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[1. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: Individuals may address the Board on any relevant issue for up to 3 minutes. At the close of the call to the public, Board members may not respond to any comments but may respond to criticism, ask staff to review a matter or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda.]
ON THE AGENDA TODAY IS CALL TO THE PUBLIC.I JUST WANNA POINT OUT, UH, AND CALL TO THE PUBLIC.
WE'LL LIMIT YOUR TIME TO THREE MINUTES.
WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SPEAK.
UH, MANY OF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SBA TOWER THAT HAVE PUT IN.
IT'S REALLY AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT'S GOING INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO WE'VE ONLY HAD MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT ITEM AND OF YOUR OPINION.
SO I WOULD ASK, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL THAT WISH TO SPEAK, THAT YOU LIMIT YOUR TIME EVEN LESS AS, AS LESS AS POSSIBLE.
AND PLEASE NOT TO REPEAT ANYTHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING NEW TO SAY, GO AHEAD AND SAY IT.
BUT IF IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, AND WHEN YOUR TURN COMES, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT, UH, IT'S BEEN COVERED, THEN JUST DECLINED TO SPEAK AND THAT WILL HELP US MOVE THIS ALONG A LITTLE BIT.
FIRST WE HAVE ANNA PARA SCANDO ON, ON ZOOM.
ARE YOU THERE, ANNA? I'M HERE.
HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE NAVAJO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, FELLOW RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ANNA PARISO AND I'M A RESIDENT OF SNOWFLAKE.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY ON A MATTER THAT DEEPLY AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITY.
THE TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT WITH SBA COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSED CELL TOWER AT WHITE ANTELOPE AND CONCHO HIGHWAY.
THIS IS NOT, THIS ISN'T JU JUST ABOUT AN INTRUSIVE STRUCTURE.
IT'S ABOUT THE WELLBEING OF VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BUILT A SUPPORTIVE HAVEN.
FCC GUIDELINES SINCE 1996 FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PROVEN EFFECTS OF RF RADIATION THAT WORSEN ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY SYMPTOMS LIKE CHRONIC FATIGUE, NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES, AND WORSE.
FORCING THIS TOWER ON US WOULD EXPOSE RESIDENTS TO CONSTANT RF RADIATION, POTENTIALLY RENDERING HOMES, UNINHABITABLE AND SLASHING PROPERTY VALUES.
IMAGINE UPROOTING YOUR LIFE, LEAVING BEHIND EVERYTHING FAMILIAR JUST TO FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN
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SLEEP WITHOUT TORMENT OR FROM INVISIBLE WAVES OF RADIATION.THAT'S THE REALITY FOR RESIDENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY, INDIVIDUALS WITH, WITH A, WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY WHO CHOOSE THIS REMOTE HAVEN AS THEIR LAST REFUGE.
NOW, SBA COMMUNICATIONS THREATENS TO SHATTER THAT PIECE THROUGH A LAWSUIT.
WE, IF WE CAVE TO CORPORATE PRESSURE NOW, WHAT'S NEXT? MORE LAWSUITS ERODING LOCAL CONTROL, MORE COMMUNITY SACRIFICE FOR PROFIT.
VERIZON WIRELESS WILL PAY $7.7 MILLION AFTER A SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED, INVOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS AT HUNDREDS OF THE COMPANY'S CELL TOWERS.
PROOF THAT TELECOMMUNICATION GIANTS CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHEN COMMUNITIES AND AUTHORITIES STAND FIRM APPROVING THIS SETTLEMENT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.
IT TELLS CORPORATIONS LIKE SBA, THAT THEY CAN BYPASS LOCAL OVERSIGHT THROUGH LITIGATION, OVERRIDING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND THE BOARD'S PRIOR.
YOUR VOTE TODAY CAN REAFFIRM OUR COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO ITS RESIDENTS OVER CORPORATE INTERESTS, REJECT THIS SETTLEMENT, CONTINUE TO DENY THE PERMIT, STAND WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO CALL THIS PLACE HOME.
LET'S SHOW THAT NAVAJO COUNTY VALUES PEOPLE OVER PROFITS.
NINA, ARE YOU THERE? THANK YOU.
I URGE THE COUNTY TO REJECT THE SETTLEMENT OFFER AND LET THE COURT FINISH ITS EXPEDITED REVIEW.
WHAT I AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE FOUND IN OUR RESEARCH OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW AND CASE LAW ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES I SENT YOU.
THAT THERE'S EXTREMELY LIMITED, UH, GROUNDS FOR A LAWSUIT BY AN APPLICANT WHO DISAGREES WITH THE COUNTY DECISION.
THEY'RE ENTITLED TO EXPEDITED REVIEW.
I SENT YOU A CASE LAW THAT I HAVE FOUND IN MY PERSONAL RESEARCH, UM, AS AN ADVOCATE, UM, FOR PEOPLE, FOR MYSELF WHO, WHOM DISABLED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSITIVITY AND BY OTHERS.
UM, THE, UM, THE COURTS, INCLUDING THE SUPREME COURT, HAVE DENIED, UM, DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES AND OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN WHAT'S STIPULATED IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW.
UM, AND SO THEY ARE ENTITLED TO EXPEDITED REVIEW OF YOUR DEC DECISION, WHICH WAS BASED ON SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, WHICH ALSO TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW SPELLS OUT THAT THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED.
UM, AND, UH, SUBSTANTIAL IS MORE THAN A ILLA AND LESS THAN A PREPONDERANCE.
YOU HAVE MET THE LAW'S REQUIREMENTS IN THIS CIVILIAN, UH, ADVOCATE'S, UM, VIEW OR A DECISION, AND THEREFORE LET THE, LET THE COURTS SEE WHAT THE LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL REMEDIES ARE TO THE APPLICANT, AND THEN, UH, DO THE REVIEW.
UM, THIS IS A DISABLED COMMUNITY.
UM, IT IS PROTECTED BY, UM, UH, AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY AMENDMENTS ACT, THE FAIR HOUSING ACT, AND THE FAIR HOUSING AMENDMENTS ACT, AS WELL AS ARIZONA CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS.
AND SO I ASK YOU TO, UM, TO, UH, AFFIRM THE PROTECTIONS.
UM, EVEN AS FEDERAL LAW, THE, UM, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT ITSELF STATES THAT REMEDIES AND OTHER LAWS ARE NOT, UM, EXCLUDED OR CHANGED OR BYPASSED.
THOSE ARE NOT THE WORDS OF THE ACT, BUT THAT'S WHAT THE ACT, UM, STATES, THAT THOSE LAWS AND THOSE REMEDIES REMAIN.
AND THE ONLY LAWS THAT CAN BE INVALIDATED ARE ONES THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE ACT AND THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT.
I'VE SEARCHED IT OVER AND OVER AND CANNOT FIND ANY REFERENCE TO INVALIDATING A DA.
SO I ASK YOU TO UPHOLD YOUR SETTLEMENT OR UPHOLD YOUR, UM, DECISION, WHICH WAS SO THOROUGH.
I, I HAVE SEEN MANY DECISIONS BY OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND YOURS WAS ONE OF THE MOST THOROUGH I'VE EVER SEEN, UM, AND REJECT THE SETTLEMENT OFFER AND LET THE COURT FINISH ITS EXPEDITED REVIEW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, VERY MUCH.
NEXT WE HAVE, UH, NAOMI LARSON.
WE'LL GO BACK TO NEXT TO DEB SCHMELTZER.
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RESIDING AT 8 6 5 7 TRAIL.I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR THE SUPPORT THUS FAR REGARDING THE SBA CELL TOWER.
I'M STRONGLY REQUESTING THAT THE NAVAJO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UPHOLD THEIR PREVIOUS STANDINGS TO TURN DOWN THE SETTLEMENT OFFER WITH SBA COMMUNICATIONS TO PROTECT VULNERABLE MEDICALLY AND LEGALLY DISABLED CHEMICAL, MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVE MCS AND ELECTRO HYPERSENSITIVE EHS INDIVIDUALS.
WHEN I'VE LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR YEARS, I AM ONE OF THE M-C-S-E-H-S INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE PROPOSED LOCATION OF THE CELL TOWER REQUIRES EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO DRIVE VERY CLOSE BY THE CELL TOWER, TO ACCESS MAILBOXES AND TO ACCESS SERVICES AND SNOWFLAKE.
THE RADIO FREQUENCY ADMITTED BY THE CELL TOWER WILL INDUCE THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL ISSUES FOR ME, EXTREMELY IMPAIRED HEARING, BLURRED VISION, CHEST PAIN WITH HEART PALPITATIONS INTO CARDIAC INTESTINAL MALFUNCTION WITH NAUSEA AND AT TIMES VOMITING AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES.
THE ABOVE CONDITIONS WILL DENY ME ACCESS TO NEEDED SERVICES.
THE M-C-S-E-H-S COMMUNITY EVOLVED BY PEOPLE BUILDING AROUND EACH OTHER TO PROTECT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY FROM EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS, HERBICIDES, PESTICIDES, AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY.
HOMES WERE CONSTRUCTED USING NON-TOXIC MATERIALS THAT ALSO SHIELDED THE INHABITANTS FROM WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS MORE TIME CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE.
PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMAIN SELF-SUFFICIENT AND FUNCTIONAL DUE TO THE PROTECTIVE COMMUNITY AND SPECIAL HOUSING.
THE NAVAJO COUNTY REGULATIONS FOR CELL TOWER FACILITIES STATES THAT CONSIDERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE IN THE SIGHTING OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, THE SIGHTING OF THIS TOWER AT THE PROPOSED SBA LOCATION IS ABSOLUTELY NO CONSIDERATION FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE M-C-S-E-H-S COMMUNITY AND SHOULD BE TURNED DOWN BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
OUR LAST PERSON ON ZOOM IS ELIZABETH KELLY.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SAFETY ALLIANCE, FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED NONPROFIT, REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THIS COMMUNITY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, EVER SINCE NAVAJO COUNTY HEARD THE, UH, PERMIT OF APPLICATION FOR A CELL TOWER NEAR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD NORTH OF SNOWFLAKE IN, UH, THE FALL OF SEPTEMBER, 2029, THE PERMIT AT THAT TIME.
I JUST WANNA REPORT TO YOU, UH, THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED TO THE POINT THAT THE RESIDENTS MAY NEED TO RELOCATE.
BUT IF THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE THIS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES, AND THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT, UH, HAZARDS BEING PRESENTED TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND THEIR ABILITY TO TRAVEL TO, UH, MEET THEIR DAILY NEEDS FOR GROCERIES, HEALTHCARE, AND SO FORTH.
UH, IN 2022, SUSAN MALLOY, WHO LIVES IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND AND I WERE INVITED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY PO UH, ON DISABILITIES AND RECOMMENDS POLICIES ON DISABILITIES TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS.
THEY HAD JUST RELEASED A, A HEALTH EQUITY FRAMEWORK WHERE THEY DISCUSSED MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AND ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSITIVITIES AND THE IMPACT ON THEM FROM TECHNOLOGY, FROM WIRELESS TECH AND FROM ELECTRO FROM ELECTRICITY, AND SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY DISABLING CONDITION DUE TO THOSE SOURCES THAT AFFECTS, UH, THEIR HEALTH IN MANY WAYS.
I WON'T GO INTO THE DETAILS 'CAUSE OTHERS WILL, BUT, UH, SO THEREFORE, THESE PEOPLE CANNOT LIVE THERE.
IF THAT TOWER GOES UP, I'M GONNA CLOSE BY QUOTING DR.
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UH, UH, JERRY'S LAST NAME, SORRY.UH, ELLIOT IS FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT AND A MEMBER OF THE CHEROKEE OSAGE TRIBE.
HE SUBMITTED HIS TESTIMONY, BUT HERE'S A QUOTE FROM THE LAST PARAGRAPH.
I CALL FOR RESTRAINT, TRANSPARENCY AND PRECAUTION.
THE BURDEN OF PROOF MUST REST WITH THOSE CREATING EXPOSURE, NOT WITH OR UNBORN CHILDREN WHO WILL BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES.
I SUBMIT THE STATEMENT SO THAT IF HARM OCCURS, IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT NO ONE WARNED.
NO ONE QUESTIONED, NO ONE SPOKE.
FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
AGAIN, REMEMBER, IF THERE'S NOTHING THAT IS NEW TO YOUR COMMENTS, UH, WE'LL MOVE THIS ALONG.
WE HAVE HEARD MUCH OF THIS IN THE PAST, AND WE'LL JUST TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND NEW INFORMATION.
AT THIS TIME, KEVIN DUNN IN THE HELLO BOARD, KEVIN DUNN.
I KNOW MOST OF YOU HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE.
YOU KNOW, I'M A REAL ESTATE AGENT AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT PROPERTY VALUES, BUT WHAT I ATTEST TO LAST TIME WAS THAT I HELD A CELL SIGNAL AS I DROVE BY THAT INTERSECTION ALL THE TIME.
WELL, FRIDAY, I HAD DECIDED TO TEST IT.
I PARKED AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE SPOT THERE AT THAT INTERSECTION, WHICH IS RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE MAILBOXES, THREE BARS.
AND I GUESS THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE NEW APPARATUS UP ON THE NORTH TIP OF BLACK MESA.
I COULD MAKE A CALL FROM THERE.
I COULD RECEIVE A CALL FROM THERE.
I DROVE NORTH TWO OR THREE MILES, THREE TO FOUR BARS THE WHOLE WAY.
I CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND DROVE SOUTH TWO TO THREE MILES, THREE TO FOUR BARS THE WHOLE WAY.
TOTALLY UNNECESSARY TO HAVE A CELL TOWER AT THAT LOCATION.
AND IT'D BE A, A SHAME TO LET THIS CORPORATE GIANT STEP ON AND SQUASH THIS NEIGHBORHOOD JUST BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT THE MONEY TO DO SO.
AND, AND THEIR HOMES ARE VERY UNUSUAL.
IT'S NOT LIKE THEY CAN JUST SELL 'EM TO A NORMAL PERSON THAT CAN TOLERATE THE EMF HAZARDS THERE.
A NORMAL PERSON'S NOT GONNA WANT 'EM.
THEY'RE, THEY DON'T OFTEN DON'T HAVE A STOVE OR AN OVEN.
THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ELECTRONICS.
THEY, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO SELL 'EM.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
I LIVE AT 8 5 5 9 GARDEN OAK TRAIL, AND I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR SAFEGUARD SNOWFLAKE PAST SEPTEMBER, 2024.
I'M ASKING YOU TO CONTINUE THE SUPPORT BY REQUIRING SBA TO PROVIDE, UM, PROOF THAT THE ANT WHITE ANTELOPE TOWER IS NECESSARY.
SBA HAS NOT MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE 13, UM, SECTION 1306, SUBSECTION I OF THE NEVADA NAVAJO COUNTY'S ZONING ORDINANCE.
THEY HAVE NOT DEMONSTRATED THAT EXISTING FACILITIES ARE PHYSICALLY INADEQUATE FOR REASONABLE COMMERCIAL CAPACITY OR COVERAGE.
I SUBMITTED A LETTER IN THE PAST, BUT WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME IS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, UM, IN THEIR APPLICATION, SBA STATES, UM, THIS IS PRIMARILY A COVERAGE SITE.
IT SAYS THAT, UM, AS AN, IN SO MANY WORDS AS AN ADDED BENEFIT, IT WILL ADD SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT TO PEOPLE WITH WHO WANT CAPACITY TO DOWNLOAD HIGH CAPACITY DATA.
HIGH CAPACITY IS NOT ADEQUATE.
AND I REPEAT AGAIN, THEY SAY THIS IS PRIMARILY A CAPACITY AREA.
AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS I UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN THOUGH WE CAN PROVE WITH THE SECOND BLACK MESA TOWER THAT CAPACITY IS AT THAT, UM, COVERAGE IS ADEQUATE, THE COURTS MIGHT STILL SAY OR AGREE THAT CO THAT CAPACITY IS NOT ADEQUATE.
SBA DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK CAPACITY IS
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AN ISSUE, SAYS RIGHT THERE IN THE APPLICATION PRIMARILY A COVERAGE ISSUE.UM, AND I'M NOT SURE I SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT SBA ALSO SAYS, AND ITS APPLICATION THAT, UM, THEY WANT TO BUILD OUT THE COUNTY FASTER.
IF I APPLIED TO SUBDIVIDE OR EVEN SPLIT MY 20 ACRE PARCEL, WOULD THE COUNTY ACCOMMODATE ME TO HELP BUILD OUT THE AREA FASTER? UM, I'M ASKING FOR ANOTHER DRIVE TEST THIS TIME WITH IT VERIFIED THAT BOTH THE SNOWFLAKE HEIGHTS AND THE SECOND BLACK MESA TOWER ARE ACTIVE, SO CONCERNED PARTIES.
I LIVE AT 8 6 5 7 HANSA TRAIL IN OUTSIDE OF SNOWFLAKE.
UM, THANK YOU MR. SEYMOUR AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR HEARING IS TODAY.
THIS IS AN URGENT PLEA FOR YOU TO DENY THE BUILDING PERMIT REQUESTED BY SBA COMMUNICATIONS TO ERECT 120 FOOT TALL CELL TOWER ON THE CORNER OF OUR ROAD.
I'VE LIVED WITH DISABILITIES SYMPTOMS OF WHICH ARE TRIGGERED BY EVEN SEEMINGLY MINOR EXPOSURES TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND MULTIPLE CHEMICALS.
SINCE 1981, I STARTED VISITING THE QUIET UNPOLLUTED RANCH LAND AREA EAST OF SNOWFLAKE IN 92.
BECAUSE MY ABILITY TO WALK IMPROVED HERE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET STRONGER.
I NEEDED MY WHEELCHAIR MUCH LESS, AND I FELT LIKE I'D HAVE A CHANCE AT LIFE.
IT HAS MEANT THE WORLD TO ME TO HAVE A STURDY, SAFE HOUSE BUILT IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SPECIFICALLY ACCOMMODATES MY DISABILITIES AND OFTEN MY URGENT NEED FOR PROTECTION.
I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HELP NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH DISABLING HYPERSENSITIVITIES LIKE MINE WERE COME HERE AND IMPROVE, OR AT LEAST HOLD THEIR OWN.
WE DON'T KNOW OF ANYWHERE ELSE WE COULD HAVE SETTLED TO HAVE A CHANCE TO MANAGE AT ALL THE CELL TOWER.
SBA PROPOSES FOR NORTH WHITE ANTELOPE ROAD AT CONCHO HIGHWAY WILL, IF BILL PRESENT A BARRIER TO MY ABILITY TO OBTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, GROCERIES, MEDICATION, DENTAL CARE, OR TO CONDUCT OTHER BUSINESS IN SNOWFLAKE OR NEIGHBORING TOWNS, IT WILL PRESENT AN INVISIBLE BUT COMPLETE BARRIER.
MY DISABLING SYMPTOMS FROM CELL TOWER EXPOSURES INCLUDE DIFFICULTY OR EVEN COMPLETE INABILITY TO WALK OR SPEAK EXTREME FATIGUE AND A SENSE OF, IN A SENSE OF BEING LOST EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION SUCH AS THAT FROM CELL TOWERS PROVOKES THESE DISABILITIES, MAKING IT TOO DIFFICULT TO CARE FOR MY DAILY NEEDS, LIKE FOOD PREPARATION, LAUNDRY, GROCERY SHOPPING, REHAB APPOINTMENTS FOR CHRONIC SCIATICA AND RECENT HIP SURGERY, GOING TO THE LIBRARY, TAKING CARE OF MY DOG, AND JUST INTERACTING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET TO MY MAILBOX BECAUSE IT IS JUST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM AND UNDERNEATH THE PROPOSED CELL TOWER.
HI, MY NAME, UH, THANK YOU BOARD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I LIVE AT 8 3 3 3 ROCKEN R RANCH TRAIL, UH, EAST OF SNOWFLAKE.
[00:25:01]
ADDITIONAL THING THAT I CAN SAY IS THAT I AM ONE OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSING THAT IS FULLY GOVERNMENT FUNDED BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOUSING PEOPLE WITH MY KIND OF DISABILITIES, WHICH ARE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY AND ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY.THESE DISABILITIES ARE RECOGNIZED BY, UH, THE AC, THE US ACCESS BOARD AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES.
AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES THE MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY DISABILITY, WHICH IS MEDICALLY RECOGNIZED TO BE WORSENED BY, UH, EXPOSURE TO RADIO FREQUENCIES AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCIES.
THIS IS, THIS HOUSING IS NOT ONLY IN A UNIQUE COMMUNITY, BUT IT IS UNIQUE IN BEING GOVERNMENT SPONSORED RENTAL HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME, LOW INCOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE MY DISABILITIES.
I WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIVE IN THAT HOUSING IF I DID NOT HAVE THE DISABILITIES THAT I HAVE, UH, TO CHEMICALS AND TO ELECTROMAGNETICS.
NOW, I HAVE LIVED IN THAT HOUSE FOR 13 YEARS AND HAVE IMPROVED QUITE A BIT.
UM, I ALREADY, WITH THE RAMPING UP OF THE PRE-EX OF THE TOWERS THAT ALREADY EXIST THAT WERE BUILT AFTER I MOVED IN, UM, I CAN FEEL MORE AND MORE EXPOSURE.
UM, BUT THIS PROPOSED NEW TOWER IS MORE THAN TWICE AS CLOSE TO MY HOUSING AS THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN BUILT.
SO IT WOULD JUST BE EXPONENTIALLY WORSE.
AND THE PROGRESS THAT I'VE MADE THAT I'M TRYING TO HANG ON TO, UM, I JUST FEEL IS VERY, VERY THREATENED BY THIS.
AND I, I JUST BEG YOU, PLEASE STICK TO YOUR GUNS, STICK TO YOUR, YOUR RESOLVE AND, AND DENY THIS TOWER, PLEASE.
NEXT WE HAVE IS MARLENE SCHMIDT.
I LIVE OUTSIDE SNOWFLAKE, ALSO ON 8 3 3 3 ROCKING OUR RANCH TRAIL.
I AM DISABLED AND SOCIAL SECURITY HAS DIAGNOSED ME WITH DISABILITIES IN THE PAST.
MY PHYSICAL DISABILITY INCLUDES ASTHMA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES, MCS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY.
I'M VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE A PROPOSED CELL TOWER TO BE BUILT ON THE CORNER OF WHITE ANTELOPE ROAD AND CONCHO HIGHWAY WOULD CONSTITUTE A BARRIER TO TRAVEL FOR ME TO ACCOMPLISH ALL MY NECESSITIES OF LIFE.
I TRAVEL ON THAT ROAD FROM MEDICAL CARE TO THE DOCTOR AND THE DENTIST TO BUY GROCERIES, GO TO THE LIBRARY, MY HEALTH FOOD STORES, CHURCH AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
WHEN I'M EXPOSED TO CELL TOWERS EMITTING THEIR RADIATION AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS, I BECOME MORE DISABLED AND GET BRAIN FOG, WEAKNESS, SWELLING IN MY BODY, PAIN, DIZZINESS, AND POOR MUSCLE COORDINATION.
AND ALL THE PHYSICAL DISABILITY SYMPTOMS INCREASE.
I CHOSE THIS AREA FOR THE UNIQUE HOUSING THAT WAS BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE.
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AVOIDS WIRELESS COMMUNICATION.
SO THE RADIATION AS FROM CELL TOWERS IS VERY LOW.
MY DISABILITY REQUIRES LOW ELECTROMATIC, UH, ELECTROMAGNETIC EXPOSURE.
I LIVE IN ARIZONA STATE, DESIGNED HOUSING BUILT AND OPERATED SPECIFICALLY FOR DISABLED PERSONS WHO HAVE MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AND BUILT WITH SHIELDING FOR LESS ELECTROMAGNETIC EMF EXPOSURE.
THIS HOUSING WAS BUILT WITH STATE AND PUBLIC FUNDS FOR LOW INCOME, VULNERABLE DISABLED PERSONS.
THIS HOUSING PROJECT IS THE ONLY STATE FUNDED MODIFIED DISABILITY HOUSING OF ITS KIND IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF ARIZONA.
WE HAVE A VERY LONG WAITING LIST FOR PROSPECTIVE TENANTS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHO REQUIRE THIS MODIFIED DISABILITY HOUSING THAT MAY WE, UH, WAIT, UH, UH, FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.
I WAITED OVER FOUR YEARS FOR AN OPENING FOR THIS UNIQUE HOUSING AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY HERE.
A CELL TOWER PLACED ALONG THE ONLY MEANS OF TRAVEL IN AND OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY WOULD NULLIFY THE VERY REASON FOR MY LOCATING HERE.
THIS COMMUNITY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT MY DISABILITY REQUIRED.
THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC HOUSING, WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED
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FOR MY DISABILITY, IS TO ALLEVIATE COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EXPOSURES SUCH AS CELL TOWERS THAT WOULD RENDER ME DRAMATICALLY MORE DISABLED AND UNABLE TO CARE FOR MYSELF.THANK YOU BOARD FOR TAKING YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER.
AND MAY THE LORD LEAD YOU INTO KEEPING THAT SUPPORT AND VOTING AGAINST THIS CELL TOWER TODAY.
I REPRESENT SBA COMMUNICATIONS AND THIS BOARD IN NAVAJO COUNTY IS BOUND TO FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW.
AND FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS THE CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO APPROVE OR DENY PERMITS FOR CELL TOWERS.
UH, YOU'VE HEARD TESTIMONY TODAY FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE TOWER ON THE BASIS OF THE PERCEIVED HEALTH EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION UNDER 25 YEARS OF ESTABLISHED CASE LAW, WHICH IS BINDING ON THE FEDERAL DISTRICT OF ARIZONA.
THOSE CONSIDERATIONS MAY NOT PLAY A PART IN THE BOARD'S DECISION.
NOW, THE TENTATIVE SENATE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BEFORE THE BOARD RESOLVES LITIGATION THAT HAS BEEN PENDING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR BETWEEN SBA AND THE COUNTY.
MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE CELL TOWER SOUGHT TO INTERVENE IN THAT LAWSUIT, AND THE FEDERAL JUDGE DENIED THEIR MOTION TO INTERVENE BECAUSE THERE IS NO LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SO UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
UH, IF THIS SETTLEMENT IS NOT APPROVED AND THIS MATTER CONTINUES, THERE ARE SEVERAL BASIS ON WHICH SBA CAN OBTAIN SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST THE COUNTY, WHICH WILL RESULT IN THE FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERING THE COUNTY TO APPROVE THE PERMIT.
WE WOULD MUCH RATHER RESOLVE THIS AMICABLY.
AND THERE'S BEEN A TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT PROPOSED, WHICH THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY HAS RECOMMENDED BE ACCEPTED, AND YOU'LL HEAR FROM THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY IN YOUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND THAT WILL NOT ONLY SAVE THE COUNTY FROM THE ONGOING DEFENSE COSTS OF THE LITIGATION, BUT SBA IS ALSO PAYING $25,000 TO BE USED IN THE COUNTY'S SOLE DISCRETION AS IT SEES FIT.
NEXT WE HAVE, UH, THOMAS FREEMAN.
UM, AND, UH, I LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, UH, I, UH, SUBMITTED A, UH, PAPER THAT I WROTE, UH, UH, SHOWING THE, UH, IMPROVEMENT IN THE SIGNAL STRENGTH, UH, DUE TO THE, UH, IMPROVEMENTS THAT SBA HAS ALREADY MADE AT THE BLACK MESA LOCATION AND ALSO THE IMPROVEMENT AT SNOWFLAKE HEIGHTS.
UM, UH, UH, THE MAIN CONCLUSION, UH, OF THAT PAPER WAS THAT, UH, ANY DATA PRESENTED IN, UH, THAT, UH, IN 2024 ABOUT THE SIGNAL STRENGTH, UH, UH, WAS, UH, IS NOW AB ABSO, UH, OBSOLETE AND IRRELEVANT, UH, BECAUSE OF THE, THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY'VE ALREADY DONE.
THE, UH, SIGNAL QUALITY, UH, CERTAINLY ALONG CONCHO HIGHWAY IS FINE NOW.
UH, THERE'S JUST REAL, REALLY NO REASON TO, UH, TO HAVE ANOTHER TOWER THERE.
UH, IT IS NOT NECESSARY, UM, FOR, UH, HAVING ADEQUATE, UH, COVERAGE, CERTAINLY ALONG CONCHO HIGHWAY, BUT MOST ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND SO YOU CAN READ THE TECHNICAL, UH, DETAILS IN, UM, THE PAPER I SUBMITTED.
NEXT WE HAVE, UH, CARRIE DUNN.
I'M CARRIE DUNN HERE SPEAKING FOR ONE OF MY EI CLIENTS THAT LIVES IN THE WHITE ANTELOPE NEIGHBORHOOD, READING HIS STATEMENT.
I LIVE OFF WHITE ANTELOPE ROAD.
I'M DISABLED AND UNABLE TO BE PRESENT IN PERSON OR BY COMPUTER.
MR. DUNN READS THIS IN MY STEAD, I PRESENT YOU WITH A PICTURE OF A FRIEND'S SMARTPHONE.
IT IS TAKEN BY THE MAILBOXES NEXT TO THE PROPOSED TOWER SITE.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S FULL SIGNAL
[00:35:01]
STRENGTH ALREADY.THERE IS NO NEED FOR A NEW TOWER.
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AFTER VERIZON ERECTED A TOWER ON BLACK MESA ALMOST A YEAR AGO, DESPITE THE CLOSENESS AND THAT BOTH TOWERS ARE FOR THE VERIZON NETWORK, THIS TOWER WAS NOT AT ALL MENTIONED IN THE REPORT.
SBA COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTED TO SUPPORT THE CLAIM THAT A NEW TOWER WAS NEEDED ON WHITE ANTELOPE.
I BELIEVE THIS GRAVE OMISSION WAS A DELIBERATE ACT OF DECEPTION.
SBA COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH DECEPTIONS.
THEY MUST START OVER AND REAPPLY FOR THE PERMIT THIS TIME WITHOUT ANY SHENANIGANS.
I'M GONNA LIMIT THE TIME TO ONE MINUTE FOR THOSE WHO CALLED IN LATE.
ON ZOOM, WE HAVE ROSE, ROSE MARIE.
UM, I SENT YOU A LETTER LAST WEEK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH, UH, LACK OF COMPLIANCE FROM AN SBA TOWER THAT IS NEXT TO MY HOME.
NO ONE WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE APPROVAL.
UH, YOU HAVE MY INFORMATION THERE.
BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD IS WHAT THE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN ON THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
UH, MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE TOWER AND THE U UTILITY METERS.
UH, FOR EXAMPLE, A FRIEND WHO USED OUR TENNIS COURT HAD A PACEMAKER IMPLANT WHEN HE HAD THE PACEMAKER IMPLANTED.
HE COULD NO LONGER PLAY ON THE COURT AS HIS PACEMAKER WOULD STOP WORKING.
WE BROUGHT HIM INTO OUR SHIELDED HOME AND HIS PACEMAKER BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN.
THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS.
LIKEWISE, MY HUSBAND HAS AN INSPIRE PLANT TO CONTROL SLEEP APNEA.
THE INSPIRE IMPLANT COULD FAIL OR BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE, INCLUDING ONE.
HE IS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY IMPAIR HIS BREATHING.
WHO ELSE DO YOU HAVE? THEY DON'T HAVE NAMES.
UM, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A NAME, THAT'S FINE.
DID YOU WANT ME TO ANSWER A QUESTION? NO, NO.
THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE, UH, NEXT PERSON IS KELLY MCCAULEY.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, KELLY? YES, SIR.
UH, MY, UH, ITEMS, UH, LATER ON IN THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
IF I CAN WAIT TILL THEN, THAT'S FINE.
SEEING NO OTHERS ON CALL TO THE PUBLIC, UH, A CLOSE CALL TO THE PUBLIC.
I APPRECIATE THE DECOR OF WHICH YOU SHARED THAT INFORMATION WITH US TODAY.
WE CANNOT RESPOND TO THAT AT THIS TIME, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE IN YOUR ATTENDANCE.
[2. CONSENT AGENDA: These items are considered to be routine or administrative in nature and will be approved in a single motion. A Board member may request for any item to be removed from the consent agenda and considered on the regular agenda:]
WE HAVE IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.IS THERE ANY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT NEEDS TO BE FULLY REVIEWED? I'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? PROCEED TO THAT PASS.
[a. CONSENT AGENDA: The following item(s) are considered to be of a routine or administrative in nature and will be approved as a group unless a member of the Board wishes to discuss a particular item: ]
ITEM IS NAVAJO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT.I NEED A MOTION TO MOVE INTO THE HEALTH DISTRICT.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND THERE.
WE'RE IN THE NAVAJO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE DISTRICT.
WE HAVE, UH, ITEMS ON THE CON CONSENT AND JENNA AS AMENDMENT TO EXISTING IGA WITH THE CITY OF SNOWFLAKE AND NAVAJO COUNTY CONTINUING OPERATIONS OF THEIR GOVERNMENT PLAN FOR 2006 AND 2007,
[00:40:01]
AND THE NAVAJO COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN FOR 2006 TO 2028.ANY DISCUSSION ON THESE ITEMS? I JUST HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS A LITTLE BIT HERE WITH OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, UH, JUST TO GOING OVER THESE OPERATIONS MANUALS THERE QUITE LENGTHY, UH, AND VERY DETAILED.
AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOES TO KEEP THOSE MATTERS OF EMERGENCY AND HOW THEY WILL OPERATE IN A CONFLICT MANNER.
SO THIS TIME I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE, ALTHOUGH IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? NEED A MOTION TO MOVE BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION? HAVE A MOTION.
[b. VICTORY HEIGHTS ROAD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT: Board of Directors Session:]
WORKS.WE HAVE A VICTORY HEIGHTS ROAD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT, UH, SENATE.
I GUESS WE NEED TO MOVE, MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE INTO THE ROAD DISTRICT, DON'T WE? YES.
NEED A MOTION TO MOVE INTO VICTORY HEIGHTS, UH, ROAD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
ITEM THERE IS, UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, IT'S A CONTRACT SIGNED BY THE COUNTY MANAGER FOR RESOLUTION INSURANCE FOR VICTORY HEIGHTS.
UH, ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT ITEM? NO OBJECTION ON THAT ITEM.
NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? MOVE.
HAVE A MOTION? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
ANY OPPOSED? IT'S EITHER THAT PASSED.
NEED A MOTION TO MOVE BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION? SO MOVE THE MOTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THEM FAVORS SAY, AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? SEE THAT, THAT PASSES.
[a. Navajo County recognizes the following employees for their excellence in personal performance, far exceeding organization expectations for the months of November and December : Alicia Deets – BOS/Administration, Amy Stradling – Health District, Roxanne Pergeson – County Attorney ]
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION.UH, THIS TIME WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO LEAH PETERSON FOR PRESENTATION.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THREE OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES FOR THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
AND OUR FIRST IS ALICIA DIETZ.
SOME GREAT THINGS, UM, WERE SAID ABOUT ALICIA IN HER NOMINATION, UM, EXTREMELY HEALTH HEALTHFUL.
UH, SHE RECENTLY HELPED OUT HR WITH THE FILMING OF OUR NEW OPEN ENROLLMENT THAT EVERYBODY GOT TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND.
UM, UH, SHE IS EXCELLENT AT HER JOB.
SHE IS AMAZING ASSET AND OFTEN FINDS NEW AND CREATIVE WAYS TO SPICE UP THE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS OF OUR COUNTY TO MAKE THEM MORE APPEALING AND ENGAGING TO THE AUDIENCE.
NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AMY STRADLING.
I KNOW THEY REALLY MAKE YOU NERVOUS, DON'T THEY?
AMY ENCOURAGES OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH HER TEAM, UM, TRUSTWORTHY, HONEST, AND ALWAYS
[00:45:01]
SHARES ALL HER KNOWLEDGE WITH HER FELLOW COWORKERS.NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE, UH, ROXANNE, I'M GONNA MESS THIS UP.
UH, HENDERSON PERSSON FERGUSON.
I, I KNEW I WAS GONNA THANKS RICK.
DURING THE TRANSITION TO OUR NEW SYSTEM.
SHE MADE SURE EVERYBODY WAS ENCOURAGED AND COLLABORATED WITH THEM.
UM, SO THEY UNDERSTOOD THE NEW SYSTEM AND NO ONE WAS LEFT BEHIND.
SHE TAKES FULL OWNERSHIP IN HER RESPONSIBILITIES, HER RELIABILITY SETS THE STANDARDS FOR OUR ENTIRE TEAM.
SHE'S HONEST, TRANSPARENT, AND HAS FAIRNESS, PROFESSIONALISM, UH, GENUINELY CARES ABOUT THE STAFF AND THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE.
SO THESE ARE THE THREE I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH.
ANY, UH, COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? GO AHEAD.
UM, I HAVE A COLD, SO I APOLOGIZE.
UM, BUT JUST THANK YOU LADIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.
ANYONE ELSE? SUPERVISOR
UH, THANK YOU CHAIRMAN, STAFF.
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH ON FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR HARD WORK BECAUSE I DO THREE OF YOU WORK VERY HARD HAVING BEEN AN EMPLOYEE BEFORE THIS POSITION.
I'VE SEEN YOUR EMAILS COME ACROSS MY EMAILS AND THEN ALSO THE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO, ESPECIALLY WITH VICTIM SERVICES FOR HEALTH DISTRICT.
I FINALLY CAN PUT A FACE WITH THE NAME 'CAUSE I SEE YOUR, YOUR EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE AND NAME MENTIONS AND EMAILS.
AND THEN ALSO FOR ALICIA, BECAUSE SHE'S VERY, UM, ENGAGED WITH OF OUR SUPERVISORS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.
AND SO, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR.
AS, AS I LOOK OUT OVER U THREE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY STANDS OUT TO ME IS THAT NONE OF YOU MAKE IT ABOUT YOURSELF.
AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE YOU'RE MOST POWERFUL, IS YOU HAVE A UNIQUE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE THOSE AROUND YOU AND LIFT WHERE YOU STAND.
WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR THE ABILITY THAT, THAT YOU DO THAT.
AND IT'S GREAT THAT YOU ARE GETTING RECOGNIZED TODAY.
'CAUSE YOU'RE USUALLY IN THE BUSINESS OF RECOGNIZING OTHERS AND HELPING OTHERS TO BE SEEN FOR THE GOOD WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
I'M GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US TODAY.
AND THANKS FOR BEING PART OF THE TEAM.
AND, UM, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR DEDICATED, DEDICATED WORK AND, UM, BEING PART OF NAVAJO COUNTY.
UM, I KNOW ALICIA, SHE'S ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH HER CAMERA
AND, UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND, UM, WISH YOU WELL AND CONTINUE TO BE A GOOD, UM, SERVICE TO THE NAVAJO COUNTY BEING PART OF THE TEAM.
YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING, UH, EACH OF YOU KIND, I THINK I CAUGHT HONESTY, INTEGRITY, HARD WORK, HELP OTHERS.
AND I THINK THAT STANDS FOR ITSELF OF, UH, GREAT LEADERSHIP AND GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE EMPLOYEES WORKING AROUND YOU.
AND I KNOW EACH OF YOU WORK IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT, BUT IT, YOU ALL COME TOGETHER, UH, TODAY TO BE RECOGNIZED.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR NAVAJO COUNTY.
[a. Consideration of hiring Convergint as the Integrator for the Navajo County Door and Camera project. They are currently under State Contract and can be used to fully plan, purchase, install, and support an integrated Door and Camera system. ]
NEXT ITEM WE HAVE IS ITEM SIX, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, UH, CONSIDERATION OF HIRING CONVERGENT AS THE INTEGRATOR FOR NAVAJO COUNTY DOOR AND CAMERA PROJECT.THIS TIME WE'LL TURN THE TIME TO SAM VANDER BE PRESENT.
[00:50:05]
ALL RIGHT.MAD MADAM, VICE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE OF NAVAJO COUNTY FACILITIES.
I CURRENTLY WORK WITH NAVAJO COUNTY IT UNDER KEN DEWITT.
UH, TODAY I'LL BE OUTLINING OUR PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES AS OUR SYSTEMS INTEGRATION PARTNER FOR SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND DOOR ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS. UM, WHY WE NEED AN INTEGRATION PARTNER.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, AGING HARDWARE, AND LIMITED CENTRALIZED SUPPORT.
TO MOVE FORWARD RESPONSIBLY, WE NEED A PARTNER WHO CAN HELP US MODERNIZE, STANDARDIZE, AND MAINTAIN THESE CRITICAL SYSTEMS. CONVERGENT IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN PUBLIC SECTOR SECURITY INTEGRATION.
THEY BRING EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN DETENTION, JUSTICE AND GOVERNMENTAL ENVIRONMENTS, AND THEY UNDERSTAND HOW UNDERSTAND THE OPERATIONAL REALITIES WE FACE.
IF APPROVED CONVERGENT WILL BEGIN WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DISCOVERY AND ASSESSMENT PHASE DURING THE FIRST A HUNDRED DAYS.
THIS INCLUDES A FULL INVENTORY OF OUR EXISTING SURVEILLANCE AND ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS, A HEALTH AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
A REVIEW OF NETWORK STORAGE AND RETENTION REQUIREMENTS, DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS, AND IT LEADERSHIP, A PRIORITIZED ROADMAP FOR UPGRADES, REPLACEMENTS, AND RISK MITIGATION.
ONE OF THE MAJOR ADVANTAGES FOR US OF WORKING WITH CONVERGENT IS THEIR ABILITY TO HELP US IDENTIFY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING, UH, FEDERAL PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS, STATE JUSTICE AND DETENTION FACILITY FUNDING, HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS AND TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS. THIS PARTNERSHIP POSITIONS US TO REDUCE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE COUNTY AND ACCELERATE IMPROVEMENTS USING EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
UM, OUR INITIAL FOCUS, IMMEDIATE PRIORITY WILL BE TOO HIGH RISK.
UM, HIGH IMPACT AREAS, UM, ADULT, SORRY, ADULT DETENTION, MODERNIZING SURVEILLANCE COVERAGE, IMPROVING CAMERA RELIABILITY AND RETENTION, ENHANCING ACCESS CONTROLS FOR STAFF AND INMATE MOVEMENT, STRENGTHENING INCIDENT RESPONSE AND EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT.
SECOND LOCATION IS JUVENILE PROBATION FACILITIES, UM, IMPROVING PERIMETER AND INTERIOR MONITORING, UPDATING ACCESS CONTROL FOR STAFF, VISITORS AND YOUTH, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH JUVENILE SAFETY STANDARDS.
THESE FACILITIES REPRESENT THE GREATEST OPERATIONAL AND SUPPORT NEED OF THE COUNTY.
ANOTHER KEY REASON WE SELECTED CONVERGENT IS THEIR SUPPORT FIRST PHILOSOPHY.
UH, BEFORE RECOMMENDING ANY NEW HARDWARE OR MAJOR PURCHASES, THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO SUPPORT OUR EXISTING LEGACY SYSTEMS. UM, THIS WILL MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF WHAT WE ALREADY OWN.
THIS APPROACH REDUCES DISRUPTION, UM, AVOIDS UNNECESSARY SPENDING AND ENSURES WE'RE MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS BASED ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.
UM, OUR LONG TERM GOAL IS A UNIFIED COUNTYWIDE SECURITY ECOSYSTEM THAT IS CENTRALIZED, SCALABLE, UH, EASIER TO MAINTAIN AND BETTER ALIGNED WITH OPERATIONAL NEEDS.
THIS PARTNERSHIP GIVES US A PATH TOWARD MODERN, RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS ALL COUNTY FACILITIES.
IF THE BOARD APPROVES THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE NEXT STEPS ARE LAUNCH A 100 DAY DISCOVERY AND ASSESSMENT PHASE FOR ALL COUNTY FACILITIES.
BEGIN IDENTIFYING GRANT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, PRIORITIZE UPGRADES FOR ADULT DETENTION AND JUVENILE PROBATION.
IN CLOSING, THIS PARTNERSHIP REPRESENTS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN OUR SAFETY OF OUR STAFF, OUR FACILITIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
CONVERGENT BRINGS THE EXPERTISE, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT MODEL WE NEED TO MODERNIZE OUR SECURITY SYSTEMS RESPONSIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE DETAILS, LET ME KNOW.
ANY QUESTIONS? YOU STATED IN HERE THAT THE COST WILL BE 1.2 TO 1.5 MILLION POSSIBLY.
WHAT, UH, AMOUNT OR WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE THROUGH GRANTS OR SOME OTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING TO HELP WITH THAT? IT'S UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT UNTIL WE WORK WITH CONVERGENT ON, SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE TO US.
SO YOU FEEL THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET QUITE A BIT OF THAT FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS? THANK YOU.
AND THAT WILL BE COUNTYWIDE ON ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS AND EVERYTHING, CORRECT? GO THROUGH THAT.
MULTI-PHASE PROJECT, WE EXPECT, UM, PROBABLY LASTING SEVERAL FISCAL YEARS.
[00:55:01]
MOTION AT THIS TIME.I'D MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR WHITE.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND SUPERVISOR PR GUY.
ANY DISCUSSION? UH, CALL THE VOTE.
ANY OPPOSED? A THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
[a. Presentation on the Holbrook Civic Center Concept]
IS THE ADMINISTRATION SERVICES OF PRESENTATION ON HOLBROOK HOLBROOK CIVIC CENTER CONCEPT.MR. BRIAN LAYTON, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR SUPERVISORS, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
UH, I'M HAPPY TO, UH, PROVIDE YOU WITH A BRIEF UPDATE ON A VERY INTERESTING IDEA, WHICH IS A, A NEW CIVIC CENTER, UH, IN HOLBROOK.
NOW THIS IS, UH, ENVISIONED AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE CITY OF HOLBROOK, MPC, AND NAVAJO COUNTY.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, DEVELOPING A CIVIC CENTER IS A VERY, UH, AMBITIOUS AND ENDEAVOR.
ONE THAT WOULD LIKELY BE OUT OF REACH FOR ANY ONE OF THESE ENTITIES.
AND THE QUESTION IS, BY FORMING A PARTNERSHIP, WOULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS BE POSSIBLE? IT'S ENVISIONED AS A, A MODERN, A MODERN CIVIC CENTER THAT WOULD HAVE A LARGE GYMNASIUM SPACE.
ONE, AS YOU CAN KIND OF SEE IN THAT TOP LEFT PICTURE WITH THE RETRACTABLE SEATING.
SO YOU COULD HAVE ONE LARGE EVENT, OR THE SEATING COULD COME RETRACT BACK AND EXPOSE MORE COURT SPACE TO ALLOW FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, PICKLEBALL, WRESTLING, CHEER.
UH, ANY NUMBER OF EVENTS, UH, COULD BE HELD IN, IN A FLEXIBLE, UH, SPACE LIKE THAT.
UM, INCLUDING TOURNAMENTS, POSSIBLY.
ANOTHER BIG PART OF THIS ENVISIONED IS A REGULATION SIZE SWIMMING POOL TO HOLD EVENTS.
ALSO, UM, MAYBE SOME MODEST CONFERENCE ROOM SPACE MEETING SPACE, AND POSSIBLY SOME FLEXIBLE OFFICE SPACE AS WELL.
NOW THESE ARE JUST INITIAL DISCUSSIONS.
THERE'S NO FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO ANY PARTY RIGHT NOW.
AND IN THAT DISCUSSION, THE MAJORITY STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS WOULD BE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, MPC, AND, AND THE CITY OF HOLBROOK.
AND THE COUNTY WOULD BE ENVISIONED MORE AS A MINORITY STAKEHOLDER IN THIS, UH, PLAYING A SUPPORTING ROLE IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
SO MOVING FORWARD, UM, STAFF ARE CONTINUING IN SOME DISCUSSIONS REALLY KIND OF EXPLORING, OKAY, IF, IF THIS SOUNDS GOOD TO EACH OF THESE ENTITIES, WHAT WOULD BE THE TOTAL SPACE? UM, MAYBE SOME LARGER COST PROJECTIONS.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SOME FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR EACH ENTITY? WHAT COULD SOME POSSIBLE REVENUE OR FEE STRUCTURES BE? WHAT WOULD OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE LOOK LIKE? AND WHAT WOULD AN IGA, UM, COULD THAT LOOK LIKE? AND THIS IS NOT A NEW TYPE OF ENDEAVOR.
LOTS OF COMMUNITIES HAVE DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND SO IT PROBABLY ENTAIL A LOT OF, UH, PEER RESEARCH, BEST PRACTICE RESEARCH TO SEE WHAT'S POSSIBLE.
SO IF, IF, UM, THESE DISCUSSIONS GAIN, THEY GAIN MORE TRACTION, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE FOR STAFF TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD AND FORMALLY PRESENT MAYBE A DESIGN CONCEPT, UM, SOME OTHER POSSIBLE TERMS AND PARAMETERS OF THE PROJECT, AND THEN SEEK THE BOARD'S INPUT AND APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO TODAY'S DISCUSSION WAS JUST, UM, UH, AN ADVISORY OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE GOING ON.
UM, BUT, UH, HERE WE JUST, UM, AGAIN, FOR THE BOARD, IF THE BOARD HAS ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS, WE'D LOVE TO TAKE THOSE FROM YOU.
UH, OR ANY QUESTIONS I MIGHT ANSWER AT THIS TIME? THANK YOU.
FORWARD THE, UH, DISCUSSION SUPERVISOR WHITE.
I, UH, I MEAN IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, YOU'RE JUST IN THE WANT TO CONTINUE FORWARD WITH THE CONVERSATION AND COME BACK WITH MORE DETAILS PHASE.
AND FOR ME THAT, THAT, THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
'CAUSE WE'RE NOT IN A PLACE OF COMMITMENT, BUT LIKE, IT DEFINITELY SOUNDS INTRIGUING IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN, IT'S WITHIN OUR ROLE AND AUTHORITY AND WITHIN OUR BUDGET AND CONSERVE THE CITIZENS OUTSTANDING.
BUT THOSE ARE ALL THINGS TO BE CHECKED AS WE MOVE DOWN THIS PATH.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF SOME OF THE PARTNERSHIP THAT'S BEING TALKED INSIDE OF THIS, BUT, UH, CURIOUS WHAT YOU GUYS WILL COME UP WITH IN THE END.
ANY OTHER SUPERVISORS? THANK YOU.
[a. Consideration and adoption of Resolution Number 01-2026, approving/denying a Special Use Permit for the construction and operation of one meteorological monitoring tower (MET tower) on approximately .7479 acres of vacant land southwest of Joseph City. ]
NEXT ITEM IS, UH, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE, UH, CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION RESOLUTION OH ONE DASH 2026 APPROVING OR DENYING THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT.[01:00:01]
TIME OVER TO CATHERINE WRIGHT.UM, UH, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UM, BEFORE YOU IS SUP 25 DASH 0 0 4.
UM, WINDY CANYON WIND MET TOWER.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OPERATION OF ONE METEOROLOGICAL MONITORING TOWER.
A MET TOWER ON APPROXIMATELY 0.7479 ACRES OF VACANT LAND SOUTHWEST OF JOSEPH CITY.
THE EIGHT PN NUMBER IS 1 1 1 DASH SEVEN DASH 0 0 3 A TOWNSHIP 16 NORTH RANGE 17 EAST SECTION 0 5 0 7 0 9, AND 17 OF THE HEAL AND SALT RIVER MERIDIAN.
THE OWNER IS AZTEC LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY LIMITED, AND THE AGENT IS KEVIN GULLY.
THIS PROJECT IS ON A PN 1 1 1 DASH ZERO SEVEN DASH ZERO THREE A, WHICH IS 2761.22 ACRES.
THE HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL TOWER IS ON 0.7479 ACRES, THAT IS ZONED A GENERAL, THE OWNER IS AZTEC LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY LIMITED.
THIS MET TOWER WILL COLLECT METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR A FUTURE POTENTIAL WIND ENERGY GENERATION FACILITY.
THE TOWER IS 272 FEET, WHICH INCLUDES A ONE TO TWO METER LIGHTNING ROD.
THE MET TOWER IS EXPECTED TO OPERATE FOR UP TO SEVEN YEARS.
THE GENERAL VICINITY IS ROUGHLY 20 MILES SOUTHWEST OF JOSEPH CITY.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THESE FOUR HIGHLIGHTED SQUARES MAKE UP THE FULL PARCEL OF THE 2761.22 ACRES.
BUT AS I MENTIONED THIS, MET TOWER WILL ONLY BE UTILIZING 0.7479 ACRES ON THE FAR RIGHT PARCEL.
HERE'S A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE SITE PLAN.
THE SETBACKS FAR EXCEED THE ONE-TO-ONE NON-RESIDENTIAL SETBACK.
THE SMALLEST OF THE SETBACKS IS 1667.97 FEET.
STAFF RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR WINDING CANYON WIND METOW, SUBJECT TO THE 17 CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE STAFF REPORT.
AND ALSO BEFORE YOU STAFF DID RECEIVE THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, THE FFA DETERMINATION OF NO HAZARD TO AIR NAVIGATION.
UM, THERE ARE 25 EMAILS AGAINST TWO EMAILS IN SUPPORT.
ONE EMAIL WAS RECEIVED YESTERDAY THAT IS NOT IN YOUR COMMENT PACKAGE.
UM, AND THEN 10 VOICEMAILS AGAINST AS WELL.
SO I'M AVAILABLE FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
UM, AND THE AGENT, KEVIN GOOLEY IS ALSO HERE AS WELL.
SHOULD YOU PREFER TO INQUIRE ABOUT ANY SPECIFICS ON THE PROJECT.
DOES STAFF HAVE ANY STAFF? DOES SUPERVISORS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS HERE? COMMENTS, SUPERVISOR WHITE, UM, JUST TO SOME OF THE COUNTY STAFF, WE'VE HAD QUITE A FEW OF THESE OVER THE YEARS THAT COME IN.
DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA OF, AGAIN, MAYBE HOW MANY HAVE COME IN AND OF THOSE, HOW MANY THAT SOMETHING'S ACTUALLY HAPPENED WITH VERSUS NOT HAPPENED WITH? I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC.
I KNOW I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION BEFORE AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT.
UH, CHAIRMAN SEYMOUR, SUPERVISOR WHITING, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
UM, WE'VE HAD OVER APPROXIMATELY THE PAST 20 YEARS, UH, JUST OVER 20 OF THESE TOWERS THAT HAVE COME INTO THE COUNTY TO EXPLORE.
UM, AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY WIND FARMS THAT EXIST WITHIN NAAU COUNTY ARE THE, UM, TRI LAKE WIND FARM NORTH OF SNOWFLAKE.
UH, VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE CHEVRON CANYON WIND FARM, WHICH IS PRIMARILY WITHIN COCONINO COUNTY.
AND THE, UM, CURRENTLY FINALIZING CONSTRUCTION WEST CAMP WIND FARM.
SO THERE'S BEEN THREE THAT HAVE MOVED FORWARD.
UM, IN OUR RESEARCH, WE'VE SEEN, UH, NOT QUITE HALF OF THESE TOWERS HAVE BEEN DECOMMISSIONED OR REMOVED BY LANDOWNERS AND COMPANIES BECAUSE THEY'VE FOUND THAT, UM, AT LEAST AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WIND ENERGY IS NOT VIABLE.
UM, THERE ARE A NUMBER THAT CONTINUE TO EXPLORE TO SEE IF IT'S VIABLE, BUT WE'VE ONLY SEEN, UM, TWO FULL PROJECTS IN ONE PORTION AS A RESULT OF THOSE APPROXIMATELY JUST NORTH OF 20 MET TOWERS HERE IN THE COUNTY.
SO WHILE IT'S, UH, WOULD IT BE FAIR TO SAY THEN IS, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOU CORRECTLY, THAT WHILE IT'S A PART OF THE PROCESS THAT THEY GO THROUGH, A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE ONES, UM, THAT HAVE BEEN PUT UP DIDN'T RESULT IN ANYTHING TO THIS POINT? THAT'S CORRECT.
[01:05:01]
UM, A VERY SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THESE HAVE NOT RESULTED IN, UH, ANY WIND PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD.UH, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A, A GOAL OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH WAS UPDATED IN THE LAST YEAR HERE, WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF RENEWABLE ENERGY IS TO COME IN, THAT IT'S WELL RESEARCHED AND FOUNDED AND FOUND AS NECESSARY.
AND THESE PROVIDE THE TOOLS TO FIND IF THERE IS A, A TRUE VIABILITY, UM, FOR ONE OF THESE TYPES OF FACILITIES OR IF THERE IS NOT ONE.
SO IT DOES HELP TO, TO PROVIDE THAT RESEARCH AND MAKE THAT DECISION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AS TO WHETHER THEY'D LIKE TO EVEN EXPLORE THE OPTION OF MOVING FORWARD WITH SOMETHING AT ALL.
THAT'S KIND OF FOR NOW AT LEAST THE QUESTION I HAD.
UH, THE PICTURE THAT YOU SHOW US JUST SHOWS THE FENCE AROUND THE TOWER, BUT YET IN THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THE FENCE WILL BE LARGE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND ALL OF THE G WIRES.
IS THAT CORRECT? YES, THAT IS CORRECT.
AND IS THAT JUST A CHAIN LINK FENCE? UM, YES.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ADD A CONDITION THAT FENCE BE ADHERED TO AS FAR AS, UH, CAP OUT CLAN CLEAN, YOU KNOW, UH, PROBABLY CATCH SOME DEBRIS AND SOME TUMBLE WEEDS AND SOME DIFFERENT THINGS OUT THERE, BUT ON A REGULAR BASIS THAT IT, YOU KNOW, IT'S CAUGHT UP.
I CAN ADD THAT AS A CONDITION TO THAT FENCE.
AT THIS TIME WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK YEAH.
AND SO WE'LL GIVE THEM THREE MINUTES.
UH, CHAIRMAN THE REST OF THE BOARD.
I'M ONE OF THE ADJACENT LANDOWNERS TO THIS TOWER, AND MY FAMILY'S BEEN HERE SINCE THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS AND WE'VE OWNED THAT LAND AND WE HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT TOWER BEING ADJACENT TO OUR PROPERTY.
NEXT, UH, MR. BROPHY, STEVEN BROPHY.
I'M GONNA WAIT ON MY NEED OF HELP FROM ME GETTING OLD
UM, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS STEVE BROPHY AND I'M, UH, PRESIDENT OF AZTEC LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY.
AND WILL NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT, UH, KELLY LUMBERS UP HERE AND BARELY MAKES IT, AND HE ACCUSES ME OF BEING OLD.
BUT I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS MATTER BEFORE YOU.
UM, THIS MET TOWER IS ON OUR LAND.
UH, IF THERE IS ADEQUATE WIND AS DEMON DEMONSTRATED BY THE DATA TO BE RECORDED BY THE MET TOWER, UM, IT WILL BE IN FURTHERANCE OF A PROJECT WHICH WILL THEN BE PRESENTED TO YOU IF, UM, IT ACHIEVES COMMERCIAL VIABILITY THAT WILL INVOLVE, UH, NOT JUST OUR LAND, BUT UH, THE MCCAULEY'S AS WELL.
UM, WE DISCUSSED THIS DURING THE TIME THAT THE BOARD, UH, VISITED OR REVISITED ITS, UH, STANDARDS FOR, UH, REVIEWING RENEWABLE ENERGY, UH, PROJECTS.
BUT, UH, I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING.
UM, THIS, UH, WIND PROJECT IS IN AN AREA WHERE THERE'S A KNOWN WIND RESOURCE, WHICH IS WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE HERE, NUMBER ONE.
AND NUMBER TWO, FROM A STANDPOINT OF LANDOWNER AND LEGACY RANCHERS.
UH, THIS PROJECT WOULD BE FOR A WIND PROJECT, WHICH GIVES A RANCHER A CHANCE FOR INTERGENERATIONAL CASH FLOW, WHICH HELPS THE RANCH BE KEPT IN THE, IN THE NAME OF THE FAMILY THAT OWNS THE RANCH BEYOND THE EXISTING GENERATION.
AND TWO, UM, IT ALLOWS THAT RANCH TO CONTINUE RANCHING, UM, BENEATH, UH, ANY TOWERS THAT WIND UP BEING BUILT.
UM, OTHER THAN THAT, UM, I HAVE NO, UH, FURTHER COMMENTS.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.
MY NAME'S FRANCIS MCCAULEY PERKINS, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE MCCAULEY RANCH IN THEIER LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY.
ALONG WITH MY BROTHERS AND MY COUSINS, WE ARE LANDHOLDERS IN THE SUPPORT OF BEING, ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE PERMIT BEING GRANTED
[01:10:01]
FOR OUR MET TOWER FOR THE WINDING COUNTY CANYON WIND PROJECT.WE ARE THE CLOSEST NEIGHBORS TO THE PROJECT.
THERE'S NO PUBLIC LAND INVOLVED IN THIS.
THE MCCAULAY FAMILIES HAVE HAD THESE LANDS, BOTH PRIVATE LAND AND LEASED THAT WERE PRIVATE SINCE THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS.
OUR HUN, OUR FAMILY HAS WORKED HARD TO TAKE CARE OF OUR LANDS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
THERE IS NO ONE THAT LOVES AND CARES FOR THIS COUNTRY MORE THAN WE ALL DO.
WE HAVE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD, AND WE'VE DECIDED AMONGST OURSELVES IN SUPPORT OF THE MET TOWER PROJECT THAT WOULD CONTINUE ON TO A PROFITABLE WIND PROJECT THAT WOULD BRING, UM, GOOD RESOURCES FOR OUR COUNTY, THAT OUR COUNTY NEEDS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION ON THE BOARD? I JUST WANNA MAKE ONE COMMENT AFTER READING MANY OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MAY BE A POST TO THIS AS WELL AS IN FAVOR FOR IT.
LAST NIGHT THERE WERE SOME REALLY WELL WRITTEN, UH, COMMENTS AND I APPRECIATE THAT FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM TODAY.
BUT IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS AS TIME CHANGES, SOMETIMES THE SURROUNDINGS CHANGE.
MANY PEOPLE SAY, GIVE THIS LAND BACK TO THE CATTLE PEOPLE AND TO LEAVE IT LIKE IT IS.
WELL, IT'S THE, IT'S THE CATTLE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING AND SAYING, WE WANT TO BE GOOD STEWARDS SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR RANCHES CONTINUE TO DO THIS.
I BELIEVE THE EARTH WAS GIVEN TO US AND THEN WE'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT.
WE'RE ACCOUNTABLE HOW WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER, THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE, AND THE LAND THAT SURROUNDS US, EVEN THE EARTH ITSELF, THAT STEWARDSHIP HAS NEVER BEEN MORE URGENT.
OUR GENERATION, MORE THAN ANY OTHER, HAS THE ABILITY TO IRRETRIEVABLY CHANGE THE LAND.
THERE'LL BE TREMENDOUS PRESSURE TO UNLEASH OUR TECHNOLOGY TO REINVENT OUR SURROUNDINGS.
THERE'LL BE GROWTH, CHANGE WILL COME.
THE FAILURE TO CARE FOR THE LAND ON WHICH WE LIVE MEANS TURNING OUR BACKS ON THE HERITAGE LAID DOWN CAREFULLY AND AT SUCH GREAT COSTS FOR OUR FOREFATHERS AND LEAVE US IMMEASURABLY POOR.
I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE FINDING A BALANCE OF TECHNOLOGY.
I LOOK AT THE DESERT OF PHOENIX.
BACK IN THE FIFTIES, IT WAS A DESERT AND VERY FEW PEOPLE LIVED THERE.
NOW WE HAVE SEVEN AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE.
HAVE THEY BEEN GOOD STEWARDS OF THE LAND? ARE WE USING THE SAME AMOUNT OF WATER THAT WE WERE AT ONE TIME, UH, 50 YEARS AGO? WE ARE, WE HAVE LEARNED TO BE ABLE TO USE THE SAME AMOUNT WITH 7 MILLION PEOPLE THERE NOW.
SO THAT'S BEING GOOD STEWARDS.
WE ARE FACING IN THIS STATE A HUGE NEED FOR AN INCREASE OF POWER.
I REMEMBER GOING TO THE HEARINGS ON THE CHO OF POWER PLANT OF WHY IT NEEDED TO BE SHUT DOWN.
EVERYBODY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLLUTION, POLLUTION, POLLUTION.
EPA, SHUT IT DOWN, SHUT IT DOWN.
WE COULDN'T GET PEOPLE TO STAND UP TO SAY, KEEP IT RUNNING TODAY.
AND I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT THE POLLUTION DIDN'T COME FROM THE CHOA POWER PLANT.
IT CAME FROM CALIFORNIA, IT CAME FROM PHOENIX, AND THE WIND PUSHES THEM UP THIS DIRECTION.
I THINK WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP CLEAN OUR AIR RENEWABLE ENERGIES.
I'M NOT ONE OF THESE GUYS THAT IS A GREEN CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A STEWARD RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE AIR IN WHICH WE BREATHE AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE.
AND SO I'M GRATEFUL, UH, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN FAVOR AND OPPOSE AS WELL.
AND WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE IT A MEDIUM.
THIS IS NOT SAYING THAT WE'RE APPRO A FARM, A WIND FARM IS SAYING IMPROVING A PROJECT TO STUDY.
AND SO THAT'S, THAT'S AT THAT POINT, AT THIS TIME, I'LL LOOK TO THE BOARD FOR A MOTION CHAIRMAN.
SO JUST A QUESTION FOR CLARIFICATION.
UH, THE DURATION OF THE TOWER.
ANY OTHER COMMENT QUESTIONS? NO.
I LOOK FOR A MOTION CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
UH, THANK YOU TO STAFF THAT'S PRESENTED TODAY.
THANK YOU TO THE CITIZENS THAT HAVE SPOKEN HERE IN PERSON AS WELL AS THOSE THAT ARE SPOKEN ONLINE.
THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED CONSIDERED, AND THIS APPEARS TO BE WITHIN, UM, THIS APPEARS TO BE WITHIN OUR ORDINANCE.
AND SO WITH THAT, I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PRESENT.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR WHITING.
IS THERE A SECOND CHAIRMAN? AND A SECOND.
UM, THANK YOU, UM, FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UH, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE COMMENTS AND EVERYONE WHO HAS PARTICIPATED.
UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR NAVAJO COUNTY TO PAY ATTENTION, UM, TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND HOW THAT CAN
[01:15:01]
IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES AND UNDERSTANDING OUR LAND AND LAND CAPACITY.AND THIS IS, UM, ONE OF THOSE IMPORTANT STEPS IN BEING ABLE TO ALLOW US TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY VICE CHAIR.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NOT I'LL CALL FOR THE MO QUESTION.
ANY OPPOSED? DO THAT PASS UNANIMOUSLY.
[a. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3) for the Board to receive legal advice from its attorney regarding a settlement with SBA Communications Corporation 3:24-CV-08230-DWL.]
NEXT ITEM IS ITEM NINE.THIS TIME, UH, WE'LL MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO A RS STATUTE 38 DASH 43 1 DASH OH THREE.
FOR THE BOARD, RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE FROM MS. ATTORNEY REGARDING THE SETTLEMENT WITH SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION.
THIS TIME I NEED A MOTION TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY.
YOU GO MOTION BY VICE CHAIR, SECOND BY RESIDENT.
[c. RECONVENE: Consideration and direction regarding the settlement agreement in the Civil Action filed by SBA Communications Corporation 3:24-CV-08230-DWL.]
REGULAR SESSION.WE ACTUALLY DON'T DO, DO A COME BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO GO BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION.
HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR WHI SECOND.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL FOR THE VOTE? ALL VOTE IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED? THIS TIME, UH, CONSIDERATION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, CIVIL ACTION FILED BY SBA COMMUNICATION.
I NOTE THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY WISHING TO SPEAK.
WE'VE ALREADY CLOSED THE, THE COMMENTS SESSION ON THIS HERE.
AND AT THIS TIME, WE'RE RECONVENING.
UH, WE'VE HAD RECEIVED, UH, THE COUNCIL, UH, IN LITIGATION AT THIS TIME FROM THE TIME, UH, FOR A MOTION.
CHAIRMAN, DO YOU MIND IF I MAKE A COMMENT ON MOTION? UM, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CITIZENS THAT HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEIR CONCERNS, TALKING ABOUT THINGS SUCH AS PROPERTY VALUES, THEIR HEALTH, THE UNIQUE NATURE OF YOUR HOMES.
AND I CERTAINLY WANT DON'T WANT TO BE DISMISSIVE OF THAT.
WE'VE HEARD YOU AND, AND THOSE THINGS MATTER.
UM, AT THE SAME TIME, MY ROLE AS SUPERVISOR IS TO ACT WITHIN THE AUTHORITY GIVEN TO THE BOARD AND EVALUATING THE APPLICATION, UM, EVALUATING THE APPLICATION, EVALUATING THE PROPERTY OWNER, UM, THAT OWNS THE PROPERTY WHERE THIS IS AT, THE APPLICANT, AS WELL AS ALL THOSE CITIZENS THAT'LL BE IMPACTED.
AND THAT'S PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO ALL THAT, TO LISTEN TO STAFF, TO LISTEN TO LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THEN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BASED ON THOSE THINGS.
UM, MY FLOAT, MY VOTE DOESN'T REFLECT, UM, MY PERSONAL FEELINGS.
IT REFLECTS THE ROLE AND AUTHORITY, UM, THAT I WAS, UH, ELECTED TO UPHOLD.
WITH THAT, I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
YOU HAVE A MOTION THERE? A SECOND, SECOND.
MR. DI, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION DISCUSS AT THIS TIME? I'LL CALL FOR VOTE.
I JUST WANNA MAKE A COMMENT TO THE, THE PUBLIC AND I WISH THERE WAS A PATH FORWARD THAT WE COULD HAVE DENIED THIS, BUT BASED UPON THE FEDERAL LAW THAT WE HAVE OWED UPHOLD SINCE 1923, THAT ACT HAS BEEN IN PLACE AND IT DOES NOT ALLOW US A PATH GOING FORWARD THAT WE FEEL THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO PROTECT MORE.
AND I AGREE WITH, IT'S NOT WHAT ANY OF US WANTED.
AND I JUST HOPE THAT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE THAT SBA CAN UNDERSTAND THE SYMPATHY THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE CITIZENS.
AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS SHOWN TODAY SINCE THE NEW COW HAS GONE ONLINE,
[01:20:01]
THAT THERE IS BETTER COVERAGE IN THAT AREA AND THEY FIND IT IN THEIR HEART TO MAYBE RECONSIDER WHERE THEY LOCATE IN THIS NEXT TOWER.[b. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(1) for personnel discussion on the County Managers' performance evaluation, including but not limited to discussion in executive session as permitted by law, consideration of compensation and benefits, and direction to staff as appropriate. ]
NEXT ITEM, UH, WE HAVE ANO ANOTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE NEED TO MOVE INTO FOR, UH, DISCUSSION OF A COUNTY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.WE CHOSE TO DO THIS AFTER THIS SO WE CAN COME BACK IN.
SO I NEED A MOTION TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR FES.
I CAN'T HEAR BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU.
OPPOSED? THIS TIME WE'LL MOVE INTO ANOTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[d. RECONVENE: Consideration and possible approval of the County Managers' performance evaluation.]
AT THIS TIME.WE CONVENE BACK REGULAR SESSION.
I NEED A MOTION TO MOVE INTO REGULAR SESSION.
A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR SECOND BY, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST GONNA MAKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION HERE.
I AM DEAF ON MY LEFT SIDE AND YOU TWO SOUND LIKE, SO YOU EITHER GOTTA SCREAM OR RAISE YOUR HAND
BUT BY THE TIME I SAY AND TURN, I, I DON'T READ.
I CAN'T CATCH YOUR LIP, SO I APOLOGIZE.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO DISCUSSION.
ANY OPPOSED? I WILL LOOK, UH, FOR A MOTION CONCERNING THE ITEM WITH THE EMPLOYMENT OF OUR COUNTY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND CONTINUING, UH, EMPLOYMENT.
CHAIRMAN, IF OKAY WITH YOU, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PROVE THE COUNTY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND JUST SAY, BRIAN, THANKS FOR THE GREAT JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING.
DID YOU WANT ANYTHING ABOUT, HEY, AS DISCUSSED AS, AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? OH, SORRY, I THOUGHT I SAID WE HAVE A MOTION.
SECOND BY, THANK YOU VICE CHAIR.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US THIS PAST YEAR.
[10. COUNTY BUSINESS UPDATE: Report from County Manager, County Attorney and Board members.]
AT THIS TIME WE HAVE, UH, CURRENT EVENTS.UH, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? WE'LL TURN TO BRIAN, ANYTHING FOR YOUR REPORT? NO, SIR.
NOTHING, NOTHING FROM COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
UH, VICE CHAIR? NO, TODAY, SIR.
UM, WE HAD TWO UNFORTUNATE, UM, EVENTS REGARDING CHILDREN OUT IN OUR AREA.
WE DID GET, UM, A YOUNG, A YOUNG MALE CHILD WHO GOT HIT BY A VEHICLE AND HE PASSED ON AND, AND ALSO THEY WERE SAYING NAVAJO COUNTY, BUT COAL MINING IS ACTUALLY IN COCONINO COUNTY AND A YOUNG GIRL, UM, WHO WAS ALSO LOST AND FOUND DECEASED.
SO, UM, THOSE ARE TWO OF THE UNFORTUNATE EVENTS THAT, UM, WE HAD.
I DID GO TO, UM, WESTERN AGENCY COUNCIL IN DECEMBER, UH, OUT HERE.
AND YESTERDAY I WENT TO A NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL IN PERSON.
AND, UM, ALSO MEETING WITH CHAPTERS AS WELL AS VETERANS.
UM, ROUTINELY, UM, NOT EVERY, EVERY MEETING, BUT MOST MEETINGS AND, UM, NAVAJO MOUNTAIN DIDN'T SEND ME AN APPRECIATION PLAQUE.
I APOLOGIZE, I FORGOT TO BRING IT.
SO I'LL BRING IT NEXT MONTH, UM, FOR, UM, THE COUNTY'S CONTRIBUTIONS AND HELP, UM, FINANCIALLY AND ALSO, UM, WHAT THE EVENTS.
SO, UM, THOSE ARE TWO OF MY, UH, OR MY REPORTS FOR THIS MONTH.
YEAH, GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AS FAR AS FOR DISTRICT TWO, UM, ASIDE FROM ATTENDING THE REGULAR, UH, CHAPTER MEETINGS IN MY
[01:25:01]
DISTRICT THIS MONTH, UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE BLACK MESA REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING THAT WAS HELD IN HARD ROCK AND PROVIDED A VERBAL AND WRITTEN REPORT, UM, TO THAT MEMBERSHIP.AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT ALSO REPRESENTED, UM, THEN CHAIRMAN, CURRENT SUPERVISOR, UH, WHI IN ADDITION WITH, UM, MR I FORGOT HIS NAME, CHRIS, AND THEN ALICIA, AND THEN THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, UM, TO ATTEND THE GRAND OPENING FOR THE TEEN CENTER, UM, THAT IS, UM, BEING OPERATED DOWNTOWN HOLBROOK.
SO WE HAD THE HONOR TO ATTEND THAT FUNCTION AND REPRESENTING THE COUNTY THERE.
AND THEN I ALSO ATTENDED THE 31ST ANNUAL, UM, INDIAN NATIONS AND TRIBES LEGISLATIVE DAY DOWN AT THE CAPITOL.
SO I WAS ABLE TO, UM, MEET WITH, UH, UH, SEE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS AS WELL.
AND THEN OTHER TRIBAL, UH, LEADERS THAT WERE IN ATTENDANCE, UM, WITH NICOLE.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO NETWORK AND THEN ALSO USE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO QUICKLY, UM, CHAT WITH SOME OF OUR TRIBAL LEADERS WITHIN NAVAJO COUNTY, UM, PROVIDE UPDATES, GET UPDATES, AND THEN ALSO SET MEETINGS IN THERE.
SO IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY THERE.
AND THEN WE ALSO, UM, HAD OUR, OUR FIRST EVER, UM, SORT OF LIKE A INTRODUCTORY OVER INTRODUCTORY, UM, MEETING WITH, UM, THE HOPI COMMUNITY SERVICE ADMINISTRATORS.
UM, BASICALLY THESE ADMINISTRATORS, THERE'S A TOTAL, I THINK, WELL WITHIN MY DISTRICT THERE'S 10 VILLAGES.
AND THEN EACH OF THE VILLAGES ON HOPI HAVE THEIR, UM, ADMINISTRATIVE, SIMILAR TO LIKE A TOWN, CITY COUNCIL, UM, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, BUT THERE, THEY'RE KNOWN AS VILLAGES AND THEY HAVE THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE ADMINISTRATORS THAT BASICALLY RUN THE ADMINISTRATION, THE FUNCTION TO PROVIDE PROGRAM AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, UM, IN THAT CAPACITY.
SO WE HAVE A MAJORITY OF THEM.
THEY CAME OUT AND ATTENDED, UM, A MEETING AT PUBLIC WORKS AND I'D LIKE TO THANK, UH, LEAH AND AMANDA AND NICOLE FOR COORDINATING THAT.
AND WHERE WE HAD, UM, THE SHERIFF, UM, WAS THERE, HE PROVIDED A INTRODUCTION OF HIMSELF AND THEN AN OVERVIEW OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SOME OF THE INITIATIVES HE'S WORKING, TRIBAL INITIATIVES, HE'S WORKING ON COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVES.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
UM, KATRINA ALSO PROVIDED, UM, PRESENTATION THERE.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD THE, UM, VICTIM SERVICES DO A PRESENTATION.
AND THEN OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS ALSO PROVIDED A PRESENTATION, AND I THINK THAT COVERS ALL OF THE COUNTY, UM, PROGRAM SERVICES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO, UM, ATTEND AND PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT THEY PROVIDE TO THERE.
SO IT WAS A GOOD, GOOD AFTERNOON THERE.
SO NOW WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO, UM, UM, THE, AND MEETING THEM ON A QUARTERLY BASIS OUT IN THEIR, ON THEIR TRIBAL RESERVATIONS.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S PRETTY GOOD.
UM, I, I, THIS IS JUST SOMETHING I HAD PUT TOGETHER THAT I WANTED TO SHARE, BUT I WANT TO TAKE IT THAT EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ANY CITIZENS HERE, MAYBE WE HAVE SOME ONLINE OR WHATNOT, NONE AT ALL.
I JUST HAD COMMENTS THAT I WANTED TO MAKE AS FAR AS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HEARD TODAY WERE IMPORTANT, UM, AND THEY MATTERED.
AND IT WASN'T THAT THEY DIDN'T MATTER WHEN WE TOOK OUR VOTE, IT WAS MORE IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT OUR AUTHORITY IS AND OUR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO, TO DO.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME CONFUSION AROUND THAT SOMETIMES FOR PEOPLE, AND THAT'S MAYBE WHERE WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF TRYING TO HELP GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS OR EVEN AFTERWARDS, MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ACTUAL PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IS, WHAT OUR AUTHORITY ACTUALLY IS, AND OUR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO, TO, UM, DO WHAT IT IS THE CITIZENS ARE ASKING.
THERE'S BEEN TOO MANY THINGS RECENTLY IN MY OPINION.
UM, AND THIS IS A KNOCK ON ANYONE, IT'S JUST MY OBSERVATION, BUT THAT THERE ARE ITEMS THAT CITIZENS HAVE GREAT CONCERNS AROUND AND REASONABLY SO, AND I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE CONCERNS, BUT OFTEN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE ROLE OF THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS, IS PART OF WHAT'S MISSING.
AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS, OUR ABILITY TO DO WHAT THEY'RE ASKING, WE MAY NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT.
AND HELPING THE CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS, I THINK ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
I BELIEVE PERSONALLY THAT I, I DON'T JUST BELIEVE, I KNOW WE'RE NOT A DELEGATE FORM OF, OF GOVERNMENT.
WE DON'T GET TOLD DO THIS AND GO IN AND DO, WE'RE A REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHERE WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ENTRUSTED US.
THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE ENTRUSTED TO GO AND STUDY OUT THE ISSUES, TO HEAR THE PEOPLE THAT THEY, WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ON BOTH SIDES OF IT TO HEAR WHAT STAFF HAS TO SHARE, TO HEAR WHAT LEGAL COUNSEL
[01:30:01]
HAS TO SHARE, AND THEN MAKE THE MOST INFORMED DECISION FROM THAT POINT.I BELIEVE IN THE PROPER FORUM LIKE THIS, IN OUR MEETING WHERE WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, WE DO HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN OUR VOTE AND WHY WE VOTED THE WAY THAT WE DID, ESPECIALLY IN THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE OUR CITIZENS MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE VOTED THE WAY THAT WE DID.
UM, BUT ONCE WE'VE DONE THAT, NOW WE'VE FULFILLED, I BELIEVE, OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND CITIZENS IN HONORING THE ROLE THAT THEY'VE ELECTED US TO DO, AS WELL AS EXPLAINING THE VOTE THAT WE'VE HAD.
UM, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THIS BOARD FOR THE WAY THAT, UM, IT OCCURS TO ME.
YOU CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITIES.
AGAIN, THERE WAS A VOTE TODAY THAT I KNOW WASN'T EASY FOR MANY TO VOTE ON, BUT WE ALSO HAD TO LOOK AT OUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY AND HONOR THAT AS WELL AS LISTENING TO THOSE CITIZENS.
AND SO I, UH, I ADMIRE OUR BOARD, I ADMIRE OUR TEAM THAT WORKS WITH US, THAT SHOWS COMPASSION TOWARDS THOSE CITIZENS AND TRIES TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
UM, AND I FEEL SOME RENEWED ENERGY AROUND TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO REPRESENT THOSE CITIZENS BECAUSE OF THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE AND BECAUSE OF SOME OF YOUR LEADERSHIP.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
I ALSO WANT TO ECHO MY EARLIER COMMENT.
BRIAN, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU.
I GET TO WORK WITH A LOT OF LEADERS AROUND THE STATE.
UM, I GET TO WORK WITH A LOT OF THE OTHER COUNTY MANAGERS WHO ARE PHENOMENAL AND CARRY DIFFERENT TALENTS.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED WHERE NAVAJO COUNTY, UM, AS, AS THE ENTITY HAS EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF, OF UNITY AND, UM, WHERE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN, HEARD AND VALUED.
AND THAT'S A DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS YOUR TEAM THAT YOU'VE PUT TOGETHER AND HOW YOU GO ABOUT DOING THAT.
AND SO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU, UH, FOR THE GREAT JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING.
UM, SO WITH THAT, THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL.
I GUESS IT WASN'T A LITTLE BIT, BUT THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY AND TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU.
YOU SUPERVISOR, I FORGOT SOMETHING.
I DID GO DOWN TO THE STATE, NOT AT, NOT DURING THE TRIBAL, UM, NATIONS LEGISLATURE DAY, BUT THE NEXT WEEK.
AND I MET WITH MA, UM, STATE REPRESENTATIVE MAY
THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS SCHEDULED AFTER ME.
SO, AND THEN ALSO THAT WE DID GET A SHERIFF, UM, DEPUTY IN
UM, I STILL NEED, UM, ONE IN PENON.
SO THAT'S THE STATUS OF OUR, OUR DEPUTIES, I GUESS.
AND NAVAJO NATION DID ADD SIX MORE POLICE OFFICERS.
UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT GONNA COVER THE WHOLE 27,000 SQUARE MILES.
AND, AND WE DID KIND OF, I DON'T KNOW, THIS IS A IFFY THING IF WE LOST OUR DPS IN KIATA OR NOT, BECAUSE SUPPOSEDLY
AND I WANTED TO MEET WITH HIM, UM, MAYBE LATER THIS WEEK.
I WILL BECAUSE WE DO NEED THAT IN, IN KAYA OF ALL PLACES.
UM, WE KNOW WE DON'T HAVE DPS IN MOST PLACES UNLESS THEY HAVE MAJOR HIGHWAYS.
SO, UM, I WAS TOLD THAT DPS LEFT, LEFT THE AREA AND I HOPE NOT.
AND I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THEM, UM, ALONG WITH OUR NAVAJO NATION POLICE AND OUR SHERIFF DEPUTY.
UH, UH, SUPERVISORS, I APPRECIATE.
I KNOW SOME OF YOU'RE GOING TO WASHINGTON.
I WAS ON A CONFERENCE, UH, OF TRANSPORTATION.
BE AWARE THAT IT'S THE PRESIDENT STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND SOCIAL SECURITY WILL BE HEIGHTENED, TRAFFIC WILL BE BACKED UP AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR TRAVEL.
SO I'M JUST, UH, AWARE OF THAT.
HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF GOING DOWN TO CSA, TALKING WITH SOME DIFFERENT LEGISLATIVE PEOPLE AS WELL AS WITH NACO.
UH, WE HAD SOME DIFFERENT LEGISLATORS COME AND SHARE, UH, SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS WITH US.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SOMEBODY TOOK ME ASIDE AND SAID, NAVAJO COUNTY AS A WHOLE IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST COUNTIES TO BE ABLE TO DO BUSINESS IN.
AND SO I THINK THAT SPEAKS HIGHLY OF OUR STAFF AND REPRESENTATIVES AND PROCEDURES AND POLICIES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
MAY YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF THIS MONTH.
REMEMBER TO COME FEBRUARY, WE'LL MEET IN FEBRUARY 10TH, BUT THEN YOU BETTER HAVE HAD YOUR VALENTINE'S SPOT
[01:35:01]
AND EVERYTHING THAT WAY BECAUSE THEY GO IN HIGH DEMAND.FUNNY HOW VALENTINE'S IS THE BUSIEST, UH, POSTAGE DAY OF THE YEAR.
SO IT'S JUST KIND OF EXCITING.
MAY YOU FIND LOVE, MAY YOU FIND PEACE, MAY YOU FIND HAPPINESS IN HELPING OTHERS AND BEING KIND TO OTHERS.
UNTIL THE NEXT TIME WE HAVE A MEETING.
YES, THAT, UH, I'M GOING TO JOIN THIS MEETING.