Minutes - 05-24-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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gallons. He would guess that in a 50-year period, under normal growth conditions, the shortfall just in the Efland-Cheeks area could reach one million gallons per day. Commissioner Brown supports this request of retaining the allocation. Commissioner Gordon asked, since different jurisdictions are growing at different rates, would the County have to give the allocation to someone who was growing much faster now. Her perspective is that this is an area in Orange County where there is growth and there is a need for water in this location. She said that she would downplay the fact that the County is not the utility provider. The need for water in this area can be demonstrated, and just because we do not have the pipeline in place does not mean that we do not need the allocation. She feels the verbiage should be stronger in the application and suggested the following verbiage in the application: "In conclusion, Orange County has plans for an Economic Development District. We have a limited role as a sewer utility, but there is obviously going to be a need for a substantial infrastructure here, and that one million gallons is critical." Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Gordon and said that we should talk about the positives. He said that we have had an allocation since the very beginning and have demonstrated our interest from the very beginning. He said that it should be addressed in the application that we help to protect this water supply by our policies and watershed protection measures. He thinks it is incumbent upon the state to provide water to those who make a sacrifice to provide the resource. Also, Orange county has been working on cooperative relationships with the water providers in this County as well as the Town of Hillsborough on the EDDs. He feels we should move forward with reserving this allocation. Chair Halkiotis said that we need to emphasize that we have a cooperative relationship with Orange-Alamance. Orange-Alamance knows that they have a problem with not having enough water resources for future growth. He agrees that we should not point out the County's lack of standing as a water utility. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to adopt the recommendation of the Manager, which is to direct staff to modify the application to meet the Board's requirements and submit the application by the May 31, 2001 deadline, and that staff work with Commissioners Gordon and Jacobs to incorporate the comments into the application. Commissioner Brown asked if anyone that received an allocation would be able to sell water to Greensboro. Paul Thames said yes, but with a lot of qualifiers. Commissioner Jacobs suggested that the EDD on the map be crosshatched. Also, once the letter is formalized, he asked that it be sent to Orange-Alamance before the board meeting on May 31St with a cover letter thanking them again for their hospitality and stating that this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship in helping to address the water needs in central Orange County. Commissioner Gordon asked about supporting OWASA's current allocation. Paul Thames said that he had planned to write a separate letter related to that. The letter is not as time critical as the application. Chair Halkiotis suggested that copies of the application letter be sent to the legislative delegation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS ADJOURNMENT With no further items for the County Commissioners to discuss, a motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Brawn to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS The next meeting on the calendar will be held next Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, CMC