Board Meeting: November 28, 2022 ~9:00 A.M
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Eric Wilmarth, Lisa Woodruff, Harry Johnston, Nancy Martin, Barry Mansell, Becky Dabbs, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Jennifer Arp, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Greg Long, Keith Allen, Leo Baker, Mark Cochran, Bryan Watkins, Mike Venters, Alison Payne, Eric Wright, Jeff Hooper, Shayne Fowler, Ryan Sarks, Melanie Stephens, Joey Buice, and Sharon Clark.
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. COREY GHORLEY PROVIDED AN UPDATE REGARDING THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE AUTHORITY’S 640-ACRE TRACT. Mr. Ghorley noted that the bid opening occurred on November 17, 2022. The Authority received one unresponsive bid, so it was rejected.
3. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE UPDATED AND REVISED 2023 CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING AS PRESENTED (ATTACHED). All members voted for the motion.
4. DWAYNE FOWLER REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM RESIDENTS OF REINHARDT COLLEGE PARKWAY (PHASE 3). Mr. Fowler noted that two people have signed the petition, and approval of this scope of work would require the installation of approximately 1,055 ft. of 3” PVC main. Mr. Fowler note an estimated task cost of the line of $6,330.00, and a total purchase meter cost of $3,500.00. Mr. Fowler noted that there are five total properties in the extension area, and five properties with road frontage. Mr. Fowler noted these petitioners are experiencing issues with their wells.
MOTION BY HARRY JOHNSTON AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,055 FEET OF 3” WATER MAIN FOR THE REINHARDT COLLEGE PARKWAY (PHASE 3) AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $6,330.00. All members voted for the motion.
5. DWAYNE FOWLER REFERENCED PROPOSED SERVICE AREA MAP UPDATES (ATTACHED) THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK. Mr. Fowler noted that the City of Woodstock desires for the Authority to serve Tax Map 15N17C Parcels 292, 321, 322, 323, 324, and 325, as indicated on the attached service area map. Mr. Fowler noted that Woodstock City Council has approved relinquishment of this service area to the Authority.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ACCEPT THIS SERVICE AREA RELINQUISHMENT FROM THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK TO CCWSA. All members voted for the motion.
6. DWAYNE FOWLER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM LAMONT KISER, DIRECTOR OF BARTOW COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT. In this correspondence, Mr. Kiser noted that earlier this year, Bartow County asked CCWSA to reopen the valves at Bartow’s purchase point located along Northpoint Parkway in southeast Bartow County. Since that time, Bartow has monitored their usage at both Northpoint and the New Hope Church Road purchase points. Over the past six months, Bartow has noticed usage exceeding their current daily capacity at those locations, causing Bartow to incur a capacity surcharge each month.
Bartow County Water requests an increase in daily capacity at both the Northpoint and New Hope purchase points as listed below:
New Hope:
Current Daily Capacity (gpd): 153,342
Requested Increase in Daily Capacity (gpd): 50,000
Total Location Capacity (gpd): 203,342
Cost for Increase Capacity ($2.50/gallon): $125,000.00
Northpoint:
Current Daily Capacity (gpd): 81,822
Requested Increase in Daily Capacity (gpd): 110,000
Total Location Capacity (gpd): 191,822
Cost for Increase Capacity ($2.50/gallon): $275,000.00
Mr. Kiser noted that upon written notification from CCWSA, Bartow County will submit payment in the amount of $400,000.00 for the additional capacity.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE BARTOW COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT’S REQUEST TO RESERVE AN ADDITIONAL 50,000 GALLONS PER DAY OF POTABLE WATER CAPACITY FOR THE NEW HOPE CHURCH ROAD PURCHASE POINT AT A COST OF $2.50 PER GALLON, AND TO RESERVE AN ADDITIONAL 110,000 GALLONS PER DAY OF POTABLE WATER CAPACITY FOR THE NORTHPOINT PARKWAY PURCHASE POINT AT A COST OF $2.50 PER GALLON UPON PAYMENT BY BARTOW COUNTY TO CCWSA IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,000.00 FOR THE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY. All members voted for the motion.
7. DARRELL CAUDILL REPORTED THAT GEORGIA TRANSMISSION CORPORATION HAS APPROACHED THE AUTHORITY ABOUT ACQUIRING APPROXIMATELY FIVE ACRES OF EASEMENT AREA PROPERTY CURRENTLY OWNED BY CCWSA, AS WELL AS PARCEL ONE (0.030 ACRES) AND PARCEL TWO (0.038 ACRES) AS SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A (ATTACHED), FOR EXPANSION OF GEORGIA TRANSMISSION CORPORATION’S TRANSMISSION LINES. IN EXCHANGE, GEORGIA TRANSMISSION PROPOSES THAT GEORGIA TRANSMISSION WOULD GIVE THE AUTHORITY AN INTEREST IN APPROXIMATELY 1.6 ACRES OF LAND, AS ALSO SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A.
Mr. Caudill noted that the property the Authority would potentially be receiving from Georgia Transmission was acquired by Georgia Transmission from Oglethorpe Power Corporation. Mr. Caudill referenced a deed dated 1985 whereby Oglethorpe Power Corporation acquired the property from Georgia Kraft Company, formerly known as Rome Kraft Company.
Mr. Caudill noted that when Georgia Kraft Company conveyed this property to Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Kraft retained the mineral rights to the property.
Georgia Transmission has indicated to the Authority that Georgia Transmission is giving a fee simple interest in the 1.6 acres to the Authority. Mr. Caudill cautioned that the fee simple interest breakdown was not prepared by the Authority. It was prepared by Georgia Transmission. However, Georgia Transmission does not own fee simple title. Georgia Kraft still retains the mineral rights to this property.
Mr. Caudill noted that CCWSA does not have plans to build on this property. Mr. Caudill also noted that this property is a strip of land and it is unlikely, based upon the placement of the power lines, that anyone would ever attempt to access the mineral rights in this area. However, Mr. Caudill desires to convey to the Board that the Authority would not be receiving fee simple title to this 1.6-acre property, Georgia Kraft still retains the mineral rights to the property, and Georgia Transmission will retain the easement rights for this property in order to maintain their utilities.
Mr. Caudill noted that Georgia Transmission is offering $2,300.00 as total compensation for the land rights described in the Easement for Right of Way across the Authority’s property.
Dwayne Fowler noted that, at this time, staff recommends approval of the easement request and land swap in order for Georgia Transmission to complete the power line infrastructure.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED EASEMENT REQUEST AND LAND SWAP. All members voted for the motion.
8. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE 10/31/22 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
9. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT.
10. LEO BAKER PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF CLINT BLACKWELL. Mr. Baker reported an average daily treatment of 20.294 MGD for the month of October 2022 at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Baker also reported the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir’s lake level is currently 1188.6 ft. Mr. Baker reported a cumulative rainfall total of 51.05” for the past twelve months.
11. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.4 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 2.8 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 4.7 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.240 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
12. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp noted that one spill occurred at Waldan Pond Apartments off Bells Ferry Road during this reporting period. Mrs. Arp noted that approximately 9,000 gallons were spilled due to grease and paper. Authority crews jetted the line to correct the problem.
13. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT.
14. THERE WAS NO GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT PRESENTED IN THE ABSENCE OF TOM HEARD.
15. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.