Report Prepared by: Stephanie Dietz, Assistant City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Negotiate the Temporary Purchase of Transfer Water Between the Merced Irrigation District and the City of Merced Through a Memorandum of Understanding and to Return with a Final Agreement for City Council Consideration
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provide staff the authority to negotiate the temporary purchase of transfer water between Merced Irrigation District and the City of Merced through a Memorandum of Understanding and direct staff to return with a final document for consideration by the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion providing staff the authority to negotiate the temporary purchase of transfer water between the Merced Irrigation District and the City of Merced through a Memorandum of Understanding and direct staff to return with a final document for consideration by the City Council.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended; or
2. Refer matter back to staff for changes; or
3. Deny.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2019-20 Council Priorities - Water/Surface Water Projects
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced and Merced Irrigation District (MID) have enjoyed a long-standing relationship in the development and management of groundwater locally through the Merced Streams Group, Merced Integrated Regional Water Management Agency (MIRWMA) and more recently the Merced Irrigated-Urban Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MIUGSA).
The City Council continues to make policy decisions that further support the sustainable use of existing water resources. These decisions include the adoption of the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan with a proposed surface water treatment plant, the implementation of water meters throughout the entire Water System, and the approval of the Water Conservation Ordinance in 2017 to limit watering in years where the region is experiencing prolonged drought conditions.
With the understanding that a system ...
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