Board Meeting Date: April 29, 2019 ~ 4:00 PM
PERSONS PRESENT: Mike Byrd, Gary Winchester, Doug Dabbs, Robert Morrison, Lisa Woodruff, Eric Wilmarth, Harry Johnston, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Clint Blackwell, Beth Jones, Garry Hensley, Mark Cochran, Jennifer Arp, Greg Long, Gaye Blackwell, Jeff Hooper, Brian Breeden, Ryan Sarks, Rodney Satterfield, Tim Dobson, Eric Wright, Emily Lemcke, Bob Bartlett, and Ellen Sams.
Mike Byrd, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY MIKE BYRD, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. GAYE BLACKWELL PRESENTED A REQUEST FROM ROBIN SUGGS FOR CONSIDERATION OF BILLING ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER, CORINNE THOMAS. Mrs. Blackwell referenced correspondence received from Ms. Suggs in which Ms. Suggs noted that on behalf of her mother, she requests reimbursement for multiple years of payments to CCWSA for sewage volume which was not processed by the county.
In this correspondence, Ms. Suggs further noted that her mother, due to her advanced age, was confused and did not understand that she had a water leak occurring in the plumbing under her home’s slab as there has never been any visible water from the leakage. Ms. Suggs noted that Ms. Thomas’ children only became aware of an issue recently upon a review of her finances, and a repair was made immediately by re-plumbing above grade.
Ms. Suggs requested that the Board consider Ms. Thomas’ situation and the fact that she paid for service not rendered.
Mrs. Blackwell presented the following timeline for this account:
· January 14, 2016: Customer called, concerned about high consumption; Work order #214996 was issued to check the meter
· January 15, 2016: Meter technician determined there was a leak on the customer’s side
· January 2016 through November 2018: Consumption averaged 17,000 gallons per month
· March 4, 2019: Leak request was received and processed. A two-month adjustment credit in the amount of $249.75 was applied, $76.00 for water, $173.75 for sewer
· April 2019: Received letter from Ms. Thomas’ daughter, Robin Suggs, requesting sewer credit on consumption billed to the account for multiple years, possibly as far back as 2016 when customer called, concerned about her high bill
· Going back to January 2016 through December 2018, the additional credit for consumption above the minimum charge, $12,60, would be $3,523.65. This amount does not include the credit given on the two-month leak adjustment for October and November 2018
MOTION BY ROBERT MORRISON AND SECOND BY HARRY JOHNSTON TO PROVIDE A ONE-TIME LEAK ADJUSTMENT FOR THE SEWER PORTION OF MS. THOMAS’ ACCOUNT FOR THE PRECEDING TWELVE MONTHS FROM THE NOTICE OF THE DATE OF REPAIR. NO FORMAL POLICY CHANGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT THIS TIME. Members Morrison and Johnston voted for the motion. Members Woodruff, Wilmarth, Dabbs, and Winchester voted against the motion. Motion failed.
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID OF IHC CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,856,787.50 FOR THE FITZGERALD CREEK BELT FILTER PRESS ADDITION PROJECT (CCWSA-2018-012-FITZGERALD CREEK BELT FILTER PRESS ADDITION). Mr. Ghorley noted that this item is currently listed on the Authority’s CIP list at an estimated cost of $2,500,000.00.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE LOW BID OF IHC CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,856,787.50 FOR THE FITZGERALD CREEK BELT FILTER PRESS ADDITION PROJECT. All members voted for the motion.
4. DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM TEN RESIDENTS OF PLEASANT UNION ROAD. Mr. Fowler noted that the installation of approximately 5,300 feet of 3” water main and approximately 1,200 feet of 2 ½’ water main would be required to serve this area, at an approximate cost to the Authority of $39,000.00. Mr. Fowler noted that the Authority would realize tap fees in the approximate amount of $17,000.00 from this scope of work.
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 5,300 FEET OF 3” WATER MAIN AND APPROXIMATELY 1,200 FEET OF 2 ½” WATER MAIN FOR THE PLEASANT UNION ROAD AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $39,000.00, CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL BY THE CITY OF WALESKA TO INSTALL A MASTER METER AT THE INTERSECTION OF SILVER CREEK DRIVE AND PLEASANT UNION ROAD. All members voted for the motion.
5. DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM FIVE RESIDENTS OF ROY MASON LANE. Mr. Fowler noted that the installation of approximately 900 feet of 2 1/2” water main would be required to serve this area, at an approximate cost to the Authority of $5,400.00. Mr. Fowler noted that the Authority would realize tap fees in the approximate amount of $8,500.00 from this scope of work.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY HARRY JOHNSTON TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 900 FEET OF 2 ½” WATER MAIN FOR THE ROY MASON LANE AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $5,400.00. All members voted for the motion.
6. DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM ELEVEN RESIDENTS OF SOAP CREEK ROAD. Mr. Fowler noted that the installation of approximately 9,400 feet of 3” water main would be required to serve this area, at an approximate cost to the Authority of $56,400.00. Mr. Fowler noted that the Authority would realize tap fees in the approximate amount of $18,700.00 from this scope of work.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 9,400 FEET OF 3” WATER MAIN FOR THE SOAP CREEK ROAD AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $56,400.00. All members voted for the motion.
7. DWAYNE FOWLER REQUESTED BOARD CONSIDERATION OF EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FOR RESIDENTS OF ROCK HOUSE ROAD. Mr. Fowler noted that a formal petition for this extension has not been received by the Authority at this time.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS FOR AUTHORITY COUNSEL TO PROVIDE A REVISED SERVICE AREA MAP TO THE CITY OF WALESKA ALONG WITH A REQUEST FOR THE CITY’S RELINQUISHMENT OF ROCK HOUSE ROAD SERVICE AREA TO THE AUTHORITY. THIS ISSUE WILL BE FURTHER DISCUSSED AT NEXT MONTH’S BOARD MEETING. All members voted for the motion.
Mr. Fowler noted that Ellen Sams, who is present at today’s meeting, may bring a formal petition for extension of water main to next month’s meeting.
8. RYAN SARKS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE FY 2019 SURPLUS LISTING. Mr. Sarks noted that the items on this listing would be sold at auction on 5/11/19.
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE FY 2019 SURPLUS LISTING AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
9. TOM ROACH PRESENTED A PROPOSED SERVICE AREA AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THIS AGREEMENT, CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL BY THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK BY A DATE OF NO LATER THAN 6/24/19. IF APPROVAL HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED BY 6/24/19, THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT WILL STAND AS WITHDRAWN. All members voted for the motion.
10. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE 3/25/19 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
11. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $1,625,880.00 below budget projections for the period ending 2/28/19. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $1,258,580.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $3,749,709.00 for the period ending 2/28/19.
12. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 13.823 MGD for the month of March 2019 at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell also reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently at full pool at 1189.3 ft. Mr. Blackwell reported a cumulative rainfall total of 78.37” for the past twelve months.
13. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF MIKE VENTERS. Mr. Heard reported an average daily treatment of 3.9 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 2.1 MG. Mr. Heard reported an average daily treatment of 4.9 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.360 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
14. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp noted that an overflow had occurred on 3/25/19 at Towne Lake Parkway. Mrs. Arp also noted that the Authority had been notified of an illegal discharge into Rose Creek at Wyngate Parkway on 3/29/19. Upon investigation, the Authority determined it was actually a fish kill by a contractor working for the School District. Mrs. Arp noted that Cherokee County and the EPD have now taken over the issue.
15. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. FOWLER REQUESTED FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $210,000.00 FOR THE E. CHEROKEE DRIVE/S. HOLLY SPRINGS RD. INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Mr. Fowler noted that this item is listed on the Authority’s CIP list, and noted that the County has given notice to proceed on this road relocation project.
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $210,000.00 FOR THE E. CHEROKEE DRIVE/S. HOLLY SPRINGS RD. INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. All members voted for the motion.
16. DWAYNE FOWLER REQUESTED FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $192,000.00 FOR THE LITTLE ROAD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Mr. Fowler noted that this item is listed on the Authority’s CIP list, and noted that the County has given notice to proceed on this road relocation project.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $192,000.00 FOR THE LITTLE ROAD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. All members voted for the motion.
17. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD NOTED THAT THE MAY 2019 BOARD MEETING WOULD BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019 AT 9:00 A.M.
18. DWAYNE FOWLER NOTED THAT THE D.O.T. WILL BEGIN WORK ON THE LITTLE RIVER BRIDGE @ BELLS FERRY ROAD PROJECT SOON, WITH A POTENTIAL LET DATE OF 2021.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
