Title
MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH BROWARD COUNTY TO PROVIDE COST SHARE SUPPORT OF THE NATURESCAPE IRRIGATION SERVICE (NIS) TO BE OPERATED BY BROWARD COUNTY WITHIN THE WATER UTILITY SERVICE AREAS AND AUTHORIZE BROWARD COUNTY TO CONDUCT SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED AS PART OF LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM EVALUATIONS TO BE PERFORMED BY THE BROWARD COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,745.92 FOR A 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 water utility service areas and authorized Broward County to conduct specific technical activities required as part of landscape and irrigation system evaluation to be performed by the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department. The agreement, which was for a five-year period and totaled $22,109, expired on December 5, 2009.
2. The NIS is intended to conserve water by providing detailed site evaluations and recommendations for producing water savings and water improvements through modification in landscape and irrigation system design, maintenance, and operation.
3. On November 4, 2009, the City Commission approved to enter into into a new five year agreement with Broward County to provide cost share support of the NIS program. The agreement totaled $42,053 for the five year period, and expired in April 2015.
4. On January 21, 2015, the City Commission approved to enter into a new five year agreement with Broward County to provide cost share support of the NIS program. The agreement totaled $49,115 for the five year period, and shall expire on April 12, 2020.
5. In addition to providing for cost-sharing, Broward County has established an optional Residential Irrigation Rebate Program (RIR Program) through which the County will facilitate rebates to residents within participating NIS Partners' water service area. The City of Pembroke Pines will not be participating in the RIR Program.
6. Scope of Services for the NIS Program:
A. Perform at least six (6) evaluations, which include three (3) original and three (3) follow up, per year on properties selected in coordination with NIS Partner and located within the water service area of NIS Partner. If Exhibit B states that NIS Partner shall receive additional evaluations, County shall perform such additional evaluations. An additional evaluation shall be either an original (i.e., initial) or follow-up evaluation, at NIS Partner's election.
B. Evaluations will be performed by a County staff person 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 LandscapeTM in order to meet the NatureScape Broward certification criteria. Properties implementing an NIS evaluation and Florida Friendly Landscape recommendations are eligible for certification as NatureScape properties.
F. Conduct additional NIS site evaluations within each service area for NIS Partners that have elected to fund them. These additional NIS evaluation sites may be selected at the discretion of County in coordination with NIS Partner.
G. Prepare a five-year summary of the program accomplishments prior to conclusion of the five-year term, including:
- Total number and location of properties evaluated;
- Analysis of potential versus actual water savings achieved as a result of the NIS Program;
- Discussion of achieved improvements in landscape practices with consideration of water quality implications;
- Identification of properties certified as meeting NatureScape Broward criteria a result of the NIS Program; and
- Assessment of the overall performance of the NIS Program.
7. The cost to Pembroke Pines now totals $55,745.92 for the five-year program.
8. Based on the success of the program and in alignment with the City's pro-environmental policy, it is the recommendation of the Public Services Department to renew this program with the County.
9. Recommend City Commission to approve entering into an Agreement with Broward County, to provide cost share support of the Naturescapre Irrigation Service (NIS) to be operated by Broward County within the water utility service areas and authorize Broward County to conduct specific technical activities required as part of landscape and irrigation system evaluations to be performed by the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department for a total amount not to exceed $55,745.92.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL:
a) Initial Cost: $10,500 ($55,745.92 over a five year period)
b) Amount budgeted for this item in Account No: $10,500 is budgeted in account #471-533-6031-31500 (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:
|
|
Current FY |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
|
Revenues |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Expenditures |
$10,500 |
$10,815 |
$11,139.45 |
$11,473.63 |
$11,817.84 |
|
Net Cost |
$10,500 |
$10,815 |
$11,139.45 |
$11,473.63 |
$11,817.84 |
e) Detail of additional staff requirements: Not Applicable.