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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-07 Water & Sewer NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 7, 2002 PAGE 691 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, January 7, 2002, at 5:46 P.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman Nancy H. Pritchett; District Commissioner Julia Boseman; District Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; District Commissioner William A. Caster; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the District Board, Lucie F. Harrell. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Greer 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 speaking to limit their remarks to three minutes. Mr. Mark Cope, representing the Kings Grant Concerned Citizens group, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak freely about water and sewer concerns in the Kings Grant area. He expressed appreciation to County Engineer Wyatt Blanchard for saying at the last meeting that sewer capacity in the Wastewater Treatment Plant was available for the Kings Grant area. He referenced a letter sent by Vice-Chairman Pritchett and read the following portion of the letter: In regard to sewer for Kings Grant, despite what you may have heard to the contrary, the 1984 bond issue was for sewer to be built in the following areas: The first stage is the area east of Wilmington, extending to the Intracoastal Waterway. The next stages were spread along the coastal areas providing sewer capabilities for all areas which drain into the sounds. The final stages will be built into areas draining into the Cape Fear River and Prince George’s Creek. If you will check a County map, you will find that this does not include the Kings Grant or any other inland areas. Mr. Cope stated that the information in the letter from Vice-Chairman Pritchett seemed to be unfounded. After looking at numerous maps, each map shows the effluent wastewater outflow of the Kings Grant area as the headwaters of Smith Creek and Spring Branch Creek which flow into the Cape Fear River. The point of entry where these headwaters flow into the creeks is located in the Cape Fear Tidal Basin. It also appears that everything stated in the letter from Vice-Chairman Pritchett is contrary to all advertising concerning the 1984 sewer bond issue. If Kings Grant is not a part of the 1984 bond referendum, why were the residents asked to vote. The residents would like for the County to produce documentation that specifically shows that this area was not included in the bond issue. He also asked what had been done with the bond money to provide sewer to the Kings Grant area. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 7, 2002 PAGE 692 In concluding his comments, Mr. Cope advised that the District Board committed to installing the sewer system in Kings Grant area on October 16, 2000, and he asked why this project had not been started. Chairman Greer informed Mr. Cope that he was confused as to why he and the residents of Kings Grant continue to appear before the District Board when this project has been moved up on the priority list and the District has hired engineering firms to draw up plans and move ahead with the project. The sewer lines cannot be installed without some form of assessment to the residents, and the time has come to know if the residents of Kings Grant still want sewer lines extended to that area. Mr. Cope responded that residents of Kings Grant want the sewer as soon as possible because sewer availability was promised in1984 and nothing has been done as of this date. Chairman Greer asked Mr. Cope if he was aware of the fact that residents of the Kings Grant area did not vote in favor of the sewer bond when the referendum was held in 1984. Mr. Cope responded that he was not aware of this fact and requested to be shown documentation proving this statement. He commented on the number of malfunctioning septic tanks and stated these residents are in dire need of sewer. It is difficult for the residents to understand why Landfall was provided sewer before Kings Grant. County Manager O’Neal informed Mr. Cope that New Hanover County was not involved with providing water and sewer to Landfall and stated that he would check the records and mail the correct information to Mr. Cope. A lengthy discussion followed on why the District works with developers to install sewer lines. Chairman Greer explained that when a developer requests the District to extend the sewer line to a subdivision being built in an area that is not on the Sewer Master Plan, the District Board can consider the request and take action to allow the developer to pay for the total cost of installing the line with the County paying only the cost for over sizing the line. Once the project is completed and turned over to the District, the developer is reimbursed for the cost of over sizing the line. This process has allowed the District to let developers install sewer lines to areas for only a fraction of the normal cost that would have to be paid by the District. No favoritism is being shown to developers but they are helping the District to put in sewer lines at a minimal cost. Mr. Cope spoke on understanding the process and stated that residents of Kings Grant need sewer as soon as possible. He expressed concern for the permitting process requiring another six months and stated there are people in Kings Grant that cannot afford to rework their sewer systems and then pay the additional costs involved with hooking on to the County’s system. These residents feel they have paid for the sewer system during the last 18 years and many are struggling to pay property taxes each year. It will be difficult for some residents to pay an assessment for the provision NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 7, 2002 PAGE 693 of sewer to the Kings Grant area. After further discussion, Chairman Greer offered to schedule a meeting with Mr. Cope, Vice- Chairman Pritchett, County Engineer Blanchard and himself to discuss and present documentation on the items discussed. He also offered to contact the State to see why the permitting process had taken so long. Mr. Cope responded that he would be glad to attend a meeting and he expressed appreciation to the District Board for taking time to hear his concerns. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Greer called for a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on December 3, 2001. Motion: Vice-Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on December 3, 2001 as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Greer called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion: Vice-Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster, to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 6:05 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board