Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Mark Enders, Watershed Program Manager
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - menders@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of contracts and contract renewals associated with the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan program. Authorize the City Manager to execute contracts and contract modifications for the following EAHCP projects: Old Channel Restoration, Aquatic Vegetation Restoration, Dissolved Oxygen Management and Gill Parasite Control with BIO-WEST, Inc.; Non-native Animal Species Control with SWCA; and Riparian Restoration (Old Channel) with EBR Enterprises.
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BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
On October 24, 2011, City Council approved the City of New Braunfels (CoNB) participation in the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). The EAHCP includes a number of projects specific to New Braunfels and the Comal River system. The CoNB is responsible for implementing EAHCP projects in New Braunfels utilizing funds provided by the EAHCP program.
The governing authority for the EAHCP is the Implementing Committee as represented by the City of New Braunfels, City of San Marcos, Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS), Texas State University and a non-voting member Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA). The CoNB’s 2018 EAHCP Work Plan and funding application for Year Six (2018) have been presented to and approved by the EAHCP Implementing Committee.
On November 12, 2012 and December 10, 2012, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute contracts for the implementation of 2013 EAHCP projects. During previous years of the EAHCP program, BIO-WEST, SWCA and EBR Enterprises have demonstrated competency in accomplishing on-going EAHCP work activities in accordance with their authorized contracts. Therefore, contracts with these firms have been modified in the past to extend their services into subsequent work years. It is proposed that contracts for BIO-WEST, SWCA and EBR be extended into 2018. New contracts will also need to be established to complete additional projects identified in the CoNB’s 2018 EAHCP Work Plan. Additional contracts will be needed to implement the EAHCP Riparian Restoration (Riffle Beetle) and Water Quality/ LID projects and will be solicited for and selected at a later date. The selected contractors will be brought before City Council at a later date for consideration.
The following table provides information regarding individual EAHCP project costs associated with the proposed Year Six (2018) work activities.
|
Project |
Description |
Contractor |
Year Six (2018) Proposed Work Plan |
|
Old Channel Restoration |
Restore habitat for Fountain Darters by removing non-native aquatic vegetation and planting native aquatic vegetation. |
BIO-WEST |
$100,000 |
|
Aquatic Vegetation Restoration |
Restore habitat by removing non-native aquatic vegetation and planting native aquatic vegetation within Landa Lake. |
BIO-WEST |
$50,000 |
|
Dissolved Oxygen Management |
Implement monitoring and management measures to promote adequate dissolved oxygen levels in Landa Lake. |
BIO-WEST |
$15,000 |
|
Non-Native Animal Species Control |
Continue removal of non-native animal species from the Comal River system. |
SWCA |
$55,000 |
|
Gill Parasite Control |
Continue surveys in the Comal River system regarding non-native snail population densities and concentrations of the gill parasite. |
BIO-WEST |
$30,000 |
|
Riparian Restoration-Riffle Beetle Habitat |
Provide landscape and restoration design |
Asakura-Robinson |
$5,000 |
|
|
Conduct riparian restoration along Spring Run 3 |
Contractor TBD |
$30,000 |
|
Riparian Restoration-Old Channel |
Conduct riparian restoration along the Old Channel of the Comal River. |
EBR Enterprises |
$50,000 |
|
Low Impact Development (LID)/ Water Quality Program |
Provide engineering design services for water quality control measures at N Houston and Golf Course Parking Lot |
Contractor TBD |
$15,000 |
|
|
Contractor to construct water quality control measure at |
Contractor TBD |
$100,000 |
|
|
Sponsor stormwater control measures at NBUs Headwaters at Comal project |
NBU |
$10,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$460,000 |
The CoNB is also responsible for coordination and accomplishment of other items in the work plan. Staff administers these activities as described in the following table.
|
Continuing Projects |
Description |
Contractor |
Year Six (2018) Proposed Work Plan |
|
Household Hazardous Waste Program |
Reduction of improper disposal of hazardous wastes by holding drop off events. |
CoNB - Solid Waste (TBD) |
$30,000 |
|
Litter Control and Floating Vegetation Control |
Conduct cleanup in Comal river system and dislodge floating vegetation mats |
Pristine Texas Rivers (work included in overall River Services contract) |
$30,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$60,000 |
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
The EAHCP program supports Goals 30 and 32 of the 2006 New Braunfels Comprehensive Plan. Goal 30 is to provide stewardship for natural water resources including the Comal Springs, Comal River, and the Guadalupe River. Goal 32 is to protect groundwater and surface water sources and prevent pollution.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Contracts are being funded through the EAHCP program. Currently the CoNB pays the initial expense and is reimbursed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) within 30 days. An Interlocal Agreement between the EAA and the CoNB is currently in place and includes the EAA’s commitment to pay all contractual costs associated with these projects as well as describing the reimbursement process. Monthly, the CoNB submits a request for reimbursement to the EAA including invoices from contractors as well as a report on the work completed, compliance with the work schedule, percent complete of the project and identification of any project issues. The EAA reimburses the CoNB within 30 days of receipt of the request.
The funding application to support CoNB’s Year Six (2018) work plan was approved by the EAHCP Implementing Committee on October 19, 2017 in the amount of $520,000. Project costs are covered by the EAHCP program as administered by the EAA at no net cost to the City.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval.