Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, December 19, 2024
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.
Commission Minutes 12-19-24 with Attachments
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, December 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM
COMMISSION MINUTES
PRESENT:
G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman
Clayton Watson, Vice-Chairman
Charles Cook, Commissioner
Wayne Neal, Commissioner
Lance Sabbe, Commissioner
Dave Ford, Commissioner
Chad Strickland, Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director
Charles A. Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel
LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director
Todd Kline, Director of Engineering
David Owens, Director of Finance
Pam Crosby, Director of Procurement
Jay Sellers, Director of Administration
Frances Wilson, Accounting Manager
Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
Commissioner Watson provided the Invocation, and Commissioner Cook led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.
There being no public comment, Chairman Turnipseed closed the public comment period.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Georgia Association of Water Professionals
Water Distribution System Excellence Award
“Platinum Award Recipient”
RECOGNITION OF SERVICE
Chad Strickland – Recognition of 4 Years of Service as Commissioner for the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission (2021 – 2024)
RECOGNITION OF RETIREMENT
Lora Moore – 7 Years of Service to JWSC (2017 – 2024)
Alvin Lang – 26 Years of Service to JWSC (1998 – 2024)
Mark Ryals – 29 Years of Service (1995 – 2024)
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
Bailey Fenn – Wastewater Collection System Operator License
Darin Nalls – Comp TIA Network+ Certification
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed provided an update on the Facilities Committee Meeting held on December 18, 2024.
Finance Committee – Pro term Committee Chairman Cook provided an update on the Finance Committee Meeting held on December 18, 2024.
AMENDMENT TO AGENDA
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to add Approval Item #6 to the agenda for the Amendment and Renewal for Legal Counsel from Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Motion carried 7-0-0.
APPROVAL
- Minutes from the November 21, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to approve the minutes from the November 21, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Howard Coffin Well Casing Repairs – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs advised that following a video inspection of the Howard Coffin well, it was determined that the casing is compromised in several different locations. Installing a smaller diameter casing inside a portion of the casing allows for repair of the compromised areas and does not affect the capacity of the well, as the existing well pump is the limiting factor. One bid was received from Woodrow Sapp Well Drilling Inc., in the amount of $209,500.00. The estimated duration of the repair work is 2-4 weeks. This project will be funded from the R&R Reserve. Current uncommitted funds in the R&R Reserve is $2,247,928 as of November 30.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the repair of the Howard Coffin Well Casing by Woodrow Sapp Well Drilling Inc., in the amount of $209,500.00. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- MOU – McKenzie Road and Depratter Lane Extension Road Project – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs provided that Glynn County has bid out the McKenzie Road and Depratter Lane Extension Road Project to create a new roadway in the North Mainland district off Highway 341. As part of the original bid package advertised by Glynn County, water and sewer improvements were included. There were two bids received by Glynn County for the total project with the apparent low bidder being Georgia Asphalt Producers, Inc in the amount of $2,503,412.50. Staff reviewed the bids received and re-examined the scope of work for water and sewer. The sewer portion was removed from the scope of work. Traditionally in these joint projects, JWSC has paid for improvements or extensions, while Glynn County has funded relocations necessitated by roadway realignments. This project is entirely extensions to the existing water infrastructure in the area. The calculated water main improvement total based on the bid provided by Georgia Asphalt Producers is $252,320. Note that Georgia Asphalt Producers was low bid on the total project but is not low bid for the water improvements. However, given the savings in advertisement, engineering, and project management costs from the joint project with Glynn County, staff is comfortable moving forward with Georgia Asphalt Producers. Mr. Burroughs advised that the action taken today would be to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Glynn County for the JWSC to reimburse the County for project costs associated with the installation of a water main extension. This project will be funded through the Capital Improvement Fee Reserve.
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Glynn County for the McKenzie Road and Depratter Lane Extension Road Project in the amount of $252,320.00. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Academy Creek AB3 Gearbox Repair – A. Burroughs
Following maintenance inspection by JWSC staff, it was determined that the gearbox for one of four aerators at Aeration Basin 3 at Academy Creek was in need of repair. Staff contact K Machine Industrial Services to remove the gearbox, take it back to their shop, and inspect it for necessary repairs. Upon inspection, it was determined that the gearbox needs all new bearings and seals to return to usable condition. Staff requested a quote from K Machine to complete the work which was provided on October 30. K Machine’s quote for the work is $31,680 with a 15–17-week lead time for the work to be completed. Given the cost of the repair, staff requested a quote from Rodgers-Turner & Associates for a replacement gearbox. Rodgers-Turner is the manufacturer’s representative for Lightnin gearboxes for our region. The quote for a new gearbox is $113,000 for a 12-week lead time and $169,000 for a 1-week lead time. Staff believes it would be most prudent to rehab the existing gearbox due to the significant cost to purchase a new one. This project will be funded by the Academy Creek Operations budget.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the repair of the Academy Creek Aeration Basin 3 gearbox by K Machine Industrial Services, LLC, in the amount of $31,680.00. Motion caried 7-0-0.
- Dedication of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline
- Outlot K Utilities Easement – Dedication of Infrastructure and Easement
- Wawa – Dedication of Infrastructure
Mr. Kline provided that the developers of these two projects wish to dedicate infrastructure and convey easements. He added that the developers have submitted legal documents to define and execute the transfer of ownership. The infrastructure is understood to have complied with applicable standards at the time of construction. JWSC inspection records indicate the infrastructure was constructed to JWSC Standards, is functioning and is in acceptable condition.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept these projects with associated documentation. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Amendment and Contract Renewal for Legal Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs noted that the firm of Hall Booth Smith, P.C. has represented and provided legal counsel to the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission since May 2016. Ther professional fees remained unchanged during this time. Their firm has now requested the Board’s consideration of a rate adjustment for services provided by their Partners, Associates and Paralegals. When Hall Booth Smith, P.C. first began providing their services to the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission, annual legal fees exceeded $500,000. This was driven mostly by pending litigation, but there were also opportunities for streamlining communication between their firm and the Commission. Since that time, the two organizations have worked together to lower those fees, and we have been successful in doing so. The firm has now approached the Board to request an adjustment to their rates as outlined in the attached letter.
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the proposed rate adjustment for the professional fees related to legal services provided by Hall Booth Smith, P.C., and conduct an annual review of this agreement. Motion carried 7-0-0.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Mr. Burroughs provided the Commissioners with a brief update and wishes for a very Merry Christmas.
COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION
There was no additional discussion.
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
Chairman Turnipseed provided the Commissioners with a brief update and his wishes for a very Merry Christmas and appreciation for everyone’s hard work through the year.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session.
ADJOURN
There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m.