President Joe Skidmore called the meeting to order at 9:07am.

Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check reported that the sale of the Big Park School is back on the table for the County’s consideration; the Board of Supervisors will negotiate with the successful bidder.  There are currently two interested parties but no formal bids.  The County will not be bidding, but has an interest in providing services to the community.  She also emphasized that she would like to see more rural services from the County.  Supervisor Check provided an email with additional information which is included in Community News (See above).

Business Meeting:

1. Roll Call: By Secretary Bridget Bero at 9:07am.  Fifteen members were present and the requirement for a quorum was met.
2. Agenda: Joe Skidmore mentioned minor change to the agenda (addition of item in Secretary’s Report and a report from VVTPO Liaison) and asked if there were any further changes; there were none. Pat Robles motioned to approve the agenda; Dave Norton seconded.  The agenda was approved at 9:11am with none opposed.
3. Mary Pope presented a slide show on the Annual Refresher Council Training & New Member Orientation.  This presentation provided a brief history of the BPC, its mission/purpose, organizational structure, roles/responsibilities and indemnification of members, the Code of Conduct, governing documents and a brief overview of the website.
4. President’s Report: Joe Skidmore introduced himself and the EB.  He provided the 2026 BPC Meeting Schedule; the March, June, September and December meetings will be hybrid meetings.  He appointed the 2026 Standing Committee Chairs & Liaisons:
   1. Planning & Zoning: Bob Marriott
   2. Dark Sky: Dave Norton & Curt Schneider
   3. Digital Media: Pat Robles
   4. Community Plan: Joe Skidmore
   5. Membership: (open)
   6. Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization: Jeff Swan
   7. USFS:  Bob Marriott

He appointed the Audit Committee: Joe Skidmore (Chair), Pat Robles, Paul
Sullivan.  He appointed the Corresponding Secretary: Mary Pope.

5. Secretary’s Report: Recording Secretary Bridget Bero called for changes to the Draft December BPC Meeting Minutes; there were none. Pat Robles moved to approve; Don Groves seconded. There was no discussion and the minutes were approved at 9:43am with none opposed. Bridget requested that each Representative provide updated contact information (email/phone for Alternates, HOA President and Treasurer) in order to update the Roster.
6. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Lisa Holly reported that December expenses were routine ($11.67 for the email service).  The Year End report showed 2025 income of $15,751 with expenses of $14,033.  Deviation from the 2025 proposed income/expenses was due to donations/expenses for the APS power line project effort.
7. Unfinished Business:  Discussion on the Position Paper on the sale of the Big Park School property included whether it should include specific building numbers when referencing current uses, concern about a potential dog park and whether the library should be more emphasized.  Carolyn Fisher replied, saying that the library location is well known, some of the uses are not location specific, and that a dog park may be a controversial issue, there is a location that would have lower impact on the surrounding neighborhood.  A sentence will be added emphasizing the importance of the library.  Carolyn made a motion to adopt the Position Paper to be sent to Land Advisors Organization, the school district, and Supervisor Check with an amendment to the language that adds “the” before “Community Library in the Village” and that speaks to the (library’s) importance to the community as noted by usage and resident input.  Bridget read the final wording, stating that the sentence will be in bold and the word “essential” be capitalized for emphasis.  Paul Sullivan seconded; the motion was approved with none opposed at 10:07am.  Bridget will revise the document and send to the EB for a cover letter, signature and to email it ASAP since bids close at the end of the month.
8. New Business: None.
9. Committee & Liaison Reports:
   8. Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization: Jeff Swan reported on the I17 Interchange with the District (Jeremy Digester and Steven Craver).  While the District has listed this item as the #1 priority, it is only #7 at the State level and thus us outside the funding level cutoff.  The District will keep pressing this issue.  Jeff recommended that any advocacy the BPC can do would be helpful and that District leaders are willing to meet with the BPC.  Jeff will provide their contact information so they can be invited to a future BPC meeting.  He also mentioned that Supervisor Check has created a list of needs for a future planning session with ADOT, and that the BPC should review that list.  It was mentioned that additional signage may be needed at the current intersection as two of the stop signs do not have sufficient sight distance.

10. Announcements: Dave Norton reported on the Art in the Roundabouts: One sculpture is here and ready to be installed (is awaiting ADOT approval), the other is at the foundry in Phoenix.  A tour of the foundry is planned for the end of the month.

The business meeting was adjourned at 10:20am.

Reminders: