Title
(CONTINUED FROM DEC. 14, 2022) - Enter Into an IGA with the Cities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Mesa, and Tempe, Maricopa County, Gila River Indian Community, Salt-River Pima Indian Community, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, MAG and Arizona Board of Regents for the Rio Reimagined Urban Waters Ambassador (Ordinance S-49265)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Avondale, City of Buckeye, City of Goodyear, City of Mesa, City of Tempe, Maricopa County, Gila River Indian Community, Salt-River Pima Indian Community, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Maricopa Association of Governments and the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University for the creation of an Urban Waters Ambassador, a full-time regional leader who will be tasked with identifying federal funding and technical assistance to support and actualize local community projects and priorities related to the Rio Reimagined - Rio Salado Urban Waters Federal Partnership Project. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. Additionally request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) as necessary and appropriate to coordinate efforts and funding related to this project.
Report
Summary
On Sept. 1, 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency designated Arizona's Rio Reimagined - Rio Salado as the 20th Urban Waters Federal Partnership Project. With this designation, federal, local and tribal partners work collaboratively to improve surface water quality and achieve economic, environment, health, wellness and recreation goals for the benefit of community residents, all while protecting the river ecosystem as a valued natural and cultural asset. The Rio Reimagined - Rio Salado project spans 58 miles of the Lower Salt and Gila Rivers, including six cities and two Native American communities. The Urban Waters Ambassador is a new full-time regional leader position who be will tasked with identifying federal funding and technical assistance to support and actualize local community projects and priorities. As part of the designation, the Urban Waters Ambassador will act as the regional representative for Rio Reimagined - Rio Salado and will oversee the collaborations with federal agencies and stakeholders in connection with the designation.
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) will hire and house the Urban Waters Ambassador, providing in-kind office support and fiscal services. Representatives from all funders will sit on an Advisory Council to help draft annual work plan/scope for the Ambassador. The individual occupying the position will be engaged by MAG as an independent contractor and will report to a MAG-designed staff person.
Contract Term
The agreement will begin on or about Jan. 1, 2023 for a term of four years. Thereafter, the agreement may be renewed and updated, subject to available funding support and mutual written agreement of the parties for an additional two-year term.
Financial Impact
The total value of the City's share of the agreement is $15,000 per year, for four years, for an aggregate value of $60,000. MAG will serve as a fiscal agent to receive and process total compensation funding, as well as federal or other funding sources in support of the Ambassador as needed or recommended by the Rio Advisory Board. Funding is available from the City Manager's Office budget.
Location
This project spans 58 miles between 19th and 83rd Avenues, which includes the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.
Council Districts: 7, 8 and Out of City
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton, Deputy City Manager Karen Peters, and the Office of Government Relations.