Big Park Council Vice President Pat Robles started the meeting at 9:00am.  She asked Supervisor Check if she had any starting comments.  Supervisor Check stated that she will hold a Town Hall in the VOC on September 10 from 4-6pm at the fire station.  She also provided a brief update on the Woods Fire, stating that sources say it is “going in a good direction”.  Discussion ensued regarding notification apps such as Watch Duty and Genasys Protect, and gratefulness to the first responders.  Pat Robles noted that District Ranger Alex Schlueter kept the Council informed via President Susan Barber during the Woods fire, which was much appreciated.There were no speakers.

Business Meeting:

1.   Roll Call:  Made by Bridget Bero at 9:10am; 15 members were present and the requirement for a quorum was met.
2.   Agenda:  Pat Robles asked if there were any changes to the agenda; there were none.  Dave Norton made a motion to approve; Paul Sullivan seconded.  The agenda was approved at 9:17am with none opposed and none abstaining.
3.    President’s Report: none.
4.   Secretary’s Report:  Bridget Bero called for changes to the Draft July BPC Meeting Minutes; there were none.  Dave Dysert made a motion to approve; Mary Pope seconded.  The minutes were approved at 9:18am with none opposed and none abstaining.  There were no changes to Reps/Alternates, but Dave Norton noted that the Rep from the Bell Rock Plaza Association has left; Bridget will follow up on a new or alternate Rep.
5.   Treasurer’s Report:  Lisa Holly reported that last month’s finances consisted of receipt of $4610 in donations for the law firm; expenses consisted of the monthly email fee, the annual post office box rental, meeting room rental that totaled $249.67, plus $2000 for the law firm.
6.   Unfinished Business: none.
7.   New Business: Pat Robles stated that a Nominating Committee for 2026 Officers needs to be formed; three members are required.  One office will need to be filled (President).  Mary Morris encouraged folks to join, as the Committee work is not considerable.  Carolyn Fisher, who has previously been on the Committee, volunteered and to serve as Chair.
8. Committee & Liaison Reports
   1. APS Subcommittee – Joe Skidmore reported on the August 5 meeting between APS and the BPC Executive Board.  He noted that APS actually thought that BPC represented a different party that they wanted to meet with, but still held the meeting when APS discovered their error.  Meeting content included:
      1. APS’s Frank Sanderson apologized for not attending the BPC neighborhood meeting back in February.
      2. APS clarified the project schedule, stating that work on the CNF will be completed in March 2026, and then work will be performed through the private properties.
      3. APS will offer compensation to property owners for the additional easement, and will resort to eminent domain proceedings if not granted.
      4. APS will no longer build a bridge over the Jack’s Canyon arroyo and will instead access that side through Hutson Ave.
      5. The install along 179 through private property will be a live install, meaning that new poles will be installed near existing poles.
      6. The pole near one property on Wild Horse Mesa Drive has to be 85’ (rather than 65’) due to proximity to the house.
      7. APS said there will be an IR camera placed on the highest pole in the Kel Fox area.
      8. The APS Project Manager Dusty Alook was surprised to hear of the BPC request to slightly curve the route of the poles along the Kel Fox and the CNF decision to allow this. BPC has also requested relocation of the high pole on the saddle, specular lines to mitigate scenic impacts, and that APS request CNF to provide a locked gate at Beaverhead Flat Rd to eliminate camping access to the area to mitigate fire danger.
      9. APS Subcommittee member Mark Matousek will follow up with APS.

Joe also reported the response of Aaron Mayville of the USFS to the FOIA request, which consisted of pointing us to a website that contained little, if any, new information. Aaron stated that email correspondence is exempt from FOIA, which likely contained the information the BPC was hoping to see. BPC has 90 days from receipt of the July 17th letter (receipt was on July 23rd) to appeal and will do so.

The Subcommittee is also reaching out to the AZ State Forester’s office so that the BPC can participate in the development of the required APS Fire Mitigation Plan that is due in April.

2. Planning & Zoning:
   1. Mary Morris reported on the Big Park Water / Little Park Water consolidation and rate increase.  Prior to consolidation, proposed increases are 27.9% for Little Park and 23.5% for Big Park; post-consolidation, proposed increases are 1% and 24.3%.  These increases are based on the smallest meter / lowest usages; larger meters / higher usage tiers will see higher increases.  The last horse boarding facility in the area is facing a 250% increase equaling thousands of dollars.  The ACC will accept public comments until August 25th on the rate increase request via https://www.azcc.gov/hearing/efiling.  To date, one letter and eight online comments opposing the increase has been submitted, out of more than 3.300 users.  The ACC will meet on this issue on October 27; live public comments can be made that day in person or via telephone.  Mary stressed that letters are the most influential factor for the ACC and that limited opposition may be interpreted as community support.
   2. Carolyn Fisher brought up the 45% AZ Water rate increase due to the new tank, commenting that Big Park users should not be subject to the rate increase, as they have no representation in Sedona city decisions.  Mary Morris stated that the property used for the new AZ Water tank was in litigation for years and that the ACC has stated that the rate increase applies only to Sedona City limits.  Supervisor Nikki Check will follow up on this issue for Big Park users.
   3. The BPC plans to request speakers from both Big Park/Little Park Water and AZ Water to attend a future meeting.
3. Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization:  Jeff Swan reported that in the October meeting of the VVTPO, VOC citizens will be able to present issues of concern that ADOT should address (transit, pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle); he requested input.  Supervisor Check noted that due to a vacation schedule with members from the Verde Valley, the VOC opportunity to present had already happened, and that the next opportunity will be in 2026.  Supervisor Check stated that the VVTPO meetings have significantly changed their format so that communities can provide input on a rotating basis so that all priorities are heard.  She also stated that, regarding the traffic congestion issue, work in other communities may affect our area, and that she will report on the status of other projects in the future.  Dave Norton expressed frustration with getting ADOT personnel to respond to requests about the I17 and Hwy 179 interchange.  Mary Pope stated that the Pine Valley alternate route issue is for a fire escape for the residents, not simply a traffic issue.  Mary Morris suggested contacting our state representatives regarding lack of responsiveness regarding the I17 interchange.  She made a motion reconfirming the existing BPC position and previous research/report so that BPC Representatives can continue to advocate with ADOT about the I17 interchange; John Wichert seconded.  The motion was approved with 13 yes votes, 0 no votes and 1 abstention (Las Piedras) at 10:03am.  Pat Robles will discuss this matter with President Susan Barber regarding next steps.
4. USFS:  Bob Marriott was not present so there was no report.
11.   Announcements: none.

The business meeting was adjourned at 10:05am.

Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Bero
Recording Secretary

The Council then reconvened in Executive Session with only Representatives and Alternate Representatives present.

Reminders:

Sedona, Arizona 86341