Mohawk Valley Water Authority – February 26, 2007

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,  Nathaniel Price, Millicent Rader-Harris, A. Eugene Snyder and Bette Szesny.  Absent: Frank Trevisani.  Also present: Patrick Becher, Dick Goodney, Edward Earl, James Korfonta, Donald Weimer, Steve Gassner and Jim Mack.  Joseph Hobika, Jr. arrived after the approval of the minutes. 

Approval of the December 18, 2006 Minutes:

Ms. Rader-Harris stated that Gray is spelled with an a not an e. 

Motion made by Mr. Coyne.  Seconded by Ms. Rader-Harris.   

Vote:   (9) Ayes   (0) Nays   (1) Absent   (1) Abstain  (Mr. Buchner)   

Motion carried.

Mr. Becher explained that the next three resolutions are standard resolutions approved at this time each year.  They pertain to the MVWA waiving backwater charges on properties that are sold by municipalities for tax foreclosures and then remarketed to new owners and put back onto the tax rolls.  The three resolutions were approved as follows:

Resolution: 2007-4 Water Charges on County and City Owned Vacant Lots 

Moved by Mr. Coyne.    Seconded by Mr. Hobika, Jr.   

Vote:   (9) Ayes  (1) Nays  (Mr. Snyder)   (1) Absent   

Motion carried.

Resolution: 2007-5 Water Charges on County and City Owned One to Four Family Residential Structures

Moved by Mr. Coyne.    Seconded by Mr. Hobika, Jr.   

Vote:   (9) Ayes  (1) Nays  (Mr. Snyder)   (1) Absent   

Motion carried.

Resolution: 2007-6 Water Charges on County and City Owned Commercial Properties

Moved by Mr. Coyne.  Seconded by Mr. Hobika, Jr.   

Vote:   (10) Ayes  (0) Nays   (1) Absent   

Motion carried.

Resolution: 2007-7  Award of Contract for Installation of Two Steel Casings and Carrier Pipes, Holland Patent

The current Capital Improvement Plan calls for construction of two (2) steel water main casings in Holland Patent for the purposes of installing water mains under Rt. 365 and the GVT Railroad tracks.  The installation of the casings and water mains will allow  new water mains installed by MVWA forces last year to be connected to the MVWA Water Tank serving the Village thereby improving fire flows and system reliability.  Five bids were received and Upstate Utilities, Inc. of Rochester, NY in the amount of $54,310.00 was the lowest.  The sum to be paid as a capital improvement out of the Board’s Capital Improvement fund.

Moved by Mr. DeLia.    Seconded by Ms. Rader-Harris.   

Vote:   (10) Ayes  (0) Nays   (1) Absent   

Motion carried.

Resolution:  2007-8  Relocation and Adjustment to Water Mains and Appurtenances

The New York State Department of Transportation proposes the reconstruction of Route 5A, from Route 5 to K-Mart in the Town of New Hartford in Oneida County.  The State will include the relocation and adjustment to water mains and appurtenances, as shown on the contract plans relating to the project and meeting the requirements of the owner.

Moved by Mr. Hobika, Jr.   Seconded by Ms. Rader-Harris   

Vote:   (10) Ayes   (0) Nays    (1) Absent   

Motion carried.

Mutual Aid Agreement for Public Utilities and Municipalities

The Water Supply Mutual Aid Program is proposed to provide a method whereby water utilities in the Mohawk Valley Region that may sustain physical or environmental damage from natural or man made events could obtain emergency assistance, in the form of personnel, equipment, and materials and other associated services necessary, from other local water utilities.  The purpose of this Agreement is to formally document such program.

Motion made by Mr. Gaston.   Seconded by Mr. Hobika, Jr.   

Vote:   (9) Ayes  (0) Nays  (1) Absent   (1) Abstain  (Ms. Rader-Harris)   

Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Capital Projects:  Mr. DeLia stated that Mr. Weimer and Mr. Goodney reported on agenda items  8 and 9 and has nothing further to add. 

Budget and Finance:  Mr. Brodsky stated that based on current cash flow projections, absent unforeseen material expenses, all reserves will be fully funded.  Overall debt service payments are consistent with budget estimates including the new 2006A bonds and the refunding of portions of the 1999 and 2000 bonds.  Projected earnings from the new bonded funds invested will be less than anticipated due to the timing of the closing.  Interest earned on operating funds is much higher than anticipated due to overall market recovery.  There will be a full Board Budget Workshop in the next few weeks.  Mr. Coyne would like the Comptroller to put together a list of the customers that have left or have a significant reduction in water use.  The capital projects dollars need to be listed separately in the budget.

Joe Hobika, Jr. made a motion to have a full Board Budget Workshop on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 5:00 PM, the Public Rate Hearing on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 5:00 PM and the next Board Meeting on March 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM.  Seconded by Bruce Brodsky.

Vote:   (10) Ayes  (0) Nays  (1) Absent      

Motion carried.

Personnel Committee:  Mr. Coyne stated that the committee met with personnel from the MVWA Management Union and the proposed contract has been put forth to the Union and are just waiting for a vote to approve/disapprove the contract.  Mr. Hobika, Jr. stated that from what he had heard there has been no communication so far with the Management Union.  Mr. Becher stated that there has been no formal meeting but that they will be meeting soon. 

Operations:  Mr. Price stated that the committee did meet this month to review the website update.  There is a packet in your folder with a schedule of dates for further updates on the website.  The MVWA would like the customer to have full access to review their account, water usage, request service orders and make on-line payments.  Unisys is doing this work along with in-house personnel.  Completion will be in October 2007.   

Executive Director’s Report:  Mr. Becher reported on the following:

• Status of lawsuit – Depositions were taken on January 29, February 1 and 2.  Witnesses called by the State and Erie Hydro were Don Weimer and Millicent Rader-Harris.  The MVWA called Erie Hydro, John Elmer, Regional General Manager and Sam Hirschey, Director of Governmental Affairs.  They are still claiming that they have common law riparian rights, which we do not agree with.  Howard Goebal, Canal Corporation Chief Hydrologist admitted that a meeting took place at the Governor’s office concerning water issues in the context of the Oneida Nation.  There is a tentative date for a pre-mediation meeting the week of March 12.  This will be concurrent with continuing discovery demands and will not delay progress of the litigation.
• Training for Public Authority Board Members in Central New York will be given by CUNY School of Professional Studies will be held on April 25, 2007 from 1:30pm-4:30pm.  Location to be determined.
• Tanker Truck – requests have been made to local legislatures for funding to purchase a tanker truck.  

Old Business:  Ms. Rader-Harris stated that she had an extraordinary time at the depositions and had documents to back-up everything.  Ms. Rader-Harris read an article that Mark Scheidelman, Town of Trenton Supervisor had sent to her regarding, rusty pipes and rusty water.

Mr. Brodsky complimented the staff for the good job they have done regarding the website and would like a five year plan along with dollar amounts.

Mr. Brodsky moved to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Coyne.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:32PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 __________________________ 

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary 

Mohawk Valley Water Authority