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Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, February 15, 2024

Written by Janice Meridith on . Posted in Commission Meeting Minutes.

For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Minutes 2-15-24 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, February 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Clayton Watson, Vice-Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Lance Sabbe, Commissioner

Chad Strickland, Commissioner

Dave Ford, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

Charles A. Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel

LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

David Owens, Director of Finance

Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Pam Crosby, Director of Procurement

Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator 

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.

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

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed provided an update on the Facilities Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. 

Finance Committee – Commissioner Watson provided an update on the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. 

APPROVAL

  1. Minutes from the January 17, 2024 Commissioners’ Workshop

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to approve the minutes from the January 17, 2024 Commissioners’ Workshop. Motion carried 7-0-0. 

  1. Minutes from the January 18, 2024 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to approve the minutes from the January 18, 2024 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

  1. Minutes from the January 18, 2024 Executive Session

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to approve the minutes from the January 18, 2024 Executive Session.  Motion carried 7-0-0. 

  1. Equipment Purchase – Dunbar Creek WPCF Influent Pumps – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs advised that JWSC operates four submersible influent pumps at Dunbar Creek to pump the wastewater throughout the treatment process. Following the high flow event in December that resulted in a significant sanitary sewer overflow, staff pulled one of the three influent pumps that were installed simultaneously and sent it to the manufacturer for inspection. Staff requested Xylem to examine the removed pump and quote the necessary repairs to return the pump to a like new condition. The cost to repair the fully depreciated 20-year-old existing pump is $31,360.04. Staff requested a quote for a replacement pump which came in at $51,579.71 for one (1) new more energy-efficient style. There are two additional pumps that are the same age and in similar condition to the one removed from service. Staff requested a quote for three (3) replacement pumps to check for quantity price savings. Xylem provided pricing of $43,785.69 each for three (3) pumps plus freight for a total cost of $141,451.07. Including freight, the cost per pump is $47,150.36 for a purchase of three (3) pumps providing JWSC with savings of $13,288.06 as compared to total pricing for purchases of one at the time. Based on the need to ensure the plant is operating correctly during high flow events, staff recommends purchasing three (3) Flygt pumps from Xylem Water Solutions for a cost of $141,451.07. These pumps are the direct replacement models of the existing pumps and take advantage of the volume discount. Mr. Burroughs noted that at the Facilities Meeting the pump curves were requested for review prior to approving this purchase. He provided the charts for the Commissioners to review. 

Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the purchase of three new Flygt influent pumps for Dunbar Creek from Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. in the amount of $141,451.07. Motion carried 7-0-0. 

Commissioner Strickland made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to defer Approval Items #5 and #6 until the next meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0. 

  1. Academy Creek RAS and UV Upgrades – A. Burroughs

This item was deferred until the next meeting.

  1. Academy Creek RAS and UV Upgrades – Construction Phase Services – A. Burroughs

This item was deferred until the next meeting.

  1. North Mainland WPCF Antidegradation Analysis – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs advised that BGJWSC has been working with a large parcel owner on the northwest quadrant of Exit 42 to acquire property for a new wastewater treatment plant for flows in the Exit 42 and Highway 99 area. This area is primed for rapid commercial and residential growth on top of the existing customer base in the area. The first step in constructing a new facility is to begin the permitting process for the new discharge. BGJWSC had an existing wasteload allocation (WLA) for the discharge and has requested the updated WLA for the past few years but has not received it due to staffing shortages at the state level. The preliminary WLA was included in the Brunswick Harbor TMDL for dissolved oxygen issued in 2020. The first step in the permitting process is to receive an updated preliminary WLA and complete an antidegradation analysis for the proposed new facility. Staff requested a proposal from Four Waters Engineering (4Waters) to complete the requested antidegradation analysis. 4Waters was chosen for this work as they prepared the most recent BGJWSC Master Plan Update and have a detailed understanding of the current and projected flows for this region. They have also helped coordinate multiple permitting issues for the BGJWSC in the past. 4Waters provided a proposal with a lump sum cost of $29,275.00 for consideration. This work would be paid for with the ARPA funding provided for Project No. 2211.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Sabbe that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into an agreement with Four Waters Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $29,275.00 for completion of the antidegradation analysis for the proposed North Mainland Water Pollution Control Facility. Motion carried 7-0-0.

  1. USGS Joint Funding Agreement – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs stated that for the past several years, the JWSC has entered into a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for groundwater monitoring of the Upper Floridan aquifer to monitor the migration of chlorides throughout the aquifer. This is key in long-term planning for drinking water wells as growth continues in Glynn County and the saltwater plume location relative to the Brunswick Villa well actively used by the JWSC. The impacts of saltwater intrusion have caused JWSC to close the Perry Park well as a drinking water source. Funding for continued groundwater monitoring allows for further understanding of the saltwater plume’s movement throughout the Upper Floridan aquifer. This is vital to project long-term changes to groundwater quality throughout our production wells. Costs for maintenance and operation of the groundwater wells have increased in recent years, with another increase this year. In recent years, there has been a change in funding available for this study as the Joint Funding Agreement allows for a match of USGS funds with JWSC funds, and any other funds received by USGS. Funding for this agreement is budgeted in the Office of the Director’s Technical Services budget as approved by the Commission.

Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a Joint Funding Agreement with USGS in the amount of $80,000 for the continuation of groundwater monitoring in the Upper Floridian aquifer. Motion carried 7-0-0.

  1. Dedications of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline

Mr. Kline provided that the Developers of Frederica Marsh Cottages and Merritt Place Phase 3 have submitted legal documents to define and execute the transfer of ownership of water and sanitary sewer infrastructure to JWSC. The infrastructure is understood to have complied with applicable standards at the time of construction. JWSC inspection records indicate the infrastructure was constructed to JWSC Standards, is functioning, and is in acceptable condition. All requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water and Wastewater System Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met, and all related documents submitted. The Committee discussed each development and the infrastructure to be transferred. All details and documents submitted for Frederica Marsh Cottages as well as the infrastructure were deemed acceptable by the Committee. However, there were questions regarding the infrastructure at Merritt Place Phase 3 and the Facilities Committee deferred this dedication until the next Facilities Committee Meeting.

Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept the project related to Frederica Marsh Cottages. Motion carried 7-0-0.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs provided the Commissioners with a brief update. 

COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION

Commissioner Neal inquired about the water pressure in Hampton Point. 

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

The Chairman provided the Commissioners with a brief update.

EXECUTIVE SESSION- Personnel

Commissioner Sabbe made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to enter Executive Session to discuss Personnel. Motion carried 7-0-0.

Return to Regular Session

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to return to Regular Session. Motion carried 7-0-0.

APPROVAL cont.

  1. Amendment to Executive Director’s Retirement Plan – C. Dorminy

Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve funding the planned compensation in the amount of ten percent (10%) SERP for the Executive Director’s Retirement Plan. 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 Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2:37 p.m.