Orange County NC Website
waterline to serve them as well. In an assessment project they would be assessed a portion of the <br />complete cost. If that happened there would be a slight cost savings to the County. <br />Commissioner Brown made reference to page six and asked about the estimated cost <br />of design, easement and construction and how the cost of easements would be broken down. <br />Paul Thames said that there would not be a purchase of easements but a cost <br />associated with identifying, surveying, and locating these easements. <br />Commissioner Brown made reference to Sandburg Lane and Hated that the price for <br />these 8 lots is $43,000, so automatically these eight lots have an additional $5,000 value to their <br />property. <br />Paul Thames said that this project captures the installation of the mains in the street <br />and a service line going out to a meter, which sits right at the property line. The additional <br />plumbing costs involve connecting from the house to the meter. It is up to the County to determine <br />if those connections from the meter to the house are going to be paid for out of public funds ar by <br />the homeowners. <br />Commissioner Brown questioned why the County would pay for connections to rental <br />houses. She made reference to Edgar Road and asked about the 14 lots that were not developed <br />and if there would be any way to recoup the cast to the LOG for extending the line. <br />Paul Thames said that sometimes there is a way to recoup the cost to the LOG through <br />an agreement between the utility and the developer. He said that this type of agreement could be <br />made with OWASA and the County if it became necessary. <br />Commissioner Brown said that she feels that the County should be reimbursed for <br />future hookups to this line. She feels that the public's money should be protected. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that this is a project he is glad the County is doing. He <br />agrees that the County should be responsible in the manner public funds are used. <br />Commissioner Brawn made reference to Sandburg Lane where the homes were built <br />after the landfill was opened. She asked if any of the newer houses an Sandburg Lane had water <br />problems. <br />Paul Thames said that the new well standards are in effect on all of the houses on <br />Sandburg Lane. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he and Commissioner Jacobs were part of the <br />subgroup that had numerous meetings and was chaired by Kevin Foy from the Chapel Hill Town <br />Council. The issue of not unnecessarily creating a situation where the improvement and the <br />quality of life so enhanced the property value that some people renting would suddenly be facing <br />higher rents was a concern that was discussed at two or three meetings. He said that they would <br />rather get the water extended and deal with the issues later. He said that he visited Bonnie <br />Norwood in her mobile home a couple of years ago and spoke to a couple of her neighbors. He <br />said that several of the residents on Sandburg Lane were having problems with their water. He <br />supports moving ahead with this project. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />approve the contract between OWASA and Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign, subject <br />to final review by staff and the County Attorney. This is contingent upon an amendment coming <br />back including a contribution of the costs from future developments along the 12-inch waterline. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />b. Hillsborough Court Campus Master Plan <br />The Board considered the draft Hillsborough Court Campus Master Plan. <br />Chair Carey welcomed Mayor Horace Johnson and asked that he make comments on <br />these proposals. Chair Carey said that if, for any reason, the Mayor's entire board was not notified <br />of this matter being on the agenda tonight, he would like to apologize for that. <br />Director of Central Stores and Purchasing Pam Jones said that this plan is a <br />culmination of many years of work. She introduced some of the members of the committee, which <br />includes Clerk of Courts Joan Terry, Superior Court Judge Wade Barber, and District Court Judge <br />Joe Buckner. The Sheriff and the District Attorney also served on this committee. As of Friday, <br />the 15b Bar President is a member of the committee and has provided some input. Pam Jones <br />