Board Meeting: January 27, 2020 ~9:00 A.M.
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Eric Wilmarth, Doug Dabbs, Lisa Woodruff, Harry Johnston, Nancy Martin, Barry Mansell, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Tom Roach, Joey Buice, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Clint Blackwell, Mark Cochran, Mike Venters, Greg Long, Brian Breeden, Garry Hensley, Rodney Satterfield, Jeff Hooper, Eric Wright, Gaye Blackwell, Tim Dobson, Melanie Stephens, Ryan Sarks, Jennifer Arp, and Emily Lemcke.
Gary Winchester, 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. DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED CONCERNING WATER MAIN ISSUES ON DUNNWOOD LANE. Mr. Fowler noted that, over the years, several water outages occurred in the back part of Woodlands Subdivision and the section that was originally called Brookwood Subdivision. This was due to age of the PVC pipe that was installed in 1974. The 6” PVC main was replaced in the mid-90s from Mohawk Trail to the half cul-de-sac on Dunnwood Drive. CCWSA crews replaced the 6” PVC on Meadowview Drive in July 2013. The 6” PVC line on Mohawk Trail was replaced by CCWSA crews in March 2017. Since this large section of Mohawk Trail was replaced, there have been few instances of water outages on Dunnwood Drive. Since Oct. 2018, there have been 4 main leaks on Dunnwood Lane. On August 5, 2019, the leak was repaired without turning the main off. On Nov. 2, 2019, repairs were made involving an outage of 1 hour and 15 minutes. On Dec. 19, 2019, a main break occurred that interrupted service for approximately 7.25 hours. Then on the next day, Dec. 20, 2019, a small pinhole in the main was repaired using the Authority’s Vac trailer and with no outage.
Mr. Fowler noted that several emails have been exchanged between CCWSA customer Ray Roper and Construction & Development Assistant Manager Garry Hensley. Mr. Roper is a longtime resident of Dunnwood Lane. Mr. Roper has stated his displeasure that the main breaks so often and he wanted to address the Board with regard to the issue.
Mr. Fowler noted that apologies were made by CCWSA for the issues, and noted that Mr. Roper is not in attendance of today’s meeting. Mr. Fowler noted that the additional leak that was reported on Dec. 21, 2019 was caused by moisture left over from the repair performed at Cochise Drive and Crossfield Lane on Dec. 20, 2019.
Mr. Fowler noted that, if the Board were to so choose, approximately 2500 feet of existing PVC pipe could be replaced south and west of Dunnwood Drive at an approximate cost to the Authority of $125,000 – $150,000.
Gary Winchester noted that this item could be placed on the Authority’s CIP/Future Projects listing.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO RE-EVALUATE THIS ISSUE IN MAY 2020 DURING THE PRESENTMENT OF THE AUTHORITY’S UPDATED CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING. All members voted for the motion.
3. DWAYNE FOWLER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM KEITH ADAMS OF SMITH DOUGLAS HOMES REGARDING A PROPOSED LIFT STATION AND FORCE MAIN FOR THE UNIVETER ROAD TRACT. In this correspondence, Mr. Adams noted that he is requesting that CCWSA consider the installation of a lift station and force main for a proposed project located at 1548 Univeter Road containing 45 single-family lots on 16.325 acres. In this correspondence, Mr. Adams also noted that his firm has evaluated the gravity connection to the south of the subject property which will require the acquisition of 9 off-site easements. Mr. Adams noted that his firm would make every effort to obtain these easements; however, all easements may not be attainable.
Mr. Fowler noted this is the first reading of this issue.
4. DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED THAT THE CITY OF WALESKA HAS APPROVED THE RELINQUISHMENT OF TWO PARCELS LOCATED AT 14402 FINCHER ROAD AND 14424 FINCHER ROAD INTO CCWSA SERVICE AREA. Mr. Fowler noted that the City of Waleska customers located at these addresses had requested to obtain water service from CCWSA because the City does not provide water service to them.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE CITY OF WALESKA’S RELINQUISHMENT OF TWO PARCELS LOCATED AT 14402 FINCHER ROAD AND 14424 FINCHER ROAD INTO CCWSA SERVICE AREA. All members voted for the motion.
Authority counsel noted that he would provide an MOU of this relinquishment (which will be executed by Mr. Heard) and a revised service area map to the City of Waleska, per their request.
5. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED A REQUEST FOR RELINQUISHMENT OF SERVICE AREA AT NEESE ROAD. Mr. Fowler noted that the City of Woodstock is currently preparing to relocate Neese Road, and noted that the Authority currently has approximately 28 customers in this area. Mr. Fowler reported an approximate cost to the Authority of over $300,000 to relocate the water main. Therefore, CCWSA staff recommends that the Authority relinquish this service area to the City of Woodstock.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO APPROVE CCWSA RELINQUISHMENT OF SERVICE AREA AT NEESE ROAD TO THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK (MAP ATTACHED) PER STAFF RECOMMENDATION. All members voted for the motion.
Mr. Fowler noted that CCWSA staff will provide a revised service area map to the City of Woodstock.
6. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL CLOSEOUT) FOR THE RIVER PARK FORCE MAIN EXTENSION & MANHOLE REHABILITATION PROJECT (CCWSA-2018-009). Mr. Ghorley noted an original contract amount of $1,880,311.36, and a decrease per the change order in the amount of $345,467.89. Mr. Ghorley noted the reason for the decrease in the contract amount was the result of unit price adjustments for materials not used. Mr. Ghorley noted a revised final contract amount of $1,534,843.47.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL CLOSEOUT), WHICH IS A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $345,467.89 FOR THE RIVER PARK FORCE MAIN EXTENSION & MANHOLE REHABILITATION PROJECT (CCWSA-2018-009). All members voted for the motion.
7. GARY WINCHESTER REVIEWED THE FOLLOW-UP ITEMS FROM THE 12/12/19 BOARD MEETING:
1) DWAYNE FOWLER NOTED THAT, AT THE 12/12/19 BOARD MEETING, HE HAD PRESENTED A REQUEST FROM FRANS VAN LEEUWEN OF VAUGHN & MELTON FOR INSTALLATION OF A PUMP STATION AT WADE GREEN ROAD & HWY. 92. In the correspondence received from Mr. van Leeuwen, Mr. van Leeuwen noted that the White Oaks Meadow project is located at 5470 Wade Green Road and is proposed to be a mixed-use development with 105 residential units and approximately 15,000 square feet of retail. The existing property was a mobile home park with a tire service facility along Wade Green Road.
The Vaughn & Melton firm is requesting that a sanitary sewer lift station be constructed to serve the proposed development. The closest CCWSA sewer is located in the adjacent Prescott at Wade Green subdivision, directly to the south.
The proposed force main will traverse approximately 815 LF with a vertical lift of 50 feet to the existing receiving manhole within the Acklin Lane right-of-way.
In this correspondence, Mr. van Leeuwen noted that the pump station and force main would be constructed to the latest CCWSA regulations. Attached is the Master Plan showing the proposed location of the pump station, along with the force main route and location of the existing receiving sewer system (ATTACHED).
MOTION BY DOUG DABBS AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF A PUMP STATION AT WADE GREEN ROAD & HWY. 92 FOR THE WHITE OAKS MEADOW PROJECT. All members voted for the motion.
8. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO APPROVE THE 12/12/19 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
9. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCIAL REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $3,208,088.00 above budget projections for the period ending 11/30/19. Mrs. Jones noted that total operating expense are approximately $323,187.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported a year-to-date net income of $5,334,199.00 for the period ending 11/30/19.
10. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 14.914 MGD for the month of December 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 60.56” 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 1.8 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 4.5 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.260 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
12. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp stated the no spills or overflows occurred during this reporting period.
13. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. FOWLER NOTED THAT AUTHORITY CREWS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE HWY. 108 LINE EXTENSION PROJECT AT SUTALLEE.
14. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY HAS RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE CITY OF CANTON THAT THE CITY IS INCREASING THEIR WHOLESALE WATER RATE TO $3.05 PER THOUSAND GALLONS, AND INCREASING THEIR WHOLESALE SEWER RATE TO $5.52 PER THOUSAND GALLONS. Mr. Heard noted that, at this time, the Authority does not purchase any wholesale water from the City of Canton. The Authority currently sells wholesale water to them at a much lower rate. The Authority currently purchases a small amount of wastewater capacity from the City for the area off of Hwy. 5.
Mr. Heard questioned if the Board would like to reciprocate these rates, but cautioned that reciprocation would also impact other entities as well. Mr. Heard noted that Authority staff has also researched projections for long-term development in the area off Hwy. 5, and noted that the Authority will begin planning for the CIP to include the possibility of building a force main and pump station to remove all flow from Canton.
Mr. Heard noted that the Authority has also received notification from the City of Waleska that the City is increasing their wholesale water rate to $3.05 per thousand gallons.
Mr. Heard noted that his current recommendation is for the Authority to pay these rate increases as they occur, based on the Authority’s current financial status. Therefore, there is no action necessary by the Board with regard to this issue at this time.
15. TOM ROACH REPORTED THAT, EARLIER THIS YEAR, MR. FOWLER HAD REQUESTED THAT MR. ROACH DRAFT A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING THEIR FREEZE ON THE AUTHORITY’S ABILITY TO OBTAIN PERMITS TO PLACE METERS AND SERVICE CONNECTIONS WITHIN STATE RIGHT-OF-WAYS. Mr. Roach noted that the D.O.T. essentially denied those requests that desired for the Authority to contact the Dept. of Community Affairs. Mr. Roach noted that he has recently informed the Dept. of Community Affairs that the Authority is a separate entity from the County and from the Cities, and that the Authority was not participating in any of the on-going negotiations. Mr. Roach noted that the Authority had executed agreements with a majority of the cities during the 1999-2001 time-frame. All of those agreements were designed to be fluid over time, and service area boundary maps have changed over time as it has been determined that various areas can be better served by one party or another.
Mr. Roach noted that the Dept. of Community Areas feels these revisions should have been handled through a comprehensive plan. However, Mr. Roach feels that comprehensive plan changes by the cities and/or County do not impact the way the Authority delivers water or sewer, so Mr. Roach feels that the Authority did not need to take action because CCWSA agreements comply to the law currently.
Mr. Roach also noted that the Dept. of Community Affairs has now directed this issue back to the Department of Transportation.
Mr. Roach noted that, at this point, the Authority has developers and property owners that have paid for water and/or sewer taps and are unable to obtain permits because of the situation between the cites and the County.
Harry Johnston noted that this issue is an unintended consequence of the County’s decision not to pursue an extension of the service delivery agreement deadline. Mr. Johnston noted that he would discuss at the next Commission meeting whether or not to pursue to seek an extension.
16. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
