07-25-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 27, 2011 McGraw asked how quickly a problem can be found with this system. Plahn indicated that the remotes in each home are constantly communicating with the data collector and then on to the City's computer system. Each morning, or any time during the day, City staff can run a triage report and problems would be apparent from that report. Blesener asked about verifying sump pumps in homes at the same time that meters are being installed. The Superintendent reported that the bid included two additional options, the first for sump pump inspections in homes that could be potential inflow and infiltration contributors. Dakota Supply submitted a price of $5.33 per inspection and staff has listed 1,000 as the possible number of inspections to be made. Staff is still evaluating this option and will make a future recommendation to the Council. The second additional option that was bid was for replacement of the first valve if it goes bad during installation of the meter. Dakota quoted $85.08 per valve. Staff estimated 200 as the quantity that may need to be replaced. The Superintendent noted that the cost of valves is $20, and he would propose that City staff handle this replacement. Blesener asked how the meter replacement project would be paid for. The Administrator indicated that the money would come from the Water and Sewer Capital Replacement account which is funded by depreciation of water and sewer in the respective enterprise funds. This is a very healthy fund, and money has been set aside in this fund for this purpose. Montour asked what system St. Paul has in place. The Superintendent reported that they have a drive -by radio read system. McGraw noted that the expenditure will be somewhat offset by the savings in manually reading meters. The Superintendent reported that that was correct. Additional savings will be realized since there will no longer be the need to manually enter meter readings. There is also the customer service factor to consider in early detection of leaks, etc. The Administrator again pointed out that the cost of going to the fixed network system is only $11,000 more than the drive -by reading system. That will be a very quick payback given the savings in meter reading costs and customer service enhancements. Keis introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -7 -144 — AWARDING THE BID OF DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF $553,876.14 FOR A FIXED NETWORK METER READING SYSTEM, DECLINING THE OPTION FOR VALVE REPLACEMENT, AND RESERVING THE 15