Fannin County Water Authority

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Fannin County Water Authority Regular Monthly Meeting Commissioner’s Office Conference Room JANUARY 27, 2016, 2:00 P.M.

Chairman Stan Helton called the meeting to order 2:00 P.M.

Members present were Stan Helton, Chairman, Steve Patterson, Vice-Chairman, Anita Weaver, Zack Ratcliff and Kay Kendall, Secretary. Tim Smith and Jackie Self were absent. A quorum was present.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of the Water Authority held November 18, 2015. Kay Kendall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Mike England of the City of Morganton reported that water purchase rates will not increase this year. He reported that the City of Morganton has given the Fannin County Water Authority customers located north along Highway 515 and they also have other customers north along Highway 515 including the old Toccoa Lumber Company, North Georgia Ford, Mountain Valley Motors and several customers along Greenhouse Road. He explained that the City of Morganton would like to offer this service area to the FCWA. He also explained that the waterline serving these customers is located 75 feet beneath the road surface and was already in place before Highway 515 was built. The size of this waterline is undetermined. Mayor England also explained that if leaks are discovered, he would not charge for wasted water. Current rates for Morganton City customers are as follows:

RATE ID MINIMUM WATER Inside city limits $31.00 Outside city limits $34.50 Commercial $39.50 Wholesale $3.75 P a g e | 2

Ed Hawkins, Field Supervisor for the FCWA and Matt Smith, with Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers will investigate further. Matt Smith stated that the FCWA had a permit in the past when they were exploring running a waterline along Highway 515 and that permit has yet expired, but it can be renewed as long as it is the same plan. If there is a change in the plans, a new permit will be needed from the Department of Transportation. A recommendation will be made by Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers at the February 17th Regular Monthly Meeting regarding these new services. Lynn Doss will research easements.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson to accept recommendations from Carter & Sloope and Doss & Associates at the February 17th Regular Monthly Meeting regarding feasibility of the possible new services offered by the City of Morganton. Kay Kendall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Marnie Mashburn, Administrative Assistant reported that the final audit has been received and copies were given to all FCWA Board Members. The Audit will be posted on the county website and emailed to the newspapers. She also reported that 40% 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. The SPLOST and My Mountain Repay bank accounts have both been changed to Money Market accounts, interest bearing accounts. She also reported that Tammy Decker, with RD-USDA advised the FCWA to close the USDA checking account and transfer that money into the SPLOST account since the last draw was designated for reimbursement of the Company truck. Marnie supplied all FCWA Board Members with a copy of accomplishes for the past year, the tank inspection report, a report showing total owed to Fannin County, a request for a quote for water service and an Actual vs. Budget report. She also reported that the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) paperwork has a deadline of May 5, 2016.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson to close the USDA checking account and open a separate account for the GEFA funded project, Riverwalk on the Toccoa. Anita Weaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. P a g e | 3

Fannin County Board of Commissioner Chairman, Bill Simonds stated that the FCWA would appear on the upcoming ballet for Special Purpose Local Option Tax (SPLOST). Currently, the FCWA is receiving 10%, but this will be reviewed as to what percent will be on the ballet.

Lynn Doss reported that this will need to be reviewed within the next two months to be placed on the ballet for this year. SPLOST is good for 6 years if voted in.

The FCWA Board reviewed and approved invoices from R.L. Jennings & Associates, PC and Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson to pay half of the amount owed to R.L. Jennings & Associates, PC in the amount of $4280.00 in January and the other half in February. Anita Weaver seconded the motion.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson to pay invoice #20721 due to Carter & Sloope, in full. Zack Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ed Hawkins reported that the Jockey Pump on My Mountain is still in progress and is slow due to lack of help and flooding conditions. 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.

Kay Kendall and Steve Patterson expressed the need to look into possibly hiring a temporary, part-time person to help Ed on this job and on the upcoming Riverwalk on the Toccoa Project.

A motion was made by Kay Kendall to have a meeting (water summit) with the cities and also establish a 3-person Planning Committee. Anita Weaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Matt Smith, with Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers explained that the holding tank was very clean when the inspection was done, but he recommends that it be re-inspected every 2 years. He also pointed out that in the tank inspection report, a hair-line crack on the top of the tank is present, but this is common with storage tanks and they do not expect it to get worse or cause any problems. P a g e | 4

Matt Smith reported that regarding the Riverwalk on the Toccoa Project, they are presently waiting for easements and Environmental Protection Division (EPD) response. The Archeological Surveys are being started and will cover the Riverwalk on the Toccoa and Bear Tracks Subdivisions. Southeastern Archeological Services already did an initial evaluation because Historic Preservation required additional work near the river. He explained the only other thing needed now is a letter from the Auditor which is required by the time the contract is executed with GEFA.

A motion was made by Zack Ratcliff to appoint Lynn Doss, with Doss & Associates the FCWA attorney. Anita Weaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson to appoint Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers as the FCWA engineering firm. Zack Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Anita Weaver to appoint R.L. Jennings & Associates, PC as the FCWA accounting firm. Steve Patterson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Zack Ratcliff to go into executive session. Anita Weaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Coming out of executive session, the FCWA Board approved pay increases for both Ed Hawkins and Marnie Mashburn.

A motion was made by Steve Patterson that the meeting adjourns. Zack Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

______, Stan Helton, Chairman

______, Kay K. Kendall, Secretary P a g e | 5