Governance

• Organizational Chart
• Rules and Regulations
• MVWA Board
  • Members
  • Committees
  • Minutes
    • Archived
• Public Authority Documents
  • Performance Measurements & Mission Statement
  • By-Laws
  • Enabling Statute
• MVWA Board Member/Committee Information
  • Board Committee Listings
  • Audit Committee Charter
  • Model Governance Committee Charter
• MVWA Policies
  • Code of Ethics
  • Employee Travel Procedures
  • Investment Guidelines
  • Procurement Policy and Procedures
  • Surplus Property Disposition Policy
  • Whistleblower Policy

Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes

May 20, 2019

---

Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

Present: Present: Rocco Arcuri, Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, Frank Mutolo and Bette Szesny. Absent: John Wallace. Also Present: Jim Korfonta, Scott Gorgas, Phil Tangorra, Anne Milograno, Jim Mack, Maureen Ray and Joe Roy.

Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.

Approval of the April 15, 2019 Minutes:

Motion made by Mr. Mutolo to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Corr
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.

Approval: 1st Quarter Investment Statement Ending 3/31/19

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. Karam.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.

Committee Reports:

Mr. Korfonta stated that consumption was up slightly in April, so year to date consumption is now 1.7% below the previous year. Non-operating revenue is up $95,000 from the prior year, predominantly in fees and ancillary charges, trust fund interest and gains on investments. Operating cash began a recovery from the first several months of significant outlay of cash for annual charges. This positive turn should continue over the summer months.

Executive Director’s Report:

• Mr. Becher stated that the MVWA hired IBM to do an analysis on our cybersecurity and we realized that we would need two more positions in the IT Department. Joe Roy was hired as a Network Administrator who came to us from the Utica Fire Department. Maureen Ray is also with us tonight from IT and Deborah Rossi was hired as a Webmaster.
• Mr. Becher stated that there was a meeting on May 2 in Herkimer County to talk about eastward potential expansion. Governor Cuomo is looking for a regional solution and has asked RoAnn Destito to oversee this project. There were representatives from Ilion, the Village of Frankfort, Town of Frankfort, Town of Schuyler, Town of Herkimer and the Village of Herkimer. Howard Goebell from the Canal Corporation was there and endorsed this project. Mr. Becher looked into whether or not we would have to amend our State Legislation and the way it was written was that it allows us to service the remainder of Herkimer County. The DEC will have to issue the permit. We have been working with Barton & Loguidice Engineers who is working with the Village of Ilion to put this together. The MVWA Rate Consultant will do a financial analysis of what the whole organization would look like with that business coming on. This is probably a two-year process or longer. The cost to build the line would be born by Ilion and then shared by other municipalities that participate in the project. The MVWA has offered to do free testing for homes in targeted areas for bacterial testing. The Ilion system needs some upgrades to the local piping before it could be at a level that would be acceptable to take over and operate. They have a punch list of projects to do before the MVWA would take it over and that is going to be around $20 million dollars.
• Mr. Becher stated that there is a handout regarding Language Line Solutions. This was brought to our attention by one of our employees Debbie. We have many customers with language barriers that come in with interpreters. There will be a phone on the inside of the counter and one on the outside for the customer. The customer will be able to call the service and punch in the language they need, and a translator will come on and translate the conversation. The cost is .75 cents per minute. Jim Mack stated that is also helps our field personnel.
• Mr. Becher stated that we are still working with Livingston County Water and Sewer with using some of our software. Jim Mack and a programmer were on site last week. The Contract will be on the June Agenda.
• Mr. Becher stated that FEMA has increased the reimbursement that they are going to be giving us for Winter Storm Stella. When the City of Utica got snowed in the MVWA helped the City out. They were originally going to give the MVWA $150,000 and have increased it to $250,000.
• Mr. Becher stated that there is a handout from Jack Spieth from the City of Utica. The City is moving forward with a program that would help City homeowners do energy and efficiency improvements. Mr. Spieth requested that the MVWA send these out with our bills. This will only go to City residents. The Board decided that it would be fine.

Old Business:

Mr. Corr asked if there was an update on the Snowden Hill Road Tank. Mr. Becher stated that he didn’t have an update and would get back to him.

New Business:

Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:28 pm to discuss cyber security update and personnel matters.

Motion made by Mr. Mutolo. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.

Went into Executive Session at 5:32 PM.
Motion was made by Mr. Mutolo to come out of Executive Session at 6:10 PM. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.

In Executive Session the Board voted to renew the contracts for the Executive Director and Comptroller.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority