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Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, April 21, 2022

For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Meeting 4-21-22 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

Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Bob Duncan, Vice-Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Chad Strickland, Commissioner

Kendra Rolle, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Charles Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel

Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator                                            

ABSENT:                               

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner 

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

Chairman Turnipseed provided the invocation and Commissioner Cook led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

Julian SmithMr. Smith spoke about the Golden Isles Sentiment Survey for the proposed 2022 SPLOST list.  He noted that he owns properties in Brunswick without public water and sewer, and is happy about JWSC’s extension of services to the Brunswick Villa area.  Mr. Smith added that there are two opportunities on the survey to indicate that water and sewer are a high priority for Glynn County, yet JWSC did not receive the full opportunity needed.  The deadline for the survey is midnight on May 9, 2022, and the results are presented on May 16, 2022.

There being no additional citizens for public comment, Chairman Turnipseed closed the public comment period.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION – Chairman Turnipseed / T. Kline

            Dana Read – Wastewater Collection System Operator

Dana Read, CMMS/GIS Analyst, has been with JWSC for fifteen years working in the Planning & Construction Division.  Chairman Turnipseed presented Dana Read with his Wastewater Collection System Operator Certificate.  Mr. Kline, Director of Planning & Construction, was also present to congratulate Mr. Read on his accomplishment.  Mr. Read was commended for his success in earning this certification and was encouraged to continue his good work.  Mr. Read thanked them.

Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to amend the agenda and remove the Village Drive Force Main from Approval Item #4, and also Approval Item #5 the Capital Improvement Fee-Connection Assistance Policy.  These will both be deferred to the next meeting.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to amend the agenda and defer both items until the next meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to excuse Commissioner Stephens from the meeting.

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move to excuse Commissioner Stephens from the meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

APPROVAL

  1. Minutes from the March 17, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the March 17, 2022 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1.   (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed

Chairman Turnipseed reported that the Facilities Committee had met the previous day at 1:00 p.m.  The committee approved several items to be moved forward to the full Commission.  The chairman noted that the Wastewater Treatment Plant Reports were all good and indicated that Academy Creek was operating at 54% of its capacity, Dunbar Creek was operating at 93%, and South Port was operating at 26% capacity for the month of March 2022. A presentation was given on current projects in progress and in completion stages with an approximate $33M projects in construction and completion phases.  Chairman Turnipseed commended the JWSC staff on projects and facilities management. 

Finance Committee – Commissioner Duncan

Committee Chairman Duncan reported that the Finance Committee meeting was held on the previous day at 3:00 p.m. The committee approved the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget and the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Projects Plan to be moved forward to the full Commission.   He stated that the financial statement indicated JWSC is on track and is executing finances very well on behalf of the JWSC rate payers.  

APPROVAL cont.

  1. Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget.  As he provided in his presentation, the four main goals of this budget proposal are to:  1.) Maintain affordability despite rising costs; 2.) Increase project funding to maintain Master Plan; 3.) Improve equipment reliability; and, 4.) Streamline operational process.  Overall highlights noted were:  1.) Water only rate adjustment requested; 2.) Repair & Replacement Reserve funding increase; 3.) Increased capital costs to improve equipment reliability; and, 4.) Budgeted overtime reduction.  Mr. Burroughs reviewed revenue projections and highlights, including the proposed rate increase of a minimal amount for water usage (water only) over 6,000 gallons which is well over the average monthly residential water usage of 4,200 gallons.  Expenses for all divisions were then reviewed along with a chart indicating the expense history for operating expenses, debt service, and R&R transfers for budget years 2019 thru 2023.  Mr. Burroughs briefly explained some of the reasons for budget increases, decreases, and highlighted a few upcoming FY2023 capital requests.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission take the following actions: (1) approve submission of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 JWSC Budget to the City of Brunswick and to Glynn County for their review and comment, and (2) approve the Fiscal Year 2023 JWSC Budget in the amount of $34,400,000 subject to revisions resulting from comments received from the City of Brunswick and/or Glynn County.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

  1. Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Projects Plan – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented the Commissioners with the proposal of the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Projects Plan.  The projects were listed and discussed in prioritized order with each including a full description, the total project cost, funding source, engineering and labor types.  The fourteen capital projects are listed on the plan in the order as noted below.

  1. GEFA Loan Debt Service
  2. Academy Creek RAS Replacements
  3. Water Production SCADA
  4. PS4105 Force Main Reroute
  5. Mall EST & Oglethorpe EST Rehab
  6. PS2056 Pump & Force Main Improvements
  7. PS2033/2034 Rehab
  8. PS3114 Force Main Reroute
  9. North Mainland WPCF Land Acquisition & Engineering
  10. Ocean Boulevard Water Improvements
  11. Wesley Oaks Circle Water Main Improvements
  12. Brunswick Villa Area Sewer Extensions
  13. Galvanized Replacements
  14. JWSC Facilities Improvements

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission endorse the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Projects Plan as presented.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.) 

  1. Infrastructure and Easement Dedications – T. Kline
  • Autumns Wood Phase 2
  • Tanglewood Phase 2
  • Village Drive Force Main

The Village Drive Force Main was removed from the agenda and deferred until the next meeting.

Mr. Kline advised that the Developers of the Projects at Autumns Wood Phase 2 and Tanglewood Phase 2 wish to dedicate easements and/or infrastructure to the JWSC for ownership, operation and maintenance.  All legal documents have been submitted, and all requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water & Sewer Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met.

Commissioner Neal moved to vote separately on the two dedications.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the Autumns Wood Phase 2 Project Dedication of water & sewer infrastructure.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioner Neal abstained due to conflict of interest.   Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the Tanglewood Phase 2 Project Dedication of water & sewer infrastructure; and, Water Only Easement.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

  1. Capital Improvement Fee – Connection Assistance Policy – A. Burroughs

This item was removed from the agenda and deferred until the next meeting.

6.  Leak Adjustment Requests – A. Burroughs

  • McDonald’s
  • Travel Center of America

Mr. Burroughs advised that McDonald’s had requested a leak adjustment due to multiple leaks at their location at 4545 Altama Avenue. Jowers Plumbing Solutions LLC has repaired the leak and the usage has returned to normal levels.  Staff has reviewed this request for a leak adjustment and determined that it should be granted to the customer.

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the leak adjustment in the amount of $2,463.87 to the account of McDonald’s as presented.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.) 

Mr. Burroughs then provided that Travel Center of America had also requested a leak adjustment due to an irrigation main break at their location at 215 Dungeness Drive.  Southern Rain, Inc. has repaired the leak and usage has returned to normal levels.  Staff has reviewed this request for a leak adjustment and determined it should be granted to the customer.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the leak adjustment in the amount of $3,389.08 to the account of Travel Center of America as presented.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

  1. Equipment Purchase: Kubota 30” Cold Planer – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs advised that currently, for water and sewer repairs and pipe installations under existing asphalt surfaces, JWSC crews have two options for asphalt removal.  The most common option is to sawcut the asphalt, load the large chunks into dump trucks and haul the materials to the landfill.  In larger scenarios, often crews contract out milling of the asphalt surface to a third party.  When staff began discussing self-installing the new force main for Pump Station 2002 on Arnold Road, quotes to mill the 1,000 foot of asphalt surface ranged from $3,000 to $5,000.  Mr. Burroughs stated that owning a cold planer attachment has multiple benefits to the JWSC.  Having the in-house capability to mill asphalt provides the JWSC with greater schedule control.  Also, the milled asphalt can be used to fill the road cuts until final paving repairs could occur.  Additionally, this equipment can be utilized by both water and sewer crews.  It is estimated that the equipment will pay for itself in about five uses, or within 1 to 2 years.  The equipment will be purchased with remaining funds in the Systems Pumping and Maintenance operating budget. 

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the purchase of a Kubota 30” Cold Planer from Sapelo Equipment Co., LLC in the amount of $24,999.00.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

  1. Community Road Sewer Project – Engineering Proposal – T. Kline

Mr. Kline presented the request for Change Order #1 to Capital Project #2020 – Community Road Engineering Services Water & Sewer Extension Project Professional Services Contract.  This change order will provide for additional funding of $76,650.00 and a time extension of 283 days to the original contract.  This would modify the originally designed route of gravity sewer extensions from the Community Road right-of-way to Habersham Street and modify the proposed wastewater collection system from gravity to low pressure grinder force main.  This would eliminate excessive easement acquisitions, modifications to PS4011 and also reduce construction and permanent operational disruptions to the existing businesses and traffic along Community Road. 

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the above-described Change Order #1, to increase the contract amount by $76,650.00 and contract time by 283 consecutive calendar days.  Motion carried 6-0-1.  (Commissioner Stephens was absent from the meeting.)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs provided that over $108,000.00 has been provided, thus far, in assistance for about 225 low income customers towards monthly payments, past due payments, etc. towards their accounts.  In the Meter Replacement Project almost 10,000 meters have been replaced.  Pump Stations 4035 and 4036 Projects are basically done at this point.

COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION

There was no further discussion by the Commissioners.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed commended the entire staff for all of their hard work in keeping projects moving forward.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no Executive Session 

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:52 p.m.