2004-08-02 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 3
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 2, 2004 PAGE 85
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular
Session on Monday, August 2, 2004, at 9:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24
North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Chairman William A. Caster; District Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; District
Commissioner Julia Boseman; District Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; District Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County
Attorney, Wanda Copley; and Clerk to the District Board, Sheila L. Schult.
District Chairman Caster called the meeting to order.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
District Chairman Caster announced that time had been reserved for anyone from the public to present an item
that was not listed on the Regular Agenda. He requested all persons to limit their remarks to three minutes.
William Gill, a resident of Churchill Estates spoke on connection delays to the County sewer system and that
his septic system has been down for over a year. He explained he is faced with the decision of spending $2,000 to hook
up to the County sewer system or $4,000 to fix his septic system. He asked the County for help in obtaining a rough-in
inspection permit which would allow him to cover up a trench he dug and for a firm date on when the County sewer
system will be available for hook-up.
District Chairman Caster directed County Engineer Greg Thompson to contact Mr. Gill and work with him to
get these issues resolved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
District Chairman Caster called for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on July 12,
2004, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board.
otion:
M District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Greer, to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting held on July 12, 2004, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSIDERATION OF ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF ELEVATED WATER TOWER
County Engineer Greg Thompson reported that New Hanover County has an identified need to construct an
elevated water tower in the northern part of the County in order to address flow and pressure issues. Based on current
market conditions, the cost of a new 500,000-gallon water tank is approximately $1,000,000. County staff has explored
other opportunities in an effort to reduce the cost of the project.
The City of Sanford has two 500,000 gallon elevated water towers that will be eliminated from their system
due to the tanks being incompatible with their operational requirement. The tanks appear to be in good shape.
Preliminary discussions with the City of Sanford Engineer indicate a possibility that the County could acquire the tanks
at no cost with the understanding that the County would be responsible for the dismantling and removal of the tanks.
The estimated cost to relocate a water tower of this size would be less than $500,000. The County could relocate and
place into service one or both of the tanks for possibly half the cost of new construction.
Staff requested authorization to formally acquire both tanks and to seek bids for the relocation and erection of
the tanks. The bid results would be presented to the Commissioners at a later meeting for approval.
Motion:
District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to authorize staff
to formally acquire both tanks and seek bids for the relocation and erection of the tanks. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 3
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 2, 2004 PAGE 86
CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC DEDICATION OF FURTADO DRIVE - SWEET WATER SUBDIVISION
County Engineer Greg Thompson reported that the development of property adjoining the Sweet Water
Subdivision on Porters Neck Road has facilitated the extension of the County's sewer system. The extension will allow
the activation of the dry sewer within the Kirkland Estates Subdivision as well as serve the properties to be developed.
In order to expand the system, it will be necessary to cross a portion of the Furtado Drive right-of-way. Furtado Drive
is not a state maintained road and the 45' right-of-way easement is platted and offered for public acceptance. Staff
recommends the Board accept the right-of-ways for sewer purposes and authorize the District Chairman to execute the
document of acceptance.
Motion:
District Vice-Chairman Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to adopt the
resolution accepting for sewer and/or water utility purposes the offer of dedication of those subdivision streets and
easements of Furtado Drive. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in the Water and Sewer
Exhibit Book III, Page 5.1.
CONSIDERATION OF WELL FIELD/WATER TREATMENT FACILITY AND ASSOCIATED BUDGET
AMENDMENT
County Engineer Greg Thompson reported that currently staff is in the process of design and permitting for the
County's new Water Treatment Facility. The project will provide high quality drinking water for the County's water
system. As part of the design process, there is a requirement that a well-site investigation be done as well as the testing
of water source aquifers that will be used to supply the facility. The data gathered will provide needed information so
that treatment systems can be designed and well locations can be determined.
The County's Engineering Firm, W. K. Dickson, has provided a proposal of $16,500 to perform a pumping
stress test of the Pee Dee Aquifer. It is anticipated that an additional investigation and testing will be required as the
project progresses. Additional funds of up to $80,000 may be required for additional design, investigation, and testing.
Staff recommends that the Board approve the proposal to perform a testing of the Pee Dee Aquifer as proposed
by W. K. Dickson in the amount of $16,500 and a contingency of $80,000 be established within the project budget to
cover associated cost for design, investigation, and testing.
Budget Amendment #: 2005-03 - Well Field Water/Sewer Operating
AdjustmentDebitCredit
Well Field:
Transfer in from Fund 800$96,500
Extended Project Expense$96,500
Water/Sewer Operating:
Appropriate Fund Balance$96,500
Transfer to Capital Project$96,500
Explanation: To budget transfer in from Fund 800 for stress test of the Pee Dee Aquifer, plus a contingency
of $80,000 for associated costs for design, investigation and testing.
Motion:
District Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Greer, to authorize the testing of
the Pee Dee Aquifer as proposed by W. K. Dickson in the amount of $16,500 and approve the associated budget
amendment in the amount of $96,500 which includes a contingency of $80,000 to be established within the project
budget to cover the associated cost for design, investigation, and testing. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 3
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 2, 2004 PAGE 87
CONSIDERATION OF WATER SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT ORDINANCE AND ASSOCIATED
BUDGET AMENDMENT
County Engineer Greg Thompson reported that in an effort to resolve water pressure and flow issues within the
County's existing water distribution system, proposed system enhancements have been developed. These enhancements
involve the installation of new waterlines in key areas in the County. Currently, the County is completing the first of
these improvements with the construction of a new twelve-inch waterline along North College Road and system
improvements in the Green View Ranches area. The next phase of these improvements involves the construction of a
16 inch waterline along Gordon Road, connection of the fire loop at the County's Jail facility to the water system in the
Creekstone subdivision and connection of the planned Water Treatment Facility in the northern part of the County to
the previous enhancement projects.
The following is an estimate of cost for the next phase of work to be performed:
Survey$15,000
Easements$90,000
Permits$ 5,000
Testing $20,000
Administrative Cost $ 5,000
Contingency$15,000
Construction - $1,264,505 to $1,428,891
Total - (not including construction) $150,000
Project costs will be reduced approximately $200,000 by performing design, construction administration and
inspection in-house. The New Hanover County Engineering Department will perform these tasks and some of the
engineering design work required for the project. The three phases of the project represent approximately 3.77 miles
of new water line at an estimated construction cost of $1.26 to $1.43 million dollars. It is the intention of staff to request
funding for construction after bids are received. Currently, the project schedule requires the acquisition of easements,
survey work, and permits so that final design documents can be prepared for bidding. Staff recommends that the
Commissioners approve the Capital Project for the remaining enhancements and approve the associated budget
amendment for $150,000.
Budget Amendment #: 2005-04 - Water System Enhancements
Adjustment Debit Credit
Water System Enhancements:
Transfer in from Fund 800$150,000
Extended Project Expense$150,000
Water/Sewer Operating:
Appropriate Fund Balance$150,000
Transfer to Capital Project$150,000
Explanation: To budget transfer in from Fund 800 to Fund 872 for Water System Enhancements.
Motion:
District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to adopt the
Capital Project Ordinance water system enhancements and approve the associated budget amendment for $150,000.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the Capital Project Ordinance is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in the
Water and Sewer Exhibit Book III, Page 5.2.
District Chairman Caster requested County Engineer Thompson to bring a comprehensive water treatment plan
update to the Board at their August 16, 2004 meeting.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 3
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 2, 2004 PAGE 88
ADJOURNMENT
District Chairman Caster called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion:
District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Greer, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
District Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 9: 45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the District Board