COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC WORKS
Minutes of September 13, 2007
A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Public Works was held on Thursday, September 13, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in the Boardroom at 121 West Court Avenue.
In attendance:
Steve D. Reeves, Jr.
Vickie Gorham
Jeff Auman
Michael G. Monaghan
Gene P. Hancock
Jeff Chapman
Richard Gentry
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Denise Giannetti
Bill Patrick
Stacia May
Henry O. Watts
Ron Lemon
Curtis Burnett
Chris Trainor
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Ken Barnett
Jeff Meredith
Vicki Knott
Carlos Cometto
Ken Whittle
Melinda Bishop
Jay West
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- Chairman Watts called the meeting to order and Mr. Barnett gave the invocation.
- Chairman Watts gave the statement of compliance with the notification provision of the Freedom of Information Act.
- New Business:
- Chairman Watts requested an explanation from Mr. Auman regarding his recommendation to renew an annual service agreement with Marconi. Mr. Auman explained that the annual agreement was now with Ericson rather than Marconi and was the service contract for all of the main switches to interconnect the SCADA systems and network systems. A motion was made by Commissioner Monaghan to approve an expenditure of $34,118.13 to renew the annual service agreement for network equipment; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Hancock, and unanimously approved.
- Chairman Watts referred to a letter from the City of Greenwood regarding the cost to repair and close an underground cavity on Long Alley. He noted a total cost of $21,907.43 for the project, adding that Mayor Nicholson had proposed a three-way split of $7,302.43 each between the County, the City, and CPW. Manager Reeves explained that a fairly large underground cavity was discovered when Metro did some rehab work. Commissioner Hancock noted that it was probably a coal dump where they had gone back later and put in a utility line to feed the Textile Building boilers. Manager Reeves pointed out that CPW did not feel they should participate since the electrical lines and gas service line are on the customer side of the meter. Commissioner Monaghan asked if this was part of the renovation area and Manager Reeves said that it was. Commissioner Monaghan made a motion to share in the cost to repair the cavity. Chairman Watts asked if anyone knew what caused the cavity. Manager Reeves responded that there was a construction vault. Commissioner Hancock added that it was where the Textile Building was fed coal. Mr. Barnett noted that it had deteriorated to the point that they basically had to fill the hole with concrete in order not to have a serious problem. Commissioner Hancock stated that the metal had rusted out and caused a cavity. Mr. Auman noted that at one point Charlie Barrineau said that it was a coal thing. Mr. Meredith noted that rebar in the top had deteriorated, and when a truck went over it, they felt a soft spot, got out and looked further, and found an actual vault there. He pointed out that the sides were fine but the top was in question. Chairman Watts seconded the motion made earlier by Commissioner Monaghan. Commissioner Hancock commented that there was already an agreement with the City; CPW gives them a good chunk of money and is also helping them with all of the parks going around right now, and this is something that CPW has no fault in. He continued that $7,000 is hardly anything, but the County will be going into the building sitting right next to that building and if anybody should do it, they should. He stated that the City should not be doing it either and too much is done for the County anyhow. Commissioner Monaghan commented that this is the Textile Building. Commissioner Hancock responded that the County had just bought the building and that it was the old Pirelli Building. After Chairman Watts called for the vote, the motion passed by a 2 to 1 vote, with Commissioner Hancock voting “no”. Chairman Watts noted that he was reluctant to vote in favor.
- Manager Reeves reported a new request for annexation from Greenwood Presbyterian Church on Calhoun Road near the new Countybank, and added that a request for electrical service was anticipated. Mr. Gentry reported that a booth would be set up for the Wellness Celebration the following Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mall. He noted that they would be providing a lot of information and handouts. He added that a representative would be on hand from each department, and invited the Commissioners to attend. Commissioner Monaghan referred to the sign at the entrance of the COC showing all of the employees and requested that it be repaired. Mr. Gentry responded that photographic paper was on order to redo the sign. Commissioner Monaghan commented that the insignia on the sides of vehicles looked very good.
1. Manager Reeves informed the Commissioners of a national recognition award presented to the Wise Water Treatment Plant from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services for consistent and professional adjustment of the water fluoride content for twelve consecutive months.
2. Manager Reeves referred to a recent health insurance report showing nearly $450,000 in claims and expenses just for the month of August. He pointed out that the reserve account had been depleted and was now in the negative. Manager Reeves recommended a contribution of $380,399.39 from CPW and Metro to replenish the reserve, with the CPW’s portion being $277,691.55. Commissioner Monaghan asked if this was an accumulation over a period of time. Ms. Ogletree responded that it was for expenses during July and August as the claims are paid. She further explained that if a claim is not submitted for a June 30 doctor visit until July, then it would be considered a July claim. Manager Reeves added that claims are paid in a timely manner and would not be something lingering from 2005. Ms. Ogletree added that we were hit with a lot of really large claims again, noting 49 claims between $1,000 - $5,000, with two of those over $50,000 just in those two months. Manager Reeves pointed out that one claim was well over $100,000. Ms. Ogletree noted that in the past, the reserve had been kept at $250,000; however, Medical Claims Management is recommending an increase to a minimum of 12.5% of expected claims which would be $347,000.
After Ms. Ogletree provided the required amounts to maintain the reserve at the $250,000 level, a motion was made by Commissioner Monaghan and seconded by Commissioner Hancock to replenish the insurance reserve account to the $250,000 level through a combined contribution with Metro of $283,399.39, with the CPW share being $206,881.55; the motion was unanimously approved.
3. Manager Reeves reminded the Commissioners of a joint meeting following Executive Session at the COC with City Council to receive legislative updates from the Municipal Association.
V. Executive Session
A motion was made by Commissioner Monaghan, seconded by Commissioner Hancock, and unanimously approved to go into Executive Session to discuss legal and contractual matters.
The meeting returned to open session.
Manager Reeves stated that based on discussion during Executive Session, it would be appropriate for the Board to authorize the Manager to sign an agreement for the joint use of poles with United Telephone Company of the Carolinas doing business as Embarq. A motion was made by Commissioner Monaghan and seconded by Commissioner Hancock authorizing the General Manager to sign the Agreement; the motion was unanimously approved.
A motion was made by Chairman Watts authorizing the General Manager to proceed with rezoning 13+ acres at the Grace Street property on the 72 By-Pass; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Hancock. The motion passed by a vote of 2 to 1, with Commissioner Monaghan voting “no”.
VI. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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