TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 4, 2017
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Environment Protection Training and Research Institute, Hyderbad, Telangana, India to Engage in a Knowledge Exchange Program
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Environment Protection Training and Research Institute, Hyderbad, Telangana, India (“EPTRI”) to engage in a knowledge exchange program.
Staff representing EPTRI approached the District to explore opportunities to share information and best practices in the area of wastewater treatment. EPTRI plans to develop a course relating to the technology, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants.
Since the District and EPTRI share many points of common interest within the water sector in general, and the wastewater treatment area specifically, the District and EPTRI will mutually benefit by sharing knowledge, engaging in exchanges, and conducting thoughtful discourse about the water sector and the wastewater treatment area for the mutual benefit of the entities, their employees, their communities, and the environment.
The main areas of common interest that are identified at this time are as follows:
Water and wastewater treatment technology
Energy management and energy neutrality
Stormwater management
Operation of wastewater and water treatment plants
Process control, monitoring, and instrumentation
Sustainable utility management
Staff exchange
Other areas may be added in the future as identified.
A number of activities have been identified that may be undertaken by the District and EPTRI for the purpose of developing a relationship between the parties, such as knowledge sharing, workshops, and potential staff exchange visits.
All travel, hotel, living costs, and other expenses are to be covered by the respective parties for their own personnel, in accordance with the existing policies and procedures of each party for such expenditures.
The term of the MOU is three years from the date of execution and may be extended and or modified, upon mutual agreement.
Based on the foregoing, the Engineering Department recommends that the District be authorized to enter into an MOU with EPTRI of India for engaging in a knowledge exchange program in substantially the same form as attached, and that the Chairman of the Committee on Engineering, the Executive Director, and the Clerk be authorized to execute said MOU on behalf of the District upon approval by the Director of the Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, Acting General Counsel, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, CAO
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Engineering
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 4, 2017
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