Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
December 19, 2016
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Present: Rocco Arcuri, Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Richard Karam, Frank Mutolo and Bette Szesny. Absent: Dennis Bova. Mark Ford arrived at 5:05 PM and Eric Kane arrived at 5:07 PM. Also Present: Richard Goodney, Phil Tangorra, Anne Milograno, Jim Korfonta and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
The Board is down two members.
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Approval of the October 24, 2016 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Mutolo to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (7) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: MVWA Participation in Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation is conducting a study on “GAC Control of Regulated and Emerging DBP’s of Health Concern”. The research being funded by Water Research Foundation should provide valuable information to utilities and regulators to help to better understand the implication of various treatment strategies and operational parameters on regulated and unregulated DBP’s. The Foundation has asked the MVWA to contribute by contributing both historical DBP and water quality data, including data from past pilot studies, GAC evaluation data and samples, along with a financial contribution of $15,000. As part of the study, the MVWA’s current GAC operation/change out strategies will be evaluated to determine whether the MVWA can further optimize its GAC system.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Award of Construction Contract for Water Treatment Plant Emergency Generator
The general construction scope for tis contract involves removal and replacement of the original generator with a new 400kw unit, switchgear and controls, sized to run the entire WTP and Treatment Processes. Bids were received from six electrical contractors, of which SC Spencer Electric, Constableville, NY, was low bidder in the amount of $176,600.00, which is within the project budget. The SC Spencer Electric will complete the work under this contract by August 31, 2017.
Motion was made by Mr. Arcuri to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Payment to the City of Utica for Partial Cost of New City Hall Emergency Generator
The original 50+ year old City Hall generator was not designed to serve the MVWA 3rd floor offices and therefore, MVWA was pursuing a project to provide a new generator for only 3rd floor at a budget cost of $135,000.00. The City of Utica elected to undertake a cooperative project with MVWA to replace with an upsized generator with sufficient capacity to serve the whole building at a cost to the MVWA of $100,000.00. The City has undertaken the design, bidding, contract administration and construction of new generator. The City has agreed to perform all required testing, maintenance, operations and fueling of the generator with no future cost to the MVWA. The City has expended $370,000.00 to date on the project and estimates the cost to be over $400,000.00.
Motion was made by Mr. Ford to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Mutolo
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval: Third Quarter Investment Statement ending 9/30/16
Mr. Korfonta stated that this is an investment statement of the MVWA trust funds. The Board has been presented with these statements every quarter for approval.
Motion was made by Mr. Brodsky to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports
Finance:Mr. Korfonta stated that consumption is down and revenue is up for the year along with cash flow. Workers compensation insurance will be due at the beginning of the year.
Executive Director’s Report
- Mr. Becher stated that Anne Milograno has been working closely with the IT and Accounting Departments and have added an IVR system that is tied into the MVWA phone system. Payments by phone can be made 24 hours a day. The MVWA has put a notice on the customer water bills with the service and telephone number, which is a new extension on our main number.
- The Oneida County Pollution Control Agency is trying to do customer education regarding their fees on our bills. They asked the MVWA if they could add some information in the water bill regarding some of their new fees and changes to the sewer system. Mr. Becher stated that he agreed as long as they make it clear that it was coming from County Sewer and not the MVWA.
- Mr. Becher gave an update on the litigation regarding the motion the MVWA filed, which was a Breach of Contract. The oral argument was made in late October. The MVWA is waiting for Judge Hester’s decision on Discovery Judgement.
- The automated meter reading system has hit over 31,000 meters installed. The completion date should be mid-year 2017
- December 19, 2016 marks 20 years that the water system was officially transferred from the Utica Board of Water Supply to the new water authority. This is the date the bonds were officially closed on. Ms. Szesny and Mr. Coyne are two original board members and were actually on the new Board prior to the transfer. Happy Anniversary everybody! There will be a press release and video of all the accomplishments over the last 20 years at the end of January 2017.
Chairman DeLia made a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:32 PM to discuss a personnel matter.
Seconded by: Mr. Mutolo
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Motion made by Chairman DeLia to come out of Executive Session at 5:55 PM. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
In Executive Session the Board voted to increase the salary for the Executive Secretary for the coming year to take effect upon her anniversary date.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority