Board Meeting Date: September 26, 2011 ~ 9:00 A.M.
PERSONS PRESENT: Nancy Martin, Buzz Ahrens, Steven Woodruff, Eric Wilmarth, Chris Wilbanks, Mike Byrd, Robert Morrison, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Rick Dobbs, Tom Roach, Wesley Banks, Ryan Sarks, Beth Williams, Clint Blackwell, Jeff Hooper, Chris Evans, Dwayne Fowler, Dan Carson, Dwight Turner, Randy Mitchell, Ron Banks, Gil Puffer, and Herb Waldman.
Nancy Martin, Chair, 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. AUTHORITY CUSTOMER HERB WALDMAN ADDRESSED THE BOARD TO VOICE CONCERN REGARDING HIS WATER AND SEWER BILLINGS. Mr. Waldman noted that he has been watering his lawn and is concerned over sewer costs that have been incurred as a result.
Tom Heard noted the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District requires that the Authority adhere to an inclining block scale with regard to rates.
Nancy Martin stated that it would be morecost-effective over a period of time for Mr. Waldman to purchase an irrigation meter in the amount of $1700.00 because sewer charges are not applied to consumption through an irrigation meter.
No motion was rendered.
3. DWIGHT TURNER REPORTED CONCERNING A METER ISSUE AT 790 SWAN LANE. Mr. Turner reported that it has been discovered that a predecessor in title had installed a 6” water line, fire hydrant, and water meter to serve this property. A diligent search of CCWSA records reveals no apparent authority to install the 6” water line, fire hydrant, and water meter on private property.
Mr. Turner noted that the property owner and predecessors in title have had the benefit of CCWSA water at no cost for more than twenty years. Authority staff, upon discovery of the apparent unauthorized line, took the opportunity to examine the meter which measures the water consumption at this residence. The meter indicated that the property owner and/or the predecessors in title have used 3,034,000 gallons since the installation of the line.
Tom Roach noted that it would be impossible to determine when the water flowed through the meter in order to apply the most appropriate rate. Mr. Roach noted that, pending Board approval, he could provide notification to the property owner that that Authority would calculate a bill based upon the lowest possible rate within the last twenty years. Mr. Roach further noted that it would not necessarily be appropriate to require payment in full immediately, but the property owner could be required to contact Dwight Turner within a certain time period of receipt of notification in order to arrange an appropriate repayment schedule.
In addition, the Authority would require an easement and dedication to public use of a portion of the private water line including, most likely, a retrofit of the service connection to a more appropriate size and configuration.
Mr. Roach noted that failure by the property owner to make arrangements to discuss this matter with the appropriate CCWSA personnel within the time limits set forth would result in CCWSA physically disconnecting the property owner’s water service until such time that appropriate arrangements have been made.
MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO AUTHORIZE AUTHORITY STAFF AND COUNSEL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NOTIFICATION TO THE PROPERTY OWNER OF THE AUTHORITY’S INTENT TO COLLECT AFTER DETERMINATION OF THE APPROPRIATE WATER RATE. All members voted for the motion.
4. DWIGHT TURNER PRESENTED LEAK ADJUSTMENT INFORMATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDING AUGUST 2011.
5. DWIGHT TURNER READ A NOTE OF APPRECIATION FROM AUTHORITY CUSTOMER LISA AMBURGEY.
6. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2008-2009 PBS&J GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported that this contract has been closed, and reported a final total billing to date of $367,234.43.
7. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2009-2010 PBS&J GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported that this contract has been closed, and reported a final total billing of $137,293.90.
8. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2010-2011 PBS&J GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $44,500.00 and a total billing to date of $19,984.47.
9. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2010-2011 INFRATEC GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $40,960.00 and a total billing to date of $6,525.00.
10. DAN CARSON PRESENTED THE 2010-2011 BROWN & CALDWELL GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT UPDATE. Mr. Carson reported an estimated contract amount of $114,840.00 and a total billing to date of $66,653.24.
11. DAN CARSON REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED 2011-2012 GENERAL SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR ATKINS NORTH AMERICA, INFRATEC, AND BROWN & CALDWELL IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $200,000.00 EACH.
MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2011-2012 GENERAL SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR ATKINS NORTH AMERICA, INFRATEC, AND BROWN & CALDWELL IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $200,000.00 EACH. All members voted for the motion.
12. CHAIR NANCY MARTIN PRESENTED THE REVISED CCWSA BOARD COMMITTEES LISTING. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS TASKED WITH REVIEW OF BUDGET PROPOSALS, RATES, INSURANCE, BONDS, RESERVES, ETC., IS COMPOSED OF ALL BOARD MEMBERS SERVING AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, WHICH IS TASKED WITH REVIEW OF THE AUTHORITY’S CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LISTING ON A SEMI-ANNUAL BASIS (MAY AND NOVEMBER), IS COMPOSED OF MEMBERS ROBERT MORRISON, CHRIS WILBANKS, AND STEVEN WOODRUFF. THE LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY COMMITTEE, WHICH PROVIDES REPORTS TO THE BOARDREGARDING FEDERAL/STATE/AND LOCAL ISSUES OR PROJECTS PERTINENT TO CCWSA, AS WELL AS REVIEWS NEW POLICIES FOR CCWSA, IS COMPOSED OF MEMBERS BUZZ AHRENS, MIKE BYRD, AND ERIC WILMARTH. THE OPEB COMMITTEE, AN AD HOC COMMITTEE AS OF 9/22/11, IS TASKED WITH THE REVIEW OF THE OPEB CONTRIBUTION RATE, ACTUARIAL VALUATION, AND RETIREE BENEFITS IMPACTING OPEB, IS COMPOSED OF MEMBERS MIKE BYRD, NANCY MARTIN, AND ERIC WILMARTH.
13. MOTION BY ERIC WILMARTH AND SECOND BY CHRIS WILBANKS TO APPROVE THE 8/29/11 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members voted for the motion.
14. BETH WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Williams reported that total operating revenues are approximately $155,495.00 over budget projections for the period ending 7/31/11. Mrs. Williams reported the total operating expenses are approximately $1,605,927.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Williams reported a year-to-date net income of $1,917,251.00 for the period ending 7/31/11.
15. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 15.957 MGD at the Etowah River Water Treatment Plant for the month of September 2011. Mr. Blackwell also noted that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently 2.7 ft. below full pool at 1186.3 ft. Mr. Blackwell reported a cumulative rainfall total of 55.01” for the past 12 months.
16. CHRIS EVANS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF MIKE VENTERS. Mr. Evans reported an average daily treatment of 3.233 MGD at the Rose Creek facility, and an average daily treatment of 2.674 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek facility.
17. THERE WAS NO CONSTRUCTION REPORT IN THE ABSENCE OF BILL GRAHAM.
18. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT. MR. HEARD REPORTED THAT AUTHORITY STAFF WOULD SEND INFORMATION TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE REGARDING THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE AUTHORITY’S CIP/FUTURE PROJECTS LIST.
19. NANCY MARTIN NOTED THAT THE ETOWAH RIVER CLEANUP WOULD BE HELD ON OCTOBER 1, 2011.
20. NANCY MARTIN NOTED THAT THE LITTLE RIVER CLEANUP WOULD BE HELD ON OCTOBER 15, 2011.
21. MOTION BY BUZZ AHRENS AND SECOND BY ERIC WILMARTH TO ADJOURN. All members voted for the motion.