Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Mitch McEwen, Harvey Norris, Bob Harris and Wesley Keber; staff members were Marcie Seleb and Joyce Hosey.
Opening Prayer – Mr. McEwen opened the meeting with a prayer.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings – Mr. Harris made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the July 17, 2008 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Election of Board Officers – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to keep J. B. White as Chairman. This was seconded by Mr. Harris and approved unanimously.
- A motion was made by Mr. McEwen nominating Robert Harris as Vice – Chairman. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
- A motion was made by Mr. Norris to keep Mitch McEwen as Secretary – Treasurer. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Review Bids for Zero Turn Mower – A motion was made by Mr. McEwen to purchase a Grasshopper Zero Turn Mower from Stananco at the state contract price of $6,966.67. This was seconded by Mr. Harris and approved unanimously. Price quotes are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Manager’s Report
Construction Update
- Hwy 36/16 Transmission Main – All 1800 lf of pipe installed in the wrong area has been moved and the contractor is now laying pipe in the back 5 feet and are removing trees as needed. Sweetgrass is asking for an additional 40 days on the contract. The job is ready for blasting, but Georgia Power has not given its approval.
- A motion was made by Mr. Harris to grant the additional 40 days as requested by Sweetgrass. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
- Hwy 36 Pump Station Issues – The Authority crew and the Jackson City crew have replaced the city valve that allowed water to flow back into Jackson from the Hwy 36 Pump Station. Ms. Seleb advised that the altitude valve on Jackson’s Hwy 36 elevated tank is not closing and overflows for a period of time every day. A chart showing overflow over the past sixty days is attached and made a part of these minutes. The Authority will offer its assistance to repair or replace this valve. The percentage of water loss was down this month from 18.7% to 4.2%.
- The Authority is also working to resolve problems with its altitude valve at the ground storage tank and the chlorine booster station also at this site.
- Kinard Mill/Ridgeway – The crew is working on Colwell Road to Towaliga River stretch of Kinard Mill Road.
- Pineview Lines Upgrade – The crew will be returning to the Pineview subdivision to repair driveways next week.
Regional Water Planning Council Nominees – The proposed Regional Water Planning Council nominees are Marcie Seleb, Harvey Norris, Lou Dufresne and Robert Harris.
Contract with Lamar County Water & Sewer Authority (LCWSA) – The LCWSA has executed the contract developed with our Authority for water and sewer service to the Butts County Industrial Development Authority property off of Short Road. This agreement makes reference to a specific project as laid out in 2006. Ms. Seleb recommends that the Authority agree in concept, but advises to hold off on the execution of the document until the project layout is made clear. The proposed agreement is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Operation Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over the water and sewer statistics for the month of July 2008. Water billing was up over 30% for the month at $211,391, with an active customer base of 5,075. Sewer billing for the month was $24,463 with an active customer base of 125.
The average daily water pumped to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Ocmulgee and Stewart plants were 2.37 MGD, with maximum of 2.65 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss of 13.7%. The total amount of water pumped in July 2008 per plant was: Ocmulgee – 64 MG; Stewart – 10 MG. The average wastewater sprayed at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .197/.550 MGD with a maximum 7-day effluent of .283/.550 MGD. A copy of these statistics are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Trackhoe Lease Expired – Keep or Sell? – The lease on the Authority’s 2005 CAT 315CL excavator expired in July. CAT finance debited the Authority’s bank account for the final balloon payment of $61,833.60. This transfers ownership to the Authority.
Yancey Brothers, the local sales distributor, has offered to honor a buy-back of the unit for $60,800. Based upon a review of similar used units for sale, it is estimated that the 2005 unit is worth close to $90,000.
Yancey Brothers has offered the Authority a lease on a 2008 315CL excavator. The unit is priced at $116,591. Monthly payments on the 36-month lease would be $1,777.51 with a balloon of $62,000 due at the end of the lease. Again, Yancey Brothers is offering to buy back the unit for $62,000 at the end of the lease.
A motion was made by Mr. McEwen to go forward with the lease of new CAT 315CL excavator, to keep the excavator that the Authority has for the time being, and sell it by offering it for bid at a later date. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Staff Placed on Medical Leave – Temporary Hires – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Robbie Swearingen and Howard Morgan have been placed on medical leave due to extended illnesses. She has hired Jamie Walker and Michael Watts as temporary help until their return.
Audit – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to enter into an agreement with Haisten & Johnston for the Fiscal Year 2008 audit at a cost of $4,500. This was seconded by Mr. Harris and approved unanimously.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through July 2008. She also presented a spending analysis of Water and Sewer Capital Recovery Fees. A copy of these reports, along with combined balance sheets and income statements for July 2008, is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers for the month of July 2008. A copy of the check registers is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. McEwen to adjourn meeting at 7:25 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.