Monthly Archives: January 2017

Arizona Senate confirms reappointment of Kurt Davis to Game and Fish Commission

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Senate on Jan. 25 confirmed Gov. Doug Ducey’s reappointment of Kurt Davis as a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Davis is currently finishing a five-year term that began after his appointment in 2011 by then-Governor Jan Brewer. He served as commission chair in fiscal year 2016.

“Kurt has admirably served the commission, Arizona’s wildlife and the people of Arizona,” said Governor Ducey. “He is well versed in wildlife and outdoor recreation issues and is a strong advocate for the state’s wildlife management authorities. His extensive experience in government, communications and business will continue to be a tremendous asset.”

“Serving on a commission dedicated to conserving and protecting Arizona’s wildlife—more than 800 species—is an honor of a lifetime,” said Commissioner Davis. “I look forward to continuing help set policy for the nation’s premier wildlife agency and representing our constituents.”

An avid hunter and angler, Davis is a founding partner at FirstStrategic, a communications and public affairs firm specializing in strategic public policy development for non-profit clients, issues relating to rural Arizona, and government relations. Prior to forming FirstStrategic, he served as vice president of public affairs and marketing at Northern Arizona University and before that was vice president of public affairs and corporate communications at Rural/Metro Corporation.

Davis previously served as a deputy chief of staff and executive assistant in the office of former Arizona Governor Fife Symington. In that role, he had policy responsibility for executive agencies such as the departments of transportation, corrections, state land, game and fish, and others. He has also served as director of intergovernmental affairs and issues analysis at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and executive director of the Arizona Republican Party.

Davis was appointed to several positions in the Reagan administration and served as a gubernatorial appointment to the Arizona Board of Regents, the Vision 21 Transportation Task Force, and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. He received a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University in 1984.

He is active in the community and has served on the boards of directors of Great Hearts Academies, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and Arizona State University’s Ramsey Executive Program for Public Policy.

Lucinda Andreani named County Public Works Director

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Manager Cynthia Seelhammer named Lucinda Andreani as the Director of Public Works. Andreani served as the Deputy Director of Public Works from 2011 to 2016 and became the Interim Director in August, 2016.

Andreani, a Flagstaff resident for almost 20 years, has been working with Coconino County in various capacities for the past 12 years. She led the County’s efforts to mitigate the severe impacts of the Schultz fire and ensuing floods, and was instrumental to the voter education efforts for both the increase in the Jail District’s sales tax in 2006 and the Road Maintenance Sales Tax, Prop. 403 in 2014, both of which passed with strong voter support.

“We’re very excited Lucinda will continue her decorated career with Coconino County as the Public Works Director,” said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, Liz Archuleta. “She is a dedicated public servant and an extremely hard worker. She is an invaluable and an active member of this community and is always working for the best interests of Coconino County residents.”

The Public Works Director oversees multiple operations within the County including Road Maintenance and Engineering Divisions, and oversees over 110 employees with an annual budget of approximately $20 million. The Director also manages the County’s Solid Waste services, the County’s equipment and vehicle fleet, the Flood Control District and the Kachina Village Improvement District.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Lucinda continue her excellent work with the County as Public Works Director,” stated County Manager Seelhammer. “The County is always looking for new and efficient ways to improve the lives of its residents. Lucinda is creative and embodies the diversity of ideas we look for. She is a proven leader with the skills and expertise to manage any challenges we face.”

Andreani has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management with an Emphasis in Environmental Policy from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. Prior to joining the County, she was a leader in the energy industry working with a major utility and an energy corporation, and with her own consulting business, served large energy users across the country.

Since she came to Flagstaff, she has served on several local boards such as the Flagstaff Leadership Program and the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. She currently represents the County in an advisory role with the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization and Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to continue my career with Coconino County as the Public Works Director,” said Andreani. “I am honored to serve the residents of Coconino County and the men and women of this department who are incredibly dedicated to public service. As Director, I will ensure we continue to provide effective and high quality services to the residents of Coconino County.”

Public Works’ mission is to improve community connectivity, economic vitality, and enhanced quality of life, benefiting our current residents and future generations.

Several Recent Multi-Agency Winter Related Rescues in Northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue Unit responded to five snow related rescues over this past weekend.

On Friday January 20, 2017 deputies responded to a female in medical distress who was stranded in the snow when the all-terrain vehicle she and her companion were driving became stuck in the snow. The female and her male friend had gone for an ATV ride off Slayton Ranch Road north east of Flagstaff when they got their UTV stuck in deep snow on a hill. The couple had a disagreement and the male walked away to get help.

The female who was pregnant and had other medical conditions began to suffer from hypothermia and experience various degrees of consciousness. Deputies aided by citizens with ATV’s attempted to reach the female victim, but were unsuccessful due to the deep snow. A deputy was able to hike to the female and began to render aid until Search and Rescue personnel and a medic from Guardian Ambulance were able to get to the victim by way of a specialized tracked UTV. The female was transported to a waiting ground ambulance and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center where she was admitted for treatment of hypothermia.

On Saturday January 21, 2017 Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded to a subject who had become stuck in chest deep snow while snowboarding in the back county on the south side of the San Francisco Peaks. Two ski patrol personnel from the Arizona Snowbowl responded from the top of the mountain with snowshoes, while nine Search and Rescue volunteers responded from the Kachina Trail. Ski patrol made contact with the victim and were able to assist him down the mountain to the Freidlein Prairie Road to Search and Rescue’s waiting snow cat. The subject was transported back to the Snowbowl and re-united with his party.

On Sunday January 22, 2017 Coconino County Deputies and Search and Rescue began a search for two overdue snowmobilers in the Jacob Lake area. Two subjects had checked into Jacob Lake Lodge and left the area for a snowmobile trip to an unknown destination. When the subjects had not returned by late that evening, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted. Deputies contacted a flight crew from Classic Air Medical out of Page who were in Flagstaff at the time. The flight crew agreed to fly the Jacob Lake area on their trip back to their base.

The flight crew located two snowmobiles headed toward Jacob Lake on the Ryan Road. The subjects made it back to Jacob Lake prior to sunrise. They reported they snowmobiled to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, but on the return trip they encountered deep snow. Their snowmobiles became stuck in the deep snow requiring them to dig out the machines and delaying their return. Neither of them required medical attention.

On Monday January 23, 2017 the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a snowboarder who was in the back country and had suffered a possible broken leg. The subject left the ski area of the Arizona Snowbowl and entered the back country on the south side of the San Francisco Peaks. The subject jumped an unknown object and fractured his leg. Four ski patrollers from Arizona Snowbowl and 13 Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the area.

The ski patrol descended from the top of the mountain with a toboggan while Search and Rescue responded from Freidlein Prairie Road in a snow cat. Ski patrol located the victim, provided initial treatment and prepared the subject for transport. Search and Rescue personnel hiked uphill from Freidlein Prairie to break trail for the ski patrol’s descent. The patient was safely transported by toboggan to the Search and Rescue snow cat and transported to a waiting ambulance.

Monday January 23, 2017 evening, the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded to assist the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS) with a tour bus that had become stuck in mud just off the highway. Around 4:00 PM the AZ DPS received a call of a tour bus stuck just off Hwy 180 on Forest Road 417. Troopers responded to the area and found the bus driver had followed his GPS directing an alternate route to Page, AZ. The bus became stuck in the mud about four miles off the highway. The bus was fully loaded with 45 tourists from South Korea. Highway 180 was closed at the time due to drifting snow in Kendrick Park.

The rescue of the tourists was further affected by one of the series of snow storms that hit the area around 5:00 PM. The storm resulted in a quick accumulation of six to eight inches of snow in the area. DPS began shuttling the tourists to a staging area near the highway using several of their four wheel drive patrol vehicles. A citizen also assisted in shuttling the bus passengers. Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue arranged for a bus and three employees from the Williams Unified School District to transport the tourists to a local motel.

Coconino Sheriff’s Office Coordinates Rescue of Sky Divers at Grand Canyon

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GRAND CANYON – At 1:20 pm Friday January 27, 2017, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport tower to report that two parachutists became stranded in deep snow in the forest.

The two individuals, a student and a sky dive instructor from Paragon Sky Dive, made a jump from 15,000 feet. They were approximately 2 miles off their intended landing zone but were able to land in the forest south of the airport where they encountered deep snow. The ground speed wind at the time was reported at 11.25 mph and the wind chill was 18 degrees.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, National Park Service Rangers, and a backhoe requested by airport staff responded to the area. The backhoe became stuck in the snow and was unable to access the subjects. The Park Service launched their helicopter and located the subjects. The Park Service air crew determined they did not need any medical assistance and flew them back to the South Rim.

Sheriff’s Deputies interviewed the instructor and student. The instructor reported the two had jumped in tandem. The instructor said he had mistakenly jumped too early causing them to miss their landing zone. They walked in the snow approximately ¾ of mile before the helicopter located them. Both subjects reported they were wet and cold due to the type of clothing and footwear they had.

Winter Storms Leave People in Need of Rescue

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ASH FORK – On January 27, 2017 at approximately 10:00 am, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a call from a citizen advising that he was assisting residents of the Westwood Ranch Subdivision who had become isolated due to the recent winter storms.

The citizen was attempting to bring food, water, and gas supplies using a large military type vehicle. He had become stuck in the snow and unable to proceed. He had reported that one of the individuals he was attempting to help was a female having a diabetic emergency living in an RV on Flat Tank Road.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Search and Rescue personnel began response to the area to make an assessment. It was confirmed through telephone contact with the woman in medical need that she did need immediate medical attention.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue was requested to respond due to an extended ground response and unknown road conditions. Air Rescue landed nearby the woman’s residence and airlifted her to the Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

Personnel are still in the process of conducting this rescue and distributing the supplies to the location on Flat Tank Road. Coconino Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue ground personnel are responding in a matt-tracked vehicle to assist in the rescue of the original reporting party whose vehicle had become disabled.

The man and two others with him are sheltered in place in a nearby residence awaiting rescue.

Don’t let GPS, navigation apps replace common sense when you pick a route

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PHOENIX – When a highway closes or you’re just looking for possible routes, it’s natural to consult a navigation app or GPS unit. But drivers need to apply common sense to a computer’s suggestions, starting with not taking buses and other vehicles that aren’t up to the task down unpaved roads.

Since State Route 64 closed due to heavy snow between Grand Canyon Village and Grand Canyon National Park’s east entrance, a large bus, a smaller bus and at least two passenger vehicles carrying tourists have gotten stuck on a forest road heading east from US 180 between Valle and Flagstaff toward US 89.

While tow trucks were able to free the other vehicles free and get them headed back to US 180, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with help from an Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow, had to rescue 45 people from the tour bus as Monday’s snowstorm moved in. The driver of the bus, which was bound for Page, said his GPS unit recommended taking the forest road.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office receives many calls throughout the year from motorists who get stuck following suggested alternate routes onto unpaved roads. It’s a big concern for ADOT during the winter, when snowstorms can cause sudden and prolonged highway closures.

“Sticking to the main highways is a driver’s best bet, especially during snowstorms,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “Our snowplow crews are out clearing these roads around the clock along with patrols from the Department of Public Safety and ADOT’s motor-assist vehicles. Don’t follow an alternate route that’s not regularly plowed during winter storms.”

Earlier this winter, a Pennsylvania family wanting to see Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim got stranded following forest roads suggested as an alternate route to State Route 67, which closes for the winter along with park facilities. A woman suffered frostbite walking 26 miles trying to get help, while her husband eventually was able to call rescuers by climbing high enough to get a cellphone signal.

Sgt. Aaron Dick, search-and-rescue coordinator for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, said if a suggested road becomes rough or difficult to navigate the best thing to do is turn around. Motorists also can prevent problems by understanding the settings on their GPS units or navigation apps, starting with making sure they are ranking alternate routes by “shortest time” rather than “shortest distance.”

“The shortest-distance setting will connect roads in the GPS unit’s inventory to create the shortest route without knowing the status or condition of the roads,” he said. “The shortest-time setting will generally keep the driver on paved or well-maintained roads.

Drivers heading to northern Arizona should do their research on road conditions by checking az511.gov and ADOT’s social media accounts on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT). They also should consult ADOT’s tips for winter driving at azdot.gov/KnowSnow, including:

  • Tell someone where you are going, your intended route and your expected arrival time.
  • Bring extra clothing and gloves, make sure the gas tank is half to three-quarters full at all times, keep cellphones charged, and pack extra drinking water, snacks and all necessary medications.
  • Pack an emergency kit that includes blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand or cat litter for traction and warning lights or reflectors.

Great weather . . . great hunting!

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PHOENIX — A week’s worth of gray skies has given way to wall-to-wall sunshine. The rain puddles are long gone. The air is crisp, clean, refreshing.

While snow still might be piled high in some places around Arizona, it’s a great time – no, the perfect time – to head for the backcountry in lower elevations and take advantage of some great hunting opportunities.

But hunters need to get going. The general waterfowl season in the “Desert Zone” ends Sunday, Jan. 29. The last day to use “over the counter” archery-only nonpermit-tags for any antlered deer and spring javelina is Tuesday, Jan. 31. And the general season for Gambel’s, scaled, California and Mearns’ quail closes Feb. 12.

Don’t forget about the general spring javelina season. As of Monday, Jan. 23:

193 leftover hunt permit-tags were available for handgun, archery and muzzleloader (HAM) spring hunts that begin Feb. 10.
183 hunt permit-tags remained for general spring hunts that begin Feb. 24.

All of the leftover hunt permit-tags are available on a “first-come” basis. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted online a list of the leftover hunt permit-tags. Hunters can apply one of two ways: Fill out a paper application and bring it to any department office statewide, at which time a hunt permit-tag will be issued, or mail the completed application to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.

ADEQ Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program Recognizes New Achievers

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the addition of nine new participants in the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP), bringing the number of organizations demonstrating its value to 40. For ADEQ’s VESP, this is just the beginning – we want to recognize every deserving voluntary effort each Arizona business, municipality, school and non-profit is contributing to enhancing and protecting our communities’ health and environment.

ADEQ’s VESP encourages environmentally responsible economic growth and incentivizes Arizona businesses and other organizations demonstrating effective environmental practices to find more ways they can benefit from these actions, which also protect public health and the environment.

Simple and innovative voluntary actions stimulate VESP participants’ opportunities for less burdensome regulations and achieve positive outcomes for our communities, which deserve recognition. In addition to showcasing VESP participants’ achievements, program benefits can include:

  • Coordination of multiple on-site inspections
  • Reduced reporting requirements
  • Advance notification of inspections and enforcement rulings

“Arizona’s 50th Legislature passed the bipartisan-supported bill establishing the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program, encouraging ourselves to be ever-forward looking…the essence of which is the very embodiment of VESP,” said former Arizona state legislator, Hon. Amanda A. Reeve. “Many Arizona businesses, entities and organizations are invested in the health and responsible economic growth of our community; thus voluntarily endeavor to implement conservation and sustainable measures that go above and beyond environmental law requirements. ADEQ’s VESP recognizes these achievements and encourages continual implementation of innovative environmental stewardship practices. Through the community’s leadership, ADEQ will continue to grow VESP far beyond the already impressive participation of 40 entities.”

The VESP awards five levels of recognition (Copper through Platinum) and is proud to recognize the following new participants: Visit http://www.azdeq.gov/other/VESP today to learn more about the VESP and submit your application (http://bit.ly/2VESPApp) to earn recognition your organization deserves.

New verification method means veteran specialty plates may now be ordered online

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PHOENIX – Ordering a veteran specialty license plate no longer requires standing in line at an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office. With the introduction of a new electronic affidavit system to verify a veteran’s status, plates may now be ordered at ServiceArizona.com, skipping the office visit.

“As MVD continues to be ahead of the curve by improving customer service, this is one of the more gratifying changes we’ve made,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “MVD is proud to provide these plates to honor our veterans, and it’s very important to make it as easy as possible for our customers get out of line and safely on the road.”

Under state law, only veterans and their immediate family members may apply for a veteran plate. Until now, this plate could only be ordered in person at an MVD or Authorized Third Party location where the applicant would have to show veteran status documentation.

To allow for online ordering, MVD developed an electronic affidavit system that the applicant must initial before the transaction can be completed. MVD has also established an auditing compliance system to review applications to ensure that only those who are legally eligible receive the plate.

Each month, more than 1,200 applications for these plates are processed at MVD offices. Allowing this transaction to be done online will not only allow customers to order the plate at their convenience, but will reduce the amount of customer traffic at MVD offices.

In fiscal year 2016, veteran plates generated just over $1.2 million for a special veterans fund administered by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.

For more information on specialty plates, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.

ADOT begins updating goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun the process of updating its goal for the percentage value of federal-aid contract dollars won by firms certified for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

To do so, the agency has retained Keen Independent Research to develop a draft study on the availability of disadvantaged business enterprises in Arizona. This availability study will be completed in May and released for public review and comment along with ADOT’s proposed participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises.

Every three years, ADOT must submit to the Federal Highway Administration an overall annual participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises, expressed as a percentage of dollars going to certified firms from contracts using U.S. Department of Transportation funds.

Two public meetings on the proposed goal will be held in June, with public comments to be accepted through the end of June. The new goal, which must be submitted this summer, will go into effect on Oct. 1.

As part of this process, ADOT will seek comments on the proposed participation goal, the draft availability study, the conditions for minority- and women-owned firms in the Arizona transportation contracting marketplace, and other topics. All public comments will be reviewed before ADOT submits its final goal request to the Federal Highway Administration.

Through federal fiscal year 2017, ADOT has an overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal of 8.9 percent for contracts using Federal Highway Administration funds, setting contract-specific goals on some of its federally funded contracts to help meet the goal. During the past two fiscal years, ADOT has exceeded its goal.

ADOT will also use results of the availability study results to develop new overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals for its contracts funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.

ADOT is briefing industry groups about the availability study and the goal-setting process and will provide regular updates on the process through the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance website, azdot.gov/BECO.