Agenda Packets - 1995/05/01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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E(,�ULS'1.' FOR OCOUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 15• .. _-------_-_-- 11 u ilq'If t '1'AF F ItLi"Qi '1t Report Number: 9-57=1323WS— III; uml>E:,: -yrs-- III; ;(` May 1, 1995 Report; Date: --4-26-.95-_.-__.-_ NGENDA SESSION DA'1'Ir. I)I i I'(►S I'I'I O N -- -- —----- ------ — ----—— -- - lte,u Description: Discussion of Water Meter Change Out Ari minist.rntor's Review/Recommendation: r ' - No rommenl•q to ,at,pplen,ent; this report - ---- Continents r lt:ached• - Lxpinnrtbion/Surnnu+ry (attach, supplement she®necesenry.) all MAMMY; Staff has completed the review of the RFP' s for the proposed water meter changeout . This endeavor took staff more time than expected due to one vendor not completing the prepared RFP, that was advertised by the City. This vendor was granted an extension of three days to submit the proper document . Upon receiving the requested data, staff requested both vendors to supply additional information based on their initial responses . The City received one questionnaire the day of this writing. When staff presented this proposal to council at an earlier date, it was proposed to changeout the residential meters . Upon further consideration with staff, many of the brands of larger meters in the system would not be compatible to conversion to either telephone reading system. Many of these meters are older and are likely to be in need of extensive repair. In an earlier repair instance it was noted that one of the apartment meters was leaking, sent in for repair, and tested. The test results indicated that the meter was only measuring 15% of the water at low flow, and 4% of the water passing through the meter at high flow. The repair bill which the City pays for was in excess of $300, (the cost of a new meter of this size is between $470 and $640) . In light of this situation, staff is suggesting that the larger meters also be replaced, or at minimum, tested on an annual basis and converted to phone read. Staff requested that both vendors supply quotes for every size and number of meters within the City' s system. Assuming that all meters would be replaced, staff analyzed each RFP, and accurately compared bids . The analysis was prepared using a useful, accurate life expectancy of 20 years, although there is little doubt that the system will surpass that amount of . time . All necessary maintenance agreements, battery replacements, computer programming, and hardware expenses were utilized in the analysis . There are two major differences in the MIU' s used by these two manufacturers . One of them (Schlumberger) , utilizes a battery, which according to the RFP, will require replacement between 10 and 15 years . The other manufacturer ( Sensus) , utilizes the electrical current supplied by the phone for it' s power, and is backed up by a capacitor, with a life expectancy that is virtually indefinite. Staff calculated, based on current battery costs and labor to change these batteries today, would cost the City, $96 , 000 .