HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_12.11.2014 Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
December 11, 2014 at 2:00PM
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Board Members Present: Arthur Yaeger, Chair, Steve Fought, Bill Stump, Joyce Mapes, Ed Pastor, Patty
Eason (joined at 2:11PM)
Board Members Absent: Robert Kostka – Vice Chair
Staff Present: Jim Briggs, Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong, Micki Rundell, Chris Foster, Wesley Wright, David
Thomison, Kathy Ragsdale, Trina Bickford, Leticia Zavala, Michael Weisner, Sheila Mitchell
Others Present: 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 – Called 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 follo ws.
B. Introduction of Visitors - none
Employee Recognition - none
C. Discussion regarding the Project Progress Report, timelines including projects and Council Actions. – Michael
Hallmark, Project Manager
Discussion: Wright gave update overview of items in packet. Additional items will be coming to the Board for
CIP Project approvals.
-- Impact Fee Update -- Chris Foster, Manager of Resource Planning and Integration
Discussion: Foster spoke on combining fees with CTSUD this year. More information will come forth in next
few months on committee process, etc. Fought asked and Foster/Rundell stated fees will be effective October
2015 upon adoption and approval of fees.
D. Industry Updates – ITEM WAS COVERED AFTER ITEM K (approximately 2:29PM)
Discussion: Briggs spoke on merger process and CCN transfer with CTSUD regarding a recent meeting with
the Executive Director of the Public Utility Commission. Concerns were discussed regarding the process required
to get the CCN and the City’s actions taken thus far. Discussion was had on the change in agencies handling the
process to streamline the process. Any additional notification would be a further delay. The Executive Director
understood the City’s concerns and felt no additional notification may be needed as sufficient notification
should’ve been given. Hope to move a Bill this through legislature in 2015; our lobbyist group feels we should be
able to move this through this session and the CCN transfer should be complete during that time.
RETURNED TO ADJOURN MEETING AFTER ITEM ‘D’
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 November 14,
2014. – Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Discussion: None. Motion by Pastor, seconded by Mapes to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS
Board meeting held on November 14, 2014. Approved 5-0-2 (Eason absent for vote; Kostka absent from
meeting)
F Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the purchase of Bioxide from Evoqua Water
Technologies LLC of Sarasota, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00, for Fiscal Year 2014/2015. --
David W. Thomison, Water Services Manager
Discussion: Thomison provided history and update on Bioxide and specific use for it at the Water
Treatment facilities; removing Hydrogen Sulfide. Evoqua, formerly Siemens, is the same company we’ve
been purchasing product from. Sole Source use of product but not a sole source supplier of product.
Briggs joined meeting at 2:06PM
Yaeger asked and Thomison/Dishong explained how this amount differed from previous years
amount stating about the same over last 10 years. Pastor asked and Dishong stated primarily for
wastewater. Stump asked and Dishong explained chemical used in product and how it works.
Motion by Pastor, seconded by Stump to approve the purchase of Bioxide from Evoqua Water
Technologies LLC of Sarasota, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00, for Fiscal Year 2014/2015 .
Approved 5-0-2 (Eason absent for vote; Kostka absent from meeting)
G Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a wholesale water agreement between the City of
Georgetown and the City of Liberty Hill. -- Glenn W. Dishong, Utility Director
Discussion: Dishong stated due to consolidation with Chisholm Trail Special Utility District (CTSUD),
the City inherited an agreement between Liberty Hill and CTSUD. He explained needs of Liberty Hill for
temporary water usage. This is the non-residential rate and applies to them as a corporation. We studied the
system and we can provide them up to 350,000 gallons of water per day if needed. Needed until 2019 and
then done after which time they will receive water from Leander when they have infrastructure to deliver
water to Liberty Hill.
Eason joined meeting at 2:11PM
Yaeger asked and Dishong stated this should be more beneficial in cost for Liberty Hill to deliver
water to them depending on how much usage. Dishong did not feel they would need that amount of water
per day and needs are temporary. Motion by Fought, seconded by Pastor to approve a wholesale water
agreement between the City of Georgetown and the City of Liberty Hill. Approved 6-0-1 (Kostka absent)
H Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a proposed Assignment of Rights from San Gabriel
Harvard Limited Partnership to 278 Georgetown Inc., contained within the Shadow Canyon Non -Standard
Service Agreement. - Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Discussion: Wright explained location on Hwy 29 and need for water. They are entitled to 1100 LUEs
of water and have prepaid half of impact fees, for a credit of 550 LUEs. Current owner is selling off majority
of property. Original owners maintaining possession of a multifamily tract and want to assign 600 LUEs
and all prepaid impact fees to buyers, 278 Georgetown, represented by d eveloper Joe Straub. CTSUD
consented to assignment in November and Georgetown staff recommends approval of consent. Dishong
stated we have experience with this developer (Oaks of San Gabriel). Pastor asked and Wright explained
terms of agreement do not change. Motion by Fought, seconded by Pastor to approve a proposed
Assignment of Rights from San Gabriel Harvard Limited Partnership to 278 Georgetown Inc., containe d
within the Shadow Canyon Non-Standard Service Agreement. Approved 6-0-1 (Kostka absent)
I Consideration and recommended recommendation of a proposed Assignment of Wastewater
Reimbursements and Wastewater Service from San Gabriel Harvard Limited Partnership to 278
Georgetown Inc. -- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Discussion: Wright explained item is tied to same development as prior item; this is for wastewater.
Fought asked and Wright noted this is not the last of carryover agreements for the merger. Motion by
Fought, seconded by Mapes to approve a proposed Assignment of Wastewater Reimbursements and
Wastewater Service from San Gabriel Harvard Limited Partnership to 278 Georgetown Inc. Approved 6-0-1
(Kostka absent)
J Discussion and possible recommendation to clarify inconsistencies and amend requirements in the
distributed renewable electric generation section 13.04.083 of the Electric Rate Ordinance pertaining to solar
installations. -- Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Manager/Kathy Ragsdale, Conservation Services
Manager/Mike Babin, Deputy General Manager of Utilities
Discussion: Zavala stated this item has been discussed over last couple of months and language has
been revised for requirements. Ragsdale explained further detail of item regarding certification for
installers. Removed all contractor requirements of this ordinance and referenced the electric code; Title 15,
Chapter 15.16 referring to State recommendations in the Texas Occupational Code; master electrician,
journeyman, etc. requirements. Further discussion continued; Stump stated he supports as it is now written
but feels there should be more required of inspectors and additional training. Wright stated we are
considering both outside and in-house training of inspectors. Motion by Stump, seconded by Fought to
clarify inconsistencies and amend requirements in the distributed renewable electric generation section
13.04.083 of the Electric Rate Ordinance pertaining to solar installations. Approved 6-0-1 (Kostka absent)
K Discussion and possible recommendation to approve a contract with Westin Engineering, Inc. for consulting
services to provide requirements development, assessment, evaluation, implementation planning, and
acquisition of a Customer Information System (CIS) with an optional phase to assist with procurement and
contract negotiations for an amount not to exceed $193,250.00. – Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Manager
Discussion: Zavala explained this item follows discussion from last month for CIS project. This is the first step
for contact with Westin to perform consultant work. Work will be done in two phases; RFP and then contract
negotiations, site visits, etc. With the acquisition of CTSUD and additional customers, we are beginning to see a
stress on the system so timing is perfect to kick off project.
Bickford joined meeting at 2:26PM
Rundell stated goal is RFP should be out in September 2015 and decision in May with a December purchase.
Motion by Mapes, seconded by Pastor to approve a contract with Westin Engineering, Inc. for consulting
services to provide requirements development, assessment, evaluation, implementation planning, and
acquisition of a Customer Information System (CIS) with an optional phase to assist with procurement and
contract negotiations for an amount not to exceed $193,250.00. Approved 6-0-1 (Kostka absent)
RETURNED TO ITEM D ABOVE BEFORE ADJOURNING MEETING.
Yaeger thanked board and staff for their hard work this year and wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and
Happy and Successful New Year.
Adjournment
Motion by Eason, seconded by Fought to adjourn. Adjourned at 2:35PM
__________________________ _____________________________
Arthur Yaeger – Board Chair Bill Stump – Secretary
_________________________________
Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison