Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
August 2, 2021
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM
Chairman Delia presided and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Roll Call
Present: Rocco Arcuri, Dennis Bova, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis Delia, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, Joe Samson, Bette Szesny.
Absent Bruce Brodsky, Frank Mutolo and Patrick Becher. Also Present:, Phil Tangorra, Eric Schuler, Jim Mack, Anne Milograno, Jim Korfonta
and Kenneth Bobrow, Esq.
Election/Appointment of Board Secretary
The Board elected Amy Passacantando to the position of Board Secretary.
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the appointment. Seconded by: Mr. Ford
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval of the June 21, 2021 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Arcuri to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution:Award of Construction Contract for Luke Road Generator Replacement Project
The Board's current Capital Improvement Plan calls for replacement of existing emergency generator at Luke Road Pump Station.
Bids were received from four (4) electrical contactors and the bid of Oneida Electrical Contractors, Inc., Utica, New York, in
the amount of $89,958.00, was the lowest, and is within the project budget. Oneida Electrical Contractors, Inc. has previously
worked for MVWA and has completed past projects for MVWA in a satisfactory manner. A construction contract for the Luke Road
Generator Replacement Project be awarded to Oneida Electrical Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $89,958.00. Funds to pay for
this construction shall be paid for out of 2016 & 2020 Capital Bonds that MVWA has already allocated for this project.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution:Award of Professional Engineering Services Contract to Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions Inc. for Deerfield Tank
Slope Stabilization Improvements Project
The MVWA Capital Improvement Program Project calls for slope stabilization and drainage improvements at the Deerfield Tank Site.
The Engineering Services Contract will include Design Engineering, Bidding Phase Services, Construction Engineering Support and
Construction Inspection. Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions Inc. (RAM BOLL), Syracuse, NY, was selected for this Project based
on their design responsibility, familiarity of required construction methods for the Project, project schedule, prior work experience,
and extensive familiarity with the site and MVWA operations related to this Project. Submitted a detailed Task-Based Scope of Services
comprised of lump sum, time-and-expense, and allowance-based task values to be completed at a fee not-to-exceed $115,460.00. The funds
to pay for these engineering services shall be paid out of the Capital Improvement Fund.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Covid Relief Plan
Anne Milograno spoke about the efforts of the Covid Relief Plan. To date we have 3 customers that have signed up for the deferred payment program.
Mr. Bobrow Esq. stated that after the last meeting the emergency plan was removed, however the statute provided 6 months following the removal still
cannot shut someone off for past, and offer a payment plan.
Budget Packets
Mr. Korfonta stated that budget packets went out to Dept. Heads on July 19, 2021 and are due back August 13, 2021. We are looking tentatively of having
the budget workshop possibly September 19, 2021.
Committee Reports:
Statement of Investments:
Mr. Korfonta stated the 3 page statement for June 2021, we must provide you with the periodic statement showing balances of investments, earnings and
fees associated with the investments. What we budgeted this past year was 1-2% earnings and what has actually happened is .05 - .10%, we are at
approximately $60,000. earnings and we should be around $150,000. Investments are not where we anticipated them to be. We are currently investing
short-term waiting for changes in the market.
Motion made by Mr. Arcuri to approve the Statement of Investments. Seconded by Mr. Karam:
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Finance:
Mr. Korfonta stated:
The financial reports as of June 30th, 2021, June was a very good month for collections. We have a little surplus and we need to build
that surplus to pay some larger bills coming in October, November and December.
We have started charging penalties and other fees again, that had stopped during the moratorium.
Approval of Rate Consultant Proposal
Mr. Korfonta stated that we have a proposal from Amawalk Consulting Group LLC to continue to assist the Mohawk Valley Water Authority by
providing financial, management and rate consulting assistance on an as-needed basis for Fiscal Years 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The basic work includes the annual review of the budget and rate. The firm will assess the adequacy of the proposed budget and rate and document
its conclusions in an opinion letter to the Authority.
The proposed fees and expenses for the above work in preparation for Fiscal Year 2022 will not exceed $6,925.00. The proposed fees and expenses
for the aboce work for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 will not exceed $7,200. And $7,500., respectively.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the Rate Consultant Proposal. Seconded by Mr. Arcuri:
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority