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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes_GUS_08.08.2014 Minutes of the Meeting of the Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas August 8, 2014 at 2:00PM The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participation 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 at least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512)930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8th Street for additional information: TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Board Members Present: Arthur Yaeger– Chair, Robert Kostka – Vice Chair, Patty Eason (arrived at 2:02PM), Steve Fought, Bill Stump, Joyce Mapes, Ed Pastor Board Members Absent: None Staff Present: Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong, Wesley Wright, Michael Hallmark, David Munk, Jimmy Sikes, Chris Foster, Leticia Zavala, Paul Elkins, Kathy Ragsdale, Skye Masson, Sheila Mitchell, [Terry Crain, Justin Ford, Richard Pajestka, Greg Holt, Matt Braun, John Gonzales, Jose Reyes, Josh Darden (all departed meeting at 2:20PM)] Others Present: Mark Ramseur/Pope Dawson Engineers Regular Session A. Call to Order by Chairman Yaeger at 2:00PM 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 Discussion: Sikes acknowledged electric staff who participated in Texas Lineman’s rodeo. Dishong provided update later in agenda. C. Discussion regarding the Project Progress Report, timelines including projects and Council Actions. – Michael Hallmark, Project Manager Discussion: Hallmark noted reports included in packet. No further discussion. D. Industry Updates Discussion: Dishong provided update on Texas Lineman’s Rodeo competition and presented pictures from competition. This was the City’s first time to compete and entry was initiated by the team. Sikes further commented on details of team and rodeo. Elkins commented on time requirements for Hurt Man Rescue event. Darden coordinated the team. Ford and Braun commented on their experience. Sikes noted Pajestka was a judge in the competition. Reyes, Gonzales and Holt were the BBQ Cooking Team. Darden commented on his experience and the interest it has created in other employees in department; has brought department closer together. Fought commented the shirts for the team were very nice. Yaeger stated he enjoyed hearing they participated in the competition. Eason would like team to be present at a Council meeting for recognition. Crain commented on training for the event. Babin updated board on change of time for September board meeting to 1:00pm and will wrap up by 2:30 to allow staff and a couple of board members to attend a meeting later that afternoon at CTSUD. Babin spoke about water supply updates noting next month a more details report will be presented. Eason will not be present at GUS Board meeting on 12th due to her commitment at the Lone Star Rail District meeting; Kostka will be out of town. Quorum should still be present for meeting. Babin updated on agreement reached with City of Leander and CTSUD CCN transfer; additional updates next month. Review of upcoming state legislation to be introduced shouldn’t have anything of concern but updates will be forthcoming on any ch anges. Babin updated on the Texas Railroad Commission’s consideration of some rule changes regarding municipal involvement in natural gas utility rate changes. This could affect us if changes are made; more details as this moves forward. Babin discussed article in Austin American Statesman regarding renewable energy and the Wall Street Journal article regarding Germany, and Foster spoke in further detail, noting Georgetown has already implemented meters to handle these changes. Babin provided further detail regarding purchased power, wind and solar power. 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 July 11, 2014. – Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison Discussion: None. Motion by Kostka, seconded by Fought to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on July 11, 2014. Approved 7-0-0 F. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the contract for the Rivery and Georgetown East Substation Transformer Additions, Construction Bid 201441, to Lambda Construction I, Ltd. of New Braunfels, TX in the amount of $275,269.00. – Jimmy Sikes, T&D Service Manager Discussion: Sikes noted this is construction and installation of new transformers. Eight bids were received; 3 qualified. Stump asked and Sikes explained specifics on work to be done. Pastor asked and Sikes explained work is specialized therefore our lineman are not qualified nor do they have the equipment to perform the work. Motion by Fought, seconded by Mapes to approve the contract for the Rivery and Georgetown East Substation Transformer Additions, Construction Bid 201441, to Lambda Construction I, Ltd. of New Braunfels, TX in the amount of $275,269.00. Approved 7-0-0 Elkins departed at 2:38PM; retu rned at 2:39PM Board moved to Item H for consideration and approval and then returned to Item G for consideration and approval. H. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement between Jonah Special Utility District and the City of Georgetown in the amount of $200,000.00. – Glenn W. Dishong, Utility Director Discussion: Dishong presented item explaining details of agreement; what City will receive and what JSPUD will receive, giving the effect this has on the upcoming year’s budget. Pastor asked what percentage of the Williamson County Regional Water Line Jonah had; will it have any effect on negotiations with CTSUD? Dishong stated they had approximately three percent and explained it improves the combined utilities total water reserves. Stump asked if City is in position to use the water? Dishong stated this increases the additional reserves which we are not currently using and will not need to use for some time. Mapes asked why we’re purchasing this if we’re not using right now; Dishong responded the water is the only water available in the Basin and if we did not purchase, someone else can. Pastor asked why Jonah is agreeing to this and Dishong responded Jonah felt their water future would be better served in Lake Granger. Additional general questions from the Board regarding water. Motion by Fought, seconded by Pastor to approve an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement between Jonah Special Utility District and the City of Georgetown in the amount of $200,000.00. Approved 7-0-0 Wright stepped out at 2:47PM; returned at 2:48PM Board returned to Item G for consideration and approval and then to Item I for consideration and approval. G. Consideration and possible recommendation to revise the solid waste retail rates in accordance with the Council approved annual rate adjustment to the 2012 Solid Waste Service Agreement between Texas Disposal Systems and the City of Georgetown. – Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Manager/Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer Discussion: Zavala presented item with background of Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) contract noting rate adjustment presented to Council in July. She noted adjustment is in-line with TDS rate adjustment. No questions from Board. Motion by Fought, seconded by Mapes to revise the solid waste retail rates in accordance with the Council appr oved annual rate adjustment to the 2012 Solid Waste Service Agreement between Texas Disposal Systems and the City of Georgetown. Approved 7-0-0 Masson stepped out at 3:05PM; returned at 3:06PM Board moved to Item I for consideration and approval. I. Consideration and possible recommendation concerning the Hillwood Development Agreement utility elements. – Bridget Chapman, City Attorney/Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director Discussion: Wright presented item and reviewed presentation included in packet for the proposed development. A presentation was made to Council a couple of weeks ago and is being reviewed by the relevant Advisory Boards. Wright explained the development agreement is currently in draft form as details are being reviewed. Pastor asked and Wright explained electric service to area per agreement; most of proposed development is a dual certified area with Georgetown Electric and Pedernales Electric (PEC). Developer will take Georgetown Electric where available. Stump asked and Ramser responded developer is in the process of looking at a more detailed site layout. Stump spoke about roof-top solar. Fought asked about PEC service area; Foster/Babin commented we are not able to capture any of the PEC service area due to regulations. Pastor asked and Ramser noted planned Fire station in development. Motion by Fought, seconded by Pastor to move forward with the utility elements of the agreement. Approved 7-0-0 Adjournment Motion by Pastor, seconded by Fought to adjourn the meeting. Approved 7-0-0 Adjourned at 3:18PM Certificate of Posting I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the _____ day of ____________, 2013, at _________, and remained so posted for at least 72 hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. _____________________________________ Jessica Brettle, City Secretary