1LwjabT

6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Tony Hayes said he sees recognition, acknowledgement and declaration as an act of
courage. He said the indigenous (American Indians) of Orange County are pleased this step
has been taken and would like to be more interactive with Orange County in the future. He said
they are looking forward to better relationships with Orange County. He works with the seven
other tribes within the State, and North Carolina is the most populous Indian state east of the
Mississippi. He said all the tribes want to be a part of the discussion to make North Carolina
better, and the Occaneechi are the only tribe in the central part of the State. He said the tribe
seeks to make Orange County the most progressive county in the State. He said they are
pleased to have the opportunity to get the resolution and look forward to working with Orange
County.
d. OWASA Annual Update Presentation
The Board considered receiving the presentation and information from the Orange
Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) on recent activities, and providing any feedback as
necessary.
BOCC appointees: Terri Buckner and Barbara Middleton-Foushee
Barbara Middleton-Foushee is here with Terri Buckner, Mary Darr, OWASA Director of
Engineering and Planning, and Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive Director. She said Chair John
Young was unable to attend.
Barbara Middleton-Foushee reviewed the following information:
Sewer system design for the Historic Rogers Road Area
Design and the process of getting construction permits are on schedule for completion in the
fall of 2016. Surveying, checking for underground rock and other information gathering in the
neighborhood are 95% complete. Design work to establish the basic sewer route was
completed in December 2015. The Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA), the
Marian Cheek Jackson Center, Orange County, the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and
OWASA met with residents on July 28, 2015 to discuss the design process and on December
8, 2015 to discuss the County’s acquisition of easements for the sewer lines.
Once there is a decision to proceed with construction, they estimate it will take about 19 months
for bidding, award of the contact and completion of construction. The estimated total cost of
design and construction is about $5.7 million, excluding costs for easement acquisition, sewer
connection fees, the private sewer connection pipes and related plumbing work.
Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)
AMI is a meter reading system including fixed antennae for remotely reading water meters with
batteries for data transmission. Vehicles would not be necessary for readings, with resulting
savings in energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. AMI would enable faster
detection of leaks, customers could monitor their daily water use on line and AMI would not
require a rate increase. They completed a detailed feasibility study on AMI in January 2016.
On January 21, 2016, they approved a plan for community engagement including receiving
citizens’ comments in our February 25, March 10 and March 24, 2016 Board meetings. They
may make a decision on whether to proceed with AMI at our March 24, 2016 Board meeting.
They will send additional information soon and invited questions and feedback.
Terri Buckner reviewed the following information: