HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_02.24.2010
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Wednesday ,
February 24, 2010.
Board Members Present:
Bill Sattler - Chair, Fred Beach - Vice Chair, Richard Lenning - Secretary, Patty Eason, John Nett, Temple
Page
Board Members Absent:
Stephen Quinn
Staff Present:
Jim Briggs, Sheila Mitchell, Michael Hallmark, Ken Arnold, Micki Rundell, Marsha Iwers, Chris Foster
OTHERS PRESENT:
Sarah Nathan & Chris Hickman - ICE Energy, Bob Young (new Board member effective March 2010)
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Mr. Bill Sattler called the regular GUS Board meeting to order on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at
10:03a.m.
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.
I. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the Special GUS Board meeting held on
January 27, 2010. -- Sheila Mitchell
Discussion: Question by Beach and Sattler answered for clarification in minutes regarding closing
meeting prior to executive session due to lack of quorum when Sattler had to leave. Beach requested
minutes to clearly reflect this. NOTE: Clarification in minutes completed by Mitchell
Action: Motion by Beach, seconded by Lenning to approve the minutes as presented, noting
clarification on no executive session held due to lack of quorum.
Approved 6-0-1 (Quinn absent)
II. Discussion and possible action regarding the Project Progress Report and timelines. -- Michael Hallmark,
Tom Benz
EARZ Phase V - Manhole Rehab, EARZ Phase V - Trenchless, Rock Street WW Extension, SG3-A, SG-P1, River
Down/River Ridge Lift Station Decommission, 2006 Annexation, LWTP Clearwell, LWTP Filter #10 & Sun City
pumps #4 & #5.
Discussion: Michael Hallmark presented updates on projects.
Action: None
III. Presentation and Discussion related to the development of a Distributed Energy Resource for strategic
placement within the Electric System to augment the electric distribution grid, reduce ERCOT cost exposure and
power consumption over peak energy demand periods -- Chris Foster, Ken Arnold, Jim Briggs
Discussion: Briggs reviewed history of presentation of item at previous GUS Board and Council
meetings, to bring everyone up to date. Nathan presented video of ICE Bear units. Hickman provided
explanation of efficiencies. Sattler asked and Hickman answered number of units currently in
operation in the United States, stating various locations. Sattler asked about the benefit to
Georgetown Utility Systems and Hickman answered regarding the offset capacity/offset energy.
Discussion continued on legislation being considered on renewable energy and storage. Sattler
commented and Hickman confirmed this technology is leading into SmartGrid systems. Beach asked
and Hickman answered warranty and life expectancies of units. Briggs discussed return on
investment (ROI) on this is similar to what we do now with energy rates, etc. Briggs commented on
time of use rates for customers. Beach noted the Board needs to determine what our philosophy is on
this product and referred to time of use(TOU). Page asked and Hickman answered what the
motivation would be to commercial customers to participate in the use of this product. Briggs
discussed energy conservation and efficiency resources. B riggs asked the Board to please send any
other questions or thoughts to him for future Board discussion. Sattler stated business model needs to
be determined. Page asked on next discussion to have ICE Bear provide a sample of cost benefits to
the Utility as well as benefits to customers. Briggs distributed confidential presentation given to
Council on 2/23/10 for Board to review. Beach proposed agenda item for future meeting -- "What is
the final charge or strategy on what is needed from the Board in regard s to his product?" Briggs
stated the Board's charge from the Council is to seek what is available in the marketplace on Energy
Efficiency. Sattler noted Council has asked the Board to thoroughly review this and present
information back to them. Beach asked that the agenda be restructured so that project updates could
be presented in the packet and the board ask any questions, if they had them, but that a formal
presentation not be needed. Beach also asked that staff set time on the agenda to discuss "strate gic
issues" related to the utility and not simply awarding of bids and purchases. Board had discussion on
the item and future meetings will be formatted in order to allow for such strategic discussions.
Beach would also like to add an agenda item to discuss time of future meetings.
Sattler thanked Page for his service to the committee as this is his last meeting on the Board. Page
commented and gave thanks to staff for their support.
Action: None
Motion by Beach, seconded by Lenning to adjourn meeting.
Approved 6-0-1 (Quinn absent)
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:38 PM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Bill Sattler - Chair Richard Lenning - Secretary