ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY
WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY
BILL NO. R-24-15
RESOLUTION
t
Authorizing the Executive Director to Enter Into a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Albuquerque for the Maintenance of Water Authority Habitat Restoration Sites Within the Rio Grande Valley State Park
b
WHEREAS, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (Water Authority) is owner and operator of two existing habitat restoration sites, Paseo del Norte East and Paseo del Norte West, hereinafter referred to as the “PDN Sites” located north of the Water Authority’s surface water diversion; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority is owner and operator of the Southside Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP) Outfall Restoration Project, hereinafter referred to as the “Project,” located at and around the SWRP effluent outfall into the Rio Grande; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement, except as otherwise stated herein is exempt from the provisions of the procurement code in accordance with NMSA 1978, § 13-1-98(A); and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque and the Water Authority desire to enter into this Agreement complete regular maintenance of the PDN Sites and Project in a cost effective and efficient manner; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque cooperatively manages the Rio Grande Valley State Park through a Joint Powers of Agreement with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District as well as through the Rio Grande Valley State Park Act codified at NMSA 19078, §§16-4-9 through 16-4-17; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority is responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the PDN Sites and site in compliance with requirements associated with Project permitting, including Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District licensing, and Rio Grande State Park rules; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority has enacted policies through its water resources management strategy, Water 2120, that state “The Water Authority should work with the City, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and others to protect and enhance the Rio Grande State Park and the Bosque.”; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority has enacted policies through its water resources management strategy, Water 2120, that state “The Water Authority should continue to participate in the Endangered Species Collaborative Program and Recovery Implementation Efforts for multiple species in the MRG.” And the consistent and proper maintenance of the restoration sites will benefit multiple endangered species; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque and Water Authority desire to enter into this Intergovernmental Agreement to provide short and long-term maintenance of existing and to be constructed habitat restoration sites; and
WHEREAS, Water Authority funding in the amount of $82,000 will be provided on an annual basis for the City of Albuquerque to conduct sediment management, trash removal, invasive and non-native vegetation removal, and trail maintenance.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WATER AUTHORITY:
Section 1. The Executive Director is authorized to act on behalf of the Water Authority to sign an agreement whereby Water Authority funds in the amount of $82,000 will be applied to short and long-term maintenance actions at Water Authority habitat restoration sites within the Rio Grande Valley State Park. The Executive Director is also authorized to act on behalf of the Water Authority to sign the Memorandum of Agreement.