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<br />Council Meeting Minutes
<br />October 27, 1992
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<br />Page 3
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<br />Council Business, continued
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<br />The Badger and Iris Systems offer a radio frequency technology, which the
<br />remote is replaced with a radio transponder that sends the reading through
<br />radio waves, Radio waves are received by hand-held portion interrogator or
<br />by mobile interrogator, This is the technology of the future,
<br />
<br />Staff proposes the smart hand-held technology of Unigun by Schlumberger
<br />and TouchRead by Sensus Technologies which can adapt to the existing
<br />remotes, Each system would have little or no maintenance after
<br />installation, decrease reading time, eliminate data entry, eliminate need for
<br />access to homes and increase reading accuracy, Both technologies have
<br />been installed in other communities, However, one disadvantage to the
<br />smart handheld system is the use of a meter reader is required, The
<br />quicker reading times will allow for billing on a monthly or bi-monthly cycle,
<br />and elimination of the customer read cards,
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<br />The group's cost effective goals would be accomplished by the smart hand-
<br />held technology. The City would need to convert existing remotes to
<br />"smart" remotes, install new meters, and purchase smart gun package with
<br />computer software, This recommended approach offers opportunity to
<br />update the City's technology while still looking into the future,
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<br />Egan said the current cost to staff a six month read engagement is
<br />$20,000. She noted that if all the remotes are installed by 1994 the City
<br />would be able to take over all readings,
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<br />Benke confirmed that under the preliminary proposal the customer and a
<br />meter reader would each read the meter twice per year,
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<br />Larson noted both systems allow for down-loading at the end of the day,
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<br />Ken Thielbar, Davies Water, said the cities of Champlin, St, Paul, Little
<br />Falls, S. St, Paul, Ramsey and Blaine utilize the Schlumberger system, The
<br />Neptune equipment can be taken from our stock in Eden Prairie to replace
<br />any parts, Gunderman verified that the Neptune System can not be
<br />repaired by City personnel, and would be shipped for repair,
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<br />Ed Wiegert, Water Pro, said the Sensus system has been implemented by
<br />325 users since 1984, the technology is very reliable,
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<br />Childs said the recommendation is to direct staff to begin the bidding
<br />process which allows the City to proceed with conservative technology,
<br />and insures readiness for a future cutting edge technology,
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<br />Benke requested staff to build into the bid specifications performance and
<br />liability criterias,
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<br />Motion by Gunderman, seconded by Larson, to WAIVE THE READING AND
<br />ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITATION OF BIDS TO
<br />FURNISH THE CITY WITH A SMART READING GUN TECHNOLOGY,
<br />
<br />5 Ayes - 0 Nayes, Motion Carried
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<br />Council Business
<br />
<br />Water Meter
<br />Remotes
<br />Report 92-241
<br />Resolution 92-118
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