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