For your consideration please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Commission Meeting Minutes 8-8-19 with Attachments

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

Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission

1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520

Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Steve Copeland, Vice-Chairman

Donald Elliott, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Cornell L. Harvey, Commissioner                            

Bob Duncan, Commissioner

ALSO PRESENT:                 

Andrew Burroughs, Interim Executive Director

Charles Dorminy, Legal Counsel HBS

Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Pam Crosby, Director of Procurement

John D. Donaghy, Director of Finance

Jay Sellers, Director of Administration

Janice Meridith, Exec. Commission Administrator 

ABSENT:                               

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner

MEDIA PRESENT:               

Taylor Cooper, The Brunswick News

Pamela Permar Shierling, The Islander                            

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

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

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

Monica Smith, Unserved Areas – Mrs. Monica Smith commented that she is concerned to see sewer services in the unserved area of Brunswick Villa.  She noted that she has reviewed the Unserved Areas Study recently completed.  Mrs. Smith stated that she is hoping that the Commission will hold a workshop in order to thoroughly review and discuss the information provided by the study, and suggested it could possibly be held over at the Ballard Center which is very convenient to the three areas included in that study.

Mr. Burroughs responded that the study is being reviewed and currently staff is working to get the names and addresses for all of the property owners in those areas so that letter can be sent to see what their interest level is in hooking up to the JWSC System.  Letters should be out to those residents by the end of the month.  Mr. Burroughs added that staff will look at applying those similar methods to other areas, and noted that now unit costs associated with those properties have been obtained, they can be applied to other areas near there or across the county.

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

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION – C. Harvey/C. Barnhart

Dana Michael Read, Jr. – Water Distribution Operator     

Commissioner Harvey presented Dana Michael Read, Jr. with his Water Distribution Operator certificate.  Commissioner Harvey congratulated Mr. Read on his success and wished him well in his future with JWSC. Mr. Read’s supervisor Director of Engineering, Todd Kline and Cindy Barnhart from Teamwork Services were alongside to congratulate Mr. Read in his accomplishment.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Finance Committee – Commissioner Copeland

Next meeting is scheduled for August 21, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Human Resources Committee – D. Elliott

Commissioner Elliott advised that the HR Committee met earlier the same morning.  He noted that the Committee discussed suggested revisions to the HR Policy regarding Emergency Pay and approved this item to be moved forward.  The revisions noted were minor changes.  He noted that Mr. Burroughs presented a salary survey he had prepared using data from AWWA.  Another salary survey will be completed by November.

Emergency Preparedness Committee – C. Harvey for T. Stephens

Commissioner Harvey provided that the Emergency Pay was a discussion item for the meeting held on August 1^st.  Staffing for an emergency event was also discussed.

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the July 11, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

2. Minutes from the July 11, 2019 Executive Session

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2019 Executive Session.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

3. Minutes from the July 25, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Copeland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to approve the minutes from the July 25, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

4. Altama Avenue CIPP Project Approval –A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that this is a project budget request to CIPP repair lines that go underneath Altama Avenue as well as lines that run parallel to Altama Avenue.  The lines crossing under Altama need to be cleaned and TV’d for inspection so they can be repaired.  The lines running parallel to Altama have already been TV’d and identified as to what repairs are needed.  Mr. Burroughs added that the CIPP repair on these lines will be combined in a contract along with the lines at Sea Palms that are in need of repair.  Mr. Burroughs provided a detailed project estimate and very thorough project schedule for the Commissioners to review.

Chairman Turnipseed advised that this project has already been approved by the Facilities and Finance Committees to be moved forward to the full Commission for approval.

Commissioner Harvey made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move to approve project funding in the amount of $625,000.00 for the Altama Avenue CIPP Project.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

5. PS4105 Basin Expansion Project Approval – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that this item was presented to the Facilities Committee on July 11^th and the Finance Committee on July 24^th.   He stated that this is to increase capacity in the Cate Road area for development at Exit 38.  There are currently two unsolicited proposals underway, one for the Bergen Woods Complex and the other for the Saddle Brooke Subdivision.  Mr. Burroughs stated that in discussions with the builders and property owners at the Capital Square area at Exit 38, it was expressed that there is additional need for capacity above the needs for Bergen Woods and Saddle Brooke. This proposed expansion project would increase the capacity by an additional 200 to 300 REU’s on top of the capacity that will be gained from the two unsolicited proposals.  Mr. Burroughs provided that this will include a pump and panel upgrade at the station.  He noted that at the Finance Committee Meeting it was decided to hold off on the proposed reroute of the force main until such time that it is a more pressing need.  The project budget requested was adjusted to not include the upgrade of the force main reroute.  He added that the total project budget funding would be $1,485,000.00 with $1,000,000.00 coming from the R&R Budget and $485,000.00 coming from Capital Improvement Funds.

Chairman Turnipseed advised that this project has already been approved by the Facilities and Finance Committees to be moved forward to the full Commission for approval.

Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve project funding in the amount of $1,485,000.00 for the PS4105/4107 Expansion and Downstream Rehab Project. Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

6. PS4105 Engineering Agreement – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that pursuant to the Project which was just approved (Approval Item #5) the unsolicited proposal for Bergen Woods Development was already looking at the two stations that JWSC was going to upgrade.  The Developer had already started working with Roberts Civil Engineering on that design work.  Staff is looking at Roberts Civil Engineering to perform all the engineering design for the Project.  The engineering work will be done for the force main reroute, and will be held until that construction is actually needed.  Mr. Burroughs noted that the construction administration costs will not include the force main reroute portion.

Chairman Turnipseed advised that this project has already been approved by the Facilities and Finance Committees to be moved forward to the full Commission for approval.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the BGJWSC enter into contract with Roberts Civil Engineering in the amount of $65,000.00 for Engineering Services related to the PS4105/4107 Expansion and Downstream Rehab Project.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

7. Academy Creek Roof Repair– A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented the recommendation to replace the roof at the Academy Creek old DAF building.  He noted that the roof has previously been repaired unsuccessfully and is leaking in the warehouse area.  This request is for the funding only.

Chairman Turnipseed provided that this items was also moved forward to the full Commission by the Facilities and Finance Committees.

Commissioner Harvey made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve project funding in the amount of $300,000.00 for the Academy Creek DAF Building Roof Replacement Project.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.) 

8. Surplus Equipment – P. Crosby

Pam Crosby presented to the Commission a listing of five items of equipment and vehicles that are no longer of any use to the JWSC.  She provided that if these items are declared as surplus they will be placed on GovDeals for sale.  Mrs. Crosby noted that a couple of the items were legacy equipment inherited when the City and County formed the JWSC and have very high mileage or hours on them.

Mr. Burroughs added that all of the operating groups were asked if they had any use for any of these items and there were no areas in which this equipment could be used.  Mrs. Crosby added that checking with all divisions first was a part of the process followed.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to approve the list of items detailed above as surplus.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.) 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs reported that he and Mr. Kline have been working with County staff in streamlining the design review process, and Commissioner Neal has been involved in that process as well since he has the expertise of using that process.  They are also reviewing the inspection processes to ensure there is no overlap and to improve the scheduling of those inspections with the City, County and JWSC combined to ensure that there are not multiple inspections happening.   Mr. Burroughs added that the EDA has offered that for especially large projects that have an Economic Development interest that the EDA will become the project liaison so that there is only one contact for the developer to work with.  He also noted that in the past Commissioner Stephens had expressed concern for bidding out vehicles that are make and model specific and that the most recent purchases are for a Chevrolet and some Dodge models.  Proposals were received for the North Mainland Smoke Testing Project and three proposals were received.  Staff is evaluating the proposals and this recommendation should come before the Facilities Committee at the next meeting.  Mr. Burroughs added that the proposals for the Manhole Rehab Project RFP are due in the next week.  The Uniform RFP should be coming in soon as well.  Official work will begin on the SPLOST North Mainland Downstream Project on Monday of the next week.  Mr. Burroughs provided that Commissioner Stephens had reached out with an entity regarding JWSC investments and staff will be meeting with that resource next week to begin discussions.

Commissioner Elliott inquired if the reflective shirts were included as a part of the Uniform RFP.  Mr. Burroughs provided that it will be looked at, but some of the providers advise that those shirts hold in more heat, but they will be looked at along with the vests.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed advised that regarding sewer to unserved areas will be speaking with the USDA Rural Development concerning possible funding for those areas.  He also provided that staff will be talking with the City and County regarding a possible CDBG Grant to help with funding for those areas.  Chairman Turnipseed then commended all of the Committee Chairmen for the manners in which they conduct their meetings in that it also helps to expedite the Commission meetings, and he commented that they were all doing a great job.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Property & Litigation & Personnel

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to enter into Executive Session to discuss Property, Litigation and Personnel with no vote to be taken.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

Return to Regular Session.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to return to Regular Session.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p.m.