9.G.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 10/07/2025
- Co-Submitter:
- Emily Markel
- From:
- Neil Chapman, Wildland Fire Captain
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: This contract with SWCA, Incorporated DBA SWCA Environmental Consultants, will initiate an update to the Greater Flagstaff Region Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Staff recommends City Council approve this contract with SWCA with payment not to exceed $259,390.00.
- Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
This contract will initiate an update to the Greater Flagstaff Region (GFR) Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The CWPP will identify wildfire risks, communicate solutions, and track progress across both the built environment and community-based priority watersheds.
The collaborative groups responsible for developing the original 2005 GFR CWPP (and the 2012 and 2018 updates) were the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council (PFAC) and the Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership (GFFP). The PFAC is an organized partnership of Emergency Service Organizations in the Greater Flagstaff Region. Both organizations were established in the GFR in the mid 1990s.
The GFFP is a community-based organization that supports collaborative forest restoration and communication efforts surrounding Flagstaff. The GFFP is managed by Anne Mottek, with Board Members Neil Chapman (City of Flagstaff), Jay Smith (Coconino County), Andrew Sanchez-Meador (Ecological Restoration Institute), and Lisa Bolton (SRP).
The PFAC organization includes Flagstaff Fire Department, Summit Fire and Medical District, Highlands Fire District, Ponderosa Fire District, Pinewood Fire District, Mormon Lake Fire District, Sedona Fire District, Coconino County Sheriffs Office, and Guardian Medical Transport. Federal partners include the Coconino & Kaibab National Forests, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the National Park Service. State partners include the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Arizona Department of Transportation. These PFAC partners have collaboratively developed this proposal to update and modernize the GFR CWPP.
2005 CWPP: PFAC Community Wildfire Protection Plan January 2005.pdf
2012 CWPP Update: CWPP-Review_May_2012.pdf
2018 CWPP Update: CWPP-Review_July_2018.pdf
The collaborative groups responsible for developing the original 2005 GFR CWPP (and the 2012 and 2018 updates) were the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council (PFAC) and the Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership (GFFP). The PFAC is an organized partnership of Emergency Service Organizations in the Greater Flagstaff Region. Both organizations were established in the GFR in the mid 1990s.
The GFFP is a community-based organization that supports collaborative forest restoration and communication efforts surrounding Flagstaff. The GFFP is managed by Anne Mottek, with Board Members Neil Chapman (City of Flagstaff), Jay Smith (Coconino County), Andrew Sanchez-Meador (Ecological Restoration Institute), and Lisa Bolton (SRP).
The PFAC organization includes Flagstaff Fire Department, Summit Fire and Medical District, Highlands Fire District, Ponderosa Fire District, Pinewood Fire District, Mormon Lake Fire District, Sedona Fire District, Coconino County Sheriffs Office, and Guardian Medical Transport. Federal partners include the Coconino & Kaibab National Forests, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the National Park Service. State partners include the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Arizona Department of Transportation. These PFAC partners have collaboratively developed this proposal to update and modernize the GFR CWPP.
2005 CWPP: PFAC Community Wildfire Protection Plan January 2005.pdf
2012 CWPP Update: CWPP-Review_May_2012.pdf
2018 CWPP Update: CWPP-Review_July_2018.pdf
Financial Impact:
Project Name: Greater Flagstaff Region Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update
Cost: $259,390
Account Number Budgeted: 407-09-425-6417-1
FY Budgeted Amount: $295,000
Grant Funded: $250,000
Funding Source: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Grant Agreement No. 24-CWDG-804
Cost: $259,390
Account Number Budgeted: 407-09-425-6417-1
FY Budgeted Amount: $295,000
Grant Funded: $250,000
Funding Source: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Grant Agreement No. 24-CWDG-804
Policy Impact:
This contract supports existing programs and community-wide plans. It does not change current policy.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
There has been no previous discussion with Council regarding this specific contract.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
Council has the option to approve or reject this contract.
Contract rejection would require an amendment to Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Grant Agreement No. 24-CWDG-804 due to a modified procurement timeline.
Contract rejection would require an amendment to Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Grant Agreement No. 24-CWDG-804 due to a modified procurement timeline.
Background and History:
The Purchasing Section has reviewed the competitively solicited cooperative purchase options available and confirmed that the Arizona Department of Administration conducted a competitive and open procurement process through a formal Solicitation that resulted in a Contract with SWCA Environmental Consultants. This underlying agency contract, CTR066941 has been verified as valid and appropriate for the purchase of the specified services and presents the best value to the City of Flagstaff.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
- High Performing Governance: Implement innovative local government programs, new ideas and best practices; Be recognized as a model for others to follow
- Safe and Healthy Community: Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, & land use practices
- Environmental Stewardship: Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resources; Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems
Connection to Regional Plan:
Environmental Planning & Conservation — Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 — Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 — Encourage public awareness that the region's ponderosa pine forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 — Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem type and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 — Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 — Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
Policy E&C.3.3 — Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 — Encourage public awareness that the region's ponderosa pine forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 — Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem type and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 — Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 — Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
HF-1: Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
Connect 3.2 Encourage neighborhoods, housing types, and building practices that increase health.
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
Connection to FFD 2023 - 2024 Strategic Plan:
Service Level Goals: Increase community outreach & Reduce risks through Prevention & WFM efforts
Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures
Service Level Goals: Increase community outreach & Reduce risks through Prevention & WFM efforts
Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures