consolidating operations under one roof.

Flood Control District Completes Phase II of the Park Way Sediment Basins

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Flood Control District has delivered another substantial element of post-wildfire flood mitigation to Flagstaff’s Spruce Avenue Wash Flood Corridor/Museum Flood Area … with completion of the second and final phase of the Park Way Sediment Basins Project.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation February Update — Call for Art Entries for Coconino County Fair, more news

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2024 • Comments Off

For rules, details, and a downloadable PDF submission form, click here!

Grand Canyon National Park Announces 2025 Noncommercial River Trip Lottery Period

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2024 • Comments Off

GRAND CANYON — On Feb. 1, 2024, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2025.

A total of 482 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website: https://grcariverpermits.nps.gov. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Monday, February 26, 2024.

Pile burns planned (for Jan. 31) on Coconino National Forest

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will conduct pile burns in two different locations (for Jan. 31).

The Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) will burn 1,320 acres of piles located at Willard Springs, 5 miles north of Munds Park.

Smoke impact is anticipated to be minimal but may briefly affect Interstate 17.

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) will burn 2 acres of piles located at Bly Pit, 14 miles northeast of Clints Well.

There are no anticipated road or trail closures due to any of the pile burn projects. Please refrain from calling dispatch lines if you see smoke from these pile burns so lines can remain open for any emergencies.

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — December 2023 / January 2024 District 1 Newsletter

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

Hello District 1 Residents,
It’s a new year, filled with hope and promise. It’s a good time to
reflect on where we’ve been and look forward to where the new
year will take us. I hope you enjoy this look back at some of the
highlights for District 1. Hopefully, you have had an opportunity
to reflect on your own highlights for 2023.
As we move into 2024, I look forward to working together to
create a Coconino County that serves our large and diverse
District. Wishing you a year of renewal, resilience, optimism,
strength, grace, and peace in 2024.
Onward together.
Patrice

City of Flagstaff Program Year 2024 CDBG Notice of Funding Availability

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is proud to announce the availability of Community Development Block Grant Funds for the 2024 Program Year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). Please see below for more information about the development of the City’s Annual Action Plan and Public Participation Process

Organizations interested in applying for CDBG funding can find the Notice of Funding Availability attached or at the City of Flagstaff webpage at: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/626/Community-Development-Block-Grants

Indigenous language interpreters needed for Coconino County courts

by Community Contributor • January 26, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — Are you a fluent speaker of an Indigenous language spoken in Coconino County?

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is recruiting Indigenous language interpreters for Coconino County courts!

If you are interested in developing skills for freelance court interpreting for these or other Indigenous Languages of Arizona, please contact the office of the court interpreter for more information.

City of Page — 2024 February – Copper Newsletter

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

View this email in your browser

Early Childhood Day at the Capitol Advocates for Gov. Hobbs’ $100 Million Proposal

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

The Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) hosted its 8th annual Day at the Capitol for parents, advocates, and legislators to raise awareness of the importance of a child’s earliest years. Children’s Action Alliance is a member of the alliance. This year’s event focus was centered around the Governor’s budget proposal of $100 million in child care assistance to stave off a looming funding cliff facing child care providers and parents in Arizona. 

Coconino County Health & Human Services Healthy Families Program is hiring

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health & Human Services Healthy Families Program is hiring a Family Support Specialist.

Our ideal candidate(s) enjoy family support work, are highly relational, and are bilingual (Spanish/English).

Starting pay is $45,560.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join us for our next Prevention Council meeting to share your story

by Community Contributor • January 24, 2024 • Comments Off

Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.

The CCC&Y Prevention Council has its roots in our long history of child abuse prevention, our most recent work with substance misuse prevention and our overall commitment to understanding the protective factors, resiliency research and assets our community needs to thrive.

Some examples include:

• Planning for previous Child Abuse Prevention Conferences
• Engaging in multiple projects with International Child Welfare expert, Kevin Campbell
• Developing a library of recorded webinars
• Initiating the PAWS community arts and education project

Flagstaff Regional Plan Update – Online Open House Closes Jan. 19

by Community Contributor • January 19, 2024 • Comments Off

There is still time to participate in the Flagstaff Regional Plan Scenario Choosing! Over 350 people have contributed so far and we are waiting to hear from you and people you know who make the Flagstaff Community special.

City of Flagstaff — Volunteers needed for Point in Time Count starting Jan. 24

by Community Contributor • January 19, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The annual Point in Time Count (PIT) willtake place starting Jan. 24 throughout the City of Flagstaff.This count documents the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at a single point in time and isconducted across the country.

Local data collected during the annual PIT Count measuresprogress at local and national levels related to preventingand ending homelessness. Information gathered from thesurveys can help raise awareness about the challengesfaced by people who are experiencing homeless in thecommunity. Data is also shared at the local, state andnational level to determine funding for homeless servicesthroughout Coconino County. This count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Discover Flagstaff — Alash, Coconino Center for the Arts on Jan. 21

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2024 • Comments Off

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. 7:30 p.m.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth update for Jan. 17, 2024 — CCC&Y works with officials to meet goals of ‘The Reimagine Community Project’

by Community Contributor • January 17, 2024 • Comments Off

CCC&Y, Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff continue to make progress meeting the goals of “The Reimagine Community Project,” a mental model change program ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at the City and County levels and enacted as policy change.

CCC&Y was one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected in April 2023 for the Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant. The goal of the project is to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes and provider and staff wellness.

During a Zoom presentation in December 2023, CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie presented a draft webinar presentation for city leaders to receive feedback.

The webinar included an overview of “The 10 ACES,” (Adverse Childhood Experiences),” and how the effects of childhood trauma adversely affects individuals in their adult lives. Those 10 ACES include — physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, mental illness, divorce, substance abuse, violence against mother, having a relative who has been sent to jail or prison.

By understanding how both ACES and ongoing stress affect individuals, including oneself, the training is expected to improve customer service for community members and self-care and support to County and City employees.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 8-12, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 12, 2024 • Comments Off

Grand Canyon Dispatch reminds all residents, locals, and visitors that road information can always be found at 928-638-7496. This recorded line is updated with real-time information directly from units opening and closing the roads.

For State Route closures and other road closures within the state of Arizona, call Arizona DOT at 888-411-7623, visit them at AZ511.gov, and download the app.

Residents and employees are encouraged to sign up for Everbridge notifications in order to receive up to date inclement weather and roads information as they occur. To sign up, residents can follow this link.

City of Flagstaff announces Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures

by Community Contributor • January 12, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — City Hall administrative offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 16 with regular hours.

Other City of Flagstaff facilities that are closed on Jan. 15 include:

Board of Supervisors Appoints Adam Hess to Represent District 3 in 2024

by Community Contributor • January 12, 2024 • Comments Off

COCONINO COUNTY — In their first official action at their first meeting of 2024, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors appointed Adam Hess of Bellemont to represent District 3 through the rest of 2024.

Hess, a 27-year-veteran of the United States Army and long-time resident of Coconino County, was appointed by the Board after an extensive recruitment process that began with the announcement of Supervisor Matt Ryan’s retirement in October 2023.

First Things First report details challenges facing Arizona’s youngest children

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2024 • Comments Off

As we begin 2024, I’m looking forward to working with our state’s early childhood stakeholders – including parents and caregivers, child care and health providers, state and non-profit agencies, educators, businesses, philanthropists, faith organizations, policymakers and elected leaders – as partners in addressing children’s school readiness.

To help with those efforts, I am pleased to announce that First Things First has published the latest edition of Building Bright Futures – our biennial assessment on the status of Arizona’s youngest children. You can read more about the report on our latest blog.

The new report provides insight into the challenges facing young children in Arizona and details the need for continued work to ensure the future stability of child care in our state’s post-pandemic landscape.

Volunteers needed for annual Point in Time homelessness count on Jan. 24-28

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Point in Time is right around the corner and we need volunteers!

The Point in Time or PIT count is a HUD requirement for COC’s nationally. The count provides a snapshot of those experiencing homelessness at a single point in time. It is an opportunity to collect some basic data used to measure homelessness on a national, state and local level. Data is used for system and program planning and to measure progress in ending homelessness.

City of Flagstaff 2023 Neighborhood Sustainability Grant recipients announced

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission are pleased to announce this year’s Neighborhood Sustainability Grant recipients. The Neighborhood Sustainability Grant program is an annual grant opportunity for Flagstaff individuals, organizations, and businesses to continue or implement new community sustainability projects. This year, 13 of an impressive 31 applicants received grant funding in amounts ranging from $2,150 to $7,500.

Pile burns planned around Coconino National Forest this week as winter weather continues

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest plan to take advantage of winter weather conditions by conducting pile burns on both the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) and Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) this week.

The FRD has multiple pile burn projects planned between Monday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 12.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 1-5, 2024

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2024 • Comments Off

Want to stay up to date with park information, including road closures?

The Everbridge platform sends real-time texts, emails, and/or calls to park employees, residents, and community members.

NPS Everbridge notifications are distributed for incidents impacting public safety, means of travel, work conditions, utility interruptions, and significant park-wide incidents.

Below are examples of incidents that may require notifications:

Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library announces January events

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Calendar of Events for Youth at the Downtown and East Flagstaff Community Libraries, Arizona Author Series Watch Party on Jan 18.

Children’s Acton Alliance — CAA heard at Legislative Hearing on Department of Child Safety

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Yesterday, lawmakers from the Senate and House’s Health and Human Services Committees debated whether and for how long the Department of Child Safety should be allowed to continue, as part of the agency’s sunset review. While authorized to recommend continuation for up to 10 years, the Committee voted yesterday to endorse continuation for just 4 years, with two members voting against the continuing of DCS at all.

Children’s Action Alliance provided public comment in support of continuation, noting the progress the agency has made since its inception 10 years ago in clearing a significant backlog of investigations, increasing supports for kinship foster parents, and strengthening services for young people as they transition from foster care to independence. CAA also acknowledged that there is much work to be done.

Coconino County Plows & Facilities Respond to First Snowstorms of 2024

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Coconino County is ready for the inaugural snowstorms of 2024, the first of which hit northern Arizona late Wednesday and is forecast to continue through Thursday.

Public Works crews have been working through the night to keep County roads open and passable during the storm and the Facilities Management team is preparing County buildings for cold and icy conditions.

According to the National Weather Service a second, stronger snowstorm with higher snowfall accumulations is forecast for the region starting early Sunday.

This storm has already created hazardous travel conditions due to slick, snow covered roads and periods of reduced visibility. Mountain travel delays are expected, and motorists are advised to plan trips accordingly or delay travel if necessary. Very cold and potentially dangerous temperatures are forecast following this storm.

For up-to-date regional weather information please visit www.weather.gov/fgz/WinterWeather. For updates on highway conditions please visit www.az511.gov.

City of Flagstaff — Be a Snow Hero this winter!

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — As winter embraces Flagstaff, the City is introducing its new Snow Hero Program to increase safety and accessibility to our neighborhoods. The program assists Flagstaff community members in need of help clearing their sidewalks of snow and ice by matching them with a Snow Hero Participant. The City is looking for community members to serve as Snow Heroes this winter.

The Snow Hero Program is a community-driven effort to support sidewalk snow and ice clearing throughout Flagstaff. As a Snow Hero, you will be matched with a nearby neighbor who has registered for assistance. Your role will be to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk(s) adjacent to their property within 48 hours following a snow event.

Crews begin winter pile burning on the Kaibab NF

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

WILLIAMS — Fire managers will be conducting prescribed pile burns throughout the winter season as conditions safely allow. Winter is often the ideal time for crews to burn piles of slash and woody debris left over from forest thinning projects because colder temperatures and snow help moderate fire behavior and keep it from spreading beyond the piles. Approximately 5,000 acres of piles on the Tusayan and Williams ranger districts and 2,500 acres of piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District are slated for burning this season.

Providing Accessible Training and Home Support (PATHS) seeking parents to join Advisory Board

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Are you a parent with an intellectual disability?

Join our Advisory Board

We are looking for parents with intellectual disabilities (ID) to make this project even better by joining the Advisory Board. We will meet twice before July 2024 for about an hour. You will be given $150 for each meeting you attend.

We are working to improve access to high-quality parenting support for parents with Intellectual Disabilities (ID).

Education Forward Arizona — Reflecting on a year of impact and influence

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Building Bright Futures: One Student at a Time

Every student who walks across the stage, diploma in hand, is a testament to our important work and inspires us to keep moving forward. These students are the future of Arizona – and with each degree, we are closer to reaching our state’s Achieve60AZ attainment goal.

Here are just a few of the ways our work has made an impact on students’ lives this year:

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Wishing you a very Happy New Year and thank you from CCC&Y

by Community Contributor • January 3, 2024 • Comments Off

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

We want to wish you all a very Happy 2024.

We are so thankful for the support you have shown CCC&Y over the years. We are looking forward to continuation of our Trauma-Informed systems work with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County under the “Reimagine Community” program and we are excited to expand our webinar offerings in the coming year. We will be having guest presenters, new outreach, more prevention and more healing!

We are hoping to count on you for support!

If you need to renew a membership, would like to make a donation, would like to give the gift of membership during the holiday season etc….please visit https://coconinokids.org/contribute/

P.S.,

Change is coming in 2024 for our popular News website and our weekly e-newsletter. Our News website is currently under construction and will eventually merge with our main website this year.

As part of that move, our regular weekly e-newsletter is also transitioning to a fresh look for 2024.

And we want your help!

Please CLICK HERE to submit your suggestions to help us better design a weekly e-newsletter that better meets your needs in 2024.

Thank you to everyone who has already provided some great suggestions for our newsletter. Very much appreciated.

City of Flagstaff 2024 Bulky Waste Collection Schedule

by Community Contributor • January 3, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Solid Waste Section has published the 2024 schedule for bulky waste collection, which is provided to all single-family households within Flagstaff city limits. Bulky waste collection will continue to be performed in five geographic sections throughout the City once every five weeks per the map and schedule that can be downloaded at flagstaff.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/77841.

Pile burns planned this week around Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • January 3, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Ranger District plans to conduct pile burns throughout this week in three locations near the City of Flagstaff.

The Horse Park pile burn consists of approximately 2,000 acres of slash piles just north of Munds Park, located 13 miles south of Flagstaff near Forest Road 700. Crews plan to burn Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 5.

Crews will burn a small pile located at the Mormon Lake Work Center, 2 miles south of Flagstaff, on Thursday, Jan. 4.

Crews will also burn about 10 acres of hand piles at the Flagstaff Hotshot Ranch site, located roughly 7 miles northwest of the City of Flagstaff, on Friday, Jan. 5.

First Things First — Kindergarten readiness tips and physical activity for babies

by Community Contributor • January 3, 2024 • Comments Off

— Kindergarten readiness tips: developing independence
— Find free early childhood programs across Arizona
— Physical activity helps babies get more sleep

National Park Service — Wildlife Safety Reminder-Rodenticide Kills Wildlife and Pets

by Community Contributor • January 3, 2024 • Comments Off

Grand Canyon Residents, Partners, and Community Members,

As a reminder, rodenticides (rodent poisons) are prohibited in Grand Canyon National Park and in all park residences. Recently, a bobcat in the South Rim Village was found deceased as a result of high levels of rodenticide poisoning.

These poisons cause harm to wildlife, pets, and humans and can contaminate the environment. Keeping residences and buildings sanitary, uncluttered, and consistently setting snap traps is the most effective way to control rodents.

Free rodent clean-up kits are available for check-out that will help you safely address rodents in your home or workplace.