DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Homer Garcia III
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Edwards Aquifer Protection Program Amendment No. 1 to an Interlocal Agreement with San Antonio River Authority
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of Amendment No. 1 to an Interlocal Agreement with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) to extend the term to February 28, 2025 and to increase the contract value by $45,191.00 to $522,092.00 for continued project management of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program’s recharge and water quality demonstration projects 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 demonstration projects within urbanized areas of Bexar County. The balance of $90 million is currently supporting the program’s efforts to obtain real estate interests by fee-simple purchase, conservation easements or donations of land over the sensitive recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer.
In 2016, City Council authorized the Parks and Recreation Department to enter into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with SARA in the amount of $476,901.00 to perform project development and management as well as program evaluation services over the life of the 2015 Venue Sales Tax election. As the City of San Antonio’s project manager, SARA has successfully collaborated with consultants and existing aquifer stakeholders to develop the methodology and strategies to identify and/or develop projects for implementation with the earmarked $10 million. The term of the current ILA expires on June 30, 2021 and an extension of the term to February 28, 2025 is proposed to extend SARA’s project management services for the funded water quality demonstration projects, the last of which are scheduled to be completed in Fall 2024.
SARA ILA Amendment No. 1 will increase the contract value by $45,191.00 to cover continued project management expenses and related reporting through the extended term to February 28, 2025. The proposed ILA amendment was presented to the Conservation Advisory Board on February 24, 2021, which endorsed moving the item forward to the full Council for consideration.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements for SARA’S ILA were waived in 2016 due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these professional services.
ISSUE:
Amendment No. 1 to SARA’s ILA is recommended to extend the agreement term to February 28, 2025 and to increase the contract value by $45,191.00 to a grand total not to exceed $522,092.00 for SARA’s continued project management of the EAPP recharge and water quality demonstration projects through their anticipated completion.
ALTERNATIVES:
In lieu of amending the ILA, City staff could assume management of the EAPP water quality demonstration projects. 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:
Funds requested in the amount of $45,191.00 for this ILA amendment will utilize 2015 Proposition 1 Parks Development & Expansion Funds available in the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program Project approved in the adopted FY 2021-2026 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Interlocal Agreement Amendment No. 1 with the San Antonio River Authority for continued project management of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program’s recharge and water quality demonstration projects in Bexar County.