- Meeting Date:
- 01/19/2016
- Co-Submitter:
- Sterling Solomon, Deputy City Attorney
- From:
- Brad Hill, Utilities Director
Information
TITLE:
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Authorize the City Manager to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for the permit process between the State of Arizona (Department of Transportation) and the City of Flagstaff - Red Gap Ranch Longitudinal Waterline Along an Access Controlled Interstate Facility (Interstate 40).
Executive Summary:
In 2004, Flagstaff voters approved a $15 million bond for Water Rights Acquisition and/or Water Development to provide for anticipated and demonstrated future water needs of the city in response to years of declining surface water supplies from drought. Subsequently in 2005, the City Council approved the purchase of Red Gap Ranch 40 miles east of Flagstaff for the purpose of developing a well field, pipeline and booster stations in order to provide for a long-term water supply to residences and businesses. In 2008, the City contracted with JACOBS Engineering to conduct a pipeline feasibility study to select the most feasible alignment for a pipeline and define a conceptual design and facility location. The first phase of that analysis was completed in 2009. After evaluating multiple alternative alignments, the frontage along Interstate 40 was selected as the preferred alignment. City staff subsequently started discussions with Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration in early 2010 about the use of the right-of-way along Interstate 40 as a proposed location for a pipeline. This Agreement simply establishes a process of how the City can obtain a series of permits necessary for the installation, construction, operation and maintenance of a 30-inch waterline along and within the existing ADOT controlled access right-of-way of Interstate 40.
Financial Impact:
Connection to Council Goal and/or Regional Plan:
2) Ensure Flagstaff has a long-term water supply for current and future needs.
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.
7) Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan.
11) Ensure that we are as prepared as possible for extreme weather events.
REGIONAL PLAN:
WR.3 Satisfy current and future human water demands and the needs of the natural environment through sustainable and renwable water resources and strategic conservation measures.
WR.4 Logically enhance and extend the City's public water, wastewater and reclaimed water services including their treatment, distribution and collection systems in both urbanized and newly developed areas of the City to provide an efficient delivery of services
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
Yes. In 2004, City Council referred a ballot measure to Flagstaff voters for Water Rights Acquisition and/or Water Development to provide for anticipated and demonstrated future water needs of the city in response to years of declining surface water supplies from drought. This ballot measure passed and authorized $15 million. In 2005, the City Council approved the purchase of Red Gap Ranch 40 miles east of Flagstaff. In addition, securing access in the right-of-way of Interstate 40 for Red Gap Ranch Pipeline has been one of the City Council’s top legislative priorities each year since 2012. In 2008, the City contracted with JACOBS Engineering to conduct a pipeline feasibility study to select the most feasible alignment for a pipeline and define a conceptual design and facility location.
Options and Alternatives:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the State of Arizona (Department of Transportation) and the City of Flagstaff.
2. Do not authorize the City Manager to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the State of Arizona (Department of Transportation) and the City of Flagstaff which would prevent the City from planning for the use of Red Gap Ranch as a long-term, future water supply.
3. Amend the Intergovernmental Agreement between the State of Arizona (Department of Transportation) and the City of Flagstaff and authorize the City Manager to approve (this option would require additional negotiations with the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Office of the Arizona Attorney General.