SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
April 8, 2002
7:00pm
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Councilman Waller leading in prayer.
Mayor Rozier explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the latest proposal from the City of Savannah regarding the use of a portion of their ground water permit by Bloomingdale. The current proposal would allow the City of Bloomingdale to use up to 100,000 gpd of Savannah’s ground water permit at a cost of $.65 per 1,000 gallons with no tap-in fees for areas in Bloomingdale already served by the City’s water system. The proposal requires that Bloomingdale tap onto Pooler’s line within the next twelve months to maintain the 100,000 gpd usage from Savannah’s ground water permit although their representatives indicated an extension of this twelve month period was negotiable. After the tap onto Pooler’s line, Bloomingdale would be required to pay $1.30 per 1,000 gallons with tap-in fees of $1415 to new service areas; however, the 100,000 gpd would remain in tact at the lesser cost. In additional to Savannah’s costs, Bloomingdale would be required to pay Pooler a fee for use of their lines to transport the water from Savannah to Bloomingdale. It was noted that the water obtained from Pooler’s lines would be from Savannah’s I & D plant, not from ground water.
Council discussed this matter at length. The Mayor pointed out that the City of Richmond Hill should know something this week regarding their request to draw water from the lower Floridian aquifer and if it was approved, there may be a possibility that Bloomingdale could make this same type application. Councilman Wedincamp presented information regarding the possibility of using the Miocene aquifer as a water source. Other water source options were also discussed including use of treated water from the river should Bloomingdale’s annexation be approved.
After reviewing the pros and cons of Savannah’s offer and considering the possibility that another alternative water source could surface in the next few months, the Mayor proposed we ask the City of Savannah to leave their proposal on the table for up to 12 months. Mayor Rozier stated that he felt the City of Savannah would be agreeable to this proposal since Representative Ron Stephens had indicated that he would not sign off on Savannah’s annexation plans unless Bloomingdale received some relief on their water shortage problem. Council agreed that this would allow Representative Stephens to sign the City of Savannah’s annexation bill because Bloomingdale would have the option to accept Savannah’s offer within the next twelve months if other water sources were not obtained. Councilman Myrick made a motion to authorize Mayor Rozier to present the request to the City of Savannah to leave their current proposal on the table for Bloomingdale for up to twelve months and to obtain this agreement in writing. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Councilmen Johnson, Myrick, Ray, Waller and Wedincamp. Councilman Tyler voted against the motion. Councilman Tyler stated that he did not feel we should make any deals with the City of Savannah.
Assuming the City of Savannah approves Bloomingdale’s proposal, Mayor Rozier asked that Attorney Gerard review the written agreement to make sure it complies with council’s understanding of the terms of their proposal.
Being no further business, Councilman Johnson made a motion to adjourn at 8:00pm. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT