Board Meeting Date: October 26, 2009 ~ 4:00 P.M.
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Buzz Ahrens, Gene Cornelison, Eric Wilmarth, Nancy Martin, Steven Woodruff, Chris Wilbanks, Tom Heard, Janice Henderson, Bill Graham, Tom Roach, Jim Carpenter, Wesley Banks, Jeff Hooper, Dwayne Fowler, Randy Mitchell, Clint Blackwell, Mike Venters, Ryan Sarks, Dwight Turner, Gaye Blackwell, Beth Williams, Dan Carson, Rick Dobbs, Lori Forrester, Mike Morrissey, Craig Ferguson, and Gene Hobgood.
Gary Winchester, Chairman, called the meeting to order.
- AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY GENE CORNELISON, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
- IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD TO POSTPONE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE AUTHORITY’S LEAK ADJUSTMENT POLICIES UNTIL NEXT MONTH’S MEETING.
- MOTION BY GENE CORNELISON AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE 9/28/09 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
- JANICE HENDERSON STATED THAT NO FINANCE REPORT WOULD BE GIVEN THIS MONTH DUE TO THE AUDIT IN PROGRESS. Mrs. Henderson noted that the annual audit report would be presented at next month’s meeting.
- JANICE HENDERSON REPORTED THAT COBB COUNTY-MARIETTA WATER AUTHORITY HAS INCREASED ITS WATER WHOLESALE RATE TO $2.22 PER THOUSAND GALLONS. Mrs. Henderson noted that the Authority is not entertaining the idea of increasing its water wholesale rate at this time due to the small amount of water purchased by the Authority from Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority.
- JANICE HENDERSON NOTED THAT BRYCE HOLCOMB OF CITIGROUP HAS INFORMED HER THAT THE OUTLOOK FOR REFUNDING OF THE 1997, 1998, AND 2001 BONDS IS UNFAVORABLE AT THIS TIME. Mrs. Henderson noted that Mr. Holcomb would notify her if the outlook for refunding of these bonds becomes more favorable. In the meantime, the Authority will continue to prepare to take advantage of any refunding opportunities.
- CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 12.96 MGD for the month of October at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell also reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is full at 1189 feet.
- MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.544 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 4.893 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
- MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT A WASTEWATER SPILL HAD OCCURRED ON 9/8/09 AT 110 RIVER OAKS DRIVE IN WOODSTOCK. Mr. Venters noted that the cause of the spill was determined to be a broken pipe from the residence, as well as a grease blockage in the main sewer line. Mr. Venters reported that less than 2400 gallons had been spilled, and stated that this spill had been reported to the EPD.
- MIKE VENTERS STATED THAT AUTHORITY EMPLOYEE LORI FORRESTER HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED THE KEEP GEORGIA BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD. MIKE VENTERS NOTED THAT LORI FORRESTER HAD ALSO RECEIVED THE KEEP GEORGIA BEAUTIFUL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
The Board congratulated Ms. Forrester for her achievement of these awards. - BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. GRAHAM REPORTED THAT THE NEW WATER MAIN FOR THE STOCKWOOD ESTATES PROJECT IS APPROXIMATELY 95% COMPLETE, AND SHOULD BE IN-SERVICE WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
- BILL GRAHAM REPORTED THAT THE BRAMBLE OAKS AND CARDINAL COVE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECTS WOULD BE BID SEPARATELY ON 12/03/09.
- TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM SUSAN WHITE, DIRECTOR OF THE SEQUOYAH REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM. In this correspondence, Ms. White stated that on 9/28/09, it was brought to the attention of the branch manager at the Hickory Flat Public Library that the retention pond was extremely high. The branch manager immediately contacted the Facilities Manager to check on this issue. A leak was discovered and the water was cut-off shortly thereafter. Welchel Plumbing was then contacted and the water line was repaired the next morning on 9/29/09.Ms. White further stated that the reason the water leak was not immediately detected was due to the fact that the leak was running into the retention pond. Because of the recent heavy rains and flooding, the high level of water in the retention pond went unnoticed until it was almost to the point of overflowing. Ms. White noted that the Sequoyah Regional Library System has already appealed its water bill, and the account was credited $1782.00, leaving a current balance of $1558.20. Ms. White noted that the $1558.20 balance is more than the budgeted amount for the entire year for the Hickory Flat Library since their normal bills are around $100.00 per month. Therefore, Ms. White is requesting that the Authority further adjust the bill in order to assist the Sequoyah Regional Library System in meeting its current budget.
Tom Heard noted that Authority policy has been followed because a credit has already been given to this account.
MOTION BY GENE CORNELISON AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO ABIDE BY EXISTING POLICY AND DENY THIS REQUEST. All members voted for the motion.
- TOM HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM STANLEY WHEELER OF NEW LIFE CHURCH. In this correspondence, Mr. Wheeler stated that he is requesting an adjustment on the church’s water bill. Mr. Wheeler noted that the church has not used its irrigation system since 30 days after it was first installed. It was therefore in need of repair. Last year, the church experienced a lightning strike that caused significant damage to the system. The repairs cost over $1600.00. In the process of restoring the system, a pipe was broken and water flowed over the parking lot overnight and half the next day. Mr. Wheeler noted that he realizes that existing Authority policy does not allow for adjustment of bills for this type of problem. However, any assistance that could be provided by the Authority would be appreciated.MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO ABIDE BY EXISTING POLICY AND DENY THIS REQUEST. All members voted for the motion.
- MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY BUZZ AHRENS TO APPROVE THAT THE BOARD AGENDA MEETING FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009 AT 2:00 P.M. All members voted for the motion.
- MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.