Robert F. Walden

The agenda for this regular meeting includes several key informational reports and proposed actions. Finance and Procurement items include the monthly financial report for the first half of the year (July 1 through December 31, 2025), the annual 2025 Community Benefit Program report, the 2025 Safety Training and Incident Data Report, the 2025 Annual Recruitment Report, and the report on the employee wellness program efforts over the prior two years. Operational discussions involve designing and installing a dewatering pad at the A. Manning Lynch facility, with a recommended contract award to KCI Technologies, Inc., not to exceed $39,000 for the design work. Engineering agenda items focus on reviewing ownership agreements for new sewer line extensions in the Irby Glen development and the Wakefield Subdivision, confirming SSSD's participation in off-site construction costs per the policy adopted January 26, 2023. The meeting also includes a Chief Executive Officer Report and a resolution to honor a long-tenured employee.

The Regular Meeting included a financial report summary for the period ending August 31, 2022, and presentations on customer satisfaction surveys conducted both externally and internally. Key operational decisions included the approval of the renewal for health insurance consulting services with Steinberg and Associates for 2023 ($30,000 allocation), approval to renew retiree Medicare Supplement Insurance with United American, and approval to offer short-term disability insurance to employees as a non-contributory benefit. The Commission awarded a bid of $33,800.75 to TWC Services, Inc. for the HVAC unit replacement at the A. Manning Lynch Facility. An update was provided regarding the deployment of staff to Jackson, Mississippi, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Furthermore, the Commission approved the FY 2023 replacement schedule for nine SSSD vehicles and equipment totaling $580,000. Approval was granted for Change Order No. 1 ($41,015.83) for the Lawsons Fork Creek Basin Sewer Improvements project. A professional services contract not to exceed $310,000 was approved with Hill Engineering, LLC for Bens Creek Phase 3. Finally, the Commission approved two annexation requests for property owned by Lenox J. Cannon Jr. and John T. Cannon (80.83 acres) and Virginia A. Jones (4.21 acres), effective December 26, 2022, after a 90-day notice period to sub-districts. Several ownership agreements for sewer line construction in Kyndra Hollow, Sunset Acres, Townhomes at Hidden Hill, Woodhaven, Zane's Creek, and Zaxby's on US 29 were noted as information items. The meeting adjourned at 3:46 p.m. The Joint Executive Session meeting, held earlier at 2:00 p.m. with the Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Spartanburg, S.C., convened to receive legal counsel and took no action.

Key discussions during the meeting included a presentation on the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan 2.0 by the Chamber of Commerce, covering community success and future goals for prosperity, education, talent retention, economic diversification, quality of life, and reducing racial equity gaps. Public comment addressed concerns regarding taxation on lake usage and alleged ignored FOIA requests. The Commission approved design changes for the Health Insurance Plan, including an increase in the hearing aid benefit. A new carrier, Amerisure, was approved for Workers' Compensation insurance renewal. Contracts were awarded for the Little Thicketty Creek Pump Station Rehabilitation Project and the Lawsons Fork Creek Basin Sewer Improvements, utilizing the lowest responsive bidders for both. Updates were provided on economic development activity for 2021, detailing the economic investment multiplier for both SSSD and SWS activities. Additionally, ownership agreements for sewer infrastructure installations related to Holland Park Sewer Project, Olivia Springs Townes, and Trinity Point were presented for information. Administrative matters included reminders about the State Ethics filing deadline and planned participation in the Criterium annual bike race.

The meeting addressed various key areas including financial reporting, water treatment, infrastructure improvements, and policy revisions. Discussions covered the monthly financial report, a water treatment chemicals bid, and a bid for collection and distribution complex fence purchase and installation. The commission reviewed a proposal for a LOX storage tank and vaporization install, a water quality report, and a report on drinking water reservoirs. A procurement policy revision focused on supply chain resiliency was approved. The commission also addressed multiple variance requests related to properties around Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock, and reviewed the Vaughn Creek Pump Station Intake Structure Improvements Project. Additionally, agreements executed by the Chief Executive Officer were presented, covering outside city private fire service and water main extension agreements, lake agreements, and encroachment agreements.

The Commissioners discussed the FY 2022-2023 budget. They reviewed the financial summary of expenditures and revenues for the nine-month period ending March 31, 2022. An amendment to the professional services contract with Summit Engineering Group was approved for SCDOT Country Club Road Improvements Water and Sewer Relocations. A professional services contract was awarded to Wiedeman and Singleton, Incorporated for the Steel Water Tank Maintenance Program. The commission was provided with an update on water quality. A variance request for 385 Lake Road was approved, while a variance request at 495 Fagan Drive was not supported. Another variance request was approved for 180 Lakewood Street. The agreements executed by the Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Commission and permits issued at the reservoir were also reviewed.