CCP 04-19-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r . " Memorandum, Residential Water Meter Replacement Page Two Apri115, 1999 e Readings are typically taken from the meter reader's vehicle while on the street. The cost for each installed water meter with radio read capabilities is approximately $250. Public Works employees have installed approximately 15 of these units at residences where access has been a persistent problem, (i. e., fences, dogs, etc.) 3. Phone Read This meter is connected directly to a customer's phone line. The billing software automatically calls the meter at pre-programmed times and interrogates the meter. The installed cost of this technology is about equivalent to radio read costs ($250 per unit). However, more problems are resulting in phone read systems and some cities (i. e., Minneapolis and Mounds View) have already converted some phone reads to radio or manual read systems. Renlacement Costs The City currently has approximately 2,350 residential meters and replacement costs are estimated at $250 per installed meter, using radio read meters, The Public Works Director a recommends that a replacement contract include installation, due to the high number of units, ., plus the likelihood of most installations needing to be done after regular working hours or on weekends. If Badger Meter provides the best proposal for the meter replacement, the City could realize savings, as approximately ten percent (10%) of the City meters are new enough that only a radio read upgrade would be needed. In this scenario, a conservative estimate for the replacement/upgrade would be $570,000. Staff had included in the budget $250,000 for 1999 and $250,000 for the year 2000 for the replacement/upgrade. Any new construction installations would be funded by the meter permit fee, which is based on 120% of the City's actual costs as per code. If a replacement/upgrade project were initiated, staff would recommend the project be spread over a two (2) year period, as batteries for the radio transmitters will need replacement in approximately ten (10) years. This replacement could then be accomplished over a similar time period by City staff, or by outsourcing. Meters installed first would be in the southern portions of the City, as those meters are the oldest and would require more maintenance. Cost Justification for Radio Read The installed cost to the City for radio read meters versus the remote read meters currently used by the City, would be approximately $100 more per meter, or $235,000. Staff would point out . some of the anticipated benefits of the radio read technology: