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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-27 Water & Sewer Distri NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 27, 2000 PAGE 560 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, March 27, 2000, at 10:51 a.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were District Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; District Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the District Board, Lucie F. Harrell. District Commissioner Caster was absent on a planned family vacation. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved to allow the public to speak on an item that was not listed on the Regular Agenda. He requested all persons speaking to limit their remarks to three minutes. No items were presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 13, 2000, as presented by the Clerk to the Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED by a 4 to 0 vote. APPROVAL OF CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE AND AWARD OF CONTRACT #00- 0250 TO STATE UTILITY CONTRACTORS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SPRING BRANCH INTERCEPTOR County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that bids have been advertised and proposals have been received and reviewed for construction of 3,800 linear feet of sewer line and 1,400 linear feet of 18 inch gravity sewer line to extend from the new Smith Creek pump station to serve the southern portion of the Spring View Subdivision and area along Market Street near College Road. This line will also serve the southern portion of Kings Grant in the future. The following proposals were received: Stated Utility Contractors$836,470 Bryant Electric, Inc.$861,943 T. A. Loving Company$909,927 Thompson & Company$917,098 NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 27, 2000 PAGE 561 County Engineer Blanchard reported that when contracting with the City for expansion of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant, the County agreed to participate in the construction of the Spring Branch Interceptor equal to one-half the value of the Northside Treatment Plant site. Considering the agreement with the City and the District’s sewer capacity in the interceptor, the cost distribution will be as follows, which includes money for engineering and easements: District$738,494 City 163,986 $902,370 Contingency 55,196 Total Project$957,566 County Engineer Blanchard noted that the commitment of the County in the amount of $738,494 will be transferred from the wastewater fees in the Water & Sewer Escrow fund and the $55,196 from the Ogden project. He requested the Board to approve the Capital Project Ordinance and award the contract to State Utility Contractors, the lowest responsible bidder. Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to adopt the Capital Project Ordinance; award Contract #00-0250 to State Utility Contractors, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $836,470 for construction of the Spring Branch Interceptor; approve the associated budget amendment; and authorize the Chairman to execute the necessary documents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED by a 4 to 0 vote. Budget Amendment #2000-26 Water/Sewer District Escrow/Ogden Interceptor/Spring Branch Interceptor Adjustment DebitCredit Spring Branch Interceptor: Transfer in from Fund 801 (W/S Escrow)$738,494 Transfer in from Fund 845 (Ogden Interceptor) 55,196 Contribution from City 163,876 Capital Project Expense$957,566 Water/Sewer District Escrow: Appropriate Fund Balance$738,494 Transfer to Sewer Capital Projects$738,494 Ogden Interceptor: Capital Project Expense$ 55,196 Transfer to Sewer Capital Projects$ 55,196 NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 27, 2000 PAGE 562 Explanation: To establish the budget according to the Capital Project Ordinance. REQUEST FOR SEWER SERVICE TO SPRING VIEW SUBDIVISION County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that the Health Department and residents living in the Spring View area have requested the District to construct a sewer collection system in the Spring View Subdivision. Staff was instructed to determine the most economical way to provide sewer to this area. After researching the issue, Staff feels that the project should be divided into two phases based on drainage basins. Phase I of the project is estimated at a cost of $1,100,000 and Phase II is estimated at a cost of $2,900,000 for a total project cost of $4,000,000. The total number of homes in the two phases is 694 which equals to 250,000 gallons per day of sewer capacity. Considering the limited capacity available at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant and commitments for projects at this time, a project of this magnitude should not be activated prior to the treatment plant expansion. The construction of a sewer collection system in the Spring View area will take approximately two and one-half years from design through construction and activation. The Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion will take over three years. The Health Department is requesting the District Board to consider construction of the sewer collection system prior to the scheduled time. County Engineer Blanchard advised that due to the lack of capacity at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant, he would recommend instructing Staff to look at the cost and feasibility of reducing the scope of project to serve only lots with septic tank failures, instead of the entire area. County Engineer Blanchard advised that Health Director David Rice was present and would like to comment. Chairman Greer explained that the District Commissioners are aware of the sewer problems in Spring View and the surrounding area; however, the District Board is trying to assist persons with septic tank failures and not provide sewer to the entire subdivision at this time. Health Director David Rice reported that a letter was written to County Engineer Blanchard on October 25, 1999, requesting him to investigate the feasibility of providing county sewer to all or portions of the Kings Grant/Spring View Subdivisions. He advised that many of the homes in this area are at a performance/maintenance stage where it becomes necessary to replace the drainfield. Due to the deterioration of ground and surface water control features over the years, it has become difficult to develop recommendations for repair of septic systems. In some instances, homeowners have followed the recommendations and have performed costly repairs with septic systems malfunctioning within a short period of time. The number of malfunctioning septic systems in this area has become a public health concern. Director Rice stated there are approximately 1,600 residents in the Kings Grant/Springview area with septic systems over 25 years of age. The average life span of a septic system is 15 to 20 NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 27, 2000 PAGE 563 years. Over the past 10 years, 400 repair permits have been issued. The estimated percentage of properties requiring alternative or non-conventional repair of septic systems is 30-40% at a cost ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The cost of repairing a conventional septic system ranges from $1,000 to $1,600. Discussion followed on the expectations of the citizens. Chairman Greer explained that if the citizens are willing to pay for sewer to be extended to their area, this service can be provided. However, if the Health Department is requesting this service, this is a different situation. Director Rice advised that Ms. Cathy Timply, a Health Specialists with the Environmental Division of the Health Department, was present to report on the situation in this area. Ms. Timply advised that 30-40% of the homeowners are paying $5,000 to $12,000 to install the low pressure pipe systems and pressure manifolds. This system requires fill to get the drainfield out of the water table. The cost of a system depends on the amount of fill needed for each system. Photographs were presented of two homes where mound systems have been installed at a cost of $7,000 to $8,000 to the homeowners. Chairman Greer asked if these homeowners would be willing to pay a fee to the District to connect to the County Sewer System. He also explained that if a sewer line is constructed in the neighborhood, all homeowners would be required to hook on to the system. Residents that are not experiencing septic system failures and residents who have spent money to repair septic systems will not want to connect to the sewer system. Ms. Timply responded that she was aware of this fact; however, most of the homeowners would rather have spent $7,000 or $10,000 to connect to the County Sewer System. Consensus: After further discussion regarding the cost of the project and the lack of sewer capacity at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant until the expansion is completed, it was the consensus of the Board to direct County Engineer Blanchard to meet with Administrative Staff from the Environmental Section of the Health Department to determine the residents who are in need immediate help and the amount of money needed to provide assistance. County Engineer Blanchard was requested to report back to the District Board once this information is compiled. AWARD OF CONTRACT #00-0185 FOR TIDEWATER PLANTATION FORCE MAIN County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, advised that in order to redirect sewer flow from Tidewater Plantation and to accommodate the sewer generated from the new Veterans Park site to the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, a new sewer force main was designed and advertised for bids. On February 18, 2000, bids were received and State Utilities submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $299,495. After review of the bids, Staff recommend award of the bid to State Utilities. Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 27, 2000 PAGE 564 award the bid to State Utilities, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $299,495 to construct a new sewer force main to redirect the flow from Tidewater Plantation and carry the sewer generated by the new Veterans Park site to the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Chairman was authorized to execute the necessary documents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED by a 4 to 0 vote. A copy of the bid tabulation is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and is contained in W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 28. A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department. ITEM TRANSFERRED TO THE REGULAR AGENDA --- ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO CONDEMN A WATER LINE EASEMENT ACROSS THE THOMAS W. EPPLEY PROPERTY, TAX PARCEL NO. RO4011-001-010-000 Deputy County Attorney Burpeau requested the Board to address this item in Regular Session since the easement would be in the name of New Hanover County. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM MRS. VIOLET ARNOLD FOR WASTEWATER SERVICE County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that due to septic tank failure, Ms. Arnold has requested the District Board to allow her to pump wastewater from her property located at 6413 Windmill Way in Dutch Square to a manhole located approximately 400 feet from the property. The Health Department has issued Ms. Arnold a septic tank repair permit. County Engineer Blanchard informed the Board that if a property owner lives in an unsewered area and wants to connect to the County Sewer System, the normal policy is to require the property owner to extend the sewer line. In this situation, the sewer line cannot be extended to Ms. Arnold’s property because the ground is too shallow. The nearest sewer line is on Market Street, which is 2,370 feet away at an estimated cost of $140,000. Since Ms. Arnold can repair the septic system, Staff recommends denial of the request because allowing individual pump systems to be located throughout the District would not be wise. Chairman Greer asked if Ms. Arnold would like to comment. Ms. Violet Arnold, the property owner, said she and adjacent property owners are very much interested in connecting to the County Sewer System. This is an industrial area where parking is needed for the businesses. Placement of septic systems for new development is a waste of valuable land. The property owners would like to see the sewer line extended from Market Street. Ms. Arnold advised that when she purchased her property in 1984, she was told that sewer would be provided to the area in 10 years. Unfortunately, this has not been the case and sewer is badly needed in this industrial park. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 27, 2000 PAGE 565 Vice-Chairman Howell asked Ms. Arnold if the other property owners would be willing to pay for extending the line to Market Street. Ms. Arnold responded that discussion has been held with County Engineer Blanchard, but the property owners cannot absorb this cost, particularly when the sewer should have been extended to this area according to the master plan for the Water and Sewer District. If the line is extended to the area, the residents along Green Meadows Drive will connect to the sewer system. Chairman Greer said that some neighborhoods have been willing to work together to pay a majority of the cost for running a gravity sewer line to an area. He suggested that a list of adjacent property owners could be provided to Ms. Arnold and she could petition these people to see if they are willing to pay a portion of the cost to extend the sewer line to Market Street. Ms. Arnold said that she was receptive to contacting the adjacent property owners if she had an idea of the cost to each property owner. Chairman Greer suggested that she meet with the County Engineer to see if some figures can be worked out to extend the gravity line to Market Street. Consensus: After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to request County Engineer Blanchard to provide a list of adjacent property owners to Ms. Arnold and explain to her how other projects of this type have been done so she can petition the owners and hopefully work out some type of agreement. County Engineer Blanchard said that he would be glad to work with Ms. Arnold in trying to reach an agreement on this matter. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman Greer to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board