For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission Meeting held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.

Commission Meeting Minutes 5-20-21 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, May 20, 2021 at 2:00 PM 

COMMISSION MINUTES 

PRESENT:                             

G. Ben Turnipseed, Chairman

Bob Duncan, Vice-Chairman

Charles Cook, Commissioner

Cornell L. Harvey, Commissioner

Wayne Neal, Commissioner

Tripp Stephens, Commissioner 

ALSO PRESENT:                  

Andrew Burroughs, Executive Director

Charlie Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel

LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director

 Todd Kline, Director of Engineering

Jay Sellers, Director of Administration

Frances Wilson, Senior Accountant

Christa Free, Procurement Coordinator 

ABSENT:                               

Chad Strickland, Commissioner                                               

MEDIA PRESENT:               

Gordon Jackson, The Brunswick News                                          

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

Commissioner Neal provided the invocation and Commissioner Duncan 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.

Chairman Turnipseed requested a motion to excuse Commissioner Strickland from the Commission meeting due to a previous engagement.

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

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

            Jonathan Lai, Water Operator Class 2 Certification

Commissioner Harvey congratulated Jonathan Lai for his efforts in obtaining his Water Operator Class 2 Certification and for being part of the JWSC staff. Commissioner Harvey read the statement on the certificate presented to Mr. Lai. Water Production Superintendent Donnie Bankston was present to congratulate Mr. Lai.

Annette Cornely, Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification

Commissioner Harvey congratulated Annette Cornely for her efforts in obtaining her Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification and for being part of the JWSC staff. Commissioner Harvey read the statement on the certificate presented to Ms. Cornely, and Ms. Cornely thanked her Superintendent, Todd Kline for the opportunity to receive her license. Mr. Kline was present to congratulate Ms. Cornely.

Mike Fields, Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification

Commissioner Harvey congratulated Mike Fields on his efforts in obtaining his Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification and for being part of the JWSC staff. Commissioner Harvey read the statement on the certificate presented to Mr. Fields. Planning and Construction Superintendent Todd Kline was present to congratulate Mr. Fields.

Todd Kline, Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification

Commissioner Harvey congratulated Todd Kline on his efforts in obtaining his Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification and for being part of the JWSC staff. Commissioner Harvey read the statement on the certificate presented to Mr. Kline. Mr. Kline expressed his gratitude for being able to complete his training and receive his certification. 

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Facilities Committee – Chairman Turnipseed

Chairman Turnipseed reported that the Facilities Committee had met on the previous day at 1:00 p.m.  The Chairman stated that the Committee reviewed and forwarded two items to the full Commission. These items included a change order for the Sea Palms/Altama Avenue CIPP project and a change order for the Automatic Transfer Switch Installation project. An additional approval item for Infrastructure Dedication at Brunswick Commons apartments was deferred to a future meeting.  All of the water pollution control facilities are operating very well and within permit.  The Project Report included very good 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 several items approved to be forwarded to the full Board for consideration.  Those included a contract award for a Total Compensation Study, a contract award for Auditing Services, a change order for the Sea Palms/Altama Avenue project, and a leak adjustment for the City of Brunswick.  A presentation was given to the Committee from Doug Gebhardt with Davenport & Company regarding potential bond for the JWSC. Frances Wilson presented the financial statement for month ending April 30, 2021.  

APPROVAL

1. Minutes from the April 15, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Neal to approve the minutes from the April 15, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting). 

2. Sea Palms/Altama Avenue CIPP Project Change Order No. 1 – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented details of a requested change order for the Sea Palms/Altama Avenue CIPP Project from Inland Pipe Rehabilitation to adjust the final completion date and contract amount for the project. The completion date was requested to be adjusted from August 6, 2020 to April 23, 2021 and the contract amount adjusted from $599,937.45 to $545,550.60.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer approve the change order for Sea Palms/Altama Avenue CIPP Project to adjust the completion date to April 23, 2021 and adjust the final contract amount to $545,550.60.  Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

3. ATS Installation Change Order No. 1 – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented a change order request for Automatic Transfer Switches for Portable Generators for the JWSC, a contract that was approved with Y-Delta, Inc at the April 15, 2021 full Commission meeting. Following discussions with FEMA/GEMA, only ten of the requested twenty-two transfer switches were approved for funding by GEMA at 85%. JWSC staff prioritized ten locations of the twenty-two, and re-negotiated the contract price with Y-Delta from $773,085.00 to $324,507.00. FEMA will reimburse 75%, and GEMA will reimburse 10% of the cost, leaving the JWSC’s portion at $48,676.05. 

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer approve the change order for ATS Installation to reduce the number of approved transfer switches to ten, resulting in a modified contract price of $324,507.00 with Y-Delta, Inc. 

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

4. Infrastructure Dedication – T. Kline

Mr. Kline explained that this item had been deferred to a future meeting by the Facilities Committee.

Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to defer this item to a future Commission meeting.

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

5. Total Compensation Study Contract Award – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs presented that JWSC issued Request for Proposal No. 21-020 Professional Services for a Total Compensation Study on Friday, April 9, 2021. The intent of the study is to provide a review of the existing JWSC pay plan as well as the value of benefits provided to staff members in order to ensure internal and external equity among the different job classifications (69), and remain competitive in recruitment of new JWSC employees. Three proposals were received Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Mr. Burroughs suggested the contract be awarded to Evergreen Solutions, LLC based on price ($24,500.00) and final matrix score.

Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a contract for the Total Compensation Study with Evergreen Solutions, LLC in the amount of $24, 500.00.

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

6. Audit Services Contract Award – L. Roberts

Ms. Roberts stated that the JWSC issued Request for Proposal No. 21-022 for Auditing Services for the BGJWSC on March 19, 2021. One proposal was received on April 20, 2021 from Mauldin & Jenkins, CPAs & Advisors, who are the current auditors for the JWSC. Their proposal came in at $19,900.00 for each period of the three year contract.

Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission enter into a contract for Auditing Services for the JWSC in the amount of $19,900.00 with Mauldin & Jenkins, CPAs & Advisors.

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

7. Leak Adjustment / City of Brunswick – A. Burroughs

Mr. Burroughs informed the Commission that the City of Brunswick requested a leak adjustment due to a water leak at the Roosevelt Lawrence Youth Center for the months of January and February 2021. City staff repaired the leak, and usage has been restored to normal levels. The leak adjustment was calculated to be $2,003.90.

Commissioner Cook made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the leak adjustment in the amount of $2,003.90 to the account of the City of Brunswick as presented.  Motion carried 5-0-2.  (Commissioner Harvey abstained due to being a City of Brunswick Commissioner, and Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

DISCUSSION

1. Consent Agenda – Dorminy

Mr. Dorminy gave a presentation on the potential of instituting a Consent Agenda for the JWSC Commission meetings. He outlined what items belong on a consent agenda, which include routine procedural items or decisions that are likely to be noncontroversial since they have been vetted at the Committee level, approval of minutes, and any staff appointments requiring board approval. Mr. Dorminy then discussed the process for the Consent Agenda. He stated that items would be discussed thoroughly at the Committee level, and any Commissioner that is not a member of a specific Committee, but has special interest in an item may attend the Committee meeting to discuss that item. The Committee will then vote to forward the item to the Full Commission with recommendation that the item be placed on the Consent Agenda, or if the item is controversial or requires additional discussion that it be moved to be placed on the agenda with recommendation for approval. During Committee updates at the Full Commission meeting, the respective Committee chairs will give their Committee reports noting what items were recommended for placement on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Dorminy further explained that at the Full Commission meeting the Consent Agenda items would be covered first, followed by any regular agenda items. At that time, the Chairman would read out the numbers of the listed consent items. One motion, second, and vote is all that is required to approve all items together on the Consent Agenda.

Commissioner Neal asked Mr. Dorminy if the Consent Agenda could be amended to which Mr. Dorminy replied, yes and the Chairman can add items to the Consent Agenda at his discretion. Commissioner Neal then inquired if the consent process was not productive could the Commission revert back to the regular agenda process. Mr. Dorminy stated that yes, the process could go back to regular agenda if the Commissioners wished. Commissioner Duncan observed that a Consent Agenda process would encourage the Commissioners to be prepared for all Committee meetings. There being no additional questions or comments, Mr. Dorminy concluded his presentation on Consent Agenda.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Mr. Burroughs told the Commissioners that there would be a table top exercise with the Glynn County EMA at 8am on May 27^th for hurricane preparedness. Commissioner Neal invited any of the Commissioners to attend at the Glynn County EOC. Mr. Burroughs also noted that the dates for the annual JWSC town hall had been decided on June 9, 2021 at 6pm at the St. Simons Casino and June 10, 2021 at 6pm at Howard Coffin Park.

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Chairman Turnipseed commented on the GA Rural Water Conference on Jekyll Island the week of May 10, 2021. He was glad to see a large number of JWSC employees attend the conference and encouraged staff to obtain any available certifications.

EXECUTIVE SESSION — Property

Chairman Turnipseed made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move to enter into Executive Session to discuss Property with no vote to be taken. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Strickland was absent from the meeting).

Return to Regular Session

Commissioner Stephens 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).

There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m.