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7.C. |
| City Council Meeting - FINAL |
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| TITLE: |
Consideration and Approval of Contract: The Healthy Forest Initiative Grant Agreement between the City of Flagstaff and The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management provides reimbursable funding to parcel owners within the City of Flagstaff and the Summit Fire and Medical District for Wildfire Hazardous Fuel Reduction.
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| STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: |
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Approve the Grant Agreement with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management in the amount of $243,750 of which $195,000 is Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management share, and $48,750 is homeowner share as part of grant match, and an indirect cost of $22,157 for grant and financial administration.
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| Executive Summary: |
| This project will complete approximately 75 acres of selective tree thinning and debris disposal on prioritized parcels pre-identified to this grant through active outreach campaign for targeted priority areas of Flagstaff. The overall goal is to reduce/eliminate excessive and dense ponderosa forest stands, to improve forest health, and lowering the risk of future wildfire hazard fuels and insect infestations increase Firewise and survivable space in the identified neighborhoods. Before and after photos will document our success, with a goal of reducing hazardous fuels by 40%. This will be verified during final inspection of work completed by contractors, ensuring that 90% of marked fuels have been removed. To facilitate this work, we have conducted an active and on-going outreach effort targeting specific neighborhoods and individual stakeholders, recruited homeowners interested in the long-term management of these parcels, and educating them on the responsibility to improve forest health and wildland hazardous reduce fuels on their properties. |
| Financial Impact: |
Project Name: 2025 Greater Flagstaff Wildland Fire Hazard Reduction
Cost: $243,750
Account Number Budgeted: 070-03-053-6277-2-4290
FY2024-25 Budgeted Amount: $198,000
Grant Funded: Yes, with homeowner match
Funding Source: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management |
| Policy Impact: |
| None |
| Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion: |
| Council has previously approved hazardous fuels reduction grants with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) with similar guidelines as this AZDFFM grant. |
| Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action: |
| Council has the option to not ratify this agreement which would prevent $195,000 of financial benefit to property owners for reducing the wildfire hazard on their property. |
| Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives: |
High Performing Governance: Implement innovative local government programs
Safe and Healthy Community: Ensure built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, & land use practices
Environmental Stewardship: Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resources
Environmental Stewardship: Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems |
| Connection to Regional Plan: |
Regional Plan Environmental Planning & Conservation -- Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 -- Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
Policy E&C.6.1 -- Encourage public awareness that the region's ponderosa pine forest is a firedependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
Policy E&C.6.3 -- Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem type and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 -- Support collaborative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
Policy E&C.10.2 -- Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land. |
| Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan: |
HF-1: Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction. |
| Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan: |
| Connect 3.2 Encourage neighborhoods, housing types, and building practices that increase health. |
| Connection to Division Specific Plan: |
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
Connection to FFD 2023 - 2024 Strategic Plan: Service Level Goals: Increase community outreach & Reduce risks through Prevention & WFM efforts Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures |
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