Board of Public Utilities Meeting

3141 ACTION MINUTES OF BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS CITY OF TULARE August 16, 2018 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities, City of Tulare was held on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers, 491 North “M” Street. BPU PRESENT: Jim Pennington, Howard Stroman, Thomas Griesbach BPU ABSENT: Vicki Gilson, Chris Soria STAFF PRESENT: Willard Epps4:25 p.m., Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson, Trisha Whitfield, Nick Bartsch, Tim Doyle, Frank Rodriguez, Ben Siegel, Melissa Hermann I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING President Pennington called the regular meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION President Pennington led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by Vice President Stroman. III. CITIZEN 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. Dr. Edward Henry of Tulare provided information regarding groundwater and concerns with the absenteeism of a City of Tulare member on the Mid-Kaweah GSA. Dr. Henry expressed his desire for the BPU to write a letter to the Council regarding selecting Howard Stroman as a member on the Mid-Kaweah GSA and selecting another alternate from the BPU. Charles Ritchie of Tulare addressed the Board regarding TCP treatment. Jason Bender of Tulare addressed the Board to state his agreement with Dr. Henry’s concern over the representation on the Mid-Kaweah GSA.  3142 IV. COMMUNICATIONS There were no items for this section. Interim City Attorney Jas Gill advised the Board that they are not able to act on any items that are not on the agenda in response to comments made during Citizen Comments. V. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman and unanimously carried that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of item(s) 2, 3, 4, and 5. (1) Approve minutes August 2, 2018 regular and/or special meeting(s). (2) Accept the Financial Status Report. Vice President Stroman pulled this item to inquire about the Water Fund and noted the increase in water consumption. Mr. Stroman questioned if there is cause for concern with the increase. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided a response thereto commenting that staff did notice the increase. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Stroman, seconded by Board Member Griesbach and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented. (3) Receive the Public Works performance reports for July 2018. Board Member Griesbach pulled this item to inquire about the biogas project and if staff is satisfied with how it is going. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield responded that as a stand alone project, it is going well. She also commented that Pat McLafferty of Hydros Agritech stated that it should be up and running by February 1, 2019. President Pennington noted the amount of trucks down for the reported month and inquired if that affected the ability to keep up with the work load. Solid Waste Manager Frank Rodriguez responded that the department was able to keep up. Followin discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented. (4) Accept the Public Works Monthly Water System Report. Board member Griesbach pulled this item to inquire about the minimum peak hours pressure and if this is the main indicator of the health of the City’s water system. Mr. Griesbach also inquired if staff was concerned with the low number. Water and Wastewater Collections Utility Manager Tim Doyle provided a reponse thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented.  3143 (5) Receive the Fuel Cell Performance report for June 2018. Board Member Griesbach pulled this to inquire when the “true-up” period is on the NEM tariff and if staff has an idea of what this will look like for the City. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield responded that the “true-up” period is December 2018. President Pennington requested staff walk through the chart provided to give a better understanding. Management Analyst Ben Siegel explained the information that was presented in the chart. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Stroman, seconded by Board Member Griesbach and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented. (6) Receive the Water System Development Program update. VI. 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) Approve and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a twenty- five (25) year Power Purchase Agreement and lease for the land underlying the system with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. of San Diego, CA subject to minor conforming or clarifying changes acceptable to the City Attorney. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Representatives from Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. provided the Board with a PowerPoint presentation. Questions posed by the Board were responded to by Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield and Borrego representatives. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Stroman, seconded by Board Member Griesbach and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented. (2) Review proposed changes and make recommendations to the City Council with regard to revising Title 7 Chapter 7.16, Garbage Collection and Street Sweeping Services, and Title 7 Chapter 7.18, Recycling and Diversion of Construction and Demolition Debris of the Tulare Municipal Code, to effect the change described in the revised ordinance as attached. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Questions posed by the Board were responded to by Solid Waste Manager Frank Rodriguez and Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield. The Board did not make any recommendations with regard to revising the ordinance. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented. (3) Receive an update on the TCP Project and compliance order received by the State Water Resources Control Board. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Vice President Stroman inquired about the risks to the elderly  3144 and those with weak immune systems. Water and Wastewater Collections Utility Manager Tim Doyle provided a response thereto. President Pennington expressed his desire for staff to bring information to the Board and involve the Board more. Dr. Edward Henry, citizen of Tulare, addressed the Board regarding TCP health concerns. Charles Ritchie, citizen of Tulare, expressed concerns regarding the TCP treatment. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman and carried 3 to 0 (Board Members Soria and Gilson absent) to approve the item as presented. VII. ITEMS OF BOARD INTEREST Items of Board interest were discussed amongst the Board and staff. Interim City Attorney Jas Gill advised there was a desire to discuss the roles and responsibilities of staff and the Board. It was the consensus of the Board to add an item to the next agenda to discuss this topic. VIII. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING President Pennington adjourned the regular meeting at 6:02 p.m. __________________________________ President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Tulare ATTEST: __________________________ Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners