Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
October 24, 2016
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Present: Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Richard Karam and Bette Szesny. Absent: Rocco Arcuri, Eric Kane and Frank Mutolo. Also Present: Richard Goodney, Phil Tangorra, Steve Gassner, Jim Korfonta, and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
The Board is down two members.
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Approval of the August 15, 2016 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (7) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Decision Regarding Establishment of Water Rates, Fees and Charges Effective January 1, 2017
A public hearing concerning rates, fees and charges of the MVWA was held on October 24, 2016 at 5 PM. The Executive Director presented the case for a 1.5% rate increase to fund a $23,497,227 budget for calendar year 2017. The main reasons are: 1) new debt service payments of $238,000 for bonds sold in 2016 which were issued to finance the first phase of constructing a new raw water transmission line from Hinkley Reservoir to the Water Treatment Plant, 2) workers compensation premiums are projected to increase by $56,000, 3) paving restoration costs are up by $65,000 for increased road repairs reflecting our accelerated water system maintenance and repair efforts and 4) general increases in payroll and health insurance costs.
The rate increase has been partially offset by a modest but continued decline in the mandated payment to the state retirement system.
Said increases shall become effective January 1, 2017 for all billings rendered by MVWA on or after said date.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Ford
Vote: (7) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Approval of the MVWA 2017 Calendar Year Proposed Budget
Mr. Becher stated that there is a position open for a Safety Specialist. This person would need a college degree and ten years’ experience in safety related work. They would be responsible for getting the MVWA worker’s compensation costs down. There are very few carriers that write worker’s compensation coverage anymore.
Motion was made by Mr. Coyne to approve the budget. Seconded by: Mr. Bova
Vote: (7) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Discussion: Billing Services for the Village of Yorkville
Mr. Becher was approached recently by Carl Schantz of O’Brien & Gere as they are assessing the Village of Yorkville on sewer projects. The Village of Yorkville is in a position to access funding from the State, which may be in part grant money. In order to receive this money they need to show that there is a mechanism in place to collect the money to make the loan payments. They would charge a sewer user rate and would like the MVWA to put their charges on the MVWA water bill.
Mr. Becher would like to move forward and asks the Board for the willingness to provide sewer charges as requested by the Village of Yorkville which they will establish once the Board sees the contract.
Motion was made by Ms. Sweeny to approve the budget. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (7) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports
Finance: Mr. Korfonta stated that consumption is down by a small amount and starting to recover in consumption. Cash flow is very good.
Mr. Coyne asked why the delinquencies were not in the monthly report anymore and suggested that they should be published every three months either in the report or on the MVWA website.
Executive Director’s Report
Mr. Becher stated that in regards to the final interpretation of our agreement with the Canal Corporation Oral Arguments were supposed to be held this Thursday. The MVWA attorney’s notified Mr. Becher that the Oral Arguments would be pushed back a week.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority