Subject:
Title
Request approval of Memorandum of Understanding between the Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation and the Town of Vienna for installation of a water conservation project on land adjacent to the Vienna Community Center property
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
The Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation presented to Town Council at its August 21, 2017 meeting a proposal to work with the Town of Vienna to ecologically enhance the Vienna Community Center property and promote environmentally responsible behaviors to the public by:
• planting native and pollinator plantings on the community center property
• developing a bee apiary on the roof of the community center
• providing educational signage and programs.
Town Council was supportive of the Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation’s proposal and approved on September 11, 2017 an MOU for native and pollinator plantings on the east side of the Vienna Community Center. The native plantings were installed in October 2017. Additional MOU’s were expected to follow for additional ecological enhancement projects.
The Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation has since approached the Town of Vienna to install a water conservation project on land adjacent to the Vienna Community Center, specifically the depressed area adjacent to the Vienna Youth Inc. building and the Piney Branch tributary, from the triple pipe drainage to the steel bridge that connects to the W&OD Trail. A native plant buffer on each side of the Piney Branch tributary will be created to reduce rainwater runoff velocity to the tributary and to improve overall downstream water quality.
This project will be partially funded with grant money offered though the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), a program that provides partial funding to create conservation landscaping through the planting and maintenance of native trees, shrubs, and other vegetation adjacent to watersheds in Virginia. The remainder of funding will be provided by the Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation. As required by the SWCD, as part of its grant requirements, the Town must be willing to keep and maintain the native plant buffer for 10 years after installation.
In an effort to begin plantings this spring, the Morton and Spapperi Foundation have provided an MOU for Council’s consideration to install a water conservation project on land adjacent to the Vienna Community Center.
Departmental Recommendation: The Parks and Recreation Director recommends approving the Memorandum of Understanding and authorizing the mayor or vice mayor to sign the MOU. The Parks and Recreation Director also recommends authorizing the mayor or vice mayor to sign agreements as part of the grant award from the Soil and Water Conservation District.
Finance Recommendation: N/A
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: Town Council may approve the proposed water conservation project MOU in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve the memorandum of understanding between the Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation and the Town as presented.
Cost and Financing: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Decision Needed by This date: March 12, 2018
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Morton and Spapperi Family Foundation and the Town to allow installation of a water conservation project on land adjacent to the Vienna Community Center. I further move that the mayor or vice mayor be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding and agreements that are part of the grant award from the Soil and Water Conservation District."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.