2002-01-22 Water & Sewer Distri
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 22, 2002PAGE 694
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 22, 2002, at 2:01 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 William A. Caster; District
Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; 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 to allow anyone from the public to
present an item that was not listed on the agenda. He requested all persons speaking to limit their
remarks to three minutes.
No comments or items were presented.
UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION OF THE MIDDLE SOUND SEWER PROJECT
County Engineer Jim Craig reported that within the next 45 days, Staff anticipates having all
required permits to allow the District to proceed with construction of the Middle Sound Sewer
Collection System. Based on preliminary figures, the total estimated construction cost is
$14,500,000, not including the engineering cost.
The N. C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is scheduled to resurface and widen the
Middle Sound Loop Road this summer. Since the District plans to install sewer in this area, it would
be much less costly for the sewer to be installed before NCDOT resurfaces the road. The District will
save approximately $275,000 by installing the sewer before the road is resurfaced.
Discussion was held on whether the pipe running under the road could be bid as a separate
item. County Engineer Craig advised that this portion of project could be listed as a separate item
in the bid package without increasing the cost of the bidding process.
District Commissioner Caster asked how many customers would be served by the sewer
system in the Middle Sound area.
Finance Director Shell responded that approximately 1,400 to 1,700 customers would be
served.
A lengthy discussion followed on securing funding for future sewer projects. Chairman Greer
explained that in order to continue expanding the sewer system, there will have to be a mechanism
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 22, 2002PAGE 695
in place to fund these projects. For example, discussion is currently being held on providing sewer
to Kings Grant, Spring View, Brookfield and other areas which means that a revenue source must
be available. When quoting the cost of the Middle Sound sewer project at $14,500,000, this figure
only accounts for the transportation or the collection of sewer in the area and does not include costs
involved with building the treatment plant or treating the sewerage. The customers who receive the
service will have to pay a portion of the cost, and there needs to be a standardized process to be sure
that everyone receives equal treatment.
Finance Director Shell responded that an economic model was being prepared by Staff to
show the projects that have been designed and approved as well as the tap fee that will be charged
to future recipients of sewer in New Hanover County. Once the policy is developed, the District
Board will have long-term funding projections that will assist the Board with future sewer expansions.
Chairman Greer suggested waiting for 30 days to receive the economic model showing the
figures before moving forward with bidding any portion of the Middle Sound sewer project since the
permits will not be received for 45 days.
Further discussion was held on whether waiting 30 days would delay the bidding process.
County Engineer Craig requested the District Board to move forward with the bidding process to
determine the actual cost of the project.
After hearing no further comments, Chairman Greer requested direction from the District
Board.
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman,
to bid the Middle Sound Sewer construction project in phases to coincide with the NCDOT
resurfacing project for the Middle Sound Loop Road. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #2002-26 FOR UNANTICIPATED COSTS
RELATED TO THE ISLAND PARK WATER LINE
County Engineer Jim Craig reported that the Island Park Water Line is an extension of the
District’s water system from the Cape Fear Community College North Campus to the Island Park
Industrial Park at Holly Shelter Road. During drilling under Prince George Creek at the intersection
of Blue Clay Road, difficulty was encountered with rock and a special drill had to be used. The cost
for drilling the rock to install a twelve inch line was $261 per foot versus $102 per foot for a total
increase of $39,750. The amount budgeted was $533,035 and the total project cost is $541,774;
therefore a budget amendment is needed in the amount of $8,739 to cover the additional cost.
After hearing no comments from the District Board, Chairman Greer called for a motion.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 22, 2002PAGE 696
Motion:
Vice-Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster, to
approve the following budget amendment in the amount of $8,739. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Budget Amendment #2002-26 - Island Park Water Extension/Water & Sewer
AdjustmentDebitCredit
Island Park:
Transfer in from Fund 800$8,739
Extended Project Expansion $8,739
Water & Sewer:
Appropriated Fund Balance$8,739
Transfer to Capital Projects (Fund 803) $8,739
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT #02-0234 WITH COASTAL CAROLINA DEVELOPERS,
INC. TO EXTEND SEWER LINE TO WEAVER WOODS
County Engineer Jim Craig advised that Staff received a request from Coastal Carolina
Developers for participation by the District in the cost of sewer lines which the company wants to
construct. In addition to serving the company’s new development project, Weaver Woods, the sewer
lines will be extended to serve two existing developments, Parkwood Estates and Weaver Acres. The
project consists of 6,264 linear feet of gravity sewer lines at a cost of $324,748. If the contract is
approved, the District will pay $72,467 for over sizing the sewer lines from eight to ten inches and
for a ten-inch sewer line to serve Weaver Acres and Parkwood Estates.
County Engineer Craig requested the District Board to approve the contract since the
developer is willing to build the lines and provide the easements at a small cost to the District.
Motion:
Vice-Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster, to
approve a contract with Coastal Carolina Developers, Inc. to extend sewer lines to Weaver Woods
and authorize the Chairman to execute the necessary contract documents. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
Vice-Chairman Pritchett spoke on the importance of the public understanding that the District
is not paying the developer to install the sewer lines. The District is paying the developer to over size
the sewer lines from eight inches to ten inches at a cost of $72,457 to comply to current District
standards. The total cost of the project is $324,748 and by the District entering into this agreement
with the developer, the District will save a significant amount of money since these lines will have to
be built in the future.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 22, 2002PAGE 697
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ACCEPTING PUBLIC DEDICATION FOR LAUREL
RIDGE SUBDIVISION
Chairman Greer reported that the District directed a private developer to install a proposed
future County sewer line in a dedicated conservation area not originally deeded to the District. The
drainage/easement/conservation area is platted and is being offered for public acceptance. The
District Board is being requested to adopt a resolution accepting the dedication of the parcel for
utility purposes.
Motion:
District Commissioner Boseman MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster,
to adopt a resolution accepting the public dedication of a parcel in Laurel Ridge Subdivision to be
used for utility purposes. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 33.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer called for a motion to adjourn.
Motion:
Vice Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to
adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 2:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board