Board Meeting: August 26, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
PERSONS PRESENT: Eric Wilmarth, Barry Mansell, Lisa Woodruff, Nancy Martin, Becky Dabbs, John Workman, Dwayne Fowler, David Kubala, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Jennifer Arp, Clint Blackwell, Joey Buice, Garry Hensley, Greg Long, Keith Allen, Bryan Watkins, Lee Faucett, Ron Price, Mark Cochran, Melissa Darvish, Melanie Stephens, Jamie Veley, Mike Venters, Jody Henson, Jeff Hooper, Alison Payne, Ryan Sarks, Sharon Clark, Shayne Fowler, Eric Wright, Earl Smith, Steve Defelippi, and Ilde Robles.
Member Harry Johnston was not present at the meeting.
Eric Wilmarth, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY BARRY MANSELL, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM CROFT & ASSOCIATES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,610,650.00 FOR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX. Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #12 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM CROFT & ASSOCIATES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,610,650.00 FOR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX. All members present voted for the motion.
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF AN INCREASED CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM GEO-HYDRO ENGINEERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,475.00 FOR ADDITIONAL SOILS AND MATERIAL TESTING FOR THE ROSE CREEK UV DISINFECTION PROJECT. Mr. Ghorley noted a current approved contract amount of $15,107.50, and a revised contract amount of $20,582.50.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE INCREASED CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM GEO-HYDRO ENGINEERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,475.00 FOR ADDITIONAL SOILS AND MATERIAL TESTING FOR THE ROSE CREEK UV DISINFECTION PROJECT. All members present voted for the motion.
4. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,353,000.00 FOR THE RIVERBEND RAW WATER INTAKE UPGRADE PROJECT. Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #6 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP, with a total original estimated cost of $812,500.00. Mr. Ghorley noted that $812,500.00 was an early cost estimate from 2019, and the increase to $3,353,000.00 is due to inflation and the replacement of existing intake screens.
MOTION BY JOHN WORKMAN AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,353,000.00 FOR THE RIVERBEND RAW WATER INTAKE UPGRADE PROJECT. All members present voted for the motion.
5. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,400,000.00 FOR THE WATER TANK ADDITION – SOUTHWEST PROJECT. Mr. Ghorley noted that this scope of work is listed as Item #7 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP, with a total original estimated cost of $6,000,000.00. Mr. Ghorley noted that $6,000,000.00 was an early cost estimate that included various tank designs.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,400,000.00 FOR THE WATER TANK ADDITION – SOUTHWEST PROJECT. All members present voted for the motion.
6. DWAYNE FOWLER REVIEWED THE FOLLOW UP ITEM FROM THE 7/29/24 BOARD MEETING. AT THAT MEETING, MR. FOWLER HAD PRESENTED A REQUEST FROM JOHN GASKIN, VICE PRESIDENT OF PATRICK MALLOY COMMUNITIES.
Dwayne Fowler noted that staff recommends approval of this request.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE REQUEST OF JOHN GASKIN OF PATRICK MALLOY COMMUNITIES FOR A WASTEWATER LIFT STATION TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE CONFINEMENTS OF THE BUZZARD FLAPPER AND SMITHWICK CREEK BASINS, AS OUTLINED IN “EXHIBIT A” (ATTACHED). All members present voted for the motion.
7. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE 7/29/24 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
8. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $1,951,465.00 above budget projections for the period ending 6/30/24. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $2,625,636.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $15,081,704.00 for the period ending 6/30/24.
9. MOTION BY BECKY DABBS AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
10. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 24.699 MGD for the month of July 2024 at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is at a lake level of 1188.8 ft. Mr. Blackwell reported a cumulative rainfall total of 54.13” for the past twelve months.
11. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.5 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 2.5 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 5.5 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.307 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
12. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported that no spills or overflows occurred during this reporting period.
13. GARRY HENSLEY PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Hensley reported that Authority crews are currently working on the Dry Pond Road/Wild Azalea Trail water main project.
14. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT.
15. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.