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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTEU_10.21.2021Minutes of the Meeting for the Georgetown Electric Utility Board Thursday, October 21st at 4:00 PM at the Friends Room at Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th St. Georgetown, TX 78626 Board Members Present: Robert Case - Chairman, Rick Woodruff- Vice-Chairman, Mike Triggs Board Members Absent: Sam Jones and Ben Butler – Butler attended virtually, but with technical difficulties rendering him unavailable for participation. Jones arrived during discussion in Executive Session. Minutes marked to reflect as such. Staff Present: Daniel Bethapudi, Mike Westbrook, Danny McReynolds, Jose Torres, Leigh Wallace, David Morgan, Laurie Brewer, Jennifer Flor, Aaron St. Pierre, Daniel Potter, Mike Maldonado, and Kress Carson Public Attendees: None Regular Session (This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.) A. Call to Order -- Robert Case, Board Chairman • Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by Case. B. Roll Call of Board Members -- Robert Case, Board Chairman. • Jones and Butler absent C. Introduction of Visitors -- Robert Case, Board Chairman D. Public Wishing to Address the Board • None present Legislative Session E. Review and Approval of Minutes- Kress Carson, Board Liaison • August 19th Meeting- Motion to approve by Rick; seconded by Mike • Minutes approved as read 3-2 (Butler and Jones absent) F. McCord Engineering MSA and Task Orders- Danny McReynolds- Electric Engineering Manager • Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Master Service Agreement and annual task orders: Master Service Agreement (MSA) 21-0116- MSA for Professional Services Task Order Edition, Task Order MEI-21-001 for Electric System and Planned Capital Improvement Projects in the amount not to exceed $200,000, Task Order MEI-21-002 for Electric System Engineering Planning and Engineering Assistance in the amount not to exceed $250,000, and Task Order MEI-21-003 for New Development Engineering and Design Assistance in the amount not to exceed $590,000 with McCord Engineering Inc., of College Station, Texas for professional engineering services. • Professional Engineering services are required for the 2022 Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Projects, New Development Engineering and Design Assistance, Electric System Engineering Planning and specialized studies. McCord Engineering, Inc. (MEI) is familiar with our electric utility system, standards and specifications and has highly qualified professionals to work on our projects. MEI has worked for the City of Georgetown for over 20 years and has successfully completed a variety of development and capital improvement projects for the utility. • Case asks if this agreement renewal will remain the same price as in the past years. McReynolds confirms that the cost of services will remain the same. • Motion to approve the purchase of the Agreement- Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Triggs. Vote passes 3-2. G. Altec Service Bucket Truck Purchases- Mike Westbrook, Electric Operations Manager • Consideration and possible recommendation to purchase a AM55 -US60 -60’ Bucket Truck through Altec Industries Inc, in the not to exceed amount of $250,000.00 • Consideration and possible recommendation to purchase a Service Bucket Truck through Altec Industries Inc, in the not to exceed amount of $200,000.00 • Consideration and possible recommendation to purchase a Hydraulic Pressure Digger through Altec Industries Inc, in the not to exceed amount of $400,000.00 • The purchase of the AM55 – US60 – 60’ Bucket Truck is part of the fleet replacement program. This 60’ Bucket Truck will replace an older 55’ Bucket Truck that has reached its expected life span. All bids were submitted through the Sourcewell Contract. Total cost is in the not to exceed amount of $250,000.00 • The purchase of the Service Bucket Truck is part of the fleet replacement program. This Service Bucket Truck will replace an older Service Bucket Truck that has reached its expected life span. All bids were submitted through the Sourcewell Contract. Total cost is in the not to exceed amount of $200,000.00 • Woodruff asks to explain the differences between the service trucks. Westbrook answers that the trucks have different sizes and different reaches. • Motion to approve Altec Service Bucket Truck Purchases- Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Triggs, vote passes 3-2 (Jones and Butler absent H. Electric Meter Purchase- Mike Maldonado • Discussion and possible recommendation to approve a 4th Renewal with Wesco Distribution, Inc.to provide Honeywell electric meters and related items for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure system in an amount not to exceed $100,000 • The City initially contracted with Wesco Distribution in June 2017 for one year, with four (4) annual renewal options. This item recommends approval of the 4th and final renewal with Wesco Distributions. • Wesco Distribution, Inc. is the only authorized distributor for Honeywell AMI compatible meters in the State of Texas thus these meters are purchased via a Sole Source procurement. The Local Government Code approves an exemption from competitive bidding laws for sole source procurement due to patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies. • This renewal includes purchases for 3-phase electric meters, residential solar meters, and electrical components from Wesco Distribution. Residential electric meters are (and will be) purchased directly from the manufacturer (Honeywell) for a 10-year period which began in 2018. The City entered into an agreement to receive preferred pricing on the residential electric meters from the manufacturer (Honeywell). • Case asks why the contract is renewing. Maldonado answers that the original 4 year contract has expires is due for an annual • Motion to approve the purchase of Electric Meters by Woodruff; seconded by Triggs. Vote passes 3-2 (Jones and Butler Absent). I. Risk Management Support Services- Item deferred; to be presented at a later time Regular Session (cont.) J. General Managers Monthly Report- Daniel Bethapudi- General Manager of Electric Utility • Customer Service and Billing- Leticia Zavala-Customer Care Director o 30,640 Available Services o 29,757 Electric customers/accounts, 149 estimated “bad meter reads” o Overall Average September 2021 bills nearly $20 cheaper than September 2020 ▪ Billing numbers lower than last year due to a combination of lower average monthly temperatures and reduced PCA o Electric Revenue Breakdown and Receivables presented- roughly 96% of yearly budgeted amount collected. o $1.2 Million in bad debt (bills exceeding 6 months) written off o Roughly $75,000 collected in outstanding bills since the collection agency commenced collections in May to collect the bad debt • Electric Engineering and Operations Report- Mike Westbrook- Electric Operations Manager o Electric Reliability (SAIFI)- .426 (Good Metric) o Electric Outage Duration (CAIDI)-92.149(Good Metric) o Training- 99% (Good metric) o Safety, 100% attendance o Service Order Completion, 100% o Preventative Maintenance, 100% o Corrective Maintenance, 100% o Top 5 Outages Report ▪ Fairly light month related to major outages. Largest outage affected 8 customers o Case asks about the procedures for linemen on call. Westbrook answers they have always have 2 linemen on call who will respond to outage straight from their homes with the supplies in hand ready to face an outatge. MOTION by Woodruff, second by Triggs to adjourn the Regular Session and move into Executive Session. APPROVED 3-2 (Jones and Butler absent) at 4:12 PM Executive Session In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session. K. Section 551.086: Competitive Matters • Purchased Power Update- Discussion and possible approval of risk management options MOTION by Woodruff; second by Triggs to adjourn Executive Session. APPROVED 4-1 (Jones joined discussion) at 5:08 PM. Regular Session (continued) L. MOTION by Woodruff to approve of risk management action discussed in Executive Session, second by Triggs. APPROVED 4-1 (Butler absent). Adjournment MOTION by Woodruff, second by Triggs to adjourn the Board Meeting APPROVED 4-1 (Butler absent) Electric Board Meeting Adjourned at 5:09 PM.