HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-01-22 Minutes Regular Meeting
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Minutes
WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular meeting
7 p.m. Sept. 1, 2022
Town Hall Annex
Present: Chair Arthur Sprinczeles, Members Saru Salvi, Daniel Rawlins,
Barry Weston, Steed Robinson, Paul Cough, Commissioner
Matt Hughes
Excused: Vice Chair Jenn Sykes, Member Barry Hupp
Guests: Commissioner Mark Bell
Staff: Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz (Remote), Civil Engineering Technician Tyler Freeman
1. Call to order and welcome of guests
Chair Arthur Sprinczeles called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Agenda changes and approval
No changes were presented.
Motion: Member Barry Weston moved to approve as presented. Member Saru Salvi seconded the
motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
3. Minutes approval
No changes were presented for the August minutes, and it was motioned for approval.
Motion: Member Barry Weston moved to approve as presented. Member Paul Cough seconded the
motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
4. Updates
A. Utilities Director Strandwitz asked if anyone had questions about the Utilities Status Report. She
mentioned some highlights regarding reservoir level, access to reservoir, and outlined anticipated grants
received to date. This includes approximately 5 million for River Pumping Station Relocation and
approximately 1 million for the OWASA Booster Pumping Station through FEMA BRIC, plus 100K for a
water system master planning effort through the state asset inventory and assessment program. The
town is resubmitting to the state for hopefully matching funds for the pumping stations if allowable. A
map detailing the locations of these utility’s infrastructure had been requested.
5. Discussion
A. Officer elections were held.
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Motion: Member Saru Salvi nominated Vice Chair Jenn Sykes to be the new Chair. Weston seconded
the motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
Motion: Chair Arthur Sprinczeles nominated member Saru Salvi to be the new Vice Chair. Cough
seconded the motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
B. Discussion was held on frequency of WSAC meetings and the quarterly joint meetings with the board of
commissioners. Sprinczeles informed the group that the WSAC used to meet once every other month.
Strandwitz brought up that leak adjustments used to be reviewed the WSAC and that previous
arrangement is something to consider. Reservations and difficulties were discussed amongst the
committee. Strandwitz proposed sending monthly reports to keep the WSAC informed on off months and
have the option to add meetings as needed. Weston proposed doing bimonthly meetings beginning in
February 2023. A motion was held to change the WSAC meeting frequency for next year.
Motion: Weston moved to have the WSAC meet every other month beginning with February 2023,
with the condition of receiving monthly reports. Cough seconded the motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
Discussion moved to changing the quarterly joint meetings with the board of commissioners to bi-yearly.
The committee aimed for the two meetings to be six months apart, one with the WSAC going to the board
and one where the board comes to the WSAC. Commissioner Hughes recommended the Board come to
WSAC in the first half of the year, and the second half of the year will have the WSAC come to the Board
workshop. February was decided for the board to attend WSAC meeting in February for the ability to
bring up budget items and August was chosen for the second meeting where WSAC members would
attend the board workshop six months later.
Motion: Weston moved to have the WSAC meet twice a year, with the Board coming to WSAC in
February and the WSAC going to the Board workshop in August. Rawlins seconded the
motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
C. Questions regarding the leak adjustment spreadsheet were discussed. The committee highlighted
spreadsheet line item 70 where 33% of the total reimbursed value was given. A rough understanding of
the case was detailed by Freeman to give context on this adjustment. Strandwitz brought up the current
Finance Department policy on these adjustments. The committee discussed what leaks should qualify for
adjustment. The committee agreed pool filling and power washing should not receive adjustments. In the
case of toilet leaks, there was not a consensus. Commissioner Hughes recommended codifying changes to
leak adjustments in the town code. The committee tasked Strandwitz with asking her peers in other
municipalities, “what examples of leak adjustments and policies do you have?” Weston highlighted the
issue of water only customers not qualifying for leak adjustments, based upon Finance Department’s
current policy. The committee highlighted its desire to have a Finance Department representative attend
a meeting.
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D.The topic of last Fridays was brought up. Strandwitz discussed the table setup and the blind taste test for
participants, along with merchandise to give out and craft activities for kids. Locations for the table’s
location were brought up and Sprinczeles offered to reach out to a possible host. Strandwitz suggested
comparing bottled water to the town’s water. Commissioner Bell, Sprinczeles, and Saru mentioned they
could be available to operate the table.
6.Future Discussion Topics
A.Leak adjustment policy
B.Bill format
C.Former member recognition
D.Audit/budget update
E.Next joint meeting agenda and materials
7.Reports
Robinson attended the general Board meeting. He relayed that the Board mentioned having advisory
meetings streamed online, and they discussed attendance policy for the advisory boards. Sprinczeles said
there was nothing to report in the August work session.
8.Assignments for Meetings
Sprinczeles confirmed meeting assignments for the following month with applicable members.
9.Adjournment
Motion: Salvi moved to adjourn. Weston seconded the motion. All in favor.
Vote: 7-0. Ayes:7. Nays: 0.
The meeting was adjourned by Sprinczeles at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
K.Marie Strandwitz, PE
Utilities Director
Approved: Oct. 6, 2022