Mohawk Valley Water Authority – February 19, 2008

Chairman Gaston called the meeting to order at 5:07 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Gaston welcomed Rocco Arcuri to the Board. Mr. Arcuri has been appointed by the Mayor of Utica for a three year term.

Roll Call: Present: Rocco Arcuri, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, George Gaston, Nathaniel Price, Millicent Rader-Harris, Donald Ryan, A. Eugene Snyder and Bette Szesny. Absent: Frank Trevisani and John Wallace. Also present: Edward Earl, James Korfonta, Steve Gassner, Mario Bequer and Donald Weimer. Bruce Brodsky arrived after the approval of the minutes at 5:10 PM.

Chairman Gaston presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.

Approval of the January 28, 2008 Minutes:

Motion made by Ms. Rader-Harris. Seconded by: Mr. Price

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

Review and Adoption of Policy Regarding Access of Public Records

Motion made by Mr. DeLia. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.

These regulations provide information concerning the procedures by which records may be obtained from the MVWA. The Board of MVWA is responsible for insuring compliance with the regulations herein; and designates Suzanne Harmon as records access officer. Patrick J. Becher shall determine appeals regarding denial of access to records under the Freedom of Information Law.

Motion made by Mr. DeLia to amend the motion to reflect Mr. Edward Earl’s comments. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.

Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion carried.

Chairman Gaston appointed Mr. Arcuri to the Personnel Committee and he accepted.

Committee Reports:

Capital Projects: Mr. DeLia stated that the committee did not meet this month due to lack of agenda items.

Budget and Finance: Mr. Brodsky stated that the Finance Committee will be meeting on four items: 1) Banking services 2) Practice improvements related to shut offs 3) Collection agency and 4) Establishing a strategic plan and priorities for the IT department. Ms. Szesny asked if the Authority had settled with the City of Utica for the monies owed to the Authority. Mr. Becher said no and plans on talking to the City Controller within the next two weeks.

Mr. Snyder pointed out that meter replacements are higher than the last 3-4 years. Mr. Becher stated that Mr. Gassner has been put in charge of the meter shop which is showing a great improvement.

Personnel Committee: Mr. Coyne stated that the committee did meet this month and had preliminary discussions on contract development for the MVWA executives. Four tours will be set-up: 1) the Treatment Plant and Hinckley Reservoir 2) Kemble Street facility 3) all new facilities and 4) the lab, Scada and IT Department. Mr. Coyne will put a questionnaire together and have Suzanne send it out to the Board members.

Operations: Mr. Price stated that the committee did not meet this month.

Executive Director’s Report:

• The discovery phase of the law suit has been completed. The Judge does not expect to have a decision on the court case until possibly November of this year.
• Regarding the Governor’s Task Force, the final report is due to the Governor at the end of March 2008. The next full working group meeting is Thursday, 2/21 at 10 AM at the State Office Building. The mission of the task force is to develop a working protocol to prevent what happened last summer happening again.
• Pat Becher and Steve Gassner are working on the automated meter reading proposal and are taking a trip on March 11 to Sensus Meter Company in Pennsylvania for a demonstration and presentation.

Old Business:

Audit Committee Charter

Pursuant to Article 5, Section 1 of the Authority’s bylaws, the purpose of the audit committee shall be to (1) assure that the authority’s board fulfills its responsibilities for the authority’s internal and external audit process, the financial reporting process and the system of risk assessment and internal controls over financial reporting; and (2) provide an avenue of communication between management, the independent auditors, the internal auditors, and the board of directors.

The Public Authorities Law supersedes the Authority’s Law on audit committee issues if there is a conflict.

Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to adopt with counsels review. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne

Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion carried.

Surplus Property Disposition Policy

From time to time the Water Authority disposes of surplus property which is no longer needed for the accomplishment of its mission. This policy establishes guidelines that the Water Authority will follow for disposing of such property. This policy will be annually reviewed and approved by the Board of the Water Authority. The Contracting Officer for the Water Authority is its Comptroller. The Contracting Officer shall supervise and direct the disposition of surplus personal property of the Water Authority. Mr. Snyder stated that there should be a date of adoption on the policy and annually updated.

Motion made by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by: Mr. DeLia

Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion carried.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 5:00 PM.

Ms. Szesny moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. DeLia.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 PM

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary

Mohawk Valley Water Authority