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Commission Minutes
GREENWOOD
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE
November 11, 2009
Regular meeting
The regular meeting of the
Greenwood Metropolitan District Commission was held
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 3:00 p.m., in the Commission
Room of Greenwood Metropolitan District’s Emmett Brooks
Facility, 110 Metro Drive, Greenwood, SC 29646.
In attendance:
Commissioner Michael G.
Monaghan, Chairman Richard Coleman Roy Hemphill
Commissioner Tim Burke, Vice
Chairman George Martin Paige
Holley
Commissioner Gene Hancock,
Secretary Marion Boone Marsha
Meyer
Commissioner Byron Smith
Daniel
Clark Jamie Peeler
Commissioner Bob Haynie
Wayne
Daniel Joe Swofford
Commissioner Henry
Watts Ken
Davis Brian Waldrep
Gayle Grogan
Danny Ware
I.
Chairman Monaghan 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.
Minutes
Commissioner Haynie made a
motion to approve the October 8, 2009 Regular Meeting
minutes as mailed; Commissioner Smith seconded, and the
motion was unanimously approved.
IV.
Service Reports
Chairman Monaghan commented
the service reports are very detailed and it is very helpful
to the Commissioners.
a.
Biosolids
Chairman Monaghan wanted to
know what Metro does with the hay that is not being sold.
Mr. Peeler said the hay that is not sold is used for mulch
for areas around the farm. Chairman Monaghan said he saw a
good bit of hay still left at the farm. Mr. Peeler said
Metro has sold most of the hay. He said not all of the hay
that has been sold has been picked up. Chairman Monaghan
asked if only cows can eat the hay. Mr. Peeler said that is
left up to the farmer to decide. Commissioner Haynie said
Metro has 314 bales that Metro cannot sell due to the high
nitrogen contents. Mr. Peeler said those bales were sold
for one dollar. Commissioner Haynie asked if Metro should
sell those bales. Mr. Peeler said that whoever buys those
bales has to sign a release. Mr. Peeler said he has been in
contact with Clemson Extension about the high nitrogen hay.
There is a product that Metro can apply to the soil to help
eliminate the high nitrogen. This product will be applied
to test areas at the farm.
b.
Collections Systems
Commissioner Hancock noted
where Metro had to replace a grinder pump on Richardson
Drive. Mr. Daniel said the pumps have been in service for
less than two years. Chairman Monaghan inquired if the
pumps are under warranty. Mr. Daniel said the pumps had a
one year warranty on them. Mr. Daniel said the pumps should
last longer than two years and Metro is trying to determine
why the pump failed.
c.
Engineering
Commissioner Watts inquired
if the problem at West Cambridge at the bridge is a result
of a sewer problem. Mr. Martin said the sink hole was
created by a storm drain issue. Metro has no responsibility
for the problem. Commissioner Haynie asked for an update on
the condemnation on Turner Branch. Mr. Hemphill said there
has been a condemnation hearing since the last Commission
Meeting. Commissioner Haynie wanted to know where the
condemnation property was located. Mr. Hemphill said it was
on the Stockman Branch line. He said the hearing has been
pending for some time. Chairman Monaghan wanted to know how
long it normally takes for a condemnation case to appear
before a judge. Mr. Hemphill said it can take a minimum of
two years. Commissioner Hancock asked about Metro
installing a sewer line in the Panola Village area. He said
the work that was completed in-house could qualify for a LMI
Grant. Mr. Martin said Mrs. LaForge is aware of what Metro
is doing in an effort to receive a grant. Chairman Monaghan
asked if Metro has enough manpower to do the construction
in-house. Mr. Waldrep said yes, most of the work is in 300
to 500 foot segments.
d.
Maintenance
Commissioner Hancock
inquired if Metro could bring legal action against the
person who hit the power pole causing the power failure at
the A&J pump station. Mr. Hemphill said Metro could have a
case against the vehicle that hit the power pole.
Commissioner Hancock wanted to know why Metro has not
already proceeded with filing a claim. Mr. Hemphill said he
needs some information before he can file a claim. Mr.
Martin and Mr. Clark will get the information to Mr.
Hemphill.
V.
Wilson Creek Plant
Chairman Monaghan asked if
Mr. Ware had anything to present to the Commissioners. Mr.
Ware said he was here to answer any questions the
Commissioners might have regarding the rain and the effect
it had on the treatment plant construction project.
Chairman Monaghan asked if the contractor is trying to work
in spite of the recent rains. Mr. Ware said they are
working with Metro concerning some of the issues caused by
the rain at the plant. The issues are handling the high
flows received at the plant. The five inch rainfall event
revealed some areas in the plant that had overflows. Staff
plans to record this information and make recommendations
before Phase III begins.
VI.
Action Items
a.
Consideration of Service Awards
Manager Coleman said the
employee service award amount is prorated based on years of
service. He said the gift card for each employee is valued
at $60. If Metro purchases the gift cards from Bi- Lo the
total cost for the service awards and gift cards will be
$17,812.60. If Metro was to purchase the gift cards from
Piggly Wiggly the total cost for the service awards and gift
cards will be $17,772.40. The difference is $40.20.
Chairman Monaghan noted the prices of items are generally
higher at Piggly Wiggly than the other grocery stores. Mrs.
Grogan said the discount price on the gift cards assumes CPW
and Metro will buy them together.
Commissioner Hancock made a
motion to provide gift cards and service awards to all
employees in the same amounts as last year; Commissioner
Smith seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.
b.
Consideration of GMD Collection Policy
Mr. Martin said the
Collection Policy was included as information only. Metro
would like for Mr. Hemphill to review this policy and make
any recommendations before the Commissioners vote on the
policy. Commissioner Haynie asked if the past due amount
are eligible for the debt set off program through the
State. Chairman Monaghan said that CPW does that. This
policy is for the accounts that CPW does not collect for GMD.
Regarding the Capacity Fee, Mr. Martin said Metro does not
write the Letter of Acceptance required by SCDHEC before the
sewer system can be placed into operation until the Capacity
Fee is paid. Chairman Monaghan inquired if Metro should
have a time limit on how long the Capacity Fee is considered
current. Mr. Martin said the Capacity letter will have to
be reworded. Currently the letter states the Capacity Fee
is due when service commences. Mr. Martin said the capacity
is not reserved at the treatment plant until the fee is
paid. Mr. Hemphill said Metro could say the reservation of
this capacity is good for a certain time frame. He said
Metro could also say the current Capacity Charge is “X”
dollars and the Capacity Fee is subject to increase.
Chairman Monaghan has spoken to CPW about Metro receiving
notification for water connections. He said CPW will
provide the information to Metro and if there is a cost
Metro should pay it.
c.
Consideration of Grant Project
Mr. Martin presented
information to the Commissioners about installing collection
lines for Cannon Drive and Bell Circle. This grant was
awarded to the Old Ninety Six District. There is enough
money in this grant to install service lines but no money in
the grant to install collection lines. Mr. Martin said the
Old Ninety Six District is asking if Metro can install the
collection lines. He said the reason he is bringing this up
is so Metro can get a direct answer to this question.
Chairman Monaghan inquired if the area is in the Metro
District. Mr. Martin said these locations are not within
the District’s boundaries. Chairman Monaghan asked if Metro
could annex them into the district. Mr. Martin said that
Country Council could annex them. Manager Coleman said
Metro could install the collection line if the property
owners are charged the installation cost based on the front
foot assessment. A map was displayed to show the
Commissioners the location of Cannon Drive and Bell Circle.
Mr. Waldrep explained in detail the proposed layout for the
collection system. Chairman Monaghan asked if the
collection lines would be paid from by the grant. Mr.
Martin said there is no grant money for installing the
collection line. He said the problem is the service lines
could be paid for but not the collection lines. Chairman
Monaghan wanted to know how they could have service lines
but not collection lines. Mr. Martin replied they cannot
and that is the problem. Commissioner Hancock asked if the
residents would have to pay the Capacity Fee. Mr. Martin
said the Capacity Fee is part of the grant and would be paid
for by the grant. Manager Coleman said the grant is
$310,000 short to install the collection line. Chairman
Monaghan asked if Metro could get a grant to install the
collection line. Mr. Martin said Metro has not been able to
obtain a grant for those collection lines. Commissioner
Haynie asked if Metro’s cost to install the collection lines
is $310,000. Manager Coleman said Metro could install the
collection lines if they get the money paid back through the
front foot assessment. Chairman Monaghan asked if that area
was LMI. Chairman Monaghan said he thought Metro already
had the grant. Mr. Martin said the Old Ninety Six District
has the grant to install service lines and to pay for the
Capacity Fee. The grant did not include money to install
the collections lines. Mr. Martin said the issue is can
Metro legally install the collection lines. Chairman
Monaghan said they would need to annex the property into the
Metro District. Mr. Hemphill said annexing them into the
Metro District would be easy if they border the District
boundaries. He said the legal issue is Metro paying for the
installation of the collection lines. Mr. Hemphill said
Metro can front the money as long as the residents are bound
to repay that money over a period of time through the front
foot assessment. Commissioner Haynie said for Metro to use
the front foot assessment the property must be within the
district boundaries. Mr. Hemphill said that is correct and
to get the property into the District would not be a big
issue assuming the property is very close to the district
boundaries. Commissioner Hancock asked if the property was
contiguous to the City limits. Chairman Monaghan wanted to
know who obtained the grant. Mr. Martin said The Old Ninety
Six District obtained a 319 Grant and he asked Ms. Jill
Tarleton, the grant administrator, to attend the meeting but
she was not available today. Mr. Martin said this is a
federal grant. Mr. Peeler said the grant has to do with the
total maximum daily limits on Hard Labor Creek. He said
this federal grant money is used to protect the stream.
Chairman Monaghan said if installing the system is
completely paid for he does not have a problem with it.
Chairman Monaghan said he believes Metro has an obligation
to sewer the areas that are currently in the District that
do not have sewer before Metro sewers areas that are outside
of the district and have to be annexed in. Commissioner
Hancock said Metro cannot legally spend the $310,000 unless
Metro gets the money back in some way. Mr. Martin said
staff thought the answer was that Metro cannot legally
install the collection lines but he wanted to confirm this
answer with the Commissioners. Chairman Monaghan said he
does not understand why Metro cannot legally install the
collection lines if the area was to annex into the
District. Mr. Hemphill said Metro would have to get their
cost to install the collection lines repaid from the
homeowners. Chairman Monaghan asked if that would be a big
burden on a low income household. Mr. Hemphill said Metro
would have to determine the cost per front foot assessment
and inform the homeowner. Commissioner Haynie wanted to
know the cost per homeowner. Mr. Waldrep said the cost to
install collection lines on Bell Circle is around $100,000.
Manager Coleman said the cost is around $11,000 per
household. Commissioner Haynie wanted to know over how many
years homeowners would have to pay the balance. Manager
Coleman said amortized over 20 years at 5% would roughly be
$600 per year. Chairman Monaghan said that would be $50 per
month plus sewer charges. Commissioner Hancock said if the
area was inside the City limits CPW would have to provide
them with sewer. Commissioner Haynie said he does not have
a problem with annexing the area into the District or
charging them for the installation of the collection lines
based on front foot assessment. Commissioner Burke said it
may be helpful for them to start the annexation process.
Mr. Martin said he will suggest that to the homeowners.
VII.
Old / Other Business
a.
Information on Build America Bonds (BAB)
Manager Coleman explained to
the Commissioners the information he received on the BAB.
The bonds are taxable to the person who buys them. Manager
Coleman said if Metro issues tax free bonds the interest
rate currently is around 4.67%. The taxable bond interest
rate is around 6.25% but getting 35% of it paid back the net
cost to Metro is 4.06%. Metro would receive 35% of the
interest paid refunded back to them as the interest is
received. Chairman Monaghan asked for more information
regarding why Metro would only benefit from the 20th
to 30th years. He wanted to know why it would
not benefit Metro from the start. Manager Coleman said it
would benefit Metro more in the beginning than the last part
because Metro would get less and less money as the principle
is paid down. Chairman Monaghan said the information that
was included in the packet said Metro would benefit more in
the later years not in the earlier years. Manager Coleman
said that was with some of the bonds that were issued in
April, May and June. Chairman Monaghan said he thought
Metro issued the bonds and somebody buys the bonds and they
are paid the tax on the bond. He said the interest is what
Metro has to pay to the bond holder after which Metro will
get 35% of the money back. Chairman Monaghan said Metro
would get the benefit each year they paid the interest.
Manager Coleman said the amount of interest that Metro pays
would go down each year therefore the amount of money Metro
would get refunded would decrease every year. He said the
first statement is not in the context of what Chairman
Monaghan is asking about. Manager Coleman said when the BAB
were first bid in the April/May time frame that was the way
they were structured. He said since that time frame the way
they are bid now, the advantage is spread throughout the 30
years. Chairman Monaghan asked if it would be better for
Metro to issue a Build America Bond than a nontaxable bond.
Manager Coleman said it depends on the spread. Manager
Coleman said Metro would be amortizing a tax free bond at
4.67% over 20 years. He said the BAB would be amortized at
a 6.25% but Metro would get 35% of the interest back.
Chairman Monaghan asked if the total interest cost with the
BAB would be less. Manager Coleman said the total interest
cost would be about .2% higher with the BAB versus the tax
exempt bond. Commissioner Burke said it is better in the
long run for Metro to issue the tax exempt bonds. Manager
Coleman said the net effect for Metro is about the same over
the 20 year period.
VIII.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
a.
Report from Partnership
Mr. Mark Warner updated the
Commissioners on his trip to Japan and Australia. He also
updated the Commissioners on the Workforce Summit that took
place in September and many of the other activities the
Partnership is currently involved with.
IX.
Commissioner Hancock made a motion to enter into
Executive Session to discuss a legal matter; Commissioner
Smith seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.
X.
The meeting returned to open session and no action
was taken.
XI.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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