A letter from the President - Yavapai College

 

A Letter from the President

Dear Big Park Council Representatives and Subscribers, At this morning’s Big Park Council May Meeting we had a lively discussion about the Yavapai County College District: Truth in Taxation Hearing-Tuesday May 16, 1:00pm Yavapai College Prescott Campus, Community Room 19-147, 1100 E. Sheldon St. Prescott. At that meeting the District Board members will be considering a proposed 5% tax hike for the College.  The College is reported to have $32.3 million in cash reserves and is considering cutting 10.6 faculty positions at the Verde campus.  The consensus at today’s meeting is that this is strikingly unfair to the Verde Valley residents that pay a large share of the taxes that support the College.  If this tax rate hike is passed we must insist on restoration of the fire training, foundational, and prerequisite programs that have been cut at the Verde Valley campuses. Please make your voices heard by attending the hearing or emailing Yavapai County College District board members. Districts 2 and 3 cover the Verde Valley with VOC in District 3.  The new District 3 board member is Toby Payne. Their email addresses are: District 1 ray.sigafoos@yc.edu District 2 and Board Chair deb.mccasland@yc.edu District 3 toby.payne@yc.edu District 4 chris.kuknyo@yc.edu District 5 steve.bracety@yc.edu Thank you. John Wichert, President, Big Park Council

May Community News May 11th

 

COMMUNITY NEWS Meeting Agenda Follows - Keep Scrolling     YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING MAY 16 - 1:00pm Yavapai College Prescott Campus Community Room 19-147, 1100 E. Sheldon Street, Prescott, AZ The following information has been publicly noticed by Yavapai College.  Click HERE to view/download the FY 2023-23 Budget Book Draft from Yavapai College.   Plan for intermittent daytime lane restrictions on State Route 179 in Sedona May 1-10 Post Date:04/27/2023 12:04 p.m. Click HERE to view or download the press release from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) regarding an upcoming project on State Route 179:   Coconino National Forest expands Flagstaff-area year-round camping/campfire ban Click HERE to view or download the news release from the Forest Service. Coconino National Forest to begin firewood permit sales May 5 Click HERE to view or download the news release from the Forest Service DRAFT AGENDA RGULAR MEETING BIG PARK REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL, INC. 9:00 A.M. Thursday, May 11th, 2023   Representatives, Alternates and Committee members are automatically on the guest list and will receive the meeting links in a separate email message.  No need to RSVP. Guests must RSVP to receive the ZOOM link and to be on the attendees list.   If you would like to join the meeting, send an email to bigparkcouncil.inquiry@gmail.com with your name and email address. You will be added to the guest list.  We welcome you! ZOOM Meeting The ZOOM Waiting Room opens at 8:30am.  Each attendee will need to check in prior to the 9:00am start time.  Please arrive early so you can be checked in by the host.  See meeting protocols for rules pertaining to this meeting.      Call to Order Roll Call – Mary Pope Approval of Agenda - John Wichert President’s Report – John Wichert  Secretary’s Report – Mary Pope Approve April minutes. Changes to Member Organizations and/or Representatives ACC Annual Report Treasurer’s Report – John Wichert Current financial standing Unfinished Business Membership – Colleen Hinds Committee Reports  Community Plan P&Z Verde Valley School – YC BOS decision Patel property request for federal flood mitigation funds Website Committee – Pat Robles  VVTPO Liaison – Steve Fiedler USFS Liaison - Rick Harroun Announcements  Adjourn Reminders: Next P&Z Meeting:  TBD Next EB Meeting: Tuesday May 30, 3pm, location TBD Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, June 8, 9am via ZOOM Meetings are posted on the BPRCC calendar and are open to the public.  Email bigparkcouncil.inquiry@gmail.com for additional details. Big Park Regional Coordinating Council: MEETINGS (bigparkcouncil.org)   BPRCC Zoom Meeting Guest Etiquette Identify yourself with first and last name when you set up your zoom profile.  Arrive at least 10-20 minutes early.  Guests will be checked against our RSVP list and admitted by the co-host. We will lock the meeting at 9:15—no late entrance to avoid distraction. Audio Settings/Options Zoom will give you audio options - choose computer audio. Other audio options can generate disruptive feedback. While in the waiting room, test your audio to make sure it is working. When admitted to the meeting, your audio will be automatically muted.  When called on to speak, you will need to Unmute your audio first. Make sure you are familiar with the Raise Hand command on the toolbar.  This is the only means that the Chair and presenters can see that you wish to speak. and helps to maintain an orderly and efficient meeting.  The BPRCC Code of Conduct and Basic Rules of Parliamentary Procedure will be in effect at this meeting.  As a reminder, you will find them included with this message.  Click here to Download PDF  See the Council website for more information on meetings, activities and more.  www.bigparkcouncil.org.  You can also follow us on Facebook.

Flagstaff Hospital Hearing May 2nd

 

Flagstaff Hospital Hearing $800 Million - Expansion Plans Tuesday, May 2nd From: Yavapai County Supervisor Donna Michaels Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) Flagstaff healthcare decisions will impact the Verde Valley Urgent Alert!  NAH hearing this coming Tues., 5/2/23. Please join me in letting the Flagstaff City Council know that we in the Verde Valley oppose the estimated $800 million Phase 1 of the proposed Northern Arizona Health and Wellness Village planned near Fort Tuthill County Park. With NAH’s focus on a new “Village”, where will that leave us in the Verde Valley?  Imagine if the $800 million was used to improve the current infrastructures of both NAH hospitals and provide incentives to attract the much-needed medical staff our region needs. Time is of the essence!  The Flagstaff City Council will hear this item on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 (this coming Tuesday).  Please share this info and send your written comments ASAP to publiccomment@flagstaffaz.gov.

Updated Information 4/13

 

UPDATED INFORMATION

4/13/23 BIG PARK COUNCIL MEETING Guest Speaker: Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Donna Michaels Supervisor Michaels expressed her concern that people in the community were not aware of how to express complaints or comments to the county. She noted that the Citizen Serve online portal (Citizenserve Online Portal) is the way to do this and urged people to utilize this online service. Another way to complain or comment is through the Land Use Enforcement Complaints section of the Yavapai County Planning & Development Department (Land Use Violations (yavapaiaz.gov)). At the bottom of the page is a link to register and file a complaint, which takes you back to the Citizen Serve log-in. There is also a Violation Hotline phone number (VIOLATION HOTLINE 771-3464) that can be used. In answer to a question, Supervisor Michaels agreed that broadband strength and signal consistency were major problems facing the community, noting that even with communities such as Rimrock and Cornville who were designated as “underserved” by the Federal government and received funding to rectify the situation; there are difficulties. Last week the Board of Supervisors voted to terminate the CSC contract for not meeting the contract deliverables. A new RFP has been released to find another vendor. She noted that the City of Sedona is working toward receipt of federal funding and that she’d be speaking to Mayor Jablow regarding a joint venture. John Wichert reported that there is a Greater Sedona Broadband Initiative group working toward the same goal and that their efforts could be combined. Flooding issues were also discussed next, in particular the Jacks Canyon wash between Las Piedras and the Patel property on the corner of Jacks Canyon Road and SR179. Concerns were raised regarding the proposed tarmac parking areas adding to the problem and Patel’s requesting federal flood mitigation funding. Many other areas in BigPark/VOC and elsewhere in Yavapai County are also prone to flooding and Supervisor Michaels noted that the whole area needs to be looked at for proactive and preventive flood mitigation, not just the immediate challenges. The situation now differs from the past and must be addressed. She further noted that this issue is so important that she is working closely with the Yavapai County Flood Department’s Lynn Whitman in more proactive measures which she is seeking Federal funds to provide.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS RESCHEDULED MAY 2 Camp Verde & MAY 22 VOC Cancelled “Sheriff Rhodes regretfully must reschedule the Town Hall meetings slated for May 02 and May 22, 2023. We look forward to finding another time for him to meet with all of you to talk about what is on your mind. Thank you for your understanding.” - YCSO

Updated Draft Agenda 4/13

 

UPDATED - DRAFT AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
BIG PARK REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL, INC.
9:00 A.M. Thursday, April 13th, 2023

 

Representatives, Alternates and Committee members are automatically on the guest list and will receive the meeting links in a separate email message.  No need to RSVP.

Guests must RSVP to receive the ZOOM link and to be on the attendees list.   If you would like to join the meeting, send an email to bigparkcouncil.inquiry@gmail.com with your name and email address. You will be added to the guest list.  We welcome you!

ZOOM Meeting
The ZOOM Waiting Room opens at 8:30am.  Each attendee will need to check in prior to the 9:00am start time.  Please arrive early so you can be checked in by the host.  See meeting protocols for rules pertaining to this meeting.  

 

Guest Speaker:  Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Donna Michaels  

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call – Mary Pope
3. Approval of Agenda - John Wichert
4. President’s Report – John Wichert
   1. Meeting with YC Development Services
5. Secretary’s Report – Mary Pope
   1. Approve March minutes
   2. Changes to Member Organizations and/or Representatives
6. Treasurer’s Report – Patty Reski
   1. Current financial standing
7. Unfinished Business
   1. 501(c) 3 Status – Patty Reski 
8. New Business
   1. Drones in CNF - John Wichert
   2. Membership – Nancy Maple
      1. Revised Purpose/Scope (Discussion/Vote)
   3. Updated Policy on Committees (Discussion/Vote)
9. Committee Reports
   1. Community Plan – Joe Skidmore
   2. Art in the Roundabouts - Rolf Funk
   3. P&Z – Bob Marriott
      1. Sedona Vista Village – Art Shows YC BOS decision
      2. Verde Valley School – YC P&Z decision
      3. Patel property request for federal flood mitigation funds
   4. APS Transmission line subcommittee – John Wichert
      1. USFS timeline
   5. Website Committee – Pat Robles
      1. Proposals (Discussion/Vote)
   6. VVTPO Liaison – Steve Fiedler

        9. Announcements
 
Adjourn

Reminders:
Next P&Z Meeting:  TBD
Next EB Meeting: Tuesday May 2, 3pm, location TBD
Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 11, 9am via ZOOM

Meetings are posted on the BPRCC calendar and are open to the public.  Email bigparkcouncil.inquiry@gmail.com for additional details.
Big Park Regional Coordinating Council: MEETINGS (bigparkcouncil.org)
 

BPRCC Zoom Meeting Guest Etiquette

1. Identify yourself with first and last name when you set up your zoom profile. 
2. Arrive at least 10-20 minutes early.  Guests will be checked against our RSVP list and admitted by the co-host.
3. We will lock the meeting at 9:15—no late entrance to avoid distraction.
4. Audio Settings/Options
5. Zoom will give you audio options - choose computer audio. Other audio options can generate disruptive feedback.
6. While in the waiting room, test your audio to make sure it is working.
7. When admitted to the meeting, your audio will be automatically muted.  When called on to speak, you will need to Unmute your audio first.
8. Make sure you are familiar with the Raise Hand command on the toolbar.  This is the only means that the Chair and presenters can see that you wish to speak. and helps to maintain an orderly and efficient meeting. 
9. The BPRCC Code of Conduct and Basic Rules of Parliamentary Procedure will be in effect at this meeting.  As a reminder, you will find them included with this message.  Click here to Download PDF 

See the Council website for more information on meetings, activities and more.  www.bigparkcouncil.org.  You can also follow us on Facebook. 

April 13th Community News

 

COMMUNITY NEWS Meeting Agenda Follows - Keep Scrolling   YAVAPAI COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING APRIL 19th - 9:00am The following information is from the Yavapai County Planning & Development website.  Before attending the Board of Supervisors' Meeting, please check the BOS website to ascertain this item remains on their Agenda.  BOS Clerk Home (yavapaiaz.gov) Verde Valley School Use Permit PLA22-000026 Meeting Location:  10 S. 6th St. Cottonwood, Az. - Virtual Meeting Link    Meeting Date:  4/19/2023 9:00:00 AM Click on the hyperlink to view a description of the project, the applicant’s letter of intent & site plan.  You can leave your comments on the project here and they will go directly to Yavapai County: Letter of intent/Site Plan/Public Comment Form   Artists Open Studio Event See Local Artists at Work - APRIL 28-30th, 10am - 5pm daily Sedona-Cottonwood-Clarkdale-Camp Verde-VOC   Click HERE to view or download a combined 7-page announcement with the artists and locations listed.  Click HERE to go directly to the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition website for the latest information.    HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE SURVEY YET? DEADLINE is April 30th The committee encourages all residents to take (and share) the brief, anonymous survey that can be found on the AiR website - OurVillageArt.org.  The survey asks for your opinion on themes and selection criteria.    Click HERE to go directly to the survey.    Click HERE to view or download the 9-page Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau March 31st Local Events newsletter in PDF format.  Click HERE to view or download their 5-page April 3rd Business Bulletin.  Click HERE to view or download a copy of the 11-page April Newsletter in PDF format from the Sedona Public Library. REMINDER:  Please follow the link below to our Facebook page or type in Big Park Council in your Facebook search box.  Big Park Regional Coordinating Council | Facebook   Once you're there, in the upper right corner below the cover picture, you will see the Like button.  Please click it and you will get new posts we share in your Facebook feed.  DRAFT AGENDA RGULAR MEETING BIG PARK REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL, INC. 9:00 A.M. Thursday, April 13th, 2023   Representatives, Alternates and Committee members are automatically on the guest list and will receive the meeting links in a separate email message.  No need to RSVP. Guests must RSVP to receive the ZOOM link and to be on the attendees list.   If you would like to join the meeting, send an email to bigparkcouncil.inquiry@gmail.com with your name and email address. You will be added to the guest list.  We welcome you! ZOOM Meeting The ZOOM Waiting Room opens at 8:30am.  Each attendee will need to check in prior to the 9:00am start time.  Please arrive early so you can be checked in by the host.  See meeting protocols for rules pertaining to this meeting.      Call to Order Roll Call – Mary Pope Approval of Agenda - John Wichert President’s Report – John Wichert Meeting with YC Development Services Secretary’s Report – Mary Pope Approve March minutes Changes to Member Organizations and/or Representatives Treasurer’s Report – Patty Reski Current financial standing Unfinished Business 501(c) 3 Status – Patty Reski  New Business Drones in CNF - John Wichert Membership – Nancy Maple Revised Purpose/Scope (Discussion/Vote) Updated Policy on Committees (Discussion/Vote) Committee Reports Community Plan – Joe Skidmore P&Z – Bob Marriott Sedona Vista Village – Art Shows YC BOS decision Verde Valley School – YC P&Z decision Patel property request for federal flood mitigation funds APS Transmission line subcommittee – John Wichert USFS timeline Website Committee – Pat Robles Proposals (Discussion/Vote) VVTPO Liaison – Steve Fiedler         9. Announcements   Adjourn Reminders: Next P&Z Meeting:  TBD Next EB Meeting: Tuesday May 2, 3pm, location TBD Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, May 11, 9am via ZOOM Meetings are posted on the BPRCC calendar and are open to the public.  Email bigparkcouncil.inquiry@gmail.com for additional details. Big Park Regional Coordinating Council: MEETINGS (bigparkcouncil.org)   BPRCC Zoom Meeting Guest Etiquette Identify yourself with first and last name when you set up your zoom profile.  Arrive at least 10-20 minutes early.  Guests will be checked against our RSVP list and admitted by the co-host. We will lock the meeting at 9:15—no late entrance to avoid distraction. Audio Settings/Options Zoom will give you audio options - choose computer audio. Other audio options can generate disruptive feedback. While in the waiting room, test your audio to make sure it is working. When admitted to the meeting, your audio will be automatically muted.  When called on to speak, you will need to Unmute your audio first. Make sure you are familiar with the Raise Hand command on the toolbar.  This is the only means that the Chair and presenters can see that you wish to speak. and helps to maintain an orderly and efficient meeting.  The BPRCC Code of Conduct and Basic Rules of Parliamentary Procedure will be in effect at this meeting.  As a reminder, you will find them included with this message.  Click here to Download PDF  See the Council website for more information on meetings, activities and more.  www.bigparkcouncil.org.  You can also follow us on Facebook.

 

Community Urged to Submit Input Before April 30th Deadline In March, the Big Park Council’s Art in the Roundabouts (AiR) Committee launched a dedicated website for the purpose of informing the community and gathering input for selection of art for the roundabouts. In the spirit of the Council’s mission, the committee is committed to a program of community outreach to ensure that any art selections are the result of broad community support. An online survey to gather community input on artworks for the four roundabouts in the Village of Oak Creek is now open through April 30th, 2023. The committee encourages all residents to take (and share) the brief, anonymous survey that can be found on the AiR website – OurVillageArt.org. The website provides a summary of proposed artistic themes, and a list of selection criteria, followed by an invitation to the community to manifest its thoughts about the process. Response to date has been thoughtful and enthusiastic, providing the committee with helpful comments and suggestions. The committee will have a presence at the Village BBQ on April 29th from 12-4pm at the VOCA park. Committee members will be present to explain the project and answer questions. Look for the Sedona Village Partnership sign! More information about the project and committee can be found at OurVillageArt.org, or simply scan the QR code to jump immediately to the website’s online survey page. Or click the black button and go directly to the survey itself.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO SURVEY

Community News & Updates 3/15

 

Community News & Updates

UPDATE: 3/15 YC Board of Supervisors review of the Arts & Crafts tent shows at Vista Village Conditional Use Permit: In the absence of any documented violations or complaints, the CUP was renewed for 5 years with a review after 2 years. There is currently no way to report violations, compliments or complaints on-line to Yavapai County. During the next two years, please comment directly to Supervisor Michaels, by sending her an email via Email District 3 Supervisor (yavapaiaz.gov) UPDATE: 3/16 YC Planning & Zoning review of the Verde Valley School request for an amended Conditional Use Permit ended positively with approval of a non-transferable CUP. Meetings held between the school and neighboring communities were able to improve communication, achieve compromises and arrive at consensus before the hearing.

Rest Area Study Comment Period ENDS March 27th The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has released its draft Statewide Rest Area Study which provides a blueprint for how ADOT plans to preserve, rehabilitate, modernize and expand the state’s rest areas during the next 20 years. To view or download a PDF of the information, Click HERE. The PDF contains information on how to comment directly back to ADOT.

9th Annual VOC BBQ April 29th 12pm-4pm at VOCA Park. Click HERE to view or download a PDF of the flier

Advancing Business Sustainability in the Verde Valley Special Event - March 30th - 4:30pm Cottonwood Community Club House, 805 N. Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ Click HERE to view or download a PDF of the flier

EMERGENCY ALERTS Actual Examples from 3/15 & 16 Flood EVACUATIONS Click HERE for a presentation PDF images of actual emergency texts and emails received for the recent floods in Sedona. If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up to receive these messages directly by Nixle - Text your zip code to 888777 or go to Sign Up : Nixle Alert Yavapai - https://www.ycsoaz.gov/I-Want-To/Services/Sign-up-for-Emergency-Notifications

To view or download a 13-page PDF of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce 3/17/23 Local newsletter, click HERE.