HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-16 CC Mtg - C6. MSU MOA for Landscape Project
Commission Memorandum
Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
From: Jessica Ahlstrom, Water Conservation Technician Lain Leoniak, Water Conservation Specialist
Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works
Subject: Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Montana
State University (MSU) to implement a pilot project for the creation of a suite of landscape plans to be available to property owners for converting traditional turfgrass landscapes to drought
tolerant landscapes in order to reduce outdoor water use and further water demand reduction
goals established by the Water Conservation Program.
Meeting Date: October 3, 2016
Agenda Item Type: Consent Item
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with
MSU to implement a pilot project for the creation of a suite of landscape plans intended to serve
as an example for how traditional turfgrass landscapes can be converted to aesthetically pleasing
drought tolerant landscapes that reduce overall outdoor water use.
Background: In an effort to provide property owners with ideas and examples for
implementing the conversion of a traditional turfgrass lawn to a drought tolerant landscape that
conserves water and requires less maintenance, this project will develop residential landscape
design plans showcasing aesthetically pleasing drought tolerant plants.
The project advances the outdoor water savings objectives of the Water Conservation Program
by encouraging property owners to reduce the total area of traditional turfgrass, which requires
regular and frequent supplemental irrigation, and install drought tolerant plants in their
landscapes.
Additionally, it provides the development community examples for including drought tolerant
plants in landscape designs.
Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Landscape Design, Rebekah VanWieren, students
of the Advanced Landscape Design Studio course at MSU will collaboratively develop the suite of landscape plans.
107
Specifically, MSU students will develop a:
1. Suite of landscape site design concepts such as plans, section-elevations,
perspectives, 3-D models, collage, photos, written description, and verbal
presentations. 2. Brochure highlighting recommendations for site construction, stewardship, and
landscape maintenance based upon landscape performance goals.
By collaborating with MSU students, this project will provide the City of Bozeman with a unique
opportunity to increase water awareness with future landscape professionals in Bozeman. Alternatives: As suggested by the Commission.
Fiscal Effects: None
Attachments: Memorandum of Agreement
108
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Between
CITY OF BOZEMAN
And
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
For
LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICE-LEARNING STUDIO PROJECT
This Memorandum of Agreement (this ‘Agreement’) made this day of
, 2016, between the CITY OF BOZEMAN, a municipal corporation of the State of
Montana (COB) and MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU), describes the duties,
agreements and obligations of the COB and MSU in connection with the development of
landscape plans depicting drought tolerant plants to be used as guides for City of Bozeman water
customers to implement drought tolerant landscaping in an effort to conserve water.
Article 1 – Roles and Responsibilities
A) COB and MSU agree to collaboratively develop project goals to meet the needs of both
parties including those related to course objectives and deliverables.
B) COB agrees to provide resources and information about the project site to aid in the
success of student design solutions, including maps, map data, photos, landscape and
watershed metrics.
C) COB agrees to participate in project introduction through a guest lecture on the state of
Bozeman’s water resources.
D) COB agrees to participate in one (two if needed) mid-project critique(s) and one final
presentation review to give students feedback on design solution.
E) MSU agrees to provide the design solution deliverables in digital media format and
printed poster format.
F) MSU agrees to communicate site design concepts through a range of drawing types, such
as plans, section-elevations, perspectives, 3D-models, collage, photos, written description,
and verbal presentation.
109
G) MSU agrees to develop a brochure highlighting recommendations for site construction,
stewardship, and landscape maintenance based on the landscape performance goals and
metrics.
H) COB agrees to assist MSU with evaluation of student work.
I) MSU agrees that faculty will provide students with structure and guidance for project
processes and needed resources to develop plausible design solutions based on landscape
performance.
J) MSU agrees that faculty will assist students in connecting the course learning objectives to
the service-learning project.
K) MSU agrees that faculty will evaluate student deliverables and participation.
L) MSU agree that faculty will work with COB throughout design project to coordinate site
visits, workshops, meetings, studio reviews, and student presentations.
M) MSU agree that students will actively participate in community-based design project to
meet COB needs as well as course objectives; reflect on experience.
N) MSU agrees that students will be mindful of COB needs and provide assistance through
creating design solutions.
O) MSU agrees that students will use professional communication and correspondence with
COB and other stakeholders.
P) MSU agrees that students will adhere to COB rules and procedures, including
confidentiality of organization and partner information, where applicable.
Article 2 – Ownership of Work Produced
A) As a service-learning project, the goal of this project is to produce work as a volunteer
service to benefit the community and greater good, as well as a unique opportunity for
student engagement and learning. COB may utilize and build on students’ design ideas
produced during the project, and student files will be provided to COB following
completion of the course. If COB would like to use specific drawings or graphics created
by the students, COB agrees to give the student(s) written credit. If COB is interested in
developing specific student ideas further, MSU strongly recommends to work with the
student in some capacity (volunteer, internship, independent study, paid contract) after
the course project is finished, which can be extremely beneficial for the student’s
development in the field. Finally, COB understands that there is no licensing or
permitting associated with student work produced as part of the course, and cannot be
guaranteed to be the same quality of work produced by professional landscape designers.
110
Article 3 – Duration of the Agreement
A) The effective date of this Agreement is upon execution by both parties until January 31,
2017.
B) Should conditions arise which, in the sole opinion and discretion of COB, make it
advisable to COB to cease performance under this Agreement, COB may terminate this
Agreement by written notice to MSU (“Notice of Termination for City’s Convenience”).
The termination shall be effective in the manner specified in the Notice of Termination
for City’s Convenience and shall be without prejudice to any claims that the COB may
otherwise have against MSU.
Article 4 – Independent Contractor
A) The parties agree that MSU is an independent contractor for purposes of this Agreement
and is not to be considered an employee of the COB for any purpose. Neither MSU nor
any of its employees, officials, or agents, are subject to the terms and provisions of the
COB’s personnel policies handbook and may not be considered a COB employee for
workers’ compensation or any other purpose. MSU is not authorized to represent the
COB or otherwise bind the COB in any dealings between MSU and any third parties.
Article 5 – Execution
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
authorized representatives, on the day and year first written above.
CITY OF BOZEMAN
(Signature)
(City Manager)
__________________________________________
(Printed Name)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________________________
(City Attorney)
111
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
(Signature)
(Assistant Professor of Landscape Design)
Rebekah VanWieren
(Printed Name)
112