October 2009

Minutes

 Webb Creek Utility District

(WCUD)

Friday, October 2, 2009

 

Commissioners Present

Robert Vick, President
G.H. Conner, Vice President
Delmar Ball, Secretary

In Attendance

Bob Effler, Outdoor Resorts of America (ORA)
Don Adoue, Bear Foot Mountain Resorts
Mark Wallace, Bent Creek Golf Village
Gary McGill, McGill and Associates
Donald Rohde, Cobbly Nob Property Owners Association
James Sunstein, District Manager (Staff)
Janice Carver, Office Manager (Staff) 

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

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

Motion to approve September 2009 Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and August 2009 financial report made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Vick and passed.

Mr. Vick stated that Mr. McGill, Mr. Jim Gass and himself had attended the Utility Management Review Board (UMRB) meeting in Nashville, Tennessee October 1,2009.  The UMRB made a motion to allow the district to accept the Water and Wastewater Rate and Cost of Service Study.  It is the districts purpose to provide a budget and plan to be a solvent utility. 

Mr. Bob Vance attorney for Bent Creek Golf Village went before the UMRB and stated that the district and his client are close to reaching an agreement. 

Mr. Vick made a motion to accept the rate and cost of service study as UMRB had expressed no problems with moving forward with the implementation of the study seconded by Mr. Ball and passed.

Mr. Adoue presented a plat of the 18 acres of Bear Foot Mountain Resorts.  Phase 1 is completed and he is planning phase II.  Mr. McGill informed Mr. Adoue that he would need to see the plat and a topographical map then he would be able to give him an estimate of the cost of extending water to Phase II of his property.

ORA had no official report. 

Mr. McGill stated the UMRB accepted the rate and cost of service study.  The district is currently working thru issues with Bent Creek Golf Village and we believe we will be able to come to an agreement.  Regarding ORA all flow data will be redone with a new permanent flow meter.  The next 12 (twelve) months of flow will set the rate for ORA.

ORA had informed the UMRB they had other questions that were not answered, we would hope ORA would ask questions so the district could respond to them.

The target date to implement the new rates as prescribed in the water and wastewater rate and cost of service study to be January 1,2010.  ORA will be billed a flat rate of $37.13 per unit off the new meter with no volumetric charge until the 12 (twelve) months of data is received.

Motion to authorize Mr. McGill to proceed with purchasing and installation of the new metering manhole to be installed at ORA made by Mr. Vick and 2nd by Mr. Ball, with a cost not to exceed $15,000.00.  Information on the new metering manhole will be sent to ORA for their information.

Mr. Wallace questioned how the district could measure sewer is there is no water meter in place?  Mr. McGill there is currently a flow meter.  ORA has no water flow therefore the metering is on the sewer.

A work session is targeted for the last week of October to discuss implementing the new rates as prescribed in the water and wastewater rate and cost of service study.  Newsletter to go to out with information of pending work session date and time.

Mr. Vick stated the report is not a mandate it provides a guide as to what the district needs to do to become solvent.

Mr. Rohde, questioned how the new water and wastewater rates will effect the Cobbly Nob residents?  Mr. McGill stated water rates are not expected to change over the next five (5) years , the only changes is to sewer customer.

Mr. Vick thanked Mr. McGill for his assistance with the UMRB meeting.

Mr. Sunstein stated the district has a 16% water loss for the month of September, 395,600 gallons. 

The master meters located at the Cocke County/Sevier County line, Deer Ridge Mountain Resorts and Bent Creek Golf Village were calibrated and all were working properly.

Newport Utilities Board has changed the register on the meter at the county line.

Newport Paving has submitted an estimate on paving the driveway and parking lot to the district office, the estimate was presented to the Board of Commissioners. 

Mr. Sunstein to get a cost of running a 1” waterline to the district office and present at the November 2009 meeting.

Motion to approve CIRQ Media Solutions redesign the districts website and add online bill pay made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner.

Motion to approve any commissioner or staff as approved by the district manager attend the Leadership Conference to be held at Park Vista made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed.

Mr. Vick requested the letter dated September 4,2009 submitted to the UMRB members be attached to the October meeting minutes.  Motion to attach made by Mr. Conner, seconded by Mr. Ball and passed.  Copy is attached.

Mr. Vick questioned if the districts billing information is backed up and held offsite, Ms. Carver stated yes it is.

The districts Schedule of Rates and Charges revisions will be adopted after the district implements the new rates as prescribed by the water and wastewater rate and cost of service study.

The district budget will be adopted at the December 4,2009 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Mr. Conner had no official report.

Mr. Ball questioned how much flow went into the wastewater plant during recent heavy rains?  Mr. Sunstein stated it reached 400,000 gallons per day.

Motion to adjourn meeting by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Conner and passed at 11:14 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Janice Carver

Office Manager