11-12-2019 (City Council) Minutes (Work Session) ''''1�► Wylie City Council
CITY OF
WYLIE
Minutes
Work Session
November 12,2019—6:30 p.m.
Wylie Municipal Complex—Council Chambers
300 Country Club Road, Bldg. 100
Wylie, TX 75098
CALL TO ORDER
Announce the presence of a Quorum.
Mayor Eric Hogue called the work session to order at 7:20 p.m. The following City Council members
were present: Councilman David R. Duke, Councilman Matthew Porter, Mayor pro tern Jeff Forrester,
Councilwoman Candy Arrington, Councilman Timothy T. Wallis, and Councilman David Dahl.
Staff present included: City Manager Chris Hoisted; Assistant City Manager Brent Parker; Assistant City
Manager Renae 011ie; Police Chief Anthony Henderson; Public Information Officer Craig Kelly; Finance
Director Melissa Beard; Fire Chief Brandon Blythe; Public Works Director Tim Porter; City Secretary
Stephanie Storm, and various support staff.
WORK SESSION
• Discussion on Water and Sewer Rate Study. (C. Hoisted, City Manager)
Matthew Garrett,Project Manager with NewGen Strategies& Solutions, gave a presentation on the Water
and Wastewater Rates which addressed the Strategic Financial Planning Process, Financial Planning
Policies, and other rate policies. Garrett reviewed the 2017 study, speaking on the projected revenue
requirements and recommended rate performance. Garrett stated issues to consider going forward include
North Texas Municipal Water District wholesale costs, Capital Improvement Projects, and what can the
City reasonably ask of their customers. Garrett reviewed the current water and wastewater rates,the major
cost factors for the 2020 budget, consumption and "take or pay" history from FY10 to FY18, and
historical average usages from October 2017 to August 2019.
Michael Sommerdorf, Senior Consultant with NewGen Strategies& Solutions, continued the presentation
reviewing the residential tier breakdown from September 2018 to August 2019 and rate comparisons of
other communities.
Porter, Wallis, and Arrington requested a residential tier breakdown showing a monthly comparison for
different years. Porter asked if Council could receive an example of other cities' rates. Garrett responded
they could put information together for the various rate types showing all types of"classes" each city has
and compare the rates of like"classes."
Minutes November 12,2019
Wylie City Council Work Session
Page 1
• Discussion on Water and Sewer billing by the City. (C. Hoisted, City Manager)
City Manager Hoisted addressed Council stating Council had requested a discussion on Utility Billing
procedures at this meeting. Hoisted stated the number one reason for peak water usage is outdoor
watering by residential customers. Residential water consumption in September 2019 was the highest in
four years at 173,000,000 gallons of water. Hoisted reported the total active water and sewer customers in
the City is about 16,500 and there are about 1,500 manual reads each month that must be completed. He
stated factors that contribute to the necessity for manual reads include rain, cars parked in front of or over
the meter, meter age, and/or covered in dirt.
Hoisted stated regarding the billing process, meter reads begin on the 27th day of the month and continue
through the eighth day of the month. The due date is on the fifth day of the month, billing is on the 15th
day of the month, and disconnect day is on the second to last Tuesday of the month. Hoisted gave an
example of a customer data log stating the peaks are when the sprinkler system kicks on and uses about
700 gallons. Hoisted reported as meters age they read in favor of the customer, failing to detect low flows
or pick up every gallon used. The new meters are much more accurate and will read almost every gallon.
Hoisted reviewed the water system and stated a home with the same sprinkler system and exact same
settings as another home in another part of the City can use more water, due to different elevations. If the
customer is at a lower elevation in the City they typically have higher pressure in the lines so more water
gets pushed through;therefore, it is almost impossible to compare resident usages.
Hoisted reviewed bill adjustments and stated there was a month this summer that had days go past the 30-
31-day target. Some bills were not affected, and others were affected and adjustments were made. Staff
received over 800 service order requests from August 1 - October 28 from customers, in which staff
reviewed for leaks and verified the correct meter read. Hoisted stated some depat tuiental improvements
include, with the approval of this year's budget; Meter Services reporting directly to the Utility Billing
Manager; replacing manual registers with new electronically read registers to reduce the number of
manual reads; Public Works employees assisting with manual meter reads in the largest route; and
moving forward with a new metering system. Hoisted stated the total base bill is $80.98 which includes
City water, sewer, trash, and sales tax. Hoisted reviewed information that will be posted on the City
website regarding information about the meter, how to read the meter dial,how to conduct a bucket test to
ensure the meter is reading correctly,how to detect a leak, and tips about irrigation.
Aleksandra Rolfson addressed Council regarding concerns with inconsistent billing dates and had
questions regarding the new metering system.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Porter, seconded by Councilman Duke, to adjourn the meeting at
8:33 p.m. A vote was taken and motion passed 7-0.
Eric Hogue,May
ATTEST:
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Stephanie Storm,City Secretary
v F.
Minutes November12,2019
Wylie City Council Work Session
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