Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, April 18, 2024
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.
Commission Minutes 4-18-24 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, April 18, 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
ALSO PRESENT:
Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director
Charles A. Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel
LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director
David Owens, Director of Finance
Todd Kline, Director of Engineering
Pam Crosby, Director of Procurement
Kirk Young, SP&M Superintendent
Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator
ABSENT:
Chad Strickland, Commissioner
MEDIA PRESENT:
Taylor Cooper, The Brunswick News
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
Chairman Turnipseed 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.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION – Chairman Turnipseed
Michael Mock – Wastewater Collection System Operator Licensure/Certification
Michael Mock – Wastewater Operator Class 3 Licensure/Certification
Jay Sellers – Certified Emergency Manager
Byron Bennett – Certified Emergency Manager
Don Hendricks – Certified Emergency Manager
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed provided an update on the Facilities Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Finance Committee – Commissioner Watson provided an update on the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
DEFERRAL
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe to defer agenda item #4 until the next meeting. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
APPROVAL
- Minutes from the March 21, 2024 Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the March 21, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- FY 2025 Property and Terrorism Insurance Renewal – A. Burroughs
Oakbridge, formerly McGinty-Gordon & Associates, was able to secure two property insurance proposals from Starr Tech and Lloyd’s of London. Starr Tech has been the property insurance provider for the JWSC for several years. This item was presented to the Finance Committee on April 17, 2024.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve insurance renewal rates for each coverage category and insurer as listed above. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- FY 2025 Organizational Budget – A. Burroughs
The Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission Operational Agreement requires the JWSC to adopt a budget by June 30 of each year. Additionally, JWSC must present a proposed budget to the City of Brunswick and to Glynn County by May 1 of each year for their review and comment. In preparing this budget, the JWSC Budget Team prepares an expenditure budget with input from senior staff and divisional managers, then compiles statistical data relative to the customer base and usage. This information is utilized to determine finances necessary to meet budget, adequately fund reserves, maintain debt coverage ratios and achieve other financial management plans as determined by the JWSC. The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget was provided to the Commissioners. This item was presented to the Finance Committee on April 17, 2024.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission take the following actions: (1) approve submission of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 JWSC Budget to the City of Brunswick and to Glynn County for their review and comment, and (2) approve the Fiscal Year 2025 JWSC Budget in the amount of $38,930,000 subject to revisions resulting from comments received from the City of Brunswick and/or Glynn County. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- Approval of Virtual Card Program and Limit – D. Owens
This item was deferred to next month’s meeting.
- Contract Award – 4002 Basin CIPP Rehabilitation Project – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs provided that Basin 4002 is the sewer basin serving the majority of the City of Brunswick south of Gloucester Street and portions north of Gloucester Street up to portions of I and J Streets. It is the largest gravity sewer basin in our system and as a result is a significant contributor of I&I to our system. The basin is 147,445 linear feet with over 75% of the basin being either clay or iron pipe. The basin was inspected via CCTV inspection by BGJWSC staff as part of programmed system inspections that occur once every ten years. Each segment was scored from 1-5 based on NASSCO standards and the pipes scoring a minimum of 4 that were candidates for trenchless rehabilitation were included in this bid package. Total CIPP rehab for this project is 26,883 linear feet in pipe diameters ranging from 6” – 24”.
Five (5) bids were submitted to BGJWSC on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, with the apparent low bid from Bio-Nomic Services, Inc., in the amount of $1,748,173.00. The low bid was reviewed by staff and deemed reasonable compared to recent projects of a similar nature. The Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost for this project completed at time of bid advertisement was $2,895,999.00. Note that bid items 16-25, 28, and 29 will be completed and invoiced as requested by the project manager based upon field conditions before rehab occurs. Therefore, the project costs will almost certainly exceed the $1,748,173 bid amount. However, this would be true of all bidders and does not impact the low bidder on the project. Available funding for this project through the GEFA loan is $4,529,977.00. Upon project completion the GEFA loan can be closed out for an amount less than the original $15,000,000 budget. This item was presented to the Facilities and Finance Committees on April 17, 2024. Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract for the 4002 Basin Cured-in-Place Piping Rehabilitation Project to Bio-Nomic Services, Inc., in the amount of $1,748,173.00. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- Contract Award – Brunswick Villa Area Sewer Expansion – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs advised the Commissioners that Brunswick Villa neighborhood is bounded by Altama Avenue to the east, Brunswick High School to the north, Wylly Avenue to the west, and Sixth Street to the south. This neighborhood is adjacent to existing BGJWSC assets and is a prime candidate for in-fill expansion as identified by the BGJWSC. Similar to the project in Arco, this project will install 8,155 linear feet of gravity sewer and replace 650 feet of water main in the neighborhood to enable residents to connect to the sewer system and remove their aged septic systems. There will be 219 parcels with new sewer availability in the neighborhood upon completion of this project. Engineering design services were provided by Kimley-Horn. Three (3) bids were submitted to JWSC on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, with the apparent low bid from Southeast Pipe Survey, Inc., in the amount of $4,658,360.50. There was a bid alternate included to perform complete removal and replacement of existing asphalt pavement in the neighborhood in lieu of partial milling as required for the project. This alternate can be accepted for a deduction of $113,300.00, bringing the total contract value $4,545,060.50. Kimley-Horn has provided a bid tabulation and recommendation of award to Southeast Pipe Survey including the alternate bid item for a total of $4,545,060.50. This is within 1% of the Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost completed at time of bid advertisement. This amount exceeds available funding in the project budget by $2,346,240.50. The overage will be funded from uncommitted funds in the Capital Improvement Fees reserve. This item was presented to the Facilities and Finance Committees on April 17, 2024.
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract for the construction of the Brunswick Villa Area Sewer Extension Project to Southeast Pipe Survey, Inc., in the amount of $4,545,060.50. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- Pump Station 4105 Pumps Purchase – A. Burroughs
The JWSC operates PS 4105 on Winstead Drive off Cate Road that handles sanitary sewer flows from the Exit 38 area. The station is scheduled for a force main replacement and electrical upgrades through a funded capital project. However, the existing pumps in the station have reached the end of their useful life and need replacement. Staff requested a quote for in-kind replacement pumps for PS 4105 from Xylem Water Solutions for two 20 hp Flygt submersible pumps. The cost for these two replacement pumps is $36,856.40. Upon completion of the force main and station upgrades, these pumps can be relocated to PS 4109 on Glynco Parkway for replacement of the existing pumps at that station which are approaching 20 years of age. This purchase is funded from the Systems Pumping & Maintenance operations budget. This item was presented to the Facilities and Finance Committees on April 17, 2024.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission purchase two new Flygt submersible pumps for Pump Station 4105 from Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. in the amount of $36,856.40. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- Academy Creek Influent Pump Bases Repair – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs provided that the Academy Creek Influent Pump Station contains four pump bases that are fixed to the floor of the wet well. When pumps are installed, they are slid down guide rails and are seated onto these bases. In September 2023, BGJWSC ordered two new influent pumps that are scheduled for delivery in early May. Staff had condition inspections performed on the pump bases. Upon inspection, it was determined that the pump bases were no longer properly affixed to the wet well, causing the pumps not to seat correctly, increasing vibration on the pump, and reducing pump capacity and pump lifespan. Staff requested a quote from BRW Construction Group, LLC to perform rehab of the concrete and pump bases as necessary to properly install these bases in advance of the new pumps being delivered. In addition, staff wishes to perform the same tasks on the remaining two pump bases once the new pumps are installed. This work will improve pumping efficiency and reduce wear and tear on the influent pumps. BRW performed similar work at the Dunbar Creek WPCF during the ongoing construction project. BRW provided a quote of $49,192.00 to perform the work and has confirmed that the work can be completed in advance of the new pump deliveries in early May. This item will be funded from the Academy Creek operations budget. This item was presented to the Facilities and Finance Committees on April 17, 2024.
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a contract with BRW Construction Group, LLC to perform rehab on the influent pump bases at Academy Creek Water Pollution Control Facility in the amount of $49,192.00. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- SPMD-302 Engine and A/C Repair – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs noted that SPMD-302 is a 2015 Ford F-750 Dump Truck used by Systems Pumping & Maintenance construction crews for day-to-day operational tasks. The vehicle experienced engine trouble and was sent to Tom Nehl in Waycross for inspection and repair. The company specializes in medium and heavy-duty truck repair. Upon inspection by the service technician, it was determined that complete engine replacement is necessary for the vehicle. This was confirmed by Cummins. The vehicle also needs repair of the air conditioning unit. Tom Nehl has provided a quote for a not-to-exceed amount of $31,804.80 for the necessary repairs to the vehicle. Replacement of this vehicle is estimated at $125,000-$150,000, and heavy-duty vehicle availability continues to be a challenge. This item will be funded out of the Systems Pumping & Maintenance Operations budget. This item was presented to the Finance Committee on April 17, 2024.
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract for the repair of SPMD-302 to Tom Nehl Waycross in the not-to-exceed amount of $31,804.80. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
- Dedications of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline
- Grace Crossing Phase 2B – Dedication of Infrastructure
Mr. Kline stated that the Developer of the Grace Crossing single family development described herein, wishes to convey an easement, and dedicate infrastructure. Solid Rock Holdings LLC, Owner of Record of the infrastructure described within has submitted legal documents to: 1) define and execute the transfer of ownership; and, 2) convey an easement for access and maintenance. 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 Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept this project with associated documentation. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Mr. Burroughs provided the Commissioners with a brief update.
COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
The Chairman provided the Commissioners with a brief update.
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 Neal to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:02 p.m.