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Department of Utilities
Reference: Letter of Agreement with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, City of Aurora, City and County of Denver, and South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Regarding Master Planning of the Sand and Second Creek Basins
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Manuel Esquibel, City Manager
Prepared By: Curtis Bauers, Director of Utilities
Date Prepared: January 23, 2015
PURPOSE
To consider the approval of a letter of agreement with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, City of Aurora, City and County of Denver, and South Adams County Water and Sanitation District regarding wastewater master planning of the Sand Creek and Second Creek Basins.
BACKGROUND
The Sand Creek and Second Creek Basins range from approximately the area around Buckley Air Force Base west to the South Platte River and up towards the southern edge of Brighton's South Sub-Area.
These basins encompass the sanitary sewer service areas of the four organizations participating in this letter of agreement. These organizations are also members of the Metro Wastewater and Reclamation District and are planning to send wastewater flows to the new North Treatment Plant.
Existing infrastructure in the southern portions of this boundary has capacity limitations and new development is expected to put added stress on that infrastructure. Expected growth in the northern areas of the basins will require adequate infrastructure to send flows to either the existing Metro wastewater treatment plant or the new North Treatment Plant.
In order to facilitate regional planning for these areas of expected development, Metro has agreed to fund and manage a master planning project to quantify existing and projected flow and water quality of the basins. The master plan will provide alternatives for conveyance of flows to some combination of both the existing Metro wastewater plant and the new North Treatment Plant. These alternatives will include an analysis of impacts to existing Metro infrastructure, new infrastructure, and treatment capacity of each of the plants.
Metro is taking sole responsibility for the payment of all costs associated with this master plan. Brighton will incur no cost or future liability with the acceptance of this letter of agreement. Brighton will participate in the master plan by providing pertinent planning and infrastructure information and staff will be participating in the master plan process. The completed master plan may provide decision-making support to Brighton but will not necessarily require compliance with its findings or bind Brighton to future costs.
CRITERIA BY WHICH COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Metro will be solely responsible for the costs associated with the Master Plan. There will be no financial impact to the City of Brighton
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the approval of the proposed letter of agreement with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, City of Aurora, City and County of Denver, and South Adams Water and Sanitation District.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
· Approve the attached Resolution as presented
· Deny the attached Resolution as presented
· Postpone consideration of the Resolution with suggested changes
ATTACHMENTS
· Resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Acting by and through its Wastewater Enterprise, Accepting a Letter of Agreement with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, City of Aurora, City and County of Denver, and South Adams Water and Sanitation District Regarding Master Planning of the Sand and Second Creek Basins, Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Such Agreement, and Further Authorizing City Staff to Undertake Such Tasks or Execute Such Documents as May be Required to Carry Out the Terms of the Agreement
· Letter of Agreement with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, City of Aurora, City and County of Denver, and South Adams Water and Sanitation District Regarding Master Planning of the Sand and Second Creek Basins