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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_04.08.2011 Minutes of the Meeting of the Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board and the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Friday, April 8, 2011 The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Friday , April 8, 2011. Board Members Present: John Nett - Chair, Robert Young - Vice Chair, Fred Beach - Secretary, Brian Lindsey, Bill Sattler, Arthur Yaeger, Eason (joined at 2:07pm) Board Members Absent: Staff Present: Jim Briggs, Glenn Dishong, Tom Benz, Chris Foster, David Thomison, Trina Bickford, Sheila Mitchell OTHERS PRESENT: Rick Brooks/HDR, Robert Gadbois, Bill Riley and Dean Sharp/Water Resources Management 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 at 2:01pm 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 - Rick Brooks/HDR B. Project Progress Reports Discussion: Benz noted reports in packets. Transformer delivered this week for Rivery Substation and was set in place; testing is being do ne. All other projects are on schedule. Dishong noted this is first of 2 transformers; the next one will be at Glasscock Substation. Sattler asked and Benz/Briggs responded to clarify a question on the map for the Rivery Project report. -- Council Actions C. Industry Updates Discussion: Briggs noted nothing new to report. Legislative update will be covered later on the agenda. Sattler asked and Briggs followed with discussion in regards to the process a business would have to follow if they wanted to buy into a renewable energy and have that power directed back to their facility? 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 March 11, 2011. -- Sheila Mitchell Discussion: None Action: Motion by Young, seconded by Sattler to approve the minutes from the regular GUS Board meeting held on March 11, 2011. Approved: 7-0-0 E. Discussion and possible recommendation to approve Task Order WRM 11 -001 with Water Resources Management, L.P., for Lake Water Treatment Plant Phase III Expansion Resident Project Representative Services, in an amount not to exceed $240,000.00. -- Tom Benz/Glenn Dishong Discussion: Benz stated this Task Order is for professional services to manage the LWTP expansion project. These services will supplement city project management and inspection staff. Water Resources Management (WRM) has proposed to provide Resident Project Representative Services on the construction and has provided this service on various projects throughout Texas. Young asked and Benz responded city staff w ill work with WRM, when available, to help reduce the costs of the consultant services. Beach asked and Briggs responded this service fits into the project budget as a cost savings, coming from the Capital Improvement Budget. Beach further asked and Briggs noted we originally planned for this expense as CMAR, with a portion of the costs assigned to this project, however, Council chose to have the project bid out and the savings from that process would be utilized for WRM services, as on-site construction management is still needed. Yaeger asked and Briggs provided background and update on total cost for this project. Sattler asked and Gadbois responded WRM has not worked with Cunningham in the past. Sattler asked and Briggs responded Cunningham has asked for on-site project management and inspection, however he was not certain if they was aware of WRM's proposal. Briggs noted service is needed and will assist us by allowing our inspectors to manage current load of projects and allow this project to continue in an expeditious manner. Dishong noted there will be multiple construction projects going on by multiple contractors at one time so will allow for over-site of all work on the project. Further discussion continued. Action: Motion by Young, seconded by Beach to approve Task Order WRM 11 -001 with Water Resources Management, L.P., for Lake Water Treatment Plant Phase III Expansion Resident Project Representative Services, in an amount not to exceed $240,000.00. Approved: 7-0-0 III. STRATEGIC ISSUES: F. Discussion of the 2011 Texas Legislative Session. -- Jim Briggs Discussion: Briggs discussed Legislative Tracker report he handed out at the meeting. Briggs discussed the shift on the Ogden bill in regards to competitive issues in Open Meetings. Briggs also discussed other issues such as solar on residential roofs prohibited in most HOA's in deed restrictions and issues with school districts budgets an d funding. Yaeger inquired and Briggs/Beach responded with percentages of approximate fuel mix in the state of Texas. Further discussion continued. Sattler asked and Briggs responded there was not anything the Board needed to address legislators for at this time. Briggs noted there was no new updates on water or transportation. Beach requested to add an agenda item for the next meeting for an update on the $1.00 fee added to customer utility bills for the renewable project fund. He would like for the Board to have an update on the status of the fund and what the plans are for utilization of funds. Briggs noted we will add to the next agenda. Briggs announced this year marks the 100-year anniversary of the utility. He presented logo'd T-shirts to Board members noting we would have a booth at the Red Poppy Festival as well as other events throughout the year. He noted this is also the 100-year anniversary of the Williamson County Courthouse and we hope to join together with them for an event in November. Beach requested to add an additional agenda item to discuss plans/actions the City is taking, prior to summer, for handling water issues, due to the lack of rainfall. Eason/Briggs noted conservation rates automatically go into effect in May. Beach asked to consider what projects we will have going on in June/July that might be affected. Briggs noted the lake is dropping about 1/10th ft/day. Eason stated it has been reported we are in area of extreme drought. Briggs stated Dishong can provide a status update at the next meeting regarding the pumps and pipeline at Stillhouse Hollow Lake. No further discussion. Motion by Beach, seconded by Sattler to adjourn meeting. Approved 7-0-0 Meeting adjourned at 2:39 PM ADJOURN Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 02:39 PM. Approved : Attest: _______________________ ________________________ John Nett - Chair Fred Beach - Secretary