Board of Public Utilities Meeting

3176 ACTION MINUTES OF BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS CITY OF TULARE February 21, 2019 A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Tulare was held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Tulare Public Library & Council Chamber, 491 North “M” Street. BPU PRESENT: Jim Pennington, Howard Stroman, Thomas Griesbach, Chris Harrell BPU ABSENT: Chris Soria (resigned prior to meeting) STUDENT PRESENT: Pawnit Kaur STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Jaskaran Gill, Trisha Whitfield, Darlene Thompson, Michael Miller, Nick Bartsch, Tim Doyle, Jim Funk, Melissa Hermann I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING President Pennington called the regular meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION Board Member Griesbach led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by Vice President Stroman. 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. STUDENT REPORT Pawnit Kaur shared with the Board her volunteer work with CSET and provided an update on the library architecture project.  3177 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved as presented with the exception of items 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11. (1) Approve minutes of the February 7, 2019 regular meeting. (2) Receive the City’s annual audited financial statements/Comprehension Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2017-2018 fiscal year (Informational only). Board Member Griesbach pulled this item to inquire if there was anything concerning in regard to the CAFR. Finance Director Darlene Thompson provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Board Member Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to receive the City’s annual audited financial statements/Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2017-2018 fiscal year. (3) Accept the Financial Status Report for the period of July 1, 2018 through January 31, 2019. (4) Receive the Fuel Cell update. Board Member Pennington pulled this item to convey concern regarding the lack of return on this project. Interim City Manager Rob Hunt reviewed and discussed with the Board the information provided in the staff report. Mr. Hunt informed the Board that staff is bringing in Hydros Agritech to provide clarity with regard to the issues. Following a lengthy discussion, it was moved by President Pennington, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to receive the Fuel Cell update. (5) Award and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Press Rentals of Evans, Georgia in the amount of $80,560.00 for the three month rental of temporary dewatering equipment at the City of Tulare Wastewater Treatment Plant. (6) Award and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract amendment with Don Berry Construction, Inc. of Selma, CA in an amount not to exceed $917,582.79 for additional street and utility improvements associated with Project EN0077, a street and utility improvement project on Cherry Street, Bash Alley and Lyndale Drive; Approve the revised project budget (attached). President Pennington pulled this item for clarification. Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by President Pennington, seconded by Board Member Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to approve the item as presented.  3178 (7) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract for the Well #17 & Well #37 Rehabilitation Project (Project # WT0020) to Valley Pump & Dairy Systems, Inc. of Tulare, California in the amount of $202,160.00; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve contract change orders in amounts up to 10% ($20,216.00) of the contract award; approve a budget increase of $34,876 to cover constructions and associated construction costs. Board Member Griesbach pulled this item to ensure that the contractor is aware that time is of the essence. Water and Wastewater Collections Utility Manager Tim Doyle responded thereto. President Pennington inquired about standardization for equipping the wells. Project Manager Jim Funk provided a response thereto. President Pennington inquired about a date of completion of the project which staff responded to. Following discussion, it was moved by President Pennington, seconded by Board Member Griesbach, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to approve the item as presented. (8) Receive the Water System Development update. (9) Accept as complete the contract with Strategic Mechanical Inc. of Fresno, CA for work on Well 22 Electrical System Rehabilitation Project (Project WT0016, 0034, & 0035); and Authorize the City Engineer to sign the Notice of Completion and direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Tulare County Recorder’s Office; and Approve the amended project budget. Vice President Stroman pulled this item to receive confirmation that the contract is in fact complete. Project Manager Jim Funk provided a response thereto. It was moved by Vice President Stroman, seconded by Board Member Griesbach, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to approve the item as presented. (10) Receive the Public Works Project Dashboard for February 2019. (11) Receive the Public Works performance reports for January 2019. Vice President Stroman pulled this item to inquire about the Commercial division fleet availability. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided a response thereto. Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Stroman, seconded by Board Member Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to receive the Public Works performance reports for January 2019. (12) Adopt Resolution 19-01 approving the Wells 17 & 37 Rehab & Electrical Panel Upgrade Project, and the associated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption. (13) Adopt Resolution 19-02 approving the WWTP Splitter Boxes Bypass Project, and the associated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption.  3179 (14) Adopt Resolution 19-03 approving the Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Upgrades Project, and the associated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption. VII. GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Well Transfer and Easement Agreement between the City and the College of the Sequoias District (COS) subject to minor conforming changes by the City Attorney’s Office. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield provided the Board with a report for review and consideration. Board Member Harrell commended staff in regard to this agreement. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Griesbach, seconded by Vice President Stroman, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Soria absent) to approve the item as presented. VIII. ITEMS OF INTEREST Items of interest were discussed amongst the Board and staff. IX. ADJOURNMENT President Pennington adjourned the regular meeting at 5:31 p.m. __________________________________ President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Tulare ATTEST: __________________________ Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners