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District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler’s update for Feb. 25 — Supervisors unveil of the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act of 2019

by Community Contributor • February 26, 2019 • Comments Off

February 26, 2019

Please take a moment to read some of the latest news and upcoming events within Coconino County and it’s surrounding areas.
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District 5 Highlights

A Big Moment!

Supervisor Lena Fowler and Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta, District 2 joined Raul M. Grijalva and Rep. Tom O’Halleran at the unveiling of the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act of 2019 to permanently end mining in the Grand Canyon and its watershed! Art Babbott Coconino County Supervisor District 1 sent his support for the bill.

Coconino County and many tribal and regional partners, including the Grand Canyon Trust, stood in support of the bill!

Download the full CPEPS Agenda for March 7 – 8 HERE.

Coconino County presented a $50,000 check to City of Page for Grandview Knoll Project

You may start seeing some things change with the project at Grandview Knoll. On January 23, Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler, along with Coconino County Manager James Jayne, Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Nemeth, and Steve Mongrain presented the City of Page with a $50,000 check from Coconino County for assistance with the Grandview Knoll project. The money is a grant from Coconino County and will be used for the construction of sidewalks, shade structures, and more.

Immediately after the presentation of the check, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a job order contract for construction services with Lake Powell Construction for the Grandview Knoll project. In this instance, the City is acting as a pass through for the grant funds provided by Coconino County for this project. The remaining monies and construction services will be provided by the Canyon Club and Friends of Lake Powell, who have decided to utilize Lake Powell Construction for general contracting services for the project.

We would like to clarify a misconception that was addressed the night of January 23 regarding the City’s involvement in this project. The City of Page is providing in-kind services through the Public Works Department to this project. Some of the in-kind contributions the City is providing include equipment, demolition, and man hours.

The Grandview Knoll Stakeholders Committee is looking for other donations from Page community members, including those who are skilled in construction and other areas of design and willing to donate their time and abilities.

Article by:
T. Bowlby – Lake Powell News Network

For Immediate Release
February 6, 2019

Coconino County releases Grand Canyon North Rim Economic Impact Study

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – As part of its ongoing economic development strategy, Coconino County released a
Northern Arizona University (NAU) Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute economic study stating that
if Grand Canyon National Park North Rim were open an additional four weeks a year, it would result in
an additional $14.3 million in economic growth and support an additional 183 jobs in the region.

The purpose of the study, funded and requested by the County, was to examine the economic impact of
keeping the North Rim open to visitors from May 1 – Oct. 30, which would add two weeks on each end of
the season. The report found that extending the season by one month would increase visitation by over
37,000 visitors and an additional $10 million in direct expenditures.

“Coconino County has been an advocate for an extended season at the North Rim because of the positive effect it would have on our economy,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Art Babbott. “This study confirms, with empirical evidence, what the County has perceived. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Supervisor Lena Fowler for her tireless efforts in pushing for this study and keeping this issue alive.”

The County commissioned the study to determine the economic vitality of an extended season at the North Rim. Adding more time for concessionaires to be open is a federal priority for the County and will be a topic of advocacy that the County carries forward to lawmakers and officials in the federal government.

“The businesses and communities in my district suffer from such a shortened season at the North Rim,”
said Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors Lena Fowler. “I appreciate the detailed and measured study
our partners at the NAU Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute took to complete this report at the
request of the County. My colleagues and I will use this study to collaborate with all of the stakeholders in
northern Arizona and southern Utah to work with the National Park Service and extend the season at the
North Rim.”

The Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute (which is located within The W. A. Franke College of
Business) encourages Arizona tourism and economic development for tribal and rural communities by
collecting primary data and performing quantitative research.

To view the details of the complete study, see here.

Meet our AmeriCorps VISTA District 5 Community Engagement Coordinator, Camille Keith

Yá’át’ééh. My name is Camille Keith. I am from the Navajo Nation from a place call Shaa’to’ho (Shonto, AZ) which translates to Sunshine Springs. My clans are Yei dine Tachinii, Tabaahi, Todichiinii and Honogahnii. This is how I properly identify myself as a Dine woman to the land and people. This is my first year volunteering with AmeriCorps VISTA as the Coconino County District 5 Community Engagement Coordinator in Tuba City, AZ.

My goal during this one-year of service is to become a young leader serving the Navajo Nation and Coconino County by helping to engage my community to utilize their public parks in a friendlier and safer way by incorporating youth and family orientated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Programs and to assist in promoting outdoor activity by partnering with community service providers on various projects.

I have a passion caring for the environment and love learning from diverse cultures. The love for the environment and people motivated me to study Environmental Engineering at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. After I complete my AmeriCorps VISTA term, I am going to return as a Junior student and pursue obtaining a B.S in Engineering.

On my free time, I love to hike the canyonland and the mountain backcountry areas. I am a farm girl that spends quality time in the fields with family learning cultural teaching and values to a healthy and balance living. I am excited to serve this year and look forward to making a change in the community.

Click the following link to view more information about Camille Keith’s AmeriVISTA project.

I look forward to working with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach me at:

Camille Keith
VISTA District 5 Community Engagement Coordinator
Coconino County Board of Supervisors
Phone: 928.283.4518
Fax: 928.283.6366
Email: ckeith@coconino.az.gov

Interested in working with Camille? Become a stakeholder!

Registration is OPEN!

Coconino County will host the Colorado Plateau Economic Development Symposium at the Courtyard by Marriott in Page, Arizona, March 7 – 8, 2019.

$50 online registration is available until March 1^st! Limited space available, so book your tickets in advanced! Book Here

For more information about this event or sponsorship opportunities visit us on our website by clicking link below or by calling (928) 283-4518.

“Engage Locally, Empower Regionally, Expand Globally” Like, share, subscribe! http://www.coconino.az.gov/2030/CPEDS #COCOPLAT2019

It’s Back!
Free Tax Prep with the Tuba City VITA Program
Starts Feb. 4, 2019

2019 Tuba City Schedule – Click Here to Download Flyer

2019 Fredonia Schedule – Click Here to Download Flyer

Coconino County News

At the Board meeting this past week:

The Board of Supervisors started this Tuesday’s meeting with the Jail District Board of Directors and tour the LEAF building and County Jail. Following the tour, the Directors will discuss general operations, future facility needs and video courtroom capabilities.

The Board will also hold work sessions in the afternoon to further discuss Organizational Renewal, the Zoning Ordinance and the Computerized Road Maintenance System.

Human Resources

Job Openings with Coconino County

Administrative Support II- Page Justice Court
Bailiff I- Page Justice Court
Childcare Health Consultant (Nurse)- Public Health District (1118)
Cook: On Call-Community Services (1118)
Court Technician I- Clerk of the Superior Court (0219)
Criminal Justice Coordinator- County Manager’s Office (0219)
Detention Officer I: Flagstaff- Sheriff’s Office (0219) New
Detention Officer I: Page- Sheriff’s Office (0119)
GIS Analyst II-GIS (1218)
Heavy Equipment Mechanic/Mechanic Sr.- Public Works (0618)

Click here to find out more info about these County positions

Library District

REVISED Bookmobile Schedule

Parks & Recreation

February 13, 2019

Summer ramada reservations available for County Parks

Online reservations start Feb. 19

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., – Coconino County Parks and Recreation will begin accepting summer
ramada reservations on Feb. 19, 2019. There are 11 ramadas at four County parks available for
rent.

Ramadas are for hosting parties, reunions and get-togethers. They are available for rent seven
days a week, for half or full days. Reserving a ramada for parties or special occasions will
guarantee space and ensure utilities are active.

Prices range from $46-$114 for ramada rentals. Customers may reserve a ramada online by
going to Coconino.az.gov/Parks/Ramadas. People may also reserve them by going to the Parks
and Recreation Administration office located at Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill
Loop, Flagstaff, AZ. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

A staff member from Parks and Recreation will follow up with a rental confirmation within one
business day. For reservations less than 24 hours in advance or questions, please call the
Administration office at (928) 679-8000.

Community Bulletin Board

Study shows longer North Rim season would create $14.2 million and 183 jobs

KAITLIN OLSON
Daily Sun Staff Reporter

Local tourism advocates agree that the ghostly winter state of rural towns in northern Arizona could be prevented through one action: extending the season of Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim.

A new study says extending the tourist season at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim by a month would boost the regional economy by $14.2 million and support 183 jobs in northern Arizona and southern Utah, reducing the need for businesses to close their doors and residents to leave the area in search of work.

The study found that the extended season would bring in an extra 38,000 visitors, who would create daily direct expenditures totaling more than $230,000. To accommodate the extra visitors, National Park Service (NPS) payroll would increase by $569,000.

Though these results are conservative, the study does not include the operational costs of running the national park for an extra month.

Unlike the more popular South Rim, which is open 365 days a year, the North Rim is only open from May 15 to Oct. 15. It closes each winter because of weather and the lack of infrastructure needed to withstand it, such as cleared roads and deeply buried pipelines. Due to the short season, employees must be hired, trained and laid off all in the course of a few months every year.

Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler represents District 5 – which includes the North Rim – and said this annual cycle has a visible effect on the surrounding communities.

“The closure of the North Rim on October 15th every year has a major impact,” she said. “Businesses’ doors are closed, employees are laid off and people leave town for the winter.”

She described the closure as a “loss in financial opportunity” for the region.

The Board of Supervisors commissioned this study, as part of the county’s economic development strategy, from the Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute at Northern Arizona University.

It took eight months to compile the necessary data, including NPS employment, visitor spending and average weather conditions in early May and late October, necessary components in determining that travel to the North Rim during these dates would not only be safe for visitors, but also beneficial to residents.

Dr. Wade Rousse, interim director of the Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute, said he hopes the analysis will be the start of even more thorough investigations into the impact of an extended – or year-round – season at the North Rim.

“I would hope, if there is demand and interest, that we would continue to the next stage of the study by starting to estimate costs and look at the economic impact over a longer period and then do a cost benefit analysis,” Rousse said.

Although attempting to keep the North Rim open year-round is not yet a possibility, Rousse said that extension of the North Rim’s season by just a few weeks would be substantial to such a rural area and the livelihood of its residents.

Fowler displayed similar sentiments.

“As citizens and residents of Coconino County, we all want our county to be strong and we all want to have good, paying, secure jobs to able to provide for our family. This study shows the closure of one agency, Grand Canyon National Park, has such a ripple effect through the region, right into people’s lives,” she said.

Daily Sun Article – Feb. 13.; Updated Feb. 21, 2019

Internship Opportunity

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Grand Canyon National Park, in partnership with the Grand Canyon Conservancy, is currently accepting applications for the Eugene T. Polk internship in archaeology. The intern will support Grand Canyon’s Cultural Resource Management Program by helping complete archaeological surveys, compliance monitoring, ruins preservation, public outreach, data entry, and report writing. This is a 10-week paid internship that includes shared housing in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. For more information about the internship and how to apply, please email Donelle Huffer at donelle_huffer@nps.gov. Applications will be accepted through April 12, 2019, and the selected applicant will be notified by April 29.

Click HERE to download the flyer.
For non-credit course registration click, HERE.

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