---
date: 1997-03-20
title: March 20, 1997 Minutes
source: 1997-03/1997-03-20_March 20, 1997_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

March 20, 1997

EXECUTIVE SESSION

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
HENRY COUNTY,GEORGIA MARCH 20, 1997

EXECUTIVE SESSION

G. W. Evans made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition seconded by W. A.
Gardner, passed unanimously.

Bill White, engineer with Stevenson & Palmer, was present to give Council an update of the well drilling for
ground water with HydroSource. Jim Vernon with HydroSource submitted a report on February 7, 1997 to
Bill White and a proposal for addition work for this project. When this project first started, a cost
comparison was done comparing cost of developing a groundwater system compared to purchasing water
from Henry County. At that time, it looked very favorable to have your own water system. There was a lot
of assumptions made in March of 1995, namely, how much was the cost and how much water would be
generated. The City has been in the program 18 months with some success and some disappointments.
Mr. White asked that we determine how much the project has cost the City at this point, versus how much
water we anticipate receiving and take another look at the cost comparison.

On February 14, 1997, Mr. White wrote HydroSource, asking questions about their next scope of work. He
suggested we revise our estimates now that we have more information. Is it still cost effective to continue
with exploration of groundwater project compared to buying from Henry County?

Mr. White introduced Jim Vernon from HydroSource, who gave an oral report on the status of the
groundwater project.

Mr. Vernon stated that the City now has within reach a groundwater supply capable of producing 300,000
to 500,000 gallon per day at the High School site (Zone X), with additional potential in Favorable Zones L
(350,000 gpd or more) and H (240,000 gpd or more). Also, their initial study identified a large number of
favorable zones, some of which can be tested and developed to produce potentially significant additional
water supplies.

The total cost for the groundwater project to-date has been about $350,000, not including road building. Of
this total, about $105,000 has gone toward the work in Zone X. The remainder of the funds have been
expended in Zone H, Zone L and other sites, some of which can be developed in the future for
groundwater. The City’s cost to-date for Zone X have been moderate, with significant investment in other
sites.

The large amount of water available from Well “c” (in Zone L) will be usable if this water is blended with
other water so that radium and all other regulated parameters from the total blend are within acceptable
limits. At Bill White’s suggestion, we have added the task of pumping Well “c”. Mayor Kelley asked if this
well could be blended with County water? Mr. Vernon replies that it could be done but it would be more
expensive. The ideal situation is to blend all of the well water together, have that coming in one pipe, and
have that be good quality. Blending with the County is also another option. All wells can be combined and
then blended with County water.

With the assistance of Mr. White, we estimate the remaining costs required to put a well field at Z X
(300,000 to 500,000 gallons per day) on line. Our current proposal completes the hydrogeologic work
required at Zone X. Engineering and construction costs have been estimated by Mr. White. Construction
of new storage facilities, not anticipated in our March, 1995 calculations, are now included. We understand
that the City may obtain an existing storage tank, thereby reducing its costs below those presented.

We have available graphs showing the relative costs for various groundwater options as compared to
purchasing surface water from Henry County. These cost comparisons are based on a current Henry
County purchase price of $1.68 per 1000 gallons, with planned 5% rate increases over each of the next five
years. After that, Henry County water rates are unknown, but we assume a 3% per year inflationary
increase. If additional sites are developed, total cost goes up, but the cost per gallon of water goes down.
For seven of the eight options illustrated in the graphs, cumulative groundwater savings over a 20 year
cycle range from $850,000 to $7.1 million. For any of the options, the City gains local control of part of its
water supply and makes infrastructure (storage) improvements. Mr. White sent a description of various
options along with a map. Mayor Kelley stated that when we started this project, the City was paying $1.60
per thousand gallons and the proposed savings would be somewhere around $.75 per thouand. Mr.
Vernon stated that the outlook is not as good as the original figures.

The yields determined to date are for test wells. It is our experience that once test wells are reamed to
production wells and developed and/or hydrofractured, the yields can increase, which improves the
economics substantially. For one million gallons per day, we think now we are looking at $1.19 per
thousand gallons. Mayor Kelley stated that originally we were not looking at storage tanks. Mr. Vernon
stated that storage tanks were not in their original figures. Bill White stated that storage tanks were
included in his figures in January, 1996 when Stevenson & Palmer applied for the GEFA loan. The storage
tanks are needed in this project to make the system work and be independent.

Mayor Kelley asked the amount of water per day being used by the City? Ted Strickland stated
approximate 600,000 gallons per day. Mayor Kelley suggested the City develop well “c”, then when it was
on line, then add the other sites at a later date. Mr. Vernon advised that sites be developed in increments.
Mayor Kelley further stated that he would like to see Site L retested because it would yield 350,000 gallons
per day versus the other three sites yielding the same amount. This would be more cost saving.

Presented was a summary of the revised proposal for new work, including pumping and sampling Well “c”.
They have simplified the budget presentation and removed some of the options, providing their best
recommendation. Also included are specific responses to each of Mr. White’s questions. Mr. Vernon
stated that he hopes this information will assist the Council in making a decision.

Mr. Vernon presented a Revised Proposal showing cost of $144,720 to develop Zone X and finish their
work. They would like to retest Well “c” for an estimated cost of $3,400.

Bill White advised Council that the current plans call for a 300,000 gallon storage tank and possibly a
500,000 storage tank later. He recommends 12 watermains for the entire project. The report includes the
cost to tie into Henry County meters, bringing the existing 300,000 ground storage tank on line with a
booster pump. The cost for booster pump is $75,000 and is included in the $1,400,000 cost of the first
phase of this project.

Mayor Kelley asked the current interest rate for the project. Mr. White responded that SRF has
implemented the loan program and the current rate is 4%. He noted that SRF would not fund the water
mains but it might fund a storage tank.

To ream and hydorfracture the three existing well sites would increase the amount of water from 300,000
gallons per day to possibly 400,000 per day. Hydrofracturing is a method of injecting high pressure water
in a select place in the well to open up new fractures in the rock. Mr. Vernon pointed out that like
everything else under the ground, it’s not guaranteed.

Mr. Strickland mentioned the possibility of a fourth well on site Zone X and what would be the additional
cost? Mr. Vernon stated to put in a fourth well, to drill, hydrofracturing, pumping test, write report for state
approval, lab test would be another $53,000. This was included in the new proposal because he would
rather concentrate on the three wells that have been recommended because it is more efficient to pump
water out of three wells than four. But there is enough open territory and geologically there is a good
chance that fourth well could be sited. The wells should be eight inches because to get more water and be
more efficient by installing a larger pump.

Councilman Evans stated that the wells are cased and the rock quarry blast about three times a week what
is the possibility of a blast effecting the wells? The quarry is south of town and the well sites are a good
distance away from the quarry and should not effect the wells. Bill White said the casing would not sink the
well but the vibration could cause damage to the casing and pumps.

Mayor Kelley recommended to the Council that the City go ahead with the project and appropriate
$144,720 and get sites X and L ready to go. Hopefully the testing of Well “c” will improve we would be in
good shape between the two locations.

Bill White recommends the City proceed with land acquisition for the recommended sites. Each well would
require a five hundred foot circle with the well located in the middle. This would involve about four to four
and one half acres.

Mayor Kelley questioned if we pump 400,000 gallons per day from the wells and if we borrow $1,400,000
and we continue to sell water at the same rate today what will the savings be per thousand gallons? Mr.
White responded that with all cost factors such as elevated water tank, automatic controls to the meter
connections to Henry County, all that is common to all options. The figures show the City would breakeven
with 300,000 gallons per day and 400,000 the City would save a small amount. The more gallons
produced, the more saved.

Councilman Gardner asked if we can’t get better water from well “c” what would be the cost to purification?
Mr. Vernon noted that there are technologies to treat radium but he does not have the figures available
today. Councilman Gardner asked if it can be done with chemicals? Mr. Vernon replied that it be done by
technology called reserve osmosis which basically, you are drawing the water though a filter and you have
the two drop method. One takes electricity, so there is an energy cost and the other is you have a by-
product that you have to deal with. Some places you can put the by-product into the municipal sewer
system. If not allowed, you have the cost of disposal. These methods can get into a lot of money. Mr.
Vernon said the City is in a situation where he feels we do not have to do this procedure to get water.
Blending the water is the best option. Bill White responded that it can be treated but it is not an option in
which the City wants to get involved. The water can be treated for sulfats but not radium. You cannot add
chemicals and take radioactivity out of the water. The test results from well “c” will determine how much
water from this well can be blended. The higher count for radium and sulfate, the lower amount of water to
be blended.

Ted Strickland stated that Joe Upchurch has asked the status of the well site located on his property? Mr.
Upchurch would like to sell this property. Mr. Vernon said this is a borderline site and we are not ready to
give up on this site, just yet. It will be four or five months before a decision can be made on this site.

Mayor Kelley recommended going ahead with this project. G. W. Evans made a motion to adopt Revised
Proposal, March 5, 1997 in the amount of $144,720 seconded by Harold Cochran motion carried.

Additional discussion followed. Mayor Kelley noted that once we are one hundred percent sure of the facts
and figures, then land acquisition can begin.

Ted Strickland told Mr. Vernon to instruct Metro Well Drilling Company not to discuss these wells with
anyone except City personnel. The more favorable a well site, the more difficult the negotiations for land
acquisition. Bill White pointed out that more engineering is required to determine the amount of property
needed for the well sites and right-of-way easements. When this information is available, A. J. Welch, Jr.,
City Attorney, will be contacted to prepare legal documents. Mayor Kelley said that the City plans to pay
the fair market value for land acquisition and no more. The property owners have already given permission
to let us drill the well and have basically said if the wells are good, we will let you have the property.

Ted Strickland asked Mr. Vernon if the proposal included reaming and hydrofracturing of well “c” Mr.
Vernon responded that Revised Proposal only included pumping and sampling for well “c” and if they
determine this well can be blended, they will come back with a another proposal based on test results. This
is a key piece of information and will be done as soon as possible.

Bill White brought up getting serious about a location for the water tank. Mayor Kelley advises finding a
location as soon as possible. Mr. White advised that public hearings would have to be held regarding
placing a water tank in a residential area, anticipating public disagreement.

W. A Gardner made a motion to close Executive Session, seconded by Ronnie Simmons, passed
unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Merle Manders R. G. Kelley
City Clerk Mayor

SPECIAL MEETING

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA MARCH 20, 1997

A Special Meeting of the City Council was held March 20, 1997 5:00 P. M.. Mayor Kelley presided and
members Harold Cochran, G. W. Evans, W. A. Gardner, F. J. Hunter and Ronnie Simmons were present.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition, seconded by Ronnie
Simmons, passed unanimously.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to reconvene, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

G. W. Evans, made a motion to resume negotiations for the City to acquire certain pieces of property,
seconded by Harold Cochran, passed unanimously.

F. J. Hunter made a motion to adjourn, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned
at 6: 30 P. M.

Respectfully submitted,

Merle Manders R. G. Kelley
City Clerk Mayor
