Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, February 19, 2025
For your consideration, please read the minutes from the Facilities Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Facilities Minutes 02-19-2025 with Attachments
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Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission
1703 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520
Commission Meeting Room
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM
FACILITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PRESENT:
Committee Chairman Ben Turnipseed
Commissioner Dave Ford
Executive Director Andrew Burroughs
ABSENT:
Commissioner Wayne Neal
ALSO PRESENT:
Charles A. Dorminy, HBS Legal Counsel
LaDonnah Roberts, Deputy Executive Director
Todd Kline, Director of Engineering
Pam Crosby, Director of Procurement
Christa Free, Procurement Coordinator
Trevor Peters, Thomas & Hutton
Mason Cloy, Hoyer Investment Company
MEDIA PRESENT: None
Chairman Turnipseed called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM.
Chairman Turnipseed provided an invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Chairman Turnipseed opened the Public Comment Period. There being no citizens that wished to address the Committee, Chairman Turnipseed closed the Public Comment Period.
APPROVAL
- Minutes from December 18, 2024, Facilities Committee Meeting
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Chairman Turnipseed to approve the minutes from the Facilities Committee Meeting held on October 16, 2024. Motion carried 2-0.
- Contract Award – Community Road Area Water and Sewer Extensions – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs described that the project area is bound by Altama Avenue to the east and Habersham to the west. It’s a commercial district that currently has water access but does need some water improvements to improve flows in the area. The area currently does not have access to sewer. Mr. Kline displayed the project area on the GIS system. Mr. Burroughs continued by saying that the project will put in pressure sewer force mains and allow service to every lot, indicating there are 120 parcels in this project area. The customers will have to install a grinder station on their site in order to connect, and customers will be responsible for paying the appropriate fees, but JWSC will make the service available. Through a competitive bidding process JWSC received four bids on February 11, 2025, with the low bid being from UWS Inc. UWS is finalizing the Arco project and is ready to subsequently begin work on this project. The Engineer of Record, Hussey Gay Bell, provided a bid tabulation and a recommendation to award to UWS at the total cost of $3,057,807.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend awarding a contract for the construction of the Community Road Area Water and Sewer Extension Project to UWS, Inc., in the amount of $3,057,807.00. Motion carried 2-0.
- Change Order No. 6 – Dunbar Creek WPCF Rehab – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs provided that the rehabilitation project at this location is ongoing. During this project, there have been five change orders to date, which are listed in the memo. This Change Order No. 6 is a two-part change order, one of which is a reduction in scope of the previously proposed paving for the project. The value of that scope reduction is $140,592.11. However, the addition is to include chemical storage, pumping and piping necessary for the removal of phosphorus from the facility. This would be an addition of alum and liquid lime storage tanks. These tanks have a seven-day hold time as well as the ability to pump into two different locations for treatment purposes. The cost to include the new chemical treatments is $521,450, for the combined net cost of this change order being $380,857.89. The longest lead time item is 12 to 16 weeks from approval of the change order.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend the full Commission approve Change Order No. 6 in the amount of $380,857.89 to BRW Construction Group, LLC for scope changes associated with the Dunbar Creek WPCF Rehab project. Motion carried 2-0.
- Equipment Purchase – Academy Creek Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs stated that staff is recommending the purchase of six dissolved oxygen monitoring probes for Academy Creek to replace the three existing units. The three are in stage one of the each of the aeration basins and we’re requesting to replace those three as they are fouling considerably. Staff must constantly pull them up, then clean them off for proper operation. Staff will also put monitors in stage four as well on the effluent side of the aeration basins to ensure that D.O. set points are accurate. He explained that oxygen is the largest non-personnel related item in JWSC’s annual budget, which emphasizes the importance of proper monitoring and control. The cost to purchase the six probes and accompanying equipment is $35,350.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend the full Commission approve the purchase of the D.O. monitoring probes and associated equipment from CL2 Solutions, LLC. in the amount of $35,350. Motion carried 2-0.
- Agreement with HIC Altama, LLC – A. Burroughs
HIC Altama is the Hoyer Investment Company. HIC Altama owns the northwest corner of Exit 42. Hoyer owns several acres in the area with plans for a large mixed-use development with single family residential, multifamily residential, and commercial parcels. JWSC approached HIC about potentially acquiring property from them to construct a new wastewater treatment plant at Exit 42. JWSC got the property surveyed, and the parties signed an MOU in 2023 for just over 16 acres in the northeast corner of the northwest corner of Hoyer’s property. While doing that, Hoyer brought forth an idea. Initially, they could, for the first several phases of their property, gravity flow their sewer back out to Highway 99 to the right-of-way to connect to the existing gravity system that services Highway 99, which eventually goes under the interstate, and ties back into Pump Station 4118 at the end of Shell Road. Rather than Hoyer installing smaller diameter gravity sewer, that JWSC would have remove and reroute upon construction of the new wastewater plant, the parties discussed Hoyer installing larger diameter gravity towards the proposed plant site. Hoyer would not install everything to the full plant, only what they need for their current phases of their development. That will be 24-inch gravity sewer, which is of sufficient size for the new plant. Also, Hoyer is putting in a temporary pump station to pump their flow to Highway 99, that they would not be required to put in should they have gravity to Highway 99. These are the onsite improvements.
What is being presented is an agreement for Hoyer to receive credit in Capital Improvement Fees. The amount of that credit would equal the difference in cost between what would have been required for onsite versus what JWSC has requested that Hoyer install to accommodate the new wastewater plant, as well as for the value of the property. With potential future phases, as they come online with more housing and commercial development up there, the second thing Hoyer would do offsite is to install a parallel force main along the existing gravity main that receives the flow from Pump Station 4119. That force main terminates at the manhole that Hoyer would have been gravity flowing into anyway. Hoyer would be installing a force main along the existing gravity route and tying into the existing 4119 force main. That force main will run all the way to the existing 4118 force main where it will manifold in. As part of that manifold process, Hoyer will install valves so when the new plant is online, that valve can be closed and Pump Station 4118, at the end of Shell Road, can then be reversed back to the new wastewater treatment facility. That opens additional capacity in the North Mainland district, not for Hoyer, but for other developments that are planned along the line. A future phase that they will be considering is to install a parallel force main along the existing 4119 force main to free up additional capacity along Highway 99 in that pump station should development timing outpace plant construction timelines. Fourth, Hoyer can upgrade Pump Station 4119 should the timing of development outpace plant construction timelines. Representatives from Hoyer and Thomas & Hutton, who is the engineer for Hoyer, were present at the meeting. Thomas & Hutton’s Preliminary Engineering Report was provided in digital form for the Board’s review.
The agreement provides Hoyer with credit for dollars spent in accordance with the JWSC purchasing policy for the amount above what is required for Hoyer’s onsite development, the value of the property. Then, as the future phases come online of the project, credit for that as it is completed. Hoyer would provide JWSC with those invoices for guarantees. If, for whatever reason, Hoyer receives more credit than they need for onsite, they will receive 70% of tap fees that utilize the new infrastructure for a period of up to five years, or until Hoyer’s reimbursement is received, whichever happens sooner.
JWSC has entered into a few of this type of agreements in the past. This one is different because JWSC approached Hoyer with the proposal for a mutually beneficial project for Hoyer and the entire Highway 99 corridor. Essentially, Hoyer is going to front money for the projects and, as a result, they get capital improvement fee credit for their onsite needs. Mr. Peters, with Thomas & Hutton, can explain the projects in much greater detail should you have any additional questions. This has been a good working relationship we’ve had between staff, the developer, and Thomas & Hutton. JWSC can secure this property, get this new infrastructure installed and be well on our way to a new wastewater treatment facility that will service the entire Exit 42 and Highway 99 corridor for many years to come.
Chairman Turnipseed questioned the size of the property being just over 16 acres. He would feel more comfortable with 20 acres as he is concerned about appropriate setbacks being available with the density of the residential development adjacent to the proposed plant site. Hoyer indicated verbally that 20 acres could be provided. Mr. Burroughs indicated that the additional approximately 4 acres would require additional survey to be completed and a new property appraisal to be completed. Given the increase in property values in the past few years, it is highly likely that a new appraised value would exceed the existing appraised value of the approximately 16 acres. Mr. Burroughs recommended the additional 4 acres be added as an addendum to the agreement. Mr. Burroughs was requested to provide a potential site layout on the 16-acre tract for review by the Commission.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend the full Commission enter into an agreement with HIC Altama, LLC for 20 acres of property and additional infrastructure improvements for enhanced water and wastewater services along and near Highway 99 and Exit 42 with full discussion tomorrow. Motion carries 2-0.
- Resolution – Georgia Department of Natural Resources – A. Burroughs
For this Resolution, Mr. Burroughs explained that the State of Georgia owns property along both sides of Highway 17 north of what is known as the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation. JWSC currently provides neither water nor sewer to the property which is managed by the DNR. Glynn New Hope owns the former New Hope Plantation, and they want to construct water and sewer improvements on site, with the needs to carry that to offsite JWSC systems to facilitate redevelopment of the plantation property. Construction of these improvements will require the installation of a water main and sewer main across DNR property at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, adjacent to the current expansion of Highway 17. To accomplish this, DNR requires that JWSC be the requester of the easement. The intent is to get this easement on the DNR agenda this month as well as put it before the State Properties Commission. The Resolution outlines the scope of the project. It also makes clear that should Glynn New Hope not complete the project, then the easement will not be granted, and JWSC is not responsible for anything associated with that project.
Separately from this, as a portion of an agreement with the DNR, Glynn New Hope will be running a fire main to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation property to increase fire protection to that area. This is just a resolution in support of the project so that the item can be placed on their agenda.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the resolution in support of the water service availability and fire protection project at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation. Motion carried 2-0.
- Easement Conveyance – 161 S Harrington Road– A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs presented this item. He informed the Commissioners that this item is a request for an easement over JWSC property by Georgia Power to install a looped, underground power system on JWSC’s South Harrington facility to an onsite transformer there. JWSC has experienced repeated power outages at that facility, and Georgia Power has proposed installing a secondary line so that power can be fed multiple directions. Mr. Burroughs continued to say that this is a request for a ten-foot utility easement off the far east side of the Harrington property. That specific location on the property was chosen in order to avoid conflicts with an existing 16-inch water main leaving the facility. This easement will benefit JWSC from the standpoint that JWSC gets a looped system to power both the well site and nearby pump stations.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve the conveyance of a 10-foot utility easement at 161 S Harrington Road to Georgia Power Company for maintenance of underground power cables. Motion carried 2-0.
- Dedication of Easements and Infrastructure – T. Kline
- London Murphy Tract – Easements and Quit Claim Deed
- 3000 Block of E. Third Street – Dedication of Infrastructure
Mr. Kline presented this item in two parts. The first part is an area known as London Murphy Tract. It includes approximately 300 linear feet of two-inch water main, and approximately 300 feet of eight-inch gravity main and manhole appurtenances. This location is off Demere Road on Saint Simons Island. Also included are the noted easements, as they do traverse private property. The second part is on the Mainland in an area known as Peanut Properties, Inc. This dedication includes just less than 700 feet of two-inch PVC force main, which will open up wastewater service to customers all along its route.
Commissioner Ford made a motion seconded by Commissioner Turnipseed that the Facilities Committee recommend that the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission approve and accept these projects with associated documentation. Motion carried 2-0.
DISCUSSION
- Water Production Report – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs briefly presented the Water Production Report for the month of January 2025 to the Facilities Committee. This report provides the Committee with monthly and daily water production in millions of gallons for each of the BGJWSC water production facilities (wells). The following are Brunswick District production facilities: Howard Coffin, Goodyear Park, Brunswick Villa, FLETC, I-95, Golden Isles I, Golden Isles II, Canal, and Ridgewood. The South Mainland District wells include Fancy Bluff, Exit 29, and Brookman. Mallery, Airport, Harrington, and Hampton South are the wells located in the St. Simons Island District.
- WPCF Plant Flows Report – A. Burroughs
Mr. Burroughs briefly reviewed the January 2025 Monthly Wastewater Flow Report with the Committee. This report contains data regarding the influent and effluent flows, concentration of elements and chemicals, plant capacity, etc. JWSC’s wastewater treatment plants continue to operate very well.
- Capital Project Report – T. Kline / A. Burroughs
Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs presented an update on the monthly Project Report for Capital Projects currently in process including those in the engineering phase and those in construction. The Commissioners were provided with a packet containing: the Capital Project Photographs, Capital Project Report Spreadsheet, the Capital Project Gantt Chart of project timelines, and the Earned Value Analysis Report. Mr. Kline and Mr. Burroughs presented the update by highlighting projects along with excellent photographs and descriptive details on scope of work completed and portions remaining for final project completion.
Chairman Turnipseed asked if there was any further business to discuss.
Chairman Turnipseed adjourned the meeting at 2:59 p.m.