Board Meeting: March 25, 2024 @ 9:00 AM
PERSONS PRESENT: Eric Wilmarth, Barry Mansell, Lisa Woodruff, Nancy Martin, Becky Dabbs, John Workman, Dwayne Fowler, David Kubala, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Jennifer Arp, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Clint Blackwell, Garry Hensley, Greg Long, Jamie Veley, Mike Venters, Mark Cochran, Joey Buice, Ron Price, Melissa Darvish, Melanie Stephens, Bryan Watkins, Jody Henson, Keith Allen, Eric Wright, Jeff Hooper, Sharon Clark, Ryan Sarks, Shayne Fowler, and Carleton Sherrer.
Member Harry Johnston was not present at the meeting.
Eric Wilmarth, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY DWAYNE FOWLER, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. DWAYNE FOWLER NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FROM BROOKE ANDERSON, GENERAL MANAGER OF ETOWAH WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY, TO RESERVE AN ADDITIONAL 250,000 GPD OF WATER CAPACITY FOR WHOLESALE PURCHASE BY ETOWAH WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY. MR. FOWLER NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY HAS NOW RECEIVED A REVISED REQUEST FROM MR. ANDERSON TO RESERVE 245,000 GPD OF WATER CAPACITY FOR WHOLESALE PURCHASE BY ETOWAH WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY AT THE AUTHORITY’S CURRENT RATE OF $5.00 PER GALLON.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO DENY THE REQUEST OF MR. ANDERSON, EVEN AS REVISED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY’S CURRENT POLICY TOWARDS REQUESTS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT CAPACITY BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHOSE WATER AND/OR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ARE INDEPENDENT OF CCWSA. All members present voted for the motion.
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $876,852.00 FOR THE RIVERCHASE SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT – PHASE 2. Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #2 under Asset Replacement on the Authority’s current CIP. Mr. Ghorley noted a total original estimated cost of $612,684.00.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $876,852.00 FOR THE RIVERCHASE SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT – PHASE 2. All members present voted for the motion.
4. GARRY HENSLEY REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM RESIDENTS OF WILKIE ROAD. Mr. Hensley noted that six residents have signed the petition. Mr. Hensley noted an approximate total footage of 1,181 feet for this extension, an estimated task cost of the line of $7,086.00, and a total purchase meter cost of $15,000.00. Mr. Hensley stated that there are twelve total properties in the extension area, and eight total properties with road frontage. Mr. Hensley noted an estimated line size of 3” PVC.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,181 FEET OF 3” WATER MAIN FOR THE WILKIE ROAD AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $7,086.00. All members present voted for the motion.
5. GARRY HENSLEY REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM RESIDENTS OF REAVIS MOUNTAIN ROAD/CHEROKEE GOLD TRAIL/CHERRY GROVE ROAD. Mr. Hensley noted that sixteen residents have signed the petition (thirteen of which are applicable). Mr. Hensley noted an approximate total footage of 6,366 feet of 4” HDPE pipe and 1,284 feet of 3” PVC pipe for this extension (total of 7,650 feet), an estimated task cost of the line of $38,770.08, and a total purchase meter cost of $32,500.00. Mr. Hensley noted there are 28 total properties in the extension area, and 28 total properties with road frontage.
MOTION BY BECKY DABBS AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 6,366 FEET OF 4” HDPE WATER MAIN AND 1,284 FEET OF 3” PVC WATER MAIN FOR THE REAVIS MOUNTAIN ROAD/CHEROKEE GOLD TRAIL/CHERRY GROVE ROAD AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $38,770.08. All members present voted for the motion.
6. RYAN SARKS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE GMEBS DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN RESTATEMENT AS REQUIRED BY THE IRS.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE GMEBS DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN RESTATEMENT AS REQUIRED BY THE IRS. All members present voted for the motion.
7. RYAN SARKS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE FY 2024 SURPLUS LISTING. Mr. Sarks noted that the items included on this listing will be sold at auction on 4/27/24.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE FY 2024 SURPLUS LISTING AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
8. MOTION BY BECKY DABBS AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE 2/26/24 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
9. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCIAL REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $814,197.00 above budget projections for the period ending 1/31/24. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $934,380.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $7,284,382.00 for the period ending 1/31/24.
10. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 17.549 MGD for the month of February 2024 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 50.53” for the past twelve months.
11. 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 1.3 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 0.403 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
12. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp reported that a wastewater spill occurred during this reporting period at 100 Holly Park Court. Mrs. Arp noted that approximately 79,200 gallons were spilled, and the reason for the spill was a crack in the pipe. Mrs. Arp noted that Authority crews diverted flow until 3/11/24, at which time repair of the pipe could be made.
13. GARRY HENSLEY PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Hensley reported that Authority crews have completed work on the Hickory Road project, and work is continuing on the Upper Bethany Road project.
14. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. Mr. Fowler noted that staff has completed touring other municipalities that are currently utilizing AMI services. Mr. Fowler noted that he would be meeting with Bermex next month, and would report back to the Board at a later date with updated information.
15. IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD FOR MR. FOWLER TO REVIEW THE AUTHORITY’S CURRENT WHOLESALE CAPACITY POLICY, SPECIFICALLY REVIEWING CAPACITIES PURCHASED AND NOT USED, AS WELL AS GRANDFATHERED CAPACITIES, AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD AT NEXT MONTH’S MEETING.
16. MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
