Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Approving the FY2010-2011 Work Elements to be Performed by Urban Solutions as Part of the Ongoing Urban Solutions Center Contract
Summary
MEETING DATE: May 17, 2011
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
Office of Environmental Stewardship
CONTACT: Kyle Odom, Engineering Environmental Manager
Julie Smith, Environmental Stewardship Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Resolution approves the work elements to be accomplished by the Urban Solutions Center for the fifth year of the contract, as follows:
o Evaluation of selected streams for potential bioengineering stabilization.
o Training of McKinney staff with regard to stream evaluation.
o Bioengineering design for selected locations.
o Bioengineering design training of McKinney staff.
o Oversight of bioengineering stabilization construction project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• In 2007 the City of McKinney and the Urban Solutions Center entered into a contract to address water-related issues in McKinney.
• The contract is a six-year program, subject to annual appropriations.
• During the first three years the scope of work was concentrated on water conservation efforts and resulted in the development of the McKinney Green Gardens and other environmental education outreach efforts.
• These water conservation efforts are now being implemented by the Office of Environmental Stewardship, utilizing Department of Energy grant funding.
• The Long Term Actions (3-6 years) listed in the Urban Solutions contract include:
o Develop and demonstrate new watershed level approaches for improving water quantity and quality.
o Develop and demonstrate to McKinney city planning staff improved approaches for community water conservation and management practices.
o Create a guide from McKinney research program that promotes “innovative green community” development for future fast growing municipalities.
• Staff recognizes the scientific expertise Texas A&M could provide in terms of watershed evaluation and protection.
• These recommended objectives focus on the evaluation of stream segments which may be stabilized utilizing bioengineering stabilization which are more natural, self-sustaining and less invasive than hard armoring.
• In addition to the stream evaluation, Urban Solutions will design and oversee construction of specific pilot projects, and provide training to City staff with regard to evaluation, design, and construction of “bioengineering stabilization”.
• The bioengineering stabilization training will be useful in continued implementation of McKinney’s Healthy Creeks and Lakes program.
• McKinney staff will work with Urban Solutions to define specific stream segments in order to generate a specific scope of work.
Reports showing the status of the project will be periodically provided to Council.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• Through the FY2010-2011 budget, $110,420 is available for the proposed work elements including $10,420 as an unspent balance from the past fiscal year.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• NA