R2009-03 AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED INSTITUTE

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DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT Memorandum No. 2009-02 January 7, 2009 TO: Honarable Mayor Carrigan and City Council FROM: Ryan P. McCrady, City Manager � John A. Smith, Assistant City Manager for Public Services Keith D. Alexander, Director of Water Management � SUBJECT: Agricultural Watershed Institute Financial Support Agreement for Local Bioenergy Initiative SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing a Local Bioenergy Initiative Financial Support Agreement with the Agricultural Watershed Institute (AWI) at a cost of$129,960 over the next 24 months. BACKGROUND: In December 2008 Stephen John, AWI Executive Director, introduced the concept of a Local Bioenergy Initiative to Council. Staff has evaluated the Initiative and finds it worthy of funding for the following reasons: • It may lead to additional Lake Decatur watershed soil and water quality improvements. • It may lead to a more diverse and productive agricultural landscape that may benefit many Decatur businesses. • It may lead to widespread, positive recognition of AWI and Decatur in various journals and publications. • It may assist in reducing our nation's reliance on imported fuels. • The City's financial support will be matched at least one-to-one by the Lumpkin Foundation and other sources. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: None foreseen. STAFF REFERENCE: Keith Alexander, Director of Water Management, 424-2863 or kalexander@decaturil.gov BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: The current Lake Capital Budget includes $100,000 to cost share on nonpoint source pollution control projects in the Lake Decatur watershed. An additional $100,000 is anticipated to be requested far each of the next two fiscal years. The AWI Initiative is a progressive nonpoint source pollution control project. cc: Stephen John, AWI Randy Kampfe, ADM Randy Miller, Water Services Manager � Rob Shirley, Water Production Manager