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Planning Director Craig Benedict differentiated between two important points. Connection to <br />existing lots is where a sewer system is already present and there is a single owner that wants to tie into <br />the gravity system. This policy is clear within our Efland Sewer rules. The issue tonight is how <br />extensions will be made to undeveloped properties served by the Efland sewer system. There is a set of <br />rules for the Efland sewer system that was developed in the mid-1980's. He made reference to page two <br />and summarized the outline of issues regarding the Efland area sewer system. He said that Orange- <br />Alamance's primary purpose was to provide potable water to customers within the Efland area and in <br />some sections of Alamance. The concerns for Orange County and land use planning goes beyond just <br />potable water, but also fire suppression issues. He said that the issue before the Board tonight was to <br />either stay within the existing Efland sewer rules, or do a temporary cessation of extensions to any new <br />development in the area while the issues are sorted out. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that the assumption behind the list of issues is that the County is <br />going to work in partnership with Orange-Alamance on water and sewer issues. She remembers from <br />previous discussions that Orange-Alamance has a one million-gallon per day capacity, of which 200,000 <br />was used in Orange County and 800,000 goes out of the County. She also understands that Orange- <br />Alamance is near capacity. She asked how the partnership would work. <br />Craig Benedict said that the sewer capacity did not have many limitations at this time. He <br />said that Orange-Alamance could give up some customers in Alamance County and retrench into <br />Orange County. They could also get additional allocations from the Upper Eno. There are also other <br />mechanisms by which Orange-Alamance could obtain additional allocations. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the meeting between County officials and members <br />of the Orange-Alamance Board of Trustees and said that Orange-Alamance would be bringing some <br />answers to questions subsequent to their May 31St meeting. Some of the questions are related to <br />Orange-Alamance's capabilities and plans. He would like the staff to came back to the Board with some <br />type of timeframe if there was a cessation of extensions. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he saw this more as a request for a moratorium so that a plan <br />could be developed. He did not see this as authorizing any negotiations with anyone. He supports the <br />idea of coming back with a recommendation on how long the cessation of extensions would last. <br />Commissioner Brown clarified that tonight the Board will not vote on a suspension. <br />Craig Benedict said that if a time period is set, there should be clear questions so that there <br />can be clear answers. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that looking back at all of the efforts to get aface-to-face meeting with <br />Orange-Alamance, he thinks it was a significant step to actually meet with the officials at Orange- <br />Alamance. He feels the County needs to continue to work on this relationship. He said that it was <br />important for Orange-Alamance to receive a clear message that Orange County wants them at the table <br />as a partner to discuss these issues. He said that the relationship has to be respectful. <br />Commissioner Gordon feels we need to get everything together before we negotiate <br />respectfully with Orange-Alamance. She would like a more detailed report of the meeting with Orange- <br />Alamance. <br />County Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill said that one of the significant things that was discussed <br />with Orange-Alamance was the idea of sharing Orange Alamance's property with Orange County's <br />property in the McGowan Creek Preserve. Orange-Alamance was very receptive to this idea. <br />The Board agreed to direct the County Attorney, County Manager, and Planning Director to <br />work with Commissioners Brown and Jacobs on the timeframe of the cessation of sewer extensions until <br />the issues with the Efland area sewer system are resolved. <br />d. RFP Award: Needs Assessment for Consolidated Communications Svstem and <br />Network Design Services <br />The Board was to consider awarding an RFP to CTA of Lynchburg, Va., far a needs <br />assessment for a consolidated communications system and network design services for EMS, in the <br />amount of $57,326 for phase 1. <br />This item was postponed to the June 14t" work session. <br />11 <br />