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072307At this time, municipal representatives, County Commissioners and other agency representatives asked questions and made comments, all of which were positive and supportive of a continued working partnership with the County as it proceeds with its plans for a countywide water system. There being no further business, the Board adjourned at 6:50 p.m. J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye Phil Kemp Arnold Lanier Stan Haywood Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board July 23, 2007 The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 6:00 p.m. on July 23, 2007, in the Commissioners Meeting Room, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC, in order to conduct the County's 2nd Annual Water Summit. Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Kemp, Lanier and Haywood were present. Officials from every municipality in Randolph County were invited and every municipality was represented at this meeting. In addition, representatives were present from Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, USDA -Rural Development, Handy Sanitary District, Hobbs, Upchurch and Associates, and Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority. Although invited, Greg Stabler of Davidson Water, Inc., was unable to attend. Chairman Holmes welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. David Townsend, III, County Public Works Director, reported on the history of a countywide water system, saying that in 1970 the County hired Moore Gardner and Associates to do a study on a countywide system. In 1987 the County entered into a contract with Archdale, Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown and Randleman to form the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority. Also in 1987, the County played a role in the establishment in the Seagrove Ulah Metropolitan Water District. In 1990, working with Ramseur, the County helped to run a water line to Coleridge Elementary School when the school's well water system was found to be contaminated. In 1997, another water study was performed for the northeast quadrant of the county. This spring, the County partnered with Franklinville, Ramseur, the County Schools System and USDA -Rural Development to run a water line up N.C. 22 to the new Providence Grove High School. In June, the County Commissioners contracted with engineering firm Hobbs, Upchurch and Associates to guide the County through the process for a countywide system. Mr. Townsend said that Hobbs, Upchurch has a lot of experience working with USDA -Rural Development on past projects, which will be a big benefit since the County intends to work closely with USDA in seeking federal grants and low interest loans. The County also partnered with Asheboro for water lines to the NC Zoo many years ago. Last month, the County took its first step toward a water line up Hwy 311. Mr. Townsend said that the County is intent on moving forward with a countywide water system. He said success can be accomplished only through continued partnerships with municipalities and other agencies such as Davidson Water, Inc., Handy Sanitary, Inc. and USDA. John Kime, Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority Director, said that so far Randleman, Randolph County and Jamestown have signed the service agreement with the Authority for the water treatment plant. He said that he expects Archdale and Greensboro to sign the agreement at their next meeting. The goal is to have treated water available by 2011. Allen Hart, Area Specialist, USDA -Rural Development, said that his agency works to provide safe drinking water to rural residents at an affordable cost. He said that the key to successfully implementing a countywide system is through citizen education and input. Bill Lester, Jr., P.E., Governmental Division Manager with Hobbs, Upchurch and Associates, said that his firm has been in the initial stages for the last 2 weeks (since the County hired them) in planning a strategy for our water system. He said that many decisions would have to be made such as whether to set up service districts in order to qualify for federal grant/loan funding. He also stressed that citizen input and education will be crucial and urged the Commissioners to hold public meetings in their districts for this purpose. He said that the entire process would probably take 2-3 years.