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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-05 Water & Sewer NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 5, 1995PAGE 249 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water & Sewer District met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 5, 1995, at 6:46 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 agenda. Mr. N. Bryant, a resident of Sheffield Court, expressed concern for the quality of drinking water in this area. He advised the Board that the odor was offensive, particles could be seen floating in the drinking water, and a water softener had to be used in order to avoid discoloration of appliances and clothing. He expressed concern for the citizens having to pay for water of this quality, and he requested the Commissioners to see if something could be done to improve the water quality. County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported he would be glad to check into this matter and report back to the District Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 21, 1995, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF SEWER ALLOCATION TO AREA SOUTH OF MONKEY JUNCTION Chairman Mathews commented on developers requesting sewer service in the southern end of the County and he requested the Assistant to the County Manager, Dave Weaver, to discuss the proposals for delivering sewer to the southern part of the County. The following report was presented: The ultimate goal of the Sewer System is to deliver sewerage to the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant. There are two basins involved: Barnard's Creek Basin and Mott's Creek Basin. As indicated on Map 1, the area around Monkey Junction, has three basic components: (1) a gravity flow interceptor; (2) installation NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 5, 1995PAGE 250 of a temporary Monkey Junction Pump Station; and (3) construction of an eight-inch force main to bring the sewer to the Monkey Junction Pump Station to be fed into two existing small gravity lines and into the existing interceptor that feeds into Barnard's Creek. The gravity lines will ultimately be part of the overall Master Plan for the Sewer System. The project cost is approximately $1,000,000, and if constructed, four to five pump stations will be eliminated with replacement on only one pump station. The following options were presented: Option I: This option has three components: (1) upgrade the size of the pump station at Monkey Junction; (2) increase the size of the force main; and (3) extend the force main and clear the interceptor line. The developers have requested the County to upgrade the new force main and pump station as shown on Map II. The developers would pay the cost of the upgrade at approximately $180,000; however, the District would reimburse them with impact fees. This option is not feasible because the Barnard's Creek pump station is nearing its design capacity, and this option would be a temporary measure that eventually would not be needed once the Master Plan is constructed. Option II: This option would allow the Master Plan to develop as scheduled with construction of the interceptor in the year 2008. Option III: This option would speed up implementation of the Master Plan for this area before the year 2008. The project would begin within the next year at a cost of $1,500,000. If this portion could be completed, it would serve all development in the area as initially planned in the Master Plan. No County funds would be used for the force main and pump station, and the developers would not be spending money for an upgrade that would have to be abandoned when the Master Plan is completed. This money could be used to extend the system. The proposed interceptor could be constructed within one year at an approximate cost of $1,500,000, and the project could be financed with one of the following options: (1)Include this project as part of the $19,000,000 Certificates of Participation issue authorized several months ago. (2)Require the developers to pay the $1,500,000 upfront. (3)Establish an impact fee whereby the developer will pay an additional $1,000 per acre up-front for capital costs or pay $450 per lot when the land is actually developed. It would be more beneficial to the County for the developer to pay $1,000 per acre up-front to provide the necessary NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 5, 1995PAGE 251 funds; however, the $450 per lot would bring in more revenue. When considering the funding options, the following items must be considered: (1)Should priorities of the Master Plan be altered in response to shifting development pressures? (2)Should the County allow the investment in short-term temporary sewer measures to allow development, or should the County strictly participate only in the long-term investments in the Master Plan? (3)Should there be considerations of transfers or "loans" from the general fund to the Water and Sewer District fund? (4)What other opportunities, such as water systems investments, are foregone if sewer priorities and schedules are changed? Vice-Chairman Barone inquired as to whether the developers had been contacted about the third funding option. Assistant County Manager Weaver responded that Mr. Dan Dawson, representing two the developers, was present and would be making some comments on the proposed project. Vice-Chairman Barone reported she did not feel the Water and Sewer Task Force would object to moving more quickly with implementation of the Master Plan. Mr. Dan Dawson, representing Dawson Engineering and three property owners in the Monkey Junction area, reported he had been meeting with County Staff since February to explore opportunities to expand the sewer in the Monkey Junction area. He advised the Board there was an opportunity to avoid the unnecessary spending of approximately $150,000 on temporary facilities for the sewer system. Mr. Dawson reported the Water and Sewer District currently has under contract the construction of a pump station and force main to serve Monkey Junction, which is a temporary solution for one or two years. After discussion with Staff, it is felt the Master Plan should be implemented more quickly and the District should begin construction of the permanent Mott's Creek outfall, pump station, and force main at an approximate cost of $1,500,000. The additional revenue can be recovered from the connection fees already in force in the Mott's Creek Watershed. The District is urged to consider expanding the same connection fees to the Barnard's Creek Watershed since Staff has determined the Barnard's NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 5, 1995PAGE 252 Creek pump station capacity has already been committed. A group of developers are willing to contribute approximately $200,000 to provide temporary sewer service to continue development plans during the construction of the permanent outfall, pump station, and force main, which will alleviate the District from spending funds to construct a temporary pump station at Monkey Junction that will later be abandoned. The District Board was requested to move forward with implementing the Master Plan in order to take advantage of this private source of funding. A lengthy discussion was held on the complexity of this issue. County Manager O'Neal reported a Work Session was already scheduled to review impact fees, and he suggested that this Work Session be expanded to discuss the provision of sewer to the area south of Monkey Junction. Consensus: After discussion of the many infrastructure issues involved with expanding the sewer system south of Monkey Junction, it was the consensus of the Board to hold a Work Session on September 14, 1995, at 9:30 A.M. until 12:00 noon in Room 501 of the County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. ADJOURNMENT Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Vice- Chairman Barone to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 7:29 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District Board