HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.04.20_OPWA MinutesOWASSO PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, April 20, 1999
The Owasso Public Works Authority met in regular session on Tuesday, April 20, 1999 in the
Council Chambers at the Owasso Community Center per the Notice of Public Meeting and Agenda
posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 1999.
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Bode called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
ITEM 2: INVOCATION
The invocation was offered by Dianne Moss of the Public Works Department.
ITEM 3: FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Councilor Smith.
ITEM 4: ROLL CALL
PRESENT ABSENT
Denise Bode, Chair
Mark Wilken, Vice Chair
Mary Lou Barnhouse, Trustee
Melinda Voss, Trustee
Duston Smith, Trustee
STAFF
Jeff Hancock, City Manager
Ronald D Cates, Authority Attorney
Marcia Boutwell, Authority Secretary
ITEM 5: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REQUEST
FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. . _...®
A. Approval of the Minutes of April 6, 1999 Regular Meeting.
B. Approval of Claims
Mr Wilken moved, seconded by Mr Smith, to approve the consent agenda. The consent agenda
included minutes of the April 6, 1999 regular meeting, by reference made a part hereto. Item B on
the consent agenda included the following claims: (1) OPWA Fund $135,728.52; (2) OPWA Sewer
Line Extension $274,981.00; (3) OPWA Capital Improvement Fund $16,156.00; (4) Interfund
Transfers $39,883.34; (5) Payroll $29,000.20.
Owasso Public Works Authority April 20, 1999
AYE: Willken, Smith, Barnhouse, Voss, Bode
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM 6: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO OPWA
RESOLUTION #99-01, A RESOLUTION DECREASING RATES FOR WATER
PURCHASED FROM THE AUTHORITY BY OUT -OF -CITY CUSTOMERS AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR SUCH DECREASE.
Mr Rooney said that in June of 1998 a resident of the Pleasant View addition contacted staff
regarding the difference in water rates charged to customers inside and outside the city limits.
Historically, the OPWA funded improvements to the water system through the utilization of property
taxes. Because the OPWA could not apply a property tax on property outside of the corporate limits
of Owasso, the city charged those customers a higher usage rate for water. This ensured that all
users of the water system shared equally in the expense of the improvements, with the city customers
having a lower usage rate and a property tax, and the rural customers having a higher rate and no
property tax. In 1993 the OPWA adopted a policy of a "phased in" program to equallize the rate
difference since property tax was no longer utilized to fund water improvements. The current rate
structure has rural customers paying 62.39% more than the in -city rate. Staff reviewed the rates and
determined that a modest difference should remain in order to encourage development within the city
limits. Without at least a slight benefit of a less expensive water rate, there is no incentive to
develop within the city limits, and the city loses all sales tax revenue from infrastructure materials
to building materials. Several different rate scenarios were reviewed, and staff is comfortable with
a rate difference of 20% between the in -city customers and rural customers. This represents an
approximate 25% reduction in the current rural rate. All customers within the city limits and all
customers of Rural Water District #3 Rogers County acquired prior to November 1, 1993 are
unaffected by this rate decrease. Resolution #99-01 establishes the rates and an effective date of
May 1999 as reflected by the June billing. Ms Voss moved, seconded by Mr Smith, to approve
OPWA Resolution #99-01.
AYE: Voss, Smith, Barnhouse, Wilken, Bode
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM 7: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REQUEST
FOR TRUSTEE APPROVAL FOR THE RENTAL AND PURCHASE OF
WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM FLOW MONITORING EQUIPMENT
Mr Roberts presented the item. In October of 1998 the Oklahoma Department of Enviromnental
Quality (ODEQ) issued the City of Owasso a Consent Order for incidents on unpermitted discharges
from the wastewater collection system (bypasses). Many of these incidents of bypass are a result
of inflow and/or infiltration during wet weather conditions. The provisions of the Consent Order
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Owasso Public Works Authority April 20, 1999
include an evaluation of the sewer system within the older portion of the city. Manhole locations
and assessment, and preliminary flow monitoring must be completed in 1999. Verification and
assessment of manholes in Ator Heights is underway. The preliminary flow monitoring of the Ator
Heights wastewater collection sub -basin is scheduled to begin in May 1999. Staff determined that
it will be more cost effective to rent the equipment needed for the flow monitoring process. Four
equipment vendors were contacted for both rental and purchase quotes. Badger Meter submitted the
apparent low quote for the metering equipment; however, when references were checked, it was
learned that Badger does not have a good track record. Therefore, staff investigated the other
vendors and determined that EPI is capable of supplying the needs for the City of Owasso flow
monitoring project and has submitted the second lowest quote for metering equipment. Mr Wilken
moved, seconded by Ms Voss, to approve the 60-day rental of four flow meters and one rain gauge,
and the purchase of an interface software package from EPI Inc of Tulsa, OIL in the amount of
$7475.
AYE: Wilken, Voss, Smith, Barnhouse, Bode
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM 8: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REOUEST
FOR APPROVAL OF AN EXPENDITURE FOR SLUDGE HAULING.
Mr Roberts said that current average daily flow at the wastewater treatment plant is approaching the
original design capacity of the plant and quantities of solids removed from the wastewater exceed
what was projected during design of the facility. As a result, the sludge drying beds are full and
solids have been accumulating in the aeration basin and clarifiers since March 1998. In order to keep
solids from being washed out of the clarifiers and into the plant effluent, plant personnel have
attempted to control flow through the plant until solids can be removed. The following alternatives
were reviewed for sludge disposal: (1) transporting in tank trucks to the landfill; (2) contracting for
land application; (3) transfer sludge to stromwater holding basin; and (4) transporting in tank truck
to City of Tulsa Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Based on the alternatives, it was determined
that the most timely and cost-effective solution was to truck liquid sludge to the Tulsa Northside
Plant. A verbal agreement was made with Tulsa for the disposal of 750,000 gallons of liquid sludge.
Vendors for hauling sludge were contacted, and Sludge Technology Inc of Muskogee, OIL was
selected as having the lowest cost. The initial calculation was within the City Manager's spending
limit, and sludge hauling was initiated on March 22, 1999. Following the initial trucking, it was
determined that additional sludge removal would still be required. The City of Tulsa was contacted
and authorized an additional amount of sludge disposal of approximately twelve 6000 gallon loads
hauled once per week for 6-8 weeks. The additional estimated sludge quantity would be 576,000
gallons at a hauling cost of an additional $3751.20. The total estimated cost of trucking liquid
sludge exceeds the City Manager's spending authorization. In addition, the OPWA requirement for
bidding any expenditure above $7500 would be exceeded. Immediate removal of the sludge is
imperative to successfully meet plant effluent discharge criteria, and time constraints would not
allow for preparation and advertising of bid documents. The staff requested that Trustees declare
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Owasso Public Works Authority
April 20, 1999
an emergency and waive competitive bidding requirements, and to authorize the expenditure for
sludge hauling. Mr Wilken moved, seconded by Mr Smith, to declare an emergency and waive
competitive bidding requirements for sludge hauling, and to authorize an expenditure in an amount
not to exceed $9000 to Sludge Technology Inc, Muskogee, OK for such hauling.
AYE: Wilken, Smith, Voss, Barnhouse, Bode
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM 9: REPORT FROM OPWA MANAGER
No report.
ITEM 10: REPORT FROM OPWA ATTORNEY
No report.
ITEM 11: NEW BUSINESS
None.
ITEM 12: ADJOURNMENT
Mr Wilken moved, seconded byMs Barnhouse, to adjourn.
AYE: Wilken, Barnhouse, Smith, Voss, Bode
NAY: None
Motion carried 5-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
Mare Boutwell, Authority Secretary
Mark Wilken, Chairperson
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