Board Meeting: April 29, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
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, Jennifer Arp, Clint Blackwell, Jody Henson, Greg Long, Keith Allen, Mark Cochran, Melanie Stephens, Melissa Darvish, Jamie Veley, Tyler West, George Parks, Bryan Watkins, Jeff Hooper, Joey Buice, Eric Wright, Shayne Fowler, Ron Price, Lori Forrester, Rick Brown, Sharon Clark, Ryan Sarks, and Nathan Ingram.
Eric Wilmarth, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY CLINT BLACKWELL, 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 THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:
• GAWP Education Program of Excellence – 2023
• GAWP Excellence in Communications Award – 2023
• Georgia Project WET (Water Education Today) Organization of the Year – 2023
• GAWP Platinum Award – Riverbend Water Pollution Control Plant – Calendar Year 2023
• GAWP Gold Award – Rose Creek Water Pollution Control Facility – Calendar Year 2023
• GAWP Platinum Award – Fitzgerald Creek Water Pollution Control Plant – Calendar Year 2023
• GAWP 2024 Certificate of Achievement for Municipal Water Reclamation Operations – Fitzgerald Creek WPCP
• GAWP Platinum Award – Etowah River Water Treatment Plant – Calendar Year 2023
• Rick Brown – GAWP Operator of the Year Award
The Board extended appreciation to Authority staff for achievement of these awards.
3. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE RELINQUISHMENT OF AN EASEMENT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3290 SIXES ROAD (PARCEL 15N08 044B) TO CHEROKEE GROWTH, LLC AS PRESENTED BY JEFF HOOPER. All members voted for the motion.
4. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED A WHOLESALE CAPACITY POLICY RECOMMENDATION (ATTACHED). Mr. Fowler noted that, if approved, this revised wholesale capacity policy would become effective 6/1/24. Mr. Fowler noted that this policy sets forth that the baseline water capacity is set at 200,000 gallons for each wholesale customer (effective 6/1/24). Purchased capacity is added to the new “Baseline Capacity” to reflect the updated “Reserved Capacity” for each wholesale customer (effective 6/1/24). Addendum 1 to this policy contains the current Capacity Ledger that details baseline, purchased, adjusted gallons, and total capacity allotted. Additionally, the addendum reflects the current recognized available capacity.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO ACCEPT THE REVISED WHOLESALE CAPACITY POLICY EFFECTIVE 6/1/24 AS PRESENTED, WITH THE STIPULATION THAT THIS POLICY AND GRANDFATHERED CAPACITY AMOUNTS ARE REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL POLICY UPDATE. All members voted for the motion.
5. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE 3/25/24 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
6. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCIAL REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $271.00 below budget projections for the period ending 2/29/24. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $1,460,461.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $7,939,314.00 for the period ending 2/29/24.
7. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 17.881 MGD for the month of March 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 51.65” for the past twelve months.
8. JAMIE VELEY PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF MIKE VENTERS. Mr. Veley reported an average daily treatment of 3.2 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 1.1 MG. Mr. Veley reported an average daily treatment of 5.5 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.320 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
9. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp noted that no spills or overflows occurred during this reporting period.
10. JODY HENSON PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF GARRY HENSLEY. Mr. Henson reported that the Wilkie Road project has been completed, and Authority crews are currently working on the Reavis Mountain Road project and the Holly Springs Parkway project.
11. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. Mr. Fowler reported that the Authority is in receipt of a letter from Ritchie Mullen, Water Quality Forester Specialist of the Georgia Forestry Commission. In this letter, Mr. Mullen noted that on 4/10/24, he visited the Authority’s 643-acre site on Shoal Creek Road to determine compliance with Georgia’s Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for Forestry Operations and to evaluate southern pine beetle infestation.
Mr. Mullen further noted in this correspondence that the forest industry has subjected itself to voluntary guidelines called Best Management Practices (BMP’s) in an effort to comply with federally mandated water quality guidelines set forth in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. With respect to this act, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) has designated the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) as the lead agency in the coordination and implementation of the forest water quality program. A primary responsibility of the GFC in overseeing this program is to investigate complaints and resolve any problems.
Mr. Mullen further noted in this correspondence that CCWSA has voluntarily opened its property to the public for recreation and created marked nature trails through the forest. The property has been heavily used by hunters, hikers, fishing, and ATV use. The previous landowner was Georgia Kraft Timber Company, who managed the timber using general forest operations of harvesting, site prep, burning, and tree planting for the purpose of making forest products. CCWSA has also continued forest operations to maintain a well-managed forest for future generations. In 2019, the CCWSA property had a severe southern pine beetle infestation. Action was taken to stop the spread of southern pine beetles by harvesting the pine timber in the areas that were affected. Timber stands that had to be harvested were replanted.
Mr. Mullen further noted that because of recent southern pine beetle infestation in Cherokee County, Forester Mr. Danny Henson requested that Mr. Mullen come to the CCWSA property and evaluate a new outbreak of southern pine beetles. The observation from the field visit on 4/10/24 showed a southern pine beetle infestation was active in various locations of the mature 39-year old pine stands.
Mr. Mullen noted that it is his recommendation to harvest the areas of the southern pine beetle infestation immediately to stop the spread of the pine beetle. Mr. Mullen further noted in his correspondence that the streams that flow through the CCWSA property are tributaries to Etowah River. In forestry operations, a Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) for a perennial stream requires 40-70-100 feet from each side of the stream depending on slope. Intermittent streams require a 20-35-50 foot SMZ depending on slope. Streambank trees cannot be removed; however, timber can be harvested within a SMZ when leaving a residual stand of 25-50 square feet of basal area per acre.
Mr. Fowler noted that Mr. Henson has recommended that the Authority proceed with the harvesting of this timber, and noted that Mr. Henson is obtaining bids for this scope of work.
12. DWAYNE FOWLER NOTED THAT PAT ROGERS OF HAZEN & SAWYER HAS PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED SLUDGE DRYER PROJECT, AND NOTED THAT THIS ISSUE WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE BOARD AT A LATER DATE. Eric Wilmarth requested that the Board receive an electronic copy of Mr. Rogers’ presentation.
13. DAVID KUBALA RECOGNIZED JENNIFER ARP FOR HER WORK IN WATER LOSS. Mr. Kubala noted that, in addition to being a leading professional in water loss in Georgia, Mrs. Arp has been working with researchers at Virginia Tech on a federally funded project through USGS. The project will develop a National Water Use Model and Water Loss Program. The ultimate objective of the project is to develop an easily accessible and secure database to help utilities across the country better manage their water infrastructure systems. Georgia was chosen as the starting place for this project, and they are now focusing on California and Texas.
Mr. Kubala noted that Mrs. Arp facilitated a workshop in April 2024 to help present the data gathered in Georgia to utilities, and California also attended to gain insight into the project as they begin the process. Mr. Kubala noted that CCWSA has been and continues to be an organization that has a high level of expertise in this industry in many ways, and CCWSA is proud of all the dedicated employees who contribute to this utility’s success and help others in our industry.
The Board extended appreciation to Mrs. Arp for her efforts.
14. ERIC WILMARTH REQUESTED STAFF TO PROVIDE OPTIONS TO THE BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PRESENTMENT REGARDING THE AUTHORITY’S STARTING WAGES AND PERSONNEL COSTS.
15. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
