1998-11-23 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 461
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
met in Regular Session on Monday, November 23, 1998, at 10:47 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; Deputy County Manager, Andrew J. Atkinson; County Attorney, Wanda M.
Copley; and Clerk to the District Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order.
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 comments or items were presented.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES ON THE FIRST READING TO AMEND CHAPTER 15,
WATER AND SUPPLY SYSTEM, ARTICLE II, WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND
TREATMENT, OF THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Chairman Greer reported that New Hanover County had not increased the existing tap fees
since the mid 80's. Several months ago, a proposal was submitted to several contractors to determine
how the rates should be increased. A contract was awarded and after a complete review of the Sewer
System, the following fee increases were recommended:
Sewer System Connection Fees (Tap Fees)
CurrentProposed
4 inch $400 $1,800
6 inch $600 $2,200
Chairman Greer advised that if a customer lived in an area that is not being served by the
Sewer System and the District decided to provide sewer to that area, every homeowner would be
required to connect to the Sewer System. As the County installs the main line into a new area and
the tap is placed on the line once it is in the ground, the property owner is required to pay the cost
to the County, which is much less that the $1,800 or $2,000 tap fee. If the homeowner waits to tap
into the line at a later date, the new rates will be imposed.
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, explained that once sewer is provided to an area, the
property owner has six months to hook on to the sewer line. If the property owner decides to hook
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 462
on after the six-month period, the increased tap fee will be charged. If the property owner decides
to continue to use a septic tank system after the six months, a bi-monthly sewer rate will be charged.
Vice-Chairman Howell asked if the property owner will have the option of hiring a private
contractor to hook on to the sewer line.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that after the sewer is provided to an area, the property
owner has the right to hire a utilities contractor to hook on to the sewer line. In these cases, the fee
charged by the District will be $25.
Discussion followed on the form of notification given to the homeowners about where taps
will be placed. County Engineer Blanchard said that notification is given to all homeowners
informing them when sewer construction will begin. The homeowner is provided a sketch of his or
her property and requested to inform the District where the tap(s) should be located. The contractor
is provided the list of desired tap locations before construction begins. In some cases, it
may not be possible to place the tap in the exact location; however, every effort will be made by the
contractor to place the taps in the desired locations.
Mr. Paul Boettcher, a resident of Wilmington Beach, reported that he had received
information stating the sewer tap fee would be $2,500 per 50 foot lot. He advised the Board that
his house was located on two lots, which will cost him $5,000 to connect to the sewer system. He
expressed concern for the provision of sewer to other new areas at a charge of $800, and he
requested an explanation.
Chairman Greer informed Mr. Boettcher that the provision of sewer to the Wilmington/Hanby
Beach area was an entirely separate issue. The property owners living in the Wilmington/Hanby
Beach area have been notified that in order to provide sewer to this area, each lot will be assessed
$2,000 plus a $500 tap fee. If the property owner has two lots with two taps, the cost will be $5,000.
If the property owner has two lots with one tap, the cost will be $4,500.
Chairman Greer explained that the $2,000 charge was an assessment, not a tap fee. When the
Water and Sewer District was established in the early 80's, the district boundary line stopped at the
Snow’s Cut Bridge. New Hanover County cannot install sewer lines beyond that point. When septic
tank failures became so numerous in the Wilmington/Hanby Beach area, the New Hanover County
Health Department notified New Hanover County, the Town of Carolina Beach, and Town of Kure
Beach that this matter had to be resolved to protect the public health of the citizens. After meeting
with the beach communities, it was decided for New Hanover County to finance the sewer project
with treatment of the wastewater by the beach communities. In order to provide this service, each
property owner was required to pay an assessment of $2,000.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 463
Mr. Frank Henshaw, a resident of New Hanover County, commented on having reservations
about the proposed tap fees, and he stated after contacting private utility contractors, the lowest price
quoted was $1,800 with a majority of responses at $2,500. He expressed appreciation to the District
Board for imposing a reasonable fee.
Mr. Lewis Sasser, a resident of Brookfield, spoke in opposition to being forced to connect
to the sewer system when his septic system was functioning in a satisfactory manner. He stated the
property owner was being forced to connect to the sewer line within six months or pay a higher fee,
or pay a bi-monthly sewer rate if that person continues to use a functioning septic tank system.
Mr. Sasser again commented on the unfairness of the policy, and he asked if the property
owner was responsible for paying the cost of running the pipe from the house to the sewer line.
Chairman Greer responded that the homeowner was responsible for paying the cost to run
the pipe from the house to the sewer line.
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 15, Article II of the New Hanover Code to increase the
sewer system connection fees as recommended. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 24.
The ordinance will be codified into the New Hanover County Code.
County Engineer Blanchard advised that water connection/tap fees have not been increased
since 1980, and he requested the District Board to adopt an ordinance to amend Chapter 15, Water
Supply System, Article 1, General, of the New Hanover County Code. The following fee increases
were recommended:
Water Service Connection Fees (Tap Fees)
CurrentProposed
5/8" x 3/4" $257 $1,050
1" $350 $1,250
1 1\2" $550 $1,850
2" $750 $2,250
Larger Cost Cost
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to adopt an ordinance to amend Chapter 15, Water Supply System, Article I of the New Hanover
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 464
County Code to increase the water service connection fees as recommended. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the ordinance is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 24.
The ordinance will be codified into the New Hanover County Code.
APPROVAL OF ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES CONTRACT #99-0160 AND
APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #99-16
Chairman Greer reported the County Engineer has requested the District to enter into a
contract with Tripp Engineering, P.C. in the amount of $11,000 to perform design services for
construction of a 12 inch water line from West Bay Subdivision near Ogden along Market Street to
the Marsh Oaks Subdivision. The water line will connect to the new 750,000 gallon elevated water
tank to be constructed adjacent to the Brickstone Subdivision.
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to
approve a contract with Tripp Engineering, P.C. in the amount of $11,000 to perform design services
for construction of a 12 inch water line from West Bay Subdivision to Marsh Oaks Subdivision. The
following budget amendment was approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
Budget Amendment #99-16 - Water/Sewer District
DebitCredit
Sewer Operating Fund
Appropriated Fund Balance $11,000
Transfer to Sewer Capital Projects$11,000
General Sewer Capital Projects
Transfer in from Fund 800 $11,000
Capital Project Expense$11,000
Purpose:
To establish a budget for the contract with Tripp Engineering for design of the water line
from West Bay Subdivision to Marsh Oaks Subdivision.
ACCEPTANCE OF MANASSAS SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM
Chairman Greer reported the developer of the proposed Manassas Subdivision has requested
the District to accept the water system for ownership, operation and maintenance. The total number
of lots planned is 153. The subdivision will extend from the Great Oaks Subdivision north to
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 465
Porters Neck Road. The water system will be connected to the new 750,000 gallon elevated water
tank to be constructed on Market Street near Brickstone Subdivision. The water system will be
designed and built in accordance with District specifications, and each lot in the subdivision will pay
the full water impact fee.
Vice-Chairman Howell asked if the water system would have a well located in the Porters
Neck area.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that a well should not be located in the Porters Neck
area; however, if this should happen, the developer would be required to pay the well and water tank
fee.
Vice-Chairman Howell commented on the problems being experienced with water quality in
the Porters Neck area, and he expressed concern for placing a well in this area.
Motion:
After discussion of fees collected from developers being placed in an account earmarked
for the location of a well on the west side of Market Street, Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED,
SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks to accept the Manassas Subdivision water system
as recommended by the County Engineer. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT #96-0452 FOR THE RIVER ROAD
FORCE MAIN
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that a contract was in place between the Water
and Sewer District, Carolina East Developers, Inc. and Landmark Developers, Inc. to allow for
construction of an 8 inch sewer force main along River Road from the Lamb’s Bluff pump station to
the Motts Creek pump station. The force main will serve the new Pilot’s Ridge School Complex.
Since Landmark has already sold the site for the Pilot’s Ridge project, they have requested
to be released from the contract. Landmark has agreed to pay the $20,000. Since that time, Chase
Mortgage Brokers, Inc., has become a new party to the contract because it will be taking over 50
percent of Carolina East Developers, Inc.’s obligation. Based upon these changes, the distribution
of funding will be as follows:
Chase Mortgage Brokers, Inc.$20,000
Carolina East Developers, Inc.$20,000
Landmark Developers$20,000
W&S District$40,000
County Engineer Blanchard requested the Board to approve the amended contract as
presented. The project cost will be higher than anticipated; however, the parties have agreed to share
the costs.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 466
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to approve the amended contract to reflect an agreement among Chase Mortgage Brokers, Inc.,
Carolina East Developers Inc., and the Water and Sewer District with removal of Landmark
Developers from the agreement. The Chairman was authorized to execute the contract documents.
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
REMOVAL OF A REQUEST FROM UNIVERSAL DEVELOPERS, INC. TO EXTEND
SEWER TO SIDBURY ROAD FROM THE NORTHCHASE AREA
Chairman Greer requested the Board to remove this item from the agenda until Cape Fear
Community College (CFCC) has developed a plan showing the sewer lines and pump stations that
will be placed in this area with construction of the new CFCC branch on Sidbury Road.
Vice-Chairman Howell asked if the developer would be harmed by postponing this action until
more plans have been developed by Cape Fear Community College.
County Engineer Blanchard said the developer was aware that the request could be removed
from the agenda.
Consensus:
It was the consensus of the Board to remove this item from the agenda.
APPROVAL OF OVER SIZING SEWER LINE TO ARNLEA FOREST SUBDIVISION AND
APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #99-17
Chairman Greer reported the developer was requested to increase an 8 inch line to a 10 inch
line by the District. This work has been completed, and the District owes the developer $6,693. He
requested the Board to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $6,693 to reimburse the
developer.
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to approve the following budget amendment in the amount of $6,693 to pay the additional cost to
the developer for oversizing the sewer line:
BUDGET AMENDMENT #99-17 - WATER/SEWER DISTRICT
DebitCredit
Sewer Operating Fund
Appropriated Fund Balance $6,693
Transfer to Sewer Capital Projects$6,693
General Sewer Capital Projects
Transfer in from Fund 800 $6,693
Capital Project Expense$6,693
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 PAGE 467
ADJOURNMENT
Motion:
Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Birzenieks to adjourn.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board