For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Minutes 1-19-23 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, January 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Chad Strickland, Commissioner

Clayton Watson, 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

Frances Wilson, Accounting Manager

Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator 

ABSENT:                               

Kendra Rolle, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Vice-Chairman 

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.

COMMISSIONERS’ SWEARING-IN CEREMONY – The Honorable Judge Debra Godwin Duncan

Wayne Neal, Commissioner 2023-2024 (Glynn County Commission Appointed 3^rd Term)

Clayton B. Watson, Commissioner 2023-2026 (Elected Post 2) 

RECEPTION 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to reappoint Chairman Turnipseed as Chairman for 2022.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.) 

Chairman Turnipseed made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to appoint Commissioner Stephens as Vice-Chairman for 2022. Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.) 

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Chairman Turnipseed announced the following appointments for the 2023 Committees: 

Facilities Committee –

Committee Chairman: Chairman Turnipseed

Members: Commissioner Stephens, Commissioner Cook, Andrew Burroughs

Finance Committee –

Committee Chairman: Commissioner Stephens

Members: Commissioner Cook, Commissioner Watson, Andrew Burroughs

Communications Committee –

Committee Chairman: Commissioner Cook

Members: Commissioner Stephens, Commissioner Rolle, Andrew Burroughs

Economics Committee –

Committee Chairman: Commissioner Rolle

Members: Commissioner Neal, Commissioner Stephens, Andrew Burroughs

Human Resources Committee –

Committee Chairman: Commissioner Cook

Members: Commissioner Strickland, Commissioner Watson, Andrew Burroughs

Legislative Committee –

Committee Chairman: Commissioner Neal

Members:  Commissioner Watson, Commissioner Rolle, Charlie Dorminy, Andrew Burroughs

Emergency Preparedness Committee –

Committee Chairman:  Commissioner Strickland

Members: Commissioner Strickland, Commissioner Rolle, Andrew Burroughs

Chairman Turnipseed stated that the Facilities and Finance Committees will regularly one time each month.  The other committees will meet on an as-needed basis.   

EXCUSED FROM MEETING

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to excuse Commissioner Rolle from the meeting.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.)

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to excuse Commissioner Stephens from the meeting.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.) 

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the December 15, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to approve the minutes from the December 15, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioner Stephens and Rolle were absent.)

2. Minutes from the December 15, 2022 Executive Session

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to approve the minutes from the December 15, 2022 Executive Session.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.) 

3. Infrastructure and Easement Dedications – T. Kline

• Capital Square Road Extension – Dedication of Water Infrastructure
• George Lotson Sewer Extension – Dedication of Sewer Infrastructure and Sewer Easement
• Zellwood Drive Sewer Extension – Dedication of Sewer Infrastructure

Mr. Kline recalled for the Commissioners that JWSC Standards for Water and Sewer Design and Development Procedures support the acceptance of privately constructed water and wastewater systems as public infrastructure when specific conditions are met.  The Owners of Record have submitted legal documents to: 1) define and execute the transfer of ownership; and, 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.  Further, Mr. Kline noted that staff recommends acceptance and approval of the described water and sewer infrastructure, and easement as presented.

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve these projects with associated Dedications and Easement.  Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.)

4. Banking, Merchant, & Banking Services – Contract Award – D. Owens

Mr. Owens provided that the RFP for Banking, Merchant and Investment Services was released on December 1^st.  He noted that currently Truist, Inc., provides Banking and Merchant Services and Synovus, Inc. provides Investment Services. Out of the six firms attending the pre-proposal meeting four firms provided proposals in the three service categories. A cross-functional team of four JWSC Finance staff members interviewed the proposers and RFP evaluations.  The proposal submitted by Synovus was found to be the most beneficial in all three service categories to the JWSC.  Mr. Owens noted that staff recommends award to Synovus for Banking, Merchant, and Investment Services. He also provided the important factors for this decision for each of the categories: Banking, Merchant, and Investment Services.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the award of Banking, Merchant and Investment Services to Synovus, Inc. and authorize the Executive Director to execute the services agreement.

General discussion included notation that: the banking and merchant services fees with Synovus are comparable to what JWSC pays Truist now; this is an all-electronic venue; there should be no effects to the customer base with the changes; and that the Resolution should be brought before the Commission at next month’s meeting with the implementation in April 2023.

Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.)

DISCUSSION

1. Financial Statements December 31, 2022 – D. Owens

Mr. Owens presented the financial statement for the month ending December 31, 2022.  He reviewed the Balance Sheet noting the Current Assets and Current Liabilities and briefed the Commissioners on the Combined Revenue Statement.  The various Operating Revenues accounts were noted, and details on the Summary of Revenues and Summary of Expenses were highlighted.  Mr. Owens briefly reviewed line items on the Cash Balances and the Project Report, as well as providing an update on Investments.  The financial statements are normally presented in the Finance Committee meeting however it was desired to give a brief update for the full Commission. 

2. Capital Project Report – T. Kline / A. Burroughs

Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs presented an abbreviated update on the December Monthly Project Report for Capital Projects.  The report includes projects in the engineering phase and those in construction.  The Commissioners were provided with a packet containing: the Capital Project Photographs and the Capital Project Report Spreadsheet.  This report normally includes the Capital Project Gantt Chart of project timelines and the Earned Value Analysis Report and is usually presented to the Facilities Committee at their monthly meetings.  Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs briefly presented the update by highlighting details for each project along with excellent project photographs. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs advised that the Georgia Economic Outlook Meeting will be held on Jekyll Island on February 8^th. He stated that he is looking forward to the new year and to accomplishing the goals for 2023.

COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION

There was no additional discussion at this time.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed commented that the group had a good retreat and planning meeting the day before. All commissioners were reminded that they are welcome to attend any and all committee meetings. The Chairman also welcomed Commissioner Clayton Watson to the JWSC.

EXECUTIVE SESSION- Personnel

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to enter Executive Session to discuss Personnel.  Motion carried 5-0-2. Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.)

Return to Regular Session 

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to return to Regular Session.  Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.) 

Amendment to Executive Director’s Retirement Plan

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve funding the Supplemental Executive Director’s Retirement Plan in the amount of ten percent (10%) of last year’s annual compensation. Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.) 

ADJOURN

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioners Stephens and Rolle were absent.)

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:23 p.m.