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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 03.28.2017 CC-WMinutes of a Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, March 28, 2017 The Georgetown City Council will meet on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the Council Chambers, at 101 E. Th St., Georgetown, Texas The city of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, at least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8th Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Mayor Ross called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. All Councilmembers were in attendance with the exception of Anna Eby, District 1, Ty Gipson, District 5 and Tommy Gonzalez, District 7. Councilmember Gipson joined the meeting at 3:01 PM. Councilmembers Eby and Gonzalez joined the meeting at 4:00 PM. Policy Development/Review Workshop — Call to order at 3:00 PM A. Water and Electric Integrated Resource Plan Updates -- Chris Foster, MPA, CGFO, Manager of Resource Planning and Integration Chris Foster, the City's Manager of Resource Planning and Integration, provided updates for the Water and Electric Integrated Resource Plan. He noted that this has been reviewed with the City Council in the past. Foster explained that Council Direction has been to monitor, promote, and communicate a long-term water and utilities plan and strategy. This has led staff to implement and monitor the Integrated Resource Plan. Foster displayed a slide and explained what Integrated Resource Planning is: • Resource means o Commodity o Production Capacity o Supply Capacity o Demand Reduction • Integrated mean balance o Supply -Side Resources o Demand -Side Resources Foster next explained Supply -Side Management. • Objective o Sufficient commodity supply and productiontstorage capacity o To meet annual, peak day and peak hour demand o With a reserve margin • While o Maintaining competitive supply cost o Mitigating exposure to current and future price volatility Demand -Side Management was explained next by Foster. • Objective o Reduce total or peak demand o To mitigate the need for supply While o Meeting conservation objective o Shaping the demand curve with peak shaving and valley filling o Improving Customer Service Foster showed a slide depicting Water Supply -Side Management. He explained that this will need to be increased in the future as new needs for resources come about. Foster noted that Round Rock water is more expensive and would increase the budget if water would be pulled from there. This would be used as a last resort. Councilmember Hesser asked about the 15% unaccounted for water demand. Foster said hydrant flushes and fires are calculated and the City is able to get close to accurate numbers. He explained that, in the future, staff will be able to get more accurate numbers, even as accurate as accounting for hourly loss. Foster spoke on daily production and storage and production capacity. Hesser asked if it is possible to reduce this. Foster said it is the intention of staff to reduce this, but there are certain limitations as every hydrant must be tested to assure good fire flow control. Foster explained that the 15% is not a large percentage. Director of Utilities, Glenn Dishong further explained the 15% unaccounted for water demand figure. He noted that anything that is tracked would not be considered in the unaccounted for water figures. He said unaccounted water is more closely attributed to leaks and water usage not reported. He agreed that the 15% figure is a good one but said the City is working toward reaching a 12% unaccounted for water demand percentage. Dishong went on to explain that, currently, monitoring is looked at as a 12 month rolling water loss. In the future it will be monitored daily, thanks to the new meters that customer usage is being reported from. Councilmember Brainard asked about hourly water usage. Dishong said every consumer on the new metering system can be read for water usage hourly. He went onto say that the vast majority of customers within the City limits are currently counted for every 4 hours of usage. Brainard asked if someone's usage could be obtained through an open records request. Dishong answered that usage figures belong to the City and are not publicized. City attorney, Charlie McNabb said that he is not sure if this is permitted information for an open records request but will research this and report back to the Council. Leticia Zavala, the City's Customer Care Director, said electric customers can fill out a confidentiality form that would prohibit their utility information from being shared. Foster displayed a chart for Water Demand Management. He noted that mass marketing will be used to educate consumers. Ordinance Construction Standards ✓ ✓ Done Irrigation Schedule (2 x 3 -Day) ✓ ✓ Done Spread Start Time (mandated) ✓ TBD Schedule (3 x 2 -Day) (mandated) ✓ ✓ 2019• Mass Marketing General Conservation Message ✓ ✓ Done/On Going Reduce Zone Times ✓ ✓ Done/On Going Spread Start Times (suggested) ✓ 2019+ Schedule (Pick 2 days)(suggested) ✓ ✓ Done/On Going Direct Marketina (under dovelopmentl Wrong Day Irrigation ✓ Trial 2017 Over Watering ✓ ✓ 2019 Potential Leak ✓ ✓ Trial 2017 Foster mentioned that the City tries to reduce middle of the day consumption and follows a goal of more efficient capital planning. Foster showed charts of Water Commodity (Raw Water) and the Annual Supply vs. Demand in MGD. He also provided a chart showing Water Production Capacity (Treated Water) and Peak Supply vs. Demand in MGD. He noted that Georgetown would have enough raw water to get into the 2040's, but at demand use is close to capacity already. He spoke on a 5 year capital plan that would include a new water treatment plant. 120 100 co 0) 40 20 0 Mir i 2M9 S@0 2Rt z@Z zRJ HI• 2l6 �s 2axl zRB xR9 1100 xWf x� iW0 SW1 iDu SNf Mr xPJO 2Wa NH zH1 2611 x0U SOH S4t5 A14 20R zOH Stt3 RJ IMP r, VTP mLake WfP am SWa510evrtP 0(melVMl �RMd Rack �M=M —PeakDay Wriarid GEOR.G OWN Water Production Capacity (Treated Water): Peak Day Supply vs. Demand in MGD Water Forward Strategic Plan Treated Water • Potential interim supply options - Leander — Lone Star — Bell County — Round Rock • Water treatment plant expansion by 2020-2022 • Conservation measures • Increased Operational efficiency from evaluation of interval data GEORGETOWN TEXAS Raw Water • Potential access to Alliance Raw Water • Track Region G plans — Increased inter -basin transfers — Advanced conservation — Groundwater conservation (capture limits tapped) — Aquifer Storage/Recovery — Off Channel Reservoirs Electric Supply -Side Management • Gas Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) — Mercuria: various levels through 2021 • Wind PPAs — AEP: 20.24 MW capacity through 2028 — Spinning Spur 3: 144 MW capacity through 2035 • Solar PPA — NRG: 150 MW capacity from 2018 (July) - 2043 • Transmission Rights (CRRs): — ERCOT: Various levels through 2018 • Market Operations: exercised daily GEOR,tE TOWN Cost $/MWh of being Short versus Long on 100MW at anytime 59,WD Foster noted that RECS are retired on an annual basis. He said that periods that are long would be sold off. Councilmember Brainard asked for the lapse of time from farm (wind or solar) to here. Foster said it is measured in milliseconds, or extremely fast. Foster explained that when resources are above what the City needs, it must sell. He noted that if the price is below market, the City would just take it at that, but, otherwise, the risk to the City must be protected, which is studied and protected daily. Mayor Ross asked Foster to explain how the magic works. Foster said each morning prior to 8 am, he looks at the daily schedule of low projections and wind speeds and send them to Garland, who then sends the information to ERCOT. Foster said he will also look at weather formations in the northwest that will later effect the City. Foster said he consults with Neil McAndrews of McAndrews and Associates and they will then decide what trades to make. Foster explained that Garland makes trades for that day and the next day, as instructed by the City staff. Foster said they then spend the rest of the day watching how the trades perform. He said that Garland analyses the information consistently and ERCOT settles out each day. Councilmember Gipson asked about a back-up team and how cross training and substitutions are made. Foster said that both he and Neil McAndrews are checking the information daily. He said that City employee, Michael Weisner, makes this schedule if Foster is not available. Foster explained that the formula was developed over years and these critical employees are not allowed to travel together. He said that if all 3 were to be out, Garland would take over and determine how to operate for the week. Foster said that Jim Briggs and Mike Babin are also capable of monitoring the data. Foster described the Outlook. • 2018-2021 City will remain long in power and exposed to market price volatility • 2021-2030 City will have less volatility, but likely need a combination of distribution generation, distributed storage and peaking supply • 2030-2035 City will evaluate utility scale options for replacing SS3 wind • 2035-2043 City will evaluate utility scale options for replacing NRG Solar Foster showed the Electric Forward Strategic Plan. He spoke on potential volatility, new supplies and how there is a need to support the Economic Development Department. Foster said reserves from last year must be rebuilt to absorb the shocks. Electric Next Steps were provided. Councilmember Brainard asked go back one slide. He said he was impressed with Foster and what is being done. Brainard asked if this fund is in the fiscal and budgetary policy. Foster said that the exact dollar amount is not designated. Foster noted that this was actually being brought to the GUS Board for a policy in utilities to be established. City Manager, David Morgan, said the short answer is yes. Councilmember Hesser said Councilmembers need to understand the numbers and projections for the impact on the customer base. Foster said he will be happy to provide this. He added that the current plans will only have rate changes for new wastewater. Morgan said this would be coming back to Council, including the purchase power costs after bringing it to the Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board (GUS). He explained that if the City is able to see the risk, it can make adjustments to buffer things. Mayor Ross congratulated Chris Foster on a job well done. B. Presentation and discussion of 2017 Water and Energy Rebate Programs -- Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Director Leticia Zavala, the City's Customer Care Director, spoke on water and energy rebate programs. She provided a presentation agenda with included the following: • Conservation Goals • Water Efficiency Programs — Current • Water Rebated — Proposed • Energy Efficiency Programs — Current • EnergyRebates— Proposed • Next Steps • Questions Zavala spoke on Conservation Goals; Be "Good Stewards' of our Natural Resources o Water is a constrained resource o Electric 100% renewable Customer Service o Educate customers on water and energy usage patterns o Help customers reduce their usage and reduce bills Achieve Operational Efficiencies 0 Manage demand at lowest cost possible Water Efficiency Programs - Current • What do we do today? —Residential Irrigation Audits • To help customers understand and manage their irrigation system usage & ensure systems are set to the City's recommended watering schedule • Valuable tool in educating customers on efficient operation of their irrigation systems • Completed over 200 water audits in 2016 — Aqua Alerts • Program that allow customers to be notified of their water usage at 3 different levels they predefine • Used by approximately 2.000 customers GEORGETOWN TEXAS Water Efficiency Programs - Current • What do we do today? — Rain Barrel Rebate • Rain barrels conserve water by harvesting rain water for irrigation needs $15 rebate for customers that purchase rain barrels during annual GUS Conservation & Marketing event -- October 2016 — Irrigation Campaign - "Don't Water Down Georgetown" • Multi-year Mass marketing campaign — increasing water awareness to reducing consumption • Reinforcing watering concepts — Know your watering schedule — Pick 2 days — Don't water on Monday (System maintenance days) GEORGETOWN TEXAS Water Rebate - Proposed • Irrigation Checkup Rebate Program — 70% of our residential water consumption is outdoor use — Educate customers on recommended watering schedule & irrigation controller settings — Program outlined in 2014 Water Conservation Plan • Efforts to reduce overall water consumption — Rebates offered for customers to have their irrigation systems evaluated & controller setting adjusted to City's recommended watering schedule. GEORGETOWN TEXAS Water Rebate - Proposed - Rebate Amount — Goal: Reduce water usage from improperly set irrigation systems —$75 Rebate to defray costs associated with having a licensed irrigator inspect irrigation system and set system to City's watering schedule. • Rebate Eligibility — Open to all Georgetown Utility Systems residential water customers with automatic irrigation systems Services performed after April 15' 2017 GEORTEE� WN Water Rebate - Proposed • Rebate Eligibility- cont'd — Licensed irrigator must confirm evaluation and sign customer's rebate form • Working with local irrigators to engage them as rebate program ambassadors. • Host an "Irrigation Rebate Training" Luncheon to provide program details • Irrigator Incentive • Rebate Goal — 2,000 customer rebates Current Funding Level - $150,000 GEORGETOWN TEXAS Water Rebate - Proposed • Communications Efforts — Promotion for the rebate program will include: Distribute Informational program brochures at public events (i.e. Red Poppy Festival) • Update website with program information • Brochures available at City facilities • Work with area stores and installers to promote program to their customers. • Article in The Reporter • Periodic social media posts GEOR7%ws WN - - Energy Efficiency Programs - Current • What do we do today? — LED Exchange Program • Residential Customers can exchange 4 incandescent or CFL light bulbs per quarter • Exchanged 1677 LED bulbs in 2016 — Home Energy Evaluations • To help customers with high bills find energy efficiencies in their home • Started program as a pilot in the second half of 2016 • Completed over 40 residential evaluations AGfoRc�OWN Energy Rebate - Proposed • Electric Water Heater Rebate Program — Water Heating costs are the 2nd largest energy expense in the home behind Heating/Cooling costs • Account for 18% of annual household energy costs — Rebate to replace existing electric water heaters with newer models or ones with a heat pump. — Continue building on efforts to make residential homes more efficient (i.e. LED program, Home Energy Evaluations) GEORGETOWN TEXAS Energy Rebate - Proposed • Rebate Amounts — Goal: Provide a 10-20% cost offset with rebate —$100 Rebate Replace electric water heater with a high efficiency electric water heater - energy factor rating of .95 or higher — $500 Rebate Replace electric water heaters with a high efficiency electric heat pump water heater - energy factor rating of 2.0 or higher AEoG[TOWN E Electric Tankless $1,100 544 SSIM $100 Heat Pump $2,300 2,970 $278.88 5500 Energy Rebate - Proposed • Rebate Eligibility — Open to all Georgetown Utility Systems residential electric customers — Retrofits only, new construction does not qualify — Purchase date for equipment must be after April 151, 2017 • Rebate Goal —1 st come 1 st served basis —When funds are depleted — Rebate program no longer available Current Funding level - $150,000 A_G RG [TOWN TEXAS Councilmember Jonrowe asked if the rebate programs only apply to single family residences. Zavala said yes, because this would be who would have their own irrigation system. Zavala went on to explain that larger facilities are visited regularly and also receive staff advice regarding conservation. Jonrowe asked if violations are generally complaint driven. Zavala confirmed. Jonrowe noted that 2000 customers is an admirable goal. Jonrowe asked about a possible scaled program, with larger properties paying more than smaller properties. Zavala said this is not possible at this time because it would be cumbersome to administer, but could be considered in the future. Jonrowe said she would like to see figures from the programs come back to the Council. Zavala said she would be happy to see that through. Jonrowe asked about solar water heaters and why they were not being shown on the list. Zavala said they are more complicated and will be included on future lists. Jonrowe asked if the studies that show which roof tops are best for solar energy would be the same for solar water heaters. Glenn Dishong and Mike Sabin confirmed. Zavala explained the next steps for the rebate programs. • Rebate programs begin April 1, 2017 and end when funding is exhausted • A monthly program status report will be given to the General Manager of Utilities and the City Manager • Program brochures will be available at City facilities such as the Library, Rec Center, City Hall and Georgetown Municipal Complex • Res Poppy Festival will be used as a Full Marketing of Programs and Rebates Mayor Ross thanked Zavala for the informative presentation C. Presentation and discussion of the 2017 Transit Service Plan Name Brand Development and Open House Results -- Nathaniel Waggoner, Transportation Analyst, PMP, AICP and Keith Hutchinson, Public Communications Manager Nathaniel Waggoner, the City's Transportation Analyst updated the Council on the 2017 Transit Service Plan Name Brand Development and reported results from the City's Public Open House and Online Survey. Waggoner provided an agenda for the presentation. He explained the purpose of the presentation was to provide Council with a summary of public comment from the Open House on fares, policies, route/stops and name development and to create an opportunity for feedback and direction from the Council. The presentation will include the following. • Review Georgetown Health Foundation Survey • Review March 21 Open House Activities • Review City of Georgetown Survey Results • Next Steps Waggoner spoke on the Public Input Survey conducted by the Georgetown Health Foundation (GHF) • Survey distributed by Georgetown Health Foundation o The Georgetown Project Collaborative for Youth & Children o SE Georgetown Community Council o Georgetown Fellowship of Churches (GFOC) • Survey Open 1/26/17 — 2/15/17 396 Total Responses Waggoner showed slides on the GHF Survey Results GHF Survey Results Proposed $2.00 Day Pass (unlimited) Ton nqn � m i, 22 JmIRN_ tt SI: Sa v Gll� She,, 20r) Proposed $30 Monthly Pass (unlimited) 1DO H,h 11, T.<w. Ip i Ju;Mp Now— �P Swae Gr.' S+eJ. ayR Pass Options that Should be Available 9, -- 1��1 111111 P"l \\VtWr Pau Nil '' //otNl�Pac SA W% lOC% 05 20% ... ... ... :O:+ti Swxaa G.-A,',ea; N't GEORGETOWN GHF Survey Results rein\ Options for Making Payment Ways to Purchase Passes CIN,n D.: Gap Zlt Pn,s i GOHnryoeh I�, 2]Y GINr � at a%---20% +o% ww Sa GW S,,. 2012 —2M ' I LNary.REB '. ILxNaw NYaL'W 1201 W% 04% G% 20% +6% N% N% 100% Yaw GW Sn•J, MI Others Eligible for Reduced Fares i I ' YNlal wbs � tW ow 2G% wx ®% e6% tau% Snxce' C+•K Su+er. 20x1 Allow 12 Yr. Old to Ride Alone? 1io m Oinx �ct I .. 0% A% 40% W% 61 ^. IM Y•ow Gw &'".. 2017 Waggoner went on to speak on the purpose of the Open House held March 21, 2017. He explained that the survey was conducted to provide an update on the project and get public comment on proposed routes, stops, fares, hours of operation and system name recommendations. He showed that 74 people attended the Open House and the Williamson County Sun and KXAN (online) and Community Impact (online) also helped. Waggoner described the City of Georgetown Citizen Transit Survey, provided a Transit System Map and a zip code location map. Grorcrro4VN� City of Georgetown Citizen Transit Survey 13 -question SurveyMonkey survey open 3118 - 3124 (6 days) Survey distributed online via Facebook, NextDoor, Twitter, City website, and via news release 568 total responses Survey questions: Routes Stops Fares Service Hours Name n GMORGri'W. N� I I\" Transit System Map - (rt �lklll I111':T� •ca 76537 .. 76573 rear 165responses 78633 c,rcr• 7653( 78626 211responses 78628 r 178responses 78641 `" + - 78665 78634 Waggoner spoke on the online survey and questions posed. He noted that the survey was non-scientific, but elicited input and used the communication channels and media to help. Waggoner explained that the maps would continue to be refined and that the City greatly benefits from the public input. Mayor Ross asked Waggoner about contributors from staff. Waggoner thanked Keith Hutchinson, Communications Manager, and many members of both the library staff and the GUS staff. Waggoner showed questions posed in the survey and the results. _, G(ORGIITO\6n� 1: N� Q10: Select the option that best describes how often you think you will use the fixed - route transit service. Ilei A all 162 2-10tripe -156 per year J-10 tripe per month 82 2-4Ulpe - 79 per month 4lrips per, 26 m . week or ore - - - 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Tramp Snvlx fMn 06: What is your age? 76-3S years 187 old 46 - 66 year a old 65 or older 143 1c-nyears 133 old 1T or younger 3 Tramlt Servt¢ Plan 07: The proposed transit system hours of operation are: Weekday service from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday service from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please give us your feedback on the hours of operation. TN. may work 279 wnn my_ IDN. works great for nry_. Thl. ooe, not 113 rrt my.meMne - ...a .J 0% 10% _V% 375 ao% rd% N - Gibr.la r<n;n� Q8: Thep roposedtransit system fares are: - Day pass (unlimited) $2 - Paratransit (each way) S2 - Monthly pass (unlimited) S30 - Seniors: St - Disability: $1 - Veterans and active military: $1 Please give us - Students 12 and older: $1 feedback about the - Children 0.12 with lull -faro rider. free proposed faros: me mlae.la 448 .he�A �ieM The N......42 loo 1"1. The lxvo nc low 134 00 0% 10% ]ea 90% .0% 50% 0% 10% Fe% 9 GQORGETO\YNR Iles Q9: Please indicate your response to the three name options for the transit system. `averages G.G.O. 2.89 on 1 - 5 scale ceo.eomttt - 2.75 Gco.I.Ink 2.58 7nmlt Sav[te Pun Q11: Additional comments on ridership expectation 39 responses: need service to Sun City 7 responses: need service to HEB on Williams Drive Q12: Please let us know if there is anything else you would like to share about the proposed transit system. 40 responses: need service to Sun City 9 responses: need service to HEB on Williams Drive 5 responses: need service to East View HS Waggoner spoke on the Next Steps • Finalize Routes and Stops • Logo Development with Capital Metro • 4111 Regular Agenda item with Council o Consider adopting the Transit Plan Brainard asked Waggoner how voting for the name of the transit system was handled online and if these figures reflect both the survey and the public meeting. Waggoner said staff had set up computers at the public meeting for anyone who wanted to participate in the online survey. He confirmed that results shown included both the public meeting and the online survey results. Mayor Ross asked Waggoner what he needed from Council. Waggoner explained that they would need to start working on a logo and would need direction for that and direction to be able to begin signage for the project. David Morgan asked for feedback from the Council on the name of the bus system. Mayor Ross said Go Geo seemed to be the preferred name and checked with the Councilmembers for confirmation. The Council agreed. Mayor Ross instructed Waggoner to move forward with Go Geo. Morgan said this would be brought back to Council as an action item on the next agenda. Mayor Ross recessed the meeting to Executive Session under Section 551.071, Section 551.072, Section 551.074 and Section 551.087 at 4.00 PM. Executive Session 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. D. Sec. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney -Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the City Council, including agenda items - Appeal of an administrative decision regarding the determination that a pump station for crude oil is a "utility services, intermediate" use. Sec. 551.072: Deliberation about Real Property - Rivery Blvd Ext — Parcel 17 Northwest Blvd Sec. 551.074: Personnel Matters - City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary and Municipal Judge: Consideration of the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal - City Manager Performance Evaluation Sec. 551.087: Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations - Discuss negotiations and incentive on Tamiro Plaza 11 Adjournment Mayor Ross adjourned the workshop meeting to begin the Regular Meeting at 6.00 PM. Approved by the Georgetown City Council on `T It d aC7� Date' hL C.' - Dale Ross, Mayor