Category Archives: Coconino County

Lake Mary Road Reconstruction Project starts next month

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FLAGSTAFF — The contractor for the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFL) will break ground Monday, May, 8 on an $8.2 million renovation project on Lake Mary Road.

Crews have mobilized and are ready to start construction. Electronic message boards are in place on both sides of the project corridor. Work is scheduled during daylight hours, Monday – Saturday. Flaggers, signage and other traffic control measures will be in place and pilot cars will also be used to guide vehicles through the construction zone.

Drivers along Lake Mary Road should expect delays of up to 30 minutes and are encouraged to use extra caution and obey posted speed limits though the construction zone.

The CFL-managed Lake Mary Road Reconstruction Project includes widening five miles of the roadway for multimodal use, which will help the Lake Mary Road Corridor become an international destination for major cycling and triathlon events.

The five miles of widening will be between milepost 312.5 and milepost 317.5. Another two miles of Lake Mary Road between mileposts 310 and 312.5 will be milled and overlaid. In addition, the superstructure and decking of the Willow Valley Creek Bridge at milepost 297.5 will be replaced. The project is expected to be completed this fall, weather permitting.

A key route between Flagstaff and Payson, Lake Mary Road is a vital economic generator. Between 1,200 and 1,300 vehicles travel the road each day. It is also a high-use recreational corridor with access to camping, hiking, hunting fishing, road and mountain biking, cross-country skiing and wildlife watching. In 2015 the U.S. Forest Service estimated that 70 percent of all travel along the road was for recreation including a daily average of 161 bicyclists.

The Lake Mary Road Reconstruction Project is largely funded by a Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) grant that was awarded in April 2013. The County’s portion of the project is being funded by Proposition 403 revenues. CFL awarded the contract for the project to Glendale, AZ-based Stormwater Plans, LLC earlier this month.

Grand Canyon Unified School District seeking Governing Board applicants

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to the Grand Canyon Unified School District Governing Board. Effective May 4, one seat became vacant due to the resignation of Jennifer Allen.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses can’t be an employee of the district.

Application information:

An advisory committee, consisting of district residents and a current board member will be assembled to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent VanderWey on the appointments.

For more information, please call the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928-679-8070 or e-mail: rvanderwey@coconino.az.gov.

Superior Court hosts Law Day

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Superior Court and DNA Legal Services are hosting Law Day at the Coconino County Courthouse. The proceedings will begin at 8:45 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2017.

This year’s theme is “The Fourteenth Amendment: Transforming American Democracy.” The theme provides an opportunity to explore the ways the Fourteenth Amendment has shaped American law and society. During Law Day, legal professionals and community leaders educate students on how the Fourteenth Amendment contributes to the freedoms and equal protection for all Americans. The theme is selected by the American Bar Association each year.

Throughout the day, local middle and high school students will participate in Moot Courts. Students prepare, present and argue cases with the assistance of local attorneys in front of a Superior Court Judge.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation during the April 18 regular meeting declaring May 5, 2017 as Law Day in the County. This was in accordance with the nationally recognized day for commemoration.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in all activities for this year’s Law Day.

Board of Supervisors participates in meeting hosted by Department of Interior

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors participated in a meeting hosted by the Department of the Interior on Wednesday, April 12 in Washington, D.C. focused on the impact of the premature closure of the Navajo Generating Station (NGS).

Closure of NGS will not only impact the Navajo Nation and Coconino County but will have significant downstream impacts on Arizona’s economy. It is estimated that over 3,100 jobs will be lost when NGS is closed. In addition to these job losses, this closure will negatively affect the revenue used to support critical services to the region including law enforcement and court services, and core public health and education services.

“Closing NGS will greatly affect schools, hospitals, libraries and public services across the region. Our special districts rely on these funds to provide services to the most vulnerable populations,” said Supervisor Lena Fowler. “We are encouraged by the participation of Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke at Wednesday’s meeting and that this issue is receiving appropriate attention in Washington. Everyone at the table understands the full impact that closing NGS will have. We are committed to making sure these impacts are understood and all partners work together to find solutions.”

“We support Navajo Nation President Begay and the Salt River Project in their work to renew the lease agreement to keep the Station in operation through 2019” said Supervisor Jim Parks. “That will give us time to breath and design education and agricultural opportunities in order to re-direct employment options for the Navajo Nation, Hopi and all those who will be impacted by the closure.”

The Board of Supervisors remains committed to working with its partners to ensure an extension of the operation of NGS and subsequent decommissioning of the plant to allow for a measured transition of the area’s economy.

Coconino County Teacher of the Year finalists announced

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left to right: Jillian Worssam, Sara Zsenai and Angela Buzan

FLAGSTAFF — The office of the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools has announced the 2017 Teacher of the Year finalists.

“The three Teacher of the Year finalists are Angela Buzan of Coconino High School, Jillian Worssam of Sinagua Middle School, and Sara Zsenai of Cromer Elementary School,” said Superintendent of Schools, Risha VanderWey. “I look forward to announcing the winner later this month in a ceremony celebrating the great achievements of all our teachers and staff.”

The fifth annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year Ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 19 at the High Country Conference Center, Flagstaff, AZ. Teacher of the Year (TOY) is the only countywide teacher recognition program that spotlights the contributions of state-accredited, full-time, public and charter school educators teaching pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.

To be eligible for the TOY title, nominated teachers must personally complete an in-depth, multiple essay question application and submit it with three letters of support. A panel of judges score the applications using a rubric and group discussion to determine the top six candidates to interview. Next, the judges discuss, score, and determine the three finalists. The finalists are recognized and awarded cash prizes worth a total of $3000.

The winner will also receive a complimentary one year lease of a 2017 Toyota Tacoma from Findlay Toyota of Flagstaff. This event is funded entirely through sponsorships of local and statewide businesses, and community members.

Courthouse and Administrative Space RFI Open House

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff are inviting the public to a joint Community Open House regarding the Courthouse and Administrative Space Project Request for Information (RFI).

The Community Open House will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the project, view maps and fill out comment cards with their ideas on the project. County and City staff will be in attendance to answer questions and provide additional information.

The RFI is the first in a multi-step process. Area residents, downtown business owners, community partners, developers, contractors and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate and bring forth ideas.

For more information on the RFI, please go to www.coconino.az.gov/developrfi.

Board of Supervisors adopt National Park Improvement Resolution

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution this week supporting the use of county resources for infrastructure improvements in the United States’ National Parks.

In 2016, the National Park Service estimated a deferred maintenance backlog of nearly $460 million in Coconino County, including necessary repairs to the visitor centers, aging historical structures, trails, sewers, drainage, roads, bridges, tunnels and other vital infrastructure of the county’s six National Parks, Monuments and Recreation Areas.

“The Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance and value of National Parks to both the county and our many visitors,” said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Liz Archuleta. “Our goal with approving this resolution is that we can help support the necessary maintenance and improvements of these areas.”

Coconino County hosted more than seven million visitors to its National Parks in 2015. These visits brought an estimated $932 million in revenue to local communities adjacent to national parks in the State of Arizona.

“Coconino County’s economic foundation is built on visitation to National Parks, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas and public lands,” said Supervisor Art Babbott. “By adequately funding critical infrastructure- water lines, roads wastewater- we can strengthen our economies, improve visitor experience to these wondrous places and protect these landscapes for future generations.”

The County will forward on the resolution to Congressional representatives and the National Association of Counties to do further advocacy during federal budget negotiations.

Flagstaff Unified School District seeking Governing Board applicants

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board. Effective April 12, one seat will become vacant due to the resignation of Kim Khatibi.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses can’t be an employee of the district.

Application information:

  • Download the application here http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
  • Deadline to submit is 5 p.m., Thursday, April 27.
  • Submit by email kgraves@coconino.az.gov (Live signature original required)
  • Submit by fax 928-526-1469 (Live signature original required)
  • Mail/drop off Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N. Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

An advisory committee, consisting of district residents and a current board member will be assembled to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent VanderWey on the appointment. Appointment term will end on Dec. 31, 2018.

For more information, please call Kim Graves at the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928 679-8070 or e-mail: kgraves@coconino.az.gov.

County/City release Courthouse and Administrative Space Project RFI

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff are issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to seek ideas and opportunities related to the development of a City and County downtown courthouse and additional administrative spaces.

The RFI is the first of a multi-step process. The RFI asks the public to help bring forth ideas. Area residents, downtown business owners, community partners, developers, contractors and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate.

“This is an open and transparent process that will allow the private sector, community and partners to weigh in on the Courthouse Development and Administrative Space Project,” stated Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Liz Archuleta. “We want to make sure every step is deliberately taken to ensure the needs of our community are met in any courthouse development project. Coconino County has had success with previous public/private partnerships. This could be another opportunity to optimize resources on behalf of our mutual constituents.”

Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff are considering new approaches to leverage existing assets and engage the private sector for ideas. The collaboration between the County and the City for the project is intended to save taxpayer dollars and increase parking in downtown Flagstaff.

In November 2016 City of Flagstaff voters passed Prop 412 which authorized $12 million in bonds to construct a courthouse and parking facility. Mayor Coral Evans said, “We are extremely excited to move this process forward and implement the voters’ decision to build a new courthouse and parking garage. Joint collaboration between the City and County enhances this endeavor and our ability to utilize resources collectively creates cost efficiency.”

There will be a pre-submittal briefing tour at 10 a.m., April 8 at the Coconino County Administrative Center, 219 East Cherry Avenue. All RFI information is due at 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 3 at the Coconino County Purchasing Office, 219 E. Cherry Ave. Flagstaff. The RFI will not be an obligation on the part of the partnership to enter into any agreement.

For more information contact the Coconino County Purchasing Office at 928-679-7191 and visit www.coconino.az.gov/Bids.aspx and follow the directions to submit a response to the Request for Information (RFI 2017-01) Optimization of the Court Expansion Facility and Private Sector Development Opportunity.

JLUS Policy Committee awarded Department of Defense Joint Land Use Study Grant

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FLAGSTAFF – The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment has awarded a $532,700 grant to Coconino County for a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), which provides recommendations for land uses that are compatible with the missions of military installations while also supporting economic development and community values.

In June 2016, Coconino County convened a JLUS Policy Committee, chaired by Flagstaff City Councilmember Celia Barotz, with stakeholders from the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, State of Arizona Departments, U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Army National Guard Camp Navajo, U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Northern Arizona University, Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA), Lowell Observatory, developers, and local businesses and civic associations. The Policy Committee met several times to determine the scope of study for the grant application.

“I extend my sincere thanks to Coconino County for taking the lead on this important planning effort; the stakeholders who are members of the Policy Committee for engaging in this effort thus far; and the DoD Office of Economic Adjustment for awarding the grant for the study. As the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County grow, it’s essential that we plan now to try and minimize future land use conflicts around our local military installations,” said JLUS Policy Committee Chair Flagstaff City Councilmember Celia Barotz.

“We appreciate that the DoD Office of Economic Adjustment saw the value in this project and awarded this grant,” said Supervisor Ryan. “This grant will allow the Policy Committee to study the best uses for this land and determine what is in the best interest of our community while fulfilling the missions of our military installations.”

The grant will be used to hire a consultant who will conduct the study that will identify land uses that are compatible with United States Naval Observatory, Flagstaff Station and the Arizona National Guard Camp Navajo in Bellemont. Additional objectives of the study include increasing public awareness of the military missions and improving communications between the military and community stakeholders.

“This is a fine example of many partners coming together to work on a joint project. I thank my colleagues Supervisors Art Ryan and Art Babbott, and all the staff for their effort on this project. Their hard work and determination in assembling the JLUS Policy Committee and drafting the application made this grant possible,” stated Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “I look forward to the process unfolding and the final recommendations.”