HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_07.13.2012•
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makes of•
the 'Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
a•na•l •th•e••Governing Body of the
City of Georgeto n, Texas
Friday, July 13, 2012
The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Friday, July 13,
2012.
Board Members Present:
John Nett - Chair, Robert Young - Vice Chair, Arthur Yaeger, Jr. - Secretary, Patty Eason, Troy
Hellmann, Robert Kostka
Board Members Absent:
Brian Lindsey
Staff Present:
Glenn Dishong, Paul Elkins, Michael Hallmark, Jimmy Sikes, Chris Foster, Trina Bickford, Bridget
Chapman, Sheila. Mitchell
nutes
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.
Convened meeting at 2 01pm
I. STAFF BOARD COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
(This is a short informational time regarding items where specific actions are not requested or needed)
A. Introduction of Visitors - none; welcome new Board member Troy Hellmann
B. Project Progress Reports - Hallmark stated all were included in packets. Dishong updated on
meter exchange due to change in system, now are remote read with current technology. Kostka
asked and Dishong explained data collection from meters to assist in conservation with water,
time -of -use rates with electric, etc. Anticipated complete change out by end of this year, however
due to time involved in swapping out meters the new estimated completion is February 2013
prior to peak period in May 2013. Young asked and Hallmark updated on status of progress at
LWTP stating milestone met and we have full capacity at plant with final completion around
January 2013. Kostka asked and Hallmark explained status of Tin Barn Alley work which has
now been turned over to Paul Elkins for the underground electric work. Elkins stated easements
and coordination with merchants is underway. Dishong further explained process/timing.
-- Council Actions -- all items passed
C. Industry Updates - Dishong presented update regarding theCity's notification to LCRA of
Breach of Contract; still in 30 day period for response which ends at end of the month. No
response or action from LCRA since notification. In regards to ERCOT regarding Day -Ahead
Scheduling this recently increased to $4500/kwh & Foster further explained. Dishong gave a
Brazos River Authority (BRA) update noting their drought contingency plan is being revised
and Dishong will be responding to their suggestion for water use targets for reduction in use.
Nett commented on Brazos Valley Water Conservation Symposium he attended a few weeks
ago and gave an update on the Water Development Board and TCEQ's plan for revamping
reporting criteria to assist with uniformity in calculating usage.
II. LEGISLATIVE REGULAR AGENDA:
(This is for specific action items considered by the Board — greater than $50,000 in value)
D. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the regular GUS Board meeting held
on June 8, 2012. -- Sheila Mitchell
Discussion Kostka asked for clarification in minutes under Industry Updates regarding
Chisholm Trail Special Utility District (CTSUD) consolidation to add this is a
GUS/CTSUD Consolidation Feasibility Report. Mitchell will revise minutes. Motion by
Kostka, seconded by Young to approve the minutes, with suggested revision, from the
regular GUS Board meeting held on June 8, 2012. Approved: 5-1-1 (Nett opposed due to
absence at prior meeting; Lindsey absent)
E. Consideration and possible action to accelerate the timing and funding for wood pole
inspection & treatment services by Osmose Utility Services, Inc., of Tyrone, Georgia in
the estimated amount of $235,000.00. — Paul Elkins/Glenn Dishong
Discussion: Elkins clarified item is consideration and recommendation to Council for
action. Elkins/Dishong explained the need for service acceleration. Dishong noted the
acceleration of this project has been budgeted for and the information will be collected in
the asset management database for Electric. Nett asked and Elkins explained details of
information collected, rating of poles, determination of life of pole, insect treatment,
capture of pole # tagging & applying new #'s if tags are missing, etc. Motion by
Hellmann, seconded by Kostka to approve the acceleration of timing and funding for
wood pole inspection & treatment services by Osmose Utility Services, Inc., of Tyrone,
Georgia in the estimated amount of $235,000.00. Approved: 6-0-1 (Lindsey absent)
Young inquired about questions submitted during the Council/CTSUD Special meeting which were
posted to the City website. Dishong gave status update noting CTSUD has an additional meeting
scheduled for review. Council will hear information on August 13th. Young asked if anyone attended
the last two CTSUD meetings and Dishong stated we did not have anyone there as the meeting was
an opportunity for CTSUD to ask questions of the consultants and not questions to be answered by
the City Kostka asked how long the process will take to finalized consolidation and Dishong stated
18 months to 2 years for all final agreements. However some stages of the process may become active
during the time period in regards to contracts, etc.
Young also asked about status of negotiations with Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) and Bickford stated
they have been under way and Foster stated they expect a contract to come back to GUS to review soon.
Yaeger asked and Foster explained the differences in regards to area competitive utility rates per the
information Foster distributed to the Board Dishong further discussed volumetric rate and base rate
adjustments, noting we have not adjusted our base rate. Nett asked and Foster stated tax rate
comparison information is on City website.
Motion by Yaeger, seconded by Young to adjourn. Adjourned at 2:36PM.
III. ADJOURN
Adjournment
Approved :
The meeting was adjourned at 2:36 PM.
Attest.
1
Arthur Yaege
Sheila . Mitchell - GUS Board. taison
Secretary