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MOUNDS VIEW Item No: 81 Meeting Date: June 12, 2023 Type of Business: CB Administrator Review: City or Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Don Peterson, Director of Public Works/Parks and Recreation Item Title/Subject: Resolution 9767, Approval of a City Wide Water Meter Replacement Project Background/Discussion: One of the most important services provided by Public Works is a reliable source of drinking water for the community. The cost associated with doing this is significant with over $55 million invested by the City of Mounds View in the infrastructure (tower, mains, wells, and treatment plants), another $6.2 million in calendar years 2021-2022 to upgrade and rehabilitate our three water treatment plants, and yearly operational costs of just over $500,000. The City knows exactly how much water is pumped out of the ground based on data collected from the meters at each well. The City is able to accurately estimate unmetered flows as they are typically limited to hydrant flushing and fire suppression systems; the remainder of the water usage should go through a meter. Staff is aware that there is a current difference between the measured pumping totals and the total metered gallons and the amount is greater than the estimated unmetered flow; the difference can only be inaccurate meters and leaks in the water service lines. Commercial meters are, in some cases, are over 40 years old and the water meters located in the multi -family units should be compound meters, in order to capture low water flows in these units, but the majority are not. The average "life" of a water meter is between 20-25 years. Water meters were replaced in 1996-97, the meter readers were replaced in 2007-08 from the result of losing 1,300 readings in one year, therefore the water meters in the City will be 26 years old. Staff researched new meter and reader technology and selected the Muller Water Meter with the AMI radio reading system. Staff in coordination with the City Attorney, developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the meter replacement program. In the RFP the vendor is required to supply all commercial and supply and replace all residential meters. Public Works Staff will replace the Commercial water meters. The RFP also includes new radio reading technology with fixed antenna(s) to read the meters. This would eliminate the need for Staff to drive the City and collect the readings from the water meters. Staff in conjunction with the City Attorney, developed and prepared plans/specifications The Mounds View Visioi. A Thriving Desirable Community