Board Meeting Date: August 30, 2010 ~ 4:00 P.M.
PERSONS PRESENT: Buzz Ahrens, Nancy Martin, Eric Wilmarth, Steven Woodruff, Chris Wilbanks, Mike Byrd, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Bill Graham, Rick Dobbs, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Jeff Hooper, Dan Carson, Beth Williams, Dwayne Fowler, Dwight Turner, Mike Venters, Clint Blackwell, Randy Mitchell, Ryan Sarks, Craig Ferguson, Michael Reed, Sandy Reed, Pem Williams, Ashley Fuller, and Gene Hobgood.
Buzz Ahrens, Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order.
- AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY CHRIS WILBANKS, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
- VICE-CHAIRMAN AHRENS WELCOMED MIKE BYRD, WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE AT-LARGE POST OF THE CHEROKEE COUNTY WATER & SEWERAGE AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
- SANDY REED, DIRECTOR OF MERISMOS MINISTRIES/BETHANY PLACE, INC., ADDRESSED THE BOARD AND STATED THAT BETHANY PLACE IS A LONG-TERM HOME FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN CHEROKEE COUNTY ALMOST TWENTY-TWO YEARS AGO. Ms. Reed noted that Bethany Place is in the process of building a thrift store on their property to help with expenses of caring for the women and children. Ms. Reed noted that Bethany Place had recently applied for a permit to tap into the sewer stub that was donated to Bethany Place several years ago by Torrey Homes. Bethany Place was informed that they would have to pay $4500.00 to CCWSA to tap in. Ms. Reed noted that Bethany Place is also paying a subcontractor $1800.00 to complete the tap. This totals $6300.00 in expenses for Bethany Place.Ms. Reed stated that Bethany Place has been run by total donations for twenty-two years and has served Cherokee County by housing 1800 women and children. Ms. Reed noted that the budget for Bethany Place is very small and noted that the thrift store is being built to help with expenses.
Ms. Reed requested Board consideration of the $4500.00 sewer tap fee that was paid to the Authority on 8/5/10.
Tom Roach noted that the Authority is not a tax-supported entity and is supported by the customers of the Authority, and noted that the Authority cannot go outside of the requirements of its charter.
Buzz Ahrens cautioned that the Authority would set a precedent if this request is approved.
Bill Graham noted an approximate cost of $17,000.00 to set a fire hydrant to serve this development.
The Board encouraged Ms. Reed to seek support from the Cherokee County Rotary and Optimist Clubs, as well as the Cherokee County Service League.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY MIKE BYRD TO DENY THE REQUEST OF SANDY REED OF MERISMOS MINISTRIES/BETHANY PLACE, INC. All members present voted for the motion.
- DWIGHT TURNER PRESENTED A PROPOSED AUTOMATIC LANDLORD AGREEMENT. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED LANDLORD AGREEMENT. All members present voted for the motion.
- TOM ROACH REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A LETTER FROM JESS KASH, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF COMMUNITY RADIO OF NORTH GEORGIA. In this letter, Mr. Kash extended appreciation to CCWSA for the letter of terms, dated 6/29/10, to Community Radio of North Georgia regarding a lease to utilize the water tank property in Mica, GA for erecting a radio tower/antenna. Mr. Kash noted that the initial proposal (dated 6/28/10) reflected a conservative strategy to keep start-up costs at a minimum. Mr. Kash extended appreciation to the Board for consideration of the requirements of this Christian outreach ministry.In this letter, Mr. Kash set forth the following amended items regarding this lease for Board consideration:1) Initial lease payments of $500.00 per month increased to $750.00, then add 5% increases each year for the next five years; then add 10% increase after every five years
2) A lease period for 30 years (renewable at the end of each five year period), starting at the date WLTS – 90.7 FM goes on air
3) If any communication user opportunities materialize, then with CCWSA approval, a signed lease would be completed with terms of payment specified. A 50/50 split of monies received would be implemented between CCWSA and Community Radio of North Georgia.
4) Due to cost considerations, a self-supporting standard tower (using no cables) would be used instead of a monopole tower.
5) Any users that CCWSA might suggest would be strongly considered if no impact on Community Radio of North Georgia or WLTS – 90.7 FM is foreseen.
Mr. Kash noted that all other conditions in the 6/29/10 letter are acceptable and will be satisfied by Community Radio of North Georgia.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO DENY THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SET FORTH BY COMMUNITY RADIO OF NORTH GEORGIA. AUTHORITY COUNSEL WILL INFORM MR. KASH THAT THE AUTHORITY’S PRIOR OFFER STILL STANDS. All members present voted for the motion.
- TOM ROACH REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM KARA WEBB OF JARRARD & DAVIS, LLP, CONCERNING THE POSSIBILITY OF CCWSA PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL WATER SERVICE TO THE SOLOMON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9465 OLD FEDERAL ROAD IN BALL GROUND. Ms. Webb noted that this property is located in the northwestern portion of Forsyth County near the border of Cherokee County.In this letter, Ms. Webb further noted that Forsyth County and the Solomons are in litigation regarding contamination to groundwater arising allegedly from an inactive Forsyth County landfill located to the north of the Solomon property. The parties have reached a negotiated settlement in principal that involves trying to bring public water from CCWSA to the Solomon property, with payments for the installation of the water line to be paid by Plaintiffs out of their settlement proceeds. Once installed, the parties foresee dedication of the water line and infrastructure to CCWSA. Ms. Webb noted that it is not financially feasible to extend water services from the Forsyth County water system and thus, Forsyth County’s interest in a cooperative arrangement with CCWSA.In this letter, Ms. Webb further noted that as a result of the settlement, it is proposed that the Solomon property will be divided into three parcels: (1) a small residential tract located on the north side of Old Federal Road (“Tract 1”); (2) a five-acre residential tract on the south side of Old Federal Road (“Tract 2”); and (3) a 98-acre agricultural tract (“Tract 3”). The parties desire for CCWSA to provide water services for both Tract 1 and Tract 2 for residential purposes. The Solomon’s intend to use their existing groundwater wells to service Tract 3 for agricultural purposes.
The parties envision the installation of a 2” or 2 ½” residential water line from CCWSA’s nearest junction, presumably near the intersection of Yellow Creek Road and Old Federal Road, which is approximately 3300 feet from the Solomon’s property. The parties understand that a 2” or 2 ½” line may require a waiver of certain CCWSA water line specifications, including a waiver of fire protection. Finally, after the installation of the water line, the parties understand that CCWSA may desire to connect additional customers to the proposed water line.
As the proposed water service would extend into Forsyth County, the parties understand that a Service Delivery Agreement would be necessary between CCWSA and Forsyth County.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO APPROVE THIS REQUEST IN CONCEPT, WITH SPECIFIC DETAILS BROUGHT TO THE BOARD AT A LATER DATE. All members present voted for the motion.
- DAN CARSON PRESENTED A REQUEST FOR FUNDING OF THE 2010-2011 GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACTS. Mr. Carson requested funding in the amount of $400,000.00 for the PBS&J General Services Contract, $75,000.00 for the Infratec Services General Services Contract, and $50,000.00 for the Brown & Caldwell General Services Contract.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR THE 2010-2011 GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACTS IN THE AMOUNTS STATED ABOVE. All members present voted for the motion.
- MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE 7/26/10 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. Members Woodruff, Martin, Wilmarth, and Wilbanks voted for the motion. Members Ahrens and Byrd abstained. Motion passed.
- BETH WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating revenues are approximately $1,176,484.00 below budget projections for the period ending 6/30/10 and that total operating expenses are approximately $1,506,385.00 below budget projections for the same period. Ms. Williams also reported net income of $1,253,187.00 for the period ending 6/30/10.
- IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD FOR THE MONTHLY PRESENTATION OF WATER AND SEWER SALES INFORMATION TO REFLECT THE CURRENT MONTH’S SALES INFORMATION, AS WELL AS TWO MONTHS PRIOR.
- MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011, BASED UPON THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF THE CCWSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FINANCE COMMITTEE. All members present voted for the motion.
- CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 17.65 MGD for the month of August at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell noted that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently full at 1189 feet.
- MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 3.237 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 2.618 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
- DISCUSSION FOLLOWED CONCERNING SAFETY PROCEDURES.
- BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. GRAHAM NOTED THAT THE CHEROKEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN INSTALLATION OF A SCHOOL BUS ANTENNA ON A CCWSA WATER TANK. Mr. Graham noted that CCWSA has requested preliminary plans from the Board of Education in order to review this issue.
- TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REPORTED CONCERNING SENATE BILL 380 COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
- DISCUSSION FOLLOWED CONCERNING UNACCOUNTED FOR WATER REPORTING.
- MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 P.M.