Board of Public Utilities

Page 3042 ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS CITY OF TULARE April 20, 2017 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, City of Tulare, was held on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: James Pennington, Howard Stroman, Gregory Blevins, Erica Cubas, Thomas Griesbach3:04 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Joe Carlini, Michael Miller, Trisha Whitfield, Nick Bartsch, Steve Bonville, Frank Rodriguez, Benjamin Siegel, Josh Rogers, Tim Doyle, Jason Bowling, Rene Miller, Melissa Hermann, Roxanne Yoder I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SESSION Board Member Pennington called the regular session to order at 3:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Board Member Pennington led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by Board Member Stroman. III. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS Interim Deputy City Clerk Melissa Hermann administered an oath of office for all members of the Board. IV. ELECTION AND REORGANIZATION OF OFFICERS (PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT) FOR THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES It was moved by Board Member Blevins, seconded by Board Member Stroman, and unanimously carried to nominate Jim Pennington as President of the Board of Public Utilities. It was moved by President Pennington, seconded by Board Member Blevins, and unanimously carried to nominate Howard Stroman as Vice President of the Board of Public Utilities.  Page 3043 V. CITIZEN’S REQUEST OR COMMENTS President Pennington advised that comments from the public are for items within the jurisdiction of the Board. Speakers will be allowed three minutes. There were no citizen comments presented. VI. COMMUNICATIONS There were no items for this section on the agenda. VII. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Board Member Blevins, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and unanimously carried that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of items 3, 5, 6 and 7. (1) Approve minutes of both March 16, 2017 regular/special meeting(s). (2) Accept February 2017 Investment Report. (3) Accept Financial Status Report. Vice President Stroman pulled the item to inquire about the Water Fund expenditures. Cost Accountant Rene Miller and Project Manager Trisha Whitfield gave a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Stroman, seconded by Board Member Blevins, and unanimously carried to accept the item as presented. (4) Accept Public Works Monthly Water System Report. (5) Accept Water System Development Program update. Board Member Blevins and pulled the item to clarify information provided in the report. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Blevins, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and unanimously carried to accept the item as presented. (6) Accept the quarterly Potable Water Pumping and Metered Delivery Report. Board Member Blevins pulled the item to inquire why the report does not include March information. Management Analyst Benjamin Siegel provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Blevins, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and unanimously carried to accept the item as presented. (7) Accept the Public Works performance reports for March 2017. Board Member Blevins pulled the item to inquire about the total number of vehicles available and why there was an increase in man hours for collections. Management Analyst Benjamin Siegel and Water Utility Manager Tim Doyle provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Board  Page 3044 Member Blevins, seconded by Board Member Cubas, and unanimously carried to accept the item as presented. VIII. GENERAL BUSINESS: Comments related to General Business Items are limited to three minutes per speaker for a maximum of 30 minutes per item unless otherwise extended by the Board. (1) Receive for review the proposed Capital Improvements Projects Budget for Fiscal Years (FY) 2017-2022 and direct staff to make any modifications prior to presenting them to the Planning Commission. Interim City Manager Joe Carlini provided an introduction to the item. A presentation was given by Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch, Project Manager Trisha Whitfield and Interim City Manager Joe Carlini regarding the Projects Budget. Vice President Stroman asked for clarification and understanding regarding project sheets provided. Interim City Manager provided a response thereto. Board Member Blevins asked for clarification regarding transportation projects. Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided a response thereto. It was the consensus of the Board to receive the item as presented. (2) Approve scope changes to project WT0018 Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Replacement Project; award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment for the VFD project to Telstar Instruments of Hanford, California in the amount of $88,800.00; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve contract change orders in amounts up to 10% ($8,880.00) of the contract award. Project Manager Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. It was moved by Board Member Blevins, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and unanimously carried to accept the item as presented. IX. 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. Vice President Stroman requested an item be placed on the May 4 agenda regarding Colony Energy. Chief Deputy City Clerk Roxanne Yoder advised that upon instruction from the Interim City Attorney that a closed session and general session item has been added to the agenda for May 4. Board Member Cubas requested a spreadsheet of all the projects. Project Manager Trisha Whitfield advised that a report is provided quarterly and will bring one for the May 4 meeting. President Pennington brought up the subject of changing the time the BPU meetings are scheduled and asked the Board to suggest start times that would work for the  Page 3045 members. Board Member Griesbach stated any time after 5:00 p.m. would be favorable. All other members stated they were open to any time decided upon. Chief Deputy City Clerk Roxanne Yoder advised that an item for consideration would be placed on the next agenda for May 4. X. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING: President Pennington adjourned the regular meeting at 5:01 p.m. __________________________________ President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Tulare ATTEST: __________________________ Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners