Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Eddie Roberts, Jr., Eddie Ford & Harvey Norris. Also present were Zane McDaniel and Jantzen Shivers. Staff members present were Marcie Seleb, general manager, and Alyssa Hopson, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from November 19, 2019 Meeting and December 4, 2019 Called Meeting – Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to approve, the minutes from the November 19, 2019 meeting and the December 4, 2019 called meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Using Stark Tank for Internet Antenna – Mr. Daniel expressed an interest in using the Stark elevated water tank to install a fixed wireless internet antenna. The antenna could possibly provide high speed internet for homeowners in the area. He and his consultant, Jantzen Shivers, are proposing to do a sixty to ninety day trial for discovery. The Board asked Mr. Daniel to put his proposal in writing and directed Ms. Seleb to consult with Attorney Will White any agreement is finalized.
Inquiry about Water on Paul Maddox Road – Ms. Seleb stated that Joe Knight, a property owner on Paul Maddox Road had inquired again about improvements to water service on Paul Maddox Road that would allow him to develop his property. Ms. Seleb presented an aerial photo detailing the existing water mains from the Authority and the City of Jackson on Paul Maddox Road. She stated that the water mains will need to be looped from Walter Moore Road running south to Highway 16 W in order to provide sufficient fire flow. The Board directed Ms. Seleb to do an improvement cost study.
Septage Discussion – The Board directed Ms. Seleb to schedule a meeting with Reve Solutions, Inc. to discuss the possibility of working with them to build and manage a septage facility at the Bucksnort Land Application System.
Manager’s Report
Construction – Ms. Seleb reported that Pyles Plumbing made very little progress on the GA Hwy. 16 W sewer extension over the last month. Most of the blasting has been done, but engineer and contractor are disagreeing on quantity of rock; No start date has been established on the Holiday Inn Express sewer extension.
Ms. Seleb reported that the Notice to Proceed was issued on the Bucksnort Road sewer main extension. Construction is scheduled to start February 24, 2020
Ms. Seleb reported the Authority’s crew will soon start Yellow Water Creek eight-inch water main replacement near the GA Hwy. 36 bridge. The crew will also do a small water main loop on Elizabeth Circle via Pine Street to give all customers access to fire service.
The crew continues to keep busy visiting every meter box on the system, making sure boxes and piping are clear and uncovered.
Back Office Remodel – Ms. Seleb reported Tony Moore and Keith Williams will start on the Authority’s back office remodel shortly after Thanksgiving.
Burford Plant Design Development Report – Ms. Seleb reported the first draft Burford Water Plant Modification Design Development report is complete.
Continuing Disclosure Filing Proposal – Ms. Seleb presented a quote from Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors to file annual financial documentation with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) for $500. This is an annual requirement triggered by issuance of the Authority’s Series 2014 Revenue Bonds. Mr. Roberts made a motion to accept the quote. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously. A copy of the quote is attached and made part of these minutes.
Updated Web Site – Ms. Hopson presented a brief demo of the Authority’s newly designed web site. The site is projected to go live by the middle of January.
Non-customer Bill Drafts – When asked for a clarification by Ms. Seleb, the Board agreed that water bill payers may have the option of having their bank account automatically drafted even if the water account being paid is not in their name.
Operations Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over water production, water loss and customer statistics for November. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 1.9 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 2.3 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss was 4.6% with the current monthly average loss at 2.8%. The total amount of finished water pumped in November by each plant was: Burford – 52 million gallons and Stewart – 5 million gallons.
Water billing for November was $222,846, down 15% from the previous month and down 4% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for November was $48,783, down 8% from the previous month and up 8% from the previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 5,721 at the end of November with 5,246 of those being active customers. One regular tap was purchased in November.
There were 191 total sewer accounts at the end of October, with 186 of those being active customers. One sewer connection was purchased on the existing system.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations, Capital Recovery Fees for November 2019 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through December 16, 2019.
Water Operations income for November was $256,292 with $194,481 in expenses. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2020 thus far was $22,856 with $14,000 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for November was $63,072 with expenses of $55,865. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2020 thus far was $14,656 with $108,275 in expenses.
To date, $2,762,724 has been collected in 2013-18 SPLOST revenue, with $2,767,309 expended. For the 2019-24 SPLOST, $353,013 has been collected, with $368,725 expended. Overages in the 2019-24 SPLOST are being covered by temporary transfers from the Water Operations fund.
Total cash on hand at the end of November was $10,787,727. This is $220,498 over the June 30, 2019 balance. Copies of the November 2019 financial summaries, the consolidated fund balance sheet and the consolidated fund income statement are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Executive Session Begin – Motion by Mr. Ford to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Executive Session End – Motion by Mr. Norris to return to the regular meeting, seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Promotion – A motion was made by Mr. Roberts to promote Alyssa Hopson to the position of Deputy General Manager effective December 19, 2019. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.