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CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. 01-2005
Series of 2005
A RESOLUTION DeCLARING THE INTENT OF THE CITY OF WHEAT
RIDGE, COLORADO, TO SIGN THE METRO MAYORS CAUCUS 2004
REGIONAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON WATER.
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado (the "City"), is a home
rule city; and
WHEREAS Colorado is a semi-arid climate where water is a finite and
,
valuable resource, and;
WHEREAS, the Denver metropolitan area is Colorado's population
center and economic "engine" and thus must reduce its potential vulnerability to
drought through conservation and water supply projects, and
WHEREAS, elected officials in the Denver metropolitan area want to
build on the spirit of consensus, cooperation and essential pragmatism about
Colorado's water supply; and,
WHEREAS, local governments in the Denver metropolitan area in
drafting the Metro Mayors Caucus 2004 Regional Memorandum of
Understanding on Water have voluntarily and collaboratively set forth the
principles that illustrate their commitment to wise management and stewardship
of vital water resources within their individual and overlapping jurisdictions and
the region as a whole
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO:
That Gretchen Cerveny, as Mayor of the City of Wheat Ridge, is hereby
authorized to sign the Metro Mayors Caucus 2004 Regional Memorandum of
Understanding on Water
DONE AND RESOLVED THIS 10th da
u~ry 2005.V/~-'
/~~
~EST
--A,' G.~IV-
am Anderson, City Clerk
.
-.)~
THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is made und entered into this
_ duy of _ 2004, lrv und among the locul governments in the Denver, Colorudo
metropolitun ureu, bodies politic organized under u/1(f exi~ting by virtue of the laws of the
State of Colorado
Wherea.~, Colorado is a semi-arid climate where water IS a tinite and valuable resource;
and
Whereas, water has important environmental, economic, political and social impacts, and
Whereas, historIcally, Colorado's precipitation patterns have included inevitable and
cyclical periods of drought and
Whereas, Colorado's natural environment and recreational opportunities. a primary draw
for visitors, new residents and relocating businesses, require a reasonable degree of
minimum stream flows, and
Whereas, the Denver metropolitan area is Colorado's population center and eCOnOlTIlC
"engine" and thus must reduce its potential vulnerability to drought through conservation
and water supply projects, and
Whereas, elected officials in the Denver metropolitan area want to build on the spirit of
consensus, cooperation and essential pragmatism about Colorado's water supply; and,
Whereas, the Denver metropolitan area is projected to add an additional I million
residents between 2000 and 2025, primarily through births by existing residents and in-
. I d
migrants, an
Whereas, regional and local differences exist in water quality, quantity, and usage and
each local government or water provider must tailor its water efficiency program to reach
conservation goals, and
Whereas, many local governments In the Denver metropolitan area have developed
extensive water wise management systems and practices, and
Whereas, local governments in the Denver metropolitan area have voluntarily and
collaboratively set forth the principles defined herein that illustrate their commitment to
wise management and stewardship of vital water resources within their individual and
overlapping jurisdictions and the region as a whole.
NOW THEREFORE, the undersigned lowl governments (hereinufter referred to as
\I'e) agree asfollows
Intent (~f Agreement. This agreement IS intended to set forth principles that illustrate
our commitment to wise management and stewardship of vital water resources and
actions that we individually or collectively might take to carry out that stewardship.
Nothing in this agreement shall confer rights on third parties or create obligations in
favor of third parties.
I llnited States Census Bureau and Denver Regional Council of Governments 2025 population estimates
2. Best Malla!(emellt Practices. Thoughtful moditication of direct and indirect resource
management practices can improve efticiency and reduce demand. Many
communities have already adopted best management practices, some have not and
some that have been adopted could be Improved. Towards that end, we will use our
best efforts to continue to identify and adopt, or urge the water utilities that serve us
to adopt, best management practices that achieve efticient water use through
conservation, reuse, and/or ne'A tcchnologies.
3. New Technologies. Ne'A technologies that have the potential to reduce demand for
both potable and non-potable water are being developed every day We will continue
to strive to implement ne'A technologies whose benetits are demonstrable and cost
effective.
4. Coordillation. We acknowledge that as members ofa region and of the State of
Colorado, we share a common challenge in providlllg a safe, stable supply of
affordable water to our customers, both present and prospective We will use our best
efforts to find areas of cooperation between water systems at the regional and
subregional levels that will result in more efficient use of our water resourccs.
5. Educatioll. The consumer benetits from knowing how the public sector is working to
reduce consumption, increase efticiency and provide stable future watcr supplies.
Further, an educated consumer can make informed dccisions about his or her own
consumptIon We will continue to work together to coordinate public education 1Il the
Denver metropolitan area to convey the importance of water and to increase
awareness of the need to conserve, manage and plan for current and future water
needs.
6 Protect Providers. As consumers reduce consumption, this may have the unintended
consequence of jeopardizing the current and future financial viability of water
providers. We will continue to evaluate our fee structures to look for ways to deter
wasteful use of water while still protecting the public's lIlvestment in water supplies
and infrastructure.
7 Address Impacts. Reducing consumption is only a partial answer to providing for the
future needs of the growing Denver metropolitan area. In future water supply
projects, we will encourage jurisdictions to work together to meet thc needs of a
growing population and to address the economic and environmental impacts of water
supply development projects and transfers of water from its historic place and type of
use When a water supply development project involves the transfer of agricultural
water outside of a local government's planning area, water suppliers are encouraged
to use leases or interruptible water supply contracts. Water suppliers should work
with local governments representing affected communities and provide them
opportunities to assist in identifying project impacts and possible offsetting mcasures.
8 Lead by Example. Wc understand that individuals look to their community leaders to
set an example tor the public and that actions speak louder than words. We will
continue to consider and encourage water conservation principles in our planning,
construction, maintenance and redevelopment of public spaces.
9 Commit to Future Stewardship. Though upon signing we have been experiencing
long-term drought, we recognize that the current drought will come to an end.
However. Colorado will continue to be a semi-arid climate and demands on our water
supplies will grow with our state's population. making our commitment to the wise
stewardship of water just as important in times of abundance
10 Execution in Counterparts. This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be effective and which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
PASSED ON SEPTEMBER
,2004
Mayor
ATTEST
Town Clerk
T own Seal
Town Attorney
(Approved as to Form)