HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTWU 10.2020Georgetown Water Utilities Advisory Board
October 8, 2020
Board Members Present: Thomas Glab; Board Chair, Stuart Garner, Scott Macmurdo, Steve
Fought, Michael Morrison
Staff Members Present: Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager; Glenn Dishong, Director of
Water Utilities; Leticia Zavala Jones, Customer Care Director; Wesley Wright, System
Engineering Director; Leigh Wallace, Finance Director; Chelsea Solomon, Control Center
Manager; David Thomison, Water Services Manager; Mike Welch, Treatment and Regulatory
Manager; Michael Hallmark. CIP Manager; Chris Pousson, Project Manager; Mayra Cantu,
Management Analyst; Cindy Popisil, Customer Care Manager; James Foutz, Marketing and
Conservation Manager; Karen Frost, Assistant City Secretary; Tina Davis, Board Liaison
Other’s Present: Matthew Garrett, NewGen Strategies; Michael Sommerdorf, NewGen
Strategies
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 - Meeting was called to order by Chair at 2:17 PM
B. Virtual conference instructions, to include options for public comments
and how the public may address the Commission – Mike Welch - Welch
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) No further questions or discussion.
C. Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the September 2020
Board meeting – Board Liaison. Davis acknowledged an error in the
September minutes and agreed to make the correction to show Steve Fought
left the meeting at 4:04 PM, not Michael Morrison. Motion to approve
minutes from September with the correction by Morrison, Seconded by
Macmurdo. 5-0-0.
D. Monthly report from Water Utility Directors -Utility Directors gave department
updates: Foutz (Customer Care) reports additional 280 residential customers,
collecting over ¾ of advanced meter infrastructure (AMI), 23 % of automated
meter readings (AMR). Average Water Bill FY2020 (Sept) residential is $76.01, all
customers $93.73. raged Receivables report for water and sewer shows decrease
City of Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown Water Utility Board Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Teleconference
Georgetown Water Utilities Advisory Board
October 8, 2020
because disconnections were instituted again in September for customers with an
outstanding balance. No FY2020 Financial Report Update. Operations: Solomon
reports September rated water system capacity remained at 44.13 million gallons,
annual average production is 23.78 million gallons daily. Will go down as people
use less water in winter months. Peak production was 97% of capacity.
Wastewater rate capacity is 8.5 million gallons. Brief discussion on Wastewater
max 30 day average this year. Board would like to see monthly running averages
going forward. Solomon agreed to include in presentation next time. Capital
Improvement Projects: Wright states plants are not operating at 75% rule yet.
Estimate bringing a task order within next two months to Board for expansion of
Cimarron Hills WWTP-it is a contractual obligation to developer adjacent to
CHWWTP called Oaks of Sab Gabriel. Not moving forward on Lift Station Rehab.
Water CIP-Water Oak 24” waterline is in process. Hoover Pump Station under
design. Round Rock Supply Pump Station/Elevated Storage Tank under design.
Lakeway 16” Waterline will not be a City project. Private developer will put the
line in and the City will reimburse the cost. Starting on South Plant Waterline
Easements. Majority of work has been on plant itself and the intake structure. Will
bring agreement to soon for minor cost sharing expenses to a developer who will
place the line. Miscellaneous TCEQ/Western District Improvements are on an as
needed basis. Tank Maintenance-none scheduled. Will discuss internally with new
budget. Design Wastewater: Pursuing easements on Berry Creek Interceptor. San
Gabriel Interceptor, under design. Design Water: South Lake Plant WTP,
Southwest Bypass Waterline and Hoover Pump Station, EST and line work is
under design. Shell Road Waterline will go out to bid after first of the year.
Construction Wastewater: Begin EARZ after approval in this meeting, San Gabriel
Park Lift Station and San Gabriel WWTP Belt Press and Capital Maintenance
project well underway. Construction Water: Rabbit Hill Waterline, in close out
phase. Substantially Complete projects are Braun EST, Pastor Pump Station and
DB Wood/Pastor 24” Waterline.
E. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the 3rd and final renewal of
the contract with Elk Ridge Construction, LLC for groundskeeping services for
water and wastewater treatment facilities, in the amount of $75, 000 per year, Mike
Welch, Treatment and Regulatory Manager – Welch states this is to fund mowing
services for 4 Water Treatment Facilities, 5 Wastewater Facilities and 4 Wells. Elk
Ridge has performed well in the past, remain economical. Lift Stations are a
separate contract. Motion to approve contract to Elk Ridge as stated by Macmurdo,
Seconded by Morrison. 5-0-0
F. Presentation and possible recommendation regarding Water Rates Cost of
Service Study results and new water and sewer rates, Glenn Dishong,
Director of Water Utilities/NewGen – Current rates are insufficient to meet
our needs. Based on goals and objectives, residential will see the most change
in rates. Proposing a base increase in meter size, not a volume rate increase
Georgetown Water Utilities Advisory Board
October 8, 2020
for commercial water users. Scenario 1 and 2 meeting the Board and City
Councils objectives of financial policy compliance, equitable cost of service
and conservation plan. New water and sewer rates will begin January 1, 2021.
Motion to approve Scenario #2 by Macmurdo to modify rates to Council,
Seconded by Morrison. 5-0-0
G. Consideration and possible recommendation regarding the ‘Texas Water Code
Section 13.248 Retail Water Certificate of Convenience and Necessity Service Area
Transfer Agreement”, between the City of Georgetown and Kempner Water Supply
Corporation (“Kempner WSC”) relating to the transfer of approximately 7,617.6
acres (approximately 12 square miles) located in Bell County from Georgetown’s
Water Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (“CNN”) to Kempner WSC’s Water
CCN, Chelsea Solomon, Control Center Manager – City gained larger service area
with Chisholm Trail acquisition, City of Georgetown has transferred an area to City
of Leander. Recently asked by Kempner Water Supply to consider the possibility of
transferring CCN area. Before Water Board started up, staff was asked to move
forward with the transfer. City of Georgetown have no infrastructure in the CCN
area, Kempner does and can serve water to the area at a lower cost. The transfer will
establish a relationship with Kempner and reduce our demand area. This does not
include a Wastewater CCN area. Kempner can’t legally service customers asking for
water connections because they don’t service the area. Kempner is working with
BCWCID on projects that could potentially serve the area with water. Reducing our
service area is a benefit to City of Georgetown. There value of the cost for the
transfer is $0. Motion to approve the CCN transfer by Macmurdo, Seconded by
Morrison. 5-0-0
H. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the purchase of Bioxide
from Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, of Sarasota, Florida, in an amount not to
exceed $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. David Thomison, Water Services Manager
– Thomision states sole source Bioxide is successfully used for odor control since
July, 1999. Staff determined it is the most effective method to use for lines and
manholes also. There are no environmental or health impacts to using Bioxide.
Motion to approve by Macmurdo , Seconded by Morrison. 4-0-0-1 Garner recused
himself-Evoqua is a customer of his company. A conflict of interest form is on file.
Georgetown Water Utilities Advisory Board
October 8, 2020
I. Consideration and possible recommendation to award a contract for the Edwards
Aquifer Recharge Zone (EARZ) Wastewater System Rehabilitation Area 2 – 2019, to
Cruz Tech, Inc. out of Houston, TX., in the around of $2, 460,360.00. Wesley Wright,
P.E., Systems Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager –Wright states
Large portion is downtown Georgetown, some pipes are 50+ years old. This is a
TCEQ mandate. Cruz Tech has not previously worked for City of Georgetown,
references and experienced resume checked out, bid was competitive. Staff and
Consultant recommends approval of contract to Cruz, Tech, Inc. Motion to approve
contract to Cruz Tech, Inc. by Morrison , Seconded by Macmurdo. 5-0-0
J. Consideration and possible recommendation to award a Construction Materials
Observation and Testing Contract to Terracon Consultants, Inc., of Austin, Texas,
for materials testing and inspection services for the Northlake Water Treatment
Plant Phase IV Expansion in the amount of $125,923.00, Wesley Wright, P.E.,
Systems Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP Manager – Lake WTP,
located behind H-E-B on D. B. Woods Road. Typically rely on Geo Firm or Terracon
for materials testing. Prefer to pay for materials testing vs. having the contractor
pay to prevent conflict of interest. Terracon has great relationship with City of
Georgetown and has been the primary materials testing contractor we’ve used
regularly. Considering item K passes, would like to recommend awarding contract
to Terracon. Motion to award contract to Terracon providing item K. passes by
Morrison , Seconded by Macmurdo. 5-0-0
K. Consideration and possible recommendation to award a Construction Contract to
Cunningham Constructors & Assoc., Inc., of Georgetown, Texas, for the Northlake
Water Treatment Plant Phase IV Expansion in the amount of $11,734,000.00. –
Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director/Michael Hallmark, CIP
Manager – Wright states plant almost at capacity with continued growth and needs
expansion. Entered into contract with Leander and Round Rock that will provide us
additional water. Leander interconnect will be available next summer, we have a
little bit of interconnect with Round Rock but need improvements with pump
station and tank. Expansion of the existing Northlake Plant will add 8. 8 million
gallons of capacity and buy us 3-5 years while we continue to move forward with
design and construction of the South Lake Treatment Plant. Will also build a 2500
square foot office building for Water Treatment Staff. Cunningham familiar with
site. Mike Cunningham is a former GUS Board Member, Georgetown resident,
consistently won bids on this plant, low bidder on the project. Motion to award the
construction contract to Cunningham Construction & Assoc., Inc. by Macmurdo,
Seconded by Morrison. 5-0-0
L. Consideration and possible recommendation to award a contract to Robles 1, LLC
of Cibolo, Texas for the Steel Water Storage Tank Demolition Project in the amount
of $341,102.00. – Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director/Michael
Hallmark, CIP Manager – Wright states this is a combination of multiple tanks that
need to be taken down. Several locations. Some inherited from Chisholm Trail with
Georgetown Water Utilities Advisory Board
October 8, 2020
consolidation. Will remove old storage tank at Sun City now that there is a new one.
The reuse system does not need the tank system. Tank on Williams drive-non active
when inherited from Chisholm Trail. Robles has done work for City before. Resume
and references checked out. Motion to award contract to Robles 1, LLC of Cibolo,
Texas by Morrison, Seconded by Macmurdo. 5-0-0
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Macmurdo, Seconded by Morrison. The meeting adjourned at 4:32 PM
Thomas Glab, Chair Secretary
Board Liaison
Thomas Glab Scott Macmurdo