11-25-09 Oconee Agenda Meeting: Adopt a policy that (a) utilizes actual plant flows of 80% of total plant capacity to determine sewerage availability, (b) limits the amount of capacity that can be sold to not more than 175% of total plant capacity and (c) provides that any additional capacity realized be restricted to commercial usage.

AVOC

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January 19, 2009

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Oconee County quietly reverses mistaken sewer capacity policies

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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The Oconee BOC, at an Agenda Setting Meeting on November 25, 2008, changed its residential sewer policy of recent years.The Oconee residential sewer policy was discussed and approved at a “Retreat” in late 2002 and at a “called meeting on the eve of the Florida- Georgia game) with little public knowledge or input.

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SEWER CAPACITY COMMITTED BUT NOT USED

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For eight years, the BOC allowed and facilitated sewer service for residential use over large areas of the county.It was part of the “ill-advised” MPD policies.   As a result, our meager sewer capacity was quickly exhausted and we have far-flung “Master Planned Developments” with sewer and water stubs but few if any paying customers.

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Westland– Hwy 78 and Goat Farm Road 4.6.08

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Parkside Subdivision between Mars Hill Road and GA 53 on 12.20.07

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8-23-04 New Oconee 810 Lot Subdivision Coming On GA Highway 53

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POLICY CHANGE AT CALLED MEETING

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Oconee continues to make policy in executive sessions and called meetings and meetings during Holiday times.   The Consent Agenda is also used to keep down too much “public discussion”.   The Agenda Setting Meeting of November 25, 2008 (See Excerpts below) (Tuesday of Thanksgiving Week) followed that same pattern.   Many subjects were “dealt with” including SPLOST allocations, lawsuits, retirement policies, etc.

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Little noticed but highly important changes in Oconee’s sewer policy took place in November 2008.   The Chairman called a Work Session Meeting in the Grand Jury Room for November 20 to “discuss options for the expansion of wastewater treatment capacity.   "Some citizens attended the meeting although notice was sent on November 14, 2008, only a few days prior.   The matter was placed on the Agenda Setting Meeting Agenda for November 25, 2008, and then placed on the December regular meeting Consent Agenda!   The urgency seemed to be lack of sewer capacity for the large new Shopping Centers being approved.   SEE LEE BECKER’S BLOG for more detail.

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The BOC dealt with Wastewater issues and policies, particularly ceasing its plans of expansion on Barber Creek and funding the Plan on Calls Creek.   This was reported in the media but few noted that the Calls Creek Plant was planned for expansion as far back as the 1999 SPLOST referendum or that this was a reversal of the 2001 ill-advised policy.

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NEW POLICY REVERSES THE 2002 “RETREAT” POLICY

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The November 25, 2008, Policy Changes specifically acknowledged and changed the residential sewer policy without using the words…

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(4)Adopt a policy that (a) utilizes actual plant flows of 80% of total plant capacity to determine sewerage availability, (b) limits the amount of capacity that can be sold to not more than 175% of total plant capacity and (c) provides that any additional capacity realized be restricted to commercial usage.

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While the county will claim that the policy is temporary, it will be long-lasting.   Oconee County did not have, does not have and will not have (in the foreseeable future) sewer capacity to supply unlimited and dense residential growth all over the county.   There were critics of the former policy of restricting sewer capacity to commercial and institutional (Schools, Churches etc).   However, that was a realistic policy in view of Oconee’s long and extensive efforts for acquiring a minimal capacity for sewer service.    It was working well.   Now we are back to the same policy but with limited capacity for new commercial or being able to service the “Orkin Site”.

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In time, we will see other examples of unwise policies being changed:

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1)  Water capacity being allocated to far-flung developments with “pocketbook” policies (Developer paying capacity fee and running connecting lines without due regard for the capacity availability);

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2)   Redirection of resources from improvements to the basic county road infrastructure – we will see many of the roads cannot handle the traffic and instead of paving dirt roads, re-paving roads damaged by development;

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3)  Code changes that allowed too dense lot creations in a rural setting where septic tanks will work (if the lot is large enough for an alternative site if the first fails after 30 years);

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4)   Infrastructure for enticing building and development – large and expensive parks- before our population and maturity is ready for it; expensive school buildings; and other items that many citizens could identify if given a real chance for input;  

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5)   Better appreciation of our historical and cultural past – (i.e.:   Not moving the courthouse from Downtown Watkinsville; destroying the old historic well or prisoner shelter for the “New Jail”; real investment in treasures like Central Schoolhouse, Apalachee Beach, High Shoals Beach etc.

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6)   Getting back to basics on infrastructure and facilities and better spending of our growing resources.

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AVOC commends the Board for listening to Utility Director Chris Thomas and changing the policies.    Now, On To the Future…………….

The Agenda Setting Meeting of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners was held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Chambers at the Oconee County Courthouse.

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Members Present:                                 Chairman Melvin Davis

Commissioner Jim Luke

                                                                        Commissioner Donald H. Norris

                                                                        Commissioner Margaret Hale

                                                                        Commissioner Chuck Horton

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2009 SPLOST Allocations:…………….

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Environmental Health Fees: ………………..

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Wastewater Treatment Capacity:Utility Director Chris Thomas requested approval of the following recommendations regarding the Rocky Branch WWTP upgrade, the Calls Creek WWTP upgrade and the methodology of calculating sewerage plant availability, as discussed at the November 20, 2008 Board of Commissioners work session:

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1)     Continue engineering on the Rocky Branch WWTP until completion;

2)     Approve the immediate upgrade of the Calls Creek WWTP and the associated trunk lines to the permitted 1mgd, utilizing funding of$ 1.5 million from capacity fees and $ 1.5 million from SPLOST funds;

3)     Cease negotiations with Southern champion to achieve the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Rocky Branch plant and place the project on hold; and,

4)     Adopt a policy that (a) utilizes actual plant flows of 80% of total plant capacity to determine sewerage availability, (b) limits the amount of capacity that can be sold to not more than 175% of total plant capacity and (c) provides that any additional capacity realized be restricted to commercial usage.

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By consensus, this item will be placed on the December 2, 2008 consent agenda.

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Daniells Bridge Road Concept Plan:……………

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Executive Session:Commissioner Horton made the motion to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss litigation matters.Commissioner Hale seconded the motion.Commissioners Horton, Hale and Norris voted yes.Commissioner Luke voted no.The motion passed.

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No action was taken in Executive Session.

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On motion by Commissioner Horton and second by Commissioner Norris, the Board adjourned Executive Session.On motion by Commissioner Horton and second by Commissioner Luke, the Board adjourned back into Regular Session.

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Rezone Request #5462 – Fred Gunter Property, LLC:

FOR MORE BACKGROUND ON OCONEE’S SEWER AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE, SEE:

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Sewer and Fast Growth History Links on AVOC

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4-09-04 Oconee County MPD Ordinances Were "Hatched and Birthed” in Secrecy

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The first “official action” by the BOC took place at a CALLED MEETING held on Friday afternoon at 5:00 PM (GA-FLA Game Weekend) on November 1, 2002. Coincidentally, the voters of the county were preoccupied with the November 5 Alcohol Referendum and the vote on the “Big Park”.

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5-5-04 Oconee County Opened Pandora’s Box With Residential Sewer Policy Change

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Oconee County’s change in policies for sewer service for residences has opened a “Pandora’s Box”. There will be more and more developments and sooner or later a Mobile Home Park or two. “The cat is out of the bag”!

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5-10-04 Oconee's "Pot of Gold" Fuels MPDs and Land Rush

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It has been personally frustrating to observe the recent “wheeling and dealing” with our sewer capacity! Not only did we abruptly change long-standing policy but we rushed to “Sewer” every residential development coming down the pipe provided they could pump to our sewer plant.

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7-17-04 Sewer Service is Expensive and Tough to Deliver

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Oconee’s officials made a policy decision to allocate the small amount of capacity we have and THEN DECIDED TO STUDY IT!

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They have the Draft Wastewater Plan (with a $ 126 Million Price Tag) but do not want to discuss it until after the July 20, 2004 primary.   Local newspapers have let them get by with it.They have been giving glib assurances that defy reality.

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In time, the truth will out and citizens will realize the lack of planning, foresight and responsible decision making that went into Oconee’s residential sewer policy.

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9-23-04 Oconee To Make Fast Growth Mistake Worse Than MPDs?

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During the recent election cycle, Oconee County officials kept the $ 126 Million Wastewater Plan quiet and out of public view.

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7-29-05 What is Real Status of Oconee Sewer Capacity?

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Does this mean that ‘out of town’ developers and wealthy developers, through their deep pocketbooks, are really directing the county’s growth? There are also indications that about one-half of the Utility Department Revenue is going for debt service.   Where are the funds to pay for the new additions and operations?  Sewer service is a "loss leader" in the local utility business.

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9-2-05 Is There a Housing Bubble in Oconee County, Georgia and the United States?

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For the last several years, I have observed “row houses”, on small lots, along GA 316 in Gwinnett and Barrow Counties. Oconee did not have much of that until sewer service and MPDs came to the county.Now they are springing up in many places, some rural “boondocks” in my lifetime.

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12-14-01 Oconee Sewer & Oconee SPLOST History

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Priorities can change but voters remember and expect road improvements (in progress for years) and water/sewer service projects that will promote fire protection and economic development.

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11-29-01 - SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF WATKINSVILLE & OCONEE COUNTY

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In my last weeks as Oconee Commission Chair, we were sued over the policy of denying residential development connection to a limited sewer capacity system.The County won the law suit.

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12-21-01 - ORAL HISTORY OF OCONEE/WATKINSVILLE SEWER SYSTEM

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http://www.avoc.info/files/SewerHistory.pdf

LETTER TO OCONEE COUNTY LIBRARIAN IN EARLY 2001

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In December 2000 I testified in the Court case that was filed against the City of Watkinsville and Oconee County for sewer service for a residential development by Paul Maynard et al.

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I was the City Attorney in the mid-eighties when Watkinsville was developing its sewer system.I was the County Commission Chairman when the system was transferred to the County in the early 90’s.

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My testimony set forth a lot of information about the origin and development of the sewer system and policies for Watkinsville and Oconee County. It also dealt with its role in economic development and expansion of the revenue base of the City and County.

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The City Attorney, Robert J. Huff, who heard the testimony, commented on the historical "institutional memory" of it.I decided to get it copied and bound from the Court Reporter’s transcription of the proceedings. I am enclosing two bound copies for filing in the library stacks as a historic reference and one copy for the Bogart library. I am also giving a copy to the City Clerk.