1997-11-17 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