Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
February 12, 2018
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Rocco Arcuri, Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Eric Kane, Richard Karam, Frank Mutolo, Bette Szesny and John Wallace. Mr. Ford arrived at 5:10 PM after the Election of Officers. Also Present: Richard Goodney, Jim Korfonta, Phil Tangorra, Scott Gorgas, Anne Milograno and Ken Bobrow, Esq., There were three IBM employees present, Jason O’Brien, Mike Burke and Jon Arnott.
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Approval of the December 18, 2017 Minutes
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Corr
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Election of Officers
Mr. Coyne moved to make a slate of nominations as presented: Elis DeLia for re-election to the Chairman position, Bruce Brodsky to the Vice-Chairman position,
Rocco Arcuri to the Treasurer position and Suzanne Harmon to the Secretary position. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Establishing the MVWA as “Lead Agency” Pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act Relative to the Raw Water Transmission Main Upgrades
The MVWA proposes to undertake construction of one new pipeline of sufficient capacity to convey the currently permitted water withdrawal the approximately three miles from the Hinckley Reservoir to the Authority’s Hinckley Water Treatment Plant. During construction of the Project, both the existing 24 inch and 36 inch pipelines will remain in service until the new pipeline is completely installed and commissioned. Thereafter, the existing 36 inch pipeline will remain in service and function as backup to the new pipeline, and the 24 inch pipeline will be abandoned in place.
The Authority intends to establish itself Lead Agency with respect to the project.
The Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Corr
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Accepting Parts 2 and 3 of the Full Environmental Assessment Form and Issuing “Negative Declaration” Pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act Relative to the Raw Water Transmission Main Upgrades
The MVWA proposes to undertake construction of one new pipeline of sufficient capacity to convey the currently permitted water withdrawal the approximately three miles from the Hinckley Reservoir to the Authority’s Hinckley Water Treatment Plant. During the construction of the project, both the existing 24 inch and 36 inch pipelines will remain in service until the new pipeline is completely installed and commissioned. Thereafter, the existing 36 inch pipeline will remain in service and function as backup to the new pipeline, and the 24 inch pipeline will be abandoned in place.
The Authority hereby determines that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and the Authority will not require an “Environmental Impact Statement” with respect to the project.
The Authority has decided to prepare a “Negative Declaration” with respect to the project.
The Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval: Quarterly Investment Statement Ending December 31, 2017
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 made by Mr. Arcuri to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports
Mr. Korfonta stated that the MVWA was up 7.7 million cubic feet in water sales last year even though the number of customers didn’t change. The MVWA took in 23.5 million in cash for services and paid out 23.4 million. Also, 21.4 million was from water sales, 1.37 million was paid out for pilots and 7.8 million for payroll.
Executive Director’s Report
- Mr. Becher stated that the MVWA’s consumption and revenue are looking good. Part of the reason is because the MVWA has been changing a lot of meters. The MVWA has invested more than ten million dollars on the meter and AMI program and are near 99% completion of the program.
- The City of Utica was awarded money for a lead pipe replacement program for $650.000. There is a two year window to get the work done. The MVWA will be working with the City to get the logistics worked out and will keep the Board updated.
- Some of the MVWA’s senior staff has been working on a comprehensive update to the Rules and Regulations. It should be completed within 90 days and will be brought to the Board for review.
- Mr. Becher is scheduled to be at a spring AMWA conference on March 19th in Washington, DC. There will be new policies on the lead and copper rule and many other topics.
SUEZ Update
Three employees from SUEZ were present, Mike Burke, Jason O’Brien and Jon Arnott. They gave a progress update to the Board. Some of the topics they discussed were: Planning activities and task assignments, project overview, mobilization completion status by phase, safety program accomplishments, environmental and regulatory compliance, asset management and process optimization. They will come back to the Board in six months with another update.
New Business
Mr. Brodsky stated that this will be our third and final year with BST the MVWA’s external accounting firm. They sent the MVWA a letter describing their approach to their audit and the date they expect to commence the field work here, which is March 5th. Mr. Brodsky asked Mr. Korfonta if he would query other water systems in New York about the length of terms of contracts with audit firms. The MVWA is using three years but is that the norm.
Mr. Corr stated that it was a nice letter of thanks from Pacemaker Steel & Piping Company thanking the Utica Fire Department, Police and the MVWA for keeping the water flowing to emergency personnel despite frigid temperatures. It was nice that everyone was recognized.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority