ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS

CITY OF TULARE

September 17, 2009

A regular meeting of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, City of Tulare, was held on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 3:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers of the Civic Affairs Building.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Wayne Hinman, Scot Hillman, Dick Johnson, Ron Quinn

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  Darlene Jensen

STAFF PRESENT:  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:

There were no comments given.

           III.    COMMUNICATIONS:

There were no items of communication.

           IV.   CONSENT CALENDAR:

It was moved by Vice President Hillman, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and unanimously carried that the items on the consent calendar be approved.

(1)      Approve minutes of the September 3, 2009 regular meeting.

(2)      Award a contract for a Tier 3 diesel portable 6” pump to Rain for Rent, of Bakersfield, for a cost of $31,818,24 including tax and shipping.

           V.    GENERAL BUSINESS:

(1)      Review the bid opening results and consider award of a contract for construction of the Inyo Avenue Sewer Replacement Project, West St. to Sacramento St., Project No. 06-08; West/Los Angeles Alley Sewer Replacement Project, Inyo Ave. to Kern Ave., Project No. 06-09; and the “H”/”I” Alley Sewer Replacement Project, Alpine Ave. to Owens Ave, Project No. 06-11, to 99 Pipeline, Inc., of Lindsay, CA in the amount of $161,273.00, and authorize the City Engineer to issue contract change orders in amounts up to 10 percent ($16,127.30) of the original bid amount.  City Engineer, Mike Whitlock provided background information for the Board’s review and consideration.  Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Quinn, seconded by Vice President Hillman, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.

(2)      Authorize the President to execute a contract with Quad Knopf for engineering design services for the Eastside Trunk Sewer Extension Project, in the amount of $390,000. (A copy of the contract will be available in the City Clerk’s Office.)  City Engineer, Mike Whitlock provided an overview of this project.  Following additional comments, it was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Quinn, and unanimously carried to approve the item as presented.

(3)      Recommendation to City Council to adopt 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.  If the City was listed on the deed, then an assessment of property taxes would be approximately $10,000.  At the last meeting, Vice Mayor Vandegrift proposed that TID remain the sole owner on the deed, but record an easement for groundwater recharge in favor of the City.  Legal Counsel is reviewing the various issues, therefore Mr. Nelson recommended that the Board recommend to the City Council approval of the agreement pending a legal opinion.  Following discussion, it was moved by Vice President Hillman, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve the recommendation to City Council.

(4)      Report regarding fire hydrant flushing.  Public Works Director, Lew Nelson discussed the importance of fire hydrant flushing and reported that he could not find any information on the ability to capture the water flushed from the fire hydrant for reuse.  The amount of water that is flushed during the tests is an extremely small percentage compared to the average 507,000,000 gallons of water that Tulare uses per month.  Also, the water is not wasted since it drains to the gutter and storm drain system where it is reused for farm crop irrigation or groundwater recharge.

Mr. Nelson will follow up with a letter to Mr. Ed Henry informing him of the findings.

           VI.    CLAIMS:

It was moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Vice President Hillman, and unanimously carried that the claims in the amount of $4,116,925.11 be approved as submitted.

         VII.    ITEMS OF BOARD INTEREST:

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

        VIII.    ADJOURNMENT

President Hinman adjourned the regular meeting at 3:38 p.m.

                                                                                                                                                            _________________________________

President of the Board of Public Utilities

Commissioners of the City of Tulare

ATTEST:

__________________________

Secretary of the Board of

Public Utilities Commissioners