Board Meeting Date: January 26, ~ 9:00 A.M.
PERSONS PRESENT: Don Stevens, Barry Mansell, Gene Cornelison, Gary Winchester, Buzz Ahrens, Nancy Martin, Tom Heard, Janice Henderson, David Kubala, Bill Graham, Tom Roach, Jim Carpenter, Wesley Banks, Rick Dobbs, Jeff Hooper, Clint Blackwell, Mike Venters, Dwayne Fowler, Randy Mitchell, Dan Carson, Dwight Turner, Ryan Sarks, Ron Banks, Dave Hatabian, and Dan Owen.
Don Stevens, Chairman, called the meeting to order.
- DAN OWEN, SCOUTMASTER OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP 241, PRESENTED A REQUEST TO THE BOARD IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED CHEROKEE COUNTY “SUTALLEE TRACE” POCKET WILDERNESS. Mr. Owen encouraged the Board to consider the means to which the CCWSA might contribute to this pocket wilderness undertaking. Mr. Owen also encouraged the Board to consider the transfer or protection of land parcels at the western end of the CCWSA property to help protect the Jug Creek valley area and to provide trail access along the northern “Trace” route (maps attached). Mr. Owen noted that the protection of this area must be coordinated with a similar land protection or sale offering decision by the Canton West development currently being considered. Mr. Owen stated that he hopes that another suitable school location could be found in place of the most westerly site under consideration.Mr. Owen further requested that the CCWSA provide a protected corridor along the more southern “Trace” route bordering the New Hightower Church property. Mr. Owen noted that the end of Old Shoal Creek Trail Road will be a major point of public access to the trails. Mr. Owen further advised the Board that the location of a proposed connector along ridges as far north on the property as possible would protect these valleys.
Tom Roach noted that it is the responsibility of the CCWSA Board to act as good stewards for the Authority’s customers’ property. Mr. Roach noted that until proposals for Canton West development, School Board, or connector road move forward, the Authority cannot commit to this request at this time.
Tom Heard noted that CCWSA already allows the Boys Scouts to utilize the Authority’s reservoir property for camping, as well as the Shoal Creek property for wilderness trails.
IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD TO ADVISE MR. OWEN THAT THIS REQUEST WILL BE TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT, DEPENDING ON THE AUTHORITY’S FUTURE USE OF ITS SHOAL CREEK PROPERTY.
- BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #2 FOR THE SR 140 UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT FROM ARNOLD MILL ROAD TO MOUNTAIN ROAD. Mr. Graham presented the following description of the change order: To extend time for substantial completion of the contract by 60 days from January 26, 2009 to March 26, 2009. The time for final completion will remain July 25, 2009. There is no change in the current contract price.Mr. Graham noted the reason for the change order is due to the fact that the road contractor (Butch Thompson Enterprises) has taken longer than originally anticipated for clearing and grading at the deep cuts and extending a 6′ X 6′ box culvert for the county road project. The completion of grading and the construction of the culvert are not complete at this time. The additional time will allow D & H Construction to complete the installation and to place the new water main in service.
MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #2 FOR THE SR 140 UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT FROM ARNOLD MILL ROAD TO MOUNTAIN ROAD. All members present voted for the motion.
- TOM HEARD PRESENTED A REQUEST FROM BRADLEY VEECH FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF A PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED AND INSTALLED 2 ½” WATER LINE EXTENSION ON DARBY FORD LANE.MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO DENY THE REQUEST OF MR. VEECH. All members present voted for the motion.
- TOM HEARD PRESENTED A REQUEST FROM PAM CARNES OF THE CHEROKEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR AUTHORITY SPONSORSHIP OF THE REGIONAL BUSINESS COALITION (RBC) IN THE AMOUNT OF $3000.00.MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO DENY THIS REQUEST. All members present voted for the motion.
- MOTION BY BUZZ AHRENS AND SECOND BY GARY WINCHESTER TO APPROVE THE 12/17/08 BOARD MEETING MINUTES WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTION:
1) Page 1, Item 1: “Boling Park’s bond referendum” should be changed to “the County’s parks bond referendum”
All members present voted for the motion. - DON STEVENS REVIEWED THE FOLLOW-UP ITEMS FROM THE 12/17/08 MEETING:
1) DAVE HATABIAN OF PBS&J REPORTED CONCERNING THE STATUS OF THE CONCRETE WORK AT THE FITZGERALD CREEK FACILITY. Mr. Hatabian noted that the primary scope of work at this time is with regard to the sealing of expansion joints. - JANICE HENDERSON PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. MRS. HENDERSON REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY’S RESERVES ARE INTACT, AND REPORTED THAT TOTAL ASSETS HAVE INCREASED BY APPROXIMATELY $15 MILLION FROM THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 20007 – NOVEMBER 2008. Mrs. Henderson also reported that water sales have exceeded budget projections by approximately $75,000.00 for the period ending 11/30/08.Mrs. Henderson noted that she would include the Authority’s Aged Accounts Report in next month’s financial report.
- CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 13.26 MGD for the month of January at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell also noted that the current reservoir level at the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is 1189 feet.
- MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.089 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 3.644 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
- MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT A SEWER SPILL OCCURRED ON 12/16/08 ON SYCAMORE TRAIL. Mr. Venters noted that the cause of the spill was attributed to grease and debris. Mr. Venters reported that approximately 5200 gallons were spilled, and noted that the spill was reported to the State EPD.
- MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT CCWSA EXPERIENCED A 61% REDUCTION IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SEWER SPILLS FROM 2007 TO 2008, AND A 69% REDUCTION ON THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF SPILLS FROM 2006 TO 2008 BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
1) Fast response and implementation of Emergency Overflow Response Procedures by CCWSA Construction Supervisors and Crews.
2) The implementation of the Grease Control Program in February 2007. Spills caused by grease blockages dropped 50% from 2007 to 2008.
3) Increased preventative maintenance measures by CCWSA’s Construction Sewer Crew and Sewer Camera Crews. The addition of a second camera crew in September 2007 greatly increased CCWSA’s ability to locate trouble spots in lines and repair them before they became blocked or clogged.
4) CCWSA Locators were precise in marking sewer lines for contractors. There were no sewer spills caused by a contractor hitting the sewer line in 2008.NANCY MARTIN COMMENDED AUTHORITY STAFF FOR THE REDUCTION OF SPILLS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AUTHORITY’S GREASE CONTROL PROGRAM. - MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD RECEIVED A PERMIT VIOLATION AT THE ROSE CREEK TREATMENT PLANT FOR JANUARY 2009. Mr. Venters noted that the violation was a Weekly Max (fecal count above the 100/100ml). The cause was low effluent chorine residual. Mr. Venters noted that an operator failed to adjust chlorine as directed by Standard Operating Procedure. Mr. Venters reported that no one was endangered as a result of this incident due to elevated levels being slightly over for weekly totals, not daily or monthly. The limits at Rose Creek are self-imposed higher than Fitzgerald Creek or other surrounding treatment facilities. The limits would not have been breached at any other facilities. Mr. Venters noted that corrective action has been taken.
- BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. GRAHAM REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS CURRENTLY PLANNING TO INSTALL A WATER MAIN IN THE MITCHELL ROAD AREA, BASED UPON THE PETITION RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS OF THE AREA. Mr. Graham noted that, at this time, payment for connection fees has been received from four residents of the Mitchell Road area. Mr. Graham noted that the Authority is awaiting participation from the remainder of the petitioners before the water main is installed.
- TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REPORTED THAT AUTHORITY EMPLOYEE BEN SAWYERS IS RETIRING AFTER ELEVEN YEARS OF SERVICE. Chairman Stevens presented a plaque to be given to Mr. Sawyers upon his retirement.
- DISCUSSION FOLLOWED CONCERNING VCCI.
- MOTION BY GARY WINCHESTER AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 A.M.