Page local news summary

Council declines to place data center vote on future agenda

New city manager hired, set to start in December

Council approves $227,000 for advanced police drone program

Council directs staff to proceed with reopening community facility

BMX pump track location approved, preserving grant funding

Federal delays stall second water intake project

Carbon-removal firm proposes Coconino County operations to tackle forest waste

Forest restoration efforts accelerate in upper Rio de Flag watershed

Board approves engineering contract for US-89 flood mitigation design

County unveils road safety plan amid rising crash numbers

County addresses SNAP and WIC benefit gaps during federal shutdown

Council declines to place data center vote on future agenda

PAGE, Ariz. - The City Council opted not to schedule a future discussion on putting the data-center land sale to a citizen vote, choosing instead to let a current citizen-led referendum effort run its course. A council member proposed the agenda item, citing public feedback. However, a majority of the council felt the existing referendum process is the proper legal avenue for the issue. If the referendum gathers sufficient signatures, the topic will be required to come before the council for action.

New city manager hired, set to start in December

PAGE, Ariz. — The City Council on Wednesday approved an employment contract for the new city manager, officially filling the city’s top administrative post. The appointee, whose name was not immediately released, will have an official start date of Dec. 2. The hiring concludes a search to fill the position and provides permanent leadership for city staff. Several council members indicated they would await the new manager’s evaluation of city operations before considering proposals for new staff positions or restructuring advisory boards.

Council approves $227,000 for advanced police drone program

PAGE, Ariz. - The Page City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a Drone as First Responder system for the Page Police Department at a cost of $227,323. Following a presentation on capabilities, including thermal and night-vision imaging for officer and public safety, the council authorized the expenditure. The cost will be split, with half from tourism-related revenues and the remaining half from the city’s contingency fund. Police officials argued the technology is critical for responding to threats, managing large events and locating individuals in hard-to-access areas.

Council directs staff to proceed with reopening community facility

PAGE, Ariz. - After hearing a presentation from the Youth Advisory Commission on community needs, the City Council voted unanimously to direct the city manager to move forward with reopening a long-shuttered community facility. Council members debated the speed of reopening and whether a full master plan was needed first. The consensus was to open the building for community use as soon as possible while developing a long-term master plan for the surrounding property. Councilor Debi Roundtree, who made the motion, stated the community has waited long enough for the facility to be put back into use.

BMX pump track location approved, preserving grant funding

PAGE, Ariz. – The City Council unanimously approved a new location for a planned BMX pump track, clearing the way for the project to proceed. The track will be built on city-owned land next to the Page Sports Complex on Haul Road, a site with existing parking and restrooms that satisfies conditions of the grant funding. The city has budgeted funds for the project in addition to outside support. Debbie Winlock, a city department leader, explained the new, downscaled plan meets grant requirements and solves the long-standing problem of finding a suitable location.

Federal delays stall second water intake project

PAGE, Ariz. - Progress on the city’s critical second water-intake project is currently in limbo pending federal action, according to a report from the mayor. The project is seeking federal funding through the Great American Outdoors Act to pay for infrastructure on National Park Service lands. The delay highlights the city’s dependence on federal processes for moving forward with infrastructure designed to ensure long-term water security for Page.

Carbon-removal firm proposes Coconino County operations to tackle forest waste

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A private carbon-removal company presented a concept to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday to build a facility in Coconino County that would turn forest waste into blocks intended for long-term storage and potential mine-reclamation applications. A company representative said the proposed project aims to address the region’s “biomass bottleneck” by taking residual material from forest thinning projects, drying and compressing it into inert blocks and storing them at a suitable site. The effort, projected at about 25 full-time jobs, would work with a local landholder and utilize a former rock quarry north of Flagstaff as the first storage/reclamation site.

Forest restoration efforts accelerate in upper Rio de Flag watershed

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Forest Restoration Director Jay Smith provided an update Tuesday on significant progress in forest health projects, particularly in the Upper Rio de Flag watershed. Smith reported that multiple logging contractors are actively working along Highway 180 to reduce wildfire risk. He also presented a financial overview, noting that county investments since 2020 have leveraged substantial federal and partner funding to treat thousands of acres to date. Projects on Bill Williams Mountain are also advancing, with a focus on cost-effective mechanical thinning where feasible.

Board approves engineering contract for US-89 flood mitigation design

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Acting as the Flood Control District Board of Directors, the Board of Supervisors awarded a contract not to exceed $1,450,381 to Ardurra Group, Inc. for engineering services related to post-wildfire flood mitigation along U.S. Highway 89. The work is supported by a federal Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) grant and will design resilient infrastructure to manage floodwaters stemming from the 2022 Pipeline Fire burn area. Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani called it “the last big project” for the corridor, which has seen extensive mitigation efforts since 2022. Much of the work will occur upstream of the highway to minimize traffic disruptions.

County unveils road safety plan amid rising crash numbers

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Coconino County is launching a comprehensive safety action plan to address rising crashes on county-maintained roads, public works officials told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. The plan, supported by a federal Safe Streets for All grant, will adopt a Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities. Over the next two years, staff will analyze crash data, conduct public outreach and develop safety strategies for 14 high-priority roads, including Lake Mary Road and Townsend-Winona Road.

County addresses SNAP and WIC benefit gaps during federal shutdown

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – County officials on Tuesday provided an update on the local response to the federal government shutdown’s impact on nutritional assistance programs. While federal contingency funds have temporarily extended Women, Infants, and Children benefits through early December, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for more than 8,000 county households have not been issued for November. In response, Coconino County Health and Human Services has partnered with the Public Fiduciary’s Office to provide daily meals for affected clients. The county is also supporting a food drive and is co-hosting the “Stuff the Bus” event on Nov. 8 at the Safeway on Plaza Way to support local food banks.

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