Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

April 9, 2007





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,

April 9, 2007, at 1:30 p.m., the following Commissioners being present:

Kathelen Amos, Chairperson

Harry Vernon, Treasurer

Phillip Thayer

Billy Blanchard

Mayor Jim Wetherington



Receipt of the Minutes of the March 12, 2007, meeting was acknowledged

by the Board and approved as written.

Management presented the reports from the Division of Operations and

Technical Services, Division of Engineering and Division of Strategic and

Master Plan Implementation. Following each presentation the Board

acknowledged the Division Reports for the month of March.

Management informed the Board that due to the tornado activity in early

March the Water Works had sanitary sewage to backup into three homes in the

Bunker Hill area. The investigation revealed that there was a temporary

blockage in the main line which caused these backups. The customers affected

by the incident brought it to the attention of Councilor Mimi Woodson. She

notified the Water Works and requested that they send the City Manager a copy

of its standard operating procedures for sewer backups. Management complied

with Councilor Woodson?s request. A copy of the Standard Operating Procedures

developed in July 2003 is on file at the Water Works? office.

Next, Management gave a detailed report on the Ft. Benning Contract

Modification Procedures. They are as follows:

Ft. Benning Contract Modifications

Allows for additional work



Initiated by either Ft. Benning or CWW

Both parties sign each contract modification



Procedure



Define scope of work

Obtain competitive pricing for construction

Apply CWW administration cost

Submit scope and fee to Ft. Benning

Ft. Benning drafts contract modification for CWW review

CWW provides review comments

Contract modification executed by both parties

CWW authorizes work to proceed

CWW bills Ft. Benning for completed work

Ft. Benning pays CWW

CWW pays contractor



Status of Contract Modifications



Following the report on the Ft. Benning Contract Modifications,

Management requested the Board to approve the Water Works ongoing commitment to

serve Ft. Benning?s additional work requests via the Contract Modification?s

Process as described above. Management will continue to report on the status

of the modifications in the Engineering section of the Board report each

month. Motion was made and seconded approving the process of the Ft. Benning

Contract Modification Procedures. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda, Management gave a presentation of the history of

the Land Reclamation Site including Oxbow Meadows.

Management reminded the Board that this site was not adequate to handle

all of Columbus Water Works? biosolids and that the Columbus Demonstration

Project (CBFT3), was tested and proved to be a successful process for creating

Class A biosolids that could be distributed and used more favorably by the

general public. The following benefits are:

Producing Class A biosolids allows for wider distribution

Produced dry solids are projected to be reduced by 15% through thermo/meso

combination

Increased solids destruction followed by dewatering reduces nitrogen content

per ton of dry solids by 25% to 50%



Management informed the Board that additional equipment could be added to the

CBFT3 Project that would produce electrical power to be used by the Water

Works. The addition of high efficiency engines to produce electrical power

and heat for the anaerobic digestion process will result in a significant

annual power cost savings even after covering additional costs for operations

and maintenance of the new engines. The payback and projected net cash flow

will result in a payback after 11 years and a 15-year savings to the Water

Works of approximately $1.6 million and a 20-year savings of approximately $3.8

million.

At this point, Management introduced the project engineer, Mr. John Willis of

Brown and Caldwell to the Board. Mr. Willis was present at the meeting to

explain the process of handling the request for proposals for the additional

equipment.

Mr. Willis advised that by the Water Works using the ARES engines they would

produce 20% more power and be more efficient than other options. He gave a

comparison of features from three different manufacturers shown below:

Comparison of Features of Three ARES Manufacturers

Manufacturer

CaterpillarCumminsWaukesha

Capacity

1.6 MW1.75MW1.0 MW

Size, LxW in feet

251? x 79?287? x 83?191? x 85"

Units required

223

Required building size,

65? x 45?

68? x 45?

56? x 66?

LxW in feet

Ventilation air, cfm

60,000 each

60,000 each

42,000 each

Heat produced, btuh14.5 Mbtuh each16.0 Mbtuh each9.0 Mbtuh each





Mr. Willis informed the Board that request for proposals were

previously issued to the above mentioned ARES manufacturers: Caterpillar,

Cummins and Waukesha. The proposals were received in November 2006. The

proposed purchase price, number and unit capacity for each manufacturer is

provided below:

Engine Proposal Capital Costs Comparison

Manufacturer

CaterpillarCumminsWaukesha

Proposed number of

Units and size

(2) 1.6 MW Units

(2) 1.75MW Units

(3) 1.0 MW Units

Proposed purchase

Price

$3.23M

$2.25M

$4.06M



The following schedule for this project is listed below:

1. Sign and execute Letter of Understanding Late April



A. Pay $25,000 for submittals, design and firm price

maintenance once submittals are approved.

B. Agree to purchase two 1.75 MW ARES Engine-

Generators from Cummins with controls and

appurtenances if and only if the cost of the CBFT3

Advanced Demonstration project is within budget.

C. Agree to a Service and Maintenance Contract with

Cummins which is estimated to cost between $150,000

and $250,000 per year, depending on individual

engine run time.



2. Receive design submittals from Cummins Late May

3. Finalize CBFT3 design Late June/Early July

4. Open bids for CBFT3 project Late August

5. Award CBFT3 general construction contract Late September

6. Release Cummins to fabricate engines Before end of Nov.

7. Engines delivered to the SCWRF site Mid June 2008



Following a lengthy discussion with the Board Management requested permission

to enter into a Letter of Understanding with Cummins for the design and

purchase of the engines. Also, to pay a $25,000.00 fee for the design and

pricing of the service and maintenance contract. Motion was made and seconded

authorizing Management to sign a Letter of Understanding with Cummins for the

above mentioned engines. Motion carried.

President Turner advised the Board that the Water Works received the American

Academy Environmental Engineer?s top award for research at the national

level. This is one of two major engineering groups that offer awards. The

CBFT3 project was selected as the top research based award in the country. It

will be presented in Washington, D.C. at the National Press Club on May 2nd.

The Board members were invited to attend.

Management provided the Board with an update on the Strategic and Master

Facilities Plan Implementation. It has been previously reported that an

example of keeping the strategic plan up-to-date was the SCAN workshop that was

held in November 2006. The teams are working now to implement the changes

recommended from the workshop.

In 1999 Management used the growth projections that were current at that time

which were used to predict future water and wastewater demands and to put

priorities on projects in the Capital Improvement Plan. When the plan was

updated in 2004, our current conditions at that time reflected a loss due to

the reduction of large water users such as the textile mills. Since that

time, Ft. Benning?s Water and Wastewater system has been added to the Columbus

Water Works? system. Also, BRAC with its associated growth at Ft. Benning and

influences in the area, along with the projected growth from AFLAC and the KIA

plant, it is necessary to reevaluate past projections of population and growth

and the priorities put on projects so that they are current with the conditions

that exist today.

Management informed the Board that the Water Works is reengaging Jordan, Jones

and Goulding and their associates who assisted in the 2004 update to bring this

plan current. Ft. Benning has agreed to contribute $559,000 to help update

this plan which leaves $200,000 to be contributed by Columbus Water Works and

is a part of the $300,000 previously approved by the Board at last months

meeting. This will take twelve to sixteen weeks and will identify projects on

the Ft. Benning post that need to be designed when the funds are made available

by Ft. Benning that Steve Davis described earlier.

Next, Management advised the Board that the Strategic Plan identifies six

values held by the Water Works. Values are how the company does business and

how we carry out our plans. The second value identified states that the Water

Works is a Customer Focused organization. The value further defines that

employees will:

Ensure customer satisfaction by providing:

The highest quality of products and services available at a

reasonable cost

(Be) Dedicated and committed to understanding and fulfilling our

customers? needs

Put customers interests first

Seek and apply innovative approaches to serve our customers



Some specific actions that are taken to keep the customers involved are listed

below:

Each year Customer Focus Groups are held to meet with customers

To ask them what is valuable to them

Stakeholders Interviews

Customer Service Satisfaction Survey

Field Operations Performance Survey



The above actions are used to gain input from the customers that will influence

our Strategic Plan and how we do business. The Board acknowledged

Management?s report.

The Financial Report for the month of March including Ft. Benning, 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.

Management advised the Board that due to the devastating storm that affected

the Columbus area March 1st, the Division of Customer, Employee and Financial

Services created an ?ad hoc? response team to review and make recommendations

regarding our role as a utility. The Storm Relief Initiatives are outlined

below:

Identified the primary area affected by the storm

Conducted initial assessment of storm damages by conducting field review

Plan of Action to address billing and customer service issues

Review bills for abnormal readings

Review temporary cut-offs from 1-5 March for possible rebates

Conducted a follow-up field review of storm area to assess damages

Complete on-going review and assessment of customer service activities

(requests for re-reads, disconnects, service order requests, etc.)



Management requested Board approval that allowed Management, on a case-by-case

basis, to make an adjustment in excess of the standard 1/3 credit leak

adjustment, if excess is related to storm damages. Also, Management asked the

Board for their approval to waive the reconnection fee of $20 when damaged

homes are repaired and services are reconnected. Motion was made and seconded

authorizing Management to make an adjustment in excess of the standard 1/3

credit on a case-by-case basis and to waive the reconnection fee of $20 when

damaged homes are repaired. Motion carried.

Management informed the Board that members of the Employee Wellness Committee

are beginning to plan the Annual Health and Benefits Fair, which is scheduled

for Thursday, May 24 at the Service Center and Friday, May 25 at the Main

Office. This event gives the employees the opportunity to complete general

health screenings (vision, blood pressure, body fat, etc.) as well as update

their benefits package. Vendors representing local companies, such as the

Business Resource Center, educational institutions, banking and fitness centers

are also slated to participate. Management extended an invitation to all

Board members to attend this event.

Management advised the Board that during the month of March, several of the

Customer Service Representatives and Cashiers went out into the field to train

with the Meter Service Department. The employees spent a day training with a

technician to learn how to read and change out a meter, check for leaks, and/or

repair a broken curb stop. Additional cross-training has been scheduled

through the month of June so that the Field Technicians can spend a day with a

Cashier or Customer Service Representative. This type of hands-on knowledge

and information will allow each department to assist customers in a more

efficient manner. The Board acknowledged Management?s report.

Last on the agenda, President Turner provided the Board with copies of the

following items of information:

Mutual Aid Agreement with Phenix City ? Approved by all parties involved

Thank you letter to Billy Turner from Marcus Peacock, U.S. EPA ? Service

provided to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s Environmental Financial

Advisory Board

Thank you letter to Billy Turner from Joy Solomon, ?Drug Free?You & Me? for

CWW?s support ? Paula Goble, Gerald Hall, Jr., William Kent and Natasha Hall

Certificate of completion to Danthea Hill from the University of North Carolina

at Chapel Hill

Thank you note to Becky Butts regarding the ?Rotary Walk for Water?

Letter to Gwen Ruff from Carl Brown and Susan Berry for supporting the 2007

Dare to Dream Teen Summit



There being no further business the regular meeting adjourned and senior staff

and the Board went into Executive Session to follow-up on the status of

Easements for the 1) Heiferhorn Creek Sewer Extension Project, 2) discuss a

legal issue, and 3) personnel matter.

Upon coming out of Executive Session, the following action was taken on the

Executive Session items:

Easements for Heiferhorn Creek Sewer Extension Project ? Motion was made and

seconded authorizing Management to formalize the offer of $7,260 lump sump

payment to Mr. and Mrs. Perry Brooks (Parcel 5) and $12,000 lump sum payment to

Mr. Clay Allen (Parcel 6) in exchange for an executed easement to include

replacement of trees. Motion carried.



Motion was made and seconded authorizing Management to proceed with eminent

domain on outstanding Parcels 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, if easements cannot be

reached on a timely basis. Motion carried.





Legal Issue ? Chattahoochee River Flows ? Attorneys Barry Vaught with

Hatcher-Stubbs and Lee DeHihns and Ben Snowden with Alston and Bird were

present to discuss any and all aspects of CWW?s proposed lawsuit against the

Corps of Engineers. The approval to finalize and file complaint in federal

court was postponed. No action taken.





Personnel Matter ? No action taken.



There being no further business the meeting adjourned.













____________________________________

Emory E. Blount, Secretary

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