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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution-2005-0001 - 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)