13.H.
City Council Meeting - FINAL (AMENDED)
- Meeting Date:
- 12/07/2021
- Co-Submitter:
- Anja Wendel
- From:
- Bryce Doty, Real Estate Manager
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2021-24: An ordinance of the Flagstaff City Council authorizing the acquisition of drainage easements, temporary construction easements, and any other necessary property rights for drainage and flood control improvement to the Spruce Avenue Wash; providing for delegation of authority, subsequent Council approvals, severability, authority for clerical corrections, and declare an emergency
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Read Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only for the first time
2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only (if approved above)
3) Read Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only for the final time (requires unanimous vote)
4) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only (if unanimously approved above)
5) Adopt Ordinance No. 2021-24 (requires unanimous vote)
2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only (if approved above)
3) Read Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only for the final time (requires unanimous vote)
4) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2021-24 by title only (if unanimously approved above)
5) Adopt Ordinance No. 2021-24 (requires unanimous vote)
Executive Summary:
This ordinance authorizes all necessary property acquisitions to complete the improvements for the Spruce Avenue Wash from Cedar Avenue to Dortha Avenue and inlet Project.
Financial Impact:
The Spruce Wash – Cedar to Dortha and inlet Project was not specifically budgeted in FY21 due to the unforeseen nature of the project, but funds in the amount of $2,000,000 have been allocated in the Stormwater fund, Account Number 206-08-385-3479-0.
Policy Impact:
The project and the acquisition of property related to the project align with current policy.
Connection to PBB Priorities/Objectives, Carbon Neutrality Plan & Regional Plan:
Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Carbon Neutrality Plan
Goal WR.5: Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.
Policy WR.5.1. Preserve and restore existing natural watercourse corridors, including the 100-year floodplain, escarpments, wildlife corridors, natural vegetation, and other natural features using methods that result in a clear legal obligation to preserve corridors in perpetuity, where feasible.
Safe & Healthy Community
- Provide public safety services with resources, staff & training responsive to the community’s needs
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure
- Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well maintained infrastructure system
Environmental Stewardship
- Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resource
- Strengthen Flagstaff’s resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems
Carbon Neutrality Plan
Community Resilience
- CR-1 Ensure all mitigation actions improve Flagstaff’s ability to adapt to the future.
- CR-2 Strengthen existing community systems to create resilience to both short-term shocks and long-term change.
Regional Plan
Goal WR.5: Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections, and rainwater harvesting.
Policy WR.5.1. Preserve and restore existing natural watercourse corridors, including the 100-year floodplain, escarpments, wildlife corridors, natural vegetation, and other natural features using methods that result in a clear legal obligation to preserve corridors in perpetuity, where feasible.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
February 25, 2020: Council approved the Linda Vista Culvert Upsizing project to help mitigate flooding impacts;
July 15, 2021: Council declared an emergency for the Spruce Wash flooding as part of efforts to obtain relief funding;
November 2, 2021: Council approved an on-call contract for stormwater open channel maintenance.
July 15, 2021: Council declared an emergency for the Spruce Wash flooding as part of efforts to obtain relief funding;
November 2, 2021: Council approved an on-call contract for stormwater open channel maintenance.
Options and Alternatives:
Do not construct the improvements to the Spruce Avenue Wash in this area
Background and History:
The Spruce Avenue Wash is located in the Sunnyside neighborhood in central Flagstaff and serves as the primary drainage for the watershed located to the north in the Elden Hills. In 2019, the Museum Fire burned a portion of the Coconino National Forest and left a burn scar north of the neighborhood. After the fire in 2019, Coconino County and the City established a flood response team, began mapping the modified watershed, and crews installed barricades and sandbags for protective measures along Paradise Road, Grandview Drive, and the greater Sunnyside neighborhood to the south.
After several dry monsoon seasons in prior years, in 2021 Flagstaff experienced a heavy monsoon season which sent a large amount of runoff through the neighborhood and caused unprecedented flooding and property damage. The flood response team, which includes local hydrologic and civil engineers, was now able to see the impacts of the modified watershed and started planning improvements throughout the neighborhood in the drainage way. Due to the changed conditions in the national forest and the increased runoff, the existing Spruce Wash drainage does not have the capacity to convey the water the community saw last summer. Therefore, the team began planning and designing improvements for the channel.
One of the first projects slated for construction is the section of the Spruce Avenue Wash open channel from Cedar Avenue to Dortha Avenue; this project also includes the undercrossing of Dortha, referred to as the inlet. The improvements will include adding a concrete and rip-rap-lined channel from Cedar to Dortha and an upsized culvert under Dortha Avenue. The culvert may be extended to the north as schedule and budget allow.
There are no recorded drainage easements on the subdivision plat for the Spruce Avenue Wash between Cedar and Dortha Avenues. In order to construct the planned improvements, the City will acquire all necessary property rights.
After several dry monsoon seasons in prior years, in 2021 Flagstaff experienced a heavy monsoon season which sent a large amount of runoff through the neighborhood and caused unprecedented flooding and property damage. The flood response team, which includes local hydrologic and civil engineers, was now able to see the impacts of the modified watershed and started planning improvements throughout the neighborhood in the drainage way. Due to the changed conditions in the national forest and the increased runoff, the existing Spruce Wash drainage does not have the capacity to convey the water the community saw last summer. Therefore, the team began planning and designing improvements for the channel.
One of the first projects slated for construction is the section of the Spruce Avenue Wash open channel from Cedar Avenue to Dortha Avenue; this project also includes the undercrossing of Dortha, referred to as the inlet. The improvements will include adding a concrete and rip-rap-lined channel from Cedar to Dortha and an upsized culvert under Dortha Avenue. The culvert may be extended to the north as schedule and budget allow.
There are no recorded drainage easements on the subdivision plat for the Spruce Avenue Wash between Cedar and Dortha Avenues. In order to construct the planned improvements, the City will acquire all necessary property rights.
Community Involvement:
The property owners from whom we need easements from will experience greater assurance that flooding in the Spruce Avenue Wash will not impact structures. The improvements will protect existing utility infrastructure from flooding impacts. The surrounding neighborhood and downstream residents will experience fewer flooding impacts during events.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
Both the City and County have worked with the community to mitigate flooding impacts in this area. The community and affected property owners will be kept informed of the channel improvement project.