Consideration and Approval of Grant Agreement and Acceptance of Grant Funding:  Fiscal Year 2013 Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter Grant.

Subsidiary Decisions Points: Approval of the Grant Agreement is necessary for receipt of Arizona State Parks funds for the City’s acquisition of Observatory Mesa.

Fund existing and consider expanded recreational services/Retain, expand, and diversify economic base.

Over the years, Observatory Mesa has emerged as an important resource for recreation and tourism. Observatory Mesa hosts a segment of the Flagstaff Loop Trail and Flagstaff Urban Trail System that promote connectivity for non-motorized transportation and recreation. Arizona Game & Fish has identified Observatory Mesa as important wildlife habitat and wildlife movement corridor. According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation, 1.3 million wildlife viewing participants spend $838 million in Arizona annually. Sites like Observatory Mesa significantly contribute to the local tourism economy. Eco-tourism and its related service sector are important components of Flagstaff's economic base. As such, the natural environment and outdoor recreation opportunities are extremely important to the tourism trade in Flagstaff. Preserving Observatory Mesa positively impacts the observatories, provides protection from further light pollution, and strengthens the astrogeological sector of the economy.

Option A – Authorize the acceptance of funds. This will provide the City with the necessary matching funds to acquire Observatory Mesa for conservation purposes.  
Option B – Not authorize the acceptance of funds.  This will result in the discontinuation of efforts to acquire Observatory Mesa for conservation purposes.

Efforts to protect Observatory Mesa began decades ago and continue today. In 2004, City staff submitted an Arizona Preserve Initiative petition to reclassify State Trust land on Observatory Mesa for conservation purposes and voters approved a $5.5 million bond to acquire this land. As critical wildlife habitat, a popular recreation corridor, and protection for dark skies, Observatory Mesa is a natural amenity for northern Arizona.

In the event of a successful acquisition, the City will be required to allow Arizona State Parks to hold a conservation easement over the property.  

Approval of the Grant Agreement will bring $6,000,000 into the City of Flagstaff to acquire State Trust lands at Observatory Mesa. The City will use $6,416,000 of voter-approved open space bond money to pay the remainder of the cost of the land including $5,500,000 from the 2004 Observatory Mesa bond and $916,000 from the 2004 Open Space bond. 

Acquiring Observatory Mesa as open space will provide a natural place within city limits for members of the Flagstaff community to learn about ecology, geology, and astronomy while participating in outdoor recreation. Preserving the mesa will protect important view sheds for Flagstaff residents and visitors to the region. Additionally, ownership of these sections would give the City greater access and control in forest and watershed health initiatives, providing increased community protection.

Involve - In 2004, Flagstaff voters approved a $5.5 million bond to acquire State Trust lands on Observatory Mesa as open space. On February 12, 2013, approximately 100 community members attended the State Land Public Comment Hearing and spoke out in unanimous support for the reclassification of Observatory Mesa as suitable for conservation purposes. The City of Flagstaff received 28 letters of support for the preservation process from community members and groups.

Option A – Authorize the acceptance of funds. This will provide the City with the necessary matching funds to acquire Observatory Mesa for conservation purposes.  
Option B – Not authorize the acceptance of funds.  This will result in the discontinuation of efforts to acquire Observatory Mesa for conservation purposes.