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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 198512180003~~ MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY $OARA OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 18, 1985 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in joint session with the ~" Hillsborough Town Board. ~' COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Don Willhoit, and Commissioners Shirley ~4+~_ Marshall, Moses Carey, Ben Lloyd and Norman Walker. TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Horace Johnson and Remus Smith. Mayor Frank Sheffield made opening remarks. He listed three items for discussion: (1) Availability of water for northern Orange County. - (2) Allocation of State water and sewer funds and the possibila.ty of the town receiving some additional grant funds from Orange County beyond what would otherwise be available. (3) Miscellaneous items including land use planning and telephone service. Don Willhoit expressed his desire that everyone understand the water resources study that was done by the State and provides information on instream flow needs and capacity levels with regard to the long range water supply situation involving OWASA and any impact on growth. WATER RESOURCES Ken Thompson gave an overview of the water resources study and the data base that was used in the report. • Town Board member Horace Johnson pointed out that the report is ,just one opinion. The problem is not as severe as proposed in the report and he suggested that another study be conducted. Don Willhoit pointed out that the report was prepared in cooperation with the State and the instream requirements were provided by the State. Don Cordell indicated that the Division of Water Resources took the 40-year data base that was kept on the Eno River and assumed various rates of withdrawal independent of the source of withdrawal. The levels of Lake Orange were monitored during drought periods which gave a statistical pattern as to how much of the lake would be drawn down in any given summer. The conclusion was that every other year the County could run out of water. He stated that it is the opinion of Hazen and Sawyer that northern Orange County is facing a short term crisis over the next several years and that any amount of growth will severely tax the available resources. The average yield for Lake Orange is 2.2MGD. He stated that full benefits are not being derived from Lake Ben Johnson and Corporation Lake because the lakes are being kept full. He explained that a 20-year return on a safe yield means that if you get 2MGD, there is a statistical probability that one year out of 20 the river plus the stored water will not be sufficient volume to provide that yield. To establish yield, the volume of the lake and the historical strength load levels are used to predict what the inflow of the lake wi]1 be, and by doing a mass balance determine if the water going out is more than that going in. Tf so, the difference must come from storage. The problem is that with a limited amount of storage, the outflow can only exceed inflow by some aoo~~~ amount which is the amount stored in the lake which has sufficient volume to offset. Mayor Sheffield pointed out that a problem exists with Corporation Lake in that it must overflow in order for water to get into Lake Ben Johnson. Ken Thompson reported that corrective measures are outlined which would give access to the increased volume of storage in Lake Ben Johnson. Chair Willhoit noted that if the modifications were made to the three reservoirs, the safe yield could increase water availability to 4MGD. Mayor Sheffield noted that the study was based on 1983 levels of consumption and that since that time projects have been either proposed or approved totaling 800,000 to 1,000,000 MGD and adding this to the 1.3MGD totals 2.3MGD. Chair Willhoit noted OWASA has a temporary impoundment at Cane Greek and it would be unreasonable for Hillsborough to put limits on its own growth by selling water to OWASA. The Orange County Board of Commissioners-~ras-.unanimous in not supporting such a move. He noted it would seem appropriate to continue selling water to OWASA as long as water is running over the dam at Lake Ben Johnson. Long term would be to allocate water from Jordan Lake for the northern part of Orange County. Once Cane Creek comes on line, it would be a potential water supply for northern Orange County. Chair Willhoit pointed out that the County's responsibility in providing water resources needs to be defined. The County has taken the responsibility of identifying reservoir sites and instituting watershed protective measures for the reservoirs. While the County can do the planning, the revenues to pay for the reservoir should come from those who benefit mast. Commissioner Walker indicated he felt the County should cooperate wdth the Town and help provide for the extension of water and sewer. He disagreed with spending the clean-water bond money for the expansion of the system but would agree to spend the money to increase water supply. Mayor Sheffield noted that the Town raised the water rates by 7$ and the tap fee by $200 for water reservoir improvements to Lake Ben Johnson and not for system improvements. Horace Johnson noted that half of the 3500 water customers are in the County. Chair Willhoit pointed out that it would be inappropriate for the County to raise the tax rate to fund a reservoir and that several other approaches are available. The County would not have a revenue source to pay back the money borrowed to build the reservoir. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Don Cordell referred to the list of things that could be done to get more out of the existing water supply. He prioritized those items: 1. LAKE ORANGE - Raise the present normal lake level 2 feet by installing a rigid flashboard system across the present spillway crest. 2. STORAGE AT CORPORATION LAIC -- Provide gravity bypass around existing dam at Corporation Lake to allow for normal operation of lake at water levels less than full, thereby increasing the safe yield available from the upstream drainage area. 3. FLASHBOARD8 AT CORPORATION LAKE - Add flashboards to raise the normal lake levels. 0©039 The two priorities at Lake Ben Johnson include: 1. Raise the present lake level by 2 feet by installing flashboards. 2. Remove accumulated sediments upstream of the bypass sluice gate to assure proper operation of the sluice gate and allow for normal operation of Lake Ben Johnson at less than full pool elevations. Don Cordell pointed out that if all modifications could be done, the MGD would double. He encouraged the County to identify future sources of water supply. Mayor Frank Sheffield responded that the Town has agreed to raise the level of Lake Ben Johnson by two feet at an estimated cost of $75,000. A11 modifications outlined in the report would cost approximately $120,000. If the County matches funds by using the State grant money, the modifications could be completed in a shorter period of time. Chair Willhoit stated that the County will receive $98,000 over a two- year period and the money will be used first for the improvements on Lake Orange and then improvements on the capacity of Lake Ben Johnson and Corpor- ation Lake. He questioned the funding source for matching and Mayor Sheffield indicated his hope that Chapel Hill and Carrboro will contribute a portion of what they receive from the.3tate grant to make the improvements at Lake Ben Johnson since these improvements would benefit Chapel Hill and Carrboro as well as Hillsborough because OWASA draws from that supp7}r. Chair Willhoit concurred with Sheffield's suggestion. He noted that a cooperative effort needs to be worked out whereby OWASA's water demands can be met without jeopardizing the availability of water for everyone. In answer to a questlan from Remus Smith, Ken Thompson indicated bids would be received in February or March for the Efland Sewer and that some of the funds Prom the State grant may be used for that system. Frank Sheffield reiterated his proposal for matching the $60,000 with $50,000 from the County. He suggested a joint management effort for the three reservoirs to maximize the use of each one. In answer to an inquiry from Don Cox about management, Don Cordell indicated management would include controlling the releases from Lake Orange and the levels at Lake Ben Johnson and Corporation Lake at something less than full. One individual who understands the concept would be advisable. Don Willhoit pointed out that for the entire proposal to result in the maximum yield, some changes would be needed at Orange Alamance Water Authority; such as a bypass so the water does not spill over. Ken Thompson reviewed the list of proposed policies that will first be considered by the Board of Commissioners and then by those who have stored water facilities. (A list of these policies is in the permanent agenda file.) When these policies are approved by the Board, an ordinance will be drafted outlining the specific allocation amounts and a method for monitoring the instream flow. NO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THE PROPOSAL Ken Thompson pointed out that the authority for the ordinance comes from the State Stored Water Act which sets such rules to prevent a water shortage and would be implemented by the County and binding by all parties involved. +~ AA ~~ , _ ,---~ ,~ ,, ~.~...., .r/ 1, tr4N-_~. ~ ~ . %!',! ~• err Chair Willhoit noted that the alternative to the County addressing this problem in this matter is for the State NRCD to declare capacity use area and for them to set the rules. NRCD prefers that the local government control the situation and address the instream flow situation. In answer to a question from Commissioner Carey about the state requirements for instream flow, Ken Thompson indicated that while the State has certain rules on this requirement they have called upon the County to establish such. , A key concern of the State is when the water goes through the system and returns as wastewater to different basins. There is a concern that there is a waste treatment plant discharging ,just below the Town and inadequate flow in the river to dilute that wastewater. Horace Johnson feels a priority list needs to be made and that money be allocated by the Town to improve Lake Ben Johnson. He suggested that a bypass be built around Corporation Lake next year and the following year raise the level of Lake Orange. Commissioner Marshall noted one of the highest priorities should be the improvement of Corporation Lake to get water back into the Neuse from Cape Fear. Mayor Sheffield indicated it would cost $15,000 to make the improvements to Corporation Lake: versus $120,000 to make the improvements at Lake Ben Johnson. Chair Willhoit noted a policy needs to be made on the amount of water Hillsborough sells to OWASA. Mayor Sheffield indicated the Town will provide to the County a schedule and cost estimate for the improvements to Lake Ben Johnson by the end of January or early February. Chair Willhoit clarified that: (1) the grant money would go to Hillsborough to be used for the improvements at Lake Ben Johnson and Lake Orange, (2) that the County needs to work out an arrangement with Orange Alamance Water Authority for the improvements needed to that system and (3) that the County needs to meet with Chapel Hill, Carrboao and OWASA. He noted that a schedule needs to be developed on phasing down the sale of water to OWASA over the next five years. Mayor Sheffield reiterated that the County would match funds for the improvements at Lake Ben Johnson with the Town being in charge of that project and on Lake Orange, the County would be in charge of the project but the Town provide matching funds. Pertaining to Corporation Lake, Orange Alamance Water Authority and the County would need to come to an agreement on the improvements on a matching basis. Mayor Sheffield indicated the Town is prepared to match money for im- provements to Lake Ben Johnson and will consider matching the funds needed for the improvements to Lake Orange. Several property owners around Lake Orange expressed a concern about the lack of communication and asked to have input before the improvements are finalized. Chair Willhoit assured the citizens there would be a public hearing on any improvements considered. Chair Willhoit summarized the decisions made: (1) A meeting will be held with Chapel Hill, Carrboro and OWASA to discuss the proposal. oo~~s~. (2) A meeting will be held with Orange Alamance Water Authority (3) A meeting will be held with the Water Committee followed by a report to the County Commissioners. COUNTY PROPOSALS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE Chair Willhoit noted that on the telephone survey the County is estab- lishing two telephone task forces. One will look at the question of extended area service between Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough and within the Orange County area, and one will be a technical task force to look at some of the system problems with Centel. He explained that on the extended area service, a vote was taken three years ago on this topic and it was passed overwhelmingly by the Centel customers but was defeated in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Durham areas. He felt this proposal had not~been adequately explained in the Chapel Hill area because it would have cost only .26 cents a month Yor residential customers. This new task force will look at what the cost would be today for extended service and the options available. If it looks feasible, the task force will either call for another vote or petition the Utilities Commission for toll Free service within Orange County. He invited members of the Town Board or other representatives of the Town to serve on this task force and asked for their support if this was put to a vote. Mayor Sheffield mentioned that the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant needs to be reviewed for possible expansion and the County's assistance in providing funds may be requested. Perhaps an engineering study needs to be dpne first to determine the costs. Chair Willhoit adjourned the special meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on January 6, 1985, 7:30 p.m. in the Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Don Willhoit, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk