Tag Archives: Public Input

ADOT conducting public survey about I-17 speed limit in Phoenix

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has launched a public survey to gather input about the speed limit along a stretch of Interstate 17 in Phoenix, in accordance with a new state law.

ADOT has commissioned an independent study to determine an appropriate speed limit for I-17 between the I-10 “Split” interchange near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Peoria Avenue. The speed limit for that part of I-17 is currently 55 mph.

You can take part in the online survey from now through Saturday, Sept. 30, at https://tinyurl.com/I-17speedlimits; by email at projects@azdot.gov); and by phone at 1.855.712.8530. Comments also can be mailed to: I-17 Speed Limit Study, ADOT Community Relations, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

The speed study follows passage of legislation (SB 1102) that calls for a minimum speed limit of 65 mph on any interstate highway in counties with a population of 3 million or more people.

SB 1102 also stipulates that a lower speed limit can be set if certain conditions are met, including:

  • A lower limit is deemed necessary based on an independent engineering study or roadway assessment.
  • The overall system capacity and mobility along the freeway will not be reduced.
  • An opportunity for public input is provided.

The I-17 speed limit study is scheduled for completion in mid-October.

Public Input Sought for Amendments to County Dark Sky Ordinance

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is asking for the public’s input into proposed amendments to the County’s Outdoor Lighting Standards Zoning Ordinance, commonly known as the Dark Sky Ordinance. These amendments were recommended by the County’s Community Development staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission after recent studies suggested the Ordinance be brought up to date with current lighting technology, and to mirror standards already implemented by the City of Flagstaff.
The significant amendments to the Ordinance include:

  • Reducing the three current lighting zones around observatories to two zones.
  • Changing the preferred lighting source from outdated low-pressure sodium bulbs to Narrow-Spectrum Amber LED’s.
  • While any previously permitted lighting remains valid, any 25% increase in use, new development, or lumens on existing residential property will require compliance with the new standards.

Before the next work session or public hearing, the Board would like to hear comment from County residents regarding these proposed amendments. Members of the public can view the proposed changes to the ordinance and comment here: https://coconinocounty.konveio.com/draft-dark-sky-ordinance

“As we’ve seen, dark skies are a resource to Coconino County, not only for our observatories but also for recreation,” commented Chair Jeronimo Vasquez. “It’s great to see new amendments to our standards for lighting in the County and I look forward to our next public hearing.”

Since a cooperative land use planning effort between the County, City of Flagstaff, Naval Observatory, and Arizona Army National Guard Camp Navajo was implemented in 2019, each partner has been tasked with upgrading their respective outdoor lighting standards to ensure consistency, to move away from obsolete technologies, and modernize measurement of absolute lumens to account for increased use of LED lighting.

The County’s ordinance, in place since the early 1980’s, was originally developed to minimize what is known as “light trespass” across private property lines but has also been utilized to minimize light pollution that disrupts observations of the night sky. Coconino County is home to multiple observatory sites, including Lowell Observatory and the United States Naval Observatory, which rely on consistent dark sky conditions to conduct their observations.

Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Board Proposal to Incur Long-Term Debt

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FLAGSTAFF — In June, The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) will be considering a long-term debt proposal in Coconino County.

The long-term debt will be used to finance the costs of road, transportation, and public safety projects in and for the County, acquisition of equipment, land and buildings, and construction, maintenance and improvements to County facilities, properties, and infrastructure.

The total estimated financing cost will be $89.9 million consisting of an estimated principal amount of $80 million and total estimated interest of $9.9 million.

The public hearing is scheduled to take place during the Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., Arizona time. The Supervisors will hear this item as part of a public hearing during the regularly scheduled meeting via webinar technology using Zoom Teleconference.

The Board will receive oral comments at the hearing and will receive written comments at any time before 8:00 a.m., Arizona time, on the day which the resolution of intention with respect to the Agreement will be considered, which will be no earlier than June 21, 2023.

The Board’s mailing address is:
Coconino County Board of Supervisors
c/o Lindsay Daley, Clerk of the Board
219 E. Cherry Ave.
Flagstaff, Ariz. 86001

Written comments may also be submitted to the Clerk of the Board at boardcomments@coconino.az.gov. Residents must include their full name for their written comments to be considered.

The full text of the Public Notice follows below:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA, TO INCUR A LONG-TERM
OBLIGATION NOT SECURED BY THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF SUCH COUNTY

 

For purposes of Section 11-391, Arizona Revised Statutes, the Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) of Coconino County, Arizona (the “County”), will hold a public hearing on June 6, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., Arizona time, via webinar technology using Zoom (Zoom information below), regarding a purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) to be secured by a pledge of the revenues from excise taxes that the County now or hereafter levies, except for any taxes hereafter levied for an inconsistent purpose; excise taxes and transaction privilege (sales) taxes imposed and collected by the State of Arizona (the “State”), or any agency thereof, and returned, allocated or apportioned to the County, except the County’s share of any such taxes which by State law, rule or regulation must be expended for other purposes; vehicle license taxes distributed or deposited to the County’s general fund; and amounts remitted to the County by the U.S. Department of Interior (or any successor entity) pursuant to the federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, to finance the costs of road, transportation and public safety projects in and for the County, acquisition of equipment, land and buildings, and construction, maintenance and improvements to County facilities, properties and infrastructure.  (More detail about the foregoing will be provided in analysis provided to the Board at the hereinafter described hearing.)  The Agreement is estimated to be in the principal amount of $80,000,000 and, with total estimated interest of $9,941,153, to have a total estimated financing cost of $89,941,153.

The Board will receive oral comments at the hearing and will receive written comments at any time before 8:00 a.m., Arizona time, on the day on which the resolution of intention with respect to the Agreement will be considered, which will be no earlier than June 21, 2023.  The Board’s mailing address is Coconino County Board of Supervisors, c/o Lindsay Daley, Clerk of the Board, 219 E. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, Arizona 86001.  Written comments may also be submitted to the Clerk of the Board at boardcomments@coconino.az.gov.  Please include your full name with the written comment.

To join the Zoom meeting, please use the following url: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83163671115

Or Telephone: Dial 888 788 0099 (Toll Free), Webinar ID: 831 6367 1115.

Additional information regarding meetings of the Board can be found at the following url: https://www.coconino.az.gov/AgendaCenter.

Dated: May 21, 2023
Lindsay Daley
Clerk, Board of Supervisors

Editor Recommendation: If you use the ZOOM method, use a computer without a camera, disconnect plug-in cameras, disable or cover any built-in cameras. Disconnect microphones unless you plan to speak. Make sure your anti-virus is up-to-date.

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.

Kaibab National Forest seeks public input on Town of Tusayan Proposed Roadway Easements

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TUSAYAN — The Kaibab National Forest is seeking comments on a proposal to provide roadway and utility easements across National Forest System lands to the Town of Tusayan. The public scoping period will run for 40 days through June 2.

The easements, if approved, would allow the Town to make improvements to segments of existing forest roads and construct new segments to provide all weather access and utility service to two inholding properties within the Kaibab National Forest that are in the incorporated limits of the Town. The Ten-X Ranch and Kotzin Ranch properties are not owned or managed by the federal government but are surrounded by federal lands administered by the Kaibab National Forest. The only access to the Ten-X and Kotzin properties is through National Forest.

A scoping packet is available at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46776 that provides specifics of the project including a description of the proposed action. Additional information on the Town of Tusayan Proposed Roadway Easements project is available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/TusayanEasement. The following public scoping meetings are scheduled to provide information about the proposed action:

  • May 18, 5 to 8 p.m., Williams Elementary-Middle School, 601 N. 7th St., Williams
  • May 19, 5 to 8 p.m., Grand Canyon Squire Inn, 100 Highway 64, Tusayan
  • May 20, 5 to 8 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, 1175 W. Route 66, Flagstaff

 

Comments on the proposed action may be provided in the following ways:

Online:
www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46776  (Click “Comment on Project”)

Email:
comments-southwestern-kaibab@fs.fed.us
Subject Line: Tusayan Roadway Easements

U.S. Mail:       
ATTN: Deirdre McLaughlin
Kaibab National Forest
Williams Ranger District
742 S. Clover Rd.
Williams, AZ 86046

Fax:
(928) 635-5680
Subject Line: Tusayan Roadway Easements