Board Meeting Date: February 28, 2011 ~ 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, Beth Williams, Clint Blackwell, Jeff Hooper, Dwayne Fowler, Dwight Turner, Mike Venters, Dan Carson, Randy Mitchell, Ron Banks, Ryan Sarks, Craig Ferguson, and Brantley Basinger.
Buzz Ahrens, Vice-Chairman, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY MIKE BYRD, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. TOM HEARD STATED THAT THE PRESENTATION OF THE WATERSHED AWARD FROM GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM WOULD BE TABLED UNTIL NEXT MONTH’S MEETING.
3. BRANTLEY BASINGER, VICE-PRESIDENT OF MUNICIPAL COMMUNICATIONS, LLC, PRESENTED A PROPOSAL REGARDING POTENTIAL CELL TOWER INSTALLATION ON CCWSA WATER TANK PROPERTIES. Mr. Basinger proposed that Municipal Communications would invest the required time, financial capital and energy to market CCWSA properties to all major wireless service providers, as well as, all second and third tier service providers (Wi-Fi, Broadband, etc.). Municipal Communications would map all properties and present to the carriers to facilitate strategically building out a network on CCWSA property.
Mr. Basinger further noted that Municipal Communications would install/construct either lattice/self-support or monopole type communication towers. Municipal Communications proposes to enter into a Master Lease Agreement with CCWSA, with an Addendum of the Master Lease Agreement for each specific tower site location.
Mr. Basinger noted that CCWSA would be allowed to locate their own communications antenna and equipment, on the proposed tower facilities, at no charge to CCWSA.
Mr. Basinger further noted that the payment to CCWSA by Municipal Communications for the placement of communication towers on CCWSA property, for each specific tower, would be as follows:
Option 1:
- Municipal Communications would pay a Site Fee payment to CCWSA of $65,000.00 in cash at the time Municipal Communications obtains the building permit from the County, as well as all required State and Federal permits for each specific tower site.
- Municipal Communications would pay a second Site Fee payment to CCWSA of $35,000.00 in cash on the first anniversary date, in year 2, of the initial Site Fee payment.
- Municipal Communications would pay CCWSA a monthly rental fee of $500.00 for a lease area of 100 ft. X 100 ft. per tower site. Note: If the property in question doesn’t allow a 100 ft. X 100 ft. lease area, then CCWSA would make available, to Municipal Communications, a lease area that would adequately support the tower’s installation.
- Municipal Communications would pay CCWSA a fee of $5,000.00 in cash for each new carrier’s collocation, other than the 1st/Anchor tenant.
- Municipal Communications reserves the right to restructure the proposed financial terms after 60 days.
- Municipal Communications proposes to have an Agreement/Master Lease Agreement in place, between CCWSA and Municipal Communications, by March 31, 2011.
(or)
Option 2:
- Municipal Communications would pay to CCWSA a $1200.00 per month ground rental fee.
- Municipal Communications would pay CCWSA $150.00 per month for each additional tenant.
Mr. Basinger noted that both of the above-listed options would incorporate a 25-year ground lease.
Mr. Basinger provided a brief history of his company, stating that Municipal Communications began conducting business in September 2010. Mr. Basinger also noted that Municipal Communications would carry all liability insurance, and stated that a New York equity group acts as the company’s financial carrier. Mr. Basinger noted that Putnam County, Coweta County, Carroll County, and Butts County are clients of Municipal Communications at the present time.
Tom Roach voiced concern over certain language contained in the existing proposed Master Lease Agreement, and noted that the current proposed document contains reference to condemnation of properties by CCWSA. Mr. Basinger noted that this language could be removed from the proposed agreement.
Mr. Basinger further noted that Municipal Communications would be willing to work with CCWSA regarding potential development of a Master Lease Agreement utilizing monopoles only. Mr. Basinger noted that he also envisions no restrictions on the Authority’s use of its property, and noted that approval of the agreement should not interfere with any prospective CCWSA AMR projects.
IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD FOR MR. BASINGER TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE EXISTING COWETA COUNTY AGREEMENT TO THE AUTHORITY AND COUNSEL. MR. BASINGER WILL WORK TOWARD PRESENTMENT OF A REVISED PROPOSED MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS, AND WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR THEIR REVIEW AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL AT A LATER DATE. THIS ISSUE MAY ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT A FUTURE WORK SESSION.
4. TOM HEARD NOTED THAT DAN OWEN, SCOUTMASTER OF BSA TROOP 241, HAD REQUESTED PERMISSION TO UTILIZE OFF-ROAD UTILITY VEHICLES ON CCWSA PROPERTY AROUND NEW HIGHTOWER CHURCH IN ORDER FOR WORKERS TO CARRY TOOLS TO VARIOUS AREAS CLOSE TO EXISTING TRAIL AREAS NEEDING WORK.
Discussion followed concerning utilization of the CCWSA Shoal Creek property as a future plant site.
Tom Roach noted that a permissive use agreement could be drafted if the Board so chooses.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO AUTHORIZE COUNSEL TO DRAFT A PERMISSIVE USE AGREEMENT WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. All members present voted for the motion.
5. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED PROPOSED LIFT STATION AND FORCE MAIN EASEMENT LOCATIONS AT NORTHPOINT PARKWAY AT THE BARTOW/CHEROKEE LINE TO HWY. 92. Mr. Fowler requested approval of the construction of the Northpoint Parkway wastewater lift station at an anticipated cost of $153,000.00.
MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHPOINT PARKWAY WASTEWATER LIFT STATION AT AN ANTICIPATED COST OF $153,000.00. All members present voted for the motion.
6. MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 1/31/11 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
7. BETH WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating revenues are approximately $180,196.00 above budget projections for the period ending 12/31/10, and noted that total operating expenses are approximately $562,645.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Williams also reported year-to-date net income of $909,719.00 for the period ending 12/31/10.
8. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 11.84 MGD at the Etowah River Water Treatment Plant for the month of February 2011. Mr. Blackwell also noted that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently full at 1189 feet.
9. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.937 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 3.161 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
10. MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT PLANT-OF-THE YEAR INSPECTIONS HAVE OCCURRED.
11. MIKE VENTERS NOTED THAT ODOR COMPLAINTS AT ROSE CREEK WERE THE RESULT OF HOMEOWNER SEWER SYSTEM ISSUES AT AMBERWOOD COURT. Mr. Venters noted that the homeowners’ should have their issues resolved by the end of the week.
12. BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. GRAHAM REQUESTED APPROVAL OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 IN THE AMOUNT OF -$81,248.65 FOR THE BRAMBLE OAK SUBDIVISION WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT. Mr. Graham noted the reason for the change order is to reflect actual quantities installed. Mr. Graham reported a present contract price of $595,340.85 and a final contract price of $514,092.20.
MOTION BY CHRIS WILBANKS AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #1 IN THE AMOUNT OF -$81,248.65 FOR THE BRAMBLE OAK SUBDIVISION WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT. All members present voted for the motion.
13. BILL GRAHAM REPORTED THAT CHLORINATION OF THE WATER LINE FOR THE HWY. 20 PROJECT SHOULD OCCUR SOMETIME NEXT WEEK.
14. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REPORTED THAT AUTHORITY STAFF HAD CONDUCTED A PRELIMINARY CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS MEETING. Mr. Heard noted that a finalized CIP listing would be presented to the Board for their review and approval within the next couple of months.
15. TOM HEARD REPORTED THAT HE, DAVID KUBALA, AND BILL GRAHAM HAD MET WITH THE STATE REGARDING ASBESTOS PIPE REMOVAL.
16. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY MIKE BYRD TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.