For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission_Minutes_02-20-2025_with Attachments

To read the minutes, please open or download the pdf from the link above, or you may see more below.

 

Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission

1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520

Commission Meeting Room

Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM

COMMISSION MINUTES

PRESENT:                         G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

                                               Clayton Watson, Vice-Chairman

                                               Charles Cook, Commissioner

                                               Wayne Neal, Commissioner

                                               Lance Sabbe, Commissioner

                                              Dave Ford, Commissioner

                                              Bill Edgy, Commissioner

 

ALSO PRESENT:              Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

                                                Charles A. Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel

                                                LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

                                                Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

                                                David Owens, Director of Finance

                                                Pam Crosby, Director of Procurement

                                                Christa Free, Procurement Coordinator

                                                Donnie Bankston, Water Production Superintendent

                                                Matt Lane, Water Production Supervisor

                                                Jacob Mason, Water Operator

                                               Annette Cornely, Planning & Development Coordinator

                                               Megan Pinker, Administrative Coordinator

 

MEDIA PRESENT:                None

                                               

Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.

 

Chairman Turnipseed provided the Invocation, and Commissioner Sabbe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period. There being no public comment, Chairman Turnipseed closed the public comment period.

 

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

Jacob Mason – Water Operator Class 3

Matthew Lane – Georgia UST Class A/B Operator

Todd Kline – Water Distribution Operator

 

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed provided an update on the Facilities Committee Meeting held on February 19, 2025.

Finance Committee – Commissioner Watson provided an update on the Finance Committee Meeting held on February 19, 2025.

 

AMENDMENT TO AGENDA

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe to defer Approval Item #7 to the next meeting.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from January 15, 2025, Commissioners’ Workshop

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to approve the minutes from the January 15, 2025, Commissioners’ Workshop.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

2. Minutes from January 16, 2025, Commission Meeting

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2025, Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

3. Minutes from January 16, 2025, Executive Session

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2025, Executive Session.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

4. Contract Award – Community Road Area Water and Sewer Extensions – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs described that the project area is bound by Altama Avenue to the east and Habersham to the west. It’s a commercial district that currently has water access but does need some water improvements to improve flows in the area. The area currently does not have access to sewer. Mr. Kline displayed the project area on the GIS system. Mr. Burroughs continued by saying that the project will put in pressure sewer force mains and allow service to every lot, indicating there are 120 parcels in this project area. The customers will have to install a grinder station on their site in order to connect, and customers will be responsible for paying the appropriate fees, but JWSC will make the service available. Through a competitive bidding process JWSC received four bids on February 11, 2025, with the low bid being from UWS Inc. UWS is finalizing the Arco project and is ready to subsequently begin work on this project. The Engineer of Record, Hussey Gay Bell, provided a bid tabulation and a recommendation to award to UWS at the total cost of $3,057,807.

Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract for the construction of the Community Road Area Water and Sewer Extension Project to UWS, Inc., in the amount of $3,057,807.00.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

5. Change Order No. 6 – Dunbar Creek WPCF Rehab – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs provided that the rehabilitation project at this location is ongoing. During this project, there have been five change orders to date, which are listed in the memo. This Change Order No. 6 is a two-part change order, one of which is a reduction in scope of the previously proposed paving for the project. The value of that scope reduction is $140,592.11. However, the addition is to include chemical storage, pumping and piping necessary for the removal of phosphorus from the facility. This would be an addition of alum and liquid lime storage tanks. These tanks have a seven-day hold time as well as the ability to pump into two different locations for treatment purposes. The cost to include the new chemical treatments is $521,450, for the combined net cost of this change order being $380,857.89. The longest lead time item is 12 to 16 weeks from approval of the change order.

Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve Change Order No. 6 in the amount of $380,857.89 to BRW Construction Group, LLC for scope changes associated with the Dunbar Creek WPCF Rehab project. Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

6. Equipment Purchase – Academy Creek Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs stated that staff is recommending the purchase of six dissolved oxygen monitoring probes for Academy Creek to replace the three existing units. The three are in stage one of the each of the aeration basins and we’re requesting to replace those three as they are fouling considerably. Staff must constantly pull them up, then clean them off for proper operation. Staff will also put monitors in stage four as well on the effluent side of the aeration basins to ensure that D.O. set points are accurate. He explained that oxygen is the largest non-personnel related item in JWSC’s annual budget, which emphasizes the importance of proper monitoring and control. The cost to purchase the six probes and accompanying equipment is $35,350.

Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the purchase of the D.O. monitoring probes and associated equipment from CL2 Solutions, LLC. in the amount of $35,350.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

7. Agreement with HIC Altama, LLC – This item was deferred to next meeting as shown above.

 

8. Resolution – Georgia Department of Natural Resources – A. Burroughs

For this Resolution, Mr. Burroughs explained that the State of Georgia owns property along both sides of Highway 17 north of what is known as the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation. JWSC currently provides neither water nor sewer to the property which is managed by the DNR. Glynn New Hope owns the former New Hope Plantation, and they want to construct water and sewer improvements on site, with the needs to carry that to offsite JWSC systems to facilitate redevelopment of the plantation property. Construction of these improvements will require the installation of a water main and sewer main across DNR property at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, adjacent to the current expansion of Highway 17. To accomplish this, DNR requires that JWSC be the requester of the easement. The intent is to get this easement on the DNR agenda this month as well as put it before the State Properties Commission. The Resolution outlines the scope of the project. It also makes clear that should Glynn New Hope not complete the project, then the easement will not be granted, and JWSC is not responsible for anything associated with that project.

Separately from this, as a portion of an agreement with the DNR, Glynn New Hope will be running a fire main to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation property to increase fire protection to that area. This is just a resolution in support of the project so that the item can be placed on their agenda.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the resolution in support of the water service availability and fire protection project at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

9. Easement Conveyance – 161 S Harrington Road– A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented this item. He informed the Commissioners that this item is a request for an easement over JWSC property by Georgia Power to install a looped, underground power system on JWSC’s South Harrington facility to an onsite transformer there. JWSC has experienced repeated power outages at that facility, and Georgia Power has proposed installing a secondary line so that power can be fed multiple directions. Mr. Burroughs continued to say that this is a request for a ten-foot utility easement off the far east side of the Harrington property. That specific location on the property was chosen in order to avoid conflicts with an existing 16-inch water main leaving the facility. This easement will benefit JWSC from the standpoint that JWSC gets a looped system to power both the well site and nearby pump stations.

Commissioner Edgy made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the conveyance of a 10-foot utility easement at 161 S Harrington Road to Georgia Power Company for maintenance of underground power cables.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

10. Dedication of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline

• London Murphy Tract – Easements and Quit Claim Deed
• 3000 Block of E. Third Street – Dedication of Infrastructure

Mr. Kline presented this item in two parts. The first part is an area known as London Murphy Tract. It includes approximately 300 linear feet of two-inch water main, and approximately 300 feet of eight-inch gravity main and manhole appurtenances. This location is off Demere Road on Saint Simons Island. Also included are the noted easements, as they do traverse private property. The second part is on the Mainland in an area known as Peanut Properties, Inc. This dedication includes just less than 700 feet of two-inch PVC force main, which will open up wastewater service to customers all along its route.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept these projects with associated documentation. Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs stated that he had no further updates to bring before the Board.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION

Commissioner Sabbe reported that three JWSC Commissioners participated in the local Chamber of Commerce legislative trip to Atlanta this week. He reported that they were part of great meetings with various agencies such as DOT and DNR, along with meetings with some elected officials. He will provide additional details on ongoing legislative efforts at next month’s Commission meeting.

 

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed expressed appreciation to the Glynn County Board of Commissioners, for allocating SPLOST funding to JWSC. He commented that approximately 30-40% of the current annual JWSC work is being funded with SPLOST. Having that funding allows JWSC to do great project work while keeping rates affordable for our ratepayers. Commissioner Neal added that the County Commission has quarterly evaluation reports on SPLOST projects. He invited JWSC to attend and participate in the next quarterly SPLOST update.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for matters of litigation and real estate.

 

Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to adjourn to Executive Session.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

Commissioners returned to the Commission Chambers. Chairman Turnipseed entertained a motion to return from Executive Session.

 

Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to return from Executive Session.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

ADJOURN

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 7-0-0.

 

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m.