For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Mtg Mins with Attachments 1-20-22

To read the minutes, please open or download the pdf from the link above, or you may see more below.

Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission

1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520

Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Bob Duncan, Vice-Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner

Chad Strickland, Commissioner

Kendra Rolle, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator

LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Frances Wilson, Accounting Manager

Christa Free, Procurement Coordinator                                                                                              

Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.

Chairman Neal provided the invocation and Commissioner Duncan led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

There being no citizens for public comment, Chairman Turnipseed closed the public comment period.

COMMISIONERS SWEARING-IN CEREMONY – The Honorable Debra Godwin Duncan

            Kendra L. Rolle, Commissioner 2022-2023 City of Brunswick Commission Appointment

            Tripp Stephens, Commissioner 2022-2025 Grand Jury Appointment – Second Term

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to reappoint Chairman Turnipseed as Chairman for 2022 and to reappoint Commissioner Duncan as Vice Chairman for 2022. Motion carried 7-0-0.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Chairman Turnipseed announced the appointments of the 2022 Communications, Economic Development, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Legislative, and Emergency Preparedness Committees to include Committee members and Committee Chairperson.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed

Chairman Turnipseed reported that the Facilities Committee had met the previous day at 1:00 p.m. The Chairman stated that the Committee reviewed and forwarded two items to the Full Commission for approval. Those items were a time extension for the GEFA loan and a Letter of Support to Georgia State Property Commission. 

Finance Committee – Commissioner Duncan

Committee Chairman Duncan reported that the Finance Committee meeting was held on the previous day at 3:00 p.m. There was one item for approval to the Full Commission, the time extension for the GEFA loan. Commissioner Duncan mentioned that the JWSC was doing a good job spending SPLOST funds and staying on track for completing SPLOST projects.  JWSC Accounting Manager, Frances Wilson gave an overview of the Financial Statements for December 2021. 

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the December 16, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to approve the minutes from the December 16, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner was absent for the vote). 

2. Minutes from the December 16, 2021 Executive Session

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to approve the minutes from the December 16, 2021 Executive Session. Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Neal was absent for the vote). 

3. GEFA Loan Time Extension – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented a request for a time extension approval on the BGJWSC GEFA loan for improvements to the Academy Creek WPCF and the gravity sewer system in the amount on $15,000,000. Due to impacts from COVID-19 and supply delays on materials associated with the projects, the Project has experience significant supply chain and delivery delay issues, which have subsequently impacted the project schedule and timeline. Time extension is the only change to the original terms and conditions of the loan. Commissioner Cook asked Mr. Burroughs about the reason for screen delivery delays to Academy Creek WPCF. Mr. Burroughs explained that those delays are due to COVID-19 and component delays as the screens do not come assembled.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the modification for time extension for GEFA Loan CW2019008.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

4. Letter of Support to Georgia State Property Commission – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented a Letter of Support for Morningstar Children and Family Services for the release of the State of Georgia’s reversionary interest in Morningstar’s real property in Glynn County. Mr. Burroughs explained that there is mutual interest between Morningstar and the JWSC for the JWSC purchase of a portion of the unimproved acreage owned by Morningstar for the construction of water and sewer infrastructure to benefit residents and businesses in northern Glynn County. The state of Georgia currently holds reversionary interests in the Morningstar campus that prevents the sale of any property to the JWSC. Morningstar has petitioned the State of Georgia to release their reversionary interests, requiring a letter signed by each JWSC Commissioner. The letter is to be submitted to the Georgia State Property Commission in the hopes that the reversionary interests would be released during the current state legislative session. Commissioner Cook inquired as to the price and acreage of the land JWSC wished to purchase from Morningstar. Mr. Burroughs stated that the price was currently undetermined, but that the acreage was approximately 15 acres. Commissioner Strickland requested that Mr. Burroughs supply the Commissioners with similar Letters of Support from other Glynn County agencies, including the Glynn County Commission. Commissioner Duncan stated that this property acquisition would be an excellent source of growth for the JWSC and the North Mainland area of Glynn County. 

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer approve the submission of a Letter of Support for Morningstar Children and Family Services, Inc., for the release of the State of Georgia’s reversionary interest in Morningstar’s real property in Glynn County.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

DISCUSSION

There were no items for discussion.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs congratulated Commissioners Rolle and Stephens on their appointment and reappointment to the JWSC Commission. He also updated the Commission on the status of the Low Income Household Assistance Program that was approved by the Commission during the December 2021 meetings. To date the JWSC has had 52 customers take advantage of the program at an amount of $26,080. Customers can visit the Coastal Georgia Community Action Authority to determine their eligibility and receive a voucher for the program if approved. Mr. Burroughs welcomed Executive Commission Administrator Janice Meridith back from medical leave and thanked Christa Free for filling in during Ms. Meridith’s absence.

COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION

There were no items any other Commissioner wished to discuss.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed thanked the Commissioners for a productive retreat meeting held at the offices of Hall, Booth, Smith on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no Executive Session

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.