1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,600 Monday, December 11th, 2023, we're going to just jump right into this. 2 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:15,720 Are there any members of the public that would like to speak at this point? 3 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,320 We're full of City of Denton folks, all right. 4 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:20,920 This is the regular meeting. 5 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,480 There are no presentations from the members of the public. 6 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:26,520 We'll move straight into the consent agenda. 7 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,160 I've already had a request. 8 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:31,160 Go ahead, Mr. Ryback. 9 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:37,960 I would like to remove items A, C and E from the consent agenda. 10 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:38,960 Any others? 11 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:47,920 Seeing that there be none, I will entertain a motion to approve of the consent agenda 12 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:54,240 items B, D, F, G, H, I, J and K. 13 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,880 We have a motion. 14 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:57,880 Second. 15 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,680 And a second from Mr. Plotk. 16 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:02,560 All those in favor, please say aye. 17 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:03,560 Aye. 18 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:04,560 Any opposed? 19 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:05,560 Passes unanimously. 20 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:12,080 Mr. Ryback, item A, and I believe Mr. Rayner may have had a question on that as well. 21 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:18,880 Yes, I was just curious about the sudden appearance of nearly a million dollars in charges. 22 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:24,320 I'm sure there's an obvious and excellent reason for it, but it just seemed unusual 23 00:01:24,320 --> 00:01:27,640 and I would like to get some further information about it. 24 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,800 Good morning, Vispa Pantabong, ADF Finance. 25 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:35,800 So when we calculate these T-cost expenses, we actually net them. 26 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:41,700 So there's revenue coming in from the city, which are other TSP providers that are using 27 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:42,760 our assets. 28 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:48,800 And then the expenses that are going out, that's other TSP basically or that's us using 29 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:50,320 other TSP's assets. 30 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,520 So when we do the billing, it's net of revenue and expenses. 31 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:59,240 So with the ongoing rate case, so basically that affected the calculations and those two 32 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:03,160 particular TSP's were the one that basically changed. 33 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:04,160 Okay. 34 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:11,800 So these were simply the result of a recalculation based on ongoing charges and expenses. 35 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:17,200 If you recall Mr. Rybeck, we had already brought the majority of those forward about a month 36 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:18,200 ago or so. 37 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:19,200 Yes, sir. 38 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,000 And yeah, these were as a result of a recalculation basically. 39 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:23,000 Okay. 40 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:28,720 It's not necessarily a change in budget, it's a change in who gets the money from the T-cost, 41 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:29,720 correct? 42 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:30,720 Yes, correct. 43 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:31,720 Yes. 44 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:32,720 Not a change in budget. 45 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:40,280 And for some context in total, we're spending about 25, 26 million dollars now a year in 46 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:45,720 transmission costs to others that we pay out on an annual basis. 47 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:46,720 Okay. 48 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:51,400 So will this continue to happen then throughout the year as the last time there'll be an adjustment 49 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:52,400 since it's December? 50 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:53,400 Yeah. 51 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:56,840 There's ongoing rate cases that happen and so there's adjustments throughout the year, 52 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,280 certainly not as big as these, but yeah, those can happen and they're normal. 53 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:01,280 All right. 54 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,560 So we may continue to see these as the year goes on then. 55 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:10,640 Yeah, if they exceed the staff's authority that's been allocated -- not allocated, but 56 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:15,240 what's the word that I'm using for -- delegated to staff. 57 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:16,480 Okay. 58 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,760 What is that authority, just for my information? 59 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:20,760 I think that's 50,000. 60 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:21,760 Okay. 61 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:22,760 Okay. 62 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:23,760 Very good. 63 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:24,760 State law, correct? 64 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:25,760 Yes, correct. 65 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:26,760 50,000. 66 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:27,760 Thank you. 67 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:31,440 Mr. Chair, I move that we accept item A from the consent agenda. 68 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,480 We have a motion to approve by Mr. Ryback. 69 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:35,480 Second. 70 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,320 Second by Mr. Taylor. 71 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:40,840 All those in favor, please say aye. 72 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:41,840 Aye. 73 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:42,840 Aye. 74 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:43,840 Any opposed? 75 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:44,840 Passes unanimously. 76 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,800 Item C is in cat, Mr. Ryback. 77 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,840 Thank you. 78 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:57,400 So I was concerned about this not so much that it does exist or that it has a pretty 79 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,400 big dollar amount and I thought perhaps would be of value for us to learn a little more 80 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:02,400 about it. 81 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:03,400 Yes, sir. 82 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,360 Just about the credit card processing contract in general? 83 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:07,360 Sure. 84 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:11,600 This is a credit card contract for the entire city for all 25 locations, some odd give or 85 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:16,680 take, on the day that take credit cards over the phone, in person, or over the Internet. 86 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:18,440 We went out for bid in 2020. 87 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:22,900 We go out for bid every five years along with our depository contract. 88 00:04:22,900 --> 00:04:28,800 We had three bids at that time and we started the contract in 2021 and it will end in 2026. 89 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:33,360 Historically, you know, we look at our past actuals and see what those have been and we 90 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,640 based our numbers for the contract on that. 91 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:41,880 And it just seems this year, in the last couple of years, we have increased our volumes across 92 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:43,600 the board from the city. 93 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:48,560 Customer service alone, we share these costs across the city based on their own volumes. 94 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:53,120 Customer service going from payment to invoice cloud allowed your customers to have a lot 95 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:57,000 of bells and whistles and other options to pay so it increased their adoption to their 96 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:58,960 credit card rate. 97 00:04:58,960 --> 00:04:59,960 Also building safety. 98 00:04:59,960 --> 00:05:05,400 They have a lot of construction and building going on so the permits have increased. 99 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:08,360 Also the landfill has seen a high increase in volume. 100 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:14,260 So our actual cost to the credit card processor stayed the same through the contract. 101 00:05:14,260 --> 00:05:18,520 Our volumes have increased and it's the actual card brands and their interchange rates that 102 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:22,840 are increasing as well because they're allowed to increase every two times a year. 103 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:25,800 So it's just that volume just kept growing and growing. 104 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:29,560 So the last year of the contract, I am just not had enough money. 105 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:33,520 So we went ahead through the regular process and increased this as allowed by the purchasing 106 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:34,520 contract. 107 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:35,520 Okay. 108 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:40,240 So is this a new provider or is it the same provider with a different rate structure? 109 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:44,960 It is the same provider we've had the same provider for almost 10 years and Wells Fargo 110 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:48,240 Merchant Services and their rate stays the same. 111 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:52,080 It's the card brand interchange rates that go up and down. 112 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:57,640 So as a card holder, I can come one day and use my debit card and that's one rate and 113 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,100 I can come another day and use my reward card and that's another rate. 114 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:02,840 So all those variables playing in. 115 00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:05,520 So our providers rate is the same. 116 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:10,360 It's just the cards that your card user actually using pushes through and that's a straight 117 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,440 pass through to the card brands. 118 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:16,840 So what we pay Wells Fargo Merchant Services is consistent, but what we pay the card brand 119 00:06:16,840 --> 00:06:18,720 is based on their own interchange rates. 120 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:19,720 Okay. 121 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:24,120 So this is a net increase to our cost of doing business as a city. 122 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:25,120 Yes. 123 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:27,120 And each department budgets these. 124 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:31,160 So they have everybody has a bucket in there for their banking services, if you will. 125 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:35,760 So that's whether they put in cash in the bank, they're doing checks or they're doing cards. 126 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,880 So this will impact all departments budgets to some extent. 127 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:39,880 Yes. 128 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:42,360 But they've already budgeted for that slightly. 129 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,680 They look every year and do what they can to see what's coming. 130 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:46,680 Okay. 131 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:47,680 Yes, sir. 132 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,280 I don't have any further questions. 133 00:06:50,280 --> 00:06:51,280 Okay. 134 00:06:51,280 --> 00:06:52,840 Mr. Rainer. 135 00:06:52,840 --> 00:06:58,840 So you said, good morning, you said that you look at this twice a year or is that when 136 00:06:58,840 --> 00:06:59,840 they. 137 00:06:59,840 --> 00:07:03,940 The card brands come out with new pricing structures twice a year. 138 00:07:03,940 --> 00:07:10,320 And so we may be looking for a another price change of some sort the middle of next year. 139 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:11,320 No, sir. 140 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:12,320 They fluctuate. 141 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,640 So each card brand just kind of gives and takes, they may offer more rewards on a different 142 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:16,640 card or whatever. 143 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,400 So again, it's based on the card user use. 144 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,400 So the card brands go up and down twice a year. 145 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,980 They add more programs, they take away others. 146 00:07:24,980 --> 00:07:29,980 So it really our fees are based on what our card holders are using day to day. 147 00:07:29,980 --> 00:07:30,980 Okay. 148 00:07:30,980 --> 00:07:31,980 Thank you. 149 00:07:31,980 --> 00:07:32,980 Thank you, Mr. Chair. 150 00:07:32,980 --> 00:07:33,980 Thank you, Mr. Rainer. 151 00:07:33,980 --> 00:07:39,740 Any other questions for item C. Seeing there are none, I'll entertain a motion to approve 152 00:07:39,740 --> 00:07:41,480 item C of the consent agenda. 153 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:42,480 So moved. 154 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:43,480 Motion. 155 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:44,480 Second. 156 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:46,440 We have a second. 157 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,920 All those in favor, please say aye. 158 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:49,920 Aye. 159 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:50,920 Any opposed? 160 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:51,920 Passes unanimously. 161 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:57,120 Move on to item E, Edward, E isn't Edward. 162 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:03,520 My question regarding item E is I was, it caught my eye that there are two different 163 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:07,720 departments, one of which is Parks and Rec, where the Public Utility Board, and I'm just 164 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:16,240 curious about the implications between our civic duty and that of the Parks and Rec Board. 165 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,240 This equipment's going to them. 166 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:23,640 Hello, Tom Grammer, Director of Facilities and Fleet. 167 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:24,920 I don't know the answer to that question. 168 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:26,320 That seems like a financial question. 169 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:30,360 I'll be happy to get that answer and bring it back to the board. 170 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:38,560 Well, I think the reality is that when it comes to items that are not utility related, 171 00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:41,040 the PUB does not have authority on that. 172 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:43,200 That usually goes straight to the City Council. 173 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:47,320 The Park Board does not have oversight of that either, so those expenditures go. 174 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,720 Just for ease of documentation, these were aggregated together. 175 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:56,920 Obviously, there's synergies in buying these diggers together in multiple quantities, but 176 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:57,920 that's really the only purpose. 177 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:04,320 And so really what's in front of the PUB is that they're diggers specific to DME only. 178 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:05,320 Okay. 179 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:12,400 But again, I just asked that question about if this equipment goes to Parks and Rec in 180 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:18,640 part or do the utilities own and operate the equipment? 181 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:25,920 There actually will be the Parks and Rec folks will have their own digger tool, if you will. 182 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:26,920 Yes. 183 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:27,920 Parks will have their own, I believe that. 184 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:31,480 We've set up two different accounts funded in one, so DME is paying for two, Parks is 185 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:32,480 paying for one. 186 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:36,360 But again, as Tony said, it's to buy three at the same time is easier and cheaper. 187 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:41,180 I think it's always useful to aggregate and get a better deal. 188 00:09:41,180 --> 00:09:50,540 I'm just curious about our authority to suggest to the City Council that Parks and Rec buy 189 00:09:50,540 --> 00:09:52,600 equipment and we're the ones doing the approving. 190 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:56,760 If it doesn't make any difference, that's fine, but I'm just curious about that. 191 00:09:56,760 --> 00:10:01,720 I think this is the first time I've seen something where something's come before us that also 192 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,240 had to do with equipment for a different department or a different group. 193 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:06,240 Yeah. 194 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:11,840 This is not unlike what you've seen Public Works come out and they show you what they're 195 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:17,800 going to be doing in a neighborhood area for streets and sidewalks, but within those project 196 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:22,840 costs, you also have water, wastewater costs, you may have electric costs, and so this is 197 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:26,280 a very similar, it's all being brought at the same time. 198 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,360 There's economies of scale for why those are done at the same time. 199 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:33,280 There's also kind of an administrative component here, right, for us to have to separate out 200 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:38,360 just the DME component, now you're talking about a separate item, a separate agenda. 201 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:40,200 There's separate things that go with that, right? 202 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:44,640 So this is just from an administrative standpoint to make it a little bit easier for staff, right? 203 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,880 We bring to the PVB exactly what we're taking to the Council, even though some items may 204 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,840 not necessarily be within the authority of the Council, but it's just a little bit administrative, 205 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,080 a little bit easier for us to do it that way. 206 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:58,840 But all of the other things you've talked about with the sidewalks all still fall within 207 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:05,240 the utilities, wastewater, power, water, you know, those are all wastewater functions, 208 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:09,520 not all public utility functions, I'm sorry. 209 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,800 They're probably worse functions, but the funding is different. 210 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:16,440 So the funding for the sidewalks, the funding for the streets is not coming for water and 211 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:17,440 wastewater. 212 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:20,840 It's only the water/wastewater components that are coming for water/wastewater, of which 213 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:22,880 the Board has authority over. 214 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:27,960 Right, and the roads, of course, are roads and transportation, not utilities, so, okay. 215 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:33,240 Yeah, but streets is not considered a utility for purposes of the Board's authority. 216 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:39,680 Okay, I don't think that answered my question, but I have a better understanding, thank you. 217 00:11:39,680 --> 00:11:40,680 Mr. Rayner? 218 00:11:40,680 --> 00:11:44,240 So, if I understand it, we're buying in bulk, which is fine. 219 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,640 Two departments, pardon, just to keep it simple, you're gonna get two, we get one, and we get 220 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,480 one, you get, or we get two and you get one, is that kind of how that works? 221 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:53,480 Correct. 222 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:58,840 Okay, and who keeps it, you know, my neighbor borrowed my weed whacker and I'm still waiting 223 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:02,240 for it to come back, so, you understand my point? 224 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:06,120 Absolutely, so when we purchase these vehicles, they're allocated to the departments through 225 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,520 our work order system and asset tracking. 226 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:12,840 The department takes responsibility throughout the life cycle of the vehicle or the asset, 227 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:17,280 so when we get this on site, it's identified as a DME asset, or the two DME assets would 228 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:22,440 be put under their purview and capitalized and everything else with DME, and then the 229 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:26,000 one would be put with parks and identified as a parks asset, so there would be no interchanging 230 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,000 of the assets. 231 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:31,080 So, let's say you wear yours out, would it be, it seemed like it would be natural that 232 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:35,440 you would maybe contact us to borrow one of our diggers, would that be kind of how that 233 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:36,440 would work? 234 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:40,440 There's potential for that, obviously, however we can get the job done as fast as possible 235 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:44,520 to limit the impact of the operation, we would do that, but we don't make a common practice 236 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:47,040 to flip-flop assets on the long term. 237 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:48,040 Yes. 238 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,560 If we do, we'd have to make sure the financial implications of the backside are handled. 239 00:12:50,560 --> 00:12:54,360 Thank you, appreciate it, thank you, Mr. Chairman. 240 00:12:54,360 --> 00:13:00,680 Okay, thank you, that's just a follow-up question based on their questions, the account 241 00:13:00,680 --> 00:13:04,680 numbers that are listed here for the fiscal information, where do they fall under? 242 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:07,760 One under public utilities and two under parks, is that correct? 243 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:11,200 It should be two under DME and then one under parks, right Dave? 244 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:12,200 That's correct. 245 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:13,200 Two to one. 246 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:14,200 Okay, it's the opposite of that. 247 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:18,800 Okay, that answers my question, all right, any other questions? 248 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:23,840 Seeing there is none, thank you. 249 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:27,760 All those in favor of approving item E as in Edward? 250 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:28,760 No. 251 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:34,320 Oh, that's true, entertain a motion to approve item E. 252 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:35,520 Move we approve item E. 253 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:36,520 You have a motion? 254 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:37,520 Second. 255 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:38,880 We have a second. 256 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:40,320 All those in favor, please say aye. 257 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:41,320 Aye. 258 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:42,320 Any opposed? 259 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:48,600 There being none, it passes unanimously, so we can move on to item three, items for individual 260 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,520 consideration. 261 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:53,800 Consider approval of the November 13th, 2023 minutes. 262 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,240 Move a motion for Mr. Plot? 263 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:58,240 Second. 264 00:13:58,240 --> 00:13:59,240 Second, Mr. Taylor? 265 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:02,000 All those in favor, please say aye. 266 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:03,000 Aye. 267 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:04,000 Any opposed? 268 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:05,000 Passes unanimously. 269 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:10,040 All right, item B, I believe there's gonna be some questions on this. 270 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:18,440 We did take this up last week in a risk management team meeting and decided to take it from the 271 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:25,720 consent to individual consideration, so we'll go ahead and start with board members with 272 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,200 any questions. 273 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:34,200 Billy, actually, we have a quick presentation, if you don't mind, and then we can have questions 274 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:35,200 after that. 275 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:36,200 Harry? 276 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:37,200 From Mr. Terry Nolte. 277 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:42,400 Good morning, Terry Nolte, Assistant General Manager, DME. 278 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:50,360 So first question is what is outage insurance, and basically it's insurance that covers 279 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:55,480 mechanical failures of the Denton Energy Center. 280 00:14:55,480 --> 00:15:01,040 The way that this has worked in the past is that in order to have a valid claim, you have 281 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:08,200 to have an outage of at least one unit, and the second unit starts the claim process. 282 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:17,960 It pays the difference between the hourly wholesale price and the generation cost, so 283 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:26,840 if the generation cost was $40 and the wholesale energy price was $100, it would pay $60 times 284 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:33,800 the number of megawatt hours that were affected by the outage. 285 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:38,500 And the premium is charged based on the payout limit. 286 00:15:38,500 --> 00:15:44,040 You know, the limits can be anywhere from -- yeah, usually the policy limits are anywhere 287 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:54,620 from 10 to 25 million for the two-month winter period. 288 00:15:54,620 --> 00:16:03,700 So the energy risk management policy is a policy that we follow in managing the overall 289 00:16:03,700 --> 00:16:08,420 portfolio risk of the supply. 290 00:16:08,420 --> 00:16:15,720 The energy risk management policy does require us to purchase this insurance for the winter. 291 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:23,120 We have noticed through our procurement efforts that the premiums have gone up considerably, 292 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:28,460 and the coverage has gone down. 293 00:16:28,460 --> 00:16:35,900 So as we look at this winter, we view this winter as we see here on today, you know, 294 00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:36,900 December 11th. 295 00:16:36,900 --> 00:16:40,060 It's going to be 62 degrees today. 296 00:16:40,060 --> 00:16:46,420 As we look at the weather forecast out the next month, we don't see any significant weather. 297 00:16:46,420 --> 00:16:53,940 And it's El Nino winter, so we expect winter temperatures to be on average a little bit 298 00:16:53,940 --> 00:16:58,140 warmer than normal. 299 00:16:58,140 --> 00:17:04,220 We don't -- we don't discount the potential for really, really cold weather. 300 00:17:04,220 --> 00:17:10,260 There could be -- as we are in Texas, it could be a couple days of extremely cold weather. 301 00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:13,900 And -- but we estimate that probability. 302 00:17:13,900 --> 00:17:19,340 We do regression analysis down at less than 10 percent for those events that would cause 303 00:17:19,340 --> 00:17:23,020 us significant concern. 304 00:17:23,020 --> 00:17:27,880 When we have experienced a unit outage, there have been very -- it's really not well correlated 305 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:28,880 with price. 306 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:34,220 So it's not like when prices go to $100, that's when we have problems. 307 00:17:34,220 --> 00:17:37,980 There's really -- it's very random. 308 00:17:37,980 --> 00:17:44,180 There have been a number of changes in the market since URI that mitigate our risk. 309 00:17:44,180 --> 00:17:49,860 The provision and the risk policy was put in place after URI to avoid the kind of catastrophic 310 00:17:49,860 --> 00:17:54,280 event that happened. 311 00:17:54,280 --> 00:18:00,580 So we've seen the Texas pipeline weatherization effect, those -- all the gas compressor stations 312 00:18:00,580 --> 00:18:07,780 on the line, all the dehydration units that feed into this particular line have been weatherized 313 00:18:07,780 --> 00:18:11,500 and inspected by the -- by the Railroad Commission. 314 00:18:11,500 --> 00:18:16,700 Same thing on power generation units. 315 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:22,500 The wholesale energy cap was reduced from $9,000 a megawatt hour down to $5,000, still 316 00:18:22,500 --> 00:18:27,020 a very steep price, but significant reduction. 317 00:18:27,020 --> 00:18:33,440 And there have been other wholesale generation market changes that bring additional standby 318 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,040 generation into play. 319 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:42,900 So based on this, we are not recommending -- we purchased the winter outage insurance. 320 00:18:42,900 --> 00:18:49,980 We require a waiver of the provision of the energy risk management policy. 321 00:18:49,980 --> 00:18:55,860 And we discussed this with the energy -- with the Energy Risk Committee last week, and they 322 00:18:55,860 --> 00:18:58,660 agreed with our recommendation. 323 00:18:58,660 --> 00:19:03,660 And so with that, I'll be glad to have any questions, and I'd ask Marcella to explain 324 00:19:03,660 --> 00:19:09,900 exactly what the action is that we're asking you for today because we have an item on there 325 00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:12,020 to approve a spending authority. 326 00:19:12,020 --> 00:19:17,900 Yes, so consistent with Robert's rules and our parliamentary requirements, we'll actually 327 00:19:17,900 --> 00:19:21,660 have someone motion in the affirmative, so just like you would normally motion for an 328 00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:26,980 IC item, you'll move to approve item B. That'll get seconded. 329 00:19:26,980 --> 00:19:30,780 And then if you agree with staff's recommendation, the motion would fail, which would mean that 330 00:19:30,780 --> 00:19:33,620 the item would not be recommended to city council. 331 00:19:33,620 --> 00:19:38,540 At city council, there's a second item that goes with this that's the actual waiver ordinance 332 00:19:38,540 --> 00:19:43,100 that would allow that waiver of those terms of the energy risk management policy. 333 00:19:43,100 --> 00:19:48,300 But in terms of this item, it would be a motion in the affirmative that would then fail. 334 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:51,660 Motion in the affirmative that would then fail. 335 00:19:51,660 --> 00:19:54,660 You know what you said? 336 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:55,660 Yep. 337 00:19:55,660 --> 00:19:58,660 I'm going to write that down. 338 00:19:58,660 --> 00:19:59,660 Is it a motion and a vote in the affirmative? 339 00:19:59,660 --> 00:20:00,660 It's not the vote. 340 00:20:00,660 --> 00:20:01,660 No, the vote against. 341 00:20:01,660 --> 00:20:02,660 And then discussion. 342 00:20:02,660 --> 00:20:03,660 And then we vote. 343 00:20:03,660 --> 00:20:09,540 Yeah, so the motion would be just to approve item B. There would be a second for that to 344 00:20:09,540 --> 00:20:10,540 allow for discussion. 345 00:20:10,540 --> 00:20:14,020 Obviously, if you have staff questions before the motion, that could be handled before the 346 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:15,860 motion. 347 00:20:15,860 --> 00:20:17,580 Discussion would happen normally. 348 00:20:17,580 --> 00:20:24,100 And then if you agree with staff's recommendation, you would vote no on approval of the item. 349 00:20:24,100 --> 00:20:27,500 We can't just have the recommendation be against. 350 00:20:27,500 --> 00:20:29,180 Okay, that's fine. 351 00:20:29,180 --> 00:20:34,740 Yeah, so it's a quirky part of parliamentary procedure where motions have to be in the 352 00:20:34,740 --> 00:20:35,740 affirmative. 353 00:20:35,740 --> 00:20:36,740 Okay. 354 00:20:36,740 --> 00:20:39,740 Mr. Rainer, do you have a question? 355 00:20:39,740 --> 00:20:40,740 No. 356 00:20:40,740 --> 00:20:41,740 You want to get your button? 357 00:20:41,740 --> 00:20:42,740 No. 358 00:20:42,740 --> 00:20:43,740 Okay. 359 00:20:43,740 --> 00:20:49,540 So in my understanding, the discussion should be done after the motion has been seconded, 360 00:20:49,540 --> 00:20:50,540 correct? 361 00:20:50,540 --> 00:20:53,820 So there can be staff questions before the motion and the second, but discussion just 362 00:20:53,820 --> 00:20:56,420 of the board members would be after motion and second. 363 00:20:56,420 --> 00:20:59,260 But I could ask staff during -- after the motion has been made, though. 364 00:20:59,260 --> 00:21:00,260 Yeah. 365 00:21:00,260 --> 00:21:01,260 Okay, thank you. 366 00:21:01,260 --> 00:21:02,260 Or now. 367 00:21:02,260 --> 00:21:06,300 Or yeah, you can ask your staff questions now as well. 368 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:09,900 So I can ask a question at this time. 369 00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:11,940 You first. 370 00:21:11,940 --> 00:21:12,940 You may. 371 00:21:12,940 --> 00:21:13,940 Thank you. 372 00:21:13,940 --> 00:21:19,220 I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit more about these changes to the wholesale 373 00:21:19,220 --> 00:21:24,740 market that would make this an appealing thing for us to -- 374 00:21:24,740 --> 00:21:26,060 Sure. 375 00:21:26,060 --> 00:21:32,020 So in the wholesale market, we have what's called ancillary services, which are the services 376 00:21:32,020 --> 00:21:38,060 that are required in order to keep the grid stable. 377 00:21:38,060 --> 00:21:46,620 These are things like frequency, stability, non-spinning reserves, and we actually have 378 00:21:46,620 --> 00:21:55,940 a new one this year called ECRS, emergency reserve -- emergency capacity reserve service. 379 00:21:55,940 --> 00:21:58,140 That is a new product. 380 00:21:58,140 --> 00:22:05,820 It is an online product that makes available about 1,900 megawatts of additional generation 381 00:22:05,820 --> 00:22:09,180 at all times during the winter months. 382 00:22:09,180 --> 00:22:15,500 So there are those changes, and then there are also some very detailed -- which I don't 383 00:22:15,500 --> 00:22:21,980 want to go into because we could spend hours discussing it -- changes to the overall, what 384 00:22:21,980 --> 00:22:35,620 we call the ORDIC, which is an adder for during price spikes, a certain adder. 385 00:22:35,620 --> 00:22:36,620 Okay. 386 00:22:36,620 --> 00:22:40,860 So how is this additional dispatchable power made available? 387 00:22:40,860 --> 00:22:48,780 It's actually purchased in the day ahead market as are other of the ancillary services. 388 00:22:48,780 --> 00:22:50,980 What's that cost, Terry? 389 00:22:50,980 --> 00:22:56,420 Well, it has traded up as high as $3,000, $4,000 a megawatt hour, but on average it's 390 00:22:56,420 --> 00:23:05,060 been running this winter so far probably $10 to $25 a megawatt hour. 391 00:23:05,060 --> 00:23:13,340 And that's just generation capacity that's held out of the market, of the real-time market 392 00:23:13,340 --> 00:23:19,020 because it clears in the day ahead market, so it's a reserve that ERCOT has to call on 393 00:23:19,020 --> 00:23:25,420 if they run into a period where there's not enough capacity. 394 00:23:25,420 --> 00:23:29,020 So it's ERCOT's reserve, not DME's and other utilities' reserves? 395 00:23:29,020 --> 00:23:30,020 That's correct. 396 00:23:30,020 --> 00:23:34,860 Yeah, and then I guess, Mr. Rybeck, the other big change is that we now have, since Jury, 397 00:23:34,860 --> 00:23:42,660 a firm fuel program where there are 32 units that have qualified that have backup fuel 398 00:23:42,660 --> 00:23:48,060 oil to generate with instead of relying 100% on gas. 399 00:23:48,060 --> 00:23:49,060 Not ours. 400 00:23:49,060 --> 00:23:50,580 Not ours, right, correct. 401 00:23:50,580 --> 00:23:57,020 The deck is not configured to run on fuel oil. 402 00:23:57,020 --> 00:24:04,020 So overall, there's just been a lot of changes made over the last three years to avoid that 403 00:24:04,020 --> 00:24:05,020 Jury scenario. 404 00:24:05,020 --> 00:24:06,020 Okay. 405 00:24:06,020 --> 00:24:08,380 Mr. Taylor, I believe that's a follow-up. 406 00:24:08,380 --> 00:24:21,340 Just trying to understand, will not purchasing this policy affect the planned operation for 407 00:24:21,340 --> 00:24:22,340 January, February? 408 00:24:22,340 --> 00:24:23,340 No. 409 00:24:23,340 --> 00:24:27,300 So it won't change operational or forward purchase or any of that kind of stuff? 410 00:24:27,300 --> 00:24:28,300 No, sir. 411 00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:32,220 Okay, so we just think the risk is not as big as the cost? 412 00:24:32,220 --> 00:24:33,220 Really? 413 00:24:33,220 --> 00:24:34,220 Yes, sir. 414 00:24:34,220 --> 00:24:36,260 We don't believe it's a cost-effective purchase. 415 00:24:36,260 --> 00:24:37,820 Okay, cost-effective. 416 00:24:37,820 --> 00:24:44,060 We've had the policy in place for three years, three winter, actually two winters since Jury, 417 00:24:44,060 --> 00:24:47,300 and we've never had a claim. 418 00:24:47,300 --> 00:24:51,860 And as you can see, the amount that we were requesting was over $900,000. 419 00:24:51,860 --> 00:24:59,620 So we believe that's a good savings for customers and we can manage the risk in the real time 420 00:24:59,620 --> 00:25:03,780 and into the balance of the month, balance of the week markets. 421 00:25:03,780 --> 00:25:11,820 Okay, so does the DEC participate in ECRS right now or just-- 422 00:25:11,820 --> 00:25:13,180 Yes, we have in the past. 423 00:25:13,180 --> 00:25:14,260 It's an online product. 424 00:25:14,260 --> 00:25:20,340 So if the units are running, we can participate and we do when we see that to be a premium 425 00:25:20,340 --> 00:25:21,340 product. 426 00:25:21,340 --> 00:25:22,340 Okay. 427 00:25:22,340 --> 00:25:25,660 And can we self-provide? 428 00:25:25,660 --> 00:25:26,660 We can. 429 00:25:26,660 --> 00:25:27,660 Okay. 430 00:25:27,660 --> 00:25:30,260 We don't normally, but we can. 431 00:25:30,260 --> 00:25:35,300 And as a reminder, you may recall that for the summer months, we also did not purchase 432 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:38,700 outage insurance for a lot of the same reasons. 433 00:25:38,700 --> 00:25:44,300 And if you saw in this first slide, the biggest coverage that's no longer there is the loss 434 00:25:44,300 --> 00:25:47,580 of fuel, right, which was the number one issue that we had during the year. 435 00:25:47,580 --> 00:25:48,780 That's no longer covered, right? 436 00:25:48,780 --> 00:25:52,500 That was really the incentive for us to want to have the outage insurance to begin with. 437 00:25:52,500 --> 00:25:54,940 But I just want to point those out. 438 00:25:54,940 --> 00:25:55,940 Thank you. 439 00:25:55,940 --> 00:26:02,180 Another thing, since the event, I know there was a plan to weatherize the DEC or improve 440 00:26:02,180 --> 00:26:05,220 its weather withstanding capabilities. 441 00:26:05,220 --> 00:26:08,740 Has that been implemented and completed? 442 00:26:08,740 --> 00:26:11,300 As it relates to this, yes. 443 00:26:11,300 --> 00:26:20,060 I don't want to get off posting, but yes, we have-- in fact, we're constructing that 444 00:26:20,060 --> 00:26:26,980 equipment now, we've put in some temporary systems to achieve the same goals that that 445 00:26:26,980 --> 00:26:32,340 overall program, and we'll have it actually completed sometime in the first quarter of 446 00:26:32,340 --> 00:26:33,340 next year. 447 00:26:33,340 --> 00:26:34,340 Okay. 448 00:26:34,340 --> 00:26:39,380 So we've significantly reduced our risk regarding the DEC as well. 449 00:26:39,380 --> 00:26:40,380 The few-- yeah. 450 00:26:40,380 --> 00:26:43,140 The risk as it relates to a loss of fuel, correct? 451 00:26:43,140 --> 00:26:44,140 Yes. 452 00:26:44,140 --> 00:26:45,140 Thank you. 453 00:26:45,140 --> 00:26:46,140 Okay. 454 00:26:46,140 --> 00:26:50,240 I think y'all have asked the two questions I was going to ask, but let me clarify. 455 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:56,420 And there are two very simple items to me that make me think this may not be worth it, 456 00:26:56,420 --> 00:26:57,420 the insurance. 457 00:26:57,420 --> 00:27:04,620 And one of them is the cause of the last outage, the initial cause of it, granted, that did 458 00:27:04,620 --> 00:27:11,020 for some other actions or some other consequences, was the loss of gas by another party. 459 00:27:11,020 --> 00:27:12,020 That's correct. 460 00:27:12,020 --> 00:27:13,020 It's not covered. 461 00:27:13,020 --> 00:27:14,020 Yes, sir. 462 00:27:14,020 --> 00:27:19,580 So if that loss of gas causes the equipment failures at the plant, that's not covered 463 00:27:19,580 --> 00:27:20,580 either. 464 00:27:20,580 --> 00:27:21,580 That's correct. 465 00:27:21,580 --> 00:27:22,580 Okay. 466 00:27:22,580 --> 00:27:30,500 Number two, you have done-- as Mr. Rebick just asked, you have done the upgrades that 467 00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:36,060 have given us a larger temperature range on the negative side, correct? 468 00:27:36,060 --> 00:27:42,460 We're not completed with the total capital program, but we have put in place a temporary 469 00:27:42,460 --> 00:27:46,580 solution for this winter that achieves the same objectives. 470 00:27:46,580 --> 00:27:48,940 Which is what temperature? 471 00:27:48,940 --> 00:27:50,100 I can't divulge that. 472 00:27:50,100 --> 00:27:51,100 Estimated. 473 00:27:51,100 --> 00:27:52,100 Okay. 474 00:27:52,100 --> 00:27:53,100 Okay. 475 00:27:53,100 --> 00:27:54,100 It's a-- 476 00:27:54,100 --> 00:27:56,100 Is it proprietary, I guess? 477 00:27:56,100 --> 00:28:02,100 Yeah, it's a competitive matter that's protected, but it is much better. 478 00:28:02,100 --> 00:28:03,100 Okay. 479 00:28:03,100 --> 00:28:04,100 Yeah. 480 00:28:04,100 --> 00:28:05,100 All right. 481 00:28:05,100 --> 00:28:06,100 Yes, Mr. Rainey. 482 00:28:06,100 --> 00:28:10,700 Now that I know what we're going to do, I still want to ask my question. 483 00:28:10,700 --> 00:28:18,740 On the chart that I got, I was just curious when we-- 2017 when we had that cold and all, 484 00:28:18,740 --> 00:28:23,660 how many-- first of all, do we have 12 units, or was this just a chart showing two through 485 00:28:23,660 --> 00:28:27,940 12 units that-- what the cost would be and such? 486 00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:28,940 Yes, sir. 487 00:28:28,940 --> 00:28:33,340 We-- the deck is configured with 12, 18.75 megawatt units. 488 00:28:33,340 --> 00:28:41,020 So back when everything froze up, how many units did we have affected? 489 00:28:41,020 --> 00:28:45,820 Well, when we lost gas, we had no fuel, so we couldn't run any of the units. 490 00:28:45,820 --> 00:28:46,820 Everybody was. 491 00:28:46,820 --> 00:28:51,380 Yeah, so we lost fuel for about 24 hours. 492 00:28:51,380 --> 00:28:58,960 That when we recovered the fuel back, because of the damage, we were only able to run about 493 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:05,220 8 of the 16 units-- or the 12 units, I'm sorry, 8 of 12 units. 494 00:29:05,220 --> 00:29:06,220 Just historical. 495 00:29:06,220 --> 00:29:07,220 I was just curious. 496 00:29:07,220 --> 00:29:12,900 Yeah, and just as a reminder, the damage that we were talking about was really primarily 497 00:29:12,900 --> 00:29:18,940 to the radiators that were outside, so there was some minor damage to the engines themselves 498 00:29:18,940 --> 00:29:25,620 too, but it was really the radiators that froze up that were the big issue for us. 499 00:29:25,620 --> 00:29:32,340 So by not getting this-- excuse me-- when we vote, if we choose whatever we're going 500 00:29:32,340 --> 00:29:33,340 to choose-- 501 00:29:33,340 --> 00:29:34,340 Very good. 502 00:29:34,340 --> 00:29:42,300 --then if this should happen again, we're going to pull money somewhere to take care 503 00:29:42,300 --> 00:29:43,300 of that then. 504 00:29:43,300 --> 00:29:50,500 Yes, we carry a reserve balance, fund balance that we hate to draw on, but if we had to, 505 00:29:50,500 --> 00:29:54,780 we could draw on that fund balance to cover any cover damages. 506 00:29:54,780 --> 00:29:55,780 Yes. 507 00:29:55,780 --> 00:29:56,780 Fair enough. 508 00:29:56,780 --> 00:29:57,780 Thank you for your time. 509 00:29:57,780 --> 00:29:58,780 We've got it. 510 00:29:58,780 --> 00:29:59,780 Yeah, something else? 511 00:29:59,780 --> 00:30:00,780 Nope. 512 00:30:00,780 --> 00:30:01,780 Oh, OK. 513 00:30:01,780 --> 00:30:11,380 I move approval of item C, B. I'm sorry, item B. 514 00:30:11,380 --> 00:30:12,380 Second. 515 00:30:12,380 --> 00:30:19,060 Very precarious motion affirmative in a second for item B. 516 00:30:19,060 --> 00:30:20,060 Discussion. 517 00:30:20,060 --> 00:30:27,700 I know what this costs is, but this is a million dollars for a few months policy when we've 518 00:30:27,700 --> 00:30:32,700 mitigated most of the risk, and this doesn't address the biggest risk that we've experienced 519 00:30:32,700 --> 00:30:37,900 in the past of fuel outage and potential damage after fuel outage. 520 00:30:37,900 --> 00:30:43,940 So for those reasons, it doesn't seem like a cost-effective option. 521 00:30:43,940 --> 00:30:45,220 I agree. 522 00:30:45,220 --> 00:30:49,860 After such a thorough discussion of explanation, even though I did second it, I probably will 523 00:30:49,860 --> 00:30:52,540 be voting against the motion. 524 00:30:52,540 --> 00:30:53,540 OK. 525 00:30:53,540 --> 00:30:57,460 Is there any further discussion on this item? 526 00:30:57,460 --> 00:31:02,900 Because if you-- let's be clear, if we vote affirmative on this item, we pass the existing-- 527 00:31:02,900 --> 00:31:08,740 we vote to recommend that council passes with the insurance policy in effect, correct? 528 00:31:08,740 --> 00:31:17,100 If we vote against it, if we vote nay, then we're voting to not pass this, and there is 529 00:31:17,100 --> 00:31:21,140 another choice for council to pass that gives that option. 530 00:31:21,140 --> 00:31:22,140 Correct. 531 00:31:22,140 --> 00:31:23,140 OK. 532 00:31:23,140 --> 00:31:30,380 Can we have a flowchart back there? 533 00:31:30,380 --> 00:31:34,500 I need an AI bot to retype that sentence. 534 00:31:34,500 --> 00:31:35,860 OK. 535 00:31:35,860 --> 00:31:46,540 All those in favor of passing the current item, please say aye. 536 00:31:46,540 --> 00:31:47,540 Any opposed? 537 00:31:47,540 --> 00:31:48,780 Vote nay. 538 00:31:48,780 --> 00:31:49,780 Nay. 539 00:31:49,780 --> 00:31:50,780 Nay. 540 00:31:50,780 --> 00:31:52,340 It fails unanimously. 541 00:31:52,340 --> 00:31:53,340 OK. 542 00:31:53,340 --> 00:31:54,340 Oh. 543 00:31:54,340 --> 00:31:55,340 Such a message. 544 00:31:55,340 --> 00:31:56,340 I know it. 545 00:31:56,340 --> 00:31:57,340 And Mr. Wendel. 546 00:31:57,340 --> 00:32:03,180 Mr. Chair, we'll notify the council tomorrow as part of the presentation to let them know 547 00:32:03,180 --> 00:32:06,120 the PB's recommendations, just like we did to you with the risk committee. 548 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:09,900 So the council will be informed. 549 00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:12,380 Play the tape. 550 00:32:12,380 --> 00:32:13,380 Yeah. 551 00:32:13,380 --> 00:32:17,020 OK, so what are we saying here? 552 00:32:17,020 --> 00:32:18,020 Gosh. 553 00:32:18,020 --> 00:32:19,020 OK. 554 00:32:19,020 --> 00:32:24,500 Well, that is B. We have item C, which are management reports. 555 00:32:24,500 --> 00:32:25,500 Mr. Puente. 556 00:32:25,500 --> 00:32:30,660 Mr. Chair, members of the PB, I'm going to try not to confuse you all too much here. 557 00:32:30,660 --> 00:32:36,220 So the first item that you have per management report is just your upcoming 2024 schedule. 558 00:32:36,220 --> 00:32:42,260 So our hope is that you don't have any issues with those dates, but if you do, please let 559 00:32:42,260 --> 00:32:43,900 us know so we can look for alternate dates. 560 00:32:43,900 --> 00:32:46,500 I don't think there's any action that the board needs to take there. 561 00:32:46,500 --> 00:32:50,900 We just want to make you aware of what those dates are for this coming year. 562 00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:52,620 OK. 563 00:32:52,620 --> 00:32:57,460 There was an email that came out that Kim sent out about changing to the first and the third 564 00:32:57,460 --> 00:33:00,740 from the second and the fourth. 565 00:33:00,740 --> 00:33:01,740 Just for May only? 566 00:33:01,740 --> 00:33:04,380 Is that because Memorial-- I mean, Labor-- which one is it? 567 00:33:04,380 --> 00:33:05,380 What? 568 00:33:05,380 --> 00:33:06,380 Memorial Day? 569 00:33:06,380 --> 00:33:07,380 Labor Day? 570 00:33:07,380 --> 00:33:08,380 Memorial Day. 571 00:33:08,380 --> 00:33:09,380 Sorry. 572 00:33:09,380 --> 00:33:10,380 Sorry, veterans. 573 00:33:10,380 --> 00:33:14,460 Because those are listed as May 6th and May 20th. 574 00:33:14,460 --> 00:33:17,140 Those dates are OK, but yeah. 575 00:33:17,140 --> 00:33:18,140 OK. 576 00:33:18,140 --> 00:33:19,140 OK. 577 00:33:19,140 --> 00:33:25,820 Well, if you do have some issues with those dates, please let Kim and myself know at this 578 00:33:25,820 --> 00:33:26,820 point. 579 00:33:26,820 --> 00:33:27,820 This should be the schedule. 580 00:33:27,820 --> 00:33:30,740 I think Kim will send out calendar appointments, I believe, for that. 581 00:33:30,740 --> 00:33:38,380 So the next item that we have, this is a request from Mr. Rybak regarding Proposition 7, what's 582 00:33:38,380 --> 00:33:42,100 called the Texas Energy Fund. 583 00:33:42,100 --> 00:33:46,580 Terry and Andrew Keifer, that's kind of our legislative person, helped put this together. 584 00:33:46,580 --> 00:33:50,940 Certainly, if you have any questions, Terry's here, or I'll try to respond as well. 585 00:33:50,940 --> 00:33:52,580 If there's any questions on that memo. 586 00:33:52,580 --> 00:33:57,940 Since I requested the memo, I read it, and I am satisfied that I better understand it. 587 00:33:57,940 --> 00:33:58,940 Thank you. 588 00:33:58,940 --> 00:33:59,940 I have a question. 589 00:33:59,940 --> 00:34:03,620 Mr. Rybak? 590 00:34:03,620 --> 00:34:08,320 I was reading the portion about potential impact to the City of Denton and Denton Municipal 591 00:34:08,320 --> 00:34:14,240 Electricity question mark, and I read in here where the event that the DME determines the 592 00:34:14,240 --> 00:34:20,740 need for and achieves approval to construct additional dispatchable generation, our analysis 593 00:34:20,740 --> 00:34:23,140 is acceptable to the program, yada, yada, yada. 594 00:34:23,140 --> 00:34:28,140 My question was, though, and achieve approval to consent. 595 00:34:28,140 --> 00:34:35,980 So this is not a given that we would get any portion of the $1.8 billion. 596 00:34:35,980 --> 00:34:41,740 So the intention of that paragraph was to let you know that before we would make any 597 00:34:41,740 --> 00:34:49,660 commitment to even apply to the fund for funding, or for the early completion bonus, we would 598 00:34:49,660 --> 00:34:52,980 need to have your approval and City Council's approval. 599 00:34:52,980 --> 00:34:55,420 So that is the consent that we're referring to. 600 00:34:55,420 --> 00:34:57,420 Oh, I thought you were... 601 00:34:57,420 --> 00:35:02,300 I do have a question, but I'm just... 602 00:35:02,300 --> 00:35:03,300 Oh, okay. 603 00:35:03,300 --> 00:35:09,740 So we need to initiate the request, obviously, unless you're going to pass it on to everybody, 604 00:35:09,740 --> 00:35:11,100 but then we have... 605 00:35:11,100 --> 00:35:14,900 So there's procedures and such that we would need to follow. 606 00:35:14,900 --> 00:35:18,260 Now, does that come before us before that money is asked for? 607 00:35:18,260 --> 00:35:19,260 Yes, sir. 608 00:35:19,260 --> 00:35:28,140 So later this early next quarter, sometime in the first quarter of 2024, we'll be bringing 609 00:35:28,140 --> 00:35:34,460 to this body and to the City Council a revised Denton Renewable Resource Plan. 610 00:35:34,460 --> 00:35:44,040 That plan will discuss our future power supply portfolio, which may or may not include additional 611 00:35:44,040 --> 00:35:46,220 dispatchable generation. 612 00:35:46,220 --> 00:35:51,220 If it does include dispatchable generation, is that our recommendation? 613 00:35:51,220 --> 00:35:56,820 It would require approval of both the PUB and the council before we would make any application 614 00:35:56,820 --> 00:35:58,260 to this fund. 615 00:35:58,260 --> 00:36:00,460 And is it a grant type thing and we pay it back? 616 00:36:00,460 --> 00:36:01,460 No, it's a loan. 617 00:36:01,460 --> 00:36:02,460 It's a loan. 618 00:36:02,460 --> 00:36:03,460 Yes, sir. 619 00:36:03,460 --> 00:36:04,460 And is it at the 3% such as the other? 620 00:36:04,460 --> 00:36:05,460 Yes, sir. 621 00:36:05,460 --> 00:36:06,460 Okay. 622 00:36:06,460 --> 00:36:12,220 So the capital program, let's just say it was a $200 million investment, you could borrow 623 00:36:12,220 --> 00:36:23,220 the $200 million at 3% and then under the provisions of the law, House Bill 2627, there 624 00:36:23,220 --> 00:36:28,780 would be an early completion bonus if you were able to complete the unit by, I believe 625 00:36:28,780 --> 00:36:30,660 it's the middle of 2027. 626 00:36:30,660 --> 00:36:31,660 Yes. 627 00:36:31,660 --> 00:36:32,660 Six. 628 00:36:32,660 --> 00:36:33,660 Six. 629 00:36:33,660 --> 00:36:35,740 Six, yeah, that's right. 630 00:36:35,740 --> 00:36:40,940 That would be paid back, that completion bonus is actually paid back over time. 631 00:36:40,940 --> 00:36:48,440 So it would be actually after the units had been on for a year or better, then you would 632 00:36:48,440 --> 00:36:57,540 receive funds, just a cash disbursement from the energy fund to cover a portion of that 633 00:36:57,540 --> 00:36:59,220 capital investment. 634 00:36:59,220 --> 00:37:04,820 You'd then restructure your loan because your loan value would be significantly lower 635 00:37:04,820 --> 00:37:13,460 and you'd owe the fund than that interest and principal payment on the remaining balance. 636 00:37:13,460 --> 00:37:14,460 Thank you. 637 00:37:14,460 --> 00:37:15,460 Thank you, man. 638 00:37:15,460 --> 00:37:20,940 I just want to point out real quick, so we were trying to respond to the question. 639 00:37:20,940 --> 00:37:23,720 This is still hypothetical, right? 640 00:37:23,720 --> 00:37:27,820 If we were to do this, we would qualify, I think that we were trying to satisfy the question 641 00:37:27,820 --> 00:37:28,820 that was asked. 642 00:37:28,820 --> 00:37:34,380 At this point, we're not making a recommendation to invest in additional dispatchable generation 643 00:37:34,380 --> 00:37:38,060 and, again, we're still looking at that as part of the Denver Renewable Resource Plan. 644 00:37:38,060 --> 00:37:43,020 We will bring back to the PAB, to the council, different options and kind of a menu of things 645 00:37:43,020 --> 00:37:45,420 that we could potentially do going forward. 646 00:37:45,420 --> 00:37:50,820 But as you guys know, we are in a very fast-growing community with a lot of different needs. 647 00:37:50,820 --> 00:37:59,860 We have increasing electric load that we're serving in a very unstable market. 648 00:37:59,860 --> 00:38:04,740 So, again, I just want to make that very clear that this does not mean that we're going 649 00:38:04,740 --> 00:38:07,900 to go and construct a new generation facility. 650 00:38:07,900 --> 00:38:16,220 Yeah, I'll also point out, Tony, that there are a number of regulatory changes that are 651 00:38:16,220 --> 00:38:18,460 coming down the road. 652 00:38:18,460 --> 00:38:23,340 Those regulations are being developed right now to try to restructure the market in order 653 00:38:23,340 --> 00:38:31,580 to respond to the fact that we now are a heavily dominated market by wind and solar. 654 00:38:31,580 --> 00:38:38,500 And so there may be new requirements imposed on all utilities across all generating utilities. 655 00:38:38,500 --> 00:38:41,140 I should get my terminology right. 656 00:38:41,140 --> 00:38:49,140 All load-serving entities like DME to have a level of dispatchable generation to back 657 00:38:49,140 --> 00:38:53,760 up the intermittency associated with that wind and solar. 658 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:55,740 That is not the case today. 659 00:38:55,740 --> 00:38:58,580 Those regulations are under development. 660 00:38:58,580 --> 00:39:05,640 But should they come into place, that coupled with what Tony talked about, there is a potential 661 00:39:05,640 --> 00:39:11,440 that we could recommend, and again, it's purely hypothetical, but we could recommend additional 662 00:39:11,440 --> 00:39:14,580 dispatchable generation. 663 00:39:14,580 --> 00:39:17,540 And are only dispatchable options natural gas? 664 00:39:17,540 --> 00:39:22,060 Do we have any other alternatives for dispatchable generation? 665 00:39:22,060 --> 00:39:25,960 Depends again on the problem that you're solving for. 666 00:39:25,960 --> 00:39:31,780 So if it's more than a two-hour period that you would need to back up, to back up that 667 00:39:31,780 --> 00:39:41,220 intermittency, then yes, I think cost-effectively, natural gas would be the way to go. 668 00:39:41,220 --> 00:39:46,340 Obviously, there's batteries for a couple hours and there's nuclear energy and all kinds 669 00:39:46,340 --> 00:39:51,860 of other options out there, but conventional wisdom would say gas. 670 00:39:51,860 --> 00:40:00,780 Well, and one final thing in response to your question, even in that situation, you could 671 00:40:00,780 --> 00:40:08,620 still enter into a PPA with a generator without you necessarily having to build your own. 672 00:40:08,620 --> 00:40:13,580 And so it's just a different way to still get there if you need to get there. 673 00:40:13,580 --> 00:40:21,380 Thank you, I just had a few hypothetical questions on timeline. 674 00:40:21,380 --> 00:40:31,340 So there seems to be two steps in the memo references, two deadlines for the completion 675 00:40:31,340 --> 00:40:32,340 bonus. 676 00:40:32,340 --> 00:40:37,540 June 2026 and then June 2029. 677 00:40:37,540 --> 00:40:50,340 If, what would be the expected timeline to install once approved reciprocating dispatchable 678 00:40:50,340 --> 00:40:51,340 generation? 679 00:40:51,340 --> 00:40:56,220 So conventional peaking generation, whether it's resip engines like we have at the deck 680 00:40:56,220 --> 00:41:02,180 or whether it's arrow derivatives, probably a two-year build cycle. 681 00:41:02,180 --> 00:41:08,540 So you'd have to do the engineering design ahead of that, but an expedited build would 682 00:41:08,540 --> 00:41:11,780 be 18 months, but that would be tough. 683 00:41:11,780 --> 00:41:20,940 So June 2026 would be very aggressive for any entity unless they've already designed 684 00:41:20,940 --> 00:41:24,180 it. 685 00:41:24,180 --> 00:41:29,140 We didn't try to go into a lot of detail here, obviously there's a bunch of nuances, but 686 00:41:29,140 --> 00:41:40,340 in the legislation itself, there is the ability to push out that June 2026 date due to equipment, 687 00:41:40,340 --> 00:41:44,420 supply chain issues and other reasons that could be pushed out as well. 688 00:41:44,420 --> 00:41:51,020 The state clearly wants additional dispatchable generation and they want to deploy this money 689 00:41:51,020 --> 00:41:58,460 in order to incentivize either private entities, public entities, whoever wants to build that 690 00:41:58,460 --> 00:42:03,020 generation, that's what the money was allocated for. 691 00:42:03,020 --> 00:42:04,020 Thank you. 692 00:42:04,020 --> 00:42:05,020 Thanks. 693 00:42:05,020 --> 00:42:06,020 You got another one? 694 00:42:06,020 --> 00:42:12,340 Yeah, so I assume that in the event that we should decide in the future to make this decision 695 00:42:12,340 --> 00:42:20,460 that we're competing with the private manufacturers or generators of electricity as well to get 696 00:42:20,460 --> 00:42:28,780 this money that's potentially available to us, we've got limited supply resource availability 697 00:42:28,780 --> 00:42:32,940 and probably a very limited labor market of skilled workers who can do this. 698 00:42:32,940 --> 00:42:36,080 So I'm assuming this is an early bird gets the worm type thing. 699 00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:42,220 Are we moving quickly with the potential idea to make another -- 700 00:42:42,220 --> 00:42:44,380 Yeah, I guess -- 701 00:42:44,380 --> 00:42:46,580 Yeah, I get what I'm saying here. 702 00:42:46,580 --> 00:42:48,580 To inform the council. 703 00:42:48,580 --> 00:42:54,360 So we will be bringing a definitive recommendation sometime in the first quarter of next year 704 00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:55,360 regarding this. 705 00:42:55,360 --> 00:42:58,700 And that's kind of where I'd prefer to leave it at this point. 706 00:42:58,700 --> 00:42:59,700 Okay. 707 00:42:59,700 --> 00:43:05,180 Yeah, that's maybe another thing that's private to, I guess, that discussion. 708 00:43:05,180 --> 00:43:06,180 Obviously, yeah. 709 00:43:06,180 --> 00:43:12,380 Any decisions that we make about that would be competitive matters and be protected from 710 00:43:12,380 --> 00:43:13,660 public disclosure. 711 00:43:13,660 --> 00:43:14,660 Okay. 712 00:43:14,660 --> 00:43:19,820 So going on to the next item, here is future agenda items. 713 00:43:19,820 --> 00:43:27,220 Just want to make you aware that at our January 8th meeting, we will be looking to elect new 714 00:43:27,220 --> 00:43:30,540 officers for the board. 715 00:43:30,540 --> 00:43:33,220 So kind of please start thinking about that. 716 00:43:33,220 --> 00:43:38,380 As you know, right now we have our chair is Susan, Parker Billy is our vice chair. 717 00:43:38,380 --> 00:43:42,620 And I thought that Barbara was our -- 718 00:43:42,620 --> 00:43:43,620 I think so. 719 00:43:43,620 --> 00:43:44,620 Barbara was our secretary. 720 00:43:44,620 --> 00:43:45,620 But so -- 721 00:43:45,620 --> 00:43:50,140 Did we put you in places, secretary? 722 00:43:50,140 --> 00:43:51,140 Okay. 723 00:43:51,140 --> 00:43:54,140 I thought we put somebody -- 724 00:43:54,140 --> 00:43:55,140 Well -- 725 00:43:55,140 --> 00:43:57,260 I thought we put somebody in places. 726 00:43:57,260 --> 00:43:58,860 I think we probably did. 727 00:43:58,860 --> 00:44:05,100 But on January 8th, we will reelect -- we'll elect new PAV officers then. 728 00:44:05,100 --> 00:44:06,100 Okay. 729 00:44:06,100 --> 00:44:07,100 So just kind of be thinking about it. 730 00:44:07,100 --> 00:44:09,140 I wanted to give you -- give you that heads up. 731 00:44:09,140 --> 00:44:14,440 And then on the new business action items, obviously we've provided to you the memo today 732 00:44:14,440 --> 00:44:17,120 on the SB7. 733 00:44:17,120 --> 00:44:26,100 We have on tab to give you a memo for the first meeting in January, I believe, as well, 734 00:44:26,100 --> 00:44:30,540 a response to the third-party software. 735 00:44:30,540 --> 00:44:35,140 And then the only item that we have left, which we committed to do a year from the day 736 00:44:35,140 --> 00:44:40,820 that it was requested, come back with some information on where we are with EVs versus 737 00:44:40,820 --> 00:44:42,160 combustion engine vehicles. 738 00:44:42,160 --> 00:44:45,860 So those are the items that we have left for you. 739 00:44:45,860 --> 00:44:47,900 Mr. Reiner? 740 00:44:47,900 --> 00:44:51,140 I thought it was interesting. 741 00:44:51,140 --> 00:44:54,820 Mr. Rybeck was asking about that third party. 742 00:44:54,820 --> 00:45:00,780 And then shortly after our meeting, in the news, the North Texas Municipal Water District 743 00:45:00,780 --> 00:45:07,140 was hit with ransomware, and over 2 million people didn't have water, and it was due to 744 00:45:07,140 --> 00:45:08,700 a third party. 745 00:45:08,700 --> 00:45:16,380 So I really hope that when we get to this, would you review that as well as to the importance 746 00:45:16,380 --> 00:45:18,540 of, what, keeping it in-house? 747 00:45:18,540 --> 00:45:22,380 Is that how you phrased it last time? 748 00:45:22,380 --> 00:45:27,140 So the plan that we've discussed with our IT directors, we're going to give you a memo. 749 00:45:27,140 --> 00:45:33,540 We hope the memo satisfies the question, but if it doesn't, as part of your agenda, we 750 00:45:33,540 --> 00:45:37,980 will be able to go into closed session if we need to, if you have more specific information 751 00:45:37,980 --> 00:45:42,340 that we don't want to be disclosing in public regarding some of the efforts when it comes 752 00:45:42,340 --> 00:45:45,500 to cybersecurity and just general security of software. 753 00:45:45,500 --> 00:45:51,780 But my hope is that the memo that Alicia will be crafting will satisfy the question. 754 00:45:51,780 --> 00:45:54,740 And I don't mean to-- thank you. 755 00:45:54,740 --> 00:45:59,760 I just thought, since we have an example of it, I'd like for you all to at least review 756 00:45:59,760 --> 00:46:04,980 that to see if there was anything that-- make sure that we're not retracing a potential 757 00:46:04,980 --> 00:46:06,460 problem that they ran into. 758 00:46:06,460 --> 00:46:07,460 Yes, sir. 759 00:46:07,460 --> 00:46:12,980 I'll let Alicia know, but unfortunately, that's not the only example that's gone on. 760 00:46:12,980 --> 00:46:17,420 Oh, I just made my radar, because it happened a week after we talked about this, and here 761 00:46:17,420 --> 00:46:18,420 we are. 762 00:46:18,420 --> 00:46:19,420 It's in Texas. 763 00:46:19,420 --> 00:46:20,420 Thank you. 764 00:46:20,420 --> 00:46:21,420 Yeah. 765 00:46:21,420 --> 00:46:22,420 Appreciate your time. 766 00:46:22,420 --> 00:46:23,420 Thank you, Mr. Chair. 767 00:46:23,420 --> 00:46:24,420 I have a question. 768 00:46:24,420 --> 00:46:27,500 I have a question regarding officers, two parts. 769 00:46:27,500 --> 00:46:32,540 One, Barbara has been on the board, and she had not been reappointed. 770 00:46:32,540 --> 00:46:33,740 Is that correct? 771 00:46:33,740 --> 00:46:35,100 She didn't want to be reappointed. 772 00:46:35,100 --> 00:46:36,180 She did not wish to be reappointed. 773 00:46:36,180 --> 00:46:37,740 I believe that's the case. 774 00:46:37,740 --> 00:46:42,620 So if we're going to elect officers, who else needs to be reappointed? 775 00:46:42,620 --> 00:46:45,980 Because I think I'm up next year, but I'm not 100% sure. 776 00:46:45,980 --> 00:46:46,980 Does anyone know? 777 00:46:46,980 --> 00:46:48,340 We used to carry that on here. 778 00:46:48,340 --> 00:46:52,340 I guess it's not-- and we would just come out with a normal-- 779 00:46:52,340 --> 00:46:53,340 Yeah. 780 00:46:53,340 --> 00:46:56,540 We can-- we probably don't have the information right now, but we can certainly get that to 781 00:46:56,540 --> 00:47:02,460 you to let you know who's termed out or needs to be reappointed. 782 00:47:02,460 --> 00:47:03,820 When's our next meeting? 783 00:47:03,820 --> 00:47:04,820 Is it January? 784 00:47:04,820 --> 00:47:05,820 January. 785 00:47:05,820 --> 00:47:06,820 OK. 786 00:47:06,820 --> 00:47:07,820 When we're supposed to vote. 787 00:47:07,820 --> 00:47:08,820 Right. 788 00:47:08,820 --> 00:47:13,540 And if you'd like, we can put a memo together and put that as part of the management update 789 00:47:13,540 --> 00:47:14,540 to make everyone aware. 790 00:47:14,540 --> 00:47:20,540 I'd like to get an update before we have our next meeting, if at all possible. 791 00:47:20,540 --> 00:47:21,540 Yeah, right. 792 00:47:21,540 --> 00:47:22,540 Yeah. 793 00:47:22,540 --> 00:47:23,540 OK. 794 00:47:23,540 --> 00:47:24,540 So we'll send it out to you. 795 00:47:24,540 --> 00:47:25,540 And we still lack a seventh member. 796 00:47:25,540 --> 00:47:26,540 Is that correct? 797 00:47:26,540 --> 00:47:27,540 Correct. 798 00:47:27,540 --> 00:47:31,940 But that person hasn't been appointed yet, correct? 799 00:47:31,940 --> 00:47:32,940 That's correct. 800 00:47:32,940 --> 00:47:35,780 There still hasn't been a nomination for that position. 801 00:47:35,780 --> 00:47:36,780 OK. 802 00:47:36,780 --> 00:47:40,980 Do we know which city council member needs to make that? 803 00:47:40,980 --> 00:47:43,180 I think it's the mayor, I believe. 804 00:47:43,180 --> 00:47:44,180 Yeah. 805 00:47:44,180 --> 00:47:45,180 OK. 806 00:47:45,180 --> 00:47:46,180 Very good. 807 00:47:46,180 --> 00:47:47,180 Thank you. 808 00:47:47,180 --> 00:47:48,180 All right. 809 00:47:48,180 --> 00:47:53,660 There doesn't appear to be any more questions on items for individual consideration, so 810 00:47:53,660 --> 00:47:55,700 we'll move on to concluding items. 811 00:47:55,700 --> 00:47:58,620 Do I need to read this? 812 00:47:58,620 --> 00:47:59,620 No. 813 00:47:59,620 --> 00:48:00,620 OK. 814 00:48:00,620 --> 00:48:04,660 We're going into work session for item A, which is receive a report, hold a discussion, 815 00:48:04,660 --> 00:48:08,420 and give staff direction regarding updates to the city of Denton criteria manuals. 816 00:48:08,420 --> 00:48:13,700 Yeah, Mr. Chair, unfortunately, that item, we're going to have to pull that item. 817 00:48:13,700 --> 00:48:18,700 Today, there's a couple of issues that came up, and so we're asking to pull that item. 818 00:48:18,700 --> 00:48:20,820 We'll have that today for you. 819 00:48:20,820 --> 00:48:21,820 OK. 820 00:48:21,820 --> 00:48:22,820 So we'll just have B. 821 00:48:22,820 --> 00:48:23,820 All right. 822 00:48:23,820 --> 00:48:24,820 Pulled that one. 823 00:48:24,820 --> 00:48:27,540 So now we have B, which is receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction 824 00:48:27,540 --> 00:48:36,940 regarding the final wastewater master plan. 825 00:48:36,940 --> 00:48:38,460 And I love design criteria. 826 00:48:38,460 --> 00:48:44,020 I was hoping we'd get to discuss that. 827 00:48:44,020 --> 00:48:52,580 Morning, I'm Kyle Pettico, I'm the water utilities planning and engineering manager. 828 00:48:52,580 --> 00:48:58,960 So today, I'm going to give the third update on our wastewater master plan project. 829 00:48:58,960 --> 00:49:03,500 This will also be the final update before we bring it forward for approval. 830 00:49:03,500 --> 00:49:08,420 So first, I'm going to go over the phasing and growth, then the five-year capital improvement 831 00:49:08,420 --> 00:49:13,220 projects that we have listed in the Hickory Creek and Clear Creek basins. 832 00:49:13,220 --> 00:49:16,760 And then we'll review the next steps. 833 00:49:16,760 --> 00:49:20,520 So the phasing and growth hasn't changed throughout these updates. 834 00:49:20,520 --> 00:49:25,940 So in our zero to five-year window, we're anticipating an 8.1% growth rate to bring 835 00:49:25,940 --> 00:49:30,940 our population up to around 223,000 people. 836 00:49:30,940 --> 00:49:36,860 In the five-year to 10-year window, we're anticipating right around a 3.5% growth rate 837 00:49:36,860 --> 00:49:40,620 to bring us up to 265,000. 838 00:49:40,620 --> 00:49:45,700 And then in the 10-year to 25-year window, we're anticipating right around a 2% growth 839 00:49:45,700 --> 00:49:48,180 rate to bring us up to 357,000. 840 00:49:48,180 --> 00:49:49,180 Question. 841 00:49:49,180 --> 00:49:50,180 Yes. 842 00:49:50,180 --> 00:49:54,500 The population that you're using here, does that include all customers or just the city 843 00:49:54,500 --> 00:49:55,500 of Dinton? 844 00:49:55,500 --> 00:49:56,500 All customers. 845 00:49:56,500 --> 00:49:57,500 Okay. 846 00:49:57,500 --> 00:49:58,500 Yes. 847 00:49:58,500 --> 00:50:02,180 So in some of these areas, that includes our MUDs and the other development out to the 848 00:50:02,180 --> 00:50:05,180 west of the city. 849 00:50:05,180 --> 00:50:06,180 Okay. 850 00:50:06,180 --> 00:50:16,740 Continuing on, kind of similar vein, if you go back a slide, so you've indicated developments 851 00:50:16,740 --> 00:50:22,520 basically on the map that correspond to the timeline. 852 00:50:22,520 --> 00:50:23,520 So we have five-year. 853 00:50:23,520 --> 00:50:30,740 These are developments probably underway now or starting very soon, then a 10-year to 25-year. 854 00:50:30,740 --> 00:50:34,940 There are likely to be developments that we don't yet know about. 855 00:50:34,940 --> 00:50:41,340 So is that, I assume these are only the developments that have reached planning staff? 856 00:50:41,340 --> 00:50:42,340 Yes. 857 00:50:42,340 --> 00:50:47,020 These are all the developments that we know about on the horizon. 858 00:50:47,020 --> 00:50:51,500 And what we've kind of done throughout this process, the way the growth starts pretty 859 00:50:51,500 --> 00:50:56,500 quickly and tapers off, it shows the initial development and then the fill-in of those 860 00:50:56,500 --> 00:50:57,500 developments. 861 00:50:57,500 --> 00:51:03,940 Like if you see in the southwest portion, the Hunter and Coal area, as those grow out. 862 00:51:03,940 --> 00:51:06,740 So we've included all of them that we do know about. 863 00:51:06,740 --> 00:51:13,740 And I believe there's a small factor of safety in there to accommodate any that we don't. 864 00:51:13,740 --> 00:51:14,740 Okay. 865 00:51:14,740 --> 00:51:22,820 And it's likely that come 2027 or 2028, there will be new developments that are beginning 866 00:51:22,820 --> 00:51:23,820 that process. 867 00:51:23,820 --> 00:51:30,740 So this slowing curve is more likely to be a straight line or linear growth? 868 00:51:30,740 --> 00:51:34,340 It will probably still slow as areas get developed. 869 00:51:34,340 --> 00:51:37,740 The development naturally slows down just because there's less developable land. 870 00:51:37,740 --> 00:51:40,020 So it still will maintain that shape. 871 00:51:40,020 --> 00:51:45,500 It might extend that, you know, that 8% growth rate by another couple of years if there's 872 00:51:45,500 --> 00:51:50,360 developments, you know, like you said, that either happen quicker that we're not aware 873 00:51:50,360 --> 00:51:51,360 of currently. 874 00:51:51,360 --> 00:51:52,360 Okay. 875 00:51:52,360 --> 00:51:53,360 Thank you. 876 00:51:53,360 --> 00:51:54,360 I have a question. 877 00:51:54,360 --> 00:51:57,900 It appears some of those areas you note are outside the city limits. 878 00:51:57,900 --> 00:51:58,900 Yes. 879 00:51:58,900 --> 00:52:01,380 So this includes all of our customers. 880 00:52:01,380 --> 00:52:10,820 So any MUDs, any, you know, not just within the City of Denton, but City of Denton water 881 00:52:10,820 --> 00:52:12,580 utilities customers. 882 00:52:12,580 --> 00:52:18,020 So the city's wastewater and I assume water and power are serving customers who are outside 883 00:52:18,020 --> 00:52:19,900 the actual city limits? 884 00:52:19,900 --> 00:52:20,900 Yes. 885 00:52:20,900 --> 00:52:23,940 They're within the ETJ, but outside of the city limits. 886 00:52:23,940 --> 00:52:31,260 Are we not pooling any of that development on 380, close to the Wise County line? 887 00:52:31,260 --> 00:52:35,900 Big Sky, I think it was, that MUD, it's a MUD district, I'm pretty sure, out there. 888 00:52:35,900 --> 00:52:37,980 I'm not familiar with that name. 889 00:52:37,980 --> 00:52:39,980 I'd have to check with Development Services on that. 890 00:52:39,980 --> 00:52:41,420 You'd know if we were covering it, I'll bet. 891 00:52:41,420 --> 00:52:44,660 So it's not on this map, but it was huge. 892 00:52:44,660 --> 00:52:45,660 Right. 893 00:52:45,660 --> 00:52:46,660 That might be outside of the ETJ. 894 00:52:46,660 --> 00:52:47,660 Okay. 895 00:52:47,660 --> 00:52:48,860 I'd have to check on that. 896 00:52:48,860 --> 00:52:49,860 Gotcha. 897 00:52:49,860 --> 00:52:50,860 No worries. 898 00:52:50,860 --> 00:52:51,860 Okay. 899 00:52:51,860 --> 00:53:00,820 So in May, this is the proposal we made back in May regarding growth in the Hickory Creek 900 00:53:00,820 --> 00:53:01,820 Basin. 901 00:53:01,820 --> 00:53:08,540 So we had included $151 million of conveyance and $423 million of treatment, which would 902 00:53:08,540 --> 00:53:13,460 have included that proposed Hickory Creek water reclamation plant. 903 00:53:13,460 --> 00:53:18,460 So that was a $574 million total for that area. 904 00:53:18,460 --> 00:53:22,640 We've narrowed that down, that Hickory Creek water reclamation plant has pushed outside 905 00:53:22,640 --> 00:53:24,380 of our five-year growth window. 906 00:53:24,380 --> 00:53:31,340 So we've removed that, and we've looked at as the numbers have solidified, we can treat 907 00:53:31,340 --> 00:53:35,140 that through the existing Pecan Creek water reclamation plant. 908 00:53:35,140 --> 00:53:39,020 So that was a big reduction. 909 00:53:39,020 --> 00:53:40,580 How old is that plant now? 910 00:53:40,580 --> 00:53:41,580 What's that? 911 00:53:41,580 --> 00:53:42,580 How old is that plant now? 912 00:53:42,580 --> 00:53:45,940 The Pecan Creek, I think it's around 60 years old. 913 00:53:45,940 --> 00:53:51,860 We've been doing condition assessment improvements on that, and then we also have, currently, 914 00:53:51,860 --> 00:53:58,340 a CMAR project for the expansion of that plant, retrofit and expansion. 915 00:53:58,340 --> 00:54:04,780 Yeah, I remember we expanded that area, predicting that that area would develop. 916 00:54:04,780 --> 00:54:09,180 There was something underway, then it fell, it went belly up in the middle of the recession 917 00:54:09,180 --> 00:54:10,180 in '09. 918 00:54:10,180 --> 00:54:15,500 So we mothballed a lot of it, but it was there and we eventually needed it. 919 00:54:15,500 --> 00:54:16,500 Right. 920 00:54:16,500 --> 00:54:20,000 All right, that was just comments, excuse me. 921 00:54:20,000 --> 00:54:24,420 So here was our May update regarding the Clear Creek Basin. 922 00:54:24,420 --> 00:54:31,100 So we had $142 million in conveyance and $109 million in treatment for $251 million total 923 00:54:31,100 --> 00:54:32,100 in that area. 924 00:54:32,100 --> 00:54:38,460 Since then, we've had a slight reduction in conveyance and a slight increase in treatment. 925 00:54:38,460 --> 00:54:42,660 It results in an overall net decrease to $233 million. 926 00:54:42,660 --> 00:54:46,820 So those laterals to the south, those were removed from the five-year window and those 927 00:54:46,820 --> 00:54:54,820 can be installed by developers as the need presents itself in that area. 928 00:54:54,820 --> 00:55:00,820 So when we started this effort back in October last year, we were looking at the full 25-year 929 00:55:00,820 --> 00:55:05,980 window, and I believe the number was right around $1.62 billion for that. 930 00:55:05,980 --> 00:55:10,900 We've reduced and narrowed in our focus to the five-year window in May. 931 00:55:10,900 --> 00:55:18,660 So if you look in May of 2023, our update came to a total of $825 million of improvements 932 00:55:18,660 --> 00:55:26,140 by kind of planning it out, studying the numbers, looking at the necessity of the Hickory Creek 933 00:55:26,140 --> 00:55:30,980 plant within the five-year window, or without, we were able to remove that, and our new total 934 00:55:30,980 --> 00:55:36,740 is at $397 million. 935 00:55:36,740 --> 00:55:44,740 So our next steps will be to present this on the consent agenda for approval, for adoption, 936 00:55:44,740 --> 00:55:52,320 and then bring it to city council, and once it's adopted, use this in our impact fee study 937 00:55:52,320 --> 00:55:53,320 and update. 938 00:55:53,320 --> 00:55:54,320 Yes. 939 00:55:54,320 --> 00:55:58,540 So kind of follow-up to Devin's question, I think, and point. 940 00:55:58,540 --> 00:56:04,080 So this plan will be reviewed and revised in three years, five years? 941 00:56:04,080 --> 00:56:12,440 It's a living document, so once it's adopted, we go through kind of a constant revision 942 00:56:12,440 --> 00:56:14,140 process. 943 00:56:14,140 --> 00:56:19,820 As projections change, as projects are completed, we go through annual updates on it with larger 944 00:56:19,820 --> 00:56:24,700 reviews scheduled for those three- to five-year windows. 945 00:56:24,700 --> 00:56:28,500 Thank you. 946 00:56:28,500 --> 00:56:40,660 I'm kind of surprised by the Hickory Creek postponement, because I know there's so much 947 00:56:40,660 --> 00:56:47,100 growth in that basin, and so is that being met by, I know that we approved a small lift 948 00:56:47,100 --> 00:56:54,060 upgrade out, way out on the far south Robson, near Robson, yeah. 949 00:56:54,060 --> 00:57:00,340 Is that helping, are we doing minor projects to avoid that $400 million treatment plant? 950 00:57:00,340 --> 00:57:03,740 So there are minor projects, if you look at the conveyance, the way the conveyance map 951 00:57:03,740 --> 00:57:09,540 here has changed to include some of these areas where we have that known level of growth 952 00:57:09,540 --> 00:57:15,660 within that five-year window, by taking that and calculating where the growth is, when 953 00:57:15,660 --> 00:57:19,780 it's going to happen, we've seen that we can handle that, we should be able to handle 954 00:57:19,780 --> 00:57:24,180 that flow through the Pecan Creek, the existing treatment plant, with some of the retrofitting 955 00:57:24,180 --> 00:57:26,860 that we're doing out there. 956 00:57:26,860 --> 00:57:33,940 We're still going to need a solution at Hickory Creek, it just pushes outside of that really 957 00:57:33,940 --> 00:57:35,580 kind of solid planning window. 958 00:57:35,580 --> 00:57:39,660 Okay, and then on the, what's the one north? 959 00:57:39,660 --> 00:57:40,660 Clear Creek. 960 00:57:40,660 --> 00:57:42,100 Yeah, the Clear Creek Basin. 961 00:57:42,100 --> 00:57:48,460 So this conspicuously absent in the plan maps was a development that was previously called 962 00:57:48,460 --> 00:57:56,660 Hills of Denton North, which is a major development on 2164 Missile Base Road. 963 00:57:56,660 --> 00:58:04,460 And that was thousands of houses, and it might be currently dormant, but my understanding 964 00:58:04,460 --> 00:58:09,700 was that they're, I guess it's not within the five-year window, is that the? 965 00:58:09,700 --> 00:58:13,160 Not that I'm aware of, so that's another one I'd have to check on the name because it's 966 00:58:13,160 --> 00:58:20,340 not familiar top of mind, but that's, yeah, I don't think that's the five-year window. 967 00:58:20,340 --> 00:58:30,540 Yeah, and then I just want to make sure in this 2.5 million gallons a day capacity there, 968 00:58:30,540 --> 00:58:37,340 that does seem, I guess that facility will be able to be expanded as not yet built, not 969 00:58:37,340 --> 00:58:40,340 yet in planning developments to come online. 970 00:58:40,340 --> 00:58:41,340 Correct. 971 00:58:41,340 --> 00:58:46,740 The facility location really with TCEQ determines how much we're able to discharge. 972 00:58:46,740 --> 00:58:52,620 I believe in this area we can discharge higher than this rate, and most of our, the way we 973 00:58:52,620 --> 00:59:01,180 approach planning of plants, we build in expansion capability, so typically we're really going 974 00:59:01,180 --> 00:59:05,300 towards a modular expansion capability in a lot of our efforts so that we can add on 975 00:59:05,300 --> 00:59:09,460 as needed without doing a complete retrofit. 976 00:59:09,460 --> 00:59:12,040 Okay, thank you. 977 00:59:12,040 --> 00:59:13,040 Question if I may. 978 00:59:13,040 --> 00:59:15,800 Mr. Rayner. 979 00:59:15,800 --> 00:59:21,100 So a lot of this is based on permits that have been put in with the city, is that what, 980 00:59:21,100 --> 00:59:27,820 and so you have those, and then as the activity of that corridor looks to be building, then 981 00:59:27,820 --> 00:59:32,820 you kind of do a crystal ball of expansion as to the needs, is that? 982 00:59:32,820 --> 00:59:41,260 Yes, correct, so as the developments progress, we work with the developers on their development 983 00:59:41,260 --> 00:59:47,380 projections, so we incorporate their timelines, their build timelines into our planning to 984 00:59:47,380 --> 00:59:52,620 get a better idea of when the growth will happen. 985 00:59:52,620 --> 00:59:56,380 So initially when we start out, you know, we start out with the entire development, 986 00:59:56,380 --> 01:00:01,620 the number of units, the overall capacity they're going to need, and work that in, 987 01:00:01,620 --> 01:00:05,180 and then as we work through the process with them, we narrow down their build timeline 988 01:00:05,180 --> 01:00:09,860 and plan that out to see how it will impact our wastewater model. 989 01:00:09,860 --> 01:00:12,900 And could you go back to the other basin, please? 990 01:00:12,900 --> 01:00:22,340 So on the Hickory Creek, I would say the biggest user or most expense is the residential for 991 01:00:22,340 --> 01:00:24,620 you all, would it not be? 992 01:00:24,620 --> 01:00:25,620 I believe so. 993 01:00:25,620 --> 01:00:32,060 In this, yes, in this zero to five year window, I believe the biggest impact will be residential. 994 01:00:32,060 --> 01:00:39,220 So along 380, those and possibly along I-35W as we get more industrial building development 995 01:00:39,220 --> 01:00:45,580 coming along, that is somewhat of a saving grace, as it were, because you're betting 996 01:00:45,580 --> 01:00:53,860 on the expense of the residential and yet the industrial warehouses would not be such 997 01:00:53,860 --> 01:00:58,100 a demand, so it's a trade off, or would that be a fair statement? 998 01:00:58,100 --> 01:01:02,900 It can be, depending on the type of industrial use, so for example, warehousing has a much 999 01:01:02,900 --> 01:01:09,300 smaller impact than, for example, food processing or a different industrial use. 1000 01:01:09,300 --> 01:01:12,500 So it really depends on the type of use that we see. 1001 01:01:12,500 --> 01:01:13,500 Yeah. 1002 01:01:13,500 --> 01:01:14,500 Thank you. 1003 01:01:14,500 --> 01:01:15,500 Pretty good. 1004 01:01:15,500 --> 01:01:20,500 There doesn't appear to be any other questions. 1005 01:01:20,500 --> 01:01:24,180 I'm pulling, there are, Mr. Ryback. 1006 01:01:24,180 --> 01:01:27,780 I just wish to move approval. 1007 01:01:27,780 --> 01:01:29,760 Move approval? 1008 01:01:29,760 --> 01:01:35,580 This is not, yeah, I think he's messing with us a little bit there, but right? 1009 01:01:35,580 --> 01:01:36,580 We don't have to give it. 1010 01:01:36,580 --> 01:01:37,580 There's no action. 1011 01:01:37,580 --> 01:01:38,580 No, this is just an update. 1012 01:01:38,580 --> 01:01:43,100 We'll bring it forward for approval after, before we review it with council. 1013 01:01:43,100 --> 01:01:46,060 It was just a Q&A for us then. 1014 01:01:46,060 --> 01:01:47,540 Appreciate your optimism, Mr. Ryback. 1015 01:01:47,540 --> 01:01:50,900 I assume we had to recommend, I apologize. 1016 01:01:50,900 --> 01:01:51,900 Thank you. 1017 01:01:51,900 --> 01:01:52,900 Thank you. 1018 01:01:52,900 --> 01:01:58,500 Mr. Chair, can I ask one question? 1019 01:01:58,500 --> 01:02:03,860 The meeting tomorrow, city council right away impact fees, and it has, it's talking about 1020 01:02:03,860 --> 01:02:13,140 water, wastewater and such, does this come under our preview at all or is this just straight? 1021 01:02:13,140 --> 01:02:19,100 So that presentation is specific to roadway impact fees that the board does not have oversight 1022 01:02:19,100 --> 01:02:25,140 over when, when the water wastewater impact fees renewal comes forward to you. 1023 01:02:25,140 --> 01:02:30,500 Those will come to you, but there should not be any changes to water wastewater impact fees 1024 01:02:30,500 --> 01:02:31,740 as part of that conversation. 1025 01:02:31,740 --> 01:02:32,980 That's general fund stuff, right? 1026 01:02:32,980 --> 01:02:33,980 Yeah. 1027 01:02:33,980 --> 01:02:34,980 That's what I was curious about. 1028 01:02:34,980 --> 01:02:35,980 I appreciate it. 1029 01:02:35,980 --> 01:02:36,980 Thank you. 1030 01:02:36,980 --> 01:02:37,980 All right. 1031 01:02:37,980 --> 01:02:38,980 Worth the question. 1032 01:02:38,980 --> 01:02:39,980 That's for sure. 1033 01:02:39,980 --> 01:02:40,980 Any other questions? 1034 01:02:40,980 --> 01:02:43,220 If not, we stand adjourned. 1035 01:02:43,220 --> 01:02:45,300 Since I don't get to make the motion, we're just going to adjourn.