Commission Meeting Minutes – Thursday, November 18, 2021
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Commission meeting held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 2:00PM in the Commission Meeting Room
Commission Minutes 11-18-21 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, November 18, 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
Chad Strickland, 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:
Cornell L. Harvey, Commissioner
MEDIA:
None Present
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
Chairman Turnipseed provided the invocation and Commissioner Strickland 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.
MOTIONS
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to excuse Commissioner Harvey from the meeting. Motion carried 6–0.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion to move Agenda Approval Item #7 up to Agenda Approval Item #3 due to the Engineer of Record for the project being present at the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Strickland and passed 6-0-1 (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
AWARD PRESENTATION
Georgia Association of Water Professionals Water Distribution System Excellence Award 2021 – Supt. D. Simmons/Supt. D. Bankston
JWSC Superintendents Derrick Simmons of Water Distribution and Donnie Bankston of Water Production were presented with the 2021 Georgia Association of Water Professionals Water Distribution System Excellence Award. Mr. Bankston commended the other JWSC departments with their role in the award and presented the award to Chairman Turnipseed on behalf of the JWSC staff.
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 a contract award for Arco Area Water & Sewer Extension, a contract award for Engineering Services for the Canal Road Water Production Facility, a change order for the Meter Replacement project, a change order for Engineering Services for the Academy Creek WPCF, and a bid rejection for Pump Station 2002 Improvements. 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 four items that were reviewed and forwarded to the full Commission for their approval. These items were the contract award for Arco Area Water & Sewer Improvements, approval for Christmas gift cards for JWSC employees, a change order for the Meter Replacement project, and approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Glynn County and the JWSC. JWSC Accounting Manager, Frances Wilson gave an overview of the Financial Statements for October 2021.
APPROVAL
- Minutes from the October 21, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to approve the minutes from the October 21, 2021 Regular Commission Meeting. Motion carried 6-0–1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
- Minutes from the October 21, 2021 Executive Session
Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to approve the minutes from the October 21, 2021 Executive Session. Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
3. Pump Station 2002 Force Main Installation Bid Rejection – Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented a bid rejection for lFB No. 22-012 Pump Station 2002 Force Main Installation. The bid was released on September 22, 2021, with a pre-bid meeting held October 12 with four contractors in attendance. One bid was received November 9, 2021 from T.B. Landmark Construction, at a bid price of $769,315.00. The bid does not include the cost of the materials, which are being ordered by the JWSC due to supply chain and lead time issues. Due to budgeted funds of $500,000 for this project, staff recommends rejecting the bid from T.B. Landmark Construction.
Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission reject the bid received for Pump Station 2002 Force Main Installation from T.B. Landmark Construction due to insufficient pro ject funds.
Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
4. Christmas Gift Card Approval – F. Wilson
Ms. Wilson requested approval from the Commission to gift JWSC employees with Wal-Mart gift cards i n the amount of $50. She stated that this has been the practice of the JWSC for quite some time and that at the previous day’s Finance Committee meeting, Commissioner Harvey suggested increasing the limit from $25 per employee to $50. The total cost of gift cards for 134 employees would be $6,700, and the gift cards will be distributed with payroll on December 3, 2021.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick –Glynn Joint Water & Sewer approve Christmas gift cards for 134 JWSC employees in the amount of $50 each for a total of $6,700.
Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
5. Intergovernmental Agreement Bet. Glynn County and BGJWSC – American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Funding – C. Dorminy
Mr. Dorminy presented an Intergovernmental Agreement between Glynn County and the BGJWSC in which $4,000,000.00 worth of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, awarded to Glynn County would be distributed to the JWSC. This is federal funding from the US Treasury in order to address public needs highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The county will provide the JWSC with two $2,000,000.00 installment payments, with which the JWSC can make necessary investments in water and sewer infrastructure. The JWSC must use a portion of these funds for the Village Drainage project on St. Simons Island, and the remaining funds are to be used at Executive Director/Commission discretion.
Commissioner Stephens made a motion seconded by Commissioner Duncan to move that the Brunswick Glynn Joint Water & Sewer enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Glynn County for funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
- Arco Area Water & Sewer Extension Contract Award -A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented Invitation for Bid No. 22-013, Arco Area Water & Sewer Extension (Construction Phase), which was released on September 24, 2021. The scope of work for this project includes the installation of 11,307 linear feet of 8-inch and 3,116 linear feet of 10-inch PVC gravity sewer as well as 1,040 linear feet of 6-inch and 3,207 linear feet of 8-inch PVC water main to allow properties
in the Arco area of Brunswick access to the J WSC system. Two bids were received Thursday, October 28, 2021, with UWS, Inc. being the apparent low bidder at $3,655,749.60. The Contract period for this work will be 240 consecutive calendar days
Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland to move that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the contract for the Arco Area Water & Sewer Extension in the amount of $3,655,749.60 with UWS. Inc.
Motion carried 6–0–1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
7. AMI Meter Replacement Project -Change Order #1 – L. Roberts
Ms. Roberts presented a change order request from Delta Municipal Supply Company (“Delta”) for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Meter Data Management System project. During the course of installation of meter change-outs Delta encountered a larger quantity of fused meters, dubbed “yoke bars”, than had been anticipated during the initial research , thereby increasing the original “not-to exceed” allowance value. Delta suspended meter installation in May of 2021 and completed a full-scale visual audit of the entire meter system. It was determined following the audit that the “not-to-exceed” allowance should increase by $3,287,712.60 for the remainder of the project in order to account for the additional “yoke bars” located throughout the JWSC system. The project is funded by GEFA loan.
Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the above presented change order to Delta Municipal Supply Company in the amount of $3,287,712.60.
Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
- Canal Road Water Production Facility Contract Award – Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented Request for Proposal No. 22-015 Engineering Services for Canal Road Water Production Facility. The RFP was released on September 29, 2021 and a pre-proposal meeting attended by ten engineering firms was held on October 18, 2021. The scope of work for this project includes engineering services to provide additional water production capability to the North Mainland District. There is a current fire well located at 104 Canal Road, which has been determined to possess sufficient yield to allow for conversion to a full water production facility. The existing well is an Upper Floridan well and will reduce JWSC dependence on the two Miocene wells in the North Mainland. Six proposals were received on November 2, 2021 and were evaluated by a three member panel representing JWSC Operations, Engineering, and Senior Leadership. Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co., was the highest scoring proposal at 91. The proposal from Thomas & Hutton was also the lowest cost proposal at
$225,800.00. The estimated time to complete design services and produce bid ready plans and specifications is 120 days.
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cook to move that the Brunswick Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the contract for Engineering Services for Canal Road Water Production Facility to Thomas & Hutton Engineering in the amount of $225,800.00
Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
9. Engineering Services for Academy Creek WPCF Rehab Change Order #1- A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs informed the Committee that in July 2020 the JWSC received an updated NPDES discharge permit that contained significant changes to ammonia, BODs, and Enterococci discharge limitations. Existing plant changes as a result of current rehab work at the Academy Creek WPCF will improve ammonia and BODs removal at the facility, and internal improvements were made to the existing chlorine disinfection equipment to increase the
availability of chlorination and dechlorination for disinfection purposes. However, increased dosing rates of both chlorine for disinfection and sulfur dioxide for dechlorination are required to effectively treat against the more resistant Enterococci. The new dosing rate is also affected by an increase cost of chemicals due to supply chain issues. Costs have increased through 1Q FY2022 by 25% and the JWSC has also been notified of a 50% increase for chlorine effective
November I,2021, which would add an additional annual cost of $50,000 to the current chlorine budget. As the Engineer of Record for the current rehab work at the Academy Creek WPCF, the JWSC approached GMC about costs to design improvements for the installation of UV disinfection equipment. The current contract for engineering of the Academy Creek WPCF is
$1,181,150.00 and the change order request to engineer for UV system is $79,000 with a timeline of 90 days for completion. There is currently $112,049 of uncommitted funding for this project.
Com missioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Strickland that the Brunswick Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the above mentioned change order to GMC in the amount of $79,000 for Engineering Services for the Academy Creek W PCF.
Motion carried 6-0–1 (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
DISCUSSION
There were no items for discussion.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Mr. Burroughs informed the Commission that the local Grits and Issues breakfast would be held Friday, December 4, 2021 at 8:30am on Jekyll Island and all Commissioners were invited to attend. He also stated that the annual JWSC Christmas party will be held Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at l 1:30am and all Commissioners were invited to attend. Mr. Burroughs wished all Commissioners and staff a Happy Thanksgiving holiday.
CHAIRMAN’ S UPDATE
Chairman Turnipseed encouraged all Commissioners to attend the annual JWSC Christmas party and to bring their spouses. He wished the Commissioners and staff a Happy Thanksgiving holiday.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Duncan made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move to enter into Executive Session to discuss Property and Personnel. Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
Return to Regular Session
Commissioner Neal made a motion seconded by Commissioner Stephens to move to return to Regular Session . Motion carried 6-0-1. (Commissioner Harvey was absent from the meeting).
COMMENTS
Commissioner Stephens asked the Chairman and Executive Director about mandating JWSC employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. Mr. Burroughs explained that the JWSC has not mandated the vaccine due to current court cases in the state of GA and that the JWSC is not mandated by OSHA requirements.
Chairman Turnipseed asked Mr. Dorminy about the status of the contract for the Dunbar Creek WPCF Rehabilitation Design/Build Engineering Services. Mr. Dorminy responded that the contract would be made available as soon as possible.
There being no additional business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 3:21 p.m.