1996-06-17 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 17, 1996PAGE 307
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County
Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on June 17, 1996,
at 4:15 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
general public would like to present an item not listed on the
Regular Agenda.
No items were presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Sisson to approve the minutes of the Regular Meetings
of May 6, 1996, and June 3, 1996, as presented by the Clerk to the
District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR KIRKLAND/BRANDYWINE SEWER PROJECT
Mr. George Shaw, Project Engineer for the Water & Sewer
District, reported the following bids were received on June 11,
1996, for the Kirkland/Brandywine Sewer Project. After review,
Staff recommends award of the low bid to R. H. Moore in the amount
of $819,902.
Webcon No bid received
Talco $ 958,750
M&A $ 954,838
R.H. Moore $ 819,902
State Utilities $1,435,430
District Commissioner Greer asked why the Brandywine area was
selected for the sewer line extension? County Engineer Blanchard
explained that this was the best route for enabling the Ogden
Elementary School to connect to the Sewer System.
Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Caster to award the contract to R. H. Moore, the
lowest bidder, in the amount of $819,902 for the
Kirkland/Brandywine Sewer Project and approve the associated Budget
Amendment. The Chairman was authorized to execute the contract
documents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 17, 1996PAGE 308
Budget Amendment #96-0252 - New Hanover County Schools
Debit Credit
New Hanover County Schools
Appropriated Fund Balance $25,000
Ogden Sewer $25,000
Purpose: To appropriate $25,000 to the Fund Balance of the Schools
to pay for additional expenses related to the Ogden Elementary
School sewer connection.
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR THE NEW
HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
Discussion was held on the recently adopted impact fee and how
the revenue generated would be appropriated. County Engineer
Blanchard reported the proceeds from the impact fee were being
placed in the Water and Sewer General Fund.
District Commissioner Greer noted that traditionally impact
fees were earmarked to construct sewer lines and provide funding
for maintenance of the Sewer System. He asked if the District
Board could reserve proceeds from the impact fee after adoption of
the budget?
County Manager O'Neal advised that funds could be reserved
after adoption of the budget and reported a transfer of $2,147,183
has been transferred to capital projects in the recommended FY
1996-97 Budget.
Motion: District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Sisson to adopt the FY 1996-97 Budget Ordinance for
the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District as recommended by
the County Manager. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the ordinance is hereby incorporated as a part of
the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book II, Page 18.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO AWARD BID #96-0468 (CONTRACT #96-0468)
TO PETE DUTY & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
FOR THE VISION SOFTWARE PROJECT
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported Staff had solicited
bids for a used wastewater treatment plant for the Vision Software
Project with only one bid received from Pete Duty & Associates,
Inc. of Durham, North Carolina. After a review of the bid, Staff
recommends award of the bid to Pete Duty & Associates, Inc. in the
amount of $69,625. The used plant is in excellent condition and
will cost much less than a new plant at an estimated cost of
$145,000.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 17, 1996PAGE 309
Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Greer to adopt a resolution to award the bid to Pete
Duty & Associates, Inc. of Durham, North Carolina, in the amount of
$69,625 for the purchase of a used wastewater treatment plant for
the Vision Software Project. The Chairman was authorized to
execute the contract documents.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the
minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book II, Page 18.
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
FOR THE VISION SOFTWARE SEWER PROJECT
Project Engineer, George Shaw, reported the Vision Software
Sewer Project will provide a wastewater collection system for the
new Vision Software plant and surrounding area. He reported bids
were opened on June 11, 1996, with the following bids received.
After review, Staff recommends award of the low bid in the amount
of $322,606 to On-Site located in Smithfield, North Carolina.
Webcon $424,166.30
Talco $394,473.00
M & A $334,742.30
R.H. Moore $346,910.50
State Utilities $604,421.00
On-Site $322,606.00
Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Caster to award the contract to On-Site in the amount
of $322,606. The Chairman was authorized to execute the contract
documents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT #96-0452 WITH CAROLINA EAST DEVELOPERS, INC.,
421 SOUTH ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AND LANDMARK DEVELOPERS,
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMP STATION AND FORCE MAIN
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, advised that an 8-inch sewer
force main will be constructed from the existing Tidal Holm pump
station along River Road to the new pump station being designed at
Mott's Creek and River Road. The developers will benefit by
building subdivisions without the usage of septic tanks, and the
District can eliminate the Monterey Heights Wastewater Treatment
Plant. Arrondale Subdivision will be able to utilize its dry
sewer, Masonboro Commons will connect to the sewer, and Heritage
Woods and Lord's Creeks will have a more direct route for the
sewer. Staff recommends charging a $1.50 per gallon fee for daily
usage to developers using the line ahead of schedule who are not a
partner in the contract. The fee is to be paid to the Water and
Sewer District.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 17, 1996PAGE 310
County Engineer Blanchard reported the estimated cost of the
project is $100,000 with the three developers providing the funding
upfront in the amount of $20,000 each and the District contributing
$40,000 as its share. The funding will not be needed until FY
1997-98; therefore, a Budget Amendment and Project Ordinance should
be adopted for the project.
District Commissioner Greer expressed concern for high density
development occurring in this area, and he asked when the zoning
regulations governing high density projects would be presented to
the Board of County Commissioners?
County Manager O'Neal reported this item would be discussed on
July 1, 1996.
District Commissioner Sisson recommended deferring action on
this request until after the July 1, 1996.
Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, reported the Technical
Review Committee approves a development contingent upon receiving
County sewer or connecting to another centralized sewer system. If
this criteria is met, the Technical Review Committee has no choice
but to approve the request. He cautioned delaying action on this
request because the necessary requirements have been met and this
action could be interpreted as a moratorium on the request.
District Commissioner Sisson expressed concern for constantly
feeling that development controls the County instead of the County
controlling development. He recommended postponing action of this
request until the high density regulations have been reviewed.
Motion: District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Caster to approve a contract with Carolina Eastern
Developers, Inc.; 421 South Associates Limited Partnership, and
Landmark Developers for construction of a pump station and force
main for the new pump station being designed at Mott's Creek with
the District contributing $40,000 and implementation of a $1.50 per
gallon fee for daily use by non-participating parties for new
development with the proceeds being paid to the District. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: District Commissioner Caster
District Commissioner Greer
Vice-Chairman Barone
Chairman Mathews
Voting Nay: District Commissioner Sisson
Commissioner Sisson stated, for the record, he could not
support action that is money driven by the developers, particularly
when the high density issue has not been addressed by the Board.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 17, 1996PAGE 311
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT #96-0472 WITH BILL CLARK HOMES OF WILMINGTON,
LLC AND SATURN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, presented a revised contract
and reported Bill Clark Homes of Wilmington, L.L.C.; Saturn
Development Corporation; Manley Development, L.L.C; Jesse M.
Blanton, Jr.; Russell M. Maynard; and Arnold L. Sobol have
requested authorization to construct a temporary sewer pump station
and force main on the recently constructed section of the Mott's
Creek sewer line. The required costs for the pump station and
force main will be paid by the developers. This line will allow
the developers to connect to the sewer system, and the District
will be able to remove four old pump stations eighteen months
earlier than anticipated, which will greatly reduce maintenance
costs.
District Commissioner Sisson strongly objected to the request
and stated this was another example of the developers controlling
high density development instead of the County.
Motion: After discussion of the advantages of removing the old
pump stations and the fact that sewer would be provided to this
area in eighteen months, Vice-Chairman Barone MOVED, SECONDED by
District Commissioner Greer to approve the contract with no funding
required by the District. The Chairman was authorized to execute
the necessary contract documents. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS
FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: District Commissioner Caster
District Commissioner Greer
Vice-Chairman Barone
Chairman Mathews
Voting Nay: District Commissioner Sisson
A copy of the contract is on file in the Legal Department.
DISCUSSION OF JOINT CITY/COUNTY NORTHSIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT
PLANT DRAFT AGREEMENT
County Manager O'Neal presented a letter from the City Manager
regarding action by the City Council on the draft agreement for the
proposed joint Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. He reported
the City was not against a joint utility; however, the City Council
was not in favor of establishing an authority for operation of the
facility. He stressed the importance of trying to work with the
City and stated from a financial perspective, a joint effort would
be good for New Hanover County.
District Commissioner Greer commented on the interlocal
agreement and stated, in his opinion, the City was trying to manage
and operate the joint facility through the proposed agreement.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JUNE 17, 1996PAGE 312
County Manager O'Neal suggested scheduling a joint meeting
with the City Council to further discuss this matter to see if some
agreement could be reached.
Vice-Chairman Barone expressed concern for establishing a
precedent that is occurring throughout the State where cities are
controlling counties. She noted that if New Hanover County
continues to allow the City to take the lead role, the County will
end up in the same situation that has occurred in Durham, N. C.
Commissioner Sisson stated, in his opinion, no definite entity
has been discussed for operation of a joint wastewater treatment
plant; therefore, he would recommended developing a structure that
will be acceptable to both the City Council and Board of County
Commissioners.
County Manager O'Neal reported there are approximately seven
options in the General Statutes that allow for development of an
entity to operate a joint City/County facility.
District Commissioner Greer recommended forwarding a letter to
the City Council informing them that New Hanover County is not
interested in an interlocal agreement that will authorize the City
to operate the water and sewer utilities; however, the Board would
be in favor of developing a third party to operate a joint utility.
He stated an agreement could be negotiated over a period of years
to protect the City from losing revenue. He stressed the
importance of the City Council realizing that New Hanover County is
not interested in taking anything away from the City.
Consensus: After further discussion, it was the consensus of the
District Board for the following persons to meet to see if a
satisfactory arrangement can be negotiated for a joint City/County
Wastewater Treatment Plant: Mayor Don Betz; Chairman Robert G.
Greer; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; one member of the City
Council; City Manager, Mary Gornto, and County Manager Allen
O'Neal.
County Manager O'Neal recommended scheduling the meeting after
the City Council meets on June 18, 1996.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 4:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board