Board of Public Utilities Meeting

3170 ACTION MINUTES OF BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS CITY OF TULARE January 17, 2019 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Tulare was held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber, 491 North “M” Street. BPU PRESENT: Jim Pennington, Thomas Griesbach, Chris Soria, Chris Harrell BPU ABSENT: Howard Stroman STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Jaskaran Gill, Trisha Whitfield, Darlene Thompson, Michael Miller, Nick Bartsch, Tim Doyle, Art Avila, Brad Crim, Jim Funk, 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 Board Member Griesbach led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by President Pennington. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS President Pennington requested those who wish to speak on matters not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the Board, or to address or request a matter be pulled from the Consent Calendar to do so at this time. He further stated comments related to General Business matters would be heard at the time that matter is addressed on the agenda. There were no citizen comments. IV. COMMUNICATIONS There were no items for this section. V. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Board Member Griesbach seconded by Board Member Harrell and carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of items 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9.  3171 (1) Approve minutes of the December 20, 2018 regular meeting. (2) Receive, review, and file the Monthly Investment Report for November 2018. (3) Accept the Financial Status Report for July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. (4) Receive the Fuel Cell Performance report for November 2018. Board Member Harrell pulled this item to inquire if a letter from the Board to FCE would be something that could assist in any way. Interim City Manager Rob Hunt responded thereto. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield commented that they are looking at hiring a consultant to assist. Board Member Soria questioned why this was not looked into previously which was responded to by Ms. Whitfield. President Pennington advised and it was the consensus of the Board that this item be moved to General Business until otherwise advised. President Pennington requested an update on the vacancies in the department. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield stated that they can add that to the monthly dashboard. It was moved by Board Member Harrell, seconded by Board Member Griesbach and unanimously carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) to receive the Fuel Cell Performance report for November 2018. (5) Receive the Quarterly Potable Water Pumping and Metered Delivery Report. (6) Receive the Public Works performance reports for December 2018. Board Member Griesbach pulled this item to inquire about the water gross per capita number. Water and Wastewater Collections Utility Manager Tim Doyle and Finance Director Darlene Thompson provided a response thereto. It was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Board Member Harrell and unanimously carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) to receive the Public Works performance reports for December 2018. (7) Accept the Public Works Monthly Water System Report. President Pennington pulled the item for discussion and to place the matter under General Business for future meetings to provide for more in-depth discussion. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield and Interim City Manager Rob Hunt provided a response thereto. It was agreed that this item will be pulled from the Consent Calendar for future agendas and brought back, possibly in March, with a discussion on what the Board wants to see on this monthly report. It was moved by President Pennington, seconded by Board Member Harrell and unanimously carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) to accept the Public Works Monthly Water System Report. (8) Receive the Water System Development Program update. Board Member Griesbach pulled this item to inquire how a willing property owner is identified for future Well 4-2. Project Manager Jim Funk and Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided a response thereto. It was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Board Member Harrell and unanimously  3172 carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) to receive the Water System Development Program update. (9) Approve the purchase of (2) two 20 HP Flygt Sewer Lift Station Pump/Motor for $54,983.05 from Shape Incorporated for the Del Lago Sewer Lift Station as part of the Lift Station Upgrade Project (Project SW0008). Board Member Soria pulled this item to inquire about the horse power in the motors. Water and Wastewater Collections Utility Manager Tim Doyle provided a response thereto. It was moved by Board Member Soria, seconded by Board Member Harrell and unanimously carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) to approve the item as presented. VI. GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Review and authorize City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Consolidation Agreement with Soults Mutual Water Company for potable water service, subject only 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. Board Member Soria inquired if there will be enough staff to read those additional meters which was responded to by Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Board Member Harrell and unanimously carried 4 to 0 (Vice President Stroman absent) to approve the item as presented. VII. ITEMS OF INTEREST Items of Board interest were discussed amongst the Board and staff. VIII. ADJOURNMENT President Pennington adjourned the regular meeting at 5:15 p.m. __________________________________ President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Tulare ATTEST: __________________________ Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners