23.D.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 01/20/2026
- From:
- Sterling Solomon, City Attorney
TITLE:
Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-07: A resolution authorizing approval of Amendment One to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the State of Arizona and the City of Flagstaff for the Red Gap Ranch Longitudinal Waterline. (IGA with ADOT to amend the established permit process for a regional water supply waterline in I-40)
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Read Resolution No. 2026-07 by title only
- City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2026-07 by title only (if approved above)
- Adopt Resolution No. 2026-07
Executive Summary:
The purpose of this amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement is to establish the process and requirements necessary to obtain permits from Arizona Department of Transportation which would allow the City to place a regional waterline in the right-of-way of Interstate 40.
The original Intergovernmental Agreement is the culmination of six years of negotiations between the City and Arizona Department of Transportation. The Agreement was reviewed by the State Engineer's Office and Office of the Attorney General.
In 2004, Flagstaff voters approved a $15 million bond for Water Rights Acquisition and/or Water Development to provide for anticipated and demonstrated future water needs of the city in response to years of declining surface water supplies from drought. Subsequently, in 2005, the City Council approved the purchase of Red Gap Ranch 40 miles east of Flagstaff for the purpose of developing a well field, pipeline and booster stations in order to provide for a long-term water supply to residences and businesses. In 2008, the City contracted with JACOBS Engineering to conduct a pipeline feasibility study to select the most feasible alignment for a pipeline and define a conceptualdesign and facility location. The first phase of that analysis was completed in 2009. After evaluating multiple alternative alignments, the frontage along Interstate 40 was selected as the preferred alignment. City staff subsequently started discussions with Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration in early 2010 about the use of the right-of-way along Interstate 40 as a proposed location for a pipeline. The original Agreement entered in 2026 simply establishes a process of how the City can obtain a series of permits necessary for the installation, construction, operation and maintenance of a 30-inch waterline along and within the existing ADOT controlled access right-of-way of Interstate 40.
Due to progress toward the ultimate development of a regional water supply through a longitudinal waterline along I-40, the original Agreement needs to be extended for one year while terms are reviewed and negotiated for the future. Staff recommends approval of Amendment One extending the original Agreement for one year.
The original Intergovernmental Agreement is the culmination of six years of negotiations between the City and Arizona Department of Transportation. The Agreement was reviewed by the State Engineer's Office and Office of the Attorney General.
In 2004, Flagstaff voters approved a $15 million bond for Water Rights Acquisition and/or Water Development to provide for anticipated and demonstrated future water needs of the city in response to years of declining surface water supplies from drought. Subsequently, in 2005, the City Council approved the purchase of Red Gap Ranch 40 miles east of Flagstaff for the purpose of developing a well field, pipeline and booster stations in order to provide for a long-term water supply to residences and businesses. In 2008, the City contracted with JACOBS Engineering to conduct a pipeline feasibility study to select the most feasible alignment for a pipeline and define a conceptualdesign and facility location. The first phase of that analysis was completed in 2009. After evaluating multiple alternative alignments, the frontage along Interstate 40 was selected as the preferred alignment. City staff subsequently started discussions with Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration in early 2010 about the use of the right-of-way along Interstate 40 as a proposed location for a pipeline. The original Agreement entered in 2026 simply establishes a process of how the City can obtain a series of permits necessary for the installation, construction, operation and maintenance of a 30-inch waterline along and within the existing ADOT controlled access right-of-way of Interstate 40.
Due to progress toward the ultimate development of a regional water supply through a longitudinal waterline along I-40, the original Agreement needs to be extended for one year while terms are reviewed and negotiated for the future. Staff recommends approval of Amendment One extending the original Agreement for one year.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.
Policy Impact:
Continued planning and progress toward a regional water supply is a critical component of the City’s future water supply and necessary for the City’s water resiliency, redundancy, and water security needs.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
In January 2016, City Council approved the original Intergovernmental Agreement for the permitting process of a longitudinal waterline allowing a regional water supply. That original Agreement is attached to this staff summary.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
Approve Amendment One to the Agreement to extend the original Intergovernmental Agreement to allow continued progress toward a regional water supply through a longitudinal waterline along the I-40 path from Red Gap Ranch to the City of Flagstaff.
Not approve Amendment One to the Agreement and seek a different path for a regional water supply longitudinal waterline from Red Gap Ranch to the City of Flagstaff.
Not approve Amendment One to the Agreement and seek a different path for a regional water supply longitudinal waterline from Red Gap Ranch to the City of Flagstaff.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
Please see executive summary.
Connection to Regional Plan:
Resilient and redundant water supply.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
Resilient and redundant water supply.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
Resilient and redundant water supply.
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
Water Services - resilient and redundant water supply.