1988-08-30 Special Meeting
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 30, 1988
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint
meeting with the Wilmington City Council on Tuesday, August 30,
1988, at 9:00 o'clock A.M. in the Garden Room of the Wilmington
Hilton Hotel, 301 North Water street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were:
commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Sr.
Commissioner W. Albert Corbett, Jr.
Commissioner Robert G. Greer
Vice-Chairman Fred Retchin
Chairman Nolan O'Neal
Council Members present were:
Councilman Gloria Berger
Councilman Sandra Barone
Councilman Katherine P. Hoyt
councilman Robert Shipp
Mayor Donald H. Betz
Chairman O'Neal called the joint meeting to order.
Status Report on New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, presented the following
update on Phases I and II of the County Sewer System:
Phase I -
From Millbrook Subdivision to Eastwood
Road to Intra-Coastal Waterway to City
Limits
Design and Construction began in 1985.
Areas 1, 2, and 3 are complete and ready
to provide service.
Area 4
Green Meadows to Longleaf Acres to
Windemere Subdivision
Now under construction and estimated to
be completed by January, 1989.
Phase II - From Whiskey Creek Basin to Ogden Shopping
Center to Bayshore area down to Blair/Noble
School
Construction Phase II will begin in early
1989 with completion of phases by late
1990.
County Engineer Blanchard stated funds in the amount of $23
million have been budgeted for the four areas under Phase I not
including funds allocated for expansion of the Souths ide
Treatment Plant or annexed areas A and B. He stated with Phase I
underway and near completion, the County selected Talbert, Cox &
Associates to perform a 201 Plan Update and design the
interceptor system for Phase II with all documents being
completed and submitted to the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management by July 1, 1988, in order to receive
EPA grant funds in the amount of $2.9 million. As of this date,
documents have been submitted to the State and are being reviewed
for final approval. Talbert, Cox & Associates are now preparing
a new study for scheduling of the remaining phases of the Sewer
System with cash flow projections utilizing user fees, sales tax,
and grants as sources of revenue.
Commissioner Barfield stated when the 201 Plan was first
prepared, discussion was held on providing water and sewer to the
unincorporated areas of the County. He commented on the length
of time involved in eventually extending sewer lines throughout
the entire County and requested the Wilmington City Council to
consider establishment of a Water and Sewer Authority.
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~~S OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 30, 1988 (CONTINUED)
Vice-Chairman Retchin commented on a proposal by the City's
Long Range Planning Task Force requesting a joint City/County
feasibility study for establishment of a Public Utilities
Authori ty. He stated stormwater management as well as solid
waste could be tied into a Public Utilities Authority and
encouraged both governing bodies to work toward creating an
authority.
Status Report on Wastewater Treatment Facilities City of
Wilmington
City Manager Farris stated the City's major, cooperative
role in assisting the County with construction of the County
Sewer System is in treatment of wastewater collected through
expansion of the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant which has
been a joint City/County venture. He stated the expanded plant
will serve the area through the year 2000 with a total capacity
of 12 million gallons per day allocated as follows:
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City of Wilmington - 5.25 million gallons
New Hanover County - 5.25 million gallons
Wrightsville Beach -1.50 million gallons
Discussion was held on expansion of the Northside Wastewater
Treatment Plant and participation in cost of the design study by
the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District. Ci ty Manager
Farris stated preliminary engineering has been performed with
authorization from the City Council to proceed with the final
design stages as follows:
Phase I - Upgrade capacity of plant from current
5.5 million gallons per day to 8 million
gallons per day.
Expansion should handle the City's waste
treatment needs for 20 years.
Compatible to meet future needs of the
Water and Sewer District.
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Expanded and upgraded in two additional phases when
the Water and Sewer District is ready for usage.
City Manager Farris listed the following issues that will
have to be addressed in treatment of wastewater:
1. More stringent regulations governing the
treatment of waste.
2. Development of Sludge Management Program.
3. Possibility of industry discharging in
plants causing reduction of domestic
wastewater design capacity.
Discussion was held on a joint cooperative effort by both
governing bodies in the areas of sewer policies, line
maintenance, billing and meter reading.
Status Report on City Water System
City Manager Farris stated the City is in the process of
creating a Master Plan for the City's Water System with two basic
questions to be answered: Should the system be planned to meet
the needs of the incorporated City, or should the system be
planned to serve the urbanized needs of New Hanover County? He
stated at this point, the City is proceeding with a plan to serve
the urbanized needs of New Hanover County with the following
points to be considered:
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1. Construction of a new water plant since
the Sweeney Plant is outdated.
2. A broad customer base to distribute costs
so customers will not be unduly burdened.
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 30, 1988 (CONTINUED)
257
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3. Planning for current and future needs.
4. Intergovernmental cooperation among all
local governments.
Discussion was held on working toward creating a Public
Utilities Authority in order to efficiently handle water and
sewer, solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage. Councilman
Hoyt recommended using more inter local agreements stating this
would be the first step toward establishing an authority. Mayor
Betz commented on duplication of services by local governments in
equipment and personnel stating this cost could be substantially
reduced under one entity.
Discussion was held on hiring a consultant to perform a
feasibility study for creation of a Public Utilities Authority.
Chairman 0' Neal expressed concern for spending money to hire a
consultant when County and City staffs are available and have the
expertise to research and prepare recommendations.
After further discussion, Mayor Betz recommended
establishment of sub-committees composed of members of the City
Council and County Commissioners working with key staff members
of the City and County to research and prepare recommendations
for addressing water and sewer, solid waste, and stormwater
management. Councilman Hoyt recommended inclusion of the beach
communities on the sub-committees.
Status Report on Solid Waste Management - New Hanover County
Director of Engineering & Facilities, Ed Hilton, gave
background information on New Hanover County's Comprehensive
Solid Waste Plan stating the program is composed of three major
parts:
1. Waste disposal through the Landfill and Steam
Plant.
2. Volume reduction of solid waste through recycling.
3. Collections.
Director Hilton commented on future expansion of the
landfill stating the current construction of Cell #3 will cost
$1.2 million for seven acres of disposable area not including the
original price of the land, site development costs, roads, and
fences. He stated the proposed expansion of the Steam Plant will
cost approximately $27.5 million with a scheduled referendum on
November 8, 1988. If the bond issue is approved, the expansion
will have an additional burning capacity of 250 tons per day plus
a steam generating unit, electric turbine, and the latest state
of the art air pollution control system.
Director Hilton stated the County will develop a collection
system by franchise or some other mechanism that will reduce
repeti tious overlapping of services to establish a reasonable
rate for everyone in the unincorporated areas of the County. He
stated eventually the County would like to establish a
county-wide system that will provide the most efficient and cost
effective service to all citizens of the County including
municipalities.
Director Hilton commented on recycling stating this program
should prove to be financially beneficial by avoiding costly
expansion of the landfill. The County will hire a Director of
Solid Waste in January, 1989, who will begin the process of
planning a recycling program to be implemented in the mid 1990's.
Director Hilton stressed the importance of a cooperative effort
by all local governments in successfully running and operating a
recycling program.
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2 ~rs OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 30, 1988 (CONTINUED)
Discussion was held on legislation being enacted throughout
the country to control solid waste disposal. Vice-Chairman
Retchin requested both governing bodies to prepare resolutions to
be forwarded to North Carolina Association of County
Commissioners and North Carolina League of Municipalities
encouraging the General Assembly to enact legislation that will
control waste disposal. It was the consensus of all present that
resolutions should be prepared by each government.
BREAK
Chairman O'Neal recessed the meeting for a break from 10:20
o'clock A.M. to 10:40 o'clock A.M.
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Status Report on Solid Waste Management - City of Wilmington
City Manager Farris stated the City provides twice a week
refuse collection for residential customers and three to five
collections to commercial customers depending on need. City
crews collect 60% of refuse with the remaining 40% being
contracted out. Plans are under consideration to provide once a
week collection instead of twice a week; however, no def ini te
decision has been made and the program would not be implemented
until January, 1989.
City Manager Farris commented on development of a recycling
compost operation at the 23rd Street Wastewater Treatment Plant
stating the City is concerned over the County's control of
disposal and collection of solid waste with no City
participation. He encouraged a joint, cooperative effort in this
area stating the City is in the process of preparing a Solid
Waste Management Plan to address collections, disposal, recycling
and financial plans.
The following issues were presented by City Manager Farris
as areas that should be jointly addressed by the City and County:
1. County-wide mandatory refuse collection system.
2. Disposal of household hazardous wastes.
3. A cooperative effort in disposal and collection
of solid waste.
4. Settlement of Flemington Law Suit.
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Discussion of Stormwater Management
Director of Engineering for the City of Wilmington, Howard
Wood, gave background information on the City's 1977 Master
Drainage Plan. He listed the following methods being used by the
City to address stormwater management:
1. On-going preconstruction program.
2. Development Standards requiring curb and gutter.
3. Erosion and sedimentation control through the retention
and detention concept.
4. Recommendations of study performed on eight watersheds
in the City with the following recommendations:
(a) Continuance of sod detention policy with emphasis on
aesthetics.
(b) Actively pursue rights-of-way acquisition on
existing tributaries within the City.
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(c) Establish area wide detention
facilities as deemed appropriate.
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retention
Discussion was held on drainage being a county-wide problem
with Director Wood presenting the following areas of mutual
concern:
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 30, 1988 (CONTINUED)
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1. Review of ordinances governing Erosion and Sedimentation
in order to assure compatibility between the City and
County when issuing permits. Emphasis should be placed
on enforcement of ordinances.
2. A compatible set of Development Standards between the
City and County.
3. A more coordinated effort between the City and
County in new development as it impacts upon
drainage systems.
4. A cooperative effort between the City and County
in developing regional facilities for stormwater
management.
Director Wood commented on the GEO base mapping currently
being developed by the City and County stating this mechanism
will be a useful tool in preparing a master drainage plan. He
emphasized the importance of working together in trying to
develop a plan for the entire County.
Discussion was held on Burnt Mill Creek and the City's plan
for a proposed retention pond to be located on this tributary to
provide drainage relief during small storms. Director Wood
stated plans have been developed and construction should begin
shortly.
Discussion of Parking
Assistant County Manager, Mary Gornto, commented on parking
stating emphasis must be placed on changing attitudes.
Discussion was held on encouraging people to accept walking a
number of blocks from their office building without feeling
inconvenienced and to use the bus system when convenient.
Discussion was held on the joint parking arrangements
developed by the City and County to accommodate employees during
and after the renovation of Thalian Hall. Discussion was also
held on various sites being submitted to the City Council and
Board of Commissioners for construction of a parking facility
with no final site being selected by either governing body.
Assistant County Manager Gornto stated after study of the parking
problem, it is the feeling of staff that a multi-level parking
facility should be constructed in the downtown area on land owned
by either the City or County. She emphasized the importance of
working jointly to address the overall parking problem.
Establishment of Sub-Committees
After discussion of the major issues which need to be
addressed jointly by the City and County, it was the consensus of
the Governing Bodies to establish the following sub-committees to
study and prepare reports on these issues to be presented at a
joint meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
and Wilmington City Council tentatively scheduled for November
29, 1988, at 7:00 o'clock P.M.
Water and Sewer Sub-Committee
Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Sr.
Vice-Chairman Fred Retchin
Councilman Tony Pate
Mayor Donald H. Betz
Solid Waste Management Sub-Committee
Chairman Nolan O'Neal
Commissioner Albert Corbett
Commissioner Robert G. Greer
Councilman Catherine Hoyt
Councilman Gloria Berger
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@@'@S OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 30, 1988 (CONTINUED)
Stormwater Management Sub-Committee
Chairman Nolan O'Neal
Councilman Robert Shipp
Councilman Sandra Barone
Councilman Luther Jordan
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman O'Neal adjourned the Special Session at 11:25
o'clock A.M.
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Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
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