DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Agreement with San Antonio River Authority (SARA) For Services Implementing Green Storm Water Infrastructure Measures
SUMMARY:
The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) will be entering into an Interlocal Agreement to implement green storm water infrastructure (Low Impact Development) measures for select 2017-2022 Bond Program projects.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio (City) and San Antonio River Authority (SARA) have collaboratively worked with other local governmental entities since 2004 as part of an Interlocal Agreement which formed the regional management program known as the Bexar Regional Watershed Management Program (BRWM) to deliver regional flood control, drainage, storm water and water quality projects and services to more effectively address associated public safety and resource management issues.
Over the past 10 years the BRWM collectively, as well as each governmental entity individually, has worked to apply resources to effectively reduce flooding risks and address threats to water quality through the use of:
• Watershed Master Plans • Natural Channel Design (NCD)
• Operations • Flood Mitigation
• Land Use • Project Specific Best Management Practices
• Low Impact Development (LID) • Water Quality
• Green Infrastructure (GI) • Stream Degradation
Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure methods are cornerstone concepts of land sustainability in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability section of the City of San Antonio’s 2020 Vision.
ISSUE:
Recent studies by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have shown storm water pollution is the leading cause of water quality contaminants in the nation. Currently, there are many tributaries and impaired streams in Bexar County listed in the Clean Water Act with an impairment for bacteria.
COSA and SARA seek to expand the application of sustainable practices (such as LID, GI, and NCD) to respond to permitting trends within the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Pollutant Discharge Elimination System to develop better improvements to water quality in the streams of Bexar County. Collaboration of expertise, resources, and projects reduces duplication in the utilization of public resources and develops more effective and efficient tools and programs to meet the current requirements of the MS4 permit as well as prepare the City for future measures to reduce pollutants.
This agreement between the City and SARA will establish and promote cooperative and collaborative development, management and operation of storm water related programs, projects and activities promoting the use of sustainable storm water management practices and leverage current program funding, improve the management of public funding sources and ensure coordination of governmental resources and functions. The agreement will describe roles and responsibilities between the City and SARA to ensure coordination on the implementation of programs, projects and activities. It will also establish procedures to allocate specific funding to support programs, projects and activities identified to support sustainable storm water practices.
The scope of work outlined in this agreement will focus on the following select 2017-2022 Bond projects:
• Broadway Street Corridor
• South Alamo Street
• District 9 Senior Center
• World Heritage Center
• Woodlawn Multi-Generational Center
• Fire Station #24
Additional projects can be added by mutual consent of the City and SARA in the form of an amendment through subsequent council action.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing and there are no alternatives associated with the item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a briefing and there is no fiscal impact associated with the item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) enter into an Interlocal Agreement to implement green storm water infrastructure measures for select 2017-2022 Bond Program projects.