Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
October 28, 2019
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:50 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Present: Rocco Arcuri, Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, Frank Mutolo, Bette Szesny and John Wallace. Also Present: Richard Goodney, Anne Milograno, Phil Tangorra, Jim Korfonta, Scott Gorgas and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
Chairman DeLia presided and Patrick Becher took the minutes.
Approval of the September 16, 2019 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Mutolo
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Decision Regarding Establishment of Water Rates, Fees and Charges Effective January 1, 2020
A public hearing concerning rates, fees and charges of the MVWA was held on October 28, 2019 at 5 PM. The Executive Director presented the case for a 2.5% rate increase to fund a $25,823,916.00 budget for FY 2020. The main reasons are:
- Water consumption is expected to decrease by 1.4% system wide;
- Overall salaries and wages are expected to increase by 2%;
- Operating costs (not including personnel costs) will increase by approximately 3.2%;
- Health Insurance costs are projected to increase by 1.7%;
- Workers Compensation costs are projected to increase by 10% and
- Property and liability costs are projected to increase by 10%.
There was public comment made during the public hearing.
Said increases shall become effective January 1, 2020 for all billings rendered by MVWA on or after said date.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval: The MVWA 2020 Calendar Year Proposed Budget
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Ford.
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval of MVWA Mobile Device Policy
The purpose of this policy is to define the requirements for the use of mobile devices issued by the MVWA. These requirements are designed to minimize the likelihood of damage, loss or compromise to sensitive company or customer confidential data, intellectual property, damage to public image, damage to or loss of the mobile device and damage to critical MVWA internal systems. This policy applies to all MVWA personnel including full time, part time and non-employees who are issued mobile devices by MVWA.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Karam.
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval: Third Quarter Investment Statement Ending 9/30/19
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. Karam to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (12) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (0) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports
Mr. Korfonta stated that consumption is down 3 ½ % compared to last year. Revenues are within budget and cash flow is good.
Executive Director’s Report
- Mr. Becher stated that last Thursday night he and Phil Tangorra were asked to sit on a task force on water quality and infrastructure. The Senate minority put together a task force to explore water quality issues across the State. They are holding a series of meetings across the State and the first one was in Herkimer. Mr. Becher was representing the Water Authority and he told them about the Authority’s funding needs and projects going on. Mr. Tangorra as the Chair of the New York Section of the American Water Works Association. He raised issues on regulations and providing time tables for compliance. Village of Ilion has reached out to the MVWA to look for a solution for reliable clean water.
- Mr. Becher stated that he was at a conference last week for the Association of the Metropolitan Water Agencies. They got a sneak peek of the revised lead and copper rule to deal with lead levels in the water and service pipes. It has not been updated since 1991. It should be finalized next year, and it looks like they are going to leave the action level at 15 parts per billion. They will be creating a new level called a trigger level at 10 parts per billion. If the Authority is above 10 parts per billion, we would have to do reviews of our corrosion control. If there is a galvanized service pipe that was ever in contact with lead it must be treated as a lead service.
- Mr. Becher stated that at the conference he listened to someone from Standard and Poor’s and was speaking about bonding. He stated that Europe exports a lot of products to the United States but the thing they export the most is regulations. What’s happening in Europe in regulations is relating to climate change. You can not be sued for not preparing for climate change They are trying to protect their Bond purchasers from risk of them being sued. What will be happening is that when we Bond, we will have to show the investors that we have a Climate Action Plan and are prepared for such things as a drought or running out of water.
Old Business:
Mr. Wallace asked Mr. Becher where the resolution was pledging support for their project. Mr. Becher stated that the Town’s engineer must do the final plans for the water district. The Water Authority is waiting on the Town of Frankfort.
Mr. Corr wanted to thank Dick Goodney for going to Snowden Hill and looked over the site. It is coming along nicely
Meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority