Laserfiche WebLink
Lake Elmo Agenda Section: CONSENT No. 4C <br />City Council <br />05-16-2006 <br />Agenda Item: Water Meter Vendor <br />BackLyround Information for May 16, 2006: <br />The City currently has approximately 220 water meters with "phone read" equipment. This method of meter reading <br />collection has become out dated due to a variety of reasons such as utilization of cell phones in lieu of land lines, <br />digital lines through cable service and increased line draws. As a result of phone read failures and our current radio <br />read issues (wiring disconnected during remodels, failures in splices, etc.) resulted in the water department <br />experiencing a high percentage of no reads. <br />Due to the installation of approximately 275 new meters this year and the high "no read" issues, City staff decided to <br />explore the latest technology available and solicit price proposals. With the assistance of TKDA, staff invited three <br />vendors to present their systems and price proposals. After careful review of all proposals, the staff recommends <br />purchase of the Neptune system based on the following points: 1) Meter noise; the City has received numerous <br />complaints with regards to meter noise. Neptune meters are configured without internal mechanical parts thus <br />eliminating ticking noise issues. 2) Installation; No labor costs related to installation. Entire unit is self contained. <br />3) Wiring; Neptune Meters do not require external wiring. This will remedy issues related to wire related failures. <br />4) Meter Reading; Our current radio system causes the reader to have to stop, input each location and wait for the <br />reading to return. Neptune will allow the reader to "drive by" and obtain readings automatically. This will <br />substantially reduce meter reading labor. 5) Upgrades: Neptune allows upgrades to a fixed point system without any <br />changes to their meters. 6) Compatibility; Neptune's reading equipment does not require meter change out. It is <br />compatible with our existing meters. <br />With the reduction in labor related to installation, repairs and meter reading time, it is anticipated that the Neptune <br />system is the most cost effective system. It should be noted that all capital equipment purchases related to water will <br />come from the water enterprise fund and will not affect the General Fund supported by Ad Valorem taxes. <br />Action Items• <br />1. Motion to purchase Neptune's Meter reading Equipment at a <br />total cost of $19,502.81 <br />Attachments: Meter Comparison Analysis <br />Person responsible: <br />Tom Bouthilet <br />