2007-03-08 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT MEETING, MARCH 8, 2007
BOOK 31
PAGE 50
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Joint Meeting with the Wilmington City
Council, the Local Legislative Delegation and the Town of Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman on Thursday,
March 8,2007, at 4:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman William A. Caster; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner
William A. Kopp, Jf.; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager Bruce T. Shell; County Attorney Wanda
M. Copley and Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schult.
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr. arrived at 4: 10 p.m.
Others present were: Senator Julia Boseman; Representative Carolyn Justice; Representative Danny
McComas; City of Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo; City of Wilmington Mayor Pro Tem Jim Quinn; City of
Wilmington Council Member Pat Delair; City of Wilmington Council Member Laura Padgett; City of Wilmington
Council Member Earl Sheridan; Town of Wrightsville Beach Mayor Robert O'Quinn; Town of Wrightsville Beach
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Miastowski; Town of Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman Kitty Brunjes; Town of
Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman David Cignotti; Town of Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman Steve
Whalen; North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary Robin Smith;
Surface Water Protection Supervisor Wilmington Regional Office Ed Beck and Facilitator Andy Atkinson.
Chairman Caster, City of Wilmington Mayor Saffo and Town of Wrightsville Beach Mayor O'Quinn called
their respective Boards to order, welcomed those present and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to hold a
waste water system discussion with the Local Legislative Delegation.
REPORTS ON ACTIONS TAKEN TO DATE, STUDIES AND SCHEDULES
City of Wilmington Mayor Saffo presented an overview of actions taken to date reporting that in August
2006, the City of Wilmington completed a year-long review of the Northeast Interceptor at a cost of $483,000. The
review evaluated the capacity, condition and reliability of the Northeast Interceptor and recommended
improvements to the system that will provide adequate future capacity and ensure a high level of reliability.
Immediate repairs were made to areas found to be at most risk.
Mayor Saffo continued reporting that repair efforts continue to rehabilitate more than 2,000 feet of sewer
pipe along Greeneville Loop Road with the project estimated to be completed within the next six months. Also, the
route has been finalized to relocate more than 7,000 feet of sewer pipe out of Hewlett's Creek to provide a back up
for the entire nine mile Northeast Interceptor force main. The pipe will run from the pump station north on Pine
Grove Drive through the City Golf Course property and will require few, if any, property easements allowing the
work to be expedited as quickly as possible.
Chairman Caster presented an overview of on-going projects that the County is currently involved in,
reporting on the following projects:
. Infiltration and Inflow Investigation Program.
. Rehabilitation of Bradley Creek Sewer System.
. Design process for the reconfiguration of the junction box at the Bradley Creek Pump Station.
In closing, Chairman Caster stated that the City of Wilmington, Town of Wrightsville Beach and New
Hanover County continue to work closely on these and other projects.
Town of Wrightsville Beach Mayor O'Quinn presented an overview of the actions taken by Wrightsville
Beach related to the Northeast Interceptor reporting that:
. Contributions of the Northeast Interceptor #1 for maintenance and enhancements FY 06-07 in the
amount of $1,152,350.
. Contributions to the Northeast Interceptor #2 for emergency repairs and maintenance in FY 06-07
in the amount of $835,700
. To date, funding in the amount of $2.5 million has been committed for FY 06-07.
PRESENTATION BY MCKIM & CREED
Tony Boahn, representative of McKim and Creed, presented an overview of the results of the Northeast
Interceptor Capacity and Flow Management Study. The study recommends that the Northeast Interceptor system
improvements currently under consideration be modified to direct wastewater flow from Pump Station 35 (Bradley
Creek) to the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. This modification will provide the following primary benefits:
. Reduce wastewater loading to the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
. Balance inflow to both the Southside and Northside Wastewater Treatment Plants.
. Retain the long-term ability of either facility to be expanded.
. Provide the same or increased level of "event" management.
In conclusion, Mr. Boahn reported that redirecting some of the flow from the Northeast Interceptor sewer
line to the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant will relieve pressure on the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT MEETING, MARCH 8, 2007
BOOK 31
PAGE 51
and delay the need for an expansion within the next few years. The timeline for completion of the new plant will be
2009, coinciding with the completed expansion of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
PRESENTATION BY KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES
Chris Ford, representative of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., presented an overview of the Northeast
Interceptor Improvements study reporting that there are four phases of capital improvements recommended:
. Deficiency Identification and Repair Program Improvements at a projected cost of $1.86 million to
rehabilitate 2,000 linear feet of 20" force main; replace all air release valves; replace/repair air
release valve vaults; rehabilitate/replace 450 linear feet of 20" gravity sewer and replace junction
manholes at Pump Stations 34 and 35.
. Interim Improvements at a projected cost of $8.7 million for Pump Stations 34 and 35
improvements; interim pump station capacity improvements; 24" force main relocations; odor and
corrosion control system modifications; Pump Station 34 generator and infiltration and inflow
reduction program.
. Expansion Improvements at a projected cost of $20.2 - $27.7 million for a new 24"/30" force
main; the Bradley Creek Pump Station expansion; Hewlett's Creek Pump Station improvements
and New Hanover County Westwood Pump Station improvements.
. Rehabilitation Improvements at a projected cost of $2.1 million to replace remaining air release
valve vaults and rehabilitate/replace 4,800 linear feet of 20" force main.
In closing, Mr. Ford reported that the projected Northeast Interceptor System recommended capital
improvements program will run from FY 06-10 at an estimated cost of $41.8 million.
STEPS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO REDUCE NORTHEAST INTERCEPTOR FLOW
City of Wilmington Mayor Saffo reported the following recommendations are being considered to reduce
Northeast Interceptor flow:
. Immediately divert a reasonable amount of flow (up to 250,000 gallons) per day of Porters Neck
area sewer flow from the Northeast Interceptor to the Northside Waste Wastewater Treatment
Plant. Divert additional flow after the Special Order of Consent and interim plant capacity
increase are in place late 2007.
. Enter into contractual negotiations with the State of North Carolina immediately, committing to
the Northeast Interceptor improvements and request compliance flexibility until they are
completed.
. Give engineering consultants notice to proceed with initiative to increase interim Northside
Wastewater Treatment Plant capacity in 2007 instead of 2008.
. City and County to immediately initiate a sewer insert program for all manholes in the Northeast
Interceptor area and the basin served by the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce
rainwater inflow. Then, strategically and appropriately expand this program system-wide.
. City and County to fund system investigation and repair program as identified in the Northeast
Interceptor area and expand program system-wide to reduce storm water and ground water flows
into the sewer system.
Chairman Caster continued reporting on the following recommendations being considered:
. Residential building permits in the Northeast Interceptor area would continue to be issued.
. Commercial building permits in the Northeast Interceptor area would be limited to "low flow"
projects, i.e. less than 500 gallons per day, until plant capacity is increased.
. City and County to stop authorizing developer prepared applications for State permitted sewer
system extensions in the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant area until plant capacity is
increased.
. Continue and expand water use conservation program for City and County customers to reduce
sewer flows.
. Continue with the capacity planning, allocation and management process for the system.
WASTEWATER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
City of Wilmington Public Utilities Project Manager Frank Styers presented an overview of the sanitary
response plan that is currently in place which includes increased inspection of the Northeast Interceptor corridor,
public education and awareness, enhanced emergency response plan and the implementation of a low-flow alarm
that is in operation on all three of the City of Wilmington's main interceptors.
CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS AND IMPACTS
Chairman Caster presented an overview of the water and sewer consolidation efforts that have taken place
to date reporting that New Hanover County will be appointing the County's three appointees to the Cape Fear Public
Utility Authority and the Commissioners' appointee at the Board's March 12, 2007 meeting. A ninth member will
be appointed jointly by the City and County with the consolidated system projected to be online early 2008. In the
future, storm water issues may also be addressed by the Authority.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT MEETING, MARCH 8, 2007
BOOK 31
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Mayor Saffo reported that currently there are three municipalities dumping into a nine mile line; the
consolidation of the water and sewer systems will result in a much more efficient system. The Town ofWrightsville
Beach has been included in the consolidation meetings for their consideration of joining the Authority in the future.
ASSISTANCE REQUESTED FOR STATE STAFF AND LOCAL LEGISLATORS
Mayor Saffo presented the following requests for assistance from the State Legislators and State Staff:
. Assistance in timing, review and approval of permits.
. Legislative authority to expedite the property acquisition process.
. Financial support.
DISCUSSION
Facilitator Andy Atkinson led the group in a question and answer period with City of Wilmington and New
Hanover County staff and engineers.
In closing, Senator Boseman, Representative Justice and Representative McComas thanked the elected
boards of the City of Wilmington, Town of Wrightsville Beach and New Hanover County for the presentations and
information stating that it has given them a clear understanding of water and sewer system priorities and timelines
and offered their assistance as appropriate.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Caster, City of Wilmington Mayor Saffo and Town of
Wrightsville Beach Mayor O'Quinn adjourned their respective Boards at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board