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. Also present were Marcie Seleb, general manager, and Alyssa Hopson, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from October 11, 2016 Meeting – Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of and to approve the minutes from the October 11, 2016 meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Dollar General EIP Grant – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the Dollar General Employment Incentive Program (EIP) Grant was approved on October 28, 2016. The Authority is waiting on Watkins and Associates to produce the preliminary water and sewer layout. Dollar General has requested that the work be completed by April 2017.
Ready Pac EIP Grant – By reducing tank size, pump size, and removing a generator, the project budget was lowered to $570,000, revising the initial $1,000,000 budget reviewed in October. It is anticipated that the Department of Community Affairs will announce an increase in maximum grant awards to $750,000 in December 2016. A motion was made by Mr. Roberts to wait until the maximum grant award is increased before submitting the grant application and for the Authority to pay Watkins and Associates a fee of 10% of the estimated construction costs to expedite design work with a 7.5% engineering fee to be reimbursed by the grant if it is approved. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
State Action on Drought – The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) plans is expected to soon declare a Level Two drought for northern and middle Georgia counties, including Butts County. This will trigger additional outdoor water restrictions on an odd/even address schedule, and allow customers only two days a week to water outside.
Consider Options for Water Main Installation – The Board reviewed a list of roads in Butts County currently unserved by water. It is estimated that there are fifteen such roads with a customer density of at least five persons per mile and that water could be extended on all of these roads for approximately $1.5 million. Mr. Norris made a motion to allocate $1.5 million to extend new water lines over the next two years, with a priority put on roads where wells are failing. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Manager’s Report
Construction
Bucksnort Ranch Land Application System Harkness Pond Liner – Ms. Seleb reported that the Authority has completed all repairs to the pond’s polyethylene line and is refilling the pond.
East Ball Road Water Main – The Authority’s crew installed 1500 feet during the previous week on this new project.
Operations
Retirement Reception – The Butts County Board of Education will be hosting at retirement reception for Chairman Johnny Morris on December 8, 2016 at 4pm at the Earnest Battle Building.
Joint Government Meeting – The City of Jenkinsburg will be hosting the joint governmental meeting on November 11, 2016 at 6pm at the Butts County Administration Building. The subject for discussion will be service delivery.
Bromide Study – The River Basin Center at the University of Georgia is moving forward with a grant application to study bromide in the Ocmulgee River and its feeder streams. Up to $75,000 is available from the Environmental Protection Division’s Seed Grant program.
University of Central Florida (UC) Water Assessment Study – The fifteen-month study to assess Authority’s source water, treatment processes, and distribution system will kick off in early December.
Greer Dairy Road – A updated petition for water was received on October 21, 2016 and included nine tap requests within 1.1 miles. The petition was accepted by the Board.
Can-A-Thon/Christmas Stocking Fund – A motion was made by Mr. Roberts to make a $1000 donation to the City of Jackson’s Can-A-Thon/Christmas Stocking Fund. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously. Mr. Norris abstained.
Financial Report – The monthly financial report for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST was presented. Ms. Seleb recommended the Authority purchase additional five- year certificates of deposit (CD’s) from Hamilton State Bank at a rate of 1.1%. A motion was made by Mr. Norris to purchase the CD’s with the understanding that Hamilton will not access a fee for early withdrawal. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Review Bills Paid – Board members were given copies of check registers for October to review.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.