BOISE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MINUTES

Transcription

1 BOISE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MINUTES December 10, 2015 Commission: Public Works: Legal: City Council: Visitors: Don Reading/Chairperson, Judy Thorne, Julia Hilton, Larry Crowley, Renee Quick (Absent: Connor Skibeness) Catherine Chertudi, Haley Falconer, Heather Buchanan, Janine Renberg, Jon Gunnerson, Marcia Schmelzer, Rob Bousfield, Steve Burgos Doug Strickling, Andrea Carroll (Absent: TJ Thomson) Retiring Public Works Commissioners: Laila Kral, John Gardner The meeting was held in the Ancell Conference Room in City Hall. Call to Order The Public Works Commission Chairperson, Don Reading, called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM. 1. Commissioner Introductions Don Reading: Don has been on the Public Works Commission since October 14, He is an economist and professional consultant with Ben Johnson Associates. He works in the private sector, specializing in environmental issues. Julia Hilton: Julia has been on the Public Works Commission since July 15, She has worked as an attorney in utilities for eight years. She is currently employed as an attorney at Idaho Power Company. In her personal life she is an avid mountain biker. Larry Crowley: Larry has served on the Public Works Commission since January 8, Larry has lived in Boise for 36 years, 20 of those years working with Idaho Power Company. His background is in economics, specifically energy. Larry has worked with renewable energy projects, mergers, acquisitions, as well as regulatory work for a variety of utilities. Renee Quick: Renee was appointed to the Public Works Commission on February 11, 1992 and serves as a neighborhood volunteer. She is retired from working as a government/economics teacher, an environmental lobbyist, and a baker. Judy Thorne: Judy was appointed to the Public Works Commission on October 13, She is on faculty at Idaho State University / Meridian. She administers grants for HIV and Hepatitis-A education for medical providers around the State of Idaho. Judy has lived in Boise for 30 years. 1

2 2. Staff Introductions Neal Oldemeyer, Director: (10/5/1992 Present) Neal is a mechanical engineer, receiving his degree from Oregon State. He served in the navy for six years. After working with a private engineering firm he came to work for the City as the Geothermal Coordinator, was promoted to the Administrative Manager, then became the Department Director. Neal is very involved on the Executive Management Team (EMT), which is made up of all city department directors, the mayor and his chief-of-staff. At the PWC meetings, Neal will be presenting the Director s Reports, among other issues. Rob Bousfield, Assistant City Engineer: (4/8/ Present) Rob is a civil engineer, receiving his degree from Montana State University. As an Assistant City Engineer, Rob is the manager of the DIS section of the Engineering Division. He has a staff of eight that manage the street lights, technical permitting, addressing, GIS, and city building projects. He may present these items before the PWC for discussion/approval. Janine Renberg, PW Admin Support Coordinator: (10/13/ Present) In her current position, Janine wears a variety of administrative hats. She provides administrative assistance for Neal Oldemeyer and Steve Burgos. She supervises two staff, coordinates records management, assists with technical writing projects, administers staff travel, and provides miscellaneous administrative functions. Regarding the Public Works Commission she coordinates all of the administrative needs including meetings, packets, and minutes. Marcia Schmelzer, PW Operations Sr. Manager: (11/25/ Present) Marcia's undergraduate is in biology from San Jose State and her masters is in biochemistry from the University of Nevada. After graduation, she was a regulator with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. In the Boise Public Works Department she was the Lab Manager for 18 years before being promoted to her current position. Marcia is now the Operations Manager responsible for the operations of the treatment facilities, biosolids application site, and sewer pipelines. Heather Buchanan, Support Systems Manager: (5/14/ Present) Heather has a Bachelor in Statistics degree from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from Boise State University. Heather began working with the City of Boise in Finance before transferring to Public Works. Heather is the Administration Division Manager (34 employees) and is responsible for budgeting, fee collection and many special departmental and city projects.. Heather presents the Department's budget each spring to the PWC. Haley Falconer, Sustainability Coordinator: (5/18/ Present) Haley is a civil and environmental engineer and wears the hat of the City s Sustainability Coordinator. As the Sustainability Program evolves, she will present items to the PWC, which will include energy reduction, Central Addition LIV District, water conservation, sustainability communications, and rebranding the wastewater program. Steve Burgos, Environmental Division Manager: (1/31/ Present) Steve spent five years in the Navy as an intelligence officer and then later worked as an environmental engineer and project manager in the private sector. He has been working for the City for two years as the Environmental Division Manager (20 employees). There are many high profile environmental projects that Steve will be presenting to the PWC. Jon Gunnerson, Geothermal Coordinator: (1/2/2008 to Present) Jon received his degree civil engineering from Boise State University. He will present items to the PWC involving the geothermal system and the municipal irrigation system. Catherine Chertudi, Solid Waste Program Manager: (11/13/ Present) Catherine has a degree of Environmental Health from Boise State University. Catherine's team of five coordinates the hazardous 2

3 waste, trash services, groundwater monitoring and remediation. Catherine will bring program updates and franchise agreement information to the PWC. Doug Strickling, Attorney IV: ( Present) Doug received his undergraduate degree from Gonzaga University and his law degree from the University of Idaho. In 1984 he began working in the Boise Legal Department. Doug has been the primary legal advisor for the Public Works Department since He works closely will all staff and the PWC. Andrea Carroll, Attorney II: (2008 Present) Andrea is an attorney with the Boise Legal Department and works with the PDS attorney. She works with housing and community development as well as historic preservation commission. 3. Election of Officers Renee Quick nominated Don Reading as the Public Works Commission Chairperson. Larry Crowley seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Don Reading nominated Renee Quick as the Public Works Commission Co-Chairperson. Larry Crowley seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 4. Approval of the September 9, 2015 Minutes Renee Quick moved to approve the minutes from the September 9, 2015 meeting. Larry Crowley seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 5. Recognition of Past Commissioners Neal Oldemeyer provided background of the Jim Titmus Service Award for Excellence. Jim Titmus served as a Public Works Commissioner for 23 years and had valuable institutional knowledge when he retired. As a result of his service to the City, the Jim Titmus Service Award for Excellence was created; each retiring Commissioner s name is added to a central plaque and an individual plaque is given to them. Two retiring Commissioners were at the meeting. Neal acknowledged John Gardner for his dedication and service on the Climate Protection Committee in 2007 as well as the Public Works Commission from 2010 to John was presented the Jim Titmus Service Award for Excellence plaque. John commented that it was a pleasure and privilege to serve on the committee, adding that he also learned a lot. He indicated that the City of Boise is in great hands with the Public Works Department and the great staff. Laila Kral was also acknowledged for her service to the City. She served as a student member of the Commission from 2003 to Thereafter, she was appointed as a regular member of the Commission on 5/31/06. She also served as chairperson from 11/2011 until her resignation in 7/2015. Laila commented that she is always impressed with the thoroughness of staff and their ability to answers all of the questions that the Commission asked. She wished the best to the new Commissioners Commission Goals Neal Oldemeyer indicated that with the recent changeover of the Commission members, it is a good time to refresh the PWC meeting presentations and goals. Over the next year or more, we will meet for two hours on a monthly basis. The agenda items will include discussions with the Mayor and Council Members, review of our budget and customer charge recommendations, consideration of policies around such things as our geothermal operations, input into our long term sewer and solid waste facility, and plans, appeals, etc. He also discussed three goals: 3

4 1. To introduce the Commissioners to Boise s Mayor and Council to discuss their vision for the community, their personal philosophies and interests, and their high priority initiatives. This information and background should help the Commission make decisions consistent with where the City Council would like to take the community. 2. To inform and educate the Commission to the degree that they can assist staff with appeals and policy decisions. There is often lengthy history and sometimes complicated background associated with many of these issues. 3. To give back to the Commission as citizens by providing an opportunity to get to know Public Works and the City organization up close and personal by sharing history, touring the facilities, and getting to know and understand the people, culture, and values. Larry Crowley indicated that this approach will help the Commission to align their discussions in terms of understanding what the elected officials have for the community. Renee Quick agreed and stated that although the Commission and City Council walk on the same path, it is important to remember that they have different jobs and responsibilities. Renee also likes that a member of the City Council be present during times when the Commission discusses appeals or high profile recommendations. Don Reading explained that the City Council has the role to accept or reject the Commission s recommendations and that their roles are indeed very different. Although the meetings have been on the second Thursday of every month, staff is open to accommodate any changes. Meeting packets are ordinarily ed as PDFs to the Commission one week before the meeting. If hard copies are preferred, then make arrangements with Janine. Neal requested that the Commissioners should feel free to call him or staff anytime they have a question regarding an agenda item, a post-meeting topic, etc. Staff was asked to provide business cards to the Commissioners. 7. Boise WaterShed History and Greenbelt Pathway Because John Tensen was not in attendance, this item is deferred to the January, 2016 meeting. 8. Geothermal History and Rates Jon Gunnerson presented the background of the geothermal system and rate structure. He indicated that the City s goal is to set geothermal rates to maintain at least a 20% savings from natural gas. However, the savings has been difficult to achieve as natural gas rates have been steadily decreasing since this modification. The Geothermal Ordinance currently requires staff to review geothermal service rates any time natural gas rates are adjusted. On September 30, 2015 the Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved a decrease of approximately 6.1% in Intermountain Gas Companies rates, effective October 1, This decrease in Intermountain Gas rates further distances staff s goal of providing a 20% cost saving over using natural gas. Staff recently completed a detailed reviewed of the Geothermal Fund budget and, as anticipated, the BSU extension completely exhausted the fund balance. However, the fund is slowly recovering and staff has identified strategies to improve the fund balance in upcoming years. Staff recommended three rate scenarios to the Commission. After substantial discussion, the Commission recommended an option between the two alternatives offered by staff. Neal suggested that we maintain the current rates, which will make geothermal heating slightly more expensive than natural gas, while staff works on a rate strategy recommendation taking into account the Commission s comments. Larry Crowley also suggested that in the future staff can provide a geothermal tour that shows how the geothermal system works. 4

5 Larry Crowley moved that the geothermal rates charged by the City of Boise remain as they are until further review and notice by Department staff. Renee Quick seconded and the motion carried. 9. BMID Assessment Rates Jon Gunnerson provided history and assessment background of the Boise Municipal Irrigation District (BMID). The assessments to properties served by the BMID have traditionally covered the direct operating costs of the pressure irrigation systems, including depreciation. Historically, the assessment has neither covered all the engineering support nor the indirect costs. For the first time, the irrigation fund did not experience a budget shortfall in 2014 as a result of limited expenses and higher than average revenue collected from unpaid assessments. However, a shortfall of $7,923 was again experienced in the 2015 budget cycle. Therefore, in an effort to minimize future budget shortfalls and reliance of General Fund support, staff recommends increasing the BMID assessment rate 4.3% from $820/acre to $855/acre. It is anticipated another assessment rate increase will be required to eliminate General Fund support. After discussion the following motion was made. Renee Quick moved to recommend that the 2016 BMID assessment rate increase 4.3% from $820/acre to $855/acre. Larry Crowley seconded and the motion carried. 10. Streetlight Manual Update Rob Bousfield provided background regarding the City streetlights and associated updates to the Policy and Practices manual. Renee Quick moved to recommend approval of the new Streetlight Policy and Practice Manual dated October 13, Larry Crowley seconded and the motion carried. Director s Report New Public Works Commissioner: Jake Nink, a mechanical engineer, interviewed with Neal and with the Mayor. He will be appointed to a four-year term as a Public Works Commissioner at the City Council meeting on December 15, Public Works Department Senior Manager of the Year: Rob Bousfield received the nomination as the Public Works Senior Manager of the Year for Rob has been with Boise Public Works for 20 years. Organization Restructure: The City Collections group has moved from Finance to Public Works, therefore Utility Billing and Collections have merged. Likewise, Central Finance is taking over some of our positions in Administration. Those positions will still be embedded in Public Works but will report to Finance. The Public Relations /Communications staff will be pulled from each department and will form a new Communications Department. The major phosphorus removal project at West Boise is for all practical purposes complete, but we are fine-tuning the operation. We are attending towards our compliance date of May, The Downtown Circulator Analysis is starting to come together. The Dixie Drain project is well underway and 40% complete. We expect to be operational in the July timeframe. 5

6 The Esther Simplot Park remediation is continuing. There is minimal construction in and around City Hall for the first time in several years; however, within a year there will be improvements made on the front plaza. The City s first sustainability report will be published soon. Heather Buchanan s staff is working on a customer service model and location for the Utility Billing /Collections staff that is more convenient for the public. Phase II at the Boise WaterShed is construction is underway and the work will continue into the spring months. Public Works staff played an active role in the Cooper Court relocation and assistance. Adjournment Renee Quick moved to adjourn the meeting. Don Reading seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM. Neal S. Oldemeyer, Secretary Don Reading, Chairperson 6