Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Bern, NC public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in water utilities
Duffyfield Stormwater Street Closures
The stormwater project covering 59 acres won Stormwater Project of the Year from the NC chapter of the American Public Works Association. Commissioners still flagged safety concerns near the daycare center.
Water and Sewer Infrastructure Replacement
Aging water and sewer lines in the DeGraffenried Hart neighborhood will be replaced by a local contractor for $659,665.
Greenbrier stormwater drainage capacity
Residents testified the Greenbrier drainage system already strains: two pumps that fail during storms discharge onto the highway roadside with no drains, and clearing 700+ acres of forest sponge would send vastly more runoff toward ditches, the Trent River, and flooding-prone homes.
Grove Street to Elizabeth Avenue Drainage Shift
The stalled Grove Street pump project's $207,655 in Golden LEAF money is going to the Elizabeth Avenue drainage project instead. Alderman Bryant spoke up for the Duffyfield/Grove Street neighbors who've flooded for years and wants the city to keep hunting money for them.
GO Bond stormwater projects underway
Eleven stormwater improvement projects move forward as the city manager is authorized to hire engineering firms for design and construction oversight.
Removal of the Electric Services Board
A dormant city board inactive since 2012 was formally deleted from the code. The electric utility ad hoc group has taken its place, and a future advisory board or town hall was floated.
Electric Fund rates and staffing
Three aldermen will join a working group hiring a consultant to examine whether the city should keep growing its grid, stay in NCEMPA, or partner with Duke — with nothing off the table, including getting out of the electric business.
Water Fund SCADA Upgrade
The board moved $450,000 from the Water Fund to upgrade the SCADA system that monitors water and sewer operations, plus $40,000 for rising retiree insurance costs.
Pay-as-you-go utility program ends
Only 69 of 24,000 customers used the prepaid program, which cost about $60,000 a year. All users move back to standard billing April 1, with deposits and installment plans for those with arrears, plus $10,000 for the charity roundup fund.