SUBJECT: CONSENT AGENDA
A Resolution Authorizing The Town Of Erie, Colorado, To Enter Into Three Agreements With The Center For Resource Conservation. One For Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspection Program, One for Water-Wise Landscape Seminar and One for the Garden In A Box Program
Title
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Gary Behlen, Public Works Director
Bethany Peer, Administrative Assistant
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Cost as Recommended: $22,235
Balance Available: $30,400
Budget Line Item Number: 500.70.110.570280.000000
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approving Resolution authorizing the Town to enter into said Agreements, authorizing the Town Administrator to execute said Agreements, authorizing Staff to expend funds.
Recommendation
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
From 2004 to 2009, the Town of Erie has partnered with the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC), to provide Outdoor Inspections for commercial and residential irrigation systems. The Outdoor Inspections are designed to pinpoint inefficiencies in an irrigation system which contribute to water waste, unnecessary runoff, and increased run-time and maintenance costs. This program is valuable in studying the irrigation water use in the Town and provides a service to Town residents. The program also meets conservation goals set by Northern Colorado Water Conservation District for the Windy Gap Project, Northern Integrated Supply Project and the Town of Erie’s Water Conservation Plan.
In 2012, the Town of Erie resumed the Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections, as well as, added the Water-Wise Landscape Seminar offered by CRC. In 2015, we introduced the Garden In A Box Program with great success and continued in 2016 exhausting all 80 of our $25 discounts offered to Town of Erie water customers. All programs continue to show strong participation from our Town of Erie water customers.
Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections
The Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections are ran by the CRC. The program educates people about how to water more efficiently with their sprinkler systems. During an inspection, a trained auditor travels to a residential or large property, performs a thorough inspection of the sprinkler system, and spends time educating homeowners or property managers about what to fix on their sprinkler stem and how to water more efficiently.
In 2016, the CRC Technicians completed 1,699 residential and 36 commercial inspections, with an estimated 8.495 million gallons of expected water savings from residential properties alone. Of those, 133 residential inspections and one large property inspection were performed in Erie.
The cost for the 2017 Slow the Flow Inspections is $15,750.
Water-Wise Landscape Seminar
The Water-Wise Landscape Seminars help to educate residents about best management landscaping practices that promote water conservation. Last year, 39 people attended the Xeriscape 101 seminar that the Town of Erie hosted at the Erie Community Center.
The cost for the 2017 Water-Wise Landscape Seminar is $1,845.
Garden In A Box Program
One of the CRC’s most popular programs is Garden In A Box. Each year, they offer an array of do-it-yourself Xeric garden kits, created by professional landscape designers for sun, shade, and everything in between. These plant-by-number gardens can have a significant conservation impact-especially when used to replace turf! The garden designs range from $74-$149.
In 2016, the CRC sold 105 gardens to Town of Erie residents; 80 of those were purchased with the $25 discount offered by Town of Erie.
The cost for the 2017 Garden In A Box Program is $4,640. The cost includes eighty (80) discounts of $25 each for customers purchasing gardens, who receive water through service provided by Erie. The discounts are available on a first come, first serve basis.
|
Summary |
|
Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections |
$15,750 |
|
Water-Wise Landscape Seminar |
$1,845 |
|
Garden In A Box |
$4,640 |
|
Total: |
$22,235 |
Remaining funds will be used for marketing purposes and to fund additional inspections or returned to the water fund budget.
Outreach
The Town will advertise the 2017 program by posting it on the Town website, in the Town’s bi-monthly emails and announced on two separate occasions in our resident’s utility bill. Upon approval, advertising will start in March. The Garden In A Box program will be available for online purchasing beginning in February through the CRC website and the gardens will be distributed in early May. The Water-Wise Landscape Seminar will be in April. The Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections will begin in June and end in August.
To schedule an inspection, residents can call 303-999-3824 or register on line at www.conservationcenter.org <http://www.conservationcenter.org>.
ATTACHMENTS:
• 2016 Town of Erie Final Water Programs Report
• 2017 Garden In A Box Agreement
• 2017 Slow the Flow Agreement (Outdoor Inspections)
• 2017 Water-Wise Landscape Seminar Program Agreement
• Resolution