1988-09-19 Water & Sewer
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MINUTE:::;-OP-NEW-HltNeVRR-eel.JN!I!.\Z-W.A!f'-RR-AND-SEWER-DISTRICT
:::il!il'':L~~ER 1-9-, 1988
A SEMBLY
The Board of District Commissioners of the New Hanover
C unty Water and Sewer District held a Regular Session on Monday,
S ptember 19, 1988, at 11:21 o'clock A.M. in the General Assembly
R om of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street,
W lmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Commissioners Nolan O'Neal;
R bert G. Greer; Fred Retchin; Vice-Chairman W. Albert Corbett,
J .; Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Sr.; County Manager, G. Felix
C oper; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the
D"strict Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order.
PROVAL OF MINUTES
District Commissioner Retchin MOVED,
ce-Chairman Corbett to approve the minutes
etings of July 18, 1988, August 15, 1988,
etings July 12, 1988, and August 1, 1988, as
te, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
SECONDED b
of the Regular
and the specia
presented. Upo
N-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Barfield asked if anyone from the general publi
uld like to speak on a item not listed on the Regular Agenda.
one commented.
MENT TO SEWER CONNECTION POLICY
Mr. David Kaufman gave background information on a proble
curring during construction of his home on a lot purchased i
983. His house was built and completed in 1986 during whic
ime the sewer system was not available; therefore, a septic tan
as installed at a cost of $1,000. It was his understanding whe
e sewer system became available a $200 tap fee plus a $40 fe
ould be charged for connecting to the system. When applying fo
n application to connect to the system on August 10, 1988, h
as informed that a payment of $815 (a $375 impact fee, $400 ta
ee and $40 deposit) would be required to hook on to the system
r. Kaufman requested exemption of the increased tap fee an
mpact fee since he was not notified of these charges.
Director of Engineering & Facilities, Ed Hilton, commente
n the original design survey date stating the policy was adopte
y the District to avoid providing sewer systems for development
here people were not already living. A lengthy discussion wa
eld on the original policy for Phase I of the Sewer System an
he design survey date. Director Hilton stated Mr. Kaufman, and
~~h~~S ~~re cau~ht in the situation of not occupying their homes "-
p fe~ an~P;~g d:~~~~~ ~~~~d(~~~e:~~~yl~~4~~wt~~~~~~~~~1;~ea~~~01 ~
at date. J
1 8 0 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 ( CONTINUED)
After discussion of the impact fee and tap
ce-Chairman Corbett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissione
tchin to charge Mr. Kaufman the $375 impact fee and $40 deposi
e with a reduction in the tap fee from $400 to $200.
s opened for discussion.
Director Hilton asked if the tap fee should be reduced
for other individuals under the same circumstances.
Vice-Chairman Corbett amended his MOTION, SECONDED b
'strict Commissioner Retchin to amend the Sewer Connectio
licy to read as follows: A $200 ta fee will be char ed if th
was installed as part of the original construction. Upo
te, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PROVAL OF SEWER SERVICE TO GRAHAM SUBDIVISION
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, gave backgroun
formation on a request from a developer to connect Graha
bdivision to the County Sewer System. He stated th
bdivision can be connected under the present Sewer Extensio
licy at an estimated cost of $140,000 to the developer
wever, the developer has made a request to use individual pump
r each of the three lots and pump back to the Duck Hea
bdivision system across Masonboro Sound Road. County Enginee
anchard stated this request would not be in compliance with th
wer Extension Policy and expressed concern for a lack 0
ntrol on small systems of this type. He stated Mr. Larr
eeden, a representative of the proposed subdivision, is presen
d would like to comment.
Mr. Larry Sneeden, the engineer for Fred Graham, commente
soils in the subdivision stating utilizing a pump system woul
a better method of developing the land versus placement 0
ptic tanks since the site is located near shellfish waters. H
quested a variance from the Sewer Extension Policy allowin
aham Subdivision to tie into the County's system with th
meowner's association maintaining the individual pumps. H
tated the County will have no maintenance responsibility, an
e developer is willing to pay the tap fee and impact fee.
After discussion, Commissioner Greer MOVED,
ice-Chairman Corbett to grant the variance allowing
bdi vision to tie into the County Sewer System once the pum
stem is approved by the State. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIE
ANIMOUSLY.
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 ( CONTINUED)
181
JUlPROVAL OF REQUEST FRnM: C1\P~FEAR UTILT'l'IE:::;-POR-ro>DITIONAL
LOCATION FOR SEW1\GE TR1\NSPORTATTON MID TREATMENT
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, gave background
i formation on the request by Cape Fear Utilities for an
a ditional allocation of 140,000 gallons. The reason for
r questing the additional allocation is due to expiration of the
Sate NPDES discharge permit for the Millbrook Treatment Plant
w thout plans for renewal. County Engineer Blanchard stated Cape
F ar Uti li ties is presently paying $.876 per 1,000 gallons for
t eatment of the sewage requesting the District Commissioners to
c nsider an increase in this rate if the additional allocation is
a proved.
After further discussion, District Commissioner Retchin
M VED, SECONDED by District Commissioner 0' NE::al to approve the
a ditional allocation of 140,000 gallons as requested by Cape
F ar Utilities subject to the New Hanover County Board of County
C mmissioners executing a new contract with Cape Fear Utilities
e tablishing a proper rate increase to be presented for approval
b the Water and Sewer District Board. Upon vote, the MOTIO
C RRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
SCUSSION OF BILLING CHANGE FOR RESIDENTIAL SEWER CUSTOMERS
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, stated several calls hav
en received from residential customers requesting permission t
c ange from the metered to flat rate. Many customers did no
alize that water used for irrigation purposes is recorded 0
e meter and charged to the sewer billing. He stated the Sewe
dinance allows a single family residential customer to selec
tween the flat or metered rate based upon water usage with th
ndition that the option selected cannot be changed for a perio
two years after connection, and after this period n
ditional changes are permitted. County Engineer Blanchar
ated the disadvantages of allowing this change would be th
pense of modifying billing paper work and the cost 0
stalling meters furnished by the District.
Discussion was held on properly informing applicants 0
eir choice when connecting to the Sewer System. Count
gineer Blanchard presented a fact sheet, which is bein
'stributed to all customers when connecting to the system,
ating this information should assist customers when selectin
option.
Chairman Barfield asked if anyone from the general publi
uld like to comment. The following person commented:
Ms. Kim Joy, representing Dallas Harris Realty, stated thei
mpany was not informed that potential homeowners could selec
Other a flat or metered rate; therefore, when homes were sold i
stwood Village, new home owners were not informed of th
tion. She stated since many of the homeowners live out of town
e developer applied for the service and selected an option.
1 8 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 19, 1988 (CONTINUED)
Ms. Joy requested the District Board to consider giving these
individuals an opportunity to switch to the rate they so desire.
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Director of Engineering & Facilities, Ed Hilton, gav
ackground information on the problem stating the develope
pplies for connection to the Sewer System because he is th
ner of the property at that time. When the property is sold a
later date by the developer, quite often, the new owner doe
ot apply to the Engineering Department to initiate service
herefore, the account remains in the developer's name and th
ustomer has not been given an opportunity to select which rat
e/she desires. Director Hilton stated communication could hav
roken down between developers and the Sewer District wit
eference to informing new homeowners of their responsibility t
nitiate service when the property is sold and transferred
owever, when property is transferred the new owner is given a
portunity to select a flat or metered rate.
After discussion of the problem involved at Eastwoo
illage, it was the consensus of the District Board for th
ngineering Department to work with persons involved and brin
ecommendations back to the Board on a case by case basis.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of th
istrict Board to leave the ordinance as written and direct th
ngineering Department to be sure proper notification 0
nitiation of service is given to realtors and persons whe
ransferring property.
JOURNMENT
Vice-Chairman
ommissioner Retchin
ANIMOUSLY.
Corbett MOVED, SECONDED by Distric
to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIE
Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 12: 26 0' cloc
. M.
Respectfully submitted,
~~7~
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District
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