HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 23-014RESOLUTION NO. 23-014
BE IT RES(DL\/EE:) E Y THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the City Manager be and he is hereby authorized to execute an Agreement
with the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LN\/A), to extend a five (5) year term to secure
an uninterrupted surface water supply for the City of Beaumont. The Agreement is
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof for all
purposes.
The meeting at which this resolution was approved was in all things conducted in
strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter
551.
PASSES BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 10th day of
January, 2023.
Mayor o in Mc>utc3n -
's
WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
BETWEEN
CITY OF BEAUMONT
AND
LOWER NECHES VALLEY AUTHORITY
THE STATE OF TEXAS §
§ KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS:
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON §
THIS WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE (the
"Agreement') is entered into between the City of Beaumont, Texas, a Texas home -rule city
operating pursuant to its charter and the provisions of the Texas Constitution and Laws of the
State of Texas (the "City', and the Lower Neches Valley Authority, a political subdivision and
agency of the State of Texas and a conservation and reclamation district created and governed by
the provisions of Article 16, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution ("LNVA). In this Agreement,
the City and LNVA are sometimes individually referred to as "Party" and collectively referred to
as the "Parties."
WHEREAS, the LNVA has certain senior run of the river rights in the Neches River
from 1913 of 326,360 acre feet; and
WHEREAS, LNVA has the right to divert and use stored water from Sam Rayburn
Reservoir ("Sam Rayburn") and B.A. Steinhagen Lake ("Steinhagen") pursuant to its
Certificate of Adjudication No. 06-4411, as amended, and a 1956 contract with the United States
Army Corps of Engineers; and
WHEREAS, LNVA is authorized to make waters in Sam Rayburn and Steinhagen
available for beneficial use for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and mining use; and
WHEREAS, the City is the holder of Certificate of Adjudication No. 06-4415, as
amended, which authorizes it to divert and use 56,468 acre-feet of water per annum from the
Neches River; and
WHEREAS, the City is in need of additional water supplies to supplement its run -of -
river diversion authorization from the Neches River; and
WHEREAS, the City and LNVA desire to enter into an agreement whereby LNVA
makes available up to 6,000 acre-feet of uninterruptible water supplies per year for the City
pursuant to the terms and conditions provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual
promises and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:
January 23, 2013 Dris Water Supply Agreement between City of Beaumont and Lower Neches Valley Authority
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3316769.1 Exhibit "A"
I. DEFINITIONS
1.01 "Agreement" means this agreement regarding water supply between LNVA and
the City.
1.02 "Annual Reserved Quantity" means the total volume, expressed in acre-feet per
Calendar Year, which LNVA agrees to make available and the City agrees to reserve. For
this Agreement, the amount is 6,000 acre-feet per annum.
1.03 "Calendar Year" means that period beginning on January 1 and ending
December 31 of any year.
1.04 "City" means the City of Beaumont.
1.05 "Delivery Point" means the point at which the City accepts delivery of water
from the LNVA in the Neches River at its existing or future pumping facilities.
1.06 "Diversion Request" means the quantity of water reported to LNVA as a request
from the City to be available in the Neches River for the City's use. This request must be
delivered to LNVA four (4) days prior to the City's anticipated withdrawal from the Neches
River near Beaumont, Texas, regardless of the anticipated source of the surface water.
1.07 "Effective Date" means December 31, 2012.
1.08 "LNYA"means the Lower Neches Valley Authority.
1.09 "LNVA Municipal Rate" means the published Municipal Rate approved by the
LNVA Board of Directors and in effect on the Effective Date of this Agreement, or on the 5
year anniversary date of this Agreement or any extension.
1.10 "Meter" means the meter installed and maintained by the City at its pumping
facilities pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
1.11 "Payment Date" means January 30`h of each Calendar Year, that date on or
before which the City shall remit the Reservation Fee.
1.12 "Release Fee" means the fee paid by the City for the Water LNVA actually
released from storage for City's use pursuant to a request made by the City and any
additional quantity of water withdrawn by the City from the Neches River which, as
determined by accounting would not have been available as run -of -river but for the releases
of water from Steinhagen and/or Rayburn storage.
1.13 "Release Point" means that point at which LNVA releases water to the Neches
River immediately below the outfall of Steinhagen.
1.14 "Release Unit Price" means one quarter ('/4) of the LNVA Municipal Rate.
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1.15 "Reservation Fee" means that amount paid by the City to reserve an
uninterruptible supply of water from storage in the amount of the Annual Reserved Quantity
from LNVA.
1.16 "Reservation Unit Price" means one quarter ('/a) of the LNVA Municipal Rate.
1.17 "TCEQ" means the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and any
successor agency.
1.18 "Uncontracted Water Rate" means the published Spot Purchase Rate approved by
the LNVA Board of Directors and in effect at the time LNVA releases water for the benefit
of the City in excess of the Annual Reserved Quantity.
1.19 "Uncontracted Water Fee" means the amount to be paid by the City for water
released from storage for the City in excess of the Annual Reserved Quantity in any given
calendar year.
1.20 "Water" means that raw water reserved by the City as part of the Annual
Reserved Quantity made available by LNVA pursuant to this Agreement.
II. WATER SUPPLY
2.01 Uninterruptible Water Supply and Title Thereto. The Parties hereby agree
that from and after the Effective Date hereof, LNVA shall make the Annual Reserved Quantity
available to the City for diversion and use. LNVA warrants that it can provide the Annual
Reserved Quantity on a firm, uninterruptible basis throughout the term of this Agreement.
LNVA agrees that the City may take Water at any time after the Effective Date of the
Agreement, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement. Title to the Water
actually released by LNVA pursuant to this Agreement shall pass to the City upon the LNVA's
delivery at the Delivery Point. The Parties agree that there shall be no conveyance losses
associated with the delivery of Water from the Release Point to the Delivery Point. City
acknowledges that it will accrue no equity or any other interest in the LNVA water rights or any
other assets of LNVA as a result of payment or other performance of City under this Agreement.
2.02 Water Release, Diversion, and Use.
(a) Release. At any time, the City may exercise its right to take Water up to the
Annual Reserved Quantity by delivering written notice thereof to LNVA of the City's
anticipated demand not less than four (4) days prior to the City's diversion of that Water from
the Neches River at the Delivery Point. The City's anticipated Diversion Request shall be
reported to LNVA as a diversion rate in terms of cubic feet per second (CFS) or in terms of
million gallons per day (MGD). Pursuant to the "Plan of Operation" attached hereto as "Exhibit
A", the City will communicate with LNVA its Diversion Request for every day of the year,
regardless of whether or not the City believes its diversion will be met by its own water rights or
supplemented by Water from the LNVA. The Water supplied hereunder shall be made available
to the City by LNVA releasing water at the Release Point. The anticipated Diversion Request
shall be delivered to LNVA by the City's Water Utilities Director or his designee and shall
specify the rate and quantity at which the City anticipates diverting water from the Neches River.
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LNVA will have the sole responsibility of determining the appropriate release request to the
United States Army Corps of Engineers and ensure a sufficient supply of water is available in the
Neches River to meet the needs of both the LNVA and the City. Except during those events
qualifying as a force majeure event under Section 4.18, LNVA shall make the delivery by
allowing the Water to be released out of Steinhagen by use of the gated facilities located in or
near the dam of Steinhagen. LNVA shall begin to release the amount of Water requested within
forty-eight (48) hours of the City's request. Within twenty-four (24) hours of making the
requested release, LNVA shall provide written confirmation that the requested quantity of Water
has been released. LNVA shall have the sole responsibility for delivery of such Water to the
Delivery Point. The City shall be responsible for obtaining any federal, state, county or local
approvals required for acceptance, transport, diversion and use of the Water. The City shall be
responsible for filing a copy of this Agreement with TCEQ as required by the agency's
regulations. Notices provided under this Section shall not be required to be delivered to the
"with copy to" parties identified in Section 4.16.
(b) Diversion and Use. The City may divert Water up to the Annual Reserved Quantity
at its pumping facilities on the Neches River, as the point of such facilities is reflected on the
map attached hereto as "Exhibit B". Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City shall be
authorized to divert Water pursuant to this Agreement at any additional pumping facilities
authorized by TCEQ for use by the City now or in the future. The City shall divert Water at a
rate of no more than 156 cfs. The City shall use Water diverted pursuant to this Agreement for
municipal, purposes only, except for that portion of Water it may sell to its existing raw water
customer as of the date of this Agreement, the Beaumont Country Club. City is prohibited from
selling Water delivered pursuant to this Agreement, except to the Beaumont Country Club, an
existing customer to whom the City sells raw water at the time of the Effective Date of this
Agreement; however, City may sell potable water within the City's extra territorial jurisdiction,
municipal boundaries or Certificate of Convenience and Necessity area, as these areas may
change from time to time, or to wholesale potable water customers. This Agreement in no way
limits the City's right to sell its treated effluent for any lawful purpose.
2.03 Metering. The City shall install, operate, and maintain at the City's expense
such flow meters and recording devices to permit, within two percent (2%) accuracy,
determination of quantities of water diverted by the City at its point(s) of diversion from the
Neches River, in units of not more than 1,000 gallons. The City shall own the Meter and shall be
responsible for operation, maintenance and replacement thereof. The Meter shall be calibrated
annually, but may be tested at any reasonable time by either Party to this Agreement, provided
that the Party making the test shall notify the other Party at least three (3) business days in
advance and allow the other Party to witness the test. In the event that any question arises at any
time as to the accuracy of the Meter, such Meter shall be tested by the City promptly upon the
demand of LNVA, the expense of such test to be borne by LNVA if the Meter is found to be
within 2% accuracy and by the City if it is found not to be within 2% accuracy. If, as a result of
any test, any meter is found to be registering inaccurately (i.e., not within 2% accurate), the
readings of such meter shall be corrected at a rate of its inaccuracy for any period which is
definitely known or agreed upon or, if no such period is known or agreed upon, the shorter of the
following periods shall be used as the basis for correction:
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a) a period extending back either thirty (30) days from the date of demand for the
test or, if no demand for the test was made, thirty (30) days extending back from
the date of the test; or
b) a period extending back one-half of the time elapsed since the last previous test;
and the records of the readings and all payments which have been made on the
basis of such readings, shall be adjusted accordingly.
2.04 Accounting. LNVA agrees to pass all water through Sam Rayburn and/or
Steinhagen to which the City is entitled pursuant to the City's priority under its water right
authorizations, including Certificate of Adjudication No. 06-4415, for diversion and use by the
City. In order to account for that water passed through the reservoirs, available from inflows
downstream of Steinhagen, and released from storage to satisfy the City's downstream demands,
Parties shall maintain a detailed account of that water which it passes pursuant to the City's own
water right authorizations, including Certificate of Adjudication No. 06-4415, and that Water
released pursuant to this Agreement which shall count against the Annual Reserved Quantity
using an accounting plan. Parties agree that LNVA shall employ the accounting plan approved
by the TCEQ for such purposes, which is attached hereto as "Exhibit C". LNVA agrees to make
the accounting of the water pursuant to the approved plan available for inspection by the City
during normal business hours, and shall on a monthly basis provide the latest version of the
accounting plan to the City at the address designated in this Agreement. The accounting plan
attached as Exhibit C may be revised only by mutual written agreement of the City and LNVA.
2.05 Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Planning. The City agrees to
use reasonable diligence to avoid waste and achieve water conservation of the Water and agrees
to abide by the financial obligations imposed under Section 9 (a) — (d) of LNVA's Drought
Contingency Plan, which incorporates provisions of Texas Water Code § 11.039 governing the
distribution of water during the shortage, as adopted by the LNVA Board and approved by the
TCEQ. The City agrees to at all times implement and enforce the provisions of its own water
conservation and drought contingency plans, as formally adopted by the City Council and
approved by the TCEQ.
2.06 Water Quality. The City and LNVA agree that LNVA makes no representations
or warranties, express or implied, as to the suitability, quality, or usefulness for any purpose of
Water supplied pursuant to this Agreement and that Water is provided by LNVA to the City "as -
is" at the Delivery Point.
III. PAYMENT
3.01 Reservation Fee. In consideration of the agreement of LNVA to provide the
Annual Reserved Quantity each Calendar Year from and after the Effective Date pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, the City agrees that it shall pay annually to LNVA the Reservation Fee.
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The Reservation Fee paid by the City to reserve the Annual Reserved Quantity to be made
available by LNVA pursuant to this Agreement shall consist of annual payments calculated by
multiplying the Annual Reserved Quantity times the Reservation Unit Price, to reserve the
Annual Reserved Quantity for the City's use.
3.02 Release Fee. Should LNVA actually release Water pursuant to a Diversion
Request made by the City under this Agreement, the City agrees to remit to LNVA the Release
Fee, calculated by multiplying the Release Unit Price by the quantity of Water actually released
by LNVA at the Release Point as necessary to satisfy the Diversion Request made by the City
pursuant to this Agreement.
3.03 Uncontracted Water Fee. Should LNVA actually release water pursuant to a
Diversion Request made by the City under this Agreement in excess of the Annual Reserved
Quantity, the City agrees to remit to LNVA the Uncontracted Water Fee, calculated by
multiplying the Uncontracted Water Rate by the quantity of water actually released by LNVA at
the Release Point in excess of the Annual Reserved Quantity.
3.04 Payment of Fees.
(a) Reservation Fee. The City agrees to remit to LNVA the full sum of the Reservation
Fee on or before the Payment Date each year, in consideration of LNVA's warranty that it will
reserve and make available on a firm, uninterruptible basis, the Annual Reserved Quantity for
diversion and use by the City in that Calendar Year. Should LNVA fail to receive the full
Reservation Fee by the Payment Date, such failure shall be considered a breach of contract by
the City, but upon written notice by LNVA to the City, the City will be entitled to cure such
breach within thirty (30) days of its receipt of such written notice by payment of such
Reservation Fee.
(b) Release Fee and Uncontracted Water Fee. On or before the forty fifth (4511)
calendar day following the end of the first month after the Effective Date during which LNVA
releases water for use by the City pursuant to its Diversion Request, and each month thereafter
during which LNVA releases water pursuant to the City's Diversion Request, LNVA shall
deliver to the City an invoice reflecting the amount of Water actually released and delivered for
use by the City pursuant to this Agreement, and the amount of the Release Fee and Uncontracted
Water Fee (if any) accrued therefrom. The Uncontracted Water Fee (if any) shall be based on
that water released from storage by LNVA pursuant to a Diversion Request made by the City and
as determined by the accounting plan attached as Exhibit C. No Release Fee or Uncontracted
Water Fee will be assessed for flows to which the City is entitled under its own water right
authorizations that are passed through Sam Rayburn and Steinhagen or that originate below
Steinhagen. On or before thirty (30) calendar days from receiving such invoice, the City shall
pay the Release Fee and Uncontracted Water Fee (if any) identified in the applicable invoice, in
full, to LNVA at the address set forth in this Agreement, subject to the City's right to challenge
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the amount of the respective Release Fee and Uncontracted Water Fee (if any) in accordance
with Section 3.05.
3.05 Dispute as to Fees. If the City at any time disputes the Release Fee or
Uncontracted Water Fee (if any) included in an invoice provided to LNVA, the City shall notify
LNVA in writing, on or before the date that payment to LNVA is due, of the amounts disputed in
good faith by the City and the basis therefor. In the event LNVA agrees with any timely notice
of dispute by the City, it shall notify the City and reflect the appropriate adjustments on the next
month's invoice delivered to the City. If LNVA fails to respond to the City within thirty (30)
days after receipt of a timely notice of a disputed Fee, then the disputed amounts in the notice
shall be deemed to be resolved in the City's favor. Otherwise, LNVA shall give written notice to
the City of its disagreement with the City regarding the disputed amount, stating the reasons
therefor, within thirty (30) days after receipt of notification of the disputed amount from the City.
If it is subsequently determined by agreement or court decision that the disputed amount should
have been more or less, LNVA shall promptly revise the subsequent invoice amount in a manner
that will allow the City to either recover or remit the amount overpaid or underpaid.
3.06 Price and Quantity Adjustment. The Reservation and Release Unit Price of
Water shall be fixed from the Effective Date for a period of five (5) years, and in five-year
increments thereafter. At the end of the first five-year period and each five-year period
thereafter, the Reservation Fee Unit Price and the Release Unit Price will be reassessed based on
the Municipal Rate then in effect as fixed by the LNVA Board of Directors. All prices are
subject to compliance with the LNVA Drought Contingency Plan as approved by the TCEQ.
The Uncontracted Water Rate will not be fixed for any extended term and will be the Spot
Purchase Rate adopted by the LNVA Board of Directors from time to time and in effect at the
time releases of Water by LNVA exceed the Annual Reserved Quantity.
IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS
4.01 Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period
commencing on the Effective Date and ending five (5) years thereafter. The Parties agree that
this Agreement may be extended by the City as set forth in Section 4.02, or by mutual agreement
between the Parties.
4.02 Option to Extend Term. The Parties agree that the City shall have the right
to elect to extend the term of this Agreement for up to eight (8) additional five (5) year periods
(an "Extension Period"). In order to elect an Extension Period, the City shall deliver written
notice of said Extension Period four (4) years from the Effective Date hereof or one (1) year
before the end of the term of the Agreement or any Extension Period. Should the City fail to
elect an Extension Period by such date, LNVA shall provide written notice to the City of the
expiration of the Agreement. Upon written notice by LNVA of the expiration of the Agreement
due to the City's failure to elect an Extension Period, the City may cure such expiration by
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providing written notice to LNVA of its election of an Extension Period within thirty (30) days
of receiving notice from LNVA.
4.03 Termination. The City may terminate this Agreement only as provided in Sec.
4.02 or by mutual written agreement of the Parties.
4.04 Representations and Warranties. The City and LNVA hereby represent and
warrant that: (a) the signatories to this Agreement have been given the lawful authority by their
respective governing bodies to enter into this Agreement; and (b) both LNVA and the City will
at all times during the term of this Agreement comply with all orders, rules, and regulatory
requirements of the TCEQ or any successor agency. LNVA hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) the water supply it is providing to the City pursuant to this Agreement is intended to be made
available on a firm, uninterruptible basis; and (b) it will not enter into any future water supply
agreements or otherwise obligate itself in a manner beyond the firm yield of its State issued
water rights authorizations.
4.05 Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement is dependent upon LNVA
and the City's compliance with the requirement of Chapter 297, Subtitle J of Title 30 of the
Texas Administrative Code (relating to Water Supply Contracts and Amendments).
4.06 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and, if any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid for any reason by a court or agency of
competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected and this Agreement
will be construed as if the invalid portion had never been contained herein.
4.07 Assignment. Except as otherwise provided herein, the assignment of this
Agreement by any Party is prohibited without the prior written consent of the other Parties. All
of the respective covenants, undertakings, and obligations of each of the Parties will bind that
Party and will apply to and bind any successors or assigns of that Party.
4.08 Pledge of Revenue.
City represents and covenants that all payments to be made by it under this Agreement
shall constitute reasonable and necessary operating expenses of its system as defined in Tex.
Gov't. Code Ann. §§ 1502.001-.058 (Vernon 2001), and that all such payments will be made
from the revenues of its water system. City represents and has determined that the water supply
to be obtained from the LNVA System is absolutely necessary and essential to the present and
future operation of its facility and is the only available and adequate source of supply of water
therefore, and, accordingly, all payments required by this Agreement to be made by City shall
constitute reasonable and necessary operating expenses of City's plant and system or systems as
described above with the effect that the obligation to make such payments from revenues of such
system or systems shall have priority over any obligation to make any payments from such
revenues, whether of principal, interest, or both, with respect to all bonds heretofore or hereafter
issued by City.
City agrees throughout the term of this Agreement to continuously operate and maintain
its water system and to fix and collect such rates and charges for water services to be supplied by
its water system as will produce revenues in an amount equal to at least (i) all of its payments
under this Agreement and (ii) all other amounts as required by the provisions of the ordinances
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or resolutions authorizing its revenue bonds or other obligations now or hereafter outstanding.
Unless otherwise specifically provided in writing by subsequent agreement between
LNVA and City, LNVA shall never have the right to demand payment by City of any obligation
assumed or imposed on it under this Agreement from funds raised or to be raised by taxation, it
being expressly understood by LNVA and City that all payments due by City are to be made
from the revenues and income received by City from the ownership and operation of its plant or
facility.
This is a contract that is subject to Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code.
4.09 Cooperation. The Parties agree to cooperate at all times in good faith to
effectuate the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
4.10 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided for herein, nothing in
this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity, other than
the Parties, any rights, benefits, or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
4.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Parties
regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings
or representations, whether oral or written, regarding the subject matter.
4.12 Interpretation and Reliance. No presumption will apply in favor of either Party
in the interpretation of this Agreement or in the resolution of any ambiguity of any provisions
hereof.
4.13 Relationship of Parties. This Agreement is based upon the active participation
of the Parties. Neither the execution nor the delivery of this Agreement shall create or constitute
a partnership, joint venture, or any other form of business organization or arrangement between
the Parties, except for the contractual arrangements specifically set forth in this Agreement. No
Party shall have any power to assume or create any obligation on behalf of the other Party.
4.14 Amendments. Any amendment of this Agreement must be in writing and will be
effective if signed by the authorized representatives of the Parties.
4.15 Applicable Law; Venue. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with
Texas law. Venue for any action arising hereunder will be in Jefferson County, Texas.
4.16 Notices. Wherever under this Contract one party is required or permitted to give
notice to the other party, such notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, sent by
facsimile transmission, sent by nationally recognized express courier, sent by certified,
registered, first class mail, postage prepaid, or sent by electronic mail. Any such notice shall be
deemed given when actually received when delivered either personally, by facsimile
transmission or by express courier, or if mailed, on the fifth day after its mailing, postage prepaid
to the recipient party, or if by electronic mail, by the date actually received. Notice to be
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:
CITY: City of Beaumont
1350 Langham Rd
PO Box 3827
Beaumont, TX 77704-3 827
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3316769.1
Attn: City Manager
Telephone: (409) 880-3708
Facsimile: (409) 880-3112
Email: khayes@ci.beaumont.tx.us
with copy to: Tyrone Cooper
Beaumont City Attorney
801 Main St. Suite 325
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Telephone: (409) 880-3715
Facsimile: (409) 880-3121
Email: tcooper@ci.beaumont.tx.us
Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, PC
816 Congress Ave., Suite 1900
Austin, Texas 78701
Attn: Martin Rochelle
Telephone: (512) 322-5810
Facsimile: (512) 874-3909
Email: mrochelle@lgawfirm.com
LNVA: Lower Neches Valley Authority
7850 Eastex Freeway
Beaumont, Texas 77708
Attn: Scott Hall
Telephone: (409) 892-4011
Facsimile: (409) 898-2468
Email: scotthnlnva.org
with copy to: Benckenstein & Oxford, LLP
3535 Calder, 3rd Floor
Beaumont, Texas 77706
Attn: Hubert Oxford
Telephone: (409) 833-9182 x394
Facsimile: (409) 833-8819
Email: hubertoxford@benoxford.com
4.17 Counterparts; Effect of Partial Execution. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in multiple counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of
which will constitute the same instrument.
4.18 Force Majeure. In the event that any obligation contained herein is not fulfilled
within the time period required hereby, and such failure is beyond either Party's reasonable
control, including but not limited to compliance with any regulations, order or instruction of any
federal, state or municipal government or any department or agency thereof, acts or omissions of
any other Party hereto, acts of civil or military authority, fires, strikes, embargoes, war,
terrorism, riots, delays in transportation, tempests, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, drought and
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the inability (due to causes beyond such Party's reasonable control) to obtain necessary labor,
manufacturing facilities or materials (all of the foregoing, without limitation, being herein
referred to as "force majeure"), such Party shall give the other Party prompt notice of the
occurrence of any such force majeure delay or expected delay, specifying the cause thereof and
the suspected duration. In the event of any such delay, the date required for fulfillment of such
obligation shall be automatically extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the
delay.
4.19 Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Parties, and their respective successors and assigns (as may be authorized pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement) following the Effective Date.
4.20 Default and Remedies. If any Party now or hereafter subject to this Agreement
fails to perform such Parry's obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms, provisions and
conditions of this Agreement, then any other Party hereto may provide written notice of such
failure to the non -performing Party and the non -performing Party shall thereupon have fifteen
(15) days to cure such failure. If such failure has not been cured after the expiration of such
fifteen (15) day period, then the complaining Party hereto may, except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, (i) institute suit for specific performance against the non -performing Party to
compel performance of the obligation, and the costs of compelling performance (including,
without limitation, attorneys' fees and expenses) shall be reimbursable to the prevailing Party in
such litigation plus interest thereon, or (ii) pursue any and all other remedies available to the
complaining Party at law or in equity, including, without limitation, suit for damages.
4.21 Waiver. The waiver by either Party of any provisions of this Agreement shall not
be construed as a precedent or waiver of such provisions thereafter unless this Agreement is
amended in writing reflecting such waiver.
4.22 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of
the Parties hereto and their successors and assigns hereof, and it shall not inure to the benefit of
any other persons or entities, and is the result of negotiations between the Parties and is not to be
considered a precedent with respect to either Party in any other like situation or with respect to
any other Party in any other like situation.
4.23 Invalidity of Provisions. In the event any provision hereof is declared invalid by
a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, after all applicable court appeals have been
exhausted, such invalidation shall not invalidate the remaining portions of this Agreement unless
the provisions(s) so invalidated renders this Agreement un-performable by either Party and/or
fiustrates the purpose of the Agreement.
4.24 Enforcement. It is understood and agreed that either Party hereto may demand
specific performance of this Agreement.
4.25 Responsibility for Water. Title to and responsibility and liability for Water
supplied by LNVA shall be in LNVA until such Water reaches the Delivery Point. Once the
Water supplied hereunder to City passes through the Delivery Point, said water shall become the
responsibility of the City.
4.26 Indemnification. . THE PARTIES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, WILL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OTHER
January 23, 2013 Draft Water Supply Agreement between City of Beaumont and Lower Neches Valley Authority
11
3316769.1
AND EACH OF THEIR PRESENT, FUTURE AND FORMER DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OR ANY OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES, CONTRACTORS AND
SUBCONTRACTORS AGAINST ANY COSTS OR EXPENSES (INCLUDING
REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S AND INVESTIGATION FEES), JUDGMENTS, FINES,
LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND AMOUNTS PAID IN SETTLEMENT
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTUAL OR THREATENED CLAIM, ACTION, SUIT,
PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION, WHETHER CIVIL, CRIMINAL, ADMINISTRATIVE
OR INVESTIGATIVE, ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH
THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF EACH OTHER OR ANY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES,
SERVANTS, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, CONTRACTORS AND
SUBCONTRACTORS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OR FAILURE TO PERFORM
OBLIGATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT
4.27 MUTUAL RELEASE.
In consideration of execution of this Agreement and the mutual relinquishment of their
respective rights with reference to any disputes and in consideration of the payment by City to
LNVA of the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), receipt and sufficiency of
which is acknowledged, each Parry for themselves their successors, or assigns expressly releases
the other and its, successors, or assigns from all liability for claims and demands arising out of
any past obligations, acts, or omissions, which either Party may have against the other. The
Parties agree that all claims, demands, and causes of action that either Party has or may have
against the other as of the date of execution of this Agreement are satisfied, discharged, and
settled.
(Signature Page Follows)
January 23, 2013 BwafWnttr Supply Agreement between City of Beaumont and Lower Neches Valley Authority
12
3316769.1
(Signature page to Water Supply Agreement and Mutual Release between LNVA and City of Beaumont)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and LNVA have executed this Agreement to be
effective as of the Effective Date provided above.
RIA1,00
I
INN1111 WN,
ATTEST:
CITY:
CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS:
By: 1 (-
Printed Name: Xy/e- 11-. r s
Title: 4- /+'I<,.�,y
Date: 2 - / 7 - /3
LNVA:
Title:
Date: 7
AUTHORITY:
January 23, 20ftOrwit Water Supply Agreement between City of Beaumont and Lower Neches Valley Authority
13
3316769.1
EXHIBIT A
PLAN OF OPERATION
The City will communicate with LNVA its Diversion Request for every day of the year,
regardless of whether or not the City believes its diversion will be met by its own water rights or
supplemented by Water from the LNVA. The communication, preferably by email, shall be
directed to the Lockmaster at the Neches River Saltwater Barrier, whose email address
saltwaterbarrier@lnva.dst.tx.us and phone number is (409) 898-0561
The anticipated Diversion Request shall be delivered to LNVA by the City's Water Utilities
Director or his designee and shall specify the rate and quantity at which the City anticipates
diverting water from the Neches River. The Diversion Request may be made for multiple days in
a single communication but shall be confirmed at least weekly. For example, a request made on a
Thursday for the following Monday may stand for the entire following week. The contract
specifies four (4) days notice be provided by the City for the Diversion Request due to the fact
that water released from Lake BA Steinhagen travels approximately three (3) days down the bed
and banks of the Neches River before it reaches the diversion locations of the City and LNVA.
LNVA will have the sole responsibility of determining the appropriate release request to the
United States Army Corps of Engineers and ensure a sufficient supply of water is available in the
Neches River to meet the needs of both the LNVA and the City. LNVA evaluates all the water
demands in the lower Neches Basin on a daily basis; including demands on its canal system,
demands along the river such as the City's and others, and freshwater streamflow requirements
to the Sabine Lake Estuary. The total demand is compared to the available streamflow in the
lower Neches watershed; any resulting shortage results in a release request on Lake BA
Steinhagen that is filed daily with the US Army Corps of Engineers Reservoir Control Office.
LNVA, recognizing that the forecasting of available streamflow and demand is more of an art
than a science, relies on the experience and judgment of the Saltwater Barrier Lockmaster to
ensure a sufficient release request is made on Lake BA Steinhagen. The Lockmaster is generally
conservative in nature as he forecasts available streamflow on preliminary data from the USGS
gauge sites across the basin. As such, the determination of Water released to meet the City's
demands shall be an after the fact accounting based on approved data, whether from the Corps of
Engineers or USGS, that is more fully described in Exhibit C.
LNVA raponsc to City's Proposal 11/30/2012
3316769.1
EXHIBIT B
Location:
1. Diversion Point No. 1: At a point on the Neches River (Weiss Bluff) in the Sara Gray
Survey 207, Abstract 152, Jasper County, Texas.
2. Diversion Point No. 2: At a point on the Neches River (Bunn Bluff) in the Pinkney Lout
Grant, Abstract 17, Orange County, Texas.
3. Diversion Point No. 3: At a point on the Neches River (Lawson Crossing) in the
Hezekiah Williams, Jr., Survey, Abstract 57, Jefferson County, Texas.
EXHIBIT C
ACCOUNTING PLAN
LNVA shall maintain an accounting of water delivered pursuant to its Agreement with the
City as provided below.
In order to determine the quantity of run -of -river flow available at the surface water intakes
for the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) and City of Beaumont (City) the following
equation will be applied:
AVAILABLE NEAR BEAUMONT = UPPER BASIN FLOWS(-3 DAys) + LOWER BASIN FLOWS(_, DAY)
Determination of Upper Basin Flows
Determination of Upper Basin Flows is based upon the following equation:
UPPER BASIN FLOWS = RAYBURN INFLOW + 1.1342(NERO)
Flows available from the upper reaches of the Neches River Basin will be determined by
summing the Adjusted Daily Inflow to Sam Rayburn Reservoir as determined by the US Army
Corps of Engineers, Reservoir Control, Fort Worth District and 1.1342 times the Approved Daily
Discharge value at the USGS stream gauge on the Neches River near Rockland, Texas
(NERO).The Adjusted Daily Inflow to Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Approved Daily Discharge
of the Neches River near Rockland may be retrieved from the following website addresses:
Rayburn Inflow - hM://www swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cgi-bin/reshtml.pl?pale=ydrologic
NERO - hM://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/dv/?site no=08033500&agency cd=USGS&referred module=sw
While the NERO gauge accounts for flows contributed from an upstream watershed of
3,636 sq. miles on the main stem of the Neches River, there remains 488 sq. mi. of contributing
watershed in the Neches Basin above B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir that is neither accounted for in
the inflows to Rayburn nor through the NERO gauge. The 1.1342 multiplier is applied to the
NERO gauge values to account for ungauged inflows to B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir which occur
downstream of the NERO gauge and Rayburn Reservoir, as noted on the accompanying drainage
area map. Flows into Rayburn, flows at Rockland, and flows calculated as ungauged above B.A.
Steinhagen are considered available at the outlet works of B.A. Steinhagen on the same day as
the flows are measured at Rayburn and Rockland. This cumulative daily river flow available at
B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir outfall is lagged 3-days for travel time via bed -and -banks conveyance
in the Neches River from the B.A. Steinhagen outlet works to the intake works of LNVA and the
City near Beaumont.
Determination of Lower Basin Flows
Determination of Lower Basin Flows is based upon the following equation:
LOWER BASIN FLOWS=1.8528(VIKO+PISL)
In addition to the run -of -river flows available from the upper reaches of the Neches
River, the run -of -river flows available at the LNVA and City intakes from the lower reaches of
the Neches River are determined by multiplying a factor of 1.8528 to the sum of the Approved
Daily Discharge value at the USGS stream gauge on Village Creek near Kountze, Texas (VIKO)
LNVA response to City's Proposal 11/30/2012
3316769.1
and the Approved Daily Discharge value at the USGS stream gauge on Pine Island Bayou near
Sour Lake, Texas (PISL). The Approved Daily Discharge at these gauge sites may be retrieved
from the USGS website at the following addresses:
VIKO - http•//waterdata usgs Qov/tx/nwis/dv/?site no=08041500&agency cd=USGS&referred module=sw
PISL - h!W://waterdata usg_s eov/tx/nwis/dv/?site no=08041700&agency cd=USGS&referred module=sw
Like the upper reach of the Neches Basin, the lower reach includes ungauged areas that are
accounted for by means of adjusting the flows of the gauged drainage areas by a multiplier. The
attached drainage area map details gauge locations and drainage areas, both gauged and
ungauged. The cumulative daily river flow available in the lower reaches of the Neches River,
below the B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir outfall, is lagged 1-day for average travel time via bed -and -
banks conveyance in the Neches River from the gauge locations to the intake works of LNVA
and the City near Beaumont.
Determination of Run of River Flows Available Near Beaumont
Returning to the original equation for determination of Flows Available near Beaumont:
AVAILABLE NEAR BEAUMONT — UPPER BASIN FLOWSI_3 DAys1 + LOWER BASIN FLOWS(-1 DAY)
On any given day, the run -of -river flows which would be available in the Neches River
near Beaumont without interruption or supplementation by upstream reservoirs can be
determined by summing the flows available three days prior in the upper reaches of the Neches
River Basin, above B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir and the flows available one day prior in the lower
reaches of the Neches River Basin, below B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir, each as previously
detailed.
The Neches River has no significant channel losses or gains, and therefore no other
adjustment is needed to determine available run -of -river flow at the LNVA and City intakes near
Beaumont, Texas.
PRIORITY ACCOUNTING OF NECHES RIVER DIVERSIONS
In order to provide effective management of water resources and ensure sufficient
releases from storage to meet downstream demands, the City shall keep LNVA apprised of its
projected demands for surface water from the Neches River. The larger of either the City's
projected demand as reported to LNVA or its actual diversions from the river, shall be utilized
on a daily basis in determining whether or not water was released from storage to meet the City's
need.
After determining the availability of run -of -river flows in the Neches River near Beaumont,
Texas, water will be allocated between LNVA and the City in accordance with water rights
adjudicated to each entity by the State of Texas according to the following system.
• When run -of -river stream flows in the Neches River, as previously determined, are sufficient to meet
the needs of LNVA and the City, all water needed by both LNVA and the City will be accounted for
and charged against the most junior run -of -river water right available to either entity at that time.
• When run -of -river stream flows are insufficient to fully satisfy the demands of both LNVA and the
City, all water needed by both LNVA and the City will be accounted for and charged against the most
senior run -of -river water right available to either entity at that time until the entirety of the calculated
run -of -river stream flow is accounted for.
LNVA response to City's Proposal 11/30/2012
3316769.1
In order to satisfy downstream demands by LNVA and the City not supported by run -of -river flows
previously calculated, releases from storage will be made and diversions accounted for under
LNVA's November 12, 1963 priority date.
LNVA response to City's Proposal 11/30/2012
3316769.1
January 12, 2023
Mr. Kevin Gomez
Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA)
7850 Eastex Freeway
Beaumont, Texas 77708-2815
RE: Five (5) Year Water Supply Agreement and Mutual Release Extension
Dear Mr. Gomez:
On January 10, 2023, by Resolution No. 23-014, City Council authorized the City Manager
to provide written notice to LNVA on the City's election to extend a five (5) year term
agreement to secure an uninterrupted surface water supply for the City of Beaumont. Please
accept this letter as required per Section 4.02 of the Water Supply Agreement and Mutual
Release.
Additionally, the City is requesting updated contact information under Section 4.16. The
City Manager's email is kenneth.williams@beaumonttexas.gov and the City Attorney Sharae
Reed's email is sharae.reed@beaumonttexas.gov.
Sincerely,
C-1v
Kenneth R. Williams
City Manager
Cc: Bart Bartkowiak, Director of Public Works
Todd Simoneaux, Chief Financial Officer
Sharae Reed, City Attorney
Office of the City Manager ® (409) 880-3708 @ Fax (409) 880-3112
P.O. Box 3827 ® Beaumont, Texas 77704-3827