Call to Order – Vice Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were Bob Harris, Mitch McEwen, Harvey Norris, and Wesley Keber; staff members present were Marcie Seleb & Joyce Hosey.
Opening Prayer – Mr. McEwen opened the meeting with a prayer.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings – Mr. Keber made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the January 13, 2009 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. McEwen and approved unanimously.
Amendment to VanMar Industrial Park Water Agreement with Lamar County Water & Sewer Authority – A motion was made by Mr. Keber to accept the VanMar water agreement as written. This was seconded by Mr. McEwen and approved unanimously.
Request for Amended Service at Hwy. 36 Business Park – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Bhagu Patel is requesting sewer service on lots in Lamar County. Review of the project shows a need to revise and approve both water and sewer plans which were not previously approved. Also to be worked out is how to provide water service to the Lamar County portion of the project. A motion was made by Mr. McEwen to table any action until the Authority’s next meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
A copy of this request and a map of the site is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Manager’s Report
Tank Painting – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the elevated tank on Hwy. 16 is being painted. With the Hwy. 16 tank out of service, the system has to rely on the much smaller Jenkinsburg tank to equalize pressure in the west pressure zone.
There have been pressure complaints during the tank’s down time, primarily from the High Falls Road area. Ms. Seleb went on to advise the Board that there were three related main breaks – two on Hwy. 36 West in Jackson and one on High Falls Road at Dean Patrick Road. This underlines the need for second large elevated tank in West Butts.
The tank should be back online by Monday, February 16, 2009.
Tap Sales Progress
- Higgins Road – Property owners have purchased 12 of the 15 requested with a deadline of December 27, 2008. A request has been made by residents to extend the deadline to February 28, 2009. A total of 15 is needed for this project to meet the 10 taps per mile rule. Board members agreed to extend the deadline to the end of February.
- Hamm Road – Property owners have purchased 5 of the 5 requested. A total of 5 was needed for this project to meet the 10 taps per mile rule. Ms. Seleb asked Ingram & Associates to provide a cost estate for with engineering on this project. This will be a complex project due to the need to obtain easements and to avoid existing septic systems in the area.
- West Ball Road – Property owners have purchased 6 of the 7 needed with a deadline of February 6, 2009.
- Tom Goddard Road – Property owners have purchased 4 of the 11 requested needed with a deadline of February 6, 2009. A total of 9 is needed for this project to meet the 10 taps per mile rule.
Production Comparison – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the loss in “development – related” work appears to be made up for with higher production in our main installations. A table comparing distribution crew production numbers for the past three years is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Transmission Main – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the transmission main is installed and connected, but filling and pressure tests must be performed and the known leaks need to be repaired.
Construction Schedule
- Fox Drive – The Fox Drive extension is complete.
- Crew – The crew will be busy with miscellaneous taps on Kinard Mill / Ridgeway Road; meter change outs; hydrant tagging; valve exercising; beaver control at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS; additional drains at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS.
- Colwell Road – Ms. Seleb reminded the board that plans have been completed for the Colwell Road interconnection main. This project might be considered for in-house installation in lieu of other projects if tap sales on previously discussed projects fall short.
- Jackson Lake Estates – Ms. Seleb also noted that plans for Jackson Lake Estates, a manufactured housing development, are being reviewed as a potential development project.
Operation Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over the water and sewer statistics for the month of January 2009. Water billing was up for the month at $195,907, with an active customer base of 5,142. Sewer billing for the month was up for the month at $32,182 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 1.9 MGD, with maximum of 2.2 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss of 14.3%. The total amount of water pumped in January 2009 per plant was: Ocmulgee – 55 MG; Stewart – 6 MG. The average wastewater sprayed at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .176/.550 MGD with a maximum 7-day effluent of .249/.550 MGD.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through January 2009. This was the largest water billing ever for January and the best sewer billing ever for any month. Usage is up for the Ready Pak salad plant and the Georgia Diagnostic Prison. Several added days in the billing cycle also contributed to the larger usage figures.
Despite the encouraging figures for January, the Authority is still several percentage points behind where it should be on revenue for the fiscal year. A copy of the financial summaries, as well as combined balance sheets and income statements are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers for the month of January 2009. A copy of the check registers is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn meeting at 7:15 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.