Title
Request to Amend and Reinstate a Joint Funding Agreement with United States Geological Survey for Water Study (Ordinance S-52817) - District 2
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend and reinstate a Joint Funding Agreement (JFA), Contract 151138 with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to conduct a micro gravity survey of groundwater in the City's northeast aquifer. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The project is projected to cost $329,064; the USGS will contribute an amount not to exceed $164,500 and the City will contribute an amount not to exceed $164,564.
Report
Summary
The purpose of the investigation is to establish the background gravity field and conduct future, repeat measurements over time to assess gravity changes attributed to the City's Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) well operations. Upon establishing the baseline network and completing the repeat micro gravity measurements, the USGS will process and analyze the data to produce maps of the gravity and aquifer changes. USGS will compile the data and maps and then prepare a summary report for the City. The survey results will assist the City in making decisions regarding its groundwater ASR program for a more resilient water resource portfolio.
This amendment and reinstatement is necessary because of an existing federal agreement to expand the geographic area and duration of the study and to create one final report of the study results. This amendment and reinstatement will provide additional funds and add time to the agreement.
Background
The City originally entered into this JFA with USGS in 2019. The JFA had a term of three years with two one-year options to extend, which expired on September 30, 2024. This requested amendment and reinstatement would reinstate that original JFA, retroactively governed by its terms any performance that occurred during the lapse in contract effectiveness, and amend the JFA to include an additional three-year term, with two additional one-year options to extend.
The USGS provides scientific research in water resource management and has specialized expertise in assessing aquifer water conditions by measuring changes in the earth's gravitational field over time. The USGS has conducted numerous microgravity surveys and is an expert in this scientific method. Under this reinstated joint funding agreement, USGS would continue to use this method for a water study in the Northeast Aquifer of the City, where most of the current and future water storage will take place using the City's ASR wells.
Contract Term
This amendment to JFA will be for an extension of three years, with two additional one-year options to extend.
Financial Impact
The total amount awarded in 2019 was $465,800, for which the City contributed $250,800 and USGS contributed $215,000.
The additional cost from this amendment is projected to be $329,064, for which the City will contribute an amount not to exceed $164,564 and USGS will contribute an amount not to exceed $164,500.
The total aggregate cost for the program is $794,864, for which the City will contribute $415,364 and USGS will contribute $379,500.
Funding for this project is available in the Water Services Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved USGS JFA Water Study Contract 151138 (Ordinance S-46085) on October 16, 2019.
Location
Various locations.
Council District: 2
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Water Services Department.