Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, April 19, 2023
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Facilities Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the Commission Meeting Room.
Facilities Minutes 4-19-20 with Attachments
To read the minutes please download or open the pdf from the link above or you may see more below.
Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission
1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520
Commission Meeting Room
Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 1:00 PM
FACILITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PRESENT:
Ben Turnipseed, Chairman
Tripp Stephens, Commissioner
Charles Cook, Commissioner
Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director
ALSO PRESENT:
Todd Kline, Director of Engineering
LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director
David Owens, Director of Finance
Charles Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel
Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM.
Chairman Turnipseed provided an invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Chairman Turnipseed opened the Public Comment Period.
There being no citizens that wished to address the Committee, Chairman Turnipseed closed the Public Comment Period.
APPROVAL
- Minutes from Facilities Committee Meeting March 15, 2023
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to approve the minutes from the Facilities Committee Meeting held on March 15, 2023. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Minutes from Executive Session March 15, 2023
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to approve the minutes from the Executive Session held on March 15, 2023. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Projects Plan – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Projects Plan to the Facilities Committee. He noted that the proposed project count is reduced, but these projects as presented will be impactful for our systems. $9,800,000 is proposed for sewer projects on the mainland. Proposed funding for St. Simons Island is anticipated to include $1,850,000 for water projects and $5,100,000 for sewer. The total amount proposed for the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Project Plan is $16,750,000. Aside from the JWSC project funding sources (R&R, CIF, Capital), additional projects will be completed with the Series 2021 Bond issuance and SPLOST 2021 receipts.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Facilities Committee recommend the full Commission approve the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Projects Plan as presented. Motion carried 2-0-1. (Commissioner Stephens was not in the room for the vote.)
- Dunbar Creek WPCF Change Order No. 2 – A. Burroughs
On June 16, 2022, the JWSC moved forward with BRW Construction Group, LLC for Phase 2 of the Dunbar Creek Rehab Project. BRW has also replaced a section of 30” influent sewer pipe that collapsed last year between a manhole and the influent wet well. Mr. Burroughs provided that upstream sections of the influent line collapsed on February 12, 2023. Upon CCTV inspection by subcontractor Southeast Pipe Survey, it was determined that complete pipe replacement would be the best option. Working under the existing progressive design-build contract, BRW agreed to perform the work with open book pricing. Total cost for the replacement of the line was $340,049.48 including overhead and project markups as outlined in the progressive design-build contract. BRW Construction Group provided a detailed time and material worksheet for the 30” influent sewer repair.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens that the Facilities Committee recommend the full Commission approve Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $340,049.48 to BRW Construction Group, LLC for scope changes associated with the Dunbar Creek WPCF Rehab project. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Contract Award – SPLOST Exit 29 WPF and EST Engineering – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs informed the committee that the drinking water system at Exit 29 is shaped like a T, with water production facilities at either end of the system. Unfortunately, this can lead to fluctuating pressures for areas along Highway 17 South and Buck Swamp Road. Mr. Burroughs also noted that there is a potential for future industrial development along Highway 82. Currently, the JWSC has a permitted well with no treatment capabilities that is adjacent to the South Port Water Pollution Control Facility. Conversion of this well to a production facility will increase potable water availability to the Exit 29 area for residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The Exit 29 system currently has one elevated storage tank with a capacity of 500,000 gallons. Construction of an additional elevated storage tank will help to stabilize pressures across the system. Four proposals for this project were received from engineering firms on February 28, 2023, which were reviewed and scored by a three-member panel with representation from JWSC Engineering and the Senior Leadership Team. Thomas & Hutton was the highest scoring proposal at 78.3. Staff recommends awarding a contract for engineering services for SPLOST Exit 29 Water Production Facility and Elevated Storage Tank to Thomas & Hutton in the amount of $230,480. Their proposal outlined recent project experience with water production facilities and elevated storage tanks. Furthermore, since this project is very similar to the current engineering project for the Canal Road Water Production Facility, Thomas & Hutton can standardize the design of these two sites. The engineering contract for production of a bid ready package will be 330 days.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens that the Facilities Committee recommend that the full Commission award a contract in the amount of $230,480 to Thomas & Hutton for engineering services for the SPLOST Exit 29 Water Production Facility and Elevated Storage Tank project. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Contract Award – Highway 341/Crispen Boulevard Repairs – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs advised that a sinkhole appeared at the intersection of Highway 341 and Crispen Boulevard that was determined to be caused by a partially collapsed gravity line in the area. Staff investigated and found the gravity line is a 60-foot 18” DIP line with a depth of approximately 12 feet that has two large storm lines crossing above the gravity line. This is also a very high traffic area, and the upstream manhole received a 12” force main discharge, a grinder station discharge, and gravity discharge that receives flow from another pump station. Given the challenging location and conditions, five of the seven firms contacted for quote declined to give a proposal. Staff believes the best approach is to repair the section via CIPP rehab to avoid having to dig around the two large storm lines in the area and reduce the time required for project completion. The two firms that did provide proposals are Popco, Inc. and Bio-nomic Services, Inc. Popco will be handling bypassing, well pointing, driveway repair, and paving for the project. Bio-nomic will handle soil stabilization, CIPP rehab, and manhole rehab. The work will be completed within 45 days of mobilization. Mr. Burroughs stated that staff recommends awarding the contract to Popco, Inc. in the amount of $679,000 to avoid the cost of an added management fee from Bio-nomic Services. The cost to rehab this section is considerably higher than a typical repair for a 60-foot section of pipe would be. This project can be funded by the Series 2021 Bond Issuance as CIPP rehab is an allowable use of those funds.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens that the Facilities Committee recommend that the full Commission approve a contract award in the amount of $679,000 to Popco, Inc. for necessary repairs at the Highway 341 and Crispen Boulevard Intersection. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Contract Award – Academy Creek Influent Check Valve Replacements – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs stated that Academy Creek has four influent pumps that pump water into the treatment processes. Associated with each pump is a check valve to prevent water from flowing backwards and reversing the direction of the pump. Two check valves currently need replacement. Staff determined it would be best to replace all four check valves to avoid having to repeat the work in the near future. Staff has purchased four new 16” check valves for the plant, however the large size of the check valves requires equipment that the JWSC does not have available. Quotes from mechanical contractors to replace the four valves were solicited with two quotes received and a third contractor declined. BRW Construction Group, LLC submitted a quote of $31,423 to replace all four check valves. MacAljon submitted a quote of $23,950 for two replacements, or $47,900 to replace all four check valves. Staff recommended awarding a contract to BRFW Construction Group, LLC in the amount of $31,423 for the replacement of four check valves for the influent pumping station at the Academy Creek WPCF.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens that the Facilities Committee recommend that the full Commission approve a contract award in the amount of $31,423 to BRW Construction Group, LLC for influent check valve replacements at Academy Creek. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Storm Contingency Standby Generator Rental – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs informed the committee that this year, five new portable generators were ordered from Cummins Inc. through a FEMA grant with the original delivery date of late August. Recent updates put the estimated date as late October or early November. In previous years, JWSC has rented five portable generators and appurtenances to be onsite and available for use during the annual hurricane season. This year, the plan was to have a shortened rental period that would coincide with the August delivery of the new generators. However, it now appears that option will not be available for this storm season. Under the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement 062320-CAT, staff obtained a quotation from the current generator CSA partner, Yancey Power Systems-CAT, for five portable generators to support the JWSC 2023 Storm Contingency plan.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens that the Facilities Committee recommend that the full Commission approve the rental agreement with Yancey Power Systems-CAT in the amount of $138,605.50. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- USGS Joint Funding Agreement – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs recalled for the committee that for the past several years, the JWSC has entered into a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for groundwater monitoring of the Upper Floridan aquifer to monitor the migration of chlorides throughout the aquifer. This is key in long-term planning for drinking water wells as growth continues in Glynn County and for the plume’s location relative to the Brunswick Villa well actively used by the JWSC. The impacts of saltwater intrusion have caused JWSC to close the Perry Park well as a drinking water source.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Facilities Committee recommend that the full Commission enter into a Joint Funding Agreement with USGS in the amount of $80,000 for the continuation of groundwater monitoring in the Upper Floridan aquifer. Motion carried 3-0-0.
- Dedications of Private Infrastructure & Easements – T. Kline
- Pointe Grand Brunswick – Infrastructure and Easement
Mr. Kline provided that the Developers of Pointe Grand Brunswick wish to convey easements and dedicate infrastructure. They have submitted necessary legal documents defining the transfer of ownership and conveying the easements for access and maintenance. All requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water & Sewer Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met, and all related documents submitted.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens that the Facilities Committee recommend the full Commission approve and accept this project with associated Dedications and Easements. Motion carried 3-0-0.
DISCUSSION
- Water Production Report – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented the Water Production Report for the month of March 2023 to the Facilities Committee. This report provides the Committee with the monthly and daily water production in millions of gallons for each of the BGJWSC water production facilities (wells). The following are Brunswick District production facilities: Howard Coffin, Goodyear Park, Brunswick Villa, FLETC, I-95, Golden Isles I, Golden Isles II, Canal, and Ridgewood. The South Mainland District wells include Fancy Bluff, Exit 29, and Brookman. Mallery, Airport, Harrington, and Hampton South are the wells located in the St. Simons Island District.
- WPCF Plant Flows Report – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs reviewed the monthly Wastewater Flow Reports with the Commissioners. This report contains data regarding the influent and effluent flows, concentration of elements and chemicals, plant capacity, etc. March 2023 was not as dry of a month as February 2023. The influent flow at Academy Creek for March was 6.9 MGD as compared to February at 7.5. The effluent flow for March decreased from February’s 6.4 MGD to 5.9 MGD, with the plant operating at 44% of its capacity. The influent flow at Dunbar Creek was not available at reporting time, but the effluent flow slightly increased to 2.9 MGD, with the plant operating at 72% capacity. The influent flow at South Port was at 0.435 and the effluent flow reported at 0.518, with the plant operating at 35% capacity. JWSC’s wastewater treatment plants are operating very well.
- Capital Project Report – T. Kline / A. Burroughs
Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs presented an update on the monthly Project Report for Capital Projects currently in process including those in the engineering phase and those in construction. The Commissioners were provided with a packet containing: the Capital Project Photographs, Capital Project Report Spreadsheet, the Capital Project Gantt Chart of project timelines, and the Earned Value Analysis Report. Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs thoroughly presented the update by discussing each project along with excellent photographs and descriptive details.
There being no further business, Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:25p.m.