HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTWU_06.09.2022Minutes of the Meeting for the
Georgetown Water Utility Board
of the City of Georgetown
June 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM
at Westside Service Center, 5501 Williams Dr., Georgetown, TX, 78633
The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you
require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable
assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's
Office, at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 808 Martin
Luther King Jr. Street, Georgetown, TX 78626 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas
at 711.
Board Members Present: Scott Macmurdo, Chair; Tina Geiselbrecht, Secretary; Mike Morrison, Stuart
Garner, Vice Chair
Board Members Absent: Ron Garland, Councilmember
Staff Members Present: Chelsea Solomon, Director of Water Utility; Wesley Wright, Systems Engineering
Director; Nick Woolery, Assistant City Manager; Mike Welch, Water and Wastewater Treatment Manager; Chris
Pousson, CIP Manager; Chris Graham, Water Utilities Support Manager, Aly Van Dyke, Communications and
Public Engagement Director; Tiffany Diaz, Regulatory and Conservation Manager; Nathan Parras, Assistant
Finance Director; Mallory Tallas, Marketing Program Coordinator; Danielle Dutra, Public Works Administrative
Assistant; Tina Hayward, Water Utility Administrative Assistant; Sheila Mitchell, Interim Board Liaison/Systems
Engineering Administrative Assistant
Visitors Present: Matthew Garrett/NewGen Strategies; Lucia Murguia/Pacheco Koch, Westwood, Jim Clamo
(citizen)
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 — Called to order by Chair Macmurdo at 2:02PM
B Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a subject that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be found
on the counter at the entrance to the Board Meeting. Clearly print your name and the letter of the item on
which you wish to speak and present it to the Staff Liaison, prior to the start of the meeting. You will
be called forward to speak when the Board considers that item. Only persons who have delivered the
speaker form prior to the meeting being called to order may speak.
On a subject not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future Regular scheduled Board
agenda by filing a written request with the Staff Liaison no later than one week prior to the Board
meeting. The request must include the speaker's name and the specific topic to be addressed with
sufficient information to inform the board and the public. Only those persons who have submitted a
timely request will be allowed to speak. Please send comments to GWUAB Interim Board Liaison, at
sheila.mitchell@georgetown.org
- No one signed up to speak at the meeting.
C Updates from Water Utility Directors; Chelsea Solomon, Director of Water Utilities - any updates will be
highlighted at the meeting. The Directors report (attached), FY2022 2nd Quarter Combined Report from
Finance (Finance report presented at meeting).
Solomon reviewed report included in packet. Some questions/discussion. Wright presented Engineering
update and Pousson provided project updates. Some questions/discussion, specifically regarding South
Lake Water Treatment Plant construction progress and timeline; Pousson stated Phase 1 is scheduled to be
online by June 2025. Parras provided 2°d Quarter Finance Water Fund update. Parras noted a copy of the
report will be sent to the board following the meeting. No further discussion.
D Presentation and discussion on the Water/Wastewater Rate cost of service study updates. -- Chelsea
Solomon, P.E., Water Utility Director
Matthew Garrett of NewGen Strategies, reminded board of prior discussions/presentations. He
reviewed Water/Wastewater Rate cost of service study presentation, included in packet. Some
questions and Wright responded increases in costs are due to unanticipated growth, inflation,
expediting treatment plant maintenance, expansion, and new plant construction. Garrett continued
presentation. Some discussion/questions regarding wastewater. Garrett reviewed recommendations
for rate increases across tiers; all details included in packet. Some additional questions/discussion
regarding factors for increased costs, including maintenance, construction, cost increases for
chemicals, combined with population growth. Woolery/Wright responded these are best projections
based on today's growth as well as the maintenance and construction of new facilities. Garrett further
reviewed study and was seeking feedback from board for staff to carry to Council at June 28`h
meeting, with proposal to adopt during budget process and a proposed effective date of October 1,
2022. Discussion by board regarding high usage of water use for irrigation during summer months,
percentage increases, encouraging conservation, educating citizens, using notifications, utilization of
the rebate program, etc. Solomon noted board's comments/concerns will be shared with Council. No
further discussion.
E Presentation and discussion on the Water/Wastewater Master Plan Update and proposed FY2023 Capital
Improvement Plan. -- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Wright reviewed presentation included in packet, noting some revisions to dates will be made and revised
report will be sent out to board following meeting. Wright discussed update on future Impact Fee
corntnittee; with future restructure of boards, there is a possibility of the Committee going under Planning
& Zoning Board (P&Z), instead of Water Board. Should that occur, Wright will update Water board and
keep them in the loop with information. Wright noted a final draft of Master Plan will be shared with the
board in the upcoming weeks.
Garrett and Parras departed at 3:35PM
Wright continued with review of the Water, Wastewater Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Some questions/discussion. Wright noted and Solomon confirmed the board will discuss rates every year.
Wright noted this presentation will be taken to Council Workshop on June 28. All final data will be carried to
Council through the budget process. Wright noted several projects will come back to the board in the future
months. Morrison asked and Wright noted the final Master Plan/CIP Plan will be compiled in the coming
weeks.
Regular Agenda
F Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the April 14, 2022 and May 12,
2022 Georgetown Water Utility Advisory Board Meetings. — Sheila Mitchell, Interim Board Liaison
No discussion. Motion by Morrison, seconded by Geiselbrecht to approve the minutes from the April 14,
2022. Approved 4-0-1 (Garland absent). Motion by Morrison, seconded by Geiselbrecht to approve the
minutes from the May 12, 2022 Georgetown Water Utility Advisory Board Meetings. Approved 4-0-1
(Garland absent)
G Consideration and possible recommendation to ratify an Emergency Purchase for the Complete Removal
and Replacement of Lake Plant Raw Water Pumps Motor Control Center at the North Lake Water
Treatment Plant, from T. Morales Co Electric & Controls, Ltd., of Florence, Texas, in the amount of
$349,920.00. - Michael D. Welch, Water and Wastewater Treatment Manager
Welch presented caption for item and provided photos of equipment. Solomon explained chain of events
causing a fire/incident at North Lake Water Treatment Plant on April 25"'; emergency temporary repairs were
made to bring the plant back online. Final repairs need to be made to the equipment. Solomon noted a claim
has been made with Texas Municipal League (TML). Solomon also noted possible future costs will be
incurred to replace the legacy equipment with modern equipment. Welch provided additional details on
equipment. Morrison asked/Welch responded about lifetime of equipment. Solomon noted this item is for
emergency repair at this time until future assessment of total equipment can be determined for replacement
with new equipment. Macmmurdo asked/Solomon spoke on lessons learned during the event. Macmurdo asked
and Solomon explained the various communication methods used to send system wide notices to customers;
will be working on additional methods of communication. No further discussion. Motion by Geiselbrecht,
seconded by Morrison to ratify an Emergency Purchase for the Complete Removal and Replacement of Lake
Plant Raw Water Pumps Motor Control Center at the North Lake Water Treatment Plant, from T. Morales Co
Electric & Controls, Ltd., of Florence, Texas, in the amount of $349,920.00. Approved 4-0-1 (Garland
absent)
Solomon announced retirement of Welch, this being his last Water Board meeting. After being in the industry for
47 years; 44 in Texas, we appreciate all he has done for the city, are sad to see him go and wish him well. Board
congratulated and thanked Welch for his service. Solomon also introduced their new Administrative Assistant,
Tina Hayward, joining the Water Utility. Hayward will provide support to the Utility and begin duties of Water
Board Liaison for future meetings. In addition, she introduced Mallory Tallas, new Marketing Program
Coordinator for the Communications Department, who will be working closely with the Water Utility.
Adjournment
Motion by Garner, seconded by Morrison to adjourn meeting. Adjourned at 4:21PM
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Scott Macmurdo — oard Chair Tina Geiselbrecht — Secretary
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Sheila K. Mitchell, Interim Water Board Liaison