Board Meeting Date: May 29, 2019 ~ 9:00 AM
PERSONS PRESENT: Mike Byrd, Gary Winchester, Doug Dabbs, Robert Morrison, Lisa Woodruff, Eric Wilmarth, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Beth Jones, Corey Ghorley, Mark Cochran, Mike Venters, Clint Blackwell, Tyler West, Jamie Veley, Greg Long, Brian Breeden, Joey Buice, Gaye Blackwell, Jennifer Arp, Lori Forrester, Rodney Satterfield, Eric Wright, Tim Dobson, Danny Henson, Emily Lemcke, Ellen Sams, and Pam Burnett.
Member Harry Johnston was not present.
Mike Byrd, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY ERIC WILMARTH, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. PAM BURNETT OF THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF WATER PROFESSIONALS PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING AWARDS TO THE AUTHORITY:
• Etowah River Water Treatment Facility: Plant of the Year Award
• Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility: Plant of the Year Award
• Rose Creek Wastewater Facility: Plant of the Year Award
• Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility: Gold Award
• Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility: Platinum Award
• Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility: Platinum Award
• Etowah River Water Treatment Facility: Platinum Award
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL FROM PRECISION PLANNING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $128,000.00 FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND PERMITTING FOR THE CCWSA CONSTRUCTION COMPLEX. Mr. Ghorley noted this project is listed as Item #12 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade in the current CIP listing.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM PRECISION PLANNING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $128,000.00 FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND PERMITTING FOR THE CCWSA CONSTRUCTION COMPLEX. All members present voted for the motion.
4. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL FROM PRECISION PLANNING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,600.00 FOR A MASTER PLAN FEASIBILITY EVALUATION FOR THE 320 WEST MAIN STREET REPLACEMENT BUILDING. Mr. Ghorley noted this project is listed as Item #13 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade in the current CIP listing.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM PRECISION PLANNING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,600.00 FOR A MASTER PLAN FEASIBILITY EVALUATION FOR THE 320 WEST MAIN STREET REPLACEMENT BUILDING. All members present voted for the motion.
5. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $612,684.00 FOR THE RIVER CHASE SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT – PHASE TWO (CCWSA-2018-013). Mr. Ghorley noted this project is listed as Item #3 under Asset Replacement in the current CIP listing at an estimated cost of $600,000.00.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO APPROVE A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $612,684.00 FOR THE RIVER CHASE SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT – PHASE TWO (CCWSA-2018-013.) All members present voted for the motion.
6. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED 2020 CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING (ATTACHED).
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE 2020 CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
7. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED A REQUEST TO REPLANT THE SHOAL CREEK PROPERTY AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $44,000.00. Mr. Fowler referenced correspondence received from Danny Henson in which Mr. Henson stated that the spraying, prescribed fire, and replanting will greatly improve the Shoal Creek/Johnson Trail tract owned by CCWSA. The present planted pine stands are overcrowded, stressed, and highly susceptible to disease and pine beetles. Pine beetles have infected trees in all areas of the property. Spraying, prescribed burning, and replanting will produce a healthy timber stand. The area will be safer for recreational users, have improved wildlife habitat, and be more disease and insect resistant. Destructive wildfire threat will be greatly reduced.
Mr. Henson noted that with proper management, the timber stand will produce three timber harvests in the next 20-25 years. These harvests will be determined by timber growth and market demands.
Mr. Henson noted that trees will not be replanted in the present hiking trails. A 10’ wide area will be left in the present trails. Metal fence posts painted with trail colors will be installed in areas where no trees are along hiking trails.
Mr. Henson noted that this year’s planting would be approximately 140-160 acres, and noted that his duties include coordinating the spraying, prescribed burn, and making certain the planting is done in the prescribed manner. Mr. Henson noted that he also assists the Georgia Forestry Commission with the burn and posting the area with signs about the process.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO REPLANT THE SHOAL CREEK PROPERTY AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $44,000.00. All members present voted for the motion.
8. DWAYNE FOWLER NOTED THAT, AT LAST MONTH’S MEETING, THE BOARD CONSIDERED AN EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FOR RESIDENTS OF ROCK HOUSE ROAD. Mr. Fowler noted that the Authority is now in receipt of a petition from residents of Rock House Road for this extension of water main. Mr. Fowler noted that Authority counsel is currently in the process of providing a revised service map to the City of Waleska along with a request for the City’s relinquishment of Rock House Road service area to the Authority.
Dwayne Fowler noted that he could present a revised service area map and cost estimates at next month’s meeting.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL NEXT MONTH’S MEETING. All members present voted for the motion.
9. MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE 4/29/19 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
10. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $1,717,840.00 below budget projections for the period ending 3/31/19. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $1,294,345.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $4,408,410.00 for the period ending 3/31/19.
11. BETH JONES REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED CAPITALIZATION POLICY TO BEGIN 9/1/19. Mrs. Jones noted that under the Authority’s current capitalization policy, Structures & Improvements have a useful life of 20-50 years, Machinery & Equipment has a useful life of 5-20 years, and Office Furniture & Equipment has a useful life of 5 years. All acquisitions of property and equipment in excess of $1,000 are capitalized and depreciated.
Under the proposed capitalization policy to begin 9/1/19, Structures & Improvements would continue to have a useful life of 20-50 years, Machinery & Equipment would continue to have a useful life of 5-20 years, and Office Furniture & Equipment would continue to have a useful life of 5 years. However, Machinery & Equipment acquisitions in excess of $5,000, Office Furniture & Equipment acquisitions in excess of $5,000, and Structures & Improvement acquisitions in excess of $25,000 would be capitalized and depreciated. Line extensions and other infrastructure upgrades less than $25,000 will be charged as an expense as incurred. Installation of all new meters will be capitalized as Structures & Improvements.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CAPITALIZATION POLICY AS PRESENTED WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF 9/1/19. All members present voted for the motion.
12. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 14.997 MGD for the month of April 2019 at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently at full pool at 1189.2 ft. Mr. Blackwell reported a cumulative rainfall total of 78.97” for the past twelve months.
13. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 3.1 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 2.4 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 4.4 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.330 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
14. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported that no overflows or spills occurred during this reporting period.
15. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. FOWLER NOTED THAT THE SOAP CREEK ROAD PROJECT IS APPROXIMATELY 50% COMPLETE AT THIS TIME.
16. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD NOTED THAT THE SERVICE AREA AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD AT LAST MONTH’S MEETING HAS ALSO BEEN APPROVED AND EXECUTED BY THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK. Mr. Heard noted that the water flow meter, to be used for wastewater billing, is in process to be set.
17. ROBERT MORRISON REQUESTED THAT A PRESENTATION BE MADE AT NEXT MONTH’S MEETING REGARDING THE AUTHORITY’S OPEB FUNDING.
18. MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
