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2001-06-18 Water & Sewer Distri NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 18, 2001 PAGE 645 ASSEMBLY The District Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, June 18, 2001, at 12:13 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. 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. No items or comments were presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Greer called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 4, 2001. Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to approve the June 4, 2001 minutes as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. DENIAL OF A REQUEST BY THE ROCK CHURCH TO CONSTRUCT A PRIVATE PUMP STATION AND FORCE MAIN ACROSS 1-40 County Engineer Wyatt Blanchard reported that the Rock Church had purchased a tract of land at the intersection of Sidbury Road and Old Dairy Farm Road. The site is not suitable for a conventional septic disposal system; therefore, the Church is requesting permission to connect to the District’s sewer line on College Road. The Rock Church has proposed to construct a private pump station and force main across I- 40 to College Road to connect to the sewer system. The estimated cost is $207,900. The District’s normal policy is that if a developer is remotely located from an existing water or sewer line, the developer must partially or totally construct a system in accordance with District requirements. Approximately a year ago, a developer in the same area requested to connect to the sewer system and pump wastewater back to the District; however, this request was denied by the Board because of its remote location. District Commissioner Davis asked if the Church was willing to pay all construction costs, the impact fee, and other associated costs. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 18, 2001 PAGE 646 County Engineer Blanchard responded that the Church was willing to pay all costs associated with constructing the system with no funding required by the Water and Sewer District. He expressed concern for setting a precedent that will allow developers or other entities to construct a force main instead of constructing the system as outlined in the Sewer Master Plan. Chairman Greer asked if Reverend McGee would like to comment. Reverend Ron McGee reported that five months prior to when The Rock Church burned on October 31, 2000, the 80-acre tract of land located at Old Dairy Farm Road and Sidbury Road had been purchased. Discussion was held with County Engineer Blanchard and County Manager O’Neal about the availability of County water and sewer services and Church officials were informed that services would not be available until 2025. The Church is in a situation of urgency because the ministry is being carried out in five different locations with a congregation of 500 to 600 people. There is a dire need to begin construction on the new church, and the Rock Church is willing to pay for a private system at an estimated cost of $207,900. The Church is also willing to pay for maintenance of the system. The Rock Church is a civic-minded church with an extensive ministry to the poor, needy, and homeless. Future plans are to build soccer fields, softball fields, and tennis courts that will be made available to the public. A picnic and playground area with bike and jogging paths will be constructed near the lake on the back of the property which can be reserved for public use. There are also plans to construct transitional housing for men and women who need assistance with getting off welfare and into private housing. Guest housing will be constructed to serve ministers on sabbatical, foreign missionaries on furlough, and families who have lost their homes due to fire or from hurricanes. The entire concept is to join other churches and civic organizations to remove some of the burden from the taxpayers. In closing, Reverend McGee requested the District Board to allow the Church to construct the private utility lines so construction of the Church can begin within 35 to 45 days and be completed in 14 months. Chairman Greer explained that Reverend McGee was requesting the District Board to run the line from the Old Dairy Farm/Sidbury property to the District’s line on College Road with the Church paying all associated costs as well as the connection fee. Reverend McGee noted that discussion was held with some surrounding landowners who want to develop land in this part of the County. The Church must construct a private system so a building permit can be obtained to begin construction of the new church. During this period, it is hoped that a coalition of developers can be formed to partner with the County to extend the regional system. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 18, 2001 PAGE 647 County Engineer Blanchard reminded the District Board that until the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is completed, there is limited capacity; however, there is sufficient flow to accommodate the Rock Church and not impact the needed capacity for the Castle Hayne area. District Commissioner Davis asked if a request of this type had ever been approved by the District Board. County Engineer Blanchard responded that a few developments near areas that have sewer have been approved, such as the Porters Neck area. A lengthy discussion was held on the following options: (1) deny the request and do nothing; (2) allow the Rock Church to construct a private system; and (3) allow the Church to construct according to the regional plan. Reverend McGee noted that the Church would be in favor of Option 3, which would allow the District to run the line to the Old Dairy Farm/Sidbury Road property with the Church paying impact fees and connection costs. A lengthy discussion followed on whether the private system being constructed by the Church would adequately serve future plans for development. Reverend McGee stated that the engineering firm of Andrew and Kuske had assured the Church that the private system could serve the entire complex. After hearing no further comments, Chairman Greer requested a motion. Motion: Vice-Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman Greer, to allow the Rock Church to construct a private system, pay to connect to the Sewer System, and pay all other associated costs. District Commissioner Caster asked if this request is approved and surrounding property owners begin to make requests year after year to connect to the Sewer System, how will these requests be handled. County Engineer Blanchard responded that he was concerned about setting a precedent that will result in construction of numerous private lines. Mr. McGee stated after discussion with landowners in the area, he would not gamble $207,900 to construct a private system to develop property. The only hope for constructing a regional system would be to gather a large coalition of landowners to form an investment group to approach the District. District Commissioner Davis asked if this item should be postponed to allow time for the public to be informed about the proposed request. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 18, 2001 PAGE 648 After a lengthy discussion, Chairman Greer called for a vote on the MOTION to allow the Rock Church to construct a private system with payment of all associated costs. Upon vote, the MOTION FAILED 2 to 3 as follows: Ayes:Chairman Greer Vice-Chairman Pritchett Noes:District Commissioner Boseman District Commissioner Caster District Commissioner Davis POSTPONEMENT OF BALD EAGLE WATER LINE EXTENSION Chairman Greer advised that a request had been made by the Attorney representing Bald Eagle Lane and Figure Eight Island to postpone this item until the second meeting in August 2001. ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC DEDICATION FOR BRIDGE ROAD, EDGEWATER CLUB ROAD, GLAZIER ROAD, AND KINGS GRANT SECTION 9 Chairman Greer advised that the following easements are needed for public utility purposes as outlined on the maps included in the agenda packet: Bridge Road - Area A Edgewater Club Road - Area B Glazier Road - Acre C Kings Grant Section 9 Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Pritchett, to adopt a resolution accepting the easement dedications for utility purposes as offered. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Copies of the resolution and maps are hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and are included in W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 32. ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2001-2002 BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT Chairman Greer asked if any members of the District Board would like to comment on the Budget Ordinance for FY 2001-2002. After hearing no comments, Chairman Greer called for a motion. Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman to adopt the FY 2001-2002 Budget Ordinance for the Water and Sewer District as recommended. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 18, 2001 PAGE 649 A copy of the Budget Ordinance is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 32. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Greer called for a motion to adjourn. Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:44 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board