Title
Authorization to Enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Phoenix and U.S. Geological Survey to Conduct Water and Groundwater Studies at the Tres Rios Project (Ordinance S-49033)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct water and groundwater studies at Tres Rios, a joint City of Phoenix and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The City of Phoenix cost under this agreement will not exceed $100,000.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix is the local sponsor for the Tres Rios Flood Control and Environmental Restoration project, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works project. Tres Rios is located in the Salt and Gila Rivers and adjacent to the bank from 83rd Avenue to the confluence with the Agua Fria River. Phases 1-3B of Tres Rios have been completed since 2012, when federal funding for the project was exhausted. A cost update study is now underway by the USACE and City of Phoenix, to request the additional funds needed from Congress to complete Phase 3C and planned recreation trailheads. These are both key components of the overall Tres Rios project.
Information on water quality, groundwater quality, and groundwater levels are needed to complete the cost update study necessary for the Tres Rios project. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific leader in collecting and analyzing data related to surface water, groundwater, flow transport, and sediment transport and have offered a partnership using USGS funds to help expedite the cost update study for Tres Rios by collecting and analyzing the necessary water data. Specific work will include water quality and groundwater seepage investigations as well as installation of a continuous monitoring location in the river at Tres Rios. The USGS is providing $60,000 in funding and the staff to do the work. The City of Phoenix is responsible for a local match anticipated to be $60,000, and not to exceed $100,000.
Contract Term
The agreement would be for a two-year term beginning on or around Sept. 23, 2022, with three one-year options to extend.
Financial Impact
The aggregate value shall not exceed $100,000 without further Council approval. The funds would only be expended for USGS to undertake water and sediment investigations needed for the Tres Rios project.
Location
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.