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CALL TO
THE PUBLIC: There were no public comments.
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CONSENT AGENDA:
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a. |
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Minutes: April 14, 2020, Regular Meeting |
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b. |
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Clerk of Superior Court Report March 2020 |
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c. |
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Juvenile Probation Report March 2020 |
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d. |
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Justice Court Reports: Holbrook Precinct #1, Winslow
Precinct #2, Snowflake Precinct #3, Kayenta Precinct #4,
Show Low Precinct #5, and Pinetop-Lakeside Precinct #6,
March 2020 |
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e. |
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Approval of 12 Back Tax Land Parcels sold over the
counter in the amount of $8,498.56 |
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f. |
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Approval of National Forest Funds Distribution
$834,203.03 for the benefit of Public Schools and Public
Roads pursuant to ARS 11-497, ARS 37-741 and ARS 37-521 |
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g. |
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Contracts signed by County Manager/Assistant County
Manager pursuant to Board of Supervisors Resolution:
Catapult Subscription Agreement and Directions Training
Registration Summary |
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h. |
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Tax exemptions filed pursuant to ARS §42-11153 as a
Request for Redemption of Waiver |
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i. |
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Proclamation declaring May 3-9 as "Correctional Officers
Week" in Navajo County: Supervisor Thompson made
a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the
items in the consent agenda; motion seconded by
Supervisor Whitesinger. Vote unanimous approving
the motion.
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NAVAJO
COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES DISTRICT: Board of
Directors Session:
Supervisor
Seymore
made a
motion to enter into the Navajo County Public Health
Services District Board of Directors Session; motion
seconded by
Supervisor
Whitesinger. Vote unanimous approving the motion.
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a. |
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CONSENT AGENDA: |
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Renewal of the Everbridge contract for mass notifications
in Navajo County: Supervisor Thompson made
a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the item
in the consent agenda; motion seconded by Supervisor
Seymore. Vote unanimous approving the motion.
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b. |
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REGULAR AGENDA: my
comments are in purlple |
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Update on COVID-19: Jeff
Lee indicated that we do see a continued rise of cases
throughout Navajo County.
That is
because there is more testing
He stated that as of this morning, there are 665 cases in
Navajo County; 6,948 cases in Arizona and 66,543 tests have
been taken in Arizona. He indicated that we have seen over
the past week or two an increased emphasis on testing, and
testing supplies have become more available. He stated that
there continues to be positive indicators that the
mitigation measures in place are working, and we are slowing
and flattening the curve.
The primary mitigation of
this seasonal flu with a new name and marketed as dangerous
by Fauci and gang is the weather.
He indicated that we want our residents to know that even
though we have positive indicators, the risk of exposure
still remains high, and we all need to take those extra
precautions: physical distancing, washing our hands,
disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and wearing a face
mask while in public.
None of those Draconian
measures are necessary by all proven science on these
matters.
He stated that these are key things which will help continue
the positive direction in slowing the spread.
The wind spreads viruses
everywhere all the time none of these measures stop the
spread. Face masks actually keep bacteria and
fungus that a person might exhale contained so that they
immediately breathe them back in thus tending to create
higher possibility of infection or reinfection. They can
deposit on the fabric as well and grow worse then be inhaled
into the lungs so this is not healthy. Also since there are
holes all of it can still be spread outward. When
bacteria and fungus is exposed to air it can dissipate
better and be less concentrated thus it is better NOT to
wear these. A face mask or bandana can prevent small
particulates like sand from entering the lungs to a degree
thus that is an effective mandate or "strongly suggested"
thing to impose on someone in a dust storm, but for viruses
it's absurd as even Margaret Heckler stated in the 1980's
with the HI virus panic mess that viruses go right through
condoms and to think they protect anyone is absurd, they go
right through like flies go through an open door then
followed up with "but that's all we have". This same
mentality is infecting governing with this current distorted
mess.
He indicated that the EOC is focused on building up the
recovery branch to help the community transition into what
the new normal may look like.
New normal? That means 6
foot spaces everywhere? It's not needed. Face masks
everywhere? Not needed the holes let virus right through
anyway. Old normal worked fine for hundreds of thousands of
years.
He spoke about having a strong focus on fire season, and we
are looking at how COVID may change how we do things as it
comes to fires.
How would a virus change
fire response? That is beginning to sound like we are
screaming meemies running away from viruses. Get a grip.
He stated that this week, we should start receiving personal
protective equipment we ordered and additional testing
supplies from ADHS. He spoke about receiving a rapid
testing machine last week at Little Colorado Medical Center
which can produce same-day test results.
Oh apparently they want to
be able to test everyone they come in contact with, maybe
the trees also if they are in the forest as they spread
viruses, test the air as it spreads viruses, hey where is
that air test?
He stated that we have also partnered with University of
Arizona who will be performing some antibody testing with
local healthcare workers and first responders which will
help to identify the virus in our communities and additional
research with the antibodies and what that means long term
for individuals who may have had it.
Antibodies are in everyone,
they are the natural immune system response and areg good to
have there so what is this indicating, nothing. The tests
only find antibodies no specific virus and no specific
antibody. It's a lie to tell anyone that they are being
tested for any specific virus.
He indicated that while there are positive indicators, we
cannot let up. He reiterated those precautionary measures
we each can take.
We cannot let up? Ok let's
just leave society shut down. Sure that makes sense, to a
crazy person. We need to totally let up and stop this
insanity.
Supervisor Thompson stated that in addition
to Mr. Lee’s comment on the concern for forest fires, up on
the Reservation, one of the issues that is now surfacing is
the drought in addition to COVID-19. He indicated that his
other concern is how we keep students doing the work that
they could have been doing at school when they do not have
the technology and not everybody has access to power to
connect their computers or laptops. He spoke about a
conference coming up regarding these concerns on Thursday.
Chairman Whiting stated that we are
continuing to have conversations with our state and federal
partners regarding solutions particularly with the schools.
He thanked Mr. Lee and his team for all
their hard work and level of communication that is ongoing.
So when someone gets sick
from not having water from drought, they will test for this
19 thing (which is last year's flu 2019 and helloooooo we
are into May 2020) and they will be listed as a threat to
everyone, if they haven't died yet, then overly
aggressive measures taken to protect others from The 19, and
if they are 80' years old and die of pneumonia will be
listed not as that but a 19 death thus making statistics
keep growing which makes Fauci happy as he and his buddies
are looking at making testing, vaccines, surveillance world
wide mandatory for this KACHING.
Supervisor Thompson made a motion to return
to regular session; motion seconded by Supervisor
Seymore. Vote unanimous approving the motion.
Interesting that Jason
Whiting was there for this meeting, he was not there to vote
for his district failing to represent all the land owners in
Chevelon Canyon area regarding 49 square mile wind turbine
project touting 170 of them at 755 feet tall each that waste
energy and are a transfer of your energy to inudustrialists.
It's a close to $1 billion dollar project which of course is
paltry compared to the $8 billion all congress persons
approved to give Fauci money to surveille you and your loved
ones now for life for last years flu strain, one congressman
who won a lottery of Arizona voted no, he was brave and
sensible. All of these monies are coming out of your wallet.
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ADMINISTRATION: |
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a. |
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Business Outreach Update: Paul Watson recognized
Kathleen Smith and Stephanie Ray who are also on the call.
He stated that he was approached by supervisors, as well as
Glenn Kephart, to look at how we can as a County help our
businesses through this unprecedented time. He recognized
that the internal key partners are himself, Stephanie Ray
and Kathleen Smith, who represent Northeastern Arizona
Workforce and have key roles in working with employers, as
well as dislocated workers. He spoke about funding
opportunities which have come forward on a federal and state
level. He stated that they set a goal as a team to provide
current, accurate and pertinent information and resources to
our business community and employees and were able to
determine some key partners they needed to make that
happen: Small Business Administration office which covers
northern Arizona, and that representative was willing to
participate in the team; Small Business Development Center
through Northland Pioneer College, who work directly with
small businesses to help them with the various loans and
opportunities and applications to get potential funding; and
cities and towns, as wells as chambers of commerce, were
brought into the team to help get the word out through their
network. He indicated that all players play a key role in
disseminating and gathering information.
He stated that the process as a team was they would have
opportunities to gather information that they garnered from
various sources, bring that together and put together a
media distribution. He indicated that they then have a
conference call with team members and present the
information they felt was appropriate to disseminate and get
feedback from them. He indicated that once there was an
agreement, they would put that out to the team members which
was then distributed to their constituents. He stated that
they have conference calls twice a week and disseminate
media 2 to 4 times a week. He stated that the team has
grown into 18 different agencies/individuals participating,
including Navajo, Apache, Gila counties; most of the cities
and towns within those counties and representation from
White Mountain Apache Tribe and Navajo Nation. He indicated
that they have a distribution list of emails over 8,000 and
significant exposure on social media. He spoke about having
opportunities to receive feedback from team members
regarding successes and shared a couple of success stories.
He stated that they have assisted over 90 business with
applications totaling over $18.5 million in requests which
are in the process. He spoke about a loan advance funding
which a business could get when they applied for the EIDL
loan, and there’s been over a million dollars in those loan
advance funds allocated in our area. He stated that he
believes that as a team, they’ve been able to reach a
significant number of our businesses. He indicated that
they were asked by the governor to reach out to our
businesses to get a feel how they would see reopening the
economy. He stated that they only had 24 hours to do that,
and they received over 200 responses and were able to send
those back for our businesses to be heard when the Governor
looks at how to reopen the economy.
He spoke about the discussions regarding how we assist our
businesses going forward, including signage which could be
posted for those business who are open and a program
throughout the summer of similar kinds of signage asking
people to please shop local and support those local
businesses. He stated that there are a number of programs
through the Workforce Development Program which could be
pertinent going forward. Supervisor Thompson
thanked Mr. Watson for working with all of Navajo County and
his leadership at NACOG. Supervisor Seymore
thanked Mr. Watson and his team for putting this
together and how quickly they are disseminating information
to our local businesses. He stated that he has received
feedback from local businesses expressing gratitude for the
timely information. Supervisor Whitesinger
thanked Mr. Watson and his team for the presentation and for
supporting our local businesses and community members.
Supervisor Jack thanked Mr. Watson for the
great work that he’s doing for our communities.
Chairman Whiting thanked Mr. Watson and the team
for their efforts. He spoke of the importance of helping
our businesses navigate through the solutions the state and
federal government have presented. He spoke of the unified
voice that we have which has resulted in over 8,000
businesses being reached, over $18 million being applied for
by over 90 business, and at least a million dollars being
awarded. He stated that all the businesses are important to
us.
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ELECTIONS: |
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a. |
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At 10:47 a.m.,Consideration and acceptance of the 2018
HAVA Election Security Grant of $100,000.00 and approval to
spend: Rayleen Richards discussed the item. She
indicated that this grant was approved and received on
February 24th and requested approval to spend the funds as
set forth in Exhibit C. Supervisor Thompson made
a motion to accept the 2018 HAVA Election Security
Grant of $100,000.00 and approval to spend; motion seconded
by Supervisor Whitesinger. Vote unanimous
approving the motion.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY: |
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a. |
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EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to A.R.S.
§38-431.03(A)(3) for the Board to receive legal advice from
its attorney regarding an executive briefing on the status
of the settlement negotiations in the multi-district opioid
litigation: At 9:53 a.m., Vice-Chairman Jack made
a motion to enter into Executive Session
pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3) for the Board to receive
legal advice from its attorney regarding an executive
briefing on the status of the settlement negotiations in the
multi-district opioid litigation; motion seconded by
Supervisor Whitesinger. Vote unanimous approving
the motion.
At 10:45 a.m., Supervisor Seymore made
a motion to return to regular session; motion
seconded by Supervisor Thompson. Vote
unanimous approving the motion.
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b. |
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RECONVENE
Direction to Board's legal counsel on the opioid litigation:
Chairman
Whiting indicated that the Board will have future
conversations with Counsel on this issue.
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COUNTY
BUSINESS UPDATE: Report from County Manager, County
Attorney and Board members: At 10:49 a.m., Glenn
Kephart expressed appreciation to Melissa Buckley and Ken
Dewitt for putting together this Zoom meeting. Brad Carlyon
thanked all those in Public Health who are working to
protect us.
Supervisor
Thompson stated that he misses seeing everybody. He
expressed appreciation to the first responders and health
officials for their contributions at this time. He indicated
that he has been trying to make connections between various
federal and state agencies.
Supervisor
Seymore expressed gratitude for everybody’s
participation and work through the last couple of months. He
stated that staff has done an excellent job. He spoke about
the leadership of Glenn Kephart and Chairman Whiting. He
thanked each member of the Board of Supervisors and staff
members for their efforts. He stated that we will learn from
this and be better.
Supervisor
Whitesinger thanked all those who are making things
work. She thanked those who have participated in today’s
meeting. She expressed gratitude for the many people who are
willing to come together and help one another.
Vice-Chairman Jack stated that his district has been
hard hit by the Coronavirus, but they are getting a lot of
help from the Tribe and other agencies. He indicated that
this week one of the chapters lost a member of their staff
due to the virus. He expressed hope that this warmer weather
will flatten out the spread of the virus. He encouraged
everyone to stay safe.
Chairman
Whiting expressed appreciation to the leadership in
Navajo County to help the citizens we represent. He further
expressed appreciation to the Navajo County team for their
efforts in keeping everyone informed. He thanked Melissa
Buckley and her team for supporting the Board in their
efforts. He stated he has been impressed with how each
department and office have found solutions and ways to be
safe and provide the services our citizens have come to
expect. He thanked our citizens and expressed hope that all
will maintain level heads, be open-minded and aware that we
all have different needs.
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ADJOURN: At 11:00 a.m., the Board adjourned.
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