) WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY
) DANBURY, NORTH CAROLINA
) FEBRUARY 21, 2008
The Stokes County
Water and Sewer Authority met for regular session in the
Commissioners’ Chambers of the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Building
(Administrative
Building) located in Danbury, North Carolina on Thursday, February 21,
2008 at 3:00 pm with
the following members present:
Chairman
John Hawkins
Member
Worth Hampton
Member Arzell
Montgomery
Member Wayne Smart
Member
W. Scott Snow
County
Personnel in Attendance:
Public
Works Director Mark Delehant
Finance
Director Julia Edwards
County
Manager K. Bryan Steen
Administrative
Assistant Darlene Bullins
Chairman John Hawkins called the meeting to
order.
Register of Deeds
Kathy Young administered the General Oath to the following
members of the Water and Sewer Authority: John Hawkins, Worth Hampton, Arzell
Montgomery, Wayne Smart, and Scott Snow. An executed copy of the oath taken by
each member will be placed with the minutes.
APPROVAL OF THE
JANUARY 10, 2008 MINUTES
Chairman Hawkins entertained a motion to
approve or amend the minutes of the
January 10, 2008 meeting.
Chairman Hawkins noted
the following administrative corrections:
Page #3 – Water Rates
- include $3.10 price per thousand gallons in Article 3 –
Section 42
Change to: Town of Walnut Cove - $3.10 per thousand
gallons
Delete “Town of Walnut _______per 1,000
gal first 150,000”
Delete “Town of Walnut Cove ____ per
thousand gallons after 150,000”
Member Hampton moved
to approve the January 10th minutes as amended.
Member Montgomery seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
WATER USAGE
UPDATE
Public Works Director
Mark Delehant presented the following update:
o
Month of January 2008 – approximately $296* –
profit
o
Month of February 2008 – would have had approximately
$586* – profit if there had not been a water break costing $995
(*both estimates based on billings)
o
Finance Department currently working on delinquent
accounts
Member Smart questioned if the State would be
responsible for the recent water break.
Public Works Director Mark Delehant noted at this time, he was
investigating the issue.
DEVELOPMENT
RATES UPDATE (Walnut Cove Development)
Chairman Hawkins noted
that the Policy Resolution Article #4 (Extensions of Water
Service) Section #60(Local permit authorization) addresses the
extension of water services
which encumbrances the development which goes along and basically
covers the fees being
paid by the developer to put in the infrastructure. Chairman Hawkins noted the mechanisms
are already in place as stated in Section#61-(5):
¨ which notes that
the applicant shall pay all costs involved in making such extension, provided,
however, that if the Authority, in order to provide for the anticipated needs
of water users beyond those needs which would normally be required for the
purposes of the applicant, shall require the installation of a larger water
line than would be otherwise necessary, the authority may contract with the
applicant to reimburse the applicant for such portion of the costs as shall be
attributable to the larger line required by the Authority…..
Chairman Hawkins
requested Director Delehant review Article 4-Section #60 and #61
which relate to the responsibilities as the “Director”.
Chairman Hawkins noted
that after reviewing the new Walnut Cove Development, it
seems that the development would be tied into the Walnut Cove
connection, though, it would
be very easy to tie into the Water and Sewer Authority connection. Chairman Hawkins
requested that Director Delehant keep a close eye on the project.
WATER VAULT
Chairman Hawkins noted that he had not
received an answer Engineer Steve Gibbs-
NCDOT regarding the water vault.
Chairman Hawkins noted
that Authority members have seen individuals tapping into a
fire hydrant and getting water without permission to do so. Policy Resolution (Article 1-
Section 17- Opening Fire Hydrants for private use) has in place
permitting for the withdrawal
of water from hydrants which outlines specific requirements that are
the “Director’s
responsibility” – one being to provide a meter for the applicant.
Director Delehant noted the need to have a
meter or borrow a meter from an adjoining
meter to use on the water hydrant – new meter cost approximately
$1500. Member Smart
noted the possibility of borrowing a meter from the Town of Walnut Cove
instead of investing
in a new meter.
The Authority
discussed issues with individuals drawing water from the hydrants
without paying and guidelines that cover withdrawing water from an hydrant.
GOLDER
ASSOCIATES UPDATE
Director Mark Delehant
presented members with information regarding designated
land that Golder and Associates would like to do testing on for the
possibility of drilling wells.
Golder must have the property owners’ permission.
Director Delehant
discussed the following property owners with members:
§ Don Lewis
§ Robert Hendrix
§ Peggy Martin
§ Jacob Whitaker
§ Larry Jones
§ Dale Hartman
§ Sadie Hartgrove
§ Jessie Tesh
§ Elbert Rogers
§ Rebecca Frye
§ Billy McKenzie
§ Marie Tuttle
§ John Hawkins
§ Lawrence Matthews
Director Delehant suggested that Authority Members might want to help
explain the permission
process and possibly visit landowners with Director Delehant. Director Delehant also
presented members with a sample copy of the waiver that property owners
would have to sign.
Director Delehant noted that he would be working with Golder and
Associates when testing is
being done on the property.
The Authority
discussed the following items that property owners would need to know
about the procedure:
§ how much land and
what part of their property would be used for the procedure (provide a map to
the land owner of the designate area if possible)
§ will the property
owner receive any monetary compensation
ITEMS OF GENERAL
CONCERN
Water Rates
(Water Tap and Meter Fees)
Director Mark Delehant requested that the
following fees be placed together (possibly
on a single sheet) in order to be able to supply an applicant with a
projected cost. Director
Delehant also suggested putting the fees on the internet. Director Delehant requested before
complying this information, if the Authority wished to review any of
the following fees:
§ Water Rates
§ Water Tap and
Meter Fees
§ Deposit Fee
§ Re-connection Fee
§ Meter Re-
installation Fee
§ Unauthorized Tap
Fee
§ Sale of water
(non-user)
o
Deposit
o
Base Fee (per week)
o
Per 1000 Gallons
§ Late Fees
Chairman Hawkins noted that the water rate of
$3.10 per 1000 gallons of usage and
where the Authority’s cost exceeds the tap fees, the charge will be
based on actual cost plus
20% was approved at the January 10th meeting.
The Authority reviewed
and discussed the following Water Tap and Meter Fees:
(already approved)
|
|
Note: A cost recovery fee may be applicable,
depending on location
Note: Where the Water and Sewer Authority’s cost
exceed these tap fees, the
charge
will be based on actual cost plus 20%.
Chairman Hawkins noted
that the 1 ½” tap has been deleted from the fee schedule.
Director Delehant
proposed the following Meter Fees:
|
Tap
Size |
Meter
Fee |
|
3/4"
tap |
$120 |
|
1"
tap |
$200 |
|
2"
tap |
$400 |
The Authority
discussed the Meter Fees proposed by Director Delehant.
Chairman Hawkins
entertained a motion regarding the proposed meter fees submitted
by Director Delehant.
Member Hampton moved
to approve the meter fees proposed by Director Delehant.
Member Smart seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Director Delehant
proposed the following fees for the Authority’s consideration:
|
Fee
Description |
Amount
|
|
Deposit
Fee |
$75 |
|
Re-connection
Fee |
$50 |
|
Meter
Re-installation Fee |
$125 |
|
Unauthorized
Tap |
$2,000 |
|
Late
Fees |
Amount
|
|
Number
of Days Late |
|
|
30
days |
$10 |
|
45
days |
$15 |
|
55
days |
$20 |
|
After
55 days – meter is locked |
|
The Authority discussed the fees proposed by
Director Delehant.
Member Snow referred to the Resolution Policy
– Section #35 – Collection of Water
Charges; penalties for failure to pay.
Finance Director Julia
Edwards requested direction from the Authority whether to
allow customers to make payment arrangements if their bill is late.
The Authority
discussed the request from Director Julia Edwards.
Director Delehant
suggested that a complete fee schedule be presented at the next
meeting for final approval. The
Authority unanimously agreed to place the proposed fee
schedule on next month’s agenda.
Chairman Hawkins
directed Director Delehant to place proposed fee schedule for the
Authority’s consideration at the next meeting.
Director Delehant also
requested direction from regarding the sale of water for a non-
user.
Chairman Hawkins
requested Director Delehant to review the current Resolution Policy
-fees and check with the Town of Danbury and Walnut Cove and submit a
proposal at the
next meeting.
Member Montgomery
requested direction from Authority members on what to do
when you see a tanker filling up water from the Authority’s
hydrant. He noted that he has
seen this on several occasions .
The Authority
discussed possible options – questioning the driver, get license number
and any notification on the tanker.
Director Delehant
noted the possibly of calling 911 if problems occurred.
Member Hampton noted
that Administrative Assistant
Darlene Bullins had checked
with Sheriff Mike Joyce to see if there would be a problem with calling
Communications
Center and requesting a Deputy to investigate; Sheriff Joyce indicated
that it would be no
problem. Sheriff Joyce requested
that Director Delehant inform the Sheriff’s Department
what kind of authorization the driver needed in order to be withdrawing
water from the tap.
Chairman Hawkins
directed Director Delehant to develop a policy for withdrawing
water from a hydrant for non-users.
Chairman Hawkins
requested discussion regarding the current 1” Tap Fee of $1500.
Chairman Hawkins noted that citizens on Highway #65 wanted to hook on,
but felt the fee was
too high.
Member Montgomery
noted that the initial tap fee was $750, but would increase to
$1500 if the tap fee was connected later.
The Authority
discussed possibly lower the fees in order to allow more people on
the system.
Member Montgomery
expressed concerns with changing the tap fee since there had
been individuals who have been charged the $1500 tap fee who did
originally sign up.
The Authority
unanimously agreed to leave the tap fee $1500 at the current rate.
Updates
Director Delehant
noted that a “flusher” meter has been relocated at the Walnut Cove
Vault, which will save money.
Winston Salem will credit the Authority for every ounce of
water that is flushed at the end of the line.
Member Smart noted the
need to try to secure any water grants available for residents
on Brookhaven Road – across from Baux Mountain Road. Director Delehant noted that he
would check with Golder and Associates for possible grant options.
Fees Approval
Chairman Hawkins
entertained a motion regarding the sale of water for non-user.
Member Hampton moved
to approve the non-user (sale of water) fees discussed in
today’s meeting (Hydrant withdrawal will be charged at twice a rate at
twice the residential
rate = $6.20, the deposit fee remain at $250, the permit fee remain at
$50). Member
Montgomery seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The Authority
discussed the length of time the $50 permit fee represents.
Chairman Hawkins moved
to approve the motion that the $50 permit fee will cover a
Seven-day period. Member Snow
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Schedule
The Authority unanimously agreed to schedule
another meeting for April 10th.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before
the Authority, Chairman Hawkins
entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Member Montgomery moved to adjourn the
meeting. Member Hampton
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
_________________________
_____________________________
Darlene M.
Bullins John
Hawkins
Clerk to the
Board of Commissioners Chairman
Secretary Brenda
Carter absent