10.B.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 08/16/2016
- From:
- Paul Summerfelt, Wildland Fire Manager
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: AZ State Forestry Division Cooperative Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) FD-16-0090-ASF-A1S
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve IGA FD 16-0090-ASF-A1S
Executive Summary:
This IGA is a revision to an existing IGA (KR94-2533-LNR) dated Sept 22, 1994 between the City of Flagstaff and the AZ State Land Department. The age of the IGA, organizational changes within State Government, and changing operating environment have necessitated the proposed new IGA. It's purpose is to cooperatively work together to train for, detect, secure equipment, and respond to wildfires. It is a foundational document that facilitates our ability to access State and Federal pass-through funds for wildfire management related efforts (ex: public outreach, hazard mitigation, suppression) as needed and in a timely manner. This IGA also paves the way for us to engage in reimbursable fires suppression outside of our jurisdiction (the bi-annual Cooperative Fire Rate Agreement - most recently approved by Council spring 2016 - tiers off of this new overarching IGA.)
Financial Impact:
None to participate
Connection to Council Goal and/or Regional Plan:
COUNCIL GOALS:
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:
Environmental Planning & Conservation – Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 – Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 – Encourage public awareness that the region’s ponderosa pine forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 – Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region’s diverse ecosystem type and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 – Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 – Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
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:
Environmental Planning & Conservation – Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 – Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 – Encourage public awareness that the region’s ponderosa pine forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 – Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region’s diverse ecosystem type and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 – Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 – Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
Not on this Agreement: the 1994 IGA has not been revisited since it was approved.
Options and Alternatives:
Two exist:
1) Approve the IGA, replacing an outdated version and permitting the City to continue our successful relationship with AZ State Forestry.
2) Reject the need to update the IGA, leaving the City potentially vulnerable to a) loss of future grant awards, b) having to bear the full-cost of severe wildfire suppression actions within our community, and c) unable to participate and receive reimbursements and payments for out-of-area assignments.
1) Approve the IGA, replacing an outdated version and permitting the City to continue our successful relationship with AZ State Forestry.
2) Reject the need to update the IGA, leaving the City potentially vulnerable to a) loss of future grant awards, b) having to bear the full-cost of severe wildfire suppression actions within our community, and c) unable to participate and receive reimbursements and payments for out-of-area assignments.
Background/History:
The 1994 IGA was an attempt by the State of AZ to create and foster a seamless and equal operating environment for all Fire Depts within the State – Career, Mixed, and Volunteer – to set expectations and standards for both the State Land Dept and the various Fire Depts. We have benefited greatly from our engagement with the State, through grants related to public outreach and preparedness efforts and hazard mitigation projects. In addition, this allows us to tap-into the Fire Mitigation Assistance Grant program which can help offset the cost of devastating wildfires.
Key Considerations:
The action to approve this IGA is a “house-keeping” issue, made necessary by changes in the organization of State Government and environmental/operating standards and practices over the past 20+ years.
Expanded Financial Considerations:
As a result of our participation in the now outdated IGA, we were able, during the 2005 Woody Fire and the 2010 Hardy Fire, to access a Fire Mitigation Grant, thereby directly saving over $1 million dollars we would have otherwise been required to pay to protect our community and suppress the two fires.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
Effective coordination and working relationships between the City and State both before and during emergency events, reduced City costs during severe wildfire events, and the ability to be reimbursed for out-of-area assignments.
Community Involvement:
Inform
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
None