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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC2. MOA MSU Commission Memorandum Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Commission From: Lain Leoniak, Water Conservation Specialist Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works Subject: Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Montana State University (MSU) to implement a pilot project for research and analysis of native, drought tolerant grasses for a variety of uses in order to reduce water consumption and further water demand reduction goals established by the Water Conservation Program. Meeting Date: August 17, 2015 Agenda Item Type: Consent Item Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with MSU to implement a pilot project for research and analysis of several cultivars of native grasses intended to conserve water, reduce maintenance and enhance the visual landscape for application in City medians, boulevards, parks and open spaces. Background: In an effort to identify various native grass cultivars that can thrive with little or no supplemental irrigation after establishment, no fertilizer and infrequent mowing, the project will focus on how various native grasses perform under extreme landscape conditions in two medians in order to develop protocols for use throughout the City. The project advances the outdoor water savings objectives of the Water Conservation Program by reducing the amount of traditional landscapes that require regular and frequent supplemental irrigation. Additionally, it provides the development community with viable drought tolerant alternatives to consider when designing landscapes and determining water requirements for a project. Professor of Plant Sciences at MSU, Tracy Dougher, is the lead researcher. Dr. Dougher brings over two decades of experience to the project and specializes in the study of native grasses for turfgrass applications for the Intermountain West and their water requirements. The project comprises the following tasks: (1) Site Selection and Preparation (2) Cultivar Selection and Acquisition 51 (3) Planting and Watering (4) Weekly Monitoring and Data Collection (5) Data Analysis (6) Summary of Findings (7) Develop and Implement Protocol Alternatives: As suggested by the Commission. Fiscal Effects: Total project costs to the Water Conservation Program shall not exceed $6,000.00. Attachments: Memorandum of Agreement 52 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Between CITY OF BOZEMAN And MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY For THE NATIVE GRASSES PROJECT This Memorandum of Agreement (this ‘Agreement’) made this 17th day of August, 2015, between the CITY OF BOZEMAN, a municipal corporation of the State of Montana (COB) and the MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU), describes the duties, agreements and obligations of the COB and MSU in connection with the research and analysis of native, drought tolerant grasses for a variety of uses within the City in order to promote water conservation. Article 1 – Roles and Responsibilities A) MSU agrees to engage in a study of several cultivars of native grasses intended to conserve water, reduce maintenance and enhance the visual landscape for application in COB medians, boulevards, parks and open spaces. B) MSU will study two wide median strips where snow removal and debris build- up occur. Each cultivar will be planted in five foot bands across the width of the median strip. Each cultivar will be replicated three times in the median strip. Native grasses will be compared to Kentucky bluegrass, bare ground and mulched ground-also replicated three times each. Measurement of the median strip environment and plant growth is intended to provide planting and maintenance recommendations for other sites and to establish protocols COB can use and provide to the development community. C) The S. 27th Street location has an in-ground irrigation system while the N. 27th Street location does not. The N. 27th Street location will be provided with supplemental water during the establishment period. A comparison of the two sites will also be made to determine if daily manual water application is sufficient to establish these types of grasses. D) MSU agrees to conduct weekly measurements depending on the season. Measurements include but are not limited to collection pans for debris and salts, snow load, canopy height, rate of germination, stand quality, plant density, weed density and soil moisture. E) MSU agrees to covers costs incurred by the senior researcher. COB agrees to cover costs incurred by the student researcher pursuant to the terms set forth herein. F) Site Preparation Summer 2015 - COB agrees to prepare both sites for seeding in the fall. For the South 27th site, this includes weed removal, irrigation system repair and tillage prior to planting. For the North 27th site, this includes removal of current media and the addition of six inches of clean topsoil. G) Site Establishment Fall 2015 – COB agrees to purchase grass seed in the types and quantities specified by MSU. MSU agrees to seed a minimum of six (6) cultivars including Kentucky bluegrass. Seven cultivar strips replicated three (3) times will results in twenty-one (21) grass strips. The bare ground and mulch strips will also be replicated three (3) times for a total of 6 strips. COB agrees to schedule the in-ground irrigation system installed at the South 27th site pursuant to the watering schedule provided by MSU. COB agrees to water daily the grass seed strips at the North 27th site until the cultivars are two (2) inch stand height. H) The COB agrees to provide $6,000 in the form of a grant to MSU to fund activities of the MSU student researcher in connection with this Agreement. I) COB and MSU agrees to coordinate the purchase, design and installation of appropriate signage to raise awareness about the project among surrounding neighbors and the community. Article 2 – Payment Schedule A) The COB will deliver two lump sum payments of $3,000 each to MSU in August 2015 and May 2016. B) MSU agrees to track the time of the student researcher in connection with this Agreement. Article 3 – Duration of the Agreement A) 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 or 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 – Non-Discrimination A) MSU will not refuse employment to a person, bar a person from employment, or discriminate against a person in compensation or in a term, condition, or privilege of employment because of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, national origin, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. Article 4 – 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: GREG SULLIVAN, CITY ATTORNEY MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY (Signature) (Professor of Plant Sciences) (Printed Name)