Title
Resolution Authorizing Membership in the Michigan Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (MiWarn)
Memorandum
This resolution seeks Council authorization to join the Michigan Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (MiWarn). MiWarn is an affiliation of municipal water/wastewater utilities that was organized to provide mutual support in emergency situations. The network provides a means for utilities to share resources in the event of emergencies that threaten to disrupt utility services. Membership in the network would allow the City of Ann Arbor to access personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies for other Michigan utilities if an any of these items were needed.
Membership in MiWarn would also allow the City of Ann Arbor to provide support to other utilities in the State of Michigan in the event that it could aid other struggling utilities in an emergency without impacting services to its own customers. Membership in MI Warn does not obligate or bind the city to providing support to others in the event of an emergency.
Staff
Prepared by: Brian Steglitz, Water Treatment Services Unit Manager
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Certain Michigan water, wastewater and public works agencies have formed the “Michigan Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network,” (MiWARN), to share resources and to assist each other in the form of personnel, equipment, material and supplies in the event of emergencies that disrupt utility services;
Whereas, The Urban Cooperative Act of 1967, (MCL 124.501 et seq.) authorizes public bodies and private entities to work together to provide mutual aid and assistance to both public and private water and wastewater utilities and public works agencies in need of emergency assistance caused by natural or man-made disasters;
Whereas, The features of the proposed Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement under consideration gives sole discretion to Members whether or not to respond to a request for assistance, or to what extent to respond to a request for assistance from a requesting Member, and provides for cost re-imbursement by the requesting Member to the responding Member;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor will retain complete discretion and authority to withdraw some or all of its resources furnished to a requesting Member at any time, and may withdraw from MiWARN, for any reason, upon seven (7) days notice to the Steering Committee;
Whereas, Legal counsel for the City of Ann Arbor has reviewed the draft Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement, in conjunction with the Water Treatment Services Unit Manager and recommend the proposed Agreement;
Whereas, The Members have agreed to enter into this “Michigan Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network Mutual Aid Agreement,” to describe the terms and conditions under which emergency assistance may be requested and provided; and
Whereas, By executing the Agreement, the Parties express their intent to participate in a program of Mutual Aid and Assistance within the State of Michigan.
RESOLVED, That Council authorizes becoming a Member of the Michigan Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network and entering into the Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement; and
RESOLVED, That the Interim City Administrator is authorized to execute the Agreement and take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.