Minutes 02-18-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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things are with all of the water supplies, including Cane Creek, University Lake and the Quarry. He said this is being done to make sure that there is an understanding of where water will come from 50 years in the future. He said OWASA has asked the towns to work on a consistent method of population projections based on zoning classifications, in order to provide a clearer picture of where the region is headed. He said a copy of their strategic plan was provided to the public in January. He said public comments will also be solicited at the board meeting in February. He encouraged the Board to submit comments as well, so that those can be entered into the plan. He said the goal is to get this plan voted into place so that it guides the board over the next 3-5 years on those things that are important. Alan Rimer said OWASA has continued to provide technical information to all entities involved in the work being done to provide water and sewer services to the Rogers Road neighborhood. He said OWASA is doing forest management activities in the 490 acre Cane Creek Mitigation tract, which is federally mandated. He said the original plan was to do selective foresting in December, but this has been postponed due to inclement weather. He said constituents have been notified that this will be underway in the spring. He said the remaining lands owned in Orange County are being considered for a possible forest management plan, and this is listed as item 7 in the strategic plan. Alan Rimer introduced Ed Kerwin and Teri Buckner. Commissioner Pelissier asked Alan Rimer where OWASA stands with land preservation. Alan Rimer said this is being considered under their proposed strategic plan. He said OWASA is looking at the lands they currently own and considering utilizing these lands in conservation easements. He said these lands could be sold with long lasting conservation easements in hopes that people who purchase them will get the tax credits, while the land is forever managed by one of the conservation trusts. Commissioner Rich asked about the mutual aid agreement. She asked how these agreements are being modified, and when this is estimated to be completed. Alan Rimer said part of this will come once the Jordan Lake allocations are set and it is known that the state will grant the requested 5 million gallons. He said there is no way to know what the state will do with those allocations, and it is hard to make decisions until that is known. Commissioner Rich asked if everyone seems to want to keep communication lines open with each other as far as these governmental entities are concerned. Alan Rimer said yes. He said this is certainly a partnership between the communities on the western side of the lake, and Cary is an equal partner as well. Chair Jacobs asked if OWASA has been able to address the cost difference issues through its rate structure. Alan Rimer said one of the things in the strategic plan is consideration of the potential for electronic metering. He said this allows you to look at billing incrementally, instead of the current structure of charging on a thousand gallons. He said, from a billing perspective and for homeowners with different needs, this will be a much better system. He said his experience is that electronic metering has changed the way water rates are structured. He said he has never heard of a water rate that is structured on house size, but he feels the incremental system is a good idea. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the Taste of Hope programs and said he is interested in knowing whether they can explore a sliding fee scale to provide cost reduction for customers in need. He said if there is a policy that prevents this, he would like to know what can be done to change that.