Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Mitch McEwen, Harvey Norris, Bob Harris 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. Harris made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the November 11, 2008 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Update on Transmission Main Project – Ms. Seleb advised the board that Sweetgrass has two crews working on the transmission main project and anticipates completion by December 31, 2008, with 80% of project footage installed to date.
Ms. Seleb stated that, at present, the $1.4 million project will be $6,000 over budget, due rock blasting and fittings exceeding estimates. A photograph of the current job site, a map showing completed stretches of the project, and a line item comparison of budgeted costs vs. estimated actual costs are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Consider Wastewater Allocation for VanMar Industrial Park – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that in 1998, the Authority agreed to allocate 29,000 GPD service to VanMar Industrial Park for the original owner, Tim Laskowsky. In 2003, the Authority reduced its allocation to 2,000 GPD due to the lack of reserve capacity at the treatment facility. The current usage currently is 1,000 GPD by the only tenant, SagonRV Supercenter.
Ms. Seleb suggested that the Authority revert its original allocation of 29,000 GPD now that the treatment facility expansion has been completed.
A motion was made by Mr. Keber to honor the original agreement. This was seconded by Mr. McEwen and approved unanimously.
Compare Quotes on Shop Storage Building – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Superintendent Rus Nail has obtained two quotes for a 30’x50′ metal storage building with gravel floor and concrete piers. This will be used to store erosion control materials, hay, the boring rig, the tractor, gland accessory packs.
David Whitaker Construction quoted $17,530 for a Premier brand building. His quote included concrete and rebar materials for piers and a set of engineered plans. Tyson Steel Building Products quoted $13,534. Their quote did not include concrete, rebar or engineered plans.
Chairman White expressed his belief that the Premier building was made of higher quality steel.
A motion was made by Mr. Harris accept the quote from David Whitaker since it is a local company, and the quote included rebar concrete, and engineered plans. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved by votes from Mr. Harris, Mr. Keber, and Mr. Norris. Mr. White and Mr. McEwen abstained from voting as they have worked privately with David Whitaker.
Manager’s Report
Construction Schedule
- Cooper Road – The crew will be beginning the Cooper Road extension next week.
- Fox Drive – Fox Drive will be the next project the crew will be working on, beginning in January 2009.
Tap Sales Progress
- Higgins Road – Six of the twenty requested taps have been sold with a deadline of December 27, 2008.
- Hamm Road – Three of the seven requested taps have been sold with a deadline of December 27, 2008.
- West Ball Road – Zero of the seven requested taps have been sold with a deadline of February 6, 2009.
- Tom Goddard Road – Zero of the eleven requested taps have been sold with a deadline of February 6, 2009.
Crew Appreciation – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that she has received a letter of thank you from Charles and Jan Maddox about the super job the extension and meter crews have done on Ridgeway Road. As a gesture of appreciation the Board recommended to Ms. Seleb that she give the crew the whole day off on Christmas Eve rather than the half day approved in November. Ms. Seleb agreed.
A copy of this letter is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Public Works Stimulus Package – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the U.S. Congress is discussing a stimulus package that may include billions of new dollars for public works, including water and sewer. She has spoken with consultants who believe that the new funds will likely be in the form of low, or no, interest loans with a requirement for a local match. She will continue to monitor the situation.
Request from Jack Maddox Bridge Road Property Owner – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Tonya Davidson has asked that the Authority extend the North Jack Maddox Bridge Road line an additional one-third mile to reach her property because her well is running dry. When the extension was done on North Jack Maddox Bridge Road, other property owners asked Ms. Davidson to sign an affidavit stating that she would never want county water at her property at the end of the road so that they would have sufficient customer density for the project. Board members agreed that a single customer in one-third mile could only be ranked in priority as a separate project at 3.3 persons per mile.
Storage Trailer for Bucksnort Ranch – Mr. White advised the Board that he has an 8’x8’x20′ storage container that he is willing to sell to the Authority for $2,500. This would be used at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS facility in lieu of constructing a new shelter for equipment.
Ms. Seleb and Mr. Nail agree that this is their preference for storing the lawnmower and other heavy equipment for the LAS. Clark Burge, who sells this type container, has inspected the unit and stated that a like unit would have a retail price of $3,000. Mr. McEwen suggested that this be obtained in writing prior to purchasing the unit from Mr. White.
Donation for Jackson Can-A-Thon – A motion was made by Mr. Harris to donate $1,000 to the Jackson Can-A-Thon. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously. Mr. Norris abstained from the vote as he works for the City of Jackson.
Operation Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over the water and sewer statistics for the month of November 2008. Water billing was down for the month at $151,575, with an active customer base of 5,124. Sewer billing for the month was up for the month at $22,126 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 2.1 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss of 13.8%. The total amount of water pumped in November 2008 per plant was: Ocmulgee – 52 MG; Stewart – 5 MG. The average wastewater sprayed at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .165/.550 MGD with a maximum 7-day effluent of .241/.550 MGD.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through November 2008. 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 November 2008. A copy of the check registers is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. McEwen to adjourn meeting at 7:00 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.