Mohawk Valley Water Authority – April 18, 2011

Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman DeLia welcomed Mark Ford as a new Board member who was appointed by the Utica Common Council. The Chairman also thanked Nate Price for his service to the Board over the last few years.

Roll Call: Present: Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Mitch Ford, George Gaston, Bette Szesny, Michael Wicks and Scott Williams. Absent: Rocco Arcuri, Luke Lewis and Steven Smith. Also Present: Edward Earl, James Korfonta, Dick Goodney, Mike Ryan and Connie Schreppel.

Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.

Approval of the March 21, 2011 Minutes:

Mr. Williams had one correction to the minutes – he was absent at the March meeting not present.

Motion made by Dr. Wicks to approve the minutes with one correction. Seconded by: Mr. Gaston

Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.

Election of Officers:

Mr. Gaston moved to make a slate of nominations, Elis DeLia for re-election to the Chairman position, Bruce Brodsky to the Vice-Chairman position, Rocco Arcuri to the Treasurer position and Suzanne Harmon to the Secretary position. Seconded by Ms. Szesny.

Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.

Resolution: Professional Services Award for Roof Replacement Architectural Services

Mr. Goodney stated that the Board’s capital improvement plan calls for replacement of roof systems at three MVWA facilities including the WTP, Luke Road pump station and the Kemble Street parts building due to failing conditions. The Board has requested proposals from professional architectural firms to perform the design, prepare construction documents, provide bidding and construction observation services. Four proposals were received and it was determined that McDonald & Montrose, New Hartford, NY is the highest ranked. The sum of $23,000 is to be paid as a capital improvement.

Moved by Mr. Coyne. Seconded by Mr. Gaston.

Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.

Committee Reports:

Capital Projects: The committee did meet this month. Ms. Schreppel gave an update on the GAC. She stated that bids to provide and install the GAC were received on April 8. The regulations will be changing in the year 2012. The MVWA will retro fit the filters with carbon. Alternative methods of regeneration including in-situ (in the filters) are being looked at. One is wood based carbon, the second is two virgin carbons and third is regenerated carbon. Next year we will be able to make a decision on which alternative is best. This process will start in early July 2011.

Budget and Finance: Mr. Korfonta stated that the committee did not meet this month. March 31, 2011 is the end of the fiscal year. Consumption was lower by 805,700 cubic feet when compared to the previous fiscal year consumption. Water sales are up for the year by approximately $1 million dollars. Cash flow was $480,000 more than anticipated for the month.

Personnel Committee: The committee did not meet this month.

Operations: The committee did not meet this month.

Mr. Coyne asked the Board members to complete the Confidential Evaluation of Board Performance form that was in their packet and return them to Suzanne. The Public Authorities Reform Act passed by the State Legislature requires the board of all public authorities to perform an annual self-assessment. The Governance Committee will evaluate, complete the summary results and bring their findings to the Board.

Executive Director’s Report:

· Mr. Becher stated that there was a conference for the New York State section of AWWA which was held in Saratoga. The MVWA had a team of engineers in a competition of top ops and they came in third in the State. Also, Dr Schreppel received a Life Time Achievement Award from the State at the conference.

· The Operations Committee will be studying information on rental properties to allow landlords to take a look at tenants creditworthiness. Please review Ted Earl’s memo on privacy issues and once the Operations Committee has a chair, we will take the matter to the committee for review.

· Mr. Becher is working on RFP’s for the automated meter reading program. There should be a document out within the next 15-30 days.

· Update on the Teamster negotiations - there have been three mediation sessions so far. Mr. Becher would like to have one more round of mediation. He feels optimistic that the negotiations can be finalized and then brought to the Personnel Committee for review. The Board will have final approval.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary

Mohawk Valley Water Authority