SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
Title
A Resolution Authorizing The Town Of Erie, Colorado, To Enter Into Three Memorandums Of Understanding With Resource Central For The Slow The Flow Outdoor Inspection Program; The Water-Wise Landscape Seminar And For The Garden In A Box Program; Authorizing And Directing The Appropriate Town Officers To Sign Said Memorandum Of Understanding; And Setting Forth Details In Relation Thereto.
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Todd Fessenden, Public Works Director
Lyndsy Willette, Administrative Specialist
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Cost as Recommended: $25,500.00
Balance Available: $30,400.00
Budget Line Item Number: 500.70.110.570280.000000
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve a Resolution authorizing the Town of Erie to enter into said agreements, authorizing the Town Administrator to execute said agreements, authorizing staff to expend funds.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
From 2004 to 2009, the Town of Erie has partnered with the Resource Central, formerly Center for Resource Conservation, to provide outdoor inspections for commercial and residential irrigation systems. The outdoor irrigation 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 Resource Central. In 2015, we introduced the Garden In A Box Program with great success and continued in 2017, 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 Resource Central. The program educates people about how to water more efficiently with their sprinkler systems. During an irrigation 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 2017, the Resource Central Technicians completed 1,782 residential and 42 commercial inspections overall, with an estimated 8.9 million gallons of expected water savings from residential properties alone. Of those, 133 residential inspections were performed in Erie.
The cost for the 2018 Slow the Flow Inspections will be $18,700
Water-Wise Landscape Seminar
The Water-Wise Landscape Seminars help to educate residents about best management landscaping practices that promote water conservation. In 2017 we had 48 participants registered for the Xeriscape 101 seminar that the Town of Erie hosted at the Erie Community Center.
The cost for the 2018 Water-Wise Landscape Seminar will be $2,000.
Garden In A Box Program
One of the Resource Central’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 in price from $79-$159.
In 2017, Resource Central sold 116 gardens to Town of Erie residents; 80 of those were purchased with the $25 discount offered by Town of Erie.
The cost for the 2018 Garden In A Box Program will be $4,800. The program 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 |
$18,700 |
|
Water-Wise Landscape Seminar |
$ 2,000 |
|
Garden In A Box |
$ 4,800 |
|
Total: |
$25,500 |
Outreach
The Town of Erie will advertise the 2018 programs by posting them 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 Resource Central website and the gardens will be distributed in early May. The Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections will begin in June and end in August, and the Water-Wise Seminar will be held in April.
To schedule an inspection, residents can call 303-999-3824 or register on line at ResourceCentral.org
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution
• 2017 Water Programs Annual Report - Town of Erie
• Slow the Flow Outdoor Inspections Agreement
• Water-Wise Landscape Seminars Program Agreement
• Garden In A Box Program Agreement