COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: Vijette Saari, Grants Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Action: Resolution No. 25-3801 Ratifying the Submission of a WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Application to the Bureau of Reclamation Water Meter Upgrade Program (Vijette Saari)
Body
FUNDING SOURCE:
Grant with Water Utility Fund Match
PURPOSE:
To consider adoption of a resolution ratifying the submission of a WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Application to the Bureau of Reclamation Water Meter Upgrade Program.
BACKGROUND:
The Lake Havasu City Water Meter Upgrade Program consists of replacing existing manually read meters with a new meter system. The goal in this transition is to read all meters remotely and include communication technology that may rely on radio, cellular, or other methods. This funding opportunity provides 50/50 cost share funding to projects that conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States. Projects are selected through a competitive process and the focus is on projects that can be completed within two or three years. The City submitted a grant application for funding for the Water Meter Upgrade Program.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This program will increase the water efficiency of the City’s water distribution system and allow for better management of water supplies. The water meter upgrades were identified as priorities in the City’s 2020 Water Conservation Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This project will be an expansion of the WIFA meter replacement grant the City has already been awarded. The grant term is three (3) years starting October 31, 2025, with project completion October 31, 2028, and requires a 50% match. The Public Works Department, Water Division, has $250,000 in operating funds allocated this fiscal year and requested each fiscal year in future budgets. The City will utilize $250,000 annual allocation for meter replacements over a three-year period to provide the $750,000 (50%) cash match. The City will install 1/3 of the meters covered by this grant each year, taking three years to complete the purchase and installation of all meters covered by this grant.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution No. 25-3801
SUGGESTED MOTION:Recommended aCtion
I move to adopt Resolution No. 25-3801 ratifying the submission of a WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Application to the Bureau of Reclamation Water Meter Upgrade Program and authorizing execution of necessary documents and implementation of the activities funded by the grant, subject to necessary review and approval by the City Attorney.