1994 09 21 BAWA Minutes • MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BAYTOWN AREA WATER AUTHORITY
September 21, 1994
The Board of Directors of the Baytown Area Water Authority, Harris County,
Texas, met in regular session on Wednesday, September 21 , 1994, at 7425
Thompson Road, BAWA Conference Room, with the following attendance:
Robert L. Gillette, President
Dan Mundinger, Vice-President
Peter R. Buenz, Secretary
Knox Beavers, Board Member
Roy L. Fuller, Board Member
The meeting was called to order with a quorum present, after which the
following business was transacted:
Consider Approval of the Minutes for the Meeting Held on August 17, 1994
Board Member Beavers moved for approval of the minutes for the regular
session held on August 17, 1994. Board member Mundinger seconded the motion.
The vote follows:
Ayes: Board Members Beavers, Buenz, Fuller,
Gillette and Mundinger
Nays: None
Consider Selection of Financial Advisor
The City of Baytown has worked with Masterson Moreland for years. They are
very familiar with the City of Baytown and are well known and respected among the
rating agencies in New York. The fee schedule and contract are identical to the City
of Baytown's. Therefore, the administration recommended Masterson Moreland Sauer
Whisman, Inc. as financial advisors.
940921-2
Minutes of the BAWA Meeting - September 21 , 1994
• Board Member Buenz moved to retain Masterson Moreland Sauer Whisman,
Inc. as financial advisors for the Baytown Area Water Authority. Board Member Fuller
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Board Members Beavers, Buenz, Fuller,
Gillette and Mundinger
Nays: None
Consider Selection of Bond Counsel
The City of Baytown also has used Vinson Elkins for years as bond counsel.
Clifford Youngblood is the one who proposed the amendment to the contract between
the City of Baytown and BAWA. This firm is also well known and respected in the
bond process. The administration recommended Vinson Elkins as bond counsel.
Board Member Buenz moved to retain Vinson Elkins as bond counsel. Board
Member Beavers seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Board Members Beavers, Buenz, Fuller,
Gillette and Mundinger
Nays: None
Consider Approval of Preliminary Statement and Notice of Sale For$750,000 Revenue
Bonds, Series 1994
Drew Masterson with Masterson Moreland was present and explained that the
preliminary statement discloses information about the bond issue, the City's water
system and the authority to potential bidders. This document informs the prospective
bidders on when the bonds mature and when interest is paid. Ratings will be obtained
from Standard and Poors and Moody's. He did not feel that these bonds would be
insured, but noted that since BAWA last issued bonds in the 1970's, bond insurance
has become prevalent. The bidder decides if the cost of an insurance premium will
allow him to reduce the overall cost of his bid significantly. Since this issue is
relatively small, $815,000 and the issue has a relatively short maturity, the feeling is
that bond insurance will not be used. Therefore, the bids will be marketed on the
Authority's credit and the ratings received by the two rating agencies.
•
940921-3
Minutes of t s t h o BAWA Meeting September 21 , 1994
• The primary thing considered there is BAWA's contracts and the health of the
Baytown water and sewer system. The maturity on the bonds is 2003 which is
unusual to have a single maturity on a bond issue. There is no amortization of the
principle in any other years, because outstanding debt service on existing bonds is
paid off in 2002 which costs about $1 ,400,000 annually. The document describes
the various contracts of BAWA, its facilities and financial condition. What is required
today is review of the preliminary official statement and for the board to deem the
preliminary statement final. However, Mr. Masterson indicated there would be a few
changes necessary and requested that the motion include authorization for the General
Manager to authorize technical changes that may be necessary.
Board Member Buenz moved to approve the Preliminary Official Statement,
subject to any changes and to authorize the General Manager to deem the Official
Statement final at the time of printing. Board Member Mundinger seconded the
motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Board Members Beavers, Buenz, Fuller,
Gillette and Mundinger
Nays: None
Consider Amendment to Article I, "Definitions," of the 1977 Water Supply Contract
Between Baytown Area Water Authority and the City of Baytown
Clifford Youngblood, Bond Counsel, recommended the proposed amendment
to the contract entitled, "Water Supply Contract-Treated Water," between BAWA and
the City of Baytown dated January 31 , 1977, adding language to include any similar
contract.
Board Member Buenz moved to approve the amendment to the Water Supply
Contract-Treated Water. Board Member Mundinger seconded the motion. The vote
follows:
Ayes: Board Members Beavers, Buenz, Fuller,
Gillette and Mundinger
Nays: None
The resolution approving amendment to the Water Supply Contract-Treated
Water is attached to the minutes as Attachment "A."
940921-4
Minutes of the BAWA Meeting - September 21 , 1994
• General Manager's Report
Fred Pack, Superintendent - Herb Thomas, Plant Manager, introduced Fred
Pack, Plant Superintendent. Fred was previously employed with U.S. Steel as
Manager of Utilities in Baytown. He is very familiar with water quality issues and
maintenance of utilities. He is from Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Youngstown
State.
BAWA Budget - The BAWA budget for 1993-94 fiscal year was based on the
average sale of 11 mgd. With the heavy rains in August, people did not water lawns
as usual. This had a huge impact on BAWA, which means this year BAWA will not
meet its projections. The shortfall in revenue for this fiscal year will be about
$120,000. However, the new contract with Houston is favorable to BAWA in an
amount equal to the $120,000; therefore, BAWA will begin the new fiscal year on a
break-even basis.
Plant Activities - The plant had an emergency failure last week. One of the
basins had a mechanical breakdown. The staff did a good job in effecting repairs. All
three basins are up now and the plant is running as it should.
Cryptosporidum - This is a cyst which is found in the feces of many animals.
Therefore, it could be found any place. The control for cryptosporidum is
conventional treatment plant with filtration which is what BAWA has. The only way
to kill the cyst is ozone, but there aren't many ozone generators in the U.S. because
they are a very expensive method of disinfectant. It is common in Europe, not in the
U.S. Once ingested, the cyst causes havoc and can cause death. At BAWA the
disinfectant is chlorine which will not kill cryptosporidum. However, the filters are
effective in filtering out the cyst. If there is a problem with the filters and those are
not working properly, the cysts enter the distribution system. Therefore, it is essential
to keep the plant running properly. The filters need to always be in top notch
condition. There are no known cases of cryptosporidum in Texas from surface water
plants. The test for cryptosporidum is lengthy, expensive and non-conclusive.
Because of BAWA's filtering system, there is no cause for alarm in Baytown.
940921-5
Minutes of the BAWA Meeting - September 21 , 1994
• Adjourn
There being no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned.
/P
Peter R. Buenz
Secretary