HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-06-22 Minutes Regular Meeting
Minutes
WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular meeting
7 p.m. Oct. 6, 2022
Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Jenn Sykes, Vice Chair Saru Salvi, Members Barry Weston,
Steed Robinson, Paul Cough, Barry Hupp, Arthur Sprinczeles
Excused: Member Daniel Rawlins
Guests: Commissioner Matt Hughes, Commissioner Kathleen Ferguson
Staff: Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz, Civil Engineering Technician Tyler Freeman, Billing and
Customer Service Supervisor Linda Daye
1. Call to order and welcome of guests
Chair Jenn Sykes called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Passing of gavel to new Chair Jenn Sykes
Previous Chair Arthur Sprinczeles thanked the committee for all their help and hard work. He then formally
passed the gavel to new Chair Jenn Sykes.
3. Agenda changes and approval
No changes were presented.
Motion: Member Saru Salvi moved to approve as presented. Member Arthur Sprinczeles seconded the
motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
4. Minutes approval
No changes were presented for the September minutes, and it was motioned for approval.
Motion: Member Barry Weston moved to approve as presented. Member Arthur Sprinczeles seconded
the motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
5. Updates
A. Utilities Director Strandwitz asked if anyone had questions about the Utilities Status Report and
mentioned some highlights regarding dry conditions, reservoir level, beaver dam issues and the flow
gauge. Utilities has some new hires, Bryant Green starts on October 24th, three new hires started on
September 26th with Joel Lashley’s group. Three positions remain open and if filled, would make Utilities
fully staffed. A plant maintenance team is being developed by the department.
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
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6. Discussion
A. Questions regarding the leak adjustment spreadsheet were discussed. The committee reviewed policies
held by other municipalities on leak and water use adjustments. The floor was given to Daye to discuss
current department policy on adjustments. The issue of property owner, tenant relationship for leak
detection was then discussed. Leak adjustments are not currently given to housing complexes where a
master meter is used. Renters currently have little recourse when it comes to a landlord’s
negligence/indifference.
The committee discussed how to change the language in current code, and Strandwitz indicated she
would bring proposed language to the committee for approval in the future once the committee has
decided what to allow and not allow for adjustments.
A majority of the committee is against giving any version of a pool credit. Discussion moved to credits
given to institutions and irrigation. The sportsplex Zamboni credit was unanimously opposed, and the
committee supported removing the power washing credit. Irrigation credit will only be allowed for
residents, not commercial developers, and can only be given once every five years for water and sewer
customers.
Commissioner Hughes brought up discussion of the power of the committee to approve any appeals to a
denied leak adjustment as something for further discussion. The committee recommended once a year
operator error adjustment dependent on situation, with burden of proof on the resident. In the situation
of theft, it was recommended that the resident would have to file a police report and then present that
along with other pertinent information to receive an adjustment with an amount in accordance with the
standard leak adjustment (refund on amount exceeding typical prior average 6-month usage), limited to
once a year.
Regarding the agenda for November joint board meeting at WSAC, the committee will discuss with the
board its general position on leak adjustments, authority on appeals and the process involved, the
situation of renters, residential and commercial relief, and how to shift cost burden onto institutions.
B. The committee wishes to recognize during the December meeting a past member and a past staff person,
Dan Barker and Julie Laws. Strandwitz will reach out.
C. The outreach event is planned for October at Last Friday’s. Sykes and Salvi confirmed participation.
7. Future Discussion Topics
A. Leak adjustment policy
B. Bill format
C. Former member and staff liaison recognition
8. Reports
No members were able to report their assignments from prior months.
9. Assignments for Meetings
Sykes confirmed meeting assignments for the following month with applicable members.
10. Adjournment
Motion: Weston moved to adjourn. No second needed, as declared by Chair Sykes.
Vote: N/A.
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Respectfully submitted,
Tyler Freeman, EIT
Civil Engineering Technician
Approved: Nov. 3, 2022