City of Austin Water Oversight Committee met Oct. 27

City of Austin Water Oversight Committee met Oct. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Austin Water Oversight Committee convened in a regular meeting at Austin City Hall.

Committee Members in Attendance:

Chair Ann Kitchen Council Member Leslie Pool Council Member Alison Alter Vice Chair Vanessa Fuentes Council Member Paige Ellis

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Kitchen called the Austin Water Oversight Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m.

CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL

No citizens registered to speak

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approve the minutes of the May 13, 2021 regular meeting of the Austin Water Oversight Committee

The minutes of the May 13, 2021 regular meeting were approved on Council Member Pool’s motion, and Vice Chair Fuentes’ second, on a 5-0 vote.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

2. Approval of the 2022 Austin Water Oversight Committee meeting schedule. The Committee discussed and approved the following schedule on a motion by Council Member Ellis, second by Vice Chair Fuentes, on a vote of 5-0:

· Wednesday, February 23, 2022 1:30pm to 3:30pm

· Wednesday, May 25, 2022 1:30pm to 3:30pm

· Wednesday, August 24, 2022 1:30pm to 3:30pm

· Wednesday, October 19, 2022 1:30pm to 3:30pm

BRIEFINGS

3. Director’s Report

a. Upcoming recommendations for Council action

b. Capital projects update

c. Innovations, events and awards

Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros reported that he anticipates that Austin Water’s winter storm after action report will be released in the near future and will include Council briefings. Austin Water’s AA bond ratings were recently affirmed by all three rating agencies and a successful bond sale was just held. The Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA), gave Austin Water the award of excellence for debt management. EPA granted Austin Water an outstanding green infrastructure award for stormwater capture and restoration work by the Wildlands Division.

Director Meszaros also provided updates on key drinking water, wastewater and reclaimed water projects in Austin Water’s Capital Improvement Plan for FY 22 through FY 26. Director Meszaros responded to questions, along with Austin Water Assistant Directors Shay Roalson and Kevin Critendon.

4. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (My ATX Water) Update

Rick Coronado, Austin Water Assistant Director of Operations reported that the My ATX Water project has now moved from the pilot phase to citywide implementation. About 16,000 meters are now installed and about 28% of the total data collection units. The goal is to replace the majority of residential meters within the next three years. Additional contracted staff and Austin Water staff are being hired to accelerate installations and program implementation.

Randi Jenkins, Austin Water Assistant Director of Customer Experience reported on monthly customer meetings held virtually, targeted communications in advance of installations, and other outreach efforts. She also gave an update on use of the My ATX Water customer portal that includes a feature for potential leak alerts and billing data. Assistant Directors Coronado and Jenkins answered questions.

FUTURE ITEMS

5. Identify items to discuss at future meetings

Vice Chair Fuentes suggested a briefing on any changes to state law that affects water utilities. Council Member Alter suggested a follow up regarding the winter storm after action report, once it has been released.

ADJOURN

Chair Kitchen adjourned the meeting at 2:44 p.m. without objection.

https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=374339