08.27.2002 Town Council Minutes Work SessionMINUTES
Work Session of the Prosper
Town Council
First Baptist Church Youth Building
601 S. Church St., Prosper, TX
Tuesday, August 27, 2002, 6: OOpm
1. Call to grder/Roll Call, Mayor Dunmire called the meeting to order. Those Present: Mayor Jim Dunmire,
Mayor Pro -Tem Jeff Walker, Larry Tracey, Charles Niswanger, Michael Perry and Russell Kaker. Also Present:
Town Administrator Jennifer Finley, Town Secretary Amber Phillips, Town Planner Edward McRoy and Town
Engineer Travis Roberts.
2. Workshop UVOIlh represel3latives gf the North JeXas Mufflci2al Water Qqgtroct (NTMWD) to discuss
various -water and_ggger issues. Mayor Dunmire opened the Work Session explaining that it had been called in
an attempt to help with future water/sewer planning and the budgetary needs surrounding it. The Council is
already working on various water and sewer issues but would like to begin planning more for surface water as
well as tying into a future NTMWD waste water treatment plant.
Jim Parks, Randell Dobbs (engineers) and Judd Sanderson (Director of Finance) were present as representatives
of NTMWD, 505 E. Brown St., Wylie, Texas 75098. Jim Parks explained that they generally plan in 10 -year
increments, but due to rapid growth in this area they have recently been re -projecting plans on an annual basis.
WATERISSUES
NTMWD representatives explained that they understand the Town's interest in tying into the water line being
constructed down Custer Rd. from their Wylie plant. Due to the increased interest in this pipeline, it will have to
be huge; however, they are unable to build it to its ultimate size at this time. If they keep growing at the current
rate, it appears the Wylie plant will be at full maxed out in 15 years. This will force them to build an additional
plant to the north
For the past 9 to 10 years, NTMWD has charged $0.77/1,000 gallons, but they anticipate a $0.25 increase over
the next 5 years ($0.88/1,000 for 2002-03, $0.97/1,000 for 2003-04 and $1.02/1,000 for 2004-05).
Representatives stated that the water line is targeted to be constructed to the McKinney delivery point at Virginia
Pkwy by June 2004. At this point, Prosper could tie in around the future extension of Independence Pkwy and
SH380. Upon approval from the NTMWD Board, they would probably be willing to contract water to Prosper for a
5 -year period in the hopes that additional raw water sources can be located at some point in the future.
Michael Perry expressed Council's desire to aggressively proceed with acquiring surface water from NTMWD.
Mayor Dunmire asked the representatives to provide them with a reasonable amount as to what they would
require the Town to purchase.
Jim Parks explained that the contract limit is 2-1/2 times Prosper's maximum daily demand, which would require
the Town to build more ground storage. If growth continues as projected, there will not be a penalty; however, if
growth slows and the full projected amount of water is not consumed, then they will charge a penalty. Penalties
are generally derived by taking the variable cost of chemicals and electricity required to transport the water to'our
delivery point. Representatives requested Council obtain very firm projections in order to avoid being penalized.
Mr. Parks further explained the water district's rate system.
SEWER ISSUES
Mayor Dunmire explained the 2 issues facing Council in regards to sewer. First, sewage is currently being hauled
on a daily basis in the Gentle Creek area to the oast which is costing the Town a great deal of money. Second, in
order to properly plan for development around the Tollway to the west, the Council will need target dates for the
proposed plant at Panther Creek.
Randell Dobbs explained that it will most likely be October/November before the plan is adopted and 18 months
after that before the main is constructed and online for the Town to tie into from the east. He stated that they are
trying hard to expedite this plan. By tying into the main, the Town would be required to become a member of the
East Fork Transportation System which is made up of 6 cities. Jim Parks explained that this is a cost -based
system which splits all the costs between the cities depending on the amount of flow they contribute to the
system. No working capital is pulled into the system, and it zeros out every year.
Jeff Walker confirmed that this meant they would be hauling sewage from Gentle Creek for approximately 18 to
24 more months. Mr. Dobbs stated that was correct, but they could get Prosper tied in sooner if property owners
are willing to grant right-of-ways. The best case scenario would be one year, and the worst case would most
likely be 27 months.
Representatives stated that they recently received a permit for the Panther Creek Plant which is being driven by
the City of Frisco. The next step is to look at Frisco's capacity and decide when that plant will need to start. They
were not sure of an exact timeframe, but based on Frisco's growth, they expect it to begin very soon. The plant
size and contracts will be set up to allow Prosper to enter into the system. Because they have already obtained
the permit, it will only take approximately 24 months to construct after Frisco says that they are ready to begin.
CONCLUSION
Town Engineer Travis Roberts addressed Council regarding the Town's water and sewer issues. He advised that
there is currently enough water to make it through next Summer. At that time, the timeframe for the NTMWD line
will need to be reevaluated to determine if they are still on target to be ready for Prosper to tie on by June of 2004.
If they are off -target, and they do not appear that they will be able to have the line constructed to our delivery
point by June 2004, then an eighth well will need to be drilled to get the Town through the Summer of 2004.
In regards to sewer, Travis advised that it is important the source of the infiltration problem be found. Plant
expansion is inevitable to avoid a fine from the State. Such fines can be as much as $10,000/day. In the event
construction on the Panther Creek Plant started immediately, the Town would still be required to expand the
current plant in order to get to the "get -out -of -trouble -zone" and avoid excessive fines. Jim Parks agreed. He
stated that when cities get into positions like this, they cannot get out of trouble quickly.
Michael Perry asked about the future of our existing plant. Jim Parks advised that many cities find it more cost
effective to eliminate their smaller plants when they are able to tie into a larger facility such as Panther Creek;
however, it is generally a good idea to use the plant for as long as the Town pays for it and phase it out in
increments until it is finally gone. The larger the plant -size, the smaller the cost/unit to run the plant.
Mayor Dunmire thanked the representatives from NTMWD and explained that he understood their limitations.
Jim Parks advised that they would compile additional information and get back to the Council as soon as possible.
He stated that they would do everything they could in their policies and guidelines to help out the Town and
expedite the plans.
3. Adjourn. Mayor Dunmire adjourned the meeting at 7:23pm.
May r Jim Dunmire
Town Secretary Amber Philrs