Coconino County District 1
Newsletter April 2022
In This Issue
- Hello from Supervisor Horstman
- Redistricting Finalized
- Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Award
- Child Abuse Prevention Field of Dreams
- Flagstaff Shelter Services Buys Hotel
- Rural Water Management
- Mt. Elden Community Meeting: Flood Mitigation Update
- Stride Forward: MetroPlan
- Mail-in/Ballot Early Voting Lawsuit Dismissed
- April COVID-19 Update
- Earth Month Proclamation and Events
- Contact Us
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Dear District 1 Resident,
We certainly are hoping for April showers to bring May flowers and provide much needed moisture to Coconino County. April is also the month we celebrate Earth Day. Since 1970, April 22nd marks the day that is referred to as the birth of the modern environmental movement. This year’s theme is “Invest in our Planet” and in keeping with that theme and the importance of us all working together to build a healthier and more sustainable planet, Coconino County has a number of “Earth Month” events including litter cleanups, climate action and renewable energy programs. Go to http://www.coconino.az.gov/2884/Earth-Day-Schedule for more information.
Coconino County has witnessed first-hand the affects of climate change and has invested in restoring and managing our National Forests and adopting drought mitigation efforts to minimize the continued threat of wildfire plaguing the west. Coconino County’s Forest Restoration Initiative won the Environmental Excellence Award from Arizona Forward for our county-wide Forest Restoration Initiative.
Likewise, recognizing that Arizona and Coconino County continue to suffer from a megadrought that has dipped water reservoirs in Lake Mead and Lake Powell to historic lows that have resulted in the first-ever shortage of Colorado River water allocations. Coconino County has joined other rural counties in calling for the governor and legislature to implement legislation for a Rural Water Management Area to allow rural communities to develop plans to conserve, protect and manage groundwater resources and plan for community development with water availability as part of local decision making.
Preparing and planning for our climate-change-fueled drought future and undertaking management of forests and our water supply is part of our Earth Day pledge to invest in our planet. Together, we can work for energy efficiency and conservation. Together, we can invest in our planet and create a sustainable future. Let’s all be a part of investing in our planet!
Onward together.
Patrice
Patrice Horstman
Redistricting Finalized: Board Selects
Map F
Every ten years, consistent with the new census, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviews and updates the supervisory boundaries to create supervisory districts that have substantially equal population, with up to +/- five percent population deviation. After the last census, the Board found that two districts, 4 and 5 where under populated and two districts, 1 and 3 were overpopulated. This prompted a review and redrawing of boundary maps that would meet the substantially equal population requirement and also would not dilute the minority voting population.
This week at a regular board meeting, and after months of analysis, developing five potential maps, holding four virtual public hearings, receiving over 106 written comments, and through hours of comparing, reviewing, and contemplating, contemplating, the Board of Supervisors voted to accept Map F as the new district boundaries for the County’s five supervisory districts. The new map is not perfect, but Map F best reflects the preferences and interests of our community and best preserves communities of interest while upholding the statutory and constitutional mandates for redistricting.
Supervisor Horstman hard at work on redistricting
Adopted Scenario F Redistricting Map Source: US 2020 Census Source: US 2020 Census Source: Coconino County Recorder’s Office
Arizona Forward Environmental
Excellence Award
Every year the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Award Program honors municipalities and organizations that have developed planning or programs that represent a benchmark for promoting sustainability and making Arizona communities healthy, sustainable, and economically vibrant. This year, the biggest winner was the Coconino County Forest Restoration Initiative! Not only did Coconino’s Forest Restoration Initiative take the President’s Award for Excellence and Environmental Health, the County was also awarded the top honor of the evening, the President’s Award for Excellence. Arizona Forward declared the County’s Forest Restoration Initiative as the most consequential program benefiting the health and welfare of Arizona.
The Forest Restoration initiative commenced in 2017 when supervisors identified catastrophic wildfires and post wildfire flooding as the number one public safety risk for citizens in the County. This resulted in the County developing a County-wide Forest restoration initiative aimed at restoring forest fire resistant state and create flood management infrastructure. These efforts included partnerships with the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests and other partners. Coconino County’s Forest Restoration Initiative and strategies and partnerships significantly reduces the threat to Coconino County and serves as a model for other counties across Arizona and the western United States.
Lucinda Andreani, Deputy County Manager, Jay…
Field of Dreams: Child Abuse
Prevention Month
Flags representing each of the 95Arizona childre…
The Exchange Club of Flagstaff led the dedication of the annual Field of Hope on April 1 at the County Courthouse lawn. Ninety-five flags were raised, each representing an infant, child or youth who died from abuse or neglect last year in Arizona. Supervisor Horstman and Vice Chair Jeronimo Vasquez were honored to attend and read the County’s proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and raise awareness of the tragedy of child abuse and neglect. Everyone has a role in supporting and advocating for our children so that one day, there will be no need to raise these flags.
Boys Scout Troop 33 presented the colors and Girl Scout Troop 212 rang the bell for each life lost.
Chair Horstman and Vice-Chair Vasquez read the…
Troop 212 Girl Scouts Lila and Carmen with Chair Horstman and Sherriff Driscol
Flagstaff Shelter Services Buys Hotel
Flagstaff Shelter Services is entering a new chapter in providing emergency shelter and permanent housing options for this community! FFS has purchased the historic landmark Crown Hotel (Howard Johnson hotel) on Route 66 in east Flagstaff. This new site adds more than 72,000 square feet, including 58 rooms that provide private space for clients. FSS expects to start serving more than 1,000 people annually with emergency shelter and access to comprehensive services including meals, medical care, behavioral health and rehousing services. Eventually the former hotel rooms will transition to provide permanent, supportive housing to 58 households who could not otherwise find affordable housing in northern Arizona.
Support from senators Kelly and Sinema, the Arizona Department of Housing, Forest Highlands Foundation and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation provided access to $40 million in State Recovery Funds that were allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act. These monies are specifically set aside for the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of hotel units into housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Rural Water Management
Map of Arizona. Source: Arizona Water Map Post…
At a recent Coconino County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board adopted a resolution requesting the Arizona Governor and Legislature to pass legislation on rural management areas in the 2022 Legislative Session.
Because rural areas are not legally able to manage their groundwater, this groundwater is being over pumped, community water supplies are being depleted, and declining surface water resources pose threats to rivers, streams and springs. Coconino County joins with other northern Arizona rural counties in calling for new legislation that would grant rural counties authority to regulate groundwater.
Mt. Elden Community Meeting: Flood
Mitigation Update
Paradise cross-vane weir construction
Paradise cross-van weirs with flow
Deputy County Manager and Flood Control Administrator Lucinda Andreani and other County employees and representatives from the Flagstaff Ranger District and County Partners Natural Channel design and JE Fuller provided an update to the Mt Elden Estates and Locket Ranches property owners on April 6, 2022. The purpose was to provide details on the flood mitigation efforts including channelization and erosion and settlement reduction efforts. Natural Channel design provided details on the alluvial fan designs for on-forest restoration efforts along the east and west tributaries above the Mount Elden Estates area. Natural Channel Design also provided information regarding the alluvial fan downstream of Locket Ranches and provided details on the grade control on-forest to assist in mitigation efforts for the Mt Elden Estates and Locket Ranches areas. For details click here Mt. Elden Estates Sediment Reduction Projects and Plan Review presented at the April 6 meeting.
Stride Forward: MetroPlan
MetroPlan, our local transportation organization, is bringing communities together to build our region’s long-term transportation plan, Stride Forward. MetroPlan is made up of partners from across Flagstaff area who are planning transportation investments over the next 20 years to create an integrated and efficient transportation system for today and into the future.
Helping people move through town efficiently and sustainability increases the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Public transportation provides access and accessibility within the community and contributes to economic vitality. For these reasons, supervisors Horstman and Vasquez serve on the MetroPlan Executive Committee. Transportation is central to our daily lives. Stride Forward is a journey into transportation planning and is important for anyone who lives or works in the area. Visit www.metroplanflg.org/strideforward to learn more about MetroPlan, transportation in the region, and how you can contribute to Stride Forward.
For more information, contact David Wessel, MetroPlan Planning Manager, at david.wessel@metroplanflg.org.
Mail-in Ballot/Early Voting Lawsuit
Dismissed
Cronkite News – Arizona PBS
This month, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by the Arizona Republican Party seeking to eliminate the state’s early voting system, thereby preserving Arizona voter’s rights to exercise their vote through mail-in ballots and early voting. The early voting system in Arizona has been in place for over 30 years and is utilized by over 80 percent of Arizona voters.
Coconino County filed an amicus brief urging the court to reject the Arizona Republican Party’s attempt to stop mail-in ballots and early voting, pointing out that this has been a long established and lawful voting practice utilized by a majority of Coconino County voters and that the rural nature of our county. Some voters have to drive up to 60 miles to a polling place, while others, have to hike or ride a mule for several miles. Mail-in ballots are the only viable option for many Coconino County voters. Coconino County is committed to ensuring the right to vote.
April COVID-19 Update
The County Health and Human Services Department is updating its vaccine and testing locations. The Flagstaff Mall vaccination site is now closed and has moved to the Coconino County Health and Human Services building at 2625 N. King Street. The Elk’s Lodge testing site has been closed and NAU’s testing and vaccination site is closing on Saturday, May 14. The county continues to hold Pip-Up vaccination events throughout the County. More information can be found by clicking here https://www.coconino.az.gov/2580/COVID-19-Vaccination-Locations
April is Earth Month!
Coconino County 8th Annual Earth Day Recognition Month – April, 2022. Please Join Us as we celebrate with the following events and partnerships:
County Ride n’ Learns: April 18-22 https://tinyurl.com/yc3vhxy6
Highway 180 Litter Cleanup: April 20(10a-1p) https://tinyurl.com/et7jdajj
Fort Tuthill County Park Litter Cleanup: April 21(10a–1p) https:// tinyurl.com/yc7t6ykn
Lake Ashurst Litter Cleanup: April 22(10a–1p) https:// tinyurl.com/2s4pmk5v
Also, please visit our Sustainablity WebPage for more information or email mjohnson@coconino.az.gov, to participate.
Arizona Smiles
Diversity Book Drive
Contact Us