• Marjorie Harris of the Sedona Community Center reported on their services; they serve seniors 60+.  Their primary program is Meals on Wheels, delivered 5 days/week.  They typically serve ~100 people at any one time.  They also offer in-house meals and other socialization activities such as exercise classes, card playing and watercolor painting.  They are funded 1/3 by the City of Sedona, 1/3 by AZ tax credits and 1/3 by private funding; this year they received $10k from Yavapai County.  Food costs have increased 14%.  VOC is one of the fastest growing areas; she stressed the need for a large pool of volunteers to deliver the meals, especially for the VOC.
• Tom Binnings of the VV Regional Economic Organization was unable to attend, but sent an update that is provided in the President’s Report.

Business Meeting:

1. Roll Call: By Corresponding Secretary Mary Pope at 9:11am.  Fourteen members were present and the requirement for a quorum was met.
2. Agenda – Susan Barber asked if there were any changes to the Agenda; there were none. The agenda was approved by acclamation at 9:14am with none opposed.
3. Due to concerns with the Zoom meeting interface, the Unfinished Business items were moved up on the agenda:
   1. 2026 Budget:  Pat Robles reviewed the 2026 Budget; it is a balanced budget at $3680.  Mary Morris moved to approve the budget; Patti Reski seconded.  There was no discussion and the 2026 Budget was approved at 9:18am with no opposed/abstentions.
   2. Election of 2026 Officers: Carolyn Fisher reported that Joe Skidmore is the candidate for President, the other current officers (Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) will continue.  Carolyn Fisher moved to approve these officers; Paul Sullivan seconded.  There was no discussion and the motion was approved at 9:19am with no opposed/abstentions.
4. President’s Report:
   1. Susan Barber reported that Tom Binnings of the VVREO sent notes regarding an update on broadband service.  WECOM has proposed Fiber to the Home broadband for most of the Verde Valley & south of there in Yavapai County ($44M with $14M in BEAD funding).  Because the Trump administration redefined “underserved” areas and Altice/Optimum’s claim that they can deliver 20 mbps (megabits per second) upload / 100 mbps download, we no longer meet the criteria of “underserved”.  “Served” areas do not qualify for BEAD funding. The VVREO will continue to work with the Arizona Commerce Authority and Rep. Eli Crane’s office on the need for broadband that delivers speeds higher than these minimums.  Tom reported that he successfully negotiated with Optimum for a reduction in rate ($55/mo.) and these higher speeds. He suggests people contact Optimum for a similar arrangement.  Others noted that with any phone call to Optimum, one should expect 90 min waits on hold.
   2. Susan Barber reported that prescribed burns are occurring on CNF lands this week and next; smoke may be visible in the area.
   3. Susan Barber reminded representatives to fill out the Community Newsletter Survey (closes 11/21); Mary Pope commented that they have already received many responses and the information provided has been very helpful, and encouraged more responses.
5. Secretary’s Report:  Mary Pope called for changes to the Draft October BPC Meeting Minutes; there were none. Patti Reski moved to approve; Mary Morris seconded. There was no discussion and the minutes were approved at 9:26am with none opposed. There were no changes to Reps/Alternates.
6. Treasurer’s Report:  Susan Barber reported that October’s expenses were routine; $3980 was incurred for the power line litigation research project.
7. Unfinished Business: See above item 3.
8. New Business: Carolyn Fisher reported that a group consisting of herself, David Gill, Jan Groves and Linda Allen (of the Sedona Community library VOC) are drafting a Position Paper for the Big Park School property. Current uses of the property include the VOC library, a church, Project Fill the Need, storage for Head Start program books, and the Rotary’s Club’s Community Garden.  Tom Swaninger of the school district was present and provided the following additional information:
   1. Bids must be equal to or greater than the appraised value (~10M) by state law.  He noted that almost all of that value is the land, not the buildings.
   2. The broker is aware of current/potential uses.
   3. He stated “when we list” implying that the property is not yet listed.  The broker may list it as land or as land + buildings.
   4. He has requested, when offers are ultimately made, a meeting at the Big Park school where potential buyers and the district present their concepts and receive feedback.
   5. In response to a question about the $10M value, he responded that was the value at current zoning, which is residential.  He stated he would not be in favor of rezoning.
9. Committee & Liaison Reports
   1. APS Subcommittee:  Joe Skidmore reported that a further request to install a gate at the Beaverhead Flat Rd (access to new power lines) was again denied by Mike Dechter of the Forest Service.  He suggested that BPC send a letter with our concerns to the FS on this matter; he volunteered to draft the letter.  He reported that there has been no action on rerouting of the Kel Fox Trail.  Regarding APS poles on private property, survey stakes have been placed; Las Piedras reported that the new poles through their HOA will be located where the current poles are (not closer to homes).  However, nothing on pole placement in writing (as requested) has been forthcoming from APS.  He also reported that HB2201 that requires APS to create a site-specific wildfire mitigation plan does not include a provision for unincorporated communities such as the VOC to provide feedback or be involved in the plan.  Joe will talk further with the state Forest Manager on this matter.  It was suggested that we talk to Rep. Eli Crane regarding our ability to review/comment on an APS wildfire mitigation plan; this plan is due in May; Mary Morris volunteered to reach out to Crane.
11. Announcements: None.

The business meeting was adjourned at 10:02am.

Reminders: