Minutes 08/14/1984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4( TUESDAY AUGUST 14, 1984 further talks about diversion-first, but he flatly stated that certain issues were "not negotiable" as far as P.S.A. was con- cerned. What this meant was that P.S.A. would insist on the right to control the diversion and to treat sewage form the City at Koehler in order to gain additional (more than 2.0 MGD) capa- city at the City's plant. If we take Mr. Hubbard at his word and assume that this position is not negotiable, then a return by the City to the bargaining table will most likely be viewed by P.S.A. as a concession of this critical point. Third Plant Idea The idea of a third plant was first introduced last December. At the time it was introduced for discussion, we were assured by the County that they viewed the third plant strictly as a long- term possibility and not as an immediate alternative to the two- plant concept to which everyone had already basically committed. But, it hasn't worked out that way; and the third plant is now being touted as the primary solution for the City's and County's needs for increased sewage treatment capacity. Interestingly, however, the County's dedication to its third plant idea for the past eight months or so has been little more than talk. According to officials in the regional office of the State Water Control Board, all they know about a third plant has come in the form of a couple of exploratory telephone calls from Overman & Associates. There has been no formal submission of data and no application for a preliminary permit, under which planning could officially proceed. From conversations and meetings of our own in the past with Water Control Board officials, we are convinced that such an application will be seen as highly problematic. It will be sub- ject to public hearing requirements and they anticipate consid- erable concern from North Carolina water utility interests. It is reasonable to predict a high level of resistance from pro- perty owners around any proposed site for a third plant--whether developed or undeveloped. Condemnation of the site will probably be required and the possibility of litigation to block the pro- ject can be antiGipated. Whether any of this is right or wrong is beside the point. If it happens, it will be time-consuming and complicating to eventual approval and construction of the project. Current Authorizations There is a major question about which the latest proposal is silent: Will Wiley & Wilson continue to be authorized by the Council to design (a) the digester and odor control improvements and (b) the plant expansion?