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Public Notices

Unified Development Ordinance Office Hours

Pender County staff will be available to answer questions from the public regarding the update to the Unified Development Ordinance on Tuesday’s (Burgaw) and Thursday’s (Hampstead) beginning November 12th and running through January 9th.  The availability will be after normal business hours and will run from 5:00 pm until 6:30 pm on each of the advertised days.  Exceptions to this schedule are as follows:  November 26 and 28; December 24, 26, and 31.

It is highly encouraged to schedule a meeting by calling (910) 259-1202, however, staff will accommodate walk-ins to the best of their ability.  Please note the locations set above:

 

Burgaw – 805 S. Walker Street

Hampstead – 15060 US HWY 17

NCDHHS: Lung Injury Cases Related to Vaping Increase; E-cigarette Use on the Rise

Lung Injury Cases Related to Vaping Increase; E-cigarette Use on the Rise

Raleigh

Oct 29, 2019

The number of North Carolina cases of severe lung injury associated with e-cigarette use or vaping continues to rise with 61 cases in people ranging in age from 13 to 72. The North Carolina cases are among a rising outbreak reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of 1,604 cases and 34 deaths in the United States and the US Virgin Islands as of Oct. 22. The acute lung injury cases have occurred in the context of a rapid rise of e-cigarette use by young people.

Lung injury cases are being reported in younger adults and teenagers. Approximately 79% of patients are under 35 years of age, 40% are 18-24, and 14% are younger than 18. All patients reported a history of using e-cigarette or vaping products, with most reporting a history of using THC-containing products. THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. Eighty percent of North Carolina cases interviewed reported vaping THC; 75% of North Carolina cases interviewed reported vaping flavors, 70% vaped nicotine, 50% vaped THC and nicotine, and 30% vaped CBD. No single product or source has been linked to all lung injury cases.

NCDHHS has joined the CDC’s efforts to urge people to consider not using e-cigarette or vaping products, especially e-cigarette or vaping products that contain THC.

“Those who use e-cigarettes or vaping products should not obtain them through informal sources and should not modify or add any substances,” said Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist.

The acute lung illness outbreak is occurring on top of rapidly rising rates of e-cigarette use among youth. The biennial 2017 North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey found that although cigarette smoking was the lowest ever recorded among high school students at 8.9%, e-cigarette use increased 894% since 2011. E-cigarettes have become the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in North Carolina and 9.6% of high schoolers report having vaped cannabis. This rate is expected to rise.

“This severe lung disease epidemic and the rise in youth use of e-cigarettes is deeply troubling,” said Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for DHHS. “As a pediatrician, I know that nicotine can harm areas of the brain that influence attention, learning, mood and impulse control. Nicotine use at a young age can also rewire pathways in the brain, priming it for future addiction – to nicotine and other substances.” Dr. Tilson testified Opens in New Window Sept. 25 before a House Committee on Commerce and Energy on the topic.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Healthy Schools initiative have worked together to help implement 100% tobacco free schools policies, considering this new and challenging e-cigarette epidemic, and to increase awareness among youth of nicotine levels in e-cigarette products.

DPI and DPH also promote measures to help students, parents and staff recognize youth e-cigarette use as an addiction and to provide evidence-based prevention and tobacco treatment education and counseling, rather than to suspend students who are addicted to nicotine. CATCH My Breath is an evidence-based tobacco use prevention curriculum that addresses middle and high schoolers’ use of e-cigarettes. The curriculum is available free of charge to NC schools. Fifty-six schools in NC have implemented this curriculum serving more than 17,000 students since 2017, and demand is growing.

Another resource, the Truth Initiative, serves as a further resource and has expanded its quit-smoking resources to include a first-of-its kind e-cigarette quit program. To access TRUTH’s new e-cigarette quit program, users can text “DITCHJUUL” to 88709. QuitlineNC Opens in New Window (1-800-QuitNow or 1-800-784-8669) is also available 24/7 with online, text and telephone programs to help young people addicted to any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.

New clinical guidance for managing acute lung injury Opens in New Window from the CDC and NCDHHS also urges people to receive a flu shot to protect against a combination of the flu and lung injury from vaping. NCDHHS will continue to monitor this outbreak and report any new information weekly at www.tobaccopreventionandcontrol.ncdhhs.gov/ecigs.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/lung-injury-cases-related-vaping-increase-e-cigarette-use-rise

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – Engineering Services for Well Sites and Waterline

GENERAL

The Rocky Point/Topsail Water & Sewer District (RPTWSD) and Pender County Utilities (PCU) are seeking an engineering firm experienced with drinking water well design and water infrastructure. The engineering firm will provide design, permitting and construction administration/construction observation of drinking water well infrastructure and related water infrastructure utilities associated with the creation of up to three (3) water supply wells planned for the Hampstead area in Eastern Pender County. RPTWSD will be working with a contract hydrogeologist for test well installation, pump test and wellfield design. The successful engineering professional services firm will work with RPTWSD’s contract hydrogeologist and design a well, wellhead, and associated piping to connect the new well to the existing water system. Proposed well sites have received preliminary approval from the DEQ Wilmington Regional Office.
Water design experience shall include Pee Dee aquifer well and wellhead design. Water main design and permitting also required. Prompt delivery and demonstrated accuracy on project cost estimates by the project team are important factors in selection. This project has a very aggressive fast-track schedule, and thus the consultant shall have personnel and resources available to meet that schedule.

SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT

Firms are invited to submit a Qualifications Statement to the RPTWSD by no later than 3:00 PM on October 25, 2019. Qualifications received after this deadline will not be considered. Firms shall submit an electronic proposal as specified in the RFQ. Firms submitting Qualifications are encouraged to carefully check them for conformance to the requirements stated herein. Qualifications that do not meet ALL of the below listed requirements or are sent to any address other than that shown below, will be disqualified. No exception will be granted. Statements of Qualifications shall be submitted to:

Kenny Keel, Director
Pender County Utilities / RPTWSD
kkeel@pendercountync.gov

EVALUATION

Firms submitting Qualifications to perform drinking water well design and related water infrastructure will be evaluated based upon the firm’s experience, proposed personnel experience, personnel knowledge and familiarity with projects in the typical scope of work. In addition, knowledge of and experience in well design in the Pee Dee aquifer will be a significant consideration. This scope is defined in the General section of this Request for Qualifications, and submittal shall show previous project experience and references. Subs associated with electrical, SCADA or other design must be listed in the Statement of Qualifications.
Additional criteria that may be used to select an engineer may include:

  1. Experience working with Hydrogeologists for well design, construction, performance, and data interpretation.
  2. Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on-time within a tight schedule, and commitment to meet the project schedule.
  3. Knowledge of well water treatment requirements (understanding the current drinking water source [surface water treated at PCU Water Plant] and potential issues with blending with new well sources).
  4. Knowledge of SCADA/Controls (integration of wells and associated controls into the existing RPTWSD system). Distribution system currently uses Mission Communications system.
  5. The engineering firm should have electrical and mechanical capabilities for ancillary design components associated with wells or will list the specific subs that will be used as well as their firm’s experience, proposed personnel experience, personnel knowledge and familiarity with projects in the typical scope of work
  6. Water pipeline modeling for the design of water transmission mains, proven history of pipeline designed, sizing, and routing. Water main design should be limited to short runs to connect the wells to the existing distribution system, as all sites are within a few hundred feet of existing water mains.
  7. Local regulatory experience.

SCHEDULE

  1. Anticipated Notice to Proceed by November 19, 2019.
  2. New production wells, wellheads, and waterlines shall have preliminary design within 45 days of Notice to Proceed.
  3. Project shall have all permits within 105 days of Notice to Proceed. Construction bidding will be concurrent with permit approvals. Emergency permitting consideration by NCDEQ is anticipated.
  4. Construction contracts planned for two phases:
    1. Well installation
    2. Wellhead and Water Main construction
  1. Construction substantial completion and operation of first well by May 1, 2020.
  2. Construction substantial completion and operation of second well by May 22, 2020.
  3. Construction substantial completion and operation of third well (if a third is constructed) by June 26, 2020.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifying Statements shall include:

  1. Firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address, web address, and contact person(s)
  2. Year in which the firm was established and any former names under which the firm operated.
  3. Qualifications and experience of personnel who would be performing design services for the project(s) by providing:
    1. A list of design projects demonstrating experience/understanding of the experience described in the General section above. Project information shall include:
      1. a summary of the scope of work and deliverables,
      2. the owner of the project, and
      3. the name, number and email of a reference for the project.
  1. SOQ submittal is limited to 15 printed pages maximum, including cover sheet.

The following criteria will be deemed necessary for selection:

  • The firm must meet the following insurance requirements.
    • General Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate. RPTWSD must be additional insured
    • Workers Compensation $500,000/$500,000/$500,000
    • Auto Liability Insurance $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limits applicable to claims due to bodily injury and/or property damage
    • Professional Liability not less than $1,000,000 per loss.
  • Any firm wishing to be considered must be properly registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of NC and the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors.

NOTIFICATION

The selected firm will be notified by telephone and/or email.
The RPTWSD reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.
Any questions concerning this advertisement should be directed to Kenny Keel, Director, Pender County Utilities, at kkeel@pendercountync.gov or (910) 259-0212 by October 23, 2019 at 2:00pm.

Please see the PDF below for the original document or click here for a printable version.

RFQ_EngineerConsultant_HampsteadWells

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – Hydrogeologist / Well Construction Services

GENERAL

The Rocky Point/Topsail Water & Sewer District (RPTWSD) and Pender County Utilities (PCU) are seeking the services of a North Carolina Licensed Hydrogeologist and Well Drilling Company. The county is currently evaluating the potential for groundwater production for Public Water Supply purposed in the Hampstead area. The firm will work with Pender County Utilities staff, design engineers, and others as required for the purpose of constructing at least two high volume, public water supply wells planned for the Hampstead area in Eastern Pender County. The work will include test well installation, pump test and wellfield design. The wells will connect to the existing RPTWSD water system. Proposed well sites have received preliminary approval from the DEQ Wilmington Regional Office.
Required experience shall include Pee Dee aquifer well construction. Prompt delivery and demonstrated accuracy on project cost estimates by the firm are important factors in selection. This project has a very aggressive fast-track schedule, and thus the company shall have personnel and resources available to meet that schedule.

SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT

Firms are invited to submit a Qualifications Statement to the RPTWSD by no later than 5:00 PM on October 21, 2019. Qualifications received after this deadline will not be considered. Firms shall submit an electronic proposal as specified in the RFQ. Statements of Qualifications shall be submitted to:
Kenny Keel, Director
Pender County Utilities / RPTWSD kkeel@pendercountync.gov

EVALUATION

Firms submitting Qualifications to perform drinking water well construction and Hydrogeologist services will be evaluated based upon the firm’s experience, proposed personnel experience, personnel knowledge and familiarity with projects in the typical scope of work. In addition, knowledge of existing well construction in the Pee Dee aquifer will be a significant consideration. This scope is defined in the General section of this Request for Qualifications, and submittal shall show previous project experience and references.
Subcontractors associated with any part of the work must be listed in the Statement of Qualifications.

SCHEDULE

  1. Anticipated Notice to Proceed by November 19, 2019.
  2. Two test wells constructed and evaluated by December 9, 2019.
  3. Third test well constructed and evaluated by December 20, 2019.
  4. Production well construction completion and operation of first well by May 1, 2020.
  5. Production well construction and operation of second well by May 22, 2020.
  6. Production well construction and operation of third well (if a third is designed & constructed) by June 26, 2020.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualification Statements shall include the following minimum requirements:
Corporate geologist license in the State of NC (firm or subcontract firm).
Professional geologist license in the State of NC (firm or subcontract firm personnel).
North Carolina Public Utility Contractor license in the State of NC.
North Carolina Level A Well Drilling license.
Demonstrate hydrogeological experience and knowledge.
Demonstrate knowledge of public water supply well location testing, high volume well design, and construction.
Demonstrate knowledge of aquifer systems’ production and water quality under Eastern Pender County.
Demonstrate the ability to site and construct high volume water supply wells.
Demonstrate the ability to deliver projects on-time within a tight schedule, and commitment to meet the project schedule.
Be in good standing with the NCDEQ-PWS.
11. Provide support to staff and contract engineering personnel for permitting, field data collection, aquifer testing, and wellfield/distribution system design and construction.
12. Provide at least three references for municipal well projects completed in Southeastern NC.

The following criteria will be deemed necessary for selection:

  • The firm must meet the following insurance requirements.
  • General Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate. RPTWSD must be additional insured
  • Workers Compensation $500,000/$500,000/$500,000
  • Auto Liability Insurance $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limits applicable to claims due to bodily injury and/or property damage
  • Professional Liability not less than $1,000,000 per loss.
  • Any firm wishing to be considered must be properly registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of NC.

NOTIFICATION

The selected firm will be notified by telephone and/or email.
The RPTWSD reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.
Any questions concerning this advertisement should be directed to Kenny Keel, Director, Pender County Utilities, at kkeel@pendercountync.gov or (910) 259-0212 by October 17, 2019 at 2:00pm.

Please see original document below or click here for a printable version.

RFQ_HydrogeologistDriller_HampsteadWells

Pender Education Partnership sponsors Second Annual State of Education and Economy event

BURGAW – Pender Education Partnership (PEP), a non-profit foundation established to enhance educational opportunities and assist public school educators, will sponsor the Second Annual State of Education and Economy. The event will be hosted by Wilmington Box Co., 151 Industrial Dr. in Burgaw, on Oct. 17. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program will begin at 5:30 p.m.

“We welcome business leaders, our chambers of commerce, elected officials, and parents of Pender County students to the State of Education and Economy,” said David Stipe, PEP President. “Our first State of Education and Economy was well attended.”

Dr. Steven Hill, superintendent of Pender County Schools, will update the community on successes and challenges facing the district. He will be joined by Cape Fear Community College President Jim Morton and Pender County Manager Chad McEwen.

“Our community is experiencing rapid growth and it is important that we stay in tune with the growth of our schools and business community,” said Stipe.

Wilmington Box Co. will offer tours of their facility. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served beginning at 5 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude before 7 p.m.

To RSVP, visit the Pender Education Partnership website at https://pendereducationpartnership.org/events/.

Pender Education Partnership is a 501 (c) 3 foundation with a mission of providing educator mini-grants and senior scholarships. For more information visit their webpage or Facebook page or contact a board member.

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Pender County Health named best in the state

BURGAW – The North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) named Pender County’s health department the 2019 “Health Department of the Year.” The award was presented during the association’s annual fall conference in Greensboro, Sept. 25-27.

“It was a huge surprise and a tremendous honor,” said Carolyn Moser, Pender County Health and Human Services director.

The NCPHA honors outstanding public health departments annually. The association categorizes each department by service population. Pender County Health Department won in the “Large” category for a population of 60,000 or more.

“The association presented us a check for $1,000,” said Moser. “The award will be used for employee continuing education.”

“We are very proud of our public health department,” said Randell Woodruff, Pender County manager. “Under Ms. Moser’s leadership, our health department has received numerous awards and accolades. Our congratulations go out to Ms. Moser and the incredible health department staff.”

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Genealogy Research Workshop by Tetterton offered at Pender County Library

BURGAW – Popular genealogy research speaker Beverly Tetterton will present two free workshops at Pender County Library in Burgaw on Saturday, Oct. 19. Attendees can attend one or both workshops, but preregistration is required due to limited seating. The library at 103 S. Cowan St. is home to the Dallas Herring Carolina Heritage Research Center.

The 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. morning session will be an introduction to family history, research, census records, vital statistics, passenger and immigration lists, and cemetery records. The afternoon session from 1:30 – 3 p.m. covers research in newspapers, church records, land and tax records, wills and estates, military records, and a brief bit about DNA Research.

You may preregister online at:  bit.ly/pcl-genealogy or by calling the library at 910-259-1234.

An optional lunch between sessions is available for $9, payable in advance to Friends of Pender County Library. An array of sandwiches, wraps, sides, and beverages will be available. Payment can be mailed to the library at PO Box 879, Burgaw, NC 28425 or delivered by Oct. 17. Several restaurants are also nearby.

Beverly Tetterton was a research librarian in the North Carolina Room at the New Hanover County Public Library for 31 years. She was a pioneer in digital archives, creating the first in North Carolina. She went on to create numerous digital archive collections which include thousands of historic photographs of the Cape Fear Region. In 2004, she won two awards for Port City Architecture: the Solpa Award for best Library digitization project in the Southeast United States, and the David Brinkley Preservation Award. In 2001, the Raleigh News & Observer named her Tar Heel of the Week.

Tetterton served on the Boards of the Historic Wilmington Foundation, the Bellamy Mansion Museum, Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies, North Carolina Genealogical Society, and the Old New Hanover Genealogical Society.  She chaired the Historic Wilmington Foundation’s House Plaque Committee for 30 years.  She served on Wilmington’s Historic Preservation Commission for a decade.  She authored the City’s Riverwalk History Plaques and chaired the Wilmington Convention Center’s Arts and Decoration Committee (which was responsible for its gallery of historic photographs). She and her husband Glenn live in a more than century-old home in Wilmington’s historic district.

The Dallas Herring Carolina Heritage Research Center was formed by the merging of Dr. Herring’s renown genealogy collection of Rose Hill, Duplin County with the Pender County Library’s collection in 2014. In 2016, the library acquired the research collection files of Claude H. Moore of Turkey, Sampson County.

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