HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_11.08.2019Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
November 8, 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 (Arrived at 2:01pm)
Board Members Absent: Arthur Yaeger
Staff Members Present: Daniel Bethapudi, Glenn Dishong, Wesley Wright, Leticia Zavala, Mike
Maldonado, James Foutz, Laurie Brewer, Sheila Mitchell, David Morgan (arrived at 2:01pm),
Chelsea Solomon (arrived at 2:03pm)
Others Present: Allan Woelke/CDM
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
— Allan Woelke, CDM Smith
Employee Recognition -
-- None submitted at time of posting
C. November 2019 GUS CIP Project Updates and October Council Actions — Wesley Wright, P.E.,
Systems Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager
Wright noted reports in packets, gave brief updates on each. No questions.
D. Electric Utility Update — Daniel Bethapudi, Electric General Manager
Bethapudi gave update on hot weather nearing end. They are working on the QSE Contract.
Cunningham asked and Bethapudi responded his primary objective is for the electric fund to be
balanced and to provide reliable service at competitive rates. Morgan stated we plan to sell debt this
spring. Morgan noted updates on board structure and Council directive; continuing to work through
process. Possible update at next meeting.
E. Water Utility Update — Glenn W. Dishong, Water Utilities Director
Dishong spoke on new information/format regarding these updates. He touched on regulatory
updates: Lt. Governor issued a charge to the Senate to look at water topics, groundwater, etc.; broad
charge, no specific details as of yet. City held first Water Summit last month and had a nice turn out.
Pastor commended staff on Summit, Woelke on his presentation, great information was presented.
We plan to hold an Annual Summit. Dishong gave brief update on attending the Bell County Water
Symposium. New Braunfels Utilities broke ground on an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program;
there are not a lot of examples of use in Texas. Cunningham stated been doing in El Paso for a long
time, with some discussion following. TCEQ approved permit renewal of Pecan Branch; there were
some concerns from people regarding our discharge. Have been working on resolving an inspection
issue at San Gabriel Plant. Water Financials will be presented at future meeting. Zavala commented
on customer growth and provided current customer counts; 77% come in on AMI system. Internal
reorganization now has Metering Services under Customer Care Department, effective October 1-t.
Maldonado is Metering Services Manager. Transitioning Administrative support into Customer Care.
We are working on plans for building remodel which will change reception and utility cashier areas
at front of building and provide more secure areas for employees; to be approved by Council. Gave
update on UMAX Project. Billing accuracy is over 99% accurate; 1% to clean up from system designs.
Overall process is much better than when released a year ago. Copelan asked and Zavala responded
regarding his question if AquaAlert would be mandatory to customers. Western District meters are
being integrated over time. Dishong spoke about winter production levels, down from peak of
summer. Round Rock Interconnect not in use now due to low production. Stillhouse Lake
transferring water to Georgetown. Dishong gave some updates on staffing due to reorganization. We
issued 367 meters in October. Need to look at when plant capacity is being brought online; if
increases are still the norm? Dishong noted Electric staff housed at Westside Service Center will be
moving back to the GMC building and Water staff at GMC will be moving out to Westside, along
with himself. We will try the new arrangement and see how things work. Piloting new membranes
for Lake Water Treatment Plant, as parts are no longer available due to age. Copelan asked and
Dishong responded about goals for amount of water each resident can use; focusing on new lots to
meet goals not necessarily expecting current users to make all the changes. Morgan spoke on new
housing starts and growth as a response to Copelan's concerns about water resources and
conservation. Cunningham commented and Morgan spoke on bond issues. Dishong asked for
feedback on information/format presented today and Board feels information is appropriate and
informative.
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 h1!ps://goyernment.P-epm wn.prZ geqMetown-
utility-system-advisory-board-Sum.
- No persons signed up to address the board.
G. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on
October 11, 2019. — Sheila K. Mitchell, GUS Board Liaison
Minutes were considered for approval. No questions or revisions. Motion by Copelan, seconded by
Pastor to approve the minutes from the Regular GUS Board meeting held on October 11, 2019.
Approved 5-0-1 (Yaeger absent)
H. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a Second Renewal with Wesco Distribution,
Inc. to provide Honeywell electric meters and related items for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure
system in an amount not to exceed $420,000. — Mike Maldonado, Metering Manager/Leticia Zavala,
Customer Care Director
Maldonado presented item stating our meters are purchased from Wesco. This was a 2017 contract
with (4) 1 year renewal options and he gave update on May council approval. Staff would like to
wave limit and accept new pricing. Cunningham asked where Wesco/Honeywell products are
manufactured and Dishong provided background history of Honeywell, Elster, etc. to update board.
Dishong commented on former lead time delays, etc. Cunningham asked and Zavala responded on
how costsibills will be impacted for customers. Morgan spoke about future plans for handling high
demand times. Motion by Wiley, seconded by Cunningham to approve a Second Renewal with
Wesco Distribution, Inc. to provide Honeywell electric meters and related items for the Advanced
Metering Infrastructure system in an amount not to exceed $420,000. Approved 5-0-1 (Yaeger absent)
I. Consideration and possible recommendation to execute Task Order No. CDM-19-006-TO with CDM
Smith, Inc. and to execute an Inter -local Agreement between the City of Georgetown and the Brazos
River Authority for the sharing of costs of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Assessment
Project in the amount of $165,000.00. — Glenn W. Dishong, Water Utilities Director
Dishong presented item, noting there were two contracts presented for consideration. Task Order
CDM-19-006 carries out identifying a location suitable for ASR project. Gave additional details;
possible location eastern Williamson County. Cunningham feels it is coming so should get on board
with this process and prepare. Wiley asked and Dishong responded there is currently no control in
Williamson County; possibility for a groundwater conservation district. Some further discussion.
Motion by Wiley, seconded by Cunningham to execute Task Order No. CDM-19-006-TO with CDM
Smith, Inc. and to execute an Inter -local Agreement between the City of Georgetown and the Brazos
River Authority for the sharing of costs of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Assessment
Project in the amount of $165,000.00. Approved 5-0-1 (Yaeger absent)
Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Task Order CDM-20-001-TO with CDM
Smith, Inc., for American Water Infrastructure Act Risk and Resilience Evaluation in the amount of
$150,000.00. — Glenn W. Dishong, Water Utilities Director
Dishong explained the law now requires every utility of a certain size to take on a risk and resilience
evaluation to determine weaknesses and improvements for less risk. A Vulnerability assessment, for
malevolent acts, was done after 9-11; this evaluation will be much broader. Woelke provided
additional details noting requirements due to EPA by March 2020 and follow ups within 6 months.
Motion by Cunningham, seconded by Wiley to approve Task Order CDM-20-001-TO with CDM
Smith, Inc., for American Water Infrastructure Act Risk and Resilience Evaluation in the amount of
$150,000.00. Approved 5-0-1 (Yaeger absent)
Adjournment
Motion by Fought, seconded by Copelan to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 2:54PM
Ed Pastor - Chair Ed Wiley - Secretary
Sheila K. Mitch lI, GUS Board Liaison