HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 7/28/2020 - Memorandum From Gretchen Stanford Re: Bureau Of Reclamation Watersmart Grant
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222 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80522
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V/TDD 711
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M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: July 22, 2020
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Gretchen Stanford, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director
RE: Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Grant
Bottom Line:
Fort Collins Water Conservation Team is exploring applying for a WaterSMART grant in this
next funding cycle. Some of the challenges we will be evaluating include budget constraints,
staff capacity given Horsetooth Outlet Project and the competitiveness of our proposal. Grant
funds would provide continued funding for the Xeriscape Incentive Program for Commercial and
HOA properties, beyond 2021.
Background:
Through a competitive process, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Water and Energy
Efficiency Grants provides 50/50 cost share funding of up to $2 million for water districts
implementing projects that promote water efficiency. The application deadline is September 17,
2020.
Water Conservation staff is currently in contract with the Bureau of Reclamation for a 2019
WaterSMART grant through the Small-scale Water Efficiency Projects grant program. In
October 2019, Water Conservation was awarded $75,000 to fund the Xeriscape Incentive
Program for Commercial and HOA customers through the 2021 program year. This funding
supports commercial customers by partially funding water-saving landscape transformations.
After 2021, Water Conversation will need additional funding to continue to offer this program.
The department does not have the budgeted funding for implementation of this program without
additional grant funds. The department wishes to apply for a larger funding opportunity through
WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant to continue the Xeriscape Incentive Program
for Commercial and HOA customers.
There are some challenges that need to be evaluated prior to applying. The grant requires 50/50
matching funds, which cannot be provide by Water Conservation’s budget due to recent
reductions. The grant will allow the Water Conservation department to use third-party funds,
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97CF7881-8889-4AD0-A267-7F89DF2E6E3C
2
such as program participant project funding, to satisfy this requirement. To ensure other Water
Conservation priorities such as Horsetooth Outlet Project are met, Water Conservation is
working with WaterNow Alliance to evaluate competitiveness of initial concept, research and
review application materials prior to application deadline.
CC: Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Specialist
Katie Collins, Water Conservation Coordinator
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97CF7881-8889-4AD0-A267-7F89DF2E6E3C