Christopher Gilcher

The meeting covered the adoption of the agenda and payment of bills. Communications included forwarding a resident's email regarding rate questions. During public comments, a clarification was made regarding the location of water plant well heads, confirming they are outside. General Manager reports included updates on the Water Treatment Plant Construction nearing completion and progress on the WTP Concentrate Discharge Force Main Project. The Board approved Resolution R2019-066 authorizing a contract not to exceed $49,000.00 with Carl Wheelers Biosolids for sludge removal services. Resolutions were also approved for the use and hookup of infrastructure for Licking Heights Local School District (R2019-067) and TS Tech Americas, Inc. Cross Dock Project (R2019-069). An agreement with New Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Missionary Church was also approved (R2019-068). The Office Manager's report included the approval of insurance premium renewals for Medical Mutual of Ohio HRA Plan (R2019-070) and the acceptance of the General Liability Insurance Proposal from Wichert Insurance for 2020 (R2019-071). Resolution R2019-072 approved the removal of a deferred water assessment after full payment for a specific parcel. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss compensation for the General Manager position, resulting in a motion to offer John Carlisle a salary of $100,500, including stipends for vehicle allowance and health insurance.

The board meeting included the adoption of the agenda and approval of bills, which covered a change order for Rock River Construction related to the realignment of the water main on Refugee Road and hydrant relocation. A customer inquiry regarding the removal of the debt elimination charge was discussed and deferred for review during the rate study. During public comments, discussions involved an Ag deferred assessment payment issue, which could not be partially accepted due to state law after the original parcel split disqualified it from deferment. Additionally, several options and associated costs for providing sanitary sewer service to a job-ready site on Etna Parkway and Refugee Road were reviewed, with a suggestion for affected parties to propose a final plan based on the four options provided. The General Manager's report updated the status of water treatment plant construction punch list items, membrane system cleaning, negotiations for liquidated damages related to Summit Tank construction delays, and a meeting held concerning the Water/Sewer Contract with the City of Pataskala. Resolutions were approved for an easement purchase from the Corums for the Water Treatment Center Concentrate Discharge Project and for Change Orders #1 and #2 to Rock River Construction for the Refugee Road Waterline Improvements Project. The Office Manager reported on delinquent customer accounts certification and issues obtaining comparative health insurance and general liability insurance quotes. Finally, authorization was granted to advertise for two wastewater operators following an executive session.

The board meeting involved several significant discussions and actions. Key topics included public comments regarding standing water on Refugee Road and a request for reimbursement related to a 2017 sewer backup incident. Updates were provided on construction progress for the Water Treatment Plant, Summit Tank, and Refugee Road Water Line projects, noting delays on the Summit Tank completion. The board approved the Payment of Bills, excluding one specific check. Furthermore, several resolutions were passed, including the approval of development agreements for Broadmoore Commons Phase 3 and The Villas at Cumberland, Section 2. Resolution R 2019-036 approved a contract for a heavy-duty crane body installation, and Resolution R 2019-037 approved amendments to general notes and specifications. The board also addressed issues with the sanitary sewer grade for Broadmoore Commons Phase 2, declining to pass the use and hookup resolution with conditions pending remediation. Finally, the board approved Christopher Gilcher as acting General Manager, detailing his compensation terms, and discussed updating the General Manager job posting due to low applicant numbers.

The regular board meeting addressed the adoption of the agenda, which included amendments to place executive sessions and the attorney report immediately following public comments. Key discussions centered on public input regarding new development impacts on current customers and schools, and the status of the Tree King Project. Resolution R2022-074 approving the Development Agreement with Little West, LLC for the Tree King-Etna Project was passed. The Board entered executive session to discuss property purchases, attorney conferences concerning litigation, and confidential economic development information. Following executive session, Resolution R2022-075 approving the purchase of property at 4765 National Road for $425,000.00 was approved. Resolution R2022-076 was approved, authorizing the General Manager to waive water tap, capacity, and meter fees for certain existing businesses and homeowners in the Luray service area, with costs to be submitted to Union Township. Resolution R2022-077, approving the Construction, Development, and Compensation Agreement with Jersey Township, was also approved, with clarification that the District maintains discretion over projects. The General Manager's report detailed the scoring of Integrated Utility Masterplan submissions, leading to the recommendation to utilize both Arcadis and CDM Smith for separate planning areas; the Board voted to follow this recommendation and schedule a special meeting for contract review. Further actions included the approval of Resolution R2022-078 granting conditional acceptance for Ellington Village Section 9 infrastructure, Resolution R2022-079 authorizing an easement agreement with The Klema Foundation for well field purposes, and Resolution R2022-080 approving a Hydrogeological Services Agreement with Eagon & Associates, Inc., et al., for raw water procurement test borings. The Raftelis rate study presentation was scheduled for the next meeting. Finally, the Board authorized the President to sign USDA loan documents for the 161-water storage facility.

The Special Board Meeting addressed the adoption of the agenda. Key actions involved the approval of Amendment No. 1 to the development agreement with Westport Homes for Broadmoore Commons Phase 2. This approval was contingent upon Westport executing an amendment to the development agreement, which extended the term related to non-compliant facilities for eight years and required Westport to cover video camera review, cleaning, and jetting of non-compliant sanitary sewer facilities for ten years at their expense. Furthermore, Westport is required to reimburse the District for associated attorney's fees. The Board passed Resolution No. 2019-044 approving these conditions.