Title
Authorization to Accept Funds and Materials and Enter into a Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Landowner Agreement (Ordinance S-50463)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create a pollinator habitat in the planter boxes and other outdoor planting spaces at the Phoenix Crime Lab at 7th Avenue and Washington Street. Also request approval to accept and expend funds and/or material donations, such as plants, contractor work, etc., from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or their designee, as defined in the agreement for the pollinator habitat. This pollinator habitat would support Phoenix's goals as a signatory of the National Wildlife Federation's Mayor's Monarch Pledge. By entering into this agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would provide financial support for the purchase and installation of native plants in this space. There is no local match requirement for the receipt of these funds. The City would agree to maintain the pollinator habitat for at least the 10-year term of the agreement.
Report
Summary
In 2021, the City of Phoenix joined the National Wildlife Federation's Mayor's Monarch Pledge, which committed the City to taking action to support the monarch butterfly population and, by extension, other key pollinators. The City has renewed this pledge annually since 2021 and has an inter-departmental working group consisting of City departments who have agreed to take actions within their departments to support the pledge requirements. Each year, at least one pledge action taken by the City must help expand habitat on the ground.
The City of Phoenix Police Department Crime Lab is proposing to enter into a 10-year Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Landowner's Agreement, through which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would provide funding to create pollinator habitat at the southeast corner of 7th Avenue and Washington Street in support of the Monarch Pledge. Project activities supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partner and volunteer efforts include the removal of non-native species at the site and the purchase and installation of native plants that support pollinator populations.
With the implementation of the project, the Phoenix Crime Lab could be registered as a Monarch Waystation and Pollinator Pathway, and bring positive interest to this area. The removal of non-native plants and replacement with native desert plants will result in needing to utilize less water and create a low to no maintenance landscape that could save the Police Department water usage costs. This would reduce potable water irrigation needs, which is an important water conservation measure, as well.
Contract Term
The contract term will be for 10 years, which will begin upon signing of the agreement. The City is obligated to enter into a landowner agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to receive the funding and/or materials. This agreement requires the City to maintain the pollinator habitat for at least the term of the agreement. Partners in this project include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Police Department, Office of Environmental Programs, and Desert Botanical Garden.
Financial Impact
There is no required funding match from the City for this project.
Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson, the Police Department and the Office of Environmental Programs.