Mohawk Valley Water Authority – April 24, 2006
Chairman Gaston called the meeting
to order at 5:03 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Bruce Brodsky, Rolf Buchner, Vincent
Coyne, Elis DeLia, George Gaston, Joseph Hobika, Jr., Bernard Martin, Sr.,
Nathaniel Price, Millicent Rader-Harris, Bette Szesny and Frank Trevisani. Also present: Patrick Becher, Dick Goodney,
Ted Earl, Steve Gassner, James Korfonta, Lou Santacroce, Phil Tangorra, Connie
Schreppel, Donald Weimer, Bill Barry, John Murad and Nancy Pattarini.
Motion made by Chairman Gaston at
5:06 PM to go into Executive Session to discuss pending legal issues. Seconded by Mr. Coyne. Motion to come out of Executive Session made
by Chairman Gaston at 5:22 PM. Seconded
by Mr. Coyne.
Public Comment:
1) Frank
Montelcalvo talked about the Interim Proposal from the Canal Corporation.
2) Paul
Chwazik asked if the MVWA was prepared to maintain the Gray Reservoir.
Approval of the March 16,
2006 Public Rate Hearing Minutes: Ms. Szesny moved to approve the Minutes. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Approval of the March 20,
2006 Minutes: Mr. Brodsky
moved to approve the Minutes. Seconded
by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Election of Officers: Mr. Hobika, Jr. made a motion to table the
election of officers. Seconded by Ms.
Rader-Harris.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Committee Reports:
Capital Projects: Mr. DeLia stated that the committee met on
April 10 to review the CIP Priorities for FY 07 and FY 08. The procurement of professional services for
the Regulatory Compliance Program and Long Range CIP development was also
discussed. Mr. Goodney stated that
there are charts in the report identifying the expenditures by both Priority
and Facility Type and a detailed project list.
Project highlights were reviewed such as the Corrosion Control Study and
the replacement of Smith Hill Tank as well as the smaller rehab efforts to pump
stations and similar facilities.
Budget and Finance: Mr. Brodsky stated that the Monthly Report
is an unaudited year-end report. For
the year, the MVWA increased the cash position approximately $400,000. The impact of legal costs of approximately
$200,000 has affected the overall cash position. Cash flow is consistent with estimates including the impact of
legal costs and unanticipated expenses.
Mr. Korfonta stated that the audit would start at the beginning of June
2006.
Personnel Committee: Mr. Coyne stated that the committee did meet
and had an organizational meeting and laid out their charter. The committee discussed contracts that need
to be developed for Mr. Becher and Mr. Korfonta. There will be another committee meeting some time next week. Mr. Coyne asked Chairman Gaston if he would
put Mr. Martin back on the committee.
Chairman Gaston agreed.
Operations: Chairman Gaston asked Mr. Price to chair
this committee and Mr. Price accepted.
Executive Director’s Report: Mr. Becher reported on the following:
· Since January of 2004, the MVWA has continually attempted to resolve issues and objections triggered by the water supply application submitted by the Town of Verona to draw water from the MVWA regional system. This process has included numerous meetings in Albany with the NYS Canal Corp., the NYS DEC, the State Health Department and some State Legislators. Attempts to mediate a solution were undertaken by the DEC and later by Assemblywoman Destito and Assemblyman Brodsky. Throughout this process, the Canal Corp. has moved from one objection to the next, demanded an ever-increasing financial outlay from the MVWA customers and has moved progressively further from any feasible and realistic terms of settlement. On April 14 the Canal Corporation delivered the “Interim Offer of Settlement” to the MVWA just after it was sent to local media outlets. The offer raises grave concerns on three fronts. The first is the proposed terms of the agreement, which are highly punitive in both the water use restrictions and cost. The second stems from the proposal’s failure to promote good public policy and serve the best interests of the public. The third is the poor manner in which this proposal was developed, and how this reflects on local support for a regional water system.
Mr. Coyne made a motion to reject the “Interim Offer of Settlement” from the Canal Corporation. Seconded by Mr. Trevisani.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (1) Abstain
(Ms. Rader-Harris)
Motion carried.
Mr. Coyne made a motion to have
all further communication with the Canal Corporation go through the MVWA’s
Counsel.
Seconded by Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (1) Abstain
(Ms. Rader-Harris)
Motion carried.
Mr. Hobika, Jr. suggested that Mr.
Becher be allowed to still handle public relations regarding the Canal
Corporation especially meeting with public officials.
New Business:
Mr. Hobika, Jr. made a motion to
have the MVWA’s Public Relations firm create a cover letter to illuminate the
information in the Staff Findings and Observations on the “Interim Offer of
Settlement” and distribute to elected officials and representatives in the area
and placed on the MVWA’s web site.
Seconded by Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (1) Abstain
(Ms. Rader-Harris)
Motion carried.
Ms. Rader-Harris requested a copy of the Strategic Plan, all three versions.
The next Board Meeting is
scheduled for Monday, May 15, 2006 at 5:00 PM.
Mr. Brodsky moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Price. The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority