City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 10/21/2014
- From:
- Malcolm Alter, Stormwater Program Manager
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Grant Agreement: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency Cooperating Technical Partners award number EMW-2014-CA-00087-S01: Watershed Management Plan and Flood Risk Report for the Rio De Flag Watercourse (Approve Grant Agreement with Dept. of Homeland Security-FEMA for a Watershed Management Plan).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the application to Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) for grant funds in the amount of $200,000 and a non-federal commitment/leverage of $98,198.
Policy Decision or Reason for Action:
Approval of this Grant will result in the necessary funding to develop comprehensive hydrologic and hydraulic models for the Rio De Flag. The models will be used for modeling watershed changes and various scenarios including: effects of catastrophic wildfire, development, capital improvement feasibility, planning, watershed protection and restoration, flood potential, floodplain mapping, climate change and resiliency. The scope also includes some specific items related to these variables. The models will be made available to the scientific and academic communities as well as the County. The result will be state-of-the-art models that can be used for many purposes by the entire community.
Financial Impact:
The Grant requires a non-federal fund commitment/leverage of $98,198 which was provided by the City through prior expenditures for the LIDAR aerial photography. There will be a minor amount of staff time to maintain the models. The Stormwater Work Program can accommodate this additional demand. It is anticipated that the model will actually reduce staff time in the future due to the capabilities of the model.
Connection to Council Goal:
COUNCIL GOALS:
1. Repair Replace maintain infrastructure (drainage)
2. Effective governance
REGIONAL PLAN:
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Goal E&C.4. Integrate available science into policies governing the use and conservation of Flagstaff ’s natural resources.
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Goal E&C.6. Protect, restore and improve ecosystem health and maintain native plant and animal community diversity across all land ownerships in the Flagstaff region.
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Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process.
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Goal E&C.9. Protect soils through conservation practices.
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Goal E&C.10. Protect indigenous wildlife populations, localized and larger-scale wildlife habitats, ecosystem processes, and wildlife movement areas throughout the planning area.
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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.
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Goal WR.5. Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.
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Goal WR.6. Protect, preserve, and improve the quality of surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water in the region.
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Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
No.
Options and Alternatives:
Approve the Grant.
Decline the Grant.
Background/History:
FEMA has made this funding available through the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program. This is a one-time grant provided to prepare state-of-the-art hydrologic and hydraulic models.
Key Considerations:
The Grant provides an opportunity to develop a comprehensive tool for the management of the Rio De Flag watershed. The effort is completely funded by FEMA.
Expanded Financial Considerations:
The Grant does not technically require a match of City funds. It has been indicated that the city completed LIDAR (photography and contours) is provided as leverage. Some stormwater staff time will be necessary for model development and maintenance. The stormwater work program can provide for the necessary staff time. Model computer storage needs are anticipated to be minimal.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
The models will benefit the community in a number of ways. The models will be used for modeling watershed changes and various scenarios including: effects of catastrophic wildfire, development, capital improvement feasibility, planning, watershed protection and restoration, flood potential, floodplain mapping, climate change and resiliency. The scope also includes some specific items related to these variables. The models will be made available to the scientific and academic communities as well as the County. The result will be state-of-the-art models that can be used for many purposes by the entire community.
Community Involvement:
Inform: The scientific community and the County have met with the City to discuss the outcomes and uses of the models. The models will be used by these parties to assess their individual needs as well as provide additional data for model development.
Involve: the models will be used for purposes that include information to the public regarding flooding, causes of flooding and mitigations.
Collaborate: Partner with NAU, County, Forest Service, USGS, NWS, Soil Conservation Service and others.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
Approve the Grant.
Decline the Grant.
With no City match required, and minor city resource necessary, there are no reasons to decline the Grant.
Attachments