1994-05-16 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND DISTRICT BOARDBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 16, 1994PAGE 158
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County
Water & Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, May 16,
1994, at 11:01 A.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 Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Sisson to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting
of May 2, 1994. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AWARD OF CONTRACT #94-0348 TO HOBBS UPCHURCH & ASSOCIATES AND
ANDREW & KUSKE FOR DESIGN OF THE NORTHSIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT
PLANT
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported on the proposed
engineering contract for design and construction management
services for a 4.0 million gallon per day wastewater treatment
plant. After advertising and receiving proposals, the committee
selected the following firms to provide a presentation:
Hobbs Upchurch & Associates - Andrew & Kuske
McKim & Creed Engineers
Piedmont Olsen - Talbert & Bright
Black and Veatch - Century/von Oesen
After a complete review of the proposals and visits to several
treatment plants, the firm of Hobbs Upchurch & Associates and
Andrew & Kuske is recommended based on the design of the treatment
plant at Siler City. The plant is simple and economical to operate
as well as capable of handling 4.0 million gallons per day of
wastewater treatment. The proposed fee is divided into the
following categories:
Design and Bidding - $507,247
Construction & Post Construction - $287,160
201 Facility Plan Update - $150,985
(Not necessary if State Revolving Funds are not used)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND DISTRICT BOARDBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 16, 1994PAGE 159
Based on an estimated construction cost of $11,000,000, the
design percentage would be 4.61%, which is very reasonable.
County Engineer Blanchard requested the District Board to
award the contract to Hobbs Upchurch & Associates and Andrew &
Kuske at the proposed fee estimated and approve a Budget Amendment
in the amount of $794,407 for design and construction services and
$150,985 for the 201 Facility Plan Update, if State Revolving Funds
are utilized.
Environmental Specialist, Dennis Burks, a former Wastewater
Treatment Plant Operator with the City of Wilmington, reported he
feels the Siler City plant is outstanding. The effluent from the
facility is unusually clean, and the numbers have proven that the
Siler City plant has an exceptional wastewater discharge. In his
opinion, New Hanover County would be fortunate to construct a
similar facility.
District Commissioner Sisson inquired as to whether there is
any fall-off or fluctuation of the treatment plant during peak load
demands?
Environmental Specialist Burks reported the design of this
plant does not allow for much fluctuation during peak load demands
because an oxidation ditch is used, which is a modification of an
activated sludge process.
Vice-Chairman Barone reported when dealing with a $12 million
project, a member of the District Board, either she or Chairman
Mathews, should have been invited to serve on the Selection
Committee. Concern was expressed for being left out of a process
that required a year to complete, and now being asked to make a
decision in one hour. Even though the selection criteria has been
explained, it appears that no one visited the firm of Black and
Veatch, a world renown company for the construction of wastewater
treatment plants. In her opinion, this is an excellent opportunity
for the District Board not to fall into the problems inherited from
prior boards, which is to make a decision based strictly upon
staff's recommendation. The District Board should be more involved
in a project of this magnitude, and certainly the incinerator is an
example of where an engineer's recommendation was approved with no
involvement by the Board of County Commissioners. In order to be
responsible to the citizens of the Water & Sewer District, she
would like for the District Board to consider hearing a
presentation by the four firms before making a decision.
Chairman Mathews stated personally he does not feel he was
left out because he was not invited to serve on the Selection
Committee. The Water & Sewer District has an excellent staff;
therefore, the District Board should rely on them in the
performance of their jobs. As to the incinerator, this is a
different situation that could be discussed for hours.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND DISTRICT BOARDBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 16, 1994PAGE 160
District Commissioner Greer commented on the importance of
dealing with a local firm for accountability and inquired as to why
the firm of Andrew & Kuske does not appear on the proposed
contract?
County Engineer Blanchard reported there is a written
agreement between Hobbs Upchurch & Associates and Andrew & Kuske
which outlines the duties and responsibilities of both firms.
District Commissioner Greer requested placing the firm of
Andrew & Kuske on the contract, if at all possible.
County Manager O'Neal reported a statement can be included in
all documents to verify that the firm of Hobbs Upchurch &
Associates is affiliated with Andrew & Kuske in this project.
Mr. David Upchurch reported he and Ron Andrew have been
working on the project; therefore, he has no problem with including
the firm of Andrew & Kuske on the contract documents. Presently,
there is a signed agreement between Hobbs Upchurch & Associates and
Andrew & Kuske showing the items that will be performed by Andrew
& Kuske and the amount to be paid to that firm. The firm of Hobbs
Upchurch & Associates is responsible for ensuring the project is
carried out in a satisfactory manner; however, since the process
design is the key ingredient, it is felt that Hobbs Upchurch &
Associates should be the prime or at least equal party listed on
the contract.
District Commissioner Sisson explained that the District Board
is trying to remedy problems of the past; therefore, by including
the firm of Andrew & Kuske on the contract, there will be local
accountability.
County Manager O'Neal recommended approving the contract in
concept with final adoption of the amended contract reflecting the
participation of Andrew & Kuske at the next meeting of the Water &
Sewer District.
District Commissioner Caster inquired as to the number of
oxidation plants constructed by each of the four firms?
County Engineer Blanchard reported all four firms have
constructed oxidation ditch type treatment plants; however, he is
not sure of the exact number per firm. When visiting the various
plants, the Siler City plant was by far the best plant.
District Commissioner Caster reported he has utmost confidence
in the County Engineer and staff; however, a policy should be
developed to involve a District Commissioner in a project of this
size. He recommended requesting the County Manager to develop a
policy for the Water & Sewer District.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND DISTRICT BOARDBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 16, 1994PAGE 161
Vice-Chairman Barone agreed with District Commissioner Caster
and emphasized the importance of having a member of the District
Board involved with all capital projects of this size. She stated,
for the record, she cannot vote on the project without additional
information and requested the District Board to hear presentations
from the four firms before making a final decision.
County Manager O'Neal stated staff will be glad to prepare a
policy.
A lengthy discussion was held on the State Statutes pertaining
to engineering contracts and estimated costs. District
Commissioner Caster stressed the importance of the project coming
in as budgeted and asked who will have the responsibility of
overseeing the contract?
County Manager O'Neal responded that both the District and
Hobbs Upchurch & Associates will oversee the project.
Motion: District Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Greer to approve the contract in concept pending final
approval of the amended contract reflecting the name of Andrew &
Kuske as a participating party at the next meeting of the Water &
Sewer District. 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
INTRODUCTION OF NEW PROJECT ENGINEER, GEORGE SHAW
County Engineer Blanchard introduced the new Project Engineer,
George Shaw, and reported he will be involved in all capital
projects.
Chairman Mathews, on behalf of the Board, welcomed Mr. Shaw
and wished him well in his new position.
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 11:39 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board