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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-19 Water & Sewer District NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 476 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 19, 1999, at 10:36 a.m. in the New Hanover County Courthouse Assembly Room, 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. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Greer announced that time has been reserved to allow anyone from the public to present an item that was not listed on the Regular Agenda. No items were presented. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST BY PRIME REALTY FOR THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWER LINE TO A VACANT TRACT OF LAND IN KING’S GRANT JUST OFF NORTH COLLEGE ROAD County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that Prime Realty has requested the District to extend a gravity sewer line to a vacant tract of land in King’s Grant just off North College Road. The company would like to extend the sewer from the Ogden Interceptor along the eastern side of College Road to the property outlined in the map that was included in the agenda information. The cost for constructing the line would be $201,000 and very few citizens would be served by this proposal. After review of the cost and small number of customers served, staff requested the developer’s engineer to consider constructing a line through King’s Grant in a location which would serve approximately 50 customers. This option would increase the sewer line from 3,300 feet to 4,500 feet and cost an additional $116,200. In rendering a decision the District Board should consider the following questions: ? Should the District Board approve a sewer line extension into the King’s Grant area? ? If the sewer line extension is approved, should it be constructed along a route which will benefit very few customers (approximately 11), or should the sewer line be extended by 1,200 feet to provide a route that will benefit more customers (approximately 50)? ? If the line is constructed to 4,500 feet to serve more customers, does the District Board wish to participate in the additional cost of $116,200? NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 477 Vice-Chairman Howell explained that the $201,000 would be paid totally by the developer for extension of the sewer line into a vacant tract located in King’s Grant. This line as proposed by the developer would serve approximately 11 customers, and the District would be responsible for maintaining the line at a minimal cost once the line is turned over to the District; however, if staff’s recommendation is followed, the District Board will have to decide who should pay the additional cost of $116,200 to extend the line through King’s Grant. District Commissioner Davis asked County Engineer Blanchard if the sewer line was made available to the 50 residences, would each home be required to hook onto the system. County Engineer Blanchard explained that since the sewer line would be ahead of the Master Plan schedule, the residents would not have to hook onto the system until the wastewater treatment plant has been expanded. If the residents desire to hook onto the sewer line before this time, the District would comply to the request. Discussion was held on who should be responsible for paying the additional cost of extending the line. County Engineer Blanchard replied that the developer was requesting the District to pay the $116,200 since he was paying $201,000 for construction of the sewer line into the proposed subdivision. He stated the District Board has the option to pay any portion of the additional cost. Discussion followed on the impact of the proposed project on the Water and Sewer Department. County Engineer Blanchard advised that maintenance of the line would have a minimal impact on the workload of the department. District Commissioner Birzenieks asked County Engineer Blanchard to make a recommendation on the request. County Engineer Blanchard responded that if a line was constructed, it should be placed in an area with more customers. However, with the cost other projects underway and the need to save money for completion of these projects, it would be difficult to recommend payment of the full amount by the District. Chairman Greer recommended a 50% payment of the additional cost by the District Board. District Commissioner Davis asked if staff had contacted the 50 residents to see if they would be interested in connecting to the sewer line. County Engineer Blanchard responded that the residents had not be contacted; however, this area was scheduled to be served by the District in the not too distant future. Motion: After discussion of placing the sewer line in an area that will be beneficial to the District, Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks for the District NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 478 to pay $58,200 (50%) of the $116,200 additional cost with the developer paying the remaining 50% for increasing the length of the sewer line into King’s Grant. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM UNIVERSAL DEVELOPERS, INC. TO EXTEND THE SEWER LINE FROM THE NORTHCHASE INTERCEPTOR TO THE INTERSECTION OF SIDBURY ROAD AND ENNIS ACRES DRIVE County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that Universal Developers, Inc. has requested the District to allow the company to extend sewer to Sidbury Road from the NorthChase Interceptor. The purpose of the request is to serve a proposed 150 to 160 lot subdivision at the intersection of Sidbury Road and Ennis Acres Drive. As indicated on the map included in the agenda packet, the proposed project would be on the east side of I-40 and would be remote from all existing sewer. If this request is approved, the following options can be considered: Option One: Construction of a gravity sewer line to a location in which a common pump station can be constructed for the proposed subdivision and Cape Fear Community College site. The cost of this option is estimated at $1,900,000. This option is preferred by staff. Option Two: Construction of a pump station to pump the wastewater to the NorthChase Interceptor on College Road. This option would cost $570,000 to be paid by the developer with no other property served. Regardless of the decision rendered by the District Board, the Policy for Connection to the NorthChase Interceptor would have to be followed by the developer, which consists of the following items: 1.Existing residential areas and businesses have priority. Data indicates that existing users need 580,000 gallons per day, including the industrial area and Pender County. This leaves approximately 250,000 gallons per day available for new development. 2.Sewer plans for the area will be reviewed to hook-up existing areas that are experiencing septic problems. This data will be furnished by the Environmental Health Division of the Health Department. 3.Requests for new development allocation of available capacity of the NorthChase Interceptor may be allowed in advance of the Master Plan schedule provided the following items have been met: ? The developer must construct the sewer system in compliance with District plans and specifications. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 479 ? The developer will pay for the entire system for connection but will be reimbursed as additional new development connects to the system. The District will pay for connection of existing development. ? The District Board of Commissioners must review and approve each new development request for connection in order to be able to consider other factors that may be peculiar to each case. ? The allocation must be used within 18 months of being granted by the District, or it will be taken back by the District. In closing, County Engineer Blanchard requested the District Board to keep in mind that the District currently has over 100 pump stations to operate and maintain. A lengthy discussion followed on the best option to select. County Engineer Blanchard reported that Option 1 would be preferred; however, the cost to cross I-40 would be extremely expensive. Two other factors to consider are that sewer is not scheduled for this area until at least 15 years, and the capacity being requested by the developer would require 54,000 gallons per day. Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, informed the Board that approval of this request would set a precedent. To allow a developer with a vacant piece of property that is not within the sewer plan to construct a line will open the door to similar requests. District Commissioner Birzenieks asked County Engineer Blanchard if the request should be approved. County Engineer Blanchard responded that with the location of the subdivision, construction of the sewer line would not greatly benefit the District. Mr. Afshin Roshdi, representing Universal Developers, Inc. reported that existing residences on septic tanks systems could also hook up to the sewer line. He advised that the proposed line would serve160 new units as well as approximately 50 existing homes, which would benefit the area. Chairman Greer reminded the District Board that other residents could request to be connected to the system with the District being responsible for running the lines. Motion: After further discussion of District projects already underway, District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis to deny the request with the understanding that Universal Developers, Inc. can bring back the request at a future date. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 480 ADJOURNMENT Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board