Board Meeting: March 27, 2023 @ 9:00 AM
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, Greg Long, Shayne Fowler, Garry Hensley, Mark Cochran, Bryan Watkins, Jamie Veley, Mike Venters, Eric Wright, Joey Buice, Melanie Stephens, Melissa Darvish, Sharon Clark, Keith Allen, Jeff Hooper, Ryan Sarks, Bryce Holcomb, and Matt Nichols.
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. MATT NICHOLS OF GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP PRESENTED THE 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CHEROKEE COUNTY WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY WATER AND SEWERAGE REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2023, PURSUANT TO AND IN CONFORMITY WITH AN AMENDED AND RESTATED BOND RESOLUTION ADOPTED APRIL 11, 2001, AS SUPPLEMENTED, TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO PAY OR TO BE APPLIED TOWARD THE COST OF ADDING TO, EXTENDING, IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING THE AUTHORITY’S WATER AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM, REFUNDING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE OUTSTANDING CHEROKEE COUNTY WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY WATER AND SEWERAGE REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2013, AND PAYING COSTS OF ISSUANCE; TO RATIFY, REAFFIRM AND ADOPT ALL APPLICABLE TERMS, PROVISIONS, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED BOND RESOLUTION, AS SUPPLEMENTED; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN FUNDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE PREPARATION, USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND A FINAL OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER AND SALE OF THE SERIES 2023 BONDS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mr. Nichols noted that the Series 2023 bonds shall be issued in an original aggregate principal amount not to exceed $105,000,000 and shall bear interest at one or more fixed interest rates not in excess of 5.25 percent per annum. The maximum annual principal and interest payment on the Series 2023 bonds in any year shall not exceed $8,000,000, and the maximum annual debt service on the Series 2023 bonds and the outstanding prior bonds in any year shall not exceed $19,100,000. The Series 2023 bonds shall mature not later than August 1, 2053. The actual principal amount of the Series 2023 bonds to be issued, the actual interest rates and the amount of Series 2023 bonds to mature (or be subject to mandatory redemption) in any year, all subject to the parameters set forth in the preceding sentence, shall be set forth by the Authority in the Series Resolution following the sale of the Series 2023 bonds.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED BY MR. NICHOLS. All members voted for the motion.
3. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED A BOARD POLICY UPDATE. MRS. ARP PROPOSED THAT THIRTEEN (13) INDIVIDUAL POLICIES BE REMOVED FROM RATE SECTION OF THE CCWSA BOARD POLICY BOOK BECAUSE THESE RATE POLICES ARE COVERED IN THE NEWLY APPROVED RATE AND CHARGES POLICY/RATE ADJUSTMENT PACKAGES EFFECTIVE 4/1/23 THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD BY BETH JONES AT THE 1/30/23 BOARD MEETING.
Mrs. Arp noted that the thirteen policies that are proposed for removal from the rate section of the CCWSA Board policy book include:
1) Pump Station Plan Review Fees
2) Fire Flow Test Fee
3) Septage Hauler Rates
4) RPZ and DCV Installation Fees
5) Water Connection Fees Effective 4/28/08
6) Meter Size Restoration Fees Effective 1/28/19
7) Fee for Re-inspection of Sewer Cleanouts After the Second Inspection
8) Reservoir Usage Fee
9) Wholesale Water Rate
10) Wholesale Sewer Rate
11) Water & Sewer Rates by Meter Size
12) CCWSA Rate Chart
13) Miscellaneous Charges
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF THE THIRTEEN
POLICIES LISTED ABOVE FROM THE RATE SECTION OF THE CCWSA BOARD POLICY BOOK SINCE THESE POLICES ARE COVERED IN THE NEWLY APPROVED RATE AND CHARGES POLICY/RATE ADJUSTMENT PACKAGES EFFECTIVE 4/1/23. All members voted for the motion.
JENNIFER ARP REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE RECENTLY UPDATED CCWSA POLICY TOWARDS REQUESTS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT CAPACITY BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHOSE WATER AND/OR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ARE INDEPENDENT OF CCWSA. Mrs. Arp noted that revisions to this policy include updated rates, the addition of language detailing that a CCWSA Board of Directors approval of a capacity reservation request becomes void after 90 days if full payment of capacity fees has not been received by CCWSA, and the addition of language detailing that a governmental entity may request in writing to reserve a capacity increment within the CCWSA water system.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE CCWSA POLICY TOWARDS REQUESTS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT CAPACITY BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHOSE WATER AND/OR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ARE INDEPENDENT OF CCWSA AS AMENDED AND EFFECTIVE 4/1/23. All members voted for the motion.
JENNIFER ARP REQUESTED THAT THE FOLLOWING POLICIES BE REMOVED FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION OF THE CCWSA BOARD POLICY BOOK:
1) Resolution by the Cherokee County Government that Supports a Representative of CCWSA as an Alternate Designee to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Board
2) Letter from Cherokee County Government Confirming David Kubala as the Alternate Designee to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Board.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF THE TWO POLICIES
LISTED ABOVE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION OF THE CCWSA BOARD POLICY BOOK. All members voted for the motion.
JENNIFER ARP REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE ADDITION OF THE FOLLOWING POLICY TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION OF THE CCWSA BOARD POLICY BOOK:
• Appointment of Alternate Designee on the Metro District Governing Board: It is the policy of the CCWSA Board of Directors that the Cherokee County Representative to the Board of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, this MNGWPD board member being the currently-elected Chair of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, shall appoint as his or her designated alternate to the MNGWPD Board a member of CCWSA staff approved by the CCWSA General Manager, as long as the CCWSA contributes one half of the annually required MNGWPD dues for Cherokee County. The designated alternate will serve in full capacity and authority at times when the regular board member is unable to attend MNGWPD board meetings.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPPROVE THE ADDITION OF THE POLICY OUTLINED ABOVE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION OF THE CCWSA BOARD POLICY BOOK, EFFECTIVE 4/1/23. All members voted for the motion.
4. DWAYNE FOWLER REQUESTED ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION SR299-20 TO THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS RELATIVE TO LAKE ALLATOONA.
Darrell Caudill noted that, in order to attempt to comply with the supplemental documents that are requested by the Corps of Engineers, the Authority should adopt a resolution authorizing this submission of the application and these documents relative to the request for easements.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION SR299-20 TO THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. All members voted for the motion.
5. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 2/27/23 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
6. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $2,029,987.00 below budget projections for the period ending 1/31/23. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $949,052.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $1,594,309.00 for the period ending 1/31/23.
7. TOM HEARD NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY’S ETOWAH RIVER WATER TREATMENT FACILITY, RIVERBEND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY, AND ROSE CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY HAVE ALL RECEIVED THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF WATER PROFESSIONALS’ PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARDS. Mr. Heard noted that these awards would be presented at a future board meeting.
8. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 17.597 MGD for the month of February 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 58.75” for the past twelve months.
9. 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 1.6 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 0.326 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
10. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported that one spill occurred during this reporting period at 107 Williamsburg Lane in Woodstock. Mrs. Arp noted that approximately 2,360 gallons were spilled due to a blocked line. Mrs. Arp noted that Authority crews jetted the line to correct the problem.
11. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Fowler noted that the Authority is investigating the possibility of placing a meter on the Waleska system at Pleasant Arbor in order to bring water back into the Salacoa Valley.
12. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM ROBYN SMITH, CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF WALESKA. In this correspondence, Ms. Smith noted that the City of Waleska is requesting that CCWSA reserve an additional 200,000 gallons per day of water capacity for wholesale purchase by the City of Waleska.
Mr. Heard noted that this reservation of capacity would be designated for use at the Lower Burris Road/Worley Road meter location. Mr. Heard also noted that, under the Authority’s current rate structure, the cost of this capacity reservation is $2.50 per gallon, or $500,000 for the entire request, if paid in full by no later than March 31, 2023. Beginning April 1, 2023, the rate would increase to $5.00 per gallon.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE CITY OF WALESKA’S REQUEST TO RESERVE 200,000 GALLONS PER DAY OF POTABLE WATER CAPACITY AT A COST OF $2.50 PER GALLON, UPON PAYMENT BY THE CITY OF WALESKA TO CCWSA IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 BY NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON MARCH 31, 2023. PER THE CITY OF WALESKA’S REQUEST, THE LOCATION OF THE CONNECTION FOR THE CAPACITY WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE METER ON LOWER BURRIS ROAD/WORLEY ROAD. All members present voted for the motion.
13. TOM HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM STEVE LAWRENCE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF JASPER. In this correspondence, Mr. Lawrence noted that the City of Jasper is petitioning to reserve water capacity per the CCWSA Capacity Policy dated 2/23/09. The City respectfully requests to be granted additional capacity in the amount of 60,000 gallons per day, which would bring the City’s total baseline and reserved capacity to 265,463 gallons per day, or 184 GPM. Mr. Lawrence further noted in this correspondence that this capacity request keeps the City just under the maximum gallons per minute of 190 GPM that the existing 4” meter along Waleska Highway and infrastructure on either side of the meter is able to maintain.
In this correspondence, Mr. Lawrence further noted that the City is aware of the increase in pricing scheduled to take effect on 4/1/23. Mr. Lawrence noted that should the City’s request be approved by the CCWSA Board at its 3/27/23 meeting, the City is prepared to make payment for the additional reserve capacity on 3/31/23, prior to the rate increase.
Mr. Heard noted that, under the Authority’s current rate structure, the cost of this capacity reservation is $2.50 per gallon, or $150,000 for the entire request, if paid in full by no later than March 31, 2023. Beginning April 1, 2023, the rate would increase to $5.00 per gallon.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE CITY OF JASPER’S REQUEST TO RESERVE 60,000 GALLONS PER DAY OF POTABLE WATER CAPACITY AT A COST OF $2.50 PER GALLON, UPON PAYMENT BY THE CITY OF JASPER TO CCWSA IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 BY NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON MARCH 31, 2023. PER THE CITY OF JASPER’S REQUEST, THE LOCATION OF THE CONNECTION FOR THE CAPACITY WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE METER ON WALESKA HIGHWAY. All members present voted for the motion.
14. MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION REGARDING A REAL ESTATE ITEM. All members voted for the motion.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. All members voted for the motion.
15. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
