AGENDA. NEENAH WATER UTILITY SPECIAL WATER COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 22, :30 P.M. 2 ND Floor Conference Room, City Hall

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "AGENDA. NEENAH WATER UTILITY SPECIAL WATER COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 22, :30 P.M. 2 ND Floor Conference Room, City Hall"

Joanna Ray
5 years ago
Views:

1 AGENDA NEENAH WATER UTILITY SPECIAL WATER COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 22, :30 P.M. 2 ND Floor Conference Room, City Hall NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of Wis. Stats. Sec , that a majority of the Neenah Common Council may be present at this meeting. Common Council members may be present to gather information about a subject over which they have decision making responsibility. This constitutes a meeting of the Neenah Common Council and must be noticed as such. The Council will not take any formal action at this meeting. 1. Approve Special Meeting Minutes for September 24, 2018 (Attachment) 2. Approve the Invoices for September 2018 (Attachment) 3. Appearances 4. Old Business/New Business A. 836 E Cecil Street Water Meter Read System Exception (Attachment) B. 3 rd Quarter Financial Report (Attachment) B Draft Operating Budget (Attachment) C Draft CIP (Attachment) D. Reimbursement to Peter Kelly for Water Main Installation and Related Expenses for the Replacement Water Main from Kittiver Ct. to 1603/1615 Nicolet Blvd. (Attachment) E. Badger Meter CE Endpoint End of Life Discussion F. Director s Report (Attachment) G. Storm Water H. Any Other Business That May Legally Come Before the Commission I. Adjournment In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Neenah will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. If you need assistance, or reasonable accommodation in participating in this meeting or event due to a disability as defined under the ADA, please call the Water Utility Administrative Assistant at or the City s ADA Coordinator at (920) or attorney@ci.neenah.wi.us at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.

2 MINUTES OF THE NEENAH WATER WORKS COMMISSION Special Meeting September 24, 2018 The 2 nd Floor Conference Room City Hall Present: President Kaufert; Commissioners, Schmeichel, Smaby, Boyette, Lang. Excused: None Also Present: Human Resources Director Barber, Water Treatment Manager Mach, Information Systems Director Wenninger, Finance Director Easker, Public Works Director Kaiser, and Rachel Sawall President Kaufert called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes for August 20, 2018 Following discussion, M.S.C. Lang/Smaby to approve the August 20, 2018 Meeting Minutes. All voting aye. Approve the Invoices for August 2018 Following discussion, M.S.C. Schmeichel/Smaby to approve the August 2018 invoices. All voting aye. Approve Special Meeting Minutes for September 5, 2018 Following discussion, M.S.C. Boyette/Lang to approve the September 5, 2018 Special Meeting Minutes. All voting aye. Appearances None 836 E Cecil Street Water Meter Read System Exception Rachel Sawall of 836 E. Cecil St., Neenah introduced herself to the Commission. She expressed health, safety, and privacy concerns with regards to the current AMR (automatic meter reading) endpoint installed in her home. Ms. Sawall requested that the Commission consider her request for the removal of the endpoint and to provide manual (non-rf) reads. Following discussion, M.S.C. Smaby/Schmeichel to direct staff to investigate the costs of implementing manual water meter reading for 836 E. Cecil St., and to report back to the Commission all findings. All voting aye. Consideration of Director of Neenah Water Utility Appointment Human Resources Director Barber detailed the employment offer and stipends offered by the Waterworks Commission to Water Treatment Manager Mach in accepting the appointment to Director of Neenah Water Utility. Water Treatment Manager Mach accepted the offer as presented. Following discussion, M.S.C. Smaby/Lang to appoint Anthony L. Mach as the Director of Neenah Water Utility. All voting aye. In order to facilitate Director Mach s transition of roles, Public Works Director Kaiser agreed to provide advisement and support. Following discussion, M.S.C. Schmeichel/Boyette to provide Director Kaiser with a $200 per month stipend for advising and support. All voting aye. Update and Approve Changes to Water Quality Manager Position Human Resources Director Barber presented the suggested changes to the Water Quality Manager Position description.

3 Water Commission Special Minutes September 24, 2018 Page 2 of 3 Staff suggested changing the position title to Water Treatment Manager in order to better reflect the duties of this position. Staff also recommended changing the qualifications to reflect the necessity of obtaining the Waterworks Grade 1 designation within 12 months for all needed subclasses. Following discussion, M.S.C. Smaby/Boyette to accept renaming the Water Quality Manager Position to Water Treatment Manager and implementing the requested changes to the position description. All voting aye. Storm Water Report 1. Commerce Court Detention Pond: Staff is preparing a grant reimbursement submittal for this pond. WDNR had awarded an $80,000 grant for this project. 2. Neenah Foundry north site - WDNR has provided the City with a liability clarification letter regarding the Neenah Foundry site located north of Winneconne Avenue along Harrison Street. This letter will allow us to understand City responsibilities on the site should a purchase be pursued. Staff is reviewing the comments provided. 3. Wisconsin Avenue Alley Storm Sewer After the rain event of August 26-28, we had a contractor attempt to televise the storm sewer located behind the buildings fronting the south side of W. Wisconsin Avenue. He encountered debris in the flow line in one location west of Church Street and another location east of Church Street. In addition, there appeared to be damage to the catch basin structure on the east side of Church Street. On September. 17, we had a contractor repair the areas on the east side of Church Street. A televising contractor is scheduled to televise the full line east of Church Street so that we can get the full scope of its condition. Update and Approve Purchase of Utility Billing Software Information Systems Director Wenninger updated the Commission with information obtained since the May 22, 2018 Waterworks Commission meeting. Information Systems staff has completed a number of site visits, conference calls, webinars, and other learning activities in order to provide the best transition to the new ERP system. Since the May 22, 2018 meeting, Superion has modified their pricing model. Over the first 10 years, the total estimated annual cost of ownership will decrease from $11,312 to $8,024. Following discussion, M.S.C. Lang/Schmeichel to approve the purchase of Superion Utility Billing Software. All voting aye Benchmark Report President Kaufert and Water Treatment Manager Mach presented the 2017 Benchmark Report. Following discussion, M.S.C. Boyette/Schmeichel to accept the 2017 Benchmark Report. All voting aye.

4 Water Commission Special Minutes September 24, 2018 Page 3 of Draft Operating Budget Draft CIP M.S.C. Schmeichel/Boyette to table discussion of the 2019 Draft Operating Budget and Draft CIP until the October 15, 2018 regular meeting. All voting aye. Interim Director s/supervisor s Report 1. Non-Billable Water Report (May, June, July) 17.07% up from 10.23% (April, May, June). 2. Project Updates: The final services are being connected on Contract Recent Water Main Break: Utility staff investigated and repaired a main break that occurred in the wetlands near Loren s Auto Recycling. Staff and the Commission would like to thank Darla Scherer for her help in locating this break. 4. Softener #1 Update: Reconditioning (blasting and painting) is complete. Hardware replacement is nearly complete. 5. Towerview Drive Water Tower Project Update: The payment and amended lease agreement from Verizon have been received. The tower is scheduled to receive a final inspection once all equipment is in place. 6. Chemical Feed and Delivery System Project Update: The Notice to Proceed will be signed and delivered to Robert E. Lee, so that the project may commence. 7. The next Water Commission Meeting is scheduled for October 15, Any Other Business That May Legally Come Before the Commission None Adjournment M.S.C. Schmeichel/Smaby to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. All voting aye. Respectfully submitted, Anthony L. Mach Water Treatment Manager, Neenah Water

11 Date: October 8, 2018 To: Water Commission From: Anthony L. Mach RE: 836 E. Cecil St. Automatic Meter Reading Opt-Out Staff has investigated the possibility of providing an opt-out agreement for customers. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has provided the following information: The Utility can choose either of the following options: 1. Apply for a Schedule NSM-1 (Non-Standard Meter Charge) through a TW docket. TW dockets do not require a customer notice nor does it require a public hearing. Typically, it takes 2-3 weeks to complete a TW docket from the date the application is filed on the PSC s Electronic Records Filing (ERF) to the date the approval letter is uploaded to ERF system and ed to the Utility. 2. Deny the water customer s request and install the AMR meter. According to PSC staff, 18 of the 578 regulated water utilities have filed a Schedule NSM-1. The other utilities have chosen to deny any opt-out requests. The Utility has estimated that approximately six hours will be needed to prepare an application and assess the actual costs of providing this type of service. The PSC has indicated that approximately 2-3 billable hours are needed to prepare the NSM-1. Actual meter reading costs, including staff driving time, meter reading time, and manual entry into the billing system, will need to be passed on to the opt-out customer(s) in order that these costs are not borne by general rate payers.

36 Date: October 8, 2018 To: Water Commission From: Anthony L. Mach RE: Reimbursement to Peter Kelly for Water Main Installation North of Kittiver Ct. At the September 18, 2017 Waterworks Commission meeting, Mr. Peter Kelly notified the Commission that he intended to develop the properties north of Kittiver Ct. The existing 4 main that was to serve these properties was undersized for both water service and fire protection, and in need of replacement. Mr. Kelly offered to replace the main with a new 6 main in parallel with the existing main. The Commission agreed to reimburse Mr. Kelly for the cost of replacing the 6 main at a cost not to exceed $ per foot. After the work was complete, Mr. Kelly issued a final reimbursement request. On October 4, 2018, Mr. Kelly met with Jim Godlewski, Gerry Kaiser, Damian Nevers, and myself to discuss the reimbursement estimate. We agreed that the attached reimbursement request of $26, was appropriate for this project. Staff recommends reimbursing Mr. Peter Kelly for the total amount of $26, for replacing the water main north of Kittiver Ct., including expenses relating to the installation of the main.

45 Date: October 8, 2018 To: Water Commission From: Anthony L. Mach RE: Badger Meter CE Endpoint End of Life Staff has confirmed that Badger Meter CE (Classic Endpoint) units will no longer be manufactured and only limited stock is available. The Utility has over 250 CE endpoints in stock for 5/8 meters. As such, staff has recommended that the Utility utilize its existing stock, then begin the transition to the ME (Migratable Endpoint) system early in The cost for the ME endpoint is $ This includes either a 10 pigtail or an 8 twist tight connector. The CE endpoint price before it was discontinued would have been $ Costs associated with the transition include budgeted software (Badger Beacon) and an additional meter reading device to support the new technology. The Badger Beacon software package integrates well with the planned Superion ERP system. The costs for this transition are detailed in the 2019 Operations Budget.

46 Director s Report October 15, Non- Billable Water Report (June July August) 5.48% down from 17.07% (May June July). 2. Pay Estimate No. 3 for Contract 2-18 Miscellaneous Sewer and Water Main Construction and Street Construction on Cecil Street for $120, and Adams Street for $0.00 to David Tenor Corporation, Green Bay. 3. Contract 2-18 water services and connections are complete. 4. Woodenshoe Rd. water main extension update. 5. Chemical Feed and Delivery System Project Update: The Notice to Proceed has been signed and delivered to Robert E. Lee, allowing the project to commence. 6. The next Water Commission Meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2018.