Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Mike Lawless – Asst. Director of Utilities
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Philip Ciesielski - Asst. Director of Utilities Toni R. Wheeler – Director of the Legal Department Alan Landis – Purchasing Specialist
Date:	June 7, 2012
RE:	Cost Share Agreement with the Kansas Water Office on the Kansas River Algal Study

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the June 12, 2012 meeting:

Authorize the City Manager to enter into a cost share agreement with the Kansas Water Office and approve payment to the Kansas Water Office in an amount of $40,150.

Background:

In late August last year, Milford Reservoir was closed to all contact and recreation because of high concentrations of cyanobacteria and the cyanotoxin microcystin. As the Corp of Engineers began to release water from Milford and other reservoirs, WaterOne, Topeka, and Lawrence were concerned about the fate and transport of the toxins in the water and how they might impact our water treatment processes.

Lawrence, WaterOne, and Topeka worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to study the fate and transport of the toxins in the river. In the search for other partners to help fund the study, the Kansas Water Office (KWO) agreed to be the contracting authority with the USGS. The KWO had existing contracts with the USGS that could easily be amended to include the study work and keep the USGS in compliance for having all work they perform under a funding agreement.

A continuation of this study is currently being planned for this summer in anticipation of potential algal blooms that may discharge into the river. Based on the status of 1 reservoir in a warning and 6 reservoirs with advisories already this summer, including one in Johnson County, there may be a high potential for further algal blooms in the coming weeks or months. To be prepared for potential algal toxins in the Kansas River, WaterOne, Topeka,  and Lawrence with the addition of Olathe as well as the Kansas Water Office and USGS  have agreed to a scope of work that will include event sampling to determine the sources, frequency of occurrence, and potential causes of the cyanobacteria and taste and odor compounds in the Kansas River, as well as routine continuous monitoring for background data and possible predictors to future events.

The breakdown of the funding for the study is as follows:

Total Local Share Study Cost - $140,520
WaterOne	$      40,150
Topeka	$      40,150
Lawrence	$      40,150
Olathe	$      20,070

In addition to the local contribution to the study, the Kansas Water Office will contribute $40,000, the NSIP grant funding will provide $40,000, and the USGS will contribute up to $69,680.

The KWO will provide an amendment to the current agreement or new cost share agreement with the potential to be renewable for up to 4 years. The agreement will be reviewed by the Legal and Utilities Departments.

Project Funding:

This project will be funded from the Department of Utilities Operations and Maintenance budget for the Kaw Water Treatment Plant.

Action Request: Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to enter into a cost share agreement with the Kansas Water Office and approve payment to the Kansa Water Office in an amount of $40,150.