On behalf of my good friend and partner Adam Sandoval and myself, I’d like to clear the air and dispel any confusion, falsehoods, and misconceptions. Before I do so, I’d like to share with you what this community means to me, why we chose to purchase a ten-acre parcel of land that had been vacant and unsold for 6 years, and how we intend to develop a home away from home for a lucky few like it has been for me and some of you. About 5 years ago, my wife and I stumbled upon this bedroom community on a side by side that we had rented for the weekend. We were attending my friend’s UTV rally at Mormon Lake and we stayed in a log rental cabin at the lodge. We had a wonderful time and dreamt about purchasing a place of our own somewhere in the area where we could get out of the heat and take a break from the fast-paced life we lead in Phoenix. After spending several hours traversing the many forest trails in the area, we somehow stumbled onto East Pinewood Blvd which of course led us into Munds Park. Despite attending NAU summer classes in my 20’s and visiting Flagstaff countless times throughout my 48 years living in Arizona, I never actually visited Munds Park or knew much about it until that day. In fact, this is when I both discovered and fell in love with Munds Park. Within two months, we had made an offer on a dilapidated 1980’s log cabin and spent the next year and a half renovating it to make it our very own. Over the past 4 years we’ve enjoyed many long weekends, holidays, and extended stays with friends and family at our Munds Park cabin. All who have stayed at our place have expressed just how special and unique the community is. As part of our time spent up here, we have become friends with several of our neighbors, we’ve joined the Pinewood Country Club, ridden countless trails on our side by side, hiked hundreds of miles of local trails, and warmed up in front of our cozy log fireplace. I have also shared my experiences and love of Munds Park with countless friends, family, and acquaintances, several of whom have purchased their own homes in the community. My love for this special place runs deep and was rooted in my decision to provide a little slice of heaven to those individuals who cannot afford to purchase a home of their own here or prefer to visit for a period of time in an RV or rental cabin. Our vision is to use the land on the West side of the freeway to create a high-end community, of which all Munds Park residents would be proud, for both visitors and residents to share. Currently the land, which is within a limited use flood plain, is zoned as residential, but was originally designated and intended for commercial zoning, like all other land that surrounds it. Adam and I want to create a place that people can visit for the entire season in their RV or spend a few days in a cabin, enjoying nature and all that Munds Park has to offer, including its diverse residents. Part of this plan includes building a Pavilion where both those staying on the property as well as Munds Park residents can gather for fundraisers, social events, and other activities that are designed to bring people together. We welcome the opportunity to work with the church, country club, our business neighbors, and other groups within the community with a shared purpose of helping others and giving back in meaningful ways. We also plan on educating and strictly enforcing rules and regulations that are intended to preserve the forest, maintain the RV park and everything around it, limit light emissions at night, and keep vehicles within the speed limit. Furthermore, the business will undoubtedly provide tax revenue to support local infrastructure, jobs, and services along with generating additional sales and revenue to local businesses. In addition, Adam and I plan on volunteering, making charitable contributions to those less fortunate, and taking an active role as both community and business members. I would like to address those individuals who oppose our project for reasons such as increased traffic and population, placing a strain on local infrastructure, such as roads, water, sewage, and attracting “undesirables” and transient campers. First let me start by saying our RV park will likely have between 90 and 125 RV spots in phase 1. Until we have all of our surveys and assessments completed, we won’t be able to provide an exact number. In phase two, we plan to build approximately 20 to 30 rental cabins. While these numbers are estimates at this time, we should have a clear understanding of the final numbers in the weeks to follow. Based on the discussions we’ve had with experts, adding between 250 to 400 seasonal residents at any given time will not have a significant impact on additional vehicle traffic nor will it place a burden or cause harm to local dirt or paved roads. Furthermore, we are working closely with the sewage district, the County, and local engineers to ensure that we meet or exceed all requirements at every stage of this development. My discussions with the sewage district are ongoing and their representatives are certain that they will be able to accommodate the increased demand. In fact, we will be making a sizable investment to cover our part of the infrastructure improvements, hookups, and continuous use to facilitate this process. As far as water usage is concerned, the property has its own well, which is constantly being replenished, resulting in more than enough water to last a lifetime. In short, it is our intention to work with state and local officials and community members to ensure that we do not have a negative impact in any way on the community. For those who claim we will be attracting people who will break the law, have no ties to the community or cause destruction or any sort of unrest, my response is that this is completely unfounded, unfair, and unwarranted. Furthermore, we will not discriminate against anyone who seeks to stay at our RV park. The individuals at our park will be no different than those who stay at our neighbor’s RV park or any other parks throughout the country for that matter. If there is availability and somebody is willing to meet the financial obligation to either rent an RV spot or a cabin, we will welcome them with open arms. I also want to make it clear that the majority of our RV locations will be designated for seasonal rentals. It is our intention to rent out over 90% of the RV pads to long term guests. Doing so will provide less RV traffic, guaranteed upfront seasonal income for the park, and guests will be more tied to the community. We also plan on providing discounts and incentives for first responders, active-duty military, and veterans who have served our country. This is important to both me and Adam as a way of giving back and recognizing everything these individuals have done to support their community and preserve our freedom and way of life. Moreover, we’ll conduct fundraisers and support other’s events that are designed to raise money and awareness for our local first responders, veterans, and the elderly who may need a helping hand. With the explosive growth that continues in Phoenix and throughout the state, it’s inevitable that more people will want to experience our community and all that it has to offer. That’s what attracted me 5 years ago and undoubtedly drew many of you to plant roots here. Who would you prefer develop this land? A fellow Munds Park resident who will contribute to the community, respect and listen to their fellow residents, and have the best interest of the community at heart? Or would you prefer to have an outside developer or entity with no roots, ties, or interests, other than economic, to purchase the land and do with it as they please? Please realize that everything we do will be in the best interest of Munds Park and its residents. As homeowners ourselves, we will be here every step of the way to answer any questions you may have and provide transparency and honesty. Once we are open, the entire community will be invited to the RV park for a celebration and open house. We will show, through our actions, that the RV park will be an asset to this community and everything we do will enhance the community in a way that makes everyone proud to be a Munds Park resident. All I ask is that you give us a chance to prove to you that we will be good stewards and give way more than we will take. As a good faith gesture, on Tuesday, April 27th, I will be hosting a Zoom meeting from 9:30-10:30 am to answer any additional questions community members may have. By this time, I should hopefully have more information to share about the total number of RV spots we can accommodate as well as flood compliance matters. My intention is to be completely transparent every step of the way and do whatever I can to address those community members who have ongoing concerns. Sincerely, Ari Levenbaum Zoom sign In Information: Please note Zoom has a login limit of 100 Attendees. Click here to login. Meeting ID: 507 667 3353 Passcode: 2021 One tap mobile +12532158782,,5076673353#,,,,*2021# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,5076673353#,,,,*2021# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 507 667 3353 Passcode: 2021 Find your local number here. From the Pinewood News The opposition to the proposed RV Park was offered equal space in the Pinewood News to write a counterargument to clearly state their factual reasons for opposition. On deadline, we received not an article but rather an advertisement for donations and a petition for signatures. We rejected the submission and, as a courtesy, extended the deadline to re-submit. Our offer was declined. Letters to the Editor Welcome We encourage a diversity of voices and views. Letters should be 150 to 175 words, and refer to an article, and must include the writer’s address and phone number. To send a letter to the Editor: Hello@ThePinewoodNews.com

Perfect for Mundsies Who Love Wine & The Outdoors! From his days at the University of Montana to chasing powder in Colorado and Europe, Ryan Arnold has always has been known as a hard-charging snowboarder with mad skills on the slopes. These days, however, Arnold’s bag of tricks includes the impressive ability to produce a bottle (or can) of wine at almost any time: on the chairlift, perhaps, or even mid-run, thanks to a clever stash in the snow. “I’m known as the guy who has wine in his pocket, his snowboard boots, or in his backpack,” Arnold, a native of the Chicago area, says with a laugh. “I definitely have that reputation.” Not that Arnold is looking to get hammered while he hits the slopes. In fact, he’s a sommelier and wine director of Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, which means drinking wine, beer, and spirits (and doing so responsibly) is integral to his job. But even when Arnold is off the clock and pursuing his powder-based passions, the former amateur snowboard competitor is always looking for the next best thing to sip on—and these days, his palate has shifted from beer, the go-to drink for the ski bum set, to wine. For one thing, Arnold says, he was starting to find beer too heavy, the hops hard to digest while he’s out enjoying the great outdoors. At the same time, the exploding market for wine in cans and with screw tops makes it easier than ever to, say, sip on some refreshing rosé while riding the chairlift. “Before I would have never thought about wine in the outdoors industry,” Arnold says. “But I love this emerging scene of wine on the go. It’s easy, convenient, and it’s fun.” Arnold also has become adept at stashing bottles or cans of wine on the slopes, so he can take a leisurely break with some perfectly chilled vino. We tucked into his bag of tricks to find just how he does that—plus some other on-point tips when it comes to wine and the winter sports scene—so you don’t have to wait for aprés to have a well-deserved splash or two. Bring some goodies from home while traveling to a pricey resort. Even for someone who’s likely to get industry discounts and other perks, Arnold tends to bristle at the exorbitant price of wine in many ski resort destinations. His solution? Bringing a few bottles to wherever he’s headed to hit the slopes. When it comes to the actual packing part, why not give those gimmicky, high-falutin’ wine carriers the boot—literally? Instead, follow Arnold’s lead by stashing a bottle or two in your ski or snowboard boots, which provide the ideal snug casing for your precious cargo. Says Arnold: “I used to put them in clothes and just cross my fingers. But you just put the bottle in the boot, and it perfectly secures it.” Impress your buddies by stashing a bottle, or— even better—a can in the snow. Forget the overpriced beers in the lodge: When you want a little swig of something boozy, try stashing some wine on the slopes to add some panache to your take-a-breather break, which is a sure-to-please offering no matter whom you’re skiing with. Arnold has become adept at this as of late, nestling cans (and, occasionally, bottles) “next to jumps, next to kickers, next to rocks. Come back in an hour or so, and you’ve got yourself a perfectly chilled can,” he says. Be sure to remember where your stash is (which is why Arnold tries to use a good visual marker, like a rock), and don’t wait too long before returning to pop the top. “I found the optimal time for most of the wines I like to use has been about two-and-a-half hours,” he recommends. “You’re in a natural refrigerator, so just go out there and have fun.” Pick your wine wisely Remember, you’re looking for wines that deliver just a little bit of punch, not a fist to the face. On that note, forgo high-alcohol wines like barolos and petite syrahs in favor of whites and roses, which tend to have a lower alcohol by volume, chill beautifully in the snow, and offer crisp refreshment. A few of Arnold’s favorite recommendations: a wine cooler rosé by Ramona, which with an ABV of just 8.2 percent is “perfect for midday”, and Scribe (“It’s got that strawberry-cranberry flavor profile, super refreshing, and the can is named Una Lou after the winemaker's daughter, which I think is the coolest name!”); as well as a Riesling called Off the Grid by Ovum, an Oregon winery. (The latter, however, is only available by bottle, so be sure to uncork is before heading out.) For aprés, one of Arnold’s recent obsessions is a style of wine called pétillant naturel, or pét–nat, which literally means “naturally sparkling.” These buzzy, unfiltered wines are made without secondary fermentation, which happens in the bottle (which usually have a crown cap). Pét-nat wines are certainly having a moment among savvy wine drinkers, and Arnold is one of them: “It’s the way to finish a day on the slopes,” he says. We’ll drink to that.

What It Means for Munds Park Arizona voters went to the ballot box this past November and overwhelmingly approved Proposition 207, which legalized adult use of recreational marijuana in Arizona. How will this new legislation impact you, the residents of Munds Park? As a resident of Munds Park that works in the cannabis industry, I’ll share some perspective on the new law and what it means to our community. Prop 207 allows for recreational marijuana use and possession for those 21 or older except in public places; allows minor, nonviolent marijuana offenders to petition to have their criminal records expunged; and imposes a 16% excise tax to support a variety of underfunded programs across Arizona. Arizona’s existing medical marijuana program will remain intact with this new legislation. Medical marijuana patients will pay less for cannabis products than recreational users and will avoid the excise tax imposed on recreational users. Medical users will also have access to more potent products and will be given preferential treatment concerning product availability. Marijuana use and possession remain illegal at a federal level. Arizona’s new legislation does not supersede federal law. The practical effect of Arizona’s new adult use recreational cannabis legislation is to govern behaviors and use within the state only. Arizona will allow licensed dispensaries only to legally sell marijuana products to recreational and medical users. It’s expected recreational sales in the state will start on or around April 5th. Arizona has tightly capped the number of dispensaries it will allow to sell cannabis (about 160 total statewide). I doubt we’ll ever see licensed dispensaries selling marijuana in Munds Park. Our community simply isn’t large enough to economically justify a dispensary in Munds Park. In addition, this legislation allows communities to block the sale of recreational cannabis products within their jurisdiction. That means communities like Munds Park can reject the sale of recreational products in their city. The closest place to Munds Park to legally buy marijuana will be in Flagstaff. It’s unclear if businesses within Munds Park will be able to allow marijuana consumption at their establishments. The Smoke Free Arizona Act prohibits smoking in most public places. That means cannabis consumption in public places is prohibited. However, the Smoke Free Arizona Act does allow for establishments to allow smoking in outdoor patios under certain conditions. It’s uncertain, at this time, if marijuana consumption will be legal under these circumstances with this new legislation. If you own an Airbnb or other rental property in Munds Park, I suggest you develop and enforce a marijuana use policy for your property. You’re free to set whatever house rules you please. Set and enforce rules governing use of marijuana, both inside and outside your property. And as you develop your policy, be mindful of other residents. Your neighbors may not like 20 people in your backyard hitting on a bong all afternoon. Make sure you cover your marijuana use policies in detail in your rental agreement. Pro tip – if you allow cannabis consumption on your property, and you indulge yourself, ask your renter to leave behind some flower to share. You never know when you’ll run across some premium home grown and it sure beats a $20 gratuity. I expect the major impacts residents of Munds Park will see with this new legislation is two-fold: Residents will see their state enforce marijuana legislation and use behaviors that reflect the desires of the people. Arizonans overwhelming voted for adult use of recreational marijuana, and now our legislation reflects those beliefs. We’ll no longer be labeling law abiding marijuana users as criminals, and that’s a huge positive leap in the minds of most in Arizona. State tax revenues will increase. Recreational marijuana products come with a 16% excise tax, in addition to state and local sales taxes (about 9%). If the state uses this additional tax revenue for its intended purpose, we should see improved support for community colleges, mental health facilities, efforts to combat impaired drivers and a wide array of support for other underfunded needs of the state. Our quality of life should improve with prudent use of this new tax revenue. Will you notice more marijuana use in Munds Park because of this new legislation? Maybe. We’re all more aware of this new legislation and with awareness comes observation. We may see more because we are looking for more. Will your daily life change? Probably not. Sure, you’ll be able to smoke a joint legally on your patio. But for the most part, your daily routines won’t be impacted. Would you like to know more about legal recreational marijuana use in Arizona? Send us your questions to Hello@ThePinewoodNews.com.

Munds Park finally has a coffee shop! Yes, that's right, Kota's Coffee has moved to the hood and setting up shop at the old Agee's stomping grounds. Husband and wife, Deanna and Renato Bascelli, have been Munds Park residents since 2013. They own and operate Property Damage Appraisers and decided they wanted an additional company to fill Renato's long desire to own a restaurant. Soon, this June, they will open his dream business in their favorite town! Kota's Coffee will provide a tasty range of specialty coffees & teas for your sipping pleasure. To accompany your drink of choice, they will also offer fresh pastries, waffles, crepes, homemade sandwiches, and refreshing salads to enjoy for breakfast or lunch! The coffee shop promises a comfortable and casual environment accompanied with groovy music and free WiFi. Know what else? Deanna and Renato LOVE dogs! They love them so much they named the coffee shop after their favorite poodle, Dakota, lovingly nicknamed Kota. In the memory of their furbaby, they have dedicated an entire wall in the coffee shop to the furbabies of Munds Park. Bring a framed photo of your dog, and they will proudly display it. Coffee and tea drinkers of Munds Park can now celebrate! It's been a long wait for coffee lovers. Now we have a place to get great coffee, good eats, and chill. We can even bring our dog to enjoy our time at Kota's. Serving Hours Monday - Wednesday 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thursday - Sunday 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Contact & Location (928) 286-2331 17680 South Munds Ranch Road Munds Park, Arizona Follow them on Facebook!

LATEST UPDATE! August 20, 2020 The Munds Park Equipment Barn Committee had its second virtual meeting on August 13th with a presentation from Coconino County Public Works. Our guests included Pinewood Fire Chief Josh Tope and Sheriff Deputy, Lieutenant Gerrit Boeck. The presentation focused on the County Public Works services and investments across the County and Munds Park. The specific service levels and operations were reviewed with the Committee. The presentation included why the Equipment Barn was needed for the enhancement of services. However, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the financial picture has changed which will put the Equipment Barn on hold for now. This presentation, along with meeting highlights, and questions/answers can be found on the County website, www.coconino.az.gov/MundsParkEquipmentBarn. The committee will continue its charter of finding a community driven solution for a potential public works equipment barn for Munds Park. We will have monthly Zoom meetings through the end of the year, which the residents of Munds Park are welcome to attend. Our next meeting will be on September 9th from 10 – 11AM. Agenda and Zoom login information will be posted on the County website prior to the meeting date. We have also set up an email account for people to submit their questions and comments. The account is MundsParkBarn@gmail.com These questions and answers will be posted on the website for everyone to see. Your Committee members are committed to keeping everyone informed of our progress. August 12, 20202 The Munds Park Equipment Barn Committee met on Wednesday, July 29, in a virtual meeting. County District Supervisor Matt Ryan was joined by Deputy County Manager/Public Works Director Lucinda Andreani, Public Works Deputy Director Eslir Musta, for the first meeting. The thirteen-member citizen committee is working with County Public Works towards identifying viable solutions for a new equipment barn in the community. The placement of the Equipment Barn in/near the community is an effort to further enhance service, especially during snow seasons. The group plans to meet monthly through the end of this year, with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 13. Members of the Munds Park Community can view the Committee’s meetings in real-time through the Zoom platform and participate through chat. The Agenda, meeting highlights and links for the sessions will be posted on Munds Park Equipment Barn, you can view it here. We encourage community involvement by viewing the Committee Meetings on Zoom, reviewing the Committee agenda and meeting highlights posted on the Coconino County website or contacting and sharing your thoughts with any one of the committee members. They are Bud Alter, Scott Bowen, Walt Brodzinski, Sandee Caviness, Wes Deam, Dick Drinen, Tom Eade, Sharon Emery, Joe Holcombe, Cat Klein, Roy Levenda, Gail VanDeurzen, and Everette Worfolk Our goal is to determine if there are viable solutions for a Munds Park Equipment Barn that meets the needs of the community and Coconino County. June 5, 2020 County Supervisor Matt Ryan and his assistant Greg Nelson visited with community members on Debby Ridge's porch to discuss the Munds Park Barn project. Out of that visit came great news! Matt put the budget for the Barn Project on hold until 2022 and will form a committee to research a new location outside of our forest neighborhoods. Debby Ridge and Joy Whitfield have created a Facebook group to keep interested community members updated. Please join them here. ATTENTION! New update from Matt Ryan, County Supervisor, District 3. The project is on hold, and they will work with the Munds Park Community to find an alternative to the Hillside location! Please read Matt's letter below. May 8, 2020 Dear Munds Park Resident, This letter accompanies Deputy County Manager and Public Works Director Lucinda Andreani’s letter addressing the need for an Equipment Barn in Munds Park, the process they have followed, and the intent to withdraw the current application with the Forest Service for the proposed site on U.S. Forest Service land north of Hillside Drive in Munds Park. Lucinda and staff, for a couple of years, have tried to create a solution for maintenance needs in Munds Park, especially in the winter. This effort has been discussed at the quarterly community meetings during that timeframe. Having equipment stored in Munds Park would help the community with a more rapid response while also fulfilling the need to have roads cleared for the Pinewood Fire District to respond more swiftly to the community and also to emergencies on Interstate-17 during our snow events. There would be additional benefits beyond the winter months as explained in Lucinda’s letter including a staging area for sandbagging when floods ensue in the community or wildfire response. We, the Board of Supervisors, approved the budget to do so. In the past week the location of the proposed site and the opposition to that site have come to my attention. I convened a meeting with Lucinda, and Deputy Director of Public Works Eslir Musta, and one of our Capital Projects Manager involved in designing the site, Jeff Stein. I thought that it would make sense to pause and provide an opportunity to create a committee of community residents to help us find a solution for the most appropriate site. We all agreed that this would be a good opportunity for the community to help provide a solution. We do have a limited budget and we have certain parameters that we need to work within. This is to inform you that we have withdrawn our application for the proposed site north of Hillside Drive. I will be selecting a committee of solution-oriented individuals from the community as I have done in the past with different committees. Public Works will convene and work with the committee in seeking to identify a site within the community or immediate area. Thank you for understanding. I hope that you have a wonderful summer and the you will help us determine an appropriate site for this needed asset in your community. For more information please visit www.coconino.az.gov/MundsParkEquipmentBarn. If you have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact my Executive Assistant, Dr. Gregory Nelson or myself at 928-679-7163 or Public Works as noted in the accompanying letter. Sincerely, Matt Ryan, County Supervisor, District 3 Matt's original letter is in the link below. If you are a member of any Munds Park Facebook group or read this month's Pinewood News, you know the county has plans to build an Equipment Storage Barn just north of Munds Park, at the north/east end of Hillside Road. This build has become controversial, and below, you can read the proposal, a letter from Lucinda Andreani, the Deputy County Manager and Director for Public Works, and an open letter to Munds Park from Cat & Mark Klein. POINT .... Dear Munds Park Residents, I want to first acknowledge that we are aware of the concerns raised by some residents regarding the potential County Public Works Equipment Barn, which is proposed to be located on U.S. Forest Service property near the north end of Hillside Drive. We are in the process of developing a letter, background information and a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding this project that will be mailed to Munds Park residents later this week, and also will be posted on the Munds Park Today website. Please note that the primary purpose of the Equipment Barn would be to store snow removal equipment that is used exclusively to service the Munds Park community during our winter and spring snow months. We believe that placing this Equipment Barn in Munds Park would significantly improve the County’s response time during snow events. In addition to being of great benefit to residents, the Equipment Barn would allow us to respond faster during snow emergencies, which would be of great benefit to the Pinewood Fire Department and other first responders on calls requiring fire and medical personnel. Please also note that the prospect of placing an equipment barn in Munds Park has been one of our regular presentation topics at Munds Park Community Watch meetings over the last several years. Our goal for the forthcoming letter is to recap some of the benefits and challenges of the Munds Park Equipment Barn project that we’ve discussed at these meetings so that residents can consider its value in as broad and factual a context as possible. We look forward to continuing this dialogue with you. Thank you, Lucinda Andreani Deputy County Manager Director, Public Works Notice from NEPA The Coconino National Forest is considering a proposal from Coconino County Public Works (CCPW) Department to construct a new equipment storage barn and sup-port facilities on National Forest System land just north of Munds Park, at the north/east end of Hillside Road, behind the Pinewood Water Company water tank, in Section 14 of Township 18N, Range 08E. Click the link below to download the Project Area Map. Our preliminary analysis indicates that this project falls under the Categorical Exclu-sion 36 Code of Federal Regulations 220.6 (e)(3) which states “Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special use of NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land.” A Categorical Exclusion means a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment, and therefore neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to provide a new equipment storage barn and sup-port facilities for CCPW to support snow removal and road maintenance operations in the Munds Park community. The project would greatly enhance the ability of CCPW to conduct snow operations in the community resulting in improved travel safety for the public, decreased emergency and maintenance response times, and improved/safer access for emergency responders during snow events. The project would also eliminate the need for slow moving, heavy equipment to utilize I-17 for access to the community which would provide further safety improvements for the traveling public. There is a need to issue a Forest Service Special Use Permit to authorize the devel-opment of this approximately 3.0-acre site for use by a public agency (Coconino County) for the purpose of constructing a new equipment storage barn and support facilities for Munds Park . Proposed Action The Munds Park Truck Barn project area is proposed to be approximately 3.0 acres in total. It is anticipated that approximately 2.0 of those acres would be graded and developed for equipment circulation, building and parking. The remaining 1.0 acre is proposed to be a landscape buffer and to preserve select trees. The 2.0 acres for parking and circulation would be excavated to an estimated depth of 12 inches to allow for compaction subgrade and the placement of road base ma-terial and a finish course of asphalt millings. Within those 2.0 acres, a building pad would need to be excavated to a depth to be determined by a future geotechnical investigation associated with the construction of the equipment barn. Temporary and permanent stormwater pollution prevention measures would be installed to prevent erosion and detrimental runoff from the site. Although operations at the site would occur year-round, the majority of activity would occur during winter months to support snow removal. Building Construction An equipment barn of up to 5,000 square feet is proposed for construction on the site with an estimated 40-foot x 125-foot building footprint and up to five bays. A smaller barn may be constructed depending on costs. The building would house equipment, restrooms, and a small office. An approximately 500-gallon diesel tank in secondary containment would also be located within the building. Utility Access Water: to building site from Hillside Drive Sewer: to building site from Hillside Drive Electric: to building site from Hillside Drive Data: to building site from Hillside Drive Propane: approximately 1,000-gallon tank to be located at building perimeter Fencing and Gate Construction The entire approximately 3.0-acre site would be enclosed in fencing. Fencing is pro-posed to be constructed of wood, chain-link or a combination of the two materials. A double gate would be located on the southside of the property to provide access from Hillside Drive. Access Access to the project area would be obtained from the north/east end of Hillside Drive in Munds Park. No access routes would be required outside of the proposed 3.0-acre project area. Equipment For construction of the project, a backhoe, front end loader, bulldozer, concrete mixer, roller, geotechnical investigation equipment, pickup trucks, and tree removal equipment would be required. The following equipment would be used/stored on site after construction is complete: Two (2) motor graders – routine road maintenance and snow operations Two (2) ten (10) wheel dump trucks – routine road maintenance and snow opera-tions Other equipment for special projects including backhoe, front end loader, bull-dozer, roller Parking for staff vehicles during work shifts Project Timeline The proposed schedule for the project is as follows: 2020 June – July: begin engineering planning and design 2020 July – August: install gates and fencing 2020 July – August: complete rough grading and tree removals by CCPW staff 2020 August – October: complete fine grading to allow for operational use during winter months of 2020 – 2021 2020 July – December: building and utility design, permitting, and procurement Spring 2021: begin construction of utilities, building and site Summer/Fall 2021: complete construction Project construction activities would likely begin in July 2020 with an anticipated duration of 90 days. Excavation and vegetation removal activities would not com-mence until after the migratory bird breeding season (March 1 – August 31) to en-sure compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. There is no critical habitat for Mexican spotted owl (MSO) at the site, so no additional MSO timing restrictions would be required. Resource Reviews During development of the proposed action, baseline information was collected about cultural and biological resources within the project area. The location of the truck barn project area is designed to avoid and/or minimize impacts to these re-sources, where feasible. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act planning process, analyses o be conducted on these environmental resources, as well as other that are identified during the process. Opportunity to Comment We would love to hear your comments on the proposed action. This proposal is an activity that is subject to the project level pre-decisional administrative review process at 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. Only individuals or entities (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) who submit timely and specific written comments (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) regarding this proposal, during this or other public comment periods es-tablished by the Responsible Official, will be eligible to file an objection. Please submit comments prior to the close of public scoping by May 29, 2020. Submit comments in writing, through one of the following methods: Email: to comments-southwestern-coconino@usda.gov, please include “Munds Park Truck Barn SUP for Coconino County Project” in the subject line; Mail: to the Coconino Forest Service, Attention: Munds Park Truck Barn SUP for Coconino County Project, 1824 South Thompson Street., Flagstaff, Arizona 86001; Facsimile: to (928) 527-3620. NOTE: Due to COVID-19 exposure concerns and to adhere to appropriate social dis-tancing protocols, no in person submittals of public comments will be accepted. Comments received in response to this scoping notice, including names and ad-dresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record for this project and will be available to public inspection upon request. As such, personally identifiable information should not be included in the body of the comment. Contact Person Project information can be viewed online. For general questions, contact Deirdre McLaughlin Lands and Minerals Program Manager (928) 527-3415 or deirdre.mclaughlin@usda.gov COUNTERPOINT . . . Open Letter to Munds Park My husband and I waited over 30 years to make one of our dreams come true, and that was to have a retirement home (cabin) up North. We found that dream cabin 5 years ago in Munds Park. We specifically bought a cabin and paid a premium to be on the National Forest with the understanding that we would never need to worry about anyone building anything in the forest behind us. We were never imagined that there are loopholes that would allow a project of this nature to literally be built in our back yard. This is not just another place for us to get out of the heat, this has been our happy place. It is a place where we can relax and forget about the hustle and bustle of work and everyday life. We go in the Winter as much, if not more than we do in the Spring and Summer. We feel our happy place is being taken away from us! We were dumbfounded, angry and extremely sad when we received the USDA letter on 4/30/2020, advising us that work would begin in June of 2020 to build a 3-acre compound housing a 5000 ft facility to store and maintain snow removal and heavy equipment in the National Forest approximately 100 feet from our property line. It is our understanding that the equipment/machinery will include road graders, 10 wheel dump trucks, backhoes, front-end loaders, bulldozers, and an asphalt roller. They will be potentially servicing county roads from Kachina Village to Stoneman Lake Rd., and of course Munds Park. These heavy-duty vehicles will be driving back and forth through Munds Park's roads from early in the morning throughout the day/evening, so the majority of our residents will be impacted by this traffic and noise. I believe work on this project should be stopped until citizens are given an opportunity to review, comment, and propose different locations that would not be right next to a residential area and disturb our beautiful nature and wildlife.  We are not opposed to this facility, if it is truly needed (is it?). We are just asking that it be located in a place, not in the forest or any place that could impact the quality of life for all our residents in Munds Park. Issues to address are: Residents don't want a utility building within sight of homes or obstructing our natural surroundings. Heavy equipment on our residential roads presents a danger to pedestrians and children playing. We have enough traffic with ATVs, side by sides, and cars. Increased noise pollution in our residential neighborhoods. The noise of the equipment's backup beepers (potentially at all hours) are 97 to 110 decibels, which is equivalent to a live rock concert, jackhammer, helicopter at 100 ft, and a car horn at 3 ft. (per Purdue University). In a 2010 report titled Technology for a Quieter America, cited that backup beepers as 1 of the 6 top noise sources people associated with behavioral, health, and emotional consequences. Storing that much fuel and propane is a safety and fire threat to our forest and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Hillside trailhead will be gone. Our wildlife will be scared away because of the noise and uprooted from their homes, and we will no longer be able to enjoy our wildlife in the surrounding areas. I believe work on this project should be stopped until citizens are given an opportunity to review, comment, and propose different locations that would not be right next to a residential area and disturb our beautiful nature and wildlife.  We are not opposed to this facility if it is truly needed (is it?). We are just asking that it be located in a place, not in the forest or any place that could impact the quality of life for all our residents in Munds Park.es. Dust and particulate pollution from the vehicles The wear and tear on our streets due to this heavy equipment Finally, property decrease for surrounding neighborhoods I'm sure there are other important things that are not listed; however, we wanted to highlight safety, security, and the preservation of our wildlife and the peace and tranquility that we live for. After all, this is why we bought a home in Munds Park and love it so much. Again, I truly feel our happy place is being stripped from us. We have started a petition, and as of this morning, we have collected over 1,000 signatures in less than 12 hours (and it continues to increase). If you have access to view the Munds Park Facebook pages, you would also see the overwhelming response to stop this project as it stands. I feel this project needs to be stopped and thoroughly reviewed, not ramrodded through.  Neighbors I've spoken to agree and are considering legal action if necessary. We know that this can be resolved in a practical and civil way, so let’s work together and make that happen. I want to first acknowledge that we are aware of the concerns raised by some residents regarding the potential County Public Works Equipment Barn, which is proposed to be located on U.S. Forest Service property near the north end of Hillside Drive. We are in the process of developing a letter, background information, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding this project that will be mailed to Munds Park residents later this week, and also will be posted on the Munds Park Today website. Cat & Mark Klein District 3 Supervisor, Matt Ryan, has stated he will work with us on an alternate location. However, we believe we still need a strong showing of community support to block the building of the Equipment Barn. Please read and sign our petition below. Please Read & Sign Our Petition to stop the Barn Build here.

The hot and new go-to Munds Park destination! Borracho Saloon, located on the Pinewood strip nestled between the Outpost and Munds Park Salon, is a fully remodeled A-frame, totally hip music bar serving up drinks that deliver both strength and taste. The Saloon was the town’s talk waiting in anticipation while the owners were mashing out details and ideas for their third venue. They already owned two bars—The Wrecked at the Reef in Rocky Point and the Cactus Tavern in Phoenix. The owners were great and long time friends with Tom Womak and Lannette Dunkeson—Munds Park residents for 14 years. They knew Tom and Lannette were business savvy and that one of Tom’s longtime dreams was to own a bar. So after a good meal, a couple or few drinks, they sold the bar and the concept to Tom and Lannette. Tom and Lannette have been sweethearts for 21 years and are seasoned business owners, successfully owning VIP Flooring in Phoenix for 18 years. In conjunction, Lannette has worked for Dell Technologies for the past 20 years. Both the flooring business and Dell are still in the picture while they run Borracho’s. They are no strangers to hard work, and their pioneering spirit will serve them well during this next adventure. Now, owning a flooring company and a saloon is very different. No fear here! Not even during COVID-19. Tom points out they have excellent mentors, a great concept pulled straight out of Rocky Point, and a passion for outstanding customer service. He’s confident the Munds Park community will embrace what they have to offer, and so far, that has proven fabulously accurate. Borracho’s is fast becoming one of Munds Park’s premier meeting places to catch up with old friends and meet new ones in an entertaining atmosphere with timeless classic rock, tasty and unique drinks, and friendly and attentive service. These operating concepts are the staples of Borracho Saloon and what Tom and Lannette say is just the tip of their plans for Munds Park. Borracho’s has a cozy, warm, and modern-rustic atmosphere. Artwork and old photos of Johny Cash, Bob Dylan, vintage beer displays, and a wild boar that looks like Willie Nelson were hung with care and thought throughout the A-frame structure. Even the lights were strategically placed to create a comfortable ambiance. They hauled diamond plate metal from Rocky Point to make their custom countertops that add an industrial feel to this mixed medium bar. Photos by Barbara Sherman The patio is outfitted with high-top tables, a large outdoor screen that rolls vintage music videos, a second fully stocked bar with both booze and staff and finally, the La Capilla Stage for live bands and big, big plans for the summer! All this good fun in the pines and fresh air of the Coconino Forest. Yes. It’s as good as it sounds. So what are the big plans? Some so secret Tom and Lannette wouldn’t share! But they did give us some details for the summer. Lannette is a music connoisseur and loves live bands. Her tastes range from 80’s Hair Bands to Southern and Classic Rock. She has connections with bands throughout the state and plans to bring new sounds to the Park. The La Capilla Stage will host many artists throughout the summer. Tom’s big bring this summer will be a taco trailer that will sit right outside the Borracho patio. STREET TACOS!!!!!! Not just any street tacos either—gourmet street tacos. When Tom was recruiting a chef for the bar, he had the chef over to cook for Lannette and Taylor, their General Manager, to sample his eats. Tom says these tacos were so off the hook that he canceled his order for their food trailer, doubled his budget, and went all-in on a custom trailer. They will carry a limited but excellent menu that is guaranteed to please. No need to wait till summer to visit! Borracho’s has heat and has several screens for music or sports for your viewing pleasure. Stop in and try their killer Bloody Mary’s, Spicy Margarita’s made with serrano peppers, Moscow Mules, Mexican and Irish hot coffee’s, and to really warm you up, try their famous Mexican Candy shot! Borracho’s has a full line of swag too. T-shirts, hoodies, bandanas, hats, and more. Stop by and get some gear and look for the new Swag Shack to open this summer. Follow them on Facebook for events, specials, and upcoming live entertainment. It’s the place to be!

Kindness Rocks is a national movement encouraging people to create painted rocks and leave them on their path for others to discover—bringing happiness to people who find them. Munds Park Rocks, an offshoot of this movement, was created by a mother to celebrate the life of her son—and out of sadness came happiness and purpose. Created in Memory of Gregg Deam Artist, Diane Funderburg-Deam, is a full-time resident of Munds Park. Before arriving in our small town, Diane was an active member of the Lake Havasu City Art Guild and frequented art shows with her son Gregg. Touring art shows with his mother, Gregg learned to appreciate art and was inspired to become a painter. He adopted an aboriginal style of painting and painted whimsical and colorful lizards using found rocks as his canvas. Gregg's talent grew, and so did his fan base and soon became known as the "Lizard Man." In 2014 Diane, her husband Skeet, and son Wes lost their son and brother Gregg. Nobody fully recovers from the loss of a child or brother—but there is no better way to celebrate life than to find a special way to honor the one you love. In the summer of 2017, Diane did just that; she created the Munds Park Rocks Facebook group in Gregg's memory. It didn't take long after Diane created the Facebook group before Gregg's passion became a summertime favorite for Munds Park kids. Parents posted photos of their kids with huge smiles holding their painted rocks either created or found. The Munds Park Rocks group continued to grow— kids from the age of 1 to big kids at the age of 90 enjoy painting rocks and hiding them for the pure joy of others to find. Diane's youngest son, Wes, found his inner artist in the process and has become a rock painter and hider extraordinaire! He and other group enthusiasts will paint and hide rocks for kids' birthdays, when someone is not feeling well, or simply just because. What a beautiful tribute Diane created! How to Participate Join the Facebook group Munds Park Rocks, buy some supplies, create, hide, post and enjoy! Supplies Apple Barrel or Craft Smart Paints (Recommended to buy large black and white paints) Bottle of alcohol and Q-Tips – Used to clean rocks and correct mistakes A variety of inexpensive brushes Krylon clear spray paint River Rocks – You can purchase at Home Depot in the garden department, TLC Landscape Connection, or find unique rocks around Munds Park Instructions Wash the rocks and use a brush if dirty. Once dry, clean with alcohol. It's a good idea to paint a base of white on the rocks. If you plan on painting a large design, especially if you are using the colors red or orange, if you are painting a large amount of rocks, you can paint them all with Krylon Matt White primer. The white base paint will make your colors more brilliant. Once you have created your masterpieces, spray your rocks with 1-2 coats of Krylon Clear spray paint (satin or gloss your choice) to seal the rocks. If you place rocks in your garden, be sure to reseal every few months. Write on the back with a Sharpie "Munds Park Rocks" and the date. Have fun creating and sharing! Make someone smile and make your heart happy! Don’t forget to share your creations and finds on Munds Park Rocks! Munds Park "kids" creating, seeking and finding! Gregg Deam's Art