Title
Agreement with National Forest Foundation (Ordinance S-47633)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with the National Forest Foundation, which has partnered with the City of Phoenix since 2015 to conduct forest restoration and watershed enhancement projects that protect the water quality in the Salt and Verde Rivers. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The agreement amount will not exceed $600,000.
Report
Summary
The Water Services Department obtains more than half of its raw water supply from the highly-forested Salt and Verde watershed and its suitable water quality is critical to the City. Experts advise that in the future, forest fires will ensue over longer seasons, be larger, and more numerous. These conditions have a high potential to degrade source water quality and negatively impact the City’s water production processes. It is in the City’s best interest to enter into this strategic partnership to mitigate these risks. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) will help create water security that supports continued public safety and economic development by designing and implementing cost-effective and protective Salt-Verde watershed projects. Funds invested from the City of Phoenix have been involved with NFF projects that have received both the Crescordia and President’s Award for sustainability from Arizona Forward. The City will continue to work collaboratively with NFF on projects such as sediment reduction, soil stability, fire and flood risk reduction, hydrologic improvement, riparian restoration and other watershed-based improvements.
Procurement Information
In accordance with City of Phoenix Administrative Regulation 3.10, competitive procurement was waived as a result of a Determination Memo citing NFF has the only congressionally-chartered partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and expertise in projects that reduce erosion and sedimentation. NFF provides a singular opportunity for the City to participate in funding projects that lessen wildfire-related impacts which impair near- and long-term water quality.
Contract Term
The agreement term is for three years effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024.
Financial Impact
The agreement value of the contract is not to exceed $600,000, with annual expenditures of $200,000.
Funding for this contract is available in the Water Services Department’s Operating budget and Colorado Water Resiliency Fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.