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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes_GUS_04.17.2003 Minutes of the Meeting of the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board and the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, April 17, 2003 The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , April 17, 2003. Board Members Present: Sam Pfiester, John Gavurnik, Jack Hunnicutt, Kendall Young Board Members Absent: Ken Evans and Stanley Bland Staff Present: Jim Briggs, Paul Brandenburg, Glenn Dishong, Mike Mayben, Mark Miller, Micki Rundell, Laurie Brewer, Leticia Zavala, Joe Lara, Terri Calhoun, John Aldridge, Joel Weaver, Mike Stasny, Laura Wilkins, Amelia Sondgeroth Others Present: Marion Jones – Impact Fee Review Committee, Doug Smith – incoming Board member, Kerry Russell – Legal Counsel, Kate Alexander – Austin American Statesman Minutes Regular Meeting Call to Order at 02:00 PM Meeting called to order at 2:01 by Sam Pfiester Kendall Young addressed the group to thank Sam Pfiester (out-going board member) for his service to the board. Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene an Executive Session at the request of the President, a Board Member, the Assistant City Manager, 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. A. Review and possible approval of the minutes from the regular meeting, held March 27, 2003. Also notes provided from the Impact Fee Review Committee meetings held on March 24, 2003 and April 11, 2003. DISCUSSION: NONE ACTION: Motion by Gavurnik, second by Hunnicutt to approve the minutes as presented. Approved 5-0 (Bland and Evans absent) B. Review and possible recommendation of drainage solutions for Brangus Road engineering by Roming, Parker & Kasberg. DISCUSSION: Briggs explained the issues related to the drainage in this area. St aff has reviewed the issues and has studied options for resolving the issues. Water coming from Corporate limits (Serenada) into this area (in the County). Because the City has annexed the portion of Serenada where the water comes from, it is the City’s duty to correct the problem. Aldridge pointed out the area on the map. Briggs and Aldridge explained the impacts to the people down stream from the annexed area. Gavurnik asked about State law concerning these issues. Pond belongs to the City but only slows the water – doesn’t really detain water correctly. Question from Hunnicutt if the pond increased the problem. Answered by Briggs and Aldridge – that it actually helped somewhat as the developer exceeded the requirements for holding. Customer says that his yard used to flood – but it floods more now. Customer’s house slab is close to level of 100-year flood plain. Water currently gets next to the house during (10 year flood water – 25 year takes in corner of his house.) Young stated that the focus of the study should be to determine what obligation the City should have – if any. Hunnicutt asked what legal obligation the City has. Briggs stated he would refer that question to the City attorney for interpretation. ACTION: Motion by Hunnicutt, second by Young that the staff shall ask for a legal opinion of this situation. Approved 5-0 (Bland and Evans absent) C. Review and possible recommendation regarding the possible transfer of a portion of the City's Water CCN to the City of Round Rock. DISCUSSION: Briggs explained Round Rock ’s request to possibly exchange CCN’s area near the County Park and results of staff evaluation. Kerry Russell explained some options for how connections are calculated. Various questions about the pro’s and con’s of exchanging, selling, etc. Russell explained that original CCN was drawn to make the Alliance water available and eventually network all the area systems. Most viable and cost effective option may be to exchange areas between Round Rock and Georgetown. Various discussion followed. Hunnicutt stated we should wait to see what offer Round Rock will make before making a recommendation. ACTION: NONE D. Discussion and possible recommendation regarding Serenada Wastewater Service. DISCUSSION: Briggs introduced Marion Jones from the Serenada Subdivision. Briggs discussed Serenada’s need for wastewater service and the options the City has used in the past to provide service to areas that needed water/wastewater. Briggs explained several ways to provide service to the area. Jones addressed the Board and gave his background in the engineering field. Asked to provide a proposed plan (in phases) to provide services. Has concerns about the entire area being over the aquifer and the problems that could occur with the aquifer with all the septic systems in the area. Asked the Board to reconsider putting a plan together to provide service. Dishong explained what we believe will happen in the area. Pfiester asked if staff can come up with a phased plan. Answered by Briggs that yes we can. Vacuum system probably the most cost effective. Pfiester says that the question really is “who pays and how much?” - agrees with Mr. Jones that there will be a problem with the aquifer later on if wastewater is not put in. Young thinks we need to take care of the wastewater problem as he agrees there will be a problem down the road if we don’t. Gavurnik asked Kerry Russell if there are any grants from the Federal Government or financing options. Russell answered that City of Liberty Hill is facing this issue currently - there are grants – but not much money is available at this time. Gavurnik suggested that the City look into how to possibly finance this. Brown feels that we should work through other entities so that this will not seem threatening to the subdivision that the City is “coming in and taking over” through annexation, etc. Briggs says we could roll this item into discussions in the Williamson County Regional Wastewater Alliance and allow the Alliance to take the lead. Russell asked Jones to get a list of two or three residents that would be willing to work with the Alliance regarding this issue. Jones agreed to do this. ACTION: NONE E. Review and possible recommendation of the Capital Improvement Projects Plan for 2003/2004. DISCUSSION: Dishong went through the Water Capital projects by item. Several general questions – answered by Dishong and Briggs. Dishong went through the Wastewater Capital projects by item. General questions – answered by Rundell and Dishong. Pfiester asked if any board members had questions regarding Transportation. No questions raised. Stormwater – Briggs brought up the Brangus Road project – staff will revise based on today’s conversation. Miller went through the remaining projects by item. General funding questions – answered by Rundell. ACTION: Motion by Gavurnik, second by Young that the Board recommend to Council the FY 2003/04 CIP projects for Council approval (with the exception of Brangus Road project – which will be revised) Approved 4-0 (Bland and Evans absent – Brown had left the meeting prior to this item) BOARD MOVED TO ITEM “G” AT THIS TIME EXECUTIVE SESSION: Called to order at 4:53 p.m. In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes, Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session that follows. F. Sec.551.086 competitive matters The GUS Board will go into Executive Session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to discuss matters or take action on a “competitive matter” of the Energy Services Department as provided under Section 551.086. Review and possible recommendation related to the Electric Capital Improvement Projects Plan for 2003/2004. Executive Session to Adjourn: Adjourned at 4:59 p.m. ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Gavurnik, second by Hunnicutt that the Board recommend to Council the FY 2003/04 Electric CIP projects for Council approval. Approved 4-0 (Bland and Evans absent – Brown had left the meeting prior to this item) G. Project review and updates: (including but not limited to items listed). DISCUSSION: Weaver gave update on all the projects in progress. ACTION: NONE Briggs gave update on Simon Project. Utility infrastructure will keep us busy through the next 18 to 20 months. Board went into Executive Session at this time ITEM “F” 1. Subsequent User Fees DISCUSSION: DEFERRED TO THE NEXT MEETING ACTION: Motion to Adjourn: Motion by Gavurnik, second by Hunnicutt to adjourn the meeting. Meeting Adjourned at 5:07 p.m. THESE MINUTES APPROVED AT THE MAY 20, 2003 GUS BOARD MEETING Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM. Approved : Attest: _______________________ ________________________ Board Member Name Secretary