1996-06-03 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 3, 1996PAGE 304
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County
Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, June 3,
1996, at 11:11 P.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County
Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Commissioners William A.
Caster; Robert G. Greer; William E. Sisson, Jr.; Vice-Chairman
Sandra Barone; Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; County Manager, Allen
O'Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the District
Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Mathews called the meeting to order.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Mathews inquired as to whether anyone from the public
would like to present an item not listed on the agenda.
The following item was presented:
Discussion of Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Wilmington
and New Hanover County for Joint Use and Joint Expansion of the
City's Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant
County Manager O'Neal reported at the regular meeting of the
Wilmington City Council on May 21, 1996, the Council approved the
joint City/County Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant agreement
with deletion of Section 10.5, which requires the establishment of
an authority or district within eighteen months for operation of
the expanded plant. He advised that the District Board can approve
the agreement with deletion of Section 10.5 as recommended by the
City Council, disapprove the agreement, or hold further discussions
with the Wilmington City Council about this issue. He advised that
the City Council may be willing to review alternative arrangements
after January 1997.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Barone expressed concern for trying to work
with the City without ever reaching an agreement and MOVED,
SECONDED by District Commissioner Greer to abandon the efforts with
the City for joint use and expansion of the City's Northside
Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorize Staff to proceed with
construction of a Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant by the
District.
A lengthy discussion was held on the amount of money that
would be saved by jointly expanding the City's Northside Wastewater
Treatment Plant in lieu of the District constructing a separate
Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant as originally planned. County
Manager O'Neal stated he did not have the exact figures with him,
but he would estimate a savings of approximately $4,000,000 to the
District under a joint effort.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 3, 1996PAGE 305
District Commissioner Caster and District Commissioner Sisson
reported on discussing this matter with Councilmembers Harper
Peterson and Laura Padgett. After discussion, it was felt there
was a tremendous amount of confusion about the intent of the
Commissioners when including Section 10.5 in the agreement. Once
this was explained to Councilmembers Padgett and Peterson, they did
not appear to be opposed to the concept of creating an authority or
similar entity to operate the expanded Wastewater Treatment Plant.
District Commissioner Sisson questioned whether the City Staff
was accurately communicating with the members of the City Council.
He expressed concern for never being able to reach a joint
agreement with the City on issues of significant importance.
Chairman Mathews recommended having Staff to further discuss
this matter with the City to be sure the City Council understands
the intent of the Board regarding Section 10.5 before taking
action.
Substitute Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by
District Commissioner Caster to defer action on the agreement until
July 1, 1996, in order to provide time for Staff to discuss Section
10.5 with the City to see if an arrangement can be negotiated to
provide for the establishment of an authority or similar entity to
operate the jointly expanded Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
District Commissioner Greer requested District Commissioner
Sisson to amend the MOTION to state that if a satisfactory proposal
is not submitted by July 1, 1996, the District will move forward
with constructing the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Vice-Chairman Barone reported she would support the substitute
motion if the motion was amended as requested by District
Commissioner Greer.
Amended Substitute Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED to
defer action on the interlocal agreement until July 1, 1996, to
provide time for Staff to discuss the Board's intent of Section
10.5 so the City Council will understand the request for creating
an authority or similar entity to operate the expanded plant. If
a satisfactory proposal is not submitted by July 1, 1996, the
District will move forward with constructing a separate Northside
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
District Commissioner Caster stated he could not SECOND THE
MOTION because he felt the City was being offered an ultimatum,
which he would not support.
District Commissioner Sisson WITHDREW THE AMENDED SUBSTITUTE
MOTION.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 3, 1996PAGE 306
Original Substitute Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED to
defer action on the agreement until July 1, 1996, with Staff
contacting the City to explain the intent of the Board when
requesting inclusion of Section 10.5, which requires the creation
of an authority or similar entity to operate the jointly expanded
Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. This item will be
reconsidered by the District Board on July 1, 1996. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: District Commissioner Caster
District Commissioner Greer
District Commissioner Sisson
Chairman Mathews
Voting Nay: Vice-Chairman Barone
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Caster to approve the minutes of May 20, 1996, as
presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Greer to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 11:24 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board