Mohawk Valley Water Authority – June 21, 2010

Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:06 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Rocco Arcuri, Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, George Gaston, John Wallace and Michael Wicks. Absent: Nate Price, Mike Ryan, Bette Szesny and Nick Venero. Mitch Ford arrived at 5:08 PM. Also Present: Edward Earl, James Korfonta, Dick Goodney and Mike Ryan.

Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.

Approval of the April 19, 2010 Minutes:

Motion made by Mr. Wicks to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri.

Vote: (7) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (5) Absent Motion Carried.

Approval of Quarterly Investment Statement ending March 31, 2010 (Fiscal Year End)

Mr. Korfonta stated that this is an investment statement of the MVWA trust funds. The Public Authorities Law requires that the MVWA provide the Board with statements every quarter for approval, this statement is for the year.

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

Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.

Committee Reports:

Capital Projects: Chairman DeLia stated that the committee did not meet this month due to a lack of agenda items. Mr. Goodney introduced Mike Ryan, Distribution Manager. Mike has 25 years of experience and the last 20 years Mike was the Water Commissioner for the City of Syracuse. Mike Ryan thanked everyone and stated that it is a privilege to serve the MVWA and will give his best. The Board welcomed Mike.

Budget and Finance: Mr. Arcuri stated that the committee did not meet but is going to meet next week. Mr. Korfonta stated that the MVWA hired an Assistant Comptroller, Peter Fiorillo from the City of Utica. Peter has eleven years of experience with the City and a master’s degree from SUNY IT. The audit is complete and will be filed by June 30. Mr. Arcuri stated that he will meet with the Audit Committee to discuss the findings and recommendations that were found. Mr. Brodsky stated that the public accounting firm Marvin and Company, PC was impressed with the MVWA Annual Report.

Personnel Committee: Chairman DeLia stated that the committee did not meet this month.

Operations: Chairman DeLia stated that the committee did not meet this month.

Executive Director’s Report:

Chairman DeLia stated that the executive director’s written report will become part of the June minutes.

Chairman DeLia stated that there are two items on the report:

1) That a press conference was held on May 18 in Albany to announce the motion to intervene in the claim filed by Erie Hydro against the State for alleged financial losses in September-October 2007. We were very aggressive when we filed the intervention papers because we wanted to get our message out there.

2) On Thursday, June 10 the MVWA held a media briefing to explain why the “low-level pumping solution” is not a solution and cannot be a substitute for the practice of deviating from the Operating Diagram to preserve the reservoir during dry periods.

Please see the attached report for more details.

Old Business;

Mr. Arcuri asked if the tarp could be removed from the old southern pump station house. Mr. Goodney stated that it would be pulled over to the backside of the roof for now and the roof will be replaced next year.

Mitch Ford stated that he, Bruce and Nate met with the Utica Common Council. One issue the Council had was the number of landlords being stuck with their tenant’s high water bills. Some council members are requesting a deposit on new services. Mr. Ford asked if this was a possibility. Mr. Coyne stated there is a program in place called HELP – Home Equity Landlord Protection for landlords to ease their burden. Mr. Brodsky stated that ultimately the property owner is responsible for the water bill. Mr. Arcuri stated that the owner should request the deposit

Chairman DeLia asked the Budget and Finance Committee to take a look at this at their next meeting.

Motion was made by Mr. Ford to air the public comment period of the MVWA Board meetings. Seconded by: Dr. Wicks.

Vote: (2) Ayes (6) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion did not carry.

Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into executive session at 5:29 PM.

Motion made by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. Coyne.

Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (4) Absent Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

The Board went into Executive Session at 5:35 PM.

Motion made by Dr. Wicks to come out of Executive Session at 5:46 PM.

Seconded by Mr. Coyne. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary

Mohawk Valley Water Authority