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Information |
TITLE: |
Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-01: An ordinance of the Flagstaff City Council authorizing the acquisition of real property interests for a Flagstaff Urban Trail System alongside the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project; providing for delegation of authority, repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, corrections, and establishing an effective date |
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: |
1. Read Ordinance No.2024-01 by title only for the final time
2. City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2024-01 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-01
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Executive Summary: |
The proposed ordinance will authorize the acquisition of Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) easements for extending the FUTS alongside the Rio de Flag Flood Control (RDF) Project, consistent with the Flagstaff Regional Plan.
The easements sought to be acquired are not part of the current RDF Project design. The RDF Project incorporates FUTS reconstruction in the Upper Reach (north of Route 66). However, the current RDF Project design does not encompass FUTS construction alongside the RDF Project in the Clay Avenue Wash Reach or Lower Reach (south of Route 66). Since design of the RDF Project is nearing completion, City staff does not anticipate that construction of the FUTS along the Clay Avenue Wash Reach or Lower Reach will be added to the RDF Project.
The FUTS acquisition process is separate from the RDF Project acquisition process. In other words, the City will be acquiring separate easements, appraisals, and making separate offers for the FUTS easements. It will be necessary to obtain new legal descriptions in some areas (versus simply using the channel improvement easement legal descriptions).
The FUTS easements will overlay the RDF Project channel improvement easement in most areas. The width of the FUTS easement is typically about 20' and the channel improvement easement is typically 20-30', except the easement is wider in the open channel areas. The RDF Project is a joint project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The FUTS easements will be subordinate to RDF Project needs. However, the USACE Real Estate team has stated that it is common for trails to run alongside or over USACE flood control projects (box culverts) and maintenance roads. After the City has acquired the FUTS easements, the USACE will complete a "408 Process" to make sure the trails are developed in a manner that is harmonious with the RDF Project.
City staff is seeking authority to proceed with property acquisitions for the FUTS, because the City is already in the process of making offers and negotiating with property owners for acquisition of the RDF Project channel improvement and temporary work area easements, as well as fiber network easements (which are classified as a betterment to the RDF Project), and utility relocations. The City has established relationships with the affected property owners and it is efficient to complete all property negotiations at once. It is also efficient to complete all due diligence at once (eg. title reports, environmental assessments). |
Financial Impact: |
The City has approximately $2 million in funding left from the 2004 Neighborhood Open Space and FUTS Land Acquisition bond. These funds need to be spent to support expansion of the FUTS, preservation of natural areas within the community, and connectivity with regional trails and open space.
The City may also use a portion of the revenues generated by the City Transportation Sales Tax (Proposition 419) for funding pedestrian and bicycle improvements. There may be grant opportunities for trail construction.
The City has not yet obtained appraisals for the FUTS alongside the RDF Project. City staff anticipates that the cost will represent 90% of the fee on areas not on top of the box culvert and significantly less for portions within the Rio de Flag channel easement.
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Policy Impact: |
None. |
Connection to PBB Priorities/Objectives, Carbon Neutrality Plan & Regional Plan: |
Related Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives:
- High Performance Governance:
- Encourage public trust through transparency, accessibility & use of the City’s public participation policy.
- Safe and Healthy Community:
- Promote physical health through providing recreation opportunities, parks, open space, and multiple transportation options.
- Inclusive and Engaged Community:
- Promote environmental justice and the fair distribution of environmental benefits.
- Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure:
- Utilize existing long-range plans that identify the community’s future infrastructure needs and all associated costs.
- Robust Resilient Economy:
- Embrace and invest in responsible tourism opportunities to promote economic development.
- Livable Community:
- Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle.
- Environmental Stewardship:
- Promote, protect, and enhance a healthy, sustainable environment and its natural resources.
Related Carbon Neutrality Plan Goals and Strategies:
This funding supports CNP implementation, especially Goal One: Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030; and Goal Two: Prepare Flagstaff's communities, systems, and resources to be more resilient to climate change impacts. The most aligned CNP carbon neutrality plan numbers are DD-3, DD-2, and ES-2.
- Carbon Neutrality Plan Strategy 1 DD-3: Encourage Flagstaff residents and visitors to walk, bike, roll and take the bus.
- Carbon Neutrality Plan Strategy 2 DD-2: Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.
- Carbon Neutrality Plan Strategy 3 ES-2: Proactively engage community members on an ongoing basis.
Related Regional Plan Items:
- Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.
- Goal ED.7. Continue to promote and enhance Flagstaff’s unique sense of place as an economic driver.
- Goal REC.1. Maintain and grow the region’s healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation facilities, and trails.
- Goal T.5. Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community.
- Goal T.6. Provide for bicycling as a safe and efficient means of transportation and recreation.
- Policy OS.1.2. While observing private property rights, preserve natural resources and priority open lands, under the general guidance of the Flagstaff Area Open Space and Greenways Plan and the Natural Environment maps.
- Policy OS.1.4. Use open space as opportunities for non-motorized connectivity, to interact with nature, and to enjoy the views and quiet.
- Policy LU.13.1. Prioritize connectivity for walking, biking, and driving within and between surrounding neighborhoods.
- Policy LU.13.9. Use open space and FUTS trails to provide walking and biking links from residential uses to employment, shopping, schools, parks, and neighborwoods.
- Policy LU.18.5. Plan for and support multi-modal activity centers and corridors with an emphasis on pedestrian and transit friendly design.
- Policy T.2.3. Provide safety programs and infrastructure to protect the most vulnerable travelers, including the young, elderly, mobility impaired, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
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Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This: |
The City Council approved the Flagstaff Regional Plan (that was adopted by the voters), showing FUTS trails alongside the RDF Project.
The City Council approved Ordinance No. 2022-26 on October 4, 2022. This identifies priorities for FUTS trail acquisitions, but it omitted the areas alongside the RDF Project.
City Council approved a Specific Plan for the Plaza Vieja Neighborhood, which identifies the FUTS trail alongside the RDF Project. |
Options and Alternatives: |
1. Approve ordinance. This will result in more efficient property negotiations, and the trail connections will be completed now versus at some unknown time in the future. The trail connection the Clay Avenue Wash Area would also connect to the planned FUTS under Route 66, and the desired overpass across Milton Road at the Jack in the Box parcel.
2. Do not approve ordinance. This will result in delaying property acquisitions, in which case there will be increased costs for property acquisitions in the future. This may also result in the City simply abandoning efforts to establish a FUTS, or the City could simply stripe bicycle routes along roads in the Clay Avenue Wash area, although this is not ideal for bicyclists or pedestrians. If the ordinance is not adopted, existing funding sources could be applied to different FUTS and open space property acquisitions if those are deemed to be more important. The existing bond funds are not adequate to fund all desired FUTS and open space property acquisitions. |
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