Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, November 21, 2024
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.
Commission Minutes 11-21-24 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, November 21 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
Chad Strickland, Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director
Charles A. Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel
LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director
Todd Kline, Director of Engineering
David Owens, Director of Finance
Jay Sellers, Director of Administration
Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
Benjamin Alexander – Wastewater Collection System Operator
Danzel Williams – Wastewater Collection System Operator
John Harrison – Wastewater Collection System Operator
Jason Vo – Water Operator Class 3
Commissioner Watson provided the invocation, and Commissioner Strickland 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.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed provided an update on the Facilities Committee Meeting held on November 20, 2024.
Finance Committee – Pro term Committee Chairman Cook provided an update on the Finance Committee Meeting held on November 20, 2024.
APPROVAL
- Minutes from the October 17, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the October 17, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Worker’s Compensation Annual Renewal – Jeffrey Singletary, TSI / Jeffrey Bridges, Turner
Jarrett Bridges provided that three years ago, the JWSC switched from a thirteen (13) year relationship with The Zenith to National Liability & Fire for workers’ compensation insurance. The Zenith experienced significant losses during the 2021-2022 policy year, which led to the premiums from National Liability & Fire being more competitive during the 2022-2023 policy. At last year’s renewal, the JWSC experienced a 2.42% increase in workers compensation premium. For the current policy year, the workers’ compensation premium is $248,777. The experienced mod has risen sharply as it is based upon a 36-month period that includes consecutive significant claims years. On a positive note, for the current policy year to date, total losses are at the lowest point since 2010-2011. Also, the highest loss year will roll off before next year’s renewal, which should yield positive results for the next renewal period. Given the increase in experience mod for the utility, Turner & Associates advised staff that it would be unlikely to receive more competitive pricing from a different carrier. National Liability & Fire provided a quote of $268,148 for the annual renewal ($19,371 above the current year premium). This equates to a 7.79% increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the purchase of workers’ compensation insurance coverage with National Liability & Fire for policy year 2025-2026 in the amount of $268,148. Motion Carried 7-0-0.
- Fiber Optic Sharing Agreement – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs stated that JWSC and Glynn County share a high-speed fiber optic data network which connects our facilities to a data center. This speeds up the transfer of data between systems and eliminates the duplication of services by the County and JWSC. In 2014, a ten-year agreement was entered into concerning this shared fiber optic network. The agreement expires November 25, 2024. At the October 16, 2024, Facilities Committee meeting, the Committee reviewed and recommended approval of this item. Once approved, additional edits were requested by Glynn County upon review by legal counsel.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission renew the fiber optic sharing agreement with the Glynn County Board of Commissioners. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Glynn-Brunswick 911 Services Agreement for External Entities – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs advised that Glynn County and the City of Brunswick established a Joint Public Safety Communications Department (JPSCD) to provide radio coverage for police, fire, and emergency medical services. JWSC purchased a total of ten (10) of these radios in three total purchases in 2015, 2017, and 2021 to utilize during emergency response efforts in the event of loss of cellular service. During this period, the JWSC utilizes the ten (10) 800 MHz radios to be able to communicate with key team members during the event. The attached agreement outlines responsibilities for the JWSC when considering using these radios and provides for a service charge to be paid by the JWSC to Glynn County for their usage. The service charge is $55 per month per radio, or $6,600 annually. This item will be paid from the Admin Services annual operating budget.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into the Glynn-Brunswick 911 Services Agreement with the Glynn County Board of Commissioners. Motion caried 7-0-0.
- Customer Portal for Water Usage Management – L. Roberts
Mrs. Roberts shared with the Committee that in November 2023, the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission completed a systemwide water meter change-out. As part of that project, BGJWSC also implemented a new meter data management system that is a software product from the manufacturer of the new water meters, Neptune Technologies. That product is named Neptune360. Neptune360 is used by BGJWSC staff to upload and download information between our billing system and our meter reading process. It also provides the benefit of allowing all BGJWSC staff to view customer water usage data by month, day, or hour. Neptune360 also has the capability of setting alerts to identify customers’ unusual water usage patterns. However, this data is only available to staff members. So, any notifications to customers of those identified issues must currently occur through a manual process managed by BGJWSC staff. Customers have been extremely appreciative of the current courtesy alerts sent to them by staff. However, numerous customers have expressed an interest in having direct access to the water usage data. That is the purpose of the Neptune My360 software. Implementation of that software will allow customers to set up a portal specific to their account(s) and not only view their usage data, but set alerts related to their usage. It will also allow customers who have multiple accounts to manage all of those water usage accounts with one login, but separate alert parameters. This will result in even more timely and more customized notification to customers of a potential issue, with the accompanying benefits of keeping unintended water usage low and conserving water.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve purchase and implementation of the Neptune My360 Customer Portal and associated staff training at a cost of $36,500. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- 1703 Gloucester Subdivision Plat – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs stated that In June 2021, Glynn County and the JWSC executed an intergovernmental lease agreement with purchase option for the property previously occupied by CVS at 1709 Gloucester Street. The lease agreement was for $5,500 per month with a purchase option for $280,000, with any lease payments made being contributed towards the purchase price. The County and JWSC have been working through the subdivision process as required by the City of Brunswick to finalize the sale of the property. Shupe Surveying was contracted by Glynn County to perform the necessary field work and documentation to subdivide the property. The JWSC retains ownership of 1703 Gloucester (main office) and 1715 Gloucester (annex). Glynn County will purchase 1709 Gloucester (Board of Elections and the parking lot in front of 1709 Gloucester. The generator for 1703 Gloucester will be located on the newly created parcel at 1709 Gloucester. Easements for the generator, access, and parking will be recorded separately. From commencement of the lease agreement, Glynn County has paid $231,500 in monthly lease payments to the JWSC. Through execution of the purchase option, the County will pay the remaining balance of $48,500 to the JWSC.
Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the subdivision plat of 1703 Gloucester Street. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Academy Creek Influent Pumps Purchase – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs stated that The JWSC operates four (4) submersible influent pumps at Academy Creek to pump the wastewater throughout the treatment process. The existing 125 horsepower (hp), 12” Yeomans pumps are obsolete, and parts are not available for rehabbing the existing pumps. The lack of availability of parts was confirmed by both repair shops and a manufacturer’s representative for the Yeomans line of pumps. In September 2023, the Commission approved the purchase of two new (2) Flygt pumps from Xylem Water Solutions. In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, staff requested the purchase of two additional Flygt influent pumps for Academy Creek. At the September 2024 Commission meeting, the Commission approved a contract with BRW Construction to install new bases and guiderails for all four pump slots, with material being provided by Xylem at no cost to the JWSC due to issues matching the new pumps to the existing bases. To maintain consistency among the influent pumps at Academy Creek, staff requested a sole source quote from Xylem Water Solutions for two new 110 hp Flygt pumps. The cost of these two new pumps including shipping is $168,030. This equipment was approved in the capital purchase line item of the FY2025 budget for the Wastewater Treatment division with a budgeted cost of $160,000.
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the purchase of two new Flygt influent pumps at Academy Creek from Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. in the amount of $168,030. Motion carried 7-0-0.
- Dedication of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline
- Vintage Brunswick Apartments – Dedication of Water System and Easement
- Autumns Wood Phase 4 – Dedication of Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Easement
Mr. Kline noted that The Owners of Record of the infrastructure described within have submitted legal documents to: 1) define and execute the transfer of ownership; and, 2) convey easements 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. All requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water & Wastewater System Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met, and all related documents submitted. Staff recommends acceptance and approval of the conveyance of easements and dedications of infrastructure and described herein.
Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept the Vintage Brunswick Apartments project with associated documentation. Motion carried 7-0-0.
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept the Autumns Wood project with associated documentation. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Neal abstained due to association with project.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Mr. Burroughs provided the Commissioners with an update on the Organizational Core Values and where JWSC is today.
COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION
There was no additional discussion.
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
Chairman Turnipseed 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 Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m.