Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2020-21:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council stating its support for the Flagstaff Trails Initiative Regional Trails Strategy

Council is asked to consider approval of a resolution in support of the Flagstaff Trails Initiative (FTI) Regional Trails Strategy.  The request is a follow-up to the Council meeting of December 3, 2019, at which City staff and other representatives of FTI presented a draft of the Regional Trails Strategy to the City Council. 
 
The strategy document is the culmination of a two-year process to develop a comprehensive plan for recreational trails in the Flagstaff region.  The process involved significant collaboration among partners and stakeholders, as well as extensive community engagement.
 
FTI is a cross-jurisdictional effort to improve the quality, connectivity, and sustainability of trails, and balance the demand for recreation with the community’s vision for conservation, development, and health.  FTI’s core team represents a broad cross-section of trail managing agencies, trail user groups, and conservation advocates.
 
Since the December Council meeting, the draft Regional Trails Strategy has been sent out for public comment and discussed at a public open house.  More than 500 comments were submitted from 80 individuals.  The draft Strategy was subsequently revised and is before the Council as a final version.

City staff provided time during the two-year planning process, and it is anticipated that additional staff time will be necessary as FTI continues and the plan is implemented.  In addition, a one-time expenditure of $5000 represents the City’s share of funding for the first year of a part-time FTI coordinator.

The resolution demonstrates the City’s support for a continuing, collaborative, multi-agency effort to enhance the region’s trail network, as well as the 10 goals and 30-plus strategies listed in the Regional Trails Strategy document, including:

• Protection and construction of key trail connections and trailheads
• Creation of a Flagstaff Trail Fund and new 501c3 organization
• A shared interagency financial agreement to allow for the sharing of resources
• Restoration of unauthorized trails
• Trail etiquette and "share the trails" campaign

Council Goals:

 

ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES: Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.

 

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE: Deliver quality community assets and continue to

advocate and implement a highly performing multi-modal transportation system.
 

Regional Plan:

 

Goal REC.1. Maintain and grow the region’s healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation

facilities, and trails.

Policy Rec.1.2. Promote public and private partnerships to offer parks, recreation facilities, and resources.

Policy Rec.1.3. Coordinate City, County, and Forest Service recreational planning to best serve the community.

Policy Rec.1.4. Design new or updated public facilities to include parks, open space, and/or recreational

opportunities where feasible.

Policy Rec.1.5. Incorporate sustainable building and maintenance technologies and universal design into parks and recreation facilities.

Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and

habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.

Goal LU.3. Continue to enhance the region’s unique sense of place within the urban, suburban, and rural context.

Goal ED.7. Continue to promote and enhance Flagstaff’s unique sense of place as an economic driver.

February 26, 2018: Council was briefed at the beginning of the planning process
December 3, 2019: staff and other FTI representatives presented the draft Regional Trails Strategy to Council