Title
Request Approval to Accept Funding and Enter into Development Agreement with VIAONE Development for the Skunk Creek Channelization Design Concept Report (Ordinance S-49604)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to accept funding and enter into a Development Agreement (DA) and to execute any other instruments or documents as necessary with VIAONE Development, in collaboration of the Skunk Creek Channelization Design Concept Report (DCR). Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The amount of financial assistance from VIAONE Development shall not exceed $75,000.
Report
Summary
The City will request the Maricopa County Flood Control District (MCFCD) complete a Design Concept Report (DCR) to assess the feasibility of channelizing Skunk Creek along Interstate 17 (I-17) corridor, north of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Canal. The channelization of the wash is intended to reduce the floodplain footprint within the corridor, while not adversely impacting adjacent properties and the existing crossings over the CAP Canal. Successful channelization may recover developable land located within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-Year floodplain of Skunk Creek.
Skunk Creek is a major watercourse that flows from the northeast part of Maricopa County and parallels I-17 before crossing it in a southwest direction. The drainage area is about 50 square miles with a 100-year flow rate of 26,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) north of the CAP Canal. The configuration of the channel can be broken into two segments: north from Carefree Highway to Sonoran Desert Drive and south from Sonoran Desert Drive to CAP Canal. The channel is wider and braided between Sonoran Desert Drive and the CAP Canal providing the opportunity for encroachment and narrowing of the floodplain. In comparison, the upper reach of the channel is narrow and floodplain well contained and channelization will not yield significant land recovery.
MCFCD has indicated they will fund a majority (90 percent) of the DCR with the matching funding (10 percent) coming from the City or other participating stakeholders. VIAONE Development is willing to providing the City’s matching share.
Financial Impact
The amount of financial assistance from VIAONE Development is limited to $75,000. Any additional City matching funds required will be funded from the Local Drainage Solutions Program from the Street Transportation Department's Capital Improvement Program.
Location
Skunk Creek along Interstate 17 corridor, north of the Central Arizona Project Canal
Council District: 2
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson, the Street Transportation Department and the City Engineer.