June 12, 2025
Big Park Council Meeting
In Person & via ZOOM –
COMMUNITY NEWS –
MEETING SUMMARY FOLLOWS –
Scroll Down to See Meeting Summary below for details on important community issues.
MEETING SUMMARY
BIG PARK REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL
Meeting in person (Sedona Library @ VOC) and via ZOOM – June 12, 2025 at 9am
Big Park Council President Susan Barber began the meeting at 9:00am.
Guest Speakers:
- Steve Fiedler of the AiR Committee brought a maquette of the Dreamcatcher sculpture to be installed at the Cortez roundabout. Funding for this project is 96% complete, with $9,000 remaining; donations can be made online at ourvillageart.org. When built, this sculpture will be 13’ tall by 8’ wide. The Jack’s Canyon project is Village Treasures (hummingbirds) and is fully funded. When built, this sculpture will be 13’ tall by 20’ wide. Engineering design details submitted to ADOT have not yet been approved; approval is expected this week. Installation of both expected this winter. The remaining two roundabouts will be designed/funded in the next phase.
Business Meeting:
- Call to Order: 9:10am by President Susan Barber.
- Roll Call: By Secretary Bridget Bero at 9:10am; 16 members present (5 in person and 11 via Zoom), the requirement for a quorum was met. There was one change in representatives: Agenda: Susan Barber asked if there were any changes to the Agenda at 9:13am. There were none; the agenda was approved with no objections.
- President’s Report: Susan Barber reported that AZ2201 was passed and signed by the governor on May 12. A Council Executive Session will be held as a part of the July 10 BPC meeting to discuss next steps for the BPC regarding the APS Powerline project.
- Secretary’s Report: Bridget Bero
- Bridget Bero called for changes to the Draft APR and MAY BPC Meeting Minutes; there were none. Bob Marriott made a motion to approve both minutes; Paul Sullivan seconded. Minutes were approved with none opposing.
- Changes in Reps/Alternates: Antoinette Beiser replaced Stephen Howard as the first alternate for Pinon Woods 2.
- Treasurer’s Report – Lisa Holly reported that the only expense was the monthly email processing fee.
- Unfinished Business: None.
- New Business: None.
- Committee & Liaison Reports
- APS Subcommittee: Susan Barber provided an update for Joe Skidmore. The Coconino National Forest (CNF) provided their Objection Response to all objectors; this letter is posted on the BPC website. In short, the response was that there will be no resolution meeting, no appeal, and there is a short list of follow-ups for Aaron of CNF to complete. Scenic America sent their objection letter to APS and CNF despite it being past the deadline. David Dysert commented that Las Piedras will not grant the requested easement to APS with the current project, but that the easement would be granted should APS put the line underground. Antoinette Beiser asked the status of BPC contact with Underground AZ and the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Service. Susan Barber reported that information provided by Underground AZ was used in the recent meeting with CNF regarding cost of undergrounding, and that the AZ Center was also contacted, and that more information will be forthcoming at the July meeting.
- Planning & Zoning Committee: Nancy Maple and Bob Marriott provided an update on the following issues:
- Nancy attended the Yavapai County (YC) P&Z Committee meeting regarding the Art Tent shows at Vista Village. BPC recommendations for showing a single line of tents on the map, and a 65 dB limit to music were incorporated, but the shows will be allowed to occur FRIs, SATs and SUNs, in opposition to BPC recommendation of SAT/SUN only. The YC Board of Supervisors will meet July 8 to vote on the P&Z Committee’s recommendations.
- Bob Marriott reported that YC issued a building permit to Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock Resort to replace the previously removed parking lot that now stands as an empty lot.
- Bob Marriott reported that the Hilton Resort has been receptive to Dark Sky recommendations, but plans for the Outdoor Wedding venue appear to be on hold.
- Bob Marriott reported that there has been no action regarding the Hilton Garden Inn (current status is no approval from ADOT or YC).
- Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization (VVTPO): Liaison Jeff Swan reported that a meeting was held last week; matters of concern to VOC are:
- Tissaw/Cornville Rd intersection roundabout: Construction may start this fall but may be later due to funding issues.
- I-17/Hwy 179 interchange: No new information, but Jeff will contact Sam Elters of ADOT and suggest that he meet with the BPC in the future.
- The next ADOT Board Meeting is June 20 in Payson. Future meetings are July in Flagstaff and August in Graham County.
d. Dark Sky Committee: Susan Barber reported for Dave Norton that YC Planning and Zoning Commission approved the draft revision outdoor lighting ordinance, and it will now go on the YC Board of Supervisors agenda.
- Announcements
- Don Groves reported the change in leadership at the Verde Valley School; the interim head is Kevin Warren and that the transition was smooth.
- Don Groves reported that Canmore, Canada is an official sister city by unanimous approval from both city councils. Sedona will be sponsoring a Canada Day (July 1) celebration. The official signing of the declaration will occur on June 28, 3:30pm AZ time, at the Canmore Public Library; the signing will also be available via Zoom at the Sedona Community Library in Sedona.
- The meeting was adjourned at 9:36am.
Reminders:
- The next Big Park Council meeting is Thursday, July 10 2025 at 9am via Zoom
- The next Executive Board meeting is July 1 at 2pm
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