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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />OCTOBER 4, 2010 <br />TITLE <br />REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR <br />WATER METER REPLACEMENT <br />SERVICES <br />a4K - - 9,? <br />CI MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />? As Recommended <br />? As Amended <br />? Ordinance on 1st Reading <br />? Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />? Implementing Resolution <br />? Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the Public Works Agency to send the attached Request for Proposals to qualified firms <br />to provide water meter replacement services. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The City's water system includes approximately 45,000 water meters that are used to measure <br />water sales to customers. The life expectancy of these meters is approximately 10 to 15 years. <br />Obsolete water meters tend to under register flow, which can greatly reduce revenue collections. <br />Once meters reach the end of their service life, they are replaced by Water Resources Division <br />personnel. Currently, there are approximately 8,000 small water meters in the City's water <br />system that are more than 15 years old. <br />The Water Resources Division has experienced a reduction in personnel in the last several <br />years. The number of Water Meter Repairer positions (the positions responsible for meter <br />replacements) was reduced from four to three during the last fiscal year. With the current water <br />shortage and economic downturn, these same staff members have also seen an increase in <br />other customer services related activities. Some of the calls they handle include high water bill <br />complaints, water quality issues, and requests for service shut off. <br />An internal review of water maintenance activities showed that contract services could potentially <br />be used to reduce the backlog of obsolete water meters. The proposed contract is intended to <br />replace approximately 3,000 meters during the current fiscal year. Should a contract be <br />awarded to perform this work, workers with training and certifications similar to those possessed <br />by City's Water Quality Staff will be required. <br />19D-1