Vote — approved

Steve Gallardo	abstain
Bill Gates	abstain
Clint Hickman	yes
and Steve Gallardo	yes
Denny Barney	abstain
Steve Chucri	yes

34.NON-BINDING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THE EL RIO LAKE AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE AGUA FRIA AND GILA RIVERSExecute the Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding between the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District), Maricopa County (County) and other partners for the Conceptual Design of the El Rio Lake at the Confluence of the Agua Fria and Gila Rivers, authorizing District to fund and manage consultants’ efforts in the preparation of preliminary concept 

Item Text

34. NON-BINDING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THE EL RIO LAKE AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE AGUA FRIA AND GILA RIVERS Execute the Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding between the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District), Maricopa County (County) and other partners for the Conceptual Design of the El Rio Lake at the Confluence of the Agua Fria and Gila Rivers, authorizing District to fund and manage consultants’ efforts in the preparation of preliminary concept schematics to include river stabilizing structures, subject to the availability of funding to the District. The County will 1) review project submittals; 2) participate in the permit process, scoping, consultant progress, stakeholder and public meetings; and 3) provide a no-cost right-of-way entry at Estrella Mountain Regional Park during project planning and designing. The District, in cooperation with its project partners, including the County, developed the El Rio Watercourse Master Plan (the “WCMP”) in 2006. The WCMP is a blueprint for flood mitigation, economic development, recreational amenities and habitat restoration on the Gila River between its confluence with the Agua Fria River and SR 85. Building on the WCMP, the District, Maricopa County and the Cities of Avondale, Goodyear and Buckeye cooperated in the development and approval in 2016 of the “El Rio Design Guidelines and Planning Standards” to supplement current development regulations with techniques that can increase awareness and appreciation of, as well as access to, the Gila River. The creation of the El Rio Lake is one of many recommendations developed as part of the WCMP. WCMP implementation activities have indicated the potential for previously mined areas adjacent to the river to capture sediment loads during flood events and thus endanger critical infrastructure both upstream and downstream by erosion and headcutting. By providing grade control and sediment management, the Lake would offer important public safety benefits. The Lake is envisioned as a demonstration project of components for the overall WCMP and El Rio Design Guidelines and Planning Standards. These components will include flood control elements, riparian habitat and river function enhancements, and active and passive recreational facilities developed through local and Federal partnerships. This Agenda Item impacts Supervisor District 5. (C-30-19-010-M-00)

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