R2018-20 Authorizing an Agreement with the Agricultural Watershed Institute Lake Decatur Watershed Conservation Services

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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Memorandum No. 2018-07 February 26, 2018 TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council FROM: Tim Gleason, City Manager Matt Newell, P.E., Public Works Director Keith Alexander, Water Production Manager SUBJECT: The Agricultural Watershed Institute Lake Decatur Watershed Conservation Services Agreement SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: City Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing an agreement with The Agricultural Watershed Institute (AWI) for Lake Decatur watershed conservation services at a cost not to exceed $62,500. PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: On February 1, 2016,the City Council authorized the previous agreement with AWI. BACKGROUND: Since 2006, the City has funded Lake Decatur watershed conservation services with AWI. The previous agreement provided up to$62,500 annually for 2016 and 2017. The proposed agreement is for the same level of funding for 2018. The agreement is a cost reimbursable arrangement with monthly invoicing that is also successfully used by the City in similar agreements with the Macon County Soil & Water Conservation District. The attached proposed agreement describes the services that AWI will provide to the City. They are the same as the previous agreement, and include: • Sediment and nutrient best management practices • Water resources planning and management • Perennial crops grown for agricultural crops and conservation benefits • Shared learning program including the annual Sangamon Watershed Celebration • Technical assistance with other watershed activities upon request These agreements have been extremely successful and enhance other funding that AWI has been awarded over the past twelve years for watershed conservation planning and to promote and construct best management practice (BMP) water quality improvements in the Lake Decatur watershed. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: None foreseen.