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AGENDA Catawba County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Monday, May 21, 2018, 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 May 7, 2018. 5. Recognition of Special Guests. 6. Public Comments. 7. Appointments. 8. Consent Agenda. a. Sale of Surplus Property Located at 4476 Ridge Street, Claremont. b. Appropriation of Grant Funds of $3,500 to Catawba County Library. c. Engineering Contract for Subtitle D Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Expansion (Unit 3, Phase 2). 9. Departmental Report. a. Planning. Solar Farm Follow-Up. Presented by Senior Planner Chris Timberlake. b. Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG). Employment and Population Trends Update. Presented by WPCOG Data

Analyst Taylor Dellinger.

10. Other Items of Business. 11. Manager’s Report. 12. Attorneys’ Report. 13. 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 Board will hold budget hearings with County departments and outside agencies on Thursday, May 24, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Robert E. Hibbitts Meeting Room, 1924 Courthouse in Newton. The Board will hold public hearings on the FY18/19 Recommended Budget and Water and Sewer Development Fees on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the Catawba County Justice Center, 2nd Floor Board of Commissioners Meeting Room, Newton. The Board’s June 2018 Meetings will take place on Monday, June 4, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., and Monday, June 18, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the Catawba County Justice Center, 2nd Floor Board of Commissioners Meeting Room, Newton.

MEMORANDUM

To: Catawba County Board of Commissioners

From: Policy and Public Works Subcommittee

Date: May 21, 2018

Subject: Sale of Surplus Property located at 4476 Ridge Street, Claremont

Staff Requests The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee recommends the Board of Commissioners approves a resolution to declare County-owned property located at 4476 Ridge Street, Claremont, as surplus and accepts the offer of Ken Carpenter in the amount of $4,100.00, with the property subject to the upset bid process. Background As a result of Thomas Clyde Carroll, Jr. participating in the Catawba County Hazard Mitigation Program, the County purchased the Carroll property, located at 4476 Ridge Street, Claremont, NC (Parcel ID # 3774-03-40-7278) in July 2017 for $311,666.67. All funds used by the County to purchase the property came from a FEMA grant and no County dollars were used. Due to the severe flood damage the house sustained in 2013, the property qualified for the grant. Grant requirements necessitate that no building structures can ever be placed on the parcel. As a result of this permanent restriction, the Catawba County Tax Office has determined the value of the property to be $4,100.00. The County does not have any use for this property at the present time or in the foreseeable future. A map is attached indicating the adjacent property owners to the parcels. The County will notify those property owners of the offer from Mr. Carpenter and inform them of the upset bid process if they are interested in the property. Review Mr. Ken Carpenter, residing at 4341 Carpenters Cove Road in Claremont, has made an offer to purchase property located at 4476 Ridge Street, Claremont, in the amount of $4,100.00 and submitted a bid deposit of $205.00, as required by County policy or State law. Notice of the bid will be advertised in the Hickory Daily Record and Observer-News Enterprise, and upset bids may be made to the County within ten (10) days of publication. Once an upset bid has been received, that bid will be re-advertised until there are no further upset bids. The successful bidder must present cash or a certified check for the entire balance due within ninety (90) days of the last day for receipt of upset bids.

Recommendation The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee recommends the Board of Commissioners approves a resolution to declare County-owned property located at 4476 Ridge Street, Newton as surplus and accepts the offer of Ken Carpenter in the amount of $4,100.00 with the property subject to the upset bid process.

Resolution #

Notice of Upset Bid – Real Property

Parcel ID # 3774‐03‐40‐7278

WHEREAS, the County of Catawba owns certain property located at 4476 Ridge Street in Claremont as

shown in Deed Book 3407 at Page 623 in the office of the Register of Deeds for Catawba County, to which

Deed and the record thereof, reference is hereby made for more complete description, and

WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 160A‐269 permits the County to sell property by upset bid,

after receipt of an offer for the property; and

WHEREAS, the County has received an offer to purchase the property described above, in the amount of

$4,100.00, submitted by Ken Carpenter; and

WHERE, Ken Carpenter has paid the required 5 percent (5%) deposit on his offer;

WHERE, the Catawba County Board of Commissioners accepts the offer of $4,100.00 or any higher,

upsetting offer, subject to the upset bid procedure;

THEREFORE, the Catawba County Board of Commissioners resolves that:

1. The Catawba County Board of Commissioners authorizes the sale of the property described above

through the upset bid procedure of North Carolina General Statute 160A‐269.

2. The Purchasing Agent shall cause a notice of the proposed sale to be published. The notice shall

describe the property and the amount of the offer, and shall state the terms under which the offer

may be upset.

3. Persons wishing to upset the offer that has been received shall submit a sealed bid with their offer

to the office of the Purchasing Agent within 10 days after the notice of sale is published. At the

conclusion of the 10‐day period, the Purchasing Agent shall open the bids, if any, and the highest

such bid will become the new offer. If there is more than one bid in the highest amount, the first

such bid received will become the new offer.

4. If a qualifying bid is received, the Purchasing Agent shall cause a new notice of upset bid to be

published, and shall continue to do so until a 10‐day period has passed without any qualifying

upset bid having been received.

5. A qualifying higher bid is one that raises the existing offer by not less than 10 percent (10%) of the

first $1,000 of that offer and 5 percent (5%) of the remainder of that offer.

6. A qualifying higher bid must also be accompanied by a deposit for 5 percent (5%) of the bid; the

deposit may be made in cash, cashier’s check, or certified check. The County will return the

deposit on any bid not accepted, and will return the deposit on an offer subject to upset if a

qualifying higher bid is received. The County will return the deposit of the final high bidder at

closing.

7. The terms of the final sale are that the buyer must pay with cash, cashier’s check or certified check

at the time of closing.

8. The County reserves the right to withdraw the property from sale at any time before the final high

bid is accepted and the right to reject all bids at any time.

9. If no qualifying bid is received after the initial public notice, the offer set forth above is hereby

accepted. The appropriate County officials are authorized to execute the instruments necessary

to convey the property.

This the _____ day of _________________, 2018.

___________________________________________

C. Randall Isenhower, Chair Catawba County Board of Commissioners

MEMORANDUM TO: Catawba County Board of Commissioners FROM: Suzanne White, Library Director DATE: May 21, 2018 IN RE: Appropriation of Grant Funds in the amount of $ 3,500 to the Catawba County Library from

an award from the Public Library Association Inclusive Internship Initiative REQUEST Library staff requests the Board of Commissioners accepts and appropriates grant funds in the amount of $ 3,500 to the Catawba County Library from an award from the Public Library Association Inclusive Internship Initiative. BACKGROUND In June 2015, the Board of Commissioners adopted the Catawba County Library Strategic Plan that lays out priorities for 2016 through 2019. The three major goals embedded in the strategic plan, which were driven by the results of a comprehensive community needs assessment and intensive input process, include:

As a Community Center of Excellence, Fuel Citizens’ Passion for Reading, Personal Growth, and Learning

Innovate to Provide 21st Century Access that Empowers Citizens

Library Anytime, Anywhere: Expand Citizens’ Access to Information and Ideas

With increased reliance on libraries during times of economic downturn, the plan focuses on enhancing County libraries’ role in serving as community centers, increasing libraries’ capacity to provide the technology, digital resources, and personnel to bridge the digital divide for citizens, and increasing outreach and collaboration in the community to engage and empower citizens with resources, services and collections. To that end, the Library continues to leverage resources towards some of these strategies, pursuing and securing grants in alignment with the overarching plan. Strategies for moving these objectives forward include “establishing a culture of excellence by empowering a well‐trained, knowledgeable staff; and engaging the community by integrating opportunities for citizens to volunteer and participate in library programs and services.” In alignment with these strategies, the Library is being creative in identifying one‐time initiatives and securing grant funding to move in the desired direction. Through the Inclusive Internship Initiative, the library will hire and mentor a sponsored student intern for the summer of 2018; enhancing the library mentor and staff’s understanding of early career pathways to librarianship and helping them enrich their appreciation for their role and impact in supporting diversity along those paths. Student interns will learn the many ways libraries and librarians serve their communities, gaining the tools to make decisions about the educational directions that will lead them in to library public service and leadership. Interns will complete a learning project and have the opportunity to connect with one another and mentors across the country to share their learning and experience.

RECOMMENDATION Library staff recommends the Board of Commissioners accepts and appropriates grant funds in the amount of $ 3,500 to the Catawba County Library from an award from the Public Library Association Inclusive Internship Initiative. Revenue 110‐810050‐650159 $ 3,500 Library Community Grants Expenditure 110‐810050‐841159 $ 3,500 Library Community Grants

MEMORANDUM

TO: Catawba County Board of Commissioners FROM: Policy and Public Works Subcommittee DATE: May 21, 2018 IN RE: Engineering Contract for Subtitle D Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Expansion

(Unit 3 Phase 2). REQUEST The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee recommends the Board of Commissioners approves an engineering contract between Catawba County and CDM Smith for the planned Blackburn Landfill Unit 3 Phase 2 Expansion, and authorizes the County Manager to execute the contract. The proposed contract is in the amount of $920,500. BACKGROUND In accordance with State law and keeping with Catawba County’s history of environmental awareness, Catawba County began using Subtitle D Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Cells in 1998. Catawba County is continuing this process by preparing to construct Blackburn Landfill Unit 3 Phase 2 at its Blackburn Resource Recovery Facility. The current landfill cell (Unit 3 Phase 1) has reached approximately 90% of its capacity. Since the last capacity analysis (May 2017) the County is experiencing waste flow increases between 5% and 7%. In order to be prepared for these increases in waste flow the next landfill cell (Unit 3 Phase 2) must be ready to accept waste by August 2020. The County entered into an engineering contract with CDM Smith for the design of Blackburn Landfill Unit 3 Phase 2 Expansion in July 2016. The scope of the July 2016 design contract concluded with the submittal of the Permit to Construct Application to NCDEQ. The Permit to Construct is anticipated to be issued by June 2018 (approximately 8 months ahead of schedule). For comparison purposes, in 2007/2008 the engineering costs associated with the design and construction of Unit 3 Phase 1 was $1,489,012 or approximately $70,905 per acre and the engineering costs associated with the design and construction of Unit 3 Phase 2, as proposed, is $1,285,530 or approximately $67,659 per acre. With Permit to Construct approval, next steps include the remaining engineering, permitting, construction, and inspection activities required to complete the expansion:

1. Wetlands 404/401 Permitting and Mitigation a. Without this Permitting and Mitigation the land available for landfilling

purposes and the capacity and lifespan of the Facility will be significantly decreased:

Wetlands and Stream Impacts

Operating Life Lost 25 years

Waste Disposal Airspace Lost 14,340,000 cubic yards

Percentage of Airspace Lost 41%

Waste Tonnage Lost 9,320,000 tons

Revenue Lost $307,560,000

2. Contractor Pre‐Qualification 3. Development of Construction Bid Package 4. Bidding Services 5. General Engineering Services During Construction 6. Construction Phase Inspections 7. NCDEQ Mandated Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) 8. Coordination of NCDEQ Site Inspections 9. Groundwater Piezometers and Monitoring Wells Oversite

Because this work is associated with the construction and operation of MSW Unit 3, Phase 2, and in keeping within the requirements of North Carolina State Regulations (NCGS 143‐64.31), this engineering work falls within the scope of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued on February 18, 2016. As you know, all costs associated with solid waste activities are paid from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, which is derived solely from solid waste tipping/user fees and contains no tax proceeds. The capital project for the development of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Cell Unit 3, Phase 2 currently contains $2,686,000 and an additional $2,200,00 is proposed to be added in FY 18/19 budget. Therefore, no budget revision or appropriation is needed at this time. RECOMMENDATION The Policy and Public Works Subcommittee recommends the Board of Commissioners approve an engineering contract between Catawba County and CDM Smith for the planned and necessary Blackburn Landfill Unit 3 Phase 2 Expansion; and authorize the County Manager to execute the contract. The proposed contract is in the amount of $920,500.

4600 Park Road, Suite 240

Charlotte, North Carolina 28209

tel: 704 342 4546

fax: 704 527 1125

April 20, 2018 Mr. Barry Edwards, P.E. Director Catawba County Department of Utilities and Engineering 25 Government Center Newton, NC 28658 Subject: Catawba County, North Carolina Blackburn Sanitary Landfill Unit 3 Phase 2 Subtitle D Landfill Permitting and Construction Proposal

Dear Barry:

The purpose of this proposal is to provide various engineering and construction management

services associated with the construction of the 19-acre Unit 3 Phase 2 Subtitle D landfill expansion,

and development of the next borrow area to provide critical operational (topsoil and daily cover)

and construction (clay liner) soils for the Unit 3 Phase 2 and future Unit 4 landfill areas. Under our

current contract with the County, CDM Smith has prepared and submitted a Permit to Construct

Application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and we are

anticipating issuance of an approved Permit to Construct by June 2018. This landfill expansion

project will provide Catawba County with approximately 12 years of valuable landfill disposal

airspace while also providing soil materials that will support landfill operations over the next

several years.

The development of the next borrow area and future landfill expansions will require the

disturbance of wetlands and streams on the landfill property. The disturbance of jurisdictional

waters of the United States will require the County to receive permits from the United States Army

Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the NCDEQ Division of Water Resources (DWR). Without these

permits, the County would need to revise the development plan for future disposal areas of the

Blackburn Subtitle D Landfill, which would result in a significant loss of landfill disposal airspace

and operational soils. The lost airspace associated with avoiding wetland and stream disturbance is

estimated at approximately 14 million cubic yards or 25 years of operating life.

The construction of the Unit 3 Phase 2 landfill expansion and the borrow area are key projects

associated with providing the County with long-term, cost-effective, landfill disposal airspace. This

proposal describes professional engineering services for the following activities associated with

these key projects: wetlands permitting; development of construction drawings and specifications;

support during the bidding process; construction administration; construction inspection;

construction quality assurance (CQA) services; and submittal of a CQA report in support of

receiving a Permit to Operate. The following provides detailed description of these tasks and the

associated costs.

Mr. Barry Edwards, P.E. April 20, 2018 Page 2

Task 1 – Clean Water Act Section 404/401 Permitting

Task 1.1 - Pre-Application Meeting

Based on previous discussions with representatives of USACE, a pre-application meeting will be

conducted at the beginning of the permitting process. CDM Smith will conduct a one-day meeting

with representatives of USACE and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ)

to describe the proposed project and schedule, answer planning level questions, and discuss the

permitting process and documentation requirements. CDM Smith will provide a map showing the

stream, pond, wetland areas, and the proposed landfill expansion areas.

Task 1.2 - Additional Stream and Wetland Delineation

Jurisdictional boundaries within the Unit 4 and Unit 5 footprint were delineated and approved by

USACE in 2017. USACE and DWR have expressed the need to delineate all jurisdictional waters at

the landfill site to account for total impacts over all phases of the project in support of a phased

permit for the project. The jurisdictional waters in these areas of the site appear to have been

delineated by others around 2006 for the facility master plan; however, stream and wetland data

forms are not available and jurisdictional determination (Rapanos) forms were not required at that

time. Therefore, the data forms need to be completed and submitted to USACE, and USACE and

DWR staff need to verify the boundaries on site.

CDM Smith staff will collect data in preparation for a delineation of jurisdictional waters of the US.

CDM Smith staff will visit the site to delineate jurisdictional waters of the US boundaries within the

landfill site (with the exception of the Units 4 and 5 area that were delineated and approved in

2017) according to the 1987 USACE Wetland Delineation Manual, Rapanos significant nexus

determination forms, and stream identification forms. Jurisdictional boundaries will be flagged in

the field for confirmation by USACE and classified based on the NC Wetland Assessment Method

and NC Stream Assessment Method. The area that will be delineated is labeled as the facility

boundary on the Proposed Landfill Units map dated March 2007 by McGill Associates, including the

area north of Rocky Ford Road, as well as already constructed portions of the landfill. A total of 56

hours is included for the delineation efforts.

CDM Smith will also field survey the stream and wetland features to prepare a map for submission

to USACE and DWR. Surveyor will horizontally locate the center line of the streams; located flagged

wetlands; and locate property boundary monumentation of the multiple parcels of the landfill

sufficient to tie the wetland and stream surveys to the property boundary monumentation. This

proposal includes the costs for this survey. After the delineation, CDM Smith will contact USACE and

DWR to schedule a site visit to approve the delineation.


Task 1.3 - Prepare Draft Permit Applications

Development of a complete Purpose and Need statement is the first step in an alternatives analysis

in support of Section 404/401 permitting. The Purpose and Need statement describes the problem

the project is trying to solve. The determination of feasibility of each alternative will be based on

whether it can meet the Purpose and Need for the project. Therefore, it is important that the

Purpose and Need describes the goals and objectives for the project. CDM Smith drafted a Purpose

and Need statement as part of the previous wetland delineation and will submit this statement to

USACE and DWR to obtain initial agreement on the purpose.

CDM Smith will complete USACE form 4345 to support the 404 permit application and the Pre-

Construction Notification (PCN) form to support the 401 permit application. The draft forms will be

prepared for a Section 404 Individual Permit and a Section 401 Individual Water Quality

Certification for the Blackburn Resource Recovery Landfill Expansion Project.

Impacts to waters of the US will be based on CDM Smith’s wetland delineation that was approved

by USACE in 2017. After submission of the draft forms, CDM Smith will review and discuss the

information and data presented in the draft permit applications with representatives from USACE

and DEQ.

The Section 404 Permit application process requires that the USACE include a public notice for the

Individual Permit. USACE may determine that a public hearing is also warranted based on the

extent and nature of impacts or public comments. For this amendment, CDM Smith has assumed

that a public hearing will not be required for the Blackburn Resource Recovery Landfill Expansion.

CDM Smith will provide the USACE staff with the names and addresses of property owners adjacent

to water bodies that are impacted by the Project as requested in the permit application. It is

anticipated that property owner notification will be completed by USACE staff.

Information regarding impacts to federally protected species and archeological and historic

resources must be evaluated as part of the Section 404/401 permit application. It is assumed that

this analysis will be based on the wetland delineation memorandum previously prepared by CDM

Smith in November 2017. CDM Smith will also prepare a formal request for information from the

NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to gather

available information regarding previously-documented impacts to archaeological/historic

resources and federally protected species.

Task 1.4 - Prepare Alternatives Analysis

An important step in obtaining a Section 404/401 permit is documenting a thorough alternatives

analysis. USACE must permit the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative that meets

the project purpose and need. For Individual Permits, the alternatives analysis must include

alternatives both on-site and off-site. Alternatives are first considered for feasibility in meeting the


purpose and need for the project, and those alternatives that are deemed feasible must be

compared to the applicant’s preferred alternative. CDM Smith will use previously prepared analyses

to prepare an alternatives analysis for the proposed project. Documents to be used include the

November 2017 wetland delineation memorandum and November 2002 and December 2005

landfill siting studies.

Task 1.5 – Responses to Comments

Upon completion of the public comment period, CDM Smith will work with USACE staff to prepare

responses to up to one combined set of public comments. CDM Smith will also respond to up to two

sets of comments from regulatory agencies. It is assumed that most comments will be addressed by

telephone and letter/email correspondence; however, one meeting with the agencies to discuss

comments and proposed responses is included in this task.

Task 1.6 – Prepare Final Permit Applications and Mitigation Plan

Once the potential facility layout and area of disturbance has been determined for the landfill

facility expansion, CDM Smith will prepare the final permit application material, which will also

include the preparation of a Mitigation Plan. This task will include preparation of a draft Mitigation

Plan which will be submitted to USACE for review and comment. It is anticipated that the

mitigation plan will consist of an in-lieu fee payment to a local mitigation bank and/or the NC

Division of Mitigation Services mitigation banking program. CDM Smith will discuss the draft

Mitigation Plan with USACE and revise as directed by the County and USACE. Once the final

Mitigation Plan has been completed, and approved by USACE, CDM Smith will submit the final

Mitigation Plan as additional information in the final permit application material. It is assumed that

agency comments on the application (other than the mitigation) will be addressed under the draft

application task.

As part of this task, CDM Smith will coordinate with the local mitigation bank to obtain a letter of

acceptance for the jurisdictional impact mitigation. The County will be responsible for providing a

check for payment to the mitigation bank prior to the impacts occurring.

Task 1.7 – Allowance for Endangered Species Survey

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires federal agencies to conserve threatened

and endangered species and work with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), so the proposed

actions do not impact listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. FWS may

request that Catawba County conduct a federally protected species survey in response to the USACE

Section 404 permit public notice. A desktop analysis of potential habitat for protected species in the

project area did not indicate the presence of known protected species but noted that the project

area contains slopes adjacent to streams and may provide suitable habitat for the dwarf-flowered

heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora). This species is not known to occur at the project site but has been

reported in other parts of the County, generally west of the project area.


An allowance of $5,000 is included in this task to coordinate with FWS to complete an on-site

survey for the dwarf-flowered heartleaf or other species in the project area if FWS requests a

survey. This task is included as an allowance and will be performed only if authorized by the

County. CDM Smith will discuss the survey parameters with USFWS staff prior to proceeding.

Task 2 – Contractor Pre-Qualification

CDM Smith will provide services to assist the County in the selection of qualified general

contractors experienced in North Carolina landfill construction. Our services under this task will

include development of a pre-qualification advertisement, updating the County’s pre-qualification

form, and reviewing and updating the County’s scoring matrix. CDM Smith will prepare a pre-

qualification advertisement seeking prequalification packages from contractors interested in the

Catawba County Blackburn Landfill Unit 3, Phase 2 expansion construction project. CDM Smith

assumes the County’s Purchasing Department will lead the administration of the pre-qualification

process with CDM Smith providing assistance by answering contractor questions during the

process.

Upon receipt of all contractor pre-qualification packages, CDM Smith and the County staff will form

a selection committee to review and evaluate the contractor prequalification submittals. Once the

review and evaluation process is complete, CDM Smith will prepare a memorandum that will serve

as the formal notification of the committee’s decision. CDM Smith assumes that the County will

provide a formal notification of the committee’s decision to the qualified contractors and notify

contractors that were determined to not meet the requirements to be prequalified for the project.

Task 3 – Construction Bid Package

Task 3.1 – Draft Construction Documents

CDM Smith will prepare draft construction documents for submittal to the County for review and

approval. The construction documents will identify the required work to construct the Unit 3 Phase

2 Subtitle D Landfill expansion. In addition to the landfill expansion, the construction documents

will include the development (grading, stockpile areas, erosion and sedimentation control) of the

County’s next borrow area (future Unit 4), which is adjacent to Unit 3 Phase 2. The contractor will

be responsible for identifying, excavating, and stockpiling topsoil, clay soils, and general soils from

the borrow area. The draft construction documents will include drawings for the Unit 3 Phase 2

grading; leachate collection system including pump station; borrow area and wetland disturbance;

stormwater and erosion and sedimentation control; electrical, design details, front-end

specifications and technical specifications necessary to define the scope of work for this project.

CDM Smith estimates that the construction drawing set will consist of approximately 20 drawings.

The draft drawings will be prepared using existing permit drawings, as-built drawings, and a recent

topographic airspace survey as the base, adding new survey control and other applicable details

necessary to bid the project for construction. The last topographic survey of the landfill including


the Unit 3 Phase 2 area was conducted on May 8, 2017 by Independent Mapping Consultants, Inc.

for the annual airspace analysis. CDM Smith assumes that the ground conditions have not changed

within the Unit 3 phase 2 expansion project area; therefore, an updated topographic survey of the

proposed expansion area will not be conducted for the preparation of the construction drawings.

Two weeks after submitting the draft construction drawings and specifications, CDM Smith will

meet with the County staff to discuss their review. At the conclusion of the meeting, CDM Smith and

the County will summarize any additions, deletions, clarifications, and changes that are to be

incorporated into the final drawings and specifications.

Task 3.2 – Final Construction Documents

Following review of comments on the draft construction documents prepared under Task 3.1, CDM

Smith will finalize the drawings and specifications for the advertisement of the project to receive

bids from the contractors. The construction bid form will be prepared based upon a combination of

unit prices and lump sum prices for the defined work.

Final specifications shall be prepared for review purposes and shall be subdivided into sections

similar to Construction Specifications Institute standards. Review sets shall be complete with forms

and documents. CDM Smith will prepare construction specifications based on the NCDEQ Permit to

Construct requirements, CDM Smith standard construction specifications and Catawba County

mediated settlement and contractor safety standards. The estimated costs for this task assume the

use of CDM Smith standard specification format and Division "0" (e.g., standard forms of agreement,

bid forms, bid bond forms, etc....) base documents. The technical specifications will include the

requirements of construction for soils work, geosynthetic materials, drainage pipe, as well as CQA

specifications for the Unit 3 Phase 2 expansion project.

The final construction documents (drawings and specifications) will be submitted for review to the

County. CDM Smith will meet with County staff to review the proposed construction documents.

Upon receipt of review comments from the County, CDM Smith will finalize the construction

documents and provide three copies to the County.

CDM Smith will also prepare an opinion of probable construction costs under this task. CDM Smith

will utilize in-house construction cost estimators during the project to give the County the

information we have regarding the estimated cost of the project.

Task 4 – Bidding Services

Once the final construction documents are accepted by the County, CDM Smith will provide services

to assist the County in selection of a contractor for the expansion project. Construction documents

will be issued by CDM Smith to the County and Accent Imaging. Accent Imaging will be responsible


for distributing bid documents to the list of pre-qualified contractors and plan rooms and

maintaining a formal list of bidders who have obtained the project construction documents.

The date for receipt of bids shall be established by the County. Generally, a period of four to six

weeks will be required between publication of the Advertisement for Bids and the receipt of bids.

CDM Smith will prepare the Advertisement for Bids. The County will then coordinate the placement

of the Advertisement for Bids with Accent Imaging, the local newspaper, the County’s website, and

online plan holder rooms. Any advertisement costs shall be paid directly by Catawba County.

CDM Smith will schedule and conduct one pre-bid conference with prospective bidders to review

the Project requirements and answer questions on the bidding documents. Any change(s) to the

construction documents resulting from the pre-bid conference will be issued by Addenda to all

registered bidders. CDM Smith will prepare clarifications and addenda to the bidding documents as

may be required and provide to the County and Accent Imaging for distribution to all planholders.

CDM Smith will attend the bid opening to assist the County with receipt and opening of the bids.

Budget for CDM Smith services assumes one bid opening. CDM Smith will review the proposals

received and provide a written recommendation to the County relative to acceptance/rejection of

proposals and award of the Contract to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders, taking into

consideration quality, performance, and the time specified in the proposals for the performance of

the contract.

Task 5 – General Services During Construction

CDM Smith will provide construction management services including:

▪ Development of complete contract documents for signatures.

▪ Preparation of conformed documents.

▪ Administration of construction contract including, bi-weekly progress meetings.

▪ Shop drawing review.

▪ Change order reviews and design clarification.

▪ Review contractor’s monthly pay applications.

▪ Final inspections.

▪ Record drawings and As-built drawings.


Task 5.1 - Administration of Construction Contract

CDM Smith will administer the project, providing progress updates, and other information as

requested by the County. CDM Smith will provide the County with updates on project status by

email or phone. As part of general administration of the Construction Contract, CDM Smith will

consult with and advise the County and act as its representative during the estimated 10-month

(300 day) construction period (estimated 330 days to Final Completion). CDM Smith will provide

contract administration and general services required for the Project, including:

▪ As the County’s representative for the duration of the Construction Contract, all

communications to and from the Contractor shall go through CDM Smith. CDM Smith will

administer the Construction Contract on behalf of the County, responding to Contractor’s

correspondence, and issuing instructions from the County.

▪ Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Engineer as stated in the General Conditions

and Supplemental Conditions of the Construction Contract.

▪ Maintain a document management system for the project files. Documents to be maintained

shall include but are not limited to: correspondence; CQA procedures; CQA testing for soils,

concrete, and geosynthetics; inspection records; shop drawing schedule; applications for

payment by the contractor; change orders; scheduling; project meetings; cost and

disbursement data; progress reports; and other documents pertaining to the Construction

Contract.

▪ Hold a Pre-Construction Conference and distribute meeting minutes to attendees. At the pre-

construction conference, procedural guidelines and specific CQA project requirements will be

discussed with the Contractor. Among other items addressed will be the: correspondence

distribution, shop drawing and scheduling procedures, Notice-to-Proceed date, critical

schedule requirements, payment procedures, staging areas, emergency procedures, survey

control requirements, and quality control procedures.

▪ Hold construction progress meetings from Notice-to-Proceed date through Substantial

Completion of the project. Meetings will generally be held on a bi-weekly basis but may be

held less frequently if construction progress dictates (e.g., bad weather). In these meetings,

CDM Smith and the Contractor will review such items as: schedule, coordination needs,

design clarification, pending change orders, outstanding shop drawings, CQA testing

approvals, conflicts, and other issues related to completion of the project. CDM Smith will

develop a progress meeting schedule based upon the construction schedule provided by the

Contractor. CDM Smith will provide the meeting agenda and prepare meeting minutes for

distribution to all attendees.

▪ In addition to the Resident Project Representation (RPR) defined in Task 6 below, CDM Smith

will provide the services of the project design engineer to address questions and/or


clarifications regarding construction related issues in the field, participate in onsite meetings

held between the Contractor and County and provide overall project coordination at various

construction stages. CDM Smith’s project engineer will visit the site at critical stages of

construction to observe the progress and quality of the executed work performed by the

Contractor and to determine, in general, if such work is proceeding in accordance with the

Contract Documents. Site visits will be conducted on an as-needed basis to coordinate

construction of the Unit 3 Phase 2 area and borrow area, and to address issues presented by

the Contractor.

▪ Services in connection with changes to the Contract to reflect changes or deletions in the

Contract requested by the County/CDM Smith or the Contractor for: evaluating substitutions

proposed by Contractor, revisions to drawings, specifications, and project completion dates,

and final reconciliation processing. A listing of additional costs and credits as a result of

approved change orders will be maintained by CDM Smith. Upon receipt of a requested

change order, CDM Smith will review and then discuss with the County a further course of

action. CDM Smith will prepare the change order documents for execution by the County and

the Contractor and will distribute signed documents following the execution. Larger changes

or claims asserted by the Contractor and redesigns requested by the County or the Contractor

may require additional analyses or evaluation beyond the scope of this proposal.

Task 5.2 - Shop Drawing and Request for Information Review

CDM Smith will review shop drawings, requests for information (RFIs), and materials submitted for

approval by the Contractor. CDM Smith will provide approvals, as appropriate, of shop drawings,

samples, and other data which the Contractor is required to submit for conformance with the

Contract Documents. Such reviews and approvals or other action shall not extend to methods,

means, techniques, sequences or procedures of construction or to the safety precautions and

programs implemented by the Contractor.

If Contractor wishes for substitute submittals to be approved, CDM Smith will perform a review of

the substitution request and process if requested by the County. CDM Smith will receive additional

compensation for this work as it is not able to be scoped at this time. Shop drawings, O&M

manuals, and other submittals will be reviewed no more than twice with further reviews requiring

additional compensation to CDM Smith at the Contractor’s expense. The Contractor shall reimburse

the County for all such fees invoiced to the County by CDM Smith.

The Contract Documents contain a provision requiring the Contractor to reimburse the County for

all costs associated with certain actions or lack of actions on the part of the Contractor that

necessitate additional effort on the part of CDM Smith and, hence, the County’s costs for engineering

above and beyond the costs for routine engineering services. The Contractor shall pay to the

County the reasonable costs of such additional engineering effort at the hourly rate established in

the Supplemental Conditions.


Task 5.3 - Prepare Change Orders and Design Clarifications

A necessary part of any construction project is the preparation of design clarifications and other

routine supplementary information. This work will be performed and reviewed by CDM Smith

staff. CDM Smith will issue necessary interpretations and clarifications of the Contract Documents;

have authority, as the County’s representative, to require special inspection or testing of the work;

act as initial interpreter of the Contract Documents and determine the acceptability of the work

provided.

Task 5.4 - Review Pay Requests

CDM Smith will review the amounts requested for payment by the Contractor and recommend in

writing to County payments in such amounts. Pay requests will be processed based on CDM Smith’s

on-site observations, information provided by the RPR, and review of the applications for payment

and the accompanying data and schedules.

Task 5.5 - Final Inspections

CDM Smith will conduct a walk-through inspection with the Contractor to determine if the Project

has reached Substantial Completion and prepare a punch list of work items remaining. CDM Smith

will conduct one final inspection to determine if the work is acceptable so that CDM Smith may

recommend, in writing, final payment to the Contractor and may give written notice to the County

and the Contractor that the work is acceptable. CDM Smith will observe the work of the Contractor

to see that it has been completed in substantial accordance with the bid plans and specifications.

Task 5.6 – Record Drawings and As-Built Drawings

A complete set of record drawings shall be prepared by CDM Smith based upon field information

and as-built survey provided by the Contractor. A set of as-built drawings (prepared by Contractor

and reviewed by CDM Smith) shall also be provided to the County and NCDEQ Solid Waste Section.

Task 6 – Inspection Services

CDM Smith will provide a full-time RPR during the estimated 10-month (300 day) construction

period (estimated 330 days to Final Completion) to assist in observing performance of the Work of

the Contractor. RPR services will be provided for the duration of the Construction Contract

between the County and Contractor. CDM Smith has estimated a total of 1,780 hours for the

construction period (45 hours/week for 36 weeks and 20 hours/week for 8 weeks). CDM Smith has

also budgeted for a geotechnical field technician to periodically monitor the contractor’s excavation

of topsoil, clay, and general soils from the County’s borrow area (future Unit 4 area).


Task 6.1 – RPR Services

CDM Smith will only invoice the County for the actual number of RPR hours worked. It is

understood that the number of hours allocated for the RPR under this task is only an estimate. If the

actual number of hours exceeds 1,780, CDM Smith will notify the County that this estimate is

anticipated to be exceeded and submit an amendment for additional compensation. Similarly, if the

contract time is anticipated to extend beyond the 330 days to Final Completion, an amendment for

additional compensation will be submitted by CDM Smith to the County.

Additionally, for the basis of this proposal, the working hours for the contractor are assumed to be

specified in the contract documents as 12 hours per day, 5 days per week (Monday through Friday).

CDM Smith assumes that the RPR will not be required to be onsite during all working hours. The

contract documents will require that the contractor pay for any of CDM Smith’s overtime costs

should he/she chooses to work outside regular working hours. CDM Smith’s costs to the County

associated with working outside regular hours will be deducted from the contractor’s pay requests.

The County agrees to pay CDM Smith the amount that is withheld from the contractor to pay for

overtime services.

The RPR’s communication concerning the project work shall, in general, be only with the CDM

Smith Project Engineer or Project Manager, County staff, and the Contractor. Communication with

subcontractors shall only be performed with the full knowledge of the Contractor. Written

communication with the County will be only through, or as directed by, CDM Smith. If, in the

opinion of CDM Smith, the Contractor’s quality of work, level of effort, or work schedule requires

additional level of effort by CDM Smith under this work task, then CDM Smith will make written

recommendation regarding the scope of services under this task to the County for consideration.

If, in the opinion of the RPR, surveying services are needed to verify the Contractor's compliance

with the plans and specifications, these are assumed to be provided by the County.

The RPR will also be responsible for providing construction quality assurance for the project.

Specifically, the RPR will assist with the collection and preparation of documentation to be

presented to the Solid Waste Section review certifying that construction has been completed in

accordance with the applicable Permit to Construct conditions and Contract Documents.

CDM Smith will be providing CQA services (as described in Task 7) for the soil, concrete, and stone

material testing specifically indicated in the Contract Documents. The Contract Documents will

require the Contractor to provide the services of an independent Geosynthetic Research Institute

certified quality assurance laboratory to perform geosynthetic material testing specifically

indicated in the Contract Documents. Contractor is also required to provide the services of an

independent Quality Control Laboratory (QCL) to perform soil, stone material, concrete, and

protective cover material testing specifically indicated in the Contract Documents. The Contractor

will be required to provide laboratory test results to CDM Smith and the County upon receipt (and


after its internal review). The RPR will review the laboratory data and verify compliance with the

specifications and the contract.

Task 6.2 – Borrow Material Monitoring

CDM Smith will provide a geotechnical field technician to periodically monitor the contractor’s

activities associated with the removal and stockpile of topsoil, clay soils, and other soils. The

technician, while on site, will watch for changes in material types to provide guidance to the

contractor regarding the proper stockpiling of materials to minimize mixing of soil types.

Depending upon the contractor’s work schedule, CDM Smith will attempt to utilize the RPR and

CQA field technicians, during slow landfill construction periods, to also monitor the excavation of

borrow area materials. CDM Smith has budgeted an additional 100 hours for a technician.

Task 7 – CQA Monitoring Services

In addition to full-time RPR services, CDM Smith will also provide CQA services associated with

installation of the liner subgrade preparation, installation of the composite liner system, placement

of the protective cover layer, installation of stormwater management components, and other

portions of the project. CDM Smith will provide soils, concrete, and stone installation CQA testing

services. CDM Smith will also provide full-time monitoring during the installation of geosynthetic

materials. These services will be rendered in compliance with the Permit to Construct

requirements and the approved CQA Plan. Under this task, CDM Smith will conduct a pre-liner

installation/coordination meeting with the Contractor and their liner subcontractor prior to

installation. Meeting minutes will be prepared and distributed to all attendees.

CDM Smith will provide CQA services for the installation of geosynthetic materials, backfill, clay

liner, leachate drainage system, and the concrete and stone access roads. CDM Smith will contract

with an independent testing firm to perform CQA and laboratory testing. The CQA field and

laboratory budget is based upon preliminary estimates of material testing quantities, and a total of

73 days for onsite field time to monitor installation of embankment fill, clay liner, protective cover,

roadway pavement, and miscellaneous concrete work.

Task 7.1 - CQA Services for Soils & Concrete

CDM Smith will provide the following construction monitoring services and related field-testing

(including laboratory testing) in accordance with the contract documents and the approved CQA

plan:

▪ Observation of the subgrade to determine that unacceptable soils, if present, have been

removed and perform density tests on any replacement fill, as needed.

▪ Observation and testing during placement and compaction of soil backfill.

▪ Observation of stockpile removal and conformance testing of on-site clay liner source.


▪ Conformance testing of course aggregates.

▪ Observation and testing during preparation, placement, and compaction of clay liner.

▪ Observation and testing during placement of stone leachate drainage layer.

▪ Observation and testing of access road construction.

Task 7.2 - CQA Services for Synthetic Liner and Filter Fabric

CDM Smith will provide construction monitoring services (excluding testing) including the

following:

▪ Observation of geosynthetic liner installation including seaming and non-destructive in-field

seam testing as required by the project specifications for each seaming machine.

▪ Observation of the destructive sampling for the in-field and subsequent laboratory testing of

"Seam Strength" and "Peel Adhesion."

▪ Observation of filter fabric installation.

▪ Observation of repairs to geosynthetic liner testing (destructive and non-destructive)

failures.

▪ Observation and documentation of liner defects and subsequent repairs/replacement.

It will be the responsibility of the construction contractor to provide CQC and CQA laboratory

testing services for all synthetic materials. CDM Smith will review the test results and include the

results in the final CQA report. The testing to be performed will include the following:

▪ Conformance testing of the synthetic liner and filter fabric.

▪ Performance of destructive testing.

▪ Re-testing of repairs to the geosynthetic liner.

For this task, CDM Smith has budgeted the level of effort based upon the estimated construction

amounts of soil, clay liner, concrete, and stone materials along with the testing frequencies

provided in the Construction Documents. CDM Smith will request additional funding if the amount

of field and laboratory testing is increased due to contractor actions that result in non-complaint

materials or installation practice.

Task 8 – NCDEQ Site Inspection and CQA Report

In accordance with the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Rules, Rule .1624 (b)(15), and the

conditions of the Solid Waste Permit, a Permit to Operate must be obtained from the Solid Waste

Section prior to receiving waste. CDM Smith will complete the following services in support of


obtaining a Permit to Operate for Unit 3 Phase 2 when construction is complete. CDM Smith will

prepare relative sections of the CQA report as each component of the landfill is completed such that

the full report can be submitted in a timely fashion after construction is completed.

Task 8.1 – NCDEQ Site Inspection

CDM Smith will arrange for a site inspection by NCDEQ Solid Waste Section staff to be conducted

immediately following Substantial Completion of construction (i.e. the Unit 3 Phase 2 area is ready

to accept waste). Key CDM Smith personnel will attend and lead the site inspection by NCDEQ staff

so that questions can be addressed as they arise, if possible.

Task 8.2 – Construction Quality Assurance Report

CDM Smith will prepare and submit the CQA Report to NCDEQ in support of the County’s request

for a Permit to Operate as soon as possible following the determination that Unit 3 Phase 2 is

substantially complete. The primary component of the application will be the CQA report. At the

end of construction of the facility, CDM Smith will prepare a summary report of all CQA

documentation and test results of field and laboratory tests of geomembrane liner, clay liner, and

stone protective cover construction. CDM Smith will also review the record drawings and as-built

plans (including liner system test locations) prepared by the Contractor.

As stated above, it will be the responsibility of the Contractor to provide CQC and CQA laboratory

testing services for all geosynthetic materials and provide the results to CDM Smith. CDM Smith

will review the test results and include them in the final CQA report.

The CQA report will be prepared in accordance with the approved Permit to Construct, and Solid

Waste Management Rules. CDM Smith will submit the CQA report to the Solid Waste Section and

include the following information in the report:

▪ Results of all CQC and CQA testing including documentation of any failed test results,

descriptions of procedures used to correct the improperly installed material, and results of all

re-testing performed.

▪ The CQA report will contain as-built drawings noting any deviation from the approved

engineering plans.

▪ A comprehensive narrative including, but not limited to, descriptions of major project

features and daily reports from the RPR.

The CQA report will bear the seal of the project engineer and a certification that construction was

completed in accordance with the Contract Documents, approved CQA plan, conditions of the

Permit to Construct, and acceptable engineering practices.


Task 9 – Groundwater Piezometers and Monitoring Wells

Task 9.1 – Existing Piezometer and Monitoring Well Abandonment

Prior to beginning construction at the Unit 3 Phase 2 expansion, all existing piezometers and

monitoring wells within the expansion footprint will be abandoned. CDM Smith will subcontract

with a licensed driller to abandon 21 existing piezometers installed during this and previous

investigations in the Unit 3 Phase 2 footprint, as well as monitoring well MW-31. In addition, 4

existing piezometers in the Future Unit 4 Expansion area will also be abandoned. The piezometers

and monitoring well will be abandoned by removing all well materials from the borehole, over-

drilling, and backfilling the borehole annulus with bentonite/Portland cement grout. The grout will

be tremmied from the bottom of the borehole to the top using 1-inch PVC material or a hose. It is

assumed that up to 1,200 linear feet of over-drilling and abandonment will be required. All well

materials, including: Well casing; screen; protective covers; and concrete pads, will be removed and

disposed of at an appropriate facility. Following completion of the piezometer and monitoring well

abandonment, CDM Smith will prepare and submit a notification letter to the SWS. The letter will

include a discussion of the abandonment work and copies of the driller’s abandonment records

(Form GW-30).

Task 9.2 – Monitoring Well Installation and Initial Groundwater Sampling

Well Installation Prior to issuing the Permit to Operate and per the approved Water Quality Monitoring Plan

(WQMP), monitoring wells MW-35 and MW-36 will be added to the monitoring network for the

Blackburn Resource Recovery Facility. CDM Smith will subcontract with a North Carolina licensed

driller to install the new wells. The new monitoring wells will be constructed in accordance with

standard industry procedures and will meet the requirements of 15A NCAC 2C. The monitoring

wells will be installed by advancing the borehole through the water table using hollow-stem auger

techniques. Soil samples will be collected at five-foot intervals with a split spoon sampler in

accordance with ASTM D-1586 to log the borehole. If possible, 1 Shelby Tube will be collected and

analyzed for porosity and hydraulic conductivity. Soil lithology will be described in the field by an

onsite geologist to develop a borehole log.

The monitoring wells will be constructed using 2-inch ID polyvinyl chloride (PVC) well casing with

threaded flush joints. The shallow monitoring well will be constructed with fifteen feet of 0.010-

inch slot pre-packed screen at the end of the casing string placed so that it brackets the water table,

if possible. The PVC casing string will extend approximately three feet above ground surface. A sand

pack will be placed around the screen interval to a maximum of two feet above the top of the

screen. A two-foot thick bentonite seal consisting of hydrated bentonite pellets will be placed on top

of the sand to hydraulically seal the completion interval. The remainder of the annulus will be

sealed with a bentonite-Portland cement grout to ground surface. A 3-ft by 3-ft well pad will be

constructed and a protective outer casing extending 2.5 to 3 feet above ground surface with a


lockable cap will be placed over the PVC casing and into the grout. For the purpose of this

Amendment, it is assumed that each well will be installed to a total depth of 25-ft below ground

surface. Following completion, the monitoring wells will be developed to remove the residual

effects of drilling. The wells will be developed using a combination of surging and over-pumping

until development water is visually clear. Following installation and development of the new

monitoring wells, the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer material surrounding each well will be

determined by conducting slug falling head and/or recovery tests on each well.

The horizontal location of the new monitoring wells will be surveyed in State Plane Coordinates

(adjusted for the Blackburn Landfill datum) by a Registered Land Surveyor to the nearest 0.1 foot.

The vertical control or elevation of the top of PVC casing (the well measuring point) will be

surveyed to the nearest 0.01-foot accuracy to mean sea level. The height of the well measuring

point above ground surface will be measured.

A Well Installation and Initial Sampling notification letter will be prepared and forwarded to the

SWS within 1 week of completion. The letter will include a discussion of well installation and

sampling activities, copies of the bore logs and driller well completion forms (Form GW-1), and a

copy of the initial sampling Chain of Custody form.

Initial Sampling Prior to placing waste in the newly constructed Unit 3 Phase 2 expansion, the newly installed

ground water monitoring wells (MW-35 and MW-36) must be sampled in accordance with 15A

NCAC .1632. The constituents to be sampled include: North Carolina Appendix I Metals and Volatile

Organic Compounds. Following monitoring well installation and development, and prior to placing

waste in the new expansion, CDM Smith will collect samples from wells MW-35 and MW-36 and

submit them to the County’s current North Carolina certified laboratory (REI Consultants) for

analysis. Immediately following sample collection, CDM Smith will submit a notification letter to the

SWS stating that the wells have been installed and sampled. Following receipt of the laboratory

data, a final report will be submitted. The report will include a discussion of the well installation

and sampling activities, copies of the analytical lab data, a potentiometric contour map, and a

signed and sealed Environmental Monitoring Report.

Costs for this task assume that REI Consultants will direct-bill the County for laboratory analysis

under their existing contract.

Assumptions

Assumptions made as part of this Scope of Services are as follows:

▪ County will pay any permitting fees associated with work done under this proposal.

▪ County will pay mitigation costs associated with the wetland disturbance.


▪ Wetland and stream delineations can be completed in the number of hours specified in Task

1.2, and sites are accessible.

▪ Archaeological and threatened species surveys are not included in this scope other than as

described in Task 1.7, Allowance.

▪ Survey of streams and wetlands features will be shown on the permit drawings. A separate

jurisdictional survey plat with bearings and distances is not required.

▪ A complete property boundary survey will not be required for the wetlands permitting.

▪ A new topographic survey of the Unit 3 Phase 2 area will not be required.

▪ Existing electrical power is available to meet additional requirements for Unit 3 Phase 2.

Schedule

CDM Smith will complete Tasks 1-3 within six months of notice to proceed. For Task 1, the final permitting is anticipated to be completed by December 2018. Completion of Tasks 4 through 9 will be dependent on actual timelines for conducting bidding and construction activities. Cost

For the Basic Services, CDM Smith presents a lump sum fee of $565,700 for the services included in

Tasks 1 through 5, and Tasks 8 and 9; and a not-to-exceed fee of $354,800 for Task 6 and 7 under

this proposal. Monthly payments shall be made in accordance with the amount of work completed

and invoiced monthly.

A breakdown of costs by task for all events is provided below for information purposes only:

Task No. Cost

1. Wetlands Permitting $133,000

2. Contractor Pre-Qualification $6,000

3. Construction Bid Package $109,700

4. Bidding Services $23,400

5. General Services During Construction $196,600

6. Inspection Services $218,200

7. CQA Monitoring Services $136,600


8. NCDEQ Site Inspection and CQA Report $19,600

9. Groundwater Piezometers & Wells $77,400

Total $920,500

CDM Smith is under a current contract with the County; as a result, this work can be authorized

with a service order. If this proposal is acceptable, a service order can be submitted.

CDM Smith appreciates the opportunity to continue assisting the County with development of the

Unit 3 Phase 2 expansion at the Blackburn Landfill. Please feel free to contact me should you have

any questions.

Very truly yours,

David Collins, P.E. Vice President CDM Smith Inc.

cc: J. Chandler, Catawba County C. Meadows, Catawba County R. Hamby, Catawba County M. Sanford, CDM Smith

M E M O R A N D U M TO: Catawba County Board of Commissioners FROM: Chris Timberlake, Planner DATE: May 21, 2018 IN RE: Utility Scale Solar Regulations ______________________________________________________________________________ Request Staff requests the Board of Commissioners a.) provides direction on potential changes to Section 44‐633 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and b.) authorizes staff to advertise a public hearing during which the Board will consider proposed revisions to the UDO consistent with that direction. Background / Discussion During its April 16, 2018 meeting, the Board of Commissioners reached consensus on several aspects of the existing conditional zoning regulations for solar farms. At the conclusion of the discussion, questions remained regarding:

acceptable forms of performance guarantee for ensuring site reclamation,

the inclusion of salvageable value in the calculation of required amount, and

the adequacy of the existing required performance guarantee amount (relative to both the total cost of clean‐up and the size of the installation).

These issues will be taken in order in the ensuing discussion. Form of Performance Guarantee Current regulations permit three different vehicles for performance guarantee: an automatically renewing surety or performance bond, certified check, or no‐contest irrevocable letter of credit. The three methods of performance guarantee are comparable in terms of their effectiveness, provided that specific language is included at the time the guarantee is issued. Because the County’s Legal staff reviews all performance guarantee documents before acceptance, the County is well‐positioned to protect its interests through this process. While there are some administrative challenges related to tracking bonds and letters of credit with changes of ownership, staff does not recommend making any changes to this section of the ordinance. Salvageable Value Relative to Overall Reclamation Cost Current regulations require a performance guarantee in the amount of “one and a quarter times the estimated decommissioning cost minus the salvageable value, or $50,000, whichever is greater.” Based upon the engineering estimates for decommissioning plans submitted with each of the County’s five approved solar farms, the salvageable value of panel material exceeds the total reclamation cost in every case.

The market for recyclable materials has been known to fluctuate over time, driving uncertainty in future salvageable values. Catawba County’s interests in ensuring land reclamation occurs upon abandonment of a solar facility is similar to the County’s interests in remediating solid waste violations that occur throughout the County. Remediation of former solar facilities is the primary objective, regardless of residual value of any materials on site. Based on these two factors, staff recommends modifying the current formula to exclude any calculation involving salvageable value and focusing solely on total cost of remediation. Adequacy of Performance Guarantee Amount Based on engineering data submitted with each of the County’s five approved solar farms, the cost of site reclamation does not appear to be directly proportionate to the acreage of the solar farm or megawatts produced. Again, the County’s primary objective in requiring the performance guarantee is ensuring adequate resources are available to fully remediate abandoned solar sites. With this objective in mind, staff has researched the issue and offers two approaches for BOC discussion and feedback. One approach involves modifying current regulations to require a performance guarantee for the full cost of reclamation as determined by a North Carolina licensed engineer or licensed contractor. The cost of acquiring a performance guarantee in the form of a bond typically ranges from 1% to 2% of the total bonded amount per year, depending upon the form of the guarantee, the amount to be guaranteed, and the creditworthiness of the applicant. Another approach that could be used involves increasing the required performance guarantee amount over time to coincide with the increasing age of the solar installation and / or the verified contract duration with Duke Energy. This approach is predicated upon the notion that from a business standpoint it is unlikely that a solar operator would abandon a newly established site early in the site’s life cycle based upon the up‐front capital investment required to bring the site online. As the installation ages, however, the likelihood of abandonment may increase based upon equipment depreciation, etc. Conclusion Staff recommends the Board of Commissioners a.) provides direction on potential changes to Section 44‐633 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and b.) authorizes staff to advertise a public hearing during which the Board will consider proposed revisions to the UDO consistent with that direction.

Hickory MSA Employment and Population TrendsCatawba County Commissioner Meeting

May 21, 2018

Hickory MSA Unemployment and Labor Force Trends

Hickory MSA, Catawba County and Hickory Unemployment Rates, February 2008– February 2018

Source: Labor and Economic Analysis Division, NC Department of Commerce.

Hickory MSA Labor Force and Number of Employed

Workers, February 2010– February 2018


City of Hickory Labor Force and Number of

Employed Workers, February 2010– February 2018


Hickory MSA

Employment

by Industry

Construction3%

Other1%

Manufacturing

51%Public

Administration4%

Trade

13%

Services28%

Hickory Metro Jobs 1990

Hickory MSA Employment Distribution

Services47%

Trade16%

Public Administration

5%

Manufacturing28%

Construction3%

Other1%

Hickory Metro Jobs 2017

2017 US Manufacturing: 9%


Hickory MSA Employment, 3rd Qtr. 2010-3rd Qtr. 2017


NC MSA Employment Change

by Percentage, 3rd Quarter 2010-3rd Quarter 2017


Hickory MSA Employment Gains by Sector, 3rd

Quarter 2010 to 3rd Quarter 2017


Catawba Co. Employment, 3rd Qtr. 2010-3rd Qtr. 2017


Catawba County Employment Gains by Sector, 3rd

Quarter 2010 to 3rd Quarter 2017


Employment

Trends

3rd Quarter

2016-Present

Hickory MSA Job Losses by Sector,

3rd Quarter 2016-2017


Hickory MSA Job Gains by Sector,



Catawba County Job Losses by Sector,



Catawba County Job Gains by Sector,



Hickory

MSA

Job

Market

County

Number of

Unemployed

(Not

Seasonally

Adjusted)

Number

of Job

Openings

Number of

Unemployed

Persons per

Job

Opening

Alexander 654 230 2.84

Burke 1,665 1,328 1.25

Caldwell 1,620 712 2.28

Catawba 3,126 3,484 0.90

MSA Total 7,065 5,754 1.23

Hickory MSA Unemployed Persons and Number of

Job Openings by County, December 2017

Source: NC Works Online, NC Department of Commerce 2018.

Occupational TitleJob

Openings

Entry

Level

Wage*

Mean

(Average)

Wage

Median

Wage

Experienced

Wage

Healthcare Practitioners &

Technical874 $33,969 $47,717 $35,000 $70,334

Production 422 $19,270 $26,575 $26,000 $34,792

Transportation and Material

Moving404 $18,988 $28,032 $24,960 $40,233

Sales and Related 386 $16,373 $22,332 $20,800 $29,865

Office and Administrative

Support380 $20,715 $29,466 $27,040 $40,022

Management 307 $38,049 $64,745 $53,062 $98,672

Healthcare Support 196 $15,977 $20,072 $18,980 $25,078

Installation, Maintenance, &

Repair193 $24,921 $36,411 $31,844 $51,015

Computer and Mathematical 181 $36,700 $69,366 $67,000 $102,983

Food Preparation & Serving

Related173 $15,800 $20,677 $17,940 $27,551

Hickory MSA Job Openings by Occupation and Advertised Wage

Rates*, December 2017 (Top 10 by Number of Job Openings)

*Occupation Type for 1,596 Job Openings in the Hickory MSA Could Not Be Determined Source: NC Works Online, NC Department of Commerce 2018.

Hickory

MSA

Population

Growth

2016-17

Hickory MSA Population Change, 2016-2017

Hickory MSA Population Change by County, 2016-2017

6