Helper endorses proposed water purchase agreement

By Sun Advocate

During a specially scheduled Sept. 17 council meeting, Helper officials approved an interlocal agreement establishing the proposed terms for future purchases from Price River Water Improvement District to supplement the city’s culinary system in emergency situations.
Introducing the second draft of the proposal at Monday’s meeting, Mayor Mike Dalpiaz recognized John Jones for the councilmember’s ongoing efforts to negotiate an agreement with PRWID.
Under the proposed guidelines, Jones explained that Helper would continue to lease sufficient shares of the city’s stock in the Price River Water Users Association to PRWID in exchange for the district supplementing the city’s culinary system inventory on a temporary basis in future emergency situations.
The number of Price River water shares assigned to PRWID by the city would be calculated in accordance with the district’s water exchange formula.
The PRWID formula includes a 30 percent delivery loss due to factors such as evaporation.
Jones questioned the PRWID equation’s 30 percent water loss figure, but the councilmember indicated that the agreement represented an equitable method of resolving any emergency water situations Helper may encounter in the future.
Jones supported approving the agreement and submitting the second draft to the PRWID board at the special service district’s next regularly scheduled public meeting on Sept. 18.
The proposal specifies that the agreement will supersede all existing arrangements between the two parties, including the May 2007 contract Helper executed with PRWID after well problems forced the city to request water from the improvement district to meet the culinary needs of local residents.
“Our well is up and running,” pointed out Dalpiaz. “Helper should not even have to go to the PRWID store.”
Following the brief discussion, the Helper council voted unanimously to approve the terms outlined in the second draft.
In addition, the council authorized the mayor to sign the emergency water purchase agreement upon PRWID’s endorsement of the city’s contractual proposal.
Along with a 30-day termination clause, the provisions outlined in the second draft include:
•The parties acknowledge that Helper assigned 200 shares of Price River water to PRWID as part of the five-year emergency purchase agreement executed between the city and the improvement district in May 2007.
Until the 2007 contract’s designated Dec. 31, 2011 expiration date, Helper will pay $13 per water share to PRWID. In turn, the improvement district will accept the $13 payment in lieu of water share reimbursement or exchange requirement.
•In the event an emergency situation results in Helper’s inability to furnish adequate supplies to residents and customers, the city may submit a written request for the purchase and delivery of PRWID drinking water.
Within 24 hours of receiving an emergency request, PRWID will conduct an inventory and determine whether the distinct has the ability to deliver treated water to Helper.
•The water improvement district will notify the city in writing regarding PRWID’s ability to deliver the requested water.
The improvement district staff will coordinate with Helper to accommodate delivery into the city’s culinary water system.
•PRWID will meter all water supplied to Helper and forward a written accounting to the city.
The improvement district will bill Helper on a monthly basis and the city will be required to remit payment in full to PRWID within 30 days receipt of the notice.
Helper’s failure or refusal to remit payment will constitute grounds for immediate termination of the agreement and the improvement’s delivery of water to the city.