Meeting Info

The Board of Trustees meet the 3rd Monday of each month at 1:00 PM at District offices, unless otherwise announced.

Minutes of the last twelve Board of Trustee meetings are available by viewing the drop-down menus below. Minutes are posted after being approved by the Board of Trustees. Older versions of meeting minutes are maintained at the District's main administration office.

Minutes

January 2023 - Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of January 17th, 2023

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:08 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Brian Goldstein, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative; Joe Martin, Previous Executive Director.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve December 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: there will be a meeting on January 20th at MSD

 

Public Comment

No Public comments

 

District Reports

Trustee Haynes gave official resignation from the board. Board Chair Gassaway presented outgoing Trustee Haynes a plaque for his years of service with the district.

 

Director’s Report

Mundy Cove main break. Large break that caused trouble filling the Baird Cove tank. Found on Monday January 2nd, and repaired on the 3rd.

Bank deposit lost on the way to the bank, accidently left on top of truck. $400 in cash, and three checks. Customers put stops on check and reissued to the district. District reimbursed customers cash payments.

Two Main breaks on Riverside Drive in front of MSD. MSD loaned us equipment and some workers to haul debris. City of Asheville located break and lent parts to repair on Friday January 6th at 3pm.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

No new business

 

Call of Board Members

The Board members individually and collectively thanked Don Haynes for his work with the District over the previous seven years. The board expressed their appreciation for Dr. Martin for helping onboarding of the new Executive Director Brian Goldstein.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:10 PM.

December 2022 - - Monday, December 12, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of December 12, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative; Brian Goldstein, incoming Executive Director.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve November 2022 minutes, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

FY 2022 Audit Presentation – Gould-Killian CPA

Dan Mullinix and Mason Leonard with Gould-Killian CPA group presented the District’s FY 2022 Audit. No action taken.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: there will be no meeting in December.

 

Public Comment

The Board welcomed Brian Goldstein, incoming Executive Director.

 

District Reports

Motion by Haynes to approve the 2023 Board Meeting Schedule, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Director’s Report

  1. The Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee position has been filled. Tyler Helm will start in the position January 4th, 2023. All staff positions other than the regular Water Treatment Plant Operator position have been filled.
  2. The state completed its annual inspection of the treatment plant and distribution system. A copy of the inspection letter is included under “Relevant Reading”.
  3. There may be an opportunity to work with the Town of Woodfin on a new Low Income Assistance Program.
  4. The annual employee/Board Christmas Lunch is scheduled for Monday, December 12th at 12 PM.
  5. As his last official Board Meeting before retirement, the Director thanked the Board and employees, past and present and the District’s customers for making his career with the District a memorable and enjoyable experience and expressed optimism for the incoming Director and the overall direction of the District.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-11 FY 2023 Budget Amendment – Motion by Gassaway to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

The Board members individually and collectively thanked Dr. Martin for his work with the District over the previous twenty years and expressed their appreciation for Brian Goldstein, the incoming Executive Director.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:38 PM.

November 2022 - Monday, November 21, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of November 21, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:05 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative; Jim McAlister, Town of Woodfin Commissioner; Peter Kent, citizen.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve October 2022 minutes, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: there will be no meeting in December.

 

Public Comment

Jim McAlister from the Town of Woodfin presented information regarding the Robin Hood project and the town council’s position on the project. Peter Kent appeared to learn more about the District.  

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. Reference, credit and background checks were completed on the District’s Executive Director hire and all came back positive.
  2. The remaining distribution tech position has been filled.
  3. Mark Hensley retired from the District. Sam Chattin has been named Distribution System Supervisor. Jeremy Fink will fill in as Assistant Supervisor until Sam returns from working at the treatment plant.
  4. There has been excellent response to the District’s Treatment Plant trainee position and it is anticipated there will be a hire before the end of the year.
  5. Gould-Killian should be prepared to present the budget at the December meeting.
  6. Due to unforeseen circumstances the banking RFP has been delayed and may need to be revisited after the new year begins.
  7. The annual Board/employee Christmas lunch is scheduled for Monday, December 12th at 12:00 PM.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-09 Employment Agreement – Motion by Gassaway to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

B.   

Resolution 2022-10 Contract for Services – Motion by Haynes to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:05 PM.

 

October 2022 - Monday, October 17, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of October 17, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:07 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Haynes to approve September 2022 minutes, Gassaway seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD’s regular meeting will take place on October 19th; MSD will accept bids on a replacement heat exchanger for its incinerator.

 

Public Comment

No public comment.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. Candidates for the Executive Director position are scheduled for interviews the week of Oct. 17-21st.
  2. One distribution field tech position has been filled. The water treatment plant operator and trainee positions have not been filled.
  3. Gould-Killian anticipates presenting the FY 2022 audit at the November 2022 board meeting.
  4. The District received a payout of approximately $26,000 for the truck damaged on the Old Home Road project.
  5. Requests for proposals for banking services will be sent out for consideration at the November board meeting.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-08 Contract for Services – Motion by Gassaway to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:25 PM.

 

September 2022 - Monday, September 19, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of September 19, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative; Judy Butler, Town of Woodfin.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Haynes to approve August 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD was the subject of a lawsuit regarding a traffic death.

 

Public Comment

Judy Butler, Town of Woodfin Commissioner, appeared to introduce herself and learn more about the operations of the District.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. Mark Hensley will return from worker’s comp leave in October and will retire early.
  2. Derek Flynn resigned his treatment plant operator’s position to take a position in the private sector.
  3. Several candidates were interviewed for an open distribution tech position.
  4. The District was removed from the Local Government Commission UAL after reviewing the cause to be the District’s auditor’s late performance.
  5. The truck damaged on a job site on Old Home Road has been totaled and will need replaced.
  6. A new advertising campaign identified several possible candidates for the Executive Director position.
  7. Director will be out of town at end of September.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-07 Surplus Property – Motion by Ballentine to approve, Gassaway seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

B.   

Position authorization FY 2023 – Motion by Gassaway to approve an additional water treatment plant operator position, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

C.   

Developer request – Robinhood development – Motion by Ballentine to approve, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 1:50 PM.

 

August 2022 - Monday, August 15, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of August 15, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative; Hazel Thornton, Town of Woodfin.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve July 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD received a presentation on future plant expansion; representatives from American River Association requested MSD consider removal of the French Broad River Dam; Ms. Bryson was re-elected as MSD Secretary/Treasurer.

 

Public Comment

Hazel Thornton, Town of Woodfin Commissioner, appeared to introduce herself and learn more about the operations of the District.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. The sale of the old Country Creek pump house property concluded on 8/10/22 for $62,000.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

No new business

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 1:40 PM.

 

July 2022 - Monday, July 18, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of July 18, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:05 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Haynes to approve June 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: a brief summary of MSD’s FY 2023 budget.

 

Public Comment

No public comment.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. The sale of the old Country Creek pump house property to Country Creek HOA will close in August.
  2. The Director will be on vacation from 7/20 – 7/29 but available for emergencies or other issues.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Consideration of developer request – First Victory – Motion by Ballentine to approve request subject to District requirements, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:10 PM.

 

June 2022 - Monday, June 20, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of June 20, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:10 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Ballentine to approve May 2022 minutes, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD passed their annual budget at their regular June meeting.

 

Public Comment

No public comment.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. One of the District’s trucks was destroyed when a trash truck became entangled in power lines at Old Home Road. The truck is being evaluated by insurance for possible repair or replacement.
  2. The Country Creek HOA voted to approve purchasing the old pump house property for $62,000.
  3. The Old Home Road connector project is complete and the connection with the City has been restored.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-04 FY 2023 Budget – A public hearing was declared open at 1:26 PM. No comments received, the hearing was closed at 1:27. Motion by Gassaway to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

B.   

Resolution 2022-06 FY 2022 Budget Amendment – Motion by Ballentine to approve, Gassaway seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 1:50 PM.

 

May 2022 - Monday, May 16, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of May 16, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:05 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve April 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD’s regular meeting will be on Wednesday, 5/18/22.

 

Public Comment

No public comment.

 

District Reports

Motion by Gassaway to approve a sale of the old Country Creek pump house property to the Country Creek HOA for a price of $62,000, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Director’s Report

  1. Inquiries were made to other audit firms for FY 2022’s audit beyond Gould-Killian but none were interested in submitting a proposal at this time.
  2. Kendall Merrill resigned his Distribution Tech position.
  3. Country Creek HOA has agreed to purchase the former pump house property at a price of $62,000 to create a park and open space for its members.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-04 FY 2023 Budget – First reading; no action taken.

B.   

Resolution 2022-05 Auditor Agreement – Motion by Haynes to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

Haynes notified the Board that due to health reasons he may need to resign his seat on the Board by the end of the year but would continue to serve at this time and would keep the Board apprised of any changes.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.

 

April 2022 - Monday, April 18, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of April 18, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Haynes to approve March 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD’s regular meeting will be on Wednesday, April 20th.

 

Public Comment

No public comment.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. The annual Consumer Confidence Report is complete.
  2. The Old Home Road connector project will begin imminently; Hyatt Pipeline will be constructing the project.
  3. Jeremy Fink was rehired for an open Distribution Tech position.
  4. Country Creek HOA has been contacted about possible purchase of the old pump house parcel at the entrance to their subdivision.
  5. The proposed FY 2023 budget will be presented at the regular May board meeting.
  6. The advertisement for the Executive Director position went live at the end of March. To date, 4 resumes and applications have been received.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-02 Budget Amendment – Motion by Ballentine to approve, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

B.   

Resolution 2022-03 Cell Phone Stipend Policy – Motion by Haynes to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Call of Board Members

Ballentine requested approval from the Board to purchase the old Merrimon Avenue pump house building for $3,500. The property was declared surplus several years earlier and attempts to sell it were unsuccessful. Motion by Haynes to accept the offer by Ballentine, Gassaway seconded, with Ballentine covering any costs related to the sale of the property. Motion carried 2-0 (Ballentine recused from voting due to conflict of interest).

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM.

 

March 2022 - Monday, March 21, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of March 21, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:01 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Don Haynes, Secretary; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative; two members of the public.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve February 2022 minutes, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD met on March 16th, nothing to report.

 

Public Comment

Jim McAlister introduced himself as a new member of the Town of Woodfin Council. Burt Ingle appeared requesting the Board waive the system reduction fee and minimum charges for his property, denied by consensus by the Board – no action taken.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. A letter to the Local Government Commission regarding the FY 2021 Audit is provided under “Relevant Reading”.
  2. The annual Local Water Supply Plan has been submitted to the State.
  3. The District is advertising for an open Distribution Tech position.
  4. The Country Creek Connector project is complete.
  5. The Old Home Road/Asheville connector project will be outsourced to Hyatt Pipeline at a cost of $76,000 due to need of imminent connection and lack of personnel. A budget amendment will be presented at the next meeting.
  6. A sample questionnaire for the Executive Director position is included under “Relevant Reading”.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

No new business.

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Executive Session

Motion by Gassaway to go into executive session to discuss personnel, Haynes seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Executive session ended at 2:18, no action taken.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:19 PM.

 

February 2022 - Monday, February 21, 2022

Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District

Meeting of Board of Trustees

Minutes of February 21, 2022

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:05 P.M. by Sarah Gassaway, Chair. In attendance: Ivo Ballentine, Vice-chair; Joseph Martin, Executive Director; Jackie Bryson, MSD Representative.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Agenda approved by consensus.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Gassaway to approve January 2022 minutes, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried 2-0 (Haynes absent).

 

MSD Report

Ms. Bryson reported: MSD’s February meeting has been cancelled; MSD has been selected to conduct COVID-19 research on wastewater.

 

Public Comment

No public comment.

 

District Reports

No action taken.

 

Director’s Report

  1. Two openings in the Distribution crew have been filled. Joey White and Kendall Merrill were hired as Distribution System Operators.
  2. Clayton Hensley will be retiring effective April 1, 2022.
  3. The FY 2021 audit will be presented at the District Board meeting.
  4. Staff will be conducting some night water outages for leak detection.
  5. Mark Hensley, Dist. System Supervisor, suffered an injury setback during his recovery and early retirement may be an option.
  6. The District’s annual system inspection by the state is contained in “Relevant Reading”.

 

Old Business

No old business.

 

New Business

A.   

Resolution 2022-01 Surplus Property – Motion by Gassaway to approve, Ballentine seconded. Motion carried 2-0 (Haynes absent).

B.   

Consideration of developer request, Valle Verde – Motion by Ballentine to approve, Gassaway seconded. Motion carried 2-0 (Haynes absent).

 

Call of Board Members

No concerns noted.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:25 PM.