Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Present: Bruce Brodsky, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, and Bette Szesny. Absent: Dennis Bova, Frank Mutolo and John Wallace. Rocco Arcuri arrived at 5:10 during agenda item #6. Also Present: Richard Goodney, Phil Tangorra, Jim Korfonta and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Approval of the November 19, 2018 Minutes:
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Karam.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) 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: Mr. Ford.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Award of Professional Services Contract to GHD Engineers for Design of Cavanaugh Road Parallel Transmission Main Improvements
Concept level planning of a new Transmission Main around the former Marcy Reservoir has been completed by MVWA as part of the Capital Improvement Program; which Main will replace a 1915 Cast Iron Main that is currently located on the bottom of the former open Reservoir.
The project involves new 24” Ductile Iron Pipe, Tapping Sleeves, Line Stops, Isolation Valves, a new Venturi Meter in Underground Chamber, associated Power & Instrumentation and, Reservoir Embankment Breaching.
The MVWA requires these improvements to be completed for redundancy and reliability purposes so that design of a new 12 to 15MG Water Storage Tank can proceed when needed to ensure a reliable supp0ly of water to the Regional System and support Chip Fab(s).
The Engineering Department has recommended utilizing GHD Engineers for these professional services, as detailed in a formal Proposal.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Award of Professional Services to OBG Engineers for Design and Construction Services of the Snowden Hill Road Water Storage Tank
The Board’s current Capital Improvement Plan calls for construction of the new 1.2-million-gallon concrete tank on Snowden Hill Road located in New Hartford. The Board requested proposals from engineering firms to perform design, construction documents and bidding and construction observation services in accordance with the scope of services. There were four respondents and 5 members of the Engineering and Water Quality Departments evaluated and ranked the proposals received. They determined that O’Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. Syracuse, NY was the highest ranked.
The Board selects the firm of OBG Engineers, Inc.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Karam.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Chairman DeLia welcomed Luke Lewis from the Town of Kirkland back on the Board for a three year term.
Resolution: Quarterly Investment Statement ending December 31, 2018
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. Brodsky to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports:
Mr. Korfonta stated that total assets decreased $479,000 compared to the prior year, predominantly in pension assumptions. Cash is up $494,000 and accounts receivable are $210,500 lower than last year. For the twelfth month of the year, total revenues are $24 million, which is $1.1 million higher than the prior year, but $309,000 below budget. At year end, consumption is up 2% from the prior year. At year end, operating cash remained positive by $350,000.
Executive Director’s Report:
- Mr. Becher stated that the Finance Committee did meet since the last Board meeting. The MVWA has software that they have developed over the years. There is another public water and sewer authority that is having to make a transition and they are looking at using the MVWA’s software, which was discussed at the Finance meeting. The committee recommended that the MVWA attorney and Hancock & Estabrook draft up an agreement. Once that is completed Mr. Becher will bring it back to the Board.
- Mr. Becher stated that Ilion is looking at re-vamping their water system themselves or have a transmission line running from the MVWA water system to them and becoming part of our water system. There is another meeting this Friday to further discussions on that process. If that line does go in the Town of Schuyler is looking at potentially hooking up as well.
- Mr. Becher stated that regarding main breaks anything that the MVWA does after the asphalt plants shut down somewhere around November 1st, cannot be fixed with hot mix and rolled. After that when the MVWA digs a hole we fix it temporarily with a cold patch which sometimes settles; we will then go back and repair it. A permanent repair will be done starting in the Spring when the asphalt plants re-open.
- Mr. Becher stated that the MVWA is receiving a grant many counties try and identify water quality issues and then try and find money to address these issues. Dick Goodney’s department put together an application for……on the West Canada, which is a $190,000 project. The MVWA was approved for $88,000 for that project.
- Mr. Becher stated that the MVWA just closed out the Capital Fund for the Meter Reading Program which was $5.9 million. The project is 99.8% done. There are 300 accounts left where we have to go in and change the meters. We are sending letters to customers who are not letting us in and will be raising the fees on their water bills. Steve Gassner did a great job on the installations. We will be having a meeting on Monthly Billing sometime this month.
Dave Corr stated that there was an unfortunate fire in New Hartford two weeks ago. Vinny Pristerra who is an Assistant Supervisor for the Water Authority showed up when the first pump truck arrived to make sure the Fire Department had water and the hydrant was working properly. The New Hartford Fire Department wanted to thank Mr. Pristera for being there.
Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:34 pm to discuss a personnel matter.
Motion made by Ms. Szesny. Seconded by: Mr. Corr.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Went into Executive Session at 5:38 PM.
Came out of Executive Session at 5:48 PM
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
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.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:49 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority