HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_02.11.2011
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Friday ,
February 11, 2011.
Board Members Present:
Bill Sattler - Chair, Richard Lenning - Secretary, Fred Beach, Patty Eason, Stephen Quinn, Robert Young
Board Members Absent:
John Nett
Staff Present:
Jim Briggs, Glenn Dishong, Tom Benz, David Thomison, Chris Foster, Jimmy Sikes, Sheila Mitchell
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive Session at the request of the
Chair, a Board Member, the City Manager, 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.
CALL TO ORDER Called to order 2:02pm
I. STAFF BOARD COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
(This is a short informational time regarding items where specific actions are not requested or needed)
A. Introduction of Visitors - none
B. Project Progress Reports
Discussion: Benz stated updated reports are in packets. Benz reported the LWTP Phase
III bid opening will be held February 15th and per Council directive will proceed straight
forward to Council on February 22nd. An update will be provided to the Board at the
March meeting. Quinn noted prior request by the Board to begin providing budget
information on Project reports. Benz stated budget information will be added to reports
for March. Briggs requested an update to the Board on bid amounts that will be received
for the LWTP Phase II to compare to the CMAR that had previously been presented to
the Board. Benz stated information would be presented to Council on February 22nd and
he would provide an update to the Board as well.
C. Industry Updates
Discussion: Briggs discussed statewide power outages during recent cold weather,
impact on system load and available generation, curtailments to maintain frequency.
Briggs noted Jimmy Sikes oversaw our efforts during this time and our operations went
as planned; system operators did an outstanding job to maintain operations of larg e
customers, etc. Preparations leading up to rolling outages allowed system to be run in a
systematic way. Quinn asked and Briggs discussed how our system handled outages vs.
Austin's system. Sikes discussed the various circuits in the City; rotatio n of 10-12 circuits
from 6am - 1pm, making 3-4 rounds. Discussion continued regarding how our
procedures compare to other utilities during outages. Quinn asked and Sikes responded
from the initial notification is received, we had about 30 minutes to start dropping load.
Our process is to immediately drop load and then start our notifications. Briggs further
explained process of dropping loads, covering street intersections with police for traffic
control and safety and considerations for future occurrences. Briggs noted a visit by the
Williamson County Sun reporters to observe the System Control Center and outage
operations. Further discussion continued regarding LCRA involvement. Financial impact
from the outages will be determined once everything is assessed.
II. LEGISLATIVE REGULAR AGENDA:
(This is for specific action items considered by the Board – greater than $50,000 in value)
D. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the regular GUS Board meeting held
on January 14, 2011. -- Sheila Mitchell
Discussion: None
Action: Motion by Young, seconded by Lenning to approve the minutes from the regular
GUS Board meeting held on January 14, 2011.
Approved: 5-0-1-1 (Nett absent, Sattler abstain)
E. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the contract for the 2006 Annexation
Phase II to McLean Construction, Ltd., of Killeen, Texas in the amount of $1,312,998.40.
-- David Thomison/Tom Benz
Discussion: Benz stated this is the continuation of the 2006 Annexation Plan. There were
nineteen (19) plan holders and fifteen (15) bids were received. McLean was low bidder;
we have worked with them over the years and they do good quality work. Quinn asked
and Benz stated bid is Unit Price, as most of our project work is bid as unit price and we
have our full time inspectors on the projects. Briggs noted lump sum resulted in a lot of
change orders and drove cost up. Unit price has allowed us to get better pricing; plans
have to be good quality for bidding appropriately. Further discussion continued on
pros and cons of unit price vs. lump sum.
Action: Motion made by Young, seconded by Lenning to approve the contract for the
2006 Annexation Phase II to McLean Construction, Ltd., of Killeen, Texas in the
amount of $1,312,998.40.
Approved: 6-0-1 (Nett absent)
III. STRATEGIC ISSUES:
F. Discussion of the 2011 Texas Legislative Session. -- Jim Briggs
Discussion: Briggs noted largest issue is Open Meetings Act relating to competitive
issues. Senator Ogden filed a bill forcing certain items not be considered competitive
and creating more transparency. This will especially affect municipalities as related to
power supply contracts and negotiations. This action comes from an open records
request for financial information filed with Bryan Texas Utilities, which was held up
for a long period of time. Another issue dealt with the City of Austin discussing a
fully renewable resource program, which some felt should have been discussed in
open session. We feel there needs to be some level of proprietary consideration on
certain issues especially in our dual service provider area. We hold open house
meetings for the public as well as make information available to customers in their
utility bills. On other legislative matters, Briggs expects fees for water and sewer to
be tapped so taxes do not have to be affected. Sattler asked if there is anything as a
Board, can do during the session to help; Briggs noted there may be need for phone
calls to legislators, etc. to help protect rate payers. The Board will be notified if
assistance is needed.
Motion by Lenning, seconded by Beach, to enter into Executiv e Session and that Item G is a
competitive matter as provided under Section 551.086.
Approved 6-0-1 (Nett absent)
IV. RATES:
EXECUTIVE SESSION Called to order at 2:50pm
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
G. Discussion related to City of Georgetown Power Supply bids beyond 2016. -- Jim Briggs
REGULAR SESSION CALLED BACK TO ORDER Called to order at 3:28pm
H. Action from Executive Session.
None
Motion by Young, seconded by Quinn to adjourn. Approved 6-0-1 (Nett absent) Adjourned 3:29p.m.
ADJOURN
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 03:29 PM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Bill Sattler, Chair Richard Lenning, Secretary