For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Commission Meeting Minutes 6-20-19 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, June 20, 2019 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Steve Copeland, Vice-Chairman

Donald Elliott, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner

Cornell L. Harvey, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Bob Duncan, Commissioner

ALSO PRESENT:                 

Andrew Burroughs, Interim Executive Director

Charlie 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

MEDIA PRESENT:               

Taylor Cooper, The Brunswick News

Pamela Permar Shierling, The Islander

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

Commissioner Neal provided the invocation and Commissioner Elliott led the pledge.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

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

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION – C. Harvey / T. Kline

            Haresh G. Patel – Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification

Todd Kline complimented Haresh Patel on his efforts and success in obtaining his Wastewater Collection System Operator License and noted that this is a divisional goal for the staff in the Planning and Construction Department.  Commissioner Harvey congratulated Mr. Patel and presented him with his certificate.  Commissioner Harvey commented on his appreciation for Mr. Patel being an engineer and for having accomplished earning an operations license.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed

Chairman Turnipseed stated that the Facilities Committee had met on the previous day.  Approval items recommended for forwarding to the full Commission included SR27 Resurfacing Contract with Georgia DOT, Mainland Smoke Testing Project budget approval, and the SPLOST 2016 CIPP contract award.  Discussion items included plant flows at the wastewater plants and the project report.

Finance Committee – Commissioner Copeland

Commissioner Copeland advised that the Finance Committee had met on the previous day.  He provided that the main approval item recommended for forwarding to the full Commission was the FY2019-2020 Rate Resolution.  Commissioner Copeland also noted that there were no increases on the monthly billing, and a 5/8 inch meter size was added which gives the customers a more cost effective means of metering.  The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on July 24, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Human Resources Committee – Commissioner Elliott

Commissioner Elliott advised that the Human Resources Committee had met earlier that same morning.  After approval of the previous meeting minutes, the committee entered into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the June 6, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Copeland to approve the minutes from the June 6, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

2. Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Rate Resolution Approval – L. Roberts

LaDonnah Roberts provided a brief history of the Rate Resolution document and recalled that on April 18, 2019 the FY2020 Budget was brought before the Commission for approval.  She noted that there were five budgetary goals that staff considered when preparing the budget, of which “To raise the level of professionalism in project execution and service provision” and “To improve our customer service” were the two most heavily weighted.  During the discussions on the budget, staff determined that there would not be an increase to the monthly billing.  The 5/8 inch size meter was added which provides a more cost effective solution to customers for metering. The Fees Schedules were also simplified and clarified related to the administrative and operating fees as well as the planning and construction fees, with many of those fees either remaining at the same level, being reduced, or eliminated.  Mrs. Roberts also provided that under “Delinquent Account Fees” in Appendix “A” a statement is now included advising that “Late fees will not be charged while an account has active payment arrangements,” which will offer those customers an opportunity have a more manageable balance on those accounts.

Commissioner Copeland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to move that the Joint Water and Sewer Commission accept the Rate Resolution for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

3. SR27 Resurfacing Contract Agreement – A. Burroughs

Chairman Turnipseed advised that this is an agreement with the Georgia DOT for raising and then lowering the manholes for the paving of Highway 341 from Yellow Bluff Creek down to Highway 17.  The initial cost estimate was $77,250.00 however the actual bid cost is $101,928.59 resulting in a budget increase of $24,678.59.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the Brunswick- Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission amend the SR27 Resurfacing Project funding to a total amount of $102,000.00.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

4. Mainland Smoke Testing Project – A. Burroughs

Chairman Turnipseed advised that the Mainland Smoke Testing Project Budget approval request was presented to the Facilities Committee on the previous day and was approved to be moved forward to the full Commission.  He noted that this project will be the same as was done on St. Simons Island, with the exception of flow monitoring which will not be done on the mainland project.  Staff was able to use the pump run times to determine which basins are the most critical on the mainland to do the smoke testing on.  The budget request is in the amount of $325,000.00.

Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move that the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve project funding in the amount of $325,000.00 for the Mainland Smoke Testing Project.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

5. SPLOST 2016 North Mainland CIPP Contract Award – A. Burroughs

Andrew Burroughs advised that as part of the North Mainland reroute the plan is to utilize some existing gravity sewer downstream where there are concerns about the condition and needs to be lined to provide structural integrity and to eliminate some I&I in the area.  He noted there are some existing manholes that need attention as well.  Staff placed a bid request for repair by Cured In Place Piping (CIPP) of approximately 7,800 feet of 30 inch concrete pipe and 425 feet of 42 inch concrete pipe and to rehab 70 manholes.  Mr. Burroughs mentioned that there were 5 bids received with the lowest bid provided by IPR Southeast, LLC.  He added that upon review of their pricing it was what was expected for the cost, and Thomas & Hutton the engineers for the project recommended the contract be awarded to IPR Southeast, LLC.  The work on this project is expected to begin no later than August 1, 2019 given the recent issues on that line which has caused some problems, and duration is 120 days from start to finish of the project.

Commissioner Copeland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the JWSC approve the award of a contract to IPR Southeast, LLC in the amount of $2,550,519.00 for CIPP sewer main gravity and manhole repairs as part of the 2016 SPLOST North Mainland Project.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

6. Sludge Hauling Truck Purchase – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs recalled for the Commission that a couple of months prior staff requested funding to purchase the equipment for JWSC to haul the sludge from the three treatment facilities directly to the landfill.  Currently this is being handled by a third party and staff sees a huge opportunity for a substantial savings.  A bid request was placed and seven bids were received including the lead times which were included in the analysis due to the extra costs of approximately $10,000.00 per month for third party hauling.  After analysis of price and lead time, staff determined the most cost effective purchase would be from Rush Truck Center at the cost of $164,664.00 with a three week lead time.  Delivery is expected in July, 2019.

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to move that the Brunswick Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission award the purchase of one (1) Sludge Roll-Off Truck to Rush Truck Center in the amount of $164,664.00.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

Financial Policy – J. Donaghy

John Donaghy provided a brief history of the JWSC Financial Policy.  He noted that in preparation for a new bond issue and review by credit rating agencies the JWSC Commissioners, staff and Davenport & Company (Financial Advisors) identified several suggested revisions and additions to the policy.

Commissioner Copeland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to move that the Brunswick Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission accept the Financial Policy as revised.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs reported that the town hall meetings were held the previous week at the St. Simons Island Casino and at Howard Coffin Park in Brunswick.  One of the questions asked by customers was about the auto-drafting for bill payments and Mr. Burroughs noted that this is being researched and is expected to be available in the near future.  Ten staff members, including him, attended Project Management Training the previous week.  Mr. Burroughs, John Donaghy and LaDonnah Roberts toured the warehouse and inventory areas also, and it was noted that the auditors will be pleased with the improvements and accomplishments that Pam Crosby and her staff have made in those areas.  He complimented the staff’s efforts, organization and progress with the warehouse and inventory.  Mr. Burroughs provided that with the approval of the smoke testing funding on the mainland, the RFP for the smoke testing project will be advertised the next week.  He gave a brief reminder that the GAWP Conference in Savannah will be in the next month and advised that the annual Safety Stand Down Day will be held on July 31^st.   As a final note, Mr. Burroughs reiterated to the customer that are on payment plans that beginning July 1, 2019 there will be no late payment fees added to their accounts.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed complimented Mr. Burroughs on the great job he did at the town hall meetings and noted his appreciation.

Commissioner Copeland requested to thank the Interim Executive Director and the financial staff for their hard work in getting the FY2020 Budget and the Rate Resolution together, and noted his appreciation for their support and work to get that done.  Commissioner Copeland added that with the prices of everything going up these days, our constituents should know that the Commissioners and the staff have all worked hard to keep the rates down and there were no rate increases for this year.  He commented that not only are the rates stable but there was another addition made (5/8” meter size) to help the customers receive even lower rates.  He also noted there were other reductions made within the fees and charges, along with an improvement in the quality of the construction program and with project management.

Chairman Turnipseed provided that the pump station by Sonic on Altama Avenue is currently being upgraded and work should be in progress very soon.  He also noted that some of the sewer lines that run under Altama Avenue will be rehabilitated and that work should begin soon as well.  The chairman mentioned that staff is looking at the scheduling of the water line and sewer line replacements in the Sea Palms community.  He provided that at the next Facilities Committee meeting a report on the provision of water and sewer services to unserved areas will be presented.

Commissioner Harvey inquired about the smoke testing that had been done on St. Simons Island and asked Mr. Burroughs how those issues that were revealed will be addressed.  Mr. Burroughs provided that a list has been accumulated of the defects found on the JWSC side of the system and progress is being made to correct those, as well as coordination that be made with the County on a few of the larger issues discovered with the storm drains and that work will be prioritized.  He also noted that for the issues found on the customers’ side of the system, letters will be sent to those customers informing them of what needs to be done and follow-up phone calls will be made to be sure they understand.  Commissioner Harvey further inquired as to how long it should take to address the defects found on the JWSC side of the system, and Mr. Burroughs advised expectations are for corrections to be made by this fall.

Commissioner Neal questioned if the issues found on the customers’ side were mostly minor, and Mr. Burroughs provided that most of those issues were broken clean-outs and that customers will be requested by letter to have that done within 90 days, and customers with concerns about being able to do that should come to the office to discuss.  Commissioner Neal then asked after all corrections are made on both sides of the system, how much of a positive impact will be made at Dunbar Creek.  Mr. Burroughs then provided an explanation of the plant flows during certain times and scenarios, and stated that it is possible with the improvements to make a positive impact of about a quarter of a million gallons or more off of the average flows.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no Executive Session.

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:31 p.m.