HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_08.14.2015Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the Cite of Georgetown, Texas
August 14, 2015 at 1:0 PM
at Georgetown Municipal Complex, , 300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, T .
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: Bill Stump — Chair, Robert Kostka, Steve Fought, Joyce Mapes, Mike
Cunningham — Secretary
Board Members Absent: Ed Pastor — Vice Chair, Ty Gibson
Staff Present: Jim Briggs, Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong (joined at 1:01PM), Wesley Wright, Paul
Elkins, Jimmy Sikes, Micki Rundell, Michael Hallmark, David Munk, Leticia Zavala, Chris
Foster, Trina Bickford, 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 Chair at 1:OOPM. Chair noted Item I is being pilled from the
agenda.
The 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 -- none
C. Discussion regarding the Project Progress Report, timelines including projects and Council Actions. —
Michael Hallmark, Project Manager
Discussion: Hallmark stated updated reports included in packets; Hallmark noted construction
has started on the offsite wastewater project.
D. Industry Updates
Discussion: Briggs provided update on Impact Fee update from Council meeting on August 11th.
Council recommended at First Reading an 80/90/100% phase in of the fees. Second reading will
be later in month and ordinance will move forward after council approval. CTSUD will hold their
public hearing and act on August 20th. Additional updates: Dishong and Briggs testified at Public
Utility Commission (PUC) Hearing on our application to transfer the CCN. Our Legal consultants
met with the Executive Director of the PUC and he felt things will move forward and have a
successful transfer later this fall. CTSUD will remain in existence until they can dissolve
themselves; may be next legislative session when the Bill is passed. In October it is expected for a
rule making relative to transfers of this nature, for clarification of future transfer situations. We
have been asked to engage in the process. Lastly TPPA Executive Director, Mark Zion, is retiring
effective January 1St. They will be looking for a new Executive Director. Otherwise, electric
demand has been extremely high as well as water demand. Most people are staying on their
watering schedule but using larger volumes. Higher bills will be going out in next billing cycle.
Stump asked about Bell County opposition at hearing. Briggs noted they were present with their
attorney and presented their case before the Judge. Judge has yet to rule but state staff supported
our position of successfully operating the system. Further discussion continued regarding the
opposition's concerns.
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 10, 2015. — Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Discussion: None. Motion by Kostka, seconded by Mapes to approve the minutes from the
Regular GUS Board meeting held on July 10, 2015. Approved 5-0-2 (Pastor, Gipson absent)
F. Consideration and possible recommendation on a Water Agreement for the Ridge at Cross Creek —
Wesley Wright, P.E., Engineering Director
Discussion: Wright presented agreement for development in Western District. Requesting 140
units of water, located just outside our ETJ, west of Cimarron Hills, east of Ronald Reagan on
north side of Hwy 29. Staff recommends approval. Stump asked if area is a MUD; Wright noted
they are not requesting a MUD but they could request in the future and language is included for
both options for flexibility of both parties. Stump asked about clarification of irrigation permit
and Wright further explained. Irrigation permits are required. Development is septic as are other
two Water Agreements to be presented on agenda. Motion by Cunningham, seconded by
Fought to approve a Water Agreement for the Ridge at Cross Creek. Approved 5-0-2 (Pastor,
Gipson absent)
G. Consideration and possible recommendation on a Water Agreement with Clearwater Ranch --
Wesley Wright, P.E., Engineering Director
Discussion: Wright presented agreement for Clearwater Ranch located out west on CR 200; far
area of Western District. This is an ongoing development with 99 units currently. They are ready
for their second development phase. Stump asked about prohibiting private wells; section 2.10B;
Wright stated development is required to take water if we provide; not drill wells. Further
discussion, Cunningham asked if any commercial development on this property and Wright
stated none. Motion by Cunningham, seconded by Fought to approve a Water Agreement with
Clearwater Ranch. Approved 5-0-2 (Pastor, Gipson absent)
H. Consideration and possible recommendation on a Water Agreement for the Heights of Georgetown --
Wesley Wright, P.E., Engineering Director
Discussion: Wright presented agreement for the Heights of Georgetown being the smallest
development on far north end of Lake Georgetown; 19 acres; 17 units. Plans have been submitted
and moving quickly; all terms agreed to. Motion by Cunningham, seconded by Mapes to
approve a Water Agreement for the Heights of Georgetown. Approved 5-0-2 (Pastor, Gipson
absent)
I. Consideration and possible recommendation to allow the proposed Ranchito Subdivision, (aka 12.98
acres in the William Roberts Survey, A-524, Williamson County, Texas) the use of an onsite sewer
system (septic system) in lieu of a public wastewater system according to Section 13.06.030A.4 of the
City's Unified Development Code. -- Jordan Maddox, Acting Planning Director and David Munk,
Utility Engineer
Discussion: ITEM WAS PULLED FROM AGENDA AT MEETING
J. Consideration and possible recommendation of an interlocal agreement between the City of Round
Rock and the City of Georgetown for the relocation of a concrete distribution pole and underground
electric circuit near the intersection of Oakmont Drive and University Blvd. — Paul Elkins, Electric
Engineering Manager
Discussion: Elkins stated agreement involves an existing double -circuit concrete pole at
intersection of Oakmont and University. City is widening intersection which is forcing relocation
of pole. Agreement Round Rock will reimburse Georgetown and additional details are in packet;
revised language in agreement was distributed at meeting. Wright noted existing easement
allows us to be there so they are reimbursing us because they are obtaining Right -Of -Way over
the easement, which we have to give up. All details are in agreement. If Round Rock agrees to
proposed language will move item forward to Council. If not, we'll bring back to board for
consideration. Briggs noted Elkins will be leaving the City to work for an Engineering firm. Board
congratulated Elkins on new venture and thanked for service to City. Wright noted Elkins will be
back next month with multiple items prior to his last day with the City. Motion by Fought,
seconded by Cunningham to approve an interlocal agreement between the City of Round Rock
and the City of Georgetown for the relocation of a concrete distribution pole and underground
electric circuit near the intersection of Oakmont Drive and University Blvd.
Approved 5-0-2 (Pastor, Gipson absent)
Elkins departed meeting at 1:28PM; returned at 1:40PM
K. Customer Information System (CIS) Project Update and Presentation (no action required) — Leticia
Zavala, Customer Care Director/Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer
Discussion: Zavala gave presentation/update, included in packet, on CIS system and acquisition
of new system. System is currently 21 years old. She explained issues with interfacing with other
systems. Discussed needs of a new system. Scope —18-24 months to complete; budget $3-3.5M
and responses are a bit less than originally estimated, life is 7-10 years but can fluctuate, annual
cost will be re-evaluated. Mapes asked if system is set up for growth and Zavala stated it is.
Currently we've done the RFP for consultant, which was Phase 1, began in January and has been
completed. RFP for vendor was released in June and due back in September. Currently in Phase
Il — narrowing down 7 vendor apps to 2 vendors. Will be continuing with process, vendors will
demonstrate products, site visits will be part of the process. Demos in September, site visits in
October, bring to GUS approval to negotiate in October/November then take to Council
January/February. Implementation February/March.
Questions — Cunningham asked who would own software; Babin noted we will have a license to
use; not changing; will be evaluated for either Cloud or our server. Rundell commented on
software. Integration will be key decision point. Zavala further explained our current system
integration which is in stages where new systems will be overall integration to all systems.
Further questions and discussion continued. Software about $2M, additional costs are
integration; total estimate $3.5M. We currently have around 42,000 accounts, about 8,000 are from
CTSUD. Briggs spoke on flexibility of new system. Cunningham noted software will be a tool to
the Utilty as well; Briggs further discussed. Stump inquired about certain details, which
Zavala/Rundell stated would be brought back to the Board throughout the process. NO ACTION
REQUIRED
Fought stepped out at 1:49PM and returned after adjournment.
Motion by Kostka, seconded by Mapes to adjourn the meeting at 1:50PM. Approved 4-0-3 (Pastor,
Gipson and Fought absent).
Bill Stump — Board Chair
Mike &w Ingham — Secretary
Sh ila K. Mit ell, GUS Board Liaison