Consideration of Ordinance:  Ordinance No. 2012-16 authorizing the purchase of approximately 479 acres known as Picture Canyon.

In 2011, the City Council adopted Resolution 2011-22 in support of protecting Picture Canyon and since then, the City has been awarded a grant through Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter initiative to be used towards the acquisition of Picture Canyon. 
 
This acquisition will be through a live auction process which will be held on October 30, 2012.  Provided the City is the successful bidder, staff will be required to complete the closing process of sale no later than November 28, 2012.  Staff is requesting both a first read and final read consecutively to meet the Public Auction purchasing requirements.

This purchase has been budgeted through the Open Space Funds and the City has been awarded a grant through Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter grant. Through the auction process, the City will be required to meet the terms of the sale which include a deposit or initial fee of $621,340.00 that will be credited towards the total purchase. Within 30 days, the City will be required to pay the full balance, including administrative fees.

A sustainable community through economic vitality, environmental protection and social inclusion. 

Acquiring Picture Canyon as open space will provide a natural place within city limits for members of the Flagstaff community to learn about ecology, geology, archaeology, and civic engagement while participating in outdoor recreation.  Preserving the canyon will protect important view sheds for Flagstaff residents and visitors to the region.

Option A –  An unanimous vote to approve the ordinance, for both a first and second read    
Option B –  Read for the first time by title and second time by title October 23, 2012
Option C -- Not authorize the purchase of Picture Canyon

As critical riparian habitat, a popular recreation corridor, and home to over 125 Northern Sinaguan petroglyph panels, Picture Canyon is a natural and cultural amenity for northern Arizona. Efforts to protect Picture Canyon began decades ago and continue today.  A milestone was achieved in August 2011 when the City of Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission approved the use the of the remaining $3.18 million Open Space bond funds for the acquisition of Picture Canyon.  In April 2012, the State Land Commissioner ordered that Picture Canyon be reclassified as suitable for conservation purposes.  As directed by Council in June 2012, the City submitted the Growing Smarter Grant application. On September 20, 2012, the Arizona State Parks Board awarded the City of Flagstaff $2.389 million to go toward the costs of acquiring Picture Canyon for conservation purposes.

INFORM & INVOLVE: On February 14, 2012, Arizona State Land Department held a public comment hearing on the reclassification of Picture Canyon for conservation purposes. Over 300 community members attended and all of the testimony received was in support of the reclassification.