01-25-1983 - Workshop
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CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
JANUARY 25, 1983 WORKSHOP
MINUTES
Mayor McKillop called the Council workshop to order at 1:00 PM in the Community Center.
Chief Baugh asked to be excused from the meeting for an appointment. Council agreed to
this. The meeting was on the low pressure sewer system project.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Richard McKillop
Councilman David Ledbetter
Councilwoman Gigi Behnington
Councilman Neil Asting
Councilman Jack Spencer
Present
Excused
Present
Present
Arrived Late
City Attorney JoselAlvarez
City Clerk Nancy Blazi
Police Chief Earl Baugh
Excused
Present
Excused
Also present were Mr. Bill Cross and Mr. Dave Porter of Briley, Wild, and Mr. Terry
Wadsworth, Superintendent of the Utilities Department.
Construction plans were submitted to Council and Mr. Porter reviewed the project. There
was a slide presentation on the low pressure sewer system and on the conventional gravity
sewer system. Mr. Porter explained that a pilot project is like a miniature of the larger
project and is undertaken to lead the way. Mr. Porter explained that the area determined
for the pilot program in Florida Shores was chosen by the Volusia County soil survey people
as not acceptable or not desirable for septic tank installation. The area chosen is also
in close proximity to the existing wastewater treatment plant, therefore, the cost of
running the major main from the pilot project area to the plant would be very low. He
said the cost to the homeowner to run the pump on the low pressure system would be about
$4. to $6. a year. He stated there is a substantial cost increase for the conventional
gravity system compared to the low pressure system. Mr. Porter reviewed the change-over
process for those on septics now. Mr. Porter stated there is a check valve so that water
will not leak back into the system, and there is a 24-hour storage time if something goes
wrong, such as a power outage. He reviewed the system at Palm Coast.
Mr. Walter Gross spoke to Mr. Porter regarding a design by Briley, Wild three or four
years ago of the treatment plant for a gravity system and recommended to the City,
which cost about $1,000,000. to build. He said the treatment plant is working presently
at 1/3 of its capacity and asked what weld do with the present plant.
Mr. Porter replied that the sewer lines arenlt run out like the water lines and if they
were, it would be right on line with the population and with the Water Plant.
There was a discussion between Mr. Porter and Mr. Gross regarding the comparison of the
gravity system to the low pressure system.
Mr. Porter said he didn't feel conventional septic systems were applicable to Florida
Shores because the ground water table is too high and as they build more homes, the
ground available to absorb the water becomes less and less.
Mr. Porter gave a rough breakdown of the costs for the control panel, appurtenances,
floats, and basket, and said installation would be done by City crews, and the maintenance,
including pumping the units, would be done by the City.
Councilman Asting asked Terry Wadsworth if he thought the $800 to $1,200. was a reasonable
figure for the system and Terry said that should be the top figure on competitive bid.
Mr. Porter said if all the units were bought at one time, there would be a substantial
savings also. He said the failure rate is less than 4% but some backup units would need
to be ordered.
Mr. Porter said there was a total estimated cost of $201,000. for the conventional gravity
sewer system compared to $76,000.for the low pressure sewer system. He added the costs
for engineering and contingency to the $76,000. for a total of approximately $100,000.
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Mayor McKillop suggested a detailed breakdown on paper be given to Council as to just
where these costs would be.
Mr. Porter said there is a division under the Waste\~ater Plant Construction Grants Program
under EPA that is called an Innovative and Alternative Technology Program which allows for
additional funding over and above what the EPA would normally fund for Wastewater Treatment
Plants. He said someday weill need to construct a plant for the Florida Shores area and
there's a possibility that these funds will not be available after the next 2 or 3 years.
Mr. John Siburn spoke to Council and said if there's a gravity sewer carrying all the solids
away and put this pumping system in, it was said the solids would remain in the tank and
all it carries is the liquid. So it's just like having a septic tank which has to be pumped
out every so often. He felt they'd be better off with the gravity system which takes
everything out of the house.
Mayor McKillop asked Terry Wadsworth if the people in the area chosen for the pilot program
were enthused about this idea and Mr. Wadsworth said they were not enthused at all. They
hadn't had a lot of problems and were concerned about the experimental or pilot term as
there's always a chance it won't work, plus they'd now have to pay the sewer bill when
before they only had water to pay.
Mr. Gross said there was a meeting about three years ago with over 200 people attending
and when they were asked who in Florida Shores wants sewers, only one person raised his
hand.
Councilman Asting said it was a question on the ballot in 1978 and it was defeated then.
Councilman Spencer felt they should decide a plan as to when this would be best for the
City as a whole, and to determine long range goals.
Councilman Asting said held like to see all the costs, and the possibility of grant money
coming into this before he makes any decision.
Mayor McKillop stated we should set a priority to see what the people feel are most
important to them with the amount of money available, such as roads, sewers, etc.
Councilman Spencer felt the number one priority has to be anything that affects the
public health or safety.
Mayor McKillop noted that the permit is good until October, 1984, so they'd have time
to review the figures.
Mr. Porter said they would work up a master sewer plan for the City and would bring it
to the next workshop or whenever requested.
Councilman Asting moved to adjourn the Workshop. Councilwoman Bennington seconded the
motion. Meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by:
Lura Sue Koser
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City Council Workshop Minutes
January 25, 1983