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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/07/2019 - RESOLUTION 2019-056 SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATIAgenda Item 10 Item # 10 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY May 7, 2019 City Council STAFF Liesel Hans, Water Conservation Manager Abbye Neel, Water Conservation Specialist Eric Potyondy, Legal SUBJECT Resolution 2019-056 Supporting the Grant Application by Fort Collins Utilities for the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Grant and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements Regarding Such a Grant. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to request City Council support to pursue a United States Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Grant: Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019. If awarded, Fort Collins Utilities, through its Water Conservation Division, would use the funds to support commercial-scale waterwise transformations in partnership with homeowners’ associations (“HOAs”) and commercial customers. Reclamation requires a resolution of City Council support be submitted as part of the grant application package. The Resolution demonstrates that the applicant has support from its governing board to carry out the grant agreement, if awarded. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Water Conservation is seeing an increasing need for support and education around commercial-scale waterwise landscape transformation projects (e.g., turf-to-native grass or other low-water-use landscape) due to: (1) increases in the excess water use surcharge, (2) community interest, and (3) the need for more drought- and heat-tolerant landscapes in the face of climate change. About 7 percent of Utilities water customers are commercial accounts (including all irrigation-related accounts), yet they use 40 percent of the treated water. Up to 60-70 percent of this is used to irrigate. The Water Efficiency Plan, adopted by City Council in 2016, identifies the great opportunity to achieve long-term water savings by working with commercial customers on reducing outdoor water use. From research, surveys, and focus-groups, staff has identified that funding and educational/technical resources are two main barriers to customers completing these types of projects. In the 2019-20 Budgeting for Outcomes process, staff applied for funds to support a commercial-scale landscape program similar to the already funded single-family residential Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP); this was supported by the Water Board but did not ultimately receive funding. Water Conservation does not currently have sufficient funds to support landscape transformation incentive program for commercial-scale landscapes. Agenda Item 10 Item # 10 Page 2 To address this gap, staff applied for a $70,000 grant through the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to support HOA and commercial landscape transformation projects. Awardees will be notified in May 2019. To increase the number of customers and projects staff can support and/or secure funds if the CWCB grant is not successful, Water Conservation is also applying for $75,0000 from the WaterSMART Grant. (Attachment 1) If awarded, staff anticipates being able to provide between $5-15k per project and support about 10-15 Fort Collins Utilities water customers. The number of supported projects can be doubled if Utilities is awarded both the CWCB and WaterSMART Grant. All applicants for the WaterSMART Grants are required to include an official resolution from their governing board within 30 days of the application due date that verifies: • The identity of the official with legal authority to enter into an agreement; • Support of the application and use of grant funds; • The capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and in-kind contributions for the grant; and • The applicant is committed to work with USBR to meet all established deadlines. If awarded, Water Conservation is expected to submit financial and performance reports on at least an annual basis that include information on project progress and cost. CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS Obtaining this grant would enable Water Conservation to support a much needed HOA and commercial landscape transformation program. Reclamation requires a 50% match of the total project cost with cash or in- kind services. The funds necessary to meet the match requirement are already appropriated. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At its April 18, 2019 meeting, the Water Board unanimously approved staff pursuing this opportunity. (Attachment 2). ATTACHMENTS 1. Water Board minutes, April 18, 2019 (draft) (PDF) U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Grant Resolution Abbye Neel, Water Conservation Specialist Liesel Hans, Water Conservation Manager (Attachments available upon request) Presentation Summary • Water Conservation Specialist, Abbye Neel, and Water Conservation Manager, Liesel Hans asked the board if they would support the Water Conservation Staff in their application for the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) WaterSMART grant. Water Conservation is applying for a Reclamation WaterSMART grant to be able to provide financial incentives to support waterwise transformation of Home Owner Associations (HOAs) and commercial landscapes. All grant applicants are required to include an official resolution adopted by City Council that commits the applicant to the legal and financial requirements, if awarded, as outlined by the Reclamation. If awarded, the grant will fund commercial-scale landscape transformation projects that expand upon the already successful residential Xeriscape Incentive Program. These funds could also support participants, potentially in 2019, in the proposed Allotment Management Program (AMP), if AMP is approved. Discussion Summary • Board members commented on and inquired about various related topics including whether the grant allows activities such as putting in sprinklers (Ms. Neel confirmed;funding will be available for such requests)’ if funding could be available to take action in 2019 (Council passed the purposed Allotment Management Program in the context that a waiver could be applied for this year and funding would be received early next year), and what work is being done for City departments, like Planning and Utilities, to better support each other (Water Resources, Water Conservation, Finance, Planning, and Zoning are working on changing ordinances within the departments). Board Member Bovee moved that the Water Board support Water Conservation Staff in ATTACHMENT 1 WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING April 18, 2019 WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 04/18/2019 – Excerpt from Unapproved DRAFT MINUTES Page 2 their application for the United States Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant. Board Member Steed seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 7-0. -1- RESOLUTION 2019-056 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION BY FORT COLLINS UTILITIES FOR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION’S WATERSMART GRANTS: SMALL-SCALE WATER EFFICIENT PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS REGARDING SUCH A GRANT WHEREAS, the City owns and operates Fort Collins Utilities (“Utilities”), which includes a water utility that provides water to customers in its service area; and WHEREAS, water conservation is a tool that is used by Utilities, primarily through the Utilities Water Conservation Division, to manage and reduce the demand for water service from the water utility by Utilities customers, which is beneficial to the City, the water utility, and its ratepayers by, among other reasons, helping to ensure that the demand for water does not exceed supplies, which could result in more shortages and other adverse impacts; and WHEREAS, Utilities has developed a project (the “Project”) to support customers seeking to transform their largescale landscapes to use less water from Utilities, such as those of homeowners’ associations and commercial customers, and funds have been appropriated to carry out the Project; and WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) has a WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program and has requested applications for WaterSMART Grants: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019 (“WaterSMART Grant”); and WHEREAS, such a WaterSMART Grant could provide significant funding for the Project, allowing the Project to proceed; and WHEREAS, the City desires to pursue such a WaterSMART Grant; and WHEREAS, with such a WaterSMART Grant, the City would be required to share 50% or more of the total costs for the Project; and WHEREAS, Utilities has prepared a draft of the application for the WaterSMART Grant, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A” (the “WaterSMART Grant Application”); and WHEREAS, applications for WaterSMART Grants require a resolution from the applicant’s governing board verifying: (1) the identity of the official with legal authority to enter into an agreement: (2) the board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has reviewed and supports the application submitted; (3) the capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the funding plan; and (4) that the applicant will work with Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative agreement. -2- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals above. Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute an agreement related to a WaterSMART Grant consistent with this Resolution, with such terms and conditions as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, determines to be necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City and to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution. Section 3. That the City Council has reviewed and supports the WaterSMART Grant Application to be submitted. Section 4. That the City Council has the capability to provide the amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the project budget funding plan described in the WaterSMART Grant Application. Section 5. That the City Manager will work with Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative agreement related to any award of a WaterSMART Grant. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 7th day of May, A.D. 2019. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 12/31/2019 * 1. Type of Submission: * 2. Type of Application: * 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier: 5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier: 6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier: * a. Legal Name: * b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): * c. Organizational DUNS: * Street1: Street2: * City: County/Parish: * State: Province: * Country: * Zip / Postal Code: Department Name: Division Name: Prefix: * First Name: Middle Name: * Last Name: Suffix: Title: Organizational Affiliation: * Telephone Number: Fax Number: * Email: * If Revision, select appropriate letter(s): * Other (Specify): State Use Only: 8. APPLICANT INFORMATION: d. Address: e. Organizational Unit: f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Preapplication Application Changed/Corrected Application New Continuation Revision Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. City of Fort Collins Utilities City of Fort Collins Fort Collins, City of 84-6000587 0783625970000 300 La Porte Ave Fort Collins CO: Colorado USA: UNITED STATES 80521-2719 Customer Care and Connections Water Conservation Abbye Neel Water Conservation Specialist 970-416-4371 aneel@fcgov.com PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 EXHIBIT A * 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type: Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type: * Other (specify): * 10. Name of Federal Agency: 11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: CFDA Title: * 12. Funding Opportunity Number: * Title: 13. Competition Identification Number: Title: 14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.): * 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project: Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 C: City or Township Government Bureau of Reclamation 15.507 Water SMART (Sustaining and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) BOR-DO-19-F005 WaterSMART Grants:Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019 BOR-DO-19-F005 WaterSMART Grants: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019 Xeriscape Incentive Program Expansion Add Attachments Delete Attachments View Attachments Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 * a. Federal * b. Applicant * c. State * d. Local * e. Other * f. Program Income * g. TOTAL . Prefix: * First Name: Middle Name: * Last Name: Suffix: * Title: * Telephone Number: * Email: Fax Number: * Signature of Authorized Representative: * Date Signed: 18. Estimated Funding ($): 21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) ** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions. Authorized Representative: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 * a. Applicant Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed. * b. Program/Project * a. Start Date: * b. End Date: 16. Congressional Districts Of: 17. Proposed Project: CO-002 CO-002 Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 07/01/2019 04/30/2022 75,000.00 81,646.00 70,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 226,646.00 a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. Yes No Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment ** I AGREE Kevin Gertig Utilities Executive Director 970-416-2232 kgertig@fcgov.com Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. * 20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explanation in attachment.) * 19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. If "Yes", provide explanation and attach PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 ATTACHMENTS FORM Instructions: On this form, you will attach the various files that make up your grant application. Please consult with the appropriate Agency Guidelines for more information about each needed file. Please remember that any files you attach must be in the document format and named as specified in the Guidelines. 15) Please attach Attachment 15 1) Please attach Attachment 1 2) Please attach Attachment 2 3) Please attach Attachment 3 4) Please attach Attachment 4 5) Please attach Attachment 5 6) Please attach Attachment 6 7) Please attach Attachment 7 8) Please attach Attachment 8 9) Please attach Attachment 9 10) Please attach Attachment 10 11) Please attach Attachment 11 12) Please attach Attachment 12 13) Please attach Attachment 13 14) Please attach Attachment 14 Important: Please attach your files in the proper sequence. See the appropriate Agency Guidelines for details. WaterSmart Applicant Package_ Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment CWCB letter of committment Wa Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Northern Water_Letter of Supp Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment CSU Extension_Letter of Suppo Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 1 Xeriscape Incentive Program Expansion Helping customers create beautiful, water-wise landscapes Fort Collins Utilities 222 Laporte Ave, PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Abbye Neel, Project Manager 222 Laporte Ave, PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 aneel@fcgov.com 970-416-4371 H2O Fo Co PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 2 D.2.2.3. Table of Contents Technical Proposal and Evaluation Criteria............................................................................2 Executive Summary.................................................................................................................2 Background Data.....................................................................................................................3 Project Location.......................................................................................................................4 Technical project description and milestones...........................................................................5 Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................................................9 Project Budget ........................................................................................................................15 Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment..............................................................................15 Budget Proposal....................................................................................................................15 Budget Narrative....................................................................................................................16 Environmental and cultural resources compliance..............................................................19 Required permits or approvals ..............................................................................................20 Letters of project support.......................................................................................................20 Official Resolution ..................................................................................................................20 D.2.2.4. Technical proposal and evaluation criteria Executive Summary April 24, 2019 Fort Collins Utilities Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado Fort Collins Utilities proposes expanding the successful single-family residential Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) to commercial-scale landscapes. Funds will be used to provide financial incentives for business and homeowner associations (HOAs) to undertake large landscape transformations that reduce long-term seasonal water demands and increase resilience to current and future climate conditions. This expansion was identified based on our Water Efficiency Plan as well as local factors that are driving unprecedented interest and need for commercial landscape change. Based on XIP projects from 2016-18, we estimate average annual savings of 13 gallons per square foot transformed. If the funds are awarded, about 12 projects could be supported with a minimum savings of 3.1 million gallons per year. The results are expected to be greater as some customers will implement larger projects than the minimum of 20,000 sq. ft. Fort Collins Utilities requests $75,000 from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to expand the existing program. Utilities currently has a pending grant with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) for $70,000. Utilities will match up to $81,646 dollars of cash and in-kind PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 3 services for a total program cost of $226,646. If all funding is granted $165,000 will be used to rebate landscape projects. The remaining $61,646 will cover materials and in-kind salaries and wages. Fort Collins Utilities anticipates starting initial program preparation in July 2019, with implementation of landscape projects starting in spring of 2020. All projects should be fully installed by October 2021. The project is not located on a Federal facility. Background Data Fort Collins Utilities (Utilities) is a municipally owned utility primarily supplied by two surface water sources: the Cache la Poudre River (Poudre River) and the Colorado-Big Thompson (C- BT) Project. Combined, Utilities delivers an average of 26,000 acre-feet of treated water for municipal uses. Specifically, the primary components of the Utilities’ water rights portfolio are: x Poudre River Senior Direct Flow Decrees: Utilities has five senior direct flow rights that allow Utilities to divert an average of 12,600 per acre-feet. These rights are usually available unless there is a severe dry period. x Poudre River Junior Direct Flow Decrees: The Utilities’ junior rights (1955 appropriation date) are only in priority during peak runoff periods. Annual yield can range from zero to 5,400 acre-feet depending on the year. x C-BT Water: Utilities owns about 18,855 units of C-BT water. Deliveries depend on the annual quota set by Norther Water each year. Quotas can range from annual yields of 9,400 acre-feet to 18,800 acre-feet. An average year yields 75,245 acre-feet of water, if all rights were fully usable; however, due to legal and capacity constraints, present yield available for municipal use is much less. Utilities is actively trying to address these issues; however, the lack of storage capacity is the greatest water supply vulnerability. Utilities serves approximately 35,500 water accounts and 133,000 people. Eighty-two percent of accounts are single family residential customers, 11 percent are duplex or multifamily accounts, and 7 percent are commercial (including irrigation accounts). The Utilities’ current planning level is 150 gallons per capita per day (gpcd), however Utilities also has an efficiency goal of 130 gpcd by 2030. The population within the service area is expected to increase by 35,000 residents in the next 30 years (Figure 1). PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 4 Figure 1. Projected Treated Water Demand and Population Throughout the Utilities’ distribution area there are 544 miles of water mainlines. There are four finished water storage reservoirs: two can store 14 million gallons (MG), one can store 3.8 MG, and one can store 1.5 MG. The distribution system is gravity fed, however there are two finished water pumping stations at the treatment plant to serve a single pressure zone. One station can pump about 4,500 gallons per minute (gpm) and the other can pump about 8,300 gpm. Pumping rates vary significantly throughout the day and year. There are no current relationships with the Bureau of Reclamation. Project Location The City of Fort Collins (City) is located 65 miles north of Denver in Larimer County. The Fort Collins Utilities service area boundaries for water do not perfectly match the City limits. Figure 2 shows the Fort Collins Utilities service area relative to other water district service areas and City limits. Fort Collins Utilities currently serves about 75% of Fort Collins’ residents and businesses. The Xeriscape Incentive Program Expansion is located in Fort Collins Utilities service area in Fort Collins, Colorado USA. The project latitude is 40°35’N and the longitude is 105°5’W. The weather and climate conditions in this semi-arid region mean that nearly all landscapes require irrigation to survive. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 5 Figure 2. Water Service Area and surrounding Water District Boundaries. Technical project description and milestones Technical Project Description – Utilities requests funds to expand our current single-family- residential Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) to include commercial-scale landscapes on Homeowners Association (HOA) and commercial properties. XIP started in 2016 and has successfully grown almost 3-fold from 16 projects to 47 projects in 2018. Nearly 120,000 square feet have been converted through this education-focused incentive program. We estimate 1.7 million gallons of annual savings from previously completed XIP projects. XIP provides a rebate for transforming high-water use landscape to low- or no-water-use landscaping or hardscaping. Participants are required to provide “before” photos, a landscape plan, irrigation plan, and a narrative describing the proposed project. Participants can attend optional 1:1 consultation and have a required end-of-project final inspection and evaluation. Learn more at fcgov.com/xip. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 6 Utilities does not currently have sufficient funds to expand XIP to commercial customers. In lieu of funds, Utilities created “no-cost” services like the Landscape Water Budget (LWB) program for commercial-scale landscapes; LWB combines a customer’s water use with information about their landscape area and type in order to show a simple comparison of actual water use to efficient water use. These reports are sent on a monthly basis and are used as a tool among Utilities staff, the customer, and their landscape contractor to identify opportunities to more efficiently manage their landscape, water use and ultimately their water bills. We estimate this service helped 15 customers save 22 million gallons in 2018. Learn more at fcgov.com/commercial-irrigation. Purpose: The purpose of this funding request is to expand the successful structure of XIP to commercial customers, in conjunction with the LWB program, to achieve significant peak- season water savings by lowering landscape irrigation need. A complementary long-term goal is to increase the resiliency and drought tolerance of our community’s landscapes. Fort Collins is already a semi-arid climate; rises in temperature and changes in precipitation patterns are expected to have a significant impact on our future water supplies and demands. Transforming landscapes now will help prepare our community for future droughts while protecting our community’s vibrancy and livability. Challenges: Most HOAs and business parks were built with large areas of unused turfgrass that require a lot of water. Only 7 percent of Utilities’ water accounts are commercial customers, which include irrigation accounts for HOAs, yet they use over 40 percent of treated water each year. Water demand increases for these customers by 60-70 percent in the summer months due to irrigation. Through surveys, focus-groups, and research, commercial customers have identified two key barriers to successfully implementing projects: Challenge Solution Cost of commercial-scale landscape change Expand XIP program to provide financial support for commercial-scale landscape change, while leveraging LWB program to provide educational opportunities to create community support and awareness for projects. Successful establishment and management of new landscapes Use XIP’s requirements (photos, a landscape plan, irrigation plan, and a narrative describing proposed project) to ensure project success. Adapt to address needs of commercial-scale landscapes including landscape contracts, establishment protocols, and maintenance plans. Leverage LWB and require milestone check-ins with project contact and landscape contractor to maintain progress and course-correct as issues arise. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 7 Residential XIP projects are more often completed by the homeowner. Commercial-scale projects are larger, more expensive, and require professional contractors. As we scale up to provide a commercial program offering, most requirements in the current XIP structure will be adjusted to require a more comprehensive and professional grade design, installation, and maintenance plan. Utilities staff will require more frequent milestone check-ins, especially as some projects may span more than one year. Project awards will be based on the size of the project as well as projected water savings. The City has a series of other programs that utilize a common application software that is familiar to the community; this will be used to expand XIP to commercial properties. Complete program timeline and requirements are included in the Program Overview and Project Implementation sections. Expected Results - Utilities will offer between $5,000 and $15,000 per project; we anticipate funding about 12 projects utilizing Utilities’ existing cash of $20,000 plus the Reclamation portion of $75,000. This will transform a minimum of 200,000 square feet, saving about 3.1 million gallons of water (9.6 acre-feet of water) per year. Utilities applied for a Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) grant requesting $70,000 for use in 2019 and 2020. If awarded (notifications to be sent in May 2019), Utilities proposes using the CWCB grant funding as the match funding. If not awarded, Utilities will provide match funding from the Water Conservation budgets over 2020 and 2021. If both grants are awarded, Utilities will have a total of $165,000 available for project rebates, or estimated funding for up to 21 projects. At this level of funding, we estimate transforming a minimum 420,000 square feet with the potential to save about 5.5 million gallons (16.6 acre- feet) of water per year. Program Overview - The phases of the program expansion are as follows: 1. Participant Coordination and Call for Applications (July – October 2019): x Set-up administration processes through existing City software; finalize any internal administrative processes. x Advertise Call for Applications and work with individual participants to field questions and generate a set of high-quality applications. x Host educational events, conduct meetings with interested customers, partner with customers to facilitation information events for interested business or HOA. 2. Application Review and Project Selection (August 2019 – February 2020): x Review, score, and determine selected applications. Criteria includes: o Completeness of application o Project feasibility o Methodology and Quality of Plans (Landscape, Irrigation, Installation, Establishment and Maintenance) PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 8 o Water savings potential o Community support x Host Project Launch Meetings with selected Applicants; finalize Project Monitoring Plans. x Enroll selected Participants in the Landscape Water Budget Program and other services as applicable (e.g. Utilities’ free leak monitoring and notification service). 3. Implementation and Monitoring (April 2020-October 2021): x Work with participants via the agreed upon Project Monitoring Plans as projects are implemented. Provide additional support or technical resources as needs arise. o Conduct scheduled site visits and other meetings with participants as needed. x Ensure data, photos and other relevant information is collected throughout implementation. 4. Project Review, Analysis and Follow-up (July 2021-April 2022): x Once participant projects are complete, Utilities will conduct exit site visits, collect and review all project documentation, engage in customer and community outreach, provide final funding as applicable. Participants are required to submit copies of receipts, invoices, proof of payment, and a W-9 tax form. x Initial analyses will be conducted after the first year of installation and after all project installations are complete; however, Utilities will continue to monitor water use and success of the landscapes beyond the timeline, budget and scope of this grant proposal. Staff will share results, lessons learned, and other findings as applicable through industry and community groups (e.g. webinars, conferences, local events, etc.). This effort will extend through 2022 and beyond, given the nature of landscape establishment and interest in understanding long-term impacts. Participant requirements: x Project Participant/Account representative must be a Fort Collins Utilities commercial water customer with a commercial or irrigation water account. x Participant must enroll in: o WaterSmart--an online water portal that allows customers to monitor water-use, and to set leak and high use alerts. o Landscape Budget Program--a site-specific monthly water budget tool that provides customers with the data needed to make well informed irrigation decisions. x Areas to be transformed must be in good health and have historic water use. x Participant must agree to a Project Monitoring Plan, which will include project milestones, scheduled check-ins, and site inspections. x Project must be approved by Utilities prior to installation. Any changes to project or timeline must be submitted to Utilities for approval; Monitoring Plan will be revised accordingly. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 9 x Participant must provide at least 50 percent match-funding. Match-funding must be cash; no in-kind. x Minimum impact area is 20,000 square feet (approximately half-acre) of irrigated area. x Applicant is responsible for filing any relevant minor amendments or permits through the Zoning Department. Must provide copy of documentation and approval to Utilities. x Applicants are eligible for other City of Fort Collins’ rebates, including irrigation rebates. x Participants agree that Utilities may monitor and report program activities and results to CWCB and/or Reclamation, including water usage and savings, project photos, etc. Utilities may also use this information in publications and online media to further education and goals around water conservation. Complete application includes: x Participant Information and Project Overview: o Applicant information, including account number(s) o Statement of purpose and need (maximum 300 words) o Project description (maximum 300 words) o Amount of money requested and detailed project budget o List of contractors/others involved in project x A clear map of existing irrigation system and landscape. x Water savings estimate (aided by Landscape Budget Program). x Minimum of two (2) wide-view photos of the proposed project area. x Professional landscape plan. x Landscape maintenance plan. x Professional irrigation plan and/or equipment upgrade schedule. x Irrigation plan, including plant establishment schedule and long-term schedule. x Community Education Plan (e.g. HOA board presentation meetings, signs). E.1. Evaluation criteria E.1.1. Evaluation Criterion A - Project Benefits (35 Points) Water Savings - Initial analysis of the residential-scale program demonstrates annual savings of about 13 gallons per square foot transformed. Average project size is about 1,175 square feet resulting in over 15 thousand gallons saved per participant per year. A recent study by the Alliance for Water Efficiency evaluated landscape transformation programs across the country and found that participants save between 7 and 39 percent, with savings increasing over time and greater savings from programs with an education component, like our program. By funding approximately 12 commercial-scale projects, we estimate saving at least 3.1 million gallons per year, or 9.6 acre-feet per year, if participants simply transform the minimum project size of half an acre. Savings will be larger if participants transform more area. Reducing demand for treated PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 10 water, especially during peak irrigation season, will also reduce energy required for treating and delivering water. Water supply delivery system: This project will reduce demand on the surface water supply delivery system, which will help avoid or delay costs associated with increasing water supplies. Utilities anticipates needing to acquire approximately $25.5 million worth of additional water rights, some of which can be avoided through cost-effective conservation projects. By reducing irrigation needs, the project will also reduce peak season and peak day demands. A lower peak demand will delay and/or reduces the size and cost of future expansions to treatment and delivery infrastructure. Water supply reliability: Landscape changes improve resiliency to drought and climate change. Participants will proactively establish more tolerant landscapes that require less water long-term, allowing communities and Utilities to navigate future shortages and warmer, drier climate conditions with fewer impacts. There is a potential for a Compact Call on the Colorado River, which could impact Utilities’ water supplies from the Colorado-Big Thompson project. Reducing long-term demand reduces reliance on this potentially less reliable water supply. Geographic scope of benefits (local, sub-basin, basin): The program will include landscape transformation projects in the Cache la Poudre sub-basin of the South Platter River basin. By reducing overall water use, the program will reduce demands on water supplies in both the South Platte River basin as well as the Colorado River Basin (Colorado-Big Thompson project). Increased collaboration: Results and other information will be shared through a variety of venues. Utilities is a member of the Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works Association (AWWA) Conservation Committee, where conservation professionals regularly meet to discuss topics like water efficiency programs, landscape change, drought planning and more. Utilities partners with other water service providers and managers in the immediate Fort Collins area and meets regularly with City Planners to discuss how to address water needs and develop land wisely given high projected population growth. Utilities is a member of Colorado WaterWise, a regional organization focused on connecting urban water efficiency stakeholders; information can be shared through their newsletter and/or through their webinar series. Utilities regularly attends and presents at regional and national conferences. We anticipate presenting the results of this program at future conferences. Benefits to local sectors and economies: Due to the scope of commercial projects, all participants are expected to utilize professional design, irrigation, hardscaping, and/or landscaping companies. Participants and their contractors will utilize local and regional vendors and nurseries that specialize in high-efficiency irrigation equipment, and drought tolerant and waterwise plant materials. In the 2018 season of XIP, total rebates paid were $31,533, while total project costs equaled $190,882. This suggests that every $1 of rebate incentive generates just over $6 worth of economic activity in our local green industry. Furthermore, the future PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 11 maintenance and management of the new landscapes will support local landscape management companies, which is not captured in this value. Additional benefits: These transformation projects will demonstrate attractive low-water-use landscapes, which can boost local support for water efficiency programs and serve as examples for other HOAs or businesses who are contemplating landscape changes. They will help to improve familiarity and comfort with low-water and native landscapes. The program will improve water literacy in the community by educating participants and relevant stakeholders on water use, climate change, water rates, the cost/value of water service, drought planning, water supply planning, and more. These “additional” benefits are significant as many Fort Collins residents are transplants from other parts of the country and are unfamiliar with climate and water resources challenges in this region. NRCS: This program does not coincide with or require coordination with NRCS. E.1.2. Evaluation Criterion B - Planning Efforts Supporting the Project (35 Points) Fort Collins Utilities has a long-standing Water Conservation Program (since 1977) and has been proactively planning since the early 1990s. The first Water Demand Management Plan was created in 1992 and has evolved over the years to what is now two documents: the Water Supply and Demand Management Policy (WSDMP) and our Water Efficiency Plan (WEP). The original 1992 plan stated that “water is a limited and vital resource which must be used efficiently and wisely…the implementation of additional water conservation practices will benefit the City of Fort Collins by helping to assure continued reliable short- and long-term supplies…”. The WSDMP directs staff to develop strategies to ensure certain levels of service, one being to meet demands in a 1-in-50 year drought. As drought is expected to become more frequent and/or severe, Utilities needs to take on new strategies to prepare our community for a changing climate. The WEP, approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and City of Fort Collins City Council in 2016, outlines five critical strategies to achieve the overall goal of reducing our service area’s water use to 130 gallons per capita per day. This requires an 11 percent reduction from 2015 use. This program directly addresses four (shown in bold text) of the five critical strategies and will inform the remaining strategy focused on new development: 1. Leverage Advanced Meter Fort Collins data and capabilities 2. Promote and support greater outdoor water efficiency 3. Encourage greater integration of water efficiency into land use planning and building codes 4. Expand commercial and industrial strategies 5. Increase community water literacy The proposal to expand XIP to commercial-scale landscapes is a direct result of our work to address outdoor water use (2) and work more with commercial customers (4). The results of PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 12 the proposed program will extend beyond the immediate participants by serving as demonstrations and resources to help others adapt Western landscapes to a changing climate, increasing community water literacy (5). As noted in the Project Benefits Evaluation Criteria, commercial-scale landscape transformations have the potential to save 3.1 million gallons, or 9.6 acre-feet of water per year. Savings will be higher if participants take on projects larger than the minimum requirement (20,000 sq. ft.). Savings will also be greater if we are awarded both grants, as described in the Expected Results section. Advanced Metering Data (1) in conjunction with the Landscape Water Budget program will provide water-savings data specific to each account. Learn more and read the entire Water Efficiency Plan here: fcgov.com/water- efficiency-plan. While we have a portfolio of other water conservation and efficiency programs, customers are currently very interested in pursuing landscape change due to a recent rate increase that is driving customers to address commercial landscape irrigation. The rate increase is associated with the projected cost of acquiring additional water resources in an increasingly water-scarce region of the West. The Colorado Front Range is one of the fastest growing regions and population growth is putting pressure on water supplies. The rate heavily impacts irrigation accounts and other commercial accounts that have an annual water allotment - when the customer uses more than their allotment in a calendar year, they face a hefty surcharge for all water used for the remainder of the year. The allotment is based on the amount of water provided for that account at the time of development; when customers go over, Utilities needs to collect revenue to acquire additional water resources to meet their demand. Reducing customer water demand benefits both the customer and Utilities - the customer reduces their bill while Utilities reduces the need to acquire additional water resources. As a result, we are seeking all opportunities to resource programs and services that will help implement successful commercial-scale landscape transformation projects to address this timely need. This proposal aligns with other local planning efforts across the City of Fort Collins. Fort Collins has an ambitious Climate Action Plan. While emissions related to water plays a relatively small role in mitigating climate change (our system is nearly all gravity fed and requires little pumping), we know that addressing water use will be critical in adapting to climate change. Utilities is conducting a vulnerability study to understand how various vulnerabilities, like climate change or an impact to infrastructure, will affect water supplies and demand. The results of this are expected to show that a hotter, drier future requires the community to move toward more drought-resilient and heat-tolerant landscapes. The City of Fort Collins just overhauled its comprehensive plan known as “City Plan”. A core value is sustainability, meaning “Fort Collins is resilient and forward thinking” and that we manage our water resources for a changing climate. Several policies within City Plan identify the need to address water efficiency and conservation, including the need to promote reductions in outdoor water use. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 13 E.1.3. Evaluation Criterion C – Project Implementation (10 Points) Complementary information on the implementation plan is included in the Technical Project Description section. Utilities anticipates the following timeline: Expected Duration Phase and Tasks/Milestones Phase 1: Participant Coordination and Call for Applications July 2019 1 month Set up administration processes; adapt program materials as needed. August 15, 2019 N/A Application period opens. September 15, 2019 N/A Host general open house style informational event. August - October 2019 3 months Conduct additional outreach to advertise Call for Applications. Field participant questions as needed. August 2019 - January 2020 6 months Conduct customer-specific informational event(s) (e.g. an HOA meeting), conduct one-on-one meetings with customers and relevant parties (e.g. landscape contractors). February 15, 2020 N/A Application period closes. Phase 2: Application Review and Project Selection August 2019 - March 2020 8 months Review applications on a rolling basis. Convene team to review and score applications based on criteria. December 2019-April 2020 5 months Host Project Launch meetings with selected Applicants; finalize Project Monitoring Plans; Enroll Participants in LWB program and other relevant water conservation services as applicable. December 2019-April 2020 5 months Work with Participants and City of Fort Collins Zoning department on required permitting process. Phase 3: Implementation and Monitoring January - April 2020 4 months Design and procure installation signs for project sites. April 2020 - October 2021 19 months Work with Participants via the Project Monitoring Plans as they implement approved landscape transformations. Activities will include site visits, technical consultations, creation of landscape water budgets, and other meetings as needed. November 2020-February 2021 4 months Conduct initial analyses of water use, meet with Participants as needed to make adjustments based on progress in 2020. Phase 4: Project Review, Analysis and Follow-up PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 14 July -December 2021 6 months Conduct final site inspections and exit meetings, collect and review all project documentation and data, provide final project rebate payments. October 2021 - April 2022 6 months Conduct additional analyses of all projects. Prepare and conduct report-outs to regional partners, stakeholders and other community and industry groups as appropriate. Permits, Engineering, Policies, and Environmental Compliance - Utilities does not anticipate any permit requirements as all work will be completed on private property on landscapes and irrigation systems. Utilities does not expect any engineering or design work on its own behalf. Participants may utilize designers for projects. No new policies or modifications to existing policies are required to implement this program, other than the Fort Collins City Council’s approval and execution of the grant agreement with Reclamation. No environmental compliance plans or estimates are needed. E.1.4. Evaluation Criterion D - Nexus to Reclamation (10 Points) Approximately half of Fort Collins Utilities’ water supplies are from the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) project. Northern Water and Reclamation jointly operate and maintain the C-BT project. The City owns about 18,855 units of C-BT water. Deliveries depend on the annual quota set by Norther Water each year. Quotas can range from annual yields of 9,400 acre-feet to 18,800 acre-feet. This grant proposal will help to make more efficient use of the water provided through the C-BT project; it aligns with Reclamation’s emphasis on leveraging water conservation to address the competing needs for our limited water resources. Northern Colorado is a fast- growing region experiencing a transition from agricultural/rural to urban/municipal – both in terms of our economy and in how our water is used. We need strategies that help support a growing population and protect our way of life. Reducing demands on our water resources can free up water to be rented for local agriculture and provide additional water for the environment. The proposed program is aligned with Reclamation’s Drought Response Program, which “supports a proactive approach to drought”, as it is designed to improve long-term resiliency to drought in Fort Collins. E.1.5. Evaluation Criterion E – Department of Interior Priorities (10 Points) This proposal supports the DOI priority to Create a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt. As stated on page 18 of the 2018-2022 DOI Strategic Plan, “The Western U.S. is one of the fastest growing regions of the county, and urbanization has created significant demands for water use and service. Stretching existing water supplies for multiple uses are among the many significant challenges facing Reclamation…Water conservation programs increase the available water supply and contribute to DOI’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable, secure water supply.” Our proposal and its projected water savings directly contribute to the DOI goal of achieving 1,392,000 acre-feet of water conservation capacity to address drought by 2022. The results of the proposed program will PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 15 extend beyond the immediate participants by serving as demonstrations and resources to help others adapt Western landscapes to a changing climate. D.2.2.5. Project Budget Funding Plan Utilities requests $75,000 from the Bureau of Reclamation. The total cost of expanding the Xeriscape Incentive Program is $226,646. If all funding is granted, $165,000 will be used for landscape project rebates. The remaining $61,646 will cover materials and in-kind salaries and wages. x The Utilities commits to providing $34,700 in cash from budgeted department funds and $46,946 of in-kind services for a total amount of $81,646 to pursue this program expansion with funds available immediately. x Utilities has submitted a grant application to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), requesting $70,000. Award announcements will be made in May 2019 with funds made available in late 2019. o If CWCB funding is denied, the scale of this program will be downsized by reducing the amount of rebate dollars available to applicants from $165,000 to $95,000 and in-kind services reducing to $38,066 due to fewer site visits and meetings with participants. A letter of commitment is provided in Attachment 2. Budget Proposal Table 1. --Total Project Cost Source Amount Costs to be reimbursed with the requested Federal funding $ 75,000.00 Costs to be paid by the applicant $ 81,646.00 If awarded, value of third-party contributions (CWCB) $ 70,000.00 Total Estimated Project Cost $ 226,646.00 Table 2. --Budget Proposal Table Budget Item Description Funding source Computation Quantity Type TOTAL $/Unit Quantity COST Salaries and Wages Water Conservation Manager Applicant - in-kind $42.00 152 Hours $6,384 Project Manager - Water Conservation Specialist Applicant - in-kind $34.00 471 Hours $16,014 Water Conservation Landscape Coordinator Applicant - in-kind $28.00 535 Hours $14,980 PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 16 Water Conservation Irrigation Coordinator Applicant - in-kind $28.00 296 Hours $8,288 Water Conservation Intern Applicant - in-kind $16.00 80 Hours $1,280 Supplies and Materials Materials - Project signs, install Applicant - cash $350.00 21 Sign $7,350 Other Project rebates Applicant - cash $5,000 - 15,000 N/A Rebate cash range $20,000 Project rebates Reclamation $5,000 - 15,000 N/A Rebate cash range $75,000 Project rebates CWCB $5,000 - 15,000 N/A Rebate cash range $70,000 Zoning permit cost on behalf of participant Applicant - cash $350.00 21 Permits $7,350 Total Estimated Project Cost $226,646 Budget Narrative Detailed in the Technical Project Description there are four major phases for this program: Participant Coordination and Call for Applications (Phase 1); Application Review and Project Selection (Phase 2); Implementation and Monitoring (Phase 3); Project Review, Analysis and Follow-up (Phase 4). Salaries and Wages - The hourly rate shown in the budget proposal (Table 2) represents actual labor rates of the identified personnel. Water Conservation Manager x In phase 1, the Water Conservation Manager will offer review of the program application materials. Hours: 37 x In phase 2, the Manager will attend review sessions introducing the pool of selected applicants and will attend a few project launch meetings. Hours: 20 x In phase 3, the Manager will participate and present in share-out meetings with regional partners and stakeholders and review Reclamation reporting. Hours: 25 x In phase 4, the Manager will review final data and report out to regional partners and stakeholders on the results of projects. Hours: 70 Water Conservation Manager total project hours: 152 Total Water Conservation Manager cost: $6,384 PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 17 Project Manager – Abbye Neel, Water Conservation Specialist x In phase 1, the Project Manager will finalize application processes, field participant questions as needed, and conduct one-on-one meetings with potential applicants. Hours: 96 x In phase 2, the Project Manager will review and score applications and attend and consult for Project Launch Meetings. The Project Manager is responsible for enrolling and coaching applicants through the Landscape Water Budget program. Other items include working on interim program reporting. Hours: 17 x In phase 3, the Project Manager will perform on-site visits as dictated by Project Monitoring Plans and offer support through Landscape Water Budget and WaterSmart programs. Hours: 90 x In phase 4, the Project Manager will conduct exit visits and work on final reporting for Reclamation and water saved. Hours: 115 Project Manager total project hours: 471 Total Project Manager cost = $16,014 Water Conservation Landscape Coordinator x In phase 1, the Landscape Coordinator will assist the Project Manager in finalizing the application process and fielding customer questions as needed. The Landscape Coordinator will also set up the administrative processes necessary for rebate processing and provide educational materials to commercial customers. Hours: 116 x In phase 2, the Landscape Coordinator will assist the Project Manager in reviewing applications. The Coordinator will attend initial Project Launch Meetings and will review landscape plans and communicate with the Project Manager about feasibility and maintenance considerations. The Landscape Coordinator will coordinate with the Zoning department to shepherd applicants through the Zoning permitting process. Hours: 174 x In phase 3, the Landscape Coordinator will attend on-site visits as dictated by Project Monitoring Plans to track progress and offer support and collect necessary data and photos. Hours: 120 x In phase 4, the Landscape Coordinator will assist in exit meetings, reporting, and collection of final paperwork needed to process rebates. Hours: 125 Landscape Coordinator total project hours: 535 Total Landscape Coordinator cost: $14,980 PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 18 Water Conservation Irrigation Coordinator x In phase 1, the Irrigation Coordinator will offer support in reviewing application and related educational materials. Hours: 46 x In phase 2, the Irrigation Coordinator will review irrigation plans and communicate with the Project Manager regarding irrigation feasibility and maintenance considerations. The Coordinator will attend Project Launch Meetings to offer feedback and project support. Hours: 150 x In phase 3, the Irrigation Coordinator will attend on-site visits as necessary. Hours: 50 x In phase 4, the Irrigation Coordinator will assist in exit meetings and reporting. Hours: 50 Irrigation Coordinator total projects hours: 296 Total Irrigation Coordinator cost: $8,288 Water Conservation Intern x The Water Conservation Intern will report to the Project Manager, providing the majority of assistance through GIS assignments for the Landscape Budget Program, data entry, customer water-use analysis, and customer communications Water Conservation Intern total project hours: 80 Total Water Conservation Intern cost: $1,280 Total Salaries and Wages cost: $46,946, funded by City of Fort Collins Supplies and Materials x Project signs will be purchased and installed at project locations for public education purposes post-installation. Educational sign cost: $7,350 Total Supplies and Materials cost: $7,350, funded by City of Fort Collins Other - Two types of costs are shown in the Other section of the Budget Proposal: Project rebates and Zoning permit costs on behalf of the participant. x Funding from Reclamation, CWCB, and Utilities would cover applicant rebates. The rebate amount received by an applicant varies depending on project size and proposed water savings. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 19 Total rebate dollars available (pending grant funding): $165,000, funded by Reclamation, CWCB, and City of Fort Collins x Zoning permit cost is the cost of project review per the City of Fort Collins Zoning department. Each commercial landscape project must go through a plan review process at the cost of $350. The Water Conservation Landscape Coordinator will assist applicants to complete this process. Total zoning permit cost: $7,350, funded by City of Fort Collins Total Other cost: $172,350 Total estimated project cost: $226,646 D.2.2.6. Environmental and cultural resources compliance Project impact to surrounding environment - All work will be completed on private property landscapes and irrigation systems. Some earth-disturbing work will include watered and maintained turf-grasses being replaced with low- or no-water-use landscaping, as well as modifying or replacing irrigation systems to accommodate new low-water use landscapes. Project Impact to threatened or endangered species - While there is no critical habitat in the project’s area, areas along the Poudre River, one of our two primary sources of water, is a critical habitat for the Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse. Decreasing demand along reaches of the river may have indirect habitat benefits for the mouse. Project Impact on wetlands and surface waters - Horsetooth Reservoir and the Poudre River both fall under CWA jurisdiction as “Waters of the United States.” While the project will occur on private property, there may be indirect benefits of by reducing long-term demand on these surface water sources. When was the water delivery system constructed? - The first waterworks was built in 1883. A Public Works water department was established in the early 1900s, after obtaining senior water rights on the Poudre River, expanding the system. In 1938 the Department of Utilities was created, and the delivery system has continued to grow to meet the population’s demand as needed. Project Impact on irrigation systems - Depending on the project, modifications to private property irrigation systems will be needed to accommodate the new low- or no-water-use landscaping. There are no planned modifications to the Utilities’ water system. Project Impact on Historic Places - There are multiple buildings and sites registered on the National Register of Historic Places within the Utilities’ service area, however projects will not impact these sites. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 20 Project Impact on Known Archeological Sites - There are no known archeological sites in the project area. Project Impact on Low Income or Minority Populations - The project will be open to any Utilities’ customer and will not have any disproportionately high and adverse effect on low income or minority populations Project Impact on Sacred Site or Tribal Lands - The project will have no impact on Indian sacred sites or tribal lands. Project Impact on the spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasive species - The project will only allow installation of regionally adapted or native plants. Spread of noxious weeds and non-native invasive species is prohibited by Fort Collins Land-Use Code and will be further enforced through project Monitoring Plans, and project design (e.g. mulching). D.2.2.7. Required permits or approvals Utilities does not anticipate any permit requirements as all work will be completed on private property on landscapes and irrigation systems. No new policies or modifications to existing policies are required to implement this program, other than the Fort Collins City Council’s approval and execution of the grant agreement with Reclamation. Letters of project support Northern Water, the public agency which manages the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, has long been an invaluable regional partner for Fort Collins Utilities. They have experts in horticulture and irrigation technology and have been leaders in researching and demonstrating low-water landscape options. Northern Water has agreed to partner on our complementary efforts to create a larger network of local efficiency projects that can serve has high-value demonstration sites. Frank Kinder has written a letter of support on behalf of Northern Water. See Attachment 3. Colorado State University Extension has and continues to be a great partner for Fort Collins Utilities Staff and our community. They are willing to provide input and support based on their wide range of real-world and academic expertise. Alison O’Connor provided a written letter of support for this grant on behalf of the University. See Attachment 4. D.2.2.8. Official resolution Utilities presented to City’s Water Board on April 18. The Board unanimously voted to support an Official Resolution. The Official Resolution will be presented to City Council on May 7th.After the City Council meeting Fort Collins Utilities will email the Official Resolution and supplement board information will be emailed to rgraber@usbr.gov. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 P 303.866.3441 F 303.866.4474 www.cwcb.state.co.us Jared Polis, Governor | Dan Gibbs, DNR Executive Director | Rebecca Mitchell, CWCB Director April 22, 2019 Bureau of Reclamation Financial Assistance Support Section Attn: Mr. Matthew Reichert P.O. Box 25007, MS 84-27814 Denver, CO 80225 Dear Mr. Reichert, The City of Fort Collins Water Conservation Department has submitted a Water Plan Grant application to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) for funding consideration in the amount of $70,000 to support the City of Fort Collins commercial landscape incentive program. Water Plan Grant applications will be considered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board of Directors at the May 15-16, 2019 CWCB meeting with approved funds made available by the end of June 2019. This letter does not guarantee approval of grant funding but Colorado Water Conservation Board staff is recommending approval of the grant. Sincerely, Kevin Reidy State Water Conservation Specialist Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 718 Denver, CO 80203 PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 VXDJddd !]X=9]dS>d2=;J9O9\DSRd   April 4, 2019 Dear Mr. Reichert and the United States Bureau of Reclamation Grant Board Members, I fully support the City of Fort Collins’s application for a United States Bureau of Reclamation small water efficiency grant to support a commercial landscape conversion program. In my current position, working for Colorado State University Extension in Larimer County as the horticulture agent, I work in a collaborative nature with the City of Fort Collins and their water conservation efforts. One of Extension’s outreach efforts is a program called “Lawncheck” which offers on-site turf diagnostics. This program targets both homeowners and homeowner associations (HOAs). In my experience, most HOAs and larger multi-family complexes are trying to find ways to reduce water consumption on their properties and common areas, whether it be replacing irrigation heads, adjusting irrigation cycles, or changing current plant material to waterwise options. Colorado was the seventh fastest growing state in 2018 and the increased population means there are increased pressures on available water. The City’s proposal to reduce water use through landscape conversions or irrigation technology upgrades would allow HOAs to apply for funding to assist with these changes. While many HOAs are interested in conversion options, they are often faced with the inability to make these changes due to budget restrictions. Further, the projects funded by this grant would require the communities to demonstrate water savings through follow-up assessments. The goal of these conversions is to increase water literacy in the City, as well as support other program efforts, such as Nature in the City, whose goal is to create and enhance additional natural spaces while providing residents access to nature. Urban green space is a key part of all communities and the benefits of landscapes are numerous. Most residents are interested in water conservation but become discouraged when they crunch the numbers and factor in costs, labor, and maintenance. Supporting this grant effort would help alleviate some of the budgeting constraints and allow the HOAs to pursue these options. Another similar grant program, funded by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, will increase the distribution of funds and projects throughout the northern Colorado region. As these projects come into fruition, they can become “models” of what other communities can consider doing to do their part to support water conservation. The City of Fort Collins has always been a leader for water conservation and supporting their grant will continue the positive impacts they have had on the community and reducing water use. Sincerely, Alison O’Connor, PhD Horticulture Colorado State University Extension in Larimer County 1525 Blue Spruce Drive Fort Collins, Colorado 80524-2004 (970) 498-6000 FAX: (970) 498-6025 www.larimer.org/ext PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 OMB Number: 4040-0008 Expiration Date: 02/28/2022 BUDGET INFORMATION - Construction Programs NOTE: Certain Federal assistance programs require additional computations to arrive at the Federal share of project costs eligible for participation. If such is the case, you will be notified. COST CLASSIFICATION a. Total Cost FEDERAL FUNDING b. Costs Not Allowable for Participation c. Total Allowable Costs (Columns a-b) 1. Administrative and legal expenses 2. Land, structures, rights-of-way, appraisals, etc. 3. Relocation expenses and payments 4. Architectural and engineering fees 5. Other architectural and engineering fees 6. Project inspection fees 7. Site work 8. Demolition and removal 9. Construction 10. Equipment 11. Miscellaneous 12. SUBTOTAL (sum of lines 1-11) 14. SUBTOTAL 15. Project (program) income 17. Federal assistance requested, calculate as follows: (Consult Federal agency for Federal percentage share.) Enter the resulting Federal share. 16. TOTAL PROJECT COSTS (subtract #15 from #14) 13. Contingencies Enter eligible costs from line 16c Multiply X $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ % OMB Number: 4040-0009 Expiration Date: 02/28/2022 ASSURANCES - CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0042), Washington, DC 20503. Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your project or program. If you have questions, please contact the Awarding Agency. Further, certain Federal assistance awarding agencies may require applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is the case, you will be notified. As the duly authorized representative of the applicant:, I certify that the applicant: NOTE: 1. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project costs) to ensure proper planning, management and completion of project described in this application. 2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United States and, if appropriate, the State, the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the assistance; and will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives. 3. Will not dispose of, modify the use of, or change the terms of the real property title or other interest in the site and facilities without permission and instructions from the awarding agency. Will record the Federal awarding agency directives and will include a covenant in the title of real property acquired in whole or in part with Federal assistance funds to assure non- discrimination during the useful life of the project. 4. Will comply with the requirements of the assistance awarding agency with regard to the drafting, review and approval of construction plans and specifications. 5. Will provide and maintain competent and adequate engineering supervision at the construction site to ensure that the complete work conforms with the approved plans and specifications and will furnish progressive reports and such other information as may be required by the assistance awarding agency or State. 6. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency. 7. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain. 8. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. §§4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards of merit systems for programs funded under one of the 19 statutes or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM's Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F). 9. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. §§4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of lead-based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence structures. 11. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is acquired as a result of Federal and federally-assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases. 12. Will comply with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. §§1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds. 13. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis- Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. §§276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. §276c and 18 U.S.C. §874), and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. §§327- 333) regarding labor standards for federally-assisted construction subagreements. 14. Will comply with flood insurance purchase requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more. 15. Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91- 190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. §§1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of Federal actions to State (Clean Air) implementation Plans under Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended (P.L. 93-523); and, (h) protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93-205). 16. Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C. §§1271 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. 17. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. §470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. §§469a-1 et seq). 18. Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations." 19. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies governing this program. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TITLE SF-424D (Rev. 7-97) Back APPLICANT ORGANIZATION DATE SUBMITTED Utilities Executive Director Fort Collins, City of Completed on submission to Grants.gov Completed on submission to Grants.gov 20. Will comply with the requirements of Section 106(g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended (22 U.S.C. 7104) which prohibits grant award recipients or a sub-recipient from (1) Engaging in severe forms of trafficking in persons during the period of time that the award is in effect (2) Procuring a commercial sex act during the period of time that the award is in effect or (3) Using forced labor in the performance of the award or subawards under the award. PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 10. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to non- discrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. §§1681 1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29) U.S.C. §794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§6101-6107), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g) §§523 and 527 of the Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. §§290 dd-3 and 290 ee 3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statue(s) under which application for Federal assistance is being made; and (j) the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statue(s) which may apply to the application. Previous Edition Usable Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424D (Rev. 7-97) Prescribed by OMB Circular A-102 PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 46,946.00 46,946.00 7,350.00 7,350.00 172,350.00 172,350.00 226,646.00 226,646.00 226,646.00 226,646.00 226,646.00 226,646.00 33 74,793.18 PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005          *#*%$(*#$* *  *   *)*'&#"&# ! &DR9R;D9Jd[[D[\9R;=d3]VVSX\d3=;\ESRd \\Rd.9\\C=`d2=D;C=X\d 1 0 d !Sadd.3d d #=R_=Xd"0dd #=9Xd.Xd 2=D;C=X\d *d9Od`XE\ERBd\Sd[^VVSX\d&SX\d"SJJDR[d5\DJD\D=[d &"6d 9VVJD;9\DSRd>SXd9d63d!^X=9]dS>d 2=;M9O9\DSRd3O9KJd79\=Xd $?>D;E=R;bd'X9R\d 4C=[=d>^R<[d`S^K<d[]VVSY\d&"5[d"SOO=X;D9Kd9R<d (0 d -9R<[;9V=d"SR_=X[DSRd1XSBX9Od 3\9\=`D<=d`9\=XdVXS_D<=X[dC9_=dD<=R\D>D=<d9RdDOVSZ9R\dR==<d9R<dSVVSX\^RD\bd>SXdDPVXS_=<d`9\=Xd =>AE;D=R;bdDRd)0d9R<d;SOO=X;D9JdL9R<[;9V=d<=[DBRd9R<dO9R9B=P=R\d .9RbdSK<=Xd=aD[\DRBdJ9R<[;9V=[d S>\=Rd;SR\9DRd9R\DW]9\=<dJ9R<[;9V=d<=[DBR[d9R<d;SOVSR=R\[d\C9\d][=d=a;=[[D_=d`9\=Xd9X=d<D>>D;]K\d\Sd O9R9B=d=aV=R[D_=d\SdO9DR\9DRd9R<dX=VX=[=R\d;SR[]OV\ESRd<=Q9R<[dRS\dDRdJDR=d`D\Cd=_SL_DRBd =aV=;\9\DSR[d 4C=dVXSVS[=<d&"6dBX9R\dVXSBX9Od=aV9R<[d\C=d=aD[\DRBd8=XD[;9V=d +R;=R\D_=d 1XSBX9Od\Sd\C=d;SQO=X;D9Md [=;\SXd []VVSX\ERBd\C=d\X9R[D\ESRdS>dJ9XB=Xd=_=RdOTX=dDOV9;\>]JdJ9R<[;9V=d\SdOSX=d`9\=Xd=>?D;D=R\d>SXO9\[d 4bVE;9MdDOV9;\>^Kd;C9RB=[dDR;J]<=dDXXDB9\DSRd[b[\=Od]VBX9<=[d DQVXS_=<d`9\=Xd9VVMD;9\DSRdQ=\CS<[d9R<d J9R<[;9V=dX=_D[DSR[d7D\CDRd/SX\C=XRd"SKSX9<Sd\C=[=dJS;9JDc=<d=>AD;D=R;bdVXSF=;\[d;9RdS?>=Xd9;;=[[D:L=d 9VVXSVXD9\=d9R<d9_9DJ9:L=d;SR_=X[DSRd=a9OVJ=[d`CD;Cd;9Rd[=Y_=d9[d\S^XdKS;9\DSR[d9R<d;9[=d[\]<D=[d.SX=d [Sd M9R<[;9V=d;SR_=X[DSRdBX9R\[dK=_=X9B=d\C=dMDQD\=<dX=[=X_=d9;;S]R\d;9VD\9JdDPVXS_=O=R\d>]R<[d9_9DJ9:J=d >XSQd\C=[=d;][\SQ=XdBXS]V[d9KMS`DRBd>SXdO9aDO]Od_9K^=dDR_=[\O=R\[d9R<dX=[]J\[d 4C=dVXSBX9OdS>A=X[d 9<<D\DSR9Ld:=R=>D\[dS>dDQVXS_=<d`9\=Xd=>>D;D=R;bdJE\=X9;bd9R<d9<_S;9;bd9OSRBdBX9R\d9VVJE;9R\[d V9X\E;DV9R\[d9R<dER_SM_=<d9B=R\[d 4C=[=dBX9R\[d9J[Sd;SOVL=O=R\d=aD[\DRBd&"5dVXSBX9O[d >9;DME\9\DRBd O=9RDRB>]JdR=a\d[\=Vd9;\DSR[d9>\=Xd9]<D\[d9R<dX=;SOO=R<9\ESR[d [d;C9RB=[d\Sd;MEO9\=d []VVMbd_9XD9:DJD\bd9R<d<=Q9R<d;SR\DR]=d \C=d[\9\=dX=BDSRdR9\DSRd9R<d=[V=;D9JLbd \C=d9XD<d`=[\d:=R=>D\d>XSOd >9;EJD\9\ERBd J9XB=d[;9L=d]X:9Rd J9R<[;9V=d;SR_=X[DSR[d\C9\dS>>=Xd<EX=;\d SVVSX\]RD\D=[d >SXd[DBRD>D;9R\d`9\=Xd[9_DRB[d:bdVXS_D<DRBdCDBC _9J]=d<=OSR[\X9\DSR[dS>d:=>UX=d9R<d9>\=Xd `9\=Xd=>?D;D=R;bdVXSG=;\[d3^;CdVXSF=;\[d=P:S<bd\C=d][=dS>d;SR[=Y_9\DSRd:=[\dO9R9B=O=R\dVX9;\D;=[d &DR9JJb d[]VVSX\DRBd\CD[dDRRS_9\D_=dBX9R\dVXSBX9Od;SOVK=O=R\[d/SY\C=XRd79\=X[d79\=Xd $>>D;D=R;bd 1XSBX9Pd=?>SX\[d:bd=R;S]X9BDRBdEOV9;\>]JdJ9R<[;9V=d;SR_=X[DSRdVXSH=;\[d\CXS]BCS]\d /SX\C=XRd"SJSX9<Sd 3DR;=X=Nbd &X9RId ,DR<=Xd 79\=Xd %@>D;D=R;bd 1XSBX9Pd .9R9B=Xd /SX\C=XRd79\=Xd PREVIEW Date: Apr 23, 2019 Workspace ID: WS00294883 Funding Opportunity Number: BOR-DO-19-F005