DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Janet A. Martin, Interim Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Edwards Aquifer Protection Program Interlocal Agreement with San Antonio River Authority
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of an Interlocal Agreement in the amount of $476,901.00 with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for project management and evaluation of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program’s $10 million earmarked for recharge and water quality initiatives in Bexar County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The purpose of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) is to protect the quality and quantity of water recharging into the aquifer. In May 2015 Proposition 1 was placed on the election ballot in which voters approved the 1/8-cent venue sales tax generating $100 million for continued expansion of the EAPP. Proposition 1 included $10 million for incorporation of new recharge and water quality protection projects within urbanized areas of Bexar County. The balance of $90 million will continue the program’s efforts to obtain real estate interests by fee-simple purchase, conservation easements or donations of land over the sensitive zones of the Edwards Aquifer.
The Parks and Recreation Department is proposing to enter into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with SARA to perform project development and management as well as program evaluation services over the life of the 2015 venue sales tax election which is estimated at five years. As the City of San Antonio’s project manager, SARA will collaborate with consultants and existing aquifer stakeholders to develop the methodology and strategy to identify and/or develop projects for implementation with the earmarked funds. As individual projects are identified and come forward for recommendation through this toolkit approach, City Council would have final approval authority for project implementation. The proposed ILA was presented to the Transportation, Technology, and Utilities Committee on March 9, which endorsed moving the item forward to the full Council for consideration.
ISSUE:
The 2015 Proposition 1 Edwards Aquifer Protection Program includes $10 million earmarked for recharge and water quality initiatives within Bexar County over the recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer. The Parks and Recreation Department recommends entering into an ILA with SARA over the duration of the sales tax for identification of eligible program through stakeholder engagement and project implementation and evaluation.
In addition to the approximate $476,901.00 in project management costs, SARA has agreed to absorb an additional $43,500.00 in hard costs to help fund initial project planning sessions with a contracted facilitation team.
ALTERNATIVES:
In lieu of the ILA City staff could go through the deliberative process to define projects for implementation. This alternative course of action would not realize the efficiency in utilizing SARA’s expertise in watershed management and improving the quality of water in San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund impact associated with this action. Funds of $476,901.00 for this ILA will utilize 2015 Proposition 1 Parks Development & Expansion Funds available in the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program Project approved in the FY 2016-2021 Adopted Annual Capital Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Interlocal Agreement with the San Antonio River Authority for project management of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program’s $10 million earmarked for recharge and water quality initiatives in Bexar County.