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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-18 Water & Sewer Distri NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 PAGE 583 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, September 18, 2000, at 12:28 p.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; District Commissioner William A. Caster; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman Robert G. Greer; 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 and welcomed everyone present 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 were presented from the public. CONSIDERATION OF SEWER SERVICE FOR THE KINGS GRANT AREA County Engineer Wyatt Blanchard reported that the Health Department was previously asked to review the Kings Grant area to determine the magnitude of septic tank failures that have occurred. A color coded map was presented showing areas where septic tank failures have occurred with red and green dots indicating areas with the most severe conditions . Approximately three areas (highlighted in yellow) are in desperate need of sewer. After studying this issue and analyzing costs, Staff has determined that sewer can be provided to these areas at an estimated cost of $2,800,000. Due to the lack of capacity in the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant, Staff recommends servicing the three areas instead of the trying to provide sewer to the entire subdivision. County Engineer Blanchard introduced Ms. Kathy Timpy, an Environmental Specialist with the Health Department, and advised that she was involved with preparing the map and stated she would be glad to answer any questions regarding the map. A lengthy discussion followed on the need to provide sewer the entire area due to the number of septic system failures. District Commissioner Birzenieks objected to the provision of a piecemeal service because of the inequity to property owners with certain areas receiving sewer and others having to wait. He suggested requesting Staff to study and prepare a cost recommendation for the provision of sewer to the entire Kings Grant Subdivision and adjoining areas before rendering a decision on this item. District Commissioner Davis agreed with the statements made by District Commissioner Birzenieks and stated economically it should be cheaper to provide sewer service to the entire subdivision. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 PAGE 584 County Engineer Blanchard advised that it would be cheaper to sewer the entire area, but the problem will be availability of capacity at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant and securing funding for a project of this size. The joint City/County expansion to the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant will not be completed until the fourth quarter of 2003. District Commissioner Birzenieks asked if funding was available for the project. Finance Director Bruce Shell explained that funding was not available from the Water and Sewer District Fund. If the District Board decides to provide sewer to the entire Kings Grant area, adjustments will have to be made on the use of the ½ sales tax. Discussion was held on whether the citizens would be willing to pay extra fees for the sewer service. Mr. Ray Worrell, a resident of 4645 Lord Elkins Road, informed the District Board that houses on the market cannot be sold in this area because of septic system failures. He stated that he would be willing to pay $5,000 or more to be able to flush toilets in his home. The problem throughout this area is not the soils, but the water table rising above drain lines. Repairing existing septic systems and adding more lines will not solve the problem. He urged the Board to consider providing sewer to this area because the homeowners are desperate. Vice-Chairman Howell agreed with the suggestion made by District Commissioner Birzenieks and suggested requesting Staff to prepare a recommendation to sewer all of the Kings Grant area with an estimated assessment to each property owner. County Engineer Blanchard noted that a recommendation could be prepared by Staff similar to the proposal for the Wilmington/Hanby Beach area. Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis, to instruct Staff to study and prepare a recommendation to sewer the entire Kings Grant Subdivision and adjoining areas as soon as possible with data presented on the associated costs to the District and the estimated assessment to each property owner. Mr. Steve Vosnock, a resident of Castle Hayne, noted that a few years ago, the District Board approved receiving wastewater from Del Labs in Pender County without any discussion of the capacity in the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Now, residents of New Hanover County are in desperate need of sewer and there is a question of whether sufficient capacity is available. He requested an explanation of why the capacity is now a problem. County Engineer Blanchard explained that until the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is completed, capacity will have to be available before approving projects. The sewer capacity provided to Del Labs was only 25,000 per day. The capacity for the proposed Kings Grant project will be 350,000 gallons per day, which is a significant difference. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 PAGE 585 Mr. Vosnock stated that he presented a resolution to the District Board approximately a year ago, requesting the District Commissioners to prohibit accepting wastewater from Pender County. The District Board did not approve the resolution. He asked if this means the Sewer District will receive wastewater from Pender County when there is not enough capacity in the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant to provide sewer capacity to residents living in New Hanover County. Chairman Greer responded that the District Board would never take capacity from the residents of New Hanover County. Chairman Greer called for a vote on the motion. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. District Commissioner Davis requested an update on the Castle Hayne sewer project. County Engineer Blanchard reported that a permit had been received to sewer a small area of Castle Hayne on the east side of the railroad tract to I-40. Construction should start on the project within five months. Design for the next section of Castle Hayne will be begin during FY 2002 -2003. Chairman Greer, on behalf of the District Board, expressed appreciation to Ms. Timpy for the effort given to prepare the map, which was quite helpful in reflecting the septic system problems throughout the Kings Grant area. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Greer called for a motion to adjourn. Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster, to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board