Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Mark Enders, Watershed Program Manager
Contact Info
(830) 221-4639 -menders@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) for the payment of funds to NBU for a temporary, part-time Watershed Educator position at the Headwaters at the Comal.
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BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
The City and its project partners are currently implementing the Watershed Protection Plan for the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River (WPP) to address bacteria loading to the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River. Education and outreach are a key component of the WPP and the WPP identifies a Watershed Educator at the Headwaters at the Comal as an education and outreach measure. The City has an existing contract with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to receive grant funding from the TCEQ for measures included in the WPP. Specifically, $25,000 is available through the City’s grant to fund wages for a temporary, part-time Watershed Educator as well as costs for education and outreach materials.
The Watershed Educator has been hired by the Headwaters at the Comal. The City wishes to reimburse NBU for wages disbursed to the Watershed Educator and for the cost of educational materials, not to exceed the amount of $25,000 to be invoiced to the City and paid to NBU prior to the end of the grant contract term ending August 31, 2021. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been drafted to allow for the payment of funds to NBU to cover wages of the Watershed Educator and costs of educational materials. Per the MOU, NBU will submit monthly invoices to the City along with back-up documentation outlining work hours and efforts. The City will submit payment to NBU for these expenses. The City will submit invoices and back-up documentation to the TCEQ on a quarterly basis for reimbursement under the grant.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is available through a TCEQ grant to support all costs associated with the Watershed Educator position. All payments and reimbursements are tracked in the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan/ WPP Fund.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) for the payment of funds to NBU for a temporary, part-time Watershed Educator position at the Headwaters at the Comal.