Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Harvey Norris, Bob Harris, Wesley Keber & Burt Jones; staff members present were Marcie Seleb & Joyce Hosey; visitors were Bhagu & Tina Patel.
Opening Prayer – Mr. Norris 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 June 30, 2009 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Harris and approved unanimously.
Patel Commercial Property – Bhagu & Tina Patel – Mr. Patel appeared before the Board to continue discussion of water & sewer service to his GA Highway 36 commercial development. After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Norris to waive the requirement for easements for future sewer lines, and to require that water main piping be capped on both sides of the Lamar/Butts County line within the development until such time as all Butts County lots are developed. If service is then desired to Lamar County lots, wholesale water meters will be installed to the Butts Authority’s specifications at the developer’s cost, and both water and sewer service to Lamar County lots will be allowed through the Butts Authority’s system. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously. Mr. White abstained from the vote.
Elect Board Officers for Fiscal Year 2010 – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to nominate J. B. White to continue as Chairman. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
- A motion was made by Mr. Norris to nominate Robert Harris to continue as Vice-Chairman. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
- A motion was made by Mr. Norris nominating Mr. Keber as Secretary – Treasurer. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Award Contract for Riverview Sewer Extension – The board reviewed bids received on the Riverview Business Park Sewer Extension. Pricing ranged from $93,000 to $198,000. The low bidder, Tom Davidson and Sons, is an experienced contractor that has worked with the Authority many times in the past. A motion was made by Mr. Norris to award the contract for the Sanitary Sewer System Extension to serve Riverview Industrial Park to Tom Davidson & Sons for $93,355.26. This was seconded by Mr. Harris and approved unanimously. A copy of the bid tabulation is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Audit Proposal from Haisten & Johnston – Board members reviewed a proposal from Haisten and Johnston for the FY 2009 financial audit. A motion was made by Mr. Harris to enter into an agreement with Haisten & Johnston for the audit at a cost of $4,500. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously. A copy of the proposal is attached and made a part of these minutes.
First National Banker’s Bank – Custodian Agreement – A motion was made by Mr. Jones to execute a custodian agreement with First National Bankers Bank. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and passed unanimously. The First National Bankers Bank will handle the Authority’s pledged funds for McIntosh State Bank since the Silverton Bank (formerly the Georgia Banker’s Bank) ceased its operation.
Middle Ocmulgee Water Plan – Population Projections Comment – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the population projections for the Middle Ocmulgee Water Plan, prepared by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, are extremely low. The Carl Vinson projections currently show Butts County growing by only 6,000 persons by the year 2050. Similar low projections have been shown for non-urban areas across the State.
Board members asked Ms. Seleb to submit comments on behalf of the Authority, calling particular attention to projections made in 2003 for the Authority’s 50-Year Master Plan. The Carl Vinson projections for all counties in the Middle Ocmulgee basin are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Manager’s Report
Transmission Main Winds Down – The 20-inch Transmission Main project is ready to close. The Authority owes the contractor, Sweetgrass, $8,000 and the engineer, Carter & Sloope, $5,000. Total cost of the project (including engineering, materials, and labor) was $1,382,661, some $78,000 under budget. The Authority assessed $24,000 in liquidated damages from Sweetgrass because the project went well over the allowed completion time.
Update on Construction Projects
- Higgins Road – The crew has hit rock on Higgins Road. The project is on a temporary hold until a blasting contractor can be brought on site.
- Hamm Road – The Hamm Road extension is complete and ready to serve customers.
- The crew will start work on the West Ball Road extension as soon as the Higgins Road project is completed.
Operation Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over the water and sewer statistics for the month of June 2009. Water billing was up from the previous month at $198,303, with an active customer base of 5,166. Sewer billing for the month was also up from the previous month at $26,694 with an active customer base of 126.
The average daily water pumped to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Ocmulgee and Stewart plants were 2.4, with maximum of 3.1 MGD. The rolling 12-month averages loss of 16.6%. The total amount of water pumped in June 2009 per plant was: Ocmulgee – 67 MG; Stewart – 6 MG. The average wastewater sprayed at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .158/.550 MGD with a maximum 7-day effluent of .213/.550 MGD.
A copy of these statistics is attached and made a part of these minutes.
GPS Vehicle Tracking – Ms. Seleb reported that the Authority’s vehicles have been equipped with a GPS system that tracks equipment use time, location and speed. The cost for this Internet- based system is $18 per vehicle per month with no contract and no hardware or software expense.
Towaliga TMDL Tier 2 Plan – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the Two Rivers Regional Development Center (RDC) is developing a plan to address higher-than-standard fecal coliform bacteria counts in the Towaliga River from Indian Creek to High Falls in Butts County.
While this study seems to parallels the work that is being done in the Towaliga Watershed Assessment, it is initiated as a response to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 303d listing of impaired streams. The watershed assessment is required by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division as part of the requirements for a wastewater permit.
Plan for Reinvesting Maturing Certificates of Deposit – Most of the Authority’s certificates of deposit come due on Augusta 8, 2009. Board members advised Ms. Seleb to seek quotes from the local banks. Individual board members will also try to generate interest through connections with out of town banks.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through June 2009. 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 and credit card statements for the month of June 2009. A copy of the check registers is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Morris to adjourn meeting at 7:50 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.