HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_01.11.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
January 11, 2019 at 2:OOPM
at Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, TX
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 Secretary's Office, at least three (3) 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: John Copelan — Vice Chair, Edward Wiley — Secretary, David
Maserang, Ed Pastor, Arthur Yaeger, Steve Fought
Board Members Absent: Mike Cunningham — Chair
Staff Members Present: Jim Briggs, Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong, Wesley Wright, Leticia Zavala,
David Thomison, Chris Foster, Michael Hallmark, Tristan Whitmire, Emily Koontz
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 Vice Chair at 2:OOPM
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
Employee Recognition — none submitted at time of posting
C. January 2019 GUS Project Updates and December Council Action
Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager
Wright gave updates on all projects included in packet. Copeland asked and Hallmark responded
that the Braun Water Tank will be west of Ronald Reagan along Highway 29. Copelan asked and
Wright responded that they are going to put cones up on Texas Drive to designate parking and traffic
flow for the Sun City Elevated Storage Tank raising.
D. Industry Updates — ITEM "D" DISCUSSED AFTER ITEM "G"; meeting adjourned after Item "D"
Briggs spoke on the articles handed out to the board members. The articles are related to the electric
industry, focused on ERCOT and what's happening in the ERCOT grid. Briggs thought it would be of
interest to pass those articles and email communications along. Each year ERCOT makes a prediction
about what's going to happen in the summer. Last year at this time, ERCOT made a similar
prediction that summer would be warm, high temps, generation would be scarce and prices would
be high. Last year only one month (June) met those predictions. Briggs further discussed projections
for revenue and costs which didn't materialize; one of the factors that led to missing budget on
purchase power costs in 2018. The 2019 budget projections have been restructured to not take these
things into account; added revenue will not be factored in. Projections are more conservative for 2019
budget. Briggs noted observations of higher prices in the deregulated open market, which will be
charged to their customers. Some additional discussion on prices and supply. Copeland asked and
Briggs replied that some projects have been postponed for now however those projects will not
compromise the demands of the system. Briggs noted no real updates regarding water, however
noted Irrigation Schedules will be discussed at the February meeting. Pastor asked and Briggs replied
the city is running about 3200-3300 new meters per year, split almost evenly between city and
western district, which is a high rate of growth. Meeting adjourned 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 Special GUS Board meeting held on
December 4, 2018 and the Regular GUS Board meeting scheduled for December 13, 2018. — Sheila K.
Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
No discussion. Motion by Yaeger, seconded by Pastor to approve the minutes from the Special GUS
Board meeting held on December 4, 2018 and the Regular GUS Board meeting scheduled for
December 13, 2018. Approved 6-0-1 (Cunningham absent)
F. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a contract with Uniflt Corporation, from
Ellwood City, PA for the replacement of 8 Lake Water Treatment Plant filter media (anthracite) in the
approximate amount of $78,199.99. — David W. Thomison, Water Services Manager
Thomison provided information on media to be replaced due to meeting useful life. Only getting
about a quarter of the runtime between backwashes. System Engineering needs to run a test to see
how we can maximize flow through the plant and the current eight filters would not be enough to
manage that flow. Replacement of the media will assist preparations to maximize production during
peak demand during summer. Pastor asked and Thomison confirmed that Uniflt was the lowest
bidder. Motion by Pastor, seconded by Maserang to approve a contract with Uniflt Corporation,
from Ellwood City, PA for the replacement of 8 Lake Water Treatment Plant filter media (anthracite)
in the approximate amount of $78,199.99. Approved 6-0-1 (Cunningham absent)
G. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Task Order CDM -19-001 with CDM Smith
Inc. of Austin, Texas for professional services related to the South Lake Water Treatment Plant Intake
and Raw Waterline in the amount of $1,781,648.00. — Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering
Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager
Wright provided information on project. The plant will go in a location which the city recently
purchased in December. The city is proposing to build their own intake structure between Lake
Georgetown between Round Rock and Brushy Creek intake structures. Work needs to be done for
design as well as permitting with Corp of Engineers. Once permits are secured and design is
completed then city will go out for bid for plant construction. CDM is our principal hydraulics
engineer and the city feels they are the best candidates to complete this work. Maserang asked and
Wright explained that this request is for full design and environmental work necessary to construct
intake structure, and a raw waterline that will run from the intake structure to the proposed plant.
These funds do not cover engineering design of the physical plant. Pastor asked and Wright
explained source of water primarily comes from Lake Stillhouse and Lake Belton. Motion by Wiley,
seconded by Maserang to approve Task Order CDM -19-001 with CDM Smith Inc. of Austin, Texas
for professional services related to the South Lake Water Treatment Plant Intake and Raw Waterline
in the amount of $1,781,648.00. Approved 6-0-1 (Cunningham absent)
RETURNED TO ITEM "D" FOR DISCUSSION (no action taken) No further discussion.
Adjournment
ljalotion by Yaeger, seconded by Wiley to adjourn. Adjourned at 2:53 PM
Copelan - ice air Edward Wiley -- Secretary
Emily4Koonor Sheil Mitchell, Gi)5 Board Liaison