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05/17/1995 - Minutes ."� INTERGOVERNMENTAL WATER BOARD MLETING MINUTES May 17, 19 9 5 Board Members Present: Chair Scheiderich, Commissioners Froude, Hunt, Manning, and Budihas Staff Present: Bill Monahan, Ed Wegner, Wayne Lowry, Mike Miller, and Kathy Kaatz Visitors Present: Jack Polans, Norman Penner, Lou Ane Mortensen 1. Call to Order The meeting of the Intergovernmental Water Board was called to order at 5 : 36 p.m. 2 . Roll Call Roll was taken with all members present . Visitors present included Jack Polans and Steve Feldman. 3 . Visitor Comments Jack Polans stated that he would speak only briefly since he was interested in the presentation to be made. Mr. Polans stated that he had been spending time attending meetings at the City of Lake Oswego in an attempt to gain information regarding the negotiations between the City of Lake Oswego and the City of Tigard. 4 . Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Commissioner Hunt to approve the minutes of the April 19 , 1995 meeting minutes which was seconded by Commissioner Manning. A voice vote was taken which passed unanimously. 5 . RFP - Water Rate Study Presentations Chair Scheiderich stated that Mr. Lowry would be introducing the presenters and then the presenters will be able to elaborate on the introduction. Mr. Lowry stated that the RFP asked for proposal on a water rate study with the scope of work containing the following: a. Develop revenue requirements for a five year period. b. Develop cost of service analyst based on customer classifications . c. Develop a cash flow computer model that would be left with the City for use in the future as we would plan capital improvements . d. Update System Development charges . Mr. Lowry stated that with this scope of work there were five proposals all of which were included in the Commissioner' s packets . Mr. Wegner, Mr. Lowry and Mary Gruss evaluated these proposals and arrived at the three finalists that are present tonight . Mr. Lowry stated that after their presentations are heard, it is suggested that the Board make a recommendation to the Tigard City Council for their meeting in June. The three presenters present at the meeting tonight are: CH2M HILL, EES and David Griffith and Associates . CH2M HILL CH2M Hill was the first presenter. David Hasson is the proposed project manager for this project . Mr. Hasson introduced Debbie Davis, a rate economist and Bob Fuller, a Senior Water System Engineer. After their presentation, Commissioner Hunt discussed the challenge of selling the public on the need for a new water supply. Mr. Hasson stated that this would not be the main thrust of this study although the study will relate to the _ cost numbers and what alternatives are in relation to the need. Commissioner Budihas questioned the ability of CH2M Hill meeting the schedule and budget needs . Mr. Hasson stated that CH2M Hill makes every effort to stay within budget constraints . Mr. Hasson stated that the only time that additional charges would be the responsibility of the City would be if the City asks for something beyond the scope of the Contract . Commissioner Manning questioned the length of the study with the dynamics of the need for long term water supplier? Mr. Wegner stated that it is the assumption of staff that the model will allow us to plug in capital improvement figures and modify those. Mr. Hasson stated that during the study they will identify the option that will be used and should that change during the course of the study or after the study, these figures can be changed and will reflect what that will do to the rates . Commissioner Manning discussed that this firm would not be doing the marketing of a bond or a debt service that will need to be sold to the public . Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17, 1995 Page 2 Chair Scheiderich questioned what type of input has been provided for in the proposal in regards to the fairness issue? Will a window be placed out there for the public bodies to suggest a equitable issues to be considered? Mr. Hasson stated that the first steps that would be undertaken to address fairness would be to identify what it meant by the word fair? In the kick off meetings, CH2M Hill would determine what is fair and see what can be met simultaneously and proceed. Mr. Hasson stated that these conclusions would be determined by a consensus from the Board. Mr. Scheiderich questioned to what extent there is room in the study to do a comparison of how other local water providers have faired by way of matching their financial plans to their success or failure? Mr. Hasson stated that they can provide antidotal types of evidence of others in the area. Mr. Hasson stated that if something more of a survey is required, it has not been figured into the budget, but could be provided if wanted. Mr. Scheiderich questioned whether they were confident that enough time has been budgeted to consider questions not answered in the draft? Mr. Hasson stated that these time frames have been figured in within reason. Mr. Scheiderich questioned the computer model that will be developed and the ability to run on standard software? Mr. Hasson stated that this would be ran on Excel . Mr. Scheiderich also questioned whether the payment schedule is keyed to deliverables or hourly billings? Mr. Hasson stated that it negotiable. Mr. Polans asked the Board if he could questioned the presenter? Chair Scheiderich stated that Mr. Polans could reserve his questions until after all the proposals were heard the Board may invite comments and questions . DAVID GRIFFITH AND ASSOCIATES Mr. Lowry introduced David Griffith and Associates . Bob Chandler the Pacific Northwest Manager, and Bob Reed out of their Sacramento office who is a specialist in water rate studies were introduced. After their presentation, the Board had the following questions and discussions . Commissioner Froude questioned whether conservation would be addressed for this rate structure? Mr. Reed stated that initially it is important to understand the rate setting objectives or policy objectives that relate to the water Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17, 1995 Page 3 rates . If conservation is an objective than it is important that the rate structure encourages conservation (tiered rates, commodity component of rate which is the based upon the volume of water being used versus a monthly service budget) . Commissioner Manning questioned what effect different scenarios would have on these policies? Mr. Reed stated that their firm is known for conducting policy workshops with either a city council, board of directors or citizens advisory committees which are organized just for the purpose of doing the rate study. Mr. Reed stated that they would like to have a policy workshop to explain the rate setting process and the issues that need to be addressed as a part of the rate study. Mr. Reed stated that they would also need at the end of the study to identify the number of meetings and presentations to present the results of the study. Commissioner Manning questioned whether the Board has the time frame to do this education? Mr. Wegner stated that the time frame is flexible . Mr. Reed stated that additional meetings are not built in to do education process . The total number of meetings included were six. The RFP included an initial meeting, monthly reports to staff, public hearing in front of IWB and the four other entities involved. Commissioner Hunt discussed the current billing cycle being every other month and the discussions on whether this should be changed to monthly. Will the results of this study help in making that decision? Mr. Reed stated that they can looked into what will be involved. Mr. Reed continued to say that from a cost standpoint, monthly billings would only be valuable for the large use customers . He continued to discuss the possibility of estimating bills also. Mr. Scheiderich questioned to what extent within the scope of work would they compare the approach to be taken with other local water providers (comparison among local providers) ? Mr. Reed stated that they would be willing to do a survey of a few neighboring communities . Mr. Reed continued to say that they would obtain copies of their rate schedules and the SDC' s that they have and show monthly bills in a comparison format . Mr. Scheiderich questioned whether they would be prepared to show projection has fulfilled itself in other entities? Mr. Reed stated that in terms of the five year projection of what rates should be, he would be concerned about making projections since there are a lot of variables . Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17, 1995 Page 4 ECONOMIC AND ENGINEERING SERVICES Mr. Lowry introduced the firm of EES . Randy Goff began the presentation by introducing himself as the Vice President of EES out of the Portland office. He then introduced Tom Gould, Vice President out of the Bellvue office. After finishing their presentation, Commissioner Hunt questioned the computer model being a requirement of the RFP. Mr. Goff stated that the model would be included in the study and the documentation. They stated they will also be here in the future if additional assistance is required in the future . The Board took at break and resume the meeting at 6 : 58 p.m. 6 . Discussions and Recommendations on RFP Ed Wegner stated that after hearing the three presentations that the Board heard and reviewing all the documents and with the familiarity of various consultants within this system, the staff would recommend the use of Economic and Engineering Systems . Chair Manning questioned what factors this recommendations was based upon? Mr. Wegner stated that all the companies represented made contact with his office when picking up the RFP' s . EES asked questions that were based upon what the City wanted that would be beyond the scope. Mr. Wegner stated that our RFP was based upon what was picked up from Tualatin Valley, Beaverton, Hillsboro and EES is the consultant of record for two out of three of these agencies . Also the City has worked with Mr. Goff on the Division of Assets . Mr. Lowry stated that it was his opinion that CH2M Hill would do their study like they have done 200 others . EES has a lot of local experience with other agencies that we would want to be compared with. EES has a slightly higher cost but, the foundation of this study is vital to the next five years of the Tigard water system. Commissioner Manning questioned whether there was any independent referencing to other communities and municipalities that these presenters have worked with? Mr. Lowry stated that he has talked with Rob Masters, City of Hillsboro and discussed the rate work and they were very pleased with EES . Mr. Wegner stated that Tualatin Valley also has a very high regard for EES for work on projects they have had. Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17, 1995 Page 5 Commissioner Manning questioned when they worked for Tualatin Valley Water District other than doing the division of assets? Mike Miller stated that they worked for them in 1989 or 1990 . Mr. Miller also stated that the SDC' s are outdated and need to be updated. Mr. Wegner stated that EES has been the engineer of record for the Tigard Water District for years . While EES was working on the Division of Assets, Randy Goff had stated at that time that the SDC' s needed to be updated. Mr. Miller stated that Mr. Meigs (EES) has been working with the District since 1973 . Commissioner Manning stated after reviewing the proposals, in her opinion EES came in third as far as personalization. Ms . Manning felt that the other two presenters were quite anxious to educate the Board on setting the parameters on policies . Commissioner Budihas stated that the first presenters agreed to have four separate meetings and EES did not mention meetings with Council or the public . Chair Scheiderich stated that these meetings were called for in the RFP. According to Ms . Manning on page 19 of EES' s proposal the meeting schedule was mentioned. Chair Scheiderich stated that instead of a motion he proposed that the Board just go person by person and state what is on their mind. Commissioner Hunt stated that : • CH2M Hill bid came in at two thirds of the other bids which caused concern. • DMG (David Griffith and Associates) did not care for presentation and if results would be comparable to presentation it would not be good. • EES - would be the choice of the three. Was bothered slightly since presentation at the end of the Division of Assets was not good. Gil Meigs who did that presentation is not a part of the team to work on this RFP. Commissioner Manning stated that : • CH2M Hill - all three project managers were here and all local . CH2M Hill have worked with DEQ and are very professional , flexible . • DMG - Emphasize interacting with community. • EES - Did not emphasize the interaction possibly since they already have a basis of knowledge. Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17, 1995 Page 6 Commissioner Froude stated that: • EES or DMG either firm would be good. Did not ask the questions of EES that were asked of the other presenters which opened up their presentations . Commissioner Budihas stated that: • This is a big project and would be best dealt with by local people. • CH2M Hill are all local, very professional, have good reputation. • EES - only one person here full time, part of project team will only be working on the project part time. Chair Scheiderich stated that : • EES had the most thorough written presentation. • CH2M Hill product would be the equivalent . • DMG - not convinced that they understand SDC' s charges . • CH2M Hill as well as EES have done work for City of Beaverton with CH2M Hill being more sensitive at the outset to hearing the social issues . • CH2M Hill put it' s bid in terms of deliverables and their own schedule sets up the ease with which a contract can be negotiated. • Scope of work is scheduled according to points where a product is deliverable. EES points out time and materials . • CH2M Hill computer model is deliverable on over the counter software. • Placed CH2M Hill first with EES a close second. Mr. Wegner stated that all presenters will be providing the computer model on over the counter software. Commissioner Hunt ran a service for utility billing and the majority in the area did use CH2M Hill and he has never heard a complaint . Chair Scheiderich stated that with discussion over, he requested a motion. Mr. Monahan stated that this motion would be for recommendation. Mr. Scheiderich stated that this motion would be to recommend a particular consultant . Commissioner Manning made a motion to recommend to the Tigard City Council that the proposal be let to CH2M Hill and the second choice being Economic and Engineering Services and Company. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Budihas . A voice vote was taken with the motion passing four to one. Froude abstaining. Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17, 1995 Page 7 8. Regional Water Supply Slide Show Mr. Wegner stated that there is a slide show within each of the three participating counties in the Regional Water Supply Plan. The purpose being to bring all participants up to date on the supply plan. They will be distributing a draft of the plan within the next few months with some scenarios to look over. The City Council will make a recommendation along with the other twenty-six participants with a final draft being completed by December. As a part of the public involvement we will be using this slide show in September for the CIT' s and if King City or Durham is interested we will also do that . Mr. Wegner showed the slide show (outline included in packet) . Mr. Wegner stated that the Participants will be meeting again on Tuesday where they will begin to put together the what if scenarios to bring this project to a final first rough draft. Mr. Wegner stated that he has all the draft documents that are done to date . The next meeting for the IWB was set for the June meeting on June 14 , 1995 . 9 . Adjournment The meeting of the Intergovernmental Water Board was adjourned at 7 : 55 p.m. katby\iwb\5-17mtg.min Intergovernmental Water Board - May 17 , 1995 Page 8