HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-06-2019 Minutes WSAC Regular Meeting
Utilities Analyst Julie Laws
105 E. Corbin St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-296-9630 | julie.laws@hillsboroughnc.gov
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Agenda | 1 of 2
Minutes
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee
7 p.m. June 6, 2019
Town Hall Annex Board Meeting Room, 105 E. Corbin St.
Members Present: Dan Barker, Barry Hupp, Daniel Rawlins, Saru Salvi, Arthur Sprinczeles, Jenn Sykes,
Barry Weston
Members Absent: Paul Cough (excused)
Guest(s) Present: Commissioner Matt Hughes, Citizen Will Johnson
Staff Present: Assistant to the Town Manager Jen Della Valle, Public Information Officer Catherine Wright,
Utilities Analyst Julie Laws
1. Call to order and welcome of guests
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dan Barker at 7:04 p.m.
2. Agenda changes and approval
No changes were made to the agenda.
3. Minutes review and approval
Member Jenn Sykes moved to accept minutes from the May 2, 2019, meeting as written, seconded by
Member Barry Hupp. All were in favor.
4. Reports from Board of Commissioners Meetings
A. Meeting May 13: Barry Hupp reported there was nothing related to water and sewer issues.
B. Board Work Session-Budget May 28: Barry Weston reported there was discussion from a citizen not
wanting rates to increase. Matt Hughes stated that the board plans to move forward on the Committee’s
recommendations for rate increases.
5. Updates
A. Utilities Status Report Highlights: Julie Laws discussed current projects. There were no questions from the
Committee on the report.
6. New and Schedule-Based Business
A. Rates Analysis Tool: Stephen Lapp, UNC School of Government
Lapp will share his presentation with the committee via email. He projected total annual revenues for the
next 5 years, operating expenses, and risks, etc. Base charge revenue vs volumetric revenue. Barker
wants to be able to play with the tables to see how we could save customers money. Lapp can edit the
tool but needs to talk with Strandwitz to get updated numbers. Barker, as well as other committee
members, wants to be able to work on different scenarios on his own time and bring results back to
another meeting. The model will calculate for conversation and less usage to see what happens to final
numbers and can be calculated with in- and out-of-town rates for many different scenarios. Barker wants
a trending chart for the August meeting related to usage over the years. Laws will provide these
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Agenda | 2 of 2
numbers, with production vs usage/billed amounts. Lapp has a good idea of what the WSAC is looking for
in the tool and will contact Strandwitz to work on this together.
B. Member Term Expirations: Julie Laws discussed upcoming board terms. Saru Salvi’s first term will end in
January 2020, stating that Salvi could renew for another 4-year term at that time if she chose to do so.
The next terms for consideration, ending October 2021, are for Daniel Rawlins and Jenn Sykes. The
committee is looking forward to working together with the current members for a few years.
C. Town Budget and Rates: Jen Della Valle discussed rate changes, which will begin with the July billing.
Commissioner Hughes says the board has no concerns at this time regarding the budget. Jeff McGarvey
of Willdan did an analysis on our budget to make sure the town is in compliance on rates standards. It is
important that the town’s bond reputation stays high.
7. Future agenda items
A. Unaccounted-for Water Progress: Marie Strandwitz
B. Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Progress Summary: Marie Strandwitz
C. Town Budget Comparisons: Jen Della Valle
D. Trending on usage: Julie Laws
E. Brief discussion on SOG rates tool: Marie Strandwitz
8. Upcoming assignments for Board of Commissioners meetings
A. Meeting June 10: Arthur Sprinczeles (Daniel Rawlins, substitute)
B. Board Work Session June 24: Jenn Sykes (Paul Cough, substitute)
9. Adjournment
Sykes moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m., seconded by Salvi.