HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-16-2002 - 5f ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 16, 2001
Action Agenda
Item No. �L -
SUBJECT: Resolution Endorsing and Agreeing to Sponsor and Host a Water Summit
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Thames, County Engineer, ext
Resolution 2303
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To provide for BOCC review and approval of a resolution endorsing and agreeing
to sponsor and host a Water Summit.
BACKGROUND: At the February 2, 2002 BOCC retreat, the Board discussed a commissioner
initiative that proposed a meeting of the utility providers that serve the citizens of Orange
County. As detailed, the purpose of the meeting would be to allow utility providers to discuss
issues of mutual concern and benefit, particularly in relationship to dealing with County
concerns. These issues include: 1) coordinating utility extension practices with the County's
land use/zoning approval process; 2) providing for the utility demands of targeted economic
development and essential public facilities (such as schools); 3) addressing public health
related water supply issues; 4) limiting environmental impacts associated with developing water
supply reservoirs and water and wastewater systems; and 5) making the most efficient use of
limited resources.
A review of the calendar of County events indicates that May 16, 2002 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM is
available for a potential meeting. A 30-day time frame would also appear to be sufficient for the
elected officials, boards of directors, staff, etc., from other jurisdictions or other water providers
to make plans to attend. Officials from the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro as well as
Chatham County will also be invited to the meeting. The Commissioners meeting room at the
Southern Human Services Center is also open at that date and time.
t
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Staff and meal costs, unknown at this time, but projected at less than
$2,000.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board agree to sponsor and
host the Water Summit; approve the attached resolution and authorize the Chair to sign; and
request the Chair, Manager and staff to create a letter of invitation and plan and provide for the
requirements of such a meeting.
2 /
DRAFT
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A Resolution
Endorsing and Agreeing to Sponsor and Host a Water Summit
WHEREAS, Orange County, in discharging its statutory responsibilities to protect and enhance
the public health, safety and welfare of all the citizens of Orange County, does
have a strong interest in assuring the availability of high quality sources of potable
water; and
WHEREAS,Orange County owns and operates Lake Orange, a water supply reservoir that
serves as a primary water supply for the Town of Hillsborough and the Orange-
Alamance Water System; and
WHEREAS, Orange County coordinates the use of water supplies drawn from the Eno River
under the provision of the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has no pecuniary interest in the sale or transfer of treated or raw
water supplies within the County or elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, Orange County's geographic location in the upper reaches of a number of water
supply watersheds and in fractured rock geology severely limits the quantity of
water available for drinking water supplies derived from either surface water and
ground water sources; and
WHEREAS,the environmental impact and financial cost associated with the development and
construction of new reservoirs renders the development of new reservoirs and
water supplies within Orange County unlikely; and
WHEREAS, Orange County does have an interest in making the most efficient use of limited
resources; and
WHEREAS, Orange County seeks to ensure that the demand for water supplies generated by
population growth and development can be reconciled with availability of the
resource in a smart, sustainable manner; and
WHEREAS,The citizens of Orange County are provided municipal water utility services by the
Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority,the City of Durham,
the City of Mebane and the Orange-Alamance Water System; and
3
Y
WHEREAS,the water distribution systems of the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and
Sewer Authority, the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and the Orange-
Alamance Water System are interconnected; and
WHEREAS,in time of need, treated water has been and is still transferred to,between and
through the water distribution systems of the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water
and Sewer Authority,the City of Durham,the City of Mebane and the Orange-
Alamance Water System; and
WHEREAS,Orange County conducts an ongoing dialogue with the Town of Hillsborough
Orange Water and Sewer Authority,the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and
the Orange-Alamance Water System about the extension of utilities to provide
water utility service and fire protection for commercial enterprises,new and
existing residential development,new schools and other essential public facilities;
and
WHEREAS,Orange County finds it desirable and necessary that all water utilities serving the
citizens of the County have the opportunity to meet to discuss issues of mutual
concern and benefit;
NOW, THEREFORE,do we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners,hereby resolve to
sponsor and host a Water Summit involving all of the major water utility providers to the citizens
of Orange County(the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority,the City of
Durham,the City of Mebane and the Orange-Alamance Water System) and to direct staff to
organize such as summit to be tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2002 at the Southern Human
Services Building in Chapel Hill.
This is the 16th day of April,2002
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners