Susan Barber called the meeting to order with 17 Member Organizations and 5 Guests present. She then introduced Tom Binnings of the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) to provide an update on broadband. VVREO has been working on this issue for about a decade, advocating for faster, more reliable services with competition in markets to keep long term pricing in check.
Tom discussed the process of broadband expansion, particularly in rural areas, noting that the federal standard for adequate broadband is upload speeds of 20 mbps and downloads of 150 mbps. These faster speeds are critical as our homes, education, entertainment, and healthcare needs rely more on the internet. Fortunately, funding is in place through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to achieve this goal. The Arizona Commerce Authority is overseeing implementation in Arizona. Their focus is on giving faster access to all rural areas.
He explained that every address in Arizona has been determined to be either BEAD eligible or ineligible. You can look up your address on the Arizona Broadband Navigator (see links to the map below). The services shown for an address make the address either eligible or ineligible for BEAD funding. The map is final and should be accurate. If your address is eligible then you should monitor the BEAD process in the coming year as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will compete to get federal funds to combine with private capital to bring affordable Fiber to the Home (FTTH). If your address is more remote, access is likely to be through Fixed Wireless serving a neighborhood or Low Earth Orbit Satellites like Starlink. If your address is ineligible, you should understand why, which is typically because you already have the minimum required service speeds, or an ISP is planning to service your location with the speeds mandated. The map on the Arizona Broadband Navigator shows blue-green dots as eligible for BEAD funding and brown dots as ineligible. Brown dots on the east side of SR 179 are thought to be ineligible due to planned service by Optimum. The example provided within Community News, above, used the address for Sedona Winds on Jacks Canyon Road.
Arizona Broadband Navigator https://az.broadbandnavigator.com/map?zoom=6¢er=-12460707%2C4061995
One Internet Service Provider (ISP) will be selected per project area. Tom indicated that he is hoping all of Yavapai County will be in one project area and have one ISP who will then compete with incumbent providers like Optimum, T-Mobile fixed wireless, Starlink, etc. Unfortunately, existing providers such as Optimum (owned by Altice), prefer no new competition. As a result, community groups are posting a Survey on Next Door and are circulating the short survey to their communities to comment on past experiences with Optimum and whether Optimum will actually be able to provide service to their address.
Tom will continue to keep the public informed via the Big Park Council meetings and mailings.
See Community News above for an explanation and link to the VVREO Survey to determine if Optimum’s planned upgrades include your address.
Susan then extended a warm welcome to Lieutenant Daniel Pritchard, the new local contact with the Yavapai County sheriff’s office. Lieutenant Pritchard expressed his appreciation for the community’s support and mentioned the presence of auxiliaries, known as volunteers in protection. He will provide the Council additional information on the volunteers. Lt. Pritchard also highlighted the community’s involvement in search and rescue efforts.
Roll Call & Approval of Agenda: Secretary Mary Pope called the roll, confirming a comfortable quorum of 17 member organizations present. Susan then presented the meeting’s agenda, and it was successfully approved on a motion by Pat Robles, seconded by Carolyn Fisher.
President’s Report: Susan discussed three key points. Firstly, she highlighted the importance of Arizona House Bill 2298 which became law in 2018 as ARS 33-1818 This law affects planned community authority over public roadways. She emphasized that HOAs adopted prior to January 1, 2015, with restrictions on parking of resident, guest, commercial or inoperable vehicles on public roadways need to act by June 2025 to maintain these restrictions. (33-1818 – Community authority over public roadways; vote of the membership; applicability) Secondly, she addressed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) passed last year to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. She noted that the Community Association Institute filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Treasury seeking exemption for nonprofit community associations from the CTA but also noted than an injunction staying the responsibility to file, was not granted in the interim. She warned that HOAs not registered as a 501 (c) entity may need to file a report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network by the end of the year to avoid significant penalties. Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting | FinCEN.gov https://www.fincen.gov/boi
In conclusion, Susan announced that the next council meeting would be a hybrid meeting held in the Javelina room of the Village Library. 9:00am, December 12.
Secretary’s Report: Mary Pope then reviewed and on a motion by John Wichert, seconded by Dave Norton, approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
Treasurer’s Report & 2025 Budget Approval: Susan presented the October financials and then the 2025 proposed budget was presented by Pat Robles and approved on a motion by Carolyn Fisher, seconded by Don Groves.
The election of 2025 officers was held, with Mary Morris leading the discussion. All were unanimously approved on a motion by Carolyn Fisher, seconded by Paul Sullivan. 2025 Officers are President, Susan Barber, Vice President, Pat Robles, Recording Secretary, Lisa Holly, Treasurer, Carol Murphy.
Committee & Liaison Reports:
APS Transmission Line Subcommittee: Joe Skidmore reported a successful discussion with Red Rock Scenic Byway’s President, Edgar Lozoya. President Lozoya is now fully informed of the Transmission Line project and willing to lend his support. Co-Chair Mark Matousek and subcommittee member John Wichert are continuing to pursue a dialogue with Frank Sanderson of APS. The BPC website has been updated to reflect the latest Environmental Assessment release date of January 2nd.
Membership Committee: John Wichert reported that out of seven HOAs in the Big Park area not affiliated with the Big Park Council, none responded to their letters. He requested information about any other non-affiliated HOAs or residential associations. John also emphasized that the Council’s newsletter be distributed to all member organizations’ constituents, to increase awareness of the Council’s activities.
Planning & Zoning Committee: Dave Norton and Bob Marriott are working on issues related to excessive lighting and the ongoing construction at the Hilton. They are scheduled to meet with Stephanie Johnson from the Yavapai County planning office to discuss these matters further.
Digital Media Committee: Pat Robles discussed the Digital Media Committee’s plans to formalize content management for the website and Facebook. She emphasized the need for committee chairs to update their information on the website regularly.
Verde Valley Transportation Projects Organization (VVTPO) Liaison: Jeff Swan reported on the upcoming transportation master plan for the Verde Valley and sought input on public outreach events for the plan.
Announcements:
