Title
Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with National Forest Foundation to Conduct Forest Restoration and Watershed Enhancement Projects (Ordinance S-50902)
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. The aggregate value will not exceed $2,000,000 over the life of the agreement. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
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. The City has partnered with National Forest Foundation (NFF) for more than nine years to fund projects that improve the sustainability and resiliency of the City's most important watershed. The current contract expires in May 2024. 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 Phoenix have been involved with NFF as they have won both the Crescordia and President's award for a sustainability champion from Arizona Forward. Through the next contract period NFF and Phoenix will continue to work collaboratively with projects such as sediment reduction, soil stability, fire and flood risk reduction, hydrologic improvement, riparian restoration and other watershed-based improvements.
Ongoing and upcoming projects include, but not limited to:
- Function and health of the Lower Salt River;
- Improving erosion conditions of Highline Trail;
- Erosion and sediment mitigation at Oak Creek; and
- Reducing fire risk and post-fire flood impacts to the watershed at Pine Canyon.
Staff proposes a new 10-year agreement with the National Forest Foundation with a five-year initial term and a five-year option to extend the agreement. Phoenix's funding would remain at the current contract level of $200,000 annually for a total aggregate funding over the 10-year term of the contract of $2,000,000.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Oct. 1, 2021, Council approved the last three-year agreement with NFF. This was the third agreement since 2015.
- Three-year agreement approved by Council on Sept. 9, 2015 (Contract 141390 - Ordinance S-41776)
- Three-year agreement approved by Council on Oct. 1, 2018 (Contract 148652 - Ordinance S-44721)
- Three-year agreement approved by Council on June 2, 2021 (Contract 154736 - Ordinance S-47633)
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, competitive procurement was waived as a result of a Determination Memo citing NFF has the only congressionally-chartere partnership with the U.S Forest Service and expertise in projects which 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 contract term is for 10 years. The initial five-year term will be effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029. There will be a five-year option to extend that will begin on July 1, 2029.
Financial Impact
The aggregate value of the contract is not to exceed $2,000,000, with annual expenditures of $200,000. Funding for this contract is available in the Water Services Department's operating budget Colorado River Resiliency Fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Water Services Department.