Rio de Flag Flood Control Project - Update

Facilitate Council discussion with an update on the project.

• The US Army Corps of Engineers continues to move forward with project design of the Flood Control Project.  US Army Corps of Engineers received $52M for their FY 20 Budget.
• The project plans are in the review process through the US Army Corps of Engineers.  Completion of project design is anticipated for late summer 2020. 
• Although both the City's and the US Army Corps' effort is to complete the pre-construction work for the entire project as early as possible, the US Army Corps at this point is proceeding on a phased approach to the project.  The Lower and Clay Avenue Wash reaches will be Phase I.  The Upper reach, to include the section of the project that crosses the BNSF tracks, will constitute Phase II.
• The US Army Corps is planning to procure a contract for Phase I in the last quarter of the calendar year 2020 and a contract for Phase II in early 2021.
• The City of Flagstaff is continuing the work on the property acquisition and environmental clearances for both Phases.
• The City of Flagstaff continues the discussion with BNSF Railway for agreements and options to cross their rights-of-way with the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project for Phase II.
• The City of Flagstaff is coordinating with the local franchise utilities on the relocation of their respective facilities for the Project construction.
• The US Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Flagstaff are working together on the project schedule in regard to the current plan review to meet the milestones of the US Army Corps of Engineers. 
• The City of Flagstaff’s current schedule for activities for the project has to come from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and we are working to establish this critical information. 
• The City of Flagstaff and BNSF Railway Co. continue to discuss the Construction and Maintenance Agreement for Phase I of the project. 
• The US Army Corps of Engineers and the City are in discussions about the cash contributions per the Project Cooperation Agreement.

Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:
 
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Transportation and Other Public Infrastructure
Deliver quality community assets and continue to advocate and implement a highly performing multi-modal transportation system.
 
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Environmental and Natural Resources
Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources
 
Regional Plan – Policy WR 5
Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.
 
Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan – Priority 3
Deliver outstanding services through a healthy environment, resources, and infrastructure.
 
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
The Rio de Flag project has been before various City Councils for updates within the last 15 years.  Council has acted on executing the original Project Cooperation Agreement between the City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, approving concurrent fiscal year budgets and consulting design service contracts.
 
City Council considered the Stormwater Fee increase as presented by staff on November 20, 2018.
City Council award of a professional services contract with Beta Public Relations, LLC on March 19, 2019, for a Public Outreach Campaign.
 
City Council received a project update on the current status on October 15, 2019.
 
City Council considered and approved Change Order No. 13 to the design contract for Shephard-Wesnitzer, Inc. for added work necessary to take the project design to completion.   
 
Staff will provide a presentation to Council for the update on the current status of the project. The update will include history, project information, and schedule.
 
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Project Update Presentation