HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_08.09.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
August 9, 2019 at 2:OOPM
at Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, TX
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Board Members Present: Ed Pastor - Chair, John Copelan - Vice Chair, Edward Wiley -
Secretary, Mike Cunningham, Steve Fought, David Maserang, Arthur Yaeger
Board Members Absent: none
Staff Members Present: Jim Briggs, Mike Babin, Glenn Dishong, Wesley Wright, David
Thomison, Chris Foster, Michael Hallmark, Laurie Brewer, Sheila Mitchell, Cameron Currie,
Mickey Swatsell, Willie Tapia, Nathan Parras (joined at 2:02pm)
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 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
— None
Employee Recognition -
-- David Thomison recognized three of his department employees who achieved recent licenses:
Cameron Currie, Wastewater Treatment Technician Senior, received his Class A Wastewater
Treatment license. Mickey Swatsell, Water Treatment Technician Senior, received his Class A Water
license. Willie Tapia, Water Treatment Technician Senior, received his Class A Water license. Fought
asked and Thomison noted Class A is the highest level of license you can achieve. The Board
congratulated all of them on their accomplishments.
-- Briggs announced departure of Chris Foster as Manager of Resource Planning and Integration with
the city after 11 years, starting in the Finance department and moving over to the Utility. Today will
be his last day. Foster has done a great job, he has been an outstanding resource and will be sorely
missed. He will be a great asset to others. The Board and Briggs thanked Foster for his commitment
to the city.
-- Cunningham asked and Briggs confirmed his retirement is September 30th. He thanked Briggs for
his hard work and all the history of the city he has shared over the years. The Board wishes Briggs
well in his retirement.
-- Brigg's also announced Mike Babin's retirement at the end of August. This was Babin's first public
power utility endeavor, coming from investor -owned utilities. Babin has been in the industry for over
40 years and with the city for almost 6 years. He has brought a tremendous value to the utility. The
Board thanked Babin for his work and commitment to the city.
C. August 2019 GUS CIP Project Updates and June Council Actions — Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems
Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager
Wright noted reports in packets, gave brief updates on each and responded to a few questions on
projects from board members.
D. Industry / Council Updates
Briggs noted due to heat a lot of electricity is being used, which is good if you have electricity to sell;
it's been an interesting summer starting with cooler weather and now heat has set in. ERCOT is
seeing demands in 71K-73K MWH of demand in recent days, dipping close into the low end of
reserve margins set aside. Demands this summer have been later in the day than past summers. Once
schools start, load will increase some. Some discussion regarding Williams Drive interchange and the
NW Blvd bridge construction timelines. Regarding water, Region G is working on finalizing current
update of the State Water Plan, to be completed later in the fall, with final drafts to the Legislature in
the spring for next session. Briggs noted there are some unmet needs in Williamson County, which all
fall outside the water user group, however there has to be a strategy to deal with those needs. Some
additional discussion regarding water and reservoirs to be constructed around the State. Some
discussion regarding the Drought Contingency Plan. Dishong spoke on water resources, regarding
the sale of excess water to Blanchard; will go to Council later in August. Spoke on current water
usage and plant capacity triggers, over a 3-day period. Last Friday, August 2^d, we entered Stage 1 of
the plan due to the trigger reached (85%). We've implemented all steps of the plan with
communications on the website, social media, signage, etc. Next trigger is 90% for Stage 2, which will
go to 1 day watering. Enforcement process has begun. Dishong stated changes being made are
showing good results. Some discussion continued. Briggs updated board on the status of the GUS
Board. He thanked board for their willingness to continue to serve during this time. Council
continues to work through the process. Some work may continue to carry through past the
recruitment process terms. He spoke on possible restructuring of board, future requirements and
duties of the board(s) as discussed with Council. Pastor asked all to review video of July 9 Council
meeting and some discussion occurred regarding discussion of the board item during that council
meeting. Several board members stated they had already seen the video and did not wish to view at
this time. Board members asked if link could be resent to all and Mitchell agreed to resend. Some
discussion continued. Fought spoke regarding the great job the board has done with the mission they
have been assigned. Briggs stated there are misconceptions of the duties of the GUS Board and
reminded everyone the board not an autonomous board and is tasked as an advisory board and has
conducted business as such. No further discussion.
Legislative Regular Agenda.
The Board will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
E. 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 https://govemment.ggoMetown.or eorgetown-
utility-system-advisory-board-gust.
- No persons signed up to address the board.
F. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on
June 14 and July 12, 2019. — Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Minutes were considered for approval. No questions or revisions. Motion by Yaeger, seconded by
Maserang to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on June and July, 2019.
Approved 7-0-0
G. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a contract with Environmental
Improvements, Inc. for the capital upgrade of the Dove Springs wastewater treatment plant head
works fine screen in the approximate amount of $148,815.30. — David W. Thomison, Water Services
Manager
Thomison presented information on status of inspection of fine screen noting city staff conducted an
assessment of the condition of the head works fine screen and discovered there are multiple known
existing mechanical and structural issues with the unit which ultimately lead to the failure and
requiring manual cleaning. This screen is needed to remove untreatable debris from entering the
treatment plant and potentially causing blockages with internal treatment process equipment and
eliminating the potential entrance into the receiving stream if it makes it through the treatment
process. Wiley asked and staff responded the screen has worn out due to age, usage and nature of
debris coming through the treatment system. Cunningham asked and Thomison stated this pricing is
turnkey and Environmental Improvements, Inc, will handle entire job. Dishong reminded board this
project is a redesign and addresses the mechanical issue that failed. Motion by Copelan, seconded
by Maserang to approve a contract with Environmental Improvements, Inc. for the capital upgrade
of the Dove Springs wastewater treatment plant head works fine screen in the approximate amount
of $148,815.30. Approved 7-0-0
Adjournment
Motion by Fought, seconded by Wiley to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:OOPM
Ed Pastor - Chair
Ed Wiley - Secretar
Sheila K. Mite ll, GUS Board Liaison