November 13, 2006
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,
November 13, 2006, at 1:30 p.m., the following Commissioners being present:
Kathelen Amos, Chairperson
Harry Vernon, Treasurer
James Yancey
Phillip Thayer
Mayor Robert Poydasheff
Receipt of the Minutes of the September 11, 2006, meeting was
acknowledged by the Board and approved as written.
President Turner reminded the Board that each year Columbus State
University recommends a student to receive the Columbus Water Works
Environmental Science Scholarship Award made possible from funds raised via
donations from consultants and suppliers. At this time President Turner
introduced Dr. Julie Ballenger of Columbus State University to present the
scholarship award to Ms. Melissa Redwood, biology major. The Board
congratulated Ms. Redwood upon receiving this scholarship award.
Next, Secretary Blount recognized Mr. Tony Mercer of Fountain,
Arrington, Bass, Mercer and Lee to present the Water Works? Annual Audit
Report. Mr. Mercer was present at the meeting to provide the Board with a
brief summary of the financial audit ending June 25, 2006. Following the
presentation, the Board acknowledged Mr. Mercer?s Report.
President Turner and our Financial Consultant, Jon Davis of Raftelis
Financial Consultants, Inc., presented the Columbus Water Works? Financial
Plan. The 2007 Financial Update and Rate Plan outlined the rate adjustment
and Capital Improvement Program to the Board. The results of Mr. Davis?
presentation confirmed that the program was basically on track and a system
wide average rate increase of 4.62% was needed. Following the presentation,
motion was made and seconded authorizing Management to hold a Public Hearing in
conjunction with City Council?s meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2006. A copy
of the proposed financial plan is on file at the office of the Columbus Water
Works. Following discussion a motion was made and seconded to accept the
Financial Plan as presented. Motion carried.
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 months of September and October.
Management advised the Board that the annual Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP)
bids were received on October 17, 2006. The following bids received are as
follows:
Vendor Total Bid Amount
ACIPCO $1,481,309
McWane Pipe $1,520,163
US Pipe $1,526,188
Total price based on sum of unit prices for all pipe sizes and types.
The Water Works will continue to purchase ductile iron pipe from American Cast
Iron Pipe Company at the new prices, which will expire in November 2007. A
price extension beyond November 2007 is allowable in 6-month increments, upon
mutual consent between the Water Works and ACIPCO. A copy of the tabulation
of bids is on file at the office of the Columbus Water Works. Following
discussion motion was made and seconded to accept the low bid from American
Cast Iron Pipe Company. Motion carried.
Next, Management advised the Board that bids were received on October
19, 2006, for the St. Marys Road Widening Project. This project involves the
relocation of water and sewer facilities that are in conflict with the Georgia
DOT?s widening of approximately 2.8 miles of St. Marys Road. Approximately
3,500 ft. of water mains in sizes ranging from 6? to 24? in diameter and 3,900
ft. sewer (8? and 10? diameter). The Water Works? in-house cost estimate for
this work is $625,000 and does not include the $33,200 of final grade
adjustment work to be done by the DOT roadway contract, McMath-Turner, per
previous approval. This project is funded via the 2005 Bond Issue. The
following bids received are as follows:
Contractor Bid Amount
Ronny D. Jones Enterprises $727,238
Valley Pipeline $838,686
Gordy Construction Company $898,701
Following discussion motion was made and seconded to award the contract
to the low bidder Ronny D. Jones Enterprises in the amount of $727,238.
Motion carried.
Management gave a brief update on the Strategic and Master Facilities
Plan Implementation. In the area of strategic planning there are 154
tactics/action items. In order to keep Management advised of the progress the
teams have developed a formal process being made on each tactic.
In June 2000 the Water Works applied for the Georgia Oglethorpe Award and was
awarded a sight visit and received a Certificate of Achievement but did not
meet all of the criteria to receive the award. Management advised the Board
that the Water Works? Strategic Planning process, Asset Management Plan, and
EMS Certification in Biosolids have helped to document our improvement process
so that we can apply for this award again in 2007. The Board acknowledged
Management?s report.
The Financial Report for the months of September and October 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.
In its final order of business, President Turner acknowledged receipt of a
letter from Brian Sillitto, Project Manager, Economic Development, Chamber of
Commerce with an attached letter to Mike Gaymon concerning the abundant supply
of water in the Chattahoochee River. Also an article written by EMA in the
Communicator Flyer on the Columbus Water Works ?Way Down Yonder On the
Chattahoochee,? Columbus Utility Turns Strategy Into Action. President Turner
provided a copy of an article from the Ledger-Enquirer on CWW employee Sam
Sears on being a loaned executive for the United Way and a letter from the W.C.
Bradley Company to CWW Employee Gwen Marsh for her assistance in helping with
the placement of workers from Char-Broil. Last there were letters from
customers thanking members of the staff for their services for doing
outstanding work. The Board acknowledged President Turner?s report.
There being no further business the regular meeting adjourned and senior staff
and the Board went into Executive Session to discuss 1) Phenix City Easement,
2) Heiferhorn Creek Sewer and 3) Chattahoochee River Flows.
Management reminded the Board of an agreement the Columbus Water Works entered
into with the City of Phenix City for the purchase of water and wastewater in
1998. In January 2003, the Water Works and Phenix City agreed to amend the
original contract to contain two elements: 1) Payment by Phenix City to CWW
for outstanding bills for services and 2) Agree to provide an easement and
right to exclusive use of water main extending from the Chattahoochee River to
the vicinity of the Glenwood Tank.
Management advised that because of the impending impact of the Alabama DOT
construction to the water main on 5th Avenue, the Water Works initiated
conversation with Bubba Roberts, City Manager of Phenix City in order to obtain
the easement. However, Phenix City Mayor Jeff Hardin did not want to provide
the Water Works with the documentation.
The Columbus Water Works? attorney Barry Vaught sent a letter to Phenix City
Mayor Jeff Hardin on October 20, 2006 to request that he honor the settlement
agreement and provide the easement. To date there has been no reply. Board
Member Phillip Thayer advised that he would contact Mayor Jeff Hardin.
Management informed the Board that if Phenix City should continue to deny
provision of the easement, the Board may elect to bring action in the Superior
Court of Muscogee County or decide to drop any request for the easement. Mr.
Vaught did advise that the original Agreement will terminate in September, 2008
unless in the unlikely event it is renewed by both parties. No action was
taken at this time.
Next, Management used a power point presentation to show a sewer line on
Heiferhorn Creek from Hubbard Road up to Smith Road and on to the Muscogee
County line. This project will provide sanitary sewer service to the
remaining unserved interchange on I-185 and additional properties in this
area. Also, this main will be used to provide sanitary sewer service to
Harris County if an agreement is reached with the county.
However, Management informed the Board that they were having some difficulties
with four property owners along the creek who refuse to cooperate with the
Water Works and oppose construction through their land. Management pointed
out that it was possible to construct a force or pressure main around these
properties, but there is an additional cost in construction of approximately
$250,000.
The Columbus Water Works obtained appraisals of the easements for each parcel
of land which totaled $9,340. The Board was provided a copy of the appraisals
for their review. Management recommended that the property owners be offered
the appraised value for the easements. If the property owners refused the
appraisal offer, it is recommended that the Water Works proceed with initiation
of the eminent domain process. Mr. Barry Vaught was available to provide
details concerning this process.
Last on the agenda, President Turner advised the Board that maintaining
sufficient flows in the Chattahoochee River has been an ongoing concern for the
Water Works. He stated that enough data has been developed to show that
Columbus? needs are not consistently being met or possibly even taken into
account.
President Turner requested that the staff be allowed to use contingency funds
or reserve funds to engage a legal team to work with the Water Works? lawyers
to further develop a basis for filing suit against the Corps of Engineers.
President Turner told the Board that they have identified an expert
environmental lawyer, Mr. Lee DeHihns. Mr. DeHihns would develop the case and
bring it back to the Board before taking any action. The cost to go to
Superior Court would cost approximately $10,000 and up to $150,000 if we go
through the Federal process.
Following discussion on the above three items in Executive Session, motion was
made and seconded to go back into the regular Board meeting.
The following action was taken on the Executive Session Agenda items:
No action taken on the Phenix City Easement
Motion was made and seconded to move forward on the Sewer
Line Easements. Motion carried.
Motion was made and seconded authorizing Management to
engage in legal counsel with Environmental Lawyer, Mr. Lee DeHihns to assist
with the case regarding the Chattahoochee River Flows. Motion carried.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
______________________________________
Emory E. Blount, Secretary
Attachments
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