01 11 24 BPC Annual Meeting Highlights & Community News

COMMUNITY NEWS –
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOLLOW –

29th Annual Red Rock Quilter’s Quilt Show –

The public is invited to attend the 29th Annual Red Rock Quilter’s Quilt Show. Showcasing the most beautiful collection of hand-created quilts in the Verde Valley. The show is viewable during open library hours. For more information about the Red Rock Quilters Guild, click here.

Sedona’s Broken Arrow parking lot closed Friday for tree removal – Friday, January 12 – Broken Arrow Trail will remain open but visitors using the trail should plan for potential delays throughout the day. Once the hazardous trees have been removed, the parking lot will reopen. 

Forest Service hosts Community Meetings – January 17/18 for proposed Yavapai-Apache Nation Land Exchange.

Sedona Sister Cities Association
1 15 24 Newsletter

Sedona Chamber of Commerce

Business Bulletin – 01 15 2024
Local News – 01 12 2024

Verde Valley School
Newsletter – 1 12 24
LAST DAYS:  Survey on use of SEED Property – Closes 1/19/24

REMINDER:  Verde Valley School Open House – January 20, 12 noon-1:30pm, Bradley Hall – Join Head of School, Ben Lee and the VVS Board of Trustees for an open dialog about the future of Verde Valley School.

District 3 Supervisor Donna Michaels: 
11 January 2024 – Recent Activities Report

BIG PARK REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
January 11, 2024

1. President Susan Barber called the meeting to order at 9:01am and a quorum was established.
2. Roll Call – Secretary Mary Pope called the role confirming 13 Member Organizations present and 3 guests.  By 9:30am there were 15 Member Organizations present and 6 guests.
3. Approval of Agenda – Susan explained that the agenda items reflected that today was the Annual Meeting of the Big Park Council and bylaw requirements were met.  Mary Morris moved that the agenda be approved as written. Bob Marriott seconded.  There was no further discussion, and the agenda was approved unanimously.
4. President’s Report – Susan then noted that in reviewing the bylaws, there are several areas that need to be updated.  She provided an example that the Council is now a 501(c)3 organization and its bylaws still reflect the prior 501(c) 6 status.  These minor updates will be summarized for the Council to review and discuss at a future meeting.  Susan than thanked those that have helped with her orientation as the new president and expressed confidence in the current Executive Board moving forward.
5. Secretary’s Report & Training Presentation – Mary Pope asked if there were any changes to the minutes of the 14 December 2023 meeting and hearing none, Don Groves moved that the minutes be approved as written.  Paul Sullivan seconded.  Motion approved unanimously.  She then noted that although at the December meeting we were told that a new representative was appointed for the Bell Rock Plaza member organization, no documentation has been received officially.  There are no other changes in representatives or member organizations.  Mary then proceeded with the Refresher Training and New Member Orientation presentation, noting that copies of the presentation and script had been provided in PDF format to representatives and copies are available online. She briefly reviewed the history, mission, purpose, and structure of the Big Park Council as well as the roles and responsibilities of representatives, officers, committee members, and liaisons. Mary stressed that the council is the board of directors of the corporation and is comprised of representatives, not individuals. Each representative speaks on behalf of his/her member organization.  She then explained the meaning of acting on behalf of the corporation, reminding the Council that we are a nonprofit corporation, not a government body. She went on to review how the meetings are conducted in accordance with a Council approved code of conduct, noting that issues facing the community are researched objectively and discussed with public involvement. Once consensus is reached, the council reflects the point of view of the community.  She finished with an explanation of how the governing documents work together.
6. Treasurer’s Report – Patty Reski reviewed income and expenses for December, explaining that the Holiday Mixer was an unbudgeted expense of $1,100, but was well received and of great value to the organization.  She then pointed out that money raised for the legal research of the APS powerline proposal, is kept as a separate line item, not to be used for any other purpose.  Another designated line item was the cost associated with the development of the new website.  This expense was covered by an anonymous donation.  Patty emphasized that she is looking at different ways to show these funds, particularly because we are now a 501 c 3.  Patty noted that the 2024 Budget Committee would be reconvened after the Audit Committee completes its work, so that the 2024 budget more closely represents expected expenditures.  Annual assessments have been received from about half of the member organizations.  They are due February 1.   Questions were asked regarding tax-deductibility of donations for a future holiday mixer as well as the annual assessments.  Patty clarified that while donations from individuals are tax deductible, donations/assessments from member organizations are not.  She also stressed that an individual’s tax status affects deductibility and that needs to be reviewed by the individuals themselves.
7. Unfinished Business – USFS Trail Proposal Update – John Wichert explained that although there was insufficient time for a thorough research and discussion of the issues, at the Council’s request, he’d written a comment letter to the USFS based on the discussion at the December 14 Council meeting.  The letter also requested a meeting between the USFS and the BPC to clarify their proposals.  In the interim, because of the comments received, the USFS has withdrawn their proposal for reconsideration.  During discussions, Mary Morris noted that the USFS has a section on their website called the reading room, where public comments should be posted.  The site is inactive because of USFS privacy concerns regarding personal information contained in the comments.  The information may only be released under a request using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  Mary stressed that knowledge of these public comments is critical for the BPC to understand the situation and research a solution to the problems raised, and to educate the community on the overall issues presented and being reviewed by the USFS.  She noted that she does not have the personal experience to create a FOIA request and asked the Council’s help.   Duane Thompson said that BPC already has a FOIA request underway with the USFS on another matter and has experience in its creation and refinement.  It is important that the FOIA not be too broad in scope, and he felt that Mary’s request for copies of the public commentary on the USFS Trail Proposals was sufficiently narrow to be able to create an effective request under the FOIA.  He offered to help her craft a FOIA request.  Mary then asked if this request should be on behalf of the BPC.  Joe Skidmore then made a motion that Mary Morris draft a FOIA request on behalf of the Big Park Council.  Bob Marriott seconded the motion.  During discussion it was established that there would be no cost to the Council to create or file the FOIA request.  It was also agreed that our local congressmen and senator need not be copied on the request.  To be sure, Duane will check with Mark Lawler of Keep Sedona Beautiful, who has more experience in these matters.   Motion passed unanimously.
8. New Business – Susan Barber led the discussions.
   1. Schedule of 2024 Meetings – The proposed schedule of meetings was shown and approved on a motion by Mary Morris, seconded by Bob Marriott.  Motion carried unanimously.

2. Appointment & Approval of Committee Chairs & Liaisons – Susan thanked the volunteers for their time and dedication.  After the appointments were reviewed, Don Groves moved to accept the 2024 Committee Chairs and Liaisons, seconded by Carolyn Fisher.  Motion passed unanimously.  Susan then asked that committee chairs provide Mary Pope with a list of committee members so that our MailChimp email tags are correct for 2024.  Standing committee chairs must present their committee members to the Council for approval at the February meeting.  Standing committees are Membership, Dark-Sky and Planning & Zoning.
   1. Audit Committee – Pat Robles (Chair), Colleen Hinds and Joe Skidmore
   2. Dark-Sky Co Chairs:  Dave Norton & Curt Schneider
   3. Membership Chair: John Wichert
   4. Planning & Zoning Co Chairs: John Wichert & Bob Marriott
   5. APS Subcommittee Chair: Duane Thompson
   6. Art in the Roundabouts Co Chairs: Steve Fiedler & Rolf Funk
   7. Community Plan Co Chairs: Joe Skidmore & Tom Binnings
   8. Technology Consultant: Fred Lenz
   9. USFS Liaison: Bob Marriott
   10. VVTPO Liaison: Jeff Swan

9. Committee Reports
   1. APS Subcommittee – Duane Thompson reviewed the history of the proposal (made in 2018), noting that the date of release of the final environmental assessment (EA), due last Thursday, was delayed. The EA serves as a special use permit for construction to begin.   He expressed pleasure at the delay as that provides more time to consider alternatives to the proposed overhead sections of the powerline.  He then summarized the steps in the review and approval process, reminding the Council of the current outstanding FOIA that has been filed.  The information eventually received will be of great value in understanding details of the situation and evaluating next steps, including the viability of legal action, should they become necessary.  Duane stressed that the Council has only authorized research into the viability of legal action and that there needs to be full Council review of the recommendations and approval before any legal action is initiated.  Legal action would only be recommended should the Final EA issued by the USFS be considered unacceptable and all appeals made. The evaluation by Earthrise of the viability of legal action should be available in a month or two, which would allow plenty of time for member organizations to review it and determine if litigation should proceed.  The evaluation would be presented to the Council in executive session, and then representatives would be able to confidentially share the information with their member organizations before a vote is taken.  Difficulties in sharing information and achieving a decision within some member organizations such as VOCA were discussed and acknowledged.  Every effort is being made to provide information in a timely manner along with clear communication materials, so that members’ internal processes may be accommodated allowing for full participation and representation in the ultimate Council discussion/vote. Two months’ leeway was suggested.

2. Planning & Zoning – Bob Marriott reported that he and Nancy Maple were trying to set up a process to take advantage of the new tracking system that Yavapai County has set up for permit requests and use permit renewals as well as the associated sub-processes.  To do this, additional volunteers are required.  He’d like one person to scan the requests and determine early if BPC action is needed.  Don Groves volunteered to join the committee, noting that he’d served on it before.  Bob thanked Don, asking for additional volunteers.   He reminded the Council that a committee member doesn’t need to be a representative, asking if anyone knew qualified individuals within the community that could join.  Real Estate and/or building and construction backgrounds would be very helpful.  Bob noted that Nancy offered to do a half hour slide training session on how to use the Yavapai County website tracking system.  Using the website isn’t time consuming.  Mary Morris noted that she’d be happy to continue working with the P&Z committee in an advisory capacity, noting that the person who had been monitoring new permits and the like was Lenore Hemingway.  Representatives were asked to look within their member organizations for additional volunteers.
3. Art in the Roundabouts – Rolf Funk noted that the committee will be meeting with Red Rock Enhancement Maintenance District (RREMD) regarding their assumption of legal title to the artwork that will be installed along the four roundabouts on SR 179 in the Village.  They’ve had an excellent response to the call to artists and hope to share the proposals with the community in the next few months.

10.  Announcements – Carolyn Fisher announced that the Sedona Public Library is currently displaying quilts made by the Red Rock Quilters at the Sedona branch.

11.  Adjournment at 10:21am

Reminder – The next Big Park Council Meeting is February 8 at 9am via ZOOM

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