HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTWU 05.2021Georgetown Water utility Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021
Board Members Present: Thomas Glab; Board Chair, Stuart Garner, Steve Fought,
Michael Morrison, Scott Macmurdo
Staff Members Present: Chelsea Solomon, Director of Water Utilities; Leticia Zavala
Jones, Customer Care Director; Wesley Wright, System Engineering Director; David
Thomison, Water Services Manager; Mike Welch, Treatment and Regulatory Manager;
Chris Pousson, Project Manager; Mike Maldonado, Aaron St. Pierre, Administrative
Assistant; Tina Davis, Board Liaison
Guest: Alan Wolke
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.Consistent with Governor Greg Abbott’s suspension of various provisions
of the Open Meetings Act effective August 1, 2020 and until further notice,
to reduce the chance of COVID-19 transmission, all City of Georgetown
Advisory Board meetings will be held virtually. Public comment will be
allowed via teleconference; no one will be allowed to appear in person.
B.Call to Order - Meeting was called to order by Chair at 2:00 PM
C.Monthly report from Water Utility Directors – Before Directors report Chelsea
gave a brief update on Councils decision to resume in person meetings beginning
in June or July. More information to follow. Jones states customer accounts
increased over 500, now at 47,879. 77% of usage is through advanced metering
infrastructure (AMI), 23 % is from automated meter reading, (AMR) drive by
system. Approximately 1300 estimation were done on bills due to a cycle 9
problem with the meter reader. Problem has since been resolved. Average
residential bill last year was $40, this year is $52. The average bill for all customers
last year was $50, this year is $62. Current water rates and sewer rates were
changed January 1st this year. Consistently initiating disconnects has increased
collections on aged receivables through April on outstanding accounts. In June
will move past due accounts to a collection agency. Will also place outstanding
amounts on current active account. Solomon reported for Finance – Council
approved the sale of bonds at last meeting. Water ($16.3M), Electric ($6.6M) on
capital projects for FY2021. Bonds are secured by property taxes but repaid by
Water and Electric revenues. 7 bids received, willing bid true interest cost of
City of Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown Water Utility Board Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
Teleconference
Georgetown Water utility Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021
1.733% to SAMCO Capital Markets with 9 year call option and amortization set to
the useful life of the assets. (7.10 and 20 years). Solomon reports Operating
Statistics peak day production at 29 million gallons daily. Wastewater is holding
steady. Performance metrics dropped in March due to the weather event and
getting behind on routines that were placed aside temporarily. Wrong day
watering campaign has started. To date there are about 250 total cases. Over a
month, this equated to approximately ½ million gallons of water per day. 1st
violations receive a letter with option to pay a $60 fine or take an irrigation class
online to remove the fine from an account. 2nd violation receives a letter and $75
fine. 3rd letter with a fine closer to $100. Class managed by City Customer Care
who will send out a link. If sprinkler system is broken and receipt is presented as
proof of repair, the fine will be removed. Violations are detected by smart meters
and usage patterns using last years meter data. ¾ of customers are on smart
meters. City working with water meters group in Sun City. Will run ads in the
Sun newspaper and Community Impact. Georgetown Lake level is 70% full, about
9 ½ ft. low, water comes from Edwards Aquifer Wells. Well levels have been
holding steady. Wright reports brief update on active design projects. Deep in
design on Cimarron Hills WWTP, City is administering the developers obligation.
Will ask for construction dollars soon. Berry Creek Interceptor, upper half of line
is in. Will move forward with San Gabriel Interceptor afterwards. Will ask for
permission to begin expansion later in meeting. Not much progress made on San
Gabriel Interceptor project. Deep in design on South Lake Water Treatment Plant,
60% done. Expect to bid Shell Road Waterline this year. Working with
landowner/developer Hoover Pump Station on pumpstation site and line
easements. Southside Water Treatment Plant Rehab-Board recently approved
pilot study to begin in summer and foundation work that has been delayed until
winter due to a concern of the integrity of the tank. Will come back after summer
peak to do foundation work, move forward with roof repair that was previously
approved. Work will happen in fall/winter after one more summer peak. EARZ
construction ongoing, making sure Wastewater system is working. San Gabriel
Park Lift Station underway, pump should be in and moving forward in next two
months. San Gabriel WWTP Belt Press and Capital Maintenance is complete and
in service. 24” waterline is complete. Northlake Pump Station and Treatment
Plant Expansion, pumps in place and being tested. Will turn on in next two weeks
and turn over to Solomon for daily operation. Cunningham working on 8.8 MGD
plant expansion awarded earlier this year, they are onsite and making progress.
Delivered summer peak of 2023.
D.Virtual Conference instructions, to include options for public comments
and how the public may address he Commission - Chelsea Solomon, Water
Utility Director – Solomon 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.
Georgetown Water utility Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021
E.Public Wishing to Address the Board. -- Thomas Glab, Board Chair – no
one signed up to speak at the meeting.
Regular Agenda
F.Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the April 8, 2021
Water Board Meeting – Motion to approve minutes by Morrison, seconded
by Glab, Approved 5-0-0
G.Consideration and possible recommendation to renew the contract 18-0017-
SC with Elk Ridge Construction, LLC (Water & Wastewater Collection and
Distribution Stations) in the amount of $67,767.41 per year – David
Thomison, Water Utility Manager. – Contract originated in 2017 with a
provision of up to 4 annual renewals. Contract includes mowing of 37
wastewater collection system facilities, 31 water distribution systems
facilities on a monthly basis. Funds are available in Water Services budget.
Motion to approve staffs recommendation to renew contract No. 3 (with
correction of up to 4 annual renewals in the caption to 3rd and final renewal)
of the 2017 water/wastewater collection and distribution mowing contract
18-0017-SC with Elk Ridge Construction, LLC in the amount not to exceed
$67,767.41 by Macmurdo, seconded by Morrison. Approved 5-0-0
H.Discussion and possible recommendation to exercise renewal option #4 of a
contract with HydroPro Solutions LLC to provide Master Meter water
meters and water meter registers for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure
system with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000 - Mike Maldonado,
Metering Services Manager – HydroPro is sole authorized dealer. This is
final renewal of contract. The $1,500,000 has not been adjusted in prior
years. In 2020 City spend approximately $1,300,000 to support new
customer growth. Requesting increase in not to exceed amount based on
current customer growth. Staff only pays for what is purchased, this
includes new installations. Part of connect fees collected at permitting pays
for this smart meter equipment. Motion to approve renewal No. 4 by
Macmurdo, seconded by Garner. Approved 5-0-0
I.Discussion and possible recommendation on the proposed FY22 Capital
Improvement Plan (Water & Wastewater) -- Wesley Wright, PE, Systems
Engineering Director – For Wastewater; $27,250 for maintenance, lift station/
line work and treatment enhancements. Wastewater maintenance;$2MM for
Edwards Aquifer recharge zone program and lift station upgrades as
needed. There are 40 total. Lift station/linework; Wolf Ranch Lift Station
reaching capacity, want to expand to keep up with growth. Interceptor Lift
Station Decommission, removal of existing lift station, add
Georgetown Water utility Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021
gravity line replacement. Cimarron Hills Expansion, need to front money,
developer will reimburse. Pecan Branch WWTP Expansion, would like to
begin design and expand permit. San Gabriel WWTP in need of capital
maintenance. Include design for Dove Springs WWTP. Water:
Miscellaneous funds for SCADA Upgrades, system resiliency,
Water/Wastewater Master Plan, ability to maintain flow from Stonewall
Ranch Pump Station for Carriage Oaks Transmission, CR262 waterline,
need boost waterline to 12’” for fire flow. Aviation Dr/I35 Connection,
service road connect to 1015 pressure plane, WD line Upgrades & Pumps,
Water Pumps/Tanks, Construction dollars for South Lake Water Treatment
Plant, the existing 22MGD expansion will reach capacity 4 years after it is
brought online. Advantage of having expansion to full $160,000,00, 44MGD
plant for future growth. Staff recommends moving forward with full
44MGD plant. Motion to approve change order to CDM to include in
current scope of work. Motion to approve FY22 CIP plan as presented
which includes 44MG per day design and construction plan of the South
Lake Water Treatment Plant by Macmurdo, seconded by Morrison.
Approved 5-0-0
J. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve Pumping
Equipment and Services for Well #11 at Southside WTP to be provided by
Weisinger Inc. – Mike Welch, Treatment and Regulatory Manager –
Weisinger Inc was given the task of removing Water Well #11 and
completing a comprehensive condition assessment of the pump and casing.
(The camera survey revealed no rehabilitation of the casing was needed.)
The pump inspection revealed excessive wear on all components. The
recommended services encompass a complete rebuild of the pump, motor,
and column assemblies, including work performed to date, and complete
reinstallation and testing. Pump has been removed and taken to Weisinger
shop for evaluation, casing does not need rehab. Being proactive on older
wells to prevent future problems this winter. After inspection, excessive
wear revealed on components, rebuild recommended of pump, returning,
installing and testing equipment. Staff recommends awarding Weisinger
Inc. $86,549 and continuing services with them. Motion to approve services
from Weisinger Inc. by Morrison, seconded by Garner. Approved 5-0-0
K. Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the First
Amendment to Task Order CDM-20-009 with CDM Smith, Inc.
professional services related to the South Lake Water Treatment Plant and
1178 Transmission Main in the amount of $529,232.00-- Wesley Wright,
P.E., Systems Engineering Director – City met with consultants to go over
60% design plan to discuss issues with the plant during the winter storm.
Georgetown Water utility Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021
Currently the system can be controlled at the Georgetown Municipal
Complex (GMC) location; with no remote station at this time. Want to
make this plant redundant with diesel generation power on site with PEC
primary power provider, bring in generator fuel storage to run plant at
max capacity without PEC power and expand building for office space for
an additional control center and certified laboratory on site. CDM is design
engineer. Estimate completion date, summer 2025. Motion to approve
amendment to Task Order CDM-20-009 on South Lake Water Treatment
Plant by Macmurdo, seconded by Garner. Approved, 5-0-0
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Morrison, seconded by Macmurdo at approximately
4:19 PM.
Thomas Glab, Chair Secretary
Board Liaison