Board Meeting Date: March 28, 2011 ~ 9:00 P.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, Dan Carson, Dwayne Fowler, Ryan Sarks, Randy Mitchell, Dwight Turner, Mike Venters, Jeff Hooper, Ron Banks, Jennifer Arp,Allison Hughes, Bill Echols, Russ Pennington, Robbie Bryant, and Craig Ferguson.
Gary Winchester, Chairman, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY CHRIS WILBANKS, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. ALLISON HUGHES OF GEORGIA ADOPT-A-STREAM PRESENTED THE AUTHORITY WITH THE 2010 WATERSHED AWARD, IN WHICH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RECOGNIZES GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THE GOALS OF ADOPT-A-STREAM.
3. BILL ECHOLS, DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR CHEROKEE COUNTY, PRESENTED A REQUEST FOR SEWER SERVICE CONNECTION AT THE EAST PARK PROJECT LOCATED AT HWY. 20 AT WATER TANK ROAD. Mr. Echols extended appreciation to Dwayne Fowler for his assistance to the County and its engineering consultant, HDR, in the review and development of available options to the County for sanitary sewer service at the East Park project, which is a 149-acre development.
Mr. Echols noted that HDR has completed a preliminary draft of the sewer study and recommends that the County request connection of its onsite gravity sewer collection system to a pump station located on the park site, for piping through a force main piping system to the south, crossing under Hwy. 20 (by the jack and bore method) and thereafter running approximately 5500 lineal feet along Water Tank Road to connect to the CCWSA sanitary sewer system at a location determined by CCWSA.
Mr. Echols noted that this request for approval by the CCWSA Board has been presented to and is authorized by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners at its meeting of March 15, 2011.
Tom Heard noted that this is the first hearing of this issue. Authority staff& Mr. Echols will further evaluate the project and this issue will be listed as a follow-up item at next month’s meeting.
4. DAN CARSON REPORTED THAT THE BOARD, AT ITS 1/31/11 MEETING, HAD APPROVED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR NEW SEWER CAMERAS AND A TRAILER. Mr. Carson requested that the Board approve RFP #CCWSA-2011-008 for the sewer inspection cameras and trailer, based upon the recommendation of the evaluation committee.
MOTION BY CHRIS WILBANKS AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO APPROVE RFP #CCWSA-2011-008, BASED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. All members voted for the motion.
5. MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE 2/28/11 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED.All members voted for the motion.
6. BETH WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating revenues are approximately $534,998.00 below budget projections for the period ending 1/31/11, and noted that total operating expenses are approximately $689,768.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Williams reported year-to-date net income of $158,883.00 for the period ending 1/31/11.
7. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 11.78 MGD at the Etowah River Water Treatment facility for the month of March 2011. Mr. Blackwell also reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently full at 1189 feet.
IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD FOR MR. BLACKWELL TO BEGIN INCLUDING INFORMATION REGARDING CUMULATIVE RAINFALL TOTALS IN THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. MR. BLACKWELL WILL BEGIN INCLUSION OF THIS ITEM AT NEXT MONTH’S MEETING, AND WILL CONTINUE THEREAFTER ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
8. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 3.050 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 3.334 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
9. MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT A WASTEWATER SPILL HAD OCCURRED ON 3/11/11 AT THE MANHOLE ON THE OUTFALL LINE BEHIND MEADOWCREST CIRCLE IN CANTON. Mr. Venters reported that the spill was caused by debris that blocked the sewer line, which caused sewerage to backup and overflow at the manhole. Mr. Venters noted that Authority crews jetted the line and stopped the spill. The estimated amount of the spill was 18,000 gallons.
10. MIKE VENTERS REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD RECEIVED ODOR COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS OF EAGLE WATCH. Mr. Venters noted that Authority crews had utilized the sewer camera in the immediate area and had also smoke tested the lines. Mr. Venters noted that Authority crews had remedied various manhole issues and noted that testing is still ongoing at this time.
11. BILL GRAHAM PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. MR. GRAHAM NOTED THAT THE HWY. 20 PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD. Mr. Graham noted that sections of old water main are being abandoned, and new lines are in service at this time. Mr. Graham anticipates a completion date of 4/7/11.
12. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REPORTED THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM REV. FRED GOODWIN, SENIOR PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH IN HICKORY FLAT. Mr. Goodwin, in his correspondence, had stated that he is holding a fund-raising event on 4/1/11 at the Church of the Messiah. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Charity Water organization, which provides fresh water (through the drilling of wells) to people in the world who have no access to fresh water. Mr. Goodwin questioned if the Authority would like to donate financially to this event, speak at the event, or provide material about CCWSA.
Mr. Heard advised that, due to the Authority being a government utility, it is unable to fund a private charity. However, the Authority could commend Mr. Goodwin’s efforts for such a noble cause. Mr. Heard noted that the Authority is a utility member of several water organizations, and through membership in these organizations, the Authority is supporting similar organizations such as Water For People. Mr. Heard noted that the Authority also has members of its staff that have, at their own personal expense, attended mission trips abroad that were related to water supply.
TOM HEARD STATED THAT HE WOULD DRAFT A LETTER OF RESPONSE TO REV. GOODWIN.
13.MOTION BY BUZZ AHRENS AND SECOND BY MIKE BYRD TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.