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November 2018

Board Meeting Date:  November 26, 2018  ~ 9:00 AM

PERSONS PRESENT:  Mike Byrd, Gary Winchester, Doug Dabbs, Buzz Ahrens, Robert Morrison, Lisa Woodruff, Eric Wilmarth, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Mike Venters, Mark Cochran, Garry Hensley, Gaye Blackwell, Brian Breeden, Greg Long, Rodney Satterfield, Jeff Hooper, Lori Forrester, Jennifer Arp, Beth Jones, Tim Dobson, Ryan Sarks, Clint Blackwell, Eric Wright, Harry Johnston, Tyler Hewitt, and Hector Casablanca.

Mike Byrd, Chair, called the meeting to order.

1.   AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY ROBERT MORRISON, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

2.   GAYE BLACKWELL REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM AUTHORITY CUSTOMER PETE BRENNAN.  In this correspondence, Mr. Brennan noted that he has been a resident of 321 Little Pine Lane in Woodstock since August 2017.  His residence is located in the Longleaf Community, an over 55 community that currently is about half completed.  Mr. Brennan noted that he received a call from CCWSA on 8/28/18 informing him of excessive water usage for the previous month.  A technician came out that evening and checked his water meter, and found that it was functioning correctly.

Mr. Brennan noted that he was perplexed as to the reason for the excessive usage.  He was out of town for two of the weeks that the meter reading encompassed.  Mr. Brennan noted his water usage went from a consumption of 4,000 gallons on the 7/25/18 bill to 47,000 gallons on the then current bill.  Mr. Brennan asked the developers of Longleaf to check for leakage.  The landscape company checked three times for leaks (having found nothing else, they were asked to recheck).  Mr. Brennan noted that his sprinklers are set for 18 minutes three times a week, which is not enough to account for the issue.  No leaks were found in the system.  Mr. Brennan noted that there is obviously no leak in the house as that would be obvious considering the amount of water consumed.

Having no other reasonable explanation, leaky toilets were then considered.  Mr. Brennan noted that he is located in a new house with new toilets.  He remembered that one toilet flapper valve hung up, which was fixed when it was noticed.  A plumber checked all the toilets and found no leaks, but replaced all the flapper valves as a precaution considering the excessive water bill.  Mr. Brennan noted that he feels that one flapper valve leaking for a few days hardly explains an increased consumption of 47,000 gallons, so the mystery of water usage has been unsolved, as far as he is concerned.

Mr. Brennan noted that he feels the only explanation that seems reasonable is that the ongoing construction in his area somehow impacted his water meter.  Mr. Brennan noted that he completed the form for bill adjustment and was granted a discount on water usage, but not the sewerage.  Mr. Brennan noted the he feels this is reasonable, considering that on the form the plumber listed replacement of the flapper valves.  Mr. Brennan noted that what is not noted on the form was that there was not leakage and the replacement was precautionary.

Mr. Brennan noted that he is asking the Board to consider adjusting his sewerage rate since he feels it is unlikely that new toilets would leak to that excess.  Mr. Brennan noted that his bill for the month in question was $620.72 before adjustment.

MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO ABIDE BY EXISTING POLICY.  THEREFORE, THE REQUEST OF MR. BRENNAN IS DENIED.  Members Wilmarth, Winchester, Dabbs, Ahrens, and Woodruff voted for the motion.  Member Morrison voted against the motion.  Motion passed 5-1.

3.   COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL) FOR THE KELLOGG CREEK ROAD & WOODSTOCK ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-001).  Mr. Ghorley reported an original contract amount of $470,177.00 and a decrease per the change order for $78,860.40.  Mr. Ghorley noted the deduction in the contract amount is a result of unit price items, bid items, and labor not used.  Mr. Ghorley reported a revised contract amount of $391,316.60.

MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1, WHICH IS A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,860.40, FOR THE KELLOGG CREEK ROAD & WOODSTOCK ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-001).  All members voted for the motion.

4.   COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF AN INCREASE IN THE CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE FOR THE RIVER PARK FORCE MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-008).  Mr. Ghorley noted that the original construction cost estimate of $1,251,000.00 was approved on 10/30/17., and requested that this amount be increased by $323,000 to a total of $1,574,000. Mr. Ghorley noted the increase is due to estimated extra work allowance, additional pipe bedding and erosion control measures added to the project.

MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO INCREASE THE CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE FOR THE RIVER PARK FORCE MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT (CCWSA-2016-008) BY $323,000.00 TO A GRAND TOTAL OF $1,574,000.00.  All members voted for the motion.

5.   MOTION BY BUZZ AHRENS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO AUTHORIZE TOM HEARD TO EXECUTE THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE METROPOLITAN NORTH GEORGIA WATER PLANNING DISTRICT’S SINGLE-FAMILY TOILET REBATE PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000.00.  All members voted for the motion. 

David Kubala noted that this item was included in the FY 2019 budget that was approved in August 2018.  Mr. Kubala noted that $30,000.00 was approved in the budget, which included $15,000.00 for participation in the single-family toilet rebate program, as well as $5,500.00 for pre-rinse spray valve replacements, and $9,500.00 for the multi-family toilet rebate program.

6.   LORI FORRESTER PRESENTED AN EDUCATION OVERVIEW.  Mrs. Forrester noted that the following events occurred during the month of October 2018:

·         Model Water Tower Competition at E.T. Booth Middle School in Woodstock

·         Cherokee Challenge Competition at Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility

·         Little River Clean-Up Event

·         Etowah River Clean-Up Event

·         Career Days

7.   MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE 10/29/18 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED.  All members voted for the motion.

8.   CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT.  Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 16.931 MGD for the month of October 2018 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 56.18” for the past twelve months.

9.   MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT.  Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.5 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 2.1 MG.  Mr. Venters also reported an average daily treatment of 4.4 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.220 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.

10.   JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT.  Mrs. Arp reported no overflows or spills occurred during this reporting period.

11.   DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT.  MR. FOWLER REPORTED THE NATIONS DRIVE PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED LATER IN THE WEEK.

12.   DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION ON 11/13/18 FROM THE D.O.T. THAT IF THE AUTHORITY DESIRED TO FILE A RETENTION REQUEST FOR THE STATE ROUTE 20 ROAD WIDENING PROJECT, THE REQUEST MUST BE FILED BY NOON ON 11/14/18.   Mr. Fowler noted that the Authority filed the retention request prior to the deadline.

13.   COREY GHORLEY PRESENTED THE UPDATED 2019 CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING. 

14.   BUZZ AHRENS REQUESTED THAT HIS FINAL BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION CHECK BE USED FOR THE CCWSA PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM.

15.   MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY DOUG DABBS TO ADJOURN.  All members voted for the motion.

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