Title
2021 Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Invasive Plants Grant (Ordinance S-47749)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for and, if awarded, accept funds in an amount up to $55,000; and enter into agreements for the 2021 Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Invasive Plants Grant. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, any grant monies awarded. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking to apply for an Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Invasive Plants Grant, with funding provided through the State of Arizona and US Forest Service. This is a reimbursement grant with a 10 percent match. Staff will be requesting funding up to $55,000; and satisfying the $5,500 match requirement with volunteer hours.
Staff’s intent is to utilize the grant funds to map and remove the invasive species oncosiphon pilulifer and restore the affected areas back to a more natural state through cultivation and planting of native species. Applications for the 2021 Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Invasive Plants Grant open June 2021 and will remain open for six weeks. Staff is exploring potential partnerships for this grant application which could include the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona Native Plant Society and Arizona State University. This grant can provide short- and long-term tangible benefits by improving the viability of the Sonoran Desert in preserve systems throughout the City.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. This is a reimbursement grant. The amount of the grant application is up to $55,000, with the $5,500 match requirement to be satisfied with volunteer hours.
Location
Deem Hills Recreation Area - 26606 N. Deem Hills Parkway
Piestewa Peak - 7200 N. Piestewa Peak Drive
South Mountain Park/Preserve - 10919 S. Central Ave.
Council Districts: 1, 6 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.