1998-09-21 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 1998PAGE 453
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
met in Regular Session on Monday, September 21, 1998, at 12:30 p.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 and welcomed everyone present.
NON-AGENDA
Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved to allow 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.
No items were presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks
to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 17, 1998, and Regular Meeting of
September 8, 1998, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AUTHORIZATION GRANTED TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO
ACCELERATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BROOKFIELD/BRIERWOOD AND WEAVER
ACRES SEWER CONSTRUCTION
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported the Health Department has identified five areas
with septic tank problems. Out of the five areas, two areas, Weaver Acres and Brookfield/Brierwood,
have experienced the highest rates of septic tank failure.
Based on research from the Health Department regarding these areas, the following findings
were found:
Weaver Acres:
(1)Of the 64 permits on file for this subdivision, 47% of them were obtained for septic tank
repairs.
(2)Of those repairs, 63% occurred within the past 5 years.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 1998PAGE 454
(3)Some homes have had more than one (1) repair permit. These repairs occurred within 2 to
5 years of each other.
Brookfield/Brierwood:
(1)Of the 118 permits on file for this subdivision, 65% of them were obtained for septic tank
repairs.
(2)Of those repairs, 64% occurred within the past 5 years.
(3)Some homes have had more than one (1) repair permit. These repairs occurred within 2 to
5 years of each other.
In conclusion, Staff recommends acceleration of sewer construction for these areas based
upon the following schedule:
Brookfield/Brierwood - Less than $10,000 per unit - Projected Cost - $2,824,500
Weaver Acres - Less than $10,000 per unit - Projected Cost - $1,065,600
County Engineer Blanchard reported that each household would have to pay an individual tap
fee, which ranges from $800 to $1,000.
Discussion followed on how the projects would be funded. Deputy County Manager, Andrew
J. Atkinson, advised that Certificates of Participation (COPS) would be used to fund the sewer
construction projects in lieu of the fund balance. Currently, the interest rate for COPS is 5%.
County Engineer Blanchard advised under the original Master Plan, these areas of the county
were scheduled for construction in the year 2012; however, if the District Board approves the
acceleration schedule, the residents will receive sewer in 2 ½ to 3 years.
Chairman Greer asked if anyone from the public would like to comment.
Mr. Carroll Spencer, owner of Glenwood Mobile Home Park, which adjoins the Brookfield
Subdivision, reported that 48 septic tanks in the park were 20 to 25 years old, and the septic tanks
in the DD Mobile Home Park across the street were 25 years old. There are seven different types of
soil in the park ranging from poor to excellent quality. During heavy rains, problems are experienced
with the septic tanks on the eastern side of the park because the N. C. Department of Transportation
does not properly maintain ditches along Gordon Road.
Several years ago, the community was informed that if a major sewer line owned by the Board
of Education was used for a school, the community would be able to connect to the line. After
discussion with the Engineering Department two weeks ago, staff was not aware that the
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 1998PAGE 455
Board of Education owned the line. It is assumed when the major interceptor goes to the school,
there should be enough capacity to provide sewer to the Glenwood area.
County Engineer Blanchard reported the sewer line referenced by Mr. Spencer was originally
constructed by the County and turned over to the City for maintenance. Once the Water and Sewer
District came into existence, the City conveyed the line to the County. After the NorthChase
Interceptor is completed, the line will have sewer availability based upon capacity at the Northside
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Chairman Greer commented on the importance of meeting the needs of these two areas, and
he recommended accelerating the sewer schedule as proposed.
District Commissioner Caster asked if other areas were experiencing severe septic tank
problems.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that Myrtle Gardens and two small subdivisions
located off Blue Clay Road near Castle Hayne, were experiencing septic tank problems.
Mr. Albert Harrell, a resident of Brookfield, advised this subdivision was recorded in 1965.
A right-of-way was left with the assumption that it would be used for a public utility purpose. The
septic tanks in this area are old, and the residents are in need of sewer availability. There are 171
homes in Brookfield and 76 homes in Brierwood that need assistance. As a matter of information,
the new interceptor line is only 660 feet from a road in Brookfield Subdivision. He urged the District
Board to move forward with providing sewer to the area.
Motion:
After discussion of the new sewer fee, District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED,
SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster to authorize the Engineering Department to accelerate
sewer construction in the Brookfield/Brierwood area and Weaver Acres contingent upon available
capacity in the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant and based upon the new fee schedule. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
In other discussion, Mr. Rudie Gresham asked if the District could require a private water
company to provide generators at various sites when power is out during hurricanes or other
emergency events.
County Manager O’Neal responded a franchise would have to be developed between the
County and private company.
Chairman Greer recommended that Mr. Gresham contact the N. C. Utilities Commission and
make this request.
Commissioner Birzenieks requested the District Board to support Mr. Gresham’s request.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 1998PAGE 456
After discussion, the District Board agreed to support Mr. Gresham in requesting assistance
from the N. C. Utilities Commission.
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 12:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board