Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-13-23 Minutes Special Meeting 101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-732-1270 | www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES | 1 of 3 Minutes WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE Special meeting on Cross Connection Control Ordinance 14-56 7 p.m. June 13, 2023 Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Chair Jenn Sykes, Members Grace Beeler, Mo Rasheed, Daniel Rawlins, Steed Robinson, Barry Weston, Commissioners Mark Bell and Robb English Absent: N/A Recused: Vice Chair Saru Salvi Staff: Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz, Utilities Infrastructure Protection Supervisor Troy Miller, Environmental Engineering Supervisor Bryant Green, Civil Engineering Technician Tyler Freeman, Assistant Town Manager Matt Efird, Communications Manager Catherine Wright, and Town Manager Eric Peterson 1. Call to order, welcome of guests and new members, roll call Chair Jenn Sykes called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Sykes advised the public of the scope of the discussion and asked those who wished to speak to sign in. She provided an overview of how the meeting would proceed and asked members of the public to limit their comments to five minutes. 2. Agenda approval Sykes asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Motion: Member Barry Weston moved to approve the agenda. Member Daniel Rawlins seconded. Vote: 6-0. 3. Backflow presentation Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz informed the committee that guest presenter Kathy Riley, compliance specialist with Charlotte Water and Region 3 director for the American Backflow Prevention Association, was unable to participate in the meeting due to a family emergency. The consensus of the committee was to remove the backflow presentation item from the agenda. Sykes asked for a roll call, and committee members participated in a roll call. 4. Preface and assignment of committee (Strandwitz) Strandwitz stated that the backflow prevention discussion applied to existing residential water customers with in-ground swimming pools with no other identified hazards. A PowerPoint presentation was provided setting the state for the discussion that included the history of the WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES | 2 of 3 ordinance, the former and current state legislation, the recent board motion, some technical information about backflow prevention devices and a recommendation. Strandwitz concluded her presentation by identifying the next steps in the process which are: • The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee makes a recommendation to the town board at the August joint meeting. • The town board provides direction for amendments to the ordinance. • Staff modifies the ordinance. • The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee reviews the draft ordinance. • Staff presents the ordinance for adoption by the town board. Sykes asked the committee members if they had questions for staff and several clarifications were provided. 5. Public comments Eight residents spoke regarding their thoughts and research regarding the town’s requirement to install a reduced pressure zone assembly device for existing residential swimming pools. Concerns ranged mainly from stating they thought the risk of contamination was low, that they found not all utilities enforced the same as the town, the cost was high, the devices unsightly, and they thought there were less expensive options. Staff provided input when warranted. 6. Discussion of program and recommended changes Sykes asked that the committee begin its discussion with new construction and asked if there was a consensus on recommended changes to that category. After discussion, the majority expressed interest in continuing to require reduced pressure zone assemblies for new construction. Motion: Member Grace Beeler moved approval of recommending requiring new swimming pool construction include installation of a reduced pressure zone assembly. Member Mo Rasheed seconded. Vote: 5-1. Nay: Rawlins Sykes asked the committee to next consider recommendations on existing swimming pools. Discussion included consideration of setting a timeframe for compliance, impacts of water pressure, above-ground pools, education topics, hydrant flushing schedules and flood rims. After discussion Sykes summarized a motion: For existing in-ground, indirectly connected pools, the required backflow prevention solution is an air gap combined with a hose bibb vacuum breaker. A site inspection will be made to ensure there are no additional severe hazards. An air gap agreement, signed by the homeowner and notarized, is required to be filed with the Utility Department. The education component of the air gap solution will provide guidance including no hose filling during hydrant flushing, a recommendation to replace the hose bibb vacuum breaker every five years, advisement against removing the breakaway screw, description and examples of proper air gap spacing as being one inch above the flood rim level or twice the diameter of the pipe. The air gap agreement is required to be resubmitted upon permitted WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES | 3 of 3 plumbing modifications or the sale of the property. Non-compliance with the ordinance will result in the property requiring a reduced pressure zone assembly. Motion: Member Steed Robinson moved to approve the motion as stated. Weston seconded. Vote: 5-1. Nay: Rawlins Sykes summarized the topics for the joint meeting in August as including a review of the education component, potential changes to the fines, whether to require a reduced pressure zone assembly installation or other measures for non-compliant homeowners and the next hazards to be reviewed. Commissioner Mark Bell acknowledged that Commissioner Robb English was also in attendance and noted that English will become mayor pro tem in December. English requested that the committee continue to review backflow code recommendations at the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee’s August meeting. Motion: Rawlins moved to approve a request for staff to consider proposed fines for non- compliance with the backflow code. Weston seconded. Vote: 6-0. Town Manager Eric Peterson asked when the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee expected to discuss potential refunds for citizens that complied with the backflow letter and installed reduced pressure zone assemblies. Sykes responded that she believed it would be discussed in August. She stated that she had smart meters, additional hazards and bill credits on her upcoming discussion list. 7.Adjournment Motion: Weston moved to adjourn the meeting. Sykes said no second needed. The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tyler Freeman Civil Engineering Technician Staff support to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Approved: Aug. 3, 2023