Discussion and possible action to approve an extension of the current Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to maintain Rio Vista, Paloma, and Pioneer Community Park lakes as facilities taking part in the Community Fishing Program, extending the agreement to June 30, 2029.

The City of Peoria has had a partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission since Rio Vista Community Park was opened in 2004. This partnership allows the City’s three community parks (Paloma, Pioneer, and Rio Vista) to participate in the Community Fishing Program.

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

The three community park lakes are stocked with catchable rainbow trout approximately every two weeks from December to March, and catchable channel catfish approximately every two weeks from April to May, and from mid-September to early-November. Fish stocking will cease from approximately June through mid-September due to heat stress factors. At least once per year, sunfish will also be stocked into the lakes. As needed, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission adjusts the stocking plan with other species to maintain a balanced fishery and improve angler success rates.

The chart below outlines the cost of the program relative to the Paloma, Pioneer, and Rio Vista Community Park lakes.

A public information program will also be conducted by the City in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. This includes public information kiosks at all three lakes for posting of Community Fishing Program information for the public. Lake assessment reports are provided to the City by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission as well.

The City entered into the current Intergovernmental Agreement with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on September 19, 2023 and a previous agreement was entered into on August 8, 2020. City Council unanimously approved the initial Intergovernmental Agreement (September 4, 2018, Consent Agenda Item 7C).

Staff recommends that City Council approves the IGA with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to continue the Community Fishing Program with all included benefits for patrons of the City’s three community parks.

The IGA with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission includes payments for the Community Fishing Program. Costs have been budgeted in the three community park operating budgets.