NOVEMBER 14, 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,
November 14, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., the following Commissioners being present:
Kathelen Amos, Chairperson
James Yancey
Harry Vernon
Mayor Robert Poydasheff
Absent: Leon Siegel, Treasurer
Receipt of the Minutes of the September 12, 2005, meeting was
acknowledged by the Board and approved as written.
Ms. Liz Daniels appeared before the Board to request any additional
help that they might be able to provide in getting the Water Works? insurance
company to respond to her request as stated in her lawsuit. Ms. Carter
Schondelmayer the Columbus Water Works? Attorney was present at the meeting.
After Ms. Daniels appealed to the Board and left the meeting Ms. Schondelmayer
informed the Board that the case was going to mediation with Judge Pullen
residing sometime in December. The Board acknowledged Ms. Schondelmayer?s
report.
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, 2005. Following the
presentation, the Board acknowledged Mr. Mercer?s Report.
President Turner and our Financial Consultant George Raftelis presented
the Columbus Water Works? Financial Plan. The 2006 Financial Update and Rate
Plan outlined the rate adjustment and Capital Improvement Program to the
Board. The results of Mr. Raftelis? presentation confirmed that the program
was basically on track and a system wide average rate increase of 5.00% 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 29, 2005. 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 several agreements for the Columbus Water Works to
provide laboratory services to regional municipalities and communities. The
laboratory services are for the analysis of water and/or wastewater samples
required by permits issued to these agencies by the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division. The agreements for testing are with the City of Pine
Mountain (wastewater), the City of Cuthbert (water/wastewater), the City of
Manchester (wastewater), Cusseta-Chattahoochee Consolidated Water System
(water/wastewater), Florence Marina State Park (wastewater), Backwater
Condominiums (wastewater) and Pine Mountain Club Chalets (water). Following
discussion, motion was made and seconded to accept these agreements. 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 month of September and October.
Management informed the Board that on October 25, 2005, bids were
received on the last project of the Old Town Sewer Repair Open Trench III.
This project is the final project between the City and Columbus Water Works for
the rehabilitation of the ?old Town? combined sewer lines. The overall Old
Town Sewer Rehab project was estimated to cost $13,996,000. To date,
$7,628,779 has been spent. This project is being funded via the 2000 SPLOST
by the City. The Engineer?s estimate for this work was $1,119,435. The bids
are as follows:
Gordy Construction Company $1,161,400
Site Engineering, Inc. $1,653,925
Valley Pipeline, Inc. No Bid
Following discussion, motion was made and seconded to award the
contract to Gordy Construction Company in the amount of $1,161,400. Motion
carried.
Management advised the Board that bids were received on October 4,
2005, on the Service Center Phase II ? Training, Assembly and Workspace
Improvements. This project will provide improvements to the Water Works? 54th
Street facility, including construction of an employee meeting area and office
improvements to existing space. This project is funded primarily through the
2005 Bond Issue with a budget of $890,000. The bids are as follows:
D. Dean & Associates, Inc. $768,831
Holley Construction Co. & Associates, Inc. $825,300
Jernigan Builders, Inc. $817,161
WCCI, Inc. $770,781
After discussion, Management asked the Board for their approval to
accept the low bidder D. Dean & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $768,831.
Motion was made and seconded to accept the low bidder. Motion carried.
Management informed the Board that on October 4, 2005, competitive
price proposals for the implementation of security countermeasures to help
protect against the threat of terrorist attack were received. Proposals were
received from:
Columbus Fire and Safety Equipment Co., Inc.
ADT Security Services, Inc.
Sonitrol (non-responsive proposal received)
Columbus Fire and Safety Equipment?s proposal was chosen and they were
provided a copy of the Water Works? Vulnerability Assessment (VA). The
selected contractor then provided a complete detailed proposal based on
countermeasure information in the VA. Funding for the Security Project is
provided by two Board approved sources; $800,000 from capital reserves was
approved by the Board on November 10, 2003. An additional $3,000,000 in bond
funds was approved by the Board on November 8, 2004. The final negotiated
contract amount to complete the recommended countermeasures for Phase I is
$1,082,290.51. The Water Works has previously completed some recommended
Phase I countermeasures in-house totaling $129,093.56.
Funding status for the Security Project after completion of Phase I is:
Funding Source ? Capital Reserve $ 800,000
Funding Source ? 2005 Bond Fund 3,000,000
Total Funding $3,800,000
Less: In-house Phase I - 129,093.56
Columbus Fire and Safety Phase I - 1,190,519.56
Available Funding $2,480,386.88
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 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.
___________________________________________
Emory E. Blount, Secretary
Attachments
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