Sustainability Commission considers adopting a street or supporting stream restoration volunteer work
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Summary
Staff briefed the commission on the city’s Adopt‑a‑Stream, Adopt‑an‑Avenue and FUTS volunteer programs, explaining expectations for adopters (three cleanups per year), the wait list for FUTS sections and special restoration opportunities for streams.
The Sustainability Commission discussed whether it should adopt a city street, trail section or stream segment as a commission and heard staff explain the Adopt‑a‑Avenue/Adopt‑a‑Stream and FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trail System) programs.
Stephen Thompson and Blake (community service coordinator for the Sustainability Office) told commissioners that adopters commit to three cleanups per year. Blake said FUTS sections are fully adopted and there is a wait list for trail sections; Industrial Avenue was identified as the last available city avenue segment. Adopted stream sections, staff said, involve additional tasks such as removing channel‑blocking debris and pulling invasive plants and may include pre‑adoption site walks to show volunteers what to expect.
Staff said planting after invasive removal is possible but depends on the unique ecology of each stream section; larger restoration projects with partners, such as past work in the Cheshire area, included re‑shaping channels and planting native species.
Commissioners discussed options — adopting a single commission section versus supporting other community groups’ restoration projects — and asked how staff address adopters who fail to maintain their section. Blake said the city is launching Volunteer Flagstaff software to manage adopter records and supply requests and that staff plan to reach out to long‑inactive adopters before the new year.
The commission agreed to revisit the question in January when the new commission membership is in place.