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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.0929.TCJMFMYNTC.MiinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL WE -KO -PA CASINO RESORT - ROOM 114/115 SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTION Mayor Dickey called the Joint Meeting of September 29, 2022, to order at 8:05 a.m. and asked everyone at the meeting to introduce themselves. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Councilmembers Present: President Bernadine Burnette; Vice President Paul J. Russell; Treasurer Pansy P. Thomas; Councilmember Albert Nelson Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Gerald Doka Town Councilmembers Present: Mayor Ginny Dickey; Vice Mayor Gerry Friedel; Councilmember Alan Magazine, Councilmember Peggy McMahon; Councilmember Sharron Grzybowski Town Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Mike Scharnow; Councilmember David Spelich Staff Present: Town Manager Grady E. Miller; Town Attorney Aaron D. Arnson; Town Clerk Linda G. Mendenhall 2. COLLABORATION ON DRUG USE PREVENTION EFFORTS Shawn Uphoff, Program Director of the Fountain Hills Drug Coalition provided an overview of the program that was established in 2009 by a group of individuals concemed about the dangers of parties and underage drinking, which was later expanded to include nicotine prevention, vaping, marijuana use opioid dangers, and prescription drug misuse. Their mission is to achieve a sustainable reduction in substance abuse among youth in Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. They work with town leadership, law enforcement, schools, healthcare, parents, treatment providers, and youth. Members of the coalition educate themselves through local and national training and surveys. One of their resources is the Arizona Drug Summit where they recently learned how to handle fentanyl distribution and use. A recent Arizona Youth Survey shows a reduction in vaping and marijuana use. They participate in several activities including Fountain Hills Summer Teen Night and the upcoming Red Ribbon Week providing drug awareness activities. Some exciting things are coming down the line to protect youth from the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and working with Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The goal is to establish and strengthen the collaboration among communities, public and private nonprofit agencies as well as federal, state, local, and private government to support the efforts of community coalitions to prevent substance abuse among youth. 3. UPDATE ON WE -KO -PA CASINO RESORT Casino General Manager Craig Bernal gave an update on the Casino Resort. On October 29, 2022, the casino will celebrate its 2nd annual birthday bash and the 38th year of the resort. COVID presented operational challenges and staffing shortages continue. The facility is gorgeous and working on becoming a premier casino. In 2021 the casino was named Valley Favorite Casino by Phoenix Magazine and Fountain Hills Tourism award. The casino offers 927 slot machines with 970 more to be added later this year including the first Megabucks slot machines in the state. A variety of food and beverage options are available, including Ember, which won the Open Table Diners Choice Award and the Wine Spectator Excellence Award. Earlier this month the WKP Sports Bar opened, offering a 9 x 47-foot TV, gaming kiosks, a full -service desk for placing bets, and recliners. In two weeks, the buffet will be opening with an array of food. Entertainment offerings include the Michael Jackson tribute show and the Paul McCartney tribute show. Staff is working on additional headliners including Gavin Garrett. A discussion ensued. 4. DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE CHANGES TO FAA FLIGHT PATH President Burnette stated with an increase in helicopters and small aircraft flying over schools, communities have come together and prepared recommendations that keep safety as the utmost importance. The final documents are being reviewed by the town manager and lawyers to keep this moving forward, but change takes money, people, and time. Town Manager Grady Miller stated this issue came about when Scottsdale tried to change the Sky Harbor flight path but did not include Fountain Hills, Fort McDowell, Salt River, or Pima in the discussions. Fortunately, they reacted quickly and expressed their concerns in a joint letter to the FAA. Fort McDowell has a meeting with the FM next week and Fountain Hills will meet with them a week later to give input on this matter. Both Fort McDowell and Fountain Hills have received complaints about small aircraft and the noise. Based on research, they will have to involve a congressional delegation, like other states are actively doing, to address small aircraft and noise in metropolitan areas. Community Economic Development Acting Division Director Orlando Moreno expressed concerns about eagles and other species being hit due to the flight pattern. Another concern was raised regarding helicopters that have crashed and become memorial sites, encouraging helicopters to fly low. This concern will be brought up during the meeting with the FAA. General Counsel Diandra Benally stated the FAA is developing a work group that provides an opportunity for the impacted communities to participate. The communities' positions are aligned with a unified joint voice that can be very impactful in getting results. 5. PROPOSITION 202 Mayor Ginny Dickey stated the organization presented Council with the list of applicants. Dates to present funding to the organizations have yet to be set. President Burnette stated they are working with the finance department, to coordinate the date, time, and how the presentation will be made. Additional information related to the program is on the state website. Economic Development Director Amanda Jacobs from Fountain Hills stated they are thankful and appreciative of the funding received from Fort McDowell, which is traditionally used for printed advertising and destination marketing materials. The requested funding this year was to update the website using the feedback from Fort McDowell. Additionally, the funding will be used to update the experience envelopes that have not been updated in seven years. Also enhancing the visitors' guide to include live music and entertainment and meetings and conventions, as well as a full page devoted to Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Another initiative is to create itinerary packages that would send visitors to Fort McDowell and vice versa. Because the Town could not do what they do with tourism and marketing without the grant funding from Fort McDowell, it is always noted in printed materials, published news releases, and on the local government access Channel 11. A discussion ensued regarding horses, quads, trucks, and fencing for Fort McDowell. 6. 41ST ANNUAL FORT MCDOWELL ORME DAM VICTORY DAYS Events and Tourism Department Manager Roann Carmelo stated they have not been able to hold the event for two years and are very excited to be able to celebrate one of the tribe's biggest celebrations this year. She noted the dates are from November 18 - 20, 2022, and reviewed the various activities being held at the event which is open to the public free of charge. Additional information can be found on the website. Ms. Carmelo mentioned another big festival will be held Veterans weekend, November 11 -13, 2022, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Deputy Town Manager and Community Service Director Rachael Goodwin reviewed the upcoming events for November and December in Fountain Hills to ensure the calendar is updated accordingly and shared with Fort McDowell for traffic and safety concerns and to encourage participation. President Burnette commented on the 4th graders' participation in the 41st Annual Fort McDowell Orme Dam Victory Days, as it is important to get them involved in events. 7. FUTURE MEETING • Transportation is important in this region for economic development and air quality • Working on addressing water issues • Working on proposals for a Federal Infrastructure Bill • Working on providing prevention services and increasing cultural awareness in schools • Keeping an eye on the State's jurisdiction to prosecute Native Americans • Working on installing broadband interne( that is much needed for Fort McDowell and other tribes • Concerns about education funding Tribal staff stated Fort McDowell's Community Services Department competed at the national level and won the gold medal. There will be a celebration in a couple of weeks and the award will be displayed at the Town Hall. The speaker thanked everyone for their support. 8. ADJOURNMENT The Joint Meeting of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council and Fountain Hills Town Council held on September 29, 2022, adjourned at 9:20 a.m. TO N OF FOUNTAIN HILLS Ginn Dickey, Mayor r ATTEAND IT PARED a G. Mendenhall, Town Clerk CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes Joint Meeting of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council and the Fountain Hills Town Council held at the Fort McDowell We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort on the 29th day of September 2022. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 7th Day of February 2023. Linda G. Mendenhall, Town Clerk