Board of Public Utilities

Page 3028 ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS CITY OF TULARE February 16, 2017 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, City of Tulare, was held on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Smith, Lee Brehm, Edward Henry, Jim Pennington, Dick Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Joe Carlini, Michael Miller, Trisha Whitfield, Jason Bowling, Nick Bartsch, Steve Bonville, Tim Doyle, Benjamin Siegel, Shonna Oneal I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION: President Smith called the regular session to order at 3:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Board Member Pennington 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. There were no citizen comments presented. IV. COMMUNICATIONS: There were no items for this section on the agenda. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini introduced and welcomed Jason Bowling as the Interim Public Works Director. Mr. Carlini also introduced and welcomed Mayor Jones to the meeting. V. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Board Member Johnson, seconded by Vice President Brehm and unanimously carried that the items on the consent calendar be approved as presented with the exception of item 7. (1) Approve minutes of the January 27, 2017 and February 2, 2017 regular/special meeting(s).  Page 3029 (2) Receive the City’s annual audited financial statements/Comprehension Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2015-2016 fiscal year. (3) Accept Financial Status Report. (4) Receive, review, and file the Monthly Investment Report for December 31, 2016. (5) Receive Water System Development Program update. (6) Accept Public Works Monthly Water System Report for January 2017. (7) Receive the Public Works performance reports for January 2017. Board Member Henry pulled the item to inquire about the water conservation numbers. Management Analyst Benjamin Siegel explained the variance in the water conservation numbers. Without further discussion, it was moved by Board Member Henry, seconded by Board Member Pennington and unanimously carried to accept the item as presented. VI. GENERAL BUSINESS: (1) Review and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group of Visalia, CA in an amount not to exceed $254,200.00 for topographic surveying, geotechnical analysis, design, bidding and construction support services for Project EN0070, a street improvement project on ‘I’ Street and Owens Avenue; and authorize the City Manager or designee to approve contract change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($25,420) of the contract award amount. Sr. Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. President Smith requested that in the future staff provide a breakdown of percentages per funding source. The Board raised questions regarding consultants and contingencies and Mr. Bartsch provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Brehm, seconded by Board Member Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented. (2) Review proposed changes and make recommendations to the City Council with regard to revising Title 7 Chapter 7.20, Sanitary Sewer System, of the Tulare Municipal Code, to effect the changes described in the revised ordinance as attached. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. The Board raised questions regarding the proposed changes and Mr. Carlini provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Brehm, seconded by Board Member Henry and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.  Page 3030 (3) Receive an update on biogas utilization proposals and authorize staff to negotiate with Fuel Cell Energy (FCE) of Danbury, Connecticut for the utilization of biogas. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Ben Toby, Fuel Cell Energy, addressed the Board regarding the negotiations on the utilization of biogas. Kent Hawkins, Colony Energy, addressed the Board regarding their desire to continue negotiations with the City of Tulare and provided a handout reflecting deal points for CEP Tulare Biogas Purchase. Vice President Brehm inquired about the handout provided by Colony Energy. Mr. Hawkins advised the Board that the handout provided has been revised. President Smith inquired if the Board concurred with his suggestion that staff have legal counsel review and provide a report back to the Board regarding if the City has appropriately handled all communications with Colony Energy. The Board did not concur. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Brehm, seconded by Board Member Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented. Mayor Jones addressed the Board regarding Council and Board communication and his concerns with this item. (4) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign a month to month agreement with Fuel Cell Energy Inc. (FCE), of Danbury, Connecticut to use the existing three fuel cells and operate/maintain the City gas cleaning skid until the new 2.8 Megawatt fuel cell system is operating and integrated to the wastewater system for a monthly fee of $7,000 per 3 fuel cells at a total cost of $21,000. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. The Board raised questions and Mr. Carlini provided responses thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Johnson, seconded by Vice President Brehm and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented. (5) Receive informational status update on Public Works CMMS implementation project. Informational Item Only. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini introduced the item and Chris Ewers of Ewers Engineering. Mr. Ewers provided a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the status of Public Works CMMS implementation project. The Board raised questions and Mr. Ewers provided responses thereto. Following discussion, no action was taken. Informational Item Only. VII. ITEMS OF BOARD INTERESTS: (may include City Council and Planning Commission updates) – GC 54954.2(3) Items of Board interest were discussed among the Board and staff.  Page 3031 VIII. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING: President Smith adjourned the regular meeting at 4:42 p.m. __________________________________ President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Tulare ATTEST: __________________________ Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners