\n<\/span><\/p>\nPRESENT:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dale Provenzano, Chairman<\/p>\n
Thomas A. Boland, Commissioner<\/p>\n
John A. Cason, III, City Commissioner<\/p>\n
Sandra J. Dean, Commissioner<\/p>\n
Donald M. Elliott, Commissioner<\/p>\n
David H. Ford, Commissioner<\/p>\n
Ronald E. Perry, Commissioner<\/p>\n
ALSO PRESENT:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stephen A. Swan, Executive Director<\/p>\n
John D. Donaghy, Director of Administration<\/p>\n
Desiree E. Watson, JWSC Attorney<\/p>\n
Barbara Rogers, JWSC Clerk<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chairman Provenzano called the meeting to order and Commissioner Perry provided the invocation.\u00a0 Commissioner Ford led the pledge.<\/p>\n
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD<\/p>\n
Chairman Provenzano recognized the following individual to address the Commission:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Bill Powell, Brunswick, GA.\u00a0 Mr. Powell stated he wished to speak again about Bond \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 refinancing.\u00a0 By refinancing the bond approximately $275,000 a year could be saved on \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 debt service. This would be a considerable benefit to customers.<\/p>\n
Mr. Powell stated he still has not seen the Rate Resolution corrected on the debt \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 service as has been changed by the REU audit.\u00a0 \u00a0And that the REU per account are \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 not showing on the customer\u2019s bills.<\/p>\n
There being no additional individuals that wished to address the Commission, Chairman \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Provenzano closed the Public Comment Period.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Dean made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to add changing \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the dates for the January 2015 meetings as item 9 to the Approval Agenda.\u00a0 Motion \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Perry made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to move item 3 on the Discussion Agenda to item 10 on the Approval Agenda.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
COMMITTEE UPDATES<\/p>\n
Communications & Customer Service \u2013 Commissioner Dean<\/p>\n
Commissioner Dean stated no report at this time.<\/p>\n
Economic Development – Chairman Provenzano<\/p>\n
Chairman Provenzano stated no report at this time.<\/p>\n
Facilities \u2013 Commissioner Perry<\/p>\n
Commissioner Perry stated all Facilities Committee items are on today\u2019s agenda.<\/p>\n
Finance \u2013 Commissioner Elliott<\/p>\n
Commissioner Elliott stated the Committee had started work on the RFP for Legal Services.\u00a0 Legal Services will be divided into three separate solicitations.\u00a0 Mrs. Watson reviewed the status on the property work.\u00a0 Commissioner Elliott stated that the JWSC will be looking at insurance coverage on the litigation work and the Committee will be recommending a month to month agreement at the December Commission meeting.<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy stated he will email the October financials.<\/p>\n
Human Resources \u2013 Commissioner Cason<\/p>\n
Commissioner Cason reviewed the items on the Human Resource Committee\u2019s agenda and stated several were on today\u2019s agenda.<\/p>\n
Legislative \u2013 Chairman Provenzano<\/p>\n
Chairman Provenzano stated their items will be moving forward to the City and County.<\/p>\n
APPROVAL<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Minutes of the November 6, 2014 regular meeting, (subject to any necessary changes). \u2013 B. Rogers<\/p>\n
Commissioner Perry made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cason to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2014 meeting.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Minutes of the November 6, 2014 executive session, (subject to any necessary changes).\u00a0 \u2013 B. Rogers<\/p>\n
Commissioner Perry made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cason to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2014 executive session.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Amendment to the Human Resources Standards of Practice \u2013 Vacation Hour Carryover \u2013 J. Donaghy<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy stated that currently employees can carry over 400 hours of unused vacation annually.\u00a0 The values of this unused vacation time is recorded as a current liability.\u00a0 As of June 30, 2014 the amount of unused vacation time in excess of 160 hours was $149,598.\u00a0 The Human Resource Committee recommends that the Human Resource Standard of Practice be amended to reduce the number of vacation hours allowed to be carried over each year from 400 to 160.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Boland to adopt the amendment to Article 4, Section 4.2, Annual Leave, of the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission Human Resource Standards of Practice as attached, Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 Acceptance of the June 30, 2014 Audit Report \u2013 J. Donaghy<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy stated Karp, Ronning & Tindol, Certified Public Accountants, has issued their unqualified report for fiscal year June 30, 2014.\u00a0 The Finance committee has reviewed the audit report and recommends that the JWSC accept the audited financial report and authorize its release to the public and reporting agencies.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Boland to accept the audited financial report for the June 30, 2014 fiscal year and authorize its release to the public and reporting agencies.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 Intergovernmental Agreement with Glynn County to Provide Fiber Optic \u2013 J. Donaghy<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy explained that currently the JWSC utilizes a combination of T-1 telephone circuits and Comcast Internet at all of its facilities.\u00a0 These systems are currently functioning but are insufficient to provide the bandwidth and speed necessary to operate efficiently and reliably. The total cost estimated to install the fiber connections to the Administrative Building and Academy Creek Facility is $32,491.32.\u00a0 The agreement has been reviewed by both JWSC and Glynn County legal counsel and reviewed by the Facilities and Finance Committees.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford too approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Glynn County for providing fiber optics, and to authorize the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer to execute the necessary documents.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0 Christmas Gift Cards \u2013 J. Donaghy<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy stated the JWSC has in past years given employees a Christmas gift card as an expression of thanks.\u00a0 The Human Resources Committee recommends providing employees a gift card in the amount of $25 to Walmart.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Boland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to approve the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission provide employees a gift card in the amount of $25 to Walmart.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0 Christmas Holiday Days \u2013 J. Donaghy<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy stated the HR Standards of Practice currently provides for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as observed holidays.\u00a0 Staff has requested an exception be made this year as Christmas Eve falls on Wednesday, and, instead move the observed holiday to the Friday after Christmas.\u00a0 The exception will not adversely affect the normal operations of the JWSC and customers will receive advance notice of the change.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Boland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cason to approve the exception to the Human Resources Standards of Practice to reschedule the Christmas Eve holiday to the Friday following Christmas in December 2014.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0 Administrative Office Building \u2013 S. Swan<\/p>\n
Mr. Swan stated the firm of Ussery-Rule Architects, PC has prepared the design documents for renovations in consultation with JWSC Commissioners and Staff.\u00a0 Drexel Paulk, Procurement Director, and staff from Ussery-Rule Architects, have prepared bid documents to obtain quotes for the scope of work necessary.\u00a0 The proposed due date for bids is Monday, January 5, 2015.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Ford stated the Facilities Committee did not recommend but had referred the decision to the full Board of Commissioners.\u00a0 Commissioner Ford advised the Commission of his concerns on how the process had developed.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Boland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Perry to approve the issuance of the bid request for renovations to its property located at 1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA on Friday, November 21, 2014.\u00a0 Motion carried 5-2-0.\u00a0 (Commissioners Dean and Ford cast the opposing votes.)<\/p>\n
9.\u00a0 Approve Rescheduling January Board of Commission Meetings.<\/p>\n
Chairman Provenzano stated the first Thursday in January fell on New Year\u2019s Day and suggested the board consider rescheduling the meetings to the second and fourth Thursdays for the month of January, 2015.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Perry made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to reschedule the regular meetings to January 8, 2015 and January 22, 2015.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
10.\u00a0 Sterling Industrial Park and SR 99<\/p>\n
Mr. Swan stated this is a 3-phase project in the North Mainland area along SR 99, US 341 and Green Swamp Road.\u00a0 The main purpose is to complete the western loop in the water system along SR 99 and US 341 and loop Green Swamp Road to the Golden Isles Parkway.\u00a0 The completion of this project will provide reliable water service to the Sterling Industrial Park.\u00a0 Staff and the Development Authority have been unable to secure easements from the property owners.\u00a0 Most of the property owners have now requested compensation for the easement areas or have stated they will not grant the easements at all.\u00a0 Prior to purchase and\/or condemnation for the acquisition of these utility easements, staff recommends moving forward with an agreement with Driggers Commercial Group for real estate appraisals addressing the easement value for the properties in question.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Boland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Elliott to authorize an agreement with Driggers Commercial Group, Inc. in the amount of $16,800 for real estate appraisals addressing the easement value of properties necessary for the construction of the Sterling Industrial Park and SR 99 \u2013 US 341 Water Main Extension in accordance with JWSC\u2019s approved policy for sole source procurement.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
DISCUSSION<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Hiring Practices of the JWSC \u2013 Commissioner Dean<\/p>\n
Commissioner Dean stated she had concerns with the some recent hires by the JWSC and positions being created without the Board of Commissioners being advised.\u00a0 Commissioner Dean explained she understood that unlicensed applicants were hired at rates above those posted in lieu of promoting current employees with the necessary licenses.<\/p>\n
Discussion tabled for discussion in executive session.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Georgia Power Credit Update \u2013 J. Donaghy<\/p>\n
Mr. Donaghy explained that a Georgia Power audit had identified that 97 accounts were incorrectly coded as commercial instead of industrial.\u00a0 Georgia Power has corrected the accounts and has issued JWSC a credit of $20,064.48.<\/p>\n
Director\u2019s Update<\/p>\n
Mr. Swan stated he had met with Zenith on Worker\u2019s Compensation Insurance.\u00a0 Zenith is excited about the new safety policies the JWSC has put in place.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Turner & Associates is currently in the process of securing quotes for renewal.<\/p>\n
During inspection of the ground storage tank on South Harrington, it was determined that some improvements were needed.\u00a0 Staff is currently securing quotes for this work.<\/p>\n
The JWSC is currently conducting a demo on handhelds and tablets from Verizon.\u00a0 City Works, Part II is in design.<\/p>\n
Engineering is developing cost for Community Road project.\u00a0 A meeting was held with residents of Epworth Acres and one will be scheduled for Belle Pointe residents in the near future.<\/p>\n
There will be an Employee Christmas Luncheon on December 17, 2015 at Howard Coffin Park.<\/p>\n
Chairman\u2019s Update<\/p>\n
Chairman Provenzano suggested that all Commissioner that could attend the ACCG three day orientation class in December.\u00a0 The Chairman requested Mr. Donaghy coordinate this with Commissioners.<\/p>\n
EXECUTIVE SESSION<\/p>\n
Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Boland to close the \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 regular meeting and adjourn to executive session to discuss potential litigation and \u00a0\u00a0 personnel.\u00a0\u00a0 Motion \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
Back in session.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Boland to accept the \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 recommendation of the Executive Director and Attorney to approve an exception to the Human Resources Standards of Practice concerning administrative leave.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Dean made a motion seconded by Commissioner Boland to move \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 reschedule the first meeting in December to December 2, 2015.\u00a0 Motion carried 7-0-0.<\/p>\n
There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Provenzano adjourned the meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For your consideration, please review the minutes for the Commission Meeting from November 20, 2014: BGJWSC_Commission_Minutes_November_20,_2014 To read the minutes, please open or download the pdf from the link above or you may see more below:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commission-meeting-minutes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2234\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}