HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_02.13.2015 Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
February 13, 2015 at 2:00PM
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Board Members Present: Arthur Yaeger– Chair, Robert Kostka – Vice Chair, Patty Eason,
Steve Fought, Bill Stump, Joyce Mapes, Ed Pastor
Board Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jim Briggs, Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong, Wesley Wright, Michael Hallmark,
David Munk, Chris Foster, Leticia Zavala, Paul Elkins, Jimmy Sikes, Skye Masson, Trina
Bickford, Chris Fusco, Cindy Pospisil, Jeff Johnson, Sheila Mitchell
Others Present: Michael Newman & Trae Sutton/KPA Engineers, Angie Flores/HDR (joined at
2:08pm), Neil McAndrews (joined at 2:15pm); Robert Fowler/Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle &
Townsend (joined at 2:30-2:45pm)
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: Michael Newman & Trae Sutton/KPA Engineers
C. -- Discussion regarding the Project Progress Report, timelines including projects and Council Actions.
– Michael Hallmark, Project Manager
Discussion: Hallmark noted all updates in packets. No further discussion.
- CTSUD Customer Account Migration – Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Manager
Discussion: Zavala provided update of the Western District (formerly known as Chisholm Trail)
account integration into the GUS customer account billing system, which occurred on January 15th.
There were 8,000 accounts integrated. Customer Care staff and functions were transferred to the
Customer Care department housed at the GMC Building. A kiosk is set up at the Western District
office and payments can also still be dropped off at payment locations. Zavala showed map of
territory covered, noting the Western District one billing cycle will be changed to five cycles .
March will be initial integration of billing to new cycles. Zavala introduced staff who assisted with
the integration – Jeff Johnson, IT Department, Chris Fusco, Customer Care Supervisor, Cindy
Pospisil, Operations Supervisor. Fought commended staff on their hard work during this process.
Pastor asked if CTSUD office is closed and Zavala explained customers have access to the payment
kiosk in the lobby and field staff is housed in the building. Kostka asked about CTSUD invoices to
be paid, who’s handling and also billing and Zavala noted City is handling all Western District
A/P and A/R invoices now. Kostka also asked about history of usage graphing on customer billing.
Zavala explained we moved away from such a graph due to errors in data however we’re looking
at possibly providing that in the future as well as new features and redesign on bill when new CIS
system comes aboard. Pastor asked about obtaining a copy of map presented and Zavala stated
map would be loaded on City Website once finalized.
- Employee Recognition – Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Manager
Discussion: Zavala introduced Jeff, Chris and Cindy, as noted above.
D. Industry Updates
Discussion: Briggs updated board regarding Pecan Branch development project; working with
developer to structure elements of deal. GTEC will consider transportation improvement items at
their regular meeting on February 18th. GUS will need to consider an offsite utility agreement and
hold a special meeting, proposed to be held on 18th as well. Discussion on date/time; possibly
February 18 at 2:00PM; Yaeger (yes), Pastor (yes), Kostka (yes), Stump (yes), Mapes (maybe);
Eason and Fought probably not available however will review item at next Council meeting.
Special meeting set for Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 2:00PM. Agenda wil l be posted this
afternoon.
Briggs updated on his meeting attendance the last two days at the Texas Public Power state board
meeting, in Austin at the Capitol. He also spoke about preparations for filing local legislation for
dissolving the CTSUD Board upon the completion of the transfer of the CCN. Briggs further
explained logistics of process for dissolving board without the special legislation. Should be filed
in both the House and Senate soon. Briggs provided other updates from TPPA board meeting.
For informational purposes only, Briggs handed out a report from a meeting with Encore
regarding Battery Storage; report was provided by the Bridle Group, looking at the benefits of
battery storage. Fought asked about peak energy requirements and Briggs discussed further.
Wright stepped out at 2:25pm and returned at 2:26pm
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 11, 2014. – Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Discussion: None. Motion by Eason, seconded by Mapes to approve the minutes from the
Regular GUS Board meeting held on December 11, 2014. Approved 7-0-0
F. Consideration and possible action to approve the amended board bylaws in accordance with the
revised Code of Ordinances. – Bridget Chapman, City Attorney
Discussion: Masson reviewed changes to coincide with City Ordinance which was updated in
November. Council will make final approvals. No further discussion. Motion by Fought,
seconded by Pastor to approve the amended board bylaws in accordance with the revised Code
of Ordinances. Approved 7-0-0
G. Consideration and possible recommendation for the award of the Bid for Contract Labor Services for
Electric System Overhead Construction and Maintenance to Power Line Services, Inc. of Woodlands,
Texas, in the estimated amount of $1,500,000.00. – Paul Elkins, Electric Engineering Manager
Discussion: Elkins stated this is a labor only bid for CIP and maintenance projects. Bid sent out in
2 parts; specific planned projects and general pricing. Terms would end at budget year-end;
September 30th. Information sent out to over 500 companies. Ten companies attended two pre-bid
meetings. One bid submitted (Purchasing considered this a partial bid received as vendor only
submitted for one area of work). Evaluated pricing compared to LCRA unit pricing. Company
performed three projects last year for the City and received good reviews for work done. Elkins
feels lack of submitted bids is attributed to other work available in other areas of US due to
storms as well as lack of bids for overhead construction in a number of years so contractors are
not aware of the volume of work available here. Yaeger asked and Elkins noted numbers of
planned vs. unplanned projects projected. Pastor asked if there are guidelines for competitive
bidding that allows single source. Elkins noted the process taken for putting information out for
the bid with only this one received. Fought asked about future work for any companies coming
back into the area and Elkins noted bids will go out again later in year for additional work. Pastor
asked and Elkins explained pricing estimates. Stump commented on good contractors and
discussions out in the field from residential contractors that are seeing the same issues. Briggs
commented on hiring additional construction staff vs contractors . Motion by Pastor, seconded
by Kostka to approve the award of the Bid for Contract Labor Services for El ectric System
Overhead Construction and Maintenance to Power Line Services, Inc. of Woodlands, Texas, in
the estimated amount of $1,500,000.00. Approved 7-0-0
Elkins departed at 2:37PM
H. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Task Order KPA-15-005 with Kasberg,
Patrick & Associates, LP of Georgetown, Texas, for professional services related to Edwards Aquifer
Recharge Zone Rehabilitation 2014-2015 in the amount of $403,040.00. –Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems
Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, Project Manager
Discussion: Wright stated scope of project to analyze needed repairs of lines; TCEQ
requirements to be done once every five years. All city staffing of video of lines will be handed to
KPA for analysis for last year’s videoing of lines. Stump asked if annual contract and Wright
responded scope changes every year so an annual contract is not appropriate at this time . Wright
noted we are hoping after the initial five years, the scope will decrease significantly. Pastor asked
if bid and Wright responded professional services are not allowed to be bid. Actual construction
will be bid out. Stump asked if Old Town is finished and Wright/Hallmark noted Old Town has
been work in two phases of construction and should be completed soon. Motion by Fought,
seconded by Pastor to approve Task Order KPA-15-005 with Kasberg, Patrick & Associates, LP of
Georgetown, Texas, for professional services related to Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone
Rehabilitation 2014-2015 in the amount of $403,040.00. Approved 7-0-0
I. Consideration and possible recommendation regarding selection of the members of the Impact Fee
Committee. – Chris Foster, Manager of Resource Planning and Integration
Discussion: Foster stated Angie Flores of HDR will make presentation of what impact fees are,
why we need them and the role of the committee. Flores reviewed presentation distributed to
board. Dishong, Briggs, Foster, etc. provided comments and definition of information and details.
Flores continued with presentation and reviewed schedule of committee to meet and review fees.
Foster reviewed list of suggested committee members, noting we need an additional volunteer
from both the GUS Board and the CTSUD Board (two committees with one combined meeting) to
cover all areas and suggest new impact fee for Council adoption. Stump was concerned of any
conflicts he might have to serve on committee but Foster stated there would be none. Stump
stated he would volunteer to serve on the committee. Motion by Fought, seconded by Eason to
approve appointment of Stump and the selection of the members of the Impact Fee Committee.
Approved 7-0-0
Hallmark, Munk, Bickford and others (HDR, KPA) etc. not required to attend Executive Session, departed
at 3:01PM.
Motion by Pastor, seconded by Eason to enter into Executive Session. Approved 7-0-0
J. Executive Session – Called to order 3:03PM
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes,
Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the
regular session.
Sec. 551.086 Competitive Matters and Sec. 551.071 Consultation with Attorney
- Discussion and recommendation regarding a Solar Purchase Power Agreement with SunEdison. –
Chris Foster, Manager of Resource Planning and Integration
K. Action from Executive Session
Discussion: No discussion. Motion by Fought, seconded by Stump to recommend to Council to
move forward with the SunEdison Solar Power Purchase Agreement. Approved 7-0-0
Yaeger thanked to board and staff for their hard work. Staff and board thanked Yaeger for his service to
the board and as Chairman, as this was his official last regular board meeting.
Adjournment
Motion by Fought, seconded by Eason to adjourn the meeting. Approved 7-0-0 Adjourned at 3:22PM
__________________________ _____________________________
Arthur Yaeger – Board Chair Bill Stump – Secretary
_________________________________
Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison