The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Friday, May 16, on the agency’s recommended statewide program of construction projects for the next five years.

The in-person and virtual hearing on the 2026-2030 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the Bullhead City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard. It will be held during a meeting of the Arizona State Transportation Board that can be accessed at aztransportationboard.gov. Those wishing to provide comments remotely can request to do so until 8 a.m. the day of the hearing using instructions available at aztransportationboard.gov.

Big Park Council President Susan Barber began the meeting at 9:02am.

Guest Speakers:

• Tom Swaninger of the Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District provided an update on the Big Park School property.  On Feb 11, they solicited bids for an appraisal from eight companies.  Of the eight, two were no longer doing business, one was too busy to take on more work, three did not respond, two responded.  Criteria for selection/scoring were 30% price, 25% experience in local school property appraisal, 20% in school property appraisal, 15% timeline, 10% response acumen.  Appraisal Technology LLC was selected and the appraisal is expected to be submitted on May 13.  At that time, the Board will decide to list the property or not.  If so, the same process will be used to identify a broker.  Tom also reported that their foundation has provided funding for the following additional school activities: a new theater program, two new preschool classes (cost to families: $450/mo or $250/mo for low income), football program, and an extended day care program (also supported by the Rotary Club) that provides tutoring, field trips, camps and real-world experiences.
• Steve Fiedler of the Art in the Roundabouts Committee/Sedona Village Partnership reported that the two art projects submitted have been approved, and contracts with the artists (Ward and Navarro) have been made.  Engineering design details have been submitted to ADOT.  ADOT response is expected May 9 – 12.  A presentation to the Rotary Club garnered donations to fund the installations; 75% of the needed funding was received from one donor, $40k remains outstanding.  Installation of both expected this winter at Jack’s Canyon and Cortez roundabouts. Additional donations sought; donate at ourvillageart.org.

Business Meeting:

1. Call to Order: 9:24am by President Susan Barber
2. Roll Call: By Secretary Bridget Bero at 9:27am; 12 members present (quorum not met).
3. Agenda: Susan Barber asked if there were any changes to the Agenda at 9:27am.  There were none; an informational meeting then occurred since there was not a quorum.
4. President’s Report: None.
5. Secretary’s Report: Bridget Bero
   1. Approval of Draft Minutes from APR meeting: Minor typographical changes were recommended; Lisa Holly will review/revise. Approval of the minutes was deferred to the next meeting due to lack of a quorum.
   2. Changes in Reps/Alternates: None.
6. Treasurer’s Report – Lisa Holly reported that all dues have been collected and that the only expense was the monthly email processing fee.
7. Unfinished Business

1. Wildfire Risk Mitigation, Community Fuel Removal Forestry Program: Lisa Holly reported that the VOC is now included in the USFS fuel removal permit program. The 2025 Fuelwood Permits map is at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r03/coconino/publication/2025-fuelwood-firewood-permit-map.pdf    Apply for a Fuelwood Permit at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/permits
2. Use Permit for Sedona Vista Village Arts & Craft Shows (PLA25-000015):  Bob Marriott and Nancy Maple reported that the Planning & Zoning Committee recommendation is to approve with the following stipulations: permit duration five years, map revised to show single row of tents, live music with no amplification, microphones or speakers, and setup Fridays after 5pm with shows on Saturdays and Sundays. The Council was unable to vote due to lack of quorum; however following a request to do so, an informal vote was taken.11 supported the Planning & Zoning recommendation, 1 opposed. This Use Permit is scheduled with the Yavapai County Planning & Zoning Committee on May 22^nd, and the Board of Supervisors on June 18^th. Members of the community can send email to the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning at: planning@yavapaiaz.gov and the Board of Supervisor’s at: clerkofboard.web@yavapaiaz.gov Note: emails must be received no later than 24 hours prior to the respective meetings.

8. New Business: None.

9. Committee & Liaison Reports

a. Duane Thompson summarized action on HB2201.  It passed the Senate with changes; on May 6 the House approved amended bill 41-15 (bipartisan); Governor Hobbs will likely sign it.  Link to the summary: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/summary/S.2201FIN_ASPASSEDCOW.pdf
Nikki Check stated that APS is creating mitigation plans whether this passes or not and is working with the Forest Service.

2. APS Subcommittee: Susan Barber provided an update.  The Coconino National Forest (CNF) will provide their Objection Response on or before  May 19.  Joe Skidmore and Susan Barber met with Scenic America Scenic America will send their objection letter to APS and CNF despite it being passed CNF’s objection deadline;  Scenic America connected us with ADOT’s Scenic Byways group; meeting scheduled on May 9 Joe and Susan also connected with Underground Arizona; this group was successful in forcing Tucson Electric Power underground a similar project in central Tucson.  Last, Underground America referred the BPC to the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Service, and they have been contacted.  Patty Reski commented that part of the public process includes a Reconciliation Meeting after they issue their Objection Response; the FS would call this by invitation-only meeting.
3. Planning & Zoning Committee: Bob Marriott provided an update on the following issues:
   1. Hilton Resort has not submitted a proposal for the Outdoor Wedding venue.
   2. Hilton Spring Garden does not yet have approval from ADOT, therefore the County has taken no action.

Mary Morris asked for an update on the Lighting Ordinance.  Bob Marriott responded that Dave Norton has been working with the County on this issue.  The new ordinance will update information on permissible fixtures that is greatly needed to make the ordinance effective. Nikki Check commented that VOC is recognized as a leader in Dark Sky issues.

4. Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization (VVTPO) Liaison: Jeff Swan was unable to attend.  Nikki Check commented that as Chair of the VVTPO, she intends to shift focus of this group from reporting updates to providing an opportunity for the community to provide actionable feedback.

10. Announcements

1. Carolyn Fisher reported on the April Library Giving Month and that the Village Library received $3500; its only sources of funding are the County and donations.  The Sedona library received donor matches of $20k and $10k and receives funding from the city, both Yavapai and Coconino Counties and donations.  Nikki Check reported that in the budget process, the affiliate libraries fund was increased to $120k, and that tax rates would be flattened so tax sources will not decrease in the future.
2. Nikki Check also reported that the Meals on Wheels programs will receive $10k/district for unincorporated areas, and $40k will go to partners such as NACOG.
3. Ben Lee of Verde Valley School reported an upcoming VVS Film Night on Tuesday May 20^th at 7:30pm at the quad at VVS.  Contact: jsheedy@vvsaz.org.
11. The meeting was adjourned at 10:32am.

Reminders: