Mohawk Valley Water Authority – November 17, 2008
Chairman Gaston called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and opened with the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Present: Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne,
Chairman Gaston presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Public Comment:
1) Stated that he spoke to Mr. Becher today regarding his personal property and
Mr. Becher stated that the MVWA will be mailing him a check for his personal
belongings but is still looking into his missing eye glasses.
Mr. Becher stated that he would get back to him within a week.
2) Mr. Bova asked the Board how
much has the MVWA invested in the lawsuit to date.
3) Mr. Bova would like to know how
much does the MVWA make on a gallon of water.
Mr. Brodsky stated that Mr. Becher would answer his questions in writing by
Friday.
Approval of the October 20, 2008 Minutes:
Motion made by: Mr. Trevisani
Seconded by: Mr. Ryan
Vote: (8) Ayes
(0) Nays
(2) Abstain (Mr. Coyne & Ms. Szesny)
(2) Absent
Motion carried.
Chairman Gaston re-arranged the agenda and moved Budget and Finance ahead of
item #5.
Budget and Finance:
There will be a Budget Workshop meeting on Monday, 11/24 at 5:00 PM in the
conference room.
There will be a Finance Committee on Wednesday, 11/19 at Noon in the conference
room.
Mr. Brodsky stated that water consumption is in-line with the October
consumption from the previous year. We are still on course for projections for
this year. He is more concerned now
than three months ago because large businesses are looking at ways to save
money, which reduces revenue and the MVWA is not gaining significant large
users.
Mr. Brodsky stated that speaking for himself as a Board member and as the
Treasurer of the MVWA the Board should be looking at reduced expectations in
revenue. He sees hard times for the
Authority’s customers and the community over the next several years.
Mr. Brodsky is waiting for the capital project plan and projections so he
can see how the bonding will go, along with the
technology strategic plan that the staff is currently working on.
The Authority needs a capital working inventory and needs a clear
understanding of the age and useful life of the capital resources.
We also need an understanding of current cash capital levels for this
coming year not just dollars but volume and use.
Mr. Brodsky is looking at a 4% rate increase for fiscal year 2009-10.
He just wanted to let the Board know what he will be looking for and
where he is coming from when he asks for possible cuts over the next few
months..
Mr. DeLia stated that the Authority is facing two burdens right now, 1) the
multi-million dollar unfunded federal mandates and 2) the ability to expand our
system.
Resolution: Award of Professional Services Contract for Professional Engineering
and Related Services for the Proposed
The Capital Improvement Plan calls for construction of two new 6.0 Million
Gallon Concrete Tanks on the site located in the Town of
Motion made by: Mr. DeLia
Seconded by: Mr. Trevisani
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2) Absent
Motion carried.
Review and Approval of the Draft By-Laws
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to table the Draft By-Laws until the December board
meeting. Ms. Szesny would like to
have a By-Laws Committee meeting and have the Board’s attorney re-write
the changes suggested by the members.
Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2) Absent
Motion carried.
Review and Approval of Conflict of Interest
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky.
Seconded by Ms. Szesny.
Motion amended by Ms. Szesny to include Mr. Snyder’s suggestions to add the
following:
Company name on form, designating what the competition is and a signature line
at the bottom of the page to be signed by the project leader.
Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2) Absent
Motion carried.
Committee Reports:
Capital Projects:
Mr. DeLia stated that the committee met
as Mr. Goodney indicated and discussed under agenda item number five and there
is nothing further to add.
Budget and Finance:
Chairman Gaston stated this was
discussed earlier in the meeting.
Personnel Committee:
Mr. Ryan stated that the committee did not meet this month.
Operations:
Mr. Price stated that the committee did meet regarding the MVWA Service
Line Maintenance Program. Mr.
Becher handed out a draft program.
Our current rules and regulations state that the customer’s obligation to
maintain and repair the service line begins with and includes the curb stop, and
continues to the meter in the basement.
The MVWA is responsible for the line between the water main and the curb
stop. The proposal states that the
MVWA would come to the assistance of customers by calling a private contractor
and begin charging a “residential service line Insurance” fee on quarterly water
bills of $1.00 per quarter for this extra service.
Mr. Becher will bring this to the MVWA staff for review in December and then
bring it to the Board. Please
review the draft and call me with any questions or comments that you might have.
This will be on the Rate Hearing agenda in January 2009.
Executive Director’s Report:
-
A former employee of the MVWA, Lyle Light passed away this morning and we
would like to express our condolences to his family.
-
Michael J. Hennessey, Minority Leader sent a letter to the MVWA Board
Members dated October 29, 2008 asking the Board of Directors to consider
contributing $50,000 to offset the County expense in funding the Utica Zoo.
The Board asked Mr. Becher to write back and let Mr. Hennessey know
that with the MVWA’s fiscal concerns it cannot do that at this time.
The Utica Zoo does receive free water from the Authority.
-
Lawsuit – Next Tuesday, 11/24 at 1:00PM is the argument date for all the
motions that have been filed. Judge
Hestor will argue all motions at this time in the
-
Bonding – Mr. Korfonta and Mr. Becher have been analyzing the market
conditions and have decided to cut the bonds from $16M to $10.6M.
A tank was cut from this bonding
because it was not necessary at this time to comply with the federal
mandated deadlines. The Authority
will be using the $3.5M that had been put aside for the
-
Mr. Goodney stated that the
New Business:
Mr. Brodsky made a motion to have the Public Comment Period be held just prior
to the official start of a regular Board meeting and should not be broadcast.
Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (9) Ayes
(0) Nays
(1) Abstain (Mr. Snyder)
(2) Absent
Motion carried.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2008 at 5:00 PM.
Ms. Szesny moved to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
