Progress Report 2022

FLAGSTAFF

PROGRESS REPORT Arizona Daily Sun |

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022

|

azdailysun.com

JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN

Flagstaff still in motion CITY OF FLAGSTAFF ECONOMIC VITALITY STAFF

STATE OF FLAGSTAFF 2022

Flagstaff has always been a community of action and ability, of resilience and resolve. Inflation is skyrocketing. Global conflict persists. While many were hopeful for a 2022 that was brighter than 2021, COVID was immediately replaced by larger perils at our doors and on our horizons, leaving us with infinite ideas which may be reduced to the two options that are almost always our only two choices: paralysis or action.

Paralysis comes in an infinite number of forms and patterns including gluing oneself to the television or your phone and immersing oneself in the anti-social media then wondering why our mental health is fried. Action is different. Mental health professionals know that eye movement can create a physiology of movement which contributes to greater peace and resilience. Action contributes to greater peace and resilience.

While the talking heads of the world are scrambling to keep your attention on the negative, the state of Flagstaff in 2022 is our time to perform action that starts with reflection upon our last 12 months which will help us to orient ourselves and our actions.

LET’S START WITH THE REVENUES

The Bed, Board and Beverage tax is a good indicator of the attractiveness of our community to others. When people Visit. Discover. Grow. their experiences in Flagstaff, they often spend the day enjoying our independent and franchise restaurants and shops. As they return to discover more about Flagstaff, they stay longer, to further contribute to the board and beverage components, and sometimes bring – thank you! As the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, the Flagstaff community enjoys high visitation rates which contribute to the metric we watch which is the BBB revenues. Comparing 2021 to

2020, we see a great jump from : $8.3 million to $9 million. Looking over time, we see between 2012 to 2021 an increase of 71.61% which speaks to the longevity of Flagstaff as a place people want to visit.

Along those same lines, we can look at the number and valuation of building permits over time. Looking at 2017, there were 1,529 construction permits issued, valued at $208,766,173. Jumping to 2021, the City of Flagstaff issued 2,252 construction permits valued at $291,115,294; that’s a 47.28% increase in the number of permits and a 39.45% increase in the value of those permits. Flagstaff is a place where investments happen, whether it’s a family buying a home, someone deciding to renovate their home or a business owner deciding to build a facility to locate their business here in Flagstaff.

CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN ARIZONA BY BUILDING , TRAINING AND STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH WORKFORCE. M 1

Please see FLAGSTAFF, Page L4

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| SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

TOURISM

TOURISM

OUR CITY’S #1 ECONOMIC ENGINE MEG ROEDERER

Discover Flagstaff

Tourism bolsters the Flagstaff economy supporting an estimated 8,000 jobs and is the city’s number one economic engine for enhancing the quality of life for local residents, creating a vibrant community.

As we slowly put this pandemic behind us, we, as travel sales, marketing and management professionals, need to understand the zeitgeist of the repeat, new and emerging traveler.

“Research is telling us many of the travelers today are interested in learning about the values of the community they are visiting – what makes the community tick and why is it unique and special. Discover Flagstaff, the City’s Convention and Visitor Bureau, not only celebrates the wonders of nature that we call home; the community that has built a brewery/ distillery and foodies paradise, astronomy and dark skies preservation, and more, but also the fact that we have a mission to keep our wild places wild and to work toward being a net neutral carbon city,” said Discover Flagstaff Director Trace Ward.

Now, as the industry moves forward, the visitor economy is a strong player in the facilitating of our destination’s recovery and engaging both the visitor and the community in this process is vital. Now, as the industry moves forward, the visitor economy is a strong player in the facilitating of our destination’s recovery and engaging both the visitor and the community in this process is vital.

The outlook is positive for Flagstaff tourism. Traditional accommodations (hotels/motels/Bed and Breakfast) in Flagstaff report on a handful of industry metrics such as occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR).

2020’s numbers were in the red with a year-end loss of 19.3 percent when compared to 2019 occupancy numbers. Flagstaff is one of the truly lucky destinations in that we fit in well with the desires of the travelers today. Our recovery began not too long after the low of April 2020 and have been steadily climbing ever since.

Tourism revenue collected, specifically the Bed, Board and Beverage (BBB) tax of 2 percent directly and positively impacts quality of life with beautiful parks, public art, open space as well as arts and sciences education programming for students. In fiscal year 2021, BBB tax collection of $9 million increased to 8.4 percent over fiscal year 2020.

ACCOMODATIONS: BY THE NUMBERS

Discover Flagstaff upholds the mission to develop, promote and maintain Flagstaff as a year-round destination with professional visitor services that will benefit the community economically, environmentally and socially. Travel and sustainability can complement one another.

Did you know, Discover Flagstaff creates, assists and contributes to programs supporting the City of Flagstaff Climate Action & Adaptation Plan? And, Drury Inn and Suites Flagstaff, Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar and the Museum of Northern Arizona Easton Collection Center were recognized with the 2021 Tourism Sustainability Awards. Flagstaff was also honored in 2021 as the recipient of two Arizona Governor’s Tourism Awards:

Tourism adds dollars to the community that support:  Soccer and soft/baseball fields for kids and

the aspiring collegiate player

 Art in the community expressing culture,

history and music inspiring future artists

 Beautiful open space areas protecting

environmental resources

 Parks with amenities for all to enjoy an

active healthy lifestyle

BEST TOURISM PARTNERSHIP AWARD

PLEDGE FOR THE WILD PROGRAM: This award recognized the cooperative partnerships between Discover Flagstaff and multiple community partners to benefit the non-profit Flagstaff Trails Initiative and attract responsible visitors to Arizona.

Text WILD4FLAG or 44321 to support Pledge for the Wild.

SPIRIT OF SERVICE CRISIS RESPONSE AWARD CANYON DIABLO SPIRITS & DISTILLERY: Canyon Diablo pivoted their operations quickly to produce hand sanitizer for the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation in an effort to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 in one of the nation’s hardest hit areas.

About Discover Flagstaff

Discover Flagstaff is designated as an Accredited Organization with Distinction of the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program. Discover Flagstaff BBB TAX REVENUE focuses on drive-market and direct flight origin cities including Denver, Dallas and Phoenix. Marketing FY 2021 $9.0 MILLION campaigns include Pledge for the Wild, Stay and Play Responsibly, Astrotourism, High Altitude Training, FY 2020 $8.3 MILLION Wellness, Music, Festivals, Wipe the Smile, City of FY 2019 $8.8 MILLION Seven Wonders, and more. Learn more at discoverFY 2018 $8.5 MILLION flagstaff.com and visit the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Route 66.)

Coming soon! National Travel and Tourism Week Public safety the priority Tourism matters and public safety is still front and (NTTW), an annual tradition for the US Travel Incenter. Discover Flagstaff, will continue to amplify dustry, that recognizes the value travel holds for the the City’s public health safety and fire awareness economy, businesses and personal well-being. This messaging to stay and play responsibly. year, the industry is setting NTTW eyes on the future

Flagstaff accolades  America’s most historic and beautiful towns

(msn.com)

 Flagstaff to Grand Canyon is one of Arizona’s

      

most gorgeous drives. Here’s how to do it (usatoday.com) 8 Incredible Small Town Stops (travelawaits. com) Flagstaff Area Ranks in Top 10 Places to Get Physically Fit in 2022 (smartasset.com) Six stunning national parks you can reach by Amtrak (forbes.com) America’s 5 Best Destinations for a Summer Running Vacation (insidehook.com) 10 Best American Vacation Towns to Live in Year-Round (moneycrashers.com) 14 Awesome Retro Motor Lodges in the U.S. (travelandleisure.com) 7 Spectacular Ancient Ruins To Visit In Arizona (travelawaits.com)

with #thefutureoftravel to reconnect and rebuild.

Celebrate with Discover Flagstaff, May 1-7, 2022, and embrace the NTTW creatively nuanced to capture eco-tourism.

Join the Discover Flagstaff team at Tourism Service Day with a community cleanup on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Please RSVP with Carrie Nelson at cnelson@ flagstaffaz.gov.

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May 1-7, 2022

o c E

y a t S y a l P &

^

e r o M

INDULGE

We’re talking gourmet and foot-long dogs, new experiences at Atria Restaurant with modern American fare + the long-standing Flagstaff faves.

BOW WOW STREET DOGS & GRILL

FORÊT FLG

EXPLORE

We are celebrating by hosting another Service Day, and inviting the community to join us for an enjoyable day of giving back.

Conquer a trail, make a pledge to keep it wild.

CHEERS

What’s your game – hot or cold? 20-ish coffee shops and 8 award-winning breweries.

They’re all smooth!

PLEDGEWILD.COM

TRAVEL Do all or some of these... Mountain Line can take you AND your bike!

Wednesday, May 4 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

MOUNTAIN LINE

RSVP by April 27 and for more information – cnelson@flagstaffaz.gov

HIGH COUNTRY MOTOR LODGE

RELAX

Galleries, Route 66 or mural walks? The strolls are fun and easy. The question is – How many can you accomplish in a week?

Enjoy indoor heated pools and perhaps best of all... you don't have to do the housekeeping! Will it be a Bed & Breakfast or your fave hotel? Something to know: There are four new or remodeled hotels opening soon!

Learn what tourism does for Flagstaff and you: flagstaffarizona.org/tourism-matters

ART

WALK THIS TALK & PUBLIC ART MAP

For links and more ideas visit flagstaffarizona.org/ staycation

Thank you for flying Flagstaff first!

To make your flying experience better: • • • • • •

Be dropped off at the airport vs. parking Arrive 90 minutes before your flight to ensure boarding Check luggage Print boarding pass Begin TSA screening ASAP For screening, place containers carrying liquids in a clear plastic bag

6200 S. Pulliam Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86005 | 928.213.2930 | discoverflagstaff.com M 1

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CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

| SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

HEALTHCARE

J. SAKAI PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY GUARDIAN AIR

A Guardian Air crew demonstrates their autopulse machine in August 2019.

HEALTHCARE INNOVATION continues despite pandemic

ABIGAIL KESSLER

Sun Staff Reporter

COVID-19 continued to be the biggest health story through 2021, with vaccines’ arrival and expanded availability alongside two new variants that led to increasing cases. Omicron in particular led to record COVID metrics in Coconino County at the start of 2022 and, while cases continue to be at low levels, it still makes up the majority of cases, both in the county and Arizona overall.

Despite the pandemic, however, local healthcare organizations continued work on both mitigation and recovery measures alongside some other pre-existing programs. North Country Healthcare welcomed another class to its residency program and continued the Housing as Healthcare partnership with Flagstaff Shelter Services. Northern Arizona Healthcare continued developing plans for the new Flagstaff Medical Center campus, among other efforts.

Here a few of this year’s healthcare highlights:

Robotic dentistry

True North Dentistry got a new piece of technology this winter and dentist Dr. David Yang was among the first to try it out. He used the device–the Yomi Robotic System— to place an implant in his own mouth in February, a procedure he said went “fabulously.”

“I just want to show patients that it’s not scary,” he said of the procedure. “You’re numb and it’s a pretty simple procedure, actually.”

True North is known for being a technology-forward dental practice. Their ability to use 3D imaging in the practice was part of the reason they were among the first in Arizona to have the device.

Yomi uses 3D imaging data to understand the placement of nerves and sinuses

Flagstaff From L1

THE EXPANSIONS CONTINUE

Joy Cone Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of ice cream cones, and they are located right here in Flagstaff. In the last year, they added almost 50 new employees and they are still hiring. Joy Cone Company is on a trajectory to add still more production and warehousing capabilities which is a great thing for dessert lovers and an even better thing for the Flagstaff community.

Katalyst Space Technologies is another business poised for astronomical growth.

This start-up from the Prescott area learned of the Business Attraction incentive and ultimately chose Flagstaff as the home from which they would grow. Katalyst is driving innovation from the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Campus known as NACET, which is managed by Moonshot at NACET by delivering modular satellite components which ultimately lead to less space trash.

When one considers the expense of putting satellites into space, risk managers want to minimize the chances of running into anything, especially at orbital speeds. Katalyst has been awarded the Business Retention and Expansion Incentive as well and is hoping to hire up to 20 new employees in the coming years.

Poba Medical is yet another business that is growing leaps and bounds in Flagstaff.

Poba, which stands for Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty, is a business that has gone from two people up to 20 in a few short

and the size of the space the implant will go into. From there, a tracking arm is attached to the patient’s mouth, so Yomi can adjust to their movements. Once it is guided to the implant location, the device locks into the planned spot and can drill to a preset depth.

The method’s precision and accuracy make it less painful, Yang said, reporting a discomfort level of two or three out of ten at worst afterward. While this was his first implant, he said his other patients who had received implants using both Yomi and more traditional methods had told him the former was “by far the easiest implant procedure that they have ever done.”

Birth Collective

A group of healthcare providers started the Flagstaff Birth Collective to serve northern Arizona families this year. There was a need in the area after Flagstaff ’s Birth Center closed in September 2021, they said, so several of the center’s former providers began making plans to ensure the area continued to have birthing options.

The collective began in December 2021 and has since opened a physical location in Flagstaff, with offices and a classroom, which its providers share using a rotating schedule.

The collective’s providers offer services for pregnant people, newborns and families through the prenatal, birth and postpartum periods. These range from pelvic floor physical therapy to embodiment guidance to torticollis treatment. They also have classes, including a weekly lactation group and music classes for kids five and under.

Their hope is to have a positive impact on the community as they continue to add classes, providers, and services.

2021, making it easier for technicians to provide life-saving treatment while in flight.

Guardian Air transports patients from across northern Arizona and the AutoPulse makes flights safer for both crews and patients. It can be difficult to perform CPR in a helicopter, as the space is small, moving and filled with people. Add in a full set of safety equipment and it becomes even harder to apply enough pressure for CPR to be effective.

“Before we had this device, people legitimately just hoped that they didn’t have a cardiac arrest in flight. If they did, they would just do the best they could with the tools they had,” flight paramedic Dean Hoffman said.

Instead, the AutoPulse is designed to start with the push of a button. A strap placed around the patient is programmed to deliver the correct pressure and depth, so the EMTs can focus on other tasks to help the patient.

Cardiovascular Institute

Northern Arizona Healthcare’s cardiovascular services department gained institute status in early 2022, allowing the organization to expand the services it offers in Flagstaff.

The change in status “represents an improvement to the care we offer [and] a commitment to best practices, opportunities to engage in research and growth,” said Mackenzie Kirby, who works in community relations for CVI. “...Our institute is providing care to patients from the very beginning, from blood pressure monitoring all the way through to highly skilled interventional [efforts].”

The Cardiovascular Institute’s (CVI) service line now includes preventive care, CPR in flight educational efforts and developing a netGuardian Air installed new AutoPulse work with other Arizona providers. These CPR machines in its helicopters in May range from pacemaker and defibrillator

years, and their long-term trajectory is on the same growth path. Poba provides prototyping capabilities to balloon technologies that deliver pharmaceuticals throughout the body. Poba also has a growing list of workforce development success stories. The owner has an eye for talent identification and development. One such story is of a baristo who so impressed the owner, that the owner made a position for the baristo. That person is now helping to generate unique leads for Poba on a regular basis keeping Poba at the front of R&D startup-ups across the country and around the world.

NACET

As the pandemic ebbed and flowed over the last year, the Northern Arizona Center for Emerging Technologies (NACET) has been able to maintain the level of professionalism that they have demonstrated year after year. Moonshot at NACET has experienced a remarkable growth period these last 12 months. The Business Incubator has been at 100% occupancy since October of 2021. The Business Accelerator is on track to be 81% occupied by the end of April 2022; this will have an overall occupancy rate of 77%, the highest it has ever been.

This road has been a tough journey in the last two years, but perseverance has prevailed. In-person pitch events have been well attended and beneficial in reaching new startup companies. NACET will continue their outreach activities by hosting weekly pitch events, the Innovate Waste Challenge (in conjunction with the Economic Development Department from

the City), and the Shoemaker Entrepreneur Award Celebration in June.

The organization has also been partnering with the workforce development initiative and has internship programs with Northern Arizona University, the Flagstaff High School Entrepreneur Program and AZ Stitch Lab Industrial Sewing Training Program. These undertakings show an investment in the next generation to ensure Flagstaff remains a hot spot for innovation, technology and research and development that will not only sustain current businesses but also safeguard future trade industries. We thank them for being an integral part of our community.

BUSINESS ATTRACTION

One excellent indicator that the pandemic is subsiding in Flagstaff is the arrival of several new companies. One company, in particular, arrived in Flagstaff this year and plans to create over 300 new jobs and invest over $65 million dollars in capital.

UACJ Whitehall Automotive Industries is an automotive manufacturing company that fabricates components for several major automotive companies including Toyota, Lucid Motors and Tesla.

Whitehall is the largest new business to arrive in Flagstaff in the last 50 years and was attracted to our community with the help of over 100 individuals. It truly takes a village to attract an employer of this size, which will have immense lasting positive economic impact for Flagstaff. Whitehall is already expanding throughout our community, acquiring additional manufacturing space and growing their operation to create additional jobs for our residents.

clinics to open heart surgery to a hybrid operating room planned to open in early fall.

The operating room will allow for transcathter aortic valve treatment (TAVR), an alternative to open-heart surgery for patients with calcified aortic valves.

The procedure, which uses a groin entry rather than opening a patient’s chest, has a smaller psychological impact and a shorter recovery time.

Addressing period poverty

Two student groups got together to provide free menstrual products on Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) campus this year, securing funding from the Associated Students of NAU and university administration to install a total of 184 dispensers in campus restrooms in phases. The first 14 dispensers were placed in the University Union over winter break.

PERIOD. Club and the Women’s Health Committee at NAU had started out stocking nine gender-neutral restrooms in residence halls. They soon realized the initiative needed to expand, as their budget wasn’t enough to keep them stocked, and other campus locations also needed the service.

They began tabling in the union and, in partnership with members of the university’s Commission on the Status of Women, received the funding and approval to include women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms in student-focused buildings on campus.

“Period poverty is…the lack of access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities and adequate education,” PERIOD. Club president Sydney Felsen said. “We are taking care of the lack of access to menstrual products, or at least trying to help, so people feel like they have more access when they come to school.”

Another significant milestone was the arrival of Katalyst Space Technologies.

Katalyst is seeking to find an innovative and sustainable solution to problems that occur outside of our atmosphere.

Their mission is to update existing satellites in orbit and bring them into the 21st century, which will also reduce the amount of debris orbiting our upper atmosphere. Katalyst is one business currently located at the previously mentioned Accelerator (NACET) and has already created over 15 jobs for our community. They plan to add an additional 20 in the next year and have been working closely with NASA, the Department of Defense and other major agencies to initiate their products’ first launch into space, which could be as soon as the end of 2023!

Katalyst continues to expand the rich history of Flagstaff ’s involvement in space exploration and advancement, and we hope you will congratulate them with us as they grow their business in our community and shoot for the stars.

RETAIL

Retail is an element of commerce that meets the need of residents and visitors alike, and the retail operators look for densities of people and homes as places to be.

Tracking the changes of the retail sector can be challenging as the retail landscape can change. Try some of the new offerings in Flagstaff:  Two Hands Corn Dogs  Firehouse Subs  Crumbl Cookies  Filibertos Mexican Food

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CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022 |

HEALTH CENTERS

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help retain workforce through pandemic NORTH COUNTRY HEALTHCARE

“The Great Resignation” is an ongoing trend that has affected all industries, and healthcare is no exception. Recent data shows there are significant shortages of healthcare professionals all over the country. But just how bad are physician shortages in northern Arizona? And what can health systems do to mitigate? Health centers like North Country HealthCare have forecast these impending shortages for decades and have been working toward a solution, even before the COVID-19 pandemic made matters worse.

Since its inception in 1991, North Country HealthCare has been a teaching health center – a model of training healthcare providers within a clinic to ensure a viable primary care workforce. In 2020 many training sites for providers shut down during the pandemic. North Country HealthCare continued to bring trainees through its doors. The students trained within the center include advanced nursing, medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, dental hygiene, nutrition, and public health students.

North Country HealthCare’s education arm, the Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professions, launched The NARBHA Institute Family & Community Medicine Residency in 2020. The inaugural class of family medicine residents will graduate in the summer of 2023. Research shows residents trained at teaching health centers are more likely to continue to practice at community health centers and in rural and underserved areas. Wherever doctors complete their residency, they are highly likely to continue to practice medicine in the long term.

North Country HealthCare is also working to establish a community-based psychiatry residency, in collaboration with The NARBHA Institute. The health center is also affiliated with NYU Langone’s Dental Residency and expects to have site accreditation in time to welcome a class of dental residents in July 2023.

It is obvious that provider shortages impact the overall health of the community.

This problem also has a huge impact on the economic wellbeing of the community.

The availability of healthcare affects the ability of our community to attract and retain new industries, businesses, and residents. The result of an independent economic-impact study shows “significant positive economic impact” to the

HEALTH CARE

NCHC, COURTESY IMAGES

Dr. Sarah Coles of North Country HealthCare speaks to one of the center’s residents. community’s needs have been evolving for decades; the pandemic merely magnified the urgency to evolve with the current needs and cultural shifts. These changes include expanding telehealth, more flexible schedules, and providing mentoring and other support services to staff.”

North Country HealthCare is committed to supporting and training the healthcare workforce now and into the future.

Their mission is to provide affordable, accessible, quality primary care in an atmosphere of dignity and respect where the health and wellbeing of patients and community are promoted through direct services, education, outreach and advocacy. The seeds planted by teaching health centers before the pandemic are now beginning to bloom. COVID-19 has only highlighted the need for this type of effort to ensure our rural communities have access to highly skilled healthcare providers going forward.

state and expanded patient access to care over the next ten years.

The study, prepared by Rounds Consulting Group, Inc., shows that increasing the number of physician residents at North Country HealthCare alone will result in 136 high-paying jobs and $151.7 million in economic output for northern Arizona over a ten-year period.

But what about the providers we already have? Healthcare providers – both in hospitals and in outpatient settings – are exiting the workforce due to several factors. Chief Medical Officer at North Country HealthCare, April Alvarez-Corona, MD, is work-

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ing with her team of providers to determine what measures are needed to preserve our primary care workforce.

“We’re hearing from our own providers and from other health centers that clinicians are experiencing burnout,” Dr. Alvarez-Corona said. “Prior to 2020, our leadership team had begun to focus on clinician wellness and staff resiliency. We recognize that part of sustaining our medical teams is providing support through mentoring and resources. For this reason we have expanded our clinical leadership teams and focused on clinical leadership development.

In addition, we recognize that the medical

For more information about North Country HealthCare’s teaching health center designation, or to support growing physicians and the healthcare workforce in northern Arizona, visit coloradoplateauchp.org.

The Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professions programming supports students every step of the way of their health career pathway. Its purpose is to create a conduit for recruiting and retaining a healthcare workforce throughout the region. More than three hundred health profession students are trained by the Colorado Plateau Center every year, helping ensure future doctors, nurses, pharmacists and public health officials choose to work in northern Arizona’s underserved communities where they are needed most.

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CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

TRANSPORTATION

Plastic rods mark a protected bike lane Thursday on Butler Avenue that remains unplowed after significant snowfall.

SEAN GOLIGHTLY, SUN STAFF REPORTER

EXPANDING transportation options SEAN GOLIGHTLY

Sun Staff Reporter

“We won’t have any final recommendations or real data to chew on until spring at the soonest,” said Streets Section Director Scott Overton.

Currently, the protected curbs remain in place, and the coming year should see determinations about the future of the program and improved bicycle infrastructure in general.

Flagstaff ’s methods of transportation remained a focus for city officials and residents this past year.

How the town gets around is a question that intersects with the city’s carbon neutrality plan, public safety, economic vitality, quality of life and more.

As the city continues to grow, Flagstaff has made progress through specific transportation projects Lone Tree Overpass Project as well as through evolving approaches to transporStill in progress is the Lone Tree Overpass Project tation management. Here’s a breakdown of what’s (LTO)—a $73 million, bond-funded bridge that will gotten done in the last year. connect Lone Tree Rd. with Route 66. This project has been in the works since at least 2001 when Active Transportation Flagstaff ’s Regional Land Use and Transportation Plan revealed the need for an additional northManagement Plan south connection near the downtown area. Based Since the last Progress Report, the city has drafted on traffic studies, the successful completion of the and sought public feedback for and Active Trans- LTO should decrease traffic congestion and idling portation Management Plan (ATMP). time for vehicles, thereby reducing greenhouse gas “Over the years there have been a number of city emissions. plans that indicate in a general sense a support for Despite having earned voter approval, the LTO walking and biking, starting with Flagstaff ’s Region remains somewhat controversial as the city and Plan. All of those plans are fairly general in nature residents evaluate the project design in terms of its and lack some detail in accommodation for pedes- accessibility to multi-modal users and adherence trians and bicyclists. The ATMP is really intended to carbon neutrality goals. Over the course of nuto fill in those details,” Martin Ince, multi-modal merous council meetings and public feedback optransportation planner, said. portunities, city representatives and residents have In September 2021, the city released a draft of this argued that the LTO caters to increased vehicle trafplan. The draft asks the city to develop a 20-year fic through Flagstaff at the expense of bicycle and program to construct infrastructure improvements pedestrian safety and investment into more carbon using funding from Flagstaff ’s voter-approved friendly transportation options. transportation sales tax and a $5.5 million dollar “If we are going to achieve our carbon goals, and grant recently awarded to the Mountain Line transit if we are going to design for a more enjoyable place system for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. to live, it has to be enjoyable to walk and bike,” said Through November 2021, the city received public Vice Mayor Becky Daggett regarding the LTO defeedback on the ATMP. The plan is set to go before sign. “Anything that we put in the path of someone council for final approval. choosing another option in terms of transportation, I think we are missing an opportunity to create what Bike safety we said that we value.”

In May of 2021, Flagstaff was devastated when a As time has passed, changes in real estate and party of cyclists promoting bike safety was struck by materials cost have shifted the LTO price tag from a tow-truck driver running a red light. The collision $73 million to $90-$100 million. In January 2022, took the life of 29-year-old Johanna “Jo” Wheaton Flagstaff city council provided LTO some forward and left several others in critical condition. Follow- momentum by narrowing the design of the intering the incident, a groundswell of public outcry for section improvements. They gave direction to inbetter bike infrastructure—including a petition vestigate refinement of an intersection design that signed by over 500 residents—spurred the city to has five lanes on each leg and protective elements implement a protected bike lane pilot program. This for bicycle and pedestrian travel, in accordance with program experimented with the installation of curbs the city’s draft Active Transportation Master Plan. and reflective poles to separate bike lanes on Beaver Currently, the project has been awarded to Ames St. and Butler Ave. from the general flow of traffic. Construction and remains on track to finalize design The program was met with mixed reviews. Early by the end of 2022. on, the it was praised for the speed at which the city government was able to respond to public demand, Public transportation but criticized for its inadequate address of the needs Mountain Line bus services are expanding in more of cyclists and other street users. ways than one. Mountain Line recently received a “I think maybe it’s a little bit of a band aid fix,” $17.3 million grant from the Federal Transportation said cycling advocate Scott Heinsius, who raised Authority to support a transition to an electric bus concerns that the curbs would narrow cyclist move- fleet. Of that funding, $15.6 million was dedicated to ment, impede trash pick-up and rapidly deteriorate the construction of the downtown connection cendue to frequent vehicle collisions. ter. This new connection center has been deemed Come winter, the pilot program received further necessary as the bus service has outgrown its exscrutiny as more cars struck the snow-covered isting connection center due to increasing use of barriers and street crews struggled to remove snow public transportation. from the lanes in a timely manner. In response, the Mountain Line has also launched an on-demand city reiterated that the pilot program was designed transportation service that takes riders between to be experimental in nature, and that the presence the airport and any destination within Flagstaff. of problems was to be expected as part of the learn- The Mountain Line GO! program began on March ing process.

1. Travelers can now request a ride on-demand

or schedule one up to 14 days ahead of their trip through the Mountain Line GO! app.

“Flagstaff is fortunate to have both a robust transit system and a thriving airport, and this pilot program brings a low-cost and efficient connection between the two entities,” Flagstaff City Councilmember and NAIPTA Board Chair Adam Shimoni said.

The shuttle travels both to and from the airport on an on-demand basis. Riders can book a ride via the Mountain Line GO! app. Those without access to a smartphone can do so by calling 928-679-8989 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.

It is a shared-ride service, so other people may be on the vehicle if they are headed in the same direction around the same time. The vehicle may also make multiple stops along the way.

The service currently costs $2 per ride and can be paid via the app or in exact cash upon boarding. Service hours are from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. Any rides prior to 6:30 a.m. must be booked by 5 p.m. the previous day.

Air travel

Flagstaff’s Pulliam Airport is undergoing big shifts. At the end of 2021, Flagstaff City Council approved a proposed ordinance that would eliminate free parking at the airport and instead require travelers to pay up to $8 per day and $48 per week.

According to Airport Director Barney Helmick, charging for parking is necessary to pay for the $4.9 million borrowed from the city’s general fund to cover the construction of an additional parking lot and other improvements to the existing lot.

The airport long outgrew the current 385-space Terminal Lot. The airport has expanded significantly in recent years with multiple routes and more than 124,000 passengers departing from the airport in 2019, Helmick explained.

Now, the airport has 31.45-acre master development plan and parking lot project.

The masterplan will bring new offices, retail, lodging, research, light manufacturing and other potential employers. City Council approved city staff to proceed with contract negotiations with Genterra Enterprises, LLC regarding the parcel’s development, and groundbreaking is targeted for Spring 2022.

Parking improvements are under development which will include adding 405 parking spaces, nine ADA parking spaces, a designated location for at least six electric vehicle charging stations, landscaping improvements and a dedicated pathway with decorative concrete inlays and decorative fencing elements leading from the lot to the airport terminal. This project also involves minor roadway widening to account for a designated bike lane, additional bicycle parking, a roadway pullout for pick-up and drop-off adjacent to the lot and storage at the terminal. Following completion of this project, improvements to the existing parking lot will be scheduled (through the Airport CARES Act grant funding), which include minor drainage improvements, repaving of the asphalt and minor pedestrian circulation improvements.

Sean Golightly can be reached at sgolightly@azdailysun.com

“Over the years there have been a number of city plans that indicate in a general sense a support for walking and biking, starting with Flagstaff’s Region Plan. All of those plans are fairly general in nature and lack some detail in accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists. The ATMP is really intended to fill in those details.”

Martin Ince, multi-modal transportation planner M 1

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022 |

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A year of scientific

LEAPS AND BOUNDS DAILY SUN STAFF

Advances in science in Flagstaff reflected what was going on in the rest of the world with new studies providing a more detailed look at both Earth and beyond. Here’s a short recap of what happened in the realm of science in Flagstaff this past year:

SCIENCE

Study: Thinning, fire make forests healthier amid climate change A study from the researchers with the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University provided some good news for northern Arizona’s forests in the face of climate change – forest treatment does help.

The paper outlined that thinning trees and the use of prescribed fires on ponderosa pine forests may better adapt forests to a warming and drier climate.

Researcher Michael Stoddard, the lead author of the study, examined 20 years of experimental forests across northern and central Arizona. The findings sent an optimistic message as Arizona repeatedly sees an increase in high temperatures and dropping precipitation levels with each passing year.

Stoddard said they found that sections of forest that had been thinned and received at least one prescribed burn were far more resilient and healthy in the face of those changes.

Future forecasts show those treated forests remain resilient even as climate change continues. Despite the good news, their models also showed a slow die-off of some ponderosa pines directly as a result of climate change. While it was better than the untreated portions, it was still notable.

Lowell Observatory astronomer catalogs life of giant stars Lowell Observatory astronomer Gerard van Bell cataloged the precise sizes and temperatures of 191 giant stars in a new study, proving an unprecedented insight into the lifespan of stars.

Van Belle determined the measurement of hundreds of giant stars, including the radius and temperature, during the course of his research. While this type of study has been done before, none come close in terms of scale or accuracy. It’s considered the largest catalog of its kind ever published.

Special technology used in this project,

JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN FILE

Gerard van Belle, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, stands atop one of the arms of the Y-shaped Navy Optical Precision Interferometer on Anderson Mesa. Van Belle led a study showcasing the precise sizes and temperatures of 191 giant stars.

COURTESY OF JEREMY PEREZ

Last year the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition celebrated the 20th anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the First International Dark Sky City. however, enhanced the strength of the telescope, making the once impossible task of obtaining the measurements possible.

The study also gives researchers a boost in other areas. For example, knowing one star’s size can help astronomers better infer the size of surrounding planets.

20 years of dark skies

In October the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition celebrated the 20th anniversary of Flagstaff ’s designation as the First International Dark Sky City.

To understand the significance of this designation, one must first understand a counterintuitive fact of modern civilization: the night is not dark. It is polluted with skyglow. Across the globe, evening skies reflect every headlight, streetlight, billboard, window and well-lit storefront.

It’s an epidemic. In 2016, an international collection of scientists published “A New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness” which attempted to measure the spread of skyglow and light pollution.

Their findings were severe: 80% of the world (including 99% of U.S. and European populations) live under light-polluted skies. Most of Earth’s people currently reside in places where they will never see the stars.

And light pollution is getting worse.

A 2021 study from the Environment and

Sustainability Institute concluded that between 1992 and 2017 global light pollution detectable by satellite increased by at least 49% – and that’s just what is detectable by satellite. On the ground, they estimate that global light pollution has increased by as much as 270% during that period.

In Flagstaff, one can still walk out in the night – even in the city center – and see stars. Dark night is alive and well here. In a world without stars, Flagstaff has salvaged the night thanks to a history of legislation that earned Flagstaff its notable designation.

Grant to develop virtual teaching tools in arctic climates Northern Arizona University was part of a team receiving a nearly $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a virtual teaching tool in arctic regions. Polar Explorer, as it’s known, is meant to help nonscience-major undergraduate students learn about permafrost in a series of online interactive field trips.

Scientists at NAU, Arizona State, the Arizona Geological Survey (AGS) at the University of Arizona and the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado Boulder are collaborating to develop the virtual teaching tool.

Flagstaff STEM City receives grant for STEM education The STEM Talent Pipeline program announced an educational grant of $5,000 for Flagstaff STEM City to support the science, technology, engineering and math programs offered to Coconino community’s students.

The STEM Talent Pipeline program, sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), partnered with both Flagstaff STEM City and the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry and Technology (CAVIAT) to bring this vital funding to local students. These funds are used to help CAVIAT students in a variety of STEM-related programs, including material and travel expenses for their tutoring program at Tynkertopia in Flagstaff, which serves students primarily between the ages of 5-12. Tynkertopia, Flagstaff’s STEAM Community Center, is a nonprofit community center that focuses on creativity, inquiry and STEAM knowledge and skills.

“STEM City was born out of a shared community vision to recognize, celebrate and expand the tremendous human and capital assets in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math that exist in Flagstaff,” said Mike Thomas, Board of Director President for Flagstaff STEM City. “We connect the vibrancy of Flagstaff’s STEM businesses, organizations and resources to our schools, students and families to strengthen our education, economy and environment.

We employ our passion for STEM to empower and create real, meaningful impact for all the citizens of Flagstaff.”

FLAGSTAFF REGIONAL PLAN UPDATE LEARN MORE & GET INVOLVED The Regional Plan charts the course for our region's future. You can contribute to a sustainable and equitable path by taking one of the actions below.

VISIT the Regional Plan Website

A one-stop shop for information, data, and opportunities to get involved in the plan update process. Visit: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/RegionalPlan2045

WATCH the Regional Snapshot Webinars

A series of informational webinars about current conditions in the region across the various Regional Plan topic areas. Visit: https://bit.ly/RegionalSnapshots

JOIN the Mailing List

Interested in receiving newsletters and other announcements about the Regional Plan update? Join the mailing list: https://bit.ly/RegionalPlanMailingList

The Regional Planning Area The regional planning area includes the City of Flagstaff and several unincorporated communities in Coconino County.

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Sara Dechter, AICP - Comprehensive Planning Manager

928-213-2631

sdechter@flagstaffaz.gov

Melissa Shaw, AICP - Long Range Planner

928-679-8868

mshaw@coconino.az.gov

NOR T HE R N A R IZON A HE A LT HC A R E ME DIC A L GR OUP

PRIMARY CARE

MORE LOCATIONS, MORE OPTIONS CLOSE TO HOME For more information or to schedule a primary care appointment in Flagstaff, please call 928-913-8800.

TO SCHEDULE A TELEMEDICINE VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT, VISIT OUR SECURE, ONLINE PATIENT PORTAL – MYNAHEALTHCARE – AT NAHEALTHCARE.COM/PATIENT-PORTAL.

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ARIZONA DAILY SUN

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022 |

BUYER DEMAND

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driving Flagstaff housing market TAD MOORE

Northern Arizona Association of Realtors

We’ve all heard how competitive the U.S. housing market has been the past few years, and Flagstaff is no exception.

The reason is simple: the continuance of an incredibly aggressive seller’s market, unlike any of us have ever seen, occurs when there are not enough properties for sale to meet the incredible demand of many buyers. In short, basic Supply vs.

Demand economics.

When looking at the data for all of 2021, it’s pertinent to understand our local metropolitan area as a whole, and not just those within City of Flagstaff limits. Here, we consider data as far west as Bellemont, south to Kachina Village and Mountainaire, east all the way to Alpine Ranches and the northwest corridor off of Highway 180.

When analyzing that data set, there were a total of 1,825 properties sold at a median sales price of $531,125. This includes all residential property types including condos, manufactured homes, townhomes and single-family residences. When drilling down to just single-family residences, the number of homes sold drops to just 1,267 with a median sales price of $600,000. As surprising as that is, the most recent data shows that the market is still increasing, with the median home price of a single-family residence over $720,000 in January 2022.

A significant driver in the increase in buyer demand has been COVID-19, and the way the pandemic has changed our daily lives. Across the U.S., the increase in telecommuting as an adaptation to safety protocols resulted in many individuals reassessing how and where they want to live. Homebuyers were able to expand their search areas, as the commute time to their employer was no longer a driving factor in their decision process. In fact, many home buyers indicated they preferred to be in a more rural setting, specifically in mountain towns, while remaining within a two-hour commute to a larger metropolitan area for access to healthcare, shopping, etc. These communities were coined “Zoom Towns,” and Flagstaff perfectly fit the bill.

In addition to changes in home buyer area

REAL ESTATE searches, the pandemic has caused many to reassess home characteristics themselves when deciding on buying or selling a home.

With so many working remotely, and children attending school virtually, the need for additional space became a significant consideration. Suddenly a home office, learning area, or just more space in general became a requirement in home searches. So not only have more home buyers been relocating to Flagstaff, many individuals are moving within the community to homes that better accommodate their current needs.

Affordable housing, getting creative When discussing home ownership, it’s worth mentioning the strong and growing

movement among community members and housing advocates to ensure all Flagstaff residents have access to affordable housing. With the increase in prices, there is a significant decrease in affordable housing for those living and working in Northern Arizona. In February 2022, Flagstaff City Council unanimously voted to adopt the 10-Year Housing Plan, summarizing the city’s immediate and long-term needs and strategies to improving housing, coming as a direct response to the affordable housing emergency declared in December of 2020.

Moving forward, our community hopes to see more housing units become available to assuage buyer demand. Being surrounded by millions of acres of National Forest and State Land is one of the reasons many of us love Flagstaff, but also makes developable land an incredibly finite resource. To overcome this obstacle, developers and city planners will need to start offering creative solutions to maximize the land available, while still maintaining the unique character of Flagstaff. Over the

next few years, the construction of new developments like Canyon Del Rio, Juniper Point, Timber Sky and others should provide more options for those looking to enter the Flagstaff housing market.

Looking ahead

Flagstaff’s ongoing discrepancy in supply and demand will continue to create a unique buying and selling experience in the foreseeable future. In 2021, it became commonplace for real estate offers to be made waiving their appraisal contingency, shortening or waiving inspection periods, escalation clauses and other negotiating tactics that were unheard of just two years ago. With buyers frequently competing against several other over-asking-price offers on any given property, and sellers needing to make decisions amongst numerous complicated offers in very short periods of time, it’s imperative to seek out a realtor familiar with our market that can help guide you, as a buyer or a seller, through the entire process.

When discussing home ownership, it’s worth mentioning the strong and growing movement among community members and housing advocates to ensure all Flagstaff residents have access to affordable housing.

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| SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

FLAGSTAFF SCHOOLS return in person, focus on literacy intervention work Sixth-grade students wear masks as they take a tour of Mount Elden Middle School in this March photo.

ABIGAIL KESSLER

Sun Staff Reporter

Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD), like most K-12 schools, has for the most part spent this school year working out its return to in-person instruction amid the continuing pandemic. The district’s students first returned to classrooms in March 2021 and has been adjusting its mitigation strategies since.

While the district did recently remove its mask requirement in response to updated CDC guidance, its progress has been [mainly in other areas].

Several extracurriculars and traditions returned to Flagstaff schools this year, from the Coconino County Spelling Bee to chess and robotics competitions. A new online academy for elementary students opened at Thomas Elementary and a preschool pilot began at Kinsey with the start of the fall semester. A cohort of nine schools across FUSD have been training their staff to bring restorative practices in their classrooms.

An educational focus this year has been making sure that students are where they need to be after so many learning disruptions due to the pandemic. Within the schools, staff have been working on interventions to address learning loss and winter benchmarks seemed to show promising results.

“This time, we have a little bit of good news,” FUSD’s director of research and assessment, Robert Hagstrom said in a December presentation to the district’s board. “...Not every area looks like we wanted them to, but a lot of them do. I’m really happy to see that our students are growing. We know we had learning loss, but we know that we can help bring them where they’re supposed to be.”

Several efforts have focused on literacy, especially at the elementary level, and the district has formed a literacy taskforce to continue this work. Tier one intervention, which takes place inside the classroom, has been the primary focus, with the district investing in teacher training.

The Literacy Center’s Raising Readers program returned from a COVID-related pause in October, adding Kinsey and Sechrist Elementaries to efforts already underway at Thomas. At Kinsey, first-graders work oneon-one with Literacy Center volunteers for ten minutes a day, four days a week.

“If you spend 10 minutes a kid just running through different words and what’s the structures of the word — it’s not instant — it just helps them move forward in

EDUCATION

JAKE BACON PHOTOS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN

Lynn Hartman works with a student as part of The Literacy Center’s Rising Readers program at Kinsey Elementary School Thursday morning. their regular learning to read program with teachers,” said volunteer Lynn Hartman.

At Marshall Elementary, intervention is an “all hands on deck” effort, with teachers, interventionists and even lunch aides working to meet students’ learning needs.

The school was in year one of a three-year improvement plan for its response to intervention program (RTI) when the pandemic

Calyn Davis, 6, uses letters to make words during an intervention lesson with intervention specialist Heather Overton at Marshall Magnet Elementary School.

started. They stuck with it, even during remote learning and now that school is back in person, are increasing their efforts, setting aside intervention time for every grade level.

Marshall began its “COVID comeback” plan in March 2021, which involves mostly more of the same. 90% of the school’s kindergarten through second grade teachers

have volunteered for early literacy training through Coconino County.

“We knew we had to have more all hands on deck, more small groups than we’ve ever had to meet the various needs, because it really is the first- and second-graders that we see the most learning days that we have to [get students] where they deserve to be,” said principal Janelle Reasor.

A year of momentum for

COCONINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DAILY SUN STAFF

Celebrating 30 years

Coconino Community College hit a milestone this year, celebrating its anniversary over the summer. The school turned 30 on Aug. 26, with “birthday bash” events at its campuses in Flagstaff and Page.

According to its website, the college has served over 75,000 students since its start in 1991. For the 2020-21 school year, it reported an enrollment of 3,582 students, 29% of whom attended full-time. This marks significant growth for the school, as its first graduating class had a total of three students.

Partnership with Habitat for Humanity

LARRY HENDRICKS, CCC

Coconino Community College needs to Ken Myers, CCC Construction Technology Management lead faculty (left), and Eric Wolverton, offer real-world experience to the students executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona, in the Del E. Webb shop at in the Construction Technology Manage- CCC’s Fourth Street campus, where students will help in the construction of ‘starter homes.’ ment program. Habitat for Humanity of “The partnership with Findlay Honda of learning in preparation for the permit test.

Northern Arizona needs workers to help Flagstaff is one we are particularly excited Once students begin consistently getting build affordable homes for Flagstaff.

In late May, leaders for the two organiza- about,” said Lisa Blank, dean of Career and scores of 90% or higher on practice tests, tions got together and made the arrange- Technical Education at CCC. “As vehicles they go to the DMV to get a Class A permit. ment formal. CCC CTM students will help get more technologically advanced, eduAfter getting the permit, PTDS owner Rob HFH build the first of, with hope, many cating automotive technicians gets more Spencer said, the rest of the training hap“starter homes” for the Flagstaff commu- challenging, especially staying current with pens in trucks.

“No video games, no simulators, no Tiknity beginning this fall. equipment needed.”

Starter homes are homes with smaller In the partnership with Findlay Honda, Tok videos, no shortcuts,” he said. “It’s all “footprints” – approximately 350 square students benefit by getting to use the latest one hundred percent training on the trucks.” feet, Wolverton explained. Similar to studio diagnostic technologies and garnering valuThe truck training is divided into three living, the homes will also have a full kitchen able hands-on professional training that can parts: pre-trip safety checks, backing maand bath. The purpose of the homes is to be immediately applied through opportuni- neuvers and, after about 90 hours in the program, driving a truck in various regive residents an opportunity to get into ties to work in the industry. home ownership and save money in the al-world conditions and settings.

Once a student has experience with all of process.

Return to in-person learning The homes will be made available from After 2020’s pandemic-related changes, these steps (about 140 hours into the proHFH to qualified applicants.

CCC returned fully to in-person learning at gram, according to Spencer), they then go The project will be part of the college’s the start of the 2021-22 school year. Aug. 23 to take the test for the state CDL. Spencer Building Methods I and II courses, which was the first day for students at CCC. said 92% of PTDS students pass on either occur over the fall and spring semester. the first or second attempt.

The goal is to have the first home built by Commercial driving PTDS also has a number of resources to late April or early May 2022. help their students find work after gradutraining program ating.

Automotive Technician Program CCC hosted a ribbon cutting in June The conversation is the same among auto to commemorate the start of a new com- Native American dealerships locally and across the country: mercial driver’s license training program, student success grant Where do we find trained technicians? a partnership with Phoenix Truck Driving “There’s a ridiculous shortage of techni- School and the first CDL program offered In an effort to increase Native American cians,” said Mimi Vessey, parts and service in northern Arizona. student course success, completion rates director for Findlay Honda of Flagstaff.

The program at CCC is similar to others and a sense of belonging in the college comIn order to meet that gap, Coconino operated by PTDS. It is a 160-hour program, munity, CCC received a $2.1 million grant Community College partnered with Findlay including classroom and hands-on instruc- from the U.S. Department of Education.

Honda of Flagstaff to create an Automotive tion.

Called the Native American-Serving NonTechnician program.

The first week of the program is classroom tribal Institution (NASNTI) grant, the funds

will be distributed over a five-year period.

“CCC values the sacred land on which we live and serve and the indigenous peoples who have inhabited it for centuries,” said CCC Provost Nate Southerland. “We look forward to providing [Native American] students with culturally responsive teaching, enhanced support, and interpersonal connections to help them be successful in their studies.”

Brian Francis, senior manager of Academic and Career Advising, who is heading up the project, said, “It’s about strengthening Indigenous student success.” Therefore, the project will honor the call to action by being named Strengthening Indigenous Student Success (SISS). “I’m really excited about it.”

Over the next five years, the project will focus on three goals: Increase success rates for Native American students in foundational English and math courses; increase completion and transfer rates of Native American students; and enhance a sense of belonging at CCC among Native American students and their families.

The project will contain three main elements to achieve the goals. The first is the establishment of Native American Success Centers at the Lone Tree Campus in Flagstaff and at the Page Center in Page. There will be a dedicated space at the two locations specifically for Native American students. Each center will also have textbook and technology lending libraries for the students.

The project will also contain a Summer Bridge program, that will offer, at no cost, an eight-week experience for new Native American students — 40 in Flagstaff and 20 in Page. The bridge program will have the students take a college English composition class and a college success skills class for a total of six credits. Tutors and peer mentors will help the students. The students will also work with advisors to create an academic roadmap. They will apply for financial aid, register for classes.

The third element is a professional development component, which will deliver, over the period of the project, 150 full- and parttime faculty trained in culturally responsive teaching methods. Faculty will incorporate strategies and tools into their course syllabi and teaching practices.

To round out the project, CCC will convene a Native American Advisory Board, made up of indigenous community leaders, tribal elders and CCC staff to advise the president and the provost during the course of the project.

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| SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

EDUCATION

NAU

finding ways to expand access, opportunities for all students HEIDI TOTH

Assistant director, NAU Communications

Equitable access to higher education is central to NAU’s mission. A college degree can open countless doors for talented, hardworking students to build a better future for themselves and their communities, powering economic and social mobility. Students with a well-rounded education are better prepared to be a part of the workforce of the future and realize their personal and career aspirations. NAU, through its impactful and responsive academic programs, is an engine of opportunity, with high-quality programs aligned to statewide workforce needs and is committed to serving Arizona’s students and communities.

This begins with ensuring that all Arizonans can pursue a higher education and participate in high-impact practices such as research, internships and mentoring to help them excel. These opportunities begin in our K-12 schools, extend to our partners in Career and Technical Education and at Coconino Community College and the partnerships we develop to make these pathways seamless for students are vital. Addressing the needs of students from historically underserved communities, NAU is re-envisioning what is required to increase college attainment in Arizona for the benefit of individual social mobility and our communities’ quality of life and economic prosperity.

“At NAU, our mission is to be a leading university for access, success, and equitable postsecondary value,” President José Luis Cruz Rivera said.

“I am excited to see the creative problem-solving and collaboration both on campus and throughout our communities to give all of our students the opportunities they need to be successful both in school and throughout their lives.”

New admissions program

In February, NAU announced a groundbreaking new admissions pilot program, which grants hard working students who graduate from an accredited Arizona high school with a GPA of 3.0 assured ad-

mission into NAU. An estimated 50,000 Arizona students who went to high schools that didn’t have all the required courses did not meet admission requirements, no matter how qualified or prepared they were, which disproportionately affects students from rural or low-income areas. Soon, this will no longer hold them back from a college degree.

NAU’s data shows that the best indicator for student success is high school GPA, which is not changing. The pilot program also reimagines student support services so all students will have a pathway to lifelong success through education at NAU. It’s part of a multi-year effort to make NAU more accessible, more affordable and more committed to empowering the success of Arizonans.

the university succeed in college. This designation is about increasing access to education in Arizona and committing to serve the students we admit through to graduation. Expanded opportunities under this designation provide NAU an opportunity to increase experiential learning, enhance student services, provide additional financial and social support, expand mentoring programs tailored to diverse student populations and ensure that our expanded student population finds a home at NAU. NAU is taking steps to support underserved and underrepresented students and reaching out to K-12 teachers and students to help lay the groundwork for students to be successful in college.

In testimony to a congressional subcommittee, President Cruz Rivera put forward several recom$81 million in high-impact mendations to help HSIs, including increasing Pell grants, increasing data transparency among public and private funding K-12 education, and bolstering infrastructure at The Arizona Board of Regents, through the HSIs—all areas of focus at NAU as the university Technology and Research Fund (TRIF), and the expands its work in serving Hispanic students from NAU Foundation collaboratively allocated almost throughout Arizona. $81 million to NAU to fund a three-year effort that focuses on increasing access and workforce Honors Native American Summer development programs to meet the needs of Ar- Research Program izona’s booming economy and support impactful research and scholarship that contributes to This summer, NAU is opening a five-week reknowledge and solutions that benefit the state search program for Native American and Indigenous students, who will live on campus, work and the world.

These funds will support NAU’s teacher-schol- closely with faculty, peer mentors and each other ars in developing and expanding workforce de- and participate in research in their fields of study. velopment programs; contribute to projects that The goal of this program, which is open to students support the intersections between research and of all majors, is to support students who may not experiential learning opportunities; and invest have had a chance to do undergraduate research to in programs that broaden participation, improve engage in this high-impact activity that supports completion rates, and strengthen post-college their development as students and scholars and outcomes. It’s indicative of the statewide efforts makes them more competitive in the job market to reach all Arizona students and ensure they are and when applying for graduate programs. given these educational opportunities.

The program builds on NAU’s longstanding commitment to Native American and Indigenous comHispanic Serving Institution status munities and the impactful and engaged scholarLast year, NAU met the criteria to become a ship of NAU faculty that both addresses local and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), which makes regional challenges and helps foster career growth available additional resources to help all students at among aspiring student researchers.

“At NAU, our mission is to be a leading university for access, success, and equitable postsecondary value. I am excited to see the creative problem-solving and collaboration both on campus and throughout our communities to give all of our students the opportunities they need to be successful both in school and throughout their lives.”

NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera

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ARIZONA DAILY SUN

Arizona Teacher Residency‌

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

This pioneering program, introduced last year as a partnership between NAU and State Superintendent Kathy Hoffman, aims to help recruit, prepare, support and retain K-12 teachers in the midst of an unprecedented statewide teacher shortage. The residency program, which is funded with a $5 million grant from the Arizona Department of Education and run by the Arizona K-12 Center, includes a summer institute, a year of in-school apprenticeship, a living stipend and a funded master’s degree program at NAU for aspiring teachers, who then commit to stay in their partner districts for at least three years to give back to the next generation of Arizonans. It offers the resources needed to help keep this talent in Arizona schools.

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The New NAU Workplace‌

Sunday, April 24, 2022 |

NAU is embracing the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic about how to shape the innovative workplace of the future—flexibility, creativity, innovation and collaboration. And it doesn’t always mean being in the same physical office as your colleagues. Earlier this year, NAU announced a new approach to the workplace that makes the campus hybrid-first, allowing employees have flexible in-person and remote work schedules, as well as implementing a new True Blue Fridays program, which will allow most university offices to be closed or work at reduced capacity on Fridays in the summer.

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CITY OF FLAGSTAFF PROGRESS REPORT

| SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2022

ARIZONA DAILY SUN

A whale of a helping hand The Whale Foundation provides assistance to the river-guiding community LARRY HENDRICKS

Special to the Daily Sun

Steve Kenney had no idea what he was going to do when he was seriously injured in a river-guiding accident and needed a hip replacement.

It was 10 years ago. He had moved into the Grand Canyon scene as a guide and was running a river in Idaho when he wrecked his boat and got dragged in high water.

He could barely walk and was intense pain. He was turned down by every physician he approached.

“I was at my wit’s end,” Kenney said.

“And then someone said, ‘Why don’t you call the Whale Foundation?’”

He did, and he got his hip replacement.

The Whale Foundation, based in Flagstaff, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing “confidential access to mental and physical healthcare professionals and a network of support services designed to restore, promote and celebrate the well-being of the Grand Canyon River Guiding Community,” according to the organization’s website.

Sam Jansen, executive director, said that the organization was created in 1996 when a river runner and guide Curtis “Whale” Hansen, a Vietnam veteran, took his own life.

“He was a great fellow, and his friends were surprised,” Jansen said, adding that Whale’s friends were determined not to let that happen again. So, they created a place for people in the river-guide community to turn. The idea is based on a similar program started in Idaho The effort started off with a hotline for people to call, but it has grown every year since. Jansen said. The Whale Foundation now provides access to counselors, scholarships, mentoring services to help transition people in the guiding community to other fields and more.

Kenney, a river guide for 24 years, has been a recipient of services from the Whale Foundation three times, and for the last four years, he has served as a member of the Whale Foundation board of directors.

LARRY HENDRICKS

Sam Jansen is executive director of the Whale Foundation.

“I wanted to give something back,” he said. “I was just so blown away by what this nonprofit organization can accomplish.”

Kenney’s first call to the Whale Foundation when he needed the new hip befuddled the executive director at the time. Could it be done? He decided to call physician Nate Avery, a former river guide and pediatric brain surgeon. Avery immediately called his network of physicians who could help and found one within 10 minutes. Before the day was through, Kenney said he had a physician and an appointment.

“I had the hip surgery,” he said. “I literally I don’t know what I could have done without the Whale Foundation. It’s a re-

flection of this town of Flagstaff.”

Kenney never got to meet Dr. Avery before his untimely death in an accident at Lake Powell.

Kenney’s other two calls to the Whale Foundation were for counseling services.

He’d lost a dear friend on the river.

“The sessions were incredibly helpful for me,” he said. “If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you run into issues, and you run into challenges. It’s a hard way to make a living.”

Jansen said that the organization’s annual budget is approximately $100,000 and serves about 50 individual clients.

The services are free. Last year, the Whale Foundation logged more than 280 counseling sessions in that program.

The main fundraiser for the Whale Foundation, popular with longtime Flagstaff residents and newcomers alike, is the annual Wing Ding, which includes dinner, local art, camaraderie, raffles, an auction and more.

The hope for the organization is pretty simple, Jansen said: “The basic hope is to help people make their lives work better.”

Jansen, himself a river guide in the past, said the Canyon, without a doubt, is one of the most spectacular, beautiful places in the world. The river-guide community is small, tight-knit.

“You get to live fully, and it’s very meaningful,” Jansen said. “It’s a place where you get to be your best self, and the world responds in kind.”

For more information about the Whale Foundation, to donate or to volunteer, visit whalefoundation.org.

SIGNS OF SPRING on Arizona Trail

LARRY HENDRICKS

If you go...

Special to the Daily Sun

I lean back against a log and listen to the ponderosas tell stories to the land. The stellar jays and crows share secrets in a language I want to understand. I count flower petals and pine needles that bounce on the breeze. The dog pants and laps cool water from my hand.

I am here, at lease, and my worries burn away like morning fog.

Old friends of mine, the sections of the Arizona Trail that approach and pass through Flagstaff carry with them a yearning to, one day, hike the entire 790 miles from one end of the state to the other. My dream, like many hikers, is to trudge the whole trail before I’m too old to get it done.

Some hikers decide to hike the entire trail in one go, taking more than a month to do so. Other hikers like to attack the trail piecemeal, bit by bit. Some hikers, like my good friend Bob Reynolds, schedule larger sections. His plan is to cover about 180 miles over the course of 10 days.

In between spring storms, I decided recently to start out from the Marshall Lake side and see what the trail offered. It’s not my usual fare. The section I regularly step onto are the sections between Walnut Canyon National Monument and Fisher Point to the south of the city. On that section are signs that cite the distance to Marshall Lake, and, over the years, I’ve considered hiking out that far, but have yet to do it.

Berta the herd dog is my regular hiking buddy, and she joined me for this bit of the Arizona Trail. My heart beats big for her when she stretches full stride across fields of rabbit brush and wild grass. Squirrels, rabbits and birds beware. Her eyes, blazing, tell a tale of the present moment.

Toothy smile, flapping tongue and heaving lungs – her joy reminds me to sit content.

What: The Arizona Trail section between Marshall Lake and Fisher Point Distance: 6 miles one way, with minimal elevation change Difficulty: Moderate (because of the distance) Directions: Take Lake Mary Road to the Forest Road 128 turnoff near the Upper Lake Mary dam. The Forest Road turns to dirt but is navigable with most vehicles. The trailhead is a little more than 2 miles from the turnoff.

Info: https://aztrail.org, or https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/ ?recid=55060 or https://www. fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/ recarea/?recid=55060.

Big sky prevails when a hiker heads up Anderson Mesa to find the trailhead near Marshall Lake.

The Peaks, in their full dominance of the landscape, pose themselves to the rear of the scene to offer a bit of humility to the rest of the beauty present.

Weekend campers dot sites along the road and near the trailhead.

The trailhead is marked with an iron sign that gives all hikers their first glimpse at a goal they didn’t even know they’d want to have: “Maybe I could, one day, take this trail from beginning to end.”

The trail starts off with typical Anderson Mesa views of wide spaces in between the pine and juniper, with the peaks teasing a

view between breaks in the trees.

Prints of elk, deer and pronghorn fill the soft soil and leave solid evidence of their passing. Less than a mile in, the trail drops into the hilly ravines and drainages for the Lake Mary basin. The air become quiet. Long stretches of time spread blankets of silence from the human story. Berta and I can sit and listen for the sounds of humans and – not find any. Such an absence is rare in this world, and I enjoy them when I find them.

Here, the sound of nature gets interrupted by human sounds with the occasional drone of an airplane, but those, too, pass, and the hiker is left with that beautiful sound of birds, wind in trees, the metronome crunch of boots on the trail – that magical hum of the universe that calms a soul of the concerns of modern life.

The 6-mile section from Marshall Lake to Fisher Point would typically take me more than two and a half hours one way, so I decided to cut the journey in half for an out-and-back hump

of three hours. The views of the landscape on the edge of the mesa descending into Sandy’s Canyon on the way to Walnut Canyon and, eventually, Fisher Point, are magnificent and easily accessed from the Sandy’s Canyon trailhead without all the work of making it to Marshall Lake – unless one seeks a visual reward for a hearty haul. On the way, signs of spring revealed themselves with buds of new growth and yellow and white petals of flowering brilliance. On this hike, the green seemed greener and the browns dug deeper into the pool of vivid reflection.

Memories of spring ready a soul for release from winter’s cold embrace. And an old friend reminds me that time continues to pass, I’m not getting any younger, and before the last bell has rung, I should hike down a trail that fills my dreams of living fully and leaving nothing on the table when the last breath dissolves into the song of eternity.

Happy Hiking!

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