Mohawk Valley Water Authority – January 22, 2007

Chairman Gaston called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Roll Call:  Present: Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, George Gaston, Joseph Hobika, Jr., Nathaniel Price, Millicent Rader-Harris, A. Eugene Snyder, Bette Szesny and Frank Trevisani.  Absent: Rolf Buchner.  Also present: Patrick Becher, Dick Goodney, Edward Earl, James Korfonta, Connie Schreppel, Phil Tangorra and Donald Weimer. 

Approval of the December 18, 2006 Minutes:

Ms. Rader-Harris asked for two changes to the minutes 1) to reflect comments from the Honorable RoAnn Destito on the Gray Reservoir, along with hers and 2) under New Business change water treatment to water shed protection.  The Board voted to approve the minutes as is. 

Motion made by Mr. Brodsky.  Seconded by Mr. Trevisani.   

Vote:   (8) Ayes  (2) Nays  Ms. Rader-Harris and Mr. Hobika, Jr.  (1) Absent   

Motion carried.

Award of Contract for Earthwork and Related Construction Activities for the Proposed Deerfield Reservoir Tank

The Board’s current Capital Improvement Plan calls for construction of a new 10 million gallon concrete water storage tank on the site of Deerfield Reservoir to comply with EPA water quality regulations.  The first phase of construction involves a site preparation contact including clearing and earthwork and advertising for bids.  Bids were received from 13 contracting firms of which Delaney Construction Corp., Gloversville, NY in the amount of $319,850 was the lowest.  The contract was awarded to Delaney Construction Corp, which sum is to be paid out of the Board’s Capital Improvement fund.

Motion made by Mr. Coyne.  Seconded by Mr. DeLia.   

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

Motion carried.

Resolution Regarding Funding and Award of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) DBP Control Pilot Study

Connie Schreppel gave an update to the Board on disinfection by-products.  The MVWA evaluated ways to meet two major pending federal drinking water rules.  1) Long term enhanced surface water treatment rule and 2) Stage 2 disinfectants/disinfection by-products rule.  Major system changes required to comply with rules need to be in place by 2011. 

The Water Quality Department and Malcolm Pirnie believe that utilizing GAC as a filter media in existing filter beds may control DBP formation. A GAC pilot study is necessary at the WTP to confirm potential removals of the total organic carbon precursors to DBP.  The preliminary design estimate for the Chloramines System is $780,000.  The GAC pilot study and related assistance will cost $35,000.  A professional services contract in the amount of $35,000 is hereby awarded to the firm of Malcolm Pirnie Inc. for the GAC Pilot Study at the Water Treatment Plant.  The cost of these services shall be paid out of the Capital Improvement Fund.

Motion made by Mr. Hobika, Jr.  Seconded by Ms. Rader-Harris.   

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

Motion carried.

Rate Consultant Proposal

To hire Edward J. Markus of Amawalk Consulting Group LLC as a consultant for a three year term to provide financial, management and rate making assistance.  The fees and expenses for fiscal year 2007-8 will not exceed $4,500, fiscal years 2008-9 and 2009-10 not to exceed amounts of $4,650 and $4,800 respectively. 

Motion was made by Joe Hobika, Jr.  Seconded by Bruce Brodsky.

Mr. Coyne proposed hiring Mr. Markus for a three-year term due to cost, which the Board seemed to agree with.  Mr. Hobika, Jr. modified his motion to include a three-year term.

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

Motion Carried. 

Committee Reports:

Capital Projects:  Mr. DeLia stated that the committee met on January 17 to discuss agenda items 5 and 6 and has nothing further to add to Mr. Goodney’s notes.

Budget and Finance:  Mr. Brodsky stated that the committee met and discussed the declining block system.  The proposal from the committee is to eliminate block five, which will raise the cost of the top five to six largest water users.  In the board folder is a copy of the projected budget vs. budget actual report, this report will be updated over the next several months.  Mr. Brodksy would like a timetable on when the on-line banking will be set-up on the MVWA website.        

Mr. Brodsky also stated that he would not be a candidate for Treasurer this year.     

Personnel Committee:  Mr. Coyne stated that the committee met last Friday and has an item to discuss in Executive Session.

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

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

• Status of lawsuit – depositions will be conducted on January 29 – 31.  While information is being processed and additional discovery demands are being considered, a concurrent attempt will be made one more time to mediate a solution using a court appointed mediator.  Legal proceedings will continue as scheduled assuming no solution is found.
• Labor Negotiation – the current agreement with the Management Employees Association is set to expire on March 31.  Greg Santry and Mr. Becher met three times with their chief negotiator, Dennis Bova, to see if they could achieve a contract extension. 
• Elected Officials – Mr. Becher is still attempting to set up a meeting with elected officials in an attempt to get legislative or administrative action to resolve our permit situation.  We are waiting to find out who the Governor’s point person will be so that the Governor’s office can be briefed and hear from local Town Supervisors who are in the problem areas.
• Tour of Facilities – Mr. Becher would like to set up a tour of the Water Treatment Plant and other key facilities for any Board members who haven’t seen these facilities.  Suzanne will poll members and coordinate a date with the appropriate staff.  The MVWA will arrange for transportation to and from these facilities. 
• Homeland Security Grant – Connie Schreppel gave a brief and informative presentation on the grant.

Old Business:

Mr. Coyne asked about Board member training – Bruce has been in contact with CUNY and will e-mail the Board members with information and dates as soon as he receives it.  All Board members must be trained by June 2007.

New Business:

Mr. Snyder asked to have Article III Section 3-1 of the by-laws put in the January 2007 minutes.

As a board member Mr. Snyder recommend that the chair appoint a committee to do a feasibility study of other revenue sources for the Mohawk Valley Water Authority.  This study should include a potable water transport service but not limited to this one possibility.

The time limit for this report should be per the chairperson’s choice.

Chairman Gaston accepted Mr. Synder’s recommendation and appointed Mr. Snyder, Mr. Hobika, Jr. and Mr. Brodsky to the new Ad Hoc Committee.  A meeting will be held in the next few weeks.

Mr. Edward Earl, Esq. stated that when the Board goes into executive session it has to specify that it is a personnel issue regarding a specific employee but does not have to disclose the employee name.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM.

Motion made to go into Executive Session with respect to a personnel matter regarding a specific employee.

Made by: Mr. Hobika, Jr.  Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.

Motion Carried. 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 __________________________ 

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary 

Mohawk Valley Water Authority