Page | 3
Fannin County Water Authority
Regular Monthly Meeting
Commissioner’s Office Conference Room
FEBRUARY 17, 2016, 2:00 P.M.
Chairman Stan Helton called the meeting to order 2:00 P.M.
Members present were Stan Helton, Chairman, Anita Weaver, Zack Ratcliff, Tim Smith, Jackie Self and Kay Kendall, Secretary. A quorum was present.
A motion was made by Anita Weaver to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of the Water Authority held January 27, 2016. Zack Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Marnie Mashburn, Administrative Assistant reported that 44% of the payment due to Rural Development – United States Department of Agriculture (RD – USDA) on June 20, 2017 is collected and current collection accounts are at a minimum. She also reported that most of the savings to be applied towards the payment of the USDA loan will need to be used to pay Fannin County back for Salaries and Fringe Benefits ($100,591.16) owed for 2015. $73137.92 of this is Operational while $27,453.24 is SPLOST eligible. The expenses for the Jockey Pump Station are up to $12707.85. The deadline for getting the GEFA paperwork back to them is May 5, 2016.
A motion was made by Jackie Self to repay Fannin County for Wages and Fringe Benefits for 2015. Zack Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The FCWA Board approved that Marnie Mashburn attend the Financial Management Workshop for Small Water Systems on March 10, 2016 in Macon, Georgia.
The two-day training available to Ed Hawkins and Marnie Mashburn held by the Georgia Rural Water Association in May 2016 is pending approval until the next Regular Monthly Board Meeting. Matt Smith with Carter & Sloope Engineering Consultants highly recommends this training and also suggested two more in Helen and Lanier Islands. He also stated that he attends all of these and most of his clients do also.
A motion was made by Kay Kendall, Secretary to make Anita Weaver the new Vice-Chairwoman for the FCWA. Zack Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Kay Kendall to change the signature cards at the bank for all accounts and the new GEFA account for the FCWA to include Stan Helton, Anita Weaver and Kay Kendall as the signers. Jackie Self seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ed Hawkins reported that the Jockey Pump Station on My Mountain is still in progress with the interior lights recently installed. He also reported that he has everything needed to complete the Jockey Pump Station and the expenses for the job are still below the estimated cost of $20,000.
Matt Smith, with Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers reported that to take over Morganton’s 14 current customers on Greenhouse Road, Mountain Valley Motors and North Georgia Ford with current lines, it will only cost $6000.00 to place a master meter on the South side of Highway 515. He recommended that if the FCWA were to assume these customers, grants should be pursued to install new lines because the present lines are questionable as to how deep and if they are possibly leaking. Fire protection is not presently in place for these customers, but there are options available. The alternative option is to abandon the line under Highway 515 and connect to the Blue Ridge City line in Marble City but this is a lot more costly, in the range of $230,000.00.
A motion was made by Kay Kendall to allow Zack Ratcliff, Matt Smith and Ed Hawkins time to obtain more information about the possible assumption of the Greenhouse Road service area and accept recommendations from them at the next Regular Monthly Board Meeting. Anita Weaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Matt Smith reported that the Archeological Study has been completed for the Riverwalk on the Toccoa Project and Environmental Protection Division (EPD) permits have not been received yet. EPD approval should be received within 2 weeks and an estimated start date is May 1, 2016.
Lynn Doss, with Doss & Associates reported that they have delayed working on the easements until the Archeological Study was complete. She will resume working on easements.
Bill Simonds, Fannin County Commissioner’s Office Chairman, explained that the County could supply temporary part-time help for Ed Hawkins on the Riverwalk on the Toccoa Project.
Nathan Nicholson, with Summit Real Estate Group came to the FCWA Board to inquire about a possible water connection to 30 plus homes located approximately 2/10 of a mile from Katydid Road. He reported that the waterlines are already installed and plans have been drawn. He reported that they are open to purchasing water and maintaining the water system within the subdivision themselves or handing all services over to the FCWA. Matt Smith will discuss further with Nathan Nicholson and determine the best option(s).
A motion was made by Zack Ratcliff to make Kay Kendall, Chairperson of the Planning Committee. Jackie Self seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Richard and Karen Todd, Riverwalk on the Toccoa residents thanked the FCWA for the upcoming water system connection and questioned the length of the project due to Ed Hawkins providing most of the labor on his own. Stan Helton explained that there are funds included in the GEFA loan to cover large construction items.
Donna Patrick inquired about a possible water service connection to her residence located between My Mountain and Hidden Valley Project areas. Matt Smith estimated it to be too costly ($75,000.00) at this time, but could possibly be included in a future project.
Larry Joe Sosebee, Post Two Commissioner submitted the resignation for Mr. Steve Patterson.
A motion was made by Tim Smith that the meeting adjourns. Anita Weaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
______, Stan Helton, Chairman
______, Kay K. Kendall, Secretary