Entries from June 2010

Board Meeting Date:  May 27, 2010 ~ 9:00 A.M.

PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Buzz Ahrens, Nancy Martin, Eric Wilmarth, Steven Woodruff, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Rick Dobbs, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Dwayne Fowler, Beth Williams, Mike Venters, Clint Blackwell, Jeff Hooper, Dwight Turner, Randy Mitchell, Dan Carson, Ryan Sarks, Pem Williams, Gil Puffer, Diane Minick, and Gene Michael.

Gary Winchester, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY TOM HEARD, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. DIANE MINICK, DIRECTOR OF THE UPPER ETOWAH RIVER ALLIANCE, PRESENTED A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO THE CHEROKEE COUNTY WATER & SEWERAGE AUTHORITY IN APPRECIATION FOR THE AUTHORITY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.E.R.A. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
3. TOM HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM JESS KASH, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF COMMUNITY RADIO OF NORTH GEORGIA, INC. In this correspondence, Mr. Kash extended appreciation to the CCWSA Board for allowing him to present, at the 4/26/10 Board Meeting, his request to utilize the CCWSA water tank in Mica, Georgia, to attach a radio tower/antenna. Mr. Kash noted that, although the Board had denied his request, he would like for the Board to consider locating the tower/antenna on side property utilizing a stand-alone monopole tower.

   Mr. Kash noted that he has also submitted an engineering drawing of a layout for this configuration.

   Tom Heard cautioned that approval of this request by a private company could set a precedent.

   Tom Roach noted that Authority staff should research this issue further and determine potential liability for the adjoining property. Mr. Roach noted an approximate cost of $2000.00 – $3500.00 per month to Community Radio of North Georgia for lease payments derived from utilization of the monopole tower. Mr. Roach noted that additional risk may be incurred with approval of this request, but noted that this risk could be allayed by insurance coverage that Community Radio of North Georgia would be required to pay for.

   The possibility of moving the tower in order to provide separate access was discussed.

   MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO TABLE THIS ISSUE IN ORDER FOR COMMUNITY RADIO OF NORTH GEORGIA TO ASSESS THE LEASE PAYMENT OPTION. IF THIS OPTION IS FAVORABLE TO COMMUNITY RADIO OF NORTH GEORGIA, THE AUTHORITY CAN THEN PROCEED WITH DUE DILIGENCE AS WELL AS STAFF MEETINGS WITH REGARD TO FUTURE USE. THESE RESULTS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE BOARD AT A LATER DATE. All members present voted for the motion.

4. DWIGHT TURNER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM AUTHORITY CUSTOMER JIMMY STEWART. In this correspondence, Mr. Stewart noted that he had filled his swimming pool on 5/11/10, and had subsequently called the CCWSA office to request a sewer waiver for 12,000 gallons. Mr. Stewart noted that he was told by Authority staff that his request could not be granted in lieu of recent policy changes.

   Mr. Stewart noted that he has a sprinkler system on a separate meter, and that he will now make the required changes to tap into that meter in the future.

   Dwight Turner noted that the Authority has never granted a sewer waiver to Mr. Stewart, and noted that Mr. Stewart chose not to use his sprinkler meter when filling up his pool.

   MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO DENY THE REQUEST OF JIMMY STEWART FOR A SEWER WAIVER. All members present voted for the motion.

5. DWIGHT TURNER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM AUTHORITY CUSTOMER LESLEY FLUKE. In this correspondence, Ms. Fluke stated that she is aware that last November the CCWSA Board passed a new ruling not to make adjustments to water bills for residents filling newly constructed pools.

   Ms. Fluke requested that the Board grant an exception to the ruling based on the fact that her pool was recently constructed. Ms. Fluke noted that her May 2010 billing covers the dates in which her new pool was filled.

   Ms. Fluke requested a credit to her account in the amount of $250.00.

   MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO DENY THE REQUEST OF LESLEY FLUKE FOR A $250.00 CREDIT TO HER ACCOUNT. All members present voted for the motion.

6. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2007-2008 PBS&J GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $354,744.51 and a total billing to date of $352,954.14.
7. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2008-2009 PBS&J GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $366,322.29 and a total billing to date of $349,501.78.
8. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2009-2010 PBS&J GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $153,325.00 and a total billing to date of $28,218.10.
9. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2009-2010 INFRATEC SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $39,500.00 and a total billing to date of $19,500.00.
10. MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 4/26/10 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
11. BETH WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating revenues are approximately $2,236,708.00 under budget for the period ending 3/31/10. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating expenses are approximately $1,025,311.00 under budget for the same period. Mrs. Williams reported a year to date net loss of -$1,044,602.00 for the period ending 3/31/10, and noted that all departments are operating under budget at this time.
12. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 15.3 MGD for the month of May at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell also reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently full at 1189 feet.
13. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 3.232 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 3.183 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
14. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGER BILL GRAHAM. MR. HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM DAVID MANN OF PBS&J IN WHICH MR. MANN PRESENTED A REQUEST ON BEHALF OF MID-SOUTH BUILDERS FOR PAYMENT OF INTEREST DUE ON RETAINAGE FOR THE SR 92 UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT (PHASE TWO) IN THE AMOUNT OF $9704.38.
    
    MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BUZZ AHRENS TO APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST DUE ON RETAINAGE TO MID-SOUTH BUILDERS FOR THE SR 92 UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT (PHASE TWO) IN THE AMOUNT OF $9704.38. All members present voted for the motion.
15. TOM HEARD REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM DAVID JORDAN, PRESIDENT OF NORTH CHEROKEE ELECTRICAL. In this correspondence, Mr. Jordan stated that on 4/29/10, North Cherokee Electrical’s traffic signal crew was performing work at the SR 140 and Earney Road intersection in Cherokee County. While installing the loop detection system in the road, the crew ran out of water that was needed to saw-cut the roads. The crew went to a nearby fire hydrant at a local shopping center to refill the water tanks in order to complete the installation of the loop system. While the crew was filling the water tank, Jody Henson of CCWSA approached the crew and informed them that it was illegal for them to be using the fire hydrant. Mr. Henson then issued North Cherokee Electrical a notice/citation of $2500.00.

    Mr. Jordan further noted that North Cherokee Electrical has been and still is currently the traffic signal maintenance contractor for Cherokee County. North Cherokee Electrical has no written policy in its contract with the County that states the procedures of how to obtain water to maintain the maintenance of the loop systems for the intersections. Because of this incident, North Cherokee Electrical is now aware of the fact that they now need to obtain a water meter regulator from the water department so that they can meter their water consumption in the future.

    North Cherokee Electrical requests forgiveness of the $2500.00 fine from CCWSA due to the fact that North Cherokee Electrical did not have and has not had any kind of written policy or procedures concerning this situation. Mr. Jordan noted that North Cherokee Electrical would also be willing to reimburse CCWSA for the 250 gallons of water that it took to fill the tank.

    MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO DENY THE REQUEST OF NORTH CHEROKEE ELECTRICAL FOR FORGIVENESS OF THE $2500.00 FINE IMPOSED BY CCWSA. Members Martin, Woodruff, Ahrens, and Winchester voted for the motion. Member Wilmarth abstained from voting. Motion carries.

16. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT.
17. WESLEY BANKS STATED THAT INFORMATION REGARDING THE AUTHORITY’S I/T PROCEDURES WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE BOARD NEXT WEEK.
18. DISCUSSION FOLLOWED REGARDING HOLLY SPRINGS SEWER EASEMENTS. Dwayne Fowler noted that Authority staff would draft a letter regarding this issue that will be submitted for Board approval at next month’s Board Meeting.
19. TOM HEARD REPORTED THAT HE HAS RECEIVED NO NEWS REGARDING THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK ISSUE.
20. TOM HEARD DISTRIBUTED RATES DASHBOARD INFORMATION REGARDING GEORGIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICES.
21. TOM HEARD NOTED THAT HE IS IN RECEIPT OF A LETTER FROM COMMISSION CHAIRMAN BUZZ AHRENS WHEREBY CHEROKEE COUNTY HAS ADVISED THE CITY OF WALESKA TO CONTACT THE CITY OF CANTON AND PICKENS COUNTY REGARDING SERVICE AREA.
22. DAVID KUBALA REPORTED THAT VARIOUS AUTHORITY STAFF MEMBERS ARE COMPILING INFORMATION FOR THE METROPOLITAN NORTH GEORGIA WATER PLANNING DISTRICT’S “WATER SUPPLY AND WATER CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN.”
23. TOM HEARD NOTED THAT RESUMES FOR THE VACANT “AT LARGE” POST ON THE CCWSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE BEING FORWARDED TO THE CHEROKEE COUNTY CLERK OF COURT.
24. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 A.M.

Posted in Meeting Minutes