Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
September 16, 2019
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, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis Delia, Mark Ford,Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, Frank Mutolo, Bette Szesny, and John Wallace. Absent: Rocco Arcuri.Also Present: Ken Bobrow, Patrick Becher, Jim Korfonta, Richard Goodney, Geralynn Powers, Phil Tangorra, Anne Milograno.
Approval of the July 29, 2019 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Mutolo to approve the minutes. Seconded by Mark Ford.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Approval: Award of Construction Contract to CNY Construction for the Cavanaugh Road ParallelTransmission Main Improvements
Mr. Goodney explained that a bypass is needed on the transmission line at Marcy Reservoir on Cavanaugh Road. The existing line is 100 years old and is under a portion of the reservoir. The projectwill also include installing a new Venturi meter to better measure flows, and the addition of newisolation valves. Project budget was $800,000. There seven bidders; the low bid was for $707,000from CNY Construction (formerly known as Hanna Construction.) The work needs to be completed by summer of next year and should be commenced this fall.
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve award as presented. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Approval: Award of Professional Services Contract to GHD Engineers for Construction Phase for the Cavanaugh Road Parallel Transmission Main Improvements
Mr. Goodney explained that the Board had previously authorized GHD to design the portion of the project being discussed. GHD also designed the original Marcy Tank, Cavanaugh Road Tank, and transmission mains back in 2008 to support taking the reservoir out of service. It is now recommended that GHD be hired to provide additional engineering services to oversee this phase of the improvements at a cost of $36,440 under an hourly rate contract. They would be on site for approximately eight months to supplement our own staff in monitoring critical portions of construction, producing final drawings, etc. The Capital Projects committee has recommended this
award.
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve award as presented. Seconded by Mr. Ford.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Approval: MVWA Application to the NY State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for Grant Funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Program for the Phase 2 Raw Water Mains Construction
Agenda Items 6 and 7 are related and are seeking grant funding for $10, 445,000 for the next phase of the new raw water transmission line and the Toby Road Tank. Applications were submitted on Friday, September 13, 2019. The application and Board action are done to signify that the board is prepared to authorize MVWA matching funds if the grant is awarded. Passage of the applications do not commit the MVWA to proceeding with the project unless the grant is approved and accepted. The applications are the same as those approved and submitted a year ago.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve application as presented. Seconded by Mr. Corr.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Approval: MVWA Application to the NY State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for Grant Funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Program for the Toby Road Water Storage Tank 3# Construction
This proposed third tank could be placed at either the site of two existing tanks at Toby Road or at the Cavanaugh Road reservoir site. Total project cost is estimated at $13,715,000. The application indicates that SEQR has been completed and the project is ready to move forward if grant is funded.
Motion made by Mr. Mutolo to approve application as presented. Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Approval: Board Policies for Employee Travel, Surplus Property Disposition, and Investment Guidelines
Mr. Becher explained that the Public Authorities Reform Act requires the annual review andreauthorization of variety of policies. The three policies presented today have been reviewed andupdated where applicable. Mr. Korfonta explained that the Travel Policy per diem rates and dictated by IRS approved cost schedules. The Travel Policy has been adjusted slightly to reflect recent changes by the IRS to the per diem costs. The other two policies remain unchanged. Regarding the disposal of Surplus Property, Mr. Mutolo requested that the MVWA provide him with certification of approval whenever the MVWA disposes of any surplus items in the City Hall garage trash collection area. Mr. Becher agreed that such evidence of approval would be provided.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve Surplus Property policy. Seconded by Mr. Corr.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Motion made by Mr. Mutolo to approve Investment Guidelines policy. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve Employee Travel policy. Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Finance Report
Mr. Korfonta explained that even though consumption is down 2.8%, actual revenue is up about $200,000 dollars to compared to this point last year. Cashflow is at a "break even" point right now, but we are hoping to increase cash holdings in time to fund the State Retirement payment in December. There were no questions for Mr. Korfonta.
Executive Director’s Report
Mr. Becher provided an update on the Ilion Expansion project and discussed a meeting that took
place on Friday, September 6 with the lead engineer from Barton & Loguidice, NYS OGS
Commissioner RoAnn Destito, Delores Caruso, and the Paige Group. The purpose of the meeting was
to discuss the participation of five municipal entities in the project. A follow-up meeting was held the
following Tuesday on September 10 that included those communities. Both meetings went well, and
the project is proceeding with substantial progress regarding cooperation and funding. Completion of
the pipeline extension will not occur for at least two years. The Village of Mohawk in not involved at
this time.
Mr. Becher then explained that Suez is in discussion with a renewable energy company that has
proposed a power purchase agreement to buy our electric power produced by our two in line
turbines. Details of the contract negotiations will be provided in executive session. He further stated
that we need to take a fresh look at our power production overall and see if we can earn additional
revenues.
There was a brief discussion of a potential new water district and tank in the Town of Frankfort. Mr.
Wallace provided additional details but there has been no specific action as of yet by the Town and
therefore, no request at this time for possible cost sharing in their project.
Mr. Becher stated that our insurance brokerage service has been provided by Marshal & Sterling in
Schenectady for the past 25 years. The two principals we have worked with have now both retired.
We have determined this would be a good time to change brokers and work with a firm that is within
our service territory. We have concluded that the firm of Gilroy, Kirnan and Gilroy is best positioned
to meet our needs do to their fully developed risk management program and in-house risk
management institute. Changing brokers does not require a competitive process under New York
State procurement law according to our general counsel attorney. However, the hiring of a new
broker must be done by an award by the MVWA Board.
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve award of brokerage services to Gilroy, Kirnan & Gilroy as our
broker of record. Seconded by Mr. Mutolo.
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
Mr. Bova expressed concern about filling some vacant positions within the ranks of our Maintenance
Section. Mr. Becher indicated that our Human Resources Director, Greg Santry, is in the process of
screening candidates and that hiring should take place very soon.
Executive Session
A motion was made at 5:40 by Mr. Mutolo and seconded by Mr. Karam to enter executive session for
the purpose of discussing possible contract negotiations with a private company related to the sale of
Vote: (11) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent -- Motion Carried.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 5:52 with no action taken.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:53 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Patrick J. Becher
Executive Director