Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Robert Harris, Harvey Norris, Wesley Keber & Burt Jones; Authority staff members present were Marcie Seleb & Joyce Hosey.
Opening Prayer – Mr. Jones opened the meeting with a prayer.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting – Mr. Keber made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the December 14, 2010 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Consider Personnel Policy Revisions
Seat Belts – A resolution was presented for board consideration that would reinforce existing policy and provide for progressive discipline for violations. This corresponds with a new workman’s compensation insurance initiative for 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Keber to adopt the resolution that requires seat belts to be worn when traveling in any vehicle while in the course of conducting Authority business or while operating any equipment that is outfitted with seat belts, and further, authorized Mr. White to sign a resolution. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
A copy of this resolution is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Uniforms – Language that updates policy verbiage to correspond with current practice was presented for board review. The policy clarifies that the Authority buys uniforms for crew members & operators rather than renting as had been done previously.
A motion was made by Mr. Keber accepting the revisions set forth in the Authority policy referring to uniform dress codes. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
A copy of this policy is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Medical Leave – Verbiage was presented that clarifies payment of health insurance for employees when on leave due to on-the-job injury or for medical or family leave.
By contract, health insurance coverage is allowed only for full-time employees who are working 30 hours or more per week. However, to comply with Federal Family Medical Leave Act, the Authority must pay for health insurance for first 12 weeks of medical leave.
According to the proposed policy language:
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Medical leave would start when all accrued leave is expended.
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The employee must request leave in writing with documentation of medical need provided by a physician.
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After 12 weeks of medical leave where insurance is paid by the Authority, the employee would be offered self-paid COBRA health insurance as per federal requirements.
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The medical leave period would be 12 month maximum.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones accepting the revisions set forth in the Authority policy referring to medical and family leave. This was seconded by Mr. Harris and approved unanimously.
A copy of the policy is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Consider Insurance Pricing Proposal – Ms. Seleb advised the Board of the following proposal recommended by Michelle Cole of Andy Watson, Jr. and Associates. This was after underwritten pricing was obtained from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.
Health Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield POS Plan 2007
- Same essential coverage as existing Coventry plan at 27% less cost
- Blue Cross Blue Shield provides free COBRA administration
Life and Dental Insurance
- Lincoln Life
- Two-year price guarantee
- 2% less than existing Ameritas/Assurant plans
Disability Insurance – New
- Offer employer-paid Long Term Disability by Lincoln Life
- Offer employee-paid Short Term Disability by Lincoln Life
- With this package, overall net savings of $40,331 per year over the current Coventry/Ameritas/Assurant insurance plans.
Ms. Seleb also recommended that:
- The Authority unify all “cafeteria plan” add-on deductibles under a menu of AFLAC products coordinated through Andy Watson and Associates;
- The Authority will continue to do employee payroll deductions for any existing cafeteria plan policies for a period of one year, but no new policies would be added except through AFLAC;
- The benefit year will begin on February 1 of each year for all plans with sign-ups to add coverage only during the month of February.
A motion was made by Mr. Harris to accept the proposal as outlined above. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously. Mr. Norris abstained from the vote as he is an employee of the City of Jackson and Michelle Cole, who is associated with Andy Watson, Jr. and Associates, is the City’s broker.
Manager’s Report
Update on Construction Projects
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Taps Sold – Only one tap was sold and installed in December.
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Colwell Road 12-inch Main – The blasting of rock is completed and the crew is awaiting drier conditions before installing pipe through the woods.
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Water & Sewer Rights of Way – The crew has completed cutting on water and sewer right of ways.
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Dead End Line Flushing – The crew continues to work on dead end line flushing.
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Service Line Repairs – There has been an unusually large number of service line breaks, likely due to cold weather.
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Maintenance Projects – The crew continues to work on major equipment maintenance projects during cold/icy weather.
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Isaac Head Road Extension – The crew is pre-building hydrants for the Isaac Head Road project.
Woodrow and Tina Rogers granted the Authority a very large easement, along with right of way for Butts County for the Isaac Head extension project. After signing the easement, Mr. Rogers asked for a no-cost 1″ tap (valued at $500). A motion was made by Mr. Jones to give the Rogers a 1″ meter tap as requested with the requirement that he be a regular customer for at least 24 months prior to inactivating the account. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Wastewater Lab – Planning and modifications have begun for a wastewater lab to be installed at the LAS. Darnell Walker has received his wastewater lab certification. On-site testing will begin in March, at the latest. The Authority is anticipated to save $5000 per year by performing BOD and coliform testing in-house.
Operations Report – Water billing for December 2010 was down 4% from November at $181,808 and was down 6% from December 2009 with a total customer base of 5,214 and an active customer base of 4,641. Sewer billing for December 2010 was $28,755 and was down 8% from November 2010 and down 2% from December 2009 with a total customer base of 129 and an active customer base of 119.
The average daily finished water pumped in December 2010 to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Burford and Stewart plants was 2.0 MGD, with a maximum of 2.3 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss was 10.9% with the current monthly average loss of 17.5%. The total amount of finished water pumped in December 2010 per plant was: Burford – 55 MG; Stewart – 6 MG. The average wastewater influent at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .231 with an average daily effluent of .205/.550 MGD and a maximum 7-day effluent of .294/.550 MGD.
Update on Grant Projects – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that there has been no news on the EIP grant for Highway 16 sewer extensions. Engineering continues for the project, which relies on funding from both the existing$500,000 OneGeorgia grant and anticipated $500,000 EIP grant.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through December 2010. Finances are within budget thus far for FY 2011. A copy of the report is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers and credit card statements for the month of December 2010. Copies are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn meeting at 6:15 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.