Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Newsletter

• Message from Jeronimo
• Snow Preparation
• Short Term Rental Ordinance
• District 2 Highlights & Special Spotlights
• Fire Prevention
• Flood Information
• Service Positions Open in District 2
• Services and Programs
• Community Events & Resources
• And more!

Hello Everyone,

Happy New Year! We are already making strides as a county this year in relation to our priorities, productivity, and overall goals. The county and I are working hard to meet and discuss issues relating to our communities within the districts. I am looking forward to all that has been accomplished so far as well as addressing the concerns of the community.

As we move into the height of winter, I encourage everyone to take precaution and to look out for our neighbors. In addition, be aware of the changes that are coming from the County such as a new ordinance for short term rentals. As well as the Forest Service announcing new fire restrictions for the coming season. More details on each of these items are farther in the newsletter.

The diversity in our county is what makes our county so special. It is important to learn about the various diverse communities that make up Coconino County. February is African American Heritage month. There will be several events hosted by the County. I encourage you to participate and help celebrate African American Heritage month.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about what is going on in District 2. I am here to serve our community, so please don’t hesitate to email me at jvasquez@coconino.az.gov with any questions or concern.

*Picture: Sup. Vasquez with Sup. Ryan and Chair Horstman at his swearing into office ceremony for District 2 Supervisor. *

Public Hearing to Create a Short Term Rental Ordinance for Coconino County

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider the following items: Ordinance 2023-04: To create a Short Term Rental Ordinance. The objective is to establish a separate ordinance titled the Coconino County Short Term Rental Ordinance, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-269.17.

The public hearing will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, via Zoom Webinar. To join, use the link https:// us06web.zoom.us/j/85856461412 or call in by telephone, dial: 888 788 0099 (Toll Free), Webinar ID: 858 5646 1412.

Any interested person may observe the hearing and comment during the public comment period. Any person wanting to provide written comment may do so up to 24 hours prior to the hearing time by sending an email to Jess McNeely at wmcneely@coconino.az.gov, or by sending a hardcopy to Community Development Department, Planning and Zoning Division, c/o Jess McNeely, 2500 N. Fort Valley Rd. Building #1, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For more information, please call Coconino County Community Development at 928-679-8850.

As a county, we were able to give recognition to employees who have made and continue to make a difference within our community. I would like to give a special thank you and spotlight the employees who make sure we as a county continue to provide resources, services, and programming to our constituents. We are very fortunate to have employees with 5, 10 and 20 years or more of internal knowledge and foresight.

On January 11, Sup. Vasquez and Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget were sworn into office. Each were given their Oath of Office by the Honorable Judge Slayton. Sup. Vasquez had his parents and wife in attendance to witness this moment.

What is the CSA?

The CSA- County Supervisors Association is where supervisors gather to discuss and provide regional leadership over critical policy areas, including policies necessary to ensure safe communities, protect public health, promote economic development, and plan and manage land use for sustainable development.

Supervisors also provide important oversight of county operations, including overseeing strategies to promote sound fiscal management and to develop a high-quality county government.

The Board of Supervisors attended the County Supervisors Association (CSA) Meeting and Medium County Caucus this month in Phoenix. Governor Katie Hobbs was in attendance and engaged with our supervisors to learn about issues impacting Arizona’s Counties.

Congratulations to Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren and Vice President Richelle Montoya. Vice President Montoya is the first female Vice President in Navajo Nation history. It was an honor to witness this inauguration and to see the procession alongside County staff.

On January 7th, Supervisor Vasquez had to opportunity to co- present with Bryan Bates about Mayan Astronomy. Supervisor Vasquez is a cultural expert on the development of the Mayan Calendar. He has spent over 20 years studying the calendar including receiving his master’s degree in Social Cultural Anthropology focused on Mayan cultural preservation. In addition, his mother is Cakchiquel and Mam Maya giving him unique insight and perspective on the development of the calendar. Bryan Bates is an Astroarchaeology expert who helped Supervisor Vasquez publish his first article about the Mayan Calendar called Sacred Reciprocity: The Development of the Mayan Calendar. It was published in the Before Borders: Revealing the Greater Southwest’s Ancestral Cultural Landscape where Bryan Bates was one of the editors. For a YouTube video of the original presentation please see the YouTube video: 2019 Tradition Knowledge Conference -Jeronimo Vasquez.

Supervisor Vasquez attended a special viewing of an art exhibition of Joella Jean Mahoney titled “Vast Lands, Inner Visions: The art of Joella Jean Mahoney. Joella is an important female artist of the Southwest, with a career spanning 66 years. She uses abstract expressionism of the 1950s in addition to her style that bridges realism and abstraction.

It is important to remember the winter in Coconino County is dry, which create the opportunity for fires. During these times, we want to focus of prevention rather than reaction

Fire Safety with the Current Weather– Things to keep in mind:

• chimneys
• keeping clean gas and wood stoves
• chicken coops with heating lamps
• electric heaters

Overall, please take into consideration preventative measure. We urge you to stay aware and safe during this winter season!

Coconino Count has developed the equitable economic recovery dashboard, which was funded through a grant from the National Associations of Counties. This Economic Recovery Dashboard gives communities and leaders in Coconino County the ability to track, record, and visualize the economic conditions of residents across our County.

Link to Website Dashboard: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2237/ Economic-Development

**Each month there will be updated resources**

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

CCHHS Update:

Every day, Arizona youth are buying counterfeit pills laced with Fentanyl through social media and they’re overdosing at an alarming rate. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Here’s what you can do to stop it:

1. Talk with your child about NEVER taking a pill that’s not prescribed to them.

2. Monitor your child’s texts and social media.

3. Get the FACTS on Fentanyl at TalkNowAz.com

4. Get free Narcan (naloxone)—a medication that reverses opioid overdoses—and learn how to use it from Coconino County Health & Human Services.

Call (928) 679-7279 or visit https://bit.ly/3muyxXT for more information.

Free Narcan

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a life-saving medication, that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Having Narcan and knowing how to use it can save a life. Who should have Narcan? Anyone in Coconino County can obtain Narcan free of charge.

In Coconino contact (928) 679-7264 or email to receive a free naloxone kit and training about opioid overdose response.

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.

Practice household safety by talking to your kids about medicine safety.

Put medicines out of reach after every use. Never refer to medicine as “candy.”

Call Poison Control if your child ingests something dangerous at (800) 222-1222.

Your local coffee shop appreciates your business. Don’t miss out on the things you love.

Keep up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations/boosters, and seasonal flu vaccination. Respiratory illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and flu numbers rise in the winter season. There isn’t a vaccine for RSV but you can get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 to prevent serious illness.

To make an appointment for a flu or COVID-19 vaccination/booster at the CCHHS Clinic at 2625 N King St, Flagstaff, call (928) 679-7222. Vaccinations are also available at many pharmacies. https://bit.ly/36hOFUS. Flu information is available at https:// bit.ly/3HgAnH3.

Did you know that excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, shortening the lives of those who drink excessively by an average of 26 years? Excessive alcohol use includes:

• Binge drinking: defined as consuming 4 or more drinks per occasion for a woman or 5 or more drinks per occasion for a man.

• Heavy drinking: defined as 8 or more drinks per week for a woman, or 15 or more drinks per week for a man.

• Any alcohol use by pregnant women or anyone younger than 21.

Binge drinking and heavy drinking can cause heart disease, including cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), as well as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and stroke. Visit: www.cdc.gov/drinklessbeyourbest to check your drinking levels, identify motivators and barriers to drinking less, and develop a personalized plan to drink less and improve your health.

The Aunt Flow Program is now available at the CCHHS Page office. CCHHS supports menstrual equity and is proud to now provide free, organic menstrual products (tampons and pads) in CCHHS facilities. Through the Aunt Flow program, the County has installed menstrual product dispensers in CCHHS restroom facilities located in Flagstaff and Page, AZ.

Many females face what is known as “period poverty.” This means they cannot afford to buy period products or do not have access to them. By providing free and equitable access to menstrual products, unnecessary barriers such as period poverty are removed. In addition, organic tampons and pads are free from potentially harmful chemicals that can lead to skin irritation and illness and are environmentally friendly.

The new CCHHS Aunt Flow program aims to destigmatize menstruation. CCHHS believes that menstrual hygiene products are necessities and should be equitably available. Legislation changes in many U.S. states are improving access to period products making the world better for people with periods. More information is available at https://goauntflow.com/legislation-updates/

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_

The City of Flagstaff invites residents impacted by post-wildfire flooding in the Museum Flood Area to a community meeting on Thursday, February 2 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall (211 W Aspen Ave).

The meeting will be streamed online and can be viewed at Flagstaff.az.gov/1461/Streaming-City-Council-Meetings. A complete recording of the meeting will also be available online after the meeting. Virtual participation, such as asking questions virtually, will not be available. Residents should attend in person to ask specific questions or email questions to info@museumfloodprojects.com

To serve as an official liaison between African American citizens and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.

Website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/93/African-Diaspora- Advisory-Council

All written entries must be 500 words or less and typed or legibly hand written. Art entries may be submitted in physical form or as high resolution photographs. All entries will be judged based on rubrics that have been provided to your school. Each entry must have a cover sheet that includes title/topic, student name, address, and phone number along with the name of your school (if applicable) and grade.

For more information or to submit your entry, contact: Khara House – Chair of ADAC at khara.house@gmail.com

CHAC provides an official liaison and communication link between the Hispanic community and Coconino County. The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council meetings.

Website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/94/Coconino-Hispanic- Advisory-Council

The council reviews and makes recommendations to the board concerning existing and proposed city, county, state, federal, and tribal legislation affecting Native Americans. The council examines and assists in planning policies in the areas of employment, education, housing, health services, community services, the justice system, recreation, and land development as they affect or relate to Native American tribal members.

Website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/95/Indigenous-Peoples- Advisory-Council

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Join the Office of Inclusion (IMQ) along with the Student Activities Council (STAC), the Black Student Union (BSU), NAU Athletics, and the NAU President’s Office for an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month on Saturday, February 4, 2023. We take this day to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to highlight the accomplishments and achievements of the African American community.

This year’s theme is “Daring to Dream: Elevating the Imagination for a New Generation ” and echoes NAU’s goal to elevate excellence by committing to educate, support, and empower students, staff, faculty, and our NAU community.

Schedule of Events

10 – 10:30 a.m.: Breakfast at the Du Bois Ballroom

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.: Program at the Du Bois Ballroom

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.: March to the IMQ Center at the University Union Fieldhouse

12 – 2 p.m.: Community Service at Community Partner Sites

4:30 – 6 p.m.: Resource Fair and Mixer at the IMQ Center