For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Minutes 9-15-22 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, September 15, 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

Chad Strickland, 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

Jay Sellers, Director of Administration

Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator 

ABSENT:                               

Kendra Rolle, Commissioner 

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

Chairman Turnipseed provided the invocation and Commissioner Stephens 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

Chairman Turnipseed reported that the Facilities Committee had met the previous day at 1:00 p.m.  The committee approved contracts for As-Needed Electrical Services, FY2023 Water Quality Monitoring renewal, HVAC for Academy Creek Warehouse, and three Dedications.  The committee also deferred a change order until the next meeting.  The Water Production Report and WPCF Plant Flows Report both indicated that operations are doing a great job and the facilities are producing very well.  There are some utilities that have only one well and when that well goes down there is no other source of water for the community.  JWSC is very fortunate to have our well system with multiple sources of water.  The Chairman noted that the Capital Projects Report indicated JWSC has 33 projects in progress, and he commended the staff for their hard work on these 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 reviewed and approved items two, three, four and five on today’s agenda.  The Financial Report looked good and indicated that JWSC remains in a strong financial position.  Sales are above goal or budget, and the net of sales and operations are ahead.  Discussion was had regarding the subject of retention bonuses and the committee is continuing to review. There was also a light discussion on additional funding for the pension fund.

Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to excuse Commissioner Rolle from the meeting due to out of town business.

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to excuse Commissioner Rolle from this Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the August 18, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to approve the minutes from the August 18, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

2. Contract Award – As-Needed Electrical Services – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that JWSC has a consistent need for electrical maintenance to occur at water pollution control facilities, pump stations, and water production facilities. Some jobs require significant time commitment that prevents our skilled staff from performing other needed tasks.  Being able to devote one key staff member to these jobs and provide skilled outside labor to assist with these larger jobs will be beneficial for the overall maintenance needs of the organization.  A recent example was a failure with our SCADA system and rather than devoting three key JWSC staff members for the repair, JAM made those repairs.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission authorize not-to-exceed budgets to JAM Electric Co., Inc. for as-needed labor only electrical services in the amount of $60,000.00.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

3. Contract Award – FY2023 Long-Term Water Quality Monitoring – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs stated that JWSC is required by NPDES permit to maintain a watershed protection plan (WPP) for each of the JWSC-operated water pollution control facilities (WPCF).  The plans require both dry and wet weather sampling at multiple upstream and downstream locations throughout the watershed that each plant discharges into.  The plans require quarterly dry and wet weather sampling plus additional metals and bacterial sampling.  Samples are taken from 7 locations in the Academy Creek watershed, 3 locations in the Dunbar Creek watershed, and 2 locations in the South Port watershed.  The cost for each WPCF is:  Academy Creek $43,500, Dunbar Creek $14,678, and South Port $14,348 for a total cost of $72,526. Mr. Burroughs added that a long-term relationship has been had between Integrated Science and JWSC including years before JWSC was formed.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve a contract award to Integrated Science & Engineering for the Fiscal Year 2023 Watershed Protection Plan in the amount of $72,526.00.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

4. HVAC Replacement Academy Creek Warehouse – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs advised that as part of the FY2023 Capital Projects Plan, funds were budgeted to make improvements to JWSC facilities.  Improvements are to be made to the Academy Creek warehouse, the Harrington warehouse, and the Administration Building through several small contracts.  The warehouse at Academy Creek includes large concrete bays where materials are stored and an open area where Purchasing staff members have desks to complete administrative tasks.  This structure does not have adequate temperature control for staff, which is especially prevalent in the summer and winter months.  Staff obtained quotes (as provided on bid tab) from three providers to install two 5-ton units on the structure to correct this issue.  The sizing of the units is in line with architectural designs completed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood as part of the Academy Creek WPCF Rehab project.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve a contract award to Hall Heating and Air, Inc. in the amount of $23,186 for HVAC installation at the Academy Creek Warehouse and approve a contract award to Charlton Electric for electrical improvements necessary to facilitate HVAC installation in the amount of $5,200.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

5. Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Agreement Renewal – D. Owens

Mr. Owens recalled that JWSC had previously entered into an agreement to participate in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) with the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services and local Community Action Agencies.  The current contract expires on September 30, 2022, and contains a clause for an optional, not automatic, renewal for an additional one-year term.  Mr. Owens provided that 736 JWSC customers have received a total of $320,899.56 in assistance, which averages to about $436.00 each household.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Agreement with the Georgia Department of Human Services.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

6. Infrastructure and Easement Dedications – T. Kline

• Avondale Phase 3 – Water Infrastructure Dedication
• The Park at Village Creek – Infrastructure Dedication & Easement
• Arco Utility Easement

Mr. Kline presented the request for acceptance of the Water Infrastructure at Avondale Phase 3, the infrastructure and easement at The Park at Village Creek, and the Arco Utility Easement.  The Owner of Record for each portion of the infrastructure and easement as described within has submitted legal documents to: 1) define and execute the transfer of ownership; and, 2) convey an easement for access and maintenance.  All requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water & Sewer Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met, and all related documents submitted. Staff recommends acceptance and approval of the described water infrastructure and sewer easement.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve these projects with associated Dedications and Easement.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.) 

7. Change Order No. 1 – Arco Water & Sewer Improvements Project – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs stated that this item was deferred by the Facilities and Finance Committees until their next scheduled meetings.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that item 7 be deferred until the next scheduled Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs stated that there will be one bid and one proposal for the next Commission Meeting.  The planned rehab for the elevated tanks at Glynn Place Mall and Oglethorpe on St. Simons Island will make those much like the Prince Street tank in Brunswick.  The engineering for the extension of the gravity sewer to Brunswick Villa area will be received also.  The City of Brunswick, Glynn County and JWSC will be holding a town hall on St. Simons Island on September 21 from 5 to 7 pm.

COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION

There was no further discussion requested.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed announced that Mr. Burroughs has been with JWSC for five years on this day and congratulated him with warm wishes for many more years with the organization.  The Chairman stated that JWSC is going in the right direction.

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

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2:24 p.m.