HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-01-23 Minutes Regular Meeting
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WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES | 1 of 3
Minutes
WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular meeting
7 p.m. June 1, 2023
Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St.
Present: Vice Chair Saru Salvi, Mo Rasheed, Steed Robinson, Barry
Weston, and Mayor Pro Tem Matt Hughes
Absent: Chair Jenn Sykes and Grace Beeler
Staff: Environmental Engineering Supervisor Bryant Green and Assistant Town Manager/Community
Services Director Matt Efird
1. Call to order, welcome of guests and new members, commence roll call
Vice Chair Saru Salvi called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., and members participated in a roll call.
2. Agenda changes and approval
Salvi asked staff if there were any agenda changes. There was none.
Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Matt Hughes moved approval of the agenda. Member Barry Weston seconded.
Vote: 5-0.
3. Minutes approval (April 6, 2023)
Salvi spoke regarding the need for additional detail in the minutes so that members can refer to their meeting
assignments for upcoming months. Environmental Engineering Supervisor Bryant Green noted the comment.
Salvi asked if there were any other changes to the minutes. There was none.
Motion: Member Steed Robinson moved approval of the April 6, 2023, minutes as amended. Weston
seconded.
Vote: 5-0.
4. Discussion
A. June 13 backflow discussion special meeting date selection
Salvi asked if members had any conflicts with the proposed June 13, 2023, special meeting date to discuss
backflow prevention requirements. Hughes stated that he had a conflict but would inquire if another
commissioner could attend. The consensus was to hold the special meeting at 7 p.m. on June 13, 2023.
Motion: Weston moved approval of setting a special meeting of the Water and Sewer Committee for
June 13, 2023. Robinson seconded.
Vote: 5-0.
B. Proposed budget: FY2023-24 Manager’s Recommended Budget
Salvi noted that the budget included a proposed rate increase, and she asked staff to provide some context.
Green confirmed that the budget included a 6% increase for both water and sewer rates that will result in a
net loss to those funds over the next three years. Rates are evaluated annually. Green said this is a
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conservative projection that could change based on factors such as inflation, system development revenues
and supply-chain issues that drive up materials costs. Green stated that the capital projects have been scaled
back to the minimum needed to maintain services. He noted that capital line items are primarily for
expenditures needed to fulfill matching requirements for grants. Green said no new vehicles were included in
the budget and limited new positions were added. He noted that funding for miscellaneous rehab projects
such as emergency repairs were included in the budget as well. He restated that the proposed budget reflects
those expenditures needed to maintain system operations.
Hughes spoke regarding the Board of Commissioners’ history of approving gradual rate increases to avoid
corrective, larger rate hikes. He said that not having a completed audit also presented challenges in
determining the rate increases needed. Additional discussion about the budget, rates, and development
occurred.
Salvi asked the audience if anyone wished to speak on the proposed budget. Audience members indicated
they wished to speak on the backflow issue. The consensus of the committee was to allow public comment
after the budget discussion concluded. Green stated that the June 13, 2023, meeting would provide a public
forum to discuss the backflow issue and alternatives.
Members of the public were invited to speak about backflow matters not on the printed agenda. Committee
members discussed non-direct-connect and direct-connect pools. The consensus was that additional data
were needed to support decision making. The audience members thanked the committee for the opportunity
to provide public comment.
C. Last Friday’s outreach table
The committee discussed providing a Water and Sewer Advisory Committee outreach table at the monthly
Last Fridays events. The consensus of the committee was not to pursue event participation at this time.
Motion: Weston moved that the committee not participate in the Last Friday's events for the remainder
of the year but consider it again next season. Robinson seconded.
Vote: 5-0.
D. Out-of-town vacancy
Green said the charter language allows the committee to fill the vacancy, but it doesn’t compel it to do so.
Green confirmed that currently there were no applicants for consideration. He spoke regarding the guidelines
for vacancies and the balance between in-town and out-of-town customers and stated the language for even
representation was vague. The committee discussed that members serve until they are replaced on the
board. The vacancy will be advertised.
E. Topics for joint board meeting in August
Salvi stated that the backflow prevention discussion would be included on the agenda for the committee’s
joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners in August.
5. Updates
A. Utilities status report highlights
Green reviewed the report highlighting a few items:
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•Recent emergency repairs on King Street, Orange Street and at the Elizabeth Brady Pump Station that
collectively cost approximately $250,000.
•A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems repair.
•Trihalomethane levels were elevated in a recent water report.
•Reservoir levels are rising.
Weston stated that materials flushed into the sewer are causing maintenance issues. The committee
discussed the need to mitigate the problem through public outreach and education as well as pursuing code
enforcement action in some cases.
B.Member term expirations
There was no discussion.
C.New minutes preparer
Barbara Hollerand was recognized as the minutes preparer for the committee.
6.Reports from April/May Board of Commissioners meeting assignments
Weston noted that he attended the Board of Commissioners meeting in April when backflow prevention
devices were discussed. Robinson reported that he had attended the State of the Town address. Robinson
said that water and sewer issues were only discussed within the context of available capacity for new
residential development.
7.Assignments for Board of Commissioners meetings
A.Meeting June 12 (Beeler/TBD sub.)
B.Meeting June 26 (TBD/Beeler sub.)
C.Meeting July 20 (Salvi/Robinson sub.)
Salvi noted that the Planning Board advised her that it does not consider water in its reviews. Hughes stated
that the presumption is that proposed developments going before the Planning Board have been determined
by staff to have available water and sewer capacity. Green spoke regarding consistency with the Unified
Development Ordinance and the scope of the Planning Board’s review. The committee discussed the staff
review process, annexations, land use and entitlements.
8.Future agenda items
Bill format change status
9.Adjournment
Salvi adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tyler Freeman
Civil Engineering Technician
Staff support to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee
Approved: Aug. 3, 2023