Discussion and possible action to approve Amendment Number 1 to an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to add Paloma Park Pond to the Community Fishing Program.

The City of Peoria has maintained a partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission since Rio Vista Community Park opened in 2004. Upon completion of Pioneer Park, Pioneer Lake was added to the Community Fishing program. This partnership allows the community parks to participate in the Community Fishing Program. The approval of this amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) will add the new fishing pond at Paloma Community Park to the Community Fishing Program. 

Through the Community Fishing Program, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission promotes and stocks the lakes, provides administrative services, enforces urban fishing rules and regulations, and monitors water quality. In addition, regular fishing clinics are held at the lakes.

The lakes at Rio Vista and Pioneer Community Parks are stocked every two weeks, from mid-November through mid-March, with catchable rainbow trout. From mid-March through mid-November, the lakes are stocked with channel catfish. During the period from approximately June 15 through September 15, catfish stocking ceases due to heat stress factors. At least once a year, sunfish will be stocked into the lakes. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission adjusts the stocking plan with other species, as needed, to maintain a balanced fishery and improve angler success rates. Since the stocking schedule has been successful over the years at Rio Vista and Pioneer, this stocking schedule will continue at all three lakes.

Costs for the Community Fishing Program are included in the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities current operating budget, and are as follows:

Previous IGAs were entered into with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on June 25, 2010 (LCON08210) and July 25, 2014 (LCON04214). The current IGA, dated June 22, 2018 (LCON06018), was approved by City Council on September 4, 2018.

A: Authorize the approval of Amendment No. 1 to the IGA between the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the City of Peoria to add Paloma Community Park Pond to the Community Fishing Program.

B: Deny Amendment No. 1 to the IGA between the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Staff recommends that City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the IGA with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to add Paloma Community Park Pond to the Community Fishing Program.

Costs for the Community Fishing Program are included in the operating budgets of each respective community park.