[00:00:01]
IF[1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE]
YOU, UH, COULD ALL TAKE WHATEVER SEATS ARE AVAILABLE AND PLEASE SILENCE ANY OF YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES, YOUR CELL PHONES, UH, I'D APPRECIATE THAT.AND IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG MEETING, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MOVE THROUGH, UH, AS WELL AS WE CAN.
SO, I'M GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER IS NOW FOUR 30, MAY 23RD, 2023.
THIS MEETING IS CALLED, UH, CALLED TO ORDER.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
JULIE, LEMME KNOW WHEN YOU'RE READY.
OKAY, WE'RE GOING, GOING TO PROCEED WITH THE MOMENT OF SILENCE.
AND IN HONOR OF JOHN SODERBERG, A VERY WELL-RESPECTED MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I JUST HAVE A FEW WORDS TO SAY.
OUR TOWN HAS BEEN MOURNS SINCE WE HEARD, UH, OF JOHN SODERBERGH'S PASSING ON MAY 13TH.
HE TOUCHED US ALL IN A SENSE HE BELONGED TO EACH OF US.
HE WAS OUR FRIEND, OUR BROTHER, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE WAY HE SAW EVERYONE FROM KINGS TO BEGGARS.
HE HAS LEFT US NOT ONLY IN, IN HIS WORLD RENOWNED SCULPTURES, BUT ALSO WITH WORDS MORE THAN A, A KNIGHTHOOD, MORE THAN A DOCTORATE.
WHAT HE SAW AS AN ARTIST, AS HUMANITARIAN AND AS A MARINE CAUSED HIM TO SAY, EMPATHY IS THE HEART OF OUR HUMANITY.
FOR IT REDUCES THE BARRIERS OF RACE, RELIGION, AND CREED, WHILE UNLOCKING OUR TRUE INHERENT HUMAN DIGNITY.
THE ACT OF ENCAPSULATING EMPATHY IN SOME MEDIUM IS MY DEFINITIVE, IS MY DEFINITION OF ART.
THE FEELING THEN OF THE SHARING OF THE EMOTION OR IDEA, THE ESSENCE OF ART IS WHAT MAKES US ALL HUMAN.
WE'LL NOW TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF JOHN SODERBERG.
FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T SEE THE GRAPHIC, BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE CLEAREST, THAT'S THE BEST I COULD FIND.
UH, THERE WILL BE A, UH, AN EVENT AT, UH, THE CREATIVE LIFE CENTER ON JUNE 3RD AT 1:00 PM YOU HAVE TO RSVP IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, IN THE, UH, CELEBRATION OF LIFE.
CONTACT RONA AT 9 2 8 2 8 2 9 3 0 0.
AND THEN MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY.
[3. CONSENT ITEMS]
OKAY.THE CONSENT ITEMS. ITEM THREE.
THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY WHERE STAFF, THE COUNCIL, OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE TO PULL ANY CONSENT ITEMS THAT THEY FEEL IS IT'S APPROPRIATE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION OR IS THERE ANY INTEREST IN PULLING ONE? I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT ITEMS THREE.
ALL IN FAVOR, OR BEFORE WE, I'M SORRY.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION NOW.
[4. APPOINTMENTS]
OKAY.ITEM FOUR IS THE APPOINTMENT OF COREY COOPERMAN TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
AND LET ME REPEAT, YOU WANNA BRING UP ANY INFORMATION ON THIS? I WOULD.
I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST, UH, THANK ANN, UH, ANN COREY FOR HER SERVICE ON THE BOARD, UH, TO DATE.
UH, AND SHE'S BEEN, UH, REMARKABLE INSIGHT AT VARIOUS TIMES.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AT THIS POINT THAT, UH, I LOOK VERY MUCH FORWARD TO MY COUNCIL MEMBERS SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT OF COREY TO THE PS P R S.
[00:05:01]
COREY COOPERMAN BRINGS HIGHLY RELEVANT MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE TO THE BOARD.THAT WILL BE VERY, VERY USEFUL.
AND, UH, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK, UH, JEFF WASSEL FOR APPLYING AND INTERVIEWING.
HIS INTERVIEWING WAS ALSO, UM, JUST, I'D LOVE TO SEE THE PEOPLE COME OUT WITH SOME RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND WANT TO ENGAGE, UH, IN OUR PUBLIC BOARDS.
UM, UH, AND I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR APPLYING.
DO YOU WANT A MOTION? YES, PLEASE.
UM, I MOVE TO APPOINT COREY COOPERMAN TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, P S P R S BOARD WITH THE TERM BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY AND ENDING MAY 23RD, 2027, OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED, WHICHEVER IS LATER.
[5. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS BY MAYOR/COUNCILORS/CITY MANAGER]
OKAY.SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS FROM THE THUMB DEES VICE MAYOR, I HAVE MY TWICE A MONTH REPORT ON PARKS AND RECREATION, AND THE SUMMER SEASON IS BEGINNING.
SO IT'S PRETTY EXCITING THAT THE POOL WILL BE OPEN ON MAY 27TH, AND WE HOPE FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON THIS YEAR, UH, THEY'LL BE SWIMMING AQUA FITNESS STAR, BABY STAR TOTS, INFANT LESSONS WITH PARENTS, AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.
SO PLEASE VISIT SEDONA AZ.GOV/POOL FOR SCHEDULE DETAILS.
ALSO, MOVIES IN THE PARK WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY, JUNE 9TH WITH MOVIES EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE POSSE GROUNDS PAVILION FOR THE FOUR WEEKS OF JUNE.
AND, UH, SUMMER CAMP IS ALSO OPENING.
THERE'LL BE TWO SESSIONS OF LEGO CAMP MISSOULA CHILDREN'S THEATER, TWO SESSIONS OF CHALLENGER SOCCER CAMP, TWO SESSIONS OF ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER SUMMER CAMP, TWO SESSIONS OF SACRED EAGLE ART CAMP, SEDONA MOUNTAIN BIKE ACADEMY, AND PRANA BEANS KIDS YOGA CAMP.
REGISTRATION, DEPENDING ON THE CAMP VARIES.
IT'S ALL ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, THE SECOND RED DIRT SPRING CONCERT SERIES ON MAY 12TH WAS THE HIGHEST ATTENDED RED DIRT CONCERT SERIES WE HAVE EVER HAD WITH AN ESTIMATED CROWD OF 425 PEOPLE.
SO THAT'S A GREAT START TO THE YEAR.
THE FOURTH AND FINAL CONCERT WILL BE FRIDAY, MAY 26TH FROM FIVE 30 TO SEVEN 30, AND THE BAND WILL BE RIVERS RUN WILD.
SO FOLK AMERICANA AND SEOUL AND VICE MAYOR.
I UNDERSTAND THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RECENT MEMORY, WE ARE FULLY STAFFED FOR LIFEGUARDS.
BUT EVERYBODY PUT YEAH, THAT WE BUY BIG DEAL, A FULL SEASON.
HOPEFULLY THEY, THEY REMAIN WITH US.
BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE ALL OUR LIFEGUARDS HERE.
UH, ANYONE ELSE? KATHY, WITH AN AUDIENCE THIS SIZE, I CANNOT RESIST MAKING A PLEA TO EVERYONE TO PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING FOR THE SEDONA COMMUNITY CENTER, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM.
MEALS ON WHEELS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT MAY BE HOMEBOUND OR MAY HAVE SOME TEMPORARY, UM, HARDSHIP THAT THEY'RE FACING CAN GET HOT MEALS DELIVERED TO THEM AND ALSO BE CHECKED ON WITH A HUMAN TOUCH.
WE ALL NEED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVE SOCIALIZATION.
UH, MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDES THAT EVERY SUMMER.
WHAT HAPPENS IS THERE'S AN EXODUS OF PEOPLE SNOWBIRD, SOME OF OUR PART-TIME OWNERS IN, IN THE AREA THAT LEAVE AND THE VOLUNTEER POOL REALLY DWINDLES.
AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THE COMMUNITY CENTER SOMETIMES IS FORCED TO MAYBE MAKING DELIVERIES ONLY THREE DAYS A WEEK INSTEAD OF FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
YOU STILL GET FIVE DAYS WORTH OF MEALS, BUT IT WON'T BE A FRESH, HOT MEAL, AND YOU WON'T HAVE THAT COMMU THAT PERSONAL CONTACT.
IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT THING AND IT'S FUN, IT'S EASY, IT'S REWARDING.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING FOR THE STONER COMMUNITY CENTER WITH THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM.
YOU CAN CONTACT THE DIRECTOR MARJORIE HARRIS.
UH, THE VICE MAYOR WAS THERE WITH ME LAST NIGHT.
WE WEREN'T TOGETHER, BUT WE SORT OF SAW EACH OTHER FROM AFAR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, A SCHOLARSHIP EVENT WHERE THOSE STUDENTS WHO WERE GRADUATING, UH, 12TH GRADE RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS.
THEY'VE EARNED SCHOLARSHIPS TO, UH, COLLEGES AS EMORY RIDDLE, A S U N A U, GRAND CANYON, U UH, THEN WE HAD, UH, TWO, TWO, UH, INDIVIDUALS.
ONE GOING TO EACH OF THE UNITED UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, UNITED STATES
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AIR FORCE, UH, BENEFACTORS TO THESE STUDENTS WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE.SEDONA ELKS LODGE, SEDONA BRIDGE CLUB, UH, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, COFFEE POT RESTAURANT, P FLAG, ROTARY, SAFECO, LIONS, UH, AND SEVERAL, UH, ACTUALLY THERE WAS MORE THAN SEVERAL, UH, PRIVATE BENEFACTORS THAT GAVE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR MORE.
IT'S QUITE SUBSTANTIAL, AND IT WAS REALLY AN INTERESTING EVENT TO SEE MY, TO SEE IT MY FIRST TIME THERE.
THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY WHERE PEOPLE COULD SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING, NOT ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
SO, UH, WE DON'T HAVE ANY CARDS.
WE DON'T HAVE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NOBODY WANTS TO TALK.
[7.a. Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. ]
UM, PROCLAMATIONS, UH, ITEM SEVEN, PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS.UH, OH, I, NOPE, WE DID PUBLIC FORUM.
SO WE'RE GONNA OPEN AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC FORUM.
NOW, PROCLAMATIONS AND JACK ROSS, I KNOW YOU'RE THERE SOMEWHERE.
I'VE GOT A REALLY NICE PROCLAMATION.
SO THIS IS THE, UH, PROCLAMATION FOR THE HUNDRED 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEMORIAL DAY.
WHEREAS ON MONDAY, MAY 29TH, 2023, IN CITIES AND TOWNS THROUGHOUT OUR NATION, AMERICANS WILL JOIN TOGETHER TO HONOR THE FALLEN HEROES OF OUR ARMED FORCES ON THE HUNDRED 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEMORIAL DAY.
AND WHEREAS IN MAY, UH, 1868, GENERAL MAJOR, GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN CALLED FOR A NATIONWIDE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES SERVING OUR COUNTRY, WHICH WOULD BE DE DESIGNATED MEMORIAL DAY BY CONGRESS.
AND WHEREAS OVER 3000 VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES CURRENTLY RESIDE IN THE VERDE VALLEY, AND WHEREAS OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF OUR GREAT NATION AND THE LIBERTIES WE HOLD SO DEAR.
AND WHEREAS MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN THE WORLD.
AND WHEREAS WE PLEDGE TO NEVER FORGET THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENDING OUR FREEDOMS, WE SHOULD EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO THE FAMILIES OF OUR FALLEN WARRIORS.
WE MUST KEEP FAITH WITH ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DIED FOR OUR COUNTRY IN THE FIGHT FOR PERMANENT PEACE.
AND WE MUST HONOR THO HONOR OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I SCOTT JALO, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SEDONA, ARIZONA, ON BEHALF OF THE SEDONA CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 29TH.
2023 IS MEMORIAL DAY IN THE CITY OF SEDONA IN RECOGNITION OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR NATION DIRECT ALL FLAGS IN THE CITY OF SEDONA TO BE LOWERED TO HALF STAFF FROM SUNRISE UNTIL NOON ON MONDAY, MAY 29TH.
2023, IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN HEROES OF OUR ARMED FORCES ISSUED THIS 2020, THIS 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2023.
YOU WANNA SAY, IF YOU, I WOULD LOVE TO PLEASE, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL FORCES, SHOULD I BE FACING YOU OR CAN I FACE THIS AWESOME CROWD FACE THE AWESOME CROWD.
I, I'VE SEEN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.
BEFORE WE GO, YOU KNOW, AS PRESIDENT OF THE SEDONA AREA VETERANS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM, IT'S JUST WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS INTEREST IN MEMORIAL DAY THAT YOU'RE ALL HERE TODAY,
MONDAY, WE HAVE A CEREMONY AT, UH, 900 AT THE MILITARY PARK.
UH, TOM AND CHANDRA WILL BE THERE SINGING AS WELL AS, UH, SAM CAREY, A NATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST, HER DAD, MARK, IF YOU WANNA STAND UP AS OUR GUEST SPEAKER, UH, MARINE VETERAN, BORDER PATROL AGENT, AND COLONEL AL CORNELL IS GONNA BE OUR MC MONDAY.
ANY OTHER, UH, SAFECO PEOPLE? IF YOU COULD STAND UP REAL QUICK.
CAMILLA ROSS, WE GOT MARK JOHN MARTINEZ.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
[00:15:01]
OKAY, NOW WE ARE ON TO REGULAR BUSINESS.[8.a. AB 2941 Discussion/presentation by Jennifer Brehler, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Sedona, to provide an update to the City Council on their activities, accomplishments, and general service provision to the community.]
AB 29 41, DISCUSSION.PRESENTATION BY JENNIFER BRAILER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA, TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON THEIR ACTIVITIES, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND A GENERAL SERVICE PROVISION TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND I KNOW JENNIFER, MARK, MAYBE YOU WANNA YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU TAKE, HAVE A SEAT AND THEN THE TWO OF YOU CAN SIT OVER.
I'LL, I'LL SQUEEZE IN THE MIDDLE.
THERE'S TWO SEATS IN THE FRONT OF THE ROOM.
IF ANYONE IN THE BACK WOULD LIKE TO SIT.
WELL, THEY'RE GONNA NEED THEIR SEATS BACK.
I'LL BE GOING BACK TO SIT THEY, OH, YOU'LL BE GOING BACK.
SORRY TO LIVE WITH ME A LITTLE MORE
UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, CITY REPRESENTATIVES, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY AND FOR US TO SHARE OUR IMPORTANT WORK WE DO AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA.
I'M JENNIFER BRAILER, AS OUR MAYOR HAS SAID.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA, AND I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF SEDONA, UH, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF OURS.
AND I CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER PLACE I'D RATHER LIVE AND WORK IN.
I'M JOINED TODAY BY OUR BOARD PRESIDENT STEPHANIE GEK, WHICH I THINK MOST OF YOU KNOW, AS WELL AS OUR VICE PRESIDENT, DR.
RANDY BARBER, WHO'S A RETIRED VETERINARIAN.
I THINK HE'S STANDING IN THE BACK OVER HERE.
SO, AND I JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO OUR ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS THE REST OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS.
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA HAS BEEN SERVING SEDONA IN THE VERDE VALLEY SINCE 1966.
BY ACTIVELY HELPING ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND CULTIVATING THE SAME COMMITMENT IN OTHERS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING TO BUILDING A CARING COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY ADOPTABLE AND TREATABLE PET FINDS A LOVING HOME.
SIMPLY STATED, OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND BY DOING THIS, WE IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
FOR MANY YEARS NOW, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA HAS SERVED AS THE CITY'S COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ABANDONED, STRAY, AND SEAS DOGS AND CATS.
WE PROVIDE A SAFE AND CARING TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THESE ANIMALS IN NEED.
AND WE WORK DILIGENTLY THROUGH OUR LOST AND FOUND PET RECOVERY PROGRAM TO REUNITE STRAY ANIMALS WITH THEIR WORRIED FAMILIES.
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE SHELTERED AND CARED FOR MORE THAN 400 ANIMALS FOUND RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF SEDONA.
AS YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER, WE ALSO HELP PROTECT RESIDENTS OF SEDONA AND THEIR PETS FROM RABIES AND OTHER DISEASES BY PROVIDING DOG LICENSING AND VACCINATION CLINICS WITHIN THE CITY OF SEDONA, WHILE ALSO INCREASING LICENSING AND VACCINATION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THANKS TO DR.
BARBER SUPPORT, WE CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY VACCINATION CLINIC, AND WE ARE MAKING PLANS FOR A SECOND CLINIC THIS FALL.
IT'S OUR FIRST CLINIC SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAD STARTED.
SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT, THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT EARLIER THIS YEAR.
OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE LOW COST VACCINATION CLINICS ANNUALLY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VACCINATED PETS AND LICENSED DOGS IN THE CITY OF SEDONA.
WE ALSO PROVIDE THE SEDONA POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH ASSISTANCE AND ACCESS TO OUR SHELTER 24 7 FOR AN ACCESSIBLE AND HUMANE FACILITY TO SAFELY SECURE ANIMALS.
THEY IMPOUND AFTER HOURS, WE PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES THEY NEED, AND THEN THE ONGOING CARE ONCE THE ANIMALS ARE WITH US.
IN ADDITION, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES TO THE CITY OF SEDONA OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTRACTED AGREEMENT, OF WHICH WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY CITY FUNDING FOR TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO DO SO.
FIRST, OUR DOORS ARE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, WHICH IS MORE THAN WHAT IS OUTLINED FOR OUR PUBLIC ACCESS OF STRAY DROP-OFFS, LOST PET RECOVERY AND DOG LICENSING.
WE ARE ALSO THE ONLY SHELL ANIMAL SHELTER WITHIN CITY LIMITS, AND WE RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS SURRENDER REQUESTS FROM OWNERS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO KEEP THEIR PETS ANY LONGER.
CURRENTLY, WE DO NOT RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE CITY FOR COST.
WE INCUR TO CARE FOR OWNER SURRENDERS.
WE TAKE IN THE OWNER SURRENDERS.
WE TAKE IN FROM CITY RESIDENTS THAT'S NEARLY 200 ANIMALS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OWNER SURRENDERS COMING INTO THE SHELTER, WE PROVIDE A REHOMING AND RESOURCE PROGRAM TO HELP OWNERS REHOME THEIR PETS WITHOUT THE ANIMAL EVER STEPPING FOOT IN OUR SHELTER.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA, WE HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR PROGRAMS TO FOCUS STRONGLY ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND KEEPING PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS TOGETHER AND OUT OF THE
[00:20:01]
SHELTER.LAST YEAR ALONE, THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY PET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WE SUPPORTED SEDONA FAMILIES WHO WERE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY WITH OVER 2000 POUNDS OF DRY PET FOOD, HUNDREDS OF CANS OF WET FOOD IN MULTIPLE SUPPLIES IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR PETS AND NOT HAVE TO SURRENDER FOR FINANCIAL REASONS.
WE ALSO SUPPORT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE SEDONA FOOD BANK TO KEEP THEIR SHELVES STOCKED WITH PET GOODS FOR THEIR PET FAMILIES IN NEED, AND PROVIDED MANY OF THEIR CLIENTS WITH FREE SPAY OR NEUTER SERVICES, AS WELL AS MICROCHIPPING AND VACCINATIONS LAST YEAR.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YET ANOTHER JOINT COMMUNITY SUPPORT EVENT WITH SEDONA FOOD BANK AND SEDONA KIND LATER THIS FALL, WE ALSO OBTAINED GRANT FUNDING TO ASSIST PET OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO JUST COULD NOT AFFORD THE CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE THEIR PETS SO DESPERATELY NEEDED.
AND WITHOUT THIS FUNDING, THESE OWNERS WOULD BE FACED WITH EITHER GIVING UP THEIR PETS TO SOMEONE ELSE, OR SADLY EVEN WORSE FEELING THEY HAD TO FACE THE ONLY DECISION THEY COULD AND THAT WOULD BE HUMANE EUTHANASIA FOR THEIR BELOVED PETS INSTEAD OF SEPARATING THEM.
OUR COMMUNITY MEDICAL PROGRAM HEALS AND KEEPS PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS TOGETHER, MANY WHO ARE PART OF OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY RIGHT HERE IN SEDONA.
OF COURSE, CORE TO OUR OPERATIONS IS OUR ADOPTION PROGRAM WHERE WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES TO THE WONDERFUL HOMELESS ANIMALS IN NEED THAT WE CARE FOR.
UNFORTUNATELY, ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND LOCALLY, ADOPTION PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE DECREASING IN THE DAILY COST OF CARE.
AND MEDICAL TREATMENT COSTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE BOTH FOR OWNERS AND THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA.
ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO CURRENT CHALLENGES WITH INFL INFLATION AND HOUSING SHORTAGES, THE HUMANE SOCIETY WILL CONTINUE PROVIDING QUALITY ANIMAL CARE, HOUSING SHELTERING AND COM COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL SEDONA ANIMALS IN NEED TO INCLUDE OUR OWNER SURRENDERS.
THANKFULLY, OUR TWO THRIFT STORES CONTINUE TO PERFORM WELL AND PROVIDE SOME OF THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT MANY OF OUR PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, OUR COST TO PROVIDE SERVICES CONTINUES TO INCREASE, AND WE HOPE COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT OUR FUNDING REQUESTS THIS YEAR.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CONTINUING TO PURSUE AND OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INCOMES SUCH AS DONATIONS AND GRANTS IN ORDER TO OFFSET EXPENSES NOT COVERED AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDER.
FINALLY, VOLUNTEERS ARE OUR CRITICAL PART OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA AND WHY WE ACTIVELY RECRUIT AND ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EMPLOYEE COLLABORATION.
LAST YEAR, OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS GAVE THEIR TIME AND TALENT LOGGING IN WAIT FOR IT 27,000 HOURS TO THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA.
WE JUST SIMPLY COULD NOT DO ALL THAT WE DO WITHOUT THESE INCREDIBLE COMPASSIONATE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY GIVING SO MUCH OF THEMSELVES TO HELP THE ANIMALS.
I CONTINUE TO BE INSPIRED BY OUR VOLUNTEERS, THE ANIMALS, THE PEOPLE WHO COME IN THROUGH OUR DOORS.
AND THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR THE CITY OF SEDONA RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY AND THE LIVES OF COMPANION ANIMALS.
STEPHANIE, YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD OR? I THINK SHE COVERED LIKE EVERYTHING
SHE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB HERE AND THERE.
ANY, UH, QUESTIONS FROM NADIS? BRIAN, ARE YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD? YES.
THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TODAY.
IT'S, UH, GREAT TO GET TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO SUPPORT NOT ONLY THE ANIMALS, BUT UH, FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, CAN YOU JUST CHARACTERIZE, YOU MENTIONED 400 ANIMALS.
WAS THAT AN, THAT WAS AN ANNUAL NUMBER FOR ALL REASONS COMING THROUGH THE HUMANE SOCIETY? NO, THE 400 NUMBER WAS THE NUMBER OF STRAY, UM, SEIZED ABANDONED ANIMALS THAT CAME FROM THE CITY OF SEDONA FOR OVER THREE YEAR TIME PERIODS.
SO WE AVERAGE A LITTLE OVER A HUNDRED STRAYS A YEAR, JUST GIVE OR TAKE EACH YEAR.
AND, AND IS THAT A FAIRLY LEVEL LOADED KIND OF NUMBER OR IS THERE A TREND UP, TREND DOWN OR DON'T REALLY SEE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR? WELL, UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE PANDEMIC, IT'S BEEN HARD TO KEEP TRACK.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE BACK TO OUR NUMBERS, UM, VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT IT WAS PRE PANDEMIC, THE 2019 NUMBERS.
SO, UM, CERTAIN THINGS IN OUR OPERATION, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS THIS UPTICK OF THE FEAR THAT ANIMALS WERE GONNA BE DUMPED AT THE SHELTER WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED.
[00:25:01]
UM, THANKFULLY WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THAT.I DO HAVE SOME COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO DID HAVE SOME OF THAT MM-HMM.
UM, BUT WE DID SEE MORE OF A SHIFT OF PEOPLE COMING IN TO PULL ANIMALS FOR FOSTER CARE AND TO ADOPT.
ONE THING I CAN SAY IS THAT HAS FALLEN OFF QUITE A BIT.
IT HAS DECREASED NOT JUST FOR US HERE LOCALLY, BUT NATIONALLY, AND IT IS BECOMING, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, A PANDEMIC IN ITS OWN RIGHT UNDER THE SHELTERING, UM, FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETIES AND ANIMAL SHELTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHAT WE'RE ALL FACED WITH RIGHT NOW ARE ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT MOVING OUT OF OUR SHELTERS BECAUSE PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL THEY HAVE THE DISCRETIONARY INCOME TO TAKE ON ANOTHER ANIMAL INTO THEIR HOME.
AS WELL AS A LOT OF ANIMALS ARE BEING DISPLACED BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS WITH KEEPING THEIR HOUSING NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND HOUSING.
IT'S VERY HARD, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW PEOPLE WHO DO LIVE IN THEIR CAR OR RV BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.
AND MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, HAD MULTIPLE PETS BEFORE THEY LEFT THE ANIMALS THAT THEY LOVED, AND THEY JUST COULD NO LONGER KEEP 'EM BECAUSE IT WASN'T SUITABLE IN THEIR, IN THEIR CURRENT SITUATION.
AND YOU MENTIONED ALSO THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED A GRANT TO SUPPORT VETERINARY CARE FOR PET OWNERS THAT OTHERWISE COULDN'T.
UM, THE COMMUNITY, CITADEL COMMUNITY CENTER ALSO HAS FOUNDED A SIMILAR INITIATIVE.
AND I'M JUST CURIOUS IF THERE'S ANY, IF YOU'VE ALL HAVE TALKED WITH ONE ANOTHER, IF THERE'S ANY SYNERGY TO BE HAD IN THAT REGARD.
BUT, UM, THAT WAS JUST SOMETHING I PICKED UP ON.
YOU KNOW, MARY, YOU AND I WERE ON THE, THE PANEL THAT REVIEWED THAT GRANT.
SO, UH, ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT? SO, I WASN'T AWARE THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED FUNDING FOR MEDICAL SUPPORT, BUT WE CERTAINLY COULD WORK TOGETHER.
WE ACTUALLY PARTNER CURRENTLY WITH VERDE VALLEY CAREGIVERS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AS WELL TO THEIR CLIENTS WITH THROUGH THIS MEDICAL FUND.
WE ALSO DID RECEIVE, UM, SOME MONEY THAT WAS ORIGINALLY EARMARKED FOR SENIOR ANIMALS TO GO TO SENIORS, UM, THAT NEH HAD, UM, SET ASIDE.
AND BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE OF A NEED FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR PETS IN MEDICAL CARE THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR PETS N EH, AGREED TO ALLOW US TO ALSO USE THOSE FUNDS TO HELP PEOPLE.
I WAS AWARE THAT COMMUNITY FOOD BANK HAS A PET FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND I KNOW A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND POSSIBLY RECENTLY THAT WE'VE ALSO, UM, HELPED THEM WITH SOME FOOD IS WE'RE ABLE, WE WORK OUR, UM, OUR COLLABORATION ACROSS THE STATE WITH GETTING FOOD TO CERTAIN COMMUNITIES IN NEED.
AND, UH, YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, THE PICTURES OF THE DOGS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO PLACE, I I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN'T JUST PLACE THEM ONE AFTER ANOTHER.
YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHY AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TODAY.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR COMING AND, AND SHARING YOUR STORY.
UH, WE'VE BEEN HEARING FROM VARIOUS SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE LAST SEVERAL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THERE IS A CONSISTENT THEME, AND MAYBE WE'LL HEAR IT FROM THE SEDONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS WELL, WHEN THEY GET READY TO, UH, SPEAK TO US VOLUNTEERISM AND VOLUNTEERS.
HOW, UH, HOW IS YOUR NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS, UH, UH, DECREASED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME? AS YOU'RE SAYING THAT, AND, AND I KNOW THIS FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY, HOW RELIANT YOU ARE ON VOLUNTEERS.
SO HAVE YOU SEEN A DECREASE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TRY TO PLUG THOSE HOLES, FILL THE GAP? YEAH, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
WE'VE ACTUALLY NOT SEEN A DECREASE.
UM, WE'VE SEEN A SMALL INCREASE SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.
CERTAINLY FOR A LOT OF US ORGANIZATIONS IN TOWN.
IF WE HAVE SNOWBIRDS THAT ARE GONNA MOVE AWAY, THIS IS A TOUGH TIME OF YEAR FOR US.
IT'S NOT THAT THE VOLUNTEERS EVER LEAVE US AND LEAVE SERVICE WITH US, THEY JUST TAKE A BREAK TEMPORARILY WHEN THEY GO TO ANOTHER HOME WHERE IT'S A LITTLE COOLER AND THEN THEY COME BACK.
SO THE, THE SUMMERTIME RIGHT ABOUT NOW, A LOT OF OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE STARTING TO LEAVE FOR THE SUMMER AND THEN THEY'LL BE BACK IN THE FALL.
SO WHAT DO YOU DO DURING THAT PERIOD?
UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST, WE'VE KIND OF GOTTEN USED TO IT.
UM, AND WE JUST PLAN FOR IT EVERY YEAR AND, YOU KNOW, DO WHAT WE CAN TO KEEP UP THAT VOLUNTEERING.
WELL, YOU HAVE AN AUDIENCE HERE, SO YOU MIGHT WANNA
UM, I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH, FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO, UM, BE A PART OF SOME OF YOUR TRANSPORTS, A COUPLE OF THEM.
UM, AND I JUST THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIPS ALL AROUND THE STATE, UM, WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH OPENS UP SO MANY MORE OPTIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S SPECIAL NEEDS, DOGS, CATS, ANIMALS THAT
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YOU CAN'T OTHERWISE, UM, YOU KNOW, ACCOMMODATE THERE.SO I JUST THINK THAT'S REALLY HATS OFF TO YOU AS THE DIRECTOR TO YOUR STAFF, TO YOUR BOARD, TO YOUR VOLUNTEERS THAT KEEP THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ROBUST AND HEALTHY OUT THERE AND, AND WORK SIDE BY SIDE.
SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF HELPING.
I WAS PART OF THE TWO DOGS THAT WENT DOWN TO THE SOUTHEAST PART, THOSE BIG DOGS THAT ARE NOT THAT EASY TO PLACE IN SEDONA.
SO THERE'S A SANCTUARY THAT SPECIALIZES IN BIG DOGS, AND THAT'S WHO, IN CASE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, IT'S THAT KIND OF SPECIALIZATION THAT OUR HUMANE SOCIETY IS WORKING WITH TO MAKE SURE THAT DOGS END UP AND CATS END UP IN APPROPRIATE PLACES WHERE THEY CAN BE ADOPTED.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE THOUGHT THAT GOES INTO THAT AND THE RELATIONSHIPS, UH, UH, QUESTION.
WAS THERE A DOG THAT GOT OUT TODAY? I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PRIVATE DOG THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN POSTING ON THEIR BEHALF OF A LOST DOG.
YEAH, SO WITH OUR LOST AND FOUND PROGRAM, WE POST FOUR CITIZENS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PETS, UM, TO HELP GET THE ANIMALS BACK.
SO YEAH, THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THAT AS WELL.
WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A LOT OF REUNIFICATION HERE.
UM, AND THE LAST, I JUST HAD A QUESTION.
SINCE THE ROAD HAS BEEN REDONE, HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR, YOUR PROGRAMS THERE? IS THAT, HAS THAT BEEN A GOOD THING, UM, FOR WALKING? HAS IT BEEN A BAD THING, AN INCREASED TRAFFIC, OR, YOU KNOW, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? YEAH, SO THE ROAD, THANK YOU ALL TO THE CITY OF SEDONA FOR GETTING THAT ROAD TAKEN CARE OF.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON, UM, SHELBY DRIVE BEFORE THE NEW ROAD WAS MADE,
SO WE NOW HAVE, UM, A WALKWAY THAT OUR VOLUNTEERS CAN WALK THE DOGS.
WE, IT'S MUCH SAFER FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING AND LOOKING TO ADOPT AN ANIMAL.
THEY CAN, DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT JUST TERRIBLE, DIFFICULT ROAD TO NAVIGATE.
UM, YEAH, SO IT'S, IT'S GREAT.
WE HAVE A CROSSWALK IN EVERYTHING, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOUR, YOUR BOARD SUPPORT.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED AND GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE CROWD, I'M NOT GONNA REPHRASE 'EM AND ASK 'EM AGAIN.
I APPRECIATE YOU, YOU BOTH COMING.
[8.b. AB 2940 Discussion/presentation by Nate Meyers, Executive Director of the Sedona Heritage Museum, to provide an update to the City Council on their activities, accomplishments, and general service provision to the community.]
ITEM B, AB 29 40.PRESENTATION BY NATE MEYERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SEDONA HERITAGE MUSEUM, TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE C UH, CITY COUNCIL ON THEIR ACTIVITIES, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND GENERAL SERVICE PROVISION, UH, TO THE COMMUNITY.
NATE AND THE BOARD, AND THANK YOU.
AND WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOU?
UH, WITH ME AT THE TABLE TODAY ARE, UH, BOARD PRESIDENT, BOARD, UH, SEDONA HISTORIC SOCIETY BOARD PRESIDENT AL CAMILLO, AND VICE PRESIDENT CHANDRA JEFFERSON.
UH, AND ALSO SEVERAL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS ARE IN THE CROWD.
I KNOW KATHY LEVIN AND CLANCY SAGE AND BECKY CRUZ.
AND SORRY IF I'M MISSING ANYBODY WHO'S BACK THERE, BUT JUST RAISE THEIR HAND.
UM, AND IF EVERYBODY WASN'T HERE FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY PROCLAMATION, I KNOW THEY'RE HERE FOR, FOR THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
SO I DO, I DO WANNA, UH, JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SEDONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE SEDONA HERITAGE MUSEUM.
UH, I'VE BEEN IN THIS ROLE SINCE LAST FALL, AND PRIOR TO THAT I SPENT ABOUT 18 YEARS AT THE CHANDLER MUSEUM DOWN IN THE VALLEY.
I JUST CAME FROM DENVER, WHERE OVER THE WEEKEND I REPRESENTED OUR INSTITUTION AND OUR COMMUNITY AT THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUM'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST GATHERING OF MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS IN THE WORLD.
THERE I WORKED ON A FEW EVENTS WITH THE SMALL MUSEUM ADMINISTRATORS COMMITTEE, WHICH IS A NATIONWIDE PROFESSIONAL NETWORK OF SMALL MUSEUM DIRECTORS, UH, WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN OUR ORGANIZATION FROM OUR CURRENT CONTRACT, UH, TO THE NEXT ONE, MY ARRIVAL AS THE ORGANIZATION'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS BY FAR THE BIGGEST ONE.
THE CITY SERVICE PROVIDER CONTRACT ENABLED OUR ORGANIZATION TO HIRE AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH PLENTY OF MUSEUM EXPERIENCE WHO'S WELL CONNECTED IN THE FIELD AND WHO HAS A PASSION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
THIS HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO ELEVATE OUR ORGANIZATION IN SEDONA, IN THE VERDE VALLEY AND ACROSS ARIZONA.
AND BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, JUST ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COUNSELOR, CITY STAFF, UH, FOR YOUR COMPASSION OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.
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UH, UNEXPECTED DEATH OF MY FATHER, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SO I, I DO JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR, UH, FOR YOUR COMPASSION.SO WHO ARE WE? SEDONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION THAT IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF SEDONA AND THE AREA KNOWN AS RED ROCK COUNTRY.
WE TAKE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THAT HISTORY WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT BE DISCUSSED WITHOUT A DIVE INTO THE GEOLOGY THAT FORMED THE RED ROCKS.
A STUDY OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO HAVE CALLED THIS AREA HOME FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
EXPLORATION OF THE ARTISTS, ARTISTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO BUILDING SEDONA INTO AN ARTS COMMUNITY, A DISCUSSION OF CURRENT EVENTS, UH, USING THE HISTORY OF SEDONA TO PUT THEM IN CONTEXT AND SO MUCH MORE.
THE SEDONA HERITAGE MUSEUM IS THE WAY MOST PEOPLE ENGAGE WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE OUR EXHIBITS, WE HOLD MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS AND WHERE WE DO MOST OF OUR WORK TO PRESERVE HISTORY.
SO TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHO ARE WE? WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
WE LOVE TO EXPLORE HISTORY, FIND OUT NEW THINGS ABOUT OUR PAST AND SHARE THEM WITH YOU.
WE ARE VOLUNTEERS, WE ARE PAID STAFF MEMBERS.
WE WORK WITH PEOPLE AT THE FRONT DESK AND WE WORK ON OUR OWN IN THE COLLECTION STORAGE ROOM.
SOME OF US HAVE BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR ITS ENTIRE 40 YEAR HISTORY.
SOME LIKE ME HAVE BEEN HERE LESS THAN ONE YEAR.
WHAT UNITES US IS OUR SHARED PASSION FOR LEARNING, PRESERVING, AND SHARING THE HISTORY OF SEDONA.
THE MISSION OF THE SEDONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO RESEARCH, PRESERVE, AND TEACH THE HISTORY OF THE GREATER SEDONA AREA.
AND WHAT DO I MEAN WHEN I SAY THE, UH, GREATER SEDONA AREA? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PRETTY LARGE GEOGRAPHIC REGION THAT DOES OF COURSE INCLUDE THE CITY OF SEDONA AT ITS HEART.
UM, BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES INDIGENOUS HERITAGE SITES, HISTORIC SITES, IN AND AROUND SEDONA AND ALL UP AND DOWN OAK CREEK CANYON.
WELL, IT DOESN'T INCLUDE PLACES LIKE JEROME OR CLARKDALE OR COTTONWOOD.
UM, WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR HISTORY HERE IN SEDONA IS NOT SILOED.
THE HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT BE FULLY TOLD WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THE HISTORIES OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND HOW WE RELIED ON OR AFFECTED ONE ANOTHER.
SO WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND US? OUR MAIN LOCATION IS THE SEDONA HERITAGE MUSEUM IN JORDAN HISTORICAL PARK.
THE MUSEUM IS COMPRISED OF SEVERAL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE JORDAN HOME, WHICH YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE, THE APPLE PACKING SHED AND THE TRACTOR SHED, ALL OF WHICH ARE ON THE, UH, SEDONA HISTORIC PRESERVATION SITES LIST.
AND ALSO LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
WE ALSO HAVE THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE, WHICH IS THE LAST REMAINING BUILDING FROM THE OLD MOVIE STUDIO, UH, WESTERN TOWN THAT ONCE STOOD IN WEST SEDONA COOK'S CEDAR GLADE CEMETERY OFF OF AIRPORT ROAD IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FIRST USED IN 1918 DURING THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC.
IT'S ALSO THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF OUR CITY'S NAMESAKE, SEDONA SCHLEY, AS WELL AS HER HUSBAND, TC AND THEIR DAUGHTER PEARL, THE SHERMAN RED ROCK CEMETERY ON THE RED ROCK LOOP ROAD.
UH, THIS IS THE SERONA AREA'S OLDEST CEMETERY STARTED IN THE 1890S AND IT'S ONE OF THE MOST PICTURESQUE CEMETERIES AROUND WITH A CLEAR AND MAJESTIC VIEW OF CATHEDRAL ROCK.
THE VIEW WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE SHERMAN'S CHOSE TO ENTER THEIR CHILD, CLARA ON THE SITE IN 1893.
THE SHERMAN HOMESTEAD HOUSE OFF OF THE LOOP ROAD WAS RECENTLY LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BUILT IN THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS.
THE HOMESTEAD HOUSE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EARLY VINEYARD AND WINERY HISTORY HERE IN THE VERDE VALLEY.
SO WHAT IS IT THAT WE DO? EXHIBITS LIKELY, THAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT ANYONE IN THIS ROOM THINKS OF WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT MUSEUMS. THEY'RE THE BREAD AND BR BREAD AND BUTTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO.
WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON DEVELOPING, ON DEVELOPMENT OF A CHANGING EXHIBIT SCHEDULE, WHICH WILL DRAW MORE VISITORS, ESPECIALLY AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WE HOPE WILL FEEL THAT LIKE THEY NEED TO COME BACK REPEATEDLY SO THAT THEY DON'T MISS NEW AND EXCITING EXHIBITS.
UH, MAYOR JALO, UH, THANK YOU FOR RECENTLY HELPING US DEDICATE A NEW AND IMPORTANT EXHIBIT ABOUT IRRIGATION AND WATER EARLIER THIS MONTH.
WHAT ELSE DO WE DO? EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT OUR CORE, THE MUSEUM AND THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
TO THAT END, WE OFFER REGULAR FREE EVENTS SUCH AS MONDAYS AT THE MUSEUM, DEMONSTRATIONS EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT DURING THE SUMMER LIVING HISTORY SERIES OF LECTURERS, AUTHORS, AND OTHER FASCINATING PRESENTATIONS.
OTHER EVENTS LIKE THROWBACK THURSDAY, WHICH INVOLVE COSTUME INTERPRET INTERPRETERS, AND FOR WHICH WE SMALL CHARGE A SMALL FEE IN ORDER TO
[00:40:01]
COVER OUR COSTS.UH, ALL OF OUR FUNDRAISERS HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE AS WELL.
IN ADDITION TO REGULAR PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, WE ALSO OFFER FIELD TRIPS AND ARE PURSUING OPTIONS TO WORK FURTHER WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.
WHAT ELSE DO WE DO? PRESERVATION, COLLECTING, DOCUMENTING, STORING, SAFELY, EXHIBITING, DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR ARCHIVAL ITEMS AND ARTIFACTS IN OUR COLLECTION IN PERPETUITY.
UH, WE TAKE THAT LAST WORD VERY SERIOUSLY.
WHEN WE COMMIT TO COLLECT AN ITEM, WE ARE COMMITTING TO TAKE CARE OF IT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE TO PRESERVE ARTIFACTS AND ARCHIVES AND ASSET FREE FOLDERS, ASSET FREE BOXES, UNBLEACHED, COTTON, MUSLIN, WRAPPING INAPPROPRIATE SHELVES.
AND IN ACCEPTABLE CLIMACTIC CONDITIONS, WE ONLY COLLECT ITEMS WHICH SUPPORT OUR MISSION.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE RIGHT NOW? OUR LARGEST CHALLENGE IS WORKING THROUGH THE TRANSITION OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAD BEEN RUN BY VOLUNTEERS FOR 40 YEARS TO ONE, RUN BY A MUSEUM.
PROFESSIONAL NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS, NEW PEOPLE INVOLVED, NEW APPROACHES TO OLD PROBLEMS. IT'S A GOOD THING, BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS SMOOTH SAILING, BUT IT'S A LEARNING PROCESS FOR ALL INVOLVED AND WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION HERE.
RECRUITING AND RETAINING VOLUNTEERS IS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE, UH, WHICH THE VICE MAYOR JUST BROUGHT UP.
UH, MY VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AND I, AND I THINK SHE'S IN THE BACK SOMEWHERE.
UM, PLAN TO SPEND SOME TIME THIS SUMMER LOOKING AT EVERY ASPECT OF OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE NEW WAYS TO ATTRACT VOLUNTEERS TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND MAKE THEM FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT THEY DO FOR THE SOCIETY.
WHILE I NOTED THAT WE ARE TRANSITIONING TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEADING THE ORGANIZATION, WE'RE STILL POWERED BY THE WORK OF OVER 100 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 10,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS TO THE ORGANIZATION IN 2022.
AND DEVELOPING NEW AUDIENCES, UH, SHS, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS IN A PERIOD OF TRANSITION.
IF WE CAN CAPITALIZE ON THIS TRANSITION TO RE-EXAMINE WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT, WE CAN ATTRACT NEW AUDIENCES TO THE MUSEUM AND TO OUR PROGRAMS. THE CHALLENGE IS BEING WILLING TO LOOK AT OURSELVES WITH A CRITICAL EYE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WORKING, WHAT COULD BE WORKING BETTER, AND WHO OUR TARGET AUDIENCES ARE.
SO WHERE ARE WE GOING? OUR FIRST GOAL IS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO GROW.
WE WANNA EXPAND OUR EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS. WE WANNA ENGAGE MORE VISITORS AT THE MUSEUM.
WE WANNA EXPAND INTO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE ENCOUNTER SEDONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE SEDONA HERITAGE MUSEUM ALL AROUND THE COMMUNITY.
WE STRIVE TO BE THE SOURCE FOR SEDONAS HISTORY, THE PLACE PEOPLE COME FIRST WHEN THEY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
WE WANNA BE RECOGNIZED AS THE AUTHORITIES ON SEDONA HISTORY.
WE WANNA DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, ARTISTS, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS TO EXPLORE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO PROGRAMMING EVENTS AND EXHIBITS.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WANNA BECOME A VITAL COMMUNITY ASSET.
WE WANNA BE A PLACE THAT TOURISTS MUST VISIT WHEN THEY COME TO SEDONA.
AND A PLACE THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE PROUD TO CALL THEIR HOMETOWN MUSEUM IN, ENSURE AN ORGANIZATION THEY CAN'T IMAGINE SEDONA WITHOUT IT.
AND SO WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT, UH, ANY OF YOU MIGHT HAVE.
PETE, ANY QUESTIONS? NATE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU CHANDRA AND AL FOR BEING HERE AND THE BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.
IT'S DEFINITELY APPRECIATED, UH, GREAT VISION AND MISSION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE CONCRETE STEPS THAT YOU'RE TAKING.
UH, WE'D LOVE TO ASK MORE ABOUT HOW THE VISITORSHIP IS GOING AND WHATNOT, BUT IN THE TIME, TIME,
LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING THOSE.
YOU KNOW HOW TO GET AHOLD OF ME.
AGAIN, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU AND I JUST THINK THE THE GROWTH OF THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.
AND SINCE YOU'VE COME ON BOARD, NATE, I MEAN YOU HAVE A GREAT BOARD, REALLY HANDS ON AND INVOLVED.
UM, IT'S A MUST STOP FOR ANY VISITOR THAT COMES TO SEDONA ON MY WATCH IS GOING TO THE MUSEUM.
SO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THAT.
ESPECIALLY LOVE THE, UM, PRESENTATIONS, THE, THE LIVING HISTORY PRESENTATIONS WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN CHARACTER, THAT'S ALWAYS FUN FOR VISITORS.
SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND KEEP UP THE CEMETERY PROGRAMS. I LOVE BEING A VOLUNTEER GHOST
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BRINGING PEOPLE FROM GRAVE TO GRAVE.I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU AND I'M THE LIAISON TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, SO THEY'RE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
AND NATE, YOU'VE JUST DONE A TERRIFIC JOB COMING IN HERE.
YOU FEELS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.
IT'S ONLY BEEN SIX MONTHS, I THINK.
BUT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS GOING THROUGH A MAJOR, UH, PROGRAM RIGHT NOW FOR, FOR UH, STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WAS ANTICIPATED WHEN A PROFESSIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS HIRED.
AND SO YOU'VE JUST BEEN ROCKING, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO APPARENTLY WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY DOING QUESTIONS.
SO, UM, I JUST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THE SAME THING.
I THINK IT'S REALLY, UM, IT'S REALLY AWESOME THAT WE'RE SUCH A TINY LITTLE SPACE AND YET WE HAVE THIS REALLY RICH HISTORY AND BEING ABLE TO KEEP ALL OF IT ALIVE, INCLUDING THE GEOLOGICAL PIECES OF WHERE THESE RED ROCKS COME FROM.
AND IT JUST ALL, IT'S ALL A PIECE OF WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY AND WHO WE WERE AS A COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY WHO WE WILL BE AS A COMMUNITY.
AND FOR THAT REASON, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE, UM, ALL OF US, SINCE WE HAVE THIS BIG AUDIENCE, ALL OF US TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO COME AND, AND VISIT AND TO PARTICIPATE.
CUZ I I ALSO THINK THE CEMETERY PROGRAM IS LIKE REALLY FUN AND COOL AND I KEEP GOING AND I KEEP HOPING THERE'S NEW GHOSTS EVERY, EVERY SINGLE TIME.
THANK YOU MAYOR NATE, UH, AL CHANDRA AND THE REST OF THE BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
UM, I GUESS KEEPING IN, UH, PETE, I WAS GONNA ASK QUESTIONS, DOUG, YOU KNOW, UM, SO I'LL JUST ASK THIS.
WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS THAT THE VICE MAYOR JUST MENTIONED? WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO KIND OF COME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN WITH WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE? YEAH, WE ARE, UH, PLANNING TO, UH, HOLD OUR FINAL STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING WITH BOARD AND STAFF AND WITH A FACILITATOR WHO ACTUALLY SPECIALIZES IN STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SMALL MUSEUMS. UM, WE PLAN TO HAVE OUR FINAL SESSION ON JUNE 1ST.
UH, AND FROM THERE, UH, OUR FACILITATOR KIND OF PUT TOGETHER THE FINAL PLAN AND, AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO KIND OF LOOK IT OVER AND A ADOPT IT AND, UH, THAT'LL GIVE US OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR, FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE ANYWAY.
I LOOK FORWARD, WE KIND OF WENT INTO IT THINKING THREE YEAR PLAN IS IS THE WAY TO GO.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT IT.
AND SO MY COMMENTS BASICALLY, UH, MIRROR EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID HERE.
NATE, YOU HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB IN THE FEW MONTHS THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE.
UH, YOU KNOW, I WAS AT AN EVENT MAYBE A MONTH AND A HALF, TWO MONTHS AGO, A WINE TASTING EVENT.
AND AT THAT EVENT I GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE GHOST OF SONSONA STUBBY
I MEAN, YOU DO SO MANY FUN THINGS.
YOU KNOW, THEY MENTIONED ABOUT THE CEMETERY WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE ENACTING THOSE WHO WERE HERE SO MANY YEARS AGO.
AND I JUST, YOU KNOW, AS UH, KATHY SAID, I ENCOURAGE WHEN I HAVE VISITORS HERE TO STOP IN AT THE MUSEUM BECAUSE IT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE.
AND THOSE WHO MOVE HERE, AND I MENTIONED THIS THE OTHER DAY, UH, I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, NEW NEIGHBORS, THAT IF THEY REALLY WANNA STAY IN SEDONA, IF THEY WANNA LEARN ABOUT SEDONA, WHERE THEY'RE GONNA BE CALLING HOME FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES TO GO TO THE MUSEUM AND LEARN.
AND YOU CAN'T GET A BETTER EDUCATION.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE.
AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE ALL AGREE HISTORY IS FUN.
YOU CHANDRA, IF YOU SEE UH, SEDONA SNUBBY, LET ME KNOW.
OKAY, WE'RE GONNA BE MOVING ON, I GUESS.
[8.c. AB 2944 Presentation/discussion regarding Greater Sedona Recreation Collaborative's (GSRC) work towards improved management and mitigation of impacts of motorized recreational uses in and around Sedona.]
ITEM C A B 29 44 PRESENTATION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GREATER SEDONA RECREATIONAL COLLABORATIVE G S RRC, THE WORK TOWARDS IMPROVED MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION OF IMPACTS OF MOTOR RIGHTS RECREATIONAL, UH, USES IN AND AROUND SEDONA USE CAN USE THIS.CAN YOU GET THE LIGHTS? NO, NO.
APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE.
MY NAME IS ANDY ROGERS AND I WORK FOR SOUTHWEST DECISION RESOURCES.
I'LL INTRODUCE MY COLLEAGUES HERE IN A MINUTE, BUT TODAY
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WE ARE HERE TO UPDATE YOU ON THE GREATER SEDONA RECREATION COLLABORATIVE, WHICH HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR JUST ABOUT A YEAR NOW.CAN YOU PLEASE HOLD ON, ANDY, CAN YOU JUST COME, JUST QUIET DOWN A LITTLE BIT, PLEASE.
OKAY, SO WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO OURSELVES.
I DON'T THINK I SAID THANK YOU FOR, UH, HAVING US MAYOR JALO, VICE MAYOR PLU, AND THE REST OF THE COUNSELORS.
AND THANK YOU KAREN, FOR INVITING US.
SO, WE'LL FIRST WE'LL START BY TELLING YOU WHO WE, WE ARE.
WE'LL INTRODUCE THE GREATER SEDONA RECREATION COLLABORATIVE AND REALLY JUST TELL YOU WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO.
OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, WE'VE BEEN CONVENING A MOTORIZED RECREATION WORKING GROUP AS PART OF A LARGER, GREATER SEDONA RECREATION GROUP.
AS WE KNOW, RECREATION ISSUES ARE COMPLEX, WHEREVER THEY ARE, PERHAPS GREATER IN SEDONA.
UM, WE'LL ALSO HAVE SOME TIME, UH, WE'LL BE GIVING THIS PRESENTATION COLLABORATIVELY AS WE DO, WE LIKE TO WALK THE WALK OF COLLABORATION.
IF THERE ARE CLARIFYING QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ALONG THE WAY, GO AHEAD.
BUT OTHERWISE WE'D LOVE TO WAIT FOR QUESTIONS UNTIL THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
SO I'M HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUES MARK IN HIS PLAID SHIRT AND JESSICA ARCHIBALD, MARK LO SETH AND JESSICA ARCHIBALD.
WE'RE FROM FLAGSTAFF AND WE ARE FACILITATORS AND MEDIATORS.
WE WORK IN NATURAL RESOURCE COLLABORATIONS.
WE'RE FROM FLAGSTAFF, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TEAMMATES IN TUCSON AND IN PHOENIX.
WE WORK WITH LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS AND PLANNING, PRIMARILY SURROUNDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING.
OUR GROUP ALSO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU ALL IN THIS COMMUNITY SURROUNDING THE UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY PLAN.
SO I'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME IN SEDONA OVER THE LAST COURSE OF THE YEAR.
WE ARE WELL-VERSED IN CONTENTIOUS AND COMPLICATED NATURAL RESOURCES AND MUNICIPAL ISSUES.
SO WE DO HAVE THAT IN OUR BELT.
UM, YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE IF YOU'D LIKE.
SO WHAT IS THE GREATER SEDONA RECREATION COLLABORATIVE OR THE GSRC? IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE INTERESTED, PARTY DRIVEN PROCESS.
WE REALLY LIKE TO BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO THE TABLE TO DISCUSS COMPLICATED ISSUES.
IT'S CURRENTLY EXPLORING POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS FOR A RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE GREATER SEDONA AREA.
WHAT IS THE GREATER SEDONA? THIS MAP HERE ON THE RIGHT, THE BOUNDARIES OF THE AREA WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT IS WEST TO THE FOREST SERVICE 5 25 ROAD SOUTH TO THE ROAD EAST TO THE MONS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AND NORTH TO THE RED ROCK SECRET CANYON WILDERNESS.
IT'S ABOUT 350 SQUARE MILES, SO IT'S A LARGE AREA AND WE'RE SEEKING TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE KEY PARTNERS IN THIS SPACE OF SHARED LEARNING AND COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING.
AND WE DO HAVE A WEBSITE THAT'S UP AND RUNNING WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THE NOTES AND ALL OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR.
SO WE HAVE THIS STRUCTURE OF THE GSRC AND WE HAVE SOME CO-CONVENERS, I'LL TALK ABOUT THOSE IN A MINUTE.
AND RIGHT NOW MOST OF OUR WORK IS WORKING ON OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE.
AS WE KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN SEDONA FOR A LONG TIME.
WE KNOW A PREVIOUS, THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL PREVIOUS EFFORTS TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMPLICATED ISSUES.
AND ONE DAY WE MIGHT HAVE FUTURE WORKING GROUPS.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, RECREATION EBBS AND FLOWS IN SEDONA AND THERE IT WILL ALWAYS BE COMPLICATED.
SO OUR KEY OBJECTIVES FOR THE RECREATION COLLABORATIVE ARE TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE INPUT ON SHORT, MID, AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIES.
AGAIN, TO ENGAGE BROAD PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION, TO LEARN AND TO BUILD UPON, BUT NOT REPLICATE PREVIOUS EFFORTS.
THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU, WE'VE TALKED TO A LOT ABOUT PREVIOUS EFFORTS AND WE LIKE TO USE A HOLISTIC AND BALANCED PERSPECTIVE.
NO, I, NO IDEA IS OFF THE TABLE.
WE LIKE TO BE CREATIVE IN OUR THINKING.
THIS EFFORT IS COVEN, WHICH MEANS THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND JURISDICTIONS WITH DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY WITHIN THE GREATER SEDONA AREA HAVE BEEN WITH US SINCE THE BEGINNING.
THAT'S THE US FOREST SERVICE, ARIZONA STATE'S PARKS AND TRAILS, ARIZONA GAME AND FISH, YAVAPAI COUNTY.
AND THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF SEDONA, OF THOSE CO-CONVENERS.
YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT THIS IS A CO-FUNDED PROJECT, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF SHARED CREDIT, SHARED PROCESS, AND SHARED IDEAS.
SO FAR WE'VE ENGAGED A HUGE NUMBER OF PARTNERS AND YOU CAN SEE THOSE THERE.
I'M JUST GONNA NOT READ 'EM TO YOU.
I'M JUST GONNA LET YOU TAKE A LOOK.
RESIDENTS, SEVERAL ENVIRONMENTAL NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, THE ROCK GROUP, WHICH IS RENTAL COMPANIES AND TOUR COMPANIES, RANCHING, PERMITEE, THE GAS COMPANY, SEVERAL RECREATION NGOS, USER GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.
WHAT'S THAT? I LIKE THE WORK GROUP.
I WILL, UM, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL OF OUR WORK GROUP HERE TODAY.
AND SO AT THIS TIME I'D LOVE FOR EITHER THE WORK GROUP AND THE CO-CONVENERS TO JUST STAND CUZ SEVERAL OF THEM ARE IN THE ROOM AND YOU'LL HEAR FROM A FEW OF 'EM LATER.
THERE ARE A FEW SPRINKLED ALL OVER.
[00:55:01]
SO I'M GONNA TURN IT OVER HERE TO JESSICA IN JUST A MINUTE.
BUT WHERE ARE WE? WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME GETTING STARTED.
UM, WHEN YOU START A PROCESS LIKE THIS THAT YOU ANTICIPATE WILL LAST FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, YOU HAVE TO PUT THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND YOU HAVE TO BEGIN BUILDING TRUST AND YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HARD UNDERSTAND WHAT WHAT IT IS.
THAT'S REALLY THE DIFFICULT THING THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO TACKLE.
SO WE SPENT SOME TIME GETTING STARTED.
WE HAVE NOW CONVENED THE OH THREE WORKING GROUP OF WHAT YOU JUST SAW.
WE HAVE BEEN TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC, BUT WE REALLY WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL WE HAD SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
AND SO THIS IS FOR SOME OF YOU, THIS MAY BE THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE GSRC.
THERE WAS A PRESS RELEASE THAT WENT OUT AS WELL.
BUT WELCOME, PLEASE GET INVOLVED AND WE WILL MAYBE ONE DAY BE EXPANDING OUR FOCUS ONCE WE JUST SOLVE ALL THE O H V ISSUES, RIGHT? WE HAVE TO THINK POSITIVE.
ALL RIGHT, SO I'M GONNA PASS IT TO JESSICA AND WE'RE GONNA DO A LITTLE BIT OF, UH, MUSICAL CHAIRS.
UH, SO TALKING ABOUT GETTING STARTED, WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF? WE REALLY KICKED THIS OFF LAST SUMMER WITH MEETING WITH THE CO CONVENERS.
AND SO WE TOOK A SITE VISIT TO THIS AREA TO SEE SOME OF THE AREAS OF CONCERN SPECIFICALLY FOR MOTORIZED RECREATION COMPLEXITIES.
UM, WE DID THAT WITH CITY OF SEDONA STAFF IN THE FOREST SERVICE, REALLY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.
UM, WE ALSO WORKED WITH OTHER COVEN ENTITIES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON RECREATION CHALLENGES IN THE SEDONA AREA AND BRINGING THEM TOGETHER TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE, KNOWING THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A BIT OF A CONTENTIOUS PROCESS.
WE ALSO WORKED WITH THEM TO ESTABLISH SOME REALLY CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND ROLES FOR THIS PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.
UM, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CO CONVENERS ALL ALONG THE WAY TO HELP US MAKE KEY DECISIONS ABOUT WHO TO INVOLVE, WHEN TO INVOLVE AND HELP, BUT REALLY GUIDE THIS PROCESS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID WITH THE CO CONVENERS IS TO IDENTIFY AN INITIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS PROCESS.
UH, SO TO, TO CONNECT WITH THOSE FOLKS.
WE KICKED OFF AN ASSESSMENT PROCESS, STARTING WITH A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS.
UH, WE DID 43 CONFIDENTIAL ONE HOUR INTERVIEWS, UH, WITH THE DIVERSITY OF PARTNERS REALLY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S THE DIVERSITY AND COMPLEXITY OF PERSPECTIVES AROUND RECREATION IN THE SEDONA AREA, UM, FOCUSING ON WHAT THEY SEE AS CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND, AND RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE AREA.
WE USE KIND OF A SNOWBALL APPROACH.
SO EACH PERSON THAT WE INTERVIEWED, WE ASKED IF THEY HAD RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHO ELSE WE MIGHT INTERVIEW.
UM, REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT COMPREHENSIVE, UH, BREADTH OF OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.
ANOTHER PART OF THE ASSESSMENT WAS A SERIES OF RESIDENTIAL SITE VISITS, UM, AND RESIDENTIAL SITE REPORTS.
UH, SO WE, HERE WE ARE IN THE PICTURE HERE.
YOU CAN SEE US AT THE BROKEN ARROW TRAIL HEAD AND THEN ALSO THE WEST SEDONA AR UH, TRAILHEAD.
THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND KIND OF PLACE-BASED DISCUSSIONS, CONCERNS.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME SEEING IMPACTS ON THE GROUND, BUT ALSO BRAINSTORMING POTENTIAL STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THOSE.
THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO BUILD SOME CROSS-SITE AND CROSS STAKEHOLDER UNDERSTANDING.
SO WHILE WE ARE IN BROKEN ARROW FOLKS FROM THE WEST SEDONA AREA, WE'RE ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THAT MEETING LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER AND ALSO REALLY SUPPORTING THIS IDEA OF, OF NEEDING TO TAKE A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE.
UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE ACTION IN ONE AREA WILL CERTAINLY INFECT AFFECT THE USE IN OTHER AREAS.
ANOTHER PART OF THE GETTING STARTED WAS TO, TO COLLECT A TON OF RESOURCES, UM, RELEVANT TO RECREATION AND TO MOTORIZED RECREATION IN THE AREA.
WE COLLECTED THIS DATA IN A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS.