Title
MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY TO CONTINUE COST SHARE SUPPORT OF THE NATURESCAPE IRRIGATION SERVICE (NIS) PROGRAM TO BE OPERATED BY BROWARD COUNTY WITHIN THE CITY’S WATER UTILITY SERVICE AREA, AND TO AUTHORIZE BROWARD COUNTY TO CONDUCT TECHNICAL LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM EVALUATIONS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $18,280.09 FOR AN INITIAL FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. In 2005, the City entered into an agreement with Broward County to provide cost share support of the NatureScape Irrigation Service (NIS) program operated by Broward County within the City’s water utility service areas and also authorized Broward County to conduct specific technical activities required as part of landscape and irrigation system evaluations. The initial agreement, which was for a five-year period and totaled $22,109, expired on December 5, 2009.
2. The NIS program is intended to promote long-term water conservation by providing detailed site evaluations and recommendations to large municipal and commercial sites for improving water use efficiency in landscaping and irrigation system design, operation and maintenance. The goal of the program is to reduce irrigation water use and enhance water quality, in alignment with consumptive use permit requirements and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
3. Since the agreement from 2005, the City of Pembroke Pines has entered into successive five-year cost-sharing agreements with Broward County to support the NatureScape Irrigation Service (NIS) Program:
- On November 4, 2009, the City Commission approved an agreement, totaling $42,053, which expired in April 2015.
- On January 21, 2015, the City Commission approved an agreement, totaling $49,115, which expired on April 12, 2020.
- On March 4, 2020, the City Commission approved an agreement, totaling $55,745.92, which expired on April 12, 2025.
4. In addition to the core NIS program, Broward County has established an optional Residential Irrigation Rebate (RIR) Program, which provides rebates to residents who upgrade to water-efficient irrigation components. The RIR Program is managed solely by Broward County, and participation requires an additional fee and funding commitment by the City. The City of Pembroke Pines does not participate in the RIR Program.
5. Under the proposed agreement for the NIS Program, Broward County will:
A. Perform at least six (6) evaluations, which include three (3) original and three (3) follow up, per year on larger municipal and commercial properties selected in coordination with NIS Partner and located within the water service area of NIS Partner. While staying in compliance with City Code of Ordinances Section 50.35 "Use of Water for Irrigation" and Section 50.40 "Cross Connection Control Ordinances."
B. Provide evaluations by County staff with training in irrigation system design and operation, expertise in landscape best management practices, and with permission and participation of the property owner/manager. The initial evaluation will serve to assess current rates of water consumption as a function of existing landscape design and maintenance and be based on the existing irrigation system's condition and standard operation.
C. Provide, following the initial evaluation, the property owner/manager with specific written recommendations for reducing total irrigation demands and increasing irrigation system efficiency through appropriate modifications in the landscape design, as well as irrigation system maintenance and operation. County will provide the property owner/manager a summary of the results of the evaluation in a site report and include the results in the annual program report. The site report will include a description of the irrigation system and site, a list of recommended improvements, and a summary of current water consumption, potential water savings, and water savings realized as a result of the initial evaluation.
D. Conduct follow up evaluations of sites inspected no more than three (3) months after the initial evaluation. Follow up evaluations will consist of an assessment of the degree to which the site-specific recommendations have been implemented and quantification of the water savings achieved as a result of the recommended improvements.
E. Identify and coordinate property owners/managers interested in pursuing NatureScape Certification as part of the NIS evaluation. For interested property owners/managers, County will provide expert assistance in developing a Florida Friendly Landscape in order to meet the NatureScape Broward certification criteria. Properties implementing an NIS evaluation and Florida Friendly Landscape or National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Community Wildlife Habitats recommendations are eligible for certification as NatureScape properties.
F. Conduct additional NIS site evaluations within each service area, if the City elected to fund them. These additional NIS evaluation sites may be selected at the discretion of County in coordination with the City.
G. Prepare a five-year summary of the program accomplishments prior to conclusion of the five-year term, including:
1) Total number and location of properties evaluated;
2) Analysis of potential versus actual water savings achieved as a result of the NIS Program;
3) Discussion of achieved improvements in landscape practices with consideration of water quality implications;
4) Identification of properties certified as meeting NatureScape Broward criteria a result of the NIS Program; and
5) Assessment of the overall performance of the NIS Program.
6. The cost to Pembroke Pines for the upcoming five-year program totals $18,280.09 for the five-year program.
7. Based on the success of the program and its sustainability benefits, it is the recommendation of the Utilities Department to renew this program with the County.
8. Recommend City Commission to approve entering into an Agreement with Broward County, to continue cost share support of the NatureScape Irrigation Service (NIS) Program to be operated by Broward County within the City’s water utility service area, and to authorize Broward County to conduct technical landscape and irrigation system evaluations for a total amount not to exceed $18,280.09 for an initial five-year period.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL:
a) Initial Cost: $3,375.00 for the initial year ($18,280.09 over the entire five-year period).
b) Amount budgeted for this item in Account No: Funds are budgeted for this purpose in FY 2026 in Account no. 471-533-6031-531500-0000-000-0000- (Professional Services - Other).
c) Source of funding for difference, if not fully budgeted: Not Applicable.
d) 5 year projection of the operational cost of the project: The term of the agreement shall be for a five-year period ending on September 30, 2030, and may be extended for an additional five-year term.
|
|
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
FY 2028 |
FY 2029 |
FY 2030 |
|
Revenues |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Expenditures |
$3,375.00 |
$3,510.00 |
$3,650.40 |
$3,796.42 |
$3,948.27 |
|
Net Cost |
$3,375.00 |
$3,510.00 |
$3,650.40 |
$3,796.42 |
$3,948.27 |
e) Detail of additional staff requirements: Not Applicable.
FEASIBILITY REVIEW:
A feasibility review is required for the award, renewal and/or expiration of all function sourcing contracts. This analysis is to determine the financial effectiveness of function sourcing services.
a) Was a Feasibility Review/Cost Analysis of Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor Conducted for this service? No.
b) If Yes, what is the total cost or total savings of utilizing Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor for this service? Not Applicable.