Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2017-13  A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, State of Arizona, in support of the Wyland Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation.

For the first time ever, Flagstaff is a participating City in the Wyland Foundation's Annual National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation ("Mayor's Challenge") held every Earth Month, April, which also happens to be Arizona's Water Awareness Month! This is a competition that encourages cities across the nation to see who can be the most "water- wise" by asking their residents to take a series of informative, easy-to-use pledges online to conserve water, energy and other natural resources.

With 2017 being its sixth year, the challenge has become widely recognized as one of the most engaging outreach tools especially designed for cities and water utilities to encourage conservation in the United States. There are over $50,000 in eco-friendly prizes including a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, water-saving home products, home improvement gift cards and more, for which citizens who take the pledge will be eligible. The national challenge is a great way to bring community awareness to City Council's goal, and Council's and Staff's commitment, to be a national leader in water conservation.

Specific Mayor's Challenge messaging includes three promotional videos, banners around the city and in City facilities, radio announcements, and print advertisements for a current estimate of about $7,000.00. These expenses will be covered by our water conservation program advertising and promotional budgets in 202-08-304-1062-0 objects 4271 & 4349, respectively.

This resolution does not impact policy, but rather supports existing policy.

• Council Goal: Become a National Leader in Water Conservation in All Sectors.
• Utilities Integrated Master Plan: Principles of Sound Water Management, Water Policies Chapter. Section D. Water Conservation; D1 Education; D4 Regional Participation.
• Regional Plan Goal E&C.2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There has not been a previous council decision on this topic.

Council could elect to not adopt the resolution and still have Flagstaff participate in the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation.

Mayor Evans submitted this message on January 19, 2017 to enroll Flagstaff in the Challenge: "Water conservation is critical to sustaining our community for future generations in this high desert region. Planning for the future of our water supply will require foresight and a commitment to using this precious resource with care. As the Mayor of Flagstaff I encourage our residents to take the pledge and to actively engage in mindful water use throughout our community and beyond."

The challenge, known as "My Water Pledge", is a friendly competition between cities across the US to see who can be the most "water-wise." Mayors nationwide will challenge their residents to conserve water, energy and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative easy-to-use pledges online. Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge in their population category win. Flagstaff is competing in the 30,000 to 99,000 category and all residents with a Flagstaff, Arizona address can participate, regardless of where they get their water from (a provider other than the City, hauling, etc.) Last year, Andover, Minnesota won our same population category. Previous cities to win our category include Manhatten Beach, CA and Poway, CA. Tucson, Arizona, has won their population category in the past.

In addition to the residential pledge at www.mywaterpledge.com, the Wyland Foundation offers students and teachers a number of resources to help educate students on the importance of being water and energy aware. Teachers and students can take the pledge at www.mywaterpledge.com/campaign/kids-campaign/

Water Conservation Program staff are working to utilize as many low-cost avenues possible to promote the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation and Water Awareness Month events. With expanded funding from council for FY17, we are already promoting Water Awareness Month more than we have ever before (at least since 2009) and staff are strategizing mixed messaging to promote both efforts to encourage the community to join us at an event and to take the pledge during the entire month of April.

Water Conservation Program staff aim to reach more residents this year than ever in the history of our program. Our messaging strategy for the Mayor's Challenge includes the following:

• Promotional videos featuring the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council
• Encouraging every FUSD student, teacher and parent to take the pledge
• Encouraging all Flagstaff area schools, teachers and parents to take the pledge
• Currently working on outreach at Flagstaff Mall during the month of April
• Currently working on various messaging strategies and discussions with 18 local radio stations
• Currently working on advertising with the Daily Sun and local newspapers and magazines
• Hosting a Kickoff Event at City Hall, First Friday April 7th 5-8 pm with art & film promoting water awareness
• Currently working on having live radio broadcasts with computer pledging available at First Friday, Earth Day, and the Flagstaff Mall
• Outreach through friends at NAU, City Sustainability Program, and local organizations
• Regular messaging on city social media accounts
• Working with local artists and the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival
• Currently working on enabling the community to take the pledge at Earth Day & other events through mobile computers
• Canvassing the community with flyers and banners at all City recreational facilities, City Hall, Libraries, and several non-City locations

Inform. Involve. Collaborate.

Staff propose to include all of City Council in the promotional video that features Mayor Evans and Vice Mayor Whelan. We ask all Council members who would like to participate to meet in the City Hall lobby at 5:45 pm, March 21st for 5 to 10 minutes. The filming will capture the group stating in unison "Flagstaff stands behind conservation!" or a similar statement.

The community is already showing great interest in helping Flagstaff win the Mayor's Challenge and to promote water awareness. Staff have had conversations with FUSD staff, many local organizations, businesses and radio broadcasting networks and all have expressed a true dedication to promote the message to take the pledge!