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

November 16, 2020

---

Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.

Roll Call

Present by WebEx: Rocco Arcuri, Elis DeLia, Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, Joe Samson, Bette Szesny and Ken Bobrow, Esq.. Absent: Dave Corr and Frank Mutolo. Present in Board Room: Patrick Becher, Suzanne Harmon, Richard Goodney, Anne Milograno, Phil Tangorra, Jim Mack, Jim Korfonta and Denny Bova.

Approval of the October 26, 2020 Minutes

Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.

Resolution: Award of Professional Services Contract for Engineering and Related Construction Phase Services for the Hinckley WTP Conversion from Gas to Liquid Hypochlorite Disinfection System

The Capital Improvement Program calls for construction of a new Liquid Hypochlorite Disinfection System at the WTP located in the Town of Trenton. The project scope includes; replacement of the existing 27-year-old Chlorine Gas System utilizing one ton cylinders for reliability, safety and security reasons, provision of a temporary liquid hypochlorite feed system during the construction and transition to the new system with project details on file in the MVWA Engineering Department. The Board requested proposals from three pre-qualified professional engineering firms familiar with the WTP and its systems. The Board hereby selects the firm of GHD Engineers, Inc., Syracuse, NY to provide the above described services.

Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve this resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.

Committee Reports

Mr. Korfonta stated that at the tenth month of the year consumption to date is down 3.8% compared to the previous year. Accumulated cash is now positive by approximately $664,000. October’s cashflow netted an increase of $300,000. We are cautiously optimistic that the next two months of the year will cover the anticipated expenses including retirement and liability insurance outlays in the last months of the operating year. We are hoping to restore some of the budgeted expenses removed following the economic downturn in April/May 2020. We continue to monitor the affects of Covid and the economic shutdown during the spring/summer months and adjust our spending plan accordingly.

Executive Director’s Report

• Mr. Becher stated that on November 5th the MVWA closed on the Bonds. The MVWA has refinanced $12 million dollars of debt that was incurred in 2012 and acquired $15.2 million toward the construction fund for projects moving forward.
• Mr. Becher stated that the MVWA had the tank dedication at the new Snowden Hill Tank last week. There was good media coverage. The Town of New Hartford was very appreciative. The Town Supervisor spoke and there was presence from the police and fire departments. Dave Corr and his daughter were there along with several Board members. The tank is in service and another successful project has been completed.
• Mr. Becher stated that he had just received a phone call from Andrea Heath, Director of the Utica Zoo. She asked if the MVWA would consider a favor. The Zoo is experiencing the financial hardships that other people are seeing. One thing that they are doing is extending their hours into the evening and they received some money to buy Christmas lights to make it a beautiful display at night. They had 500 copies of a flier printed out advertising this and asked if the MVWA could have them inserted in water bills. Mr. Becher told her that he would bring it to the Board.
• Mr. Becher stated that the Schuyler water district’s Board met last month and voted to do a pervasive referendum. That means the Board has approved the creation of the district unless a minimum number of people circulate petitions and gather names that require it to go to a public vote. The petitioners were successful in getting enough names to go to public referendum, which is scheduled for January 5th.

Old Business

Mr. Bova stated that he noticed on the MVWA buildings the signs are up again, the MVWA took them down after 911. Mr. Bova would like to know if there is any reason why they are back up?
Mr. Becher stated that a lot of the precautions have been down graded since 911. That is a good question and we should look into that and see if the Federal Government has recommendations regarding that.

Mr. Bova stopped at Walker Road and a fence was put up over a valve, which makes it hard to get to. Mr. Becher will take a look at it.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________

Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority