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 pr...
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