Contract #26-12-04 - Multiple Entities - Interlocal Agreement - 2026 FWEE Tri-Cites STEM Academy

Description

Contract #26-12-04 INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR FOUNDATION FOR WATER & ENERGY EDUCATION TRI-CITIES STEM CAREER ACADEMY BY THIS INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”, entered into this 24th day of March, 2026, between the PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 OF BENTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON, a municipal corporation of the State of Washington, hereinafter referred to as the “District”, and the BENTON CONSERVATION DISTRICT, WASHINGTON, FRANKLIN CONSERVATION DISTRICT, WASHINGTON, CITY OF RICHLAND, WASHINGTON, PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON, ENERGY NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON KENNEWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT, WASHINGTON, AND ESD 123, WASHINGTON hereinafter referred to as “Partners”, and collectively referred to as “Parties”, enter into the following agreement: RECITALS WHEREAS, Chapter 39.34, RCW (Interlocal Cooperation Act) permits local government units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner that will accord best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities; and WHEREAS, the Foundation for Water & Energy Education (FWEE) has partnered with Chelan PUD to host a career academy in Wenatchee designed to educate high-school students about STEM careers and specifically careers in hydropower, by engaging industry leaders as speakers, facilitating hands-on experiences related to STEM careers, and providing participants with college credits; and WHEREAS, the academy has been very successful since its inception in 2015 and the goal has been to expand the program and offer to other communities throughout the state; and WHEREAS, the District and Benton Conservation District approached FWEE about the possibility of bringing the career academy to the Tri-Cities in 2022; and WHEREAS, the District worked with the Partners to plan, promote, and host a FWEE TriCities STEM Career Academy in to educate high-school students about STEM careers; and WHEREAS, the District plans to work with the Partners to plan, promote, and host a FWEE Tri-Cities STEM Career Academy in 2026 to educate high-school students about careers in energy, agriculture and STEM; and 1|P a g e Contract #26-12-04 WHEREAS, the District has contracted with FWEE to assist with program development, student registration, and to serve as the fiscal agent and purchaser for the