[ Fort Pierce Utilities Authority - 4:00 p.m. City Commission Chambers 100 North U.S. Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL]
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>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT IS NOW 4 P.M. AND WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF FORT PIERCE UTILITY. WILL YOU PLEASE STAND AND JOIN US FOR THE INVOCATION BY JASON MITTLER AND
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? >> WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE AND PROTECTION OVER THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE ASK FOR YOUR GRACE AND MERCY TO COME AND FILL OUR HEARTS AND WE WOULD BE ONE CITY FULL OF PEACE. WE ASK THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WILL THRIVE AND PROSPER IN ALL SEVEN AREAS INFLUENCE IN BUSINESS, ARTS, MEDIA, EDUCATION, FAMILY, GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND WE PRAY THAT UNITY WOULD BE AMONGST US. WE PRAY FOR THE BOARD AND ASK YOU WOULD GIVE SUPERNATURAL WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT AND GIVING DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THESE INITIATIVES ON THIS AGENDA TODAY. WE PRAY THIS IN JESUS
NAME. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> THANK YOU PLEASE BE SEATED.
WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> THANK YOU. LET THE RECORD REFLECT WE HAVE A QUORUM. THE NEXT ITEM IS SETTING THE AGENDA. DO I HAVE A MOTION ?
>> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC. IF THERE IS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK YOU MAY DO SO NOW. WHEN YOU COME, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. HE WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THANK YOU. SAY NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND MOVE TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. EACH OF YOU HAVE A COPY OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ON MAY 7TH. ANY CHANGES REQUESTED OR DO I HAVE A MOTION? WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE? AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT OR DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> WE NOW WILL CONVERT TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU. THE FIRST ITEM THIS AFTERNOON IS A REQUEST TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE FOR THE TOTTEN SUBSTATION EXPANSION. TO INCLUDE CIVIL DESIGN , GEOTECHNICAL EXPIRATION SURVEYING TRANSFORMER DESIGN OPTION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SCOPE. THE OVERALL SCOPE IS TO ADD MUCH-NEEDED CAPACITY TO OUR SYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY THE WESTERN COURT OR OF OUR SERVICE AREA. THIS CONTRACT IS BUDGETED AND WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE OVERALL SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT AND EXPANSION AT OUR UPCOMING JUNE 18TH BUDGET ORKSHOP. ERIC MEYER, SUPERVISING ENGINEER FOR ELECTRIC AND GAS WILL PRESENT
THIS. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON. ON FEBRUARY 20TH, 2024 THE BOARD APPROVED THE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES TO EXPAND TOTTEN SUBSTATION WITH A NEW TRANSFORMER FOR ENHANCED POWER AVAILABILITY AND SYSTEM CAPACITY. DURING THE COURSE OF THE DESIGN THE SEPTIC TANK INITIALLY BELIEVED TO BE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE FOUNDATIONS WAS DETERMINED TO BE RIGHT UNDER THE LOCI TRANSFORMER BREAKER FOUNDATION. THEREFORE THE SEPTIC TANK WOULD NEED TO BE EXCAVATED AND REMOVED TO ENHANCE SOIL AND FOUNDATION RELIABILITY. DUE TO THIS THE PROJECT SITE WILL NEED TO HAVE ITS EXISTING SOIL AND SUBSTATION EARTH FOUNDATION BE RETESTED FOR USE. THIS IS NOTABLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE POOR SOIL STABILITY CAN CAUSE EQUIPMENT PADS TO SINK AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE EQUIPMENT IN WHICH QUICK RESTORATION OF THE POWER SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. OUR TRANSFORMER VENDOR WILL NOT HAVE DESIGN PLANS READY UNTIL LATE JUNE OR EVEN LATER WHICH AFFECTS THE PROJECT SCHEDULE. STAFF HAS REQUESTED THE VENDOR CREATE A SEPARATE TRANSFORMER DESIGN FOR FPUA'S IN THE EVENT THE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN SICK NEED TO EFFICIENTLY -- THIS AMENDMENT
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WILL INCLUDE CIVIL DESIGN WHICH INCLUDES GRADING, DRAINAGE, EROSION AND SEDIMENT DESIGN ALONG WITH PERMITTING AND SITE INVESTIGATION. GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION INCLUDES SOIL BORING, REDISTRIBUTING TESTS AND MOISTURE CONTENT SURVEYING WHICH INCLUDES TOPOGRAPHIC BOUNDARY SUBSURFACE AND ABOVEGROUND SURVEYS AND SPARE TRANSFORMER DESIGN COSTS WHICH INCLUDE PHYSICAL AND PROTECTION CONTROLS DESIGN. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING FROM THE BOARD THIS AFTERNOON TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION 56 -- E.R. -- 24-01 FOR THE TOTTEN SUBSTATION EXPANSION WITH INTERCON SERVICES INCORPORATED OF KENNESAW, GEORGIA, TO INCREASE THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT BY $134,031 FROM $498,550 TO $632,581. I CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THEBOARD. >> CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THERE BEING A SEPTIC TANK WHERE WE ARE PUTTING
FOUNDATION? >> THERE WAS A SEPTIC TANK DRAIN FIELD IN THE AREA WHERE WE ARE PUTTING OUR NEW TRANSFORMER. WE KNEW ABOUT THIS IN THE DESIGN PHASE, HOWEVER WHEN WE WERE GOING OUT FOR THE DESIGN ON THIS WE HAVE THE INTENTION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO OR NOT HAVING THIS SEPTIC FIELD BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW DESIGN. AFTER DOING SOME OF THE DESIGN WORK WE GOT INTO THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE DESIGN, IT LOOKS LIKE WE CAN'T AVOID THIS DRAIN FIELD WITH THE LOAD SIDE BREAKER TRANSFORMER AREA. THEREFORE WE HAVE TO EXCAVATED, TAKE IT OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCEPTABLE SOIL , ACCEPTABLE FOUNDATION FOR THE NEW SYSTEM.
>> IS THAT AN ABANDONED DRAIN FIELD?
>> IT'S FOR THE TOTTEN SUBSTATION CONTROL ROOM.
>> OKAY. >> WE ARE GOING TO BE ADDING A LOW-PRESSURE CUSTOM AS PART OF THIS PROJECT.
>> MIGHTY EXPENSIVE JUST TO DIG A HOLE.
>> ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WITH THAT IS THERE IS NO ON-SITE STORM RETENTION DETENTION SO I THINK SOME OF THIS IS GOING TO INCLUDE A RETENTION POND OR DETENTION POND. IT'S NOT JUST RELOCATING. IT IS MUCH MORE INVOLVED THAN JUST THE REMOVAL OF THE SEPTIC TANK. YEAH.
>> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT
AGENDA ITEM. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS A REQUEST TO APPROVE A CONTRACT FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT CONTROL ROOM. THE SCOPE OF THIS DOES INCLUDE REPLACING EXTERIOR DOORS, WINDOWS , SOME HEFTY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WORK , LIGHTING, REPLACING CONSULS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS TO GET THE CONTROL ROOM UP TO PAR. THIS IS BUDGETED AND MR. KEITH STEVENS WATER RESOURCES SUPERINTENDENT
WILL PRESENT THIS. >> THANK YOU MR. CISNEROS.
MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, WELL, MR. SCENARIOS COVERED EVERYTHING. WE WILL FINALLY DO A REMODEL OF THE CONTROL ROOM AFTER 23 YEARS. IT IS PRETTY MUCH A 24 SEVEN OCCUPIED ROOM.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN OCCUPIED DURING EVERY HURRICANE. WE HAVE RUN THE WATER PLANT FROM THEIR AND IT'S BEEN A SHELTER ACTUALLY FOR US THROUGH ALL THOSE TIMES. WE ARE GOING TO STORM HARD WINDOWS AND DOORS ON THE OUTSIDE AND DO ELECTRICAL WORK, CONSUL WORK AND WE ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE SUBFLOORING WE HAVE. IT IS A FALSE FLOORING AND MOVE SOME ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CABLING AROUND. THAT IS THE MAIN THING.
ACTUALLY UPDATED BECAUSE A LOT HAS CHANGED IN 23 YEARS ESPECIALLY WITH COMPUTERS AND ASSISTANCE. SO, THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE RFP NUMBER 24-18 , EXCEPT PROPOSAL AND CONTRACT FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT CONTROL ROOM RENOVATION WITH DON HINKLE CONSTRUCTION OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 195 $225.50. THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT WILL BE UPON WRITTEN NOTICE TO PROCEED AND END ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025. I'M ALSO RECOMMENDING A $20,000 CONTINGENCY BECAUSE WE WILL BE GOING INTO WALLS AND
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UNDER FLOORS JUST IN CASE WE FIND SOMETHING AND THAT'LL BE AT MY APPROVAL ONLY. IT WON'T BE AN AUTOMATIC EXPENDITURE IF>> WHILE THIS IS GOING ON ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A CONTROL
ROOM IN SERVICE? >> GOOD QUESTION. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WE HAVE OUR ROOM ON THE OLD AND OF THE PLANT DOWN BY THE CONFERENCE ROOM. WE WILL RELOCATE AND LET THEM WORK OUT OF THERE. WE HAVE NETWORKING SO THEY WILL -- THEY WON'T HAVE EVERYTHING. WE WILL KEEP THE LAB OPEN . IF YOU REMEMBER YOU HAVE THE CONTROL ROOM AND WE HAVE THE LAB PORTION. WE WILL KEEP THAT SHUT OFF AND THE LAB WILL HAVE TO FUNCTION AS A NORMAL CERTIFIED LAB BUT BESIDES THAT , THE OTHER OPERATOR WILL BE UP THERE CONTROLLING FROM THEIR MONITORING EVERYTHING FROM THE ROOM.
>> HOW LONG IS THIS CONSTRUCTION GOING TO GO?
>> ONCE THEY ACTUALLY START WITH MATERIALS IT COULD BE UP TO FOUR MONTHS DEPENDING ON GETTING STUFF IN.
>> WHEN YOU THINK COMMENCEMENT IS GOING TO BE?
>> WHAT I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO -- I DIDN'T MEET WITH THE CONTRACTOR YET . I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MENTION THIS. I DID SAY DON HINKLE, THEY ARE A LOCAL VENDOR BY THE WAY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS ONCE I MEET WITH THEM AFTER TODAY IF THIS IS APPROVED I WILL GET WITH THEM. I DON'T WANT TO START ANYTHING UNTIL WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MATERIALS IN HAND BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TEAR THE CONTROL ROOM APART AND SIT THERE AND WAIT ON PARTS. THAT'S GOING TO BE INTENT TO
MINIMIZE DOWNTIME . >> THAT IS MY CONCERN. WE ARE GETTING READY FOR STORM SEASON AND THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT WHERE YOU ARE REMOVING EXISTING DOORS AND WAITING FOR HURRICANE RESISTANT DOORS AND NOT HAVE THEM IN HAND. IT'LL BE A DISADVANTAGE IF WE HAVE A MAJOR CRISIS.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. MR. LAMMERS, HE KNOWS HOW OLD THE CONTROL ROOM IS. HE HAS BEEN THERE MANY TIMES.
>> WHAT ARE SOME RISK ASSOCIATED WITH NOT FOLLOWING
THROUGH WITH THIS PROJECT? >> WE CAN OPERATE AS IS WITH THE ANTIQUATED CONTROL ROOM. THE CABLING, WE'VE GOT IT RUN JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW AS UPGRADES CAME IN IF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISN'T SET UP PROPERLY YOU PIECEMEAL PARTS IN THERE AND TRY TO LOOK AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE THE CAMERA SYSTEM GOING INTO ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DO IS HAVE MONITORS WHERE WE CAN MONITOR THE SECURITY ALSO OF THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT WHICH WE NEED. WE WILL HAVE CAMERAS IN PLACE AND BE ABLE TO LOOK ON BIGGER SCREENS. YOU'VE BEEN TO DISPATCH. THE COUNSEL WE WILL PUT IN WILL BE SIMILAR.
IT IS THE SAME MANUFACTURER THAT PUT IN THE CONSOLE IN THE ELECTRICAL DISPATCH. ALSO, THE SECONDARY THING THAT WOULD BE GREAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS MR. CISNEROS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED OVER THE YEARS IS WE WOULD LOVE TO DO TOURS. FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR ORGANIZATIONS. BY DOING THIS WE WILL ACTUALLY SHOW A GOOD FACE BECAUSE IT REALLY SHOWS ITS AGE WHEN YOU GO IN THERE NOW. THE FLOOR IS WORN OUT, THE CONSOLE IS WORN OUT. IT WASN'T A CONSOLE, IT WAS A BIG FLAT DESK WE PUT MONITORS ON TOP OF. THIS WILL BE MORE LIKE CONSULS THAT ARE
MADE FOR THESE SYSTEMS. >> WHEN YOU SAY PIECEMEAL AND PATCHWORK THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MY MIND WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN BUILT THAT WAY OVERTIME IS IF YOU DO HAVE A FAILURE IT'S GOING TO TAKE MUCH LONGER TO FIX IT AND TRACE IT OUT AND FIND THE PROBLEM AND IF YOU HAVE EVERYTHING WELL ORGANIZED AND PUT IN AND INSTALLED.
>> IT COULD END IT HAS. WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT, BUT YES YOU ARE
RIGHT. >> IN NORMAL TIMES IS THAT A 24 SEVEN OPERATION? PEOPLE ARE IN THAT . THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
WEAR AND TEAR. >> WE REPLACE THE CHAIRS EVERY YEAR. THEY ARE IN THERE ALL THE TIME. YEAH. THE CHAIRS WERE OUT BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS WORN OUT.
>> THERE'S TWO PEOPLE 24 SEVEN BUT MOST OF THE TIME THERE'S A LOT MORE THAN THAT IN THAT AREA BECAUSE THERE IS A LAB AND
PEOPLE COMING AND GOING. >> A LOT OF USE.
>> A LOT OF TRAFFIC. AS HE SAYS DURING NORMAL DAY SHIFT THAT IS
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THE CENTER OF OPERATIONS. WHEN YOU HAVE THE CENTER , EVERYTHING GOES THROUGH THEIR AND GOES OUT TO MAINTENANCE, THEY COME IN AND TALK TO OPERATIONS. ALL DELIVERIES COME IN THERE. OR AT LEAST OUTSIDE. YES.>> I AM HEARING THAT PIECING AND WIRING IS NOT A HAZARD IS
IT? >> IT'S NOT LIKE THAT. IT'S LIKE IF YOU BUILD A HOME AND PUT YOUR TV UP AND PUT A HOLE IN THE WALL, I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOU GO TO AN OLDER HOME RIGHT NOW AND YOU NEED TO HOOK A NEW TV UP THAT'S WHY THEY WENT TO MORE OF THE WI-FI CONNECTED TVS BECAUSE BEFORE THAT THEY HAD TO GO IN AND PUT HOLES IN THE ATTIC. WE WON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT BETTER AND IT WON'T BE WIRES. WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE A FALSE FLOOR UNDERNEATH BUT IT JUST COMES UP. WHEN WE SAY WIRING MOST OF IT IS NETWORK WIRING, NOT LIKE HIGH VOLTAGE OR UNSAFE OR ANYTHING. MOST OF YOUR NETWORK STUFF -- I KNOW THE NETWORK IS LOW-VOLTAGE BUT THE OTHER THINGS ARE LOW-VOLTAGE. IT'S NOT HIGH-VOLTAGE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> I'M LOOKING AND I SEE THE CONTRACT SAYS THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT WILL BE UPON WRITTEN TO PROCEED TO AND SEPTEMBER
30TH, 2025. >> IT WILL GO INTO NEXT YEAR. I KNOW THIS. WE HAVE PART OF THE BUDGET IN THIS YEAR AND IN NEXT YEAR. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS I JUST MADE IT THERE BECAUSE I DON'T NEED TO COME BACK TO YOU GUYS TO SAY I NEED TO EXTEND IT. I DON'T ANTICIPATE IT GOING THAT LONG BUT AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE TIME THE MATERIAL GETS AND WE WILL BE ROLLING OVER AND IT IS CLEANER THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR SO IT IS A CLEAN CONTRACT. AS SOON AS THEY'RE DONE WE ARE DONE.
>> CAN YOU ESTIMATE THE TIME THE MATERIAL WILL COME IN IF IT
IS APPROVED? >> IT JUST DEPENDS. I KNOW THINGS ARE BETTER THAN THEY WERE. IT'S ALL GOING TO BE HURRICANE READY GLASS. WHAT IS THE WIND RATE, 190? 180.
EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE AT LEAST RATED FOR THAT. I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS STARTING TO SPEED UP, EVEN STUFF AT THE PLANT. I AM GETTING A PUMP NEXT WEEK THAT'S BEEN ON ORDER SINCE MARCH OF 2023. SO A PUMP AND MOTOR. THINGS ARE STARTING TO EQUALIZE BUT THEY ARE STILL NOT FIXED.
>> I JUST HAVE A CURIOSITY QUESTION. HOW OLD IS THAT
BUILDING? >> THE ACTUAL PLANT WENT ONLINE 2002 BUT THE BUILDING IS 2001. WHEN THEY BUILT THE ORO BUILDING . OFWE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO THE CONTROL ROOM IN 23 YEARS BASICALLY. 24-7. FOR 23 YEARS.
>> THAT'S A LOT OF TIME. I MOVE APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL? >> OKAY. MOVE TO THE NEXT
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS A REQUEST TO APPROVE A PEN MET NUMBER THREE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES. THIS REQUEST WILL ADDRESS TWO PRIMARY ISSUES ARE AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE FOR SYSTEM EXPANSION , WHICH HELPS GROW UTILITY AND HELP SCRUB THE CITY. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL EMERGENCY PROJECTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS , CLOSER TO THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO COMPLETE MANHOLE REPLACEMENTS THAT HAVE DEPLETED THE CONTRACT AMOUNT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
MR. DAWSON WILL PRESENT THIS ESSENTIALLY TO INCREASE THE
CONTRACT AMOUNT. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.
TODAY I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL FOR AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE TO THE ANNUAL UNIT PRICE CONTRACT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS WITH HINTERLAND GROUP TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT BY 2 MILLION FROM 1.5 TO 3.5 MILLION ANNUALLY. THE CONTRACT WAS FIRST APPROVED ON DECEMBER 1ST 2020 BY THE FDA BOARD IN THE AMOUNT OF 1 MILLION. AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE WAS APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2023 INCREASING ANNUAL FUNDING FROM 1 MILLION TO 1.5 MILLION. NOVEMBER 7, 2023 THE BOARD APPROVED AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO INCREASE UNIT PRICING FOR LABOR
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BY 10%. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR 2 MILLION IS BEING REQUESTED FOR WASTEWATER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. THIS IS NEEDED TO COVER THE COSTS OF ONGOING AND UPCOMING PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANSION/BUILDING THE CITY PROJECTS. EXISTING INTERISLAND PURCHASE ORDER HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED AS A RESULT OF AGGRESSIVE AND SUCCESSFUL WATER AND SEWER EXPANSION PROJECTS.JUST AS AN FYI THEY HAVE COMPLETED NINE OF THESE EXPANSION PROJECTS TO DATE WITH ONE ONGOING AND TWO MORE STARTING NEXT WEEK. STAFF IS VERY GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM AS IT BENEFITS THE CITY AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO LEADERSHIP FOR THE INSIGHT AND VISION AS FAR AS LAUNCHING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM. FOR THAT WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR LEADERSHIP. WE'VE ALSO SEEN AN INCREASE FOR THE SYSTEM. THESE NECESSARY PIERS ARE OFTEN DONE BY UNIT PRICE CONTRACTORS AND VERY COSTLY. AS YOU MAY RECALL A COUPLE MONTHS AGO OUR WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT WAS HERE ASKING FOR FUNDING FOR TWO OF THESE PROJECTS. ONE OF THEM BEING THE MANHOLE AT THE OLD SAM'S CLUB LOCATION AND THE OTHER ONE BEING ON CORTEZ BOULEVARD. JUST THESE TWO PROJECTS WAS OVER 700,000 JUST TO GIVE YOU GUYS AN IDEA OF HOW COSTLY THINGS ARE THESE DAYS.
WITHOUT FUNDING FOR THE CONTRACTORS OUR EXPANSION PROGRAM WILL SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY AND ALSO AFFECT THE SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. WITH THAT I WILL ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> IS THIS BUDGETED?
>> I DIDN'T MENTION BUT IT IS BUDGETED AND WILL BE USING BOND PROCEEDS AND RATE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK. YES SIR.
>> OUT OF THOSE NINE EXPANSION PROJECTS HOW MANY NEW CUSTOMERS
HAVE WE PICKED UP? >> I COULD GET YOU A TOTAL ON THAT. I DON'T KNOW OFFHAND. I CAN GET YOU THAT INFORMATION.
>> ARE WE DOING ANYTHING TO BE A LITTLE MORE PROACTIVE WITH THESE EMERGENCY REPAIRS SO WE CANNOT DO AS MANY IN THE
FUTURE? >> YES. OUR DEPARTMENT DOES A GOOD JOB OF LINING THESE MANHOLES. I KNOW THAT MARK HAS A STAFF PERSON THAT DRIVES AROUND AND INSPECT THESE FACILITIES AND TRIES TO BE AS PROACTIVE AS THEY CAN. ON A DAILY BASIS THEY ARE INSPECTING THESE FACILITIES TO SEE OR TRY TO FORESEE ANY ISSUES THAT MAY BE COMING UP SO WE CAN TAKE CARE OF IT BEFORE IT TURNS INTO A CATASTROPHE.
>> ONCE A SEWER MAIN FAILS IT BECOMES AN EMERGENCY REPAIR .
LIGHTING IS NO LONGER AN OPTION CORRECT?
>> YES. >> IS THERE SUCH A THING AS THEY GO TO INSPECT A SEWER MANHOLE OR SEND THE CAMERA DOWN A SEWER MAIN AND DETERMINATE CAN BE LINED IF WE ACT QUICKLY , BUT IF WE WAIT TOO LONG IT'S GOING TO BECOME AN EMERGENCY THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED IN A TRADITIONAL WAY WITH DIGGING HOLES AND LOTS OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, IS THERE SUCH THING AS EMERGENCY LIGHTING?
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE DID ONE MAYBE FOUR DAYS AGO.
>> IN YOUR MIND THE BOARD WHAT PERCENTAGE OF COST IS LINING VERSUS TRADITIONAL RECONSTRUCTION?
>> I WOULD SAY LINING IS A FRACTION. I COULDN'T PUT AN EXACT FIGURE BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER TO LINE VERSUS TO DIG UP STUFF AND DO AN ACTUAL REPAIR.
>> IN MY MIND IT'S HALF THE COST HER LAST WOULD THAT BE A
SAFE ASSUMPTION? >> OF GETTING SIGNALS FROM THE CROWD IT IS ABOUT 10%. I DON'T HAVE GLASSES BUT IT'S ABOUT 10% OF THE COST FOR LINING . CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO SEE.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT AS A BOARD WE EMPHASIZE WE WANT LEADERSHIP AND STAFF TO REALLY BE AGGRESSIVE WITH LINING AS OPPOSED TO WAITING FOR THINGS TO SINK INTO THE GROUND.
>> THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS I'D LIKE TO MENTION. WE HAVE OUR OWN SEWER LENDING RATE FUNDED PROJECTS AND WE HAVE GRANT FUNDED PROJECTS. A COMBINATION WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MILES WE COVER PER
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YEAR WHICH IS PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO STAY AHEAD OF WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. THE TWO MANHOLES THAT MR. DAWSON MENTIONED WERE VERY DEEP. NOT ALL MANHOLES ARE THAT COSTLY BUT THESE WERE PRETTY COSTLY. THEY WERE 25 FEET DEEP.15 FEET DEEP. THEY WERE RIGHT NEXT TO D.O.T. OR U.S. ONE. IT REQUIRES QUITE A BIT OF SHORING , A LOT OF RESOURCES TO GET
THOSE DONE. >> NOT ONLY THE COST BUT ALSO THE HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND IMPACT TO THE CITY. YOU HAVE TO CLOSE OFF PORTIONS OF THE INTERSECTIONS AND ALL OF THAT.
>> CORTEZ COMES TO MIND FOR SURE.
>> HOW OFTEN DO YOU INSPECT THESE?
>> LET'S SEE. I THINK HE MAY HAVE MENTIONED A COUPLE BOARD MEETINGS AGO. I THINK THEY DO IT ALMOST EVERY DAY. THEY WILL INSPECT THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM A PERCENTAGE OF THE SYSTEM EACH AND EVERY YEAR AND I CAN GET A PERCENTAGE TO YOU WHEN WE DO THE BUDGET WORKSHOP. THAT MIGHT BE --
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MANY WE ARE PREPARING PER YEAR?
>> WE WILL BE PREPARED TO GET YOU THAT INFORMATION.
>> MONEY YOU GET NOW, CAN YOU ESTIMATE HOW MANY CUSTOMERS YOU THINK YOU MIGHT ADD TO THE UTILITY ?
>> ARE YOU TALKING IN TOTAL? >> WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR $2 MILLION FOR INSPECTION -- AND EXPANSION. WE CAN EXPAND THAT IF WE DON'T HAVE CUSTOMERS WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I HOPE THESE ARE TARGETED AREAS .
>> I WILL HELP OUT FOR A LITTLE BIT AND HE CAN FILL THE GAPS.
OUR CONNECTION RATE IS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AS FAR AS WHAT THE EXPECTED TO GET CUSTOMERS CONNECTED PER YEAR. WE CAN GET YOU A SPECIFIC NUMBER , BUT THE PROJECTS WE IDENTIFIED PART OF THE 2022 BOND ISSUANCE SO THEY ARE VERY CLOSE TO EXISTING WATER MAIN, CLOSE TO CITY LIMITS , HIGH INTEREST OF CONNECTION. THIS MONEY IS BEING WELL SPENT TO CONNECT MORE CUSTOMERS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
>> ARE BEGINNING A GOOD ANNEXATION RATE ?
>> ANYBODY WHO CONNECTS MUST SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO BECOME
PART OF THE CITY. >> THIS IS PART OF THE MAP WE SAW. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT YOU ARE SAYING WE ARE WORKING SO FAST ON THE EXPANSION THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY YOU ARE ASKING FOR THE INCREASE. IT'S NOT JUST INCREASE IN COST. WE ARE WORKING FASTER WHICH IS A GOOD THING.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING SOME RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT. EXACTLY. I DON'T WANT TO PUT ALL THE MONEY OUT IF NO ONE IS SIGNING UP.
>> TO MR. FEES POINT AND I DON'T KNOW IF MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AGREE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN A DATE ON SEWER AND WATER CONNECTION RATES ON A MORE REGULAR BASIS. I KNOW WE DO THEM ONCE A QUARTER OR SOMETHING. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
IT MORE OFTEN. >> WE CAN MAKE SURE WE DO THAT TO THE BOARD OR WHATEVER CYCLE.
>> HOW EFFECTIVE . >> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COME AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY LEAD OFF WITH THAT.
>> I WILL GIVE THAT THOUGHT BUT MICHELLE USUALLY DOES THE FINANCIAL OPERATING RESULTS. WE CAN INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION AS FAR AS CUSTOMERS AND ALSO TO CLOSE THE LOOP ON HOW SUCCESSFUL THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN DURING THE WORKSHOP , BO HAS THAT AS PART OF HIS PRESENTATION . WE WILL MAKE
SURE THAT IS INCLUDED. >> THOSE SQUARES COULD BE TRANSLATED FOR US IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS.
>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. WILL YOU PLEAROLL?
>> BEFORE I MOVE I WANT TO GIVE MR. DAWSON BECAUSE HIM AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE, STAYING ON TOP AND PART OF THE
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REASON WE ARE SUCCESSFUL WITH WATERWORKS SO HE'S DOING A GREAT JOB. THE LAST ITEM IS A REQUEST TO APPROVE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA GAS TRANSMISSION TO INCLUDE THE NEW DATE STATION AS PART OF OUR SYSTEM EXPANSION TO THE NORTHWEST PART OF OUR COUNTY. IT IS A SOLE-SOURCE BECAUSE FGT IS THE GAS PROVIDER SO THEY ARE DOING THE WORK. THIS IS BUDGETED AS PART OF OUR 2022 BOND SERIES. THE SUPERINTENDENTWILL PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU . I BRING BEFORE YOU -- THIS IS ALL PART OF THE BOND PROCEEDS OF 2020 2B . THE FIRST CONTRACT IS THE CONSTRUCTION. THE SECOND CONTRACT IS THE GAS AGREEMENT AND THIRD IS THE DATA ACCESS AGREEMENT. THE CONNECTION TO FGT WILL COST 2,004,000 $931.
THIS WILL GIVE ONE TAP OFF OF FGT LINES AND THERE WILL BE OTHER EXPENSES INCLUDED IN THIS PROJECT. THE FIRST IS THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY WHERE THE GATE STATION WILL SIT. THE SECOND IS RUNNING OUR MAIN DOWN ELKO ROAD TO THE NEW GATE STATION SITE. THE THIRD IS SITE WORK FOR THE NEW GATE STATION AND THE FOURTH IS THE POA SIDE WHERE WE WILL TAKE THE GAS FROM 100 PSI THAT IT GIVES IT TO US AT, KNOCK IT DOWN TO 48 AND SEND IT OUT. THE NATURAL GAS % EXPANSION INTO LAKEWOOD PARK AREA WILL NEED A NEW CONNECTION TO THE TRANSMISSION LINE TO FEED OUR NEW CUSTOMERS AS THEY CONNECT TO OUR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. THIS STATION WILL HELP WITH RELIABILITY TO OUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS BY BACK FEEDING INTO OUR SYSTEM. IF WE EVER HAVE TO TAKE TWO OF OUR OTHER GAIT STATIONS OUT OF SERVICE FOR REPAIR THE STATION BUILT TO PICK UP THE FLOAT AND PROVIDE CONTINUOUS SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. I'M GOING TO TURN US OVER TO CAROLINE FOR ANY COMMENTS ON THE AGREEMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, BUT FOR THIS MEETING WE DISTRIBUTED THESE AGREEMENTS BY EMAIL. AS TO THE SUBSTANCE AND TECHNICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CONTRACTS THOSE ARE NOT CHANGING THAT WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING . WE ARE WAITING ON THEIR RESPONSE BACK SO WE ARE ASKING FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACTS AS TO SUBSTANCE THAT ANY CHANGES BE ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE IN FAVOR .
>> ALONG THE LINES IS THERE AN IDEA OF POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS?
>> WE ARE GOING UP TO THE LAKEWOOD PARK AREA. WE ARE STILL CONNECTING TO THIS DAY. ONCE OUR MANES ARE CONNECTED WE HAVE FLYERS TO PEOPLE. WE HAVE DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS. WE HAVE HOOKED UP TO CUSTOMERS AND THE CHINESE RESTAURANT . THEIR BILL IS $1000 LESS A MONTH THAN PROPANE. WE HOOKED UP THE JAPANESE RESTAURANT TODAY.
THURSDAY WE ARE HOOKING UP THE PIZZERIA AND WAITING FOR SOME PARTS TO COME IN AND WILL BE GETTING THE LAUNDROMAT HOOKED
UP. >> THOSE ARE EXISTING AT THE PLAZA THERE AND KINGS HIGHWAY, BUT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS -- AS THAT COMES ONLINE I THINK WE ARE NEGOTIATING IF WE HAVEN'T ALREADY FINALIZED SOME KIND OF CONNECTION WITH SOME OF THOSE
CUSTOMERS. >> WE HAVE ALREADY HAD QUITE A FEW PEOPLE CALLING FROM THE LAKEWOOD PARK AREA AND I TOLD THEM THEY NEED TO BE PATIENT. WE ARE WORKING AS FAST AS WE
>> WITH THE GAS WE DON'T HAVE A REQUIREMENT FOR ANNEXATION?
>> CURRENTLY NO REQUIREMENT. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT WE HAVE IS
WATER AND WASTEWATER. >> IS THAT SOMETHING WE ARE
LOOKING INTO? >> THAT IS SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED AND WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO EVALUATE IT. SOME DISCUSSION HAS BEEN THAT WOULD PROBABLY DETER CONNECTIONS JUST BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFERENT COMMODITY . WE ARE STILL CONSIDERING IT BUT ON THE SURFACE IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE -- IT MAY HINDER THE PROGRESS OF EXPANSION. IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY EXPAND LIMITS BUT IT WILL EXPAND THE REVENUE
[00:35:04]
>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> THANK YOU. >> THAT CONCLUDES THE REGULAR AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE DIRECTOR?
>> I HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS. OUR NEXT MEETING IS THE BUDGET WORKSHOP ON JUNE 18TH FROM 1:00 TO 4:00. WE HAVE UPDATED THE LOCATION SINCE IT IS NO LONGER A STRATEGIC MEETING , IT IS JUST GOING TO BE A BUDGET WORKSHOP . WE ALREADY HAD A STRATEGIC MEETING WITH THE CITY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. IT WILL NOW BE HELD AT THE ENERGY SERVICES CENTER. I BELIEVE LUNCH IS PROVIDED AND IT IS A REGULAR MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
BECAUSE OF TRYING TO KEEP THE BUSINESS RUNNING WE WILL HAVE A SHORT BOARD MEETING PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP TO ADDRESS ANY CONSENT ITEMS OR MAYBE JUST ONE OR TWO NEW ITEMS BUT TRY TO KEEP THE BUSINESS MOVING BECAUSE THE NEXT MEETING WOULD BE IN JULY. QUITE A BIT OF STUFF WE HAVE TO ADDRESS CONTRACT -WISE. BOTH OF THOSE MEETINGS WILL BE PROPERLY ADVERTISED SEPARATELY SO THEY ARE PROPERLY NOTICED TO THE PUBLIC. THE LAST THING I WANT TO MENTION IS I HAVEN'T DONE THIS BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THANK THE FPUA TEAM . THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD. PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE, CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE FIELD GUYS. EVERYONE HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO HELP THE UTILITY AND CITY GROW. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK STAFF IS BEEN DOING.
>> WE DO TOO. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS
FROM THE BOARD? >> I JUST HAVE ONE COMMENT. IN THE SAME VEIN AS WHAT MR. SCENARIOS SAYS SAID I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO MR. CISNEROS AND CAROLINE ALSO.
I FELT VERY WELL INFORMED AND PREPARED GOING INTO THAT JOINT COMMISSION BOARD WORKSHOP AND I THINK THAT YOU GUYS SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THE TIME THAT YOU SPENT IN NOT ONLY ABSORBING THE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ISSUES BUT BEING ABLE TO BREAK IT DOWN AND DISTRIBUTE IT TO ME IN A WAY THAT I COULD TALK ABOUT IT INTELLIGENTLY EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO DIG INTO IT LIKE YOU GUYS HAD. YOU'RE ABLE TO GIVE ME THE HEADLINES AND SUMMARY THAT MADE ME FEEL PREPARED. I REALLY
APPRECIATE IT. >> VERY GOOD JOB.
>> I HAVEN'T WORKED HIGHWAY THROUGH IT.
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ? OKAY. SEEING THERE IS NO FURTHER COMMENTS, THE FPUA MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.