Board Meeting Date: December 13, 2018 ~ 4:00 PM
PERSONS PRESENT: Mike Byrd, Gary Winchester, Doug Dabbs, Robert Morrison, Lisa Woodruff, Eric Wilmarth, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Garry Hensley, Jennifer Arp, Brian Breeden, Clint Blackwell, Mark Cochran, Mike Venters, Rodney Satterfield, Melanie Stephens, Tim Dobson, Eric Wright, Jeff Hooper, Greg Long, and Emily Lemcke.
Member Buzz Ahrens was not present.
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. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL) FOR THE HWY. 369 & HWY. 372 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-011-KM DAVIS). Mr. Ghorley reported an original contract amount of $476,520.00, and a decrease per the change order in the amount of $14,422.75. Mr. Ghorley noted that the deduction in the contract amount was the result of unit price items, bid items, and labor not used. Mr. Ghorley reported a revised contract amount of $462,097.25.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL), WHICH IS A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,422.75, FOR THE HWY. 369 & HWY. 372 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-011-KM DAVIS). All members present voted for the motion.
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL) FOR THE HICKORY ROAD @ STRINGER ROAD UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-014-CH KIRKPATRICK). Mr. Ghorley reported an original contract amount of $219,681.58, and an increase per the change order in the amount of $62,896.19. Mr. Ghorley noted that the increase in the contract amount was the result of bore extensions due to the County addition of a turn lane, and additional water main on Stringer Road. Mr. Ghorley reported a revised contract amount of $282,577.77.
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL), WHICH IS AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,896.19, FOR THE HICKORY ROAD @ STRINGER ROAD UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-014-CH KIRKPATRICK). All members present voted for the motion.
4. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID RECEIVED FROM REEVES YOUNG, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,880,311.36 FOR THE RIVER PARK FORCE MAIN EXTENSION AND MANHOLE REHAB PROJECT. Mr. Ghorley noted that the Board had approved a construction budget for this project in the amount of $1,574,000.00 at the 11/26/18 board meeting.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE LOW BID RECEIVED FROM REEVES YOUNG, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,880,311.36 FOR THE RIVER PARK FORCE MAIN EXTENSION AND MANHOLE REHAB PROJECT. All members present voted for the motion.
5. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE 11/26/18 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
6. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones presented preliminary financial statements for the months of September and October 2018. Mrs. Jones noted that she was presenting preliminary statements due to the audit currently in progress.
7. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 14.592 MGD for the month of November 2018 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 64.33” for the past twelve months.
8. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.9 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 0.0 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 4.7 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.25 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
9. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported no overflows or spills occurred during this reporting period.
10. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. FOWLER NOTED THAT AUTHORITY EMPLOYEES GARRY HENSLEY AND HOYT LEDFORD WERE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED AS BEING 30-YEAR MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF WATER PROFESSIONALS.
11. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FROM BING WU OF DAWSON CHEROKEE CAPITAL, LLC. Mr. Heard noted that, in this correspondence, Mr. Wu noted that he requests a variance for Parcel Numbers 041 007, 040 007 135-149, & 040 007 056-060 in order to expand on the previously approved development to include 1,012 homes on 1038.46 acres. In this correspondence, Mr. Wu noted that the first phase of this development will consist of a 367-home Senior Lifestyle Neighborhood on 367 acres. The property is part of the existing 1600—acre Crystal Falls Lake & Golf Community located in the southwest corner of the County on Cowart Road. It is bordered on the north by various residential and agricultural properties. The remainder of the property is surrounded by the existing Crystal Falls development. This property is designated as Planned Residential Community which is precisely what Mr. Wu is proposing.
In this correspondence, Mr. Wu further noted that the proposed Master Planned Development is in unison with what has already been approved. The original approved Master Plan depicted a first phase of 422 homes with the remaining property designated as “Future Development.” The proposed development will add clarity to the original Master Plan, defining areas of “Future Development” and limiting the overall number of lots to 1,012 total on 1,038 acres, thus maintaining a density of less than one home per acre. The proposed 367 homes in the first phase, combined with the existing 55 lots that have already been platted and recorded, equal a total of 422 homes which is identical to what was approved with the original zoning.
In this correspondence, Mr. Wu further noted that the initial neighborhood will provide a much needed solution for Dawson seniors desiring a much simpler lifestyle that is designed specially with age 55+ seniors in mind. Landscaping and outdoor spaces will be maintained by a common landscape maintenance association, giving owners a choice of a maintenance-free lifestyle. Homes will be designed to appeal to seniors with discriminating taste and style. The home design will center around the empty nester who desires less square footage to maintain, but wants luxurious finishes and interior upgrades. Typically, the Master is on the main floor, but additional rooms are included for visiting family. Amenities will be added to the existing Club including: bocce, pickle ball, shuffle board, and an Olympic size pool and clubhouse. Walking trails and golf cart paths will be added for access and exercise.
Mr. Wu further noted in this correspondence that he feels the proposed development and new residents will add much needed vitality to the existing community. Only five homes have been sold since its inception in 2002. The more intensive uses will be positioned off the golf course and away from the existing neighborhood to minimize impact. By compacting development into a smaller footprint, more greenspace can be preserved to enhance the overall community. Nearer to existing residents, larger lots, akin to the ones already in place, will be utilized to harmonize with what has already inaugurated. The entire community will be connected with walking trails and golf cart paths.
In this correspondence, Mr. Wu noted that the impact on schools and utilities will be far less than the currently approved development because the new neighborhood will be predominately targeted to empty nesters and retired or semi-retired seniors. An on-site wastewater plant will be constructed to utilize sanitary sewer and avoid more of the current septic systems which could lead to long-term contamination of the lake/reservoir. The wastewater treatment plant is preferred by both environmental groups and environmental agencies over septic systems. By clustering smaller lots in one area, Mr. Wu noted that Dawson Cherokee Capital, LLC would be able to preserve large areas of open space that are actually capable of sustaining wildlife microsystems rather than small patches of woods fenced in by the homeowner. Therefore, the proposed neighborhood will have a far smaller ecological footprint than the currently approved plan.
Mr. Wu noted the proposed Master Plan and associated variances reflect the intent of the County’s Future Land Use Plan and will create a much needed resource for Dawson County’s maturing population.
Mr. Heard noted that Mr. Wu desires for the Board to support his request to expand the development and trust them to continue to build a first-class residential project. Mr. Wu also desires for the Board to support that the on-site wastewater treatment plant would be efficient and environmentally desired, which would relieve the anxiety and risk of contamination to the lake/reservoir and waterways from septic systems.
Mr. Heard noted that Authority staff had requested to not use a lower pressure system that utilizes grinder pumps at individual units.
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO AUTHORIZE COUNSEL TO DRAFT A LETTER OF RESPONSE FROM THE AUTHORITY CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. All members present voted for the motion.
12. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE UPDATED 2019 CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING (ATTACHED) THAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE 11/26/18 BOARD MEETING. All members present voted for the motion.
13. MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO APPROVE THE 2019 BOARD MEETING CALENDAR (ATTACHED) AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
14. DISCUSSION OCCURRED CONCERNING THE CITY OF CANTON.
15. MOTION BY ROBERT MORRISON AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
