HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDApacket__06-27-23_0420_511
NOTICE OF MEETING - AMENDED
REGULAR MEETING
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Chairman Scott Grzybowski
Vice Chairman Steven Nurney
Commissioner Bill Craig
Commissioner Janice Holden
Commissioner Sherry Irwin
Commissioner Brian Jennings
Commissioner D.J. Willard
TIME:5:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
WHEN:TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
WHERE:FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS
16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call;
a quorum of the Town’s Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in
attendance at the Commission meeting.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory
exceptions, parents have a right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a
video or audio recording of a minor child. Meetings of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded
and, as a result, proceedings in which children are present may be subject to such recording. Parents, in
order to exercise their rights may either file written consent with the Town Clerk to such recording, or
take personal action to ensure that their child or children are not present when a recording may be made.
If a child is present at the time a recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights afforded parents
pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9 have been waived.
REQUEST TO COMMENT
The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings.
TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM, please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the back of
the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item, if
possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three
contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the
Presiding Officer and not to individual Commissioners.
TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to Comment card,
indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or AGAINST and agenda
item, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
3.REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
4.CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to reasonable
time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised
during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion
of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or
(iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
5.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of MMPC Meeting Minutes of May 23,
2023
6.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Non-Native Invasive Plants (NNIPS) in McDowell
Mountain Preserve
7.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Invasive Plant Grant 2023
8.REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: MMPC Scope of Charter
9.CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION: New Trail Signage
10.UPDATE: Trail Counters
11.UPDATE: Sonoran Conservancy Fountain Hills Liaison
12.REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Trail Counter Activity - May 2023
13.UPDATE: Future Agenda Items
14.UPDATE: Next MMPC Meeting is September 26, 2023
15.ADJOURNMENT
McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of June 27, 2023 2 of 3
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted in accordance with
the statement filed by the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission with the Town Clerk.
Dated this 22nd day of June 2023.
___________________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities.
Please call 480-816-5199 (voice) or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a
reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain agenda information in large print
format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Commission with this agenda are
available for review in the Community Services' Office.
McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of June 27, 2023 3 of 3
ITEM 3.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): REPORTS BY
COMMISSIONERS
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/19/2023 05:56 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/19/2023
ITEM 5.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language):
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of MMPC Meeting Minutes of May 23, 2023
Staff Summary (Background)
The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and action
that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the town's
website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law.
Attachments
MMPC May23, 2023 Verbatim Minutes
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/19/2023 05:58 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/19/2023
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 23, 2023 VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 23, 2023
A Regular Meeting of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission was
convened at 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains in open and public session at 5:01
p.m.
Members Present: Chair Scott Grzybowski; Vice Chair Steven Nurney; Commissioner
Bill Craig; Commissioner Janice Holden; Commissioner Sherry Irwin; Commissioner
Brian Jennings; Commissioner DJ Willard
Staff Present: Interim Community Services Director Kevin Snipes; Executive
Assistant Patti Lopuszanski
Audience: None
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 23, 2023 VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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Post-Production File
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MAY 23, 2023
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
Transcription Provided By:
https://Otter.ai
*********
Transcription is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may
not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings.
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 23, 2023 VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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GRZYBOWSKI: Okay, let's call the meeting to order at 1701. Roll Call, please.
LOPUSZANSKI: Chairman Grzybowski.
GRZYBOWSKI: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Vice Chair Nurney.
NURNEY: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Craig
CRAIG: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Holden
HOLDEN: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Irwin
IRWIN: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Jennings
JENNINGS: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Willard
WILLARD: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: If you'd like to change the agenda order, it's fine.
GRZYBOWSKI: I figured that would make sense because it's Report by Commissioners. So, with that,
I passed out these Frequently Asked Questions. Again, this will be something that we could edit, and
update, and the plan is that this is going to be an attachment to the presentation to the Town and as
part of their agenda, so we're hoping to foresee questions they will ask thanks to Janice who did a lot of
this already. So, I know, Bill already has some changes, but this is here for you. So, as we're going
through the presentation, because you're going to be a good Town Council Member, as we're acting up
here, and you've already read all this, right? All right. We don't know the agenda item yet. So, we'll be
up here for Agenda Item X. Mayor, Town Council Members, and Staff, I'm glad to be here this evening.
You haven't seen us for quite a while from the MMPC so here we are to give you a presentation about
those two agenda items, which I will say are the items which I don't know, at the moment.
So, before we get started, we'll quickly give you an overview, with some background information. We're
going to talk about the organizations and the purpose of those organizations and how the trails are
maintained and built. We're going to highlight the volunteer hours and cost savings; we're going to talk
about trail usage. We're going to talk about how we vetted the trails. Then we're going to get into the
potential new trails request. And then once that agenda item is completed, we will move on to the other
agenda item XYZ, which would be the Trail Renaming request. As part of your packet, you also have
some frequently asked questions. Please refer to that as we're going through this presentation.
Because I know you all read it already. But just in case, I probably won't say that. Okay, so very quick
background. Some of you have already seen Bill and I up here before. But it's important to note that
first of all, the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission or the MMPC is part of this. We have the
Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills as part of our organizations that oversee our trails, we have the
Trailblazers, and we have of course, the Fountain Hills Parks and Recreation. I'll point over to Rachael
because she's our staff or somebody, you know. So first of all, when we talk about MMPC, we've got
some guiding principles that I think will help highlight the importance of what we're here for tonight. So
first of all, item number one would be to maintain the natural beauty of the preserve. We've got to
minimize human impact within the preserve, which of course includes non-essential facilities within the
preserve commercialization that preserve prioritization of conservation over development. And I will
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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have in my notes what this thing is zoned for. I forgot what it is there's like OSC opens space. Yeah,
anyway, I will have that note in my head, okay? Because they may ask what type of zoning of the
Preserve, is right because you'll have C1 and C2 for residential commercial. That Preserve is got an
OSC designation. Conservation, I think open space conservation. I'll have those notes in my back
pocket. I think when we're here today to talk about the potential trails, I think Number 3 is probably the
most important. We want to be able to provide public access to and within the preserve that
encourages a positive and safe experience so people can get out and enjoy that environment. And
again, I've provided some links to the various websites where this information can be found. So, let's
talk about Sonoran Conservancy Fountain Hills. Again, here's a link to their website, it's a nonprofit that
protects and promotes Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve, the Desert Botanical Gardens,
Lake Overlook Trail for the benefit of the community. I'm not going to read all these items. I probably
won't say that out loud. But anyway, I'll jump ahead too. They offer hiking educational events to inform
the public about our unique Sonoran Desert. Again, they organize and train the volunteers, trailhead
hosts, hikes, and Trailblazers. You can subscribe to their email if you haven't already done that. That
brings us to the Trailblazers. So again, the Trailblazers are volunteers that design, build and maintain
the town trails. It is an organization that falls under the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills. The
work is organized to well plan manual labor using only hand tools. We have some great pictures to
show that, again, it's led by Bill Craig with several crew leaders. I'm one of those crew leaders, myself.
And again, experienced leaders train and supervise other volunteer Trailblazers so that we were safe
when we're out there. And again, it's a great Saturday morning, while we're in season to get out there to
spend your Saturday morning. When we're out there many of you have already seen this, but we
always receive positive feedback from our hikers. This was taken from the Sonoran Trail, and I call it
the Saguaro Valley. These are a lot of young saguaros. I just thought it was really cool. So put that in
there. Beautiful view from that particular trail.
HOLDEN: I won't change anything. Are the pictures we're talking about here the preserve? This is a
trail nice.
GRZYBOWSKI: If we could put it right after this one right to break it up right after the MMPC. Because
here's a picture of the Preserve.
HOLDEN: Right about the trail. We could be because it's much more right now. I guess my second
question was something and he didn't really know what the MMPC versus the Conservancy and I don't
want to get into a whole long thing that they don't know what you're talking about, especially when we
make a mistake. I'm just wondering if he is there's just an umbrella statement in there that you pay, it
doesn't have to say that says you know the McDowell Mountain Preserve is the organization that has
the responsibility for and the link to the Town where the mouthpiece to the town. And as I always
describe it, the Conservancy is sort of the operational arm. So, they are the Trailblazer of the four
things maybe just because I don't think you're talking to people who know.
GRZYBOWSKI: Good point.
WILLARD: Yeah, I think I mean, the Town Council has whatever their subcommittees are to go
through and interview people for all the various commissions. So, I think they will have an
understanding of what the commission fits into everything because they have been involved with that
part of it. But what they probably don't know is exactly what you said.
IRWIN: I bet the new ones don't know. And I have a question. How much time do we have Scott? Do
you know?
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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GRZYBOWSKI: There's apparently there's no limit. But you know, I'm hoping to keep it around 15 to 20
minutes.
IRWIN: Yeah, because I'm looking at the slides and I think that's what you're going to need. Do we
need 15 to 20 minutes? Do we really need to go into all this? I mean, now that I see it, as you're
presenting, and I'm like, do we really need all this info? Because really, the goal is to get the trails
approved. Right. And renamed.
WILLARD: Yeah, back to Janice's point, and you're backing her up I think is this an opportunity for an
educational background because they probably haven't been exposed.
GRZYBOWSKI: We have three new council members that haven't seen any of us up front. So, it's
probably worth it you know. I'm a fast talker anyway, so I'll blow through these.
SNIPES: And I would say you may, knowing the schedule and what's on this agenda, you may want to
try and make that 10 to 15. And so that 15 to 20 just because it's going to get to you know, there's so
mammoth on there, mammoth our next two are both mammoth but I think that would be better. I have
not seen the actual agenda on it yet. But I'm hoping towards the beginning. Yeah. And I'll reach out to
Linda and see what she's got going and see if we can negotiate that anyway. Right along with the
budget.
GRZYBOWSKI: Okay, so, good notes, move some pictures around earlier. We're going to be up to
figure out a blanket statement about what SCFH does and the operations arm versus MMPC is a kind
of oversight. We talked about that. In, we talked we're going to move this picture up earlier and I have a
few others I may throw in here. I got some other great cactus shots, you know, things like that. Right, I
got a great panoramic view of everything even got Tom's Thumb in there all the way I may put that in
there. We have till tomorrow to get this to her Patti. Okay. All right.
LOPUSZANSKI: Yes, by 6 pm.
GRZYBOWSKI: So, you know, as we were talking about trails, how do we build trails, a few of you
have seen these pictures from last year, right? But I have to point out that Bill here, our lovely leader,
we've already learned that when you see a big rock over here has circled on the left, it most likely is
going to need to get moved. And then as you see the final after shot, there we are moving the rock. And
then as you see me, I'm the younger guy of the crew. I'm always the rock mover and I do appreciate the
exercise. So that's how we move rocks, we manually move them either by hand or with a net. Right and
you know, so me and the pickaxe and the pickaxe lost, right? So, I have to show this one, right? So
sometimes we have to actually just get at it. Then this year this past season we did open the North Leg
Trail. This is our temporary sign before we got the real signs up there and very proud of that. Here’s our
lovely Trailblazers in their lime green shirts for safety. So, as we're going through the agenda, I think it's
important to point out all the volunteer hours that are put into everything we did, first of all, the cost to
the Town is zero. As a matter of fact, we've estimated based on national volunteer estimates that we
save the town nearly $72,000 last season. And I will have to say we were not able to account for all the
admin hours. So, I believe the cost savings would be even higher. We have not accounted for that. And
as you can see, you could just very quickly go through here the Trailblazers, trailhead hosts how many
hours were put in, how many shifts were worked, the stewards that lead hikes, how many events? How
many participants we had at those events?
LOPUSZANSKI: Could you put your mic on, please?
NURNEY: So just a minor point, the numbers don't match.
GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, they don't. Good point. Yeah, I don't know why I did that. There was something
that I did. Good point. I'll check it out. It's minor. Maybe I just copied it.
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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HOLDEN: Okay. So, it's rounded off.
GRZYBOWSKI: But there are some detailed people that we should make sure they match. I will do
that. And then just to highlight the amount of trail uses that we got last year. And as we look at these
numbers, just note that these statistics are not unique visits, but rather the number of passes by the trail
counters. So of course, that would count for going to and coming back. Right. So, it's very difficult to
kind of know, actually do the math. But if you look at it, you know, we had over 81,000 visits or trail
counter passes just at Adero Canyon Trailhead, Promenade Trail, right parking lot itself almost 69,000
clicks Lake Overlook Trail from an individual trail perspective always has the highest number, right,
because it's very convenient right there by Fountain Park about 42,000. Then the actual parking is not
included in the total numbers for all the trails, which says that 188,000 clicks down the bottom. So, as
we're getting to ask you for these new trails, it's important, again, to highlight how we vetted these trails.
So again, these trails were vetted by using the Trail Master Plan of 2022. A link here, if you've already
haven't had a chance to read that the proposed trails were approved by the MMPC. And also, worked
with Sonoran Conservancy Fountain Hills to come up with a process to get them as well. So, both trails
above this just again, highlight both trails above the Sonoran and Bill's going to show you those
pictures here shortly have zero impact on any homeowners and have breathtaking phenomenal views .
And then the Overlook Trail, we will add a connector to the Easy Access Trail. And actually, the hikers
recommended this option and Bill's going to show you those pictures in about one minute. So here we
go. I don't have the laser pointer, but that's your clicker.
CRAIG: Good evening. Let me get this correct. I'm going to start by showing you the extension of the
Overlook Trail, which we are going to request your permission to build to give you some orientation. I
have started with a slide that shows you the relationship of the extension which is the white trail here to
the border which is the light-yellow trail going all the way down to Shadow Canyon and the homes and
Shadow Canyon. Further in terms of orientation Nope, this one doesn't work. I will point out where the
trailhead and parking are on the right the magenta is the recent trail that we completed the North Leg
Trail. To give you a little closer look at this on the upper left is the peak of the Overlook Trail. On the
bottom right is the end of the Easy Access. A little bit more orientation-wise, the Overlook Trail, and the
Easy Access Trail which goes off of the Overlook Trail were the first two trails built by the Trailblazers
quite a few years ago? The Overlook Trail is approximately half a mile it is the path that you see. And
that is coming up the ridge from the parking lot about a half mile to a peak. Easy Access comes off of it
and was originally built for people who have a little more difficulty hiking, and I am told even used for
wheelchair access. The extension that we are proposing is forming a loop from the top of the Overlook
Trail back down to the Easy Access Trail. That was a proposal made by a hiker and we really liked the
idea because loops are the most sought-after type of trails throughout hiking. We feel that this would be
a wonderful experience for the beginning hikers where they have a loop to hike on as opposed to just
out and back. And this trail is presently the Overlook Trail the trail which is most often presented and
encouraged by the trailhead hosts for a large number of beginning hikers that we have coming up to the
Preserve. Now let me go over to the other two trails. First, let me show you the overview on the far left
and I would point this out is the trailhead. If you follow the Promenade Trail, which is the Jeep Trail that
you see when you look up into the McDowells which have the Preserve in them. The Jeep Trail is about
eight-tenths of a mile. Halfway along you see the magenta trail again, that is the North Leg Trail, which
we just completed. Where you see the lime green trail start is the end of the Promenade. The two new
trails are the lime green and the red trail the middle trail there, the lime green is a trail that to me has a
lot of desirability in terms of along the trail. There are quite a number of unique saguaros it is a trail that
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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gives a little higher elevation looking down on the town. There is one spot along the trail that I
specifically like which is a little place for contemplation there along the side of it a beautiful mesquite
tree and about 20 yards away a rock wall with some rock below it, which is nice to be sitting on and an
experience which you don't often find in our area.
GRZYBOWSKI: I have a picture that I'm going to add. Okay, before you start talking about this trail you
want to do it right after?
CRAIG: Well, how about after, and then I can click on it. Yeah, I'll put it in there. Okay. And the picture
of that tree. Yeah. And is it okay with you if I switch the order of these? So, we do the extension to the
Overlook Trail first? I think there's less controversy there and less apt to get questions on. This gives a
little closer view of this trail. The second trail is unique in terms of difficulty. If you'll notice where it
starts, you can't see it really well. But this is a starting point up on the Western Loop Trail, and there is
a difference of around 350 feet in elevation, that they're going to have to hike to get to the start of this
trail. This trail will have more up and down in it, it will be a definitely an experience for those who want a
more difficult trail. Most of our other trails are of moderate difficulty, other than the Western Loop. And
both of these trails we feel give a unique experience within our Preserve. From here, we feel that there
are probably some questions and we have fielded a handout here, which will address some of the
questions which we anticipate and try to answer for you beforehand.
GRZYBOWSKI: What do you think about the frequently asked questions?
WILLARD: Do you anticipate building additional trails after these?
GRZYBOWSKI: We do not. As part of that Trail Master Plan. Basically, we had three potential new
trails in the works and that's a 10-year plan. I mean, things could change, of course in the future. But
right now, with us standing here, we don't anticipate any new trails.
HOLDEN: Would it make sense to include the map that shows where the Sonoran trails are?
CRAIG: There's the Sonoran that you see, it's right,
GRZYBOWSKI: This is perfect. I could be sitting here while Bill's talking. But I can help out as well.
HOLDEN: Is the green line the Sonoran?
NURNEY: No, the one below it.
CRAIG: And what I'll try to do to what I think I missed is not putting the border between us and Eagle
Ridge. And I should probably add that.
GRZYBOWSKI: This one is the Sonoran and this was the Lower Sonoran.
HOLDEN: Placing them for someone who doesn't quite know what they are looking at maybe?
NURNEY: Patti when you sent the draft around, I sent you my comments. I'm not sure if they got in,
because…
WILLARD: They're in there.
NURNEY: Yeah. Okay. So, I have this is no criticism in any way, shape, or form here. First of all, I think
it's going to be really tough to get this done in 10 minutes. So, you might, want to think about and focus
on... Well, probably too much if we only have 10 minutes, and we go through all the other stuff that
Scott went through, but just think about it. Think you're going to have to think about moving the pace
along. But my bigger concern, I think is what Janice brought up there. Some of our audience has
probably never been to the Preserve. Right is that possible?
GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, it's possible so I know when I gave the tour in the Leadership Academy, and I
briefed them at the ACT. Right at the ramada? So, I know two of them were part of the Fountain Hills
Leadership Academy. So, I know they at least they've been to the trailhead.
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NURNEY: I think my concern is being at the trailhead is one thing, but that is not. That doesn't mean
they're familiar with a Preserve. And I have to say that in all the work that we've done over a couple of
years now that I've been involved here, I still get a little bit confused and I'm pretty good with spatial
orientation. But I still get a little confused when I see these 3D, Google Earth maps with the overlays on
them, maybe it's just, my brain isn't working the same way everybody else's. But when you show like
this picture, and I agree, Bill, you need to point you know, have your pointer out so you can orient
people. And you can't assume when you say that this one begins at the Western Loop, that that's going
to mean anything to anybody. So, I was just thinking that you know, is there a way that we have a big-
picture view of the Preserve? And just say, because I think what we have to do is say, this is what we're
asking you for your approval of. And this is why, those are the two questions or two things we have to
answer. So, I think, here's the big view this is the Preserve, here are all the current trails and these are
the new ones that we're thinking about.
JENNINGS: Maybe we've put these really rough when you…..
NURNEY: I don't have a good solution. But I just think that people, even I for some reason, the
Sonoran in this picture, you know, I get this one. But this one. This one I even have a hard time
orienting myself to….
JENNINGS: Yeah, I agree. It's, I mean, without the existing trails on there it's hard and I think it would
be easier to understand in 2D than using Google, but you've got a pretty limited timeframe to get things
done. Yeah, that's probably not going to happen overnight.
GRZYBOWSKI: We gave at least one or two references for each picture. So, you got the North Leg
Trail over on the right and the magenta. And we have the Ridge Line and green to kind of frame them.
And then here we're talking about, as you said, Shadow Canyon below your reserve boundary.
NURNEY: Can you put like a big star or something like here's the parking lot, or you know, just
something that anybody could say, okay, I get where we are now, anyway, where you're talking about?
I don't know, I don't have a good solution.
SNIPES: I think, for sure, you should do something with the parking lot, just because that's the anchor.
And as you said, they've been at the ramada. So, then they can at least go it's from here. To wherever
or right here make it a little bit. Yeah, it's, yeah, make it more significant. Yeah.
NURNEY: Or, if it's not even on the view that you're showing with your pointer, you can see it's just to
give you some orientation in the parking lot would be right here.
GRZYBOWSKI: But we could put a not-the-scale big star or something out here. Instead of a bigger
pin, yeah, right up in here, just so it's easy to see the parking lot.
SNIPES: So, you're saying it's very easy to figure out?
NURNEY: Well, that's the problem. Right? I think we have to assume these people know what we're
talking…..
GRZYBOWSKI: Definitely put a bigger picture or pin for the parking lot.
IRWIN: So we have a reference point, Scott, how about this, I wonder if we should reorder the whole
thing and start at the beginning. I liked whoever said it, this is our agenda, we want to get two things
done here today, we want to get some trails renamed and we want to get approval for a couple more,
and then jump into this. And that way, if we end up getting too many questions or going over, we get to
the important stuff. And then if we have time at the end, then we go through and just so you know. And
maybe you have the first slide, we'll say this is where we're here as MMPC this is what we do. This little
intro, and then all of the other kind of peripheral or corollary slides with the Trailblazers and other stuff,
kind of at the end as the aftermath. I just found out that I was looking for this really cool spot that I like
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on the high trail. I've talked to you guys about this before and did this with you DJ. I don't know if you
guys know Relive App. It basically does a video of your track. And so I can play it in video and it's got
all the pictures and that one cool spot that I had of the 4 Saguaros is in there. It takes like five seconds.
I'll show it to you Scott and you can decide but it also gives some of the views so maybe along with
your idea put more of the slides in the pictures. So, I don't know I think you're right about the I think this
is better than the map though. I think the 3D is better than the map. And so maybe anchoring with a
parking lot is the best solution right now.
NURNEY: Yeah, that's the one thing everybody can orient themselves to. Yeah, and to Sherry's point,
you know, in my professional career, I made a lot of really important presentations, and with a lot of
them, I saved the best for last and never got there. It gets so frustrating. Oh, geez, you know.
GRZYBOWSKI: So, I think, very good point, we'll reorder the slides. We'll start off with why we're here.
These are the two agenda items. This is what we're asking for. And we'll have a picture or two of the
trail. Here's a picture of this for review. And then boom, we'll go right into Bill. And then we'll have all the
other slides, but we'll have we'll have the overview. Here's MMPC right, and the word SCFH is the
operational arm where the planning and the oversight are. And here's why we're here today. We
already said that and then we'll talk about cool stuff. And then we'll talk about putting the fun slides in
about trailblazing though, and then we'll get into Bill.
WILLARD: Just the one other thing, and I'm kind of going back to one of Kevin's early comments is we
need to recognize where the audience is coming from. And where the audience comes from is the
budget. And that's going to be hopefully with this. This is going to be in front of the budget. And they're
going to say let's get going here, guys. And so, I think that we should assume that they've done their
homework or that they can read the slide when it's up there. And kind of get it up there and make a
comment or two and say, Guys, if you have questions, please stop me. But I'm going to move on
because you've got a lot of other things to do tonight. So yeah, just the thought.
HOLDEN: Just another thought. And it's long. And I think I mean; I think it's good. There's a lot of good
information here. But it's a lot. And I'm wondering, and I know we've already voted on this, do you want
to reconsider not going to the trail renaming? Because that's like a whole other. So, all this stuff that
we've done already, is on how long? 15 minutes? Maybe we take the Trail Renaming in September,
what's the difference? We're not going to do it before then I know we have voted on it. It's just a thought
because then you're going to have to explain trails that have already been complicated by people not
knowing what you're talking about exactly with renaming them. It's just a thought.
WILLARD: Yeah. The other side of that is I think, you know, again, from a Town Council standpoint,
they probably want to hear what the commission talking about trails be done.
GRZYBOWSKI: Well, the thing is, yeah, so
WILLARD: I would think we could..
JENNINGS: Yeah, I think it would be just a quick add-in. And I don't think there'll be a whole lot of
questions about renaming.
GRZYBOWSKI: We hope not.
JENNINGS: And I might, like, you had a lot of statistics in there about man hours, and that sort of stuff
and trail visits, you might put those at the end of the presentation and use them for answering
questions. Why do we need more trails? Well, here, take a look. We had this many visits to our trails,
we need more trails,
GRZYBOWSKI: We had this many visits in our trails, we need more trails,
less education but keep them as background or backup slides for questions. And we'll get to the point.
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CRAIG: I have another question. What if they say “Why do you need to trails up there? Why don't you
just put one? And I think in your comments, you did a good job of differentiating that these are two very
different flavors of trail. So, I think you did a good job of covering that. But what if they say, Hey, choose
one? Maybe it won't come to that? What if they say to choose one? I think Scott and I differ and some
of the rest of you differ on one.
GRZYBOWSKI: But I like to hike one. Because it's cool. They could ask us what our opinion is because
they could decide they could do whatever they want. They could make a motion to approve only one.
And then they could all vote on it. And we have nothing to say they could ask our opinion like Bill says,
and if we do, you know, I should at least be united. We're going to do we'll do the middle trail.
HOLDEN: But you could say that the commission reviewed it and it's part of the vetting process. The
Commission decided that all three trails were the recommendation it fit the 10-year plan that we had
already prepared and presented and approved.
GRZYBOWSKI: Well, we already said that right?
HOLDEN: And if they say only two or I don't think they'll vote right there, would they be good? Okay.
SNIPES: One of the things that you might do as well, as far as trying to get them on board with what
you've done is talk about the background of so, you know, we looked at multiple different scenarios,
multiple different trails, multiple different names, and make sure that they understand that you've
whittled things down to this. And having that, you know, to where that it doesn't look like, you know, we
throw a whole bunch of stuff out now we're hoping that you'll follow. I think letting them know that you
took it seriously. And you've come up with final selections?
JENNINGS: Yeah, yeah. These were the results of working groups and many hours of discussions.
GRZYBOWSKI: making those there now and discussions, and this is what we came up with? Correct.
It's all it's in that it's in the frequently asked questions as well. This is our final recommendation.
CRAIG: What is where are we then relative to renaming? Go ahead with it. Yeah, I would say we go
with it. Okay.
HOLDEN: That's not that they have nothing to do. I mean, in a way, they have nothing to do with each
other the new trails that we're asking for within the plan, and the renaming, which is they're not we're
not renaming new trails.
GRZYBOWSKI: There's no renaming of the extension.
HOLDEN: Okay. All right.
SNIPES: Let's make sure that we were I get that we're all over the place. But let's make sure that we're
hitting the mics because otherwise all of this goes for naught. So don't forget that.
JENNINGS: So, Bill, you've gone before Council before?
CRAIG: Yes.
JENNINGS: And are they inquisitive? Do they have a lot of questions, or do they just want to rely on
the committee?
CRAIG: Previously, there were a few questions. Very few. We have no idea what the status of the
council will be, hopefully, with the other agenda items. There won't be much in the way of questions.
We don't anticipate anything really from the audience in terms of questions.
HOLDEN: We do plan to send it out to our volunteers for the conservancies. And you won't get that. If
SCFH volunteers ask them, encourage them to fill out the cards to put it in their vote of approval if they
do and make sure that we get lots of cards that say, oh, yeah, three great trails.
CRAIG: Correct. The more I think the more of those we get, the less chance there probably is for the
council to turn down or ask questions.
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GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, well, we'll do the same for the Trailblazers again, we'll resend that email. Oh,
that's right they are the Conservancy.
HOLDEN: So if you get it just saying I don't I don't remember if
WILLARD: I didn't catch it. If you just emphasized in your comments, that there are zero homeowners
impact.
GRZYBOWSKI: I did say that it was in that slide. So when I reorder the slides tomorrow, I will kind of
give one like, like Sherry says one quick overview slide. Here's why we're here. Here’s what we think.
And I'll make sure that has zero impact on there and zero cost, which is the ones remember, you don't
want death by PowerPoint. So just a couple of bullets. And we'll get that as one of the first slides. And
then that's a great idea, because then if we just do that get to the pictures. And then if they have
questions, we could pop to the other slides. They've already got the slides in the packet, right? Yeah,
they're going to have all that stuff, at least two weeks at a time. Well, now maybe to one of these No,
not two weeks. We have to get everything in two weeks. Two days before 48 hours.
LOPUSZANSKI: It usually goes out Thursday night prior to the Tuesday meeting.
GRZYBOWSKI: So, they may have five days to review. All right, great. Thanks for all the feedback and
input and we'll get through this. So again, Item Number 3, are there any other Reports by
Commissioners anything fun you saw? Exciting trails?
HOLDEN: The report from the Conservancy will be that chart that you showed, which I don't have with
me. But you know, with all the number of volunteers and how many they did, it's a pretty impressive
number. So that's all that I was going to report. All right.
GRZYBOWSKI: Do we have a Call to the Public and Item Number 4?
LOPUSZANSKI: We do not.
GRZYBOWSKI: Okay. So, Item Number 5, our Consideration of Possible Action for the Approval of
April 27, 2023 MMPC Verbatim Meeting Minutes. Is there anybody with any comments? Pretty much
simple when they're verbatim because we can't correct anything because that's what we said. I Motion
to Move to Approve the minutes as written.
WILLARD: I Second.
GRZYBOWSKI: All in favor?
ALL: Aye.
GRZYBOWSKI: No, opposed. Very good. Motion carries. Item number 6. So, we just talked about the
review and discussion of the draft Town Council, meeting presentation, and great feedback, I will try to
get those updates done tomorrow and get them to Patti. Item number 7, Discussion and Possible
Action of the Proposal of Invasive Plant Working Group.
HOLDEN: It is non-native invasive plants because we've got all kinds of native invasive ones. And it's
okay. It's not on the list. It's confusing. I think. I know, we had a discussion on this last month. And I
guess my and what we ended up doing was kind of turning it over to the Town saying, Okay, you figure
out how to get the grant, and then we'll figure out what to do. And I think that's a little maybe backward.
And that if this is the preserve that the commission is dedicated to, why would the commission not want
to set up a working group that does an investigation, we talked last month correctly about we don't want
her besides. Well, okay, well, what does that mean? What are the options, are there options? Or you're
stuck? I don't know the answer, Sherry. I mean, we don't know. So I think it would be if you want to talk
about the purpose of the Commission, which is one of the tasks one of the working groups that we are
looking at, I don't see why we are putting it on the Town, even though I know we took about without
doing some of the research and investigation and make a recommendation ourselves to each other,
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and then to the Town with how we think we should go. And that was really my thought. Otherwise, I
don't know how the town's going to look for a grant when we don't even know what we're looking at,
other than to look at the same grant that came out of Tucson or that the Conservancy in Scottsdale is
using. So that was just that was my thought. And I just wanted to raise it as a suggestion.
CRAIG: Just a comment that there are more places in Town that might have to deal with the invasive
plants than just the Preserve. So, I still question whether relative to the Preserve. Yes, I agree.
GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, I mean, I think I don't have an issue with, you know, doing a workgroup. That's
what we're here for. Right. So, if we all agree that we should just have a workgroup that talks about
this. I know Sherry had some ideas. Last time we talked in Janice. So, I already see two potential
workgroup people, unless Janice doesn't want to be on it.
WILLARD: But I'd like to see, you know, just get Kevin's perspective on this.
SNIPES: Well, I think I think it's a good idea that you know, the more information we gather, the better
off we are. And it doesn't mean that I won't be looking for stuff and or other staff. But it doesn't mean it
can't happen in conjunction, you know, I agree with Bill, it may end up being a town-wide thing. But it
doesn't mean that it doesn't need a grassroots start to kick it off, so to speak. No pun intended with the
grass. So that's my fault. That's my fault. I felt it as it was going out. So, um, but yeah, I think that's a
good idea.
GRZYBOWSKI: Okay, then, who would like to volunteer for the working group? Volunteers, we need at
least three. No, more than three? I mean, you could have two.
HOLDEN: Do we have to, in my opinion, that says at all, there's no purpose for the I mean, what if the
commission doesn't care enough? And nobody wants to do the work? Then it's just not an issue. And
maybe it's not. I don't understand the purpose of the commission. But that was my thought.
NURNEY: No, I agree with you Janice. I think maybe the first step of this workgroup is to define what
the workgroup’s responsibility is.
HOLDEN: Nobody wants to step forward and do the work.
NURNEY: I would participate in a group that defines the scope of this workgroup, sub group or task
force, whatever we're going to call it will entail.
HOLDEN: I also know this was raised by the Conservancy or at our last conservancy meeting, I raised
it there stressing I guess emphasizing some concern that if this is a concern to somebody, then who's
whose responsibility it is, and conservancy sort of also felt that this was a preserve issue. And so I
commissioned a commission issue, not a conservancy so much as a conservancy issue. If we are the
kind of operational arm, that's just the easy way to describe it, then I think this is one of those issues
that kind of lives at the 30,000-foot level in terms of a strategic evaluation and discussion and research,
and its work. So that was my only thought.
GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, I mean, I think that's I mean, so again, we need some people that want to do
this. We could do the work. I mean, to me, the definition of the workgroup would be to propose a
strategy for our non-native invasive plant species, what are we going to do? We already know they're
here. It's not like we have to do that step above.
NURNEY: It's I lost my train of thought, but it's to determine if we even have an issue that needs to be
dealt with. Right. And then how do we deal with?
GRZYBOWSKI: Yes, we are we are all assuming we have an issue. But you're right. I think you're
right. We should.
NURNEY: We know we have one issue right now. But next year, we might have a different issue.
Right. So, you know, we and I agree that this commission should have that responsibility for at least
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bringing to the attention of the town council that we have an issue. This is the issue. It's a serious issue.
If it is, these are the ways that that issue could be addressed. And this is what we recommend, and
then we step away.
WILLARD: I am willing to serve.
NURNEY: If DJ does, I will. Okay.
GRZYBOWSKI: Any other takers?
HOLDEN: If you guys do it, I'll do it.
GRZYBOWSKI: Okay. Okay, so we have a working group formed. Okay, that's fair. So right now we do
have….
HOLDEN: This is kind of a higher level than the working group I described. Right?
GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, I think the first plan is the three of you would get together and the high level
identify what everything is, what's the purpose? What's the charter? What are we planning on doing?
Then based on the next meeting, or whenever we discuss it next, then maybe we need to formulate a
plan or add another working group or something like that. Okay. So we have the three of you, we have
DJ, Steve, and Janice, on this working group will call it the Non-native Invasive Plant.
NURNEY: there must be a fancy acronym for that now.
HOLDEN: It's a non-native, invasive plant.
GRZYBOWSKI: It's not fun to say no good acronym needs to be able to say something. Yeah,
NURNEY: like implants or something.
GRZYBOWSKI: And did everybody get a quick look at this thing, that thing that jettison out the Yeti?
That's frightening.
NURNEY: And we you know, we were saying that it may be a townwide. There may be townwide
issues, but it goes beyond far beyond even the town right. I mean, not necessarily what we have in the
Preserve, but the invasive species thing is big everywhere. After the winter we have especially when
the process
CRAIG: of this I definitely think we have to make contact somehow Tucson. That was a lower level
probably than what the workgroup is thinking about, but it wouldn't hurt to make that initial contract
agreed.
HOLDEN: But I also think Scottsdale which a lot is easier, and we know that people is because what's
happening over there, I mean to sounds a problem, but what's happening next door and in Scottsdale,
and they're finding so much that they've got this huge project and they've been whatever they've been
acknowledged and recognized as these invasive plant people. Um, I think it would be worth having. I
mean, I think at our, at the working group level, initially, we could kind of talk to them and maybe kind of
come up with some suggestions about how to approach it because I know I don't know. So that's just a
thought. And then Tucson, if we decided that we need to do something more, for sure.
GRZYBOWSKI: Okay, so just remind me, of course, next month if you have anything to add to the
agenda, like an update from the working group. All right, so let's move on to Item number 8, which is
an update from the Sonoran Conservancy Fountain Hills liaison.
HOLDEN: I think we sort of discussed as far as our annual outcome for the season for the 2023
season, which is rather remarkable. It was the most we ever did on every level. And it was really all
successful. We've got we've put together I guess, for the next newsletter, which I hope you won't get
the kind of some of the really interesting comments and feedback, and they really are, everything is
always really positive on everything we've done. We also put together the fall program for June,
actually, I've got one thing in June and one thing in September, and then we've got something in
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October, November, and December. So, I think there are 20 events in all, which is quite a lot. We've
never done quite that many in the fall, or what we call the fall so and then at the end and we got it into
the town and the town is now getting it up on their website. They're in the process of doing that. We'll
have it on our website, we'll get it out on our newsletter, and I'll work with Bob Burns from the Fountain
Hills Times to get some of that stuff out, especially the June one for anybody who's here. Scorpion
Scorpius and stars with Vicki Dirksen finding scorpions in the sky on the ground.
GRZYBOWSKI: So, without Ranger Amy, we…
HOLDEN: Ranger Vicki Jackson and I work really closely together because she's great to work with
and the dark skies, folks and the new Discovery Center, which got a $10 million grant in our town. And
so, the Conservancy is very keen to work more closely with those folks and every way we can, because
that preserve is our open skies to the dark skies. Let's put it that way. So, it's a really, really nice
opportunity. So, Vicki, and I have a whole series this fall. But that's the first one and then I can't
remember the September one, God, someday I'll think of it. But I'll let you know what this there's one in
September, it'll be hotter than hell. It'll be fun.
GRZYBOWSKI: Very good. Yet, I just made a note to myself to meet, I need to change these numbers
and the frequently asked questions to match the slides. Because I think the numbers, we came up with
2254 times $31.80 equals whatever that $71,700 cost savings was. So, I'll just make sure the notes
match.
HOLDEN: And yeah, I forgot about that. Okay. So, did I miss anything now?
GRZYBOWSKI: This brings up to item number nine, which is the trail counter activity. Does anybody
have any comments on that? I mean, those are the numbers we use for the presentation from the past
season. So again, I you know, I've been here seven years, I think working with the Commission, those
are the highest numbers I've ever seen from the trail Connors, really, those are really awesome.
HOLDEN: Pam did send me a comment on this. I cannot find it, but I'll keep looking at my email.
CRAIG: I wonder if there is some way we should put a caveat explaining the difference in the
numbers. They don't add up. question whether we should put totals, like Bob Burns, who is Bob Burns,
who is a host was here saying hey, help me with these numbers. Some explanation at the top would be
advisable or just leave it the way it is?
GRZYBOWSKI: I mean, we did we did put a summation at the top.
HOLDEN: I suggest you not use the total of the columns the total because you're repeating
repeatedly, people so it looks as though we have 48,000 people I know we changed it to unique heads
but maybe that number shouldn't even be there because you count them all going in at the Promenade.
You count them coming out of the promenade and then we count them again going up on the Sonoran
and we count them again going on the Ridgeline and the Andrews Kinsey and so it looks like we have
so many but in fact, it's what comes into the parking lot and the few people that come in through
Scottsdale or come up through go through Golden Eagle well okay at a few more but I think our
numbers are really wrong and Bill, Bob pointed it out.
CRAIG: And the bicycles count for the number of bikes that come up and then just turn around and go
back.
HOLDEN: Of course, all good bicycles count, and we don't even know.
GRZYBOWSKI: Well, I mean, yes, we had been asking for like a year now to get real trail counters in
the town is not had a hard time trying to get to procurement. But there's a really good system out there
that several national parks use that would actually give you unique bicycles versus people. And it
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wouldn't just be a hit, they would actually be people. In the know, there's there are self covers that the
data gets uploaded to a website automatically. We don't need humans to go out and pull cards
anymore. But they're not cheap. And, you know, I don't even know if
SNIPES: they made the budget. I don't know. And they won't respond, and
GRZYBOWSKI: they won't even respond now that comes others for that. Okay, there's that.
WILLARD: I mean, relative to all the various trail counters I think this chart is useful for us but should
be kept completely internally to us. And the only thing that needs to go out maybe is the AC T
promenade trail count. And the ACT parking count, maybe just those two numbers. Because otherwise
it is confusing and it's hard to allocate. Say, I think it's useful for us to have these other things but
maybe to go out to general publication, maybe just those two numbers might be a lot three. I mean,
with Botanical Garden, ACT parking, and Lake Overlook.
GRZYBOWSKI: Well, I mean, yeah, I'll change that slide. I'll just put the three numbers there. ACT
HOLDEN: Botanical Garden, the Lake Overlook Trail, yep. ACT. Promenade, parking to get an idea of
how many cars you.
WILLARD: go through there. And that's just putting it out to the public. Still, keep this for us? Oh,
correct. Yeah, agreed, right?
NURNEY: So, I'm embarrassed to ask this question. But where is the parking lot counter located?
CRAIG: At the first gate?
NURNEY: Oh, it is okay.
JENNINGS: So, it's only counting entries and not exits,
CRAIG: no. entry and exit, and bikes and people.
GRZYBOWSKI: I mean, for all these numbers, we can play statisticians. And we could do division and
this and extrapolate. We do all that if we want to do, but we would have been trying to keep it just
simple. Here are the clicks, you know, but there are standards that we could use that are out there that
say okay, based on trail counter hits, you could assume it's this many people based on this many hits.
And that would be very confusing for everybody. So we haven't done that. I think anyway, for the
presentation, that one slide about trail usage, I will just put the three numbers for the four numbers, just
keep it simple. In the middle, stay there that these are these are trail counter clicks or whatever we call
it these statistics, just so they know it's that people. Okay, next item on the agenda. Can you go up at
last to my agenda, my screen? Item Number 10 Future Agenda Items. I don't have any additions to the
future dynamics. If we have information from the working group on the non-native invasive plants, we
could add that one. Do you think we'll have any Updates from the Charter and MMPC Scope? haven't
really talked much about that. The MMPC Scope? So the next meeting is our last before Yeah, so we
should add that one then we should okay.
SNIPES: And I'll do another reach out to the trail counter people just for you.
GRZYBOWSKI: Thank you. I mean, I could find another company. I remember I found a bunch of
companies that looked like the most.
SNIPES: I liked what it shows in I was encouraged by putting in and then it was just like nope, so So
and we tried multiple times to reach out to them with different people didn't believe in Patti even
reached out trying a different person than I tried thinking well, maybe it's the person but so we've struck
out a lot so but I think it's cool and I like the technology of it and I think we can fund it and it may be a
process over years. But so we found what we can fund and we then the next year we fund what we can
fund again, you know, and so, so I'll try and reach out again.
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GRZYBOWSKI: Yeah, and I'll see if we can dig, I'll try to dig up my research of the other places I
found. Hopefully, I took notes. The older I get, the more I take notes because I don't remember things.
But sometimes it's hard to forgive them. I can say that it's hard to find the notes like, I don't I don't know
what I don't know what question to ask them in the refrigerator. Okay, so Patti, our next meeting is June
27th. Still on the calendar? Same time. 5 pm.
LOPUSZANSKI: Just a reminder you're on a break for the summer. So, July and August there are no
meetings, and we reconvene in September.
GRZYBOWSKI: Well, again, it's it would be nice if you're in attendance, so people can see that you're
supporting it. And what we'll do with email is we'll send out so if they don't want to come here and fill
out a public speaking card, they could go online and do it electronically. Right. And then Linda, who
runs a meeting?
LOPUSZANSKI: Linda Mendenhall. So sometimes when they get sent electronically, if it's a busy
meeting, it's a really packed agenda. She will have a packet of all of those comment cards and she'll
give them to each of the council members. She may not read them, but they will each have it.
SNIPES: She could do is simple as this is, you know, there are 27 people that reported in all of them
for the answer, so that's how they'll get the numbers out there. Okay.
HOLDEN: And we'll ask them to show up in cap and gown in shirts and caps so it'll make a presence if
we have enough of us here. I have no idea how many people are here.
GRZYBOWSKI: Correct yet. It’s out of season. Okay, then I say we adjourn at make a Motion to
Adjourn at 1802.
JENNINGS: Second.
GRZYBOWSKI: All in favor?
ALL: Aye.
GRZYBOWSKI: Adjourned.
Having no further business, Chair Grzybowski adjourned the Regular Meeting of the McDowell
Mountain Preservation Commission on May 23, 2023, at 6:02 PM
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
_______________________________________________________________
Scott Grzybowski, Chair
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
_______________________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 23, 2023 VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
Transcribed by https://otter.ai - 17 -
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
Regular Meeting held by the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission in the Town
Hall Council Chambers on the 23rd day of May 2023. I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 27th day of June 2023.
______________________________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
ITEM 6.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language):
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Non-Native Invasive Plants (NNIPS) in McDowell Mountain
Preserve
Staff Summary (Background)
Options to be considered:
The MMPC believes that NNIPs in the Preserve are an on-going issue to be addressed.1.
Contingent upon available resources, either existing or new, the MMPC recommends an
annual assessment of NNIPs in the Preserve, and based on that assessment, appropriate
remediation steps are considered.
2.
The MMPC will create a working group to explore possible resources for education and
training relevant to this task in conjunction with the SCFH.
3.
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 12:39 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023
ITEM 7.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language):
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Invasive Plant Grant 2023
Staff Summary (Background)
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, with funding provided by the State of
Arizona and US Forest Service, is soliciting project proposals from $10,000-$200,000 to treat invasive
plant infestations that threaten Arizona's land and waters.
The 2023 Invasive Plant Grant Application was opened on June 16, 2023 with applications due by Friday,
July 28, 2023. Those eligible to apply for the Invasive Plant Grants include, units of local government
(counties, municipalities, towns, etc.) state agencies, non-profit organizations, tribal entities and public
education institutions.
Attachments
2023 Invasive Plant Grant Program Submission Guide
Invasive Plant Grant Application
2023 Invasive Plant Grant Application Questions
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/22/2023 12:01 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/22/2023
Version 3.0
Arizona Application Submission User Guide
2023 Invasive Plant Grant Program
Application Submission Guide
Contents
Reviewing the solicitation ....................................................................................................2
Downloading the required documents .................................................................................2
Beginning the application process .......................................................................................3
Application Components ......................................................................................................5
Completing your profile ....................................................................................................6
Starting the Application ....................................................................................................6
Completing the Application ..............................................................................................7
Completing the Budget ....................................................................................................8
Submitting your application..................................................................................................9
Version 3.0
Reviewing the solicitation
The solicitation is broken up into five parts:
Summary
Eligibility
Financial
Contact
Files
In the Summary, Eligibility, and Financial tabs, you can review the program requirements to
determine the eligibility of your project/program. In the Contact tab, a program contact is listed for
additional program related questions. For any technical questions on the submission portal, contact
eCivis staff at support@ecivis.com. In the Files tab, you will find program and application submittal
guidance files along with the documents you are required to complete and submit along with the
application. Below is an example:
Downloading the required documents
Before beginning the application process it is critical that all required documents are downloaded
and completed. Also, the guidance documents should be downloaded for reference during the
application process. Below is an example:
1. Click on the title of the file to download the document:
Version 3.0
Beginning the application process
1. When you are ready to begin the application process, click on the Apply button on the top left
side of the screen. You will be taken to the online grant application portal where you can
begin filling out your application and uploading all the required documents. Below is an
example:
2. Log in to the Portal. If you are a current eCivis user, you can enter your eCivis username and
password to log in; then, click on the eCivis Login button. If you created a Portal account,
enter your information and then click on the Portal Login button. If this is your first time using
the Portal you will need to click on the green Create an account button to create your
account:
***Note: For optimal viewing we recommend using the Google Chrome web browser.
Version 3.0
3. On the Create an account page, enter basic information:
a. First name
b. Last name
c. Email address
d. Password
4. After clicking Sign up you will be sent an email confirming your email address to complete
the process:
In the email verification, click on “Please verify your email”
This will bring you back to the Portal login. Enter your full email address and
password, then click on Portal Login
Version 3.0
5. Once you have logged in and verified your email address, you will be brought back to the
original application you desired to apply for. Prior to beginning the application, you will need
to verify your account and log into the grant management system:
Application Components
Open any program guidance files and use this to reference how each section of the application
should be completed.
There are three primary sections to the application:
1. Profile
2. Application
3. Budget Worksheet
Version 3.0
Completing your profile
1. To begin working on the profile, click on the pencil icon:
2. Complete all required fields, marked with a red asterisk. If you plan to complete your profile
at a later time, select Save Draft. To complete your profile, select Save. Your profile will need
to be completed prior to starting the application:
Starting the Application
After you have completed your profile, the application will be available. The two main sections of
your submission is the Application Tab and the Budget Tab.
1. From the Grant Application Tab click on Get Started to access your application:
2. Your application can also appear as an Untitled application. Click on the yellow box titled
Application Process to access your application:
Version 3.0
3. Some solicitations will allow you to submit more than one application. To start a new
application, click on Add Another. To continue work on an application that was already
started, click on the yellow box titled Application Process:
Completing the Application
The Application section contains narrative fields, and additional required and optional file uploads (if
applicable). Refer to your program specific guidance on the appropriate content for each field.
Version 3.0
1. Click on the Writing icon to begin completing your application:
2. Complete all required fields. At the bottom of the page select Save Draft to save your work
and complete at a later time. To complete your full application select Save:
3. Now let’s work on the Budget portion of your submission BEFORE clicking on Submit.
Completing the Budget
The Budget Worksheet can be located under the “Files” tab on the solicitation webpage:
Please complete the Budget Worksheet and upload the document with your application.
2023 Invasive Plant Grant
Version 3.0
Add another Application
For programs allowing multiple applications from the same organization, you will see the option to
Add Another on the Homepage.
1. Select this option and complete the Application and Budget sections for the 2nd submission.
Repeat this process untill desired submissions have been made. If returning to complete
your application that was previously left in a draft status, click on the applicable Program Box
and then click on the Writing icon to complete your application:
Submitting your application
1. Once you have completed your application and your budget, click on Submit to send your
application to the funding agency:
2. Your application has been submitted and is now Under Review:
***Note: You will not receive a confirmation email once the application is submitted, but can contact the DFFM
Invasive Plant Program to verify it has been received.
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 1 of 7
Arizona Department of Forestry
and Fire Management
Invasive Plant Grant Program
ARIZONA 2023
REQUEST FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS
(Notice of Funding Opportunity)
Applications must be submitted electronically
through DFFM’s application portal.
Visit our website for more information:
https://dffm.az.gov/grants/forest-health/invasive-plant-grants
Application Deadline:
No Later than: July 28, 2023
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 2 of 7
2023 Invasive Plant Grant Program
Criteria and Instructions
PURPOSE
Non-native invasive plants are a major threat across the state of Arizona. They recognize no borders and occur
across all land ownerships. Non-native invasive plants change the natural fire regime, alter watersheds, degrade
wildlife habitat, out-compete native vegetation and crops, and destroy the natural beauty of the Arizona
landscape.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) with funding provided by the State of Arizona and
USDA Forest Service is soliciting project proposals from $10,000 to $200,000 to treat invasive plant infestations
that threaten forested, woodland, or rangeland areas. The theme for the 2023 grant is grasses and
grasslands. Prioritization will be for projects that target annual and perennial nonnative invasive grasses such
as cheatgrass, red brome, buffelgrass, fountain grass, Johnson grass, natal grass and yellow bluestem.
Preference will also be for projects located in the diverse grassland types found in Arizona, including the desert,
plains and mountain types.
AVAILABLE FUNDING
Total funding of $970,000 will be made available through sub-awards (grants) from the Arizona Department of
Forestry and Fire Management on a reimbursement basis and awarded through a competitive process.
Awards will be limited to a minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $200,000 per project. Depending on total
available funding, some projects may be offered only partial funding. All projects will require between 10% and
50% matching funds. The source of matching funds must be identified in the project application budget. Priority
may be given to projects that provide a higher-than-required 10% match amount. Funds will be dispersed to
recipients on a reimbursement basis after they incur costs and report accomplishments and expenses to the
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
ELIGIBILE APPLICANTS
Eligible grant recipients include government organizations (state, county, and local), public educational
institutions, 501(c) non-profit organizations and Indian Tribes. Individuals and for-profit companies do not qualify.
Projects may occur on state, federal, tribal and private lands in Arizona.
NUMBER OF AWARDS
Multiple awards, not to exceed $200,000 of grant funding per project, are anticipated. Organizations may submit
more than one project application for the 2023 cycle; however, total funding may be capped at $200,000.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
Project applications will be accepted through July 28, 2023; grants are expected to be awarded during the fall
and winter 2023. Proposed projects should be ready for implementation upon receipt of award and should be
fully achievable within the prescribed award period. Grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis after
expenses are incurred, paid and documented by the applicant organization.
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Non-native invasive plants are a major threat across the state of Arizona. They recognize no borders and occur
across all land ownerships. Non-native invasive plants change the natural fire regime, alter watersheds, degrade
wildlife habitat, out-compete native vegetation and crops, and destroy the natural beauty of the Arizona
landscape.
DFFM’s Invasive Plant Grant Program focuses on prevention, control / removal, and eradication of invasive
plants and aims to achieve the following objectives:
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 3 of 7
Target and treat invasive plants that are capable of transforming native plant communities in forests,
woodlands, deserts, or rangeland.
Assist in preventing fire and flooding, conserving water, and restoring habitat to wildlife.
Use an integrated weed management (IWM) approach when treating areas infested with invasive plants
through the utilization of available tools including manual, cultural, mechanical, chemical, and biological
control methods.
Examples of projects that qualify (not all-inclusive):
Control / removal or eradication of invasive plants
Replacement of invasive plants with native plants through reseeding and planting
Removal of woody invasive plant slash by mulching, grinding, etc.
Examples of projects that DO NOT qualify (not all-inclusive):
Research and development projects
Website, GIS and database projects
Projects that only include assessment activity and no related treatment of invasive plants
Projects that include purchase of capital equipment (valued over $5,000 per item)
COST-SHARE / MATCHING REQUIREMENTS
All projects require a minimum 10% match contribution (90% grant / 10% match). Priority may be given to
projects that provide a higher-than-required match amount (but not to exceed 50%). Matching contributions may
take several forms, including:
a. Actual funds expended: Cash paid by the sub recipient organization.
b. In-Kind expenses: Necessary costs incurred by the grant recipient or another organization to support the
project. Volunteer hours are acceptable at a reasonable rate.
c. Contributed time for personnel and equipment: Donated labor and/or equipment necessary to complete
the specific project.
All reimbursable and matching expenses must be fully documented before Arizona Department of Forestry and
Fire Management makes payment. Rates utilized for valuing contributed resources must be specified and
approved before a sub-award agreement is executed.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS
All grant-funded activities and activities used as match must comply with local, state and federal laws and
regulations. All records for awarded grants must be maintained for five (5) years following final payment or longer
if required by law.
PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS
All sub recipients are responsible for developing, documenting and adhering to their own established
procurement policies that include both administrative and accounting controls.
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASES – NOT ALLOWED
Equipment and supply purchases with a unit value of $5,000 or more cannot be funded or partially funded under
this program.
SAM REGISTRATION:
Sub recipients are required to register with the federal government System for Award Management (SAM) at
https://www.sam.gov prior to receiving an award. You will need an Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Taxpayer ID
Number (TIN), and financial information to set up Electronic Funds Transfer.
PAYMENT OF FUNDS: Grant funds may only be used for reimbursement of actual costs. Payment will be made
only after expenses are incurred, documented and reported by the sub recipient organization. Approved project
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 4 of 7
expenses will be supported by source documentation such as canceled checks, paid bills, payroll records, time
and attendance records, contracts, etc. Reimbursement of funds, once approved by the Department of Forestry
and Fire Management, may take 30-60 days. Payments may be withheld until all reporting and paperwork
requirements have been met by the subrecipient.
No funds will be reimbursed for expenses incurred prior to execution of the formal written agreement between
the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the applicant organization.
AWARD SELECTION PROCESS
Funds are awarded through a competitive application process. Grant applications are received, reviewed, scored
and ranked by representatives of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and partner
agencies / organizations with expertise in invasive plant management.
Evaluation will be based on how well proposals meet the defined criteria, objectives and priorities in this request.
Final recommendations and approval of awards will be made by the Arizona Department Forestry and Fire
Management. Each applicant will be notified by email of the final status of their application. Additional information
and instructions will be given to the selected applicants.
NOTIFICATION
Announcements are anticipated by October 2023. Applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal after
funding decisions are finalized. Upon grant award, a formal agreement will be executed between the Arizona
Department of Forestry and Fire Management and each sub recipient organization.
MINIMUM GRANT REQUIREMENTS
The following criteria must be met for consideration of proposals:
Application must be complete and submitted on time. Project applications will be accepted through July
28, 2023 until 11:59 pm.
Applicant must be a qualifying organization. Applicant organizations are limited to governments (state,
county, local, etc.), educational institutions, 501(c) non-profit organizations, and Indian Tribes. Individuals and
for-profit companies do not qualify.
Grant request must be at least $10,000 and may not exceed $200,000. Grant funding will be made on a
reimbursement basis after costs are incurred. Grants require quarterly progress reporting by grant recipients.
Only eligible costs may be reimbursed. Specific administrative, program, and auditing requirements will apply
to all grant subrecipients.
Project must meet the match requirement. No more than 90% of the total project budget may be funded
by the grant. At least 10% of the total project cost must be provided by the sub-recipient. The matching share
can be in-kind match (which includes contributed personnel hours valued at an accepted rate, donated labor
or equipment, etc.) and/or expended funds (which are actual dollars spent within the specified scope of
work). All project expenses and matching contributions must be supported with sufficient documentation.
Physical work done by individual landowners. Physical work performed by individual landowners on their
own property will not be reimbursed but may be documented as a portion of the required match.
Project must be well-defined and measurable. Specific treatment areas and landowners must be identified
prior to grant award and the project should be considered “shovel ready” (i.e. no additional recruitment,
coordination or planning should be required). Each application must provide an overview map (.pdf format)
showing specific planned treatment areas.
ADDITIONAL GRANT CONSIDERATIONS AND PRIORITIES
The following considerations will serve as major criteria in determining grant awards:
The project targets state-listed noxious weed species (https://agriculture.az.gov/pestspest-
control/agriculture-pests/noxious-weeds)
The project uses an integrated weed management approach.
The project complements or is adjacent to a past or present invasive plant management project.
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 5 of 7
The project plan (i.e. budget, timeline, goals/objectives, methods, evaluation and sustainability plan,
etc.) is reasonable and prudent.
Collaborative planning and implementation is clearly identified.
Sufficient capacity and planning (resources, experience, etc.) is identified to successfully complete the
project.
Future project maintenance is planned without reliance on additional state or federal funding.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE
Applicants will complete the grant application online as outlined below. The application materials are available on
the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management website at: https://dffm.az.gov/grants/forest-
health/invasive-plant-grants. If the application cannot be submitted electronically, then please contact our
Invasive Plant Grants Program at (602) 291-4167 prior to the application deadline. Applications are due no later
than July 28, 2023.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Applicants will complete an online application with multiple parts. After creating an individual user login, the
applicant will complete three required online forms:
1) Organization Profile Form – This includes information about the applicant organization and points of
contact.
2) Application Form – This includes questions about your proposed project. Several questions are
common to most state grant applications. Some questions are specific to this grant program. All
questions and required responses are outlined below.
3) Budget Form – The budget form provides details about how the requested grant funds and contributed
match will be used to support the project.
4) Attachments – Project map (Required, 1 page max), letters of support (optional, no more than 5 pages
in one file).
ORGANIZATION PROFILE FORM
o This form includes information about your organization, your management contacts, and who will be
responsible for the grant implementation if awarded.
o Employee Identification Number (EIN)
o A Unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov is required before an award can be made.
o The form also allows identification of a separate point of contact for a business/finance
representative and an authorized representative other than the online applicant.
APPLICATION FORM - One form per project.
1) APPLICATION/PROJECT TITLE – (100 character max)
Provide a brief descriptive title for your project.
2) ORGANIZATION NAME – (100 character max)
List organization name.
3) PROJECT LEAD – (100 character max)
List project lead name or names.
4) PROGRAM/PROJECT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT – (check box)
The US Congressional District(s) where the proposed project work is located. Reference this or similar
websites if needed: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
5) PROGRAM/PROJECT LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT – (check box)
The Arizona Legislative District(s) where the proposed project work is located. Reference this or similar
websites if needed: https://azredistricting.org/districtlocator/
6) TARGET SPECIES – (100 character max)
List the target invasive plant or plants to be removed or controlled.
7) ACRES TO BE TREATED – (Number)
List number of acres to be treated.
8) TREATMENT POLYGON – (Yes / No)
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 6 of 7
Do you currently have a GIS polygon layer for the proposed treatment area or areas?
(Note: If your project is selected for funding, a GIS polygon layer will be required prior to the development of a grant
agreement)
9) MATCH CONTRIBUTION – (Number)
What is the percent match contribution? This is calculated by dividing the total amount of match by the
total project cost (grant share plus match) and multiplying by 100.
(Note: Percent match contribution should be between 10% and 50%)
10) GRANT THEME (0-10 points) – (1,000 character max)
Explain why this project is a priority and how it aligns with the grant theme of grasses and grasslands.
Does it occur within a priority landscape or important area?
11) PROJECT OVERVIEW AND AREA DESCRIPTION (0-15 points) – (2,000 character max)
Provide an overview of the area, land ownership, vegetation types and need for work. Describe the
current population of the target species and any previous control efforts.
12) PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (0-10 points) – (1,000 character max)
Identify the goals and objectives of the project. What will be accomplished during the grant term? What
is the total area to be treated and the estimated treatment cost per acre? List all deliverables and
measures of success.
13) SCOPE OF WORK (0-15 points) – (2,500 character max)
Describe the work to be performed. Who will complete the various activities associated with the project?
Does this project involve inventory, mapping and monitoring? What control methods are planned for the
target species? Will the project area be reseeded or planted with native species? What environmental
clearances are needed and are they complete?
14) PROJECT TIMELINE (0-10 points) – (1,000 character max)
Provide a timeline for the project. Be as realistic and specific as possible; consider factors that could
delay the project including weather, environmental concerns, work force availability, etc. Include begin
and end dates, milestones, expected quarterly accomplishments/treatment acres, etc.
15) COLLABORATIVE ELEMENTS AND PARTNERS (0-10 points) – (1,000 character max)
Provide information about collaborative planning and implementation of the project. Describe the
contributions of each partner and whether they are financial, technical or both. Does the project occur
on more than one landownership?
16) EVALUATION PLAN (0-10 points) – (1,000 character max)
How will you determine the short-term success of this project? Will there be pre-treatment and post-
treatment vegetation assessments or photos taken? Are there specific invasive plant treatment
standards to be achieved?
17) SUSTAINABILITY PLAN (0-10 points) – (1,000 character max)
Explain how this project will remain effective long-term without reliance on additional federal or state
financial support. What maintenance will be needed to prevent future noxious weed infestations? Who
will be routinely monitoring the project area for invasive plants?
Note: An combined 0-10 points will be scored for the Budget Form and Overview Map.
Total possible points are 100.
Notice of Funding Opportunity
DFFM Invasive Plant Grant Program – 2023 page 7 of 7
BUDGET FORM - One form per project.
o This form asks for financial details about how requested grant funds and match contribution will be
used by the recipient.
o For each expense category, a dollar entry is required for both the Grant Request and the Match
Contribution. Budget categories include:
Administrative Labor – What personnel will contribute administrative labor? What is their
approximate cost per hour?
Project Labor – What personnel will contribute project labor? What is their approximate
cost per hour?
Fringe Benefits – For labor costs, what is the approximate cost for fringe benefits?
Travel – Include travel costs necessary for project completion.
Equipment – What equipment is planned for purchase, rental, etc.? (Purchase of capital
equipment is not allowed in this program)
Supplies – What supplies are needed for the project?
Contractual – What work will be completed by a contractor?
Other – Describe other expected project costs as needed.
o Use the Budget Narrative boxes to provide an explanation of how the dollar figures were calculated.
Provide as much detail as possible (cost per acre, rate per hour, etc.). Reviewers will be evaluating
whether the costs are reasonable and necessary for the completion of the proposed work.
o Additional Budget Notes
Only eligible costs and match that are reasonable and necessary for completion of the
project should be included.
Equipment budgets may include operational costs or equipment rental to implement the
project, but they may not include purchase of any capital equipment (valued over $5,000 per
unit).
No food or beverage purchases are allowed as grant funds or match under this grant.
MATCH CONTRIBUTION must be at least 10% of the total project costs.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
Budget Form (0-5 points) – 1 form per project (maximum of 2 pages). Applicants must use the budget
form provided by DFFM.
Overview Map (0-5 points) – Maximum of 1 page (8 ½ x 11). The overview map should show the
project area, planned treatment areas and adjacency to any completed, in progress, or planned invasive
plant management projects. The map can be uploaded in PDF or JPG format.
OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS
Letters of Support - Maximum of 5 pages (8 ½ x 11) in one electronic file.
QUESTIONS
Questions about the application process or program may be directed to:
Jessi Szopinski, Invasive Plant Program Specialist
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
1110 West Washington, Suite 500
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
jszopinski@dffm.az.gov
(602) 291-4167
Application materials and other related information is available on the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire
Management website at https://dffm.az.gov/grants/forest-health/invasive-plant-grants.
2023 Invasive Plant Grant (IPG) Application Questions
This document may serve as a template for developing an application. Typed responses to each question can be cut
and pasted into the eCivis Portal online. This is provided as optional to those interested in applying to the 2023 IPG.
Please note the character limits below and make sure to check them before copying responses to the Portal online.
1. Application/Project Title (100 character max)
Provide a brief descriptive title of your project.
2. Organization Name (100 character max)
List organization name.
3. Project Lead (100 character max)
List project lead name or names.
4. Program/Project Congressional District (check box)
5. Program/Project Legislative District (check box)
6. Target species (100 character max)
List the target invasive plant or plants to be removed or controlled.
7. Acres to be Treated (#)
List the number of acres to be treated.
8. Treatment polygon (Yes/No)
Do you currently have a GIS polygon layer for the proposed treatment area or areas?
(If your project is selected for funding, a GIS polygon layer will be required prior to the development of a
grant agreement)
9. Match contribution (#)
What is the percent match contribution? This is calculated by dividing the total amount
of match by the total project cost (grant share plus match) and multiplying by 100.
(Percent match contribution should be between 10% and 50%)
10. Grant Theme (0-10 points; 1,000 character max)
Explain why this project is a priority and how it aligns with the grant theme of grasses
and grasslands. Does it occur within a priority landscape or important area?
11. Project Overview and Area Description (0-15 points; 2,000 character max)
Provide an overview of the project area, land ownership, vegetation types and need for
work. Describe the current population of the target species and any previous control
efforts.
12. Project Goals and Objectives (0-10 points; 1,000 character max)
Identify the goals and objectives of the project. What will be accomplished during the
grant term? What is the total acres to be treated? List all deliverables and measures of
success.
13. Scope of Work (0-15 points; 2,500 character max)
Describe the work to be performed. Who will complete the various activities associated
with the project? Does this project involve inventory, mapping and monitoring? What
control methods are planned for the target species? Will the project area be reseeded
or planted with native species? What environmental clearances are needed and are
they complete?
14. Project Timeline (0-10 points; 1,000 character max)
Provide a timeline for the project. Be as realistic and specific as possible; consider
factors that could delay the project including weather, environmental concerns, work
force availability, etc. Include project begin and end dates, milestones, expected
quarterly accomplishments/treatment acres, etc.
15. Collaborative Elements and Partners (0-10 points; 1,000 character max)
Provide information about collaborative planning and implementation of the project.
Describe the contributions of each partner and whether they are financial, technical or
both. Does the project occur on more than one landownership?
16. Evaluation Plan (0-10 points; 1,000 character max)
How will you determine the short-term success of this project? Will there be pre-
treatment and post-treatment vegetation assessments or photos taken? Are there
specific invasive plant treatment standards to be achieved?
17. Sustainability Plan (0-10 points; 1,000 character max)
Explain how this project will remain effective long-term without reliance on additional
federal or state financial support. What maintenance will be needed to prevent future
noxious weed infestations? Who will be routinely monitoring the project area for
invasive plants?
Note: A combined 0-10 points will be scored for the Budget Form and Overview Map.
Total possible points are 100.
ITEM 8.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): REVIEW AND
DISCUSSION: MMPC Scope of Charter
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 01:06 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023
ITEM 9.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language):
CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION: New Trail Signage
Staff Summary (Background)
Attachments
New Trail Signage June 27, 2023 MMPC Meeting
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/26/2023 02:10 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/26/2023
New Trail Signage
OVERLOOK TRAIL
Name: Overlook Trail or Overlook Look or Overlook Extension?
Eliminate any mention of "Easy Access Trail"?
Replace badly faded signs or do this later?
Replace emergency markers or eliminate them? (This question should
probably be taken to the MMPC.)
Two new signs: (Excuse the crude signs)
A/K TRAIL
Eliminate all "Western Bike Loop"signs
Again, what to do about emergency markers?
2 signs:
WESTERN TRAIL:
Eliminate "Western Loop" signs.
Emergency markers?
2 new signs:
ITEM 10.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Trail
Counters
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 01:07 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023
ITEM 11.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE:
Sonoran Conservancy Fountain Hills Liaison
Staff Summary (Background)
Final Board meeting for 2022-2023 season was early May and activities concluded in April.
- A robust fall 2023 program supporting the November Challenge and other hikes and events has
been compiled and will be available for registration through the Town.
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 12:07 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023
ITEM 12.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): REVIEW AND
DISCUSSION: Trail Counter Activity - May 2023
Staff Summary (Background)
Attachments
Trail Counter Activity May 2023
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 12:57 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023
May 2023 Trail Counter Activity
ITEM 13.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE:
Future Agenda Items
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 01:01 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023
ITEM 14.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/27/2023 Meeting Type: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Request to McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Next
MMPC Meeting is September 26, 2023
Staff Summary (Background)
Form Review
Form Started By: Patti Lopuszanski Started On: 06/20/2023 01:03 PM
Final Approval Date: 06/20/2023