1993-11-01 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND DISTRICT BOARDBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 1, 1993PAGE 129
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County
Water & Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, November
1, 1993, at 10:41 P.M. in the First Floor Assembly Room of the New
Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut 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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Vice-Chairman Barone MOVED, SECONDED by District
Commissioner Sisson to approve the minutes of the Regular Meetings
of September 7, 1993, October 4, 1993, and October 18, 1993, as
presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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. The following item was presented.
Denial of Request by Earl Mullen for Waiver of Increase in the
Sewer Connection Fee
Mr. Earl Mullen, an owner of rental property in New Hanover
County, reported when acquiring two permits to connect to the Sewer
System, he was informed the connection fee had increased from $200
to $400. Concern was expressed for no official notification to
property owners, which in his case, would have saved him a
considerable amount of money. Due to his job requiring him to
travel out of town and no notification received in the mail, the
District Board was requested to waive the increase for the two
sewer connection permits.
County Manager O'Neal reported notices of the meetings are
published in the newspaper and new releases are forwarded to the
media when fees are increased. Under North Carolina General
Statutes, the District Board can adjust fees as they deem necessary
without official notification. It would be unreasonable for the
District to mail a notice to every property owner due to the cost
involved.
Vice-Chairman Barone expressed concern for not notifying
customers of fee increases and inquired as to whether this
information can be included in the sewer billings?
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND DISTRICT BOARDBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 1, 1993PAGE 130
County Manager O'Neal reported notification of future
increases can be included in the sewer billings.
Consensus: After discussion of setting a precedent, it was the
consensus of the District Board to deny the waiver requested by Mr.
Mullen and direct Staff to establish a system of notifying
customers of future fee increases in the sewer billings.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION REJECTING BIDS RECEIVED FOR TRAILER MOUNTED
GENERATOR FOR THE WATER & SEWER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, requested adoption of
a resolution rejecting all bids received for a trailer mounted
generator to be used by the Water & Sewer Engineering Department.
After thoroughly evaluating the bids, it was determined that only
the highest bid complied with the specifications; therefore, Staff
would like to re-bid this item at a later date.
Motion: After discussion of the bidding process, Vice-Chairman
Barone MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Sisson to adopt the
resolution rejecting all bids received and re-bid the item. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of
the minutes and is contained in W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 10.
DISCUSSION OF WATER SYSTEMS BEING PLACED IN NEW SUBDIVISIONS
District Commissioner Sisson reported on an incident in a
subdivision where the developer installed a water system without
informing the residents of their financial obligations. In order
for the water system to become State certified, the residents had
to pay $15,000. Once the system was accepted by the State, the
utility company took over the system. Also, there is concern for
six inch water mains being placed in new developments, instead of
eight inch mains, which does not provide a sufficient flow of water
to the fire hydrants. Emphasis was placed on the need to address
these issues.
County Manager O'Neal reported these issues will be discussed
with the County Engineer and recommendations will be prepared.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-
Chairman Barone to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 11:04 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board