Water & Sewer Committee

Sammy Rich, City Manager John Boyd, Assistant Director WATER AND SEWER DIVISION Customer Service Department Bryan Parris, Director Operations Department Brandon M. Cook, Director Water Reclamation Facilities Jeff Hill, Director Water Treatment Facilities Wayne Stanley, Director WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE MEETING City Hall, 601 Broad Street, Sam King Room Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:00 AM PRESENT: Chairperson Jim Bojo Commissioner Craig McDaniel Commissioner Elaina Beeman Mr. Sammy Rich, City Manager Mrs. Meredith Ulmer, Assistant City Manager Mrs. Toni Rhinehart, Finance Director Mr. Doug Walker, Public Information Officer Mr. John Boyd, Assistant Division Director Mr. Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director VISITORS: David Crowder WRGA News Multiple citizens present CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Jim Bojo welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES No changes to the October 5, 2023, minutes were suggested, and minutes were approved by common consent. FINANCIAL REPORT Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 2, 2023 Page 1 of 4 Mrs. Rhinehart reported operating revenues for water services are up by $339,000. Sewer service revenues are up $857,000 from 2022 and connection fees are up almost $154,000. Total operating revenues between 2022 and 2023 are up $1.4 million. Remember rates did change back on September 1st so as time goes along, we will see the increase coming down. Nonoperating revenues, a bright spot interest income year to date is at $2.4 million up from $94,000 last year, of course we have the settlement money, and we are earning a good rate right now and we do expect an additional $30 million over the next five years for the R.O. project. Operating expenses by department, pretty much everyone is in line with budget. We are a little over in 5410 which is likely just a timing issue. I did want to mention in the 5460 section which is non departmental when we budget here, we are budgeting for projects or capital and, we budget a bond payment in there that never shows up as an expense but we do that so we can show the need for revenue to pay what needs to be paid. It comes out of cash but does not show as an expense because it is a bond payable for the other side, which is account jargon, but I wanted everyone to know that is why you will never see an expense on that line but is a part of the budget. So, we have enough money to make those payments we must make. Cash and bond coverage we are very strong because of our low debt. We have very little bonded debt. Cash balance year to date we are a little over $25 million in regular cash not including the R.O. which sounds like a lot of money until you look at the cost of some of our projects. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Mr. Boyd stated the R.O. design update listed on the agenda (item C) will be omitted and discussed at a later date. Saying we did have a good meeting yesterday, but it did not provide enough information to give an update to the committee. September Water Sewer Data Mr. Boyd presented water and sewer productions and treatment for the month of September and year to date for 2023 and 2022. Water produced for September 2023 was 188 million gallons (MG) with a daily average of 6.2 MG and a peak of 6.9 MG. These numbers were slightly lower than the 2022 figures. Wastewater treated was 212.6 MG with a daily average of 7 MG and a peak of 9.3 MG between the two wastewater treatment facilities. System activities included 70 sewer service calls for September and 895 YTD. Water service calls were 24 for the month and 260 YTD. New sewer connections were 5 for the month and 80 YTD. New water connections were 9 and 77 YTD. Chairperson Bojo asked if these numbers were up from past years. Boyd replied that as Mrs. Rhinehart mentioned connection fees were up so these are probably tracking up a little bit with all the new developments going on right now. Boyd continued reporting Operations inspected 12 pump stations a total of 102 times in the month of September and performed 29 maintenance/repairs. There were 5 water main repairs and 9 water service repairs. Four water valves and one fire hydrant were also repaired. 45 sewer lift stations were inspected a total of 374 times with 92 Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 2, 2023 Page 2 of 4 maintenance/repairs made. One sewer main repaired and five sewer services repaired. Six manholes were repaired or raised. Crews performed 68,771 feet of hydraulic cleaning of sewer mains and cleared 4061 feet of right of way. The customer service department completed 1079 service requests for things such as turn on/off, meter repairs/replace and rereads and payment related disconnections. Collections office took in $1.6 million in water and sewer related funds but would also mention we took in a total of $3.3 million because we also take payments for Solid Waste, Landfill, Downtown Parking tickets and process Land Bank and Transit collections. 2nd Avenue Project Mr. Boyd presented maps showing the scope of work for water and sewer. Saying there was about 3,000 feet of 12- and 8-inch water line with two critical connections to the hospital involved. There is also 188 feet of sewer main with two manholes that services one property that will be replaced as well. We will also be lining the three flood station lines crossing under the road to the levy. And there will be a retaining wall going up in this area. Commissioner McDaniel asked if GDOT was paying for this work? Boyd replied yes for the wall, but we will be paying for the water and sewer, and he was going over those costs next. Boyd explained construction for the water and sewer was included in GDOTs contract because of changes made a few years ago holding utilities responsible for delays. KM Davis Construction will be doing the water, and the work is expected to take six months to complete at a cost of $761,000. Construction of the sewer will be completed by City staff and will take two weeks to complete, this will save about $100,000. In 2024 we will bid out the lining flood station piping that cross under 2nd Ave to the levy rather than replacing it which could easily cost between $750,000 and $1 million. Mr. Rich asked how old these lines were. Boyd said one was from 1939 and the other was sometime in the 60s. Chairperson Bojo asked what the retaining wall that was mentioned would be made of. Mr. Boyd said it would be concrete. Mr. Rich added that he hoped maybe there would be some type of decorative stamping to improve the overall appearance and hoped it would be much better than the current steel wall. LIHWAP Mr. Boyd reported 34 customers received benefits of $13,033.00 in September and we received $162,627.00 YTD, benefiting 450 customers. This is about double what was received last year. Chairperson Bojo asked if the program was done for the year and if it would be available again in 2024. Mr. Parris replied for the most part it was over for this year, but we may receive a few more that have not been completed yet and there was no word yet on if the program would continue in 2024. Enterprise Corner Water and Sewer Mr. Boyd reported there is about 3200 feet of gravity sewer from the bypass to the trunk line and then about 16,000 feet out to the site. He also stated he had discussions with developers who own about 400 acres in the area and are interested in developing the site. We may be looking at doing a trunk line coming down the Etowah like what comes down the Oostanaula from Armuchee in the future, but the current plan will serve its purpose for 25 to 30 years. He continued saying the current plans total system cost comes in at $12.3 million, $1 million has already been absorbed by the department for engineering, SPLOST has $7.9 million included in it and Floyd County has pledged another $1 million so that helps on the ROI as far as water and sewer but we will still have a little over $4 million in this project. Boyd pointed out that were considerations that need to be made as this area is developed, saying as Mike Hackett had mentioned many times before, Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) will be a concern with the sewer. A force main of this length will turn septic in the main and will likely require a Sulfa Press system. in addition, given the topography this system may require as much as six air release valves which prevent air binding but are prone to H2S damage. Package Plant Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 2, 2023 Page 3 of 4 do have their place but industrial applications with high flows and high strength waste are not typically the best application. Beyond ten years these units can become maintenance intensive. Solids handling and 24/7 staffing can also become costly. Water considerations are much less than the sewer, a 16-inch water main provides immediate consumptive and fire protection supply for low sewer impact developments. Water lines can be constructed in less time and for roughly $2.5 million less than the sewer and can serve more customers. Development considerations- given the infrastructure expense is nearly three times the land purchase it is recommended that this location be used for high volume users only. High volume users will ensure capital cost can be recovered and both water and sewer facilities have the flow to keep both systems flushed. Commissioner McDaniel asked what the timeline for the project was. Boyd stated engineering was pretty much done and we are still evaluating the sizing of the project because we have sized it at 1 million gallons on the sewer side. Sewer is tricky though in the way you have to size it because of the H2S. What we have done is instead of one large line we will have two smaller 8-inch lines so if the flow is not high enough for both we will switch to one and as the area grows, we will start pumping to both lines. OTHER Commissioner McDaniel asked do you have a sense of the task ahead for replacement of the Turner McCall Bridge pertaining to the water and sewer. Mr. Boyd said there was water in the area and a sewer trunk line that will have to be evaluated. Commissioner McDaniel asked who would service the new Microsoft facility at Huffaker and Fouche Gap Rd. Mr. Boyd said there could likely be an interconnection with Floyd County for the water, but we would be providing the sewer service. Commissioner McDaniel asked how our staffing and equipment with all the new growth is. Boyd stated staffing is good right now and we have a five-year plan in place for equipment so we typically get what is needed as we need it, but we could see the need for additional staffing in a year or two. Commissioner Beeman questioned in relation to staffing, what are the requirements for positions in water and sewer. Mr. Boyd stated the only requirement is a high school diploma, adding we have a very successful training plan in place and provide all the training and educational support needed and cover all testing and certification costs. Adjourn There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted. John Boyd, Assistant Director Rome Water and Sewer Division Minutes prepared by: Bryan Parris, Customer Service Director Water and Sewer Committee/ Commission Minutes, November 2, 2023 Page 4 of 4