HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_03.09.2012inutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
•
Friday, March 9 2a12
The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Friday, March
9, 2012.
Board Members Present:
John Nett - Chair, Patty Eason, Robert Kostka, Brian Lindsey, Bill Sattler, Arthur Yaeger, Jr., Robert
Young
Board Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Jim Briggs, Glenn Dishong, David Munk, Michael Hallmark, Jimmy Sikes, David. Thomison, Chris
Foster, Leticia Zavala Sheila Mitchell
OTHERS PRESENT: Allen Wolke/CDM
notes
Regular Meeting
Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive Session at the request of the
Chair, a Board Member, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Council Member, or legal
counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551,
and are subject to action in the Regular Session that follows.
CALL TO ORDER by Chair at 2:02PM
I. STAFF BOARD COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
(This is a short informational time regarding items where specific actions are not requested or needed)
A. Introduction of City Staff, Board Members and Visitors -- welcome to new Board Member,
Robert Kostka and visitor, Allen Wolke/CDM
B. Meeting Process -- discussion of overall agenda. Nett voiced his thanks for former member
Fred Beach (not present) who s Board term had expired His service was greatly appreciated.
C. Project Progress Reports -- Kostka asked and Dishong/Hallmark responded that due to no
available space underground, they are not able to bury the electric line replacement down Tin
Barn Alley. Kostka commented on coordination of construction and daily coverage due to
safety issues when theatre is in production and Hallmark stated everything would be covered
up at the end of each day to avoid safety issues, etc. Briggs asked and Kostka responded to
questions regarding overhead coverage between buildings for foot traffic stating this was not
able to be done due to emergency vehicle height clearance. Nett asked about power outage
during a December holiday performance and Kostka noted a transformer blew.
-- Council Actions
D. Industry Updates -- Briggs provided update on State Business & Commerce Committee
chaired by Senator Cook, of Corsicana; committee has been holding hearings and state
energy staff have been down there a couple of times providing testimony during last month,
regarding the negotiations of low prices, which has resulted in no economic incentive for
anyone to build new generation Briggs further discussed the provision of ERCOT Rule 435
which went into effect March 1st. Sattler asked and Briggs explained this is for ERCOT
members who are scheduling energy, Dishong commented the rule is called the Day Ahead
Market Rule Sattler asked and Briggs noted this is different from standard offer process.
Further discussion continued.
Nett asked if the City is going to take a position on the consideration of a Water Master in the
Brazos Basin for which comments are due back this next week? Briggs stated he felt this was
in conjunction with the Brazos River Authority (BRA) System Water Permit that was denied
for reconsideration. Briggs further explained the cumbersome process the City has gone
through with Interlocal Agreements between neighboring cities, etc. and situations that can
happen like what happened Last summer in a drought situation when people need water and
other areas do not want to provide water for assistance.
Nett also asked about the bid for the Solid Waste Contract Briggs noted it went out in last
Sunday's newspaper; there is a meeting next week for proposals; will be about 6 week process
and then should return to GUS Board in May to consider before going on to Council There are
several providers interested in proposing service.
II. LEGISLATIVE REGULAR AGENDA:
(This is for specific action items considered by the Board —greater than $50,000 in value)
E. Board nominations and election of Vice -Chair of the GUS Board. -- John Nett
Motion by Sattler, seconded by Lindsey to nominate Robert Young as Vice -Chair of the
GUS Board Young accepted nomination Approved 6-1-0 (Young could not abstain so
instead was a no vote; chose not to vote for self.)
F. Board nominations and election of Secretary of the GUS Board -- John Nett
Motion by Sattler, seconded by Young to nominate Arthur Yaeger as Secretary of the
GUS Board. Yaeger accepted nomination. Approved 6-1-0 (Yaeger could not abstain
so instead was a no vote; chose not to vote for self.)
G. Review and possible action on Day and Time of GUS Board meetings. -- John Nett
Discussion: Eason explained tuning of meetings due to change in Council deadlines,
etc. Briggs noted former date was Tuesday and date was changed to Friday afternoon
due to previous Board member's schedules. We could hold meeting on an alternate day
however it is best to keep during second week of month to coordinate with second
Council meeting of month. Further discussion by members regarding schedules.
Motion by Young to keep day, date, and time same as current schedule, seconded by
Sattler. Approved 7-0-0
H. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the regular GUS Board meeting held
on February 10 2012. -- Sheila Mitchell
No discussion. Motion by Young, seconded by Yaeger. Approved 5-2-0 (Kostka, Lindsey
'no' voted due to absence at prior meeting)
I. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Task Order CDM-12-004 with CDM
Smith, Inc. of Austin, Texas, for professional services related to Pecan Branch Wastewater
Treatment Plant Expansion in the amount of $957,815.00 -- David Munk/Glenn Dishong
Discussion: Munk explained update on item regarding construction in years 13/14 and
14/15 with CDM completing previous design, plant cannot handle full watershed so
needs expansion due to growth. If flow is diverted to San Gabriel Park plant it will take
away wet weather capacity from that plant. We can divert from Dove Springs Plant
to San Gabriel Park Plant as well but limits capacity. The reclaimed water from Pecan
Branch goes over to Sun City and we need to be able to continue using this process.
Munk opened floor for questions. Briggs spoke in regards to this plant originally being
designed and built to serve Sun City and was estimated for expansion in 2007-2008,
however due to system modifications we were able to extend the system out until
now, which also saved several years on debt payments. Sattler asked how and
Dishong stated this does not impact the Northlands development and Briggs also
noted it provides availability for capacity for the 2300 single family connections
going into the development Sattler asked about consultants location and Munk
noted Kohutek is local and Inland is Round Rock. Kostka asked for clarification of cost
for engineering on this is about 13% and Munk confirmed. Sattler stated Task
Order goes through final design and construction & Munk agreed. Eason asked for
clarification of diverting and Dishong stated this is all done in piping of raw sewage
through the plants which will help with I&I flow going both directions. Nett asked
about cost comparison in doing lump sum vs individual cost process (time andmaterials
cost matrix for each sub -task) and Dishong spoke on how this was done and what goes
into the process Motion by Young, seconded by Lindsey to approve Task Order
CDM-12-004 with CDM Smith, Inc. of Austin, Texas, for professional services related to
Pecan Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion in the amount of $957,815.00
Discussion: Question by Sattler, can surveying be done locally and Munk stated not a
lot of surveying needs to be done however, Wolke thought that would be possible to
keep local. Nett asked Wolke if Inland was part of team and Wolke explained they did
not pull a team but has had good luck with Inland. Briggs noted we are usually not so
specific to request a surveyor; we work off list. No further discussion. Approved 7-0-0
III. STRATEGIC ISSUES:
J. Discussion on Benchmarking -- Glenn Dishong/Jim Briggs
Discussion: Dishong stated Briggs mentioned a few months back it was necessary to
start benchmarking ourselves in comparison with our competitors. This information
is not always readily available on a monthly basis so will be reviewed as the Board
determines. Dishong referred to Cost comparison document included in packet for
review. Foster stated additional information is available on the City website at
www.economy.georgetown org. Sattler asked and Dishong offered to add additional
comparison information on the benchmarking updates when reviewed. (Yaeger stepped
out of meeting at 3:23pm and returned at 3:26pm) Dishong further discussed
comparisons for water usage and sewer costs. Briggs noted we checked usage intently
in October due to extreme restrictions and we were able to do some pretty close
comparisons of water and sewer usage. Sattler commented on Round Rock usage
dropping from 49MG to 13MG and Dishong commented Georgetown's was down
from 27MG to 7MG. Eason commented on City of Austin paying customers to switch
out their grass from St. Augustine to an alternative. Briggs spoke about changing
landscape standards for future development which will be extremely important to
make changes as water resources become harder to find. (Eason stepped out at 3 36pm
and returned 3:37pm) Discussion continued.
Motion by Lindsey, seconded by Yaeger to enter into Executive Session. Approved 7-0-0
IV. RATES:
EXECUTIVE SESSION Called to order at 3:37pm
Sec.551.086 Competitive Matters
The GUS Board will go into Executive Session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to
discuss matters or take action on a "competitive matter" of the Energy Services Department as provided....
under Section 551.086
K. Discussion on Electric Rate, change in PCA and upcoming Cost of Service Study. -- Jim Briggs
L. Discussion and update on wholesale power supply pertaining to the recent ERCOT
435 Rule. -- Jim Briggs
Motion by Eason, seconded by Kostka to return to Regular Session. Approved 7-0-0
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION Called back to order at 5:05pm
M. Action from Executive Session.
None
Motion by Kostka to adjourn. Approved 7-0-0. Adjourned at 5:06pm
ADJOURN
Approved :
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:06 PM.
Sheilat K. Mitch€ll = GUS
Attest:
him
V
Arthur Yaeger — Secretary
oard Liaison