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GREENWOOD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE
August 27, 2008
Regular meeting
The regular meeting of the
Greenwood Metropolitan District Commission was held
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 3:00 p.m., in the Training
Room of Greenwood Metropolitan District Technical Service
Facility, 110 Metro Drive, Greenwood, SC 29646.
In attendance:
Commissioner Byron Smith,
Vice Chairman Richard Coleman Jeff Linville
Commissioner Gene Hancock,
Secretary George Martin Marsha Meyer
Commissioner Michael G.
Monaghan
Wayne Daniel Mike Pratt
Commissioner Henry
Watts Gayle Grogan
Danny Ware
Commissioner Tim
Burke Roy
Hemphill Molly Wotring
Paige Holley
I.
Vice Chairman Smith called the meeting to order and
gave the statement of
compliance with the
notification provision of the Freedom of Information Act.
II.
Mr. Martin gave the invocation.
III.
Keyless Entry Bids
Bidder Amount
Blue Ridge Security
$25639
SCI Electronics
$39,200.55
SDI Networks
$63,720
SimplexGrinnell
$33,814
Volt Telecom
$54,400
Staff will review the bids
to assure compliance with the specifications. If the bids
are in compliance, the bid will be awarded to the
responsible low bidder at the next Board Meeting.
IV.
Video Surveillance Bids
Bidder Amount
Total Price including installation
Blue Ridge Security
$12,481 $12,481
Palmetto Networks
$9,100 $18,100
SCI Electronics
$17,047.56 $17,047.56
SDI Networks
$34,565 $34,565
SimplexGrinnell
$11,603 $19,986
Volt Telecom
$27,988 $27,988
Staff will review the bids
to assure compliance with the specifications. If the bids
are in compliance, the bid will be awarded to the
responsible low bidder at the next Board Meeting.
Commissioner Monaghan wanted
to know what kind of information was included in the
specifications. He noted the bid prices vary greatly. Mrs.
Meyer responded she thought the specifications were very
clear.
V.
Fire Alarm Upgrade
Bidder Amount
Blue Ridge Security
$23,551.07
SDI Networks
$40,710
SimplexGrinnell
$16,315
Staff will review the bids
to assure compliance with the specifications. If the bids
are in compliance, the bid will be awarded to the
responsible low bidder at the next Board Meeting.
VI.
Structured Cabling
Bidder
Amount
Network Cabling
Systems $22,500
Network Communications
Tech $21,689
Palmetto
Networks $28,500
SCI
Electronics $31,709
SDI
Networks $28,938
Volt
Telecom $32,575
Staff will review the bids
to assure compliance with the specifications. If the bids
are in compliance, the bid will be awarded to the
responsible low bidder at the next Board Meeting.
Commissioner Monaghan wanted
to know why these items were not included in the contract
for the expansion of Technical Service Facility (TSF). Mr.
Martin replied these are for services that were not included
in the contract. Commissioner Monaghan inquired about who
came up with the specifications. Mrs. Meyer replied she did
the specifications, but she met with several groups of
people to help write the specifications. She said some of
the companies that are on the bid list helped to write the
specifications. Commissioner Monaghan asked why these bid
items were not included in the TSF expansion bid. Mr.
Martin said it was not included, but maybe it should have
been included. Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know who is
responsible for installing these items for example the
structured cabling. Mrs. Meyer said the structured cabling
bid is for the cable and the installation of the cables.
The cables are data that are used for the phones and
computers.
VII.
Janitorial Service
Bidder
Amount
Carolina
Cleaning $12,720
Carolina Floor Care &
Cleaning $36,000
Jacquelan’s
Cleaning $24,000
Southeastern Commercial
Cleaning $26,904
Spearman
Janitorial $22,200
Commissioner Monaghan wanted
to know who currently cleans the facilities. Mrs. Meyer
replied Jacquelan’s Cleaning. Commissioner Watts asked if
Mrs. Meyer had heard of Carolina Cleaning. Mrs. Meyer said
it is the company that provides cleaning services for CPW.
Mrs. Meyer said the janitorial bids were for existing areas
only, not the new construction.
Staff will review the bids
to assure compliance with the specifications. If the bids
are in compliance, the bid will be awarded to the
responsible low bidder at the next Board Meeting.
VIII.
Financial Report
a.
Commissioner Watts wanted to know which departments
had vacancies. Mr. Martin said Metro has one vacancy in
Collections Systems Department and the IT Manager has not
been hired. Mrs. Grogan said there was a vacancy in
Biosolids Department at the beginning of the year.
Commissioner Watts asked if Metro plans to fill these
vacancies this year. Mr. Martin said interviews are
complete for the Collections Systems vacancy. He said Metro
will start advertising for the IT position after Labor Day.
Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know if the figures he
presented at the July 30, 2008 meeting are correct.
Manager Coleman said he did not double check the numbers,
but it sounds correct. Commissioner Monaghan said that is a
return of 22%. He said he would vote for a rate increase if
he understands it. Commissioner Monaghan does not
understand why Metro wants the rate increase. He said if
Metro in adding $2 million to the reserves with the old
rates, why does Metro need a 9.9% increase. Manager Coleman
said a main difference is the $31.6 million debt retirement
that starts this fiscal year. Commissioner Burke said the
benefit is Metro is currently receiving interest on the
$31.6 million. He said Metro will change from a positive
position of the money to a substantial negative position of
the same money; that is where the main difference will be.
Commissioner Hancock said the rate consultant has in the
Long Range Plans to raise the rates 9% for the next four
years. Commissioner Monaghan asked what happened last
fiscal year so that Metro could increase the reserves by $2
million. Manager Coleman handed out information for the
Commissioners addressing this particular issue for fiscal
year 2008/2009 forward. He said line 12 shows the amount of
money that will be taken out of the reserves starting this
fiscal year. Commissioner Monaghan asked if Manager Coleman
is saying even though Metro increased the reserves last
fiscal year by $2 million; there will be no increase in the
reserves this fiscal year plus Metro is withdrawing $9.6
million from the reserves. Manager Coleman stated that is
correct. Manager Coleman said the coverage amount is on
line 8. Metro’s target according to the financial plan is
to keep the coverage at 1.5. Manager Coleman said the bond
issue says Metro cannot have the coverage less than 1.2;
which is what the coverage amount will be in 2010 when Metro
issues the next debt (line 19) of $11,373,000. Commissioner
Monaghan wanted to know where on the hand out is the bond
that Metro is going to ask the County to issue. Manager
Coleman said the hand out only pertains to Revenue Bonds.
He said the bond for GO debt is not included in revenue
calculations. Commissioner Monaghan said the GO Bond will
pay for something. Manager Coleman said Metro is estimating
$1 million. Commissioner Monaghan asked if Manager Coleman
is saying Metro will not be adding any money to the
reserves, they will be withdrawing money, $9.6 million.
Manager Coleman said that is the net amount to come out with
the increased rates. Commissioner Monaghan said that amount
includes spending all of the bond revenues. Manager Coleman
said that is correct. He said also included in the
calculation is the interest amount Metro earns from the
reserves. Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know what the
capital expenditures will be for fiscal year 08/09. Manager
Coleman said the handout is only a summary sheet.
Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro would spend $20
million. Manager Coleman responded Metro would spend
somewhere in the $20 million range, but he would need to
check on it to be exact. Commissioner Monaghan inquired if
the Wilson Creek Plant Upgrade was covered by revenue bonds
only. Manager Coleman replied yes. Commissioner Monaghan
wanted to know what the $9.6 million would cover.
Commissioner Burke said the City Pond and Turner Branch.
Commissioner Monaghan asked if those projects add up to $9.6
million. Manager Coleman said the 72 inch line is included
in that amount and the $1.2 million match for the Seaboard
Grant Project. Commissioner Monaghan asked for an email
stating which projects are included in the $9.6 million.
Commissioner Burke said the list is included on the big
sheet in the packet. Commissioner Monaghan asked if the
summary sheet handed out by Manager Coleman includes the
increase in the capacity and transmission fees. Manager
Coleman said yes, it does. Commissioner Monaghan said Metro
is also increasing the base meter charge which he voted no
on last year. Commissioner Monaghan said the increase in
the base rate impacts seniors and low income customers.
Commissioner Hancock said Metro is also increasing the
volumetric rate by 9.9% too. Commissioner Monaghan said he
would rather see the rate increase on the volumetric charge
than on the base meter charge. He said the meter charge
disproportionally impacts low income and senior citizens.
Commissioner Hancock said Metro could end up not getting the
revenue back from the volumetric charge because of low
usage. Commissioner Monaghan said last year he voted no on
the rate increase. Commissioner Monaghan said every year
Metro is increasing the base meter charge. He said he would
vote no again this year. Commissioner Watts asked what is
the typical charge for usage of 800 cubic feet. Manager
Coleman said the charge with the current rate is $27.76. He
said the monthly bill would increase $3 annually with the
proposed rates. Commissioner Burke said next year if Metro
follows the extended long range plans they will not meet
their coverage amount if they do not raise rates. He said
Metro’s coverage rate will be 1.2, which is the minimum
coverage allowed: if Metro does not increase the rate, they
will need to decrease the amount of work being done.
Commissioner Monaghan said he does not disagree with
Commissioner Burke; his problem is fundamental. He said
fundamentally it is a disproportion impact on low income
people to increase the fixed charge. Commissioner Monaghan
said the fixed charge is disproportion to their (low income
customers) total income than the high income customer. He
thinks that is wrong and does not like to perpetuate that.
Commissioner Monaghan would rather have the increase in the
volumetric charge only. Commissioner Monaghan stated he had
the same reservations at the last public hearing on October
24, 2007. Commissioner Hancock said the rates have changed
some. He noted Metro has borrowed more money; Metro will
need to get the money back from both rates and there is a
chance for Metro not to if the usage is down assuming Metro
only increases the volumetric charge. Commissioner Monaghan
said last year the impact was $51,000 if Metro does not
raise the base meter charge.
b.
LMI Grinder Pumps
Commissioner Monaghan noted
that the owners of property on Shrine Club Road are not
paying the grinder pump fees. He said the renters are
paying for the owner’s upkeep of that pump. Commissioner
Monaghan stated Mr. Hemphill said on July 26, 2005, “instead
of making it appear on the monthly bill contract with
special tax commission and make it appear on the annual tax
bill. He (Mr. Hemphill) said it was better to deal with the
special tax district than the individual homeowners; that
way Metro can say the grant is exempt from that charge and
all the other areas would have to pay the fee.”
Commissioner Monaghan said the renters will get guarantee 8%
because they are on the Section 8 housing. He said the
owner could pass that cost to the renter. Commissioner
Monaghan wanted to know if there is a way for Metro to
change the grinder pump charge to not go on their CPW bill
but to add it to their annual tax bill as a special tax.
Manager Coleman said he does not think Metro can go back and
do it because the special tax districts that were created
for sewer do not have anything for sewer. Mr. Hemphill said
for example the Lakeshores area could create a special tax
commission with three commissioners not a sewer
sub-district, but a County creates special tax commission.
Mr. Hemphill will look into this. Commissioner Monaghan
stated he is concerned that Metro will never receive another
grant for this area because of the grinder pump charge.
Commissioner Monaghan inquired about what is needed for a
summary judgment. Mr. Hemphill said Metro has already
received an opinion from the Attorney General (AG) of South
Carolina. Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know what is
needed. Mr. Hemphill said someone would have to bring a
case against Metro. Commissioner Monaghan asked if a
commissioner could bring a case against Metro. Mr. Hemphill
said that might be a conflict of interest. Commissioner
Monaghan asked if Metro could ask a judge to make a ruling.
Mr. Hemphill said there will need to be jurisdictional
controversy. He said the judge will not give opinions like
the attorney general. Commissioner Monaghan said the judge
did on the election of the Metro Commissioners. Mr.
Hemphill said that was because someone sued. Commissioner
Monaghan said he was talking about the election where
Commissioner Smith was going to run. Mr. Hemphill said
Metro sued the County. Commissioner Monaghan asked if Mr.
Hemphill is saying that there is no way for Metro to get a
summary judgment. Mr. Hemphill said the summary judgment is
a different thing, but Commissioner Monaghan is talking
about an advisory opinion from a judge. He said unless
somebody brings a suit that cannot occur. Commissioner
Monaghan wanted to know who could bring a suit. Mr.
Hemphill responded a stakeholder within the controversy.
Commissioner Monaghan said he thinks it is a shame that
there are four quadrants that Metro was going to try and
received CDBG for. He said Metro could have gone ahead and
done it and dealt with it if they were sued. Mr. Hemphill
said he would not advise that since Metro has received an
Attorney General opinion. Commissioner Monaghan said that
is just an opinion. Commissioner Hancock said the AG
opinion is good until a court case comes up. Commissioner
Burke said he suggested several months ago about obtaining
federal funds just like what is done in other utilities for
off-setting some of the cost. He said his understanding of
the AG opinion is in order to keep continuity in the billing
and the only way to offset the cost legally is to find an
additional source of funding for that outside of this
Commission meaning federal or state funding. Commissioner
Monaghan said the State said Metro had to have that program
or they (The State) would not give Metro the money. He said
the State was subsidizing the LMI. Commissioner Burke said
different agencies within the State are. Commissioner
Monaghan suggested going to the Legislative Delegation to
have them pass a law. Commissioner Monaghan said the AG
letter said to seek legislative action by the general
assembly in particular general law affording sewer district
commission authorize to waive charges. He stated Metro
needs to keep the lake clean. Commissioner Burke agreed
with Commissioner Monaghan’s statement. Commissioner Watts
asked if utilities are included for those being subsidized
by Section 8. Commissioner Hancock said the City is
responsible for Section 8 housing in the City, but he was
not sure about the County. Commissioner Watts asked if Mr.
Martin knew. Mr. Martin replied he did not, but he will
check on it. Commissioner Monaghan said the grinder pump
charge is an insurance policy on the equipment. He said it
is not the person using the utility; it is a charge on that
house. Commissioner Hancock said the owner would have to be
responsible for the septic tank. Commissioner Monaghan
agreed with Commissioner Hancock’s statement. Commissioner
Hancock said he did not know how Metro could create a
special tax district after the fact. Commissioner Monaghan
wants staff to look at other ways to receive money for the
grinder pumps charges, because Metro really needs the other
grants for that area. Commissioner Hancock said if there
are still LMI people at the Lake, Metro still has a chance
to receive grants. Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know
what is Ms. Ruth LaForge’s opinion on this matter. Mr.
Martin responded Ms. LaForge is disappointed that Metro
charged the $12 grinder pump monthly fee. Commissioner
Hancock said Metro had to because it was illegal not to
charge. Mr. Martin said Metro did tell her that they would
have to charge them. Commissioner Hancock said Metro needs
to talk to the City to see how they charge rent and other
items for Section 8 housing and to see if the County could
do something. Vice-Chairman Smith asked if Metro could
change anything regarding this charge to the LMI customers.
Mr. Hemphill replied as it relates to the AG’s opinion Metro
cannot change anything. He noted Commissioner Monaghan
brings up a good point with the special tax district. The
purpose of the special tax district is for residents to
govern themselves, to be able to tax themselves for their
improvements. Mr. Hemphill said he would say a grinder pump
is an improvement to real property. Commissioner Burke said
the grinder pump does not belong to the homeowner. He said
as mandated by SCDHEC Metro is to own and maintain the
grinder pumps from the date the pump goes into service.
Commissioner Burke said in his opinion additional revenue to
off-set is the only way to help with this. He said he does
not disagree with Commissioner Monaghan, but there is no way
for Metro to get around this from within the organization.
Commissioner Monaghan noted unless Metro has legislative
action.
c.
Bad Debts
Commissioner Watts stated
that CPW is in the process of writing some procedures for
collecting bad debts. He said CPW has not passed the
procedures, but they are looking at turning the debt over to
a collection agency. Commissioner Watts distributed copies
of the procedures that CPW is considering. Vice-Chairman
Smith inquired on how far back will the bad debt collection
go. Commissioner Watts asked Mrs. Grogan if she was aware
of this new policy CPW was looking at. Mrs. Grogan asked if
CPW was still going to use the Department of Revenue.
Commissioner Watts replied yes, but the remainder would be
turned over to a collection agency. He said the customer
would pay the collection agency. Mrs. Grogan said some of
the accounts CPW sends up are the flat fee accounts which
only have sewer charges. Commissioner Burke inquired about
using the Department of Revenue. Mrs. Grogan said the
Department of Revenue will take the customers tax return and
apply the money to their CPW account for bad debts.
d.
Insurance
Manager Coleman reported
that the monthly premiums paid into the funds have increased
by 49%. He said this is more than what was projected in the
budget. Manager Coleman informed the Commission the budget
will be off for fiscal year 08/09 due to the increase in
insurance premiums. He said the estimated claims for the
fiscal year is $3.6 million and the amount of premiums Metro
was contributing at the current rate was $2.3 million with
an expected short fall of $1.3 million. Manager Coleman
reminded the Commission that last month Metro contributed an
extra $33,140 because the reserves had gone down. He said
if Metro increased the premiums at the new rate, there
should be no reason why Metro will need to have the extra
contribution. Commissioner Monaghan said the purpose was so
that Metro and CPW did not have to make supplemental
contributions throughout the fiscal year. Manager Coleman
said the budget will be incorrect because of this change.
He said for the budget Metro took the current rate and added
a 10% increase plus $100,000. Manager Coleman said the new
rate will increase that amount plus 20%. Commissioner
Monaghan said if Metro does not have to make any
supplemental payments they should be on target with the
budget. Manager Coleman said no, because Metro added 10%
plus $100,000 to take into account for changes, but Metro
will still be $160,000 short. Manager Coleman suggested
that Metro may want to look at other ways to help control
costs. Commissioner Monaghan said some companies dilute the
benefits and increase the co-pay and he does not want to do
that. Manager Coleman said another suggestion is to have
more prevention type tests done. He cited an article he
read concerning a company that did this. Commissioner
Monaghan asked for staff to come up with a proposal for the
Commission to review. Vice-Chairman Smith asked if Metro
was a part of the program that the State of South Carolina
offers to employees for prevention testing. Manager Coleman
stated the rates keep increasing. Commissioner Burke said
this is in direct correlation to what is happening with all
other rates, which is why Metro needs to keep their rate
structure going in the same direction.
IX.
Wilson Creek Plant Upgrade
Mr. Danny Ware of Davis and
Floyd, Inc. (D&F) distributed a change order summary sheet
to the Commission. Metro will receive a deduction for the
reduced dept of pilings for the grit removal equipment. The
estimated reduction was $50,000. Currently with all change
orders Metro is $37,000 above contract value. Minutes of
the monthly progress meeting were distributed. There were
no changes in the schedule. The contractor is still showing
that they are a few months ahead of schedule. Pictures of
the construction were described. Commissioner Monaghan
stated the monthly progress meetings with Mr. Ware are very
well coordinated. He encouraged all Commissioners to
attend. Mr. Ware said there is an issue with the 72 inch
pipe leaking around the influent pump station. They are
working toward a resolution. Commissioner Monaghan asked if
that had anything to do with the pipe from Krah. Mr. Ware
responded he does not think it has anything to do with the
pipe just the meeting of the two materials. Staff, D & F
and both contractors had a meeting yesterday with both
contractors to try to find a solution.
X.
Action Items
a.
Kimbrook Collection System
Mr. Martin said staff was
asked to provide the Commission with a detail report of the
collection system in Kimbrook. The estimated amount of
money Metro would spend to bring the system up to standards
that Metro will consider as acceptable is $17,176.
Commissioner Monaghan asked if Kimbrook is still going to
give Metro $33,000. Mr. Martin said Kimbrook is going to
give Metro all the money in their sewer account.
Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro is going to take
exception to the letter from Kimbrook. Mr. Hemphill said
Metro would send Kimbrook a quick claim deed along with a
corrective letter that says Metro is not agreeing to the
last item. He said the cost associated with the transfer is
his time in preparing the deed. Commissioner Watts asked
what is Mr. Martin’s recommendation. Mr. Martin replied he
thinks Metro should accept the collection system.
Commissioner Burke made a
motion to accept the ownership of the Kimbrook Subdivision
sewer collection system; Commissioner Hancock seconded, and
the motion was unanimously approved.
b.
Network Equipment
Mrs. Meyer said at the July
30th meeting, the Commission approved the
purchase of network equipment in the amount of $24,919 and
at that time staff said there would be other expenses
associated with that purchase. She said Metro is moving
into Phase II of the network equipment purchases. Metro
would like to upgrade the network switch, add another
switch, and add a wireless controller and purchase patch
cables and connections.
Commissioner Monaghan made a
motion to approve the purchase of the Phase II network
equipment for $13,392.89; Commissioner Hancock seconded, and
the motion was unanimously approved.
XI.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
a.
Report from Partnership
Commissioner Hancock said
the annual meeting is September 19th.
b.
Sick Leave Policy
Manager Coleman distributed
a copy of the Sick Leave Policy adopted by CPW on January,
2007. The policy says an employee can use up to 6 days of
sick leave for family sick leave. In the past, Metro’s
Commission has said it would have the same personnel
policies as CPW.
Commissioner Monaghan made a
motion to adopt the family medical sick leave policy;
Commissioner Hancock seconded, and the motion was
unanimously approved.
XII.
Old/Other Business
a.
Commissioner Monaghan inquired about the status of
the asset identification tags. Mrs. Grogan replied Metro
has not tagged everything. Commissioner Monaghan asked for
a date when all items will be tagged. Mrs. Grogan responded
all items will be tagged by the end of this fiscal year.
Commissioner Monaghan said that is not good enough. He
directed Manager Coleman to come up with a program so the
tagging will happen sooner. Manager Coleman said he will
come up with a date to have the assets tagged. Commissioner
Monaghan said it will need to be finished before the next
physical inventory. He wanted to know why it will take
Metro a year to put tags on the assets. Mrs. Grogan said
staff is currently in the audit process and they will work
on the asset tags as soon as the audit is finished.
Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro could delegate an
employee to put the tags on the assets. Mrs. Grogan said
the employee will need to make sure they tag the correct
items. Mr. Martin said Metro can provide the manpower.
Commissioner Burke suggested having the assets tagged before
Metro moves. Mrs. Grogan said that was her goal.
b.
Panola Neighborhood Sewer Grant
Commissioner Monaghan
inquired if Metro has heard anything on the grant for the
Panola area. Mr. Martin replied Metro would like to receive
a grant for that area. Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro
was awarded the grant. Mr. Martin responded Metro has not
applied for that grant.
c.
Vehicles
Commissioner Monaghan asked
for an update on the Metro vehicles that are going to be
auctioned. Mrs. Meyer said she is presently working on
that.
d.
Audit Entry
Commissioner Monaghan asked
if Metro is still waiting on an explanation on the audit
entry from the County. Manager Coleman said he received
information today saying there would be another audit entry
for fiscal year 07/08. Mr. Hemphill said Metro should hear
from the County what the millage will be for this year. Mr.
Hemphill will ask Mr. Chuck Watson for information on when
the County will determine the tax millage and the basis for
the audit entry.
e.
Credit Card Points
Commissioner Monaghan wanted
to know who is responsible for redeeming credit card
points. Manager Coleman said the credit card points have
never been redeemed. Commissioner Monaghan asked if the
points are worth anything. Manager Coleman said if they are
like his personal credit card you can redeem the points for
items listed in a catalog or cash. Commissioner Monaghan
asked for staff to look into redeeming the credit card
points.
f.
Commissioner Hancock said Metro was better off before
the Legislation changed the law regarding the tax millage.
Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know how much tax money does
Metro receive from people that do not have sewer. Manager
Coleman said generally it is in the rural areas (i.e.
agriculture) so it is assessed at a lower value.
Commissioner Watts said he does not want to be paying for a
service that he does not receive. Manager Coleman said
Metro was sued about that issue in the 1980’s when the Metro
District boundaries were expanded. The judge ruled that the
Metro tax is just like paying the library tax, school
district tax for services that are available to you, but you
do not necessarily use. Commissioner Monaghan said if the
revenue for that is insignificant it might not be worth
doing it. Commissioner Hancock reminded the Commission they
have a job to do being a Metro Commissioner. Commissioner
Watts said he understands the ruling, but it does not make
him happy. Vice-Chairman Smith suggested for the Commission
to table this issue for now so they could proceed with items
on the agenda. Commissioner Monaghan said no, Commissioners
can talk about it now. Vice-Chairman Smith said this issue
will not get resolved today. Commissioner Hancock said all
residents in the District have been paying the sewer tax
since 1959; some of them have sewer and some do not have
sewer.
g.
Public Hearing
Mr. Hemphill explained to
the Commission that Metro would have two separate public
hearings tonight; one is for the Capacity Fee increase and
the other is for the sewer rates and Transmission Fee.
Manager Coleman distributed information concerning the
Capacity Fee public hearing to the Commission. Commissioner
Monaghan inquired if someone will be downtown to send
customers to TSF. Manager Coleman responded yes and they
also have directions to give them. Manager Coleman said the
last time this report was updated the cost per REU was
$2,500 and now the cost is $3,548. He said the capacity is
the same, but the costs are higher.
h.
Grievance Procedure
Commissioner Monaghan said
at the last meeting he asked for the new grievance procedure
by CPW to be compared with the one from Metro. Manager
Coleman said he has not worked on it. Commissioner Monaghan
asked to have it by the next meeting. Mr. Martin said he
has not seen the new CPW grievance procedure.
i.
Cap Amount
Commissioner Monaghan
inquired if Metro has changed the cap amount. Mr. Martin
said no, the cap amount has not changed. Commissioner
Hancock said the cap amount is 2300 cubic feet.
Commissioner Monaghan said that is 17,000 gallons. He said
the idea of the cap was for people who water their lawns.
Commissioner Hancock said there are some customers who use
more than that on a regular basis. Mr. Hemphill said it
would affect billing so it would need a public hearing. He
said the public hearing notice that was advertised cites the
2300 cubic feet maximum charge. Commissioner Monaghan said
he thought Metro came up with a number that was more
reasonable. Mr. Martin said he remembers his question.
Commissioner Hancock said the biggest complaint Metro
receives is from people paying for sewer when the water did
not enter the sewer system. Commissioner Burke said the LMI
customers are being penalized because they have a minimum
amount they are charged and customers using a lot of water
have a cap amount they are being charged. He said that is
not fair. Commissioner Hancock would like for staff to find
out how many residential customers use more than 2300 cubic
feet per month. Commissioner Monaghan would like to know
how many residential customers use more than 12,000
gallons. Commissioner Hancock said lowering the cap amount
would affect the rates. Commissioner Burke reminded the
Commission that 12,000 gallons is a DHEC mandate which is
400 gallons per day per residential household. He said he
has done a study and the only way to decrease that is to do
it system wide. Commissioner Monaghan said CPW
Commissioners received an email from Mr. Carlos Cometto
about going to 300 gallons. Commissioner Burke said Metro
would have to supply a massive amount of data including
Inflow/Infiltration times.
j.
DR Terry Arbitration
Mr. Hemphill said the
arbitration with DR Terry was Monday. He expects to hear
from the arbitrator within the next few weeks.
XIII.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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