2005-05-02 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 2, 2005
BOOK 3
PAGE 122
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in
Regular Session on Monday, May 2, 2005, at 6:50 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County
Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Chairman William A. Caster; District Vice-Chairman William A. Kopp,
Jr.; District Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; District Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager Allen
O'Neal; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley and Clerk to the District Board Sheila L. Schult.
District Commissioner Robert G. Greer was absent.
District Chairman Caster called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
District Chairman Caster called for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on April
18,2005, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board.
Motion: District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Kopp, to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting held on April 18, 2005, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED 4 to O.
UPDATE ON BLOSSOM FERRY SUBDIVISION WATER PROBLEMS
Assistant County Manager Dave Weaver provided the Board with the following update on the Blossom
Ferry Subdivision water problems:
. Bottled water is being delivered at pre-arranged times to the subdivision.
. A 70-foot well has been drilled and staff is waiting on the results of the water tests.
. Contact has been made with the City of Wilmington and negotiations are on going concerning the
feasibility of connecting to the Sharon Hills subdivision water system.
. The Department of Environmental Health staff has offered to meet with the homeowners and
provide them with updates.
. The Department of Environmental Health staff is in the process of reviewing their records to
provide information on how the wells were approved and Certificates of Occupancy were issued
and why the contractor was allowed to sign a health waiver.
. The State is continuing their investigation but early results show that it is a ground water related
problem and not a well construction related problem.
District Vice-Chairman Kopp stated that this is a good example of why water and sewer consolidation is
needed and clarified with Assistant County Manager Weaver that the distribution system cost for Blossom Ferry will
be approximately $50,000 to $75,000.
District Commissioner Pritchett clarified with Deputy County Engineer Jim Craig that the time frame to get
the subdivision connected to county water would be approximately six months and stated that the time frame for
digging deeper wells would be less than the six month estimate.
County Manager O'Neal stated that with the Board's approval the design process could be started before
the permits are in place.
County Attorney Wanda Copley stated that the quick turn around bid process could be used and the design
process could be started but the County cannot proceed without the proper bid process as in an emergency situation.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 2, 2005
BOOK 3
PAGE 123
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
District Chairman Caster announced that time had been reserved for anyone from the public to present an
item that was not listed on the Regular Agenda. He requested all persons to limit their remarks to three minutes.
Eric Thompson, a resident of Blossom Ferry subdivision in Castle Hayne, stated that there are no County
records confirming that his well was tested when his home was issued the Certificate of Occupancy over two years
ago. The seven families that reside in Blossom Ferry subdivision continue to have their lives disrupted and the
homeowners are requesting the County Commissioners aid them in getting county water to the subdivision. The
builder, Elk Construction, hired Pender Well Drilling to drill the 70-foot well that is currently under going testing.
Robin Teena Manns, a resident of Blossom Ferry subdivision, stated that Environmental Health Service
Manager Diane Harvell has been very helpful to the residents. She reported that her family has been in their home
for fourteen weeks, and to their knowledge, their well was only tested by their mortgage company. Since that time,
the County has tested the well six times with four of the readings being positive. Due to inconsistencies in the
testing results they are extremely concerned and requested that the Commissioners aid them in getting county water
to the subdivision stating that they will be willing to wait the six months if necessary.
Jason Ruth, resident of Blossom Ferry subdivision in Castle Hayne, stated that he is representing the
residents in the area. The consensus of the subdivision residents is that their preference would be to wait the six
months and be connected to county water.
Peter Longo, resident on Mossy Rock Road, clarified with Assistant County Manager Weaver that the
Sharon Hills subdivision was connected to the county system due to well problems.
After brief discussion, the consensus of the Board was to direct staff to proceed with digging the deeper 70-
foot well and bring back a permanent solution proposal with cost projections at the Board's next meeting.
District Vice-Chairman Kopp requested that Staff provide the Board with a report on the process that was
followed to issue the Certificates of Occupancy in the Blossom Ferry subdivision.
UPDATE ON DARDEN ROAD PROJECT
Deputy County Engineer Jim Craig reported that the Darden Road project was approximately half
completed.
WATER PRESSURE UPDATE
Assistant County Manager Weaver reported that the water pressure problems in the northeastern portion of
the County show improvement from the voluntary conservation measures that have been initiated, the increase in
rainfall, and adjustments to the pumping cycles.
CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED WATER TOWER
Assistant County Manager Weaver reported that on April 6, 2005, staff received bids to relocate an existing
elevated water tower from Sanford, NC and an alternate bid on the construction of a new elevated water tower for
the northern part of the County. Due to the extensive modifications to the existing water tower to meet New
Hanover County's needs the relocation cost was more than expected. The low bid to relocate the elevated tower
from Sanford was $748,750 from R. E. McLean Tank Company. The low bid for the construction of a new elevated
water tower was $795,100 from Caldwell Tanks, Inc. Staff feels that the additional cost of $46,350 for a new tank
compared to a forty-year old tank is well worth the cost. The old tank may have lead paint issues and would take
longer to activate.
Staff is requesting the Board award contract #05-0159 to Caldwell Tanks, Inc., for the construction of a
new elevated water tower in the amount of $795,100, authorize the Chairman to execute the contract, and approve
the associated budget amendment #2005-46.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 2, 2005
BOOK 3
PAGE 124
District Chairman Caster asked for direction from the Board.
Motion: District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Kopp, to award
contract #05-0159 in the amount of $795,100 to Caldwell Tanks, Inc., authorize the District Chairman to execute the
contract and approve the related budget amendment #2005-46. Upon vote, the MOTION CARlED 4 TO O.
Budget Amendment #2005-46 - Water and Sewer Fund
Adjustment
Debit
Credit
500,000-Gallon Water Tank:
Appropriated Fund Balance
Capital Project Expense
$435,000
$435,000
Explanation: To purchase and install 500,000 gallon water tank and interconnection line.
CLOSED SESSION
Vice-Chairman Caster announced a Closed Session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute Section
G.S. 143-318. 11 (a)(3) to consider potential litigation and requested a motion to convene to Closed Session.
Motion: District Commissioner Kopp MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Pritchett, pursuant to
N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3) to convene to Closed Session to consider potential litigation. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED 4 to O.
Vice-Chairman Caster convened to Closed Session at 7:48 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
Vice-Chairman Caster reconvened to Regular Session at 8: 18 p.m. He reported that the Board has received
consultation from the County Attorney on a matter of potential litigation.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, District Chairman Caster requested a motion to adjourn.
Motion: District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Kopp, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon vote, THE MOTION CARRIED 4 to O.
District Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 8: 18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the District Board