HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_03.08.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
March 8, 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 808 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Georgetown, TX 78626 for additional information: TTY
users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Board Members Present: Ed Pastor — Chair, Mike Cunningham, John Copelan, Steve Fought,
David Maserang, Edward Wiley, Arthur Yaeger
Board Members Absent: None
Staff Members Present: Jim Briggs, Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong, Wesley Wright, Leticia Zavala,
Michael Hallmark, David Thomison, Mike Welch, Cindy Pospisil, Cheryl Wright, Sheila
Mitchell, Leigh Wallace, Jonathan Hicks, Laurie Brewer (joined at 2:05pm), David Morgan
(joined at 2:05pm)
Others Present: Eric Nelson and John Lindner/Walker Partners
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 2:00p.m.
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 —
Wes Wright introduced Eric Nelson and John Lindner of Walker Partner. Mitchell stated Cheryl
Wright, Senior Buyer Purchasing Department, new employee with the city was in attendance.
Employee Recognition
-- Welch introduced Jonathan Hicks achieving his Class A Wastewater license. Has been with the city
for 13 years with 15 total years of experience. Thomison also commented on Hicks multifaceted
contributions to the city. Hicks would like to earn his Class A Water license next. Board congratulated
Hicks on his achievement.
C. Review Board/Meeting Procedures — Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Mitchell provided documents for board review and reference. Reviewed Attendance policy, Quorum
requirements, reminded board to sign in at each meeting, reserved parking for each meeting, and
reminder of Attorney General online trainings; all members are current on their trainings. Maserang
asked about make up of board regarding residency and Briggs clarified GUS members include those
within the city, the ETJ and Western District (previously Chisholm Trail).
D. March 2019 GUS CIP Project Updates and February Council Actions — Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems
Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager
Wright noted reports in packets and gave brief updates on each. Wright spoke about Zebra mussels
and their encounters while working on the intake pump station improvements at the Lake Water
Treatment plant. Some questions with responses from staff regarding the chemicals to be used in the
plant to treat the zebra mussels and prevent rapid infestation. Copelan asked and Wright responded
removal of old Sun City tank will be bid out and brought to board at a later date; possibly late
summer/early fall. Maserang asked about toxicity data on chemical injection for the intake structure.
Fought suggested to include that information on future project update report for Council updates.
Brewer and Morgan will determine how to provide information to the Council. Pastor asked about an
impact on city regarding gas leak. Wright stated our safety coordinators and line locators have been
doing some additional work for locates prior to digging. Dishong stated some extra disconnects and
connects on electric. No further discussion.
Dishong departed meeting at 2:15pm. Thomison and Welch stepped out of meeting at 2:15pm; returned
at 2:17pm.
E. Industry Updates
Briggs spoke on the Legislature meeting on various bills but noting substantial regarding utilities. He
mentioned a proposed bill that would require water utilities of certain schools to replace any service
lines which are lead. He noted they're still working through the proposed bill; no action taken. He
stated our water is lead tested and no issues. Briggs updated Board on their extension of term times
per Council request; board currently asked to remain for a couple more months. This will allow
Council to review and make recommendations on composition and overall membership of the board,
as well as review the management assessment of processes and organization and governance
associated with the Electric Utility. Briggs thanked all the board members for agreeing to stay on and
some extend their terms during this process. Briggs spoke on the Electric FAQ page on the Utility
website; board was shown how to locate the page and check for updates. Wiley commented on the
information and appreciated staff showing where it could be found. Some conversation continued
regarding the electric fund. Morgan spoke on the purchased power agreements and updates being
shared with the public to clarify details and noted future updates will continue to be shared as
strategies are developed.
Morgan stepped out at 2:30pm and returned at 2:46pm.
Legislative Regular Agenda.
The Board will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
F. Public Wishing to Address the Board
On a subject that is posted on this agenda: Please fill out a speaker registration form which can be found on the
table at the entrance to the Board Meeting. Clearly print your name and the letter of the item on which you wish
to speak and present it to the Staff Liaison, prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called forward to
speak when the Board considers that item. Only persons who have delivered the speaker form prior to the
meeting being called to order may speak.
On a subject not posted on the agenda: Persons may add an item to a future Regular scheduled Board agenda
by filing a written request with the Staff Liaison no later than one week prior to the Board meeting. The
request must include the speaker's name and the specific topic to be addressed with sufficient information to
inform the board and the public. Only those persons who have submitted a timely request will be allowed to
speak. For Board Liaison contact information, please logon to htt s:l! overnment. eor etowa.or eor etown-
utilit -s stem -advisor -board- usl.
- No persons signed up to address the board.
G. Nominations and election of Vice -Chair of the GUS Board. — Ed Pastor, GUS Board Chair
Copelan asked term specifications of new officers. Briggs stated officers will fill positions while
Council continues through review process. If composition of board changes after Council
determination, officer positions will be re-elected and filled as needed. Cunningham nominated
Copelan. No other nominations. Copelan accepted nomination. Motion by Cunningham seconded
by Wiley to elect Copelan as Vice -Chair of the GUS Board. Approved 7-0-0
H. Nominations and election of Secretary of the GUS Board. — Ed Pastor, GUS Board Chair
No nominations made. Wiley volunteered for position as he has been serving per his last term.
Motion by Cunningham seconded by Pastor to elect Wiley as Secretary of the GUS Board.
Approved 7-0-0
I. Review and possible action related to the Day and Time of the GUS Board Meetings. — Ed Pastor,
GUS Board Chair
Board stated they were in agreement on current Day and Time of meeting as presented; second
Friday of each month. Motion by Wiley seconded by Pastor to approved the Day and Time of the
GUS Board meetings as presented. Approved 7-0-0
Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on
February 8, 2019. — Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Minutes were considered for approval. No questions or revisions. Motion by Copelan, seconded by
Maserang to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on February 8, 2019.
Approved 7-0-0
K. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve issuance of a Purchase Order for utility bill
printing and mailing services through 2/21/20 to Dataprose LLC pursuant to a piggyback clause in an
agreement with the City of Plano at an annual cost of $249,480.00. — Leticia Zavala, CGFO Customer
Care Director
Zavala explained services provided through Dataprose, stating this is an annual renewal of their
contract. Cunningham asked and Zavala stated same agreement as previous year. Motion by Wiley
seconded by Maserang to approve issuance of a Purchase Order for utility bill printing and mailing
services through 2/21/20 to Dataprose LLC pursuant to a piggyback clause in an agreement with the
City of Plano in an annual cost of $249,480.00. Approved 7-0-0
L. Consideration and possible recommendation to award a bid for Park Water Treatment Plant
backwash controls to Control Panels USA of Austin, Texas in the approximate amount of $190,000.00.
— David W. Thomison, Water Services Manager
Thomison explained location of plant and presented pictures of outdated controls to be replaced;
these were originally installed in 1987. Employee safety is also of concern. Ordering of new parts will
take approximately 8 weeks; 30-45 days to complete upgrade. Motion by Cunningham, seconded by
Wiley to award a bid for Park Water Treatment Plant backwash controls to Control Panels USA of
Austin, Texas in the approximate amount of $190,000.00. Approved 7-0-0
Welch and Thomison departed meeting at 2:44pm.
M. Consideration and possible recommendation on the First Amendment to Task Order WPL-18-001 to
Walker Partners of Austin, Texas in the amount of $556,068.00 for professional engineering services
related to the Berry Creek Interceptor. — Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Wright gave location and update on project for alignment related to Berry Creek Interceptor.
Williamson County Commissioner's court did not approve line going through Berry Springs Park,
therefore a new alignment had to be determined. The task order amendment is to start over the
process of survey, environmental, geotech and engineering work to be done regarding the new route.
Wright noted this project is part of the Master Plan and this area continues to be marketed for
development. Cunningham asked and Wright responded there is no current developer agreement for
this area. Pastor asked and Wright noted engineering costs can be recovered through impact fees and
rates. Wright noted Walker Partners did original engineering. Briggs spoke on relocation of line and
making sure not to impact the life/functionality of the springs. Motion by Cunningham, seconded
by Copelan to approve the First Amendment to Task Order WPL-18-001 to Walker Partners of
Austin, Texas in the amount of $556,068.00 for professional engineering services related to the Berry
Creek Interceptor. Approved 7-0-0
N. Consideration and possible recommendation on an Interlocal Agreement with Williamson County for
waterline improvements related to the Seward Junction (CR 259 and CR 266) roadway project. —
Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Wright gave location and background of Seward Junction waterline project, outside the ETJ, in the
Western District. County is removing 2" line and replacing with 8"; we propose to increase to 12" as
called for in the Master Plan and pay for upgrade as well as a small area of ROW. Motion by
Cunningham, seconded by Maserang to approve an Interlocal Agreement with Williamson County
for waterline improvements related to the Seward Junction (CR 259 and CR 266) roadway project.
Approved 7-0-0
Cunningham asked additional question on timeline of Berry Creek Interceptor (item M) as to when new
plans will be ready. Lindner noted preliminary approximately October and final plans February 2020.
Total project cost is estimated at 20-25 million dollars.
Maserang asked about overall yearly capital improvement -project budget and Wright commented the
years vary from 20-50 million; 5 year plan approximately 200-250 million, including transportation
projects. Wiley said he wondered what the news media would say based on the volume of projects and
budget we manage and what a good job we do for the services we provide. Fought commented on
customer's value received for services provided, noting cost of living is low in our area. Georgetown is a
good place to live.
Wallace departed meeting at 2:56pm.
Adjournment
Motion by Copelan, seconded by Wiley to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:01PM
Ed Pastor - Chair
Ed Wiley - Secretar
Sheila K. Mi the 1, GUS B and Liaison