Board of Public Utilities Meeting
Regular MeetingTulare, CA · June 20, 2019
Minutes
3201
ACTION MINUTES OF
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS
CITY OF TULARE
June 20, 2019
A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Tulare was held on
Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Tulare Public Library & Council
Chamber, 491 North “M” Street.
BPU PRESENT: Howard Stroman, Chris Harrell, Ray Fonseca, Renee Soto
BPU ABSENT: Thomas Griesbach
STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt, Megan Dodd, Michael Miller, Darlene Thompson,
Trisha Whitfield, Nick Bartsch, Tim Doyle, Andrew Bettencourt,
Steve Bonville, Melissa Hermann, Mario Zamora, Art Avila
I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING
Board President Pro Tem Stroman called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
II. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW BOARD MEMBER
Deputy City Clerk/Records Coordinator Melissa Hermann administered an oath of
office to Renee Soto.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
Board Member Harrell led the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by
President Pro Tem Stroman.
IV. CITIZEN COMMENTS
President Pro Tem Stroman 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.
Mayor Sigala addressed the Board, congratulating the new members appointed and
shared his appreciation for the Board’s work.
Charles Ritchie, Tulare resident, addressed the Board regarding the treatment of TCP
and provided a handout for the Board’s review.
V. COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications.
3202
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Board Member Harrell, seconded by Board Member Fonseca,
and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Griesbach absent) that the items on the
Consent Calendar be approved as presented.
(1) Approve minutes of June 6, 2019 regular meeting.
(2) Receive the investments report for May 31, 2019. President Pro Tem
Stroman pulled this item for clarification. Finance Director Darlene Thompson
responded thereto. It was moved by Board Member Fonseca, seconded by
Board Member Harrell, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Griesbach absent) to
approve the item as presented.
(3) Receive the Public Works performance reports for April 2019.
(4) Receive the Water System Development Program update.
(5) Accept the Financial Status Report for the period of July 1, 2018 to May 31,
2019.
VII. GENERAL BUSINESS
(1) Award a contract to Peters Engineering Group of Clovis, CA in an amount
not to exceed $422,740 for field surveying and mapping, utility
coordination, geotechnical analysis, engineering design, right-of-way
acquisition (appraisals, negotiation, contracts and documentation), and
bidding and engineering construction support services as needed for
Project EN0085 – Kern, Silva, Latimer and Aronian Improvements.
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve contract change
orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($42,274) of the contract award
amount. Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided a report for the Board’s
review and consideration. Questions posed by the Board were responded to by
staff. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Fonseca, seconded
by Board Member Soto, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Griesbach absent) to
approve the item as presented.
(2) Award a contract to 4Creeks of Visalia, CA in an amount not to exceed
$245,105 for field surveying and mapping, utility coordination, geotechnical
analysis, engineering design, and bidding and engineering construction
support services as needed for Project EN0086 – Tulare Avenue
Improvements. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to approve
contract change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($24,510.50) of the
contract award amount. Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch provided a
report for the Board’s review and consideration. With no discussion, it was
moved by Board Member Fonseca, seconded by Board Member Harrell, and
carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Griesbach absent) to approve the item as
presented.
3203
(3) Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Waste Disposal
Agreement between the City and the County of Tulare for a term of five
years commencing on July 1, 2019, subject to any minor conforming
changes by the City Attorney’s Office. Public Works Director Trisha Whitfield
provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. Questions posed by
the Board were responded to by staff. Following discussion, it was moved by
Board Member Harrell, seconded by Board Member Soto, and carried 4 to 0
(Board Member Griesbach absent) to approve the item as presented.
(4) Review and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Valley
Pump & Dairy Systems, Inc. of Tulare, California for the Emergency Repair
and Rehabilitation of Well # 42 in the amount of $53,930.78, authorize the
City Manager, or designee, to approve contract change orders for the Well
# 42 Project in amounts up to $5,393.00. Water and Wastewater Collections
Utility Manager Tim Doyle provided a report for the Board’s review and
consideration. Charles Ritchie, Tulare resident, addressed the Board with
concerns and questions surrounding the project. Mr. Ritchie’s concerns and
questions were responded to by Mr. Doyle. It was moved by Board Member
Fonseca, seconded by Board Member Soto, and carried 4 to 0 (Board Member
Griesbach absent) to approve the item as presented.
(5) Discussion and selection for recommendation to Council of a Board of
Public Utilities Commissioner to serve as alternate director on the Mid
Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency board. Public Works Director
Trisha Whitfield provided a report for the Board’s review and consideration. It
was moved by Board Member Soto, seconded by Board Member Fonseca, and
carried 4 to 0 (Board Member Griesbach absent) to select Board Member Harrell
to serve as the alternate on the Mid Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency
board.
VIII. ITEMS OF INTEREST
Items of interest were discussed amongst the Board and staff.
IX. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION(S):
President Pro Tem Stroman adjourned to Closed Session at 5:12 p.m.
(1) 54956.9(b) Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to § 54956.9(b):
Two potential cases under § 54956.9(d)(2)
X. RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
President Pro Tem Stroman reconvened from Closed Session at 7:12 p.m.
3204
XI. CLOSED SESSION REPORT (if any)
President Pro Tem Stroman advised there was no reportable action.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
President Pro Tem Stroman adjourned the regular meeting at 7:12 p.m.
__________________________________
President of the Board of Public Utilities
Commissioners of the City of Tulare
ATTEST:
__________________________
Secretary of the Board of
Public Utilities Commissioners
Agenda
AGENDA
City of Tulare
Board of Public Utilities Commission
Thursday, June 20, 2019
4:00 p.m.
Tulare Public Library & Council Chambers
491 North “M” Street
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote a quality of life making Tulare the most desirable community in which
to live, learn, play, work, worship and prosper.
Meeting audio will be uploaded to the City’s website www.tulare.ca.gov no later than the Tuesday
following the meeting, barring any technical difficulties, accessible by selecting the appropriate meeting
date on the City Meeting Calendar page.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW BOARD MEMBER
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION
IV. CITIZEN COMMENTS - This is the time for citizens to comment on items on the
Consent Calendar or within the jurisdiction of the Board. Comments related to
General Business items will be heard at the time the item is discussed. The Board
cannot legally discuss or take official action on citizen request items 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.
V. COMMUNICATIONS - No action will be taken on matters listed under
Communications; however, the Board may direct staff to schedule issues raised
during Communications for a future agenda.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - All Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will
be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters
unless a request is made, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent
Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion.
(1) Approve minutes of the June 6, 2019 regular meeting.
(2) Receive the investments report for May 31, 2019.
(3) Receive the Public Works performance reports for April 2019.
(4) Receive the Water System Development Program update.
Page 1
Board of Public Utilities Agenda June 20, 2019
(5) Accept the Financial Status Report for the period of July 1, 2018 to May 31,
2019.
VII. 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) Award a contract to Peters Engineering Group of Clovis, CA in an amount not to
exceed $422,740 for field surveying and mapping, utility coordination,
geotechnical analysis, engineering design, right-of-way acquisition (appraisals,
negotiation, contracts and documentation), and bidding and engineering
construction support services as needed for Project EN0085 – Kern, Silva,
Latimer and Aronian Improvements. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to
approve contract change orders in an amount not to exceed 10% ($42,274) of
the contract award amount.
(2) Award a contract to 4Creeks of Visalia, CA in an amount not to exceed $245,105
for field surveying and mapping, utility coordination, geotechnical analysis,
engineering design, and bidding and engineering construction support services
as needed for Project EN0086 – Tulare Avenue Improvements. Authorize the
City Manager, or designee, to approve contract change orders in an amount not
to exceed 10% ($24,510.50) of the contract award amount.
(3) Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Waste Disposal Agreement
between the City and the County of Tulare for a term of five years commencing
on July 1, 2019, subject to any minor conforming changes by the City Attorney’s
Office.
(4) Review and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Valley Pump &
Dairy Systems, Inc. of Tulare, California for the Emergency Repair and
Rehabilitation of Well # 42 in the amount of $53,930.78, authorize the City
Manager, or designee, to approve contract change orders for the Well # 42
Project in amounts up to $5,393.00.
(5) Discussion and selection for recommendation to Council of a Board of Public
Utilities Commissioner to serve as alternate director on the Mid Kaweah
Groundwater Sustainability Agency board.
VIII. ITEMS OF INTEREST (may include City Council, Planning Commission, Mid-Kaweah GSA updates)
– GC 54954.2(3)
IX. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION(S):
(a) 54956.9(b) Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to § 54956.9(b):
Two potential cases under § 54956.9(d)(2)
Page 2
Board of Public Utilities Agenda June 20, 2019
X. RECONVENE CLOSED SESSION
XI. CLOSED SESSION REPORT (if any)
XII. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Brown Act, if you need special assistance to
participate in this meeting, including the receipt of the agenda and documents in the agenda package in an
alternate format, please contact the City Manager’s Office at (559) 684-4200. Notification of 48 hours prior
to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting
(28 CFR 35.102-35, 104 ADA Title I), and allow for the preparation of documents in the appropriate alternate
format.
[Note: Pursuant to Government Code 54957.5 - Effective 7/1/08 Documents produced and distributed less
than 72 hours prior to or during an open session of a regular meeting to a majority of the legislative body
regarding any item on the agenda will be made available for public inspection at the meeting and at the City
Clerk’s Office at City Hall located at 411 East Kern Avenue during normal business hours.]
Page 3
Get email alerts for Tulare
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.