Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, January 16, 2025
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.
Commission_Minutes_01-16-2025_with Attachments
To read the minutes, please open or download the pdf from the link above, or you may see more below.
Brunswick-Glynn JointWater and Sewer Commission
1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520
Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM
COMMISSION MINUTES
PRESENT: G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman
Charles Cook, Vice-Chairman
Clayton Watson, Commissioner
Wayne Neal, 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
Jay Sellers, Director of Administration
Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator
ABSENT: Lance Sabbe, Commissioner
MEDIA PRESENT: Matthew Permar, The Islander
Taylor Cooper, The Brunswick News
Terry Dixon, The Brunswick News
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.
COMMISSIONERS’ SWEARING-IN CEREMONY – The Honorable Kelly Lanier
Charles Cook, Commissioner 2025-2028 Grand Jury Appointed
Bill Edgy, Commissioner 2025 – 2028 Elected
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairman – Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to nominate Commissioner Turnipseed as Chairman. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
Vice-Chairman – Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to nominate Commissioner Cook as Vice-Chairman. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
RECEPTION
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Communications Human Resources
Commissioner Cook – Chairman Commissioner Cook – Chairman
Commissioner Watson Commissioner Sabbe
Commissioner Sabbe Commissioner Watson
Economic Development Legislative
Commissioner Neal – Chairman Commissioner Sabbe – Chairman
Commissioner Sabbe Commissioner Edgy
Commissioner Edgy Commissioner Neal
Facilities Emergency Preparedness
Chairman Turnipseed – Chairman Commissioner Neal – Chairman
Commissioner Ford Commissioner Ford
Commissioner Neal Commissioner Sabbe
Finance
Commissioner Watson – Chairman
Commissioner Cook
Commissioner Edgy
APPROVAL
1. Minutes from the December 19, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to approve the minutes from the December 19, 2024, Regular Commission Meeting. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
2. Contract Award – Exit 29 WPF & EST Project – Division 1 – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs advised that the drinking water system at Exit 29 is shaped like a T, with water production facilities at either end of the system. Unfortunately, this can lead to fluctuating pressures for areas along Highway 17 South and Buck Swamp Road. There is also interest in potential industrial development along Highway 82 that would increase demand on the existing Old Brookman WPF. Currently, the JWSC has a permitted well adjacent to the South Port WPCF that does not have treatment capabilities, similar to the Ridgewood well that was converted to a production facility in 2021 and the Canal Road facility that is currently under construction for conversion to a production well. Conversion of the Exit 29 well to a production facility will increase potable water availability to the Exit 29 area for residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The Exit 29 system currently has one elevated storage tank with a capacity of 500,000 gallons. Construction of an additional elevated storage tank will help to stabilize pressures across the system, particularly if there are industrial needs near the current Old Brookman EST. The bids were broken into 3 separate divisions: Division 1 was for the WPF, Division 2 was for the EST, and Division 3 was for some distribution system improvements to loop neighborhoods more effectively. Each division can be awarded separately. Two (2) bids were submitted to JWSC on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, for Division 1, with the apparent low bid from Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $4,640,011.00. The final Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost for Division 1 provided by Thomas & Hutton was $6,140,000.00.
This project will be funded by SPLOST 2022. The JWSC was awarded $13,000,000 in Tier 1 SPLOST funds with $12,768,953 uncommitted at this time. Awarding this contract will leave $8,128,942 uncommitted.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal that Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract to Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $4,640,011.00 for Division 1 of the Exit 29 Water Production Facility & Elevated Storage Tank project. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
3. Contract Award – Exit 29 WPF & EST Project – Division 3 – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs provided that the bids for Exit 29 Project were broken into 3 separate divisions: Division 1 was for the WPF, Division 2 was for the EST, and Division 3 was for some distribution system improvements to loop neighborhoods more effectively. Each division will be awarded separately. One (1) bid was submitted to JWSC on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, for Division 3 from Reeves Young, LLC in the amount of $418,000.00. This project will be funded by SPLOST 2022. The JWSC was awarded $13,000,000 in Tier 1 SPLOST funds with $8,128,942 uncommitted at this time. Awarding this contract will leave $7,710,942 uncommitted. Staff recommends contracting with Reeves Young, LLC in the amount of $418,000.00 for Division 3 of the Exit 29 Water Production Facility & Elevated Storage Tank project.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission award a contract to Reeves Young, LLC in the amount of $418,000.00 for Division 3 of the Exit 29 Water Production Facility & Elevated Storage Tank project. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
4. GEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Recipient-Subrecipient Agmt. – A. Burroughs
On December 20, 2024, JWSC was awarded HMGP funding through Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to purchase and install five (5) portable generators and thirty-seven (37) transfer switches. The total approved cost is $1,820,682.00 with a federal share of $1,365,511.50 and a local share of $455,170.50. JWSC also recently completed installation of ten (10) automatic transfer switches with funding provided under FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. Funding programs such as these are integral to ensuring continuity of critical services to our community. The required local match of $455,170.50 will be funded with Repair and Replacement Reserve funds. Staff recommends executing Recipient-Subrecipient Agreement Number HMGP-4400-0033 with Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission execute Recipient-Subrecipient Agreement Number HMGP-4400-0033 with Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
5. EPD 319 Grant Agreement – L. Roberts
Mrs. Roberts provided that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) received an FY2024 Section 319(h) grant to prevent or abate nonpoint source pollution in support of Georgia’s Statewide Nonpoint Source Management Plan. Using a competitive process, GAEPD awarded grant funds to eligible projects that propose to address nonpoint sources of pollution by identifying and implementing the activities best suited to address those sources resulting in measurable water quality improvements to impaired waters throughout the State. JWSC applied for and was awarded funding under the above-described grant funding program. The JWSC’s funded project is the Arco Community Septic Conversion and Resiliency Project. The overall goal is to reduce nonpoint source contribution of oxygen-demanding substances to the Turtle River-South Brunswick River watershed (HUC12 #030702030201) in an economically disadvantaged community. The project will specifically focus on reducing septic effluent pollutant loads into Academy Creek and Turtle River. Total Project Amount is $742,652.27, of which $445,349.00 is funding provided by GAEPD, and $297,303.27 is local match (minimum of 40% local match). Staff recommends executing the Grant Agreement with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for 319(h) Grant funding in the amount of $445,349.00.
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Edgy that Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission execute the Grant Agreement with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for 319(h) Grant funding in the amount of $445,349.00 to fund the Arco Community Septic Conversion and Resiliency Project. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
6. Dedication of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline
• Saddle Brooke Ph 2A
Mr. Kline provided that the developer of this project wishes to dedicate infrastructure and convey easements. He added that the developer has submitted legal documents to define and execute the transfer of ownership. 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.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept this project with associated documentation. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
7. CVS Building Option and Amendment with Glynn County – C. Dorminy
Mr. Dorminy advised that Glynn County and JWSC entered an Intergovernmental Lease Agreement with Purchase Option dated June 17, 2021, and last approved by the Parties on June 29, 2021, regarding the old CVS building next door to the JWSC office. The Agreement provided the County with a Purchase Option as described in its Paragraph 23 and governed by the Option to Purchase Agreement attached to the Agreement as Exhibit “B”. The Option Agreement established a process for exercising the Option, and established that the Closing on the purchase of the building would occur on or before thirty (30) days after the date the County exercises its Option. The County exercised its Option through a letter dated December 6, 2024, which is enclosed in your materials. However, in order to accommodate the Holidays, the Parties wish to amend the Agreement and the Option Agreement to extend the Closing period to a total of sixty (60) days after the date the County exercised its Option. Therefore, the Amendment states that the Option Agreement is being amended by removing its Paragraph 19(b) and replacing it with the following:
(b) Closing. The Closing shall occur on or before sixty (60) days after the date Purchaser exercises its Option to purchase the Property (hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”) at such time and place as designated by Purchaser by written notice to Seller, except that such time may be extended as reasonably necessary by written agreement of the parties.
After the Amendment, the closing will take place before February 4, 2025, which is also before the JWSC’s next scheduled meeting. Therefore, the Chairman today will also need to be authorized to execute the closing documents. Staff has reviewed the Amendment and Letter and finds amending the Agreement to be beneficial to the purpose of the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water & Sewer Commission. Further, the Chairman will need to be authorized to execute the closing documents. Staff recommends approving the Amendment extending the deadline to be Sixty (60) days from exercising the Option and authorizing the Chairman to sign any and all documents to accomplish the closing.
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission: (1) Approve the Amendment to the Intergovernmental Lease Agreement with Glynn County for the lease purchase of the old CVS building ,and (2) Authorize the Chairman to sign any and all documents to accomplish the closing. Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting. Commissioner Neal abstained from the vote to avoid conflict of interest.)
DISCUSSION
1. Financial Statement Month Ending December 31, 2024 – D. Owens
Mr. Owens presented the financial statement for the month ending December 31, 2024 to the Commissioners.
2. Capital Project Report – T. Kline / A. Burroughs
Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs updated the Commissioners on the Capital Projects and provided photographs of each.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ford to enter into Executive Session to discuss Personnel. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
Return to Regular Session.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to return to Regular Session. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
APPROVAL cont.
8. Amendment to Executive Director’s Retirement Plan – C. Dorminy
Commissioner Watson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook that the Board approve for funding equal to 10% of his current salary to go into the Executive Director’s Retirement fund. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting.)
ADJOURN
There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Edgy made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0-2. (Commissioner Sabbe was absent from the meeting and Commissioner Neal left before the vote.)
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.