2006-05-15 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 15,2006
BOOK 3
PAGE 170
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in
Regular Session on Monday, May 15, 2006, at 10:50 a.ill. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County
Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Chairman William A. Kopp, Jr.; District Vice-Chairman William A.
Caster; District Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; District Commissioner Robert G. Greer; District Commissioner
Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager Bruce T. Shell; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley and Clerk to the District
Board Sheila L. Schult.
District Chairman Kopp called the meeting to order.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
District Chairman Kopp 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.
No items were presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
District Chairman Kopp called for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 1,
2006, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board.
Motion: District Commissioner Greer MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Caster, to approve the
minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 1, 2006, as presented by the Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF RESOURCE ADJUSTMENTS FOR ENGINEERING AND WATER AND SEWER
DEPARTMENT
County Engineer Greg Thompson reported that the Board of Commissioners directed Staff to have an
independent assessment performed of policies, procedures, and staffing needs for the Engineering and Water and
Sewer Departments and bring recommendations based on the assessment back to the Board. On February 28, 2006,
a report was issued by Municipal and Financial Services Group that outlined immediate needs with the qualification
that additional resources must be absorbed by the Department over a period of time and as a result the
recommendation is broken into two phases - high priority and next priority.
Staff is requesting the Board approve the associated budget amendment #06-0171 which provides for the
addition of ten Water and Sewer positions at an annual cost of $563,755 and equipment to meet the operational
needs of the District. The equipment request is for a camera truck in the amount of $150,000; a one-ton truck with
crane in the amount of $45,000; a pick-up truck in the amount of $18,000; and computer equipment in the amount of
$85,000. Contracted Services includes funds for Project Management in the amount of $135,200; IT Plan
Development Implementation and Support in the amount of $150,000; and space modification in the amount of
$40,000.
Staff will also be requesting rate increases to support the expansion of the District operation. Rate
increases will be included in the FY 06-07 proposed budget for the District to be presented to the Commissioners.
After a brief question and answer period, District Chairman Kopp requested direction from the District
Board.
Motion: District Commissioner Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Vice-Chairman Caster, to approve
funding for ten Water and Sewer District positions, capital outlay equipment and supplies. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 15,2006
BOOK 3
PAGE 171
Motion: District Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Pritchett, to approve the
associated budget amendment #06-0171. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Budget Amendment #06-0171 - Water and Sewer District
Adjustment
Debit
Credit
Water and Sewer District:
Appropriated Fund Balance (W&S)
Salaries & Wages
FICA
Capital Outlay - Equipment
Supplies
Contracted Services
$638,775
$ 9,979
$ 763
$298,000
$ 4,833
$325,200
Explanation: To add ten Water and Sewer positions as recommended by the Engineering Department Evaluation.
One existing position will be eliminated. The positions are the first of approximately twenty-four the plan
recommends be phased in over a number of years. The budget amendment funds the positions for the remainder of
FY 05-06, so recruitment for these positions can begin. Funds are also budgeted for equipment and supplies, so the
process to purchase the equipment can begin. Annual cost of the positions would be $563,755.
Capital Outlay includes camera truck - $150,000; one-ton truck with crane - $45,000; pick-up truck -
$18,000; and computer equipment - $85,000.
Contracted Services includes funds for Project Management - $135,200; IT Plan Development
Implementation and Support - $150,000; and space modification - $40,000.
Positions will be funded by Water and Sewer Fund Balance in FY 05-06. A funding mechanism for the
plan will be brought to the Commissioners for approval in the near future.
CONSIDERATION OF OFFER TO PURCHASE SURPLUS PROPERTY LOCATED AT 421 SHARON
DRIVE AND ADVERTISE THE PURCHASE FOR UPSET BIDS
County Engineer Greg Thompson reported that David and Sabrina Burnett have offered to purchase the
property located at 421 Sharon Drive (Lot 31, Sec. 2, Clear Brook Estates) for the amount of $5,000. The property
was donated to the District by R.C. Fowler. The tract has a low typography and has an existing drainage way
bisecting the parcel.
Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau clarified that with an affirmative vote the Board is authorizing
Staff to advertise the purchase for upset bids as required by Statute. In that the lot is in the City of Wilmington,
Staff has inquired with the City about reserving a drainage easement to maintain the existing ditch. The City has not
yet visited the site and surveyed an easement, but it is the Burnetts' wish that the purchase process go forward with
the expectation that such an easement will be acceptable to them. The City has indicated that they are backlogged in
getting the survey completed.
Staff requests authorization to advertise the purchase for upset bids as required by Statute and that any sale
proceeds be directed to the Engineering Drainage Account.
After brief discussion concerning the need to wait until the City has completed their site visit and survey,
District Chairman Kopp requested direction from the Board.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING, MAY 15,2006
BOOK 3
PAGE 172
Motion: District Vice-Chairman Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Pritchett, to table the
request until the City of Wilmington has completed their site visit and survey of the property concerning reserving a
drainage easement. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business, District Chairman Kopp adjourned the meeting at 11: 10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the District Board