Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc., in the amount of $204,816.25, for the Observatory Mesa Invasive Weed Treatment and Restoration Project.

1. Approve the Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc. in the amount of $204,816.25, for labor and supplies to treat 447.5 acres of invasive plants and to restore and seed 31.5 acres with native seed; and  
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

This project will support forest and woodland health through the prioritization of invasive plant prevention and control within the Observatory Mesa, Flagstaff, AZ focus area. This project will target invasive plant prevention and control, and revegetation to maintain the forest health of the area. The project will focus on two adjoining locations, Observatory Mesa and Thorpe Park. The project will treat 447.5 infested acres for two years. Following the two-year treatments, 31.5 acres will be seeded with native species.

Grant funds available total $197,000. Open Space Section funds totaling $14,000 are budgeted in account 001-11-159-0665-5-4290 as grant match.

No policy impacts.

PBB Priorities
Environmental Stewardship:
- Promote, protect and enhance a healthy, sustainable environment and its natural resources.
- Increase the private sector’s participation in environmental stewardship efforts.
- Strengthen Flagstaff’s resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, and social systems.

Carbon Neutrality Plan
Carbon Neutrality Plan Strategy 1
Priority four: Commitments - Healthy Forests and Open Spaces
HF-1 Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces.
Carbon Neutrality Plan Strategy 2
Priority one: Neighborhoods - Inclusive Recreation
IR-1 Protect natural areas and ecosystem services that are most vulnerable to the impacts of increased visitation and climate change.
Carbon Neutrality Plan Strategy 3
Priority four: Commitments - Healthy Forests and Open Spaces
HF-6 Proactively manage for expected ecosystem transitions, including the potential threats to Ponderosa pine forests.

Regional Plan Support
Goal E&C.3. Prepare Flagstaff’s community systems and resources to be more resilient to climate change impacts, and address climate change in a manner that prioritizes those most impacted and ensures the costs and benefits of climate adaptation and mitigation are equitably distributed.
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.

• 02/21/2023: City Council approved grant agreement # IPG 22-701 with the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Invasive Plant Grant for grant funds in the amount of $100,000, with a City match of $11,500 to support the maintenance of the Observatory Mesa Natural Area open space.
• 01/17/2023: City Council approved of grant agreement #IPG 22S-702 with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, for Observatory Mesa Invasive Plant Prevention and Control Grant in the amount of $97,000, with a City match of $11,260 to support the maintenance of the Observatory Mesa Natural Area open space.
• Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2020-46: A resolution adopting the Management Plan for Legally Designated Open Space Properties.

1. Option A – Approve the Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc., for invasive plant treatment and native vegetation restoration at Observatory Mesa Natural Area and Thorpe Park in the amount of $204,816.25.
2. Option B – Do not approve the Contract with EnviroSystems Management, Inc.

The City of Flagstaff acquired Observatory Mesa Natural Area in December 2013, with funding from the 2004 voter-approved Open Space bond and a 2013 Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter grant. Observatory Mesa serves as an important wildlife corridor for large mammals traveling between the San Francisco Peaks and the Mogollon Rim.  This project will provide needed maintenance to remove invasive weeds and treat areas to return to native vegetation, which is important for forest health and wildlife native to the area.

The City of Flagstaff conducted a competitive and open procurement process through an Invitation for Bid which resulted in Contract No. 2024-21. The City of Flagstaff Procurement department has verified Envirosystems Inc. as a responsible and responsive bidder and presents the best value to the City.

The Management Plan for Legally Designated Open Space provides a framework for managing the natural, ecological, historical, and recreational resources to minimize conflict and degradation, and serves as a resource to guide decision-making processes for designated open space properties.

The Plan identifies five overarching management goals for designated open space properties, which are listed below. This resolution and grant agreement directly support all the goals.

1. To maintain, restore, and enhance the natural ecosystem processes of these properties, including watershed health (including intermittent streams), forest structure, native plant communities, and rare habitat types.
2. To protect cultural resources present within these properties.
3. To maintain and protect diverse and healthy wildlife populations.
4. To provide opportunities for public use of these properties through passive recreational use, resource interpretation, education, scientific research, and other compatible activities in a manner that is consistent with the preservation of the conservation values of the site and the management goals.
5. To maintain and develop partnerships that facilitate resource management, stewardship, and conservation.

Staff collaborates with numerous educational partners. This application for the Invasive Plan Grant was supported by:

• The Arboretum at Flagstaff
• Arizona Native Plant Society
• Lowell Observatory
• USFS Coconino Natl Forest
• Picture Canyon Working Group
• Open Spaces Commission
• Willow Bend Environmental Center