Main Menu

Home

GMD Commissioners

About Us

Customer Service

Education & Tours

Public Information

County Links

County GIS System

 

GMD Public Information

Public Menu2006 Minutes - 2007 Minutes - 2008 Minutes

Commission Minutes

GREENWOOD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

MINUTES OF THE July 30, 2008

Regular meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Greenwood Metropolitan District Commission was held Wednesday, July 30, 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 Bob Haynie, Chairman             Richard Coleman        Marsha Meyer

Commissioner Gene Hancock, Secretary        Doug Bell                    Bill Moore

Commissioner Michael G. Monaghan             Wayne Daniel             Michael Nix

Commissioner Tim Burke                               Gayle Grogan              Brian Waldrep

                                                                      Paige Holley

 

I.            Chairman Haynie called the meeting to order and gave the statement of compliance with the

         notification provision of the Freedom of Information Act.

 

II.            Manager Coleman gave the invocation.

 

III.            Wilson Creek Plant Upgrade

Mr. Danny Ware of Davis and Floyd, Inc (D&F) was unable to attend the meeting.  He sent an email to all Commissioners and mailed a copy to Commissioner Hancock containing his monthly report.  Mr. Bill Moore of D&F said the contractor is ahead of schedule.  Mr. Moore directed the Commissioner’s attention to the new change order for the conversion for the flushing water system.

 

Commissioner Hancock made a motion to approve the change order for the revised yard hydrant system in the amount of $19,868.22; Commissioner Monaghan seconded and the motion was unanimously approved. 

                         IV.            Technical Service Facility (TSF) Expansion Update

Mr. Moore distributed a handout on the monthly progress of the TSF expansion.  The concrete slab on the north end was poured early yesterday morning.  The contractor is expecting to receive delivery on the building materials tomorrow.  Mr. Moore said the south end is not ready to have the concrete poured.  A procedure has been worked out to widen the footings in hopes that the contractor will not have to dig as deep.  The contractor hopes to have the south end ready by the time the erection crew has finished the north end.  The general contractor is approaching 90 days on the job site.  Mr. Moore said he did ask for the contractor to attend this meeting, but he had a conflict and could not attend.  The contractor expects to pour 2/3 of the concrete on the south end around the middle of August.  The plan is for the erection crew to move from the north end to the south end.  Mr. Moore said they have received pay request #3 for $129,000.  He said $100,000 is for the building materials.  The contractor has sent a revised construction schedule.  The contractor still plans to have all close out documents ready by the middle of January.  Commissioner Monaghan inquired if there is a penalty for not finishing the contract within the stated time frame.  Mr. Moore responded there is a $1000 (estimated amount) fine per day until substantial completion.  Once substantial completion is reached, the amount is lowered to $250 per day until the contract is completed.  Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know when the penalty fines will start.  Mr. Moore said the contractor will start incurring penalty fines after so many days from when the notice to proceed was issued.  Mr. Moore said they have received a price for the change order for  electrical work on the south end.  This will be presented to the Commission once the electrical work is finished.  Chairman Haynie inquired if Mr. Moore will keep a running change order total similar to what is used for the Wilson Creek Plant Upgrade.  Mr. Moore said he will use the same format that Mr. Ware uses for the Wilson Creek Plant Upgrade. 

 

V.            Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to approve the minutes for the June 25, 2008 meeting as

          amended (adding “adopt the budget using Scenario #3 in Draft #4); Commissioner Hancock

          seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.

 

VI.            Financial Report

a.       Mr. Michael Nix of Greenwood Capital gave a report on the District’s portfolio.  The report is for fiscal year 2008.  The first account Mr. Nix discussed was the 1081 (Reserve) Account.  Mr. Nix pointed out that the first few pages show which bonds have matured or called during the fiscal year.  Page three gives the status of the account as of June 30, 2008.  Currently Metro has a mixture of treasury and agency securities in the account.  Page five gives the performance report for the account.  The account has a positive variance of $21,000 in interest.  The account was up at the end of the fiscal year net of fees 6.03%.  The next account Mr. Nix discussed was the Capacity (1082) Account.  The first page on the report for this account contains bonds which have been called, sold or matured during the fiscal year.  Page 8 of the report has the appraisal of the account.  Page 10 contains the performance report for the Capacity Account.  This account generated $164,000 in interest.  Greenwood Capital budgeted $144,500; therefore Metro has a positive variance of $19,500 on the fiscal year.  The performance for this account is up 5.81% net of fees.  Mr. Nix next discussed the 2008 Revenue Bond (1893) Account.  Mr. Nix reminded the Commission that this account was not opened until January 24, 2008.  The first page of the report for this particular account shows which bonds have been called, sold, purchased or matured during the fiscal year.  The second and third pages show the issues that are currently in the account.  Mr. Nix said these issues are structured to meet the draw down schedule.  The performance report for this account is listed on page 14 of the Greenwood Capital report.  This account fiscal year to date has generated $188,000 in cash flow.  Greenwood Capital did not budget anything for this account for the fiscal year.  Mr. Nix reported on the 2006 Revenue Bond Proceed account.  This account was closed May 30, 2008.  Mr. Nix said this account opened in October, 2006.  A little under $400,000 was generated from this account.  For the last fiscal year the account generated $171,000 in interest.  Greenwood Capital had budgeted $113,000.  The performance on this account was up 3.64%.  Mr. Nix said overall he feels good about the fiscal year.  He feels like they (Greenwood Capital) has worked well with staff in making sure to meet any needs as they related to the draw downs.  Mr. Nix said the overall market condition made yields about the same as last year.  Mr. Nix informed the Commission of the merger between Greenwood Capital and County Bank Trust.  He said this merger will not affect the way Greenwood Capital manages Greenwood Metropolitan District’s Accounts.  Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know where Metro is going to place the GASB requirement funds.  Manager Coleman said those funds would probably be a segregated account, but no decision has been made.  It could take 6 to 8 months before Metro knows what amount is needed.  Commissioner Burke asked what would be the liquidity requirements of the account.  Manager Coleman replied he thought the only liquidity would be what is needed each year.  He said for this year Metro needed $39,000.  Chairman Haynie inquired how Metro came up with $200,000.  Manager Coleman said that amount was recommended by Mrs. Laurie Smith.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro could use an Irrevocable Letter of Credit for the new GASB rule.  Mr. Nix replied that would be a question to ask the bank.  The letter would normally be backed by the bank. 

 

b.      Chairman Haynie asked Manager Coleman if there is any financial information he would like to point out to the Commission.  Manager Coleman noted the shortage in the sewer service income was taken into account when working on the budget for fiscal year 08/09.  Commissioner Monaghan said he understood where the year-to-date shortage amount of $606,619 came from.  He does not understand where the $187,650.07 shortage amount comes from.  Mrs. Grogan said the $187,650.07 is based on information she receives from CPW each month.  She said the $187,650 is the shortage using what is billed minus what is collected for the month.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if the shortage should not be $187,650 instead of $606,619.  Mrs. Grogan said no, Metro has a variance of $606,619 from the budget.  Commissioner Monaghan said he understands that amount but he does not understand the $187,650 amount.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if the $187,650 was the difference between what was billed and what was collected.  Mrs. Grogan said that is part of the amount.  She said Metro is off from the budget $606,619 and of the $606,619 CPW has a variance of their collections of $187,650.  Commissioner Monaghan stated the $187,650 is the difference between what was billed and what was collected.  Commissioner Monaghan did some calculation by taking the net revenue less the bond principal paid, less the operating and maintenance capital expenditures, added in the grant monies for Shrine Club Road, less the reserve capital expenditures, less the vehicle and equipment capital expenses and the net revenue that Metro increased the reserves by was $1,448,000.  He said that amount is a return on operating revenue by 14.5%.  Commissioner Monaghan said if you include all revenues the return is 11%.  He noted this is only with a half year of the rate increase effective January, 2008.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro raises the rates by 9% would they end up with a 20% return.  Mrs. Grogan wanted to know the amount of debt Commissioner Monaghan used in his calculations.  Commissioner Monaghan said he added up the amount that is listed on the financial reports $1,795,531.  Mrs. Grogan said that amount is not the total debt.  Commissioner Monaghan said then not all of the total debt was listed on the reports.  Manager Coleman said the debt will be more than that amount for next year.  Mrs. Grogan said that is the interest Metro pays.  Commissioner Monaghan said no, this is capital interest.  Mrs. Grogan inquired if Commissioner Monaghan wanted to include principal and interest.  Commissioner Monaghan said the interest ($1.7 million) is included.  Commissioner Monaghan said the net revenue after paying interest is $4.5 million.  He said he took the net revenue less the bond principal paid and that should take care of all of the bonds.  Mrs. Grogan said it would take care of the interest side.  Manager Coleman said Commissioner Monaghan is taking the principal from page 13.  He said Metro has listed $1,795,531.28 in principal that Metro has paid in fiscal year 07/08.  Commissioner Monaghan said he subtracted that amount out; then Commissioner Monaghan took the capital out of the O&M funds ($936,000) but $320,000 was from a grant so that amount needed to be subtracted.  Commissioner Monaghan next added $223,911 for vehicles and equipment.  Commissioner Monaghan said he ended up with $1,448,467 increase to Metro’s reserve.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro did have a bad performance in fiscal year 07/08.  Chairman Haynie said they were specifically talking about the sewer service charge account not the overall budget.  Commissioner Monaghan said even by this Metro is $391,000 favorable to budget.  Manager Coleman said one difference between 2008 and 2009 is in 2008 Metro issued $32 million worth of bonds and paid a half year’s worth of interest of those bonds.  He said in 2009 Metro will pay a full year’s worth of interest.  Commissioner Monaghan said he understood, but Metro is asking for a 9.9% rate increase.  He wanted to know if Metro really needs to ask for a rate increase.  Commissioner Hancock said to meet the bond requirements that were the minimum amount for the rate increase.  Commissioner Burke said Metro does not need to raise it now, but next year Metro will need to raise rates 18% to cover for not raising rates this year.  Commissioner Monaghan said he is saying Metro had a good performance in fiscal year 2008.  Commissioner Monaghan said if Metro increased the General Obligation Bonds issuance that should reduce the Revenue Bond requirements from reserves.  Chairman Haynie said it could, but Metro added a project (Turner Branch) at the last meeting.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro will need to look at the amount charged for Capacity and Transmission Fees.  Commissioner Burke said the Long Range Plans has the schedule of what the Capacity and Transmission Fees will need to be increased by each year.  Manager Coleman said the Long Range Plan increased the Capacity Fee each year by $50.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if that was a part of the rate increase.  Manager Coleman said it was incorporated in the calculations for the rate increase.  Commissioner Monaghan noted the amounts on page 22 of the packets do not match for funds paid for vehicles.  He said one place has $223,911 and another place has $225,302.35 listed.  Manager Coleman said the budgeted amount was $223,911 and the actual amount spent was $225,302.35.  Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know who redeems the points on the credit cards.  Manager Coleman said he will look into what process Metro will need to redeem the credit card points.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro needs to have a policy for redeeming the credit card points.  Chairman Haynie inquired if the GO Bond account will have anymore payments to make this calendar year.  Mrs. Grogan said Metro has payments for the ‘99 and ’04 GO Bonds.  Chairman Haynie said Metro has $1.1 million in the account.  Commissioner Monaghan would like an explanation for the audit entry to the millage account.  Mrs. Grogan said she has requested an explanation from the County and Auditors and is still waiting for a response.  Manager Coleman said the reason the amount has accrued in the past is the County did not take into account the fees-n-lieu tax income.  He said the County would just do it on the assessed value basis.  The amount grew over time.  Chairman Haynie said he does not want to get in the same position with the County again.  Chairman Haynie wanted to know what is the principal and interest payment for the ’99 GO Bond.  Mrs. Grogan replied the principal payment for the ’99 and ’04 GO Bonds are due in March.  Chairman Haynie asked if Metro has a payment in October.  Mrs. Grogan said interest payments are due in October.  Chairman Haynie wanted to know what the interest payments would be.  Mrs. Grogan responded her estimation would be $300,000 to $400,000.  Manager Coleman said the County knows exactly how much the interest payment for October will be; they (the County) will take that amount into consideration when they are establishing the millage tax amount.  Chairman Haynie said he is worried that the County will lower the millage if they (Metro) does not issue a General Obligation Bond.  Manager Coleman said Metro is limited to 8% of the assessed value.  Chairman Haynie asked if Metro could issue a bond and have a front loaded payment.  Manager Coleman said according to the bond attorney the total cannot be over the 8% limit.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro did not spend the money that is in the account and that is what caused the problem.  Chairman Haynie said Metro cannot spend it; they have to issue bonds.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro can use the money for any capital project.  Chairman Haynie and Manager Coleman both said that Metro cannot use the money for capital project.  Chairman Haynie reminded Commissioner Monaghan that Metro sent over requests for payment for capital and the County refused to pay them because of the legal opinion of the County’s attorney that the only items the County could pay from the millage account is principal and interest on bonds.  Commissioner Monaghan said he thought Roy Hemphill (Metro’s attorney) said that Metro could use the money for capital.  Chairman Haynie said Mr. Hemphill later said it was a questionable issue.  Manager Coleman said subsequent state law has overridden Metro’s enabling legislation.  Chairman Haynie said in his opinion Metro should issue GO Bonds to the maximum amount they can since Metro cannot use the millage money for capital.  Commissioner Hancock asked if Metro wanted to change the legislation to what it was before.  Manager Coleman said Metro established the amount of mills they wanted in the past.  He said in 1999 the County said Metro could not set their millage; Metro had to say the debt retirement and let the County set the millage.  Commissioner Monaghan wanted more information of why Greenwood Fabricating and Plating had to pay $15,468.62.  Chairman Haynie said it is the monitoring fees.  Mrs. Grogan said that amount is for the entire fiscal year. 

 

c.       Insurance Reserve

Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to add $33,140.01 to the insurance fund to maintain the $250,000 balance; Commissioner Hancock seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. 

 

VII.            Action Items

a.       Recommendation for Turner Branch

Chairman Haynie said staff and the engineering firm recommend awarding the Turner Branch project to Don Moorhead Construction.

 

Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to award the Turner Branch Project to Don Moorhead Construction for the bid amount of $3,857,000; Commissioner Burke seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. 

 

b.      Consideration of purchasing network equipment

Chairman Hayne said staff had budgeted for network equipment and would like to go ahead and order the equipment.  Manager Coleman said that Mr. Martin and Mrs. Meyer have been working on this item and Mrs. Meyer has more information on it.  Chairman Haynie asked if Metro would be purchasing the equipment from SDI Network.  Mrs. Meyer said Metro is actually piggy backing on a CPW bid for network equipment.  CPW’s bid was for equipment and did not include a cost for installation.  Mrs. Meyer had to ask for installation cost from the vendors.  Currently Mrs. Meyer is waiting to hear back from one vendor.  As it stands right now Internetwork Engineering will have the low overall bid with $24,919.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if that is just for installation.  Mrs. Meyer replied that is the total amount for equipment, taxes, shipping and installation.  Mrs. Meyer said there will be other cost associated with the purchase of new network equipment.  Mrs. Meyer said the amount included in the budget for fiscal year 08/09 is $45,000.  Metro will still incur cost for a new server at TSF, license fees, and wiring.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro wanted to present the final amount to the Commission at another meeting.  Mrs. Meyer said they can if that is easier, but this was just to inform the Commission that Metro is piggy backing on a CPW bid for network equipment.  She did inform the Commission that the current network equipment is failing on a daily basis.  Commissioner Monaghan asked Mrs. Meyer what exactly she wants the Commission to approve.  Mrs. Meyer said the Commission approved spending $45,000 for new network equipment and a new server at TSF as a part of the budget for fiscal year 08/09.  Commissioner Monaghan reminded staff that any purchases over $10,000 still needs to be approved by the Commission even though the item and amount is included in the budget.  Chairman Haynie said staff is asking for the Commission to approve Internetwork Engineering at a cost of $24,919 for the purchase of network equipment and installation of the equipment. 

 

Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to purchase the network equipment as presented; Commissioner Hancock seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. 

 

VIII.            Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

a.       Partnership

Chairman Haynie said the Phoenix project is on a two year delay. 

 

b.      Physical Inventory Reconciliation Report

The physical inventory reconciliation report was given to the Commission as information only. 

 

c.       Fixed Assets Reconciliation Report

The fixed assets reconciliation report was given to the Commission as information only. 

 

 IX.            Old/Other Business

a.       Wilson Creek Bridge

Chairman Haynie said it appears DHEC will not allow Metro to alter the wetlands area by using the amphibious vehicle.  Commissioner Monaghan wanted to know why that particular route was chosen.  Mr. Waldrep said the spot that is downstream is closer but it is not on Metro’s property.  Mr. Daniel said the bottom line is the whole area is wetlands.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro could dump any leftover dirt from the expansion to TSF there.  Mr. Daniel said he does not think DHEC will allow Metro to dump the dirt there.  Commissioner Monaghan said his hang up is in his opinion the Farm is not properly supervised.  He says it takes too much effort to go all the way around checking on the employees. 

 

b.      Commissioner Monaghan said he along with other commissioners are interested in attending other meetings (i.e. pre-bid, pre-construction, construction progress) so please coordinate meeting dates with the Commission. 

 

c.       Krah Pipe

Commissioner Monaghan inquired about the shrink rate on the Krah pipe.  Manager Coleman said that is still being worked on.  Commissioner Monaghan inquired if Marion Boone was around to answer the question.  Mr. Daniel replied that Mr. Boone is teaching a collection school class in Spartanburg and could not attend the meeting.  Manager Coleman said that has been discussed at each progress meeting.  He said Chandler is now storing the pipe differently.  Commissioner Hancock asked if the pipes are not big enough.  Manager Coleman said any round pipe is a little bit shorter than it is wide.  Manager Coleman said a 5% variance is allowed based on pipe specifics.  He said the question is what is the allowed variance for a 72 inch pipe.  There has been two sections of pipe that have been over 5%.  Commissioner Monaghan said he thought the sections were 7.5%.  Commissioner Burke said subsequently Chandler has come up with a solution.  While the pipe is lying in the field, Chandler is putting in additional wooden supports to keep the pipe round while sitting in the sun.  Manager Coleman said Chandler is also storing the pipe on its side. 

 

d.      Problem on Herrin Drive

Commissioner Monaghan inquired if Metro had heard anymore regarding the service line on Herrin Drive.  Mr. Daniel said he rode by a few weeks ago to check because he had not heard anything.  He noticed some excavations where the service line is located. 

 

e.       Furniture for TSF Expansion

Commissioner Monaghan suggested that staff to look into using rectangle tables instead of round tables in the training room.  He said round tables will take up more space.  Mrs. Meyer said that was a specification requested by Mr. Martin to use round tables.  She said Metro will be keeping the current tables.  Commissioner Monaghan said Metro will be able to seat less people using the round tables.  Mrs. Meyer said the round table will seat 7 to 8 people where as the current tables will seat 3 people.  Commissioner Burke stated round tables will seat more people.  Mr. Moore said Metro looked at several different scenarios of table arrangements to see what would work the best.  Manager Coleman said the round table in the big training room will seat more people than the rectangle tables.

 

f.       Kimbrook Subdivision

Manager Coleman said the Kimbrook information is information that Metro received after the packets were delivered.  Staff has started reviewing tapes of their collection system and they are about half way finished.  Manager Coleman said the collection system appears to not be in bad shape.  He said assuming the second half of the tape is like the first half; the money in their account should cover any initial repair expenses.  Staff will have a recommendation at the next meeting.  Chairman Haynie wanted to know how old were the video tapes of their system.  Manager Coleman said the tapes were done in 2000 or 2001.  Mr. Daniel said Metro videoed all subdivisions right after they took over the sewer system from CPW.  He said Metro does not receive a lot of calls from the Kimbrook area so he is assuming there are no major problems with their collection system.  Mr. Daniel said if Metro did agree to take over their system he wanted to video the lines again.  Manager Coleman said Mr. Daniel did comment to him that the pipes look structurally sound.  Mr. Daniel said each service line connection has a hammer tap and he has seen three repairs that need to be made from looking at 15 sections of videos.  Commissioner Monaghan asked if Metro was going to look at the entire system.  Mr. Daniel responded they are looking at the entire system.  Commissioner Monaghan said he wants staff to look at the entire system before the Commission considers taking over the system.  Chairman Haynie wanted to know how old is Kimbrook subdivision.  Mr. Daniel said it was developed in the 1960’s.  Chairman Haynie asked if the pipe is that old too.  Mr. Daniel said clay pipe if it was bedded right does not wear out.  Commissioner Burke said he would like the opinion of staff and Metro’s attorney on some of the contingencies listed.  Manager Coleman said this was just for information purposes; staff does not have a recommendation at this time. 

 

X.            Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel

          matter; Commissioner Hancock seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. 

 

 XI.            The meeting returned to open session.  No action was taken during executive session.

 

XII.            Eagles Harbor

Chairman Haynie stated the Commission has a resolution and petition to County Council for the expansion of the Metro District to include all lots and parcels of land comprising the Eagle’s Harbor Subdivision within Greenwood County, including sufficient property to achieve contiguity with the existing boundary of Greenwood Metropolitan District.  A signed copy of the resolution and petition is included as attachment A. 

 

Commissioner Hancock made a motion to sign the resolution and petition; Commissioner Burke seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. 

 

XIII.            48” Pipe replacement project along Wilson Creek

Chairman Haynie said the Commission has a proposal from Design South Professional, Inc. to design a 950’ section of sewer trunk lines.  The Commission has discussed allowing Design South to design this project using ductile iron pipe and using Krah pipe as an alternative.  Chairman Haynie said the proposal from Design South is $32,500.

 

Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to accept the proposal from Design South Professionals, Inc using ductile iron pipe and using Krah pipe as an alternative; Commissioner Hancock seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.

XIV.            Eagles Harbor Public Hearing

Chairman Haynie stated Metro will have representatives at the County Council Public Hearing to address any questions that may arise.  Metro wants to make sure the property owners and County Council understand exactly how the project will be financed with the combination of money from the developer, front foot assessment, the State, property owners, etc.  Mr. Andy Popoli addressed the Commission.  He said the majority of people want to have sewer.  The 14 property owners that voted no, it is because they have already spent their money to have an engineered design system installed.  Metro has heard from one property owner already who is not in favor of the annexation.  Chairman Haynie said at this point Metro does not have any control over the annexation.  He said it will be up to County Council to make that decision.  Chairman Haynie said after that it will depend on the agreements subsequent to the annexation.  The final reading of the annexation will be held pending the outcome of the arbitration.  Chairman Haynie said the Commission made its decision based on the information provided by Eagles Harbor.  Commissioner Monaghan said he is not concerned about the project, but if the property owners know all of the associated cost (transmission fees, monthly sewer rate, monthly grinder pump charge for a low pressure system, monthly meter charge, capacity fees, etc).  Commissioner Monaghan said he has asked Manager Coleman to write a letter to the Homeowner Association detailing the charges that each property owner could expect.  Mr. Popoli said yes, all property owners are aware of the cost.  He said the property owners have approved spending up to $1.5 million on their collection system.  Mr. Popoli said they estimated what the cost would be.  Commissioner Monaghan said the estimated cost is never the final cost.  Mr. Popoli said they informed property owners that the connection from their house to the tap is the property owner’s responsibility.  Mr. Griffin said they have tried to be very clear to the property owners about the estimated cost.  Commissioner Monaghan said the fees could be higher by the time the property owner connects to the sewer system.  Mr. Griffin thanked the Commission for their help in the matter. 

 

XV.            With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

Use Advanced Search