Title
Resolution approving Second Amendment to Extend First Revised Water Transmission Service Contract between the Aurora-Colorado Springs Joint Water Authority and the Cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs
Presenter:
Pat Wells, Interim Water Resources Manager, Colorado Springs Utilities
Aram Benyamin, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities
Summary:
Colorado Springs Utilities is seeking City Council approval of a resolution approving a second amendment to extend the term of the April 3, 2014, First Revised Water Transmission Service Contract between the Aurora-Colorado Springs Joint Water Authority and the Cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs and authorizing the Chief Executive Officer of Colorado Springs Utilities to execute the Amendment.
Background:
In 1983, the cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs (“Cities”) established a separate governmental entity and subdivision of the State of Colorado known as the Aurora-Colorado Springs Joint Water Authority (“Authority”). The Authority financed, constructed, operates, and maintains a pipeline from the outlet of Twin Lakes Dam to the Otero Pumping Station Intake and provides for the transmission of water owned or controlled by the Cities through the pipeline. The Authority currently provides water transmission service to the Cities pursuant to an Amended First Revised Water Transmission Service Contract that expires on December 31, 2022. The Authority and the Cities have negotiated a Second Amendment to the First Revised Transmission Contract that extends its term through December 31, 2027, with up to two five-year extensions at the Cities’ discretion. The Second Amendment is an Intergovernmental Agreement that needs to be approved by the City Council for each City. Colorado Springs Utilities will seek City Council’s approval of the Second Amendment by resolution on the consent calendar at the November 8, 2022 City Council meeting. Aurora is in the process of moving the second amendment to the Revised Transmission Contract through its City Council’s approval process and expects to have approval before the end of 2022.
Previous Council Action:
Council approved the establishment of the Joint Water Authority via Ordinance No. 83-54 on March 22, 1983. Council approved the original Water Transmission Service Contract via Ordinance No. 83-106 on May 24, 1983. Council approved the First Revised Water Transmission Service Contract between the Aurora-Colorado Springs Joint Water Authority and the Cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs via Resolution No. 16-14 on February 25, 2014. Council approved an extension of the term of the First Revised Water Service Contract via Resolution No. 148-19 on December 13, 2019.
Financial Implications:
Colorado Springs Utilities currently spends approximately $13,000.00 on water transmission service from the Authority annually, which should continue under the Second Amendment.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
(1) Approve the resolution approving the Second Amendment; (2) not approve the resolution; (3) modify the resolution or the Second Amendment (4) refer the matter back to Colorado Springs Utilities for further consideration.
Proposed Motion:
Motion for City Council to approve the Resolution authorizing the Chief Executive Officer of Colorado Springs Utilities to execute the attached Second Amendment.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A