Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with and Accept Funds from the Huron River Watershed Council for Appropriation to Staff in the Office of Sustainability and Innovation to Provide Services Supporting a Project on Sustaining Engagement on Equitable and Climate-Smart Stormwater Adaptation ($32,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and consideration for approval is a resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement (“PSA”) with the Huron River Watershed Council (“HRWC”) for staff in the Office of Sustainability and Innovation (“Staff”) to support a project entitled: “Co-producing climate knowledge and sustained engagement in the Great Lakes in support of stormwater management adaptation” (the “Project”). The $32,000 in expected proceeds from this support will come from a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the University of Michigan (“University”), who will partner with the HRWC, and will reimburse the Major Grants Program fund balance, against which Staff’s costs and expenses for the Project will be charged.
As background, in 2016, the-consultant Dr. Missy Stults and the HRWC’s Rebecca Esselman, with input from the University’s Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessment (“GLISA”) and Headwaters Economics, developed a tool to help local communities in the Great Lakes region understand their vulnerabilities to projected changes in climate; in particular, changes in temperature and precipitation and how possible changes can disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. The tool was co-developed with the Cities of Ann Arbor (MI); Dearborn (MI); Cleveland (OH); Evanston (IL); Bloomington (IN); and Indianapolis (IN).
Building off the success of this tool, in the summer of 2017, the University, in tandem with the HRWC and Dr. Stults, prepared an application to the NOAA for funding to support updating their tool to specifically support local stormwater preparedness in the region. Given that localized flooding is currently a major issue of concern in the Great Lakes region and that climate change is very likely to exacerbate this issue, the research team felt that it was imperative to understand how best to support local communities throughout the Great Lakes region with preparing for stormwater related flooding.
The Project will work with at least six Great Lakes local governments to: a) co-produce climate information using the comprehensive climate and socio-economic vulnerability assessment tool mentioned above, updating it for use in stormwater systems, and b) assess whether a boundary chain model can reduce transaction costs for scaling up sustained stakeholder engagement and stormwater management through a series of social experiments that explore different forms of engagement within the chain, including face-to-face, webinar assisted, and written/self-assisted. The City will likely be one of the communities selected for engagement.
In late spring 2018, the research team received notice that their proposal was being recommended for full funding through 10/31/2019, with the option of a no-cost extension.
Now that Dr. Stults works for the City, it was determined that she could continue on in the Project with the City’s cost of her work paid by the HRWC through funds available to it through its partnership with the University and the grantor, the NOAA.
Overall, engaging in this project and achieving the desired outcomes will help communities in the Great Lakes region, including the City, advance the resilience of stormwater systems, while enhancing its relationship with researchers at the University. Moreover, by applying this tool locally, the City will be able to prioritize its activities and investments in a manner that respects its commitment to equity, especially its One Community commitment.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Manager
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) approved a grant to the University of Michigan (“University”) for a project (“Project”) entitled “Co-producing climate knowledge and sustained engagement in the Great Lakes in support of stormwater management adaptation;” and
Whereas, Dr. Missy Stults was a sub-consultant to the Huron River Watershed Council (“HRWC”) on this grant application before she officially took employment at the City; and
Whereas, The University’s research team recommends that Dr. Stults and her City staff continue on with the Project, with the City’s costs paid by the HRWC pursuant to a professional services agreement, with funds available to it through HRWC’s partnership with the University and its grantor, NOAA.
Whereas, This work will support the City’s existing commitments related to equity and the One Community program; and
Whereas, This work will support the City’s existing commitments to climate action and sustainability, including the Sustainability Framework’s goals of a safe community, sustainable systems, clean air and water, and healthy ecosystems;
RESOLVED, That the City Council approves a professional services agreement with the HRWC for City staff in the Office of Sustainability and Innovation to provide in support of the Project;
RESOLVED, That the FY 2019 Major Grants Program budget be increased by $32,000 for this Project, funded with a corresponding use of the Major Grants Program fund balance, for use by the Office of Sustainability and Innovations staff, without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the FY 2019 Major Grants Program fund be reimbursed with the proceeds of the Professional Services Agreement with the HRWC;
RESOLVED, That Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute an appropriate Professional Services Agreement, and any other related and necessary agreements, after approval as to substance by the City Administration and as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.