Chairman Gaston called the meeting
to order at 5:02 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Bruce Brodsky, Rolf Buchner, Vincent
Coyne,
Approval of the February
26, 2007 Minutes:
Ms. Rader-Harris asked to amend the minutes to say “Town
of
Motion made by Ms. Szesny. Seconded by Mr. Price.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Approval of the March 19,
2007 Public Rate Hearing Minutes:
Motion made by Ms. Szesny. Seconded by Mr. Snyder.
Vote: (8) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent (3) Abstain
(Mr. Hobika, Jr., Mr. DeLia, Mr. Coyne)
Motion carried.
Resolution: Approval of the 2007-2008 Mohawk Valley Water Authority Budget
A proposed annual budget was discussed by the Board at a workshop held on March 5 and March 12, 2007. The Executive Director and Comptroller explained the proposed annual budget to the public at the rate hearing on March 19, 2007. At the rate hearing and the March 26, 2007 Board meeting comments were received on the proposed budget and rate increase and such comments have been considered by the Board.
Moved by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. DeLia.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays
Motion carried.
Budget/Rate Motions for MVWA:
1. The Board of Directors approves the basic 2007-08 operating budget as recommended by MVWA staff in the amount of $9,447,544, combined with cash-financed construction and equipment budget of $1,442,700, debt service (principal and interest) and promissory note payment of $4,629,409, PILOT payments of $1,592,960 and capital reserves of $371,624 for a total base-budget of $17,484,237.
Moved by
Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. Hobika,
Jr.
Mr. Hobika, Jr. pointed out that this amendment is reducing the budget by $50,000.
Motion moved
with the amendment by: Mr. Hobika, Jr.
Seconded by: Bruce Brodsky
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays
Motion
carried.
- The Board of Directors of the MVWA appropriates
and budgets a total of $50,000 in borrowed funds to provide for annual
expenditures for equipment, vehicles, road repair and capital labor
beginning with fiscal year 2007-08.
Expenditures will be based on the approved 2007-08 approved MVWA
budget. The staff and Board Counsel
are directed to forward appropriate documentation to the Finance
Authority.
Motion made by: Mr. Hobika,
Jr. Seconded by: Mr. DeLia
Mr.
Hobika, Jr. stated that this should be bonded funds not operating funds and
withdrew the motion. The Board agreed.
- The Board of Directors of the MVWA approves and
authorizes the use of $150,000 of remaining cash carried forward from the
previous fiscal year to offset operating expenses for the 2007-08 fiscal
year. This amount will reduce the
overall rate increase by approximately 1.0%. The resulting reduction will be applied
to the rate model and the resulting water rates accordingly.
Moved by
Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr.
DeLia.
Mr.
Hobika, Jr. would like to add to the motion, that $150,000 be carried over to
the current year as revenue as a Board designated expense. Any remaining 2006-07 cash surplus should be
carried over as a net asset and applied to the balance sheet or for other uses
the Board designates.
Moved by
Mr. Snyder. Seconded by Mr.
Buchner.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays
Motion
carried.
- The Board of Directors of the MVWA approves and
authorizes a total of $1,442,700 for meters, hydrants, paving,
construction equipment and capital labor segregated as “cash-financed
construction & equipment” and financed with operating revenue. In addition, on a periodic basis, the
Human Resources Director is required to certify to the Board of Directors
the labor and associated benefits by staff engaged in these capital
projects.
Moved by
Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr.
DeLia.
Vote: (9) Ayes
(2) Nays (Mr. Hobika, Jr. and Ms.
Rader-Harris)
Motion
carried.
Mr.
Hobika, Jr. commented that this Motion is changing the HR Director’s job
description and the HR Director’s employment contract.
- The Board of Directors of the MVWA approves the 2007-08
rate schedules as presented to the public on Monday, March 19, 2007
adjusted to conform to the changes the budget made at this meeting of the
Board.
Moved by Mr. DeLia. Seconded by
Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (9) Ayes
(2) Nays (Ms. Rader-Harris and
Mr. Trevisani)
Motion
carried for the Budget.
Resolution: Decision Regarding Establishment of Water Rates, Fees and Charges Effective April 1, 2007
A number of factors are contributing to the need to raise
rates.
1.
The unfunded federal mandate to eliminate the two
open storage reservoirs located in the town of
2. A portion of the proposed rate increase is needed to generate an additional $400,000 per year for new debt payments due on the recent bonding.
3. $400,000 is necessary to complete a five-year program to place categories of capital expenses on a pay-as-you-go basis.
4.
An extra $150,000 per year is required for a PILOT
payment to the City of
5. $225,000 to continue and conclude the legal action against the Canal Corporation.
Service rates and fees increases of 8.3% are expected to
meet the increased operational and capital improvement costs contained in the
2007-08 budget. To the average household
would mean an increase of $1.95 per month, and $23.00 in the annual bill for
water service. It is the decision of the
Board that the rates, fees and charges of MVWA in effect on the date of this
decision should be increased to the amounts shown on the revised water services rates and fees adopted at this meeting. Said increases shall become effective April 1, 2007, for all billings rendered by MVWA on or after said date.
Moved by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. DeLia.
Vote: (9) Ayes
(2) Nays (Ms. Rader-Harris and
Mr. Trevisani)
Motion carried.
Resolution: Award of Construction
Contract at Deerfield Reservoir, Contract 2 – General Construction to CCI
Companies Inc., Canastota , NY
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 general construction scope involves site preparation and
restoration, installation of pipe and valves and construction of a control
building and related facilities. Bids
were received from four general contracting firms of which CCI Companies Inc., Canastota , NY
Mr. Hobika, Jr. requested that all contracts be approved by the Authority’s counsel.
Moved by Mr. DeLia. Seconded by Mr. Trevisani.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Resolution: Award of
Contract No. 3 for Electrical Construction for the Proposed
The electrical construction scope involves furnishing and
installing power and control wiring, controls and SCADA components for the new
tank and control building and related facilities. Bids were received from eight electrical
contracting firms of which SC Spencer Electric, Constable, NY in the amount of
$134,880 was the lowest. The sum is to
be paid as a capital improvement.
Moved by Mr. DeLia. Seconded by Ms. Rader-Harris.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays () Absent
Motion carried.
Resolution: Award of Contract No. 4 for Pre-Stressed Concrete Water Storage
Tank Construction for the Proposed Deerfield
Reservoir Tank
The
water tank construction scope involves erecting a 10 MG concrete tank in
conformance with AWWA standards, piping interconnections and related
facilities. Bids were received from two
tank construction firms of which Natgun Corp., Wakefield , NY
Moved by Mr. DeLia. Seconded by Mr. Trevisani
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Resolution: Award of Professional
Services Contract – Deerfield Tank and WTP
Construction Observation (CO)
The
Board’s current Capital Improvement Plan calls for construction of a new 10 mg
water storage tank at Deerfield Reservoir and a new 2.0 mg Clearwell at the
Water Treatment Plant. The Board
requested proposals from six professional engineering firms to perform on-site
construction observation at both projects.
Proposals were received from four respondents on the basis of
qualifications, technical approach and fees, Barton & Loguidice Consulting
Engineers, Syracuse , NY
Moved by Ms. Rader-Harris. Seconded by Mr. Hobika, Jr.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion carried.
Resolution: Water Treatment Plant Clearwell, Sludge Beneficial Use Determination (BUD)
The WTP generates up to 1000 cubic yards of sludge annually that is stockpiled on site. The sludge will need to be disposed of off-site in a Sanitary Landfill unless an alternative use can be found. Evaluation of alternative uses for WTP sludge is termed by NYSDEC as a “Beneficial Use Determination” or BUD. Based on earlier studies, there is potential to use the WTP Sludge as a component of a topsoil mix, which could be utilized to restore the site of the new Clearwell. The WTP Clearwell design was completed by Barton & Loguidice Consulting Engineers. B&L contacted the NYS DEC regarding sludge reuse on site and has confirmed that a new BUD must be prepared. B&L has prepared a brief scope of services and has proposed fees of $5,700 to complete the BUD. The cost of these services shall be paid out of the Capital Improvement Fund.
Moved by Mr. Hobika, Jr. 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 March
19, 2007 and the notes from the meeting are in the board folders. Everything the committee reviewed was acted
on tonight.
Budget and Finance: Mr. Brodsky stated that consumption is down
and revenue is on par with what was budgeted.
Mr. Korfonta stated that there should be a cash surplus at the end of
the year, which will be used for next years budget. Concerns – the system needs to expand or the
rates will continue to rise.
Personnel Committee: Mr. Coyne stated that the committee did not
meet this month.
Operations: Mr. Price stated that the committee did not
meet this month.
Executive Director’s Report: Chairman Gaston stated the Executive
Director’s Report would move to Executive Session to discuss the contract with
the management employees union.
New Business: Mr.
Brodsky stated that he placed in the Board folders two packets. One is the Public Authority Law and the other
is the Authority Budget Office Policy Guidance with respect to the roles and
responsibilities of this Board. Mr. Brodsky
had three motions:
1)
The executive committee shall review and submit an
updated code of ethics for consideration and report back to the Board in three
months.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. DeLia.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion Carried.
2) The
model audit committee charter as proposed by the NY State Budget Authority
Office shall be referred to the Finance Committee for review and
recommendations to the Board within three months.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. DeLia.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion Carried.
3)
The model governance committee charter as prepared by
the NY State Budget Authority Office shall be referred to the Personnel
Committee for review and recommendations to the Board in three months.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (11) Ayes
(0) Nays (0) Absent
Motion Carried.
Mr. Becher stated that he would like to discuss in Executive
Session the Labor Contract with the management employees union and the pre-mediation
meeting that took place at Hancock & Estabrook regarding the Brascan/Canals
lawsuit and settlement offer.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2007 at
5:00 PM.
Mr. Brodsky moved to adjourn the meeting and go into Executive
Session to discuss two items. Seconded
by Mr. Coyne.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM.
Executive Session:
The Board voted to approve a two-year extension to the
existing collective bargaining agreement with the Management Employees Association. The extended contract will expire on March
31, 2009. The extension included two
annual salary adjustments of 3.2% across the board for all members, effective
on April 1, 2007 and April 1, 2008. All
other terms and conditions of the agreement will remain unchanged. The contract extension has already been
approved by the bargaining unit. By its
vote, the Board has authorized the Executive Director to enter into the
contract extension.
Moved by: Ms.
Szesny. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays
(1) Absent (Mr. Hobika, Jr.)
Motion carried.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:00 PM.
Mr. Becher discussed the non-remitted delinquent water bills
transferred to the City of
1999
– 2004 $257,000
2005
$ 81,000
2006
(current)
Total to be remitted $338,000
The City of
Mr. Brodsky moved to accept the offer from the City of
Seconded by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (9) Ayes
(0) Nays (2) Absent (Mr. Hobika, Jr. and Ms. Rader-Harris)
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:22
PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
