Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Michigan State University to Create a Software Tool to Evaluate Water Quality and Appropriate $250,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves a sole source professional services agreement with Michigan State University (MSU) for developing and expanding a customized analysis tool within the Great Lakes Watershed Management System (GLWMS) developed by the Institute of Water Research (IWR) at MSU. The contract will be for a period of three years for a not to exceed total of $250,000.00. The contract will be paid out of the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage Fund and reimbursed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a previously awarded Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant.
On August 16, 2021, City Council approved an agreement with USDA-NRCS to accept up to $7,400,000.00 in grant funds over five years for the “Lake Erie Conservation Partnership: Food & Water for the Future of Southeast Michigan” Regional Conservation Partnership Program (R-21-307). RCPP is a federal grant program that provides a guaranteed pool of grant funds for regional conservation activities, primarily conservation easement acquisitions. RCPP grant funding also supports development of innovative quantitative tools aimed at defining environmental benefits of RCPP-related activities.
As part of the City’s $7.4M RCPP efforts, a customized expansion of MSU’s GLWMS to the Huron River and River Raisin watersheds will enable the City and its partner agencies to use a new quantitative GIS tool for calculating nonpoint source pollution reduction and groundwater recharge benefits of past, current, and future conservation efforts; more effectively evaluating and prioritizing existing project pipelines and target parcels with RCPP funds that will net the largest water quality benefits; and meaningfully communicating conservation outcomes with stakeholders and the general public.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The estimated cost is $250,000.00 for the three-year period (January 1, 2023-December 31, 2025). Funds are available in the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage Fund, which will be reimbursed by USDA-NRCS through the awarded RCPP grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Rosie Pahl Donaldson, Land Acquisition Supervisor
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) provides a pool of funds for conservation activities;
Whereas, The Greenbelt Strategic Plan identifies water quality and securing creative funding streams as priority goals; and
Whereas, Michigan State University (MSU) Institute of Water Research’s (IWR) Great Lakes Watershed Management System is owned and operated by MSU, and the expansion of the tool was included as a deliverable in the City’s RCPP-funded regional conservation efforts;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves a sole source professional services contract with Michigan State University for developing and expanding a customized analysis tool within the Great Lakes Watershed Management System for the Huron and Raisin River watersheds for an amount not to exceed $250,000.00;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That $250,000.00 is appropriated for this Professional Services Agreement from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage unobligated fund balance for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution.