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City Council Utility Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />Friday, January 19, 2018 <br />Page2of3 <br />Mr. Peterson presented an update on finalizing the addition of consulting services <br />for the Windy Gap project. The contract is expected to go to Council in February <br />or March. <br />Mr. Peterson reviewed the early financing options available to the City for the <br />Windy Gap Project. The two options currently considered are: Pooled Financing <br />(Option A) - where all participant would join together for a single loan on the project <br />or Individual Financing (Option B) — where the City would secure a loan <br />independent of the other project participants. Each option also includes a subset <br />of 1) providing a cash down payment from fund reserves or 2) financing the entire <br />cost. All options are highly sensitive to the projected interest rate. At this <br />preliminary stage, a cash down payment (Option 1) appears to be the best option <br />with slight advantage towards individual financing (Option B) based on assumed <br />rates. Staff, First Southwest and Northern Water will continue to evaluate these <br />options and refine the cost implication as the project cost, interest rates, terms and <br />bond requirements become more distinct. Lastly, the financing options will also be <br />presented at future Finance Committee meetings for their review and discussion. <br />VII. Update — CIP Projects <br />Mr. Peterson discussed upcoming projects and reviewed the Quarterly Report <br />and the CIP summary. Emphasis was given to the SCWTP Pump Station that is <br />under construction and estimated to wrap up in July, with High Zone pumps <br />being operational in April. The multiple projects of HVAC, filter media, plate <br />settlers and disinfection modifications at HBWTP are also underway. The last <br />update was in regards to the Plant Improvements project that covers the 102 <br />maintenance items. All 102 items have been awarded and are either under <br />construction or have been completed. <br />Mr. Kowar outlined that staff are starting the 2019/2020 budget process which <br />will include a review of the long term CIP Plan. <br />VIII. 2018 Utility Rates <br />Mr. Kowar highlighted the overall rate process and the final rate recommendation <br />presentation that is ready for Council in March. A request from the Utility <br />Committee was made to evaluate the possibility of utilizing financing options to <br />lessen rate impacts from larger future CIPs. Staff will complete this process in <br />conjunction with the 2019/2020 budget process. The Utility Committee voted in <br />favor of the 2018 utility rates and recommends that the presentation be made to <br />Council for approval with the Utility Committee support. <br />IX. Water Treatment Process Update <br />Mr. Kowar briefly summarized the various chemicals used in the water treatment <br />process and the impacts to the operational budget. It is anticipated that chemical <br />costs will fluctuate with some changes in suppliers/vendors, the modification to <br />the disinfection equipment at both plants and the reinstitution of flow paced <br />chemical addition. <br />