Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract with Empire Southwest, LLC, for the purchase of one (1) 2022 CAT 950GC Wheel Loader in the amount of $289,719.74 to be reimbursed 100% by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

1. Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract with Empire Southwest, LLC for the purchase of one (1) 2022 CAT 950GC Wheel Loader in the amount of $289,719.74 to be reimbursed 100% by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

At the direction of House Bill 2001,  Arizona Governor Ducey has allocated $25 million to Arizona for post wildfire mitigation support. The City has successfully requested funding and reimbursement utilizing Governor Ducey's funding directive for several items related to the Museum Fire post wildfire flooding response. One of the strategic requests was for a front-end loader for use by Public Works and Water Services for debris removal and sediment basin maintenance in the Museum Flood Hazard Area.

This front-end loader will also be able to add 72” forks for lift and moving concrete barriers and sandbag pallets as needed. In March, the City provided Director David Tenney of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management on a field tour of the damage caused by the Museum Fire post wildfire flooding. Director Tenney approved the funding request for a front-end loader to be used exclusively for flooding response and detention basin maintenance. This front-end loader will be a critical asset in the response effort related to the Museum Fire for years to come and the City is grateful for the partnership and support from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Governor's office, and the State Legislature.

The purchase of the front-end loader will come from account 040-06-161-0614-6-4401 but has been approved for 100% reimbursement by the Arizona Department of Fire and Forestry Management’s post wildfire mitigation funds.

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
High Performing Governance
- Enhance the organization's fiscal stability & increase efficiency & effectiveness
Safe & Healthy Community
- Provide public safety services with resources, staff & training responsive to the community's needs
 

The City Council approved the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Flagstaff Unified School District in December 2021 for the construction of the Killip detention basins. These basins are designed to help reduce sediment entering the City’s underground storm water system. In doing so, the City also agreed to the critical maintenance of post wildfire flooding sediment removal. Staff also presents monthly updates to the City Council on the mitigation projects in the Museum Flood hazard areas to describe the plans and strategies being utilized.
 

1. Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract for one (1) 2022 CAT 950GC Wheel Loader from Empire Southwest, LLC in the amount of $289,719.74 to be reimbursed 100% by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management; or
2. Do not approve the use of the Cooperative Purchase Contract and direct Streets to separately procure the equipment directly utilizing HURF; or
3. Do not approve the purchase of the front-end loader.

The July 2019 Museum Fire burned just under 2,000 acres, most of which was in the Spruce Wash. Since then, the Flagstaff region experienced two very dry monsoon seasons drastically slowing the recovery of this water shed. The 2021 Monsoon season proved to be and above average monsoon season where multiple 2” rain events impacted the Museum Fire burn scar. City Streets crews were completely inundated for several weeks with post wildfire debris flows. Since then, several major flood mitigation projects were approved and are in progress to help reduce impacts the residents of Flagstaff. The City has also agreed to the long-term flooding related maintenance of the Park Way sediment basins and the Killip detention basins moving forwards. To ensure Streets and Storm Water can meet the commitment of maintenance it was clear that the City would need to add additional resources. The purchase of this front-end loader would greatly support and enhance the Museum Fire post wildfire debris and sediment clean-up operations.  

Public Works worked with Procurement to find the best value for this piece of equipment needed for the Streets section. By utilizing a contract formally procured by the City of Tucson with Empire Southwest, LLC, the City is able to get a competitive price for the front-end loader. The local Empire dealer will be honoring the cooperative pricing from Contract #161534-01 with the City of Tucson Procurement Department. 

The purchase of one (1) 2022 CAT 950GC Wheel Front-end Loader (funded by House Bill 2001, AKA Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Post Wildfire Mitigation Funding) to support the Museum Fire post wildfire debris clean-up and the long-term maintenance of the Park Way sediment basins and Killip detention basin.

The purchase of the front-end loader has been preapproved by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The purchase price of $289,719.74 will be fully reimbursed to the City utilizing State of Arizona funding identified in House Bill 2001 to support post wildfire mitigation operations.