HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 19, 2001 E-15CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Adopt resolution approving the pilot program for a remote meter reading project and
appropriate funding in the amount of $28,000.00 (EUD)
MEETING DATE: September 19, 2001
SUBMITTED BY: Electric Utility Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving implementation
of a pilot program for a remote meter reading project and appropriate
$28,000.00 for the project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Electric Utility Department and the Finance Department have in the past
been able to offer a remote dial meter to customers where the electric meter
was not accessible as a result of locked gates, animals, etc.
However, these devices have not been manufactured for a number of years and are no longer available from the
suppliers. The Departments have researched the market for an alternative to the remote dial meter and found remote
readable meters via short-range radio. With this system a solid state meter with a radio transmitter would be installed
at the customer's premise. The handheld meter reading devices used by the meter readers would be retrofitted with
radio receivers and as the meter readers walk by the premises where the meters are located, the meters are read.
This type of system is successfully in service at SMUD and Truckee Donner Utility.
The remote reading system if implemented at "hard to read locations" (approximately 1800) would bring a number of
benefits to both the customers and the City. The meter reading would be transparent to the customers thus
eliminating any inconvenience from having to unlock gates, secure pets, set dial cards, etc. on meter reading dates.
The City could eliminate the monthly advisory mailings to the 200-250 customers where gates must be unlocked, pets
secured, etc. Meter reading errors would be reduced due to the electronic data transfer and the elimination of the
need to obtain readings from across fences, through knotholes in fences, from great distances, etc. An additional
benefit from the system is its ability to identify tampering with the meter.
The system can also be installed at commercial and industrial customers. At these customers the system would bring
the additional benefit of the City not having to handle and maintain security of 500± keys used to gain access to
meters in buildings and utility rooms. A further benefit to both the customer and the City would be the elimination of
the need for meter readers to be escorted to the meters, a requirement by the customer at several locations.
It is recommended that the pilot program be implemented in the residential area at approximately 100 locations for
further evaluation. It is expected that the system will be recommended for implementation over a two year period at
the 1800± "hard to read locations" at a projected cost of $170,000. The cost of the pilot program recommended here
includes necessary test equipment, retrofit of the handheld reading devices (6), and the required FCC license for the
radio frequencies used. These items are necessary for the pilot program and are capable of supporting a full-scale
system (1800±) should it be implemented; i.e. full implementation will only require the purchase and installation of
radio readable meters.
APPROVED:
H. Dixon Flynn - City Manager
COUNCIL COMMi11VICATION
FUNDING: $28,000.00 - Electric System Revenue Certificates of Participation
Funding Approval: i ' L.`vI (La�'_K
Vicky McAthie 1.
Finance Director
Vicky McAthie Alan N. Vallow
Finance Director Electric Utility Director
Prepared by: Hans Hansen, Manager, Engineering and Operations
ANV/HHllst
c: City Attorney
Finance Director
Electric Meter Technician
APPROVED: l�Gi
P' n Flynn - City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-224
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL APPROVING
THE PILOT PROGRAM FOR A REMOTE METER READING
PROJECT AND APPROPRIATE FUNDING
WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Department and the Finance Department have in
the past been able to offer a remote dial meter to customers where the electric meter was
not accessible as a result of locked gates, animals, etc.; and
WHEREAS, these devices have not been manufactured for a number of years and
are no longer available from the suppliers; and
WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Department has researched the market for an
alternative to the remote dial meter and found remote readable meters via short-range
radio. With this system a solid state meter with a radio transmitter would be installed at
the customer's premise. The handheld meter reading devices used by the meter readers
would be retrofitted with radio receivers and as the meter readers walk by the premises
where the meters are located, the meters are read. This type of system is successfully in
service at SMUD and Truckee Donner Utility; and
WHEREAS, the remote reading system if implemented at "hard to read locations"
(approximately 1800) would bring a number of benefits to both the customers and the City.
The meter reading would be transparent to the customers thus eliminating any
inconvenience from having to unlock gates, secure pets, set dial cards, etc. on meter
reading dates. The City could eliminate the monthly advisory mailings to the 200-250
customers where gates must be unlocked, pets secured, etc. Meter reading errors would
be reduced due to the electronic data transfer and the elimination of the need to obtain
readings from across fences, through knotholes in fences, from great distances, etc. An
additional benefit from the system is its ability to identify tampering with the meter; and
WHEREAS, the system can also be installed at commercial and industrial
customers. At these customers the system would bring the additional benefit of the City not
having to handle and maintain security of 500± keys used to gain access to meters in
buildings and utility rooms. A further benefit to both the customer and the City would be
the elimination of the need for meter readers to be escorted to the meters, a requirement
by the customer at several locations; and
WHEREAS, it is recommended that the pilot program be implemented in the
residential area at approximately 100 locations for further evaluation. It is expected that
the system would be recommended for implementation over a two-year period at the
1800± "hard to read locations" at a projected cost of $170,000. The cost of the pilot
program recommended here includes necessary test equipment, retrofit of the handheld
reading devices (6), and the required FCC license for the radio frequencies used. These
items are necessary for the pilot program and are capable of supporting a full-scale system
(1800±) should it be implemented; i.e. full implementation would only require the purchase
and installation of radio readable meters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lodi City Council does hereby approve
the implementation of a pilot program for a remote meter reading project, and further
appropriates funds in the amount of $28,000.00 for the project.
Dated: September 19, 2001
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I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2001-224 was passed and adopted by the Lodi City
Council in a special meeting held September 19, 2001 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Howard, Land, Pennino and Mayor
Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
SUSAN J. BLACKSTON
City Clerk
2001-224