The five hundred and fifty-sixth session of the board of Alderman Village of Alamance

October 28^th, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Tem Isley, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Hunt, and Alderman Tichy

Absent: Alderman Cheap

Invocation and call to order given by Mr. Reich

Alderman Tichy motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

Alderman Andrews motioned to approve the September 23^rd, 2024, regular meeting minutes, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 5-0.

Water Quality Presentation

Blow-Off Report Summary: At the End of Rob Shepherd Drive there are 2 valves boxes visible and accessible in the T-turnaround. A 2” Valve in the western most valve box and a 2” blow-off is in the eastern most valve box. The valve was opened, and water bubbled out of blow-off. The water was discolored for the first 30- 45 seconds and then began to clear up. The water ran for 5 minutes and was clear when the valve was closed.  English Court has 2 valve boxes buried beneath the grass. Both were uncovered. The valve box cover over the valve was damaged and a portion of the valve box partially buried. Valve could not be accessed and thus blow-off could not be turned on. Both valve box covers were painted blue and left exposed. Century Court has 2 valve boxes that were buried beneath the grass. Both were uncovered. The Blow-off had an unusual 1” nut cap on top of pipe and we could not access the nut and blow-off the line. Both valve box covers were painted blue and left exposed.  Quad Court has 2 valve boxes that were buried beneath the grass. Both were uncovered. A vehicle was parked in front of the catch basin at the end of the cul-de-sac, and the line couldn’t be blown off. Both valve box covers were painted blue and left exposed. Painted curb to note location of blow-off.  2179 Aramanche Dr. (east end): Blow-off is in a meter box and valve within 12” of meter box. A portion of meter box was visible and valve box beneath the grass. The Blow-off was activated and water was discolored for about 10-15 seconds and cleared up. Chlorine residual was good. Meter box and valve box painted blue, and curb painted noting blow-off location. 2016 Aramanche Dr. (west end): Blow-off is in a meter box and valve within 12” of meter box. Both are in shrubbery and difficult to access. Blow-off was activated and water was discolored for about 10-15 seconds and cleared up. Chlorine residual was good. Meter box and valve box painted blue, and curb painted noting blow-off location.  2184 Tradition Ct. Two valve boxes were buried beneath the grass. Both were uncovered. Blow-off was activated and water was discolored for about 10-15 seconds and cleared up. Chlorine residual was good. Both valve boxes were painted blue, and curb painted to note blow-off location. Londonberry Ct. Two valve boxes were located within the shrubbery. Arnold had recently flushed this line and no flushing was conducted on 10/21. St. George Ct. Two valves boxes are located within the pavement and eastern most valve box contains a blow-off. Blow-off was activated and water was discolored for about 20 seconds and cleared up. Chlorine residual was good. Both valve boxes were painted blue. Midland Ct. Two valve boxes were located in the driveway. The valve nut and blow-off were not accessible (boxes shifted during driveway installation).  Moreland Ct. had two valve boxes that were located behind the curb; however, the valves boxes need to be cleaned

Water Distribution System Data Summary: The existing water distribution system consists of 2”, 6” and 8” PVC and/or DIP lines. The total length of lines within the system is approximately 9.3 miles and contains approximately 98,000 gallons. The average daily consumption varies from 60,000 GPD (gallons per day) or 42 gallons per minute, to 75,000 GPD (52 GPM). The turnover rate is based on total volume divided by daily consumption and ranges from 1.3 to 1.6 days. The accepted peaking factor for public water systems is generally between 3.0 to 4.0 times the average daily consumption. Using a 4.0 peaking factor, the flow through the system is estimated at 168 to 208 GPM.  The Village provides fire protection to the community as do most municipalities. The minimum flow rate per PWS rules is 500 GPM.  The distribution system has two connections to the City of Burlington’s distribution system, the first connection is located between Great Alamance Creek and Kirpatrick Road. The second connection is located east of Lake Mackintosh Water Treatment Plant. A review of historical meter reading data indicates the following:  From 2011 to 2018, 5 of the 7 meter readings indicate percentage of flow from second meter connection varied from 93% to 99%. In 2013 and 2014, the percentage was 88% and 67% respectfully. From 2018 to 2024, meter readings indicate that between 78%-88% of the water flows through the NC 62 meter. In 2010 the ORC closed the valve at the intersection of NC 62 and the valve remained closed until 2018. The valve was opened due to recent water main breaks and the concern that water hammer may be contributing to the water main breaks. In addition, fire flow volumes are significantly reduced when water is being provided from one direction only. The Village pressure is based on the City of Burlington’s system and floats on the water level in their tanks. Finished water is pumped from the Lake Mackintosh Water Plant and Ed Thomas Water Plant to three water tanks and water flows out of the tanks to the distribution system. Chlorine requirements for distribution systems are required to range between 1 to 4 ppm. All recent checks on chlorine have been between 1.5-3.5 ppm.

Since 2018 some residents have had issues with discolored water on some of the dead end lines in Heritage Glen including but not limited to; Freedom Dr.; Kendle Ct.; Londonberry Ct. and Cornerstone Dr. and the ORC has been blowing off the lines in that area. More recently brown water has been observed in the eastern portion of Heritage Glen, along Brookstone Dr.; Freedom Dr.; Aramanche Dr.; Tradition Ct.; and Midland Ct. In addition, a few complaints have been made on Ashe Dr. and Cabin Road. More flushing has been done and the system seems to have “settled down”.  Chlorine residuals after flushing last week and on Monday 10/21/2024 were within the normal range (1 to 4 ppm). Mr. Reich recommends that the Village retain Hazen and Sawyer (H&S) to perform a hydraulic analysis on the system (they modeled the system prior to the second connection) and update the model with the few lines that have been installed since 2010. Have H&S model system to confirm flow direction to correspond to meter readings and confirm if any pipes may indicate a potential water quality issue (chlorine). Model the system to evaluate if an altitude valve installation may be beneficial to provide a more even split in flow from each meter and to allow similar flow for fire protection. An Altitude Valve is a mechanically operated control that relies on a differential of pressure between inlet and outlet to assume a level of water, and control its flow when the supply pressure becomes much higher than the head developed by the full reservoir or storage tank. The Village should have Mr. Allred check Air Release valves on the section of line between second connection and Liberty Drive to ensure we don’t have an air lock thus reducing the water flow.  Repair or clean valve boxes at blow-offs that are damaged or filled with dirt and raise them to existing grade. Place a concrete collar around valve boxes to make access easier. Continue to blow-off lines when an issue arises. Based on hydraulic analysis, the model will recommend which blow-offs or hydrants should be blown off and how often. Automatic blow-offs are typically used on long dead ends lines with little flow and where low chlorine is identified.

Alderman Crouse made a motion to approve a contract for $8,000 with Hazen and Sawyer for hydrological services, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

Public Comment

A resident asked if any hydrants on Heritage were being flushed. Mr. Allred said they had not yet but would do that.

Mary Ellen Jefferson of 3255 Heritage Ln said she understood and accepted that the Board has a plan in place but she would like something done on Heritage Ln sooner rather than later. Mr. Allred said he would be out to do some flushing.

Naydine Sharpe said she wanted the water cleaned up before a park was talked about.

Mike Davis addressed the board about the property at 4163 S NC 62. He has been retained to build the new building. The demolition work should begin by the week of November 18^th. Mr. Farmerie told the board it is the building with civil penalties against it and those will not cease until the nuisance is abated. Mr. Davis asked the Board, on behalf of the property owner, if there were any incentives from the Village to build a nicer gas station. Mr. Farmerie said the Village did not offer anything like that, but the property owner could possibly check with the State. Mr. Davis asked the board if it would be possible to have an apartment above the new building, just like the current one has. Mr. Farmerie said he would check the zoning ordinance and get back to him.

ONGOING BUSINESS

Engineer Report

The contractor plans to begin paving in Heritage Glen on Monday. They will be paving portions of Cornerstone, Liberty, Kendele Ct and Freedom Dr. They distributed flyers on Wednesday and will install no parking signs on Sunday.

Cardinal Lane Drainage Issue

A Change Order has been issued to amend the street repair contract. We are awaiting the contractor’s project schedule.

Heritage Glen Phase 5C.2

Mr. Reich met with the contractor earlier this week; work will begin next week.

Utility Building

The selection committee met with all three contractors who are well qualified to do the work. After interviews, the committee selected Stonewall Construction Services, LLC, to construct the building.  On Tuesday, there was an on-site meeting with the contractor to review the site location. Due to existing grades, we plan to move the building uphill approximately 15 feet along the edge of the stone. The concern is rock. Mr. Reich used a probing rod, and his concern was that the rock was close to the top of the ground. A plan will be implemented to bring in fill material to level the pad and add stone at the door entrance. Duke Energy appears to have guy wires that may conflict with the building’s roof. Mr. Reich has contacted Tim David with Duke Energy but hasn’t confirmed the guy wire issue. There also appears to be a telephone or communication line to a pole east of the existing utility building (the assumption is to provide telephone service for a dialer, which is no longer in use). Since service is now offered via a wireless connection, the line should be able to be removed.

The contractor is working on a proposal, and we will provide copies to Board members with staff recommendations at the Board meeting. The anticipated amount will be around $100,000, and a 5% contingency amount may want to be added at the time of awarding the contract. Mr. Farmerie told the board he had an informal contract from Stonewall Construction showing a proposed cost of $98,717.00 and the water tap fee of $4,803.75 for a total of $103,520.75. The building would paid for through the general fund.

Alderman Hunt made a motion to approve the contract for $110,000, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 5-0

ORC Report  

Mr. Allred reported all three pump stations were cleaned by Pit Busters. He explained that disposable wipes and things are not truly disposable and cause a lot of clogs in the system. All testing for the month was good.

New Business

Budget Amendment – Cardinal Lane Stormwater Project

Mr. Farmerie reviewed the original change order approved by the Council on September 23, 2024, for the Cardinal LN stormwater improvement totaling $149,713. The storm water line item was originally budgeted at $40,000. It is recommended by the administrator to use half of the Contingency for the General Fund, which is $18,000 with the remainder of $92,000 being transferred from the Capital Furniture and Equipment line item.  This will put $150,000 in the storm water line item.

Alderman Crouse motioned to accept the budget amendment as presented, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 5-0

Updates to the Utility Operations Policy

Mr. Farmerie presented two updates for the utility ordinance to the Board. The first one is that if a customer writes a bad check three times in a year the Village has the right refuse payment via check, their payment will have to be made with cash, card, or by EFT.  The second change is that each billing period should be between 28 and 31 days. Alderman Tichy made a motion to accept the changes as presented, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

Approval of the 2025 Regular Meeting Dates

Mr. Farmerie presented the 2025 regular meeting dates, which are held on the fourth Monday of each month except for May and June of next year. Alderman Crouse motioned to approve the dates as presented, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 5-0

OTHER BUSINESS

Alderman Crouse made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 5-0.

Mayor Tichy____________________________________

Misty Folwell, Clerk_______________________________