Subject
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Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Cooperative Agreement with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Annapolis, MD., to Change the Scope of Work to Include Additional Existing Grant and Program Administration Practices to Implement Competitive Water Quality Grants, Build Capacity to Implement Water Quality and Resiliency Projects, and Administer the Rockville RainScapes Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (collectively the Stormwater Incentive Program)
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Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Cooperative Agreement with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Annapolis, MD., to change the scope of work to include additional existing grant and program administration practices to implement competitive water quality grants, build capacity to implement water quality and resiliency projects, and administer the Rockville RainScapes Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (collectively the Stormwater Incentive Program).
Discussion
On July 17, 2023, the Mayor and Council authorized the City Manager to enter a cooperative agreement (Attachment A) for a not-to-exceed amount of $300,000 with the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) to administer Rockville’s Stormwater Incentive Program. This allows the city to provide stormwater related rebates like Rainscapes and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP) rebates as well as provide funding for water quality and resiliency projects in Rockville. This amendment (Attachment B) allows the City to participate in additional grant and competitive bidding programs administered by the CBT, such as the Watershed Assistance Grants, which funds project design.
This amendment was drafted based on the lessons learned from the first year of program implementation. Currently, the City can only contribute funds to the Outreach and Restoration Grant program and there were a very small number of grant applications for projects within the City of Rockville received last year. City staff realized that participating in additional grant and program opportunities offered by the CBT would allow for more diverse and robust application for restoration projects because the projects could leverage funding for their whole life cycle, including identification of worthy projects, project design and construction.
The existing cooperative agreement term is through June 30, 2028, and is renewable for additional terms of five-year periods upon written request by both parties.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council authorized the City Manager to execute the cooperative agreement with the CBT on July 17, 2023.
Fiscal Impact
Staff are not requesting additional funds for this item.
Next Steps
If approved by Mayor and Council, the City Manager will execute the amendment, and Environmental Management will coordinate with the CBT on additional grant and program opportunities.
A virtual Climate Solutions Speaker Session is scheduled on June 4th on the Watershed Outreach and Restoration Grant Program. The session will help nonprofits, faith-based groups, homeowners associations or community organizations learn about grant funds available through the Chesapeake Bay Trust's Outreach and Restoration Grant Program. The program funds projects to reduce stormwater pollution and protect natural resources. Examples include permeable pavers and pavements, native landscaping, large-scale tree plantings, community outreach and engagement in reducing pollution, and environmental and sustainability projects that assist or benefit underserved communities.
Information and registration is available at <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=12003&month=6&year=2024&day=2&calType=0>