July 2009

Minutes

Webb Creek Utility District (WCUD)

Friday, July 3, 2009

Commissioners Present

Robert Vick, President

G.H. Conner, Vice President

Delmar Ball, Secretary

In Attendance

Ron Seagle, Outdoor Resorts of America (ORA)

Bob Effler, ORA

Bart Kreps, Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.

Donald Wallace, Customer

Gary McGill, McGill and Associates

Jim Gass, Ogle, Gass and Richardson (Attorney at Law)

James Sunstein, District Manager (Staff)

Janice Carver, Office Manager (Staff)

Mr. Vick called the July 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 June 2009 Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and May 2009 financial report made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed.

Mr. Seagle of ORA had no official report.

Bart Kreps, Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. presented the Webb Creek Utility District Water and Wastewater Rate Study, using slide projector.

Draft version of the rate study will be presented to the district by July 13, 2009 for Board of Commissioners final review before submitting to the Utility Management Review Board July 20, 2009.

Mr. McGill explained that the data used in determining the flow for ORA was from February 2008 to October 2008 due to inconsistencies in the readings. Mr. McGill recommended the district install a permanent metering manhole at ORA to obtain accurate flow since this will be the basis of billing and use the existing meter at Mountain Place Condominiums to monitor their sewer flow.

Mr. Seagle quested if ORA would receive 384 separate bills or continue to receive one bill for all units. Mr. Vick stated the district will continue billing customers the same way they are being billed; one bill for multiple units is standard district practice.

Mr. Vick recommended the Board of Commissioners proceed with a permanent flow metering manhole at ORA and he feels the 1650 gallons per unit for a luxury campground is good according to the data obtained from the current flow meter. He also recommended the district revisit sewer usage charges after flow data is received from new flow meter. Also to possibly phase the new sewer rates into effect before 2010.

Mr. Ball made a motion to accept the rate study as presented by Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. and finalize report, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed.

Mr. Vick stated the Utility Management Review Board meeting will be held August 6, 2009 at Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg.

Mr. Seagle questioned how these findings will affect the rates ORA have paid under protest? Mr. Vick stated this will be addressed after the Utility Management Review Board’s input.

Mr. Seagle stated that ORA is paying Power Pumping to pull out all their sewer and grease from the grease trap at the restaurant and it is not being charged into the sewer system, but is considered a unit. Mr. McGill stated this needs to be something that is discussed after the new rates are in place.

Mr. McGill had no official report.

Mr. Gass informed the Board of Commissioners that Mr. McGill has written a draft version of the proposed definition of an equivalent unit change to the Schedule of Rates and Charges policy. This will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at the August 2009 meeting.

Mr. Sunstein reported the water loss for the month of June 16%. Two leaks were located and reported. Greg McCarty Construction Company did not do a Tennessee One Call and cut into the district’s waterline. The Construction Company was billed and paid all fees and charges incurred by the district to repair the leak.

Fire hydrants installation cost has been presented to Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department and Bear Foot Mountain Resorts for their consideration. The hydrant requested by Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department would be a sub-standard hydrant.

Motion to approve any commissioner or staff member as approved by Mr. Sunstein attend the Business of Running a Utility Conference in Gatlinburg, made by Mr. Vick, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed.

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

Mr. Conner had no official report.

Mr. Ball stated that Alvin Ford has done a fine job installing the tile in the district office and meeting room.

Motion to adjourn meeting by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed at 11:21 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Janice Carver
Office Manager