Agenda - 01-18-1994-IX-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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24 3 - It is certain that no purchaser of a lot at Piney Mountain can be blamed for the failure of our LPP System. The choice of unsuitable soils, the design, construction and maintenance of the LPP System were the responsibility of others. The key to prevention of similar requests in the future, therefore, cannot lie in penalizing current owners. Staff Investigation As Soon As Possible I am also writing to inquire whether it might be possible to accelerate the process by having your staff begin its investigation in advance of the January 10 meeting, so that Council members might have your recommendation and take possible action at the January 10 or 25 meetings. Such an investigation by your staff can be facilitated by their contact with the OWASA and Orange County staffs who have already begun extensive investigation of our LPP System and alternatives. To explain further: the Piney Mountain LPP System is failing. On December 1, 1993, the emergency operator of the LPP System, Harrco Utility Corporation, submitted a request to make repairs totalling$207,610.57(Attachment 4). Harrco has never tested the Piney Mountain soils, and at the time it recommended these repairs, Ham did not have the results of the Kays Report. Thus, Harrco has made no determination as to whether the LPP System will operate adequately even after these repairs are made. In fact, the Kays report indicates the LPP System will not operate properly for long. Attachment S is a copy of the objection to Harrco's proposed assessment for capital improvements to the curmt LPP System, which Piney Mountain Homeowners Association filed with the Utilities Commission. Obviously, the members of Piney Mountain are trying to avoid paying for extremely expensive repairs to a system which will shortly have to be abandoned. In order to avoid making the futile repairs, we must be able to act quickly on the installation of the pressurized sewer line to Durham's municipal line. We have already made a presentation (on December 10, 1993) to the OWASA Board. Attachment 6 is a copy of the statement we offend. OWASA Staff was instructed at that meeting to investigate finrther into the matter, and to determine the best method of communication with the governmental bodies which appoint members to OWASA (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County). The next meetings of the OWASA Board are January 13 and 27, 1994. The Orange County Commissioners meet on January 3 and 18, the Carrboro Aldermen meet on January 4 and 11, and the Chapel Hill Town Council meets on January 10 and 25. If Piney Mountain could secure the approval/concurrrence of these governmental bodies on one of these dates, then OWASA could perhaps take definitive action on January 13 or 27. horton