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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-18 Water & Sewer NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1997PAGE 386 ASSEMBLY The District Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District held a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 18, 1997, at 11:05 A.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: District Commissioners Buzz Birzenieks; Ted Davis, Jr.; Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman William A. Caster; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the District Board, Lucie F. Harrell. Chairman Caster called the meeting to order. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Caster 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 to limit their remark to three minutes. No items were presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion : District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 4, 1997, as presented by the Clerk to the Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT #95-0142A AND BUDGET AMENDMENT #98-0018 FOR THE NORTHSIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT County Engineer, Jim Craig, reported construction of the Ogden Interceptor will increase the wastewater flow to the City’s Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant by approximately 1,000,000 gallons per day. This increased flow will greatly stress the grit chamber (head-works) in its present condition. Staff recommends amending the contract with McKim and Creed by $35,200 to include the grit chamber. Discussion followed on the terms of the agreement with the City to jointly expand the City’s Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, reported the agreement requires the County to pay additional costs for expansion of the plant, and the City is required to share in the costs for upgrading the plant. The grit chamber is considered an expansion because of increased wastewater flow from construction of the Ogden Interceptor. At this time, the District does not own any part of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant; however, as the plant is expanded, the District will own a portion of the plant. District Commissioner Greer reported on resolutions adopted by the City and County to established an authority or some type of entity by December 1, 1997, to operate water and sewer services provided by the City and County. He expressed concern for the problems being experienced in achieving this goal and stated if this entity does not come into existence by NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1997PAGE 387 December 1, 1997, the District may have to construct its own Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Emphasis was placed on the need to be sure the City fulfills its agreement. Assistant County Manager Weaver stated if the City and County do not consolidate water and sewer services, the contract with the City for joint construction of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant will still be valid. District Commissioner Greer agreed and advised the City convinced the District that development of an entity should not be part of the contract for joint construction of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. County Engineer Craig stated if an entity is not formed and the District decides to construct its own Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant, the grit chamber can be used by the District with minor modifications. Motion : Vice Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks to approve Contract Amendment #95-0142A in the amount of $35,200 for expansion of the grit chamber, authorize the Chairman to execute the amendment, and approve the associated budget amendment. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 98-0018 Water and Sewer District Escrow Ogden Interceptor DebitCredit Water & Sewer District Escrow Appropriated Fund Balance $35,200 Transfer/Sewer Capital Project $35,200 Ogden Interceptor Capital Project Operating Transfers In (from Fund 801 - W&S Escrow) 35,200 Capital Project Expense 35,200 Purpose : To budget funding for engineering design services to expand the grit chamber (head works) along with the Ogden Interceptor. A copy of the contract amendment is on file in the Legal Department. ACCEPTANCE OF KINGS GRANT WATER SYSTEM County Engineer, Jim Craig, reported the owners of the Kings Grant Water System were offering the system to the District as a donation. The District would be responsible for paying the costs to transfer the system. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1997PAGE 388 After inspecting the system, funding in the amount of $200,000 will be needed to repair the ground facilities, such as roofs, electrical controls, telemetry, painting and/or replacement of the water tank. The present system serves approximately 2,100 customers including 28 commercial customers. The average daily water usage for June was 468,700 gallons for residential and 82,500 gallons for commercial. The system has been appraised by Dawson Engineering at a value of $3,199,000. The water quality is only fair due to iron content. The greatest concerns are the amount of asbestos pipe and the condition of the above ground facilities. If the system is accepted, it will be necessary to make the repairs as soon as possible. Acquisition of the system will require one additional employee and a vehicle. The total cost of the vehicle and additional employee, including benefits, will be $60,000. The District presently has 3,943 water customers. If the Kings Grant Water System is accepted, this figure will increase to 6,043. Discussion was held on why the private owner was donating the water system. County Manager O’Neal advised that private owners of water systems were being required to follow more stringent state and federal regulations governing water quality. These regulations have increased the cost of operating private systems. The District is better equipped to handle the additional regulations and provide better water quality and customer service. The water rate will slightly increase, but the upgrade in the quality of water and service will be worth the additional cost to the customers. District Commissioner Davis inquired as to whether the District could become liable for any of the asbestos pipes? County Manager O’Neal responded this issue had been thoroughly reviewed and stated the asbestos would not be a problem. Further discussion followed on the cost to upgrade and repair the water system. Finance Director, Bruce Shell, reported the revenues generated should pay for the upgrade within a few years. Also, the profit made from the system will be returned to the District. Motion : District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to accept the Kings Grant Water System and authorize staff to proceed with preparing the contract. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT TO PERFORM THE WRIGHTSBORO AREA WATER AND SEWER STUDY AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE STUDY Chairman Caster reported the N. C. Department of Transportation has requested the Water and Sewer District to provide an estimate of the cost to construct water and sewer lines to serve the NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1997PAGE 389 residents around the western outer loop. A proposal has been received from the local engineering firm of Kimley-Horn, to perform the study at a cost of $15,625. After contacting the N. C. Department of Transportation, the State has offered to pay $7,500 of the cost involved with the study. The District’s share of the study will be $8,125. The District Board was requested to authorize staff to proceed with the Wrightsboro Area Water and Sewer Study and enter into a reimbursement agreement with the N. C. Department of Transportation. Motion : District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to approve a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates to perform the Wrightsboro Area Water and Sewer Study and enter into a reimbursement agreement with the N. C. Department of Transportation. The Chairman was authorized to execute the necessary contract documents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Copies of the contracts are on file in the Legal Department. APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #98-0017A TO BUDGET FUND BALANCE FOR OUTSTANDING PURCHASE ORDERS AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 Motion : District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks to approve the following budget amendment to budget fund balance for outstanding purchase orders as of June 30, 1997. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. #98-0017A Various DebitCredit Sewer Operating Fund Appropriated Fund Balance $383,876 Water & Sewer/Engineering Contracted Services $ 71,993 Cleanup 2,680 Departmental Supplies 1,394 Capital Outlay 275,392 Motor Vehicle Purchases 32,417 Purpose : To budget appropriated fund balance for outstanding purchase orders as of June 30, 1997. The amounts should be added to each appropriation as it appears in the Budget Ordinance in order to account for the payment against the fiscal year in which it is paid. ADJOURNMENT Motion : District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 18, 1997PAGE 390 Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 11:30 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the Board