Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2021-03:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County establishing maintenance and operation responsibilities and an extended warranty period for a segment of the Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail.

The Flagstaff Urban Trails System (“FUTS”) is a citywide network of shared-use pathways that are used for both recreation and transportation by pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users. The Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail was constructed by Kinney Construction Services (KCS) during the summer and fall of 2020. The Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail is a 0.74-mile trail that serves as a connecting portion of the greater 44-mile Flagstaff Loop Trail. It connects the Ponderosa FUTS Trail on the east end, just south of the Ponderosa Trails Subdivision, and the Sinclair Wash FUTS Trail on the west end. This trail utilizes two concrete box culverts for passage under Highway 89A and Interstate 17.

Upon completion of the Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail, the segment that lies within Fort Tuthill Park will be maintained, managed, and operated by the County.

Pursuant to the construction contract between KCS and the City, upon issuance of Notice of Final Acceptance of the trail improvements, there will be a two (2) year period of warranty between KCS and the City. During this two (2) year warranty period, defects in craftsmanship or defective materials will be repaired and replaced by KCS.

The financial impact of this approval will result in the cost savings to the City of Flagstaff for operation and maintenance of the Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail on Ft. Tuthill County Park lands.

No Impact.

Key Community Priorities || Safe and Healthy Community

• Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, and land use practices

Key Community Priorities || Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure

• Utilize existing long-range plan(s) that identify the community’s future needs and all associated costs
• Identify smart traffic management, multi-modal transportation, and alternative energy opportunities

Key Community Priorities || Livable Community

• Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle

Council Goal || Transportation and Other Public Infrastructure

• Deliver quality community assets and continue to advocate and implement a highly performing multi-modal transportation system.

Council Goal || Environmental and Natural Resources

• Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.

Regional Plan Goal || Environmental Planning & Conservation

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (E&C.2)

Regional Plan Goal || Community Character

• Reflect and respect the region’s natural setting and dramatic views in the built environment (CC.1)

Regional Plan Goal || Transportation

• Improve mobility and access throughout the region. (T.1)
• Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes. (T.2)
• Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community. (T.5)
• Provide for bicycling as a safe and efficient means of transportation and recreation. (T.6)

Flagstaff Strategic Plan || Work in Partnership to Enhance a Safe and Livable Community

• Foster a safe, healthy, equitable and accessible community.

Council approved the contract with Kinney Construction Services (KCS) on March 17, 2020, for the construction of the Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail.

1. Approve the IGA to establish the operation and maintenance of the Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail by Coconino County and upon Notice of Final Acceptance to initiate the two (2) year warranty period between the City and KCS against defects in craftsmanship or materials.
2. Reject the IGA.

The Sheep Crossing Trail is a Flagstaff Urban Trails System (FUTS) trail, approximately 0.8 miles in length, 10 feet in width, which connects the Ponderosa FUTS Trail along the west side of Pulliam Drive with the Sinclair Wash FUTS Trail in Ft. Tuthill County Park. This multi-use, non-motorized, aggregate mix trail allows users the opportunity to navigate under Interstate 17, connecting existing trails on the east and west sides of the Interstate, just north of the John Wesley Powell Boulevard and Interstate 17 Interchange. This trail segment is also part of the ultimate alignment of the Flagstaff Loop Trail, a 44-mile system of FUTS, County, and US Forest Service trails that circumnavigates the community and provides a world-class recreational opportunity in proximity to the city.

Flagstaff Urban Trails System ("FUTS") is a citywide network of shared use pathways that are used for both recreation and transportation by pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users. Most of the FUTS system is maintained, managed, and operated by the City, but in a few circumstances FUTS segments are maintained by other agencies. Because the west end of the Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail is located within and terminates in a County-managed park, there is benefit to both parties and the community that this segment be maintained, managed, and operated by the County.

The Sheep Crossing FUTS Trail acts as a critical connection corridor for multi-use, non-motorized users to have trail connectivity under Interstate 17 from the Ponderosa FUTS Trail (Ponderosa Trails Subdivision) to the Sinclair Wash FUTS Trail at Fort Tuthill County Park. This trail segment is also part of the ultimate alignment of the Flagstaff Loop Trail, a 44-mile system of FUTS, County, and US Forest Service trails that circumnavigates the community and provides a world-class recreational opportunity in proximity to Flagstaff.