AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date: July 13, 2009

From:                          Paul Kalv, Electric Director   

Subject:                      Resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Plexus Research, a division of R. W. Beck, Inc., for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Selection Project

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval of a professional services agreement with Plexus Research for the advanced metering infrastructure project for an amount not to exceed $90,000 plus estimated travel related expenses not to exceed $8,000.

Analysis:

City staff and R. W. Beck staff have been working to develop the Business Case (approved by the Commission on July 14, 2008) and we are now nearing the end of this work.  The AMI Business Case will show significant operational improvements in meter reading, credit and collections, billing, and distribution expenses while providing improved response to customer requests and questions.

Following the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) with availability of Stimulus Grant Assistance of up to 50% of AMI, Smart Grid, demand response, distribution automation, Staff has worked diligently to more fully develop our Smart Grid Vision and Roadmap for the future.  Staff is now ready to develop an AMI procurement strategy and planning, requests for proposals, and proposal evaluation.  Completion of this planning work is critically important in order to be favorably considered for stimulus grant funding.

Power supply costs are expected to continuously increase and utilities across the nation are currently planning and deploying Smart Grid projects to improve operational efficiencies and enable customers to respond by reducing consumption during peak pricing periods.

Options:

1. Authorize the professional services agreement with Plexus Research, a division of R. W. Beck, Inc.

2.  Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate

Fiscal Impact: 

Funds are budgeted and available in the Electric Distribution budget.

Submission Date and Time:    7/9/2009 5:20 PM____

Department: __Electric______________ Prepared by:  __Paul Kalv_________                      Attachments:   Yes__X_   No __ __ Advertised:   ____Not Required __X__ Dates:   __________________________                      Attorney Review :     Yes_X__  No ____ _________________________________            Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head _Paul Kalv__ Finance  Dept. _________JB________                                    Deputy C.M. ___________________                                          Submitted by: City Manager ___________________

Account No. _041-1062-531-3110___ Project No. __415880____________ WF No. ______________________ Budget  ____$98,000____________ Available ___$98,000____________

RESOLUTION NO._______________

Resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Plexus Research, a division of R. W. Beck, Inc. for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Selection Project; and providing for an effective date.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

THAT the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute an agreement with Plexus Research, a division of R. W. Beck, Inc. whose address is 1000 Legion Place, Suite 1100, Orlando, FL 32801, for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Selection Project.

THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the 13th day of July 2009.

                                                                            __________________________

                                                                             Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk