Board Meeting: March 28, 2022 ~9:00 A.M
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Eric Wilmarth, Lisa Woodruff, Harry Johnston, Nancy Martin, Barry Mansell, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Joey Buice, Greg Long, Jennifer Arp, Mark Cochran, Clint Blackwell, Beth Jones, Corey Ghorley, Shayne Fowler, Ryan Sarks, Melanie Stephens, Melissa Darvish, Keith Allen, Garry Hensley, Gaye Blackwell, Jeff Hooper, and Sharon Clark.
Member Becky Dabbs was not present at the meeting.
Gary Winchester, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY HARRY JOHNSTON, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. GAYE BLACKWELL AND SHAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED PROPOSED REVISIONS TO FEES FOR DOUBLE CHECK DETECTOR ASSEMBLIES (DCDA’S). Mrs. Blackwell noted that the Authority’s cost to purchase a DCDA is currently higher than the price the Authority charges to its customers to purchase a DCDA. This is a result of the continuing cost increases for materials. Mrs. Blackwell noted that, after checking with various supply vendors for current price quotes, the lowest pricing was determined. Based on this information, Mrs. Blackwell and Mr. Fowler are proposing a 25% increase above our current cost to purchase a DCDA.
Therefore, the proposed DCDA fees, effective 3/29/22, are as follows:
2” DCDA $ 4,500.00
3” DCDA $ 8,500.00
4” DCDA $ 8,000.00
6” DCDA $11,000.00
8” DCDA $14,000.00
10” DCDA $19,500.00
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE DCDA FEE REVISIONS AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
3. DWAYNE FOWLER NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM RESIDENTS OF FINCHER ROAD AND JAMES WHITE TRAIL. Mr. Fowler noted that sixteen people have signed this petition for the line extension from 2279 Fincher Road to 3580 Fincher Road on Hwy. 108. Mr. Fowler noted that this extension would require the installation of approximately 3,963 feet of 3” PVC pipe. Mr. Fowler noted an estimated task cost of the line of $23,778.00, and a total purchase meter cost of $12,250.00. Mr. Fowler noted that many of these petitioners are currently experiencing issues with their wells.
Mr. Fowler also noted that, if at some point in the future, the James White Trail residents grant utility easement or right of way, water service then could be applied at these service addresses as petitioned.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 3,963 FEET OF 3” WATER MAIN FOR THE FINCHER ROAD AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $23,778.00. All members present voted for the motion.
4. GREG LONG NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR STREET LIGHTS FROM RESIDENTS OF CHEROKEE FOREST SUBDIVISION. Mr. Long noted that, pending approval of this request, there would be an upfront cost to the Authority of $2,818.27 from Georgia Power for the installation of seven new wooden poles on Meadow Lane and Woodhaven Drive.
Fifty-six street lights would be added to this subdivision at a cost to Authority of $11.18 per light per month, for a total cost of $626.08 per month.
Mr. Long noted that the Authority would then bill 144 current customers in this subdivision at a fee of $3.50 per month for street light services, therefore totaling $504.00 per month.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO ADD CHEROKEE FOREST SUBDIVISION TO THE AUTHORITY’S STREET LIGHT PROGRAM. All members present voted for the motion.
5. JENNIFER ARP PROVIDED A BOARD POLICY UPDATE. Mrs. Arp presented proposed revisions to the following Board policies:
1) Adoption of Agenda Calendar – Changes to this policy are limited to adding language that details the public places where the agenda would be placed for public notice.
2) Appointment of Open Records Coordinator – The change to this policy is the job title of the Open Records Coordinator.
3) Condemnations Require a Supermajority Vote of the Board – The policy changes include defining what a supermajority of the Board is and attaching the pre-condemnation process and procedures. The new policy also adds that the pre-condemnation procedures must be explained to the Board with proof of reasonable accommodation (where needed) being shown before a vote.
4) Connection of Existing Development to Sewer – This policy was originally included with several others approved on 9/25/06. These policies were passed to comply with MNGWPD action items in place at the time. This policy has not changed in its wording, but is no longer a requirement of the MNGWPD. Board considerations for this policy are to eliminate the policy or keep the policy as a stand-alone policy.
5) Connection of Isolated Properties to Sewer – This revised policy removed wording and phrasing from the previous policy that is no longer valid. There is no requirement to connect septic homes to sanitary sewer if it is within 200 feet. The current Environmental Health rules allow for multiple options to be presented to homeowners with failing septic tanks and homeowners may choose from the available remedies. If no other options exist, CCWSA may extend service to homeowners under normal consideration. Board considerations are to eliminate this policy or keep this policy as a stand-alone policy.
6) Extension of Water and/or Sewer Infrastructure to Environmentally Sensitive or Otherwise High-Priority Areas that are Otherwise Considered Not Economically Feasible – There are no changes to this policy language. This was originally part of the MNGWPD requirements and is no longer a MNGWPD requirement. Board considerations for this policy are to eliminate this policy or keep this policy as a stand-alone policy.
7) Septic Waste Hauler Regulations – Updates to this policy include updating language to match current manual section references. Prior versions used documents and sections that have changed. Prior versions used an abbreviated title for the document and sections within the documents have changed.
8) CCWSA Street Light Policy – The changes to the policy were to clean up confusing language, update roles and responsibilities by job title, remove sections related to the construction and maintenance of street lights, and place them in the specs.
9) A) Drought Policy – This is a new policy that was originally developed as the CCWSA Drought Contingency Plan and is a required part of permit renewal for the drinking water plant. Going forward, this plan will be changed to CCWSA policy to meet the expected requirements of the MNGWPD 2022 plan update while remaining part of the permit renewal process. The changes from the plan to the policy included stipulated penalties with corresponding fees for illegal watering or water use that goes against State law.
B) Water Waste Policy – Changes to this policy include clarifications to the enforcement section which outlines the warning schedule and fees that are associated with disconnections.
10) Miscellaneous Fee Schedule – This schedule has been updated to reflect additional fees that are stipulated in the Drought Policy and the Water Waste Policy.
11) Public Comment and Participation Policy – This new policy addresses how individuals make public comments during a Board meeting. There are provisions for time limits, how speakers are chosen (if necessary), how time may be extended, and how the Board may choose to respond to public comment. There are also guidelines on what topics are off-limits, and general behavior that is expected.
12) Water Line Cost Sharing Projects – This policy is proposed for removal because it is out of date and does not reflect the current practices. The current practices are outlined in Section W303 of the specs, which are approved by the Board.
Establish A Water System Interconnection Reliability Target (IRT) – This policy language has not changed, but is proposed for removal because the MNGWPD requirement no longer exists.
Sub-Metering for New Multi-Family Residential Dwellings – This policy was approved on 9/25/06, and is proposed for removal from the policy manual and included in Water/Sewer Specs.
Rain Sensor Shut-Off Switches for New Irrigation – This policy was approved on 9/25/06, and is proposed for removal from the policy manual and included in Water/Sewer Specs.
Mrs. Arp noted that an update regarding water and sewer specifications would be provided to the Board at next month’s meeting.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE POLICES #1-3 AND #7-11 PER STAFF RECOMMENDATION, AND TO APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF POLICIES #4-6 AND #12 FROM THE POLICY MANUAL. All members present voted for the motion.
6. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 2/28/22 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
7. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported total operating revenues are approximately $112,917.00 below budget projections for the period ending 1/31/22. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $949,132.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $3,644,032.00 for the period ending 1/31/22.
8. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 15.839 MGD for the month of February 2022 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 61.18” for the past twelve months.
9. JEFF HOOPER PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF MIKE VENTERS. Mr. Hooper reported an average daily treatment of 3.3 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 1.7 MG. Mr. Hooper reported an average daily treatment of 4.7 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.360 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
10. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported that no spills or overflows occurred during this reporting period.
11. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Fowler noted that Authority crews should be laying pipe on Hwy. 20 next week.
12. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT.
13. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION REGARDING A REAL ESTATE ITEM IDENTIFIED AS 2022-PARCEL ONE. All members present voted for the motion.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. All members present voted for the motion.
14. MEMBER LISA WOODRUFF RECUSED HERSELF FROM THE MEETING.
15. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION REGARDING A REAL ESTATE ITEM IDENTIFIED AS 2022-PARCEL TWO. All members present voted for the motion.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. All members present voted for the motion.
16. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
