Agenda - View Meetings (All)

Back to Calendar Return

Image of Simpleuploads image 1593013230575

ITEM 15

City Council Memorandum Public Works & Utilities Memo No. UA24-053

Date:

February 5, 2024

To:

Mayor and Council

Thru:

Joshua H. Wright, City Manager
Andy Bass, Deputy City Manager
John Knudson, Public Works and Utilities Director

From:

Cristabel Dykstra, Utilities Administrative Support Manager

Subject:

Resolution No. 5765 Authorizing the Application and Award of a Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Grant in the Amount of $5,000,000

Proposed Motion:

Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5765 authorizing the application and award of a grant in the amount of $5,000,000, from the United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project; and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement and take all action necessary to implement the grant.

Background:

The Public Works & Utilities Department is seeking authorization to submit a grant application to the BOR through its WaterSMART Grants Program for funds to be used toward the AMI project. The BOR is designated as the federal agency that will award and administer funds for water infrastructure projects identified as part of the WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025.

The city collects approximately 87,000 monthly water meter reads using drive-by technology known as Automated Meter Reading (AMR). Water use data is collected and used to produce monthly bills for the city's utility customers. The city is currently transitioning from AMR to AMI. AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communication network, and data management which provides advanced, daily consumption data.

Discussion:

The city currently has a water meter replacement program substituting meters on a 15-year cycle as they age or are no longer functional. This grant will allow for a more rapid replacement of meters to make them compatible with the AMI technology and improve metering accuracy.

Considering the cost of the AMI project, staff recommends pursuing the maximum grant amount of $5,000,000.

Financial Implications:

The grant amount is up to $5,000,000 and requires a 50% match ($2.5 million). Matching funds will be covered through the Capital Improvement Program.

Attachments

Resolution No. 5765