WEBVTT
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This work session of the
Texas Water Development Board
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is called to order.
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The time is 1:32 PM.
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For the record I'm
chairwoman, Brooke Paup.
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And with me today is
director Kathleen Jackson.
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Welcome y'all. Ashley, the first item.
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Chairwoman, the first
item on the agenda today
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is welcome and introductions.
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Well y'all thank you so
much for joining us today.
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I know it's a interesting
time to be traveling and to be
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doing things in person.
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So we're all very grateful
that the four of you
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joined us in person in Austin.
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This amps initiative is truly
a feather in the cap of TWDB.
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Thanks in part to the visionary
leadership of our resident
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engineer on the Board,
Ms. Kathleen Jackson.
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I'm so delighted to have
you here to see and hear what
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our contracts are saying
with the boots on the ground
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and how you feel that
we could better improve
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the amp's process.
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So with that, I will turn
it over to Ms. Jackson.
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It's a pleasure and an honor
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to be able to have this work
session with our contractors.
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And of course we have those
that are participating on not
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only here in person, but also virtually.
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And I think as many of you know,
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really since I came on the Board,
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I've had a real passion for
small and rural communities.
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And with any initiative,
the question is always,
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well, tell us about the case for action.
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And I think in this particular case,
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the story kind of begins
with traveling around Texas
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and visiting with the small
and rural communities
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and with the big cities
and the million sized cities.
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And what you kind of
noticed right off the bat is
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when you ask them
about asset management,
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the big cities have all
their engineers on staff.
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They have, a whole line of consultants
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and the small community
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I mean, oftentimes it's just one person
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and many times they
wear many different hats.
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And so if you ask them about,
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"What is your experience
with asset management?"
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They said, "Well, we
desperately need it."
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I mean, oftentimes they didn't know
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where their assets even were.
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Maybe they had a drawing
from years ago in the back room.
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Maybe it was just an operator
that had kind of everything
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in their head.
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And so that was the first
thing that you heard is that
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we could really utilize
and benefit from just kind of
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knowing what our
assets are to begin with.
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And then secondly, when you ask them,
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if they had any kind of game
plan moving forward to do their
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investments in terms of projects
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or knowing what was the
condition of their facilities,
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their equipment, again
that was something that just
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was beyond what their capabilities were.
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And then if you went on to
kind of talk a little bit about
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the operational integrity aspect of it,
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which was their operating procedures
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they'd bring out this
great legal binder,
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which of course needs to be in place.
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And oftentimes they said,
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"Well, it hasn't been
updated in a while."
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So many, many challenges
with a small community.
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And I think in looking
at this your desire is that
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they would have all of the resources
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that a big city would
have, or a middle-sized city.
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And particularly in asset management.
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And even those that had maybe
done some asset management
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training that consisted of
going to a one day seminar
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and at the end, I walk
out with a piece of paper
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with a lot of websites on it.
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So I think it was pretty
clear from the beginning
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that what was really
needed was human capital.
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What was really needed was
the expertise of the engineering
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community to come in and sit
down with these communities
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and take on a role that
really the water development
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Board had never taken on before
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to be able to provide this
resource to the community
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so that they in turn could be proactive
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rather than reactive.
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And we hope that the
benefit that comes from this
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is fewer calls in the
middle of the night,
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where the equipment that has failed,
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and then you have absolutely
no choice except to repair it
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at whatever cost it is.
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So having a better handle,
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having that game plan
to be able to move forward
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and as opportunities become available,
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or they come and they work
with the water development Board
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is they're actually able
to invest in their facilities
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to make their systems
more reliable and resilient
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and at the same time, kind
of that one, two punch where
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we know operational
integrity is not just
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the steel and the structure,
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but it says operation and
maintenance procedures
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that need to be updated
and really, really pleased
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that I think we're gonna
talk about some things
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that were innovative
that was done as a part of
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this pilot project and
kind of both of those fronts,
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both on the facilities
management standpoint,
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as well as on the operating
and maintenance side of it.
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So just really, really
appreciate the staff,
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the work that they've
put in to developing
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the pilot initiative.
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I appreciate all the
thoughts and ideas and input
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that we got from across the state,
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as well as the energy and the talent
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and the commitment
of the firms that came in
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and worked with these small communities
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to do this initial pilot program.
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And of course my hope
is that going forward,
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this program that was new and
different than anything we had
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done before will become
kind of a natural consequence
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of our day-to-day operation
and become a real benefit,
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not only to the Board,
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but also to the small
communities across the state
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that can benefit from it.
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So excited to have this work session.
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I'm so excited about this
program and really look forward
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to hearing from y'all what works,
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what maybe didn't work as well,
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what would you add, just
again from an AMP standpoint.
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You were boots on the ground.
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You were working with the
communities is Brooke said,
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your thoughts and ideas are
something that for this program
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we really wanna take and integrate.
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And in that whole vein of
continuous improvement,
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move forward with.
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So excited to be here.
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I've known to echo
what Kathleen said,
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thank you all for being here.
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And I just wanted to
compliment Jessica and her team
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for working with Ms.
Jackson and coming up with
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an initiative that again, I said,
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it's a feather in our cap
because it is a risk mitigation
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tool that also helps
preserve taxpayer dollars
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through asset management.
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And it provides customer
service to these small communities
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that desperately need
a little bit more help.
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So I'm very eager to hear
what you all are saying
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within the communities
that you've helped.
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And with that, just an FYI,
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I'm gonna leave it to
Patrick Katie, Patrick,
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to lay out our logistics and protocols
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a little later in the meeting.
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I'm gonna ask everyone
now to very briefly
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introduce yourselves,
please just state your name,
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your firm, and the city you assisted.
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We'll start with our in-person guests
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and I'll prompt each
virtual guests one by one.
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When I call your name,
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please turn your camera on and go ahead
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and turn your cameras off when done,
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just to make sure the
whole system doesn't crash,
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because we don't really want that today.
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Sir, Scott.
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All right. My
name is Scott Mura.
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You need to speak in this.
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Do I need to push a button
or anything or is it good,
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My name is Scott Moran
with five M associates,
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formerly within Mar B group.
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I'm in a little different situation here
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'cause I was the engineer
in charge of putting
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this together.
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Now that I'm out on my own,
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I'm now the city engineer for Holland.
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So I'm representing the city today.
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So I've kinda got a little
bit different perspective
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being on the other
side of the table now,
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since this has been completed.
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So I'll be able to provide
that when we get to our part.
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So you were an asset
management engineer
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and then became the city engineer.
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That's a win, I think.
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I bet you have some thoughts.
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I do. I do.
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Elston Johnson.
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I'm Elston Jonson with
Elston Johnson associates,
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and we assisted MRB
group with the city of Holland.
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And so we provided
systems assets management,
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and more of the operational
aspects of the program.
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Well, thank you. Lady buck.
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Lady Buck with KSA engineers.
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And I was the project manager
for the city of Pittsburgh.
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And Chris Nance.
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I'm Chris Nance with
Park Hill out of El Paso.
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And we assisted the
town of Anthony, Texas.
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Wonderful. And now we'll
call on our virtual participants.
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Tracy Hicks.
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Hi everyone.
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(system scratching)
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Tracy, just that you
know that your microphone
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sounds a little wonky.
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So if you can go ahead and
unplug it and plug it back in.
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(system scratching)
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I'm gonna skip to Joe Treyho
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Joe, are you there?
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All right, let's go to Eric Hall.
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So my name's Eric
Hall and I'm with HR green
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and I'm going to kind of
turn my cam on see if it works.
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And we worked with
the city of Blanco, Texas.
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Glad to be here.
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Thank you. Can you turn
your camera on so we could.
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Obviously it's not
working. I just drive it.
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That's all right, Rebecca Sant.
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Okay. Hi everyone.
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I'm Rebecca Sant I worked
with Eric and the city of Blanco.
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Wonderful. Thank
you for being here.
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Mike Liska.
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Karen's, Mike Liska
had a death in the family
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cannot make it today.
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Oh, I'm sorry to hear
that, Janet Shegat.
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Very good on
pronouncing my last name.
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I'm Janet Shegat and I'm with MRB group.
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We worked on the city
of Holland and I'm here.
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Mr. Beach could not
be here this afternoon.
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He's in the hospital.
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Thanks Janet.
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Hope he's doing better.
Thank you.
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He's in surgery right now, so.
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Phillip Gibbons.
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Good afternoon, everyone.
This is Phillip Gibbons.
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Director Jackson how are you.
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I work with the city of Holland
as a management specialist.
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Wonderful. Thank you for
being here. Steve Walden.
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Hi, this is Steve Walden,
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It didn't look like these iPads
00:12:23.670 --> 00:12:26.650
cameras are working, but
it's good to be with you today.
00:12:26.650 --> 00:12:29.560
And I'm part of Steve consulting
and we worked with the MRB
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group on city of Holland.
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Thanks for being here, Steve.
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Let's go back to Tracy Hicks.
00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.300
Hey, this is Blake
Bogan with a KSA.
00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:47.070
I'll probably be speaking
on behalf of Tracy
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since it's mic is off.
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We've both represented
the city of Elkhart.
00:12:52.760 --> 00:12:54.310
Wonderful. Thank you so much.
00:12:55.977 --> 00:12:59.610
I believe we still have Joe Treyho left.
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Oh, can you hear me now?
00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.220
We can.
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Thank you. This is Joe
Treyho in Corpus Christi,
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where they are IDR group of engineers
00:13:08.670 --> 00:13:11.403
and I assisted the city of Three Rivers.
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Wonderful. Thank you.
00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.523
There you are.
00:13:18.523 --> 00:13:20.853
All right. I'm
obviously a home.
00:13:22.021 --> 00:13:25.040
A family member tested
positive a couple of days ago.
00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:27.250
I'm clear with the COVID,
but she had tested positive.
00:13:27.250 --> 00:13:30.230
So I'm in quarantine workable today.
00:13:30.230 --> 00:13:31.890
Hopefully be better.
00:13:31.890 --> 00:13:33.870
Thank you. I finally got on Board here.
00:13:33.870 --> 00:13:37.603
The Mike youth would
not let go, never let go.
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Thank you.
Thanks for being here.
00:13:41.350 --> 00:13:43.170
The way of the world
is either IT problems
00:13:43.170 --> 00:13:44.470
or COVID problems right now.
00:13:44.470 --> 00:13:47.958
So thank you, Joe.
00:13:47.958 --> 00:13:49.108
Thank you. Thank you.
00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:53.370
Well with that, Ashley,
the next item, please.
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Chairwoman, I'm in the
next item on the agenda
00:13:57.190 --> 00:13:59.050
is amps initiative.
00:13:59.050 --> 00:14:01.570
And Jessica Pena will address the Board
00:14:01.570 --> 00:14:03.233
and the group on this item today.
00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.780
Good afternoon, for the
record I'm Jessica Pena
00:14:06.780 --> 00:14:08.920
of the Executive Administrator staff.
00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:11.450
As director Jackson and other
Board members were conducting
00:14:11.450 --> 00:14:13.510
their site visits that she spoke about,
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an internal evaluation of efficiencies
00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:18.660
was also being conducted
that would help assist staff
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expedite the application review process.
00:14:21.410 --> 00:14:23.990
We noticed that staff
spent more time processing
00:14:23.990 --> 00:14:26.570
applications on systems
that were operating
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in a reactive mode with
deadlines and requirements
00:14:29.530 --> 00:14:31.500
that were results of enforcement actions
00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.150
or compliance issues.
00:14:33.150 --> 00:14:34.310
As we work with customers,
00:14:34.310 --> 00:14:36.830
we often heard that some
could not present an accurate
00:14:36.830 --> 00:14:39.810
picture of line location
because of lost records
00:14:39.810 --> 00:14:41.730
or records that never existed,
00:14:41.730 --> 00:14:43.900
or perhaps components were only replaced
00:14:43.900 --> 00:14:47.100
after something had been
broken or our sister agency,
00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:49.180
the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality
00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:50.040
or at a federal level,
00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:52.740
the Environmental Protection
Agency had mandated
00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:55.020
replacement or expansions.
00:14:55.020 --> 00:14:59.020
Not only that, but we also
observed in some areas,
00:14:59.020 --> 00:15:01.120
often one person was wearing many hats.
00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.910
For example, the senior
administrator might also be
00:15:03.910 --> 00:15:06.570
the water operator
and often held that title
00:15:06.570 --> 00:15:09.100
and those responsibilities
for many years,
00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:11.280
which often led to operation voids,
00:15:11.280 --> 00:15:14.050
if that person suddenly
retired and had maintained
00:15:14.050 --> 00:15:17.280
that operation manual
in their cerebral libraries.
00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:18.550
Instances like this,
00:15:18.550 --> 00:15:20.710
combined with observations
by our Board members
00:15:20.710 --> 00:15:23.790
in the field, let us to
explore how to help systems
00:15:23.790 --> 00:15:25.637
discover and understand their systems
00:15:25.637 --> 00:15:28.820
and the needs associated
with operating and maintaining
00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:31.160
those systems that could
allow them to shift to more of
00:15:31.160 --> 00:15:33.320
a proactive management of those assets
00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:35.260
in their communities budgets,
00:15:35.260 --> 00:15:36.480
while at the same time,
00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.020
creating a readily
available pipeline of projects
00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:41.920
for our state revolving fund programs.
00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:44.520
Out of those two efforts,
the case for implementing
00:15:44.520 --> 00:15:47.730
the asset management for
small systems or the AMs initiative
00:15:47.730 --> 00:15:49.160
was launched.
00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:50.380
In developing the program,
00:15:50.380 --> 00:15:53.670
we work closely with the
TCEQ to ensure that plans were
00:15:53.670 --> 00:15:55.780
created in accordance
with their small business
00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:58.460
and governmental
assistance sections guidance
00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:00.640
on managing small public water systems
00:16:00.640 --> 00:16:03.560
and managing small
domestic wastewater systems.
00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:06.200
The TCEQ assisted with
promoting the program
00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:08.820
and helped provide a list
of potential small systems
00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:10.840
for this pilot program.
00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:13.540
We also consulted with the
environmental protection agency
00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:15.324
about our proposed plan.
00:16:15.324 --> 00:16:18.450
EPA region six was very
supportive of this initiative
00:16:18.450 --> 00:16:22.230
and has shared this program
with other regions six members.
00:16:22.230 --> 00:16:24.590
As you know, the Board is
also a member of the council
00:16:24.590 --> 00:16:26.510
of infrastructure financing authorities,
00:16:26.510 --> 00:16:29.340
which is made up of all 50
clean and drinking water state
00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:32.010
revolving fund programs
across the nation.
00:16:32.010 --> 00:16:36.940
TWDB staff has presented
on the innovative initiative
00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:39.440
at its annual conference
and positive responses
00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:41.600
have been received thus far.
00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.650
And that brings us to
where we are today.
00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:48.460
Thanks Jessica. With that,
I'll hand it over to Patrick.
00:16:53.742 --> 00:16:55.440
Patrick, next item please.
00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:57.650
Yes. Chairwoman, the
third item on the agenda
00:16:57.650 --> 00:17:00.230
is overview of AMs pilot initiative,
00:17:00.230 --> 00:17:02.790
and that is Patrick Hating.
00:17:02.790 --> 00:17:04.410
All right, good
afternoon, everyone.
00:17:04.410 --> 00:17:05.780
And thank you for joining us.
00:17:05.780 --> 00:17:09.450
My name is Patrick Hating
and I am the relatively new
00:17:09.450 --> 00:17:12.310
coordinator for the amps
program here at the Texas
00:17:12.310 --> 00:17:14.260
water development Board.
00:17:14.260 --> 00:17:17.680
The pilot phase of amps
consisted of six projects,
00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:22.680
three wastewater and three
water systems for small systems
00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:27.470
representing the six
different regions of Texas.
00:17:27.470 --> 00:17:30.060
Once the participant
systems are selected
00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:32.360
with assistance from TCEQ,
00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:35.380
the systems chose a
contractor to work with
00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:38.340
from a list of qualified contractors,
00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:40.120
which was created through a request
00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:42.430
for qualifications process.
00:17:42.430 --> 00:17:44.830
The contractors and
systems then work together
00:17:44.830 --> 00:17:47.152
to create an asset management plan
00:17:47.152 --> 00:17:50.040
to not only take stock
of the infrastructure
00:17:50.040 --> 00:17:53.070
that's in place and
assess its condition,
00:17:53.070 --> 00:17:56.630
but also reviewed budget
information, operating procedures,
00:17:56.630 --> 00:17:59.210
rural compliance, and
several other elements
00:17:59.210 --> 00:18:02.270
pertaining to the management
and operation of the system.
00:18:02.270 --> 00:18:05.070
With all that information
gathered and reviewed,
00:18:05.070 --> 00:18:08.180
the plans were drafted to
maintain the operational integrity
00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:10.540
of the system and
to plan for the future.
00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:13.930
I'm excited to hear
more from the participants
00:18:13.930 --> 00:18:17.010
in today's work session
about how these projects went
00:18:17.010 --> 00:18:18.510
from their perspective.
00:18:18.510 --> 00:18:22.130
But before we get into
more in-depth discussion
00:18:23.219 --> 00:18:24.720
on the amps pilot,
00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:27.510
I wanted to briefly remind everyone here
00:18:27.510 --> 00:18:30.730
about the other opportunities
available through amps
00:18:30.730 --> 00:18:34.970
that can be found in the
clean water and drinking water
00:18:34.970 --> 00:18:39.350
state revolving fund
intended use plans or IUPs.
00:18:39.350 --> 00:18:42.270
Within the IUPs, there are
two other funding sources
00:18:42.270 --> 00:18:43.940
related to amps.
00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:47.503
The first is a 0% interest
loan of up to $100,000
00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:52.150
to prepare an asset management plan,
00:18:52.150 --> 00:18:56.133
which meets the criteria in
the scope of work for amps.
00:18:57.010 --> 00:18:59.740
This funding is
available for all systems,
00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:03.743
not just small systems that
are eligible for SRF funding.
00:19:04.770 --> 00:19:09.110
The second is a 0% interest
loan of up to $500,000
00:19:09.110 --> 00:19:13.270
for a portion of the total water
development Board funding
00:19:13.270 --> 00:19:16.850
for a project if the system
has implemented substantially
00:19:16.850 --> 00:19:19.130
all of the asset management components
00:19:19.130 --> 00:19:21.650
in the amp scope of work.
00:19:21.650 --> 00:19:26.610
This funding is available
only for the small systems
00:19:26.610 --> 00:19:30.053
that would also be eligible
for the amps program.
00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:36.330
The small system does not
have to have been a participant
00:19:36.330 --> 00:19:37.960
in the amps program,
00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:42.960
but it must be eligible
to be part of the program
00:19:42.990 --> 00:19:45.210
and have an asset
management plan that meets
00:19:45.210 --> 00:19:47.420
the amp's scope of work.
00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:51.400
So both of these funding
sources are applied for the same
00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:54.023
way as other SRF funding requests.
00:19:55.090 --> 00:19:59.340
And so basically we have
one funding opportunity for SRF
00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:03.000
eligible systems to create
an asset management plan
00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:05.810
and another funding
opportunity for small systems
00:20:05.810 --> 00:20:08.520
that already have created
and are implementing
00:20:08.520 --> 00:20:09.793
an asset management plan.
00:20:11.690 --> 00:20:14.420
And then although we are
having this meeting today
00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:19.210
to get input from y'all
for the future projects,
00:20:19.210 --> 00:20:23.120
one change that has
already been made to amps
00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:26.150
is that the total amount
of funding per project
00:20:26.150 --> 00:20:31.150
has been increased from
75,000 to 100,000 per project.
00:20:31.930 --> 00:20:35.290
And then another change
is that a section pertaining
00:20:35.290 --> 00:20:38.870
to emergency
preparedness, weatherization
00:20:38.870 --> 00:20:42.603
and resiliency is now being
required as part of the plan.
00:20:43.490 --> 00:20:46.330
So we look forward to
hearing all your thoughts
00:20:46.330 --> 00:20:50.270
on the amps pilot and
suggestions for forthcoming
00:20:50.270 --> 00:20:52.183
arounds of amps.
00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:58.880
So next we will ask the
pilot phase contractors
00:20:59.430 --> 00:21:03.220
to give a brief summary
of their projects.
00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:06.500
After that, we will then
go into the discussion part
00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:08.930
of the meeting.
00:21:08.930 --> 00:21:11.830
We'll have five initial questions to ask
00:21:11.830 --> 00:21:13.593
to a specific contractor,
00:21:15.889 --> 00:21:18.140
and then there'll be
opened up to the group
00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:20.340
for any further input.
00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:22.470
After those initial five questions,
00:21:22.470 --> 00:21:23.990
we will have some additional questions
00:21:23.990 --> 00:21:27.210
that we'll just be open
to all the participants
00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.280
who would like to offer their input.
00:21:31.280 --> 00:21:34.200
We asked that for the
folks joining us virtually
00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:37.620
that you have your camera
off, if you're not speaking,
00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:39.293
and if you are speaking,
00:21:40.566 --> 00:21:42.510
we need you to have your camera on
00:21:42.510 --> 00:21:46.130
and also turn on your camera
if you would like to speak
00:21:46.130 --> 00:21:50.010
and that will give us the cue
that you would like to speak
00:21:50.010 --> 00:21:50.843
on an item.
00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:53.470
And so with that, I thank everyone.
00:21:53.470 --> 00:21:55.320
And I look forward to the discussion.
00:21:59.130 --> 00:22:00.973
Sorry, I'm not done yet.
00:22:02.030 --> 00:22:04.790
So first, can we have the representative
00:22:04.790 --> 00:22:07.430
from the city of Anthony project,
00:22:07.430 --> 00:22:10.133
give his a brief summary of the project?
00:22:13.790 --> 00:22:17.730
So we help
Anthony water utility
00:22:17.730 --> 00:22:22.730
and Anthony is located on the
Texas border at exit 08 on Y10
00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:27.363
about 852 miles down
the road from Beaumont.
00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:32.190
We had two primary phases.
00:22:32.190 --> 00:22:35.610
One was developing a GIS inventory
00:22:35.610 --> 00:22:40.610
using some templates
available for water utilities.
00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:45.680
But the key focus that
we we're gonna talk about
00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:51.710
is using the EPA cups
program, the checkup program
00:22:51.710 --> 00:22:53.780
for small systems.
00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:57.510
This was a software developed by the EPA
00:22:57.510 --> 00:23:00.220
for a lot of the intended purposes
00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:03.690
of this pilot program that
small systems could use
00:23:03.690 --> 00:23:06.813
for their water and
wastewater utilities.
00:23:07.930 --> 00:23:10.640
One of the advantages of that is
00:23:11.610 --> 00:23:14.380
it's a combined asset
management software
00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:17.100
and a computerized
maintenance management system.
00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:18.950
So they can log work orders,
00:23:18.950 --> 00:23:22.113
assign those work orders
to assets and track histories.
00:23:24.469 --> 00:23:28.487
That's a pretty advanced
feature for some free software.
00:23:30.395 --> 00:23:34.880
There was a lot of free and
thorough training materials
00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.923
available for it.
00:23:37.030 --> 00:23:40.110
And again, it has a lot
of the similar features
00:23:40.110 --> 00:23:42.553
to enterprise software.
00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:46.600
One of the negatives about this is that
00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:48.950
there was no GIS integration
and that's partially why
00:23:48.950 --> 00:23:53.820
we chose to develop a GIS
inventory outside of cups.
00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:57.350
It is wastewater and
water utility specific.
00:23:57.350 --> 00:23:59.300
So it doesn't have some of the features
00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:05.150
to integrate things like street
and drainage departments,
00:24:05.150 --> 00:24:06.653
and it is a legacy software.
00:24:07.690 --> 00:24:11.343
So it isn't being currently developed.
00:24:12.280 --> 00:24:17.280
It has a few key features such
as an add an asset inventory
00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:21.557
where you can use to store materials,
00:24:23.950 --> 00:24:25.260
schedules of replacement.
00:24:25.260 --> 00:24:29.513
There's an ONM calendar that
shows reporting requirements,
00:24:30.530 --> 00:24:34.030
but also any sort of
recurring events associated
00:24:34.030 --> 00:24:35.800
with particular assets.
00:24:35.800 --> 00:24:38.790
And then at the end,
once you input all that data,
00:24:38.790 --> 00:24:42.170
it will give you financial
performance metrics
00:24:42.170 --> 00:24:47.170
and produce template reports
00:24:48.030 --> 00:24:52.730
that show one of the
reports is the asset checkup
00:24:52.730 --> 00:24:54.320
that shows your high risk assets
00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:56.700
and when they need to be replaced.
00:24:56.700 --> 00:25:01.700
And then also a full
carbon mike's cups report,
00:25:02.710 --> 00:25:05.580
which is a full asset
management document
00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:08.450
that lets you fill in certain blanks,
00:25:08.450 --> 00:25:13.450
but produces a pretty thorough
asset management plan.
00:25:15.930 --> 00:25:16.763
Sure.
00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:22.470
Can I ask some questions.
Yes, absolutely.
00:25:27.421 --> 00:25:30.671
You need to be
speaking into the mic.
00:25:31.943 --> 00:25:34.790
It's not something they
can just pick up and start
00:25:34.790 --> 00:25:38.480
and learn took a lot of
like an expert like you
00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.030
to help them through the whole process.
00:25:40.030 --> 00:25:41.650
It was pretty daunting.
00:25:41.650 --> 00:25:44.153
There's a lot of stuff there
almost too much stuff there.
00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.650
It is thorough.
00:25:46.650 --> 00:25:51.650
I think it is one of maybe
the more accessible,
00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:55.880
I mean, because I think
to compare that accurately,
00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:57.480
you would compare it
to an enterprise software
00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:02.170
and that's gonna be also
the same kind of challenges.
00:26:02.170 --> 00:26:04.720
But as far as that goes,
00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:07.220
I think a lot of that
available training material,
00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:12.890
a lot of the presentations
that you can find online
00:26:12.890 --> 00:26:16.350
can walk you through it fairly slowly
00:26:16.350 --> 00:26:20.353
and introduce you to the
concepts of asset management.
00:26:21.330 --> 00:26:23.460
If I remember Jessica
Jessica, we kind of looked at that.
00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:25.960
We were figuring out a
template to use for an amp.
00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.290
You of look at that and black,
00:26:27.290 --> 00:26:28.820
that was just a little
too much it's time.
00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:30.973
So I want him to TCEQ standards.
00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.973
Okay. Thanks.
00:26:32.973 --> 00:26:35.543
So is there a cost for cups.
00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:38.490
The software itself is free.
00:26:38.490 --> 00:26:41.740
Like I mentioned, it
is a legacy software,
00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:43.793
so it's not currently being developed.
00:26:44.970 --> 00:26:47.950
I think there was a patch
that needed to be installed
00:26:48.846 --> 00:26:52.340
to run on up-to-date windows,
00:26:54.260 --> 00:26:58.460
but it is freely available
00:26:58.460 --> 00:27:00.980
and all those training materials
are also freely available.
00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.840
I know that was one of the
things that you really wanted
00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:05.300
to kind of focus on with Anthony,
00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:06.870
that opportunity to use cups.
00:27:06.870 --> 00:27:10.720
And so what's your assessment now
00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:13.290
that you've actually
gone through the process?
00:27:13.290 --> 00:27:16.170
I mean, if you had
the option to do this,
00:27:16.170 --> 00:27:18.650
or is there some communities
that this is a good fit for
00:27:18.650 --> 00:27:21.343
as opposed to maybe
go on the other route?
00:27:21.343 --> 00:27:25.060
I think when you, when
you compare it to again,
00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:26.230
like an enterprise software
00:27:26.230 --> 00:27:27.930
that they would be investing with,
00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:35.470
obviously the cost of
the software is gonna eat
00:27:35.470 --> 00:27:40.470
into the time spent
more efficiently training
00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.570
or learning about.
00:27:43.570 --> 00:27:48.570
So if you can at the early
phase of trying to get into,
00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:51.340
some software package,
00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:55.550
I think investing in the
time to populate the data
00:27:55.550 --> 00:27:56.933
is more important,
00:27:57.830 --> 00:28:01.183
even if that is in the long-term,
00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:04.060
that's not the best solution.
00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:07.640
I think long-term, we would
like to see more communities
00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:10.630
get into enterprise asset
management software.
00:28:10.630 --> 00:28:12.520
But in the short term,
00:28:12.520 --> 00:28:16.260
I think learning it in
a free environment
00:28:16.260 --> 00:28:18.693
is a lower risk alternative.
00:28:22.580 --> 00:28:24.003
Alright, thank you, Chris.
00:28:24.870 --> 00:28:28.070
And now we'll turn it over to the folks
00:28:28.070 --> 00:28:29.993
from the city of Blanco project.
00:28:36.570 --> 00:28:41.310
Hi, I thought somebody
else was online.
00:28:41.310 --> 00:28:44.010
Quick before we started
Blanco with a question
00:28:44.010 --> 00:28:45.160
maybe for Anthony.
00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.810
I don't know if anybody saw that.
00:28:52.473 --> 00:28:55.360
Rebecca, can you
repeat yourself? I'm sorry.
00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.530
Oh, no, I'm sorry.
00:28:56.530 --> 00:28:57.980
I hope you can hear me. Okay.
00:28:59.135 --> 00:29:01.810
Erick, it looks like you
have your camera on.
00:29:01.810 --> 00:29:05.943
So did you have a question
for the other consultants.
00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.850
Can you hear me Philip?
00:29:18.992 --> 00:29:19.920
I was trying to unmute it,
00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.620
but instead I was muted by the webinar,
00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:23.430
so I couldn't unmute it.
00:29:23.430 --> 00:29:25.740
No, I was just wanting
to come in on cups.
00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:28.300
I, as a participant in the
stakeholder with the group,
00:29:28.300 --> 00:29:30.720
with EPA and the development of cups,
00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:32.630
and I have personally used cups.
00:29:32.630 --> 00:29:36.030
Of course, you may just to
be sure everybody's aware
00:29:36.030 --> 00:29:39.110
that EPA announced some
time ago that they will no longer
00:29:39.110 --> 00:29:40.550
support cups.
00:29:40.550 --> 00:29:44.070
So if someone were to
download it and start using it
00:29:44.070 --> 00:29:45.880
and they get an earlier
00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:48.990
or a more current version
of windows or apple,
00:29:48.990 --> 00:29:51.050
cups may not work anymore
00:29:51.050 --> 00:29:54.140
unless they maintain a
computer that have that.
00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:56.960
But also I worked with
TCEQ in development of
00:29:56.960 --> 00:30:00.390
their asset management
tool, XL based tool.
00:30:00.390 --> 00:30:02.150
And I think that's much more appropriate
00:30:02.150 --> 00:30:04.800
for the small systems that
we're targeting with amps.
00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.960
An excellent point. Thank you.
00:30:09.990 --> 00:30:13.433
Right, Rebecca, your
city Blanco project.
00:30:17.830 --> 00:30:21.020
If Eric was in unmute himself.
00:30:21.020 --> 00:30:23.140
Yeah, I'm unmuted now.
00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:25.640
I had a hard time eating myself.
00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:27.610
So let me just make a
couple of comments, Rebecca,
00:30:27.610 --> 00:30:29.830
and then I'll pass it over to you.
00:30:29.830 --> 00:30:33.520
I'd say overall Blanco's located,
00:30:33.520 --> 00:30:35.330
let me see her if that's okay.
00:30:35.330 --> 00:30:37.330
Hey Eric, if you could
turn on your camera,
00:30:37.330 --> 00:30:40.900
that would be beneficial for all.
00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:43.813
I'm having difficulty
doing that for some reason.
00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:46.100
It's not working for me.
00:30:49.450 --> 00:30:52.860
I can continue on or we
can let Rebecca take this on.
00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:54.280
If that would be better.
00:30:54.280 --> 00:30:56.320
I mean, let me just make
a couple of comments
00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:58.890
and then I'll pass it over to Rebecca.
00:30:58.890 --> 00:31:01.480
This particular project is located just
00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:06.480
west of Johnson city
and it is central Texas.
00:31:07.280 --> 00:31:10.010
It was a wastewater asset
management program.
00:31:10.010 --> 00:31:11.870
Erick, you did a
great job on that project,
00:31:11.870 --> 00:31:14.400
and I know we're down
we visited many times,
00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:17.940
but because of the rules of the forum,
00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:20.230
Rebecca's probably gonna have to take.
00:31:23.670 --> 00:31:26.363
Okay,, I hope you
guys can hear me okay.
00:31:28.110 --> 00:31:30.640
As we mentioned, we
did the city of Blanco.
00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:34.350
It was their wastewater
plan that we were looking at.
00:31:34.350 --> 00:31:38.713
What we did, we also developed
a GIS system with the city.
00:31:39.610 --> 00:31:41.890
We used the NASSCO type reviews
00:31:41.890 --> 00:31:43.560
and we actually did
a bunch of field work.
00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:46.440
So kind of go in and
look at all their assets
00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:48.550
and to help them find them,
00:31:48.550 --> 00:31:51.240
which I think everybody
would probably say
00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.780
was the biggest part of this project
00:31:52.780 --> 00:31:56.270
was helping cities identify
and locate where things are
00:31:56.270 --> 00:31:58.483
not just the condition
that they were in.
00:31:59.790 --> 00:32:04.550
I think what we did unique
and fun for this project
00:32:04.550 --> 00:32:06.810
that the city has really enjoyed is
00:32:06.810 --> 00:32:10.860
they do have a GIS
dashBoard that they can use.
00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:14.250
We had a couple of days
with one of three apps,
00:32:14.250 --> 00:32:15.840
a workforce app,
00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:20.130
so that the city can go in and
they have it on their phone.
00:32:20.130 --> 00:32:23.200
They have it on their desktop
and they can make changes
00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:27.810
anytime they want to to
share the different condition
00:32:27.810 --> 00:32:29.040
of the asset.
00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:31.330
And so just look at where things are.
00:32:31.330 --> 00:32:34.900
And so even part of
that workforce app is that
00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:39.150
they could mark stuff or this
line is needed to be jutted,
00:32:39.150 --> 00:32:42.470
or we just jutted this line
and they can mark that
00:32:42.470 --> 00:32:44.630
and it is available for them to see.
00:32:44.630 --> 00:32:47.400
I couldn't figure out
how to share my screen
00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:49.630
because I have access
to their system too.
00:32:49.630 --> 00:32:53.580
But it's available that it
could be shown easily.
00:32:53.580 --> 00:32:57.740
Automat things will
be highlighted for where
00:32:57.740 --> 00:33:01.550
like poor conditioned assets
are, what needs to be done,
00:33:01.550 --> 00:33:04.170
different material
types for the sewer lines
00:33:04.170 --> 00:33:06.010
and all of that.
00:33:06.010 --> 00:33:09.046
I think the city has enjoyed
using that enough that,
00:33:09.046 --> 00:33:13.360
and that they are
planning on expanding it.
00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:17.210
I guess they had another
consultant do some water stuff
00:33:17.210 --> 00:33:18.630
for them in VIS.
00:33:18.630 --> 00:33:22.790
And so we're gonna
put that into their system
00:33:22.790 --> 00:33:26.600
and they're looking into adding
some street characterization
00:33:26.600 --> 00:33:27.433
as well.
00:33:27.433 --> 00:33:32.433
so they're excited to
show this so easily to use it
00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:36.400
going forward, that they
really kind of expanding that.
00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:39.080
And I think this tool is
great for them to do that
00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:45.139
and I think that's all I
really kind of wanted to say.
00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:49.740
So we can open it up or questions.
00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:53.460
I should say too I'm sorry I
couldn't be there in person.
00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:57.030
I also have a COVID
exposure in our house.
00:33:57.030 --> 00:33:58.800
So here we are.
00:33:58.800 --> 00:34:01.100
Very glad we can do
this stuff electronically.
00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:03.730
Well, thank you, Rebecca.
00:34:03.730 --> 00:34:06.290
Just as a gentle reminder,
00:34:06.290 --> 00:34:08.310
to all those participating virtually
00:34:08.310 --> 00:34:10.960
that Texas open meetings act requires
00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:13.110
all virtual participants
to have their camera
00:34:13.110 --> 00:34:15.150
and their microphone both turned on
00:34:15.150 --> 00:34:19.350
in order to be in compliance
with the open meetings statute.
00:34:19.350 --> 00:34:22.440
So all those in the virtual world,
00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:25.110
please turn on your cameras if you can.
00:34:25.110 --> 00:34:27.270
Just correcting Rebecca
and maybe Chris too.
00:34:27.270 --> 00:34:31.420
So I remember seeing a
presentation by a guy who was doing a
00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:35.230
GIS survey of the existing
system he had as built plans
00:34:35.230 --> 00:34:38.010
and still they were finding
there was things were way off
00:34:38.010 --> 00:34:40.750
Nashville plans did y'all
run into that same thing.
00:34:40.750 --> 00:34:41.583
Yes.
00:34:44.600 --> 00:34:46.560
Go ahead, Rebecca.
You can go first.
00:34:46.560 --> 00:34:47.393
I'm sorry.
00:34:48.793 --> 00:34:51.840
Yes, we did not actually
look at old plants.
00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:54.150
Like we did everything in the field.
00:34:54.150 --> 00:34:57.220
So we had the city came with us to do
00:34:57.220 --> 00:35:00.030
the initial characterization
and the identification
00:35:00.030 --> 00:35:00.863
of assets.
00:35:00.863 --> 00:35:03.090
We had somebody come
and they kind of just showed us
00:35:03.090 --> 00:35:04.750
where all the manholes were.
00:35:04.750 --> 00:35:07.710
So we did everything field verification
00:35:07.710 --> 00:35:08.910
as part of this project.
00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:12.520
But yeah, so that's very
common. So thank you.
00:35:12.520 --> 00:35:16.210
So there was an article, I
think in the Blanca county news
00:35:16.210 --> 00:35:18.470
that said that y'all
actually identified or looked
00:35:18.470 --> 00:35:22.800
for 200 manning holes in Blanco, Texas.
00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:27.033
That's a small, super small
community to have 200 manholes.
00:35:28.781 --> 00:35:31.657
I think they have (crosstalk)
00:35:33.673 --> 00:35:36.140
Sir, I was just gonna add
that makes a lot of sense
00:35:36.140 --> 00:35:39.360
from a wastewater a standpoint
where you can physically see
00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.840
most of the assets.
00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:45.840
On the water side, we found
that going off record maps
00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:49.110
fortunately, we were in the
position with a working history
00:35:49.110 --> 00:35:52.062
with the town of Anthony,
that we were in possession
00:35:52.062 --> 00:35:54.820
of a lot of their record
drawings that other small towns
00:35:54.820 --> 00:35:56.860
that we've worked with don't have.
00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:58.900
And because that's the case,
00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:03.040
we were able to digitize that
network from those old maps.
00:36:03.040 --> 00:36:07.450
But there were still several instances
00:36:07.450 --> 00:36:10.550
where things had been
replaced and there was no record.
00:36:10.550 --> 00:36:14.080
We tried as best when it
was appropriate to go back
00:36:14.080 --> 00:36:18.120
to primary resources rather
than maps generated from maps,
00:36:18.120 --> 00:36:20.680
generated from other maps.
00:36:20.680 --> 00:36:23.840
And so that was pretty key,
00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:28.840
but that also allowed us
to save time and money
00:36:29.190 --> 00:36:31.566
as opposed to surveying everywhere.
00:36:31.566 --> 00:36:32.816
That's right.
00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:37.300
Alright, great.
00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:38.253
Thank you, Rebecca.
00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:43.853
Now we'll go to the
city of Elkhart project.
00:36:48.520 --> 00:36:49.500
Hey everybody, can you hear me?
00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:50.763
This is Blake Madison.
00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:53.290
Yes, sir.
We can hear you.
00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:56.470
I'll present for
myself and Tracy
00:36:56.470 --> 00:36:58.560
on behalf of the city of Elkhart.
00:36:58.560 --> 00:37:00.610
We completed an asset management plan
00:37:00.610 --> 00:37:02.320
for the city of Elkhart,
00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:04.470
and it's already kind
of been put into place
00:37:04.470 --> 00:37:07.750
and the city has definitely
seen the importance of it.
00:37:07.750 --> 00:37:10.770
We're doing a couple of
big projects in the city now,
00:37:10.770 --> 00:37:12.970
probably bigger projects than
they've ever done in the past.
00:37:12.970 --> 00:37:15.903
We're installing some
big transmission lines,
00:37:17.090 --> 00:37:20.550
10 and 12 inch that go
throughout the city a lot bigger
00:37:20.550 --> 00:37:25.550
than what a typical
city this size would have.
00:37:25.650 --> 00:37:29.350
They've experienced a lot of
volume and pressure issues
00:37:29.350 --> 00:37:32.210
in town because the two
well sides were located
00:37:32.210 --> 00:37:33.980
in a way that their transmission lines
00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:35.600
were significantly undersized.
00:37:35.600 --> 00:37:39.080
So we upsize those as
well as put in pressure tanks
00:37:39.080 --> 00:37:41.540
and we're taking out
their elevated storage tank
00:37:43.450 --> 00:37:48.450
it's an antique type facility
that became a bit of a hazard
00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:51.660
to the city because it's so old.
00:37:51.660 --> 00:37:53.640
They had to make a decision
whether they wanna convert it
00:37:53.640 --> 00:37:55.990
to a pressure tank type of system
00:37:55.990 --> 00:37:58.683
or an elevated storage type system.
00:38:00.610 --> 00:38:02.120
When we were going
through those projects,
00:38:02.120 --> 00:38:05.480
I think it was very critical
and important for a city staff
00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:08.400
to understand we need
to know where lines are.
00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:12.480
We need to know critical facilities.
00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:16.080
We need to know the status of
them because they were going
00:38:16.080 --> 00:38:18.150
through a staff transition at the start
00:38:18.150 --> 00:38:21.880
and throughout the majority
of this asset management plan,
00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:26.307
it came very apparent to us
that the asset management plan
00:38:26.307 --> 00:38:30.190
was something that KSA
and the city needed to work
00:38:30.190 --> 00:38:32.820
to make sure the information
that we were providing
00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:34.770
for future generations would be accurate
00:38:34.770 --> 00:38:37.424
and one that could
be used in the future.
00:38:37.424 --> 00:38:40.850
So although that was very inconvenient,
00:38:40.850 --> 00:38:43.770
it was also very
convenient to a point that
00:38:43.770 --> 00:38:45.450
it was taken seriously by the city
00:38:45.450 --> 00:38:47.650
and the city helped us out tremendously.
00:38:47.650 --> 00:38:49.600
And it was just previously mentioned,
00:38:49.600 --> 00:38:51.250
we studied the city's water system.
00:38:51.250 --> 00:38:56.160
So the lack of system
maps and lack of GIS system
00:38:56.160 --> 00:38:59.640
was very tough to help us
locate water distributions lines
00:38:59.640 --> 00:39:02.720
since water distribution
is a lot harder to locate
00:39:02.720 --> 00:39:05.040
than sanitary sewer is.
00:39:05.040 --> 00:39:08.480
So we were able to gather past mapping.
00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:10.500
We didn't develop a GIS system,
00:39:10.500 --> 00:39:15.500
but we did develop a DWG
drawing of the city's water system.
00:39:16.690 --> 00:39:18.910
We can use that in the
future for locating future
00:39:18.910 --> 00:39:21.680
improvements, as well
as a water distribution
00:39:21.680 --> 00:39:22.773
modeling as well.
00:39:23.980 --> 00:39:26.530
I think our asset management
planning really provided
00:39:26.530 --> 00:39:28.973
like a realistic approach to the city.
00:39:29.870 --> 00:39:32.220
Can sometimes be an eye-opener for
00:39:32.220 --> 00:39:34.230
the status of what your
system is and what it's gonna
00:39:34.230 --> 00:39:36.490
take to continue to operate it.
00:39:36.490 --> 00:39:39.470
But I think the main point
I wanted to make was
00:39:39.470 --> 00:39:42.620
staff transitions, city
council transitions,
00:39:42.620 --> 00:39:45.160
leadership management transition.
00:39:45.160 --> 00:39:47.410
Those are the kinds of things that
00:39:47.410 --> 00:39:52.410
when they come up, put a
damper on improvement projects,
00:39:53.260 --> 00:39:55.250
as well as maintenance
of the system overall.
00:39:55.250 --> 00:39:59.280
So that would be one point
that I think it's really a point
00:39:59.280 --> 00:40:00.650
of emphasis for the city of Okra.
00:40:00.650 --> 00:40:02.760
They took it seriously
because of the transitions
00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:04.743
they were undergoing at the time.
00:40:06.790 --> 00:40:08.440
And their asset
management plan helped them
00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:10.416
to kind of stay on track
through the transitions
00:40:10.416 --> 00:40:11.895
of the staff.
00:40:11.895 --> 00:40:12.728
It did.
00:40:14.410 --> 00:40:16.030
I think Eric called in,
00:40:16.030 --> 00:40:17.480
He's the new public works director
00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:20.430
and he came in the
new public works director
00:40:21.401 --> 00:40:22.480
didn't leave a whole
lot of information for him.
00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:23.550
So he was a bit lost.
00:40:23.550 --> 00:40:26.300
So this was a bit of a blessing to him,
00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:29.100
for us to be working on assisting map
00:40:29.100 --> 00:40:31.810
and inventory or table
where everything is
00:40:31.810 --> 00:40:34.360
and how long things
have been in the ground,
00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:36.270
when things need to be replaced.
00:40:36.270 --> 00:40:38.650
'Cause I think if it weren't
for something like this,
00:40:38.650 --> 00:40:40.940
it would've been very
hard for him to keep up
00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:43.040
with the system and
know where things are.
00:40:44.622 --> 00:40:45.455
Thank you.
00:40:50.510 --> 00:40:52.740
Excellent. So thank you, Blake.
00:40:52.740 --> 00:40:53.623
Thank y'all.
00:40:55.480 --> 00:40:58.200
Tracy's on, did you
have anything to add?
00:40:58.200 --> 00:40:59.363
No, that's it.
00:41:02.110 --> 00:41:03.990
Okay, well, good to see you.
00:41:03.990 --> 00:41:04.823
The same.
00:41:06.080 --> 00:41:06.913
Hey Karl.
00:41:07.930 --> 00:41:11.403
And so next, we'll go to
the city of Holland project.
00:41:13.830 --> 00:41:15.040
I'll start us off here
00:41:15.040 --> 00:41:17.570
and then we've got a couple
of other team members
00:41:17.570 --> 00:41:19.780
that are got Elston here to my left
00:41:19.780 --> 00:41:23.263
and a couple online that
they can jump in and add to it.
00:41:24.680 --> 00:41:26.590
Ours was kind of a multifaceted.
00:41:26.590 --> 00:41:30.170
It was the asset
acquisition, the management,
00:41:30.170 --> 00:41:33.513
we did ONM manual for the city.
00:41:34.700 --> 00:41:37.630
We kind of had the exact
same issue that Elkhart had
00:41:37.630 --> 00:41:39.993
in the turnover of staff.
00:41:41.070 --> 00:41:43.830
We've got a new mayor, new council of
00:41:43.830 --> 00:41:45.770
as soon as this project was completed,
00:41:45.770 --> 00:41:48.060
the public works director retired
00:41:48.060 --> 00:41:50.200
along with two staff members.
00:41:50.200 --> 00:41:54.470
So the public works department
who normally has four staff
00:41:54.470 --> 00:41:56.690
members now has two.
00:41:56.690 --> 00:42:00.480
So they are very much in
a reactive mode right now.
00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:03.400
So that's why they
couldn't attend today.
00:42:03.400 --> 00:42:06.610
But yeah, giving them updated maps,
00:42:06.610 --> 00:42:11.610
updated, ours was geared
more towards the wastewater side.
00:42:12.040 --> 00:42:13.870
But while our survey crew were out,
00:42:13.870 --> 00:42:17.340
they also picked up all of
the valves, fire hydrants,
00:42:17.340 --> 00:42:21.323
any asset on the utility side
that they could come up with.
00:42:22.260 --> 00:42:25.130
But the issue that we came
across was how do we get that
00:42:25.130 --> 00:42:27.639
data into the staff's hands?
00:42:27.639 --> 00:42:30.973
Asary has some products
that you can get online.
00:42:32.110 --> 00:42:36.870
You talked about DWG, but
that requires extra software.
00:42:36.870 --> 00:42:39.970
What we ended up doing
was putting into a KMZ,
00:42:39.970 --> 00:42:41.403
a Google earth format.
00:42:42.310 --> 00:42:44.840
So what that enabled them
to do is they could have that
00:42:44.840 --> 00:42:48.130
on there, they all use Google
Earth, they do what that was.
00:42:48.130 --> 00:42:51.340
They could open the
KMC, click on a manhole.
00:42:51.340 --> 00:42:54.580
It brought up a picture of
the manhole where it was
00:42:54.580 --> 00:42:55.610
in the city
00:42:55.610 --> 00:42:58.780
and we also opened the
manhole, took a picture down.
00:42:58.780 --> 00:43:00.900
Now they could see
what the inside looked like.
00:43:00.900 --> 00:43:03.790
And also see what kind
of pipes were coming in,
00:43:03.790 --> 00:43:05.990
what condition it was.
00:43:05.990 --> 00:43:08.810
So that's really helped the
city out when they've got line
00:43:08.810 --> 00:43:13.550
blockage work order for a wastewater
00:43:13.550 --> 00:43:15.330
is not working correctly.
00:43:15.330 --> 00:43:17.950
They can pull up that Google earth,
00:43:17.950 --> 00:43:19.770
click on the manhole of where they think
00:43:19.770 --> 00:43:20.630
they've got the problem.
00:43:20.630 --> 00:43:23.570
Now they know what size line? Is it PVC?
00:43:23.570 --> 00:43:24.910
Is it clay?
00:43:24.910 --> 00:43:26.740
Now they've got a better understanding
00:43:26.740 --> 00:43:29.473
before they even stepped
foot outside that door.
00:43:30.578 --> 00:43:31.728
So that was a big hill.
00:43:32.900 --> 00:43:34.020
Can I jump in?
00:43:34.020 --> 00:43:37.720
So what I'm hearing from
all of y'all is the lack of current
00:43:37.720 --> 00:43:40.600
or updated maps was
truly a hindrance to you
00:43:40.600 --> 00:43:43.890
when you first jumped in
to help these communities.
00:43:43.890 --> 00:43:47.250
And it sounds like you all
have each individually found
00:43:47.250 --> 00:43:50.160
different solutions for
that mapping component.
00:43:50.160 --> 00:43:52.400
It's more of just a
compliment to you all.
00:43:52.400 --> 00:43:54.330
I guess you guys worked
with the community
00:43:54.330 --> 00:43:58.400
and found the best way to
get that data to the community
00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:01.860
and in a way that they
could actually use it
00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:04.330
in a manner that was helpful.
00:44:04.330 --> 00:44:06.150
So well done to you all.
00:44:06.150 --> 00:44:07.350
'Cause that's not an easy feat.
00:44:07.350 --> 00:44:09.250
We've been dealing with mapping issues
00:44:09.250 --> 00:44:11.110
with our flood program
for quite some time.
00:44:11.110 --> 00:44:14.800
And they're pervasive
within the state as well.
00:44:14.800 --> 00:44:16.050
Do you have a comment, Jeff?
00:44:16.050 --> 00:44:17.370
I was wondering
your perfect world.
00:44:17.370 --> 00:44:19.793
What hurts somebody used in.
00:44:19.793 --> 00:44:23.690
In a perfect world what's
the best mapping software.
00:44:23.690 --> 00:44:25.940
Ain't it a GIS top software.
00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:28.740
It's gonna be
dependent upon the city.
00:44:28.740 --> 00:44:31.550
Every city has different capabilities.
00:44:31.550 --> 00:44:32.903
The cities I work with,
00:44:33.740 --> 00:44:36.170
I'll say they're
technologically challenged.
00:44:36.170 --> 00:44:40.720
So make it as easy as
possible to access the data.
00:44:40.720 --> 00:44:41.553
They'll use it.
00:44:41.553 --> 00:44:43.683
If it's hard, cumbersome,
they're not gonna use it.
00:44:43.683 --> 00:44:48.003
So it's not a very easy
system that works best.
00:44:49.231 --> 00:44:50.910
Not to my experience.
00:44:51.750 --> 00:44:56.453
there is not a one software
catch-all for everybody.
00:44:57.490 --> 00:44:59.380
I love EZRI, I love what they do.
00:44:59.380 --> 00:45:00.920
You've got a lot of capabilities.
00:45:00.920 --> 00:45:02.700
It's extremely powerful.
00:45:02.700 --> 00:45:05.400
But if you've got a rural city that
00:45:05.400 --> 00:45:08.900
now has two staff
members that they're lucky,
00:45:08.900 --> 00:45:11.260
if you can get them to
print a word document,
00:45:11.260 --> 00:45:13.400
trying to get them to
learn a new software
00:45:13.400 --> 00:45:17.460
and try to go fix water line
breaks, wastewater clogs,
00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:19.820
it's pretty cumbersome for them.
00:45:19.820 --> 00:45:23.250
Why isn't there a catchall
for these small communities?
00:45:23.250 --> 00:45:24.730
It sounds like this would be something
00:45:24.730 --> 00:45:28.150
that a company would actually
wanna put out a product for.
00:45:28.150 --> 00:45:31.050
It seems like it's needed and wanted,
00:45:31.050 --> 00:45:33.640
something that is user-friendly and easy
00:45:33.640 --> 00:45:34.930
for these smaller communities.
00:45:34.930 --> 00:45:38.366
Why hasn't someone
develop that catchall?
00:45:38.366 --> 00:45:40.830
There's others that have
tried to get into the market.
00:45:40.830 --> 00:45:42.780
And I will say, I don't wanna say try.
00:45:42.780 --> 00:45:46.030
They are in the market. We
use global mapper quite a bit.
00:45:46.030 --> 00:45:51.030
It's I call Esri the Cadillac
of GIS global mappers,
00:45:52.080 --> 00:45:53.700
kind of the scaled down version of that.
00:45:53.700 --> 00:45:55.600
It's not as robust,
00:45:55.600 --> 00:45:58.880
but it's also in my opinion
and more user friendly.
00:45:58.880 --> 00:46:02.530
They have, again, they
can export it to mango maps.
00:46:02.530 --> 00:46:07.430
That is an online data
sharing house. That's available.
00:46:07.430 --> 00:46:10.120
But again, it's another
piece of software
00:46:10.120 --> 00:46:11.800
that you've got to get somebody to use.
00:46:11.800 --> 00:46:14.787
And that's kind of the
disconnect that I'm seeing when
00:46:14.787 --> 00:46:18.430
you've got staff members
that have been with the city
00:46:18.430 --> 00:46:20.660
for 20 plus years, that's all they know,
00:46:20.660 --> 00:46:22.280
that's all they wanna do.
00:46:22.280 --> 00:46:24.883
Now bring in technology into this,
00:46:28.247 --> 00:46:30.050
I don't want this to
sound negative at all,
00:46:30.050 --> 00:46:34.140
but the younger generation
that embraces technology,
00:46:34.140 --> 00:46:35.600
once they start moving up,
00:46:35.600 --> 00:46:38.640
the technology will
become more of a mainstay
00:46:38.640 --> 00:46:40.193
in these smaller cities.
00:46:41.170 --> 00:46:44.123
Smaller cities struggle
to maintain their staff.
00:46:45.350 --> 00:46:48.100
If you've got somebody that's AA license
00:46:48.100 --> 00:46:50.190
that can handle the water wastewater,
00:46:50.190 --> 00:46:52.890
they can go to a bigger
city and make twice as much.
00:46:52.890 --> 00:46:55.635
Small city can not compete with that.
00:46:55.635 --> 00:46:57.330
What they typically end up doing is
00:46:57.330 --> 00:47:00.440
they just move the next
guy up into the position
00:47:01.624 --> 00:47:03.810
that's all they know is their city.
00:47:03.810 --> 00:47:06.470
They haven't experienced anything else.
00:47:06.470 --> 00:47:10.230
The state is experiencing
something quite similar as well.
00:47:10.230 --> 00:47:13.020
It is not just isolated
to smaller communities.
00:47:13.020 --> 00:47:15.274
It is everywhere.
00:47:15.274 --> 00:47:19.614
How you implement that and
how you get that to the staff,
00:47:19.614 --> 00:47:21.364
that's the million dollar question.
00:47:22.519 --> 00:47:27.519
Each place is work city,
like Brook said, you got that.
00:47:28.350 --> 00:47:29.183
That's correct.
00:47:29.183 --> 00:47:32.330
I've got other cities that
I would have no problem
00:47:32.330 --> 00:47:36.557
showing them the Esri
and they could run with that.
00:47:36.557 --> 00:47:38.230
And they're all excited about it.
00:47:38.230 --> 00:47:42.610
Another city you talk about
GIS and their eyes glaze over,
00:47:42.610 --> 00:47:45.650
they want a hard paper
map, which is good,
00:47:45.650 --> 00:47:49.840
but the paper map it's
outdated the minute you put it.
00:47:49.840 --> 00:47:52.120
So where do you go from there?
00:47:52.120 --> 00:47:54.680
And you know, the
paper maps for Holland,
00:47:54.680 --> 00:47:58.500
I believe they were 1992
is what they were using.
00:47:58.500 --> 00:48:00.973
So yeah, they were extremely outdated.
00:48:02.724 --> 00:48:03.900
Their a waterline break.
00:48:03.900 --> 00:48:05.692
They'd go out search for a few hours,
00:48:05.692 --> 00:48:09.580
And hopefully they
see a water bubbling up
00:48:09.580 --> 00:48:13.443
and that is their
location to the utilities.
00:48:15.430 --> 00:48:18.703
One comment I just
wanted to add on that is,
00:48:18.703 --> 00:48:20.597
I think the best system
is the one that's used
00:48:20.597 --> 00:48:25.597
If that's excel spreadsheet
or Google earth,
00:48:27.380 --> 00:48:30.320
or the technological limitations,
00:48:30.320 --> 00:48:34.983
aren't as important as the
use and accuracy of that.
00:48:36.230 --> 00:48:37.850
But it sounds like that
00:48:37.850 --> 00:48:41.070
what was identified from
the communities as being like
00:48:41.070 --> 00:48:44.870
their top priority was kind of
knowing and understanding
00:48:44.870 --> 00:48:45.703
their assets.
00:48:45.703 --> 00:48:48.810
So in every case, that
was your top priority.
00:48:48.810 --> 00:48:51.100
And then what you
found was that it wasn't
00:48:51.100 --> 00:48:54.380
a one size fits all,
or one system fits all,
00:48:54.380 --> 00:48:57.610
but again, to your point,
whoever could use it the best.
00:48:57.610 --> 00:49:02.500
And I think I remember
the vision that y'all had
00:49:02.500 --> 00:49:05.880
on your particular system was
not only that you would go out
00:49:05.880 --> 00:49:08.580
and use Google earth and
take a picture of the as is,
00:49:08.580 --> 00:49:11.880
but as an operator in
the future made a change,
00:49:11.880 --> 00:49:13.970
they take a picture
with their cell phone
00:49:13.970 --> 00:49:16.440
and be able to come
back to literally the office
00:49:16.440 --> 00:49:18.913
and be able to input that data.
00:49:20.150 --> 00:49:21.960
Further to your point,
I think that they've said
00:49:21.960 --> 00:49:24.440
the operator of the future
will have a valve wrench
00:49:24.440 --> 00:49:27.040
in one hand and an iPad in the other.
00:49:27.040 --> 00:49:31.600
So, this is, in my mind,
a great start towards that,
00:49:31.600 --> 00:49:34.330
and the other thing that
I think was a requirement
00:49:34.330 --> 00:49:36.670
that we have to take
into consideration is
00:49:36.670 --> 00:49:40.060
that whatever software was developed,
00:49:40.060 --> 00:49:41.940
the requirement was that
that was a leave behind
00:49:41.940 --> 00:49:44.040
and that belonged to the community.
00:49:44.040 --> 00:49:48.340
So that was something else
to kind of take into account.
00:49:48.340 --> 00:49:50.660
Well, and another
thing I would say is
00:49:50.660 --> 00:49:53.420
we really stress to the
city that this is a living,
00:49:53.420 --> 00:49:54.480
breathing document.
00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:56.020
This is not something you just do,
00:49:56.020 --> 00:49:59.520
put it up on the shelf and
then come back five, 10 years,
00:49:59.520 --> 00:50:02.190
pull it out and try to
do something with it.
00:50:02.190 --> 00:50:05.020
It's only as good as
the data you put into it.
00:50:05.020 --> 00:50:07.800
So it has to keep moving forward
00:50:07.800 --> 00:50:09.570
and you have to keep updating it.
00:50:09.570 --> 00:50:13.547
And I think the cities know
that, they understand that.
00:50:13.547 --> 00:50:16.570
And the problem is how
do they keep doing that?
00:50:16.570 --> 00:50:19.330
But what is the process for doing that.
00:50:19.330 --> 00:50:22.890
For them, once this
program gets it set up,
00:50:22.890 --> 00:50:24.920
what's the next step for them?
00:50:24.920 --> 00:50:27.610
And that's a big question that we had
00:50:27.610 --> 00:50:28.760
from Holland is that,
00:50:28.760 --> 00:50:31.990
Alright great, we have
all this information,
00:50:31.990 --> 00:50:35.533
what do we do with it
when we replaced this line.
00:50:36.710 --> 00:50:38.370
How does all of that get done?
00:50:38.370 --> 00:50:40.950
And what's the funding
mechanism for that?
00:50:40.950 --> 00:50:43.502
Then I don't know if
that's something that
00:50:43.502 --> 00:50:45.359
water development
Board has thought about
00:50:45.359 --> 00:50:48.960
in a recurring funding for that.
00:50:48.960 --> 00:50:53.240
If it's something the city
can pony up part of that,
00:50:53.240 --> 00:50:55.760
or some other funding mechanism
00:50:55.760 --> 00:50:57.007
to help a city out with that,
00:50:57.007 --> 00:50:59.720
'cause this was a big undertaking.
00:50:59.720 --> 00:51:01.830
And it's a lot of great data in,
00:51:01.830 --> 00:51:05.980
from my perspective as
the engineer that I love it
00:51:05.980 --> 00:51:08.163
and want it to keep living forward,
00:51:09.290 --> 00:51:11.273
but how does that happen with the city?
00:51:12.700 --> 00:51:15.950
Do they budget that
and their annual budgets,
00:51:15.950 --> 00:51:17.730
which are already razor thin
00:51:17.730 --> 00:51:21.000
and less don't have as many staff
00:51:21.000 --> 00:51:23.510
and with all the
issues that's occurring.
00:51:23.510 --> 00:51:24.810
That's kind of
the balance, isn't it?
00:51:24.810 --> 00:51:26.880
I mean, what's the investment
in what kind of investment
00:51:26.880 --> 00:51:29.770
can we do that will keep
it kind of moving forward?
00:51:29.770 --> 00:51:32.440
And that's part of why we
asked you all here to give us
00:51:32.440 --> 00:51:35.300
your thoughts and ideas,
because y you're kind of like
00:51:35.300 --> 00:51:37.750
the experts who are doing
that and have to deal with it,
00:51:37.750 --> 00:51:38.850
kind of going forward.
00:51:39.820 --> 00:51:41.430
Scott, did you have
any of your colleagues
00:51:41.430 --> 00:51:44.033
that wanted to speak to your project?
00:51:46.141 --> 00:51:48.480
We've got a few more,
for example, we did--
00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:50.469
Sorry, someone
interrupted you. So.
00:51:50.469 --> 00:51:55.080
We also did the asset
management plan using TCEQ format
00:51:55.940 --> 00:51:59.190
had that put together operation
and maintenance manual
00:51:59.190 --> 00:52:00.650
was put together.
00:52:00.650 --> 00:52:02.063
What else am I missing?
00:52:03.340 --> 00:52:06.870
We also just gave
them a kind of a snapshot
00:52:06.870 --> 00:52:09.100
of whether you are
compliance files with TCEQ,
00:52:09.100 --> 00:52:10.360
both water and wastewater.
00:52:10.360 --> 00:52:13.120
And we went ahead and
added since this system
00:52:13.120 --> 00:52:15.540
was more of a natural
systems upon system.
00:52:15.540 --> 00:52:18.330
So it was not a lot of
the mechanical parts to it.
00:52:18.330 --> 00:52:21.940
We went ahead and did a
water source vulnerability,
00:52:21.940 --> 00:52:23.200
the kind of assessment with them,
00:52:23.200 --> 00:52:26.200
just to make sure that they
are aware of where they are
00:52:26.200 --> 00:52:28.490
from a standpoint of source
and look into the future
00:52:28.490 --> 00:52:30.520
of how to manage that.
00:52:30.520 --> 00:52:32.060
They're in a regional group and just,
00:52:32.060 --> 00:52:34.330
I had opportunity to talk
with that regional group.
00:52:34.330 --> 00:52:37.670
And so we just wanted to
make sure we kind of gave them
00:52:37.670 --> 00:52:39.390
we were in there and
had opportunity to time
00:52:39.390 --> 00:52:42.290
and give them kind of a
holistic picture of their utility.
00:52:44.430 --> 00:52:47.884
And I know we have a question
on the TCEQ amps coming up.
00:52:47.884 --> 00:52:50.130
I don't know if Phillip
wants to Roach that now,
00:52:50.130 --> 00:52:51.850
but I'm sure he may have a lot to say
00:52:51.850 --> 00:52:53.903
on our number one question.
00:52:55.260 --> 00:52:58.070
We'll go ahead and go
to the other communities
00:52:58.070 --> 00:52:59.843
before we start with those.
00:53:00.930 --> 00:53:02.340
Thank y'all.
00:53:02.340 --> 00:53:05.653
Next, we'll go to the
city of Pittsburgh project.
00:53:07.240 --> 00:53:08.462
Thank you.
00:53:08.462 --> 00:53:12.010
So the city of Pittsburgh
at the kickoff meeting
00:53:12.010 --> 00:53:15.770
had already invested with the
Texas council of government
00:53:15.770 --> 00:53:18.570
to handle their GIS that
they were working on.
00:53:18.570 --> 00:53:19.863
What they were finding out is
00:53:19.863 --> 00:53:22.030
they were using their existing maps
00:53:23.132 --> 00:53:24.937
to enter the data into the GIS
00:53:24.937 --> 00:53:27.040
and of course, it
wasn't always lining up
00:53:27.040 --> 00:53:28.710
with where they wanted to be.
00:53:28.710 --> 00:53:31.162
So we talked about two or three things
00:53:31.162 --> 00:53:32.140
with the kickoff meeting.
00:53:32.140 --> 00:53:34.740
One was to go ahead and
get the asset management plan
00:53:34.740 --> 00:53:37.743
based on the TCEQ format.
00:53:38.775 --> 00:53:40.160
It's a wastewater project,
00:53:40.160 --> 00:53:42.510
so we looked at the why the
operation and maintenance manual
00:53:42.510 --> 00:53:44.120
at the wastewater plant,
00:53:44.120 --> 00:53:46.600
and then the GIS kept coming up as well.
00:53:46.600 --> 00:53:49.950
So we partnered with the
city where the city went out,
00:53:49.950 --> 00:53:51.640
located the manholes.
00:53:51.640 --> 00:53:53.790
We actually brought
out through survey data
00:53:54.643 --> 00:53:57.420
just two survey equipment
where we could just
00:53:57.420 --> 00:54:01.860
hit a point, attach
photos of the manholes,
00:54:01.860 --> 00:54:03.970
condition of the manholes with it
00:54:03.970 --> 00:54:06.130
and enter that data very quickly.
00:54:06.130 --> 00:54:10.510
So with the city locating the
manholes and us coming back in
00:54:10.510 --> 00:54:12.610
doing the measurements
and doing the pictures
00:54:12.610 --> 00:54:15.790
and actually giving
them a true GIS point.
00:54:15.790 --> 00:54:18.070
They were able to get
that information back to
00:54:18.070 --> 00:54:21.410
the East Texas council of governments
00:54:21.410 --> 00:54:22.830
who was managing their GIS system
00:54:22.830 --> 00:54:25.520
and then we were once again,
00:54:25.520 --> 00:54:30.520
blessed a lot of their
historical maps drawings plans.
00:54:30.650 --> 00:54:35.620
And so we were able to help
them be able to attach that
00:54:35.620 --> 00:54:38.960
information to their GIS
in the appropriate point
00:54:38.960 --> 00:54:40.519
so they can do the same
thing where they could click
00:54:40.519 --> 00:54:42.423
on the system and work it.
00:54:43.660 --> 00:54:44.610
That was part of it.
00:54:44.610 --> 00:54:48.360
The other part of that the
city was really interested
00:54:48.360 --> 00:54:49.760
in was of course an inventory of all
00:54:49.760 --> 00:54:54.760
their mechanical
equipment and lift stations,
00:54:55.630 --> 00:54:59.567
as well as their wastewater
plant and operations.
00:54:59.567 --> 00:55:02.877
So we were able to document that as well
00:55:04.580 --> 00:55:06.890
as part of the maintenance plan.
00:55:06.890 --> 00:55:09.900
And then we were also able
to link that back to the GIS
00:55:09.900 --> 00:55:11.123
so that they could have,
00:55:12.466 --> 00:55:15.890
they got a lift station and I
know what age the pumps are,
00:55:15.890 --> 00:55:16.760
what size they are,
00:55:16.760 --> 00:55:19.090
who manufactured
them and things like that.
00:55:19.090 --> 00:55:20.780
That has got to be a living document
00:55:20.780 --> 00:55:22.603
to keep that information up-to-date,
00:55:24.217 --> 00:55:26.710
but it's the same song, different verse.
00:55:26.710 --> 00:55:30.720
They were in the same
situation where a lot of their staff
00:55:30.720 --> 00:55:33.590
is aging out, ready to retire.
00:55:33.590 --> 00:55:36.570
And so this has helped them transition.
00:55:36.570 --> 00:55:38.770
And I think that's one of the
main reasons they were really
00:55:38.770 --> 00:55:41.910
interested in this project
was to get that transition so
00:55:41.910 --> 00:55:44.540
they could retain that knowledge
and some of them besides.
00:55:44.540 --> 00:55:46.010
I like the story you elaborate
00:55:46.010 --> 00:55:49.173
that you've mentioned
earlier, something besides that.
00:55:51.290 --> 00:55:53.580
So you actually had some
pretty positive outcomes
00:55:53.580 --> 00:55:56.450
from the approach you had
from the operating manual
00:55:56.450 --> 00:55:58.010
as I recall.
00:55:58.010 --> 00:55:58.880
We did.
00:55:58.880 --> 00:56:03.880
So we took it as a tube approach
since we already had a lot
00:56:04.300 --> 00:56:05.910
of the operation and maintenance manual
00:56:05.910 --> 00:56:08.410
and had a lot of the
information to update,
00:56:08.410 --> 00:56:09.460
we actually approached it,
00:56:09.460 --> 00:56:12.690
well, we went back
in with the AA operator
00:56:12.690 --> 00:56:14.350
that was on our staff to go back in
00:56:14.350 --> 00:56:19.320
and help them to prepare an
abbreviated manual if you will,
00:56:19.320 --> 00:56:21.500
so that they wouldn't
be staring at a book.
00:56:21.500 --> 00:56:23.040
that was four inches thick.
00:56:23.040 --> 00:56:26.440
They were staring at a
short abbreviated manual
00:56:27.530 --> 00:56:30.760
and then have that
operator actually go through
00:56:31.620 --> 00:56:33.530
and train their staff at the time,
00:56:33.530 --> 00:56:36.900
plus document maintenance
00:56:36.900 --> 00:56:40.350
and what was really
required to keep it operating.
00:56:40.350 --> 00:56:42.820
It's kind of an executive
summary for operators,
00:56:42.820 --> 00:56:44.973
so to speak and
then-- It was.
00:56:44.973 --> 00:56:47.440
It was an executive
summary for owner manual
00:56:48.320 --> 00:56:50.910
that they could carry around with them.
00:56:50.910 --> 00:56:52.770
And then some
checklist as well.
00:56:52.770 --> 00:56:53.603
We did.
00:56:53.603 --> 00:56:55.180
We had checklists and that owner manual
00:56:55.180 --> 00:56:57.040
where they daily operations.
00:56:57.040 --> 00:56:58.930
This is what you check
off, this is what you do,
00:56:58.930 --> 00:57:02.790
whether that daily, weekly,
monthly, how that works,
00:57:02.790 --> 00:57:05.730
as well as our operator was able to take
00:57:05.730 --> 00:57:08.130
and he was, he was a biologist as well.
00:57:08.130 --> 00:57:11.723
So he was able to take his microscope
00:57:11.723 --> 00:57:15.680
and be able to show them
exactly what the process
00:57:15.680 --> 00:57:17.320
would look like when
it started to go bad.
00:57:17.320 --> 00:57:20.780
So if you see this type of
bug and it looks this way,
00:57:20.780 --> 00:57:22.713
then this is your reaction to it.
00:57:24.960 --> 00:57:28.360
Have you seen
any real life examples
00:57:28.360 --> 00:57:31.230
of having that manual in place
00:57:31.230 --> 00:57:33.970
and having a transition occur and.
00:57:33.970 --> 00:57:37.840
When we talked to the
city manager at the follow-up,
00:57:37.840 --> 00:57:41.150
they had a staff member
that was out in another portion
00:57:41.150 --> 00:57:44.250
of the operations that
moved to the wastewater plant
00:57:44.250 --> 00:57:46.210
and was able to take
that manual and actually
00:57:46.210 --> 00:57:51.210
follow it through and
said that the transition
00:57:51.210 --> 00:57:53.910
to actually come up to
speed with operating that plant
00:57:53.910 --> 00:57:58.100
was significantly quicker than
it would have been otherwise.
00:57:58.100 --> 00:58:00.840
And so they were
extremely happy with that.
00:58:00.840 --> 00:58:03.063
And that was that same
thing people aging out,
00:58:03.063 --> 00:58:05.913
this is a way to get
them back in sooner.
00:58:06.780 --> 00:58:07.930
So again, kind of twofold,
00:58:07.930 --> 00:58:09.940
not only knowing where your assets are,
00:58:09.940 --> 00:58:12.150
identifying what's needed
to be done for the upgrades,
00:58:12.150 --> 00:58:15.190
but also this importance
of for compliance
00:58:15.190 --> 00:58:18.350
and for long-term
sustainability of the asset,
00:58:18.350 --> 00:58:21.750
having that executive
summary for operators,
00:58:21.750 --> 00:58:23.420
and then also that maintenance check
00:58:23.420 --> 00:58:25.270
that they're doing on a routine basis.
00:58:25.270 --> 00:58:26.830
Absolutely.
Excellent.
00:58:26.830 --> 00:58:30.740
And you would think that a
checklist and executive summary
00:58:30.740 --> 00:58:33.210
would be something that
is just basic maintenance,
00:58:33.210 --> 00:58:36.260
but obviously it was a very
proactive approach for you all
00:58:36.260 --> 00:58:38.783
and really helped with your staff.
00:58:40.620 --> 00:58:42.270
And we just realized
when we showed them
00:58:42.270 --> 00:58:43.130
the O an M manual,
00:58:43.130 --> 00:58:45.880
or when we brought it
back up and we opened it up,
00:58:45.880 --> 00:58:48.380
it's like it was saying
their eyes glazed over it,
00:58:48.380 --> 00:58:49.420
that thick book.
00:58:49.420 --> 00:58:52.060
And we thought this
has gotta be something
00:58:52.060 --> 00:58:53.190
that doesn't happen with.
00:58:53.190 --> 00:58:55.166
So we tried to scale
it down to something
00:58:55.166 --> 00:58:58.050
that was manageable,
00:58:58.050 --> 00:58:59.660
that you could take in without having
00:58:59.660 --> 00:59:02.107
to spend three weeks reading it.
00:59:02.107 --> 00:59:04.260
So the value of those
outside eyes coming in, I mean,
00:59:04.260 --> 00:59:07.210
something that you would
think is just very basic
00:59:07.210 --> 00:59:09.673
hadn't occurred to 10 cartoons.
00:59:11.170 --> 00:59:12.470
That's great. Thank you.
00:59:14.830 --> 00:59:15.830
All right. Thank you, Annie.
00:59:15.830 --> 00:59:18.963
And finally, we'll get to
the city of Three Rivers.
00:59:25.680 --> 00:59:26.780
Yes. This is Joe Treyho.
00:59:26.780 --> 00:59:27.653
Can you hear me?
00:59:29.220 --> 00:59:32.090
Yes sir. Hear you and see you.
00:59:32.090 --> 00:59:33.830
Maybe back in?
00:59:33.830 --> 00:59:35.210
Well, thank you very much instance,
00:59:35.210 --> 00:59:38.610
cause you so far and
shows the small towns,
00:59:38.610 --> 00:59:41.710
even though they're small
and what can find Three Rivers,
00:59:41.710 --> 00:59:43.980
they're very proactive
in trying to keep up
00:59:43.980 --> 00:59:45.840
with system actually.
00:59:45.840 --> 00:59:50.100
And we first started out,
we have this little problems,
00:59:50.100 --> 00:59:53.883
maps and information,
gathering them all together.
00:59:57.417 --> 01:00:00.167
What was fortunate for
us as the city manager
01:00:02.000 --> 01:00:04.550
been there many years and
kind of worked his way up
01:00:06.261 --> 01:00:08.310
it was a utility storage along the way.
01:00:08.310 --> 01:00:12.580
So as we went through and
cataloged all the equipment,
01:00:12.580 --> 01:00:15.303
the motors, pumps work hours, lines,
01:00:16.640 --> 01:00:20.750
there was a small town pride
in keeping up our system,
01:00:20.750 --> 01:00:24.100
making sure that the able
body product to the citizens,
01:00:24.100 --> 01:00:26.233
of course meet all PCG requirements,
01:00:27.260 --> 01:00:32.260
would help them with the
short term, mid term, long term,
01:00:33.757 --> 01:00:36.790
one to five years,
five to 10 and beyond.
01:00:36.790 --> 01:00:41.630
And I think that one of the
items that came up was a number
01:00:41.630 --> 01:00:43.570
called by Patrick to stand,
01:00:43.570 --> 01:00:47.950
kind of do a interim review
about about a year later
01:00:47.950 --> 01:00:48.840
and went down there.
01:00:48.840 --> 01:00:51.310
And I really hadn't
talked to the manager.
01:00:51.310 --> 01:00:53.470
We had call back.
01:00:53.470 --> 01:00:56.050
They did say that they were using it.
01:00:56.050 --> 01:00:59.460
And it was pleasant to see
that they actually were following
01:00:59.460 --> 01:01:01.920
through with the first-year requirements
01:01:01.920 --> 01:01:03.573
and that's air pumps, motors.
01:01:04.550 --> 01:01:07.450
I think the other thing that
was good was going out there
01:01:07.450 --> 01:01:11.040
and meeting with them and
discussing all their challenges,
01:01:11.040 --> 01:01:13.860
the course, budgetary departments.
01:01:13.860 --> 01:01:18.860
They were able to keep pumps
and pumps and motors as needed.
01:01:19.410 --> 01:01:23.510
If they needed something to
be sent off. They had a backup.
01:01:23.510 --> 01:01:25.470
One of the good things
about Three Rivers is that
01:01:25.470 --> 01:01:28.530
it's located close to
of course at the dam
01:01:28.530 --> 01:01:31.660
to the west is down at Three Rivers.
01:01:31.660 --> 01:01:35.580
So they're not only able to
take water from basically dam
01:01:35.580 --> 01:01:37.580
where their system,
01:01:37.580 --> 01:01:40.350
they also have a right to the river
01:01:40.350 --> 01:01:42.150
and they have that as a backup
01:01:42.150 --> 01:01:43.837
and they actually keep up
some backup plant pumps
01:01:43.837 --> 01:01:47.990
that they actually run
periodically to be sure
01:01:47.990 --> 01:01:51.930
just in case their
system fails at the dam,
01:01:51.930 --> 01:01:55.780
they can simply draw from
the river while their pumps
01:01:55.780 --> 01:02:00.780
set to them or repaired or
whatever services they have.
01:02:03.242 --> 01:02:07.990
The other usual issues
of line breaks, older lines.
01:02:07.990 --> 01:02:10.690
We have a lot of system.
01:02:10.690 --> 01:02:14.750
They gave us the information
and updated that with them.
01:02:14.750 --> 01:02:19.750
And I think the report
as we put it together,
01:02:20.610 --> 01:02:22.180
it actually helps them, again,
01:02:22.180 --> 01:02:25.990
that's been discussed
quite a bit on the alternatives
01:02:25.990 --> 01:02:30.810
and that way they're
looking at their system
01:02:30.810 --> 01:02:34.850
and it's also been stated,
this is a living document,
01:02:34.850 --> 01:02:37.210
actually it's useful.
01:02:37.210 --> 01:02:39.410
And many times some of these reports
01:02:39.410 --> 01:02:42.000
that I've personally done in the past,
01:02:42.000 --> 01:02:43.830
they go back to something,
you said, insert Board.
01:02:43.830 --> 01:02:47.630
It's simply stuck up on the
shelf and not really usable.
01:02:47.630 --> 01:02:49.173
This one is really been used.
01:02:50.070 --> 01:02:52.540
And they keep up with
it for their budgeting
01:02:52.540 --> 01:02:55.590
or their longterm and evaluation systems
01:02:55.590 --> 01:02:59.000
and ensure that they're up-to-date
and where they're headed.
01:02:59.000 --> 01:03:01.500
One of the items that
read to you out there,
01:03:01.500 --> 01:03:06.500
they had a pumping station
that was not really good at it.
01:03:06.720 --> 01:03:09.840
It looked all right when
we reviewed it a year ago,
01:03:09.840 --> 01:03:12.695
but it wasn't scheduled to
have actually any maintenance
01:03:12.695 --> 01:03:16.690
or replacements or any improvements.
01:03:16.690 --> 01:03:18.400
And actually some of the system bit,
01:03:18.400 --> 01:03:21.007
some of it failed and
they actually went ahead
01:03:21.007 --> 01:03:23.950
and replaced the good
pumps and bought a backup.
01:03:23.950 --> 01:03:27.660
And actually ahead of
schedule and felt like this
01:03:30.182 --> 01:03:32.880
our plan helped them prepare for that.
01:03:32.880 --> 01:03:36.400
And of course it keeps effective.
01:03:36.400 --> 01:03:38.310
It's an unexpected tool.
01:03:38.310 --> 01:03:40.773
It helps them with their inventory,
01:03:41.670 --> 01:03:42.770
what is the project worth?
01:03:42.770 --> 01:03:44.393
Is it worth moving forward?
01:03:45.343 --> 01:03:46.470
I think it gives them alternatives,
01:03:46.470 --> 01:03:49.910
because if they go back to the
same old way of doing things,
01:03:49.910 --> 01:03:50.743
simply replace replace it.
01:03:50.743 --> 01:03:52.910
And they can look at
maybe doing an alternative
01:03:52.910 --> 01:03:57.260
or change a purchase plane
or a line or through a line.
01:03:57.260 --> 01:04:00.490
I think it gives them a sense of
01:04:00.490 --> 01:04:02.490
what's the re painting
life of the system.
01:04:02.490 --> 01:04:04.380
And what's the return on investment.
01:04:04.380 --> 01:04:06.320
What's the best thing to do.
01:04:06.320 --> 01:04:10.540
Again, that's on their
budgeting and costing
01:04:10.540 --> 01:04:13.493
and a lot of them are
looking at for sustainability.
01:04:14.420 --> 01:04:19.420
And then in working out there with them,
01:04:19.703 --> 01:04:24.230
that they do look at the
condition versus performance,
01:04:24.230 --> 01:04:26.783
so they can really
get quite a bit out of it.
01:04:27.975 --> 01:04:29.980
They push it, but they
know enough to keep
01:04:29.980 --> 01:04:34.520
a spare pump motor
equipment as a backup.
01:04:34.520 --> 01:04:36.670
So I was impressed with that.
01:04:36.670 --> 01:04:37.745
And then the--
01:04:37.745 --> 01:04:38.870
And one of the things
that you mentioned
01:04:38.870 --> 01:04:42.330
in your conversation had
to do with implementation.
01:04:42.330 --> 01:04:45.360
So what would you say that was
in this asset management plan
01:04:45.360 --> 01:04:50.260
that really was meaningful or different
01:04:50.260 --> 01:04:55.260
or enabled them to
actually implement it?
01:04:55.420 --> 01:04:57.120
Because as you mentioned earlier,
01:04:57.120 --> 01:04:58.310
implementation was the key.
01:04:58.310 --> 01:05:00.630
You gave a couple of
examples of implementation,
01:05:00.630 --> 01:05:03.843
but could you just
expand on that a little bit?
01:05:04.920 --> 01:05:07.970
Well, in preparing this,
we actually inventory,
01:05:07.970 --> 01:05:11.090
obviously everybody did
inventory, the entire system,
01:05:11.090 --> 01:05:14.120
we rated it and we actually set out
01:05:14.120 --> 01:05:17.767
entire Excel spreadsheets
of year one items, year two,
01:05:17.767 --> 01:05:20.900
and they ha they have
all their equipment lines
01:05:20.900 --> 01:05:22.670
in one location.
01:05:22.670 --> 01:05:25.970
And that's what helps them know.
01:05:25.970 --> 01:05:29.130
They weren't guessing at a certain item.
01:05:29.130 --> 01:05:32.740
They actually have a field
and they had their maps.
01:05:32.740 --> 01:05:35.370
They have a feel of their entire system
01:05:36.597 --> 01:05:40.730
and what it takes to
prepare for a project
01:05:40.730 --> 01:05:42.240
and other implementing a repair.
01:05:42.240 --> 01:05:45.360
And what isn't horizon as for other
01:05:45.360 --> 01:05:48.420
future modifications or improvements.
01:05:48.420 --> 01:05:51.400
So I think put this whole
booklet together for him
01:05:51.400 --> 01:05:54.370
and include ONM and things like that.
01:05:54.370 --> 01:05:58.380
Budgeting also the
managers that didn't help them
01:05:58.380 --> 01:06:01.697
help prepare the
emergency preparedness plan
01:06:01.697 --> 01:06:03.210
that the TCEQ is required.
01:06:03.210 --> 01:06:05.400
So it's turned out
to be helpful for that.
01:06:05.400 --> 01:06:07.670
So I think it gets a long range,
01:06:07.670 --> 01:06:09.800
look at their entire system.
01:06:09.800 --> 01:06:13.390
And although it's static once a year,
01:06:13.390 --> 01:06:16.550
they do keep up and they
don't have any exotic software
01:06:16.550 --> 01:06:17.383
that they all mentioned.
01:06:17.383 --> 01:06:19.513
They have the simple Excel sheets,
01:06:21.286 --> 01:06:22.380
but they do keep up with it.
01:06:22.380 --> 01:06:24.092
They do keep up with their system
01:06:24.092 --> 01:06:27.309
and they're very aware
of what the system can do
01:06:27.309 --> 01:06:29.230
and where they have their problems.
01:06:29.230 --> 01:06:33.430
And this simply a tool to help
them categorize everything
01:06:33.430 --> 01:06:35.230
and remember where everything is at.
01:06:36.137 --> 01:06:39.280
Excellent point is that
it's a tool or something
01:06:39.280 --> 01:06:40.940
these operators are gonna be able to use
01:06:40.940 --> 01:06:43.680
and the city's gonna be
able to use for years to come.
01:06:43.680 --> 01:06:45.865
That's a great summary. Thank you.
01:06:45.865 --> 01:06:46.782
Yes, ma'am.
01:06:48.874 --> 01:06:50.527
I think Patrick we've
heard from everyone?
01:06:50.527 --> 01:06:53.070
Yes.
Ashley, next item, please.
01:06:54.739 --> 01:06:56.710
Chairwoman, the
next item on the agenda
01:06:56.710 --> 01:07:00.160
is amps pilot initiative
projects round table discussion
01:07:00.160 --> 01:07:02.440
with invited participants.
01:07:02.440 --> 01:07:04.380
Perfect. I will start.
01:07:04.380 --> 01:07:07.680
The AMS program has used
the asset management plan format
01:07:07.680 --> 01:07:10.030
that is suggested by the TCEQ.
01:07:10.030 --> 01:07:12.500
Do you feel that this is
the best format to use
01:07:12.500 --> 01:07:15.760
or is there another
format that is better?
01:07:15.760 --> 01:07:18.440
And are there any specific
elements from other formats
01:07:18.440 --> 01:07:20.990
that you feel would be
beneficial to add to the elements
01:07:20.990 --> 01:07:22.643
of the TCEQ format?
01:07:24.957 --> 01:07:27.633
I believe I will let
Philip answer that one.
01:07:32.409 --> 01:07:33.473
Let's see. There we go.
01:07:35.850 --> 01:07:39.373
Hi, chairwoman, director Jackson.
01:07:40.490 --> 01:07:42.540
I'm madam happy to discuss that area.
01:07:42.540 --> 01:07:47.054
I think that the TCEQ
tool is an excellent tool.
01:07:47.054 --> 01:07:52.054
Again, I'm speaking in
regards to the small systems
01:07:52.160 --> 01:07:55.100
that we are targeting
the small rural systems.
01:07:55.100 --> 01:07:57.573
Number one, because it's Excel
based and then many of them,
01:07:57.573 --> 01:08:00.260
not all of them already have Excel
01:08:00.260 --> 01:08:04.643
and have some a basic
knowledge on how to use the tool.
01:08:05.860 --> 01:08:09.780
It also gives them a step
by step guide on how to use it
01:08:11.010 --> 01:08:14.980
as well as TCEQ can provide assistance
01:08:14.980 --> 01:08:18.000
to the FMT assistance program.
01:08:18.000 --> 01:08:20.770
Yes, as individual citizens
may need it for follow-up
01:08:20.770 --> 01:08:23.610
or a further instruction,
that can be used
01:08:23.610 --> 01:08:26.990
in conjunction with the Boards effort
01:08:28.310 --> 01:08:30.340
to keep the program going.
01:08:30.340 --> 01:08:33.830
The only other asset
management tool that I have used
01:08:33.830 --> 01:08:36.393
is the Cubs program,
which I spoke about earlier.
01:08:37.250 --> 01:08:39.570
And the reason why I wouldn't
primarily wouldn't recommend
01:08:39.570 --> 01:08:43.230
it is because it's no longer
be supported by EPA.
01:08:43.230 --> 01:08:45.100
So if someone were to
go through the process
01:08:45.100 --> 01:08:47.770
of setting it up and then later
on, when they get an update
01:08:47.770 --> 01:08:50.170
in their operating system,
01:08:50.170 --> 01:08:52.120
then they want work for.
01:08:52.120 --> 01:08:57.120
So that's why I asked what
the asset management tool.
01:08:57.190 --> 01:09:00.830
Just as a side note is that
once our team started discussing
01:09:00.830 --> 01:09:04.740
Holland, even though the
scope of work was for wastewater,
01:09:04.740 --> 01:09:07.090
we went ahead and included
the asset management plan
01:09:07.090 --> 01:09:11.750
for both water and wastewater,
just as an added value,
01:09:11.750 --> 01:09:14.010
'cause we thought there
would be a benefit to the city.
01:09:14.010 --> 01:09:15.460
So our whole team agreed on that
01:09:15.460 --> 01:09:18.400
and we went forward with that.
01:09:18.400 --> 01:09:22.150
One very, very, I think,
important benefit to us
01:09:22.150 --> 01:09:25.530
having the asset measure
plan completed form this fact that
01:09:25.530 --> 01:09:27.780
Scott mentioned is that
they now have a turnover.
01:09:27.780 --> 01:09:30.970
CEO's secretary has gone
public works to where it has gone,
01:09:30.970 --> 01:09:32.230
operator's gone.
01:09:32.230 --> 01:09:34.283
So we can now have a tool
that's already been developed
01:09:34.283 --> 01:09:36.860
that we can take
out to the current staff
01:09:36.860 --> 01:09:39.360
and sit down and just
train them on how to use it.
01:09:40.990 --> 01:09:44.453
In terms of speaking
to the issue of follow-up,
01:09:45.400 --> 01:09:49.170
this can be incorporated
into their annual budget cycle,
01:09:49.170 --> 01:09:51.800
maybe two or three months
before they actually get
01:09:51.800 --> 01:09:53.820
into the full blown budget cycle.
01:09:53.820 --> 01:09:55.870
They go out and about
at a minimum once a year,
01:09:55.870 --> 01:09:58.150
update the asset management plan
01:09:58.150 --> 01:10:01.860
and then use that annual funding amount
01:10:01.860 --> 01:10:04.567
is gonna be needed to fund
the asset management tool
01:10:04.567 --> 01:10:06.770
and to incorporate it into their budget,
01:10:06.770 --> 01:10:10.330
as well as a registry so
that they can go about saying
01:10:10.330 --> 01:10:11.250
how they're gonna fund it.
01:10:11.250 --> 01:10:14.120
So those are ways you can
look at keeping it going as well
01:10:14.120 --> 01:10:17.243
as potentially filing a
funding process for it.
01:10:19.050 --> 01:10:20.430
The other thing I liked about,
01:10:20.430 --> 01:10:23.120
I've worked with numerous small systems
01:10:23.120 --> 01:10:26.320
under the TCEQ FMT assistance program
01:10:26.320 --> 01:10:29.040
and actually providing
one-on-one assistance in setting up
01:10:29.040 --> 01:10:30.600
the asset management program.
01:10:30.600 --> 01:10:32.950
And many of them, we actually took it
01:10:32.950 --> 01:10:34.710
from five years to 10 years.
01:10:34.710 --> 01:10:36.580
So once we do the five-year projects,
01:10:36.580 --> 01:10:40.240
get that set up because it's
Excel base is hardly any effort
01:10:40.240 --> 01:10:42.400
whatsoever to extended
another five years
01:10:42.400 --> 01:10:44.313
and go out to 10 years.
01:10:45.180 --> 01:10:47.080
'Cause Manda asked
us life is gonna be longer
01:10:47.080 --> 01:10:47.913
than five years.
01:10:47.913 --> 01:10:50.750
So I found that 10 years
was much more appropriate
01:10:50.750 --> 01:10:52.820
in a lot of cases, but
we start with the five,
01:10:52.820 --> 01:10:55.800
but they don't have anything
and then go with the 10.
01:10:55.800 --> 01:10:57.700
So that'd be my comments there.
01:10:57.700 --> 01:10:59.280
Did I answered a lot of the questions
01:10:59.280 --> 01:11:01.493
or is there courses additional?
01:11:02.550 --> 01:11:05.130
No, I believe you thoroughly
answered the question.
01:11:05.130 --> 01:11:06.585
Thank you.
01:11:06.585 --> 01:11:08.203
I didn't have a
follow-up though.
01:11:10.060 --> 01:11:13.720
You mentioned the right study.
01:11:13.720 --> 01:11:17.040
And what I recall is that
01:11:17.040 --> 01:11:19.653
not only did y'all kind of
move forward and do the water
01:11:19.653 --> 01:11:20.870
and the wastewater,
01:11:20.870 --> 01:11:23.810
which was kind of expanding
and thank you very much,
01:11:23.810 --> 01:11:26.020
the scope for that small community,
01:11:26.020 --> 01:11:31.020
but you also, I wanna
remember data robust right study.
01:11:31.380 --> 01:11:33.820
And could you speak
to that a little bit?
01:11:33.820 --> 01:11:35.660
And I know that wasn't
necessarily a requirement.
01:11:35.660 --> 01:11:38.160
It was only to identify
whether one was needed,
01:11:38.160 --> 01:11:39.890
but any thoughts there
01:11:41.386 --> 01:11:44.160
on the value of that and
how you might approach that
01:11:44.160 --> 01:11:45.603
in other situations?
01:11:46.720 --> 01:11:49.620
Yes, what I did was
review their current rates
01:11:49.620 --> 01:11:52.010
and to see if the
current ways will support
01:11:52.010 --> 01:11:55.110
the asset management
plan is terms of funding.
01:11:55.110 --> 01:11:57.190
And I found that it did not.
01:11:57.190 --> 01:11:59.970
But we didn't actually
do a full blown study.
01:11:59.970 --> 01:12:04.683
I did recommend to them
to reach out to TCEQ,
01:12:05.660 --> 01:12:08.300
'cause I didn't do race studies
under the PUC assistance
01:12:08.300 --> 01:12:10.343
program as well for small systems.
01:12:11.210 --> 01:12:13.990
So they could get a race
started done through that
01:12:13.990 --> 01:12:16.360
assistance program at no cost.
01:12:16.360 --> 01:12:18.543
That was quite a switch over
and leaving them the staff.
01:12:18.543 --> 01:12:21.440
So I don't think that
actually got followed up on
01:12:22.543 --> 01:12:24.877
and then I detailed as
well in my written report,
01:12:24.877 --> 01:12:27.260
all of the business we had and so forth,
01:12:27.260 --> 01:12:30.020
but we just revealed the rates
and compared it to whether
01:12:30.020 --> 01:12:33.840
or not they had the funds to go forward
01:12:33.840 --> 01:12:35.220
and find the assets as needed,
01:12:35.220 --> 01:12:37.400
but not a full blown rate study.
01:12:37.400 --> 01:12:38.860
Thank you.
01:12:38.860 --> 01:12:40.230
Yes, ma'am
01:12:40.230 --> 01:12:43.113
All right. I will turn it
over to Ms. Jackson.
01:12:44.530 --> 01:12:46.330
We have another comment.
01:12:46.330 --> 01:12:48.090
Eric, did you have air call?
01:12:48.090 --> 01:12:49.850
Did you have something
to add to this question?
01:12:49.850 --> 01:12:51.260
Yeah, I appreciate that.
01:12:51.260 --> 01:12:52.160
I finally made it.
01:12:53.520 --> 01:12:56.100
I do have a comment. I
agree with what he said.
01:12:57.760 --> 01:13:00.350
I think we ought to try to
keep it as simple as possible
01:13:00.350 --> 01:13:04.850
to start with basically
getting the mapping
01:13:04.850 --> 01:13:06.450
and the base mapping together.
01:13:06.450 --> 01:13:10.260
And asset conditions
is a big enough task.
01:13:10.260 --> 01:13:12.170
If we stick with something simple
01:13:12.170 --> 01:13:14.320
and it's kind of
programmed that the TCEQ
01:13:14.320 --> 01:13:16.190
has a place to start with,
01:13:16.190 --> 01:13:20.323
I would really highly recommend
we do that going forward.
01:13:24.240 --> 01:13:25.073
Thanks Eric.
01:13:28.157 --> 01:13:29.060
So I know in a perfect world,
01:13:29.060 --> 01:13:32.380
you do water and wastewater for this,
01:13:32.380 --> 01:13:33.370
but if you had to pick,
01:13:33.370 --> 01:13:34.870
is it more important
to water or wastewater
01:13:34.870 --> 01:13:37.240
or does it depend on the
type of water you're treating
01:13:37.240 --> 01:13:40.860
and groundwater versus
surface water or is, does it matter.
01:13:40.860 --> 01:13:43.180
That is a tough question, man.
01:13:43.180 --> 01:13:46.200
But again, that's gonna
be based on the city.
01:13:46.200 --> 01:13:50.790
A lot of cities hit what's
what their citizens can see
01:13:50.790 --> 01:13:52.570
and that's water.
01:13:52.570 --> 01:13:53.930
If you've got a water line break,
01:13:53.930 --> 01:13:57.070
citizens are without water,
that's gonna take priority.
01:13:57.070 --> 01:14:00.290
Wastewater as long as
they can drain the bathtub,
01:14:00.290 --> 01:14:02.540
flush commode, it's
out of sight out of mind.
01:14:03.600 --> 01:14:06.910
So typically the wastewater
system is the one that gets put
01:14:06.910 --> 01:14:08.480
on the back burner.
01:14:08.480 --> 01:14:11.380
The water systems are typically the ones
01:14:11.380 --> 01:14:15.410
that take priority
and are the ones that,
01:14:15.410 --> 01:14:18.520
I would say, have newer infrastructure.
01:14:18.520 --> 01:14:21.370
'Cause that seems to be
the priority for a lot of cities.
01:14:22.290 --> 01:14:24.610
So yeah, picking one or the other
01:14:24.610 --> 01:14:26.020
from an engineering standpoint,
01:14:26.020 --> 01:14:28.673
I would say wastewater
'cause its' always neglected.
01:14:30.860 --> 01:14:32.630
It's always the one looking for funding.
01:14:32.630 --> 01:14:35.663
It's a very harsh environment
and it's expensive.
01:14:36.780 --> 01:14:41.050
The water side is, again,
it's the one that's focused on
01:14:41.050 --> 01:14:41.883
the most.
01:14:41.883 --> 01:14:44.840
So it typically has a
little better infrastructure
01:14:44.840 --> 01:14:45.970
than the wastewater.
01:14:45.970 --> 01:14:47.113
That's my opinion.
01:14:48.403 --> 01:14:50.180
You think most of them
already have kind of an idea
01:14:50.180 --> 01:14:51.950
on the water because it's newer,
01:14:51.950 --> 01:14:54.050
but they really ignored the wastewater.
01:14:54.050 --> 01:14:58.080
So in our aspect,
wastewater we're better
01:14:58.080 --> 01:15:00.380
because nobody does anything.
01:15:00.380 --> 01:15:02.090
That's exactly right.
01:15:02.090 --> 01:15:03.261
Yeah. It's only an issue
01:15:03.261 --> 01:15:04.990
unless the city has got a lift station
01:15:04.990 --> 01:15:06.440
wastewater treatment plant
01:15:06.440 --> 01:15:10.030
those two are the items
that the city focuses on.
01:15:10.030 --> 01:15:12.560
'Cause that's something,
they hit a button, turn it off,
01:15:12.560 --> 01:15:15.859
turn it on and change all and
do the normal maintenance.
01:15:15.859 --> 01:15:18.350
That's pretty easy.
01:15:18.350 --> 01:15:21.170
It's hard to do maintenance
on wastewater lines
01:15:21.170 --> 01:15:25.040
when you have no idea
what condition they're in.
01:15:25.040 --> 01:15:27.500
They seem to be flowing,
so, okay let's not mess with it.
01:15:27.500 --> 01:15:28.580
It's working.
01:15:28.580 --> 01:15:29.760
So let's not touch it.
01:15:29.760 --> 01:15:32.310
One thing we see is that
they'll have an overflow
01:15:33.160 --> 01:15:36.270
not overflow, but
they're plants to capacity.
01:15:36.270 --> 01:15:38.100
So let's say most of the bigger plan.
01:15:38.100 --> 01:15:41.300
Well, it may be just because
you have so much I and I
01:15:41.300 --> 01:15:44.140
you don't know about so and
building a plant is expensive.
01:15:44.140 --> 01:15:45.660
It's heck.
It is.
01:15:45.660 --> 01:15:49.170
And addressing INI is
kind of a, in my opinion,
01:15:49.170 --> 01:15:50.970
it's a double-edged sword.
01:15:50.970 --> 01:15:54.400
You address INI yes, you
are getting rid of your peaks
01:15:54.400 --> 01:15:57.430
but you're also probably
losing wastewater.
01:15:57.430 --> 01:15:59.040
So your average is may go up.
01:15:59.040 --> 01:16:01.950
So it's a catch 22, I get it.
01:16:01.950 --> 01:16:04.050
But at the same time, it's
something that does need
01:16:04.050 --> 01:16:04.910
to be addressed.
01:16:04.910 --> 01:16:07.430
And that's where I tell my cities,
01:16:07.430 --> 01:16:09.230
that's where the focus needs to be is
01:16:09.230 --> 01:16:12.730
let's go hit your system, not
just build a wastewater plant,
01:16:12.730 --> 01:16:14.223
just to treat storm water.
01:16:15.260 --> 01:16:16.720
It's a better use of your funds.
01:16:16.720 --> 01:16:17.553
I agree.
01:16:17.553 --> 01:16:19.070
So y'all did both together.
01:16:19.070 --> 01:16:23.100
So is there any synergies
associated with maybe doing
01:16:23.100 --> 01:16:24.250
them both at the same time,
01:16:24.250 --> 01:16:27.370
as opposed to doing
wastewater and then following it up
01:16:27.370 --> 01:16:28.860
with water later?
01:16:28.860 --> 01:16:31.000
Well the asset management side
01:16:31.000 --> 01:16:32.630
we mobilized our survey crew.
01:16:32.630 --> 01:16:35.623
They were at with the
survey equipment anyway.
01:16:36.560 --> 01:16:38.880
It took them a little bit
longer 'cause it's more assets
01:16:38.880 --> 01:16:41.383
to pick up but at the same time,
01:16:41.383 --> 01:16:45.010
I think he mentioned the city
staff can go around with you.
01:16:45.010 --> 01:16:48.230
We actually had a golf cart
they rode around with us,
01:16:48.230 --> 01:16:50.937
pointing out where everything was.
01:16:50.937 --> 01:16:52.690
And that's another
thing I've seen the city
01:16:52.690 --> 01:16:55.550
will implement wireless water meters.
01:16:55.550 --> 01:16:56.880
Well, after a few years,
01:16:56.880 --> 01:16:59.390
you're no longer gonna
the meter anymore.
01:16:59.390 --> 01:17:02.330
That person leaves. Now
where's the water meter.
01:17:02.330 --> 01:17:04.290
Well, with this asset management
01:17:04.290 --> 01:17:05.820
we've located the water meters.
01:17:05.820 --> 01:17:07.693
Now we know where they
are and that's something
01:17:07.693 --> 01:17:09.650
that can carry over to the next person.
01:17:09.650 --> 01:17:11.240
And nobody's on the
ground even looking for leaks
01:17:11.240 --> 01:17:12.390
and stuff like that too
01:17:13.812 --> 01:17:15.670
And I think from a
staffing standpoint, I mean,
01:17:15.670 --> 01:17:16.801
especially in the smaller systems,
01:17:16.801 --> 01:17:18.940
they're gonna do both
water and wastewater.
01:17:18.940 --> 01:17:22.240
And so it's best to have
them work with you on that.
01:17:22.240 --> 01:17:25.760
And if it works this,
there's not a major issue,
01:17:25.760 --> 01:17:29.640
one of the other, then this
is a good idea to look at both,
01:17:29.640 --> 01:17:31.960
if you can and provide input on that
01:17:31.960 --> 01:17:34.260
and help them out with
that while we're there.
01:17:36.260 --> 01:17:38.170
For city staff,
it's putting out fires
01:17:38.170 --> 01:17:41.050
and when the public is yelling
that they don't have water,
01:17:41.050 --> 01:17:43.040
that's gonna be their
number one priority.
01:17:43.040 --> 01:17:45.443
That's where they're gonna
wanna spend the money.
01:17:45.443 --> 01:17:47.693
And again, with this
asset management plan,
01:17:47.693 --> 01:17:51.009
I think it was pretty
eye-opening to the city of Holland.
01:17:51.009 --> 01:17:53.030
they've got a lift
station that was put in,
01:17:53.030 --> 01:17:54.560
in the mid nineties.
01:17:54.560 --> 01:17:58.140
So it's getting to a point
where it's going to have
01:17:58.140 --> 01:18:00.770
to get a significant
amount of work done to it.
01:18:00.770 --> 01:18:03.439
It's nearing the end
of its life expectancy.
01:18:03.439 --> 01:18:04.272
And that was something,
01:18:04.272 --> 01:18:07.180
again that was out of sight out of mind.
01:18:07.180 --> 01:18:09.760
Now this has come up
with asset management plan.
01:18:09.760 --> 01:18:12.160
We have replacement
cost built into it to show them
01:18:12.160 --> 01:18:14.010
what it's gonna cost to build it.
01:18:14.010 --> 01:18:16.510
Now they've got something
to plan for in that five,
01:18:16.510 --> 01:18:18.320
10 year plan.
01:18:18.320 --> 01:18:22.750
So instead of waiting
until it actually falls apart,
01:18:22.750 --> 01:18:24.440
and then now you've
got to spend everything
01:18:24.440 --> 01:18:26.070
under an emergency.
01:18:26.070 --> 01:18:27.893
That's what we're
trying to prevent.
01:18:30.040 --> 01:18:31.370
Excellent comments.
01:18:31.370 --> 01:18:34.000
I will turn it to Ms. Jackson
for the next question.
01:18:34.000 --> 01:18:35.960
So question number two.
01:18:35.960 --> 01:18:39.070
Is it better to use asset
management software
01:18:39.070 --> 01:18:42.120
that has a lot of features
specific to water or wastewater
01:18:42.120 --> 01:18:45.810
operations or another
software that might have
01:18:45.810 --> 01:18:48.470
less features, but has
the ability to be used
01:18:48.470 --> 01:18:52.530
for other city infrastructure
operations as well?
01:18:52.530 --> 01:18:54.940
What are some of the ways
that small towns can use
01:18:54.940 --> 01:18:57.630
the products from amps in other areas
01:18:57.630 --> 01:18:59.040
of the city's operation?
01:18:59.040 --> 01:19:03.210
And we thought first
off if maybe Anthony,
01:19:03.210 --> 01:19:06.163
the city of Anthony and
Parkhill could comment on that.
01:19:08.140 --> 01:19:09.890
So the first part
of the question
01:19:11.110 --> 01:19:13.700
regarding asset management software
01:19:13.700 --> 01:19:17.260
specific to water and
wastewater, certainly when,
01:19:17.260 --> 01:19:19.240
from what I've seen in the marketplace,
01:19:19.240 --> 01:19:22.870
most asset management enterprise
asset management software
01:19:22.870 --> 01:19:26.630
is designed for municipal assets.
01:19:26.630 --> 01:19:30.030
It's a broad range it's designed.
01:19:30.030 --> 01:19:34.240
And so I think definitely
that makes a lot of sense
01:19:34.240 --> 01:19:36.190
that we're seeing more of that
01:19:36.190 --> 01:19:39.680
than just asset management programs
01:19:39.680 --> 01:19:42.030
designed specifically
for water and wastewater.
01:19:43.460 --> 01:19:45.770
Ultimately, as I said before,
01:19:45.770 --> 01:19:50.490
the best option is the
one that people will use,
01:19:50.490 --> 01:19:55.240
obviously the more people
using it in your organization
01:19:55.240 --> 01:20:00.240
that justifies the investment
in that software more.
01:20:01.950 --> 01:20:06.560
And so I would say yes
01:20:08.310 --> 01:20:10.920
it's probably better
to invest in something
01:20:10.920 --> 01:20:15.190
that has more broad use.
01:20:15.190 --> 01:20:19.570
And I think definitely from
the standpoint of whatever
01:20:19.570 --> 01:20:23.393
system that you're using,
01:20:25.170 --> 01:20:28.963
the mindset and education
of kind of learning to wait,
01:20:30.370 --> 01:20:32.840
first of all, accurately inventory,
01:20:32.840 --> 01:20:36.130
the things you're
responsible for and rating
01:20:36.130 --> 01:20:41.130
that based on it's service
life and replacement costs,
01:20:42.010 --> 01:20:45.683
and then using those to
budget for replacement,
01:20:46.830 --> 01:20:50.180
just that mindset could apply
to all sorts of departments.
01:20:50.180 --> 01:20:55.180
It doesn't if it's even other assets
01:20:56.110 --> 01:21:00.630
like vehicles or things that
have that same mentality
01:21:00.630 --> 01:21:02.516
of understanding what you own,
01:21:02.516 --> 01:21:05.520
when you need to replace
it and what condition it's in.
01:21:05.520 --> 01:21:09.440
So just the AMs process
and just kind of the education
01:21:09.440 --> 01:21:12.880
that goes in with the city
leadership to start thinking,
01:21:12.880 --> 01:21:15.140
as you said, in that
mindset and applying it,
01:21:15.140 --> 01:21:17.040
not just to water and wastewater,
01:21:17.040 --> 01:21:20.140
but to other assets within
the community, I think
01:21:20.140 --> 01:21:21.453
that's an excellent point.
01:21:23.870 --> 01:21:24.740
Any other comment.
01:21:24.740 --> 01:21:28.113
Oh, your camera's on. Okay. So Rebecca.
01:21:29.370 --> 01:21:31.210
Yeah. I just
wanted to add to that,
01:21:31.210 --> 01:21:34.640
that I think roads and
stuff is pretty important
01:21:34.640 --> 01:21:37.260
'cause a lot of water and
wastewater lines are under roads,
01:21:37.260 --> 01:21:41.220
or even like indigenous
with norms systems.
01:21:41.220 --> 01:21:44.830
And so using a software or being aware
01:21:44.830 --> 01:21:47.480
of just your assets and
water and wastewater,
01:21:47.480 --> 01:21:50.560
and then seeing that you
need a road repair cities
01:21:50.560 --> 01:21:54.330
can really get a lot more benefit.
01:21:54.330 --> 01:21:57.720
I think in that sense of time,
a couple of things together,
01:21:57.720 --> 01:22:00.620
I think a complete
streets kind of thing.
01:22:00.620 --> 01:22:02.813
So this just wanted to add that.
01:22:04.000 --> 01:22:06.020
And I guess we see that
oftentimes somebody is gonna
01:22:06.020 --> 01:22:08.697
replace the street then
knowing the condition
01:22:08.697 --> 01:22:12.270
of the wastewater systems
is valuable and vice versa.
01:22:12.270 --> 01:22:13.400
So that if you're doing one,
01:22:13.400 --> 01:22:15.250
you might consider the
other doesn't necessarily mean
01:22:15.250 --> 01:22:17.823
you're gonna do both, at
least you've considered it.
01:22:20.460 --> 01:22:22.410
I'll move on to question three.
01:22:22.410 --> 01:22:25.550
One way to promote more
participation is to request more
01:22:25.550 --> 01:22:28.300
representation from the
system at the kickoff meeting
01:22:28.300 --> 01:22:30.220
of the contract, for example,
01:22:30.220 --> 01:22:32.900
requesting representative
from the city council,
01:22:32.900 --> 01:22:35.190
city management and utility
management to be present
01:22:35.190 --> 01:22:36.160
at the meeting.
01:22:36.160 --> 01:22:38.600
Do you think this increased
in diverse participation
01:22:38.600 --> 01:22:40.420
in the process has beneficial?
01:22:40.420 --> 01:22:41.410
Yes. (chuckles)
01:22:41.410 --> 01:22:44.050
Do you have any
other ideas to promote
01:22:44.050 --> 01:22:47.180
the continuity of the
asset management process
01:22:47.180 --> 01:22:49.180
from the system after the contract ends?
01:22:52.810 --> 01:22:54.916
So you stole my
answer, which was yes.
01:22:54.916 --> 01:22:57.650
(members laughs)
01:22:57.650 --> 01:22:58.700
I thought I was done?
01:23:00.330 --> 01:23:03.330
Now, in our case, in this situation,
01:23:03.330 --> 01:23:07.503
what bringing in the council
member, the mayor in this case,
01:23:08.410 --> 01:23:10.610
and a lot of the operations managers,
01:23:10.610 --> 01:23:14.100
we were able to understand
how they were operating
01:23:14.100 --> 01:23:16.100
in what systems they
already had in place
01:23:16.100 --> 01:23:18.270
so we could piggyback onto that
01:23:18.270 --> 01:23:21.023
so that they didn't have
to learn a new system.
01:23:21.023 --> 01:23:24.180
They can utilize what
they were doing right there.
01:23:24.180 --> 01:23:28.043
What had also led to that I didn't say,
01:23:29.170 --> 01:23:31.700
something others have said
is they realized how important
01:23:31.700 --> 01:23:33.500
this was at the end of the day.
01:23:33.500 --> 01:23:35.910
So after getting the
wastewater system in,
01:23:35.910 --> 01:23:39.370
then they started locate their
water valves throughout town
01:23:39.370 --> 01:23:42.030
so that they could find
that and start getting
01:23:42.030 --> 01:23:44.060
that documented to a better location,
01:23:44.060 --> 01:23:46.990
where they were narrowing
it down to less than a 30 foot
01:23:46.990 --> 01:23:48.343
radius or area.
01:23:50.183 --> 01:23:53.180
So those things were very important
01:23:53.180 --> 01:23:56.200
to get the process
going in, to getting buy-in
01:23:56.200 --> 01:23:57.390
from everybody that was there.
01:23:57.390 --> 01:23:59.980
That's the other big thing
is once you get the buy-in
01:23:59.980 --> 01:24:03.100
and they're excited about the project,
01:24:03.100 --> 01:24:05.900
then they'll actually
utilize it in the future.
01:24:05.900 --> 01:24:07.273
If you'd ever get buy in,
01:24:08.160 --> 01:24:11.260
our experience has been
that it doesn't work as well,
01:24:11.260 --> 01:24:12.093
if at all.
01:24:14.220 --> 01:24:15.540
You can't do
things in a vacuum.
01:24:15.540 --> 01:24:17.500
You really have to
have everyone involved,
01:24:17.500 --> 01:24:20.810
all your stakeholders and all
your city leadership involved.
01:24:20.810 --> 01:24:24.453
You do, you have to have
everybody involved and everybody,
01:24:25.290 --> 01:24:27.840
you may not always get
everybody in total agreement,
01:24:27.840 --> 01:24:29.580
but you need to get
them in enough agreement
01:24:29.580 --> 01:24:33.537
that we can move forward
together as a group.
01:24:33.537 --> 01:24:34.670
And then that case,
01:24:34.670 --> 01:24:37.230
it may be that each city's
operating a little bit different
01:24:37.230 --> 01:24:38.520
than the next city down the road.
01:24:38.520 --> 01:24:40.380
But it does also, as
we've mentioned here,
01:24:40.380 --> 01:24:44.280
it's based on familiarity as well as
01:24:44.280 --> 01:24:48.520
your skill sets and what you
can do once you understand.
01:24:48.520 --> 01:24:52.500
So another question was
how important it is early on
01:24:52.500 --> 01:24:55.360
to get engagement from management.
01:24:55.360 --> 01:24:57.420
So this is maybe a trick question,
01:24:57.420 --> 01:25:00.930
but how important is it to
get engagement from the folks
01:25:00.930 --> 01:25:02.970
who are boots on the
ground and they're out there
01:25:02.970 --> 01:25:04.180
in our operators?
01:25:04.180 --> 01:25:07.120
Well, it's extremely
important to get buy-in
01:25:07.120 --> 01:25:09.859
for the management
because the management
01:25:09.859 --> 01:25:12.980
is a big part of the budget
to get you the resources
01:25:12.980 --> 01:25:15.563
that you need to handle the project.
01:25:16.422 --> 01:25:19.300
So as the management was bought in,
01:25:19.300 --> 01:25:21.120
or as they get bought into it,
01:25:21.120 --> 01:25:23.390
they'll budget money to
something they understand
01:25:23.390 --> 01:25:25.067
and they were able to participate in
01:25:25.067 --> 01:25:28.060
and they had had input into creating.
01:25:28.060 --> 01:25:31.630
And so we feel that
that is real important
01:25:32.570 --> 01:25:35.993
just for the process to
continue and not wasted effort.
01:25:36.940 --> 01:25:40.060
I think what's so many
unmet needs within the city
01:25:40.060 --> 01:25:42.610
to convince city leadership,
01:25:42.610 --> 01:25:46.410
to include these
infrastructure costs within these
01:25:46.410 --> 01:25:49.300
razor thin budgets, it's a heavy lift.
01:25:49.300 --> 01:25:52.620
So getting everyone
involved in the beginning
01:25:52.620 --> 01:25:55.310
to look at the assets and
look at the infrastructure
01:25:55.310 --> 01:25:56.573
is the utmost importance.
01:25:57.850 --> 01:25:59.880
And in these kickoff meetings
01:25:59.880 --> 01:26:01.780
I was impressed with
this one and we've done it
01:26:01.780 --> 01:26:03.050
in other places since
01:26:03.050 --> 01:26:06.750
where it's everybody from
the wastewater plant operator
01:26:06.750 --> 01:26:08.550
to the guy that's out digging the hole,
01:26:08.550 --> 01:26:11.880
to the mayor of the city,
that's in these meetings
01:26:12.840 --> 01:26:14.490
and everybody in between.
01:26:14.490 --> 01:26:16.310
So that when you get,
01:26:16.310 --> 01:26:18.410
they kind of all understand
where we're going
01:26:18.410 --> 01:26:20.760
and where we're heading
in these small communities,
01:26:20.760 --> 01:26:22.340
that may only be four people
01:26:22.340 --> 01:26:24.280
'cause they're all
wearing different hats.
01:26:24.280 --> 01:26:26.850
But they all see the
direction where it's going.
01:26:26.850 --> 01:26:31.850
And if you can mesh their ideas
together into a common goal,
01:26:33.100 --> 01:26:35.400
it certainly helps.
01:26:35.400 --> 01:26:37.693
So you're shockingly
saying that participation
01:26:37.693 --> 01:26:40.037
and communication are important.
01:26:40.037 --> 01:26:42.080
So I have a follow-up on that.
01:26:42.080 --> 01:26:44.160
So one of the requirements
of the program was that
01:26:44.160 --> 01:26:46.570
the participants have to
dedicate about 80 hours
01:26:46.570 --> 01:26:47.920
are required to participate.
01:26:47.920 --> 01:26:50.070
Did you find that that was enough time?
01:26:50.070 --> 01:26:53.030
Were you getting more
engagement than 80 hours
01:26:53.030 --> 01:26:54.163
from your communities?
01:26:55.010 --> 01:26:57.320
I think for us we got
more than 80 hours
01:26:57.320 --> 01:26:59.670
because they went and
located every man hole in town
01:26:59.670 --> 01:27:02.550
and they went down and
cut brush and did things
01:27:02.550 --> 01:27:04.580
so that when we came out,
01:27:04.580 --> 01:27:07.570
we could give them more
information than we originally could
01:27:07.570 --> 01:27:09.360
because we have the information,
01:27:09.360 --> 01:27:13.060
we have the location found
as well as when we developed
01:27:13.060 --> 01:27:13.960
the O and M manual
01:27:13.960 --> 01:27:16.700
and especially abbreviated
O and M manual,
01:27:16.700 --> 01:27:21.210
we went around with that
operator and that was there
01:27:21.210 --> 01:27:24.200
and said, "Okay,
stay in here at this unit.
01:27:24.200 --> 01:27:26.010
This is what you've got agrees today.
01:27:26.010 --> 01:27:28.420
This is what you've got to look at.
01:27:28.420 --> 01:27:30.660
This is what you're gonna listen for
01:27:30.660 --> 01:27:33.670
and by the way, it's this old,
01:27:33.670 --> 01:27:36.780
and this is when we need
to start planning for the future
01:27:36.780 --> 01:27:40.620
so that we get that
buy-in as we're going
01:27:40.620 --> 01:27:42.503
through the process, if
that answered your question.
01:27:42.503 --> 01:27:44.580
It's more like lab work too.
01:27:44.580 --> 01:27:46.820
Like they got to go out and
get on on the job training
01:27:46.820 --> 01:27:48.940
about what exactly it
was that you put together?
01:27:48.940 --> 01:27:53.940
Absolutely and I think that
is as well as just opening up
01:27:54.070 --> 01:27:55.980
the manholes that
probably hadn't been opened
01:27:55.980 --> 01:27:59.330
in however many years, 30 years,
01:27:59.330 --> 01:28:00.840
we pop the Liz on those things.
01:28:00.840 --> 01:28:01.890
When we took the pictures,
01:28:01.890 --> 01:28:04.300
they were sitting
there looking at it too.
01:28:04.300 --> 01:28:06.910
So there was a lot of
information that was collected
01:28:06.910 --> 01:28:09.490
at that point, not
only in digital format,
01:28:09.490 --> 01:28:11.870
but then that's really elaborate again
01:28:11.870 --> 01:28:14.136
that was utilized.
01:28:14.136 --> 01:28:15.920
And as I understand it,
01:28:15.920 --> 01:28:18.560
then I can communicate
it to the community
01:28:18.560 --> 01:28:20.543
because they are the
powerful messengers.
01:28:20.543 --> 01:28:24.120
They're the ones that have
seen it and understand it.
01:28:24.120 --> 01:28:27.203
So wonderful.
01:28:29.248 --> 01:28:30.180
Is that on, here we go,
01:28:30.180 --> 01:28:32.090
I was gonna bring up and reiterate.
01:28:32.090 --> 01:28:33.910
We've been talking about the buy-in
01:28:33.910 --> 01:28:35.330
for as an engineer,
01:28:35.330 --> 01:28:38.370
we can go out and build a
brand new Cadillac wastewater
01:28:38.370 --> 01:28:39.260
treatment plant.
01:28:39.260 --> 01:28:42.530
But if the operator only
knows how to drive a Pinto,
01:28:42.530 --> 01:28:45.240
it doesn't matter what
Cadillac we give them.
01:28:45.240 --> 01:28:48.720
So the deliverable
on all of this is critical,
01:28:48.720 --> 01:28:50.277
so that they'll use it.
01:28:50.277 --> 01:28:53.290
And that's what you get
upfront is that's where
01:28:53.290 --> 01:28:56.630
you can gauge, so what can staff do?
01:28:56.630 --> 01:28:59.150
I've had one staff member
that worked for a large city
01:28:59.150 --> 01:29:02.350
that had GIS and
he was familiar with it.
01:29:02.350 --> 01:29:05.870
Now I know we can go that
route and do the Esri side.
01:29:05.870 --> 01:29:07.330
He's familiar with it.
01:29:07.330 --> 01:29:08.640
Other cities it's,
01:29:08.640 --> 01:29:11.710
okay, he's struggling
to turn the computer on.
01:29:11.710 --> 01:29:14.630
Now we know where we
need to go with that deliverable
01:29:14.630 --> 01:29:16.640
and so that it can be used.
01:29:16.640 --> 01:29:18.970
So just wanted to reiterate that.
01:29:18.970 --> 01:29:22.000
That's great. Steven,
did you have a comment?
01:29:22.000 --> 01:29:24.980
Well, the last part of
this question had to do with
01:29:24.980 --> 01:29:27.600
do we have any ideas on
how we get some continuity
01:29:27.600 --> 01:29:28.980
or transition?
01:29:28.980 --> 01:29:31.320
And that's really pretty critical 'cause
01:29:31.320 --> 01:29:33.750
we could do a good job
on any of these aspects
01:29:33.750 --> 01:29:34.820
or approaches.
01:29:34.820 --> 01:29:36.630
And then it really just
dies with the transitions
01:29:36.630 --> 01:29:39.930
that are not naturally occurring
out there in the industry.
01:29:39.930 --> 01:29:44.930
So a truism that exists is
what gets measured gets done.
01:29:46.500 --> 01:29:49.540
And so one of the things that
we have found when we've done
01:29:49.540 --> 01:29:53.190
these emergency response
plans and other things with small
01:29:53.190 --> 01:29:56.880
communities is to suggest
strongly that they put it in
01:29:56.880 --> 01:30:01.070
some sort of a quarterly
review process inside of their city
01:30:01.070 --> 01:30:02.267
council or their Board.
01:30:02.267 --> 01:30:04.530
And so every quarter they're gonna get,
01:30:04.530 --> 01:30:06.093
and this goes back to one
of the earlier participants
01:30:06.093 --> 01:30:09.380
that said that they constructed
this kind of a high level
01:30:09.380 --> 01:30:11.600
executive summary
and an action item list,
01:30:11.600 --> 01:30:13.100
not the big document.
01:30:13.100 --> 01:30:14.330
You go down that list,
01:30:14.330 --> 01:30:16.470
you peruse that list at every quarter,
01:30:16.470 --> 01:30:19.230
you say, "Where are we on this."
01:30:19.230 --> 01:30:21.620
And daylight it was a great disinfectant
01:30:21.620 --> 01:30:24.410
and it does a great job
of fixing a lot of things.
01:30:24.410 --> 01:30:27.620
And if you don't make this visible,
01:30:27.620 --> 01:30:30.930
then it will die the slow death
of all bureaucracy actions.
01:30:30.930 --> 01:30:33.160
It'll just be one more thing wasted.
01:30:33.160 --> 01:30:36.583
So it always comes down
to them understanding
01:30:36.583 --> 01:30:39.420
that their water and
their wastewater systems
01:30:39.420 --> 01:30:41.917
are the core of their community
01:30:41.917 --> 01:30:43.850
and a civilized society.
01:30:43.850 --> 01:30:45.150
And if you lose that,
01:30:45.150 --> 01:30:47.230
we've seen it over and
over in Texas and other parts
01:30:47.230 --> 01:30:50.000
of the United States in the
world, you lose the community,
01:30:50.000 --> 01:30:52.600
the community has a slow death.
01:30:52.600 --> 01:30:54.900
So if it's that important,
01:30:54.900 --> 01:30:58.240
why wouldn't we be having
it on a quarterly review?
01:30:58.240 --> 01:31:00.430
And so it comes down
to real simple things.
01:31:00.430 --> 01:31:04.490
And it's again, you mean
you need us to tell you that,
01:31:04.490 --> 01:31:06.260
but actually what we do.
01:31:06.260 --> 01:31:08.620
And so we all need
reminders of simple things
01:31:08.620 --> 01:31:10.350
like we need to eat, and exercise, well.
01:31:10.350 --> 01:31:11.770
We need reminders, right?
01:31:11.770 --> 01:31:15.750
So this is not rocket science
01:31:15.750 --> 01:31:17.880
that we need to do is boil it down,
01:31:17.880 --> 01:31:19.590
put it on a quarterly review,
01:31:19.590 --> 01:31:21.800
maybe monthly than super priority.
01:31:21.800 --> 01:31:23.780
And then that the high
priority things that you talked
01:31:23.780 --> 01:31:27.290
about, risk based issues
that are more important
01:31:27.290 --> 01:31:30.770
than the vulnerability of the system
01:31:31.729 --> 01:31:34.110
will be coming up on a regular basis
01:31:34.110 --> 01:31:38.860
like they might have a re
ready to collapse a sewer main
01:31:38.860 --> 01:31:40.050
collector line.
01:31:40.050 --> 01:31:41.130
And if it collapses,
01:31:41.130 --> 01:31:42.580
everything's gonna back up in every home
01:31:42.580 --> 01:31:43.413
in the community.
01:31:43.413 --> 01:31:45.660
Well, that's probably a priority.
01:31:45.660 --> 01:31:47.880
So that's a simplified thing.
01:31:47.880 --> 01:31:50.870
And the other thing
we're glossing over here is
01:31:50.870 --> 01:31:55.080
the idea that there is a
management structure in place,
01:31:55.080 --> 01:31:57.550
such as a city council or a Board,
01:31:57.550 --> 01:32:01.140
because the community's under
300 population in the country.
01:32:01.140 --> 01:32:04.660
And in Texas, that's
the bulk of the systems.
01:32:04.660 --> 01:32:09.510
And many of them they're
kind of their trailer parks,
01:32:09.510 --> 01:32:10.650
their mobile home parks.
01:32:10.650 --> 01:32:13.070
They're all kinds of
other community systems.
01:32:13.070 --> 01:32:15.457
Some of them are investor
owned, but there's a lot of these.
01:32:15.457 --> 01:32:17.420
And if they have a community like an HOA
01:32:17.420 --> 01:32:20.220
top of rubbed system,
they theory have a Board.
01:32:20.220 --> 01:32:22.637
So you have to put the tools in place
01:32:22.637 --> 01:32:25.230
and the bulk of the volume,
the volume of the systems
01:32:25.230 --> 01:32:26.530
in the state of Texas,
01:32:26.530 --> 01:32:29.100
let's say at the community
water system level,
01:32:29.100 --> 01:32:32.520
let's say roughly 4,500 water
systems in our community.
01:32:32.520 --> 01:32:35.423
Of those let's say
like 3,500 of them are,
01:32:35.423 --> 01:32:37.900
like below 3,300 population,
01:32:37.900 --> 01:32:41.220
which means they don't
have to do conservation plan.
01:32:41.220 --> 01:32:42.920
They don't have to do an AMs.
01:32:42.920 --> 01:32:45.440
I mean, a emergency response plan.
01:32:45.440 --> 01:32:47.070
So all of these things
we have to put in,
01:32:47.070 --> 01:32:49.930
how can we do induce that?
01:32:49.930 --> 01:32:52.350
So this simplified just like
01:32:52.350 --> 01:32:54.420
let's make it simple and let's come back
01:32:54.420 --> 01:32:56.180
and review it regularly.
01:32:56.180 --> 01:32:59.150
And that will allow some
continuity to happen.
01:32:59.150 --> 01:33:03.283
And lastly, because of
this problem of continuity,
01:33:04.405 --> 01:33:05.238
I would close the saying,
01:33:05.238 --> 01:33:07.383
we've got to understand
that it's probably gonna be a
01:33:07.383 --> 01:33:11.810
a traumatic shift regularly
because of the lack of resources
01:33:11.810 --> 01:33:14.300
and that if we assume
that could be the case,
01:33:14.300 --> 01:33:16.170
we have to think out of the box.
01:33:16.170 --> 01:33:17.003
And I would say,
01:33:17.003 --> 01:33:18.680
we need to have a whole another section
01:33:18.680 --> 01:33:20.320
on how do we transition this.
01:33:20.320 --> 01:33:22.330
And one of the ways
to look at it would be like
01:33:22.330 --> 01:33:25.370
having somehow at a state level,
01:33:25.370 --> 01:33:28.760
some type of satellite management
that augment, for example,
01:33:28.760 --> 01:33:30.543
the city fall under any
elk card, whoever else,
01:33:30.543 --> 01:33:31.730
when they transitioned,
01:33:31.730 --> 01:33:35.010
there's some satellite
management that has that maintains
01:33:35.010 --> 01:33:37.160
and runs the asset management
plan has it in their hand,
01:33:37.160 --> 01:33:39.160
here it is, let me walk
you back through it.
01:33:39.160 --> 01:33:40.750
And other can check on the system
01:33:40.750 --> 01:33:42.650
on a monthly or quarterly
basis and to get those
01:33:42.650 --> 01:33:45.890
newer operators up and
running and something like that,
01:33:45.890 --> 01:33:50.210
where we have some actually
experienced people coming back,
01:33:50.210 --> 01:33:53.710
and let's say re
impregnating the DNA of what
01:33:53.710 --> 01:33:56.140
has been lost in the transition.
01:33:56.140 --> 01:33:56.973
I'll close.
01:33:59.027 --> 01:34:01.003
That's a great
comment. Thank you.
01:34:01.880 --> 01:34:03.630
I will hand it over to Ms. Jackson.
01:34:05.930 --> 01:34:09.550
So what tools and resources
have been most beneficial
01:34:09.550 --> 01:34:12.730
for an operator to have
that can be incorporated
01:34:12.730 --> 01:34:14.980
into an asset management plan
01:34:14.980 --> 01:34:17.470
to ensure operational
integrity of a system
01:34:17.470 --> 01:34:19.550
and getting the most
efficient use out of
01:34:19.550 --> 01:34:21.053
the assets of that system?
01:34:22.110 --> 01:34:23.913
I think Rebecca might wanna.
01:34:24.800 --> 01:34:26.173
Yep. I'm here.
01:34:27.090 --> 01:34:29.960
So I guess one of the things
that I think we all kind of
01:34:29.960 --> 01:34:32.510
talked about is the tool
that they were gonna use
01:34:34.738 --> 01:34:38.010
the GIS mapping and
everything that we talked about,
01:34:38.010 --> 01:34:39.420
and everybody else shared
01:34:39.420 --> 01:34:41.350
their different mapping techniques.
01:34:41.350 --> 01:34:44.973
I think that's really a
benefit for the operators
01:34:44.973 --> 01:34:48.570
just to know where their
systems are because a lot of them
01:34:48.570 --> 01:34:52.920
didn't know, and that was kind
of brought up before as well.
01:34:52.920 --> 01:34:56.530
And I guess one other kind of
comment that I wanted to make,
01:34:56.530 --> 01:35:00.960
and I forgot before was I
think that this is a great program
01:35:00.960 --> 01:35:04.750
to do the whole plan,
but I'm almost wondering,
01:35:04.750 --> 01:35:06.923
since there's so much
benefit for these cities,
01:35:06.923 --> 01:35:10.180
that even just take what the people know
01:35:10.180 --> 01:35:12.850
and put it on a map somehow,
01:35:12.850 --> 01:35:17.410
if that could almost be like
a phase one of an asset plan
01:35:17.410 --> 01:35:21.930
that could be maybe different
that the Board could help
01:35:21.930 --> 01:35:24.430
small cities do just like this,
01:35:24.430 --> 01:35:27.020
because I feel like
really finding the assets
01:35:27.020 --> 01:35:31.460
and inventory and
stuff is just so helpful.
01:35:31.460 --> 01:35:34.610
And especially everybody
I think has mentioned staff
01:35:34.610 --> 01:35:36.200
turnover as well.
01:35:36.200 --> 01:35:38.610
And when you notice that at Blanco,
01:35:38.610 --> 01:35:41.880
and so I feel like that would be helpful
01:35:41.880 --> 01:35:45.960
to just have that kind of baseline
01:35:45.960 --> 01:35:47.740
to help the cities going forward.
01:35:47.740 --> 01:35:52.740
But I also thought what,
and I forget the city, I'm sorry,
01:35:52.850 --> 01:35:54.660
who did the abbreviated ONM?
01:35:54.660 --> 01:35:58.780
That sounded like a really
beneficial tool for an operator.
01:35:58.780 --> 01:36:03.160
And so I thought to
continued maybe doing that
01:36:03.160 --> 01:36:06.610
or if there was a way
to help other cities
01:36:06.610 --> 01:36:09.210
do that similar process.
01:36:09.210 --> 01:36:10.610
I think that would be great.
01:36:11.703 --> 01:36:14.950
So Rebecca,
basically you're marking
01:36:14.950 --> 01:36:17.350
some of those initial funds for mapping
01:36:17.350 --> 01:36:19.343
and that these like phase one.
01:36:21.350 --> 01:36:23.200
Yeah, because I
think a lot of cities too,
01:36:23.200 --> 01:36:25.100
like they haven't looked at something,
01:36:27.060 --> 01:36:29.030
like they haven't ever
opened their manholes
01:36:29.030 --> 01:36:32.340
or they don't care about their
sources because it's working,
01:36:32.340 --> 01:36:35.350
they don't really know how bad it is
01:36:35.350 --> 01:36:37.150
and how to plan for it.
01:36:37.150 --> 01:36:38.140
And in that sense,
01:36:38.140 --> 01:36:40.890
they don't really know
like what kind of projects
01:36:40.890 --> 01:36:44.010
should we apply for SRF funding with,
01:36:44.010 --> 01:36:47.170
because we're not sure how it looks.
01:36:47.170 --> 01:36:51.160
And so I think that one of
the powerful parts of this plan
01:36:51.160 --> 01:36:55.160
is just showing them,
Hey, this is how old it is.
01:36:55.160 --> 01:36:58.200
You got some really
critical stuff over here.
01:36:58.200 --> 01:37:01.370
Did you know that you
have a wastewater line
01:37:01.370 --> 01:37:04.420
that goes over in this direction
01:37:04.420 --> 01:37:06.920
and possibly is underneath
the school or something,
01:37:06.920 --> 01:37:09.600
because I think communities
where that has happened as well.
01:37:09.600 --> 01:37:13.270
And so it's just tying
to identify that stuff
01:37:13.270 --> 01:37:16.100
that I think kind of has gotten lost
01:37:16.100 --> 01:37:19.617
in the people turning over
and construction happening
01:37:19.617 --> 01:37:21.030
and all that.
01:37:21.030 --> 01:37:23.900
I don't know that that
would be a big benefit
01:37:23.900 --> 01:37:24.733
for an operator.
01:37:24.733 --> 01:37:27.350
I think that mapping is
probably the biggest benefit
01:37:27.350 --> 01:37:29.470
that when you go see.
01:37:31.196 --> 01:37:33.190
I think that was again
what was identified
01:37:33.190 --> 01:37:34.950
by the communities as a top priority.
01:37:34.950 --> 01:37:38.650
And I think something that
all the folks who participated
01:37:38.650 --> 01:37:40.980
in the pilot study kind
of put that as the top
01:37:40.980 --> 01:37:41.813
of their list.
01:37:41.813 --> 01:37:46.813
So Wilson. So Janet,
did you have a comment?
01:37:47.440 --> 01:37:52.440
Yes. I haven't always
been in the engineering world.
01:37:52.680 --> 01:37:56.287
My previous lot, I worked
in a municipality for 30 years
01:37:56.287 --> 01:37:58.720
and part of that, I
was the city manager.
01:37:58.720 --> 01:38:01.273
And I just wanted to let you know
01:38:01.273 --> 01:38:03.920
that this program, it was a small city,
01:38:03.920 --> 01:38:08.530
It was that 5,600 people,
but this program will be a big,
01:38:11.100 --> 01:38:14.860
big benefit to all
of the smaller cities,
01:38:14.860 --> 01:38:17.570
because I mean, 10,000 and under,
01:38:17.570 --> 01:38:20.360
or maybe even some
that are 15,000 and under,
01:38:20.360 --> 01:38:25.160
because most of the time
their budgets are stretched thin
01:38:25.160 --> 01:38:30.160
and having this funding
available for them to do that,
01:38:31.540 --> 01:38:33.093
is amazing.
01:38:35.400 --> 01:38:38.830
They they're gonna put
their money somewhere else
01:38:38.830 --> 01:38:42.110
because there's always another
squeaky wheel somewhere
01:38:43.593 --> 01:38:47.240
and that's not gonna get
the attention that it needs.
01:38:47.240 --> 01:38:50.520
So by providing this
funding, it's awesome.
01:38:50.520 --> 01:38:52.653
I applaud y'all for doing that.
01:38:53.700 --> 01:38:54.533
Well, thank you.
01:38:54.533 --> 01:38:56.960
And I guess from your
city manager's point of view,
01:38:56.960 --> 01:38:58.710
and also being an engineer
01:39:00.360 --> 01:39:03.670
so important that you have
the asset management in place,
01:39:03.670 --> 01:39:06.540
but having this kind of as your disposal
01:39:06.540 --> 01:39:08.220
from a management standpoint,
01:39:08.220 --> 01:39:11.060
does that enable you
to kind of move forward
01:39:11.060 --> 01:39:16.060
and kind of convince the
community that they need to invest?
01:39:16.460 --> 01:39:17.363
Yes, definitely.
01:39:18.613 --> 01:39:21.960
And someone else
mentioned involving the council
01:39:24.373 --> 01:39:29.150
the city councils involving
them throughout this process,
01:39:29.150 --> 01:39:30.810
then they kind of have a buy-in
01:39:32.180 --> 01:39:33.510
get their buy-in on it.
01:39:33.510 --> 01:39:36.170
And then even though councils change,
01:39:36.170 --> 01:39:38.220
there's still gonna be
probably somebody there
01:39:38.220 --> 01:39:42.070
that was there when it was created.
01:39:42.070 --> 01:39:47.040
But I think they're all seeing now,
01:39:47.040 --> 01:39:49.780
especially with all the
money that's flooding in
01:39:49.780 --> 01:39:52.340
for infrastructure improvements,
01:39:52.340 --> 01:39:55.460
that it would be great
to have this to identify,
01:39:55.460 --> 01:39:58.360
okay, this is the first thing
we're gonna do with our money.
01:39:58.360 --> 01:40:01.223
This is the next thing we're
gonna do with our money,
01:40:04.230 --> 01:40:06.850
because they don't really
ever have time to sit down
01:40:06.850 --> 01:40:11.510
and just think about what
do we need to focus on?
01:40:11.510 --> 01:40:15.390
What is most important
for us to take care of,
01:40:15.390 --> 01:40:18.500
to keep our infrastructure going?
01:40:18.500 --> 01:40:21.533
And we're not constantly
putting out fires.
01:40:22.770 --> 01:40:24.160
I think Scott said something about,
01:40:24.160 --> 01:40:26.510
they're always in the
reactive mode because
01:40:26.510 --> 01:40:27.770
they don't have the staff,
01:40:27.770 --> 01:40:32.370
they don't have the
time to even be proactive.
01:40:32.370 --> 01:40:34.340
So that's gonna continue.
01:40:34.340 --> 01:40:37.883
And I think by having this opportunity,
01:40:39.740 --> 01:40:42.783
it will help so many communities.
01:40:44.646 --> 01:40:48.610
I'm not an engineer, but
I do a lot of grant writing
01:40:48.610 --> 01:40:50.560
in grant administration.
01:40:50.560 --> 01:40:55.110
And I love helping, especially helping
01:40:55.110 --> 01:40:57.320
the smaller communities find the money
01:40:57.320 --> 01:40:59.800
to be able to do these projects.
01:40:59.800 --> 01:41:02.860
And I've done quite a
few water development
01:41:02.860 --> 01:41:04.450
Board applications
01:41:04.450 --> 01:41:07.973
and got funding that
way, which is great too.
01:41:08.830 --> 01:41:13.830
But just getting the
focus well enough to say,
01:41:15.280 --> 01:41:16.950
here are our priorities,
01:41:16.950 --> 01:41:20.920
this is what we need to do from
those asset management plans
01:41:20.920 --> 01:41:22.810
is right.
01:41:22.810 --> 01:41:25.290
Well, thank you
for your comments.
01:41:25.290 --> 01:41:26.580
I agree the funding is important,
01:41:26.580 --> 01:41:29.450
but I think we're very
fortunate that we have the talent
01:41:29.450 --> 01:41:31.770
to take the money and
to execute it and to do
01:41:32.670 --> 01:41:36.440
the very prescribed deliverables that,
01:41:36.440 --> 01:41:38.793
again, we're talking
about today, but yes,
01:41:40.100 --> 01:41:42.820
And I know that Eric's
got his camera on.
01:41:42.820 --> 01:41:46.060
So did you have something
you wanted to say?
01:41:46.060 --> 01:41:48.689
I had to jump on this one
because I think they'll have
01:41:48.689 --> 01:41:50.460
anything that we
don't try to demonstrate
01:41:50.460 --> 01:41:53.600
was the ability to take
a high-tech platform
01:41:53.600 --> 01:41:56.430
like Esri software and make it reachable
01:41:56.430 --> 01:41:57.690
to a small community.
01:41:57.690 --> 01:42:01.930
And I know that based on
some numbers that we've seen,
01:42:01.930 --> 01:42:05.640
if an entity wanted to go
out and get an Esri server,
01:42:05.640 --> 01:42:10.640
those costs can run you
up 50, 60, $70,000 a month.
01:42:13.780 --> 01:42:15.900
I'm not sure about the monthly payment,
01:42:15.900 --> 01:42:20.900
but you can take a
platform or work on the way
01:42:21.980 --> 01:42:25.220
to get to the softwares to an applicable
01:42:25.220 --> 01:42:28.620
to these small cities in a much
more cost-effective manner.
01:42:28.620 --> 01:42:30.340
Like we demonstrated for Blanco.
01:42:30.340 --> 01:42:33.270
And one of the other panelists mentioned
01:42:33.270 --> 01:42:36.620
that they worked with
the cogs, doing local GIS.
01:42:36.620 --> 01:42:38.490
That's an excellent idea.
01:42:38.490 --> 01:42:42.790
We talked about doing a co-op
and having a group of cities
01:42:42.790 --> 01:42:45.330
working together to help
each other with procurement
01:42:45.330 --> 01:42:48.100
and maybe GIS management.
01:42:48.100 --> 01:42:51.820
Those are that also add a
lot of management question
01:42:51.820 --> 01:42:53.000
addressed the management question
01:42:53.000 --> 01:42:54.700
that we were talking about before.
01:42:55.800 --> 01:42:59.710
But I would say that that
the way technology is moving
01:42:59.710 --> 01:43:02.570
and the way we became
Blanco that these small cities
01:43:02.570 --> 01:43:05.930
can't afford and can
use these Esri software.
01:43:05.930 --> 01:43:09.820
In the Esri demonstration,
we came up with,
01:43:09.820 --> 01:43:14.270
we're talking about database
management mapping.
01:43:14.270 --> 01:43:17.440
The city used the
workforce app also to track
01:43:17.440 --> 01:43:18.290
their maintenance
01:43:19.709 --> 01:43:24.010
it's introductory asset
management maintenance tools,
01:43:24.010 --> 01:43:26.490
but it's a start and they've
got some sort of digital
01:43:26.490 --> 01:43:28.100
platform to use.
01:43:28.100 --> 01:43:33.000
And the upshot is that
they have it in place.
01:43:33.000 --> 01:43:36.823
And it'll that in itself will
keep the program rolling,
01:43:39.420 --> 01:43:43.280
so if they are vested in
providing a GIS service
01:43:43.280 --> 01:43:45.700
and they got that system in place,
01:43:45.700 --> 01:43:47.748
then that in itself
will keep them rolling
01:43:47.748 --> 01:43:49.320
and committed to it.
01:43:49.320 --> 01:43:52.700
So we talked more about
it, but I think that these tools
01:43:52.700 --> 01:43:55.150
were definitely reachable
for these small cities.
01:43:56.050 --> 01:43:57.430
So sometimes if
you seen the value,
01:43:57.430 --> 01:44:00.217
then you are able to kind of jump in
01:44:00.217 --> 01:44:02.750
and was that your experience in Blanca
01:44:02.750 --> 01:44:06.320
where maybe there wasn't a
whole lot of expertise initially,
01:44:06.320 --> 01:44:08.480
but when they saw the value
01:44:08.480 --> 01:44:12.990
and what they could get and
achieve and learn and utilize
01:44:12.990 --> 01:44:16.280
that they caught on pretty quickly.
01:44:16.280 --> 01:44:17.580
I'll tell you in Blanco,
01:44:18.510 --> 01:44:20.660
they are being pressed
by land development,
01:44:20.660 --> 01:44:23.640
coming in from San
Antonio and other places.
01:44:23.640 --> 01:44:25.077
So then people coming in asking,
01:44:25.077 --> 01:44:27.530
"Hey, what's missing, you
have a map of your system.
01:44:27.530 --> 01:44:28.600
Can you connect?
01:44:28.600 --> 01:44:30.567
Do we have capacity for this or that?"
01:44:30.567 --> 01:44:33.220
And I'll show you this
as planning strength
01:44:33.220 --> 01:44:36.100
and the ability to help
address those issues,
01:44:36.100 --> 01:44:39.740
it'll turn into a capital
impact fee discussions
01:44:39.740 --> 01:44:41.110
and various things.
01:44:41.110 --> 01:44:43.450
There'll be instrumental
for these cities
01:44:43.450 --> 01:44:44.650
as they grow and change.
01:44:46.930 --> 01:44:47.830
Thank you, Eric.
01:44:50.958 --> 01:44:52.940
We'll move on to question five.
01:44:52.940 --> 01:44:55.870
What information or tools
within an asset management plan
01:44:55.870 --> 01:44:57.740
or the asset management planning process
01:44:57.740 --> 01:44:59.980
would be most beneficial to communities
01:44:59.980 --> 01:45:02.803
to achieve the goal of
implementation of the plan?
01:45:04.020 --> 01:45:04.913
Three Rivers?
01:45:12.850 --> 01:45:13.763
I'm back in?
01:45:15.230 --> 01:45:16.600
We can see you Joe.
01:45:16.600 --> 01:45:17.930
Yeah, very good.
01:45:17.930 --> 01:45:19.023
Most excellent plans,
01:45:21.573 --> 01:45:25.010
I think the onsite meeting
with the people, of course,
01:45:25.010 --> 01:45:26.600
the software, things like that help,
01:45:26.600 --> 01:45:29.440
but in smaller communities
that they stated over and over,
01:45:29.440 --> 01:45:34.440
you have the same
people carrying many hats.
01:45:34.823 --> 01:45:36.340
They do pretty well, I'm telling you.
01:45:36.340 --> 01:45:38.794
They meet the requirements
01:45:38.794 --> 01:45:43.794
everything is regulatory
and everybody's safe.
01:45:44.980 --> 01:45:48.900
But I think the tools that are given
01:45:48.900 --> 01:45:53.900
is as we used was the
actual planning near term,
01:45:56.020 --> 01:45:57.863
the near term, midterm, longterm,
01:45:59.070 --> 01:46:03.150
actually give them a
database and possible at times,
01:46:03.150 --> 01:46:05.973
trying to help them update that yearly.
01:46:06.846 --> 01:46:08.070
or every couple of years,
01:46:08.070 --> 01:46:10.240
many times they don't have
the capability of doing that.
01:46:10.240 --> 01:46:12.680
They do keep probably
keep them up or handwriting
01:46:12.680 --> 01:46:14.330
or keep the notebook.
01:46:14.330 --> 01:46:18.100
But another thing I was
gonna tell you is that
01:46:18.100 --> 01:46:21.850
a lot of these smaller
cities again, but helps them
01:46:21.850 --> 01:46:24.670
in getting out there and
then everybody helps out.
01:46:24.670 --> 01:46:27.180
They do the mayor for the
mayor on down to the operator
01:46:27.180 --> 01:46:28.486
and the guys in the
field will get out there
01:46:28.486 --> 01:46:30.302
and try to help out to
these things together.
01:46:30.302 --> 01:46:32.620
Because many times they don't
have the accurate maps things
01:46:32.620 --> 01:46:35.300
and those items, inventory.
01:46:35.300 --> 01:46:38.160
This helps put together
in one place inventory.
01:46:38.160 --> 01:46:42.630
So I think that making sure
that all the inventory is done,
01:46:42.630 --> 01:46:43.980
but it's an off shoot of this,
01:46:43.980 --> 01:46:46.860
and I think that that
makes them very aware,
01:46:46.860 --> 01:46:51.080
not either there's so many
bar boils in that in the state
01:46:51.080 --> 01:46:53.290
and we all feed of this.
01:46:53.290 --> 01:46:56.480
And they're all very aware
that that is the key thing
01:46:56.480 --> 01:46:58.720
that they do not wanna happen.
01:46:58.720 --> 01:47:03.435
So because the safety of the public
01:47:03.435 --> 01:47:05.850
and of the bad press
you have to be on tape,
01:47:05.850 --> 01:47:07.940
you have to report it.
01:47:07.940 --> 01:47:10.680
And so it happens quite a bit.
01:47:10.680 --> 01:47:15.550
I think that stressing
that or funding is provided
01:47:15.550 --> 01:47:20.430
to the city so that
they're able not to get out
01:47:20.430 --> 01:47:22.423
either through the
engineering, through people
01:47:22.423 --> 01:47:24.110
that locate items,
01:47:24.110 --> 01:47:26.720
especially locate the water house,
01:47:26.720 --> 01:47:31.720
especially have a valve
operating or valve sweep, I guess,
01:47:33.270 --> 01:47:36.600
procedure or something
in the operations plant
01:47:36.600 --> 01:47:39.580
or in the I'm sorry, the
asset management plan
01:47:39.580 --> 01:47:42.217
simply because these guys,
01:47:42.217 --> 01:47:44.730
I used to be a city engineer,
public works director,
01:47:44.730 --> 01:47:47.690
they'll get a water leak.
01:47:47.690 --> 01:47:51.300
And depending on the area
they have a valve is brand new
01:47:51.300 --> 01:47:52.810
or a valve is 50 years old.
01:47:52.810 --> 01:47:54.760
What was that in gloves?
01:47:54.760 --> 01:47:59.360
So they'll expand out to
close more and more valves.
01:47:59.360 --> 01:48:01.860
It's two o'clock. I don't
want them to fix a leak.
01:48:01.860 --> 01:48:05.070
They opened up the
valves, even they remember.
01:48:05.070 --> 01:48:07.800
And then over this iterative process,
01:48:07.800 --> 01:48:10.670
they sooner or later you
have 20 or 30% of your valves
01:48:10.670 --> 01:48:13.440
throughout the system
closed in any given city
01:48:13.440 --> 01:48:17.880
throughout state, which
leads to short-circuiting,
01:48:17.880 --> 01:48:21.050
bad water quality and
eventually the water hole.
01:48:21.050 --> 01:48:23.750
So I think that's
important that the stress,
01:48:23.750 --> 01:48:27.780
when we do the inventory
or whatever you perceive
01:48:27.780 --> 01:48:31.689
in the future, that
you really drill down
01:48:31.689 --> 01:48:33.280
to the really minor things
01:48:33.280 --> 01:48:35.870
we all say a little more
plants and water apart things,
01:48:35.870 --> 01:48:38.870
you see a pump station
that's not turning on,
01:48:38.870 --> 01:48:41.000
but the water wastewater,
01:48:41.000 --> 01:48:45.700
the overflows and manholes
people connect in their rooftop
01:48:45.700 --> 01:48:50.580
grains, or their gutters
to the stone brand outfall,
01:48:50.580 --> 01:48:53.340
I'm sorry, the storm drain outfalls,
01:48:53.340 --> 01:48:55.760
but they'll do the outfalls
don't work very well.
01:48:55.760 --> 01:48:57.770
So they'll decide into
their clean out in the back
01:48:57.770 --> 01:49:01.310
of the yard and it causes INI issues,
01:49:01.310 --> 01:49:03.470
overflow issues to waste water.
01:49:03.470 --> 01:49:06.233
So a more detailed inventory,
01:49:07.151 --> 01:49:11.960
more in the weeds of
what's needed in the program
01:49:11.960 --> 01:49:14.570
will cost a little more,
a little more effort,
01:49:14.570 --> 01:49:17.710
but I think that's what
really helps small towns
01:49:17.710 --> 01:49:20.900
and they don't have the
manpower to go around and do.
01:49:20.900 --> 01:49:22.200
So more of the
detail, the better,
01:49:22.200 --> 01:49:25.240
and maybe even consider
doing it in a couple of phases.
01:49:25.240 --> 01:49:27.820
And hopefully, maybe
some of the communities
01:49:27.820 --> 01:49:29.490
after they buy in
and do the first phase,
01:49:29.490 --> 01:49:32.880
we'll kind of pick up the next
kind of one moving forward.
01:49:32.880 --> 01:49:35.428
So thank you, dude.
01:49:35.428 --> 01:49:36.703
That's great job.
01:49:36.703 --> 01:49:40.180
I think we'll move on
to question number six
01:49:40.180 --> 01:49:42.100
and this we're just
gonna throw it out there
01:49:42.100 --> 01:49:46.223
and y'all can answer
in any format you want.
01:49:47.520 --> 01:49:50.830
So a one method for determining
the criticality of assets
01:49:50.830 --> 01:49:54.100
and prioritizing where
resources are expended
01:49:54.100 --> 01:49:56.020
is determining the probability
01:49:56.020 --> 01:49:58.940
and consequence of
failure of each asset.
01:49:58.940 --> 01:50:00.620
Are you aware of this method
01:50:00.620 --> 01:50:04.450
and if so, do you find this
to be more or less beneficial
01:50:04.450 --> 01:50:06.710
to systems than other methods
01:50:06.710 --> 01:50:09.863
for determining criticality of assets?
01:50:13.910 --> 01:50:15.713
I guess I'll jump
in real quick.
01:50:16.590 --> 01:50:19.230
I think city staff do this every day.
01:50:19.230 --> 01:50:20.870
They're looking at their system
01:50:20.870 --> 01:50:23.080
and they're doing it naturally.
01:50:23.080 --> 01:50:26.460
As I move forward in a plan
01:50:26.460 --> 01:50:29.150
we're having to take
that data and put that in.
01:50:29.150 --> 01:50:31.610
And in the asset management plan,
01:50:31.610 --> 01:50:33.870
you're taking the assets
and you're ranking those
01:50:33.870 --> 01:50:38.527
based upon what condition they're in.
01:50:38.527 --> 01:50:40.290
And let's take, for example,
01:50:40.290 --> 01:50:43.320
a manhole that was put in 40 years ago,
01:50:43.320 --> 01:50:46.800
it's probably nearing the
end of its life expectancy.
01:50:46.800 --> 01:50:48.780
So here in the next five years,
01:50:48.780 --> 01:50:51.570
we need to start doing
something with that manhole.
01:50:51.570 --> 01:50:53.930
That's what we can do as an engineer.
01:50:53.930 --> 01:50:58.030
The staff could care less
about the manhole. It's working.
01:50:58.030 --> 01:51:00.540
What they're looking at is
the booster pump station.
01:51:00.540 --> 01:51:02.380
Is it working? Is it operational?
01:51:02.380 --> 01:51:05.420
That my pudding water up
in our elevated storage tank.
01:51:05.420 --> 01:51:07.430
That's the data that
we've got to figure out
01:51:07.430 --> 01:51:10.290
how to implement into
because they know the nuances
01:51:10.290 --> 01:51:12.860
of that pump, how it needs to operate.
01:51:12.860 --> 01:51:15.650
It may not necessarily
be by the manufacturer's
01:51:15.650 --> 01:51:18.710
recommendation, but
they're making it work.
01:51:18.710 --> 01:51:21.690
And it's that type of information
that we're having to get
01:51:21.690 --> 01:51:23.953
from the staff to put in this plane,
01:51:24.870 --> 01:51:29.310
that's a little tough to
show inside of a plan.
01:51:29.310 --> 01:51:32.830
We're writing that pump on a condition.
01:51:32.830 --> 01:51:35.210
Is it operating like it's supposed to?
01:51:35.210 --> 01:51:38.780
Absolutely not, but it is operational.
01:51:38.780 --> 01:51:40.570
So how do you rank that?
01:51:40.570 --> 01:51:44.190
And putting a critical
component like that
01:51:44.190 --> 01:51:45.880
and putting a ranking on it
01:51:46.870 --> 01:51:49.370
that's from the staff and
that's where you've got to get
01:51:49.370 --> 01:51:51.470
that buy-in from them.
01:51:51.470 --> 01:51:53.840
Make sure they're telling you
everything you need to know
01:51:53.840 --> 01:51:56.470
about it and I can't tell
you how many times,
01:51:56.470 --> 01:51:58.920
every time I meet with
the public works director,
01:51:58.920 --> 01:52:01.390
I hear something new about their system
01:52:01.390 --> 01:52:03.130
that I did not know about.
01:52:03.130 --> 01:52:05.483
And that's where with an
asset management plan,
01:52:05.483 --> 01:52:10.150
it's critical to keep meeting
with them over and over again,
01:52:10.150 --> 01:52:13.610
I think Steven made a good
point about if there's something
01:52:13.610 --> 01:52:16.220
critically wrong with the
system, bring it to light,
01:52:16.220 --> 01:52:18.730
don't hide it because as
soon as you bring it to light,
01:52:18.730 --> 01:52:22.100
you bring focus to it, now
everybody knows about it.
01:52:22.100 --> 01:52:24.803
It may be there's a
direction to try to fix that.
01:52:24.803 --> 01:52:27.710
Then I think that's what this
asset management plan does.
01:52:27.710 --> 01:52:30.100
It puts those critical components.
01:52:30.100 --> 01:52:32.690
They may rank higher or lower
01:52:32.690 --> 01:52:34.983
depending on what the staff feeling is,
01:52:36.480 --> 01:52:38.430
how it's operating and what they think
01:52:38.430 --> 01:52:40.440
is gonna need to be replaced.
01:52:40.440 --> 01:52:41.750
What's gonna need to be fixed
01:52:41.750 --> 01:52:44.360
that needs to be
incorporated into there.
01:52:44.360 --> 01:52:47.080
So not only a by
the book probability,
01:52:47.080 --> 01:52:52.080
but also taking in
comments from the staff.
01:52:53.340 --> 01:52:55.990
It's kind of hard
to as an engineer,
01:52:55.990 --> 01:52:58.700
that's not in the system
doing the nuts and bolts
01:52:58.700 --> 01:53:00.200
or with the consultant,
01:53:00.200 --> 01:53:02.760
that's not doing the nuts and bolts
01:53:02.760 --> 01:53:04.730
to make that water house.
01:53:04.730 --> 01:53:06.780
My opinion, it's gotta
be from the staff.
01:53:07.650 --> 01:53:10.290
And Phillip, I think you
had something to say.
01:53:10.290 --> 01:53:12.400
Yes, I will concur with Scott.
01:53:12.400 --> 01:53:14.930
And that's what I did with the staff
01:53:14.930 --> 01:53:16.780
during the development of
the asset management plan,
01:53:16.780 --> 01:53:21.010
the TCEQ tool has that
component built into it
01:53:21.010 --> 01:53:23.540
on the first step, the inventory phase.
01:53:23.540 --> 01:53:26.670
So if we take the inventory
and then there was a,
01:53:26.670 --> 01:53:28.153
after you completed put into inventory,
01:53:28.153 --> 01:53:31.110
then you take each items in an inventory
01:53:31.110 --> 01:53:32.070
and as a set of questions,
01:53:32.070 --> 01:53:34.380
you ask determine
about the condition of it
01:53:35.560 --> 01:53:37.900
and whether or not you have redundancy
01:53:37.900 --> 01:53:40.630
and how critical it is to
the operation of the system
01:53:40.630 --> 01:53:43.220
in terms of delivering to the mission.
01:53:43.220 --> 01:53:44.240
And then at the end,
01:53:44.240 --> 01:53:47.610
you generate a number one
through five for each asset.
01:53:47.610 --> 01:53:51.890
So if an asset has a one is
priority one, and so later on,
01:53:51.890 --> 01:53:54.670
you use that for your planning
for volt budgeting purposes
01:53:54.670 --> 01:53:55.540
and operations.
01:53:55.540 --> 01:53:59.330
And so you're gonna start
with all your number ones first,
01:53:59.330 --> 01:54:00.860
and then two, three, four and five.
01:54:00.860 --> 01:54:03.260
So five is like new or brand new.
01:54:03.260 --> 01:54:06.490
And then one is past its life,
01:54:06.490 --> 01:54:09.930
is near failures, a lot of
repairs being done on it.
01:54:09.930 --> 01:54:12.610
So I was think it's a
very, very important step
01:54:12.610 --> 01:54:14.940
in that overall process.
01:54:14.940 --> 01:54:16.630
So that's a yes?
Yes.
01:54:17.680 --> 01:54:18.823
Thank you.
Eric.
01:54:19.890 --> 01:54:23.190
Yeah, I would agree
that the TCEQ method
01:54:23.190 --> 01:54:26.500
approximates this
method that you mentioning
01:54:26.500 --> 01:54:28.787
it's actually built into it.
01:54:28.787 --> 01:54:33.787
But what you have is you
have a simplistic approach to it
01:54:34.230 --> 01:54:38.960
without getting too analytical in it.
01:54:38.960 --> 01:54:42.580
So the failure rate, it
measures reliability,
01:54:42.580 --> 01:54:44.240
and you'll go and get,
01:54:44.240 --> 01:54:47.840
ask those questions in
those rankings of the TCEQ,
01:54:47.840 --> 01:54:50.310
which get to that
comment about reliability
01:54:50.310 --> 01:54:51.950
or the consequences of failure.
01:54:51.950 --> 01:54:54.830
It's in the TCQ method.
01:54:54.830 --> 01:54:57.740
So I would recommend
that we keep it simple.
01:54:57.740 --> 01:55:01.100
And a lot of cities that we talked to
01:55:01.100 --> 01:55:03.430
that are getting more complex,
01:55:03.430 --> 01:55:06.340
we're talking about
preventative maintenance issues,
01:55:06.340 --> 01:55:09.063
where we're actually
getting into thermography.
01:55:09.980 --> 01:55:12.160
We're looking at lubrication,
01:55:12.160 --> 01:55:15.650
we're looking at vibration
to do a look at assets
01:55:15.650 --> 01:55:17.840
from a preventative
maintenance standpoint
01:55:17.840 --> 01:55:21.310
that's you're talking way
on one part of the spectrum
01:55:22.280 --> 01:55:23.440
and at least small cities,
01:55:23.440 --> 01:55:26.960
I'm not sure if he'll be
doing that at this point.
01:55:26.960 --> 01:55:29.890
Now, as they get into this med,
01:55:29.890 --> 01:55:31.940
then start getting their program going,
01:55:31.940 --> 01:55:35.555
if they want to advance
and get more specific
01:55:35.555 --> 01:55:40.140
and more or less analytical,
the respect to resiliency,
01:55:40.140 --> 01:55:43.440
and maybe even get into the
preventative maintenance world,
01:55:43.440 --> 01:55:46.060
think they can do that,
but it would be a step that's
01:55:46.060 --> 01:55:47.960
for the future, in my opinion.
01:55:48.810 --> 01:55:51.940
So the consensus is, I
mean, we talked about
01:55:51.940 --> 01:55:54.770
the detail and at
which it would be done,
01:55:54.770 --> 01:55:55.767
or the methods at which we were done
01:55:55.767 --> 01:55:56.930
and what we would incorporate.
01:55:56.930 --> 01:55:59.460
But I mean, overall,
it's the consensus that,
01:55:59.460 --> 01:56:02.323
yes, this is something
that brings value in,
01:56:04.130 --> 01:56:06.900
would be something
we would like to include.
01:56:06.900 --> 01:56:10.770
I'm seeing everybody here
kind of shaking their heads.
01:56:10.770 --> 01:56:13.240
Catalina, I would
think that we do,
01:56:13.240 --> 01:56:14.950
but as far as the program goes,
01:56:14.950 --> 01:56:17.440
I think the TCEQ method
actually approximate this.
01:56:17.440 --> 01:56:19.410
Eric, we need your camera on.
01:56:19.410 --> 01:56:20.283
Oh, I'm sorry.
01:56:22.301 --> 01:56:25.589
I think the TCQ method
actually approximates
01:56:25.589 --> 01:56:28.040
this technique already.
01:56:28.040 --> 01:56:32.260
So I'm not sure if we need to
get too programmatic about it
01:56:32.260 --> 01:56:34.763
going into it at this point,
01:56:36.750 --> 01:56:39.130
if I'm understanding your comment.
01:56:39.130 --> 01:56:40.600
Okay, thank you.
01:56:40.600 --> 01:56:42.790
If I could just add to that.
Yes, go ahead.
01:56:42.790 --> 01:56:47.790
I think even that simple
approach can help kind of direct
01:56:48.420 --> 01:56:52.190
more advanced like
inspection if the utility is looking
01:56:52.190 --> 01:56:55.140
at what what assets
they need to inspect,
01:56:55.140 --> 01:56:57.220
even having that basic framework
01:56:57.220 --> 01:57:02.220
of a criticality can give
them good direction
01:57:04.680 --> 01:57:07.730
as to which assets they
need to focus on inspecting,
01:57:07.730 --> 01:57:09.660
rather than trying to say,
01:57:09.660 --> 01:57:12.070
TV, their entire wastewater network,
01:57:12.070 --> 01:57:16.440
they can focus on
the high criticality lines.
01:57:16.440 --> 01:57:18.270
Obviously you can't
do everything at once.
01:57:18.270 --> 01:57:19.103
And so.
01:57:20.330 --> 01:57:22.913
All right, you gave me
the rate study question.
01:57:24.400 --> 01:57:27.570
What elements were evaluated
when determining if a rate
01:57:27.570 --> 01:57:29.683
study was needed for the system?
01:57:31.230 --> 01:57:33.060
Anyone jump in, right study.
01:57:33.060 --> 01:57:34.663
Everyone loves that question.
01:57:35.700 --> 01:57:40.230
Because remember one of
the requirements of the program
01:57:40.230 --> 01:57:42.267
was to determine whether it was needed
01:57:42.267 --> 01:57:45.950
and so what we were
kind of curious about is,
01:57:45.950 --> 01:57:48.150
what did you actually go in and look at
01:57:48.150 --> 01:57:50.420
to determine yes or no?
01:57:50.420 --> 01:57:51.660
And were those
something that was defined?
01:57:51.660 --> 01:57:52.830
We got Philip up there.
01:57:52.830 --> 01:57:54.660
Hey, go for it.
01:57:54.660 --> 01:57:59.080
Step three of the TCEQ to
analyze the set by entering
01:57:59.080 --> 01:58:00.700
the budget information.
01:58:00.700 --> 01:58:03.940
And then it projected out
over that five-year period
01:58:03.940 --> 01:58:06.640
to show whether or not
they would have a negative
01:58:06.640 --> 01:58:09.050
or positive if they actually implemented
01:58:09.050 --> 01:58:11.480
the asset management portion of it.
01:58:11.480 --> 01:58:15.080
And it even does a calculation
to show how much the average
01:58:15.080 --> 01:58:18.470
customer would have to
pay if there was a shortfall.
01:58:18.470 --> 01:58:21.593
So that's what we use for
the analyzing section of it.
01:58:23.410 --> 01:58:25.560
So you felt like that the
elements that were included
01:58:25.560 --> 01:58:29.690
in that evaluation were adequate.
01:58:29.690 --> 01:58:30.523
Yes ma'am.
01:58:30.523 --> 01:58:32.090
And then from there they
could decide they wanna go with
01:58:32.090 --> 01:58:33.250
the full blown straight,
01:58:33.250 --> 01:58:35.440
but it definitely does the
announced a section of it
01:58:35.440 --> 01:58:37.050
for them.
01:58:37.050 --> 01:58:38.622
Thank you.
01:58:38.622 --> 01:58:41.930
I also wanna mention
that, I know we keep cities,
01:58:41.930 --> 01:58:45.280
but there are a lot of
water supply corporations,
01:58:45.280 --> 01:58:47.700
as well as utility
districts that could benefit
01:58:47.700 --> 01:58:50.337
from this as well.
01:58:50.337 --> 01:58:51.337
That's it.
01:58:54.120 --> 01:58:56.490
All right. Well, we'll
just continue at it,
01:58:56.490 --> 01:58:58.640
no one wants to talk
about rates study. So.
01:58:59.980 --> 01:59:03.850
What kind of training tools
or resources can be provided
01:59:03.850 --> 01:59:06.610
during asset management planning process
01:59:06.610 --> 01:59:08.240
to utility management,
01:59:08.240 --> 01:59:10.017
to be able to communicate the short-term
01:59:10.017 --> 01:59:12.470
and the long-term needs
and effective manner
01:59:12.470 --> 01:59:14.453
to governing bodies of the utility.
01:59:22.800 --> 01:59:24.650
So I guess I'll
jump in here again.
01:59:25.730 --> 01:59:27.760
So again, the asset management plan,
01:59:27.760 --> 01:59:31.380
it gives out that budgeted ranking
01:59:31.380 --> 01:59:35.500
the priority one through
five and kind of tells
01:59:35.500 --> 01:59:38.420
what's your highest priority,
what's not looking so good,
01:59:38.420 --> 01:59:41.560
what's gonna need to be
replaced in the next five years.
01:59:41.560 --> 01:59:43.840
And then you've got your
next subsequent rankings.
01:59:43.840 --> 01:59:46.850
Two through five kind of
gives the city a snapshot
01:59:46.850 --> 01:59:49.290
of what they're looking
at that they're gonna have
01:59:49.290 --> 01:59:51.620
to focus on in the next five years.
01:59:51.620 --> 01:59:55.270
And talking about rate studies
that goes along with this,
01:59:55.270 --> 01:59:57.550
the majority of the cities
are gonna be shocked
01:59:57.550 --> 02:00:00.960
to find how much their rates
are gonna need to change,
02:00:00.960 --> 02:00:04.683
to be able to pay for what
needs to be fixed in the future.
02:00:05.790 --> 02:00:09.600
The infrastructure's
aging and a lot of cities
02:00:09.600 --> 02:00:12.731
they've replaced pieces,
portions, things like that.
02:00:12.731 --> 02:00:17.410
But with new technology, a
wastewater treatment plant
02:00:17.410 --> 02:00:19.680
we've already said is
extremely expensive.
02:00:19.680 --> 02:00:22.430
Some of these plants were
put in in the early eighties.
02:00:23.590 --> 02:00:26.720
So they've been in for a while
and they've been patched up
02:00:26.720 --> 02:00:30.080
and eventually you're
gonna have to bite the bullet
02:00:30.080 --> 02:00:31.393
and do something new.
02:00:33.112 --> 02:00:35.720
A lot of cities just kick
that can down the road.
02:00:35.720 --> 02:00:39.230
And I think what this asset
management plan does is,
02:00:39.230 --> 02:00:42.770
again, using Steven's term
is bringing it to light that,
02:00:42.770 --> 02:00:45.280
Hey, we've got this major
issue sitting over here,
02:00:45.280 --> 02:00:46.583
that's out of sight out of
mind that we're gonna have
02:00:46.583 --> 02:00:50.900
to do something with and
oh, by the way, here's the cost.
02:00:50.900 --> 02:00:53.002
So how are we gonna handle this?
02:00:53.002 --> 02:00:56.380
And yeah, you can get a
water development Board loan,
02:00:56.380 --> 02:01:00.510
you can get a grant, but the
city's still gonna have to pay
02:01:00.510 --> 02:01:01.570
some of that back.
02:01:01.570 --> 02:01:04.250
And where are those
funds gonna come from?
02:01:04.250 --> 02:01:07.540
And starting sooner rather than later,
02:01:07.540 --> 02:01:10.991
getting the population
or the citizens involved,
02:01:10.991 --> 02:01:14.890
understanding that, Hey, we
have this big expense coming up,
02:01:14.890 --> 02:01:16.800
we need to prepare for it.
02:01:16.800 --> 02:01:21.640
That kind of gives justification
to any changes to that,
02:01:21.640 --> 02:01:24.530
to the sewer rate, water rate,
whatever the case might be.
02:01:24.530 --> 02:01:26.610
So now there's some backing to that
02:01:26.610 --> 02:01:27.620
instead of just saying,
02:01:27.620 --> 02:01:29.180
oh, we need to pay for more staff
02:01:29.180 --> 02:01:31.063
or pay for more improvements.
02:01:31.063 --> 02:01:34.530
There's a lot more behind that number.
02:01:34.530 --> 02:01:37.250
Oh, raising rates is
never a popular thing
02:01:37.250 --> 02:01:39.740
to do obviously,
02:01:39.740 --> 02:01:42.570
but infrastructure is aging
throughout the entire state.
02:01:42.570 --> 02:01:44.880
And it's something that
we really talk about it,
02:01:44.880 --> 02:01:47.030
the Board the value of water,
02:01:47.030 --> 02:01:49.910
the value of our
infrastructure and trying to get
02:01:49.910 --> 02:01:52.870
public buy-in to, there
is a cost associated
02:01:52.870 --> 02:01:54.860
with maintaining our infrastructure
02:01:54.860 --> 02:01:58.350
and what I've heard from a
lot of our colleagues out there
02:01:58.350 --> 02:02:01.230
is just a clear, consistent,
02:02:01.230 --> 02:02:05.120
and early engagement of
the public that their rates
02:02:05.120 --> 02:02:08.250
will probably go up is obvious.
02:02:08.250 --> 02:02:11.810
Like you, otherwise you
will have just a political fight
02:02:11.810 --> 02:02:12.700
on your hands,
02:02:12.700 --> 02:02:15.610
but if you can get to them
early and engage them early
02:02:15.610 --> 02:02:18.210
and let them know exactly what it's for,
02:02:18.210 --> 02:02:19.763
it's a lot easier path.
02:02:20.840 --> 02:02:22.550
Yeah, I found up
as a council member
02:02:22.550 --> 02:02:23.990
and mayor of a small town.
02:02:23.990 --> 02:02:26.740
And what I have found
is the more you bring it up
02:02:26.740 --> 02:02:28.600
after so many times of bringing it up,
02:02:28.600 --> 02:02:29.700
they finally get to the point,
02:02:29.700 --> 02:02:31.220
well, why aren't we doing it?
02:02:31.220 --> 02:02:33.300
So that's kind of the best philosophy
02:02:33.300 --> 02:02:35.623
to take out exactly where I'm out.
02:02:37.038 --> 02:02:39.640
And I don't know, maybe
Eric could comment as well,
02:02:39.640 --> 02:02:42.910
but part of the challenge is that,
02:02:42.910 --> 02:02:45.080
if you communicate the
asset management needs
02:02:45.080 --> 02:02:48.340
to the utility director,
I mean, you're insane.
02:02:48.340 --> 02:02:50.430
I mean, you can almost say one word
02:02:50.430 --> 02:02:53.040
and they'll finish the sentence, right?
02:02:53.040 --> 02:02:56.220
As opposed to the
council who then in turn
02:02:56.220 --> 02:02:59.800
is got to communicate
and convince the public
02:02:59.800 --> 02:03:01.170
that this is a good investment.
02:03:01.170 --> 02:03:05.820
So, part of what we kind of
like to get your thoughts on
02:03:05.820 --> 02:03:08.440
is, well, what is that education?
02:03:08.440 --> 02:03:10.600
What is that training,
what does that look like
02:03:10.600 --> 02:03:14.610
that kind of helps the utility manager
02:03:14.610 --> 02:03:16.163
who's already in sync with it,
02:03:17.583 --> 02:03:21.170
to kind of get that same
communication going
02:03:21.170 --> 02:03:24.080
with the city council
so that they in turn
02:03:24.080 --> 02:03:25.930
can hopefully they're
the trusted messengers
02:03:25.930 --> 02:03:29.548
can kind of help and
communicate that to the public.
02:03:29.548 --> 02:03:30.381
And that's always
the challenge because
02:03:30.381 --> 02:03:32.810
a lot of these rural cities,
your council members
02:03:32.810 --> 02:03:37.810
are school teachers,
farmers, tow truck driver
02:03:38.600 --> 02:03:41.160
that know nothing about city operation.
02:03:41.160 --> 02:03:44.350
And so, that's the
challenge of trying to get
02:03:44.350 --> 02:03:48.990
that importance of what
your infrastructure looks like
02:03:48.990 --> 02:03:51.910
and convincing the
council that has no idea
02:03:51.910 --> 02:03:54.190
when you mentioned air raider
02:03:54.190 --> 02:03:55.500
on a wastewater treatment plant,
02:03:55.500 --> 02:03:58.000
they have no idea what
you're talking about.
02:03:58.000 --> 02:04:00.820
So what I've done on
some of my smaller cities
02:04:00.820 --> 02:04:02.840
is we've taken them on field trips.
02:04:02.840 --> 02:04:04.150
Now, when they're newly elected,
02:04:04.150 --> 02:04:06.210
Hey, come out to the wastewater
treatment plant with me,
02:04:06.210 --> 02:04:08.420
let me walk you around and show you
02:04:08.420 --> 02:04:10.030
what we're talking about.
02:04:10.030 --> 02:04:13.780
And that's done wonders now
getting them to a wastewater
02:04:13.780 --> 02:04:16.530
treatment plant, that's a
challenge in and of itself.
02:04:16.530 --> 02:04:21.510
So again it's gonna
be city by city basis
02:04:21.510 --> 02:04:26.140
on the approach that you
take to get the council involved.
02:04:26.140 --> 02:04:28.070
A lot of these cities,
the council members,
02:04:28.070 --> 02:04:28.980
or your neighbors,
02:04:28.980 --> 02:04:33.640
or your kid plays with the
sports on the mayor's kid,
02:04:33.640 --> 02:04:35.270
so there's always that connection
02:04:35.270 --> 02:04:40.270
and always that
opportunity to be able to talk
02:04:40.450 --> 02:04:41.850
about things like this.
02:04:41.850 --> 02:04:43.800
And you just have to keep your eyes open
02:04:43.800 --> 02:04:46.610
and make sure that we're gets out there.
02:04:46.610 --> 02:04:48.270
Even in a council meeting,
02:04:48.270 --> 02:04:51.730
a lot of mine, I put a
city engineer update,
02:04:51.730 --> 02:04:55.220
it's a standing agenda
item on the council.
02:04:55.220 --> 02:04:57.990
And so that gives me an
opportunity to give up and talk
02:04:57.990 --> 02:05:01.430
about something that not
necessarily an agenda item
02:05:01.430 --> 02:05:03.740
or anything the council
needs to vote on,
02:05:03.740 --> 02:05:06.300
but it's at least something
to get it out there in the open
02:05:06.300 --> 02:05:07.690
so that's in the meeting minutes.
02:05:07.690 --> 02:05:09.870
And if anybody wants
to go back and look at it,
02:05:09.870 --> 02:05:11.300
they can review all of that.
02:05:11.300 --> 02:05:14.600
So it's opportunities like that.
02:05:14.600 --> 02:05:16.740
You just got to get the
information out there.
02:05:16.740 --> 02:05:21.050
And, again, as a mayor, I
put articles in newspaper,
02:05:21.050 --> 02:05:23.740
Facebook, I'm not a social media guy,
02:05:23.740 --> 02:05:25.530
so that may be an issue,
02:05:25.530 --> 02:05:29.320
but you can never put
it out there too much.
02:05:29.320 --> 02:05:31.960
Somebody is gonna
say, "Well, I never saw it."
02:05:31.960 --> 02:05:34.083
And it's hard to reach everybody.
02:05:35.060 --> 02:05:40.010
So Eric, I know that you
had a lot of involvement
02:05:40.010 --> 02:05:43.360
from Mayor Harding in
Blanco and the moving forward
02:05:43.360 --> 02:05:44.990
with the asset management program.
02:05:44.990 --> 02:05:46.640
And one of the quotes,
02:05:46.640 --> 02:05:49.200
I think I remember you
saying is, seeing is believing.
02:05:49.200 --> 02:05:53.033
And so I interested in your
comments on how we can.
02:05:56.040 --> 02:05:58.400
Since Mayor
Herding left office,
02:05:58.400 --> 02:06:01.810
we had a big transitions,
like some others had noted.
02:06:01.810 --> 02:06:04.890
And so we had people
almost forget everything.
02:06:04.890 --> 02:06:09.890
And the city has rediscovered everything
02:06:10.290 --> 02:06:11.360
that we've put together.
02:06:11.360 --> 02:06:14.633
We just got to re up on
our GIS contract yesterday.
02:06:16.802 --> 02:06:19.550
So I would think
that part of it would be
02:06:19.550 --> 02:06:20.810
to look at the data.
02:06:20.810 --> 02:06:22.320
I wish we could show it to you.
02:06:22.320 --> 02:06:24.160
The dashBoards you could create
02:06:24.160 --> 02:06:25.860
and the map that you can create
02:06:25.860 --> 02:06:28.810
with these Esri software packages
02:06:28.810 --> 02:06:30.780
that prioritize the system.
02:06:30.780 --> 02:06:33.210
So you could come in
and show all the systems
02:06:33.210 --> 02:06:35.530
that are red or green or blue, whatever,
02:06:35.530 --> 02:06:37.130
depending on how you ranked them.
02:06:37.130 --> 02:06:40.290
It creates a really good
communication tool
02:06:40.290 --> 02:06:43.560
to do the council and to the citizens.
02:06:43.560 --> 02:06:45.900
If you have that mapping capability
02:06:45.900 --> 02:06:49.450
and you have the ability to
show it in a dashBoard format
02:06:49.450 --> 02:06:51.640
and it's all there, and that
technology is right there
02:06:51.640 --> 02:06:52.513
for them to use.
02:06:54.060 --> 02:06:55.692
And I don't know if you've seen it,
02:06:55.692 --> 02:06:58.642
but if you would like to look
at it, we can show it to you.
02:07:00.122 --> 02:07:02.613
Thank you. Steven.
02:07:04.800 --> 02:07:06.760
I think we're on the
right track about this idea
02:07:06.760 --> 02:07:10.080
of privatization, things
have to be prioritized,
02:07:10.080 --> 02:07:11.240
and we've got ways to do that.
02:07:11.240 --> 02:07:13.118
We've discussed that.
02:07:13.118 --> 02:07:15.410
I think there's one additional step.
02:07:15.410 --> 02:07:18.870
It's like one step away
from actually getting there
02:07:18.870 --> 02:07:21.460
to communicate to folks, for example,
02:07:21.460 --> 02:07:23.290
that are not the engineer crowd,
02:07:23.290 --> 02:07:25.033
or they're not lived in this.
02:07:26.201 --> 02:07:29.430
They need to know a
real world consequence
02:07:29.430 --> 02:07:31.550
of this priority list.
02:07:31.550 --> 02:07:34.260
So for example, if this fails,
02:07:34.260 --> 02:07:37.117
if this particular manhole
in the section five,
02:07:37.117 --> 02:07:39.730
this is vitrified clay pipe,
that's seventy-five years old.
02:07:39.730 --> 02:07:41.070
If it fails, what happens?
02:07:41.070 --> 02:07:43.620
Oh, everybody in town
on this main collector,
02:07:43.620 --> 02:07:45.420
it will backup all of the bathtub,
02:07:45.420 --> 02:07:47.570
showers and toilets in
your whole community.
02:07:47.570 --> 02:07:49.960
Everybody will in your
town will want your head.
02:07:49.960 --> 02:07:51.740
Oh, that's probably a pretty big deal.
02:07:51.740 --> 02:07:53.550
So they need to know that,
02:07:53.550 --> 02:07:55.500
or there's gonna be a
waterborne disease outbreak
02:07:55.500 --> 02:07:56.730
related to this.
02:07:56.730 --> 02:07:58.080
Maybe it's a surface water treatment or
02:07:58.080 --> 02:08:01.010
they need the ground water
under the flips of surface water.
02:08:01.010 --> 02:08:03.420
They needed to fix whatever that is.
02:08:03.420 --> 02:08:06.380
They need to know the
actual consequences.
02:08:06.380 --> 02:08:09.090
Maybe it's a litigational thing with CCQ
02:08:09.090 --> 02:08:13.040
or a consumer or an industry
suing them, but make it real.
02:08:13.040 --> 02:08:16.113
I think that's that transitional
step to make it real,
02:08:17.170 --> 02:08:18.830
and again, make it frequent
02:08:18.830 --> 02:08:22.500
in their review of accountability
that that heart makes
02:08:22.500 --> 02:08:24.380
it come to life instead of just like,
02:08:24.380 --> 02:08:27.130
oh, why didn't you
do your priority items?
02:08:27.130 --> 02:08:29.330
They're just stagnant
engineering priority items,
02:08:29.330 --> 02:08:31.260
as opposed to, if I don't do this,
02:08:31.260 --> 02:08:33.560
everybody in town is
gonna be at what my head.
02:08:34.810 --> 02:08:39.390
Thank you, Phillip, did
you have something in here?
02:08:39.390 --> 02:08:40.370
Steve said a lot of.
02:08:40.370 --> 02:08:42.000
I actually worked
with the city of Blanca
02:08:42.000 --> 02:08:44.310
and did two rate study
and helped mayor Harden,
02:08:44.310 --> 02:08:46.947
and helped them get
rate pants was great.
02:08:46.947 --> 02:08:49.500
And what I do with the
committee and I work with
02:08:49.500 --> 02:08:52.870
is the campaign and
what people normally,
02:08:52.870 --> 02:08:54.073
all of us research has shown
02:08:54.073 --> 02:08:57.830
that when you feel someone a
fact what they say consciously
02:08:57.830 --> 02:08:59.700
or subcontract is, "So What.
02:08:59.700 --> 02:09:01.710
So we have to answer
to, so what question,
02:09:01.710 --> 02:09:04.710
when we tell them you
do that about telling them
02:09:04.710 --> 02:09:05.543
what the benefits.
02:09:05.543 --> 02:09:09.040
How are you the individual
household quantity benefit
02:09:09.040 --> 02:09:11.540
from this rate increase
in terms of like what Steve
02:09:11.540 --> 02:09:13.980
just mentioned, you won't
have sewage backup anymore.
02:09:13.980 --> 02:09:15.650
Are you gonna have water that you need
02:09:15.650 --> 02:09:16.910
to run your business?
02:09:16.910 --> 02:09:19.540
Whatever the benefit that
they're going to receive,
02:09:19.540 --> 02:09:21.440
which is key in any sales,
02:09:21.440 --> 02:09:23.860
is that it's a campaign with settlement,
02:09:23.860 --> 02:09:27.253
what a one liners on how
they are going to benefit.
02:09:27.253 --> 02:09:28.850
And that has proved
to be very successful
02:09:28.850 --> 02:09:32.403
and get these rates passed and approved.
02:09:34.280 --> 02:09:35.113
Thank you.
02:09:37.130 --> 02:09:38.360
In the essence of time,
02:09:38.360 --> 02:09:43.250
I think we will skip to
the final and big question
02:09:43.250 --> 02:09:44.940
of the day.
02:09:44.940 --> 02:09:46.520
So this is our followup,
02:09:46.520 --> 02:09:48.810
and we're hoping that
everybody will kind of weigh in
02:09:48.810 --> 02:09:50.960
and participate in this one.
02:09:50.960 --> 02:09:53.610
So overall, did you find
the amps pilot project
02:09:53.610 --> 02:09:55.360
to be valuable?
02:09:55.360 --> 02:09:59.010
And are there any specific
elements that you would add
02:09:59.010 --> 02:10:01.803
or remove from the scope of work?
02:10:03.820 --> 02:10:07.010
And so why don't we just
start maybe with Lanny,
02:10:07.010 --> 02:10:09.903
we haven't heard from him in
a while and then maybe Austin.
02:10:11.510 --> 02:10:12.870
So what I was thinking
02:10:12.870 --> 02:10:14.610
when this question came up is,
02:10:14.610 --> 02:10:17.300
yes, the project was
valuable and to kind of tailor it
02:10:17.300 --> 02:10:19.810
to what the other question was as well.
02:10:19.810 --> 02:10:24.810
So city of Pittsburgh, actually
a credit to the city manager
02:10:25.261 --> 02:10:26.520
and the council there
02:10:26.520 --> 02:10:29.700
that they were thinking
ahead of how do we take this
02:10:29.700 --> 02:10:31.940
information and how do we do the things
02:10:31.940 --> 02:10:32.920
we were talking about
02:10:32.920 --> 02:10:35.087
where we're actually
having a visual input of it.
02:10:35.087 --> 02:10:37.440
And they started a work order system.
02:10:37.440 --> 02:10:39.890
They discovered that
one of the things that
02:10:41.036 --> 02:10:42.500
a lot of times the
guys out in the field,
02:10:42.500 --> 02:10:45.230
that documentation
is not their strong suit.
02:10:45.230 --> 02:10:46.740
So they started a work order system
02:10:46.740 --> 02:10:48.550
where they were filing
things electronically.
02:10:48.550 --> 02:10:50.650
So they can take that electronic data,
02:10:50.650 --> 02:10:53.330
move it onto a mapping
system so that somebody else
02:10:53.330 --> 02:10:54.163
can see it.
02:10:54.163 --> 02:10:57.440
So I would think that
some way of documenting
02:10:57.440 --> 02:11:00.360
as we're managing our asset
management into the future,
02:11:00.360 --> 02:11:03.390
some way of documenting
how often a piece of equipment
02:11:03.390 --> 02:11:05.840
fails, whether it's one
year old or 20 years old,
02:11:07.060 --> 02:11:10.373
so that we understand what's
going on would be a good thing.
02:11:11.270 --> 02:11:13.640
Other than that, I think the
project was real valuable,
02:11:13.640 --> 02:11:16.720
especially to the communities
that they were able to use
02:11:17.754 --> 02:11:20.280
to get a little bit of
an introduction to it
02:11:20.280 --> 02:11:22.580
so that they can take to the future
02:11:22.580 --> 02:11:24.530
and start dovetailing these other items
02:11:26.428 --> 02:11:28.320
and so they can manage
their system better.
02:11:28.320 --> 02:11:29.720
I think it was a great idea.
02:11:34.560 --> 02:11:37.280
I think overall,
02:11:37.280 --> 02:11:40.220
I would agree with landing
that it's a great project
02:11:40.220 --> 02:11:42.460
and I'm very happy at
opportunity to work on it.
02:11:42.460 --> 02:11:46.620
And I think it's a huge
benefit to small systems.
02:11:46.620 --> 02:11:49.680
They need as many tools
as we can provide them
02:11:49.680 --> 02:11:52.380
to the continue to
operate and be viable.
02:11:52.380 --> 02:11:54.640
They don't have the resources
nor the time, has been stated
02:11:54.640 --> 02:11:55.780
a lot today, and it's true.
02:11:55.780 --> 02:11:56.613
They just don't have that.
02:11:56.613 --> 02:12:00.260
They have to work it
just of surviving every day.
02:12:00.260 --> 02:12:04.920
But one thing I think I would
then would suggest is that
02:12:04.920 --> 02:12:07.380
somehow building a little
more frequent follow-up
02:12:07.380 --> 02:12:09.673
because I think what we're facing here
02:12:09.673 --> 02:12:13.140
with the city of Holland
complete transition.
02:12:13.140 --> 02:12:15.600
We're very fortunate that
Scott has a relationship
02:12:15.600 --> 02:12:18.530
with them, so we can go
in and do the transition.
02:12:18.530 --> 02:12:19.920
But if we didn't have that,
02:12:19.920 --> 02:12:21.940
I'm not sure how it
would get back in there
02:12:21.940 --> 02:12:24.037
and get them to pay
attention long enough to say,
02:12:24.037 --> 02:12:26.670
"Hey, this is what we provided to y'all.
02:12:26.670 --> 02:12:28.990
This is how you can
use it going forward."
02:12:28.990 --> 02:12:33.370
And so something I know we
have an 18 month follow-up,
02:12:33.370 --> 02:12:34.920
maybe a little more frequent,
02:12:34.920 --> 02:12:37.740
just so we can try to
catch those transitions
02:12:37.740 --> 02:12:38.923
as much as possible.
02:12:40.718 --> 02:12:41.780
Thank you.
02:12:41.780 --> 02:12:44.930
So, Chris, did you have
anything you wanted to add.
02:12:44.930 --> 02:12:46.030
And maybe think too,
02:12:46.030 --> 02:12:47.230
is there anything that we're doing
02:12:47.230 --> 02:12:49.140
that we don't necessarily
need to be doing
02:12:49.140 --> 02:12:51.830
in the realm of efficiency.
02:12:51.830 --> 02:12:53.110
And streamlining.
02:12:53.110 --> 02:12:54.560
Or anything we need to add?
02:12:58.210 --> 02:13:00.900
Again, on the first
point, absolutely.
02:13:00.900 --> 02:13:03.570
This is, this is incredibly valuable.
02:13:03.570 --> 02:13:08.410
And I think again,
the ability to prioritize
02:13:08.410 --> 02:13:13.190
and anticipate future
costs, because absolutely,
02:13:13.190 --> 02:13:15.850
I think we're running utility
network for some of these
02:13:15.850 --> 02:13:18.140
small communities that's just reacting
02:13:18.140 --> 02:13:21.940
to what you have going on that day.
02:13:21.940 --> 02:13:25.930
And so absolutely this has value.
02:13:25.930 --> 02:13:29.590
And again, like I mentioned
on the inspection data
02:13:29.590 --> 02:13:33.030
that you may have a right now of,
02:13:33.030 --> 02:13:34.710
I have problems with my sewer.
02:13:34.710 --> 02:13:37.280
I wanna get it all inspected
and that might not be
02:13:37.280 --> 02:13:38.810
the best use of your money.
02:13:38.810 --> 02:13:41.380
And if you have an asset
management program
02:13:41.380 --> 02:13:43.650
or even the risk assessment part of it,
02:13:43.650 --> 02:13:48.650
you can understand
some of these priorities.
02:13:48.720 --> 02:13:51.970
I agree with the frequent
follow-up because I think
02:13:51.970 --> 02:13:55.650
what's really important
to this is not just a goal
02:13:55.650 --> 02:13:57.253
of an asset management plan,
02:13:59.640 --> 02:14:01.677
it's almost more important
02:14:01.677 --> 02:14:05.310
than the full asset management plan is
02:14:05.310 --> 02:14:08.737
the habits you're trying
to build into keeping track
02:14:10.030 --> 02:14:12.930
of your inventory and keeping track of
02:14:12.930 --> 02:14:16.000
where you're spending
money on, on maintenance
02:14:16.000 --> 02:14:17.990
and understanding that better.
02:14:17.990 --> 02:14:19.410
And being able to communicate that
02:14:19.410 --> 02:14:24.410
to stakeholders you
might be fighting for funds
02:14:25.305 --> 02:14:27.383
that you can document those things.
02:14:29.360 --> 02:14:32.093
So Scott, any scope
changes you'd recommend?
02:14:33.380 --> 02:14:36.840
Well, I wanna piggyback
on what Ms. Sant was saying
02:14:36.840 --> 02:14:39.093
earlier about the phased approach.
02:14:40.260 --> 02:14:43.940
What we have found with
the acquisition of the assets.
02:14:43.940 --> 02:14:46.690
There's so many different
directions you can take that.
02:14:48.070 --> 02:14:51.690
So that's kind of the precipice,
02:14:51.690 --> 02:14:53.400
the starting point, I guess,
02:14:53.400 --> 02:14:55.300
of getting everything going.
02:14:55.300 --> 02:14:59.520
And so that is without
the asset locating the asset
02:14:59.520 --> 02:15:00.730
out in the field,
02:15:00.730 --> 02:15:04.800
you've got really nothing
other than old maps and paper
02:15:04.800 --> 02:15:07.100
and things like that.
02:15:07.100 --> 02:15:10.780
So in my mind doing
the asset acquisition,
02:15:10.780 --> 02:15:15.780
creating that GIS or
creating that list of items of,
02:15:16.290 --> 02:15:18.763
some sort of map for
both water and wastewater.
02:15:20.390 --> 02:15:22.310
'Cause again, I'll state it again,
02:15:22.310 --> 02:15:25.650
water is gonna be number
one on every city systems mind.
02:15:25.650 --> 02:15:26.747
So if you go to a city,
02:15:26.747 --> 02:15:30.900
"Hey, we wanna help do an
asset management plan for you."
02:15:30.900 --> 02:15:33.170
Water is gonna be the
first thing that pops up
02:15:33.170 --> 02:15:35.610
in reality it's probably the wastewater
02:15:35.610 --> 02:15:38.120
that needs to take the priority.
02:15:38.120 --> 02:15:41.510
So if you wrap both of those
up together and phase one,
02:15:41.510 --> 02:15:44.780
doing the water and the
wastewater, in my mind,
02:15:44.780 --> 02:15:48.520
you're saving some funding
there and mobilization,
02:15:48.520 --> 02:15:50.770
you've got a survey crew
out there shooting at anyway,
02:15:50.770 --> 02:15:55.770
why not go ahead and just
have them pickup most systems.
02:15:56.470 --> 02:16:00.240
So yeah, in my mind, I kind
of liked that phased approach
02:16:00.240 --> 02:16:04.350
that would be a better use
of the funding starting out
02:16:04.350 --> 02:16:06.130
because really a city
doesn't really know
02:16:06.130 --> 02:16:08.590
what they have until
you put it all together.
02:16:08.590 --> 02:16:11.160
And that kind of directs where you go,
02:16:11.160 --> 02:16:13.320
when that second phase of
02:16:14.190 --> 02:16:16.500
maybe the asset management plan.
02:16:16.500 --> 02:16:21.190
We do all of acquisition
for all the water side
02:16:21.190 --> 02:16:22.730
and everything looks great.
02:16:22.730 --> 02:16:24.760
Then all of a sudden we
look at the wastewater side
02:16:24.760 --> 02:16:26.850
and it's, oh, our lines are that bad.
02:16:26.850 --> 02:16:28.780
They're in that condition.
02:16:28.780 --> 02:16:31.620
Well, do a more, in-depth
look at the wastewater side
02:16:31.620 --> 02:16:33.680
and we can hold off on the water side.
02:16:33.680 --> 02:16:38.680
So that kind of directs how
you approach it moving forward.
02:16:39.040 --> 02:16:43.260
So do I think it's a
great value? Absolutely.
02:16:43.260 --> 02:16:47.260
The value is number one for
the council to plan for budgets,
02:16:47.260 --> 02:16:49.330
city staff to plan for budgets,
02:16:49.330 --> 02:16:52.300
but it's invaluable to the
city staff to be able to have
02:16:52.300 --> 02:16:57.250
that data readily in hand
when they're out in the field
02:16:57.250 --> 02:17:00.360
like you mentioned turning
valves and somebody mentioned
02:17:00.360 --> 02:17:02.890
turning valves, we see it all the time.
02:17:02.890 --> 02:17:04.950
They go out valve,
hasn't been exercised,
02:17:04.950 --> 02:17:07.180
it's locked up, it's seized
02:17:08.472 --> 02:17:11.240
so what's the next option go
to the elevated storage tank,
02:17:11.240 --> 02:17:13.260
turn the whole system off.
02:17:13.260 --> 02:17:15.530
That's happened several times at cities
02:17:15.530 --> 02:17:18.630
and so that information is invaluable
02:17:18.630 --> 02:17:20.010
at the city staff level.
02:17:20.010 --> 02:17:22.070
And again, that first phase
02:17:22.070 --> 02:17:24.540
that gets the city staff buy-in because
02:17:24.540 --> 02:17:27.193
that's data that's in their
hand, it gets council by in,
02:17:27.193 --> 02:17:30.000
because now they could see
what their system looks like
02:17:30.980 --> 02:17:34.630
and whether it's good, bad indifferent.
02:17:34.630 --> 02:17:37.160
At least now they've got
something to look at that
02:17:38.833 --> 02:17:41.430
that help drive their decision
02:17:41.430 --> 02:17:42.870
when they're creating these budgets.
02:17:42.870 --> 02:17:44.990
And I think that's what
we'll end up making
02:17:44.990 --> 02:17:47.273
this more sustainable, is that buy-in.
02:17:50.090 --> 02:17:54.180
Any other thoughts from
folks here from the Board
02:17:54.180 --> 02:17:59.050
or those participating at
home or in their home?
02:17:59.050 --> 02:18:03.507
Follow-up the 12 month
apartment walking over the 12 month
02:18:03.507 --> 02:18:06.167
and 24 month follow-up
is it's very good.
02:18:06.167 --> 02:18:09.453
And it reminds the client
or the small city that,
02:18:11.120 --> 02:18:12.330
what they're using, what they're doing,
02:18:12.330 --> 02:18:13.350
what they've done in the past.
02:18:13.350 --> 02:18:15.980
And if we have a follow-up,
I think that was great.
02:18:15.980 --> 02:18:18.170
And when you have the follow up,
02:18:18.170 --> 02:18:20.650
the engineer needs to be present,
02:18:20.650 --> 02:18:23.770
go out with the manager
and operations director,
02:18:23.770 --> 02:18:25.730
staff, or staff director,
02:18:25.730 --> 02:18:27.920
and actually go through the system.
02:18:27.920 --> 02:18:29.670
It actually, when they
know you're coming there,
02:18:29.670 --> 02:18:31.700
you give them a two, three week or month
02:18:32.970 --> 02:18:34.950
in the future point appointment,
02:18:34.950 --> 02:18:36.850
they'll actually go through
everything and make sure
02:18:36.850 --> 02:18:38.380
that they followed it.
02:18:38.380 --> 02:18:42.450
And like I said, in Three
Rivers, they were very proactive.
02:18:42.450 --> 02:18:44.450
So I didn't have too many problems there
02:18:44.450 --> 02:18:45.447
of what they had done
02:18:45.447 --> 02:18:48.920
and they were actually
hitting one of the areas,
02:18:48.920 --> 02:18:50.233
but I think the 12 month.
02:18:52.187 --> 02:18:53.845
I think that's important.
02:18:53.845 --> 02:18:55.359
And so I know.
02:18:55.359 --> 02:18:56.192
It's very important.
02:18:56.192 --> 02:18:57.696
Otherwise it becomes to.
02:18:57.696 --> 02:19:00.143
Make a comment as
well. So thank you, Joe.
02:19:04.000 --> 02:19:07.754
My comment is back to what
Rebecca was saying earlier
02:19:07.754 --> 02:19:09.320
about the facing.
02:19:09.320 --> 02:19:13.950
I liked the idea and I guess
02:19:13.950 --> 02:19:18.250
the application, the
timing of the funding,
02:19:18.250 --> 02:19:20.770
like they wrote back and
made a comment earlier.
02:19:20.770 --> 02:19:23.070
Sometimes these folks don't
even know what they have
02:19:23.070 --> 02:19:26.100
before they can get an SRF loan.
02:19:26.100 --> 02:19:31.010
So I'm a hundred percent
clear on the funding operation
02:19:31.010 --> 02:19:32.910
or the mechanisms
that y'all are placing.
02:19:32.910 --> 02:19:36.820
It looks like you've got the
zero interest loan for SRF.
02:19:36.820 --> 02:19:39.040
And I didn't quite
understand how the 100,000
02:19:39.040 --> 02:19:40.083
would be applied.
02:19:41.290 --> 02:19:44.300
Maybe it would be beneficial to have
02:19:44.300 --> 02:19:48.940
that amount of money to
be offered separately to cities
02:19:48.940 --> 02:19:51.490
that can come in on a priority basis
02:19:51.490 --> 02:19:53.920
or on a first come first serve basis
02:19:53.920 --> 02:19:56.710
that might be able to apply for money
02:19:56.710 --> 02:19:59.680
separate from the SRF
program in order to do so.
02:19:59.680 --> 02:20:04.470
The base mapping and
condition assessment work.
02:20:04.470 --> 02:20:06.170
Rebecca, do you have any comments?
02:20:08.220 --> 02:20:10.460
I was just gonna
add with the follow-up.
02:20:10.460 --> 02:20:13.700
I think it would be
critical or important
02:20:13.700 --> 02:20:16.770
to try to engage all those
levels during the follow-up.
02:20:16.770 --> 02:20:20.460
So not just, the public works
director or the operators,
02:20:20.460 --> 02:20:25.200
but to try to maybe go
back to council or the mayor
02:20:25.200 --> 02:20:26.470
because people do change.
02:20:26.470 --> 02:20:28.760
And I think, especially at small cities,
02:20:28.760 --> 02:20:30.570
people maybe change more frequently
02:20:30.570 --> 02:20:33.040
or they get farmed out or whatever,
02:20:33.040 --> 02:20:34.790
and that would be a good reminder,
02:20:34.790 --> 02:20:38.450
but at the same sense
that the follow-up is tough
02:20:38.450 --> 02:20:41.210
because I think really part of this is
02:20:41.210 --> 02:20:44.687
you want the city to
take this and run with it
02:20:44.687 --> 02:20:46.000
and make it their own.
02:20:46.000 --> 02:20:50.230
And it shouldn't be an
engineer's responsibility
02:20:51.780 --> 02:20:54.400
or the Board's responsibility
to make sure they remember
02:20:54.400 --> 02:20:56.107
what they've got.
02:20:56.107 --> 02:20:59.630
So that's part of just keeping
that staff engagement.
02:20:59.630 --> 02:21:00.783
There was a question,
02:21:01.750 --> 02:21:03.440
I don't remember who asked it before,
02:21:03.440 --> 02:21:06.970
maybe Jessica about if
the 80 hours was enough.
02:21:06.970 --> 02:21:09.380
And I think some
people said the 80 hours
02:21:09.380 --> 02:21:11.840
that the city had to give was enough.
02:21:11.840 --> 02:21:16.730
I think doing the field work
and the 80 hours is good,
02:21:16.730 --> 02:21:19.500
but I don't know if
there's a way to help,
02:21:19.500 --> 02:21:21.210
like get the staff more involved
02:21:21.210 --> 02:21:23.850
in the whole kind of
process of creating the plan
02:21:23.850 --> 02:21:27.330
or working through a
worksheet because it is about
02:21:27.330 --> 02:21:28.403
training people.
02:21:30.020 --> 02:21:34.400
I'm not sure that a followup retraining
02:21:34.400 --> 02:21:37.390
is always beneficial when
you're trying to get somebody
02:21:37.390 --> 02:21:38.690
to be oh, I'm in the field.
02:21:38.690 --> 02:21:41.960
I can make this change
right now because of you.
02:21:41.960 --> 02:21:44.033
Well, thank you.
Great comments.
02:21:45.329 --> 02:21:47.253
So I think that's all of our comments.
02:21:48.820 --> 02:21:50.200
That's great.
02:21:50.200 --> 02:21:52.270
Ashley, next item, please.
02:21:53.750 --> 02:21:56.070
Chairwoman, the
next item on the agenda
02:21:56.070 --> 02:21:59.903
is public comment on
the TWDB AMs initiative.
02:22:01.570 --> 02:22:05.240
We got one registration
card for the meeting today,
02:22:05.240 --> 02:22:07.840
and that's from Larry Bell,
who's technical assistance
02:22:07.840 --> 02:22:11.740
director at Texas
rural water association.
02:22:11.740 --> 02:22:15.420
He did not indicate whether
he wanted to address the Board,
02:22:15.420 --> 02:22:18.420
but he did submit a
question for us in writing
02:22:18.420 --> 02:22:20.740
that he was interested
in whether sewer cameras
02:22:20.740 --> 02:22:25.670
were used in asset surveys
to show the actual type of pipes
02:22:25.670 --> 02:22:26.703
or conditions.
02:22:27.550 --> 02:22:28.383
Did ask that.
02:22:34.250 --> 02:22:35.630
Any boots on the ground?
02:22:35.630 --> 02:22:39.300
Any experiences with super cameras?
02:22:39.300 --> 02:22:40.860
No, on the sewer cameras,
02:22:40.860 --> 02:22:45.090
I know some of the cities
have their own small cameras,
02:22:45.090 --> 02:22:49.090
but really what you need are
the full blown truck mounted
02:22:49.090 --> 02:22:51.830
cameras that can actually
go the 500 foot distance
02:22:51.830 --> 02:22:56.290
and then all of that, and
those get pretty expensive.
02:22:56.290 --> 02:22:58.440
So for us on the wastewater side,
02:22:58.440 --> 02:23:00.870
it was really just
looking in the manhole,
02:23:00.870 --> 02:23:05.260
what pipe material, now if it
was PVC coming into the pipe,
02:23:05.260 --> 02:23:09.050
five feet later, it could have
turned into clay who knows,
02:23:09.050 --> 02:23:11.577
but we at least have somewhat of an idea
02:23:11.577 --> 02:23:13.780
of the size coming out of the manhole,
02:23:13.780 --> 02:23:17.090
but no, we did not do any CCTV work
02:23:17.090 --> 02:23:18.262
as part of this scope.
02:23:18.262 --> 02:23:19.600
(member speaking off mic)
02:23:19.600 --> 02:23:20.700
It is a lot more expensive.
02:23:20.700 --> 02:23:24.140
It'd be great to have
that on the city side,
02:23:24.140 --> 02:23:27.453
but yeah we couldn't
get it into the budget.
02:23:30.590 --> 02:23:31.940
Any other public comment.
02:23:33.630 --> 02:23:36.880
That's the only
registration card that we had.
02:23:36.880 --> 02:23:39.020
I don't know if anyone
else is online indicating
02:23:39.020 --> 02:23:40.370
they want to comment.
02:23:40.370 --> 02:23:44.070
Is there anyone online
that wishes to comment
02:23:44.070 --> 02:23:47.573
on the TWDB amps initiative?
02:23:51.360 --> 02:23:53.263
All right, Ashley, next item, please.
02:23:55.430 --> 02:23:57.050
Chairman, the next
item on the agenda
02:23:57.050 --> 02:23:59.070
is public comment on any other matters
02:23:59.070 --> 02:24:01.680
within the jurisdiction of TWDB.
02:24:01.680 --> 02:24:04.400
Is anyone signed up
for public comment?
02:24:04.400 --> 02:24:06.980
We do not have anyone for
that type of comment either.
02:24:06.980 --> 02:24:10.110
Is there anyone
in the cyber world
02:24:10.110 --> 02:24:13.680
that wishes to comment on any matters
02:24:13.680 --> 02:24:15.813
within the jurisdiction of TWDB?
02:24:20.680 --> 02:24:21.860
All right, Ashley, next item.
02:24:21.860 --> 02:24:24.550
Chairwoman, the final
item on the agenda today
02:24:24.550 --> 02:24:26.063
is closing comments.
02:24:28.480 --> 02:24:29.333
You go first.
02:24:30.210 --> 02:24:33.960
Well, I just wanted to thank
the staff for the great work
02:24:33.960 --> 02:24:37.320
that they've done in putting
the pilot program together.
02:24:37.320 --> 02:24:40.570
Again, this is, I
think, a first time effort
02:24:40.570 --> 02:24:42.990
for the Board and
providing, if you will,
02:24:42.990 --> 02:24:44.160
that human capital.
02:24:44.160 --> 02:24:48.050
And we were just so fortunate
during this pilot initiative,
02:24:48.050 --> 02:24:52.810
I think to have a great
set of human capital folks
02:24:52.810 --> 02:24:56.580
who had the expertise and
the talent and the commitment.
02:24:56.580 --> 02:25:01.580
And I think you heard in
the presentations today that
02:25:01.980 --> 02:25:06.980
they went above and
beyond what was expected.
02:25:07.290 --> 02:25:12.290
And I have really just kind of
latched on to the objectives.
02:25:14.130 --> 02:25:16.480
We appreciate all the
comments today in terms of
02:25:16.480 --> 02:25:19.540
what you think we can
do to fine tune the process.
02:25:19.540 --> 02:25:22.640
We're always about
continuous improvement
02:25:22.640 --> 02:25:26.370
and wanting to do what is best value,
02:25:26.370 --> 02:25:27.780
not just for the Board,
02:25:27.780 --> 02:25:30.100
because we are
obviously investing in this,
02:25:30.100 --> 02:25:32.270
but also for the
communities that are served.
02:25:32.270 --> 02:25:36.610
And so, just a great
opportunity, appreciate the staff,
02:25:36.610 --> 02:25:41.250
appreciate all of the firms
that not only participated
02:25:42.727 --> 02:25:44.520
in the process and the pilot study,
02:25:44.520 --> 02:25:47.210
but taking your times and be here today,
02:25:47.210 --> 02:25:50.010
or be here virtually and
share with us your thoughts
02:25:50.010 --> 02:25:50.843
and ideas.
02:25:50.843 --> 02:25:52.440
And I would encourage anyone.
02:25:52.440 --> 02:25:56.610
I mean, we always wanna know
what people are thinking about.
02:25:56.610 --> 02:26:00.340
And so even if you weren't
here today and you have an idea,
02:26:00.340 --> 02:26:03.290
please pick up the phone,
02:26:03.290 --> 02:26:06.820
call me or one of the staff we
would love to hear from you.
02:26:06.820 --> 02:26:09.270
And really excited for the next phase
02:26:09.270 --> 02:26:10.920
in terms of moving forward.
02:26:10.920 --> 02:26:13.490
And what's kind of on the horizon.
02:26:13.490 --> 02:26:15.940
And again, how we
can improve the system,
02:26:15.940 --> 02:26:17.400
how we can expand it.
02:26:17.400 --> 02:26:20.490
I think one of the things
that we seen, which was
02:26:20.490 --> 02:26:24.260
maybe something we didn't
necessarily expect is that
02:26:24.260 --> 02:26:28.810
is the whole concept of
asset management is growing
02:26:28.810 --> 02:26:30.870
and the engagement and involvement.
02:26:30.870 --> 02:26:35.870
So we saw communities that
were not in the pilot program,
02:26:36.010 --> 02:26:39.730
actually asked to participate,
start asking about it.
02:26:39.730 --> 02:26:43.040
We have communities
that are moving forward
02:26:43.040 --> 02:26:45.920
with their SRF projects include,
02:26:45.920 --> 02:26:48.210
asset management as
something to do moving forward.
02:26:48.210 --> 02:26:53.210
So I interested in what we
can do to help communities,
02:26:56.720 --> 02:27:01.120
to be able serve the
communities in which they're in.
02:27:01.120 --> 02:27:04.000
So appreciate
everybody's time and effort
02:27:04.000 --> 02:27:07.273
and just excited about the next phase.
02:27:09.080 --> 02:27:12.920
I really love to thank
staff Jessica and Patrick
02:27:12.920 --> 02:27:16.040
and not staff, but my
fellow Board member
02:27:16.040 --> 02:27:18.070
for putting this together.
02:27:18.070 --> 02:27:20.730
I think that this is a perfect example
02:27:20.730 --> 02:27:24.020
of how this Board does
not shy away from having
02:27:24.020 --> 02:27:28.760
these really candid
discussions about our programs.
02:27:28.760 --> 02:27:31.720
I don't think there are a lot
of Commissions or Boards
02:27:31.720 --> 02:27:34.650
that would have an open work session
02:27:34.650 --> 02:27:37.501
and ask people in public,
02:27:37.501 --> 02:27:39.840
"What do you think about our program?
02:27:39.840 --> 02:27:41.937
Tell us what we can do better."
02:27:43.030 --> 02:27:46.980
But this is a Board that is
always looking to improve
02:27:46.980 --> 02:27:49.470
our programs and our
staff that are always looking
02:27:49.470 --> 02:27:51.133
for stakeholder engagement.
02:27:52.540 --> 02:27:54.740
We're a very collaborative
agency and Board,
02:27:54.740 --> 02:27:56.970
and we're just really
happy to hear your insights,
02:27:56.970 --> 02:27:59.063
good, bad, neutral.
02:28:00.170 --> 02:28:01.860
We just wanna hear
what you all are thinking.
02:28:01.860 --> 02:28:04.847
And as the lawyer on the Board
02:28:04.847 --> 02:28:08.200
and the lawyer, everyone
jokes, 'cause I always say,
02:28:08.200 --> 02:28:09.230
well, I'm the lawyer and the Board.
02:28:09.230 --> 02:28:12.210
So I pass all the hard
questions on to Kathleen
02:28:12.210 --> 02:28:13.270
as the engineer.
02:28:13.270 --> 02:28:15.650
It was actually really refreshing for me
02:28:15.650 --> 02:28:18.053
to hear what you guys are saying,
02:28:19.020 --> 02:28:21.860
operationally and
how it's actually helping
02:28:23.120 --> 02:28:25.670
not just with the asset management,
02:28:25.670 --> 02:28:29.720
but also with the
possibility of rate increases
02:28:29.720 --> 02:28:33.640
and collaboration and engagement
02:28:33.640 --> 02:28:36.290
and working with the
leadership in your cities
02:28:36.290 --> 02:28:38.370
was something that I had thought about,
02:28:38.370 --> 02:28:43.100
but just hearing it from
you all was very impressive.
02:28:43.100 --> 02:28:46.260
So I think that this was
a wonderful meeting.
02:28:46.260 --> 02:28:47.760
You worked so hard on it.
02:28:47.760 --> 02:28:51.030
And I think we had a
fantastic discussion.
02:28:51.030 --> 02:28:53.670
It was exactly what I
wanted to have happen.
02:28:53.670 --> 02:28:56.330
Jeff, do you have any final remarks or?
02:28:56.330 --> 02:28:59.580
No. (speaks faintly)
02:28:59.580 --> 02:29:02.600
We can stop without
complimenting our chairwoman
02:29:02.600 --> 02:29:06.100
because one of the
things I think I'm so proud of
02:29:06.100 --> 02:29:08.590
is that I know she's an attorney,
02:29:08.590 --> 02:29:11.280
but she starting to
think like an engineer.
02:29:11.280 --> 02:29:13.590
What?
(members laughs)
02:29:13.590 --> 02:29:16.200
In fact, I tell you, I'm
thinking like an engineer.
02:29:16.200 --> 02:29:18.879
So thanks for the engagement today.
02:29:18.879 --> 02:29:20.050
I'm gonna tell my husband that,
02:29:20.050 --> 02:29:23.090
he's gonna be in complete
disagreement with that,
02:29:23.090 --> 02:29:26.403
but anyways, thank you all.
02:29:27.560 --> 02:29:29.930
And with that, the Board will not meet
02:29:29.930 --> 02:29:31.430
in closed session today.
02:29:31.430 --> 02:29:33.260
There'll be no further business
02:29:33.260 --> 02:29:34.780
of the Texas Water Development Board.
02:29:34.780 --> 02:29:36.320
The meeting is hereby adjourned.
02:29:36.320 --> 02:29:39.410
The time is now 4:01 PM.
02:29:39.410 --> 02:29:40.243
Thank you.