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1999-05-17 Water & Sewer NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MAY 17, 1999PAGE 501 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District held a regular meeting on Monday, May 17, 1999, at 12:31 p.m. in the Golden Hawk Room of Trask Coliseum, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: District Commissioners Buzz Birzenieks; William A. Caster; Ted Davis, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Deputy Clerk to the Board, Teresa P. Elmore. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved for anyone from 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. District Commissioner Caster requested that Mr. Vosnock remove his cap from his head as a courtesy and respect for the Commissioners and the audience before speaking to the Board. Mr. Vosnock replied that he would not remove his cap and that there were many things he found offensive that people do. Steve Vosnock, resident of the Castle Hayne Community, spoke regarding New Hanover County selling a sewer allocation to Pender County while there are New Hanover County residents who are not connected to the sewer system. He asked the Board why the County would impact the existing wastewater treatment plant and the capacity of the existing sewer lines in New Hanover County to serve development in Pender County. As taxpayers in New Hanover County are already over-burdened with growth, he questioned why the County would assume a permanent liability from another County. He commented that Commissioner Greer’s quote in the newspaper last week about how slowing growth violates people’s rights was a slap-in-the-face to the citizens of New Hanover County who are desperately trying to keep big money from destroying the community. “One can only question how much big money Mr. Greer received from Del Labs and this contract in Pender County to initiate the further destruction of New Hanover County,” Mr. Vosnock said. Mr. Vosnock said that when he went to get a building permit to build a personal residence in Castle Hayne, he found out that in an area that will never need or require sewer, New Hanover County imposes an impact fee of 68 cents per square foot as part of the permit process. His modest home of 1600 square feet has an impact fee of $1,100. The impact fees pay for the building of wastewater treatment plants and sewer related projects, such as the sewer allocation project from Pender County. Additionally, the environmental health permits to install a septic tank and well will cost an astronomical $760. He stated that he will have nearly $2,000 in permits so that he can put a septic tank and well on his property. He felt that having to pay both fees was a prime example of double taxation and high costs that are a true violation of people’s rights. In order not to add to the over development of the County, he withdrew his request for a building permit in total disgust. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MAY 17, 1999PAGE 502 Mr. Vosnock asked the District Commissioners why the County was accepting sewage from Pender County when New Hanover County has not provided sewer capacity to areas in need in the the County. He asked why the taxpayers of New Hanover County are being asked to pay exorbitant permit costs and impact fees to fund the Pender County project when Pender County will be collecting the tax base from the industry that it serves. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO ENGINEERING CONTRACT #95-0142B WITH MCKIM AND CREED ENGINEERS AND APPROVAL OF ASSOCIATED BUDGET AMENDMENT #99-0153 County Engineer Wyatt Blanchard reported that an amendment to the contract with McKim and Creed was needed to include grit removal and design for the headworks improvements at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. The original system would not remove the necessary amount of grit in the treatment process. The proposed contract amount is $183,217. Of that amount, $35,200 has already been budgeted, leaving a net increase of $148,017 for design of the expanded headworks. The engineering fee and construction cost will be split between the District and the City of Wilmington, proportioned to the allocated wastewater flow in the plant. Chairman Greer asked for an explanation of the split in the cost between the District and the City based on the allocation flow of the plant. The letter from McKim and Creed stated that the City has six MGD and will receive another two. The County has two MGD and will receive another six. Based on those quantities, he asked how the cost will be split. County Engineer Blanchard replied that those splits are based on the long term allocations. Generally, it is anticipated and usually assumed that the split is eight and six and not eight and eight. Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Howell, to approve the amendment to the contract with McKim and Creed Engineers, in the amount of $183,217, and to approve the associated budget amendment. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Budget Amendment #99-0153 - Water and Sewer District Escrow/Ogden Interceptor DebitCredit Water and Sewer District Escrow (Fund 801): Appropriated Fund Balance$148,017 Transfer to Capital Projects/Sewer$148,017 Ogden Interceptor: Operating Transfer In$148,017 Capital Project Expenses$148,017 Purpose : To budget the net increase for design of the expanded headworks at the City of Wilmington’s Northside Treatment Plant. The engineering fee and construction cost will be split between the District and the City, proportional to the allocated flow in the plant. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MAY 17, 1999PAGE 503 CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT FOR PENDER COUNTY TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 25,000 GPD SEWER ALLOCATION FOR THREE COUNTY SCHOOLS County Manager O’Neal reported that he received a call on Friday afternoon from City Manager Mary Gornto requesting that the County table action on the additional sewer allocation until City Council has developed its position. The next meeting of City Council will be Tuesday, May 18, 1999. County Manager O’Neal apologized to the members of the Pender County Board of Commissioners for not notifying them of the change in the agenda. Chairman Greer asked Commissioner Cleveland Simpson of Pender County if it would be convenient to table the agenda item until June 7, 1999. Commissioner Simpson responded that it would be fine. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENTS FOR PUBLIC DEDICATIONS IN HIDDEN VALLEY AND WOODS EDGE SUBDIVISIONS County Engineer Blanchard reported that acceptance of drainage easements is routinely offered for the purpose of enhancements to the sewer system. He recommended the acceptance of easements in Hidden Valley and Woods Edge for the purpose of sewer construction and maintenance of sewer lines. Once the sewer lines are constructed, one pump station will be removed. Motion : Vice Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks, to authorize the Acceptance of Public Dedications in Hidden Valley and Woods Edge Subdivision for the purpose of providing water and/or sewer services. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT TO REPAIR A SEWER LINE IN THE MILLBROOK SUBDIVISION County Engineer Blanchard reported that the proposed contract calls for the relining of an existing 1,333 foot section of sewer line in the Millbrook Subdivision, along Sutton Drive. The sewer line has developed several leaks and the road is sinking. Instead of tearing up the road and replacing the sewer line that has been in service since the early 1970s, the pipe will be relined with a fiberglass liner. The bid price of $37,825 is cheaper than the estimated $100,000 cost to dig up the street, replace the pipes, and repave the road. Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks, to award the contract for the sewer line repair to CSR Hydro Conduit, in the amount of $37,825. Upon Vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, MAY 17, 1999PAGE 504 ADJOURNMENT Motion: Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 12:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teresa P. Elmore Deputy Clerk to the District Board