Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-18 Water & Sewer PH MINUTES OF J?J!~~:J:~ ~EARING FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT, APRIL 18, 1988 ASSEMBLY The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District held a Public Hearing on Monday, April 18, 1988, at 7:00 o'clock P.M. in the Courtroom of the New Hanover County Judicial Building, Wilmington, North Carolina, to discuss the 201 Facility Plan Update. District Fred Retchin; Sr. ; Commissioners present were: John M. Dolan; Nolan O'Neal; Chairman, Jonathan Barfield, District Commissioner, W. Albert Corbett, Jr., was absent. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF 201 FACILITY PLAN UPDATE Chairman Barfield opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Ray Hamilton, Regional Manager of the Engineering Firm of Talbert, Cox & Associates, Inc., introduced the fOllowing Staff who prepared the 201 Facility Plan Update: Mr. Gene Gardner, Project Manager Mr. Ken Weeden, Planner Mr. Sy Ripple, Project Engineer on Planning Phase and Project Manager for Design Phase Mr. Mike Kelly, Environmentalist Mr. Hamilton presented a map showing all of the unincorporated areas of the County defining each Construction Phase of the existing County Sewer System. He stated New Hanover County is currently ~isted on the State of North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Division of Environmental Management's, 1988 Fiscal Year Wastewater Treatment Project Priority list as eligible for construction of a $5.8 million unspecif ied sewer interceptor proj ect. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant funding for the project is listed at $2.8 million. On January 20, 1988, a meeting was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, with members of the State Division of Environmental Management staff, who administer the construction grants program; County representatives; and representatives from Talbert, Cox & Associates to discuss being able to obtain these funds. In order for New Hanover County to be eligible to receive EPA grant funding, the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District 201 Facility Plan must be updated. MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) Mr. Hamilton commented on importance of time in preparing and adopting the 201 Facility Plan update stating all work must be completed including award of construction contracts by October 1, 1988, in order to receive the EPA grant in the amount of $2.8 million. Mr. Hamilton stated after analysis and study of the existing plan, the County should continue its program of providing sewer service to its residents in accordance with the recommended phases. He stated the projected cost of the entire Sewer Plan will be $155,500,000. Mr. Mike Kelly, Environmentalist for Talbert, Cox & Associates, gave background information on the environmental update for the 201 Facility Plan. He stated the environmental update of the plan was accomplished by reviewing available literature regarding the environmental conditions reported in the 1976 Greater Wilmington Area 201 Facilities Plan and the 1978 201 Plan Addenda, as well as, acquiring environmental data that has since been published. He commented on the following major points: 1. Goundwater: a. North Hanover recharge passage directly and Northwestern portions of New County contain secondary aquifer areas which are vulnerable to of contaminates and pollutants into the groundwater. b. The Southern portion of the County contains both primary and secondary recharge areas as well as shallow water tables. 2. Limitation of Soils: Forty-Six percent of New Hanover County contains very poorly drained soils with a seasonal high water table creating severe limitations for septic tank absorption fields due to wetness and flooding. Sound areas and tidal creeks of the County with productive shellfish have been closed due to failure of septic tanks in those area. Mr. Kelly stated in the design phase of the plan, extensive work will be performed to assure protection of the groundwater, soils, and conservation areas. Mr. Hamilton stated in preparing the update, realizing that funding sources are limited, his firm prepared an update that would provide for the best long-range plan for MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) service in New Hanover County. He listed the following alternatives that were evaluated: 1. Expansion of City of Wilmington's Souths ide Treatment as originally proposed. Expansion of City of Wilmington's Northside Treatment Plant Middle Sound Area to Bradley Creek Pump Station to Souths ide Waste Treatment Plant until approximately year 2000. By year 2000 the flow will be redirected to Northside Treatment Plant which will have been expanded. Castle Hayne area will be served by the Northside Treatment Plant. This alternative will utilize only two treatment plants, Souths ide and Northside. 2. Construction of a Treatment Plant in the Castle Hayne area. a. Providing a level of treatment at the Castle Hayne Plant that will allow the waste water to be discharged directly into the Northeast Cape Fear River. b. Castle Hayne Treatment Plant would not pump raw sewerage, but would pump treated affluent down Castle Hayne Road to lower Cape Fear River requiring less stringent discharge and in the location where the City discharges waste from the Northside Treatment Plant. 3. An immediate expansion of the Northside Treatment Plant with Castle Hayne being served by a pump station from the expanded Northside Plant. 4. Construction of a Plant at Castle Hayne with Middle Sound area being served by the Northside Treatment Plant. a. Castle Hayne Treatment Plant discharge with a high level of treatment directly into the Northeast Cape Fear River. b. Castle Hayne Treatment Plant discharge with a lesser of treatment discharged further down the Northeast Cape Fear River in proximity with City's discharge. I : I 1 I , I Ii: I ' I MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) Mr. Hamilton stated after review of the four alternatives and present work analysis of the four alternatives, the cost of each project would be as follows: Alternative 1 $116,457 Alternative 2(a) 126,676 2 (b) 128,265 Alternative 3 126,552 Alternative 4(a) 126,756 4(b) 128,344 He stated after further review of the alternatives, Alternative #1 was selected as the most economical and practical plan to follow with the advantage of allowing the County to develop an initial phase project to capture grant money for utilization of capacity currently invested in the Souths ide Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Hamil ton commented on the Feasibility Study and discussed the following factors used to determine future construction projects for the Sewer System. 1. Unit Cost: The cost to provide sewer service per customer from the collection line portion of the project. 2. Impact on Water Quality: Watersheds or planning areas that are tributaries to primary nursery and shellfish areas will receive priority over centrally located areas within the County. 3. Malfunctioning Septic Tanks: These areas are are a priority since contaminated water goes directly into streams. Future Growth: Areas with the fastest growth \lill continue to grow rather than decline. 4. 5. Treatment Capacity: Areas that have capacity to treatment sewerage. Based upon the formula as indicated above, the most feasible areas to assemble a project with funds currently available are as follows: Bayshore constructing Bayshore Area Howe's Creek Whiskey Creek Bernards Creek Shore Area: The collector sewers, a plan small would pump consist station of and MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) major pump station in Bayshore pumping up to U. S. Highway 17 down to watershed divider on U. S. 17 at which point a gravity line will be installed running to Howe's Creek where a small pump station will be constructed to pick up surrounding subdivisions in that area; running to Military Cut-Off Road running down to Bradley Creek Pump Station to existing system at the Souths ide Wastewater Treatment Plant. Whiskey Creek Area: The plan would consist of lines flowing eastward down to a major pump station with small pump stations located, in small finger canals along the marine area pumping back into the major pump station with installation of a force main to pump flow up to College Road running down to Bernards Creek to a major pump station south of the wastewater treatment which will pump the flow the Souths ide Wastewater Treatment Plant. Areas that can be served by gravity off of the interceptors will have collection sewers installed in the first phase of the project. Mr. Hamilton stated the total cost for Alternative #1 as presented is less than $20 million which is to be funded by the County from grant money, unsold bond proceeds, money left over from Phase I of the Sewer Project, and expected sales tax revenue during the construction of the project. Discussion was held on time constraints for eligibility of receiving an EPA grant offer in the amount of $2.8 million for construction of the interceptor project with the following schedule being submitted: ( 1 ) Approval of 291 Facility Plan Update April 1988 ( 2 ) Initiate Design of Interceptors for Project April 1988 ( 3 ) Submit Interceptor Plans to Reviewing Agencies June 1988 ( 4 ) Initiate Design of Collection Sewer Systems July 1988 ( 5 ) EPA Grant Offer made after approval of 201 Facility Plan and Construction Sept. 1988 Documents ( 6 ) Begin construction of Interceptor and Collection System Projects Jan. 1989 ( 7 ) Complete Projects Jan. 1990 Discussion was held on projects to be constructed after completion of the proposed project. Mr. Hamilton stated within the next month, plans for future projects will be presented to the Water and Sewer District Commissioners with alternative funding sources to accelerate time in swearing the remaining areas of the County. He stated ideally, from public input, the Castle Hayne area would have been desirable for the first project; however, according to MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) criteria presented, this area did not receive priority ranking compared to the Bayshore and Whiskey Creek areas. Mr. Hamilton presented the projected average residential monthly sewer cost as impacted by the proposed project (Alternative #1) as follows: Average Residential Customer Currently on Sewer System Average Residential Average Customer Rate After Residential Construction of Sewer in Cost Annexed Areas A & B With After No Revenue Collected Since Completion These Customers Pay of Directly to the City Alternative #1 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! $17.54 per mo. $21.30 per mo. $24.54 Chairman Barfield expressed concern for City customers not reimbursing the County for money allocated for construction of sewer lines in Annexed Areas A & B. Assistant Director of Finance, Allan Mozingo stated customers in Annexed Areas A & Bare City customers. He commented on a current inter local agreement which was executed at the time of the original bond issue requiring the City to pay to the County a portion of fees designated as debt service at the City's rate structure which amounts to approximately $20,000 to $50,000 per year with the County's debt service at approximately $1,000,000 per year. District Commissioner Dolan also expressed concern for execution of an inter local agreement between the City and County that is so one-sided in favor of the City. Mr. Hamilton stated due to the commitment between the City and County adopted in 1984, the monthly sewer fee is increased by 50%. He stated unless favorable negotiations can be worked out the City, the County is committed to the inter local agreement. Discussion was held on monthly rates. Mr. Hamilton stated as additional customers are added to the system the proportionate share per person will decrease. Therefore, as the next project is completed (Alternative #1) and new customers are developed, the monthly rate will drop due to costs being incurred before the customers tie into the system. Discussion was also held on the possibility of being eligible for additional state and federal revenue. County Manager Cooper stated the proposed project is based upon receipt of no additional federal or state funding; MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) therefore, if this revenue should become available, the monthly rate would decrease. Chairman Barfield asked if anyone from the general public would to speak on the proposed project, Alternative #1. The following persons commented: Mr. Yi LeGwin, a property owner on Sidbury Road, requested an approximate date for installation of sewer lines in this area. Mr. Hamilton stated under the priority rating system, this area ranks low and until the Feasibility Study is completed within the next month, he could not estimate an approximate date. He stated the date for phasing in all areas of the County will depend on funding sources, and if the Sewer System is installed on a pay as you goes basis, it could take approximately 30 years to build out the entire system. He commented on the potential of areas being sewered more rapidly by a developer approaching the County volunteering to pay the installation of lines in a particular area. Ms. Ethel Ennis, a property owner on Sidbury Road, expressed concern for the numbers of years before sewer will be available to persons living in the northern end of the County, particularly the Castle Hayne area. Mr. Tom Ennis, a property owner on Sidbury Road, commented on septic tank soil evaluation tests being performed by the Health Department expressing concern for the manner in which they are conducted. He stated many property owners are being denied septic tank permits on land that was approved for issuance of permits two to three years ago. Chairman Barfield stated after the Feasibility Study is completed, he would like to call a Special Meeting of the Water and Sewer District to hear a presentation from State and Local Health Department officials concerning rules and regulations governing the issuance of septic tanks with time being reserved for public comment. Mr. Jim Bordeaux, a resident of Castle Hayne, expressed concern for paying an impact fee of $375 for placement of a structure on property when the Sewer System will not be available for approximately 30 years. Mr. James Whitted, a resident of Castle Hayne, requested the Board of Commissioners to review how the Health Department is issuing septic tank permits. Mr. Ernest Puskus, a resident of Castle Hayne, asked if private disposal systems, such as NorthChase, will be required to tie into the Sewer System when it becomes available. County Attorney Pope stated the State Utilities Commission has not provided a clear-cut answer to this question; however, the issue is being addressed. He also expressed concern for emphasis being placed on contamination MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT APRIL 18, 1988 (CONTINUED) of the sound areas, stating the quality of water in the Cape Fear is also important. Chairman Barfield closed the Public Hearing. On behalf of the Board of District Commissioners, he expressed appreciation to the public for their attendance and participation stating the District Board is well aware of problems created by not being able to provide sewer to all areas of the County wi thin the next five years; however, every effort is being made to phase in as many areas as quickly as possible. ADJOURNMENT District Commissioner Dolan MOVED, SECONDED Commissioner Retchin to adjourn. Upon vote, CARRIED AS FOLLOWS: by District the MOTION Voting Aye: District Commissioner Dolan District Commissioner O'Neal District Commissioner Retchin Chairman Barfield Absent: District Commissioner Corbett Chairman Barfield adjourned the meeting at 9:10 o'clock P.M. ~Cd;~ Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the District