AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2020-30R, approving revisions to the Interlocal Agreement with Texas State University that provides for the provision of reclaimed water service to Texas State University in exchange for the transfer by Texas State University of certain rights to withdraw water from the San Marcos River to the City in furtherance of the Habitat Conservation Plan; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: February 18, 2020
Department: Public Service - Water / Wastewater - Tom Taggart
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: NA
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Original agreement approved by Council in July of 2015.
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☒ Environment & Resource Protection - Public & Private Sector Partnership to Protect Water Quality & proper development in San Marcos and Blanco Rivers
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Background Information:
The City of San Marcos and Texas State University participated in the cost of design and construction of reuse water piping to serve primarily cooling purposes on campus and irrigation in the City Park facilities. The Interlocal Agreement approved by the City Council in 2015 provided for the exchange of surface water rights for reuse water by long term lease of a portion of Texas State University’s San Marcos River surface water withdrawal rights by the City. These rights are among the most senior on the river and the water is currently withdrawn from and above the endangered species habitat area by the university for cooling purposes. The City exchanged reuse water for surface water at a defined valuation up to a maximum amount. With changes to the TCEQ permitted withdrawal point and usage class, the surface water augments the reuse supply, can be stored for future use or treated for potable use in the City system. The withdrawal point is downstream of all the endangered species habitat areas and therefore continually augments stream flows through these environmentally sensitive areas. The agreement creates a sustainable benefit to the Habitat Conservation Plan and helps preserve our river environment. The agreement also sets a rate for reuse water in excess of lease amounts or in the event TCEQ declines permit changes.
The changes to the agreement are due to Texas State’s inadvertently identifying water right permits to be transferred in the original agreement which would not allow for the water to be used for municipal/domestic, industrial, or consumptive uses. The correct permits that will allow those uses are now stated in the revised agreement.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the revisions to the Interlocal Agreement with Texas State.