Water & Sewer Committee

Sammy Rich, City Manager Mike Hackett, Director John Boyd, Assistant Director WATER AND SEWER DIVISION Customer Service Department Bryan Parris, Director Operations Department Brandon M. Cook, Director Water Reclamation Facilities Johnny Massingill, Director Water Treatment Facilities Wayne Stanley, Director WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, 601 Broad Street, Sam King Room Thursday, November 5, 2020 8:30 AM PRESENT: Chairperson Randy Quick Commissioner Jamie Doss Commissioner Bonney Askew Mr. Sammy Rich, City Manger Mr. Patrick Eidson, Assistant City Manager Mr. Mike Hackett, Water & Sewer Division Director Mr. John Boyd, Assistant Division Director Mr. Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Mrs. Toni Rhinehart, Finance Director Mr. Brandon Cook, Operations Director VISITORS: CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Randy Quick welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES No changes to the September 3, 2020 minutes were suggested. The minutes were approved by common consent. Introduction Mr. Hackett introduced Mr. Brandon Cook as the new Operations Director. Mr. Cook comes to us with 20 years of experience from Calhoun as well 30 years in the military. Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 5, 2020 FINANCIAL REPORT Mrs. Toni Rhinehart reported water revenues were down by about $230,000.00 but sewer revenues were up $48,000.00 penalties are up and connections fees and interest income are both down considerably and total revenues are down by about 648,000.00 from last year. In operating expenses most departments were in line with last year and total expenses are down by about $271,000.00. OLD BUSINESS Operations update: COVID Mr. Hackett reported staffing changes we made have been successful in controlling the situation with only a few cases. Changes in customer service to allow phone payments and other alternate payment options have paid off very well with very few complaints. The water filter plant is continuing to working longer shifts and have really bought into the importance of this process. Commissioner Doss asked about how many customers are set up for automatic draft of payments. Mr. Parris stated about 2400 customers were on direct draft. He stated that number is likely lower due to the moving due date. Meter Pilot Mr. Hackett reported the pilot consisted of four different systems and Master Meter came in as the clear front runner. The total project will be around $4,500,000.00. The last meter change-out project came in around $10,000,000.00. Mr. Hackett stated infrastructure should be installed by the end of the year with the initial 2500 meters being installed afterwards. PROJECT UPDATES Stonebridge Water Line Mr. Hackett stated Stonebridge is the only place where the City purchases water from the County. This new 12-inch line extending from The Spires to Stonebridge is nearly complete. This will greatly improve water quality and fire protection to Stonebridge. We currently have to flush about 50 million gallons per year to keep water fresh in this area and are only selling about 18 million gallons per year. Chairman Quick asked how much of a savings do we expect to see without all the flushing? Mr. Hackett stated about $75,000.00 annually. Mr. Hackett also showed the committee a new piece of equipment the division used on the project which increased the speed of installing new water lines from around 500 feet per day to 1000 feet per day. Horseleg Sewer Line Relocation Mr. Boyd reminded the committee of the environment working on a high traffic narrow road. He provided a detailed slide show of the project showing the magnitude of the work. This is the first phase of a project to relocate the larger station off of the creek. Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 5, 2020 Etowah Intake Project design is about 95% complete. Mr. Hackett said the design includes planning for future growth and make this station our primary water source. We will also drop the intake by about two feet which will also improve water supply during droughts. Commissioner Doss asked if this would improve our water quality? Mr. Hackett stated being on the Etowah improved the water quality. Regulatory Updates Mr. Hackett stated we are working on our PFAS mitigation pilot. Project consist of evaluating all the different technologies you could use to manage the PFAS. Insight Engineering provided us with a matrix showing the possibilities and an RFP has been sent out for a proposal for pilot system testing. This will be challenging rebuilding a plant while it is in operation. NEW BUSSINESS Sewer Rate Differential / Wholesale Water Rate Mr. Boyd presented an analysis study from Stantec considering our cost and what Floyd County is buying from us. Currently the County is paying $.05 more to Calhoun per 1,000 gallons than they are paying to the City and yet they continue to purchase far more water than the contracted minimum with Calhoun. Mr. Boyd showed the committee during a recent event the County got 6 million gallons from the City of Rome and 47 million gallons from City of Calhoun. Through 2020 the City has lost just shy of $375,000.00 of revenue because the County is buying above their minimum. Mr. Hackett stated the City would be better served by increasing the price to the County because they are only buying from the City when they absolutely have too. Mr. Hackett said we are planning a full presentation from Stantec once things are finalized and scheduling allows but so far, the findings show where are currently far below other utilities with wholesale rates. Additionally, we are still well below the differential ratio we are allowed. OTHER Commissioner Doss asked if we had ever considered a partnership with Cave Spring? Mr. Hackett said we had looked at this in the past and due to logistics, it would still stand on its own and would have a very long pay back if at all. Adjourn There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned Respectfully submitted Mike Hackett, Director Rome Water and Sewer Division Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 5, 2020 Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 5, 2020