Board Meeting: April 24, 2023 @ 4:00 PM
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Eric Wilmarth, Lisa Woodruff, Harry Johnston, Nancy Martin, Barry Mansell, Becky Dabbs, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Clint Blackwell, Beth Jones, Jennifer Arp, Keith Allen, Mark Cochran, Leo Baker, Mike Venters, Chandler Hamby, Jamie Veley, George Parks, Garry Hensley, Bryan Watkins, Lori Forrester, Will England, Melanie Stephens, Melissa Darvish, Tyler West, Shayne Fowler, Ryan Sarks, Eric Wright, Greg Long, Jeff Hooper, Sharon Clark, and Bryce Holcomb.
Gary Winchester, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY NANCY MARTIN, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. BRYCE HOLCOMB OF CITI REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE SERIES 2023 BOND RESOLUTION AND SERIES 2023 BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT (ATTACHED). Mr. Holcomb noted that the Authority’s bonds were priced earlier today, and bond validation occurred last week.
Mr. Holcomb noted that MMD yields remain relatively low on the intermediate to long-end from a historical context despite increased volatility and weakening alongside treasuries throughout 2022. Mr. Holcomb noted that the Authority’s Series 2023 bonds generated $90.0 million for new projects and provided $1.9 million of total debt service savings on a current refund of the Series 2013 bonds at a true interest cost (TIC) of 3.85%.
Mr. Holcomb provided the following summary of refunding results: The Authority refunded Series 2013 bonds in the amount of $15,235,000 with an average interest rate on refunded bonds of 4.776%. The Authority’s Series 2023 bonds generated an aggregate of over $1.9 million in gross savings and nearly $1.6 million in present value savings (10.4% of bonds refunded).
Mr. Holcomb stated that the Series 2023 bonds attracted significant attention from both retail and institutional investors, with over $5 million in “mom and pop” retail investors and 59 total institutional investors totaling $779.28 million in orders (8.1x subscribed).
Mr. Holcomb reported that the Series 2023 bond resolution that is presented today reflects the actual rates and yields of the bonds based on the bond pricing that occurred earlier this morning.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF THE SERIES 2023 BOND RESOLUTION AND THE SERIES 2023 BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT. All members voted for the motion.
3. TOM HEARD REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:
1) ETOWAH RIVER WATER TREATMENT FACILITY: GAWP PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
2) ROSE CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY: GAWP PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
3) RIVERBEND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY: GAWP PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
4) GAWP EDUCATION PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
5) GAWP INNOVATIVE INITIATIVE AWARD
6) ADOPT-A-STREAM WATERSHED AWARD
4. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID RECEIVED BY IHC CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,317,000.00 FOR THE UV DISINFECTION PROJECT AT ROSE CREEK WWTP. Mr. Ghorley noted that this scope of work is listed as Item #5 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list. Mr. Ghorley noted an approved construction budget of $4,618,000.00.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE LOW BID OF IHC CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,317,000.00 FOR THE UV DISINFECTION PROJECT AT ROSE CREEK WWTP. All members voted for the motion.
5. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL BY FREESE & NICHOLS ENGINEERS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE UV DISINFECTION PROJECT AT ROSE CREEK WWTP IN THE AMOUNT OF $370,232.00. Mr. Ghorley noted that this scope of work is listed as Item #5 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL BY FREESE & NICHOLS ENGINEERS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE UV DISINFECTION PROJECT AT ROSE CREEK WWTP IN THE AMOUNT OF $370,232.00. All members voted for the motion.
6. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM PRECISION PLANNING, INC. FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND CONCEPT SERVICES FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,690.00. Mr. Ghorley noted that this scope of work is listed as Item #12 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM PRECISION PLANNING, INC. FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND CONCEPT SERVICES FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,690.00. All members voted for the motion.
7. DWAYNE FOWLER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM ROB HOGAN OF THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK. In this correspondence, Mr. Hogan noted that the City requests CCWSA relinquishment of three parcels located at the corner of Ragsdale Road and SR92 and identified as 15N24 193, 15N24 197A, and 15N24 194 (MAP ATTACHED).
Mr. Fowler noted that CCWSA sewer lines were not as accessible in this area, and Woodstock sanitary sewer lines are available. Therefore, it is the recommendation of staff to relinquish these parcels into the City of Woodstock’s service area.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO APPROVE THE RELINQUISHMENT OF PARCELS 15N24 193, 15N24 197A, and 15N24 194 INTO THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK’S SERVICE AREA. All members voted for the motion.
8. DWAYNE FOWLER REQUESTED APPROVAL TO SEND NOTIFICATION TO THE CITY OF CANTON TO REQUEST RELINQUISHMENT OF CITY OF CANTON SERVICE AREA AT 979 CHATTIN DRIVE INTO CCWSA SERVICE AREA. Mr. Fowler noted that, upon approval by the City of Canton, the Authority would revise its HB489 boundary map to reflect these changes as approved by both properties.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO SEND NOTIFICATION TO THE CITY OF CANTON TO REQUEST RELINQUISHMENT OF CITY OF CANTON SERVICE AREA AT 979 CHATTIN DRIVE INTO CCWSA SERVICE AREA SO THAT THE AUTHORITY MAY SERVE THIS PROPERTY. UPON APPROVAL BY THE CITY OF CANTON, THE AUTHORITY WILL REVISE ITS HB489 BOUNDARY MAP TO REFLECT THESE CHANGES AS APPROVED BY BOTH PARTIES. All members voted for the motion.
9. RYAN SARKS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE FY 2023 SURPLUS LISTING. Mr. Sarks noted that the items included on this listing would be sold at auction on 5/13/23.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO APPROVE THE FY 2023 SURPLUS LISTING AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
10. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 3/27/23 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 $2,893,141.00 below budget projections for the period ending 2/28/23. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $1,362,217.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $2,987,525.00 for the period ending 2/28/23.
12. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 17.691 MGD for the month of March 2023 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 58.34” for the past twelve months.
13. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.8 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 1.5 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 5.6 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.331 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
14. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported that no spills or overflows occurred during this reporting period.
15. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Fowler noted that work on the Hames Road project is anticipated to be completed within two or three weeks.
16. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT.
17. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION REGARDING A REAL ESTATE ITEM. All members voted for the motion.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. All members voted for the motion.
18. MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO AUTHORIZE COUNSEL TO DRAFT A LETTER FOR THE CHAIR’S SIGNATURE FOR THE SALE OF PARCEL 2023-2 WITH THE STIPULATIONS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING. Members Woodruff, Wilmarth, Martin, Mansell, and Dabbs voted for the motion. Member Johnston recused himself from voting. Motion passed.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO AUTHORIZE TOM HEARD TO EXECUTE CLOSING DOCUMENTS AND THE DEED FOR THE SALE OF PARCEL 2023-2. Members Mansell, Wilmarth, Woodruff, Martin, and Dabbs voted for the motion. Member Johnston recused himself from voting. Motion passed.
19. MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
