Commission_Meeting_Minutes_5-4-17_with_Attachments<\/a><\/p>\nTo read the minutes, please open or download the pdf link above, or you may see more below:<\/p>\n
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Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission<\/strong><\/p>\n1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520<\/strong><\/p>\nThursday, May 4, 2017 at 2:00 PM<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nCOMMISSION MINUTES<\/h1>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>PRESENT: \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 <\/strong><\/p>\nDonald M. Elliott, Chairman<\/strong><\/p>\nClifford Adams, Vice-Chairman<\/strong><\/p>\nMichael Browning, Commissioner <\/strong><\/p>\nCornell L. Harvey, Commissioner<\/strong><\/p>\nSteve Copeland, Commissioner<\/strong><\/p>\nDave H. Ford, Commissioner<\/strong><\/p>\nALSO PRESENT: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\nJimmy Junkin, Executive Director<\/strong><\/p>\nCharlie Dorminy, Legal Counsel HBS<\/strong><\/p>\nThomas A. Boland, Sr., Deputy Director<\/strong><\/p>\nJohn D. Donaghy, Director of Administration & Finance<\/strong><\/p>\nTodd Kline, Senior Engineer<\/strong><\/p>\nPam Crosby, Director of Purchasing<\/strong><\/p>\nJay Sellers, Public Information Officer<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong>ABSENT:\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\nRobert Bowen, Commissioner<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nChairman Elliott called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.\u00a0 Chairman Elliott provided the invocation and Commissioner Ford led the pledge.<\/p>\n
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD<\/strong><\/p>\nChairman Elliott opened the public comment period.<\/p>\n
Monica Smith \u2013 Academy Creek, Dunbar Creek, and Peninsula at Golden Isles<\/strong><\/p>\nMrs. Smith questioned why the JWSC is seeking a $30M Bond Issue in order to make repairs to the Wastewater Treatment Plants at Academy Creek and Dunbar Creek.\u00a0 She asked, \u201cWhat exactly is the problem that needs to be fixed at those plants?\u201d She also noted the photographs that Mr. Holland has taken of the outflow at Academy Creek for the past several months and the apparent condition of the water in the pictures.\u00a0 In addition, she questioned why, when JWSC has been claiming that the WWTP at Exit 29 has been underutilized, was Jim Bishop told by the Executive Director of JWSC that there is no capacity for the Development of the Peninsula of Golden Isles off Buck Swamp Road? She also mentioned that an inadequate Lift Station or inadequate pipes was not an excuse for the developers to be told to go to the Health Department to apply for septic tanks for those lots in an environmentally sensitive area.<\/p>\n
Mr. Junkin responded to the question of funding needed for the Treatment Plants, and noted that the plants do need some repair and upkeep, and must be proactively maintained in order to continue to stay in good functioning order.\u00a0 He then acknowledged the photographs taken by Mr. Holland, of which he has seen, and did note that there was foam in one close-up picture and it has been addressed.\u00a0 Staff has investigated that particular incident, and the plant has addressed the operations issues.\u00a0 While the water was meeting standards it did have foam on the top due to some operational conditions that allowed certain bacteria which tend to float and make foam be present.\u00a0 As a result of a 30 to 40 minute maintenance operation done on a Saturday, Mr. Holland was there at the perfect time to take the picture of the foam caused by the process of doing the maintenance.\u00a0 Mr. Junkin noted that there is not an ongoing foaming or scum issue, and that he has not seen this condition in any of the other pictures taken.<\/p>\n
There being no additional citizens for public comment, Chairman Elliott closed the public comment period.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nCOMMITTEE UPDATES<\/strong><\/p>\nFinance Committee \u2013 Chairman Elliott<\/strong><\/p>\nThere was no update at this time.\u00a0 The next meeting of this Committee will be on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 2:00 pm.<\/p>\n
Compliance & Legislative Committee \u2013 Commissioner Browning<\/strong><\/p>\nThere was no update at this time.\u00a0 The next meeting of this Committee will be on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 1:00 pm.<\/p>\n
Facilities Committee \u2013 Commissioner Adams<\/strong><\/p>\nThere was no update at this time.\u00a0 The next meeting for this Committee will be on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 3:00 pm.<\/p>\n
Human Resources & Safety Committee \u2013 Commissioner Harvey<\/strong><\/p>\nCommissioner Harvey indicated that the Human Resources & Safety Committee met earlier in the morning a 10:00 am and discussed personnel funding for the 2017-2018 Budget and the associated costs.\u00a0 Also presented to the Committee was the number of proposed additions to the organization and the HR process to fill those positions. Also discussed were new positions and how they would be funded, why they are needed, and how they will be utilized.\u00a0 This will be a point for future discussion for the Committee. Work related injuries were discussed, as well as recruiting and termination statistics.\u00a0The next meeting of this Committee will be on June 1, 2017 at 10:00 am.<\/p>\n
Public Information & Customer Relations Committee \u2013 Commissioner Copeland<\/strong><\/p>\nCommissioner Copeland advised that Public Information & Customer Relations Committee did meet on May 2, 2017.\u00a0 One point of discussion was the Community Engagement Program which is under development.\u00a0 A graphical depiction of \u201cCommunicating the Value of Drinking Water Services\u201d that was developed and adopted by the EPA was presented, and the Committee decided that it generally does meet the needs on a big picture basis, but will be tailored to be more specific to the JWSC.\u00a0 Another discussion point was that Staff planned to test a texting software, Everbridge Emergency Notification System, for texting Boil Water Advisories and other notifications as needed to customers.\u00a0 A final discussion item regarded the time for Commission Meetings and if they were held in the evening, would there be more citizen participation? The next meeting of this Committee will be held on May 30, 2017 at 2:00 pm.<\/p>\n
APPROVAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Minutes from the April 20, 2017 Regular Meeting <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Commissioner Browning made a motion seconded by Commissioner Copeland to approve the minutes from April 20, 2017 Regular Meeting.\u00a0 Motion carried 6-0-1.\u00a0 (Commissioner Bowen was absent.)<\/u><\/p>\n\n- Minutes from the April 20, 2017 Executive Session <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Commissioner Browning made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to approve the minutes from April 20, 2017 Executive Session.\u00a0 Motion carried 6-0-1.\u00a0 (Commissioner Bowen was absent.)<\/u><\/p>\n
DISCUSSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Climate Resilience Adaptation Strategy Study Final Report\/Presentation <\/strong>\u2013 Lisa Danner, Hagerty Consulting, Inc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Lisa Danner presented to the Commission that over the course of the last few months, Hagerty Consulting has been working with Jay Sellers and Todd Kline of the JWSC through a grant funded by the Georgia DNR. She has provided a draft report for the water and wastewater infrastructure utilities of JWSC to include the facilities\u2019 vulnerabilities and strategies that can be put into place and have been identified to increase the resiliency of the JWSC utilities.\u00a0 Today\u2019s presentation is simply an overview of the draft report and the recommendations that are included within. The Staff is in the process of reviewing the report and will provide feedback and comments for finalization of the report. \u00a0The objective of this initiative was to improve the water infrastructure resiliency by developing adaptation strategies related to sea level rise, flooding, hurricane, and other things that can impact the infrastructure.\u00a0 She explained that this report is not intended to be used as a tactical plan and is not a field manual to be used in the future.\u00a0 It contains recommendations that Hagerty Consulting has come up with by working with the EPA\u2019s climate resiliency tool.\u00a0 Specific data was entered resulting in strategies and recommendations for the JWSC.\u00a0 Lisa noted the 3 water treatment facilities, the water distribution systems, 20 water storage facilities and 139 lift stations that were included in the study, along with the adaptation strategies provided within the report.\u00a0 The EPA tool, called CREAT, is a Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool which offers scenarios of projected climate change to help identify related impacts important to the operations, maintenance, and management of water and sewer utilities\u2019 critical infrastructure.\u00a0 Through the combination of CREAT reports and EPA flood resiliency guidance, these strategies provide JWSC and the county with multiple options for improvement.\u00a0 The report serves as a decision-making tool for water and wastewater utilities that may effectively be deployed against the known threat of flooding and sea level rise.<\/p>\n
\n- Five Year Restore & Renewal Project List<\/strong> \u2013 J. Junkin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Mr. Junkin presented the 5 Year R & R Project list.\u00a0 He began by explaining that the JWSC is working with a limited budget and does not have free reserves available to do many projects, therefore the task was to take the $140M R&R expansion needs and work the list based on what can be afforded through JWSC\u2019s funding. Mr. Junkin briefly discussed the immediate needs of facilities and continued with the condition of pipes, gravity lines, concrete conditions, etc.\u00a0 He referenced photographs taken earlier in the morning that revealed the condition of old concrete gravity mains that force mains from the North Mainland will be tying into that were never intended for those flows.\u00a0 He noted that as with a lot of old infrastructure, JWSC has condition based needs as well as the expansion based needs. The lines previously mentioned not only must be upsized, but they are wearing out as can be viewed by the photographs taken showing that the concrete lines and the rebar in them is corroding from the gases in the sewer. The cost for this project is estimated between $11M and $14M. Mr. Junkin continued by noting that JWSC must make additional contributions toward the second of the SPLOST projects which is the demolition of lift station 4003 and the gravity line upgrades and that the money is not readily available, as about another $3.5M will be needed for completion of this project.\u00a0 He further referenced the spreadsheet and the planned funding for the R & R for the next 5 years, along with looking at the projects planned and what type of needs were associated with each, i.e. rehabilitation needs or expansion needs for capacity reasons, etc..\u00a0 He explained the details of the sheet provided, debt service, and funding for upcoming years. This project list is to be an agenda item for the next Facilities and Finance Committee Meetings.<\/p>\n
\n- Five Year Expansion Project List<\/strong> \u2013 J. Junkin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Mr. Junkin explained that the list of Expansion Projects is funded through tap fees.\u00a0 Calculations for estimated funding available for each year was done by using the number of taps sold this year multiplied by the tap rate, and allowing for the portion of that which is to go toward debt service. \u00a0He also explained that the list had to be reduced and made by what can be afforded through the expected funding. Mr. Junkin added that he had met with the Economic Development Authority earlier in the week regarding some future economic opportunities for the community in the North Mainland area, of which there will need to be water and sewer services, including fire protection available for.\u00a0 This Expansion plan, as well as the R&R plan is a continued work in process, and will be discussed further in upcoming Committee and Commission meetings.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Planning & Construction Fee Structure<\/strong> \u2013 T. Kline<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Todd presented to the Commission that the intent of this discussion was to provide a brief overview of how Staff is understanding and improving the ways in which Plan Review and Construction Inspection\/Observation activities are funded. Goals include measuring the allocation of staff efforts and resources and minimizing the use of Operational monies to fund Private and Capital projects. This discussion focused primarily on the funding of Staff activities to facilitate private infrastructure expansions and development and how Staff is looking to develop an appropriate Fee\/Rate schedule.\u00a0 As the Planning and Construction Division, the 2 primary duties are Plan Review and Construction Inspection\/Observation, which are both critical functions. These activities are understood as mandatory for the best interest of JWSC, and they provide assurance that modifications and extensions will not adversely impact the function or health of the existing system.\u00a0 They are not optional and should be understood as a cost of construction. Staff has been tasked to quantify these efforts and determine how best to ensure that funding is sourced appropriately.\u00a0 The goal is to identify the division of labor between Private projects, Capital projects and Operational support, then install a system to fund those divisions form appropriate sources.\u00a0 Private project activities are to be funded through a fee\/rate based structure charged to the applicant.\u00a0 Capital project activities are to be charged to JWSC Capital projects.\u00a0 Operational support activities are to be funded through JWSC Operational monies. Todd continued to further discussion on the allocation of staff time and detailed how it is divided between the three areas. Next he discussed the development of the Fee\/Rate Schedule for Plan and Development Review Fees and Construction Inspection\/Observation Fees. Successful implementation will depend on coordination with both Glynn County and the City of Brunswick, as well as defining and the internal administrative process to receive fees.\u00a0 Development and refinement of both fee schedules is still in process with a goal of implementation at the start of the new fiscal year.\u00a0 Draft fee schedules will be provided to Glynn County Community Development, the City of Brunswick Engineering Department and the public for review.\u00a0 The final versions will be presented to the JWSC Board for final approval.<\/p>\n
\n- Proposed Policy \u2013 Public Utility on Private\/Gated Properties<\/strong> \u2013 J. Junkin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Mr. Junkin discussed that there are situations where there are public assets on private properties and developments.\u00a0 Access to those assets for servicing them is an issue, and question \u2013 should we use ratepayers\u2019 funding to service these, or expect the private person or development that own them to privately have them serviced.\u00a0 Access in a gated community can cause a situation of not being able to provide services in a timely manner for repairs and maintenance.\u00a0 He noted to the Commission that perhaps JWSC set a policy that private assets should be handled by the private entities, with the exception of possibly the meters.\u00a0 It was noted that the County Right of Way is where the meters are supposed to be located, and JWSC works on the portion of the lines and meter in the ROW, everything from the meter forward to the residence is the property owner\u2019s responsibility. \u00a0Discussion furthered to how the County handles private gated properties. \u00a0If a property is gated off as a private property, then there is no County Right of Way, and the owners are responsible for maintaining the road. It was suggested that perhaps JWSC should adopt a similar policy to the County.\u00a0 If there is no County Right of Way and it is a private line, then the homeowner association or the private party or developer should maintain the costs of managing the water & sewer, with the exception of the water meters.\u00a0 The County considers it private after being gated with no right of way, other than garbage collection, fire and police department since they do pay taxes.\u00a0 Regarding utilities, there should be some policy as to the management of the utility that is within a private property or private development.\u00a0 Mr. Junkin indicated that he is concerned about repairs and work that would have to be done on private property.\u00a0 Commissioner Browning mentioned that with the County, if a private development puts in roads that are inferior and then wants the County to take over the roads, the County will not do so unless he roads are brought up to their standards. Mr. Junkin would like to consider a policy where the JWSC does not take over or do work on private property or a private development. It was suggested to compile a list of the properties in question.<\/p>\n
\n- Peninsula Properties<\/strong> \u2013 J. Junkin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Peninsula development has been planned for a period of time. The development is about to change hands.\u00a0 They need to find some means to provide sewer to their lots. They have asked the JWSC to provide a variance, but because there is no capacity at the lift station that would serve them, a variance would have to be approved by Glynn County for them to place septic sewer systems.\u00a0 There are a total of 400 properties involved.\u00a0 Additional property would be used for outdoor recreation facilities, etc. For the JWSC to provide a 4 to 5 mile sewer line to the treatment plant or build a lift station will be very costly.<\/p>\n
\n- Town Hall Meetings Schedule, Agenda and Presenters<\/strong> \u2013 J. Junkin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Discussed Town Hall meeting schedule for Rate Resolution. \u00a0Bill inserts begin to go out tomorrow to advise customers.\u00a0 Notices will be published in the newspaper. First Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at St. Williams Catholic Church in Parish Hall on St. Simons Island.\u00a0 Second Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the City Recreation Center in Brunswick. The Commission will hold a Special Called Meeting on June 29, 2017 to approve or disapprove the proposed Budget and Supporting Rate Schedule to become effective on July 1, 2017.\u00a0 Chairman Elliott requested the Commissioners to attend the Town Hall meetings.<\/p>\n
\n- R & R Capital Projects Update<\/strong> \u2013 T. Kline<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Todd presented the monthly R & R Capital Projects Update. Project 232 \u2013 SR99 Waterline Extensions \u2013 Currently in holding pattern.\u00a0 DOT has requested some revisions of plans due to utilities.\u00a0 Project 319 \u2013 Urbana Sewer Replacement – is essentially complete, working on punchlist items now.\u00a0 Final details to be itemized on the punchlist.\u00a0 Systems are working fine.\u00a0 Project 421- Mansfield St. Storm Drains and Water Improvements, sewer is essentially complete with some final small details to be finished \u2013 still in progress, Project 503 \u2013 working on punchlist items, working with contractor on final items.\u00a0 Project 504 \u2013 Canal Road waiting on punchlist items and final records.\u00a0\u00a0 Force main was installed across the corner of a property, needs to be researched.\u00a0 If it is on a property, then will have to work with contractor to be removed or try to gain an easement there. Project 505 Pump Station 2032 \u2013 project has gone very well.\u00a0 Force main is all in ground and tested.\u00a0 Making final ties into Dunbar Creek. Completion expected possibly earlier than scheduled. Project 501 Alder Circle \u2013 Still on hold.\u00a0 Project 602 Holly St. received documents, will go to County for bidding, money came from SPLOST V.\u00a0 Project 701 Pump Station 4048 construction bids are due next Wednesday. This will reroute LS4048 around LS4005. Project 702 \u2013 North Mainland Sewer Basin Re-route \u2013 SPLOST 2016 with budget of $11.7M. Split into 4 Phases. Project 703 \u2013 Pump Station 4003 Decommission & Gravity Sewer, SPLOST 2016.\u00a0 Estimate cost of $6.8million, SPLOST only allocated $3.3 M, JWSC will have to cover balance. Project 704 \u2013 Canal road to Glynco Parkway 12\u201d Water Main Loop.\u00a0 Pre-engineering in progress; route discussions with County.\u00a0 Project 705 – Hautala to Old Jesup 12\u201d Water Main Loop.\u00a0 Will provide a second connection between the former City and County water systems.\u00a0 Engineering design by Planning & Construction is complete.\u00a0 Proposed construction by JWSC WD Division.\u00a0 Todd also discussed the final map, which will help to explain to the community to see where their location of interest is and if there are any sewer basin issues there.\u00a0 The map is expected to help make the sewer issues more transparent to the community.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR\u2019S UPDATE<\/strong><\/p>\nMr. Junkin noted that on May 9 at 10:30 am JWSC is hosting the Island Planning Commission and Glynn County\u2019s Planning Commission monthly Joint Meeting. He invited the Commissioners to attend this meeting.<\/p>\n
CHAIRMAN\u2019S UPDATE<\/strong><\/p>\nChairman Elliott indicated that he definitely plans to attend the Joint Planning Commission Meeting and extended the invitation to all of the Commissioners as well.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nEXECUTIVE SESSION<\/strong><\/p>\nCommissioner Adams made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss property and litigation issues.\u00a0 Motion carried 6-0-1.\u00a0 (Commissioner Bowen was absent.)<\/u><\/p>\n
The Chairman stated that there will not be a vote after the Executive Session.\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n
Return to Regular Session.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Adams made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to return to the Regular Meeting.\u00a0 Motion carried 6-0-1.\u00a0 (Commissioner Bowen was absent.)<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n
Commissioner Harvey made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to adjourn the Commission Meeting.\u00a0 Motion carried 6-0-1.\u00a0 (Commissioner Bowen was absent.)<\/u><\/p>\n
There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Elliott adjourned the open meeting at 5:09 pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For your consideration, please review the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on May 4, 2017. Commission_Meeting_Minutes_5-4-17_with_Attachments To read the minutes, please open or download the pdf 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-6829","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\/6829","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=6829"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6829\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goldenisleslepc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}