Title
Resolution to Approve a Stormwater Services Agreement with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner ($360,000.00 in Fiscal Year 2025, Total Contract Value $2,328,627.56)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner (WCWRC) have a long successful history of collaboration. The Huron River Pollution Abatement projects, which led to the removal of non-residential illicit connections from the stormwater system, was one of the earlier joint projects that began in 1987. This collaboration has continued to flourish - with joint projects like Olsen Park, Malletts Creek Restoration Project, Illicit Connection Detection and Elimination Program (IDEP), demonstration rain gardens, Mary Beth Doyle Park Wetlands Restoration and Allen Creek Stormwater Improvements. Many of these joint projects have received grant or loan support which has been administered by the County.
The success of much of the City’s Stormwater programming and capital improvements has been from a continued collaboration of stormwater activities, including low-interest State Revolving Fund loans and/or partnerships to construct stormwater infrastructure improvements across the entire City.
The attached resolution would approve a service agreement with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner in the amount of $360,000.00 for FY2025 which can be renewed for up to 5 additional 1-year periods on the same terms and conditions through FY2030 subject to annual price increase adjustments and the appropriation of funds. The agreement would be used by the Water Resources Commissioner to fund a portion of a full-time County employee (0.5 FTE) to provide stormwater services which will benefit the City, including applications and administration of potential grants and loans, project coordination and miscellaneous services. The agreement will also fund green infrastructure maintenance coordination and management through a full-time County employee. Additionally, it would fund the rain garden services program, including rain garden outreach and education with a full-time County employee.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the approved FY25 Systems Planning Stormwater Operations and Maintenance budget and the approved FY25 Water Resources Recovery Facility Operations and Maintenance budget. Additional contract renewals, through FY2030 would be subject to annual budget appropriations and subject to an annual price increase of no more than 3% each year. If renewed for the full six years, the total potential contract value with price annual price adjustments is estimated at $2,328,627.56.
Staff
Prepared by: Jennifer Lawson, Water Quality Manager
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Interim Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has a long-standing history of successful collaboration with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner;
Whereas, It is desirable to continue this collaboration;
Whereas, Stormwater and flooding issues have become a priority for the City, resulting in an increased level of service and work effort being required of Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner have successfully collaborated on a 20-year program that provided stormwater services to the City, including applications and administration of grants and
loans, project coordination and miscellaneous services;
Whereas, It is beneficial to the environment and the community to install rain gardens and green infrastructure to promote stormwater infiltration, reduce stormwater volumes, and improve stormwater quality;
Whereas, Installing well-maintained, attractive City-owned and managed rain gardens and green infrastructure provide a visible advertisement for others to install rain gardens on their own property;
Whereas, A rain garden and green infrastructure program fits the need for both entities to engage in public involvement, public participation, public education and post-construction stormwater best management practices under the NPDES stormwater permitting program;
Whereas, Funding for these services is available in the approved FY 2025 Water Resource Recovery Facility’s Operations and Maintenance budget & the approved FY 2025 Systems Planning Stormwater Operations and Maintenance budget and from subsequent years’ budgets if so approved by Council; and
Whereas, In consideration of the premises and of the mutual undertakings of the parties and in conformity with applicable law, the City and the County agree that the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office shall provide resources and expertise required to administer the Stormwater Services, in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor, based on attached work plan - Exhibit A;
RESOLVED, That Council approves a service agreement with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner for an amount of $360,000.00 in FY25 to provide stormwater services which will benefit the City;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to renew this Agreement for up to five additional 1-year periods on the same terms and conditions subject to an annual price increase that shall not exceed 3%, and subject to the annual appropriation of funds;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said agreement after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution.