Consideration and Approval of Contract: Lumen Utility Relocation for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project and Addition of City Fiber Conduit

1. Approve the Lumen Utility Relocation and City Fiber Addition Proposal and a Not-to-Exceed (NTE) payment authority of $250,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Approval of the Lumen agreement will compensate Lumen for relocating facilities within the BNSF right-of-way as required to accommodate the Rio De Flag Flood Control and Utility Relocation Project and necessary for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to certify the real estate for construction based on the needed lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and disposal site (LERRD) for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project. Approval will also compensate Lumen for additional work at the request of the City to include two City ITS Fiber conduits in their utility relocation work scope. Lumen is responsible for utility relocation costs within public City of Flagstaff and Arizona Department of Transportation rights-of-way.
 
While coordinating Lumen’s required utility relocation for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project, staff recognized this utility relocation as an opportunity to improve City Fiber infrastructure and support the Council approved construction project to connect fiber from City Hall to Butler Ave/Beaver St. Lumen was agreeable to add two 4-inch conduits to its work scope, installing new City Fiber conduit from Phoenix Avenue to the alleyway on Beaver Street near the former City Court Facility.   This will improve fiber connectivity and redundancy and provide an important crossing of BNSF Railway and ADOT rights-of way.

The funding to pay the proportional share of the relocation cost will come from the Stormwater Fund, tracked in the Rio de Flag project account #206-08-385-3236-0-XXXX.
 
The cost for the City ITS Fiber Conduits proportional share will be paid by Information Technology, Account Number 001-01-014-6312-1-4407. The Fiber conduits are being procured via a Sole Source procurement.

Rio de Flag Flood Control and City Fiber Connections:   Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well maintained infrastructure system. Strengthen Flagstaff’s resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems. Utilize existing long-range plan(s) that identify the community's future infrastructure needs & all associated costs. Carbon Neutrality Plan Encourage vibrancy, appropriate density, and attainability in existing neighborhoods, so that more residents live within walking distance of their daily needs.  Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages. Regional Plan Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting. Increase the region’s preparedness for extreme climate events. Incorporate pedestrian access, trails, and watchable wildlife opportunities into natural watercourses when practical. Improve mobility and access throughout the region. Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community.

Previous City Council actions have approved multiple changes to authorized value changes and action items necessary for the continuation of the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project since FY 2004-2005.
 
Council approved the construction contract with Aspen Communications to connect conduit and fiber from City Hall to Butler/Beaver on Oct 4, 2022. Council has approved additional fiber projects, including some with Aspen Communications, at multiple other locations including the new Courthouse, USGS, Butler Traffic Signals, and others.
 

1. Approve the Lumen Utility Relocation proposal as recommended; or
2. Reject the Lumen Utility Relocation proposal which will forfeit the opportunity for the City to comply with its requirement to provide the estate necessary to allow the USACE to certify the real estate for the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project and forgo an opportunity to improve the City Fiber Conduit network.