Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Harvey Norris, Eddie Roberts, Jr., Burt Jones, & Eddie Ford; citizens present were Mr. & Mrs. James Dahlin; staff members present were Marcie Seleb, general manager, and Joyce Hosey, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from March 8, 2016 Meeting – Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of and to approve the minutes from the March 8, 2016 meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Engineer for Delegated Authority Reviews – A motion was made by Mr. Jones to name Lorraine Campagne of Engineered Horizons, as the engineer on record to perform reviews of minor extensions under the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s regulations for Delegated Authority. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Love’s – Request for Extension to New Mechanical Building – A motion was made by Mr. Roberts to install the six-inch water main extension to Love’s New Maintenance Barn with Love’s paying for one-hundred percent of the cost of the extension. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Review Prison Well System Plan – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to require the Georgia Department of Corrections to install a 12″ reduced pressure zone backflow preventer to protect the Authority’s system from backflow when the Georgia Diagnostic Prison begins using its on well to supplement pubic water supply. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Master Meter Tests Report – Ms. Seleb reported to the Board that Water Systems Optimization, Inc. has tested the finished water meters at the Stewart and Burford Water Treatment Plants as part of a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority grant. It was found that the Burford Water Plant meter was reading five-percent high, meaning that system-wide water loss is approximately 4.5% lower than previously thought.
Manager’s Report
Construction
- Bucksnort Land Application System (LAS) – The Authority’s crew is waiting on the extended reach backhoe to complete the repair of the Harkness Road pond.
- West Butts Tank – The tank is in service. Staff is working to optimize the fill cycle with the Highway 16 elevated tank.
- Brownlee Road/Nathan Thaxton Road/East Ball Road – Work has begun on rock blasting on Nathan Thaxton Road between Georgia Hwy. 36 and Sandy Creek. Progress has been seen in obtaining easements for East Ball Road.
- Hwy. 36 Aeration/Mixing System – The aeration and mixing system has been installed at Hwy. 36 and has been operational since April 27, 2016. The monitoring system shows preliminary trihalomethane reduction of roughly fifty-percent.
Operations
Water & Sewer Statistics – Water and sewer pumping and billing numbers for the month of December were reviewed.
Hydrant Move Request – A motion was made by Mr. Jones to move the existing hydrant within a thirty-foot roadway frontage on Lee Maddox Road at no cost to Mr. and Mrs. James Dahlin. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Possible Earned Incentive Plan (EIP) Project for Ready Pac Ground Storage Tank – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that there is a possibility that an EIP grant can be applied for to provide a water storage tank for Ready Pac. She requested that she be allowed to meet with representatives of Ready Pac and Smith and Allen, a grant-writing consulting firm. Board members directed her to proceed.
Dollar General Distribution Center Engineering – Ms. Seleb reported that she has been working with Butts County to select the civil engineer for water, sewer, and roadway improvements that will be needed for this new industry. The review committee has recommended that the firm of Watkins and Associates be selected. It is anticipated that the Board of Commissioners will approve this recommendation at their regular meeting in June.
Post Position for Water Plant Operator – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Rick James resigned from his water plant operator position in March. The position was advertised as a certified operator with no applicants; board members advised her to re-advertise the position as an operator trainee.
Financial Report – The monthly financial report for Water & Sewer Operations, Capital Recovery Fees and SPLOST was presented.
Review Bills Paid – Board members were given copies of check registers for March & April 2016 to review.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Ford to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.