6.B.
City Council Draft Agenda
- Meeting Date:
- 11/05/2024
- Co-Submitter:
- Edward Schenk
- From:
- Erin Young, Water Resources Manager
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: Contract for Professional Services with J.E. Fuller and Associates for $100,000.00 to develop a Surface Water - Groundwater Recharge Model
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve the Contract for Professional Services with J.E. Fuller for $100,000.00 to develop a Surface Water - Groundwater Recharge Model; and
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
The City received a grant of $80,000.00 from the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) to develop a Surface Water - Groundwater Recharge Model. The Contract with J.E. Fuller is for a total of $100,000.00 where the grant will provide $80,000.00 in funding to Water Services $20,000.00 (80/20 match). More specifically, the City would like to fully couple its current MIKSHE surface water model with its groundwater model, the "Flagstaff Model", which uses the United States Geological Survey Northern Arizona Regional Groundwater-Flow Model NARGFM as the base model. The Surface Water - Groundwater Recharge Model will help us simulate water availability and groundwater movement. The model will be calibrated through time to help locate areas in the greater Flagstaff area that are most sustainable locations for C aquifer development and where groundwater recharge is most beneficial to replenishing the C aquifer.
Financial Impact:
Project Name: Surface Water - Groundwater Recharge Model
Total Project cost: $100,000.00
Account Number Budgeted: 202-08-304-6334-0-4290
FY2024-25 Budgeted Amount: $100,000.00
Grant Funded: $80,000.00
Match: $20,000.00
Funding Source: Water Fund and WIFA grant. The grant must be fully expended by June of 2026, and the funds will be disbursed during FY25, and FY26.
Total Project cost: $100,000.00
Account Number Budgeted: 202-08-304-6334-0-4290
FY2024-25 Budgeted Amount: $100,000.00
Grant Funded: $80,000.00
Match: $20,000.00
Funding Source: Water Fund and WIFA grant. The grant must be fully expended by June of 2026, and the funds will be disbursed during FY25, and FY26.
Policy Impact:
Council-adopted Utilities Integrated Master Plan Water Policies Chapter Policy B2.2 Adequate Water Supply Program: Strategy B2.2a The Utilities Division shall conduct hydrologic studies necessary to estimate its 100-year volume of water supplies considering groundwater, surface water and reclaimed water per state regulations. These studies should at a minimum include partnering in the development, maintenance and update of a computerized groundwater flow model of the Coconino Plateau’s regional hydrology in order to assist in evaluating the sustainability of the City’s groundwater supplies over the long-term, their resilience from drought, and to support the City’s Designation of Adequate Water Supply. These studies should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis as more technical information becomes available.
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
Flagstaff City Council signed the grant agreement to accept the funds for this project from WIFA on June 13, 2024.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
None
Background and History:
As required under the Procurement Code, Water Services provided purchasing the information regarding J.E. Fuller's sole source status to develop a Surface Water - Groundwater Recharge Model. Purchasing reviewed and vetted the information provided and confirmed and approved J.E. Fuller as the only known firm with expertise in both the MIKESHE surface water model and the MODFLOW groundwater model, making them uniquely qualified for this project. Water Services already utilizes a MIKESHE model and JE Fuller is the only firm Water Services has identified who has worked with both MIKE SHE and MODFLOW.
In addition, the funding agency, Water Infrastruture Finance Authority (WIFA) approved the sole source with JE Fuller.
In addition, the funding agency, Water Infrastruture Finance Authority (WIFA) approved the sole source with JE Fuller.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
- Maintain the organization's fiscal stability through strong financial policies and best practices
- Promote, protect, and enhance a healthy, sustainable environment and its natural resources
Connection to Regional Plan:
- Goal WR.2. Manage a coordinated system of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utility service facilities and resources at the City level and identify funding to pay for new resources.
- Goal WR.3. Satisfy current and future human water demands and the needs of the natural environment through sustainable and renewable water resources and strategic conservation measures.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
- Improve water infrastructure and expand water reuse.
- Continue to support water conservation efforts across the Flagstaff community.
- Improve the resilience of public infrastructure and City facilities.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
None
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
Water Services Strategic Plan 2025:
Standard:
Standard:
- Maintain a diverse and redundant water-supply portfolio, including optimizing the use of reclaimed water
Challenge:
- Although Flagstaff currently maintains its 100-year Adequate Water Supply Designation, the City pumps more groundwater in certain well fields than is naturally replenished by snowpack and rain.