Agenda - 02-15-2011 - Information Item 2

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be contacted next. The goal is to have the easement acquisition process for the Efland area completed by the end of March 2011 and the North Buckhorn area easements completed by late April 2011. This portion of the project is a critical path, because the construction contract cannot be awarded until the easements have been obtained. Customer Information Packet An information packet for potential new customers to the Efland sewer system was presented to the Efland community on January 24, 2011, at the Efland-Cheeks Elementary School. This packet had both general and specific information on the sewer expansion project, the process of connecting to the sewer system and the costs involved with connecting to the sewer system. The community meeting was attended by approximately 40 residents and approximately 60 of the 149 information packets were given out at the meeting (some of the residents own multiple properties in the area). There were lots of good questions asked at the meeting and there have been several follow-up calls to the Planning office with questions that have come up since the meeting. Staff is working on responses to the concerns of the community and will be continuing outreach efforts over the next several months to make sure residents remain informed as to the project's status. Railroad Right-of--Way Licenses The process of obtaining licenses to install a portion of the sewer line in the railroad right-of--way is underway. Our license applications for areas of occupancy in both the Northern Buckhorn section and two areas in Central Efland have been accepted by the NC Railroad Company, pending payment of the required fees and provision of insurance information. Obtaining these occupancy licenses from the Railroad is one of the items that must be completed before issuance of our project permit. Water and Sewer District Concert With the existing Efland sewer system poised for expansion, staff has been investigating the concept of forming a County Water and Sewer District or Districts as a way to more efficiently provide water and sewer service to those for whom it is available and promote Economic Development. Staff has been authorized by the BOCC to put together information that will be required to hold a public hearing on the formation of such a district or districts. Staff is engaged in an ongoing effort to compile this information and identify specifically the potential district area(s). Next Sters Due to the application process for SRF loan funds, the project is constrained to a specific timeline, as briefly mentioned above. The immediate goal is to secure the State permit for the project, which must occur by May 1, 2011. The next deadline would be to put the project out for bids by July 1, 2011. During the remainder of the permitting phase and the bidding phase, the Construction Grants and Loans division will be processing our application for the State Revolving Loan Funds. C:\Documents and Settings\mallisonU.ocal Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK108\Central Efland and Northern Buckhom Sewer Expansion Project Update 012711.docCentral Efland and Northern Buckhorn Sewer Expansion Project Update 012711