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Home My WebLink About04-07-1997 Meeting I I I ENGINEERING SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - April 7, 1997 3:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Powell, Chairman; Todd, Vice-Chairman; Handy and J. Brigham, members; Drew Goins, Asst. Com. of P.W. & Director of Engineering; Glenn Greenway and Cheryl Nelson of the Finance Department; Max Hicks, Utilities Dept. Director; Tom Wiedmeier, Asst. Director of Utilities Dept.; David Smith, Solid Waste Manager; Michael Greene, Interim Public Works Director; Jack Murphy of the Public Works Dept.; Jim Blount, Asst. Director of Trees & Landscaping; Mike Amerson, Traffic Engineering Dept.; Kip Plowman, Internal Auditor; Harry Hartley, Asst. Director of Public Works Dept.; Stewart Walker, License & Inspections Dept.; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission. ABSENT: Hon. Larry Sconyers, Mayor. Also Present: Sylvia Cooper of The Augusta Chronicle, Gale Mino of WBBQ Radio, other members of the news media and Hons. H. Brigham, Bridges, Mays, Beard and Kuhlke, Commissioners. The Clerk: We have a request for two addendum items, -one from the Attorney and one from Mr. Todd. Mr. Handy: Why were these not put on in time? Mr. Wall: Mine was a request that came in on Friday and I asked that it be added. Mr. Todd: While I was in Washington, I understand there were some reference to the equipment that was sold. I received some phone calls when I got back after the Thursday deadline for the agenda. I requested that Mr. Goins make a report to this Committee regarding the privatization of the Sanitation Department as to where the funds went and what we got for the trucks. That's why it's on the agenda and Mrs. Bonner, if you'll put it on the next regular agenda, it will be off of this one. Mr. Brigham: I move that we add them. ,Mr. Todd: I second it. Motion disapproved with Mr. Handy voting "No". A counteroffer of $2,700.00 to acquire an easement consisting of 1,584.58 sq. ft. of permanent utility easement and 792.29 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement from Richard Vinke and Leo Ghitter (Tax Map 87-1, Parcel 219.3), was read. Mr. Wall: This should really read to acquire fee simple ownership of the entire parcel for $2,700.00. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A counteroffer of $5,322.00 to acquire an easement consisting of 2,838.54 sq. ft. of permanent utility easement and 992.57 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement from pressley Rhoads (Tax Map 86-4, Parcel 84), was read. Mr. Wall: We recommend approval on this. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A counteroffer of $1,350.00 to acquire an easement consisting of 1,525.15 sq. ft. of permanent utility easement and 519.56 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement from Delbert K. Palacz and Anita H. Palacz (Tax Map 86-4, Parcel 88), was read. Mr. Wall: We recommend approval of it. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Brigham: I'll second. Motion adopted unanimously. A counteroffer of $3,820.00 to acquire an easement consisting of 5,882.12 sq. ft. of permanent utility easement and 1,942.89 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement from Harold M. Boardman (Tax Map 87-3, Parcel 3), was read. Mr. Wall: We recommend approval. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A counteroffer option of $1,000.00 to purchase an easement consisting of 927 sq. ft. permanent drainage and utility easement and 656 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement from Daisy Dell Thompson - Tax Map 71-1, Parcel 211, was read. Mr. Wall: We recommend approval. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. I I I I I I Motion adopted unanimously. Approval of condemnation of 420 sq. ft. of land at 3820 Southfield Drive (Tax Map 167, Parcel 298) in connection with the above project which is owned by Dawn H. Buchanan, was read. Mr. Wall: We recommend authority to condemn. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next considered awarding the construction contract to the low bidder, Hudgins Special Services, in the amount of $74,648.00 regarding the removal of the elevated water storage tank at Augusta State University. Mr. Wiedmeier: $8,500 of this will be reimbursed by the University. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second, Motion adopted unanimously. A deed of dedication, maintenance agreement and road resolutions for Woodberry Subdivision, Section I, were read. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Brigham: Second. Mr. Murphy: Items #9 and #10 are also the same type. Mr. Todd: I'll amend my motion to include items #9 and #10. Mr. Brigham: I'll accept that also. Item #9: A road resolutions III-C. deed of dedication, maintenance agreement and for Breeze Hill Plantation Subdivision, Section Item #10: A deed of dedication, maintenance agreement and road resolution for Montclair Subdivision Additions. Motion adopted unanimously. Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $3,000.40 for Blair Construction, Inc. regarding the construction of Louisa Road 8" water line extension, was read. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. Change Order No.1 in the amount of $26,572.00 for J. D. Haire Construction Co. regarding the construction and relocation of 12" water line for the proposed Belair Road Extension Project, was read. Mr. Handy: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity regarding the designation of two handicapped parking spaces for their church parishioners, was read. At this time Fr. Jim Karagas, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, appeared before the Committee regarding the above request. Fr. Karagas: We ask that the two places be placed directly in front of the church on Telfair Street. Mr. Todd: How would this affect the turn at the traffic light? I Mr. Amerson: I would have to look at it and perhaps we could shift the spaces .around a little bit. Mr. Todd: I so move we approve it with the approval of the Traffic Engineer. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. Communication from Augusta Disposal & Recycling regarding the purchase of a former Sanitation Department truck, was read. Mr. Goins: This truck was bought in an "as is" condition. There were some allegations in the letter that the truck was operated without oil and Mr, Hartley will address that but in my opinion the truck was purchased in an "as is" condition. Mr. Hartley: I have the service records on this truck. It was serviced regularly by the Shop and there is no indication that it was ever operated without oil. We were using the truck I when they got it. We had invitations to the contractors to inspect the equipment at any time before they picked it up and many of them did but Augusta Disposal did not send anyone. I I I Mr. Todd: Can we verify that this vehicle has ever run without oil? Mr. Hartley: To my knowledge it has never run without oil. We were operating it when they came and picked it up and it was full of oil at that time when they checked it. Mr. Todd: I move that we receive this as information pending further review. Mr. Brigham: I'll second that. Mr. Goins: Our service records indicate that we were properly maintaining the equipment even after the it was bid on so there was no intent to have any piece of equipment running without oil as the allegations claim. After further discussion, the motion was put and adopted with the Chairman voting "No". The Committee next considered an award of the bid to B/E Electrical Contractors at $84,980 and approve the contracts subject to signing and proper bonds for the Traffic Engineering Improvements, Phase I Project. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee considered award of the bid to APAC-GA, Inc. in the amount of $168,212.00 for Alternate "B" (High Density Polyethylene Pipe) on the Sand Ridge Storm Drainage Improvements Project and approve contracts subject to receipt of signed copies and proper bonds. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Chairman: I'll second the motion. Motion adopted unanimously. Petitions for the installation and maintenance of street lights in various areas, were read. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. The Committee next discussed the hiring of a County Engineer. Mr. Todd: We had Mr. Leiper turn in his resignation as of the 15th and we need to have someone sign off on site plans and I continue his work at the Landfill and in the environmental area. I'd like for us to advertise for a Civil Engineer with an environmental background. Mr. Hornsby: The Administrator is aware of the problem and he is trying to begin advertising for the position. Mr. Todd: I move that we ask the Administrator to start looking for a replacement. Mr. Chairman: I'll second the motion. Mr. Kuhlke: I am concerned about the approval of site plans. Would you amend your motion to ask Mr. Oliver to appoint someone on an interim basis that would take care of that function until we bring someone on board? Mr. Todd: I don't have a problem with that. We'll need someone with a P.E. I'll accept that and include it in my motion. It can be someone either from within or the outside. Mr. Brigham: Max Hicks and Tom Wiedmeier both have P.E.'s. Motion adopted unanimously. I An engineering contract with ZEL Engineers to provide for professional services regarding the licensing of the Augusta Canal, was read. Mr. Wall: They were the logical choice to proceed with this since they had done it previously and had the historical information that was needed. We recommend approval of it. Mr. Todd: I so move. Mr. Brigham: I'll second it. After a short discussion, the motion was put and adopted unanimously. An encroachment agreement with Georgia Power Company allowing Augusta-Richmond County to construct and maintain a detention facility on Georgia Power's right of way as part of the Tanglewood and Kingston Subdivision Drainage Improvements project, was read. Mr. Brigham: I so move. Mr. Todd: Second. I Motion adopted unanimously. I I I Mr. Wall: Would you consider item *2 on the addendum agenda? Mr. Brigham: I'll move that we reconsider item *2 on the addendum agenda. Mr. Handy: I'll second it. Motion adopted unanimously. A condemnation of permanent drainage and utility easement containing 2,285.67 sq. ft. and a temporary construction easement containing 751.08 sq. ft. at 2409 Peach Orchard Road (Tax Map 86-4, Parcel 80) in connection with the above project which is owned by Edward J. Streeter, was read. Mr. Brigham: I move we approve it. Mr. Handy: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission NWM