Board Meeting Date: September 27, 2010 ~ 9:00 A.M.
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Buzz Ahrens, Nancy Martin, Eric Wilmarth, Steven Woodruff, Chris Wilbanks, Mike Byrd, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Bill Graham, Rick Dobbs, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Beth Williams, Clint Blackwell, Jeff Hooper, Dan Carson, Dwayne Fowler, Randy Mitchell, Dwight Turner, Mike Venters, Ryan Sarks, Ron Banks, John Wallace, Robert Morrison, and Gil Puffer.
Gary Winchester, Chairman, called the meeting to order.
- AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY MIKE BYRD, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
- AUTHORITY CUSTOMER JOHN WALLACE ADDRESSED THE BOARD TO REQUEST CONSIDERATION OF HIS WATER BILL. Mr. Wallace noted that his water billing for the month of June totaled over $700.00. Mr. Wallace noted that this billing was for approximately 58,000 gallons of usage, which is approximately 50,000 gallons over his monthly average consumption. Mr. Wallace noted that Authority staff could find no evidence of a leak, and Mr. Wallace’s plumber could find no evidence of a leak as well. Mr. Wallace questioned if air in the line could be a contributing factor to the high consumption.
Tom Heard noted that air in the line would be a very remote possibility as a contributing factor to the high consumption.
Tom Roach noted that this request does not fall within the requirements of the Authority’s current policies.
Tom Heard cautioned that the Board would be setting a precedent if approval of this request is granted.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO ABIDE BY EXISTING POLICY AND DENY THE REQUEST OF MR. WALLACE. All members voted for the motion.
- ROBERT MORRISON, TREASURER OF THE UPPER ETOWAH RIVER ALLIANCE, ADDRESSED THE BOARD AND STATED THAT THE UERA IS A NON-PROFIT, 501 (c) (3) ORGANIZATION DEVOTED AND DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF THE ETOWAH RIVER WATERSHED FROM ALLATOONA DAM UPSTREAM TO THE HEADWATERS OF THE ETOWAH AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. Mr. Morrison stated that funding for the major projects of UERA has come from federal grants administered through the Limestone Valley Resource Development and Conservation Council. To a lesser extent, UERA receives additional funding and assistance from Cherokee County, corporate sponsorships, and members. CCWSA and UERA have been closely associated for a number of years. Until his untimely passing, Gene Cornelison had been one of the founding organizers of UERA and a member of the Board of Directors, and both Dwight Turner and Lori Forrester currently serve as members of the UERA board. Mr. Morrison noted that CCWSA and UERA have worked together on educational initiatives that have reached many hundreds of young children in Cherokee County, promoting conservation and clean water programs.
Mr. Morrison stated that UERA is seeking to broaden its partnerships with public agencies within the territory of the Etowah watershed. UERA feels that many of its objectives are complimentary to those of CCWSA, and together CCWSA and UERA can become more active in accomplishing shared goals. With this in mind, Mr. Morrison requests that CCWSA consider contributing, on an annual basis, the sum of $10,000.00 in support of UERA. Mr. Morrison noted that this is the same amount as is currently contributed by Cherokee County to UERA, and will help UERA enormously in efforts to protect and preserve the Etowah watershed. Mr. Morrison also noted that if the Board should have any further questions regarding this issue or need additional information regarding UERA’s organization and accomplishments, UERA Executive Director Diane Minick would be available to provide the needed information.
MOTION BY MIKE BYRD AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING TO THE UERA IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $2500.00 FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. UERA REPRESENTATIVES MAY RETURN TO THE BOARD DURING THE BUDGETING PROCESS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012 FOR CONSIDERATION FOR FUNDING DURING FISCAL YEAR 2012. All members voted for the motion.
- IT IS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING REVISIONS TO THE CCWSA BOARD COMMITTEES:
• The Rate/Finance/Consultant Selection Committee consists of Eric Wilmarth, Nancy Martin, and Gary Winchester.
• The Audit/Insurance Committee consists of Buzz Ahrens, Nancy Martin, and Mike Byrd.
• The Personnel Committee consists of Nancy Martin, Buzz Ahrens, and Chris Wilbanks.
• The Condemnation Committee consists of Steven Woodruff, Eric Wilmarth, and Chris Wilbanks.
• The Long-Range Planning Committee consists of Gary Winchester, Steven Woodruff, and Chris Wilbanks.
• The Capacity Allocation Committee consists of Steven Woodruff, Buzz Ahrens, and Mike Byrd.
- DWIGHT TURNER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM AUTHORITY CUSTOMERS GALINA RIBAC AND LINDA LUNSFORD. In this correspondence, Ms. Ribac noted that in February 2010 a water pipe burst outside her home and caused the water to run onto the street. Luckily, the tenants shut off water from the meter to avoid waste of water, and the problem was fixed the same day. Ms. Ribac noted that despite the fact that she faxed the plumber’s invoice to CCWSA stating that the water line had burst; CCWSA billed the tenants for the full amount of the lost water, and assessed sewer charges as well. Ms. Ribac noted that this billing translated into more than $150.00 in additional charges as compared to the average monthly bill for the family.
Ms. Ribac noted that a member of Authority staff had contacted the tenant and had advised the tenant that the bill would not be adjusted because the amount lost was not 10,000 gallons over the monthly average, and that the water and sewer charges must be paid in full.
Ms. Ribac noted that she had also contacted the Authority, and was given the same information.
Ms. Ribac requested consideration of this bill.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO ABIDE BY EXISTING POLICY AND DENY THIS REQUEST. All members voted for the motion.
- DWIGHT TURNER REFERENCED CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM AUTHORITY CUSTOMER ANDREA WINKLE. In this correspondence, Ms. Winkle stated that she recently received a bill for $1904.20 for one month of water usage. Ms. Winkle stated that she had contacted the CCWSA offices because she thought that a malfunction might be occurring with her water meter. Ms. Winkle stated that she was informed that a meter would not malfunction in this way. Ms. Winkle stated that she then contacted her plumber, who had recently replaced a main pressure valve, and noted that she had asked the plumber if the high pressure could have caused such a high water output. Ms. Winkle noted that plumber had assured her that it could not, and the plumber reminded her of a leak that she had to the main line going to pastures on her property the month prior.
Ms. Winkle stated that she contacted the CCWSA offices to request a leak adjustment. Ms. Winkle stated that she was informed that leak adjustments are only applicable to the main line between the meter and the house. Ms. Winkle noted that she would not make the effort of appealing to the Board if this were not such a huge expense. Ms. Winkle requested consideration of this bill.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO ABIDE BY EXISTING POLICY AND DENY THIS REQUEST. All members voted for the motion.
- MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO APPROVE THE 8/30/10 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
- BETH WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating revenues are approximately $567,681.00 below budget projections for the period ending 7/31/10. Mrs. Williams also reported that total operating expenses are approximately $1,574,677.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Williams reported net income of $1,383,337.00 for the period ending 7/31/10.
- CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 17.4 MGD for the month of September 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 3.059 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 2.728 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
- BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. GRAHAM REPORTED CONCERNING RIGHT-OF-WAY ISSUES REGARDING THE SR 20 TRUCK CLIMBING LANES PROJECT. Mr. Graham noted that the Authority may need to adjust its water line to the existing right-of-way if the State does not purchase additional right-of-way.
- TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION TO RELOCATE THE RECYCLE LINE CONNECTION AT THE ROSE CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $40,000.00.
MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY MIKE BYRD TO AUTHORIZE THE RELOCATION OF THE RECYCLE LINE CONNECTION AT THE ROSE CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $40,000.00.
All members voted for the motion. - TOM HEARD REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION TO COMMISSION AN ENGINEERING STUDY OF EFFICIENCY OF THE AUTHORITY’S COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES AS PART OF THE AUTHORITY’S GENERAL SERVICE CONTRACT.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO AUTHORIZE MR. HEARD TO COMMISSION AN ENGINEERING STUDY OF EFFICIENCY OF THE AUTHORITY’S COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES AS PART OF THE AUTHORITY’S GENERAL SERVICE CONTRACT.
All members voted for the motion. - TOM HEARD REPORTED THAT PBS&J WOULD BE CONDUCTING A PLANNING TECHNIQUES PROGRAM PRESENTATION FOR THE AUTHORITY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010 AT NOON. THIS MEETING WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE MONTHLY BOARD AGENDA MEETING/WORK SESSION AT 3:00 P.M.
- MOTION BY BUZZ AHRENS AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 A.M.