Title
Resolution - A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Interlocal Agreement Among the Trinity River Authority of Texas, City of Cedar Hill, Texas, City of Grand Prairie, Texas, City of Mansfield, Texas, and City of Midlothian, Texas Regarding the Implementation of Best Management Practices Identified in the Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Plan
Recommendation
Authorization for Mayor to execute the Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Plan implementation interlocal agreement; and authorizing funding for an Amount not Exceed $10,000 per year for 5 years.
Description/History
The Trinity River Authority (TRA) was assigned by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to prepare a Watershed Protection Plan for Joe Pool Lake. Mansfield participated in the plan process as one of the local stakeholders.
The Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Plan analyzed potential pollution sources in an effort to evaluate actions or policies that could be implemented by local stakeholders to protect the long-term water quality within Joe Pool Lake. Nearly all of the area within the corporate boundaries for the City of Mansfield drains into Joe Pool Lake.
Participation in the watershed protection plan process was one of the best management practices for the Stormwater Management Program. Most of the implementation programs or actions included in the plan are actions Mansfield is already undertaking, or would be considered enhancements to those steps already taken. Implementation is voluntary and it has resulted in no additional requirements for the City.
The purpose of this interlocal agreement is to create a reasonable funding source as a local match for the pursuit of grant funds to further enhance the overall scope and reach of implementation.
Execution of the interlocal commits the City to providing funding in the amount of $10,000 a year for a total of five years. Pursuit of grant opportunities will be through the TRA as the applicant. This will provide the City of Mansfield the opportunity to take advantage of a larger, regional pool of funds and talents from staff at the TRA to oversee and implement grant projects, with minimal expenditure of resources.
A specific project has not been currently identified, but opportunities have been discussed with the implementation group, and have passed without application due to the lack of local match funding.
Justification
Implementation of best management practices to reduce potential pollution within the Joe Pool Lake watershed benefits the City of Mansfield, our residents, and other customers. These benefits are better water quality within the lake and access to healthy recreation. Additionally, the City itself does not have the capability or authority to implement programs, practices, or other actions in areas outside of City Limits that may impact the quality of water within. Implementing this interlocal agreement opens those areas to implementation.
The Environmental Manager and Executive Director of Public Works will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council’s questions regarding the proposed funding and contracts.
Funding Source
Drainage Utility Fund
Prepared By
Howard Redfearn, Environmental Manager, Environmental Services Department, 817-276-4240