BIG BEND WATER AUTHORITY
1313 1st Ave SE, P O Box 670
Steinhatchee, FL 32359
(352)498-3576
FAX (352)498-3624
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 6 , 2021
BBWA Board Members present: Wendell McKinnon, Stan Ridgeway, Michael Newman and Melvin Corbin III, Margaret Corbin and W.C. Mills
BBWA Board Members absent: Howard Hart
BBWA Employees present: Mark Reblin and Laura Valentine
Via teleconference: BBWA Engineer Mike Murphy
Also Present: BBWA Attorney Mark Logan
I. Call to order: Vice Chairman McKinnon called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
II. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Vice Chairman McKinnon gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. Approval of agenda: Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the agenda. Board Member Newman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
IV. Approval of March invoices: Board Member Ridgeway made a motion to approve and Board Member Mills seconded with discussion. Board Member Ridgeway had a question about an invoice for $86.00 for 96 Chevy, Board Member Ridgeway asked did the Authority have a ’96 Chevy. General Manager Reblin stated yes we do have a “96 Chevy, that we have had this truck for many years and the truck is in Perry now being worked on again. Board Member Ridgeway also asked about the invoice for Nature Coast Media (website) what is it and why do we have it. It was explained that it was for Big Bend Water Authority website. Nature Coast Media is our website designer. Board Member Newman asked is this a once-a-year fee and is it in the budget. General Manager Reblin stated yes, it is a once-a-year fee and in the budget. Vice Chairman McKinnon asked if everyone was in favor of passing the March invoices say I. The vote was unanimous.
V. Approval of April 1, Financials: Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the April 1, financials. Board Member Melvin Corbin seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
VI. Approval of April minutes: BBWA Engineer Murphy noted he is requesting the minutes to be amended to read BBWA Engineer Murphy asked if there were any public comments and there were none. Board Member Ridgeway also wanted minutes amended stating he wanted his comment from the meeting added regarding the one project (water facility plan) to put a 200,000-gallon water storage tank in Jena with pumps and chemical treatment and it was decided not to be done. There was a motion made by Board Member Newman to amend the minutes. Board Member Mills seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
VII. Citizens Input: None
VIII. Mark Reblin:
1. Sewer Hook Up Financing Discussion: Tabled until Chairman Hart can be here.
2. Engineering Checks Approval: General Manager Reblin stated we have two checks to the engineers that needs to be signed, he wanted the board to be aware and see them before being signed. One of the checks is for $130,460.00 and one is for $93,116.00, these checks are going to be reimbursed. Board Member Ridgeway made a motion to have checks signed. Board Member Melvin Corbin seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
3. Cooey Land Update: GM Reblin stated that he met with the surveyor and Mr. Cooey and they are adamant on us purchasing the 15 acres. They are wanting to improve the road between sewer plant and lot number 2. They are going to sell the rest. They will sell it for $6,000 an acre (15 acres) and finance it if we are interesting in financing. There was a brief discussion on which lots. Board Member Newman made a motion to purchase the 3 lots for no less than $6,000 per acre and the best terms possible for financing. Board Member Mills seconded. The vote was unanimous.
4. Miscellaneous: General Manger Reblin stated that the property owner that buts up to the sewer plant is putting up a fence with a gate and giving us access to it. The property owner is asking us to pay for it, stating we just have a utility easement. The price is $6,300, there was a discussion to half the cost with them. Attorney Logan stated if we want to reduce it to a dollar amount, I would agree to pay. General Manger Reblin stated he will come back with update. General Reblin stated that we are working on the budget if anyone has anything and we will have a preliminary budget by the next meeting. General Manager Reblin advised that we have installed 22 new sewer customers and 21 new water customers so far, this fiscal year. We have 7 sewer and 12 waters on the board to be installed. Vice Chairman McKinnon asked the status of the River Club, and Board Member Ridgeway asked if they are paying as they go. GM Reblin stated they are paying for the installation and the equipment, GM Reblin advised he told River club we would collect for what they have in there now and when we get to the next step we will collect again. GM Reblin stated we are doing the installation they are doing the infrastructure. Board Member Ridgeway stated he thinks we need to have an agreement with them. Reblin stated they know it will cost more than a regular installation, River club asked for a number but we don’t have a number yet because we don’t know what all is involved in the installation material etc. GM Reblin stated he just received the can in and don’t have a price yet it will probably cost about $12,000 he will get the price on it. BBWA Engineer Mike Murphy gave an update on grant application for the sewer hookup project. Mr. Murphy advised us that the grant does not pay for anything on private property, applications have been filed for private property and one for entire facility collection project not the treatment plant project, this is DEP money not SRF money and he believes this is a 100 percent grant but the applications go to the water management district and they take all the applications (also from other districts) they then go to DEP which goes to a committee. Mr. Murphy advised it may be a good idea to get a letter from the counties. Board Member Newman advised when the next Taylor County board meeting was in case GM Reblin would like to attend to discuss getting a letter from them.
IX. Mark Logan: Attorney Logan advised he is working with GM Reblin and BBWA Engineer Murphy on the easements for the sewer project.
a. Miscellaneous: None
X. Board Members’ Request: Board Member Mills advised GM Reblin about a curbstop issue at his mother’s house. GM Reblin advised he will check on it. Board Member Ridgeway stated that he has noticed a lot of new installations and could he get a summary of what is being done and who is paying for it. Board Member Newman stated if we are going over the preliminary budget at the next meeting, wouldn’t that be a time (if the board so chooses) to look into sending out rfp’s for additional work so we can have that number. GM Reblin advised has talked to our CPA regarding capital improvements, most of our items are put under repairs and maintenance. We are going to start breaking down items differently. The capital improvement number would be a projected number
XI. Announcements: The next board meeting is Thursday, June 3.
XII. Adjournment: Vice Chairman McKinnon asked if there was anything else, if everyone is in favor for dismissal say I. The vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
Attest:
___________________ _______________________
Laura Valentine, Clerk Wendell McKinnon, Vice-Chairman
