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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Support for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program Alternative Funding Arrangement Grant Application RESOLUTION NO. 20-251 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ALTERNATIVE FUNDING ARRANGEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, on February 26, 2019, City Council approved the submission of the Nutrient Reduction Feasibility Study report for the Ames Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; and, WHEREAS,the Study formed the basis ofthe subsequent Capital Improvements Plan proj ect that will complete a treatment technology upgrade to the WPCF in three distinct phases over the next 20 years; and, WHEREAS, in addition to the improvements to the treatment plant, the Study also recommended that the Sewer Fund undertake non-point source nutrient reduction projects in the upstream watershed; and, WHEREAS, Council directed that $200,000 per year be allocated towards this watershed effort, and the current Fiscal Year 2019/20 is the first year that watershed-based funding has been budgeted; and, WHEREAS, included in the various watershed initiatives that staff has been investigating is a partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA); and, WHEREAS,ISA has created a separate nonprofit entity titled the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, and as a non-proft,the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund can seek grant funding to implement nutrient discharge-reducing practices in the watershed; and, WHEREAS,the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund is finalizing a grant application with the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program(RCPP)Alternative Financing Arrangement(AFA)Grant; and, WHEREAS, if successful, the funding from the NRCS would cover 75% of the cost to implement the practice, with the City picking up the other 25%; and, WHEREAS, the NRCS is only interested in the land use practice itself and not the accompanying nutrient reduction credits, 100% of the nutrient reduction credits can be claimed by the Ames WPCF; and, WHEREAS, this would effectively provide the City with a 4:1 benefit of the nutrient reduction credits; and, WHEREAS,to help bolster the grant application,the City has been asked to provide a letter of support and the letter explicitly states that providing the funds is subject to the City Council ultimately appropriating the funding, and no binding commitment is being made at this time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the Mayor is authorized to submit the letter of support for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program Alternative Funding Arrangement Grant Application. ADOPTED THIS 26th day of May, 2020. Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Gartin Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 26th day of May, 2020.