For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Meeting Minutes 4-15-21 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, March 18, 2021 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Bob Duncan, Vice-Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Cornell L. Harvey, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner

Chad Strickland, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

Charlie Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel

LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Jay Sellers, Director of Administration

Frances Wilson, Senior Accountant

Janice Meridith, Exec. Commission Administrator                                               

MEDIA PRESENT:               

Pamela Permar-Shierling, The Islander

Gordon Jackson, The Brunswick News                            

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

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

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

Anne Ditmer – Village Drive Water Line – Mrs. Ditmer spoke to the Commission regarding the proposed Village Drive Water Line which was a project listed on the draft of the 2021 Capital Projects Plan.  She and the other residents on Village Drive have been in discussion and have indicated there is no desire by the residents for JWSC to spend funds on a water line for their neighborhood, and those funds should be applied to areas such as Arco, Ellis Point, and the mobile home park at Terry Creek.  Those residents who had a previous interest have already installed wells.  Mrs. Ditmer expressed concern about the effects on the root systems of trees nearby, especially the live oaks near the street.

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

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed

Chairman Turnipseed reported that the Facilities Committee had met on the previous day at 1:00 p.m.  The Chairman stated that the Committee reviewed and forwarded several items to the full Commission. These items included a contract award on Pump Station 4116, a MOU with Glynn County for PS4116, PS4036 Basin CIPP project approval, a contract for ATS installation, the 2021 Capital Projects Plan, and Change order No. 2 for PS4003.  All of the water pollution control facilities are operating very well and within permit.  The Project Report included very good project photos and information on the 22 projects JWSC currently has underway. 

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 were several items approved to be forwarded to the full Board for consideration.  Those included the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, the endorsement of the 2021 Capital projects Plan, a contract award for Pump Station 4116 Improvements, the MOU with the County regarding PS4116 and the Public Safety Complex, the contract award for ATS installation, and a leak adjustment for Glynn County-Neptune Park Pool.  Alternative funding sources due to lack of SPLOST funding were discussed, as well as the financial statement for month ending March 31, 2021.  

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the March 18, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

2. Fiscal Year 2022 Budget – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented the Fiscal year 2022 Budget to the Commission for their review and consideration.  Mr. Burroughs provided some of the highlights from the proposed budget: $33.3M budget flow, a staff reduction from 157 to 156 employees, a 1.79% COLA for employees, slightly decreased personnel costs, a $142K reduction in Debt Service, and an increase in the R&R Reserves of $279,300.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission take the following actions:  (1) approve submission of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2022 JWSC Budget to the City of Brunswick and to Glynn County for their review and comment, and (2) approve the Fiscal Year 2022 JWSC Budget in the amount of $33,300,000 subject to revisions resulting from comments received from the City of Brunswick and/or Glynn County.

Commissioner Stephens commented that he would like for the motions to reference the specific Committee due to the formality of the Committee’s recommendations to forward items to the Commission.

Motion carried 7-0-0.

3. 2021 Capital Projects Plan – A. Burroughs

Chairman Turnipseed advised that the 2021 Capital Projects Plan had been recommended by both the Facilities Committee and the Finance Committee. The Chairman noted that he would like to remove the Village Drive Water Line from the list of proposed Capital Projects for 2021. 

Chairman Turnipseed made a motion seconded by Commission Duncan to remove Village Drive Water Line from the project list.

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to amend the motion to indicate “endorse” not “approve”.

Chairman Turnipseed made a motion that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission to endorse the 2021 Capital Projects Plan with the exception of the Village Drive Water Line which is to be removed from the project list.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

4. Leak Adjustment / Glynn County – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs informed the Commission that the Glynn County Board of Commissioners requested a pool fill adjustment due to draining and repair work to the Neptune Park Pool.  Section 2-16-63(d) of the Glynn County Ordinance excludes leaks associated from failure to maintain appliances or pools.  Mr. Burroughs added that the Ordinance does allow for a pool fill adjustment once per calendar year where all sewer charges above the 12 month average consumption may be adjusted.  Staff has reviewed this request for a pool fill adjustment and determined it should be granted to the customer.

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the pool fill adjustment in the amount of $15,345.56 to the account of the Glynn County Board of Commissioners as presented.  Motion carried

6-0-1.  (Commissioner Neal abstained due to being a Glynn County Commissioner.)

5. Pump Station 4116 Contract Award – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that JWSC issues Invitation for Bid No. 21-017 Rehabilitation & Force Main Upgrade Project on February 21, 2021.  The scope includes upgrades of the wastewater pumping station and associated force main to support the new Glynn County Animal Control shelter.  Specific work items include new precast concrete wet well, electrical shed and SCADA components, pumping equipment, discharge piping and a 6” PVC force main.  Three (3) firms submitted bids on April6, 2021.  The apparent low bidder was Southern Civil, LLC at $498,499.00.  Project duration is 120 consecutive calendar days.  The funding for this project will come from Glynn County, pending execution of the MOU by Glynn County for the reimbursement. Mr. Burroughs provided a certified bid tabulation for review.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a contract for the PS4116 Rehabilitation & Force Main Upgrades Project with Southern Civil, LLC, in the amount of $498,499.00, pending execution of a MOU with Glynn County for reimbursement of project costs.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

6. MOU with Glynn County – Pump Station 4116/Public Safety Complex – C. Dorminy

Commissioner Harvey made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the memorandum of understanding with Glynn County related to the Safety Complex Infrastructure Improvements.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

7. Bergen Woods Comprehensive Agreement Amendment – C. Dorminy

Chairman Turnipseed advised that this Agreement Amendment was discussed in the Facilities Committee Meeting.  The Agreement has been updated by both attorneys as requested.  The Developer is no longer managing the project, JWSC will.  After additional discussion pertaining to tap fees, 70/30 agreement, tracking funds, possibility of termination of the project by the Developer, and other considerations, a motion was made.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the Amended Comprehensive Agreement with Hudson Oak Brunswick, LLC.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

8. Pump Station 4036 Gravity Basin CIPP Contract Award – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs stated that JWSC issued invitation for Bid No. 21-009 for the PS4036 Gravity Basin CIPP Rehabilitation on March 5, 2021The scope of this project includes CIPP lining for gravity sewer system rehabilitation upstream from JWSC Pump Station 4036.  PS4036 is located in the North Mainland service district, with segments in this project along U.S. highway 341 and Glyndale Drive.  Bio-Nomics Services, LLC was the apparent low-bidder out of the three (3) bids submitted.  Chairman Turnipseed advised that this item was discussed and approved by the Facilities Committee on the previous day to be forwarded to the full Commission. 

Commissioner Harvey made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a contract for the PS4036 Gravity Basin CIPP Rehabilitation with Bio-Nomics Services, LLC in the amount of $923,333.69.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

9. ATS Installation Contract Award – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that JWSC issued Invitation for Bid No. 21-018 for Automatic Transfer Switches for Portable Generators on March 10, 2021.  The project scope includes installation of twenty-two (22) transfer switches and docking stations for portable generator connection at individual lift station sites. JWSC has entered into a Recipient-Subrecipient Agreement with GEMA for the installation of these transfer switches.  The total approved funding from FEMA is $58,762.   Mr. Burroughs stated that JWSC has been in contact with GEMA to inform them that a budget adjustment would be necessary to facilitate the project.  He provided that FEMA requested JWSC obtain bids, approve a contract, and then request a budget adjustment.  Out of the three (3) bids received, the apparent low bidder was Y-Delta Inc. in the amount of $773,085.00.  Any budget approved by GEMA will be 85% reimbursable to JWSC with FEMA reimbursing 75% and GEMA reimbursing 10%.  This item was presented to the Facilities and Finance Committees on April 14, 2021.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract for the installation of twenty-two (22) automatic transfer switches to Y-Delta Inc. in the amount of $773,085.00 pending a budget adjustment from GEMA.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

10. Pump Station 4003 Upgrades Change Order No. 2 – T. Kline

Mr. Kline provided the change order request from Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, LLC, contractor for Capital Project #703-SPLOST 2016 Lift Station 4003 Upgrade.  JWSC received a project time extension request from Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. in the amount of 50 days.  PSCC cited cumulative delays due to inclement weather, challenges with materials delivery and labor due to the COVID-19 pandemic and time pump evaluation/repair.  Mr. Burroughs confirmed that this time extension will have no effect on other projects.  There are no additional costs associated with this contractor requested change order. 

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the above described Change Order #2, for contract time extension to June 05, 2021.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs updated that proposals for Auditing Services and for a Total Compensation Study should be back in time for next month’s meetings.  The Georgia Rural Water Association Conference will be held on May 11, 2021.  The GUCC 811 meeting will be held at JWSC on April 16, 2021.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed expressed his appreciation and commended the staff and Commissioners on all projects currently in progress.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no Executive Session.

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:50 p.m.