AGENDA Catawba County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Tuesday, September 3, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting Room

2nd Floor, Catawba County Justice Center 100 Government Drive, Newton, NC

1. Call to Order. 2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Invocation. 4. Approval of the Minutes from the Board’s Regular Meeting of August 19, 2019. 5. Recognition of Special Guests. 6. Public Comments. 7. Presentation. Adoption of Resolution to Authorize the Retirement and Transfer of Ownership of

K-9 Cane and Presentation of Retirement Plaque by Sheriff Don Brown. 8. Appointments. 9. Consent Agenda. 1. Catawba County Schools Claremont Elementary School Old Cafeteria

Renovations. 2. CVCC Stream Bank Repair and Stabilization. 10. Departmental Report. Tax. Countywide Appraisal of Real Property/Change in Revaluation Schedule.

Presented by Tax Administrator Brad Fowler. 11. Other Items of Business. 12. Manager’s Report. City of Claremont McLin Creek Sewer Loan Contract. 13. Attorneys’ Report. 14. Adjournment. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Individuals needing assistance should contact the County Clerk at 828-465-8990 within a reasonable time prior to the meeting. Participation in public meetings is without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, or disability. CALENDAR: The next Board of Commissioners Meeting will take place on Monday, September 16, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the Commissioners Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the Catawba County Justice Center, 100 Government Drive, Newton.

MEMORANDUM

To: Catawba County Board of Commissioners From: Finance and Personnel Subcommittee Date: September 3, 2019 Subject: Retirement of K-9 Cane Request The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee recommends to the Board of Commissioners approval of a resolution to retire K-9 Cane and transfer ownership of Cane to his handler, Dannie Cline, Deputy Sheriff. Background Cane is a drug interdiction K-9 and has performed his duties faithfully and diligently. He has served with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department for over ten (10) years and is no longer physically able to perform as a drug interdiction K-9. Cane was specifically trained in certain law enforcement procedures and may behave unpredictably and perhaps in an aggressive manner as a result of such training. Therefore, he presents a risk to the health and safety of the general public if presented for sale to or adoption by the general public, who are unfamiliar with the specialized training Cane received. Such risk to public health and safety is not present when the K-9 is transferred to the care and keeping of his handler Dannie Cline. This allows Cane to retire to an accustomed environment in the care of his handler who is familiar with his training and permits an ownership transfer of the K-9 that does not endanger public health and safety. Pursuant to N.C.G.S § 20-187.4, upon determination that any service animal is no longer fit or needed for public service, the County may transfer ownership of the service animal to the public officer or employee who had normal custody or control of the animal during its public service to the County, if officer or employee agrees to accept ownership, care, and control of the service animal. If approved, a resolution would allow Catawba County to retire and transfer ownership of Cane to his handler Deputy Cline upon his accepting custody of the dog and assuming all liability and responsibility for the care of the animal for the remainder of its life. Recommendation The Finance and Personnel Subcommittee recommends to the Board of Commissioners approval of a resolution to retire K-9 Cane and transfer ownership of Cane to his handler, Dannie Cline, Deputy Sheriff.

RESOLUTION No. 2019- AUTHORIZING THE RETIREMENT AND TRANSFER OF

K-9 CANE

WHEREAS, Cane, a drug interdiction K-9 and his handler, Dannie Cline, Deputy Sheriff, have been a great benefit to Catawba County; and WHEREAS, Cane has served with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department for over ten (10) years and is no longer physically able to perform as a drug interdiction K-9; and WHEREAS, Cane was specifically trained in certain law enforcement procedures which may cause him to behave unpredictably and perhaps in an aggressive manner as a result of such training and presents a risk to the general public health and safety if presented for sale to or adoption by the general public; and WHEREAS, such risk is not present when Cane is transferred to the care and keeping of his handler Dannie Cline; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners finds that Cane should be retired and ownership transferred to Dannie Cline due to the additional training and responsibility which is required; and WHEREAS, N.C.G.S. § 20-187.4 permits the Board of Commissioners to authorize the transfer of ownership of Cane to Dannie Cline upon Dannie Cline accepting custody of the dog and assuming all liability and responsibility for the care of the animal for the remainder of its life. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the transfer of ownership of K-9 Cane to Deputy Dannie Cline effective September 3, 2019. This the _____ day of September, 2019. __________________________________

C. Randall Isenhower, Chair Catawba County Board of Commissioners

MEMORANDUM 

TO:    Catawba County Board of Commissioners 

FROM:    Finance and Personnel Subcommittee  DATE:    September 3, 2019 

SUBJECT:  Catawba County Schools Claremont Elementary School Old Cafeteria Renovations 

Request: Catawba County Schools (CCS) requests the transfer of $100,000 from Oxford HVAC project to cover bid overages for the Claremont Elementary School Renovations project.  

Background: Between  Fiscal  Years  2016/17  and  2018/19,  the  Board  of  Commissioners  appropriated  $2.76M  for Claremont  Elementary  School  kitchen/cafeteria  renovations  and  other  related  projects  at  the  school.  Catawba County Schools planned to use the funds to construct a new kitchen / cafeteria, renovate the existing kitchen / cafeteria to create new art, music, and multi‐purpose rooms, and complete re‐roofing, fire alarm upgrades, HVAC upgrades, security vestibule, and painting.  

As the new construction work has come to an end, Catawba County Schools is in the process of renovating the old cafeteria to create the planned art, music, and multi‐purpose rooms. Renovations include erecting walls  to  create  three  new  classrooms,  new  hallways  /  entryways,  and  replacing  heating  and  air conditioning. Art  and music  are  currently  located  in  regular  classrooms.  Renovating  the old  kitchen  / cafeteria will provide these programs with space better designed for their needs. The art room will be located in the old kitchen area, where wet walls already exist and the room is plumbed for sinks for easy clean‐up.  The  new  music  room  will  provide  a  larger  space  than  a  traditional  classroom  to  better accommodate the program’s needs. The school doesn’t currently have a multi‐purpose room.  

This renovation will also free the existing art and music rooms for use as regular classrooms. Initially the vacated classrooms will be used for enrichment but will be ready for use should additional classrooms be needed.  While  Claremont  Elementary  is  currently  at  about  86%  capacity  (of  496  students),  student population has grown an average of 3.3% per year over the past three years and is expected to increase again in 2019/20 based on current enrollment. Based on population trends by grade level at Claremont, the new K‐12 class size restrictions scheduled to take effect in 2020/21 are expected to decrease capacity by 12 students. If the upward trend in enrollment continues, the school may potentially reach capacity within five years.  

The old cafeteria renovation component of the project was bid separately from the new construction, and the  lowest  responsive and  responsible bid on  the project was $445,000. The  school  system has  funds remaining in the new kitchen/cafeteria construction project and the Claremont Renovations project to cover  all  but  $100,000  of  the  cost.    The  original  intention was  to  complete  all major  renovations  at Claremont before moving on to other facilities.   

In Fiscal Year 2017/18, the Board of Commissioners approved $100,000 to replace an HVAC system in a 4‐pack unit that, while still  functioning, has reached the end of  its useful  life from an age standpoint, at Oxford Elementary School.  The building is separate from the main school building and currently only used for before and after school care, which could be mitigated if the HVAC fails by moving the programs into the main building temporarily. CCS requests that these funds be transferred to the Claremont Elementary project to complete the renovation. 

The alternative to transferring these funds to complete the planned renovation is to leave the vacated space in its current condition, which would result in underutilized space within an existing facility.  As the school’s population increases, a future request for funds to renovate this space would be anticipated.  

Recommendation: The  Finance  and  Personnel  Subcommittee  recommends  the  Board  of  Commissioners  approves  the transfer  of  $100,000  from  the Oxford  Elementary  HVAC  project  to  the  Claremont  Elementary  School Renovations project. 

Transfer: From: 420‐750100‐863200‐31117‐3‐06   Oxford HVAC System         $100,000  To: 420‐750100‐863200‐31109‐3‐06  Claremont Elementary Renovations    $100,000 

MEMORANDUM 

TO:    Catawba County Board of Commissioners 

FROM:    Finance and Personnel Subcommittee  DATE:    September 3, 2019 

SUBJECT:  CVCC Stream Bank Repair and Stabilization  

Request: CVCC  requests  appropriation of $50,000  to assist with advanced planning  for  stream bank  repair  and stabilization through CVCC’s main campus.  

Background: As discussed during Fiscal Year 2019/20 budget hearings, CVCC recently discovered extensive erosion and damage to the natural embankments of the creek that runs through the main campus, caused by record rainfall events over the last 5 years and off‐campus development. If these slopes and embankments are not stabilized and repaired to withstand changes to the flow of water in this channel, continued erosion, loss of trees and natural landscape, and damage to CVCC facilities may occur. Facilities and infrastructure such as storm system manholes, sanitary sewer mains feeding into the municipal system, parking lots, and the wet pond completed in association with the Workforce Solutions Complex are all at risk.  Initial cost estimate to repair and stabilize the creek is $1.5 million.  

Staff  and CVCC have  identified  two potential  grants  to  help mitigate  the  cost  to  the County.  CVCC  is preparing  one  funding  proposal  for  $300,000  to  the  North  Carolina  Attorney  General’s  2019 Environmental Enhancement Grant program (see attached letter of intent) and is exploring the possibility of submitting a second request to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources for up to $200,000.  

CVCC needs  assistance with preparing  grant proposals,  developing  initial  design  concepts,  getting  the project ready to bid, and refining cost estimates. Accordingly, CVCC requests $50,000 to contract with Alfred  Benesch &  Company  (the  engineering  firm  that  conducted  the  preliminary  concept  study  and derived  the  initial  cost  estimate)  for  advanced  planning  for  the  project  as  detailed  in  the  attached proposal,  and  provide  a  small  amount  of  contingency  ($1,160)  for  other  potential  pre‐planning  costs beyond the scope of the contract.  

Recommendation: The  Finance  and  Personnel  Subcommittee  recommends  the  Board  of  Commissioners  approves  the appropriation of $50,000  in advanced planning funds  for stream bank repair and stabilization through CVCC’s main campus.  

Supplemental Appropriation: 

Revenue: 

110‐190050‐690100      Fund Balance Applied        $50,000 

420‐750050‐695110      Transfer from General Fund      $50,000 

 

Expense: 

110‐190900‐995420      Transfer to Schools Capital      $50,000 

110‐750100‐862200‐341000‐3‐13  General Renovations        $50,000 

August 7, 2019

Ms. Sarah G. Zambon

Assistant Attorney General

North Carolina Department of Justice

Dear Ms. Zambon:

This letter indicates the intent of Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) in Hickory, North Carolina

(Catawba County), to submit a proposal for funding under the North Carolina Attorney General’s 2019

Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program for $300,000 to assist with BMP Stream Bank Repair and

Stabilization of a creek that flows through the college campus.

The unnamed tributary to Clark’s Creek originates on the campus of CVCC and is designated as a clean class C

waterway which is described as suitable for recreational and other purposes. Clark’s Creek flows into the Henry

Fork River which eventually feeds the Catawba River in the Catawba River basin. The creek banks on the portions

of the stream through college property have experienced severe erosion in recent years causing degraded surface

waters. This is due in part to historic torrential rainstorms and increased runoff from increased impervious surfaces

through the continued commercial and private development in the watershed upstream of the creek along US

Highway 70 corridor and intersecting thoroughfares surrounding the college campus.

The estimated cost of this remediation is $1.5 million. Catawba County will be the major funding partner, with

$300,000 requested from EEG. CVCC is also pursuing other funding options to help mitigate the impact to

Catawba County. Project costs include repair of approximately fourteen damaged areas along 900 feet of creek.

Stabilization methods will include “soft measures” recommended in the North Carolina Department of

Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) manual as well as potential use of stone gabion baskets filled with as much as

3,000 tons of rip rap. Preliminary meetings with NCDEQ and schematic designs have already been funded by

CVCC. Absent this project funding to repair this environmentally sensitive area, continued damage to the campus

will occur, college facilities will be threatened and the loss of natural habitat for flora and fauna will be imminent.

With support from EEG and the bulk of the resources from Catawba County, Catawba Valley Community College

will be able to permanently arm the stream banks, ensuring free flow of not only the latent natural stream and

additional flow created by storms, but streambanks that will enhance the stream’s natural ability to establish

vegetation in and on the banks helping insure that ability and sustained strength of the banks from further erosion

and change in the channel and environmental characteristics.

Stopping continued erosion of these banks will allow for cleaner, clearer water downstream and along the creek and

support aquatic life such as crayfish, fish, native mussels, vegetation, and small mammals, reptiles and amphibians

that make this tributary home.

Sincerely,

Garrett D. Hinshaw

Contact Person: Wes Bunch, Sr. V.P. for Finance & Operations, wbunch@cvcc.edu, 828-327-7000 x 4271,

2550 Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602.

Alfred Benesch & Company 2018 Eastwood Road, Suite 111 

Wilmington, NC 28403 www.benesch.com 

P 910‐344‐0143 

  

  August 19, 2019   Mr. Wes Bunch, EVP, Operations and Finance Catawba Valley Community College 2550 US Highway 70SE Hickory, NC 28602   Reference:  Proposal for Advance Planning – stream bank repair – unnamed tributary to Clarks Creek     main campus – CVCC  Via:    email/electronic  (only)  Dear Wes:  Thank you for requesting this proposal to assist CVCC with improvements on the campus.  In October 2018, we began a preliminary concept study to show the potential for pedestrian pathways on the campus and connectivity. A natural corridor was identified along the portion of the campus between the main campus and the workforce solutions center that has sustained significant damage. As we investigated the possible route along the stream that exists there, we determined that extensive erosion and damage to the natural embankments of the creek have occurred due to record rainfall events in the last 5 years as well as increased damage due to continued development off campus in other parts of the watershed.    If these slopes and embankments are not stabilized and repaired to withstand these current changes to the flow of water in this channel, continued erosion, loss of trees and natural landscape and damage to CVCC facilities may occur. Facilities such as storm system manholes, sanitary sewer mains feeding into the municipal system, parking lots, and the SCM (wet pond) that has recently been completed in association with the workforce solutions center – are all at risk.  We have included what we think will be required in order to produce a set of viable design development plans addressing the needs involved with arming the stream banks in approximately 12‐14 locations that will allow for natural vegetation to take hold once again of the banks and provide reasonable, sustained protection against further damage.  Project Scope  This proposal is intended to provide advanced planning (through a combined Schematic‐ SD and Design Development stage ‐DD)  for this project specifically whose deliverables will include a set of SD/DD plans, a detailed cost estimate including total project cost, coordination and logistics planning for work in this sensitive area,  assistance with writing and applying for an Environmental Enhancement Grant through the NC Department of Justice in September 2019 (successful applicants will be awarded project funding  approximately in December or January 2020), 3d modeling on a SD/DD level, a preliminary schedule for construction, presentation to you, the Board of Trustees and the President, and of course SD/DD level plans.  Our understanding of this project scope is that it is not subject to review and approval by the NCSCO. Mr. Kaid has indicated to me that since this is purely a site related project with no vertical construction, or need for PME, plans will only need to be submitted for final review of CD’s in the next phase of the project (not in this scope).   Deliverables 

CVCC Stream Embankment Repair Proposal August 19, 2019  Page | 2 

 Grant Writing  We will assist you and your staff with the preparation of the Environmental Enhancement Grant proposal by writing technical parts, planning portions and narratives needed to complete a grant that meets the highest possible level with respect to the published criteria for scoring the application. While the outcome of the grant – whether awarded to CVCC or not ‐ depends on many variables beyond our control. We intend to assist with submitting the most convincing application possible to the review and approval committee for NCDOJ.    Meetings/Coordination We will reconnect with NCDEQ, NCACE, City staff, and others to discuss permitting implications to working in and around Clarks Creek tributary. When we are finished with those discussions all stakeholders and authorities will have, a clear understanding of what we need to design and accomplish in the least environmentally intrusive and sustainable way. We also will be meeting with qualified contractor to discuss the project as mentioned before to discuss the feasibility of our design concepts and logistics required to accomplish construction. This will assist us with an accurate cost estimate as well as a preliminary approach to value engineering, and constructability of our design.  Plans Benesch will produce a set of SD/DD plans that include all notations from our coordination and preliminary meetings with agencies having jurisdiction, scalable, quantifiable plans to produce an accurate SD/DD cost estimate. Our plans will undergo our internal Benesch quality control program (which you are welcome to participate in). We will provide a basis for further development of the plans into construction documents – this includes site plans, grading plans, erosion control, specialty drawings and details, and specifications as required.    Cost Estimating We will provide an SD/DD cost estimate at both the 60% completion millstone as discussed below and at 100% completion. This cost estimate will be compared to contractor preliminary estimates we may elect to solicit for comparison.     Presentation We will prepare a power point presentation for you, Board of Trustees and all those you see fit to present our findings and recommendations.    Schedule  We anticipate getting started with EEG grant writing assistance right away as well as preliminary design, modeling and further discussion with jurisdictional authorities. The deadline to submit the grant proposal is on or about September 24, 2019 and we would expect to also begin wrapping up our meetings and information gathering with jurisdictional authorities by that time and beginning our focus on SD/DD plans and cost estimating.  In October we will continue with SD/DD design and cost estimating as well as begin contacting qualified contractors to discuss our plan with respect to logistical constraints and challenges so that our planning reflects the best way to approach the installation of the design elements from a disturbance, economic, and timing standpoint. We will plan to have a set of deliverables that is approximately 60% complete for review with you sometime approximately in the 3rd week of October. 

CVCC Stream Embankment Repair Proposal August 19, 2019  Page | 3 

 After the progress set is approved in October we plan to finish the plans and cost estimate to be prepared to present our deliverables to you and the Board of Trustees on or about November 25.  This schedule allows you to continue with the required NCSCO/NCCCS design selection process by advertising and bringing a professional of your choice on board to complete the plans and build upon what we have provided in order to produce a bid set and construction documents sometime on or about March of 2020.  This would allow for bidding, contracting, and construction during the summer months and perhaps fall 2020 when sustained rain events are less likely and the soil is not saturated with moisture.    Fee  Our fee to perform advance planning for this project is a lump sum price of $48,840.  We will bill you as we progress through the project milestones as discussed in the schedule portion of this proposal.  Reasonable expenses such as mileage, copies, etc. are included in this proposal  Exclusions 

Survey Data will be provided by others through CVCC 

Geotechnical Soils Analysis, report and recommendation by others through CVCC 

Review Fees/Permit Fees (if necessary at this stage) are not included in this fee 

HEC2/Raz study, modeling, and calculations for the stream are not included at this stage  

 Thank you again for the opportunity to provide this proposal. We are excited to be able to help CVCC in this endeavor. If this proposal meets your expectations, we will be happy to prepare an AIA owner/consultant agreement. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need clarification or have any questions.   Sincerely, Alfred Benesch & Company 

         Benjamin Simpson, PLA, ASLA – Associate      Brian Cannella, PLA – Senior Associate Senior Project Manager           NC Division Manager    

MEMORADUM 

 

TO:     Catawba County Board of Commissioners 

FROM:   Brad Fowler, Tax Administrator 

DATE:    September 3, 2019 

SUBJECT:  COUNTYWIDE  APPRAISAL  OF  REAL  PROPERTY/CHANGE  IN  REVALUATION 

SCHEDULE 

Request 

Staff recommends the Board of Commissioners adopts a four‐year reappraisal of real property in accordance with NCGS 105‐286 (a)(3).  With this action, the next reappraisal will become effective January 1, 2023.  Background  Per state law, counties must conduct county‐wide real property reappraisals at least every eight years. In accordance with NCGS 105‐286 (a)(3), “Any county desiring to conduct a reappraisal of real property earlier than required by this subsection (a) may do so upon adoption by the Board of County Commissioners of a resolution so providing.  A copy of any such resolution shall be forwarded promptly to the Department of Revenue.  Since 2003, Catawba County has conducted reappraisals on a four‐year cycle. Upon a resolution adopted by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners on September 21, 2015, the last revaluation cycle was accelerated to an effective date of January 1, 2019.  Unless a resolution is adopted to again advance the eight‐year cycle, the next revaluation will be effective January 1, 2027.  The reasoning in recommending a four‐year revaluation cycle includes: 

1. A four‐year revaluation cycle allows for a more accurate representation of current real estate market values in assessed values.  

2. The level of assessment between personal property and real property remains more equitable by conducting more frequent revaluations.  Personal property is valued at 100% every year, while real property is only at 100% on the year of revaluation.  Therefore, the tax distribution between real and personal property can become inequitable during the eight years between real property reappraisals.  

3. Public service companies receive an automatic reduction in the fourth and seventh years following the last revaluation if the level of assessment drops below 90% as determined by the Department of Revenue.  The level of assessment is the percent of 

value on which the public service companies’ tax bills are computed.  Revaluations of four years or less eliminate this revenue loss.  Catawba County lost $2,285,253.89 in revenue for the years 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998, which was the last eight‐year cycle prior to the BOC adopting a more frequent four‐year schedule.  By accelerating the last five cycles to four years, the County avoided this loss of revenue.  

Recommendation Staff recommends the Catawba County Board of Commissioners adopts a four‐year reappraisal cycle of real property to become effective January 1, 2023, in accordance with NCGS 105‐286 (a)(3).  

RESOLUTION No. 

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Commissioners for Catawba County has adopted January 1, 2023, for the next reappraisal of real property in Catawba County.  With this action, taken in accordance with NCGS 105‐286 (a)(3), an advancement of the eight‐year reappraisal cycle has been established for Catawba County.   The succeeding revaluation is scheduled for January 1, 2031. 

 

This the ____ day of September, 2019. 

 

            C. Randall Isenhower, Chair             CATAWBA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 

 

MEMORANDUM   

TO:    Catawba County Board of Commissioners  FROM:    Mick Berry, County Manager  DATE:    September 3, 2019  IN RE:    City of Claremont McLin Creek Sewer Loan Contract  REQUEST Staff  requests  the  Board  of  Commissioners  executes  an  interlocal  agreement  with  City  of  Claremont  for  a wastewater  project  in  accordance  with  County  Code  Chapter  42,  Revolving  Loan  Program,  to  serve  City  of Claremont’s wastewater  needs  by  conveying wastewater  flows  from  city‐owned McLin Wastewater  Treatment Plant to City of Hickory owned Hickory‐Catawba Wastewater Treatment Facility located in Town of Catawba.  BACKGROUND History In Fiscal Year 2014/15, Catawba County appropriated $2,576,393 to create the McLin/Lyle Creek Sewer Project.  Subsequently, in Fiscal Year 2018/19, $423,607 was added to the project, bringing the total budget to $3,000,000.  This project was created to convey wastewater from the City of Claremont to the Hickory‐Catawba Wastewater Treatment Facility (H‐CWWTF) located in the Town of Catawba.  The McLin Wastewater Treatment Plant is aging. A pipeline project to transport wastewater from Claremont to the H‐CWWTF is a more economical, long‐term solution than simply repairing, upgrading, or replacing Claremont’s aging treatment plant.   The H‐CWWTF has a permit to treat and discharge 3.0 million gallons per day of wastewater.  Of that capacity, 1.5 million  gallons  is  constructed  and  Catawba  County  owns  half,  or  750,000  gallons  per  day.    Claremont  has  an agreement with Hickory to treat 450,000 gallons per day and Hickory is utilizing its 750,000 gallons of constructed capacity to cover that agreement.  Claremont’s right‐to‐treat does not impact Catawba County’s current capacity.     On August 7, 2018, Catawba County, City of Claremont, and City of Hickory entered into a 3‐party Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU) outlining each party’s  roles and  responsibilities  regarding Claremont’s  right‐to‐treatment capacity at H‐CWWTF.  As such, one of Catawba County’s agreed upon roles is to assist Claremont financially by providing  $1,500,000  in  funding  ‐  25%  as  a  loan  ($375,000  at  0%  interest,  paid  back  over  10  years)  and  75% ($1,125,000) as a grant.    Project Per  the MOU  and  the  proposed  loan  agreement,  Claremont  is  responsible  for  designing,  permitting,  acquiring easements,  and  constructing  the  project  which  has  an  estimated  cost  of  $2,921,000.    This  project  will  install approximately 10,600 linear feet of 24‐inch PVC sewer lines, manholes, and a metering station along McLin Creek to a gravity sewer line being constructed by City of Hickory.  From that connection point, Hickory, under a separate project, is installing the remaining infrastructure needed to carry the wastewater to the HCWWTF.  The Claremont City Council approved this interlocal agreement at its August 5th meeting.  RECOMMENDATION Staff  recommends  the  Board  of  Commissioners  executes  an  interlocal  agreement with  City  of  Claremont  for  a wastewater  project  in  accordance  with  County  Code  Chapter  42,  Revolving  Loan  Program,  to  serve  City  of Claremont’s wastewater  needs  by  conveying wastewater  flows  from  city‐owned McLin Wastewater  Treatment Plant to City of Hickory owned Hickory‐Catawba Wastewater Treatment Facility located in Town of Catawba. 

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AGREEMENT BETWEEN CATAWBA COUNTY CATAWBA COUNTY AND CITY OF CLAREMONT FOR PARTIAL

CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SEWER LINE TO CARRY WASTEWATER FLOW FROM CITY OF CLAREMONT TO HICKORY-CATAWBA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

THIS AGREEMENT, effective the ______ day of ___________, 2019, is by and between Catawba County, hereinafter (“County”) and the City of Claremont, hereinafter (“City”).

WHEREAS, County and City have agreed that municipal sewer service is needed to serve the City of Claremont with the purpose of carrying wastewater from City of Claremont to the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant, as further described herein, and

WHEREAS, to satisfy that need, County will finance, subject to the terms of repayment described below, and City will install and operate the sewer line(s) described as McLin-Lyle Creek Sewer (“Project”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements made, the parties agree as follows:

1. The parties agree that the estimated cost of the sewer line, from Claremont’s McLin Wastewater Treatment Plant to the tie in with Hickory, Point A on Exhibit A, attached and incorporated herein, is Two Million Nine Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($2,921,000) (hereinafter “Project Costs”). County will loan City One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($1,500,000) for the design and installation of the sewer line application against the Project Costs.

2. The loan will be initiated by City submitting to County, on a monthly basis, an invoice for

reimbursement once City has approved and paid pay applications from utility contractor and/or consulting engineer. Invoices to County must include requested reimbursement amount and approved pay requests showing payment by City. Once City has submitted, and County has paid, reimbursement invoices totaling the project estimate or actual cost, whichever is less, County will stop paying reimbursement invoices submitted by City.

3. The parties agree that City will keep County advised with regard to proposed change orders

and action concerning any change orders and the parties will consult with one another on a reasonable basis before approving any change orders. Costs associated with change orders will be included in the total construction cost for the Project. A change order that County determines would materially modify the original scope of the project must be approved by County.

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4. City agrees to reimburse County twenty-five percent (25%) of the $1,500,000 Loan ($375,000) payable over a 10-year period; the remaining seventy-five percent (75%) ($1,125,000) is a grant to City. The Loan will be interest free. Payments will be made in equal annual installments of $37,500, beginning twelve (12) months after final reimbursement is made from County to City and thereafter on the anniversary date of the final reimbursement. The sewer line is further described as follows:

The project includes the extension of a municipal sewer line along McLin Creek from the City-owned McLin Wastewater Treatment Plant to the tie-in with Hickory, Point A as shown on Exhibit A. The line will consist of approximately 10,600 linear feet of 24-inch PVC sewer lines, manholes and metering station.

5. Given the future value to Catawba County and the City of Hickory and potential loss to Claremont for Claremont to give up its current NPDES permit for the McLin Creek WWTP, and recognizing that Catawba County is committing $3M for infrastructure directly benefitting the City of Claremont and the Hickory System in the Town of Catawba, the majority of which is in the form of a grant, the City of Claremont agrees to enter into good faith negotiation with the City of Hickory and Catawba County as to the value of transferring its NPDES permit should the Hickory-Catawba WWTP require expansion beyond the 3.0 MGD capacity currently allocated under the existing Hickory-Catawba WWTP permit, provided that there shall be no negotiation for transfer of the permit within eight years of the date of the execution of this agreement.

6. County has the right, at its option, to construct and install future line additions, extensions or connections from City sewer line(s) installed and operated as part of the Project, provided any addition, extension or connection will serve County users and not customers inside City’s corporate limits and further provided adequate capacity is available in the Project lines and Claremont’s right to treatment capacity in the H-CWWTF. If some portion of a County line addition, extension or connection is within the City’s corporate limits, City has the right to add to, connect to or extend the line to its citizens with no participation from County.

7. If City proposes to County to make an addition, extension or connection to Project lines,

County shall within ninety (90) days notify City of its intention to participate in the addition, extension or connection. The County may opt to participate in the addition, extension or connection, the operation and maintenance of the line. In the event County opts to participate in such addition, extension or connection to the Project lines, County and City will execute an addendum to this Agreement detailing the terms and conditions, if any, of this Agreement that are modified to accommodate the County’s participation in the addition, extension or connection to Project lines.

8. If County opts not to participate in any addition, extension or connection, City retains the

right to proceed without any participation from County.

9. City will operate and maintain Project lines and connections as required, Sec 42-191 (2)-(6) and (8)-(13) of Chapter 42 of the Catawba County Code, effective at date of this

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agreement adoption. Sec 42-191 is entitled “General responsibilities of municipality.” The connection fee for tap stub outs installed with the initial construction of the Project shall be those in effect for the City at that time. Connection fees for connections made after initial construction of the Project shall be those in effect for the City at the time the connection is applied for.

10. The County capital fee for connection tap stub outs installed with the initial construction of the Project shall be those in effect for the County at that time. County Capital fees for connections made after initial construction of the Project shall be those in effect for the County at the time the connection is applied for. The County capital fee, if any, is separate from any System Development Fees charged by the City.

11. City shall design and develop the Project, and shall secure necessary right-of-ways,

easements, permits and permissions from the property owners in the name of the City, NCDEQ and NCDOT for construction of the Project. Further, City shall assume responsibility for the completion of the Project. The Application for Approval of Engineering Plans and Specifications, to be submitted to NCDEQ, shall be in the name of City. Any NCDOT encroachments required to complete the Project shall be in the name of the City.

12. All specifications for materials and installation of all lines and systems in the Project shall be in accordance with City’s standard specifications for sewer line installations. All designs, developments, plans, engineering and construction shall be subject to review and consent by both parties. The parties will not suggest or make unreasonable changes in the designs, developments, and plans for the Project.

13. County agrees that all customers of this Project shall be subject to policies, practices, ordinances and directives of the City in operation of the sewer lines.

14. Upon the State issuing Final Approval, City will maintain, replace and repair all the sewer lines and appurtenances which are part of the Project as a part of the overall City sewer system. City shall respond with reasonable promptness and efficiency to any and all complaints with respect to the sewer lines and will provide necessary services related to such complaints.

15. Any work contemplated under this Agreement is subject to the approval of funds by both the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and the Claremont City Council.

[Signatures on following page]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands on the day and year above first written.

CATAWBA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

C. Randall Isenhower, Chair

ATTEST: Seal Barbara E. Morris, County Clerk

CITY OF CLAREMONT

Shawn R. Brown, Mayor

ATTEST: Seal Wendy Helms, City Clerk THIS INSTRUMENT has been preaudited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act as amended. Date: Robert Miracle, Catawba County Finance Director Date:

___________________, Claremont Finance Officer APPROVED AS TO FORM: Date:

Debra Bechtel, Catawba County Attorney Date:

Robert Grant, City of Claremont Attorney

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