Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, May 18, 2023
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.
Commission Minutes 5-18-23 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, May 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM
COMMISSION MINUTES
PRESENT:
G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman
Tripp Stephens, Vice-Chairman
Charles Cook, Commissioner
Wayne Neal, Commissioner
Chad Strickland, Commissioner
Clayton Watson, 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
Janice Meridith, Executive Commission Administrator
ABSENT:
Kendra Rolle, Commissioner
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
Chairman Turnipseed provided the invocation and Commissioner Rolle 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.
GAWP District 8 AWARDS RECOGNITION
Matthew Lane – 2023 Top Water Production Operator of the Year Award
Alvin Hall – 2023 Top Distribution Operator of the Year Award
Chairman Turnipseed presented Matthew Lane with a copy of his award certificate from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. Matt was recognized by the GAWP as the 2023 Top Water Production Operator of the Year. Chairman Turnipseed and Superintendent Donnie Bankston congratulated Matt for his hard work and achievement.
Chairman Turnipseed presented Alvin Hall with a copy of his award certificate from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. Alvin was recognized by the GAWP as the 2023 Top Distribution Operator of the Year. Chairman Turnipseed and Superintendent Derrick Simmons congratulated Alvin for his hard work and achievement.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed stated that the Facilities Committee met on the previous day at 1:00 p.m. Approval items that were approved to move forward to the full Commission were dedications of infrastructure and easements from private projects. The Water Production Report showed that Brunswick facilities produced 5MGD, St. Simons facilities produced 3MGD, and South Port facilities produced 300KGD. The treatment plants performed at: Academy Creek 41%; Dunbar Creek 70%; and South Port 37%. The Capital Projects Report provided great photos of projects and good reporting on the details.
Finance Committee – Vice-Chairman Stephens
Vice-Chairman Stephens reported that the Finance Committee met on the day before. The Finance Committee also had a short agenda and reviewed and approved the Purchasing Policy updates and fiscal year 2024 employee raises. The committee had a good general discussion and update on the financial statements.
APPROVAL
- Minutes from the April 20, 2023, Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the April 20, 2023 Regular Commission Meeting. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
- Minutes from the April 20, 2023, Commissioners’ Workshop
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the April 20, 2023 Commissioner’s Workshop on Construction Standards. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
- Purchasing Policy Updates – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs advised the Commissioners that BGJWSC has a purchasing Policy which governs purchases made by JWSC staff. The policy outlines purchases that require approval by the BGJWSC Commission, which purchases are under the approval of the Executive Director. At the April 19, 2023 Finance Committee meeting, the Finance Committee requested policy changes be made to require the purchase of individual capital items that are approved as part of the annual fiscal year budget be brought before the Commission for consideration. This will require an edit to Section 4.(a) of the Purchasing Policy to add the clause “with a value less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)” to clarify the authority granted by the adopted budget (previously was $5,000). The word “County” is also being removed from the name of the organization to be in line with the current JWSC nomenclature. Commissioner Cook was not in favor of making it policy to require capital items approved within the fiscal year budget to be brought back to the Commission for approval again. He commented that there should have been a budget workshop to review the details and discuss the list of needed items to determine which are needed this year and those that should not be budgeted for. Commissioner Cook also noted that JWSC senior staff worked very hard on the budget, and all had great input. He believes Mr. Burroughs knows what items are needed and those that should be left out. He suggested holding on changing the policy and having a workshop for the next fiscal year. Commissioner Stephens stated that the budget is a guide which the staff did spend a few months reviewing, but things change such as material and labor costs. He commented that this is a good check and balance guide with no policy the staff has to work several months ahead on the details. Things can change within 12 to 18 months. Commissioner Stephens gave the example of the Pinova fire which did cause the JWSC to lose revenues that were not budgeted for. Capital purchases should be ratified. Commissioner Neal commented that $25,000 is too low, and he agrees with Commissioner Cook’s argument, but JWSC does have to answer to the public. JWSC is accountable to the public with our funds and projects. Commissioner Neal added that the public may appreciate the review of items before the project or procurement has begun. Commissioner Stephens added that projects should be real-time and at current prices, which do change.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the amended JWSC Purchasing Policy as presented. Motion carried 5-1-1. (Commissioner Cook voted against the motion.) (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
- FY2024 Employee Raise Proposal – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented the Commissioners with a proposal for an increase in staffs’ wages by a cost-of-living adjustment of 2.5%. He noted that at the April 20, 2023, Commission meeting, the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget was approved subject to any comments from the City of Brunswick or Glynn County. In the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, a budgetary amount equal to 2.5% of the employee wage budget was included for consideration of employee raises. The 2.5% COLA will be provided to all salary and hourly staff members. The total wage increase based on current JWSC wages is $182,452.26 with the average employee increase being $0.65/hour.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve a 2.5% cost of living adjustment to employee wages effective July1, 2023. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
- Dedications of Private Infrastructure & Easements – T. Kline
- 235 Kings Way Gravity Sewer – Dedication of Infrastructure
- Francis Xavier Catholic School Addition – Dedication of Infrastructure
- Tanglewood Phase 2B – Dedication of Infrastructure
- Walker Point Ph1 – Dedication of Infrastructure and Easement
- The Estates at Golden Isles – Dedication of Infrastructure and Easement
Mr. Kline provided that the Developers of the above-mentioned projects wish to convey easements and dedicate infrastructure. They have submitted necessary legal documents defining the transfer of ownership and conveying the easements for access and maintenance. All requirements of the JWSC Standards for Water & Sewer Design and Construction and Development Procedures have been met, and all related documents submitted.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve this project with associated Dedications and Easements. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
- Easement Acquisition – Adams Drive – C. Dorminy
Mr. Dorminy advised that JWSC has been requested to provide potable water along Adams Drive. The Water Distribution Department plans to abandon existing galvanized water mains located on the road and install a new PVC main. Four landowners abutting Adams Drive have executed deeds providing the JWSC with necessary easements to complete this project. This project will allow the four current homes and future homes to tie on to the public system.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Watson to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission accept the Adams Drive easements and authorize the Chairman to execute the acceptance of the Adams Drive easements. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Mr. Burroughs advised that the Ordinance revisions regarding leak adjustments have been approved by the City of Brunswick. He provided that the annual Rates and Budget Townhalls were on June 6th and 7th, both starting at 6pm.
COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION
There was no additional discussion.
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
The Chairman stated that he saw many of the JWSC staff at the Georgia Rural Water Association Conference on Jekyll Island. The staff represented themselves well and were actively participating.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session.
ADJOURN
There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Rolle was absent from the meeting.)
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2:36 p.m.