SEPTEMBER 12, 2005
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,
September 12, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., the following Commissioners being present:
Kathelen Amos, Chairperson
Leon Siegel, Treasurer
Harry Vernon
Mayor Robert Poydasheff
Absent: James Yancey
Receipt of the Minutes of the August 8, 2005, 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 August.
Management advised the Board that bids were received on September 6,
2005, for the second phase of the Bull Creek/River Interceptor Emergency
Repair. The emergency repair work includes rehabilitating a large junction
box, replacing a manhole and rehabilitating 1,250? of 72? gravity sewer. In
order to encourage competitive bidding, two rehab options for the 72? line were
allowed: A) Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) and B) Sliplining with Hobas pipe.
The Engineer estimated the Sliplining option to be $904,325 and the CIPP option
to be $1,242,376. This project is to be funded via a CWSRF loan with a budget
of $2,000.000. The bids are as follows:
AM Liner East - Option A - $1,318,000
Lanzo Lining Service - Option A - $1,864,000
Insituform - Option A - $1,987,000
Southeast Pipe - Option B - $2,200,000
The Water Works? Engineer, CH2M Hill, reviewed the bids and it is their
recommendation to award the contract to the low bidder, AM Liner East, Inc., in
the amount of $1,318,000 CIPP option. Following discussion, motion was made
and seconded to award the contract to AM Liner East, Inc., for the
Rehabilitation of the 72? River Interceptor. Motion carried.
Management informed the Board that bids were received on August 18,
2005, for ductile iron pipe. Three companies were asked to provide bids:
American Cast Iron Pipe Company, US Pipe Company and McWane Pipe Company.
McWane did not provide a bid. American Cast Iron Pipe Company was the lowest
bidder on all sizes of pipe: On 4-inch through 36-inch, American Cast Iron?s
price averaged 9.6% higher than CWW?s previous DIP prices. US Pipe?s prices
were approximately 10.7% higher than American?s price. American?s price for
the 42-inch through 54-inch was 15% higher than last year?s DIP prices and 7.8%
lower than US Pipe?s price. Based on competitive bids, the Water Works will
continue to purchase ductile iron pipe from American Cast Iron Pipe Company at
the new prices. The bid tabulation is on file at the Water Works office.
Motion was made and seconded to accept American Cast Iron Pipe?s bid. Motion
carried.
The Financial Report for the month of August 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.
Next, Management advised the Board that the Water Works received a
letter dated July 8, 2005 from the City of Columbus regarding pension
contributions for the Water Works. Based on the evaluation that the City
provided, the annual contribution for this fiscal year will be $899,000.
Prior to receiving notification from the City, the Water Works had already
prepared its budget for the fiscal year and only budgeted $844,000 a difference
of $55,000. Management is asking the Board for their approval to go ahead and
pay the $55,000 out of the contingency fund. Motion was made and seconded to
approve paying the difference from the contingency fund. Motion carried.
The Mayor abstained from voting.
Management provided the Board with a copy of a contract from the
Consolidated Government to provide laboratory services. The City awarded the
contract to the Water Works based on the proposal submitted in response to the
City?s REP May 6, 2005. The laboratory services are utilized by the City?s
Storm Water Management Division to test water samples required under the
Municipal Storm Water Discharge permit. The potential revenue from the
contract is approximately $34,000 per year. Following discussion, motion was
made and seconded to execute the contract with the City. Motion carried.
President Turner briefed the Board on a pending rule change before the
Department of Natural Resources? Board. The provision called the
Anti-degradation Rule came into question as a result of a lawsuit brought
against Gwinnett County. The Georgia Supreme Court interpreted the language
in the rule in a way different from the interpretation placed on the language
by the Georgia EPD. The Columbus Water Works and most other municipalities
and counties in addition to industries, which have NPDES permits, support the
proposed language change. Following discussion, motion was made and seconded
to accept the report and to support this position. Motion carried.
Management advised the Board that the use of off-site disposal for our
biosolids has become a problem in Plains, GA and at the Taylor County
Landfill. The operator of the Auburn land disposal operation, Recyc, has
recently undergone changes and now requests a minimum three-year agreement in
order to accept our biosolids. The Water Works is currently exploring other
options for biosolids disposal, including the Muscogee County Landfill.
The Water Works? operating budget includes approximately $300,000 for
off-site disposal of which $200,000 represents hauling costs. This amount
should be adequate for whichever means of disposal the Water Works choose.
Management requested the Board?s approval to enter into a three-year agreement
with Recyc for biosolids disposal if this proves to be the best option.
Following discussion, motion was made and seconded to accept the three-year
contract with Recyc. Motion carried.
President Turner gave a brief report regarding the aide to the victims
of Hurricane Katrina. The Water Works sent 10,000 bottles of water through
the Red Cross. Also, the Water Works? employees were asked if there was
anyone willing to volunteer to go and assist in the rehabilitation of the water
and wastewater system there were 20 employees to volunteer. Chairman Amos
commended the Water Works staff for their efforts and dedication towards the
rehabilitation to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In its final order of business, President Turner 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.
Before adjourning the meeting, President Turner gave a brief update on the
patent of the BFT3 project. Following his presentation, motion was made and
seconded approving the staff?s recommendation that this patent be given to the
Water Environment Research Foundation at its annual meeting in October.
Voting for this recommendation was Chairperson Amos, Treasurer Siegel and Board
member Harry Vernon. Mayor Poydasheff abstained from voting.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
________________________________________
Emory E. Blount, Secretary
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