Columbus, Georgia

MARCH 10, 2003







The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners of

Columbus, Georgia was held at the office of the Columbus Water Works on Monday,

March 10, 2003, at 1:30 p.m., the following Commissioners being present:

Kathelen Spencer, Chairperson

James Yancey

Harry Vernon

Mayor Robert Poydasheff



Absent: Leon Siegel, Treasurer



President Turner advised that a Public Meeting was held in conjunction

with the regularly scheduled Board meeting to discuss the Water Works? Capital

Improvement Program and plans to apply for State Revolving Loan Funds (SRF) to

finance these projects. This meeting was held in accordance with the

requirements of the Georgia State Revolving Fund Program. Notice of the

Public Meeting was announced in the Columbus Ledger on February 6, 2003. The

Board acknowledged Management?s report.

Receipt of the Minutes of the February 10, 2003, meeting was

acknowledged by the Board and approved as written.

Management presented the reports from the Division of Operations, Division of

Engineering and Division of Environmental and Information Services. Following

each presentation, the Board acknowledged the Division Reports for the month of

February.



Management informed the Board that selected consultants provided scopes for 17

near-term (FY 2003-04) projects. The Water Works? staff is in the process of

reviewing the scope proposals and anticipates final scope agreements by the end

of March 2003. An estimated $500,000 in engineering fees for April and May

2003 is expected in order to implement the $25 million in fiscal year 2003-04

projects on schedule.

Management advised that in order to fund the short-term engineering costs, a

$2.7 million funding source is available. On May 11, 1998, at the staff?s

recommendation, the Board approved to set aside into Capital Reserves $2.7

million from the 1997 Bond funds for future action. These funds were made

available through a more attractive Drinking Water State Revolving Funds

(DWSRF) loan rate for the NCWRF Upgrades and Automation Projects. Management

recommends that a portion of this $2.7 million be utilized on a short-term

basis to fund engineering costs. These funds would be reimbursed to the

Capital Reserve fund when the SRF loan reimbursements for the engineering costs

are received. After discussion, motion was made and seconded approving a

portion of the $2.7 million from Capital Reserves for short-term engineering

costs for design of CIP projects. Motion carried.

The Financial Report for the month of February, along with the Meter

Reading, Employee and Customer Services? Reports, were presented to the

Board. Following discussion, motion was made and seconded to accept the

reports. Motion carried.

In its final order of business, Management provided copies of letters

thanking members of the staff for their participation and services provided

from various organizations and individuals. The Board acknowledged

Management?s report.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.













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Emory E. Blount, Secretary