HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTWU 08.2020Page 1 of 3 Georgetown Water
Utility Advisory Board
August, 2020
City of Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown Water Utility Board Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL-ZOOM
Board Members Present: Thomas Glab, Board Chair, (present but unable to speak due to
technical difficulties); Stuart Garner, Scott Macmurdo, Steve Fought, Michael Morrison
Board Members Absent: Cara McKinney; Penny Evans, Developer Rep
Staff Members Present: David Morgan, City Manager; Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager;
Glenn Dishong, Director of Water Utilities; Leticia Zavala, Customer Care Director; Wesley
Wright, System Engineering Director; Leigh Wallace, Finance Director; Chelsea Solomon,
Control Center Manager; Mike Welch, , Treatment and Regulatory Manager; Mayra Cantu,
Management Analyst; Karen Frost, Assistant City Secretary; Tina Davis, Board Liaison
Others Present: NewGen
Regular Session
(This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any
purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A.Call to Order - called to order by Chair 2:16 PM.
B.Discussion on how this virtual conference will be conducted, to include options for public
comments and how the public may address the Commission – Dishong explained the
participation process for the public (no one signed up to speak) and the Board, everyone
must state name before speaking, Chair will do roll call for votes by name) Question asked:
will next meeting be virtual? Meetings will virtual until further notice
C.Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the July 2020 Water Board meeting
–Board Liaison –Motion by Morrison to approve the minutes with correction of published
to public, Seconded by 4-0-0 (Glab in attendance, unable to speak due to technical
difficulties)
D.Directors Report – by Dishong, Utility updates of Customer Care & Billing by Zavala: just
shy of 550 new accounts since last month, 77% of meter reads are automatically transmitted,
23 % are drive by reads. Average bill in July approximately $55.14. Base rate for inside City
services for residential use is $23.Sewer rate for inside City residential is $32.00. 87% on-time
payment ratio for July. Question: Was the reduction in customer water bill in July compared
to last year driven by less consumption or pricing? Zavala answered, it was driven by
usage. Financial update in September: Operations by Solomon: Current rated capacity for
water system is 44 million gallons, peak usage through last month was 41.61 million gallons.
Wastewater system rated capacity is 8.5 million gallons per day. Performance Metrics,
maintaining above 98% on personnel side, on time completion of preventative maintenance
Page 2 of 3 Georgetown Water
Utility Advisory Board
August, 2020
is at 92%. Water quality is at 96%. Meeting performance metrics. Engineering by Wright:
Working on three different styles of projects, proposed for FY21 Wastewater-expansion of
Cimarron Hills WWTP, EARZ, Lift Station Rehab, Proposed FY21 budget, Water Oak 24”
Waterline, Hoover Pump Station, Round Rock Supply Pump Station, Lakeway 16”
Waterline, South Plant Waterline Easements, Miscellaneous TCEQ/Western District
Improvements, Tank Maintenance. In design for Wastewater-EARZ, Berry Creek
Interceptor, San Gabriel Interceptor. In design for North Lake Water Treatment Plant
expansion, South Lake Water Treatment Plant, Southwest Bypass Waterline, Shell Road
Waterline, Hoover Pump Station, EST, & Linework. Question: How close are we to the next
water conservation stage? Solomon answered, 90%. Does anyone know about reducing
sprinkler system use by 10%. Solomon answered, announcements and videos showing
customers how to reduce water usage, message boards around town asking residents to
reduce usage.
E.Consideration and possible recommendation to approve a Resolution regarding the
refinance of Williamson County Regional Raw Water Line Debt, inclusion of ION
Generation project in said debt and re-issuance of the Williamson County Regional Raw
Water Line Agreement – Solomon explained agreement with City and Brazos River
Authority for the Williamson Count Regional Raw Water Line Debt. Group effort between
City of Georgetown, City of Round Rock and Brushy Creek. BRA will have cost savings that
will get pushed to all three parties involved if they refinance the debt. BRA wants to include
Copper ION regeneration project into debt re-issuance. Copper ION reduces zebra muscles.
This re-issuance of the debt will show a $97K savings over the next 10 years.
F.Water utility rates, conservation and current rate study – Cantu gave a history of budgetary
policy the City follows. Chisholm Trail SUD in 2011 gaining 7600 customers and water
coverage. Average seeing 3K per year. Solomon explains how rates are built and gave a
water rate breakdown, explained water resource planning and system capacity planning for
the future. Showed list of current and future projects. Questions: What have been the last
rate change. Zavala answered, last year and in 2013 rates were adjusted. Board would like a
copy of the rate changes from 2013. Zavala agreed to send the rate change. Matthew Garrett,
NewGen Strategies presents water rate study. Discussion on rate study. Board asked for
more time and information to make informative choice on rate study. Dishong agreed to
table discussion until September meeting.
G. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve renewal no. 4 of contract no.
SCON-2000171 with Brenntag Southwest, Inc. for purchase and delivery of various
chemicals for Water and Wastewater treatment, not to exceed $379,026.83 – Welch explains
we are currently using Brenntag is a single source, local, successful low bidder and staff.
Question: Was there a formal bid done for this contract? Dishong explained the competitive
bid process was done 4 years ago. (prior to Board being established? Provisions of the
contract was to renew up to 5 years. Motion to renew contract SCON-2000171 by
Macmurdo, Seconded by Fought 3-0-0 (Michael Morrison had to leave the meeting, Glab
unable to speak due to technical difficulties)
Page 3 of 3 Georgetown Water
Utility Advisory Board
August, 2020
H.Consideration and possible recommendation to approve renewal #2 of contract number 18-
0039-GC with Brenntag Southwest, Inc. for purchase and delivery of sodium hypochlorite
for Water and Wastewater treatment, in the amount of 309,931.50 – Welch Motion to
approve renewal #2 of contract number 189-0039-GC for purchase and delivery of sodium
hypochlorite for Water and Wastewater treatment in the amount of $309K Seconded by
Fought. 3-0-0 (Michael Morrison had to leave the meeting, Glab unable to speak due to
technical difficulties
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m.
__________________________________ ______________________________
Thomas Glab, Chair Scott Macmurdo, Secretary
___________________________________
Board Liaison
Thomas Glab Scott Macmurdo