Board of Public Utilities

Page 3015 ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS CITY OF TULARE December 15, 2016 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, City of Tulare, was held on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at 3:00 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Brehm, Philip Smith, Edward Henry, Jim Pennington, Dick Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Paul Melikian, Joe Carlini, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Josh Rogers, Nick Bartsch, Steve Bonville, Shonna Oneal I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION: President Brehm called the regular session to order at 3:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Brehm led the Pledge of Allegiance. III. CITIZEN’S REQUEST OR COMMENTS: This is the time for citizens to comment on items within the jurisdiction of the Board. The Board cannot legally discuss or take official action on citizen comments that are introduced tonight. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes, with a maximum time of 10 minutes per item, unless otherwise extended by the Board. Jason Bender addressed the Board regarding Leadership Tulare’s fundraiser event. IV. COMMUNICATIONS: Interim City Manager Paul Melikian advised the Board of communication received from Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability regarding the Reimbursement Agreement with the County of Tulare for Matheny Tract. V. ELECTION AND REORGANIZATION OF OFFICERS (PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT) FOR THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES: Following discussion and nominations, it was moved by Board Member Johnson, seconded by Board Member Pennington to select Vice President Smith to serve as President and it was moved by Board Member Henry, seconded by Board Member Johnson to select President Brehm to serve as Vice President and carried 4-1 (President Brehm voting no).  Page 3016 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Vice Present Brehm, seconded by Board Member Johnson and unanimously carried that the items on the consent calendar be approved as presented except for items 14 and 15. (1) Approve minutes of the November 17, 2016 regular/special meeting(s). (2) Approve the cancellation of the Tulare Board of Public Utilities meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 5, 2017, due to the holiday season and subsequent city office closures. (3) Receive and review the upcoming budget dates. (4) Receive, review, and file the Monthly Investment Report for October 31, 2016. (5) Accept Financial Status Report. (6) Accept Public Works Monthly Water System Report for November 2016. (7) Accept Public Works performance reports for November 2016. (8) Accept Water System Development Program update. (9) Accept Public Works Project Dashboard for December 2016. (10) Accept as complete the contract with Telstar Instruments of Hanford, California on Project WT0018 Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) project; authorize the City Project Manager to sign the Notice of Completion; and direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office. (11) Authorize the purchase of the real property located at 820 Wright Way, APN #175-220-010, as a future City well site and authorize City Manager to execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) and all necessary escrow related documents, including applicable deeds to purchase said property in the amount of $30,000. (12) Review and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve a change order to Valley Pump & Dairy Systems of Tulare, CA to extend the column pipe in Well #31 by 100’; approve the revised Project Budget; and appropriate an additional $1,675.00 from the Water CIP Fund for Project WT0020 Well Rehabilitation.  Page 3017 (13) Review and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve contract change orders to 99 Pipeline, Inc. of Porterville, CA for the additional water improvements requested and required by unforeseen conditions and mis- identified utility locations on Project EN0065 – ‘H’ St. Improvements; approve the revised Project Budget; and appropriate an additional $50,195.54 from the Water CIP Fund. (14) Review and approve the project scope and budget for a new transportation and utility project on ‘I’ St. between San Joaquin Avenue and Cross Avenue and on Owens St. between ‘E’ St. and ‘I’ St. Board Member Henry pulled this item for clarification regarding the project sheet. Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided the Board with a revised project sheet that changed Cross Avenue to Pleasant Avenue. (15) Adopt the amended Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) that was prepared by GHD, Inc. for the City of Tulare in order to comply with State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2006-0003. Board Member Henry pulled the item to advise Staff of typographical errors contained in the SSMP. Following discussion of Items 14 and 15 it was moved by Board Member Henry, seconded by Vice President Brehm and unanimously carried to approve the items as presented. VII. GENERAL BUSINESS: (1) Approve a Reimbursement Agreement with the County of Tulare in a not to exceed amount of $131,000 for a study to determine if the City’s existing sewer conveyance system and residential wastewater treatment plant are adequate to accommodate additional wastewater from the community of Matheny Tract, subject only to minor conforming or clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City. Interim City Manager Paul Melikian provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Ashley Werner, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, addressed the Board to express their encouragement with the City moving forward on this item and their hope that the Board approves the Reimbursement Agreement. President Smith inquired about the Matheny Tract resident’s interest in connecting to the sewer system. Ms. Werner advised that it will take a large effort, but they are ready to commit the time to assist with this process and she anticipates strong support. Interim City Manager Paul Melikian advised the Board that the only item covered by the Reimbursement Agreement is the feasibility portion. Eric Coyne, County of Tulare, addressed the Board to provide assurance that they will make every effort to have the resident’s connect to the system. Following discussion it was moved by Vice President Brehm, seconded by Board Member Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.  Page 3018 (2) Approve a sole source contract with Carollo Engineers, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA, in the amount of $130,888 to perform a recalibration of the City’s hydraulic model of the Sanitary Sewer Collection system and a Capacity analysis re-evaluation of the Wastewater Treatment Facility, subject only to minor conforming or clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Contract. Interim City Manager Paul Melikian provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Public Works Director Joe Carlini provided anticipated timeframes for completing the hydraulic model. Following discussion it was moved by Vice President Brehm, seconded by Board Member Henry and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented. (3) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign a contract with Carollo Engineers of Fresno, CA in the amount of $111,373 for preliminary and final design, bidding and construction support services for the construction of a well at Alpine Avenue and Nelder Grove Street, subject only to minor conforming or clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney; approve the attached project sheet; and authorize the City Manager or designee to approve contract change orders in the amount not to exceed 10% ($11,137.30) of the contract amount. Project Manager Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Board Member Johnson inquired about testing requirements for the dirt that will be removed for the storage tanks. Ms. Whitfield advised she would confirm with the consultant and advise the Board of testing requirements, if any. Following discussion it was moved by Board Member Johnson, seconded by Vice President Brehm and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented. (4) Consider an amendment to the contract to Kenneth D. Schmidt and Associates of Fresno, CA in the amount of $21,330 for the first well and $19,680 for each subsequent well, up to 10 total wells, for hydrogeologic services associated with new water supply wells and construction support services; and authorize the City Manager or designee to approve contract change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($2,133.00 for the first well and $1,968.00 per subsequent well) of the contract award amount. Project Manager Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Following discussion it was moved by Vice President Brehm, seconded by Board Member Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented. Council Member Sigala addressed the Board to express his appreciation for the Board Member’s service and that he is looking forward to working with them in the future. VIII. ITEMS OF BOARD INTERESTS: Items of Board interest were discussed among the Board and staff. Board Member Henry inquired if the Board would support his position that President Smith be  Page 3019 nominated by City Council to the Groundwater Sustainability Agency as one of the City’s representatives. The Board supported his position. IX. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING: President Smith adjourned the regular meeting at 3:57 p.m. __________________________________ President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Tulare ATTEST: __________________________ Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners