Board Meeting: March 31, 2025 @ 9:00 AM
PERSONS PRESENT: Eric Wilmarth, Barry Mansell, Lisa Woodruff, Nancy Martin, Harry Johnston, Becky Dabbs, John Workman, Dwayne Fowler, David Kubala, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Clint Blackwell, Jennifer Arp, Garry Hensley, Keith Allen, Eric Wright, Melissa Darvish, Melanie Stephens, George Parks, Jamie Veley, Greg Long, Jody Henson, Tyler West, Jeff Hooper, Alison Payne, Sharon Clark, and Brian Skeens.
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. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,800,000.00 FOR THE ETOWAH WATER TREATMENT PLANT RAW WATER POND EXPANSION PROJECT. Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #9 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list. Mr. Ghorley noted a total original estimated cost of $10,000,000.00.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,800,000.00 FOR THE ETOWAH WATER TREATMENT PLANT RAW WATER POND EXPANSION PROJECT. All members voted for the motion.
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK SERVICES (CMAR) FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX. Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #11 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list. Mr. Ghorley noted a total original estimated cost of $24,329,049.00.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK SERVICES (CMAR) FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX. All members voted for the motion.
4. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM AQUA AEROBICS FOR THE GRANULAR SLUDGE PROCESS EQUIPMENT TO BE USED AT THE RIVERBEND WWTP EXPANSION TO 4 MGD. Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #16 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list. Mr. Ghorley noted this process was selected via Request For Proposals process.
MOTION BY HARRY JOHNSTON AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM AQUA AEROBICS FOR THE GRANULAR SLUDGE PROCESS EQUIPMENT TO BE USED AT THE RIVERBEND WWTP EXPANSION TO 4 MGD. All members voted for the motion.
5. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID FROM ASTRA GROUP, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,459,858.00 FOR THE BELLS FERRY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT/VICTORY DRIVE TO SOUTH OF PORT VICTORIA WAY (GDOT PI#0013526). Mr. Ghorley noted this scope of work is listed as Item #8 under Road Relocation/Distribution & Collections System Asset Replacement Projects/Anticipated 2025 on the Authority’s current CIP list. Mr. Ghorley noted a total original estimated cost of $5,200,000.00.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY HARRY JOHNSTON TO APPROVE THE LOW BID FROM ASTRA GROUP, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,459,858.00 FOR THE BELLS FERRY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT/VICTORY DRIVE TO SOUTH OF PORT VICTORIA WAY (GDOT PI#0013526). All members voted for the motion.
6. MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE FY 2025 SURPLUS LISTING AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
7. MOTION BY JOHN WORKMAN AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE 2/24/25 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
8. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCIAL REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $670,720.00 below budget projections for the period ending 1/31/25. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $748,884.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $4,657,878.00 for the period ending 1/31/25.
9. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 18.100 MGD for the month of February 2025 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 60.66” for the past twelve months.
10. JAMIE VELEY PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF MIKE VENTERS. Mr. Veley reported an average daily treatment of 2.99 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 1.46 MG. Mr. Veley reported an average daily treatment of 5.94 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.56 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
11. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp noted that a wastewater spill occurred during this reporting period near area of Hickory Flat off Hwy. 140. Mrs. Arp noted that approximately 18,870 gallons were spilled due to a line blockage. Mrs. Arp noted that Authority crews jetted the line to remove the blockage, and noted that this location will be monitored for a period of one year.
12. GARRY HENSLEY PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Hensley noted that Authority crews are continuing work on the Hwy. 372 project, and noted that work will begin soon on the Hwy. 5 Ball Ground Connector Water Line project and the Batesville Road and Sugar Pike Road Roundabout project.
13. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. FOWLER RECOGNIZED DAVID KUBALA, EXECUTIVE MANAGER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, WHO IS RETIRING FROM THE AUTHORITY WITH 38 YEARS OF SERVICE. MR. FOWLER ALSO NOTED THAT MIKE VENTERS, WASTEWATER FACILITIES MANAGER, IS RETIRING FROM THE AUTHORITY WITH 17 YEARS OF SERVICE.
14. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
