COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC WORKS Minutes of November 8, 2012

Transcription

1 COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC WORKS The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Public Works was held on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., in the Boardroom at 121 West Court Avenue. In attendance: Gene P. Hancock Steve D. Reeves, Jr. Teresa Lake Bill Patrick Michael G. Monaghan Ken Barnett Jeff Auman Chris Trainor Henry O. Watts Jerry Smith Jeff Meredith Mark Warner Vickie Gorham Richard Gentry Stacia May Eduardo Noriega Vicki Knott George Petersen Jeff Chapman Wayne Bartley David Tuck Carlos Cometto I. Chairman Monaghan called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Commissioner Watts. II. III. Chairman Monaghan gave the statement of compliance with the notification provision of the Freedom of Information Act. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Commissioner Watts to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2012 regular meeting; the motion was seconded by Chairman Monaghan, and unanimously approved. IV. Business: A. Manager Reeves presented a recommendation to approve the low bids for the following chemicals: liquid alum from C & S Chemical, at $287 per dry ton; aqua ammonia from Tanner Industries, at $ per lb.; carbon from Brenntag, at $ per lb.; hydrofluorosilicic acid from Mosaic Crop Nutrition, at $480 per wet ton; and lime slurry from Blue Water Solutions at $ per lb.

2 Page 2 B. Manager Reeves presented a recommendation to approve the low bid from Powell s Trash Service, in the amount of $32,260, for annual sludge and solid waste disposal for the water treatment plant. A motion was made by Commissioner Watts, and seconded by Chairman Monaghan; the motion was unanimously approved. C. Manager Reeves presented a recommendation to approve the low bidder, RTD Construction, Inc., in the amount of $2,907,180, for miscellaneous improvements at the water treatment plant. He noted that the recommendation is based on references and being the low bidder. Chairman Monaghan asked about the second low bidder; Manager Reeves responded that it was M. B. Kahn at $2,913,319. D. Chairman Monaghan noted that election of officers was on the agenda; however, they had found out that the term does not actually end until December 31. A motion to table the election of officers was made by Commissioner Watts, seconded by Commissioner V. Other Business: 1. Manager Reeves requested authorization to proceed with funding the CPW Cares Program in the amount of $20,000, as done in the past. A motion was made by Commissioner Watts, seconded by Commissioner 2. Manager Reeves presented a change order for the paving project at the COC. He noted that an additional $19,000 was approved at the last meeting for extra stone on the parking lot side. In doing the front parking lot and driveway, the same issue was found with milling the asphalt. Manager Reeves requested approval for additional stone and asphalt, in the amount of $17,573.

3 Page 3 3. Manager Reeves reminded the Commissioners of a trip to Abbeville the next Tuesday to tour the cable plant. 4. Mr. Auman recommended approval of the low bid from Dove Connection for the VM Ware Project, at a cost of $70,427. Mr. Auman continued with bids for a power server, noting that the last minute bidder appeared to have left out a processor and some other things, which is why they are significantly lower. Chairman Monaghan stated that their bid should be thrown out if it was bid incorrectly. Mr. Auman stated that the recommendation is for the low bidder, Dynamix, at a cost of $85, A motion to approve both bids as recommended was made by Commissioner Hancock, seconded by Commissioner 5. Commissioner Watts asked about the number of customers on natural gas at Promised Land. Mr. Noriega responded that it is approaching fifty; over time, the hope is to reach one hundred. 6. Chairman Monaghan asked if there is any back log on annual home inspections; Mr. Noriega responded that those had been completed for some time. He added that a steady decrease has been seen in the numbers because people do not want to pay the $60 fee per visit. He added that the fee is very reasonable; we are only breaking even and possibly even losing a little. Chairman Monaghan then asked about a grant on Lindsey Avenue where we are going to put in some electrical improvements; he expressed understanding that Anderson had bought that property. Mr. Meredith responded that Mr. Anderson only bought the west side; he does not have the east side where Spring Street is located. He tore everything down on the west side of Spring Street where they are looking to do something with the research park. Mr. Meredith added that Mr. Anderson did not buy the houses on the upper side right off of Edgefield Street; those are still occupied homes and improvements to that area are needed. Chairman Monaghan noted sixtytwo emergency calls shown in the report due to a gas odor. He asked what would normally cause that large amount. Mr. Noriega responded that especially when the first cold spell hits when people are turning on their furnaces for the first time, they may smell something, but all of those are not actually a leak. It is still cataloged as a leak because they have called so they have to be reported as such, even though it may be a false alarm. We have to respond immediately anytime there is a report of the odor of gas. Chairman Monaghan recalled discussion at the last meeting about the wireless project

4 Page 4 with the City. Manager Reeves responded that they had talked favorably about going forward, but they are still in their budget process. VI. Executive Session: A motion was made by Commissioner Watts and seconded by Commissioner Hancock to go into Executive Session for contractual matters; the motion was unanimously approved. The meeting returned to open session. Mr. Patrick stated that during Executive Session the Commissioners had discussed several matters requiring approval in open session. He stated that the first matter dealt with the Clemson University s intention to develop a research and educational building in the Greenwood Research Park. He continued that CPW currently owns parcels of land in that Park that were acquired in connection with Clemson University s planned development. Mr. Patrick stated that the Commissioners were agreeable to approving a motion to give a letter to Clemson University agreeing that CPW would deed Parcel Numbers and to Clemson University, for the purpose of constructing a research and educational building in the Greenwood Research Park, with the deed to be given when the project is approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The deed will be subject to three stipulations. The first will be that Clemson will agree to use the CPW as the electric supplier for the facility to be built on the property. There also will be two reversion provisions: if the project is not approved by the State Budget and Control Board within twelve months from the date of the deed, the property will revert to the CPW; and if the research and educational building is not completed and in operation within four years after the date of the deed, the property will revert to the CPW. Mr. Patrick stated that the next matter discussed dealt with Project Seminole, which is proposed to be located on the property in the city limits across from Lowe s. He continued that the City has requested that CPW waive some or all of the City s obligation to repay the CPW for the cost of constructing a road on that property. He stated that the Commissioners were agreeable to a motion that provides that CPW would agree to waive one third of the balance due from the City for the road, if and when Project Seminole locates on that property, and further agrees that if the CPW acquires all of the electric load from projects on

5 Page 5 that property, the CPW will waive the remaining balance of the road construction amount. A motion was made by Commissioner Watts, seconded by Commissioner Mr. Patrick stated that the third matter discussed was a request from the City and the Parks Commission in relation to the Grace Street property. He continued that they are asking for approval from CPW to thin timber on the property, pursuant to a forester recommended thinning plan, and are asking the CPW to allow the City and the Parks Commission to use all of the proceeds from such thinning for maintenance of the property, for development of a master plan, and possibly for some development costs of the property. He stated that the Commissioners were agreeable to approving a motion to grant the request of the City and the Parks Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Watts and seconded by Commissioner VII. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Approved:, 2012 Secretary