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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Resolution 1377RESOLUTION NO. 1 n A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF INTENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CENTRAL POINT AND THE "OTHER CITIES" CUSTOMER GROUP OF THE MEDFORD WATER COMMISSION RECITALS: A. Oregon Revised Statue Chapter 190 authorizes the City of Central Point to reduce costs and produce public benefit through the use of intergovernmental cooperation. The City of Central Point and the `other cities" customer group of the Medford Water Commission, deem it to be to their mutual advantage and to be in the best interest of their respective constituencies to enter into this memorandum of intent for the purpose of forming the Cities Water Cooperative. The City of Central Point resolves: Section 1. The attached memorandum of intent between the City of Central Point and the 'other cities" customer group of the Medford Water Commission for the benefit of the citizens of Central Point is approved. Section 2. Upon approval of this memorandum by the 'other cities" customer group, the attached memorandum of intent shall guide the formation of the Cities Water Cooperative. The Mayor and City Manager of Central Point are authorized to sign the attached memorandum of intent on behalf of the City of Central Point. ��Passed the Council and signed by me in authentication of its passage this Aa day of \,)opk,)$1 - , 2013. Mayor Hank Williams ATTE T: /) City Recorder To: Medford Water Commission and All City Customers From: Cities of Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, Phoenix and Talent RE: Cities Water Cooperative Memorandum of Intent The "other cities" customer group of the Medford Water Commission (MWC) has been meeting informally for about two years for various water related purposes. This group, sometimes referred to as the Cities Water Cooperative, has discussed contracts with the MWC, cost of service policy matters, water conservation, water rights of the various cities, funding capital improvements, and other matters which are of major importance to our region. These meetings between the cities have generated some positive results. The cities have a better understanding of the MWC contracts, the water resources needed to serve a growing population, and the infrastructure needed to meet that need. The group has also been successful in obtaining State grant funds to better address water conservation throughout the area and the group of cities has made some improvements in achieving more equitable wholesale water rates among the various customer groups. Recently, there was a meeting of the cities, at the invitation of the MWC, to discuss coordination on water rights acquisitions. This meeting helped everyone achieve a much better understanding of water rights issues and opportunities for the region. The cities expressed a desire to have more discussions and the MWC staff is arranging a presentation and discussion of the WISE project to satisfy that desire. The "other cities" would like to take these discussions and the cities' involvement in the future of water resources in the Rogue Valley a step further. The desire is to have policy level discussions about the formation of a group of cities with the purpose of developing water resources strategies for the benefit of the region. This group would include all of the "other cities," the City of Medford, and the Medford Water Commission. The potential benefits for this proposed regional body include. 1. On-going coordination on water conservation strategies. 2. Coordination on water rights to prevent under/over acquisition and appropriation. 3. Strategies for meeting peak water demands through "stored water" rights and regional conservation. 4. Regional collaboration on the WISE project to achieve better use of current resources. 5. Improved cooperation and trust among the major water purveyors in the region. 6. Uniform contracts between cities and the MWC. 7. Coordination with irrigation districts on urbanization of lands served by districts. 8. Influencing State legislative, executive, and administrative bodies regarding water resource issues in the Rogue Valley. The cities have discussed a number of options to further regional thinking about water resources. The above concept appears to be something that could be achieved within o Page 2 limitations currently imposed by charters and political jurisdictions. It is consistent with Governor Kitzhaber's emphasis on regionalization. It is consistent with the successful RPS effort that provides a good foundation to guide the growth of our region in the coming decades. This concept is intended to build on the success of RPS, the recent regional work on water conservation, and the desire to coordinate on our water resources. The following Mayors and Water Commission Chair are encouraged to sign to indicate their support for discussing this concept. If agreement is reached that a Cities Water Cooperative (CWC) should be formed it is proposed that subcommittees be established to lead the process, create bylaws, and form the CWC in 2014. Central Point Eagle Point Jacksonville Medford Phoenix Talent Medford Water Commission