HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_02.14.2014 Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
February 14, 2014 at 2:00PM
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Board Members Present: Robert Young; Chair, Arthur Yaeger; Vice Chair, Brian
Lindsey, Bill Stump, John Hesser
Board Members Absent: Robert Kostka; Secretary, Patty Eason
Staff Present: Jim Briggs, Glenn Dishong, Mike Babin, Wesley Wright, Jimmy Sikes,
David Munk, Chris Foster, Trina Bickford, Leticia Zavala, Sheila Mitchell
Others Present: none
Regular Session Called to order by Chair at 2:00pm
A. Call to Order
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene
an Executive Session at the request of the Chair, a Board Member, The City Manager, Assistant City
Manager, General Manager of Utilities, 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.
B. Introduction of Visitors – introduced Mike Babin as City Deputy General Manager of Utilities. Babin
has been with the City for about a month.
C. Discussion regarding the Project Progress Report, timelines including projects and Council Actions. –
Michael Hallmark, Project Manager
Discussion: Wright updated on EARZ construction work currently under way. Approval of
EARZ analysis was approved by Council; James Street EST work will be complete by end of the
month; North Georgetown Addition will continue through the summer. Park Lift Station and
Miscellaneous Lift Station Improvements will come to the Board next month. Wright reviewed
various additional projects and their timelines. Young asked about Sun City Lift Station, which is
now completed. All items passed at Council.
D. Industry Updates
Discussion: Briggs provided update from a state board meeting this week regarding discussion
of City of New Braunfels bidding out a wastewater treatment plant project at the estimated cost
of $36 million; noting equipment costs were included in bid specifications. Young asked who
designed project and Briggs/Dishong elaborated on engineering firm. Further discussion
continued on construction costs, proprietary equipment costs, etc. Foster then provided an
update on ERCOT & PCRR’s. Briggs further explained shift in the market protocol during 1990’s-
early 2000’s. Young asked about litigation between City & LCRA and Briggs stated we are filing
arguments to go to the Supreme Court on the issue of Sovereign Immunity. Briggs spoke on a
district court that upheld the landmark case that is the foundation for our argument. TML is now
involved. If this goes to trial it may be 2015 before a date is scheduled. Other questions came from
the board and Briggs provided further updates regarding the state legislature as well as the
CTSUD consolidation and possible opposition in state legislature by the State Representative in
Bell County. Young asked TCEQ status and Briggs explained the comment period will close next
Friday (February 21) and then determination if a hearing or granting of CCN. Briggs spoke on
opposition by City of Leander, as they wish to serve in a particular area. Discussion continued on
support/opposition of consolidation, asset transfer, district employee benefits, health insurance,
etc. Young asked about relationship with district and City staff and Briggs felt like all going well
with field staff, office staff has some angst/unsettling due to the TCEQ delay, customer base has
been quiet. Stump asked about the Dove Springs solar. Babin provided update on Borrego solar
project regarding rooftop solar. Stated we have bid from Borrego and are working on how City
would sell participation in the program. Stump discussed participation and Briggs noted a
survey would be prepared to determine interest. Hesser asked and Babin spoke on where solar
panels might be located, what options and reasons customers would have to participate and/or
purchase power. Discussion continued on selling house and conveying panels or taking when
leaving; need to determine parameters for program; generate survey for interest. Some discussion
continued. Young asked and Briggs updated on lake levels noting we haven’t been using as
much as we had. Rain has not been in the right areas. Dishong stated Lake Georgetown is down
around 15 feet to about 776. Briggs has been speaking with David at CDM re: pumps at Lake
Stillhouse, to get big pumps going around April.
Legislative Regular Agenda
The Board will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
E. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on
December 12, 2013. – Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Discussion: None. Motion by Hesser, seconded by Yaeger to approve the minutes from the
Regular GUS Board meeting held on December 12, 2013. Approved: 5-0-2 (Kostka, Eason absent)
F. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve an amendment to Task Order 12-
003 to CDM Smith of Austin, Texas in the amount of $85,746.00 for water and wastewater
master plan updates. - Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineer Director
Discussion: Wright gave update on project stating original scope did not include incorporating
CTSUD’s model into our model, as well as capital improvement needs; however with the
consolidation that needs to be included. Additional sewer needs on the city’s system need to be
included as well. Therefore the Change Order to the Task Order is to incorporate new items that
have come up. Motion by Hesser, seconded by Stump to approve an amendment to Task
Order 12-003 to CDM Smith of Austin, Texas in the amount of $85,746.00 for water and
wastewater master plan updates. Further discussion: Young asked about funding and Wright
reconfirmed; half of the funds for CTSUD should be recovered from CTSUD. Stump asked and
Wright explained the work hours that were involved in the update of this job. Young noted the
twelve tasks and Wright stated they will be phased in and impact fees will need to be updated for
next year. CTSUD work will not be done until TCEQ approves consolidation. Young/Stump
stated there were a lot of tasks for the amount of funds; good fee for amount of work involved.
Wright further explained costs involved and costs developers could be asked to pay if they’re
continuing project. No further discussion. Motion carries. Approved: 5-0-2 (Kostka, Eason
absent)
G. Consideration and possible recommendation for approval of a contract to Techline
Construction Inc. of Austin, Texas, for labor associated with various electric system
overhead construction and maintenance, as well as occasional underground and emergency
services, in the estimated amount of $750,000.00. - Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering
Director and Jim Ward, Electric Planning Supervisor
Discussion: Wright noted electric utility operations are traditionally different than water
operations. We are beginning now to go out to bid. We typically use a contract for purchasing
materials and our operations crews do the work. Now we are looking at other options for labor as
previous outside vendor chose not to renew and City has chosen to go out to bid. Labor contract
is usually brought to board in September/October however due to changes, we feel we can work
with Techline (who also does our materials contract). The Techline contract will have renewals
each year. Young asked about last year compared to this year and how agreement would work
with Techline. Wright explained what type of and volume of labor they would be doing; they will
have a dedicated crew for city projects. Techline work is expected to start March 1st. Motion by
Hesser, seconded by Lindsay for approval of a contract to Techline Construction Inc. of
Austin, Texas, for labor associated with various electric system overhead construction
and maintenance, as well as occasional underground and emergency services, in the
estimated amount of $750,000.00. Further discussion: Stump inquired about use of LCRA
contract. Bickford provided information stating we are eligible to use LCRA’s bid pricing , which
was publically bid; any agreements for work we have will be separate with the vendor. No
further discussion. Motion carries. Approved: 5-0-2 (Kostka, Eason absent)
H. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Task Order MS 14-002 with M&S
Engineering, Inc. of Spring Branch, Texas, for design, construction support, and project
management services for modifications to the existing Rivery and Georgetown East
Substations in the amount of $382,800. – Jimmy Sikes/T&D Services Manager, Glenn W.
Dishong/Utility Director
Discussion: Sikes noted transformer at Rivery substation is for replacement of an LCRA
transformer, noting we’re still in process of purchasing substations from LCRA. Rivery will be a
better transformer for capacity. Georgetown East substation transformer is a new transformer;
serves downtown area. This will increase liability, better utilize equipment and load moving.
When transformers are brought in, we also modernize our relays in substations. Sikes noted this
is for engineering services only. We are out for bid right now, closing February 26th and will bring
bid back to Board in a couple of months. Motion by Hesser, seconded by Lindsey to approve
Task Order MS 14-002 with M&S Engineering, Inc. of Spring Branch, Texas, for design,
construction support, and project management services for modifications to the existing
Rivery and Georgetown East Substations in the amount of $382,800. Further discussion:
Young asked and Sikes stated we have been working with M&S Engineering; they’ve been
working with us on relaying schemes; they do a great job and meet deadlines. They’ve been
working with us for just over a year and have done a lot of work for Pedernales, New Braunfels,
Kerrville, TXU and others. They are great in coming up with new i deas for our relaying schemes
to increase reliability. Briggs asked and Sikes noted Rivery is 30MVA going to a 47MVA; East we
are adding a second 47MVA. No further discussion. Motion carries. Approved: 5-0-2 (Kostka,
Eason absent)
Young congratulated Dishong on Manager of Year Employee Award for GUS. In addition,
Leticia Zavala was awarded a Manager of the Year Employee Award. Briggs spoke about one of
our electric lineman, Charles Hamilton, who recently achieved his Bachelor’s degree; we will
bring him to the board meeting next month for introduction and recognition.
Young also thanked staff for proving a copy of the Brazos River Authority presentation from
last month’s meeting, as promised.
Adjournment
Motion by Yaeger, seconded by Hesser to adjourn. Approved 5-0-2 (Kostka, Eason absent)
Adjourned 3:24pm
Approved: Attested:
_________________________ ____________________________
Robert Young – Board Chair Bob Kostka – Secretary
_____________________________
Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison