HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated June 10, 2025ITEM #:12
DATE:06-10-25
DEPT:PW
SUBJECT:STORY COUNTY WATER MONITORING AND INTERPRETATION PLAN
2021-2030 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, a planning team of 24 members from Story County agencies, including Ames,
developed a plan to comprehensively monitor stream and lake water quality in the County. The
plan was presented to the City Council on March 23, 2021. An update was presented to the
Council during the Watersheds Update on April 19, 2022.
This county-wide plan is the first of its kind in Iowa . It provides a working document for
meeting goals and strategies as the planning team continues to meet and support effective
and practical stream and lake water quality monitoring efforts.
The Story County Water Monitoring & Interpretation Plan 2021-2030 is now completing its fifth
year. The purpose of the plan is to collect and analyze water sampling data, to increase
residents' knowledge and understandings, identify problems in the watersheds within Story
County, and to support and improve water quality.
The goals of the plan are:
1. To increase awareness of water quality in Indian Creek and South Skunk River (and their
tributaries), recognize progress, and engage stakeholders who can positively impact
those watersheds.
2. Expand monitoring efforts to cover more of the county.
3. To identify and promote actions that improve and sustain the water quality and system
resiliency of the lakes and rivers through which water travels.
4. To strengthen the working relationships between current and future partners as we
implement the monitoring plan.
Since the plan's inception, the City of Ames has contracted with Prairie Rivers of Iowa,
RC & D, of Ames, Iowa (PRI) to assist in development and implementation of the plan.
Other partners also contribute funding for implementation of the plan.
Services provided by PRI include:
Water Monitoring
Work with Monitoring Planning team to implement goals and strategies and assist in
holding at least four meetings/year with the Monitoring Planning team.
Continue to oversee two volunteer monitoring snapshots taken in the spring and in the
fall. Conduct monthly sample collection, delivery to lab, and reporting/interpretation of
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data for 15 sites around the county and snapshot events.
Work closely with the City of Ames Lab to collect and coordinate monitoring information
for the Monitoring Plan.
Oversee water quality monitoring webpage development and maintenance in partnership
with City of Ames.
Facilitate the development of a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the
monitoring program
Coordinate follow-up monitoring to identify bacteria sources.
Water Quality Public Education
Support the City of Ames events that involve conservation by interpreting and educating
the public.
If requested, provide one article a year about water quality and/or conservation to
distribute throughout the city.
Develop graphs and educational materials as needed.
Other Conservation Efforts and Education
Present water quality, water monitoring and other educational elements to the City
Council, as needed.
Support and participate in the Eco-Fair.
Support the prairie restoration at the Ames Water and Pollution Plant on 13 th Street.
Support City of Ames in project-related grant seeking and philanthropic endeavors, as
needed.
Conduct site analysis and/or develop restoration planting plans for best management
practice (BMP) implementation, as needed, including supporting the development of a
master plan for the section of Ioway Creek that flows through the City of Ames.
A focus for FY 2025/26 will be source tracking E. Coli. A new testing method has become
available that can narrow down the source of E. Coli and determine if it is human, bovine,
swine, poultry, sheep or dog. The samples will be taken at strategic locations where there are
known or anticipated high E. Coli levels.
The proposed contract is for the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The
contract amount is $56,740. This is the first year in which the agreement is above
$50,000 and, therefore, City Council approval is necessary.
Funding for the contract is from the following sources:
Public Works Stormwater Permit Program $ 37,826.67 (2/3)
WPC Watershed Nutrient Reduction CIP
Program $ 18,913.33 (1/3)
Total $ 56,740.00
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Professional Services Agreement for the Story County Water Monitoring
and Interpretation Plan, 2021-2030 with Prairie Rivers of Iowa, RC & D of Ames, Iowa,
billed monthly and not to exceed $56,740.
2. Do not approve the agreement for services.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff has worked diligently with PRI and other agencies to implement the plan that
monitors water quality in local waterways, educates the public, and improves the water
quality in area streams and waterbodies. This plan is starting the sixth year of
implementation. Continued monitoring will identify trends and help determine the
effectiveness of water quality practices and streambank stabilization
projects. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
PRI-CityofAmes WaterMonitoringServicesAgreement 2025-2026 signed by PRI.pdf
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COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
CITY OF AMES
AND
PRAIRIE RIVERS OF IOWA RC&D
Water Monitoring
This Agreement is made effective on July 1, 2025 by and between City of Ames, City Hall, 515 Clark
Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010 hereinafter referred to as ‘AMES’, and Prairie Rivers of Iowa RC&D, 3116
S Duff Avenue, Suite 201, Ames, Iowa 50010 . Prairie Rivers of Iowa RC&D is hereinafter referred to as
‘PRI’ for this agreement.
The parties have agreed and do hereby enter into this agreement according to the provisions set out
herein:
A.Description of Services
PRI will work with City of Ames to develop and implement water monitoring and conservation
education throughout Ames and Story County. The work will include:
1)Water Monitoring
●Work with Monitoring Planning team to implement goals and strategies in 2025-26, and
assist in holding at least four meetings/year with the Monitoring Planning team.
●Continue to oversee two volunteer monitoring snapshots taken in the spring and in the fall.
●Conduct monthly sample collection, delivery to lab, and reporting/interpretation of data for
15 sites around the county and snapshot events.
●Work closely with the City of Ames Lab to collect and coordinate monitoring information for
the Monitoring Plan.
●Oversee water quality monitoring webpage development and maintenance in partnership with
City of Ames.
●Facilitate the development of a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the monitoring
program.
●Coordinate follow-up monitoring to identify bacteria sources.
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2)Water Quality Public Education
●Support the City of Ames Eco-Chats and other watershed events that involve conservation by
interpreting and educating the public.
●If requested, provide one article a year about water quality and/or conservation to distribute
through the Cityside newsletter.
●Develop graphs and educational materials as needed.
3)Other Conservation Efforts and Education
●Present water quality, water monitoring and other educational elements to the City Council,
as needed.
●Support and participate in the Eco-Fair.
●Support the prairie restoration at the Ames Water and Pollution Plant on 13 th Street.
●Support City of Ames in project-related grant seeking and philanthropic endeavors, as
needed.
●Conduct site analysis and/or develop restoration planting plans for BMP implementation, as
needed, including supporting the development of a master plan for the section of Ioway
Creek that flows through the City of Ames.
B.Scope of Work Timeline
This contract is in effect from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
C.Reimbursement
These services will be invoiced and reimbursed for a total of $56,740. No greater amount shall be paid
without a signed written amendment.
D.Suspension/Termination
Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other, at least 30 days before
the effective date of termination. Either party may suspend this agreement. Notification of suspension
shall be in writing. In the event of termination by either party, PRI will be paid for compliant services
through the date of termination.
E.Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains the entire Agreement of the parties and there are no other promises or
conditions in any other Agreement whether oral or written.
F.Amendment
This Agreement may be modified or amended by written order with mutual agreement by both parties.
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