BC 1987 11 23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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230 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session at the County Courthouse in Concord, North Carolina, on Monday, November 23, 1987, at 6:00 P.M. Present - Chairman: James W. Lentz Commissioners: Kenneth F. Payne William G. Hamby, Jr. Martha H. Melvin R. Giles Moss Chairman Lentz recessed the meeting until 7:00 P.M. Chairman Lentz called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. upon the arrival of the Concord Board of Aldermen. Members of the Concord Board of Aldermen present for the meeting were as follows: Mayor Pro-Tem James L. Dorton and Aldermen T. Laine Harling; Robert L. Mathis, Jr.; Lamar Barrier; Dr. Hector H. Henry; Frank A. Dusch, Jr.; and Wilson F. Cone, Jr. Chairman Lentz stated the purpose of the joint meeting was to discuss the proposal presented by the City on November 12, 1987. He pointed out that the County's main interest was to provide water and suggested that the City consider its own proposal from the perspective that the County had made the proposal to them. Chairman Lentz further proposed that the representatives from the City and County meet to consider the proposal and then go back to each Board with a recommendation. Dr. Hector H. Henry stated that the City had always looked at owning Coddle Creek and had only begun discussions of a joint project with the County after the County began buying land in the Coddle Creek area. He pointed out that the City can pay its one-half share of the project but indicated a problem with this arrangement as he stated City residents pay a portion of the County's tax base. Dr. Henry also stated that the City's main objective was to provide fresh water for its customers. In regards to the item in the proposal presented by the City regarding a guaranteed percentage of the water, Commissioner Melvin proposed that the water be shared on the basis of need rather than establishing a guaranteed amount. Dr. Henry stated the City was seeking a guaranteed maximum of 50 percent of the safe daily yield of the water from Coddle Creek and would pay for the raw water at a price which will be determined through a study by an outside firm. He emphasized that a contractual agreement signed by each party would be necessary in order to ensure a guaranteed yield to the City but indicated that the percentage was open to negotiation. During review of the items regarding the treatment of water from Coddle Creek, members of the Board of Commissioners expressed concern that in the future it might become more cost effective for the County to build its own treatment plant at the Coddle Creek site rather than pay the City of Concord for this service. It was also pointed out that it would be more cost effective to the County if the City of Concord agreed to use water from Coddle Creek and kept Lake Fisher and Lake Concord in reserve. Members of the Board of Aldermen stated the City could expand the Hillgrove Water Treatment Plant much cheaper than the County can build a new facility. According to City officials, the City currently has plans to upgrade the current facility from 8 million gallons per day to 12 million gallons per day at a cost of $1.4 million. Members of the Board of Aldermen further stated it was important to them to have a guarantee that the City will be treating the County's water as they have to have raw water to keep the plant going and to defray the cost of the upgrade. It was pointed out that the County can build its own line from Coddle Creek to Hillgrove Water Treatment Plant and eliminate the transportation cost. The City indicated a willingness to discuss the use of Coddle Creek as the primary source of water and also a time period for the treatment of water if the County wishes to build its own plant. City officials estimated that the City has spent approximately $2.3 million on the Coddle Creek project and agreed to provide to the County the exact amount of the Gity's expenditure. Also, the County agreed to provide to the City the County's total expenditure for the project. In addition, information is to be obtained regarding projected raw water costs and water treatment costs. The City and County agreed to meet again as soon as the County has a proposal to present to the City. It was determined that the full boards would continue to meet as members of the Board of Aldermen objected to the reformation of the liaison committee for negotiations between the two boards. Mayor Pro-Tem Dorton invited the County to City Hall to meet with the Board of Aldermen at such time the County wishes to meet with them.