HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 2, 2008 E-04AGENDA ITEM E-04
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Approve Requestfor Proposal (RFP) ID Replace and Upgrade the Existing
Remote Meter Reading System and Services for Time -Of -Use Electric
Customers (Large Customer Class) and Authorize the Advertisement for
Proposals (EUD)
MEETING DATE: April 2,2008
PREPARED BY Etectric Utility Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve a Requestfor Proposal (RFP) to replace and upgrade the
existing remote meter reading system and services for the large
customer class, time -of -use (TOU) customers and authorize the
advertisementfor proposals.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: EU Ds existing remote meter reading system was originally provided
by IMSERV NorthAmerica LLC (IMSERV). IMSERV has been
absorbed by Hunt Technologies, Inc. (Hunt) and they continue to
provide the same remote meter reading services and processes. In 2007, MeterSmart of Arlington,
Texas acquired Hunt Technologies, Inc.
Unfortunately, the changes of remote meter reading service providers has not improved the poor quality
of service, questionable meter reading data (especially for large class customers), time-consuming billing
data preparation, and discrepancies between the website meter data and the billing meter reads. Utility
Department's (EUD s) Metering Electrician usually spends an average of four to ten workdays correcting
errors and processing large customer billings per month. Frequent coordination with MeterSmart about
the situation has not produced either service or data quality improvement.
For purposes of improving the quality of meter data, service and website information, staff recommends
replacement and upgrading the existing remote meter reading system services for the City's large TOU
customers. The proposed system under the RFP will be requested with automated file transfer features,
will be operated in parallelwith the MeterSmart for a period of three months to prove concept and
processes, and will be provided on a "tum -key" basis. Currently, there are 55 TOU customers being
served. If the existing California Independent System Operator Market Redesign and Technology
Upgrade (CAISO MRTU) initiative is implemented and critical peak pricing is involved, the other small
three-phase customers should also be converted. At this time, the added cost to EUD of converting the
smaller TOU customers is greater than the benefits of doing so.
FISCAL IMPACT: The benefi i from the efficiencies gained and the accuracy of reads will
offset the costs of the new meters.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Estimated cost is approximately $25,000 and included in the EUD2007/08
budget in Account No .161651.
APPROVED: /—Zt>�Z, r----,
BW , ity Manager
Appnom Regowt far Pkapasr (KEPI to ieplece wW Lftw a the ExImU g Ru tole Nedw Reading Syslism and SwAm
for the Time -Of -Use (TOU) Customers (Large Customer Class) and Authorize the Advertisement forProposals (EUD)
April 2,2008
Page 2 of 2
G In;eMOITOW
Electric Utility Director
PREPARED BY: Demy Bucaneg, Jr., P.E., Manager. Engineering & Operations
Allen Aadland. Acting Electrtcal Systems Supervisor
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