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HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-01-2020 Minutes WSAC Regular Meeting Utilities Analyst Julie Laws 105 E. Corbin St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-296-9630 | julie.laws@hillsboroughnc.gov www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Minutes | 1 of 2 Minutes - Draft Water and Sewer Advisory Committee 7 p.m. Oct. 1, 2020 Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel Present: Chair Dan Barker, Paul Cough, Barry Hupp, Daniel Rawlins, Saru Salvi, Arthur Sprinczeles, and Jenn Sykes Absent: Barry Weston Staff: Utilities Analyst Julie Laws and Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz Guests: Commissioners Mark Bell and Robb English 1. Call to order and welcome of guests Chair Dan Barker called the meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. 2. Updates Utilities Status Report Highlights Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz discussed the most recent total trihalomethane (TTHM) reports, noting one of the numbers was slightly elevated. It was above the limit, and the Utilities Department needed to notify the customer. Overall, the average in the reports does not result in a violation from the state. Member Saru Salvi asked about TTHM reporting to know when compliance has been achieved. Strandwitz explained samples are taken quarterly and are reported on the utilities update report when received. Salvi asked for an update after the next reporting period to see if numbers decreased. There have been some repetitive breaks on the 16-inch water main along South Churton Street that may be due to soil conditions. Strandwitz is investigating lining the pipe before the Collins Ridge development gets too far built out. The Water Treatment Plant is performing well while a pump is away for service. Recent rains brought the town out of water withdrawal restrictions in effect for one week in September. Utilities Analyst Julie Laws has been working on a contact list for schools, churches, and commercial customers to help with water emergency notifications. This list will include the physical location, phone number, and email address of each contact person. The consultant performing the collection system model is now analyzing flow meter data for modeling and calibration. The consultant will simulate storms to determine improvements needed in the system. Another consultant is performing a water system redundancy analysis. This model will help determine where adding valves, paralleling pipes, and looping mains will provide additional system redundancy and resiliency. Relaying information from the Financial Services Department, the town resumed service disconnections in October with over 200 disconnections, roughly double the normal amount. Customers with delinquent bills have been placed on payment plans over 12 months, 6 more months than the state requires. Customers can Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Minutes | 2 of 2 pay bills by cash in person but only by appointment. Most financial services employees are still working from home or isolated in their offices. The town received CARES Act funding from the state in two rounds via Orange County. About $80,000 was received in July, and more than $86,000 was received in September. The town divided each round of funding into thirds for water and sewer bill assistance, housing assistance, and food assistance. Through both rounds, the town gave nearly $54,000 to Orange Congregations in Mission to distribute for water and sewer bill assistance. Hillsborough Commissioner Mark Bell asked if penalties and fees can be used to help customers. Strandwitz said the town cannot use enterprise funds for OCIM. She added as an aside that staff also learned the town cannot charge fees for hydrant tampering but can prosecute in civil court. 3. New and schedule-based business Officer elections Barker announced he is moving from the area and will be resigning from the committee effective Oct. 28. He opened the floor for nominations for chair of the committee. Salvi nominated Member Arthur Sprinczeles for chair. He accepted and was approved unanimously. Motion: Salvi moved approval of Sprinczeles for chair. Vote: The motion carried upon a unanimous vote of 6-0. Barker opened the floor for nominations for vice chair of the committee. Sprinczeles nominated Member Jenn Sykes. She accepted. Motion: Sprinczeles moved approval of Sykes for vice chair. Vote: The motion carried upon a unanimous vote of 6-0. 4. Public comments Bell spoke about the town struggling with issues surrounding the pandemic. Commissioner Robb English also attended the meeting to become more educated on the committee and thanked everyone for holding the meeting. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to Barker for his service to the committee. 5. Future agenda items Sprinczeles will consult with Strandwitz and Laws regarding the next meeting time and future agenda items. The ongoing pandemic will determine budget and financial matters. Strandwitz will consult with Finance Director Daphna Schwartz after the audit is completed. Budget preparations will not begin until January for the upcoming fiscal year. 6. Adjournment Member Daniel Rawlins moved to adjourn at 8:32 p.m.