Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
July 20, 2020
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Roll Call
Present by Phone: Rocco Arcuri, Richard Karam and Joe Samson. Present by Skype: Denny Bova, Elis DeLia, Vincent Coyne, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis and Bette Szesny. Absent: Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Corr and Mr. Mutolo. Present in Board Room: Patrick Becher, Suzanne Harmon, Richard Goodney, Anne Milograno, Phil Tangorra, Jim Mack, Jim Korfonta and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
Approval of the June 8, 2020 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Arcuri to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Samson
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Chairman DeLia stated that when the Board meets in open session we will be re-affirming everything that the Board did last month and this month for the minutes.
Resolution: Award of Professional Engineering Services Contract to C&S Engineers for Design of the Replacement Vehicle Bridge at the Southern Reservoirs Site
The Capital Improvement Program calls for Design and Construction of a replacement vehicle bridge over the bypass channel at Southern Reservoirs. The project will involve removal of the original early 1900’s concrete bridge which is in poor condition and hydraulically undersized with a new, larger concrete structure that will safely support heavy truck traffic and convey stormwater flows. C&S Engineers, Syracuse, NY is a local Bridge designer and has provided study services related to the stormwater analysis of the area and the Bridge concept level design and cost estimate. They submitted a Task Based Engineering Scope of Services to be completed at a fee of $13,343. The Engineering Department is recommending utilizing C&S Engineers on a sole source basis for this work due to C&S relevant and unique experience with this specific project.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Award: Scada Contract to Brock Solutions
MVWA Scada System. They toured out sites and came up with a proposal. They did present a budget for the full replacement and implementation, which will be done between 12 and 16 months. The proposal was $2.1 million dollars, which we added to the amount that we were requesting for bonding.
They have finalized a proposal for the Water Treatment Plant. We started with seven companies and narrowed it down to Brock. This proposal went to the Capital Projects Committee last Thursday and they recommend moving it forward to the full Board.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval: MVWA Quarterly Investment Statement Ending 6/30/20
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. Arcuri
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports
Mr. Korfonta stated that halfway through the year consumption is down 3% for the year. Cash flow for the past two months is a little below our budget and still down for the year. We are cautiously optimistic as we go forward.
Executive Director’s Report
- Currently Hinckley Reservoir is about 6 ½ feet below normal. We have weekly telephone calls with the Canal Corporation and the NY Power Authority. The Canal Corporation has been attentive in monitoring this and accommodating the MVWA. They have been deviating from the Operating Diagram for about 7 weeks or so and are at the minimum release right now. We appreciate their cooperation right now.
- The Finance Authority met on June 18 to begin the bonding process for 15.2 million dollars and there is another meeting next week to choose Underwriters. We retained Rick McCarthy as our financial advisor and also retained Barton & Loguidice for the Engineering report for the official statement.. They also retained Hancock & Estabrook for environmental counsel for the SEQRA work. We will be reviewing proposals from an RFP for new underwriters. It looks like the closing on the bonds will be in the first two weeks of October.
- The Herkimer County Transmission line to go to Ilion and points in between is still moving forward. Dick Goodney and Barton & Loguidice drove the pipeline route to do physical inspections so they can complete final designs and location. In the meantime, John from the Herkimer County IDA is still trying to find as much grant money as possible. He has been able to get $3 million in grant funds so far.
- The MVWA has a hiring freeze in place for a few positions pending our financial situation. There is one position that we are actively recruiting for and has been posted nationally for a Principal Engineer. That was Don Weiner’s old title and when Dick Goodney took that job over he remained in the title he was in. Dick is going to retire at the end of the calendar year. The goal is to have someone on board at the beginning of November for a smooth transition.
- The Budget packets will be going out later this month to all of the departments. The September Board meeting scheduled for September 21st will be the 1st Budget Workshop with the Board. The budget needs to be passed no later than the end of October.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority