HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GUS_02.10.2012
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Georgetown Utility System Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Friday ,
February 10, 2012.
Board Members Present:
John Nett - Chair, Robert Young - Vice Chair, Fred Beach - Secretary, Patty Eason, Bill Sattler, Arthur
Yaeger
Board Members Absent:
Brian Lindsey
Staff Present:
Jim Briggs, Glenn Dishong, David Munk, Michael Hallmark, Jimmy Sikes, Mike Stasny, Micki Rundell,
Chris Foster, Trina Bickford, Kathy Ragsdale, Sheila Mitchell
OTHERS PRESENT: Verna Browning/Texas Disposal Systems, Todd Jackson/Halff & Associates
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 2:00PM
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 -- Verna Browning, Texas Disposal Systems
B. Project Progress Reports
-- Council Actions -- all items passed at December and January meetings
-- CTSUD CCN Status -- Briggs provided update on current status of agreement with
CTSUD. Was scheduled to go to Council in January, however chose to revisit before
moving to Council. CTSUD had delays due to changes in attorneys. Item for Interlocal
Agreement to go to Council February 14th along with Task Order for Water Resources
Management. CTSUD board is being pulled in multiple directions due to geographical
locations of customers with various concerns. After 60 -day review, should have study
ready for GUS Board review and Council in J une. Beach commented on current situation
with electric rates in Austin, and feels situation with CTSUD will be similar. Further
discussion continued on public entity vs. private entity takeover. Sattler asked if CTSUD
is in threat of bankruptcy and Rundell stated no; all areas of CTSUD are being reviewed.
Eason noted one of the formulations discussed was that a certain number of CTSUD
Board members would join the GUS Board, however Council would have final decision.
-- Solid Waste RFP Status -- Ragsdale stated it is moving along quickly. Draft has gone to
Evaluation Team and needs a few revisions. Should have a final product for Council to
preview (no changes; just discussion) prior to it being publicized. The item will come
back to GUS Board and then on to Council. Ragsdale noted process is taking a little
longer due to covering all options and opportunities for customers. Briggs feels we'll
receive a large volume of proposals. Nett asked and Briggs resp onded the City retained
SAIC for consulting on the RFP process. Nett asked and Ragsdale noted plan to bring to
GUS in May and Council in June. Further discussion continued on recycling and
Browning clarified a comment made regarding single-stream recycling.
C. Industry Updates -- Briggs handed out documents to Board from a presentation, which was
discussed in a House Committee Meeting by Rep. Cook, relative to electric, regarding resource
adequacy on the grid because of the drought. The issue was, "is there enough water supply
available for generation due to the amount of water used by electric generating plants?"
Further discussion continued. Ragsdale provided update on wrapping up the weatherization
and photo-voltaic projects and hopes to bring some of these things in-house. Beach asked about
changing our profile from 30% coal to 30% fossil (gas) & Briggs responded yes we are heading
toward making this change. Briggs noted if heat continues, then possible rolling black -outs or
brown-outs during summer.
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 December 8, 2011. -- Sheila Mitchell
Discussion: None
Action: Motion by Eason, seconded by Young to approve the minutes from the regular GUS
Board meeting held on December 8, 2011.
Approved: 4-0-2-1 (Nett, Sattler abstained due to absence in December; Lindsey absent today)
E. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Task Order CDM -12-003 with
CDM Smith, Inc., of Austin, Texas, for professional services related to Wate r and Wastewater
System Master Plan Update in the amount of $112,340.00. -- David Munk
Discussion: Munk provided update on item noting assistance is needed due to changes in Master
Plan. Sattler asked about CDM Smith and Munk explained the two entities recently merged. Nett
asked and Rundell stated City will not go out for bonds now and not sure yet about the next
year's CIP because it has not been finalized. Nett asked and Briggs stated will go to last Council
meeting in February.
Action: Motion by Young, seconded by Yaeger to approve Task Order CDM-12-003 with
CDM Smith, Inc., of Austin, Texas, for professional services related to Water and Wastewater
System Master Plan Update in the amount of $112,340.00.
Approved: 6-0-1 (Lindsey absent)
III. STRATEGIC ISSUES:
F. Discussion regarding State and Brazos River Authority water resource status.
-- Glenn Dishong/Jim Briggs
Discussion: Briggs stated the BRA system permit went to TCEQ and there was a lot of opposition
and a lot of discussion. The permit was not initially approved and BRA was asked to do further
study. Briggs stated Dishong would be in contact with BRA for a current update for the Board.
Dishong provided presentation for review of drought and how it ties together with current lake
status and the system permit. Dishong noted our area is still in drought however some area
lakes are rising. Dishong stated considerations are being given on operation of various pumps.
He then discussed the system permit that was presented to the TCEQ and further details
requested for reconsideration. This will be an approximate 18 month period before approval.
Further discussion continued on considerations for future development and landscaping.
ADJOURN
Motion by Eason, seconded by Young to adjourn. Adjourned at 3:36PM
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 03:36 PM.
Approved : Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
John Nett - Chair Fred Beach - Secretary