Council Communication

Study Session Talent Ashland Phoenix (TAP) Intertie Pipeline Update on Preliminary Engineering and Future Water Line Construction from Talent to Ashland
Meeting Date:	February 2, 2005		Primary Staff Contact:	Paula Brown, 552-2411 brownp@ashland.or.us
Department:	Public Works		Secondary Staff Contact:	John McLaughlin, 552-2043; mac@ashland.or.us
Contributing Departments:	Community Development
Approval:	Gino Grimaldi

Statement: This item provides an update on the preliminary engineering for the TAP (Talent Ashland Phoenix water intertie) pipeline project. This information is being presented to Council at a study session in a workshop format to discuss staff recommendations for the TAP reservoir placement and system integration to meet the future water needs for the City of Ashland. Consistent with past updates, this item also provides updated background information on the City's water supply, water demand, water rights, and conservation.
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Background: Water has been, and will continue to be, a concern for the Rogue Valley. The City of Ashland will have intermittent drought years followed by periods of sufficient water for the foreseeable planning period. However, as we look at reasonable projections for growth, water use and successful conservation programs, staff is concerned that we ensure timely planning and construction of the TAP project to guarantee adequate water supply for successive drought years or for emergency situations. Although the water need is not until 2016, staff is recommending that the City continue to plan for and develop a funding mechanism so that construction of the TAP Pipeline, ancillary improvements and connections to the City's distribution system can be completed by July 2010. Based on the Council's decision in December 1998, the City participated with the cities of Talent and Phoenix and with the Medford Water Commission for the design and construction of the 24-inch TAP water pipeline construction to the City of Talent. In addition to the initial construction, Council has asked staff to complete the following: 1. Complete pre-design for the future extension of the TAP Pipeline 2. Continue with an emphasis on conservation programs in an effort to meet the goals for 20% peak day summer time reductions 3. Continue with negotiations for other water supply options including: • Purchase Lost Creek Water Rights • Review the options of exchanging the City's Talent Irrigation District (TID) water rights from the City's "Imperatrice Property" for beneficial use within the City • Begin discussions with TID and BOR for additional municipal water rights Although the primary purpose of this Council study session is to discuss the TAP pre-design and system improvements, the attached document discusses the remaining elements of the Council's goals. Costs: The following summarizes the anticipated costs of the project: Paid - Future Costs TAP Pipeline Construction Medford to Talent (2002) $1,450,000 Purchase Water Rights (2002) 931,000 Engineering - Preliminary (2004) 75,000 Final $350,000 Future Connection of TAP from Talent to Ashland (incl engr) 2,000,000 Future SDCs to Medford Water Commission (assumed) 1,500,000 Future Ashland Pump Station 750,000 Future Ashland Distribution System Upgrades 1,000,000 Additional Lost Creek Water (increased costs) 400,000 TOTAL Costs: $8,456,000 Paid to date: 2,456,000 Total Future Costs: $6,000,000 These costs could be funded through a combination of funding sources including Water Supply SDCs approximately 75% of TAP Pipeline, & 100% of the purchased water rights $3,287,500 Water Distribution SDCs approximately 75% of the dist upgrades 1,312,500 Water Rates approximately 1,400,000 Bonds, loans or other initial funding may be required to cover the collection of SDCs.
Related City Policies: 2004-2005 Council Goals Budget
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Council Options: Although this does not require current council decisions, there are a few future decision points that will be brought to Council. Staff will continue with the schedule as outlined below with the first TAP action being the land siting and purchase for the receiving reservoir. The next formal Council decision for the TAP project is the timing for final design, which will be brought to Council in the 2007, separately and during the budget process. As shown below in the staff recommendation section, staff continues to push for an earlier than absolutely necessary design and construction schedule. This is a conservative approach from staff to allow some additional time for unforeseen issues, design complications and potential severe drought situations that would allow some flexibility in an otherwise very stringent curtailment program. However, those specific decision points will be brought back to council with that recommendation and an actual date for the timing of those steps. Other than these precautionary moves, there is no absolute reason to engage in the earlier design from a water supply standpoint. The date provided in the 1988 water study is valid. Water conservation remains a viable option for gaining 10% reductions (see the attachment) in maximum water use, and has been progressing well. Staff is committed to aggressively pursue education for wise irrigation efforts to reduce summer water use, and also explore better use of TID water for irrigation needs to enhance the conservation achievements.
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Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends continuing to pursue the TAP project as shown on the following schedule. As mentioned above, the next TAP action is to identify and site the receiving reservoir for the TAP pipeline, which is schedule to be completed between April 2005 and January 2006. There is a related but separate issue that will need to be resolved for better water distribution of our current system and will help once the TAP pipeline is in place; that is the Zone 5 reservoir for better system distribution and to meet deficits in current distribution and fire flow demands. This reservoir is already in the budget for funding and will continue to be designed and constructed in the FY06 through FY07 budget process. Click Here for Schedule
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Potential Motions: None - study session
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Attachments: • Additional TAP and Water Program Background

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