County will provide an update to the City Council and Board of Supervisors.

Given recent changes involving the Flood Control District (FCD), the Board of Directors has established some priorities and staff is developing programs and processes for future District investments and activities. This Joint Work Session presentation by County staff will focus on an update to the Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors on the County's overall process to set the future direction of the District over the next five years.

 

During the September 25 work session with the Flood Control District Board of Directors, FCD staff received direction to maintain the prior key priorities, which are forest restoration, the Mountain Dell project along with funding our responsibilities to the National Flood Insurance Program for the floodplains within the County’s unincorporated areas, maintaining existing infrastructure (primarily related to the Schultz Fire/Flooding), and flood rain gauges in various areas. In addition, there was discussion about a Competitive Grant program as well as the Board brought up a possible direct allocation program for smaller jurisdictions. County staff also raised the need for a Reserve Fund for emergencies. Staff has received our overall direction relative to existing projects and existing priorities (primarily forest restoration and the Mountain Dell Project). Future discussion with the Board will focus on how to specifically invest funds for forest restoration, moving ahead with long-held plan to address flooding in Mountain Dell and further discussion about other potential programs such as a competitive grant program and/or a direct allocation program. The FCD has had a set of priorities for several years and staff has heard the Board’s interest in continuing to invest in those priorities given investments that have already been made and commitments made as well. However, should the Board decide to expand funding, they may also want to explore other ways to support flood mitigation in the County.   The priorities presented by FCD staff on September 25 included: Priority #1:  Forest Restoration •           Bill Williams Mountain forest restoration •           Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project completion •           Post wildfire impact studies for Sedona and Munds Park   Priority #2:  Implement Initial Engineering Assessment Priorities •           Remove 23 homes from FEMA floodplain in Mountain Dell with Sinclair Wash Project   (budgeted to be completed in FY2020).   Priority #3:  Develop a Competitive Grant Program •           Make funds available via competitive grant program to jurisdictions within the FCD •           Selection criteria for grants will reflect a number of factors such as the opportunity for partnerships, reduction in flood threat, and cost/benefit analysis.    Priority #4:  Establish a Reserve Fund to Address Future Flood Events Staff is very interested in hearing from the Board as to your views relative to the District’s priorities over the next five years.