HomeMy WebLinkAboutC2017-201 - 7/18/2017 - Approved INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
TEXAS A 8'M UNIVERSITY - CORPUS,CHRISTI AND
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI REGARDING ", .
TAMU-CC STORMWATER FLOATING DEBRIS STUDY
_,WHEREAS, Texas A„& M-University,- Corpus.Christi ("TAMU-CC) and:the City of Corpus
Christi ("City") are authorized.by Chapter of the.Texas Government'.Code to enter into
an interlocal cooperation contract
WHEREAS, TAMU-CC has requested permission to_install temporary collection systems
in Corpus Christi Bay and Oso Creek in order for TAMU-CC to collect data on stormwater
floating debris after storm event;;
NOW, THEREFORE;'the parties hereto'agree'as follows:
1. PURPOSE. The City of Corpus Christi grants permission to TAMU-CC to install TAMU-
CG owned and operated stormwater floating debris collection systems in.Corpus Christi Bay
and Oso Creek to be used by TAMU=CC to study stormwater floating debris, all as further
described in Exhibit A.
2. STATEMENT:OF WORK. TAMU-CC will'perform its collection system deployment,and
stormwater floating debris study as.outlined in.Exhibit A, as generally described.as:follows.
TAMU-CC agrees to,
A. Install stormwater floating debris collections systems at three locations (2 in Corpus
Christi.Bay and 1 on Oso Creek,at locations identified in ,Exhibit A) that will collect floating
stormwater debris...The collection systems will be installed approximately 2-3 days prior to
an anticipated storm `event,. with collection of the debris and removal of the collection-
systems within 24 to 48 hours after discharge has:ceased.
B: Obtain any required permits prior to installation of the collection systems.
C. Collect-and analyze the types and amounts of stormwater floating debris. ' I.
D. Share data results with the City of Corpus:Christi.
E. Provide notice:to the Texas General Land Office; Corpus Christi Director of Utilities
or designee,;and the US Coast uard prior to installation'
Gof the collection systems in Corpus
Christi Bay:or. Oso Creek.
F. Mark each collection .system with signage explaining the study and a TAMU-CC
contact.:
G'. Affix lighting in a manner that warns mariners Of the configuration of the deployed
boom.
2017-201 Page 1 of 6
7/18/17
Res. 031182
TAMU-CC ....: .._.
H. Remain solely responsible for design and operation of the TAMU-CC stormwater
floating debris collection system.
I. Properly dispose of the floating debris collected during the study.
J. Defend and hold harmless the City of Corpus Christi including its officers and
employees for any damages or claims arising out of TAMU-CC activities under this
agreement.
•
3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. This agreement shall be effective from the latest
date of signatures below and continue for one year unless earlier terminated in accordance
with Section 5 below.
4. EXPENDITURES OF REVENUES.
A. Each party agrees to be responsible for costs relating to its respective activities under this
agreement and acknowledge that all expenditures under this agreement shall be paid with
current revenues of the paying party.
B. The parties acknowledge that continuation of this agreement beyond City's current
fiscal year is subject to annual budget process and appropriation of funds.
5. TERMINATION. Performance under this agreement may be terminated by either party
with or without cause upon 30 days' written notice.
6. NOTICES. All notices to parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and sent to
the names and address stated below. Either party to the Agreement may change the
name and address by notice to the other in accordance herewith, and any change shall
take effect immediately upon receipt of the notice.
Texas A&M University— Corpus Christi
Att n: Office of Sponsored Research
6300 Ocean Dr
Corpus Christi,Texas 78412
CITY City of Corpus Christi
Attn: Storm Water Division
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi, TX, 78469
Page 2 of 6
7. AMENDMENTS AUTHORIZED. The representatives who were authorized to
sign this agreement are authorized to execute minor amendments to this agreement,
to extend deadlines or minor changes in the scope of work.
8. SEVERABILITY. If any of the provisions of the agreement in the application
thereof to any person or circumstance, is rendered or declared illegal for any reason,
or shall be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the agreement and the
application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby, but shall be enforced to the greatest extent by applicable law. The City and
Texas A & M University- Corpus Christi agree that this agreement shall be
reformed to replace the stricken provision or part thereof with a valid and enforceable
provision that comes as close as possible to expressing the intention of the stricken
provision.
9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS. To the extent applicable, the dispute
resolution procedures provided in Chapter 2260 of the Texas Government Code will be
used to resolve contract claims under this contract.
10. MISCELLANEOUS. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties relative to the subject matter, and may only be modified or amended by a
written agreement signed by both parties. It shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Texas.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this agreement to be executed by
their authorized representative.
Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi
By:
Name: 1. i• 'i.Aceri mss,
Title: kr2cz4:,,,.u..«( 044.41s,r.�+4%.
Date: • 1`' /
Page 3 of 6
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
ATTEST
C (-4T/Q/14-. By:
� R°4944"
Rebecca Huerta Margie C. ose
City Secretary City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:"
This b- day o� 2017
Lisa Aguila ssistant City Attorney
For City Attorney
sYC�?UNCIL - 412••a.
SECRtA
et
Page 4 of 6
EXHIBIT A
[Insert the Proposed Scope of Work as provided by
TAMU-CC Assistant Professor Conkle]
(Next 4 pages)
Page 5 of 6
Proposed scope of work for the collection of plastic debris/floatable in storm water
discharges around Corpus Christi.
Quantifying Plastic Debris Loading and Accumulation in
Corpus Christi Bay to Improve Stakeholder Awareness
Project Director
Jeremy L. Conkle
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
(361) 825-2862
jeremy.conkle@tamucc.edu
conklelab.tamucc.edu
Background
Corpus Christi is nicknamed the "Texas Riviera" or the "Sparkling City by the Sea," with
Corpus Christi Bay being the centerpiece of this city. Unfortunately, Corpus Christi Bay
is beginning to develop a reputation for its ubiquitous trash/plastic debris and littered
shorelines. (See "All the Cups" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhIBSOITYdQ.) This "reputation" could have
economic consequences in the broader region, with $1.5 billion and $5.4 million in local
revenues tied to nature tourism and fisheries(respectively). It has also been documented
that plastics in marine environment are harmful to fisheries and, sea turtles, birds and
marine mammals. Unfortunately, this problem is not unique to Corpus Christi. Plastic
debris estimates in the ocean are at 268,000 tons and 4.8-12.7 million tons loaded
annually. The fate of plastic debris is also largely unknown. Estimates for total annual
plastic loading4 do not match observed concentrations. The first step in understanding
the problem locally is quantifying its scale and studying sources. This project will quantify
and qualify (types, sources, sizes) plastic debris (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc.) loading within Corpus Christi Bay.
Storm Water Sampling Design
Sampling of floating debris in storm water effluent at 3 sites (Figure 1) will be conducted
using harbor class booms. This floating debris collection system will be deployed from
the shore (using skiffs when necessary) 2-3 days prior to storm event and the debris
collected and booms will be removed within 24 to 48 hours after discharge has stopped.
We anticipate sampling 4-6 storm events at each site, but the current La Nina is expected
to produce drier weather in the region, resulting in below average rainfall during the
study period.
Booms in Corpus Christi Bay (Louisiana and Annapolis storm water basins) will be
anchored to the shoreline and extend out 100 to 250 feet (depending on preliminary
Proposed scope of work for the collection of plastic debris/floatable in storm water
discharges around Corpus Christi.
testing) from the discharge. Oso
Creek storm water samples willr n Cole Park Storm
A A� Water Outfall
utilize a boom that is placed across �` w
the creek just upstream from the
Staples Street bridge.
..200 ttr
Collected plastic debris will be
collected with dip nets, placed in o- - Boom
heavy duty trash bags and copes
transported back to the TAMUCC
campus. The debris will be allowed
to dry before being weighed,
sorted and characterized. After
processing, debris will be re-
Annapolis Storm Water Outfall
bagged and discarded in TAMUCC (Ropes Park)
dumpsters.
Boom Design & Deployment ,��°�'
The floating debris collection fgo
�•
system will be developed usingGo\` "ice
Y P 000
standard harbor class oil spill
response boom extending100 to `� {
p
250 feet (depending on preliminary { , \
testing) into the bay from the
shoreline in an open trapezoidal
Configuration (Figure 1). This Oso Creek Storm Water Collection
configuration will allow potentially y'
strong discharge currents to flow
under the boom while capturing
floating debris. Longshore Lshore currents
g
in Corpus Christi Bay will also i require that the deployed boom
system be long enough to diffuse ffi
currents from various directions.
This concern will be assessed •
during boom deployment, but it is
expected that the proposed 100 to
200 feet of boom will be sufficient. Figure 1. Potential storm water sampling sites.
By keeping the boom length less
Proposed scope of work for the collection of plastic debris/floatable in storm water
discharges around Corpus Christi.
than 200 ft, they will remain in shallow, near shore waters and should not hinder
navigation.
The harbor class booms to be used in this study have the following characteristics:
• 18-inch plastic skirt that extends into the water column
• Yellow or orange color, making them easily visible from shore
• Boom will be in shallow water and will not be lighted at night
• 8-inch foam flotation chamber with 6+ inches of freeboard
• Chain ballast
• Cable (steel or aramid) top tension member
• Either Universal or Z-Type end connectors
On shore, booms will be anchored on each side of the outfall. Shore anchors will be
established by tying off to existing rocks or other suitable fixed anchor points, or with
temporarily placed T-posts driven into the sand. In the bay, the trapezoidal shaped apex
(bay side collection area) of the boom will be secured with a standard anchor systems
(Figure 2) consisting of:
• 20 pound Danforth Anchors
• Trip line with small floats
• Anchor chain
• Anchor lines 5 to 7 times the depth of the water in length.
Where additional holding strength is required to stabilize the boom due to waves
and current, a tandem anchor system will be employed. A second anchor and chain will
be positioned in-line between the trip line and the hilt of the first anchor. All anchors
will be removed when booms are collected after each storm event (24 to 48 hours).
In Oso Creek, boom deployment
must consider streamflow. T-posts will be
used in the muddy banks of Oso Creek to
establish a V-shaped collection point for
floating debris. The apex of the "V" will --
be along the bank just upstream of the
anchor
Staples Street Bridge if safe and retrieval
adequate access can be assured. The chain \ line
boom will angle upstream across the
streamflow at an angle sufficient to allow -�. -
the water to flow under the boom while " ! µ' " k.;;
collecting the floating debris at the apex. cJ
Boom is not intended to capture floating � • ` '� "°'�"'
materials when there is a current greater Figure 2. Boom anchoring system.
Proposed scope of work for the collection of plastic debris/floatable in storm water
discharges around Corpus Christi.
than 0.5 m sec-1 under the boom unless a deflective angle is established. If the current
is 1 m sec-1 the boom angle across Oso creek will be established at 45°. There is no
navigation or other passage in this area.
This boom collection strategy has been developed based on knowledge and
experience collecting floating oil, but it is anticipated that target materials (plastics,
Styrofoam and organic debris) of this study will behave in a similar manner. This should
afford the opportunity to capture, characterize, and quantify these materials. Excessively
large wind, waves, or current flows could have an adverse impact on the boom
performance Additionally, slightly or neutrally buoyant materials like plastic bags or grass
clippings may entrain easier and might not be collected. These potential issues will be
considered when interpreting the results of our study.
Safety
During boom deployment, installation and sample collection all researchers will wear
Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, safety glasses, closed-toed shoes and
pants and will always work in pairs. During sample collection, researcher will also wear
nitrile gloves so that in the event biological materials (dead animals, feces, etc.) is
encountered exposure to pathogens is minimized.
Involvement by the City of Corpus Christi
The Coastal Health & Water Quality lab run by Dr. Conkle at TAMUCC will be leading
the project. He will work with the Crystal Ybanez, Environmental Services
Superintendent for the City of Corpus Christi to ensure that all research activities follow
local ordinances. During boom deployment, we will invite Crystal and colleagues from
the city to observe installation activities and to ascertain that approved anchoring and
marker buoys are used.
A major goal of this study is to inform policy and decision makers regarding storm
water management and the debris storm water transports into local surface waters. Upon
completion of this project, all data and results will be delivered to the Coastal Bend Bays
and Estuaries Program and the City of Corpus Christi to ensure that this work benefits
our community.