HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_05.13.2011
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Friday , May
13, 2011.
Board Members Present:
John Nett - Chair, Robert Young - Vice Chair, Fred Beach - Secretary, Brian Lindsey, Bill Sattler, Arthur
Yaeger, Patty Eason (joined at 2:04pm)
Board Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Jim Briggs, Glenn Dishong, Michael Hallmark, Lori Lankford, Terri Calhoun, La'Mar Kemp, Chris
Foster, Paul Elkins, Jimmy Sikes, Tom Benz, Sheila Mitchell
OTHERS PRESENT: Ryan Lewis/Halff Associ ates, John Avery, Jr./PDC Land & Cattle, Ltd.
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 2:02PM
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 -- Ryan Lewis/Halff Associates, John Avery, Jr./PDC Land & Cattle
B. Project Progress Reports
Discussion: None
Questions: None
-- Conservation Fund
Discussion: Dishong provided update on collection of fund; with approximately
$85,000.00 collected to date, which began in January. The fund has not been
utilized for projects as of this time. Plans will be put into place after the new director
begins. Briggs noted Kathy Ragsdale of the Utility Billing Department will be the new
Conservation Director and will provide updates at future meetings.
Questions: None
-- Council Actions
Discussion: Dishong noted no items were taken to Council from the last meeting.
C. Industry Updates
Discussion: Briggs reported on ERCOT update re: issues in the South zone with caps
on pricing which were not in place. Safeguards are now being put into place. Briggs
discussed situation with natural gas prices.
Questions: None
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 April 8, 2011. -- Sheila Mitchell
Discussion: Make correction on 'Beach' instead of 'Beached' page 3, item F. Mitchell will
make correction to minutes.
Action: Motion by Young, seconded by Yaeger to approve the minutes from the regular
GUS Board meeting held on April 8, 2011, with the requested correction.
Approved: 7-0-0
E. Consideration and possible recommendation to authorize the purchase of a 20' permanent
wastewater utility easement (Parcels A17 Part 2, 3 and 4), a 20' permanent water line utility
easement (Parcels A17 and A46), and 25' temporary construction easements adjacent thereto
from Howard Neal Landry in the total amount of $59,895.00, plus closin g costs estimated not
to exceed $2,500.00, in connection with the 2006 Annexation Utility Improvements Project.
– Terri Glasby Calhoun / Glenn W. Dishong
Discussion: Calhoun provided update noting we are nearing the last of the easement
acquisitions for the 2006 Annexation Project. Settlement was made on easement. Nett
asked and Calhoun stated value is in line with other properties in same area. Sattler
asked and Calhoun stated this is a one-time payment for easement rights.
Action: Motion by Sattler, seconded by Young to approve to authorize the purchase of
a 20' permanent wastewater utility easement (Parcels A17 Part 2, 3 and 4), a 20'
permanent water line utility easement (Parcels A17 and A46), and 25' temporary
construction easements adjacent thereto from Howard Neal Landry in the total amount
of $59,895.00, plus closing costs estimated not to exceed $2,500.00, in connection with the
2006 Annexation Utility Improvements Project.
Approved: 7-0-0
F. Discussion and possible recommendation to execute an Offsite Utility Construction Cost
Sharing Agreement with PDC Land and Cattle, Ltd. regarding the Wheeler Tract in the amount
of $52,524.00. -- Glenn W. Dishong
Discussion: Dishong explained location of Wheeler tract noting the service plan includes
providing service for water and wastewater to the property per agreement in 2006
Annexation Project. The developer wanted to add additional capacity for wastewater,
therefore this provides for the agreement for the developer to pay for the up-sizing. The
City will construct the project and developer will reimburse through escrowed funds.
Sattler asked and Avery stated they are in agreement. Nett asked and Dishong answered
construction will be based off cost estimate provided by Pate Engineers.
Action: Motion by Sattler, seconded by Beach to approve an Offsite Utility Construction
Cost Sharing Agreement with PDC Land and Cattle, Ltd. regarding the Wheeler Tract in
the amount of $52,524.00.
Approved: 7-0-0
G. Consideration and possible recommendation to reimburse Chisholm Trail Special Utility
District for North Lake Georgetown Pump Station costs related to site improvements at the Lake
Georgetown Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $56,544.41. -- Glenn W. Dishong
Discussion: Dishong explained project for Chisholm Trail's construction of its high
service pump station at the Lake Plant to draw from the clearwells and pump into their
system directly. This agreement provides for joint site piping. This agreement allows us
to reconcile with CTSUD for our percentage of the piping; will be done quarterly as
invoiced. Sattler asked questions pertaining to budget and total project costs; Dishong,
Lankford and Briggs responded to each for clarification.
Action: Motion by Beach, seconded by Yaeger to approve to reimburse Chisholm Trail
Special Utility District for North Lake Georgetown Pump Station costs related to site
improvements at the Lake Georgetown Water Treatment Plant in the amount
of $56,544.41.
Approved: 7-0-0
H. Presentation and possible recommendation of the 2011-2012 Georgetown Utility Systems
Capital Improvement Plan. -- Glenn W. Dishong
Discussion: Dishong presented PowerPoint presentation. Yaeger inquired and
Dishong/Briggs stated current population is 48,000, with estimated 3 -4% growth per
year. Sattler asked and Dishong responded in regards to bond issues and cash balances.
Sattler asked and Dishong responded on the status of the Northern Lands project.
Dishong noted the confidential Energy Services presentation will be discussed in
Executive Session. Beach asked and Dishong, Briggs and Sikes responded for clarification
of which substations are owned by the City and which are LCRA owned. Sattler asked
and Dishong responded to growth and any additional feeds needed; will be handled
during the Somerset development as well as Shell Road area in future. Beach asked and
Dishong responded to Smart Meter expenses funded in previous year.
Action: Board chose to reserve action on item until after confidential Energy Services
presentation in Executive Session.
Motion by Sattler, seconded by Young to enter into Executive Session and that Item I is a competitive
matter as provided under Section 551.086.
Approved: 7-0-0
III. RATES:
EXECUTIVE SESSION Called to order at 2:47pm
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
I. Presentation and possible recommendation of the 2011 -2012 Georgetown Utility Systems
Electric Capital Improvement Plan. -- Glenn W. Dishong
Motion by Beach, seconded by Eason to return to Regular Session. Approved: 7 -0-0
RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION at 3:04pm
J. Action from Executive Session.
Discussion: None
Action: Motion by Young, seconded by Yaeger to approve the 2011 -2012 Georgetown
Utility Systems Water, Wastewater and Electric Capital Improvement Plan.
Approved: 7-0-0
IV. STRATEGIC ISSUES:
K. Discussion of the 2011 Texas Legislative Session. -- Jim Briggs
Discussion: Briggs provided and update on the Ogden bill introduced regarding
competitive matters and the Open Meetings Act. He also discussed the bill dealing
with PUC and CCN issues regarding transmission or substation work outside the
utility; bill filed by Hildebrand -- if approved it will affect how we handle facilities
outside the City limits.
L. Discussion and update related to current 2011 drought conditions. -- Glenn W. Dishong
Discussion: Dishong provided update on drought conditions; same presentation
given at the May 10th Council meeting. Beach asked and Dishong responded the
boat ramps at Lake Georgetown are dry around 15 ft below normal. We are currently
in drought Stage 1 as of May 1st, conservation rates are in effect, Aqu a Messenger
alerts are available with about 400 customers currently signed up; and an additional
175 customers would like to sign up but daily readings are not coming in. Beach asked
and Dishong responded stating roll out of Phase 1 of the Water/Elec tric Smart meters
will begin in August/September. Dishong stated some random testing has been done
already and meters are accurate. Beach asked and Dishong stated there will be two
phases; first phase approximately 1200 meters covering the south west area off
Leander Road, with the second phase beginning around November/December that will
cover the rest of the City with an expected completion of June 2012. Beach asked and
Dishong responded extra revenue collected this summer from water usage goes into
the capital fund to cover expenses and pay off projects such as the LWTP expansion,
with proposed funds going into the conservation fund.
ADJOURN
Motion by Beach, seconded by Lindsay to adjourn. Approved 7-0-0. Meeting was adjourned at 3:40PM.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 03:40 PM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
John Nett -- Chair Fred Beach - Secretary