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.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings – Mr. Harris made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the October 13, 2009 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Capital Recovery Fees
Annual Report of Receipts & Usage
- Ms. Seleb noted that under Georgia’s Impact Fee Law, Capital Recovery Fees must be spent or obligated within six years of receipt.
- Ms. Seleb reported that the Authority received only $3,275 in Sewer Capital Recovery Fees in FY 2009. A total of $598,322 has been accrued in Sewer Capital Recovery Fees since they were implemented in FY 2000. The Authority has spent $427,122 which is higher than the $383,836 that actually must have been spent through FY 2010.
- Ms. Seleb reported that in FY 2009 the Authority received $31,810 in Water Capital Recovery Fees. A total of $524,679 has been accrued in Water Capital Recovery Fees since they were implemented in FY 2004. In FY 2010, the Authority must spend $119,703 in Water Capital Recovery Fees on system improvements to meet these criteria.
Potential Capital Recovery Fee Water Projects
- Colwell Road/I-75 tie into the 12″ Main – The rough estimate for this project would be $215,000, with the interstate boring cost of $100,000 and a material balance of $115,000.
- Elevated Tank in North Butts – The rough estimate for this project would be a cost of $750,000. This would give north and west Butts County added storage for emergencies and would help Jenkinsburg on a day to day basis.
A motion was made by Mr. Norris to proceed with getting quotes for the bore for the Colwell Road/I-75 tie in. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Potential Capital Recovery Fee Sewer Projects
I-75 Sewer Plan & Design
- Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the Authority needs to have a study done to layout trunk lines for the Interstate 75 corridor. This study is already in the budget for 2010 at an estimated cost of $10,000.
- Also, in the budget for 2010 are plans to design sewer lines for the east side of Hwy. 16 at I-75. The estimated cost for this engineering (through build out) will be $50,000 – 100,000. $40,000 is in the current budget for this engineering.
- Future plans to expand sewer availability at all unserved quadrants of both I-75 interchanges could cost up to $5,000,000.
Ms. Seleb was advised by the Board to go ahead with the engineering that is already in the 2010 budget. She will proceed with requesting proposals from engineers.
Manager’s Report
Update on Construction Projects
- West Ball Road – The acquisitions for acquiring easements on West Ball Road are almost complete and the projected start date for this project is November 16th. It has been determined that a pressure reducing valve will be needed in order to tie into the 20″ main at a cost of approximately $10,000.
- System wide Flushing Ongoing – The crew will be doing system wide flushing encompassing the entire county for the first three weeks in November.
- Hwy. 36 West Hydrant Installation – The crew is placing hydrants that were stubbed out in mid the 1970’s. In uncovering one stub out, a poorly restrained joint blew off the main. In the future the crew is planning to bypass stub outs and do a wet tap.
- System Maintenance – The crew continues to do meter change outs and rebuilds, flushing, valve maintenance, valve and hydrant marking. They continue to dress leak sites at Four Points Road, Pine View Road and Hwy. 36.
Operation Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over the water and sewer statistics for the month of October 2009. Water billing was up $12,000 from September at $209,494, with an active customer base of 5,195. Sewer billing for the month was up $9,000 from September at $32,698 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 2.1 MGD, with maximum of 2.3 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss is 14.7%. The total amount of water pumped in September 2009 per plant was: Ocmulgee – 60 MG; Stewart – 6 MG. The average wastewater sprayed at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .222/.550 MGD with a maximum 7-day effluent of .271/.550 MGD.
Potential Commercial Project – Hwy. 16 @ I-75 – Consultants designing a gas/convenience store proposed for Hwy. 16 East of I-75 have expressed an interest in tying onto the Authority’s sewer system on the west side of the interstate. Board members directed Ms. Seleb to tell the consultant that the Authority would consider such a plan if it included lines and lift stations that would serve the entire east side of the interchange. There is also a possibility that the Authority may be able to apply for a grant to fund this project if job creation numbers are strong.
Riverview Sewer Project – The Authority’s contractor is waiting for a permit from the Dixie Pipeline to move ahead with blasting at the project site. Ken McGurgan has okayed the easement needed for this project at the AusCat site. The Authority is working to prepare for a potential electric outage at the lift station when the blasting does take place.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through October 2009. Finances are within budget thus far for FY 2010. A copy of the financial summaries, as well as combined balance sheets and income statements are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Financial Highlights for October
- There has been a small sign of recovery as the Authority has sold three taps for the month of October.
- The Authority received $9,300 for selling scrap brass and copper. The crew broke apart the meters and removed nonmetals which brought a higher price.
- Audit adjustment entries for the audit took most CD interest shown earned in August and applied them to Fiscal Year 2009 revenues. A lower income on interest earnings will be seen for the fiscal year than shown in previous monthly reports.
Comparable Interest Rates
Ms. Seleb advised the Board that she has checked interest rates on checking and money market accounts. Current rates are: GA Fund 1 – .33%, McIntosh checking – .75%, and United Bank SCM money market – 1.60%. She recommended to the Board that the Authority open a SCM money market account with United Bank for current excess funds. Board members directed here to do so.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers and credit card statements for the month of October 2009. A copy of these reports is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Jones to adjourn meeting at 7:00 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.