August 2009

Minutes

Webb Creek Utility District (WCUD)

Friday, August 7, 2009

Commissioners Present

Robert Vick, President

G.H. Conner, Vice President

Delmar Ball, Secretary

In Attendance

Ron Seagle, Outdoor Resorts of America (ORA)

Robert Paine, ORA

Mark Wallace, Bent Creek Golf Village

Bob Vance, Attorney for Bent Creek Golf Village and Diamond Resorts

Gary McGill, McGill and Associates

James Sunstein, District Manager (Staff)

Janice Carver, Office Manager (Staff)

Mr. Vick called the August Board of Commissioners meeting of WCUD to order at 10:00a.m. at the district office 3625 Lindsey Mill Road, Gatlinburg.

Motion to approve agenda made by Mr. Ball seconded by Mr. Conner and passed.

Motion to approve July 2009 Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and June 2009 financial report made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed.

Mr. Paine, ORA questioned if ORA is one customer or 384 customers?  Mr. McGill stated that ORA is 384 customers receiving one bill.  Mr. Paine stated the district and ORA needs to sit down and work the situation out as directed by the Utility Management Review Board (UMRB), Mr. Vick stated the district is willing to sit with ORA and work out an agreement.

Mr. Vick stated the Water and Wastewater Rate and Cost of Service Study was completed on time.

Mr. Vance stated they requested the postponement of the case before the UMRB to review the rate and cost of service study, regarding the lock out units at Diamond Resorts.

Mr. Vick stated the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) definition in the districts Schedule of Rates and Charges policy has been redefined.  The proposed ERU changes have been sent to the UMRB.  A copy of the proposed changes to the policy was given to Mr. Paine and Mr. Vance.   Mr. McGill stated the lock out units have been addressed in the (ERU).  Mr. McGill stated the water usage data characteristics defines their units as two units as related to other residential units.  Mr. Wallace questioned if the units are individually metered?  Mr. McGill stated their property is on a single meter.  Mr. McGill stated the ownership of the units is not the focus.  It is the water usage of the units.  Mr. McGill stated if they would email Ms. Carver any questions they have they would answer any questions and send the answers via email.

There was a discussion of the Water and Wastewater Rate and Cost of Service Study.

Mr. Vick stated there is a high inflow and infiltration coming into the district sewer system from ORA.  ORA was a large driver to the wastewater treatment plant upgrade and expansion project.  Mr. Pain brought up the 157 units lost when Sunterra Resorts filed bankruptcy.  Mr. Wallace stated Sunterra Resorts stopped paying the units because there was space available in the new plant not because of bankruptcy.  Mr. Vick stated Sunterra Resorts wasn’t the only customer that stopped paying the monthly sewer availability fee, other persons also stopped paying.

Mr. Seagle stated there are other sewer only customers not being metered.  He feels that ORA is being singled out.  He also stated he questioned the accuracy of the meter and Mr. McGill and Mr. Sunstein assured him the flow was accurate.  Mr. McGill stated that is what we knew at that time after high rainfall in the spring the flow did not reflect the rainfall.  So we began looking at the meter and on May 22, 2009 district staff located and repaired the problem.  A permanent flow meter will be necessary for future flow measurements.  The new flow meter will give the district the ability to monitor flow and evaluate rates, according to the data.  Mr. Paine asked what is the target date for installing the new meter?  Mr. McGill stated that everything has been on hold until after the UMRB findings are complete.  After the answer is received from the UMRB the district will install the meter as quickly as possible.  Meter readings are not being used for billing until after the rate and cost of service study becomes effective.  It is a 30-60 day time frame from installation of the manhole and the meter.

Mr. Vance questioned how was sewer usage determined by water usage?  Mr. McGill stated the information is in the rate and cost of service study.

Mr. Paine questioned if ORA will be charged based on the volumetric charge?  Mr. McGill stated not until the new meter is installed and the new rate and cost of service study is implemented.  Then everyone will be billed according to the rates as prescribed by the study and approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Mr. Ball suggested ORA meter their wells and they will know how much water they are using verses how much sewer they are putting into the sewer system.  Mr. Paine stated that is exactly how he feels.

Mr. McGill had no official report

Mr. Gass was not present.

Mr. Sunstein stated the district has a 15% water loss for the month of July; three leaks were located and repaired.  He stated he feels the meeting has been really productive.

Ms. Carver had no official report.

Mr. Vick questioned if there had been any interest in the Pinnacle View waterline project?  Ms. Carver stated that one person has contacted the office regarding the project.

Mr. Vick questioned if there were any contact from Cobbly Nob Property Owners Association (CNPOA) regarding the installation of a water tank on Squirrel Trail?  Ms Carver stated no one has contacted the office.

Mr. Conner had no official report.

Mr. Ball stated that CNPOA is going to install a fire warning alarm at Pine Top.

Motion to adjourn meeting by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed at 11:16 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Janice Carver
Office Manager