For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Mtg Minutes 3-17-22 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 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Bob Duncan, Vice-Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner

Kendra Rolle, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Jacob Kitchen, HBS Legal Counsel

Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator

Fred McGinty, McGinty Gordon & Associates 

ABSENT:                               

Chad Strickland, Commissioner                                                                                                                                           

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

Commissioner Neal provided the invocation and Commissioner Cook led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

There being no 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 the previous day at 1:00 p.m.  The committee approved the dedication of water infrastructure and easement at the new Glynn County Animal Control facility.  The committee thoroughly discussed a proposed amendment to the Community Road Water & Sewer Engineering Services Contract and tabled that item.  The chairman noted that the Water and Pollution Control Facilities were doing very well and all within permit.  The Capital Projects Report contained excellent photos of various projects. 

Finance Committee – Commissioner Duncan

Committee Chairman Duncan reported that the Finance Committee meeting was held on the previous day at 3:00 p.m. The committee approved the Liability and Property Insurance Coverage Renewal to be forwarded to the full Commission.  The Connection Assistance Policy was discussed and is looked at as a way to facilitate connecting to the System.  The committee looked at capital costs, interest rates, terms of loans, and then voted to defer this item until the April 2022 meeting. Also discussed was the need to consider adjusting rates and how to adjust them as rising costs consume us.  Committee Chairman Duncan closed his update by noting that the revenues are above and the expenses are below budget for the current fiscal year.

Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to amend the agenda and remove items #6 and #7.

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

APPROVAL

1. Liability and Property Insurance Renewal – F. McGinty, McGinty Gordon & Associates

Mr. McGinty presented the approval request for the renewal of the Liability and Property Insurance.  Coverage categories included are: Liability, Crime, Cyber Liability, Property, and Equipment Floater.  McGinty Gordon conducted a review of the insured values, policy coverages, deductibles and claims processed to make any changes that would be more advantageous from either a risk or cost perspective for each coverage category.  No recommendations for changes in coverage have been made as a result of this year’s review. Mr. McGinty provided a detailed listing of all proposed premiums, carriers, limits, and deductibles for the Commissioners’ review.  The summary table provided compared premium increases by coverage type in both dollars and percentages revealed that the largest increase for this next year is in Cyber Liability at a 54.2% increase, with the average increase of all categories at 14.8%.  During the next year, JWSC plans to review its risk profile and possibly consider taking on more risk to attempt a savings, in addition to considering a new appraisal of facilities. 

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve insurance renewal rates for each coverage category and insurer as listed in the attached memo provided by staff.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.) 

2. Minutes from the February 17, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the February 17, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.   (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.) 

3. Declaration of WPD-100 as Surplus Vehicle – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that JWSC staff has determined that WPD-100, a 2005 Ford Explorer, is no longer of use to the mission of the JWSC.  This vehicle has transmission issues and approximately 160,000 miles on it.  As per the FY2022 budget, a new vehicle has replaced this 2005 Ford Explorer.  The director or Procurement will dispose of this property in a manner most beneficial to the JWSC, typically by placing for sale on GovDeals website.  Commissioner Duncan commented that this item was approved by the Finance Committee, and then he made a motion.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the above listed item as surplus to be disposed of in a manner most beneficial to the JWSC.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)

4. Appointment of Auditor for FY2022 Audit – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs recalled that the JWSC issued a request for proposal for Auditing Services and the firm of Mauldin & Jenkins was selected for the initial year ended June 30, 2021 with two option years.  The fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is the final option year.  The audit cost of $19,900.00 is consistent for each of the three years (2021, 2022, and 2023).  Commissioner Duncan commented that this item was approved by the Finance Committee, and then he made a motion. 

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the JWSC engage the accounting firm of Mauldin & Jenkins to perform the financial audit of the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 at a cost of nineteen thousand nine hundred ($19,900.00) dollars.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.) 

5. Dedication of Private Infrastructure w/ Easements – Glynn County Animal Control Facility – T. Kline

Mr. Kline advised that the Glynn County Board of Commissioners wish to convey the water system and water utility easement located at the new Animal Control facility to the JWSC for public ownership.  All requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water & Sewer Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met, and all related documents submitted.

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the described infrastructure and easements for public ownership.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting.)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs thanked the Budget Team for all of their hard work in preparing the FY2023 Budget.  The Budget will be brought forward to the Commission for approval in April.  He also noted his appreciation to the Commissioners.

COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION

There was no further discussion.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed commented that Academy Creek has a lot of work going on and new equipment is functioning well.  Staff will look at improvements within the process.  Dunbar Creek Rehab Project is currently at 30% design completion.  The Chairman thanked Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Kline for all of their work in getting projects completed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no Executive Session

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

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:25 p.m.