2002-01-07 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