2001-08-06 Water & Sewer Distri
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6, 2001PAGE 654
ASSEMBLY
The District Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in
Regular Session on Monday, August 6, 2001, at 9:05 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 Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order.
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 to limit their comments to three
minutes.
No items were presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Greer called for a motion to approve the minutes.
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Pritchett, to
approve the minutes of July 9, 2001, meeting as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
REQUEST FROM THE ROCK CHURCH TO CONSTRUCT A PRIVATE WASTEWATER
LINE AND PUMP STATION TO THE DISTRICT’S LINE ON COLLEGE ROAD
County Engineer Wyatt Blanchard reported that when this item was presented on June 18,
2001, the District Board denied the request because a subdivision had previously been denied sewer
service on a parcel located near the site. Since that meeting, Staff has been informed by Pastor
McGee that the Church will be totally responsible for operation and maintenance of the private
system. He also noted that discussion was previously held with the Church about joining the One Call
System. If the Church joins this system, they will be notified about any digging or drilling occurring
near the pipe line. The fee per month would be approximately $11 to $15.
District Commissioner Boseman asked if Staff felt that the new information presented was a
sufficient reason to approve the request.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that he did not have a problem with approving the
request since the County will not be responsible for operating and maintaining the private system. He
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6, 2001PAGE 655
stated that if the Church joins the One Call Center, the District will not be called when the pipe is
damaged from digging or drilling by various utility companies.
Discussion followed on requiring the Church to join the One Call Center. Chairman Greer
noted that since the Church was going to be responsible for maintaining and operating the system
with no assistance from the District, this decision should be made by the Church.
District Commissioner Davis stated, for the record, this is different from a subdivision because
there will be only one customer to serve, and that customer will own, maintain, and operate the
private system.
Hearing no further comments, Chairman Greer called for a motion.
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Pritchett, to
approve the request by The Rock Church to connect to the District’s line on College Road. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
REQUEST BY RESIDENTS OF GREENVIEW RANCHES AND THE OAK RIDGE
SUBDIVISION FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT TO PROVIDE A NEW
WATER SYSTEM TO THE AREA
County Engineer Blanchard advised that residents of Greenview Ranches and Oak Ridge have
petitioned for the District to construct a new water system for the area. He requested Mr. Reggie
Lewis to explain the request.
Mr. Reggie Lewis, a resident of 405 Greenview Drive, reported that Coastal Plains Utilities
supplies water to Greenview Ranches and Oak Ridge Subdivision. Currently, these communities are
experiencing severe water problems. The water is a brown in color, full of grit, and smells like
chlorine. The water pressure is so low that members of the family cannot take showers and the
sprinkler will not rotate to water the lawn. While living in Greenview Ranches for 17 years, it has
been necessary to purchase water and ice for 12 years. When contacting Coastal Plains Utilities, the
owner blames the water quality on the line that runs from the meter to the house. The neighbors
across the street replaced the line running from their home to the meter and the quality of water has
not improved. The N. C. Utilities Commission issued an order requesting customers not to use water
to wash cars, trucks, boats, water plants or irrigate yards. After working with the Utilities
Commission for more than a year, nothing has been accomplished other than restrictions placed on
the usage of water. There is no water shortage, and it is not fair for customers to pay for water that
cannot be used to drink or for other household needs.
Mr. Lewis requested the District to supply this area with water or hire an emergency operator
to take over Coastal Plains Utilities until the District can serve the area. Other communities have
been assisted by the District and the people in Greenview Ranches are desperate for water.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6, 2001PAGE 656
Chairman Greer asked if any response had been received from the Utilities Commission.
Mr. Lewis advised that no response had been received from the Utilities Commission.
District Commissioner Davis asked what the monthly fee was for water service. Mr. Lewis
responded that he paid approximately $14 to $15 per month with some residents paying $25 to $30
per month.
Discussion followed on the process involved with providing water to Greenview Ranches and
the Oak Ridge Subdivision. County Engineer Blanchard explained that a system would have to be
designed, permitted and constructed. For an area of this size, the process would require at least one
year. He also noted that funding for the project would have to be decided by the District Board.
District Commissioner Davis explained to Mr. Lewis that the residents would be required to
pay the costs associated with providing water to the area.
Mr. Lewis responded that some customers would be willing to pay the cost because of the
critical need; however, this issue has not been discussed with all residents.
District Commissioner Caster asked if the District could furnish water to these communities.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that the District could furnish water to the
communities because there are lines on both sides of Greenview Ranches and Oak Ridge Subdivision.
He noted that the lines were constructed by the developer, not the District.
Commissioner Caster asked Mr. Moore why he did not purchase water from the District.
Mr. Allie Moore, President of Coastal Plains Utilities, reported that this company was an
investor owner public utility governed by the N. C. Utilities Commission and the N. C. Department
of Environment and Natural Resources. He informed the Board that he had never been approached
about purchasing water from the Water and Sewer District. He also noted that a letter had been
received from the Utilities Commission asking if the system could be connected to the Water and
Sewer District. He requested the District Board to table this issue until a certified operator and
engineer could attend the meeting and explain the facts about water quality problems.
Chairman Greer advised that before the District can proceed with the project, the N. C.
Utilities Commission will have to be contacted for approval. He explained to Mr. Moore that he
should be concerned about the residents who have complained to the Utilities Commission. The
District Board is concerned about the poor quality of water being provided to the residents and this
problem needs to be resolved. He recommended requesting Staff to contact the Utilities Commission
for possible solutions.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6, 2001PAGE 657
Ms. Kim Lewis, a resident of 405 Greenview Drive, requested the Board to help these
residents because they have complained for years to the N. C. Utilities Commission and Coastal Plains
Utilities with no results.
Ms. Donna Carree, an owner of a modular manufactured home in the neighborhood, stated
that she had already spent $1,100 for a well, purchased a water softener, and used bottled water to
drink. She strongly objected to residents having to live without decent drinking water and stated this
company should not be in business. She urged the District Board to provide relief to the residents.
Vice-Chairman Pritchett asked if it would be possible to test the water lines to see if there are
problems in the lines.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that a test can be conducted on the lines; however, the
District cannot conduct the test because this is a private system.
County Manager O’Neal stressed the importance of the District Board and area residents
understanding that funding in the Water and Sewer District has been obligated; therefore, the cost
for the project will have to be shared by the property owners.
Motion:
After further discussion, District Commissioner Davis MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman
Greer, to table the issue until October 1, 2001, direct the County Engineer to contact the N. C.
Utilities Commission for possible solutions, and direct Staff to proceed with preparing a plan that will
include the cost for the District to take over the operation of the existing water system. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AWARD OF CONTRACT #01-0344 TO ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION AND
DEVELOPMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE CASTLE HAYNE SEWER PROJECT
(HUD)
Planner Wanda Coston advised that Community Development Block Grant HUD dollars have
to be used to benefit low to moderate income persons. She stated that County Engineer Jim Craig
has been working on a project to provide sewer to a portion of Castle Hayne on the east side of the
railroad track and on the west side of I-40 as indicated on the map in the agenda packet. The project
is estimated to cost $1,200,000.
District Commissioner Boseman asked how much funding would have to be paid by County
taxpayers for the project
District Commissioner Caster explained that some of the confusion about funding the project
could be because the bid received was in the amount of $947,091 instead of the estimated project cost
of $1,200,000.
Planner Coston noted that $913,500 of HUD funding was earmarked for the project.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6, 2001PAGE 658
Vice-Chairman Pritchett asked if the bid would still be in place if this item was tabled until the
next meeting.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that the bid would be in place, but the HUD funding
had to be spent by June 2002. He requested authorization to begin the paper work contingent upon
a breakdown of the figures at the next meeting.
County Manager O’Neal explained that the project was estimated at $1,200,000 and stated
that the budget in place is $947,091. Since HUD funding must be expended before next June, he
requested the Board to authorize Staff to move forward with the project.
District Commissioner Davis asked if this would be the first step toward providing sewer to
Castle Hayne.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that this would be the first step and stated that dry
sewer was already in place in this area of Castle Hayne.
District Commissioner Davis stressed the importance of moving forward with the project
because the residents of Castle Hayne have waited a long time to receive sewer service.
Chairman Greer called for a motion.
Motion:
District Commissioner Davis MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster, to
award Contract #01-0344 to Atlantic Construction and Development, Inc., the lowest responsible
bidder, in the amount of $947,019 for the Castle Hayne Sewer Project and to 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.
APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #2002-04 TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR
SEWER MAIN WORK ALONG BARBADOS DRIVE
Chairman Greer advised that the District Board was being requested to approve a budget
amendment for receipt of revenue in the amount of $78,416 for funds received from the NCDOT
sewer work along Barbados Drive.
Chairman Greer asked if any member of the District Board would like to comment.
Hearing no comments, Chairman Greer requested a motion.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 6, 2001PAGE 659
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman,
to approve Budget Amendment #2002-04 to increase the budget for sewer main work along
Barbados Drive. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Budget Amendment #2002-04 - Island Park Water Extension Capital Project
ADJUSTMENTDEBITCREDIT
Contribution from NCDOT $78,416
Capital Project Expense$78,416
Explanation:
To increase the budget for sewer main work along Barbados Drive. Revenue will
come from the NCDOT and be paid to the Yahweh Center. There will be no additional cost to the
District.
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 10:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board