2001-01-08 Water & Sewer Distri
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 8, 2001 PAGE 608
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
met in Regular Session on Monday, January 8, 2001, at 6:01 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; DeputyCounty Attorney, Kemp Burpeau; and Clerk to
the District Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved to allow 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.
Discussion of Providing Sewer to the Kings Grant Area
Ms. Betty Scott, a resident of Kings Grant, expressed appreciation to the Board for adopting
a proposal to provide sewer lines to Kings Grant where 40 to 50 percent of the residents are
experiencing septic system failures. She spoke on discussing the bidding process with County Engineer
Wyatt Blanchard and stated she would like to receive a report on the progress being made with
obtaining bids.
Chairman Greer informed Ms. Scott that proposals have been forwarded to engineering firms
and stated that a meeting has been scheduled next week to review and select a proposal from the bids
received. He requested Ms. Scott to call him if she needed additional information regarding the bids.
Ms. Scott referenced the Sewer Master Plan adopted in 1984 with approval of a bond
referendum that assured citizens that sewer construction would be provided to the Kings Grant area
between 1987 and 1989. This date was later changed to 1995 and then to 2009. After paying taxes
to New Hanover County since the bond referendum, the residents of Kings Grant should not be
requested to pay an assessment to receive county sewer 15 years later. Over 10,000 homes have been
constructed in this area during the past 10 years and when the bond referendum was approved, the
residents were promised that sewer would be received much earlier. She urged the Board to move
forward as quickly as possible with constructing the sewer line and provide the service without an
assessment to the property owners.
A lengthy discussion followed on the Bond Referendum held in 1984. Chairman Greer
explained at the time of the Bond Referendum, the County thought that $64 million would be sufficient
to construct sewer lines in the unincorporated county based upon estimates by an engineering firm.
A bond referendum in the amount of $46 million was approved by the voters with additional funding
to come from revenue sharing, clean water grants or the unrestricted sales tax. Unfortunately, the
engineering firm underestimated the amount of money needed, and the bond proceeds were spent
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 8, 2001 PAGE 609
providing sewer to improve the quality of water in the sound and waterway areas. When previous
District Boards realized that no funding was left to continue the sewer system, it was decided to use
two ½ cent portions of the unrestricted sales tax to fund the system. Since that time, the unrestricted
sales tax has been used for this purpose.
Ms. Scott, again, expressed concern for asking the residents of Kings Grant to pay an
assessment to receive sewer service and she requested the Board to reconsider this matter.
County Manager O’Neal explained that pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes , a Public
Hearing must be held before the residents of Kings Grant can be assessed. He assured Ms. Scott that
the residents would notified of the date and sufficient information would be provided on the proposed
assessment.
In closing, Ms. Scott also expressed concern for allowing new developments to receive sewer
before providing sewer to Kings Grant.
Vice-Chairman Greer explained that many developers have offered to pay more than 50% of
the cost to construct sewer lines in a new subdivision. In many instances, the sewer line has been
enlarged to include adjacent areas in need of sewer. This is why some areas have been able to receive
sewer earlier than scheduled. He advised that every member of the District Board was aware of the
septic system failures in Kings Grant and stated an effort is being made to provide sewer to this area.
The District is committed to the sewer project, and the residents of Kings Grant will be notified of the
Public Hearing date and figures regarding the assessment.
Mr. John Feeley, a concerned citizen, reported on visiting with several residents of Kings Grant
and Health Department officials regarding the number of septic system failures in this area. He advised
that current conditions in Kings Grant are not acceptable, and he urged the District Board to provide
sewer to this area as soon as possible without an assessment to people who have paid taxes for years
when they were promised sewer 15 years ago.
Mr. Feeley also commented on the fast tract expansion of the Northside Wastewater Treatment
Plant by the City and County, and he expressed concern for the lack of information provided to the
public on a $60 million expansion. He requested the Board to provide the following information to
the public:
1.The size of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and any tentative plans to
expand the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
2. The source of funding to pay for the expansion. In recent months, the public has heard
repeatedly that the property tax will have to be increased with the new jail and other major
projects being undertaken by the County. The public needs to be informed about future tax
increases.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 8, 2001 PAGE 610
3. A detailed 5-year Master Plan for the Sewer System should be developed and a Tentative Plan
for 6-10 years should be prepared. These plans should be made public and when any significant
changes occur, the affected taxpayers should be sent notices explaining the changes.
4. Both the County and City have approved a 500 million gallon per day sewer capacity to
Pender County with the proviso that Pender County will pay for the costs upfront and that the
capacity will be used only for light industry and institutional use. Approximately three years
ago, 50 million gallons per day was promised to Pender County for use by Del Labs and one
year later an additional 25 million gallons per day was allocated to the same industrial park
where Del Labs is located. The question is how much more sewer capacity will be granted to
Pender County.
5. The odor from the existing sewer treatment plants and pumping stations is not acceptable. The
public seems to be resigned to this fact, but plans should be made to minimize the odor.
6. This might be a good time to consolidate County and City water and sewer services.
In closing, Mr. Feeley suggested conducting two or three workshops to discuss these issues
to better educate and help the public understand the plan for providing sewer to the unincorporated
county.
Chairman Greer expressed appreciation to Ms. Scott and Mr. Feeley for their remarks and
stated that the District Board has been working with the City for a number of years in trying to
consolidate water and sewer services. He offered to meet with Ms. Scott and Mr. Feeley to discuss
their concerns and answer questions. He reminded everyone that all meetings are open to the public
and interested persons should attend.
Mr. Feeley expressed appreciation to the District Board for allowing him to express his
concerns and he urged the Board to develop a Sewer Ordinance that will address the needs of New
Hanover County, particularly older subdivisions where septic tank failures are as high as 60 percent.
District Commissioner Caster agreed with Mr. Feeley and stated that the time has come for
the City and County to combine water and sewer services.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Greer called for a motion to approve the minutes.
Motion:
Vice-Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to
approve the minutes of the December 18, 2000 meeting as presented by the Clerk to the District
Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 8, 2001 PAGE 611
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Pritchett, to
adjourn the meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 6:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board