Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6 <br /> 1 Tony Hayes said he sees recognition, acknowledgement and declaration as an act of <br /> 2 courage. He said the indigenous (American Indians) of Orange County are pleased this step <br /> 3 has been taken and would like to be more interactive with Orange County in the future. He said <br /> 4 they are looking forward to better relationships with Orange County. He works with the seven <br /> 5 other tribes within the State, and North Carolina is the most populous Indian state east of the <br /> 6 Mississippi. He said all the tribes want to be a part of the discussion to make North Carolina <br /> 7 better, and the Occaneechi are the only tribe in the central part of the State. He said the tribe <br /> 8 seeks to make Orange County the most progressive county in the State. He said they are <br /> 9 pleased to have the opportunity to get the resolution and look forward to working with Orange <br /> 10 County. <br /> 11 <br /> 12 d. OWASA Annual Update Presentation <br /> 13 The Board considered receiving the presentation and information from the Orange <br /> 14 Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) on recent activities, and providing any feedback as <br /> 15 necessary. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 BOCC appointees: Terri Buckner and Barbara Middleton-Foushee <br /> 18 Barbara Middleton-Foushee is here with Terri Buckner, Mary Darr, OWASA Director of <br /> 19 Engineering and Planning, and Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive Director. She said Chair John <br /> 20 Young was unable to attend. <br /> 21 Barbara Middleton-Foushee reviewed the following information: <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Sewer system design for the Historic Rogers Road Area <br /> 24 Design and the process of getting construction permits are on schedule for completion in the <br /> 25 fall of 2016. Surveying, checking for underground rock and other information gathering in the <br /> 26 neighborhood are 95% complete. Design work to establish the basic sewer route was <br /> 27 completed in December 2015. The Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA), the <br /> 28 Marian Cheek Jackson Center, Orange County, the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and <br /> 29 OWASA met with residents on July 28, 2015 to discuss the design process and on December <br /> 30 8, 2015 to discuss the County's acquisition of easements for the sewer lines. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 Once there is a decision to proceed with construction, they estimate it will take about 19 months <br /> 33 for bidding, award of the contact and completion of construction. The estimated total cost of <br /> 34 design and construction is about $5.7 million, excluding costs for easement acquisition, sewer <br /> 35 connection fees, the private sewer connection pipes and related plumbing work. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) <br /> 38 AMI is a meter reading system including fixed antennae for remotely reading water meters with <br /> 39 batteries for data transmission. Vehicles would not be necessary for readings, with resulting <br /> 40 savings in energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. AMI would enable faster <br /> 41 detection of leaks, customers could monitor their daily water use on line and AMI would not <br /> 42 require a rate increase. They completed a detailed feasibility study on AMI in January 2016. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 On January 21, 2016, they approved a plan for community engagement including receiving <br /> 45 citizens' comments in our February 25, March 10 and March 24, 2016 Board meetings. They <br /> 46 may make a decision on whether to proceed with AMI at our March 24, 2016 Board meeting. <br /> 47 They will send additional information soon and invited questions and feedback. <br /> 48 <br /> 49 Terri Buckner reviewed the following information: <br />