February 2024

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District
Meeting of Board of Trustees
Minutes of February 19, 2024
 
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M. by Gordon Maybury, Chair. In attendance: Larry Hopkins, Vice-chair; Lauren Edgerton, Secretary; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative. Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jim McAlister, Town of Woodfin Mayor; Sarah Gassaway, former Board of Trustees Chair.
 
Presentation of Plaque
Sarah Gassaway was presented with a plaque for appreciation and recognition of her fourteen-year term as a member of the District Board of Trustees as well as eight years as Board Chair.  
 
Approval of the Agenda
Agenda approved by unanimous consensus.
 
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Hopkins to approve amended January 2024 meeting and work session minutes, Edgerton seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
 
MSD Report
Ms. Bryson reported: MSD is continuing testing for COVID in wastewater; the plant heat exchanger will be replaced in 2025; MSD has expanded its regional training opportunities.
 
Public Comment
No public comment.
 
District Reports
No action taken.
 
Director’s Report

All positions have been filled save for one Distribution system technician position.
The Board of Trustees conducted interviews for the position of Executive Director on Friday, February 16th and Monday, February 19th.

 
Old Business
No old business.
 
New Business
Maybury proposed sponsoring a table at the Woodfin 5K street race on April 26th. Motion by Hopkins to authorize $300 towards the purchase of giveaway items for the table, Edgerton seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
 
Call of Board Members
Maybury suggested a survey or other communication to better determine if the Board is meeting the public’s needs for availability & transparency. Staff will create a website with survey after conferring with Board members. Hopkins inquired about adding verbiage to District regulations regarding project approval. Staff will present changes to existing regulations at a future meeting. Hopkins inquired about the status and process of determining working fire hydrants; Director explained process in years past. Fire chiefs from the various fire departments will be invited to future meetings. Edgerton inquired about the history of grants at the District. Director reported that radio read meter pilot system had been paused in light of the resignation of the previous Director.
 
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.
 

January 2024

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District
Meeting of Board of Trustees
Minutes of January 16, 2024
 
The meeting was called to order at 5:02 P.M. by Gordon Maybury, Chair. In attendance: Larry Hopkins, Vice-chair; Lauren Edgerton, Secretary; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative. Joseph Martin, Executive Director attended the meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams due to weather conditions.
 
Approval of the Agenda
Agenda approved by unanimous consensus.
 
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Edgerton to approve amended December 2023 minutes, Hopkins seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
 
MSD Report
Ms. Bryson reported: she will be sworn in on 1/17/24 for her next 3-year MSD term; the Board can tour the MSD treatment plant in the spring.
 
Public Comment
No public comment.
 
District Reports
Motion by Hopkins to lift voluntary conservation restrictions, Edgerton seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
 
Director’s Report

The Distribution Tech position and Treatment Plant operator positions have been filled. There is only one remaining vacancy at this time.
The District’s reservoir at the Treatment plant is full and overflowing.
A copy of proposed adjustments to the City of Asheville’s wholesale water sales rates was provided to the Board. Increases over the next 5 years range from 7.5% to over 30%.
The District now has live-streaming of Board meetings available through Instagram.
A separate packet containing resumes received for the position of Executive Director was provided to each Trustee.
Director will be out of town on a pre-planned vacation for several weeks but will be available to the Board as necessary and will continue to operate the District remotely during that time.

 
Old Business
Maybury announced to the Board that the project in the Robin Hood Road area will not occur as the surrounding property owners have purchased the property.
 
New Business
No new business.
 
Call of Board Members
Motion by Hopkins to create a mechanism for approval of future projects requiring some type of coordination with affected municipalities, Edgerton seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Director will present adjustment language to District regulations at the next Board meeting. Maybury requested a more detailed summary of leaks and breaks for future meetings. Director will demonstrate GIS capabilities and offer options at a future meeting.
 
Executive Session
Motion by Edgerton at 6:05 to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel, Hopkins seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Board exited Executive Session at 6:21 P.M, no action taken. At conclusion of Executive Session, motion by Hopkins to have a Board work session on 1/30/24 at 1 PM to review resumes and applications for the position of Executive Director, Edgerton seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
 
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 6:21 PM.