The Stafford County Utilities Commission met for its regular meeting on February 13, 2006, in Conference Room A,B,C in the Stafford County Administration Center. Commission members present were Joyce Arndt, Richard Carroll, Lloyd Chittum, Juan Chaves, Robert Hunt, Gene Mayausky, and Patricia Kurpiel. Bob Bos, Dale Allen, Nancy Collins, and Cheryl Giles were present for the Utilities Department. Each member of the commission and of the staff introduced themselves.

1. Election of Officers – Nominations were opened for the office of Chairman, Patricia Kurpiel nominated Robert Hunt and Gene Mayausky nominated Juan Chaves. The commission voted on the office. Mr. Chaves was elected by a 5-2 vote.

2. Public Presentations – There were no public presentations.

3. Approval of Minutes - Minutes for the January 10, 2006 meeting were approved as written.

4. Golden Tap Award – Juan Chaves explained to new commission members that the Golden Tap Award is presented to a person that has significantly contributed to the Utilities Department in the county within the past year. Gene Mayausky announced that letters were received nominating the following three persons: Keith Dayton, Bob Bos, and Wayne Striegler. Gene explained that the committee recommended that the award be made to Wayne Striegler. After some discussion, Patricia Kurpiel made a motion to accept the committee’s recommendation of Wayne Striegler as the recipient of the Golden Tap Award. Gene Mayausky seconded the motion. The commission voted 7-0 to award the 2005 Golden Tap Award to Wayne Striegler.

Special presentations will also be presented to former commission members Vernon Blaisdell, Carol Pacello, and Terry Payne for their service as members of the Stafford County Utilities Commission.

Bob Gibbons, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, will be asked to be the guest speaker.

5. Financial Update – Nancy Collins distributed copies of the County’s 2005 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and presented highlights relevant to the Utilities fund.

Statement of Net Assets:
· The equity in pooled cash and investments plus the restricted cash equals the total cash of $86.2 million, which is an increase of $5.5 million.
· $19.9 million is for construction in progress.
· The current portion of long-term debt plus non-current portion of long-term debt equals $25.8 million.

Revenue, Expenses and Changes in Net Assets:
· Charges for services increased 3%.
· $6.1 million is for donated fixed assets.
· Availability fee income is up 40%.

Statement of Cash Flows:
· There is a net increase in cash of $5.5 million.
· Acquisition and construction of capital projects is $12.3 million.

6. Deferred Business Update – Dale Allen and Bob Bos reported on the following items below that were tabled from January’s meeting.

Pump & Haul
Dale Allen reported on the Pump & Haul program. Dale explained that the program is a subsidized program that provides wastewater disposal for residents who drainfields have failed. There are currently 25 customers on the program. The customers are recommended for the pump and haul program by the Health Department after the Health Department has determined that the customer’s drainfield cannot be repaired. Dale also explained that the Board is interested in revising the program to reduce cost. Dale then distributed a letter from the Stafford Regional Airport and explained that they were requesting approval to build two T-hangers with one bathroom per hanger while they are on pump and haul.

Bob Hunt inquired as to why Stafford Regional Airport needed pump and haul services. Bob Bos responded that a septic system is not possible where they are located. Bob Bos also brought in a Stafford County Wastewater Map to show where the property is located and explained that because of a missing piece of sewer pipeline the property cannot connect to county sewer at this time.

After some discussion, Joyce Arndt made a motion to approve the request by Stafford Regional Airport to build two T-hangers with a restroom in one hanger while on pump and haul. It was seconded by Gene Mayausky. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote.

Dale also stated that he would request that a representative from the Stafford Regional Airport present their site plans at a future meeting.

F.O.G.
Bob Bos explained that staff is presently working on a program to come up with a solution for the Fats, Oil, and Grease policy. (FOG)

Water Supply Planning
Bob reported that the Utilities Dept. has received a grant from Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to assist with meeting the requirements of the water supply planning. The grant would pay 50% of the estimated $30,000 cost of the water supply planning.

Drainfield Maintenance
Dale reported on the drainfield maintenance program. Dale explained that the Board of Supervisors had tasked the Utilities Commission to draft an ordinance to set standards for on-site systems that would be applicable to every lot in the County. A sub-committee was set up to work on a drainfield maintenance program. The program was tabled while the Board assesses the impact of a more stringent program on existing lots.

The Board also referred a maintenance program to the Commission. This will be an extensive effort, although a required septic tank pumpage program is already in effect.

Neighborhood Projects
Dale reported that the current Neighborhood Projects are McCauley Lane and Walnut Lane. Dale also explained that the three types of projects are large, neighborhood, and short. There are currently about 20 projects in some stage of design.

Nancy Collins reported on the leasing vs. buying inquiry that was brought up at the last meeting. Nancy informed the commission that leasing vehicles was not recommended and provided a handout showing the advantages and disadvantages of leasing vehicles, when to lease, and the County’s financial policy on leasing.

7. Public Utilities Administrator’s Report – Bob Bos reminded the commission that upgrades to the wastewater treatment facilities requirements would need to be met by the year 2010 and planning for these upgrades would need to begin soon.

8. Commission Members Comments – Richard Carroll inquired if there were any upcoming schools that would be on septic or well. Bob Bos stated not that the Utilities Dept. was aware of any.

Patricia Kurpiel inquired if the build out analysis that was done in June of last year were the latest numbers. Bob Bos responded yes.

Patricia inquired about the subdivision status report. Bob explained that of the 25,738 preliminary subdivisions approved lots, that 15,558 are construction plan lots and 15,140 are for subdivision lots.

Commission members agreed that the March 14th Utilities Commission meeting should be cancelled because of the Golden Tap Award Dinner Banquet being held on March 13th.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Kurpiel
Recording Secretary