ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS

CITY OF TULARE

September 3, 2009

A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, City of Tulare, was held on Thursday, September 3, 2009, at 3:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers of the Civic Affairs Building.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Wayne Hinman, Scot Hillman ^(3:14), Dick Johnson, Darlene Jensen

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  Ron Quinn

STAFF PRESENT:  Darrel Pyle, Darlene Thompson, Mike Whitlock, Lew Nelson, Jennifer Gomez

              I.    CALL TO ORDER:

President Hinman called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m.

            II.    CITIZEN’S REQUEST OR COMMENTS:

Mr. Edward T. Henry spoke to the Board regarding the waste of water that occurs during the flow and pressure tests of fire hydrants.  He suggested that the City try to capture the water and reuse it.  Public Works Director, Lew Nelson commented that the water must be free flowing, but perhaps it could be captured in a basin then pumped into a tanker to be transported.  Board members and staff thanked Mr. Henry for his observation.  Mr. Nelson will look into the options available and report back to the Board.

           III.    COMMUNICATIONS:

There were no items of communication.

           IV.   CONSENT CALENDAR:

It was moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and unanimously carried that the items on the consent calendar be approved, with the exception of item 4.

(1)      Approve minutes of the August 6, 2009 regular meeting.

(2)      Accept July Investment Report.

(3)      Award a contract to Vandervis, Inc. of Tulare to dredge sludge out of the No. 2 cells in the treatment trains for a cost of $47,875.

(4)      Approve use of a portion of the 18-acre city-owned Parcel 2 at the wastewater treatment plant for a BioChar production plant.

(5)      Approve and authorize the Public Works Director to sign Amendment No. 6 to the Master Agreement with Carollo Engineers to prepare the Title 22 Recycled Water Engineering Report for Wilbur farm property for $16,000.

(6)      Authorize the City Manager to sign an Amendment to the MOU for development of the Kaweah River Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP).

Items removed from consent:

(4)    Approve use of a portion of the 18-acre city-owned Parcel 2 at the         wastewater treatment plant for a BioChar production plant.  President          Hinman pulled this item for additional information from staff.  Public Works         Director, Lew Nelson provided background information for the Board’s review and consideration.  Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Jensen, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.
 

           V.    GENERAL BUSINESS:

(1)      Recommend to the Tulare City Council to approve the Joint Ownership and Development of Recharge Basin Site Agreement with Tulare Irrigation District.  Public Works Director, Lew Nelson provided background information for the Board’s review and consideration.  Board members expressed concern over the unknown cost to the City for being named on the deed.  The consensus of the Board was to table the item until the cost of the City being on the deed can be provided by staff.

(2)      Confirm the effective date of September 1, 2009 for Resolution No. 09-01.  Mr. Nelson provided a brief review of this resolution.  The delay in implementing the rate increase saved the rate payers an estimated $145,000.  It was moved by Vice President Hillman, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and unanimously carried to confirm the effective date of September 1, 2009 for Resolution No. 09-01.

(3)      Award a contract to Oratech Controls of San Francisco to purchase six Sigma refrigerated automatic samplers with equipment for a cost of $58,785.56, including tax and shipping.  Mr. Nelson provided background information for the Board’s review and consideration.  It was moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Vice President Hillman, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.

(4)      Authorize the Public Works Director to sign the second amendment to the agreement with Parsons/Quad Knopf to provide additional construction management and inspection services during completion of construction of the industrial plant for a lump sum of $86,000.  Mr. Nelson discussed the need to provide construction management and inspection services during the extended month for completion.  Commissioner Johnson expressed concern over the additional cost when Parsons/Quad Knopf agreed to the completion date of October 18.  Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Vice President Hillman, seconded by Commissioner Jensen, and approved 3-1 (Johnson voting no) to authorize the second amendment.

(5)      Award a contract to 3T Equipment Company of Santa Rosa to replace video sewer inspection trailer Unit #915 for a cost of $73,001.20, plus tax and delivery.  Mr. Nelson provided background information for the Board’s review and consideration.  It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Vice President Hillman, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.

(6)      Award a contract to Hercules Water Technologies Division of Ashland Inc. of Fresno to provide start-up chemicals for the industrial wastewater treatment plant for a cost of $70,000.  Mr. Nelson stated that a competitive bid will be done after it is determined which chemical and how much of it would be required on an annual basis.  Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Vice President Hillman, and unanimously carried to award a contract for a cost not to exceed $70,000.

(7)      Authorize the Public Works Director to sign an agreement with HDR Engineering of Folsom California to provide a financial health assessment for the Solid Waste Enterprise for a lump sum of $25,800.  Mr. Nelson provided background information for both items relating to HDR Engineering.  He commented on the need to determine if the rates are adequate.  It was moved by Vice President Hillman, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve the agreement for an assessment of the Solid Waste Enterprise.

(8)      Authorize the Public Works Director to sign an agreement with HDR Engineering of Folsom California to provide a financial health assessment for the Water Enterprise for a lump sum of $19,502.  It was moved by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.

           VI.    CLAIMS:

It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Vice President Hillman, and unanimously carried that the claims in the amount of $4,125,310.20 be approved as submitted.

         VII.    ITEMS OF BOARD INTEREST:

President Hinman shared his recent experiences driving from the border of Mexico to Canada.

Items of interest were briefly discussed among the Board and staff.

        VIII.    ADJOURNMENT

President Hinman adjourned the regular meeting at 4:04 p.m.

                                                                                                                                                            _________________________________

President of the Board of Public Utilities

Commissioners of the City of Tulare

ATTEST:

__________________________

Secretary of the Board of

Public Utilities Commissioners