201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #1101
Anaheim, CA 92805
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www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 7, 2022
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: MASTER AGREEMENT WITH THE MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY FOR SHARED PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 09
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1) Approve a Master Agreement (Agreement) for shared programs and services between the City of Anaheim (Anaheim) and the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) for an initial term expiring June 30, 2027, with one additional five-year extension, in a total not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000; and
2) Authorize and direct the Public Utilities General Manager, or designee, on behalf of Anaheim, to execute the Agreement and any related documents, and to take any and all actions as are necessary to implement and administer the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
At its meeting on May 25, 2022, the Public Utilities Board recommended that the City Council approve these actions.
Since 1998, the Anaheim Public Utilities Department (APU) has collaborated with MWDOC to provide educational programs, and has expanded cost sharing of services to include technical studies, conservation programs, and emergency mutual aid efforts.
MWDOC is a wholesale water supplier and resource planning agency serving 27 Orange County retail water agencies, not including Anaheim. MWDOC leverages economies of scale to reduce costs and provide continuity throughout Orange County, and offers access to services to non-member Orange County water retailers to further increase their buying power. APU is therefore recommending entering into a Master Agreement that will enable both agencies to expand and improve water conservation, education, technical services, and mutual aid programs for the benefit of Orange County water customers.
The current agreement with MWDOC was approved by City Council in August 2017, and the proposed Agreement will extend benefits of lowering program costs, sharing best practices among 27 retail water agencies, cooperating on mutual aid emergency Master Agreement with the Municipal Water District of Orange County for Shared Programs and Services June 7, 2022
training, and developing common strategies on water supply and conservation with respect to state regulations that are essential during times of water shortages. Services contracted through MWDOC will be competitively bid in accordance with its contracting requirements and Anaheim will be protected as a named insured under insurance coverage required by MWDOC.
The anticipated breakout of expenses between shared programs and services over the 5- year term of the Agreement are as follows:
1. Water Use Efficiency Programs $250,000
2. Student Education Programs $450,000
3. Shared Consulting Services $800,000
4. Water Loss Control Services $250,000
5. Mutual Aid / Emergency Response Services $250,000
Total: $2,000,000
Water Use Efficiency Programs (WUE Programs)
WUE Programs available under the Agreement would supplement existing rebates that APU already provides customers. MWDOC also applies for funding on behalf of its 27 member agencies, and APU would be able to participate in future joint funding of water efficiency opportunities. This Agreement would also allow APU to participate with MWDOC on grants they receive that will supplement or provide new funding for rebate and customer incentive programs. For example, Anaheim customers are currently eligible to benefit from enhanced rebates on Weather Based Irrigation Controllers through grants MWDOC received.
Student Education
Since 1998, APU has worked with MWDOC to provide water education to public and private K-12 school students in Anaheim. MWDOC has partnered with the Discovery Science Center, Inside the Outdoors, and most recently Shows That Teach to provide a series of classroom educational programs that teach students about the water cycle and the importance of conservation. At an early age, elementary students receive environmental education that supplements their existing science curriculum.
Approximately 8,000 students in Anaheim participate in this partnership program each year. Because of the high number of students participating across Orange County, MWDOC is able to competitively seek educational services at a much lower cost.
During the pandemic, MWDOC’s contractors successfully pivoted to virtual assemblies, lessons, and shows, and have since begun transitioning back to in-person programs.
Partnering with MWDOC nearly doubles the number of students reached through Anaheim’s own education contracts and at a much reduced cost.
Shared Consulting Services
The shared consulting services with MWDOC would provide APU the ability to participate in joint water resources planning, research, regulatory compliance analysis, and other activities with other retail agencies in Orange County. As an example, APU utilized the current agreement to measure landscape areas served by dedicated irrigation meters in Anaheim’s service area to meet State regulations. As the State finalizes Urban Master Agreement with the Municipal Water District of Orange County for Shared Programs and Services June 7, 2022
Water Use Objective standards and develops additional water use regulations, the ability to partner with MWDOC to perform collaborative research and studies will enable APU to continue to meet its compliance requirements, while avoiding separately securing such services and essentially duplicating MWDOC’s efforts.
Water Loss Control (WLC) Services
The WLC Services allows APU to participate in shared services and technical assistance in water loss control activities such as water audit validation, meter accuracy testing, distribution system leak detection, and water main leak surveys. APU has worked with MWDOC on validation of state-mandated annual water loss audits, which is required from retail water agencies to quantify losses in their pipeline systems since 2017. In addition, APU has utilized WLC Services to conduct leak detection surveys on approximately 118 miles of water distribution mains. The shared WLC Services will reduce costs for individual water agencies, and ensure consistency in how water loss control related activities are performed.
Mutual Aid Emergency Training
APU participates in the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC). This program is administered by MWDOC, which coordinates emergency responses to major disasters on behalf of all Orange County water and wastewater agencies. APU staff participates in numerous emergency training events through WEROC that would not be available independently. The Agreement will facilitate APU’s participation in WEROC and enable staff to participate in training events with other nearby water agencies.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding to implement the programs and services identified in the Agreement for the current fiscal year are included in the APU’s FY 2021/22 restricted Water Utility Fund budget, and funding for subsequent years are subject to City Council budget approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Dukku Lee
Public Utilities General Manager
Attachment:
1. Master Agreement with MWDOC for Shared Programs and Services