For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission meeting held on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 2:00PM in the Commission Meeting Room

Commission Minutes 12-16-21 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, December 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

 Bob Duncan, Vice-Chairman

 Charles Cook, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner

Cornell Harvey, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

Charlie Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel

 LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

 Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

  Frances Wilson, Accounting Manager

  Christa Free, Procurement Coordinator 

ABSENT:                                Chad Strickland, Commissioner                                                                                             

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

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

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Chairman Turnipseed opened the public comment period.

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

RETIREMENT RECOGNITION – Dennis Lewis – 11 years of service (2010-2021)

Mr. Lewis was recognized for his 11 years of service to the Joint Water & Sewer Commission. He received a plaque and thanked the Commissioners for their leadership throughout his tenure.

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE – Cornell Harvey – Recognition for eight years of service as Commissioner for the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission (2013-2021)

The Chairman presented Commissioner Harvey with a plaque for his service to the JWSC from 2013-2021. Chairman Turnipseed said Commissioner Harvey has been a great Mayor for Brunswick and an asset to the JWSC. The rest of the Commissioners echoed Chairman Turnipseed and thanked Commissioner Harvey for his service. Commissioner Harvey thanked his fellow Commissioners and complimented Mr. Burroughs on his leadership, mentioning that he was proud to have been associated with one of the best run organizations in the city/county.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed

Chairman Turnipseed reported that the Facilities Committee had met the previous day at 1:00 p.m. The Chairman stated that the Committee reviewed and forwarded five items to the full Commission for their approval. These items include Change Orders for multiple projects, an Infrastructure Dedication, and USGS Funding for 2022. All water treatment plants are operating very well and within permit. The Project Report included project photos and information on the projects JWSC currently has underway. 

Finance Committee – Commissioner Duncan

Committee Chairman Duncan reported that the Finance Committee meeting was held on the previous day at 3:00 p.m. There were three items that were reviewed and forwarded to the full Commission for their approval. These items were USGS Funding for 2022, Workers’ Compensation Renewal for 2022, and the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Agreement between the JWSC and the Georgia Department of Human Services. JWSC Accounting Manager, Frances Wilson gave an overview of the Financial Statements for November 2021.

APPROVAL

1. Workers’ Compensation Renewal – Jeffery Singletary, TSI/ Jarrett Bridges, Turner & Associates

Mr. Bridges delivered a presentation to the Committee regarding the 2022-2023 Workers Compensation renewal. Five carriers provided quotes to the JWSC for annual Workers Compensation renewal, with the lowest premium being provided by National Liability & Fire at $203,464.00. The JWSC incumbent provider, Zenith provided a quote of $253, 402. Mr. Bridges stated that National Liability & Fire is a division of Berkshire Hathaway, a nationally recognized firm. Mr. Bridges also listed several comparison items between The Zenith and National Liability & Fire, including their rating and services offered. Commissioner Stephens asked if a lower annual payout from The Zenith would have lowered their premium rate for 2022, to which Mr. Bridges responded most likely.

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission approve the 2022-2023 contract for Workers’ Compensation with National Liability and Fire in the amount of $203, 464.00.

Motion passed 5-0-2. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting; Commissioner Harvey was late for the meeting). 

2. Minutes from the November 18, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to approve the minutes from the November 18, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting.

 Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting; Commissioner Harvey was late for the meeting). 

3. Minutes from the November 18, 2021 Executive Session

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to approve the minutes from the November 18, 2021 Executive Session. 

Motion carried 5-0-2 (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting; Commissioner Harvey was late for the meeting).

4. Change Order No. 1 – 4036 Basin CIPP – T. Kline

Mr. Kline presented a change order request from Bio-Nomic Services for the Pump Station 4036 CIPP Rehabilitation project for time extension and additional cost request. The amount of the proposed time extension is 87 days with an adjusted cost amount of $9,000. The contractor cites multiple delays including weather, COVID, permitting and by-passing. Mr. Kline stated that the adjusted date of completion would be moved to February 28, 2022 from December 3, 2021 and the adjusted contract amount would be increased to $932,333.69, still keeping the project within budget.  The work performed to this point by the contractor has been satisfactory and per contract requirements.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the above described Change Order No. 1 submitted by Bio-Nomic Services for 4036 Basin CIPP. 

Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting; Commissioner Harvey was late for the meeting).

5. Change Order No. 2 – North Mainland Force Main Reroute – T. Kline

Mr. Kline presented a change order from T. B. Landmark Construction, Inc to change the scope of work for the North Mainland Force Main Reroute from gravity extension to force main. Mr. Kline cited constructability and resident access as the main reasons for the change of approach to completion of this project. A portion of this project runs down a narrow residential street and installation of a smaller, shallower force main pipe would be less restrictive and disruptive to the residents. The Engineer of Record, Thomas & Hutton supports the recommended change. Commissioner Stephens asked Mr. Burroughs if the JWSC could pre-purchase items for change orders in the same way items are pre-purchased for project start-ups in order to save money. Mr. Burroughs said that was always an option to look into. 

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer approve the above described Change Order No. 2 for T.B. Landmark Construction, Inc., for the North Mainland Force Main Reroute project

Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting). 

6. Final Balancing Change Order No. 3 – PS4003 Upgrades – T. Kline

Mr. Kline presented change order three from Petticoat Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc for closeout of the Pump Station 4003 Upgrade project. This change order also includes a deduction in contract pricing of 8,872.39, bringing the final adjusted contract amount to $1,985,143.89. The final payment amount to Petticoat Schmitt will be $120,077.09. Mr. Kline stated that the project is complete and the station is functioning as designed. The as-builts should be received soon from Hussey, Gay, Bell, the Engineer of Record. Commissioner Stephens asked if the JWSC staff performs any kind of pre-warranty inspections before the warranty expires, to which Mr. Kline stated that yes, those inspections are performed with the appropriate division based on the project type.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer approve the above described Change Order No. 3 for Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc., for closeout of the Pump Station 4003 Upgrade project. 

Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

7. Infrastructure Dedication – T. Kline

Mr. Kline presented Infrastructure Dedications for two sites, the first being at the Nottingham Drive force main. The Palmetto Building Group proposed a 2,395 foot force main be installed on Nottingham Drive in order to provide sewer service to 3-5 lots. The second infrastructure dedication is for Surfside Kids Pediatric Dentistry, located at 4850 Altama Ave. The Owner of Record has installed 50 feet of 6 inch and 42 feet of 2 inch water main, as well as 52 feet of sewer main to service a 6,000 square foot dental practice.  The infrastructure for both locations complies with applicable standards at the time of installation/construction. All related documentation for both sites has been submitted.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve Infrastructure Dedications for Nottingham Drive and Surfside Kids Pediatric Dentistry.

Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

8. USGS Joint Funding Agreement – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented the proposed 2022 contribution for the United States Geological Survey. For the past several years, the JWSC has entered into a joint agreement with the USGS for groundwater monitoring of the Upper Floridan aquifer to monitor migration of chlorides throughout the aquifer. This agreement is key in long-term planning for drinking water wells as growth continues in Glynn County. The cost for the 2022 agreement is $70,100, up from $65, 700 in 2021. The 2022 agreement includes a new monitoring site at the recently completed Ridgewood Water Production Facility. Funding for this agreement is budgeted as part of the Office of Director’s Technical Services budget.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the Joint Funding Agreement between the Joint Water & Sewer Commission and the United States Geological Survey for 2022 in the amount of $70,100.

 Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

9. Low Income Household Water Assistance Program Agreement – L. Roberts

Ms. Roberts presented the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Agreement, which allows approved households to receive funding to cover one or more of the following: Arrearages for Disconnected Households, Arrearages for Households at risk of Disconnection, Reconnection and Late Fees, or Reduction in Rates Charges for current bills. The funding for this agreement is provided through Congress appropriated funding in both the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Funding for approved households will be disbursed through local Community Action Agencies directly to participating Household Water Suppliers. It is up to the Community Action Agencies to determine eligibility, not the JWSC. The local agency is the Coastal Georgia Community Action Authority, who the JWSC has previously partnered with in similar Customer Assistance Programs. The Agreement would be entered into between the JWSC and the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services. Commissioner Harvey asked how much was allocated to the JWSC for this project. Ms. Roberts said that there is no specific allocation per organization, that the funds are spread throughout the state on a first come, first served basis. Commissioner Harvey stated he would like to see a press release for this program run in the Brunswick News and Islander newspapers.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Agreement with the Georgia Department of Human Services.

Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

DISCUSSION

There were no items for discussion.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs thanked the Commissioners for their attendance and help at the annual JWSC Christmas party. He thanked Commissioner Harvey for his service to Brunswick and the JWSC. Mr. Burroughs let the Commissioners know that there will be a Georgia Economic Outlook meeting on January 12, 2022 at 11:30AM on Jekyll Island. Mr. Burroughs wished the Commissioners and staff a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed thanked the JWSC staff for their hard work during the year and encouraged staff to think of ways to serve the community in the most beneficial ways. He wished the Commissioners and staff a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. There will be a Commissioner workshop January 19, 2022 at the Hall, Booth, Smith offices in Brunswick.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Property and Personnel (with votes)

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to move to enter into Executive Session to discuss Property and Personnel. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting). 

Return to Regular Session 

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to move to return to Regular Session. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to amend the agenda to approve the 2^nd Amendment to Mr. Burroughs contract. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to amend the agenda to approve the 3^rd Amendment to property at Chapel Crossing Road. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

 

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 3:14 p.m.