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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-17 Water & Sewer NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 1997PAGE 399 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, November 17, 1997, at 11:24 A.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse 14 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 three minutes had been reserved for anyone from the public to present an item that was not listed on the agenda. He asked if anyone present would like to comment. No remarks were received. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of October 20, 1997, and November 3, 1997, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT #98-0173 WITH FAIRWAYS UTILITIES, INC. TO PROVIDE SEWER SERVICE TO CYPRESS ISLAND, SAPONOS POINTE, LIGHTHOUSE VILLAGE, SOUNDSIDE AND OLD CAPE COD SUBDIVISIONS County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that five subdivisions known as Cypress Island, Saponos Pointe, Lighthouse Village, Soundside, and Old Cape Cod were in the process of being constructed with the sewer discharge being treated by Fairways Utilities. Since these subdivisions are in the southern end of the County, the District cannot provide wastewater treatment at this time. In order to better serve the residents in the subdivisions, staff recommends turning over the sewer systems to Fairways Utilities for ownership and operation. This would allow the residents to deal with only one entity. The contract will allow for transfer of the sewer systems contingent upon the systems being returned to the District at no cost if Fairways Utilities is purchased by the District at a future date. Motion: After discussion of the systems being constructed to District specifications and the need to require maintenance of the systems, District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to approve the contract between the District and Fairways Utilities, Inc. to transfer the private sewer systems contingent upon incorporation of a maintenance clause into the NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 1997PAGE 400 contract and the systems being returned to the District at no charge if Fairways Utilities, Inc. is purchased by the District at a future date. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department. APPROVAL OF WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT EMPLOYEE RECLASSIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS AND APPROVAL OF ASSOCIATED BUDGET AMENDMENT #98-0064 County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported the Engineering Department, including Water and Sewer Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance has reached the point where the structure of the department needs to be reorganized. The number of water and sewer customers has increased by 1,400 during the last twelve months for a total of 18,700 customers. The addition of Kings Grant Water System will increase the customer base by an additional 2,100 customers. During the past year, the miles of water and sewer lines have increased by 36 miles and an additional 31.7 miles will be added by the Kings Grant System for a total of 367 miles. Presently, there are twelve water and sewer construction projects in all phases from design through construction. This does not include the water and sewer systems being constructed by developers. The existing work load is beginning to exceed the department’s ability to perform the necessary work. In order to relieve this situation, the following changes are recommended: (1)Chief Utility Engineer (New Position): This position will administer the activities of water and sewer maintenance in addition to water and sewer construction. (2)Clerical Assistant (New Position): Assist the Administrative Assistant with clerical duties for the Engineering Department, Water and Sewer Maintenance and the Assistant County Manager. (3)Water System Operator (New Position): This position will be needed to operate the Kings Grant Water System. (4)Material Control Specialist (Reclassification): This position is a reclassification from a meter reader position. This person will control inventory along with other duties at the water and sewer warehouse. (5)Utility Work I (Reclassification): Two positions. (6)Utility worker II (Reclassification): Two positions. The Utility worker positions are proposed classifications of General Service Workers. These changes are requested since the duties of the positions require skills above that of a General Service Worker. Major problems have been experienced in hiring and retaining skilled people in these positions. (7)Chief Project Engineer: Change in Pay Range from 209 to 207. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 1997PAGE 401 (8)Civil Engineer (Reclassification): Reclassified from Construction Engineer, which represents only a name change. District Commissioner Greer commented on the Chief Project Engineer position, and asked if the Civil Engineer position could be upgraded to fill this position? County Manager O’Neal requested the Board to maintain the Chief Project Engineer position because of the number of diverse construction projects. He advised the primary function of a Civil Engineer was to review plans for water and sewer development. District Commissioner Greer advised the members of the current Board that when the County agreed to purchase the last water system, the District Board was aware of the need to hire additional positions. Motion: District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Howell to approve the new positions and reclassifications as recommended by the Director of Engineering and approve the associated budget amendment. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Budget Amendment #98-0064 - Water and Sewer Engineering DebitCredit Water & Sewer Engineering Salaries & Wages $ 4,591 Administrative Reserve 14,209 Motor Vehicle Purchases $16,800 Fuel & Supplies 2,000 Purpose: To transfer funds for purchase of truck and related operating expenses for the new Water & Sewer Operator position. Other personnel changes will be absorbed in the existing budget. REPORT ON THE HANBY/WILMINGTON BEACH SEWER PROJECT Chairman Caster reported Town Councils of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach would consider contracts with the County for construction of the Hanby/Wilmington Beach sewer project at meetings scheduled this week. He emphasized the need to start the project and stated he hoped the contracts would be approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion: District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 1997PAGE 402 Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 11:35 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board