Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
September 27, 2021
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided, and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Roll Call
Present: Dennis Bova, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Luke Lewis, Richard Karam, Bette Szesny.
Absent: Rocco Arcuri, Bruce Brodsky, Frank Mutolo and Joe Samson.
Also Present: Phil Tangorra, Eric Schuler, Jim Mack, Anne Milograno, Jim Korfonta, Geralynn Powers and Kenneth Bobrow, Esq.
Approval of the August 2, 2021 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Corr
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Presentation of Annual Audit:
Jim Korfonta introduced Jonathan Gibbs from BST to present an overview of the audit report for year ending December 31, 2020.
Mr. Gibbs met with the Audit Committee prior to the Board Meeting to go through a detailed dive of the Authorities financial
statements for year ending December 31, 2020. The audit was performed in March 2021 and filed in compliance with the ABO
deadlines of 90 days after year end, by 3/31/21, and they went out on 3/29/21. Mr. Gibbs stated that they provide an unmodified
opinion on the financial statements, which is the highest level of assurance that they can provide as auditors of the Authority.
Mr. Gibbs also stated that the audit went well, no disagreements with management, no significant accounting policies that were
found to be improper. Mr. Gibbs spoke about one item that was significant which was the 8 million dollar debt instrument that
required no principal or interest payments from 2000 until 2021. Repayment of the debt started in Apr 2021. Mr. Gibbs said he
went into deeper detail of the balance sheet, income statement, as well as the internal controls.
Resolution: Award of Professional Engineering Services Contract for 2019 FEMA Disaster Repairs Project
The MVWA Capital Improvement Program calls for Repair and Resiliency Improvements to various sites damaged by 2019 Halloween Storm Event.
Jacobs Civil Consultants, Inc. (JACOBS), Syracuse NY, was selected for this Project based on their design responsibility, cost,
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. JACOBS 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 $452,829. The funds to pay for
these professional services shall be paid out of the Capital Improvement Fund.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Authorization to Expend Funds for Shaw Street Project
The Board’s current Capital Improvement Plan calls for replacement of existing watermain and appurtenances through a joint
effort with the City of Utica as part of a roadway and sanitary sewer replacement project. Bids were received by the City
of Utica from six (6) general contractors and the bid of Jablonski Excavating Inc., Dolgeville, New York, in the amount
of $179,629.00 for water infrastructure-related construction, was the apparent lowest overall submitted bid. MVWA expend
funds to the City of Utica for costs related to water-infrastructure-related construction, in the amount not to exceed $179,629.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Proposal for Future Audit Services:
The Proposal for Future Audit Services will be presented to the Audit Committee. This is not for the Board of Directors to approve.
Approval of Policies:
Employee Travel Policy, Surplus Property Disposition Policy, Procurement Policies and Procedures, Investment Guidelines and Code of Ethics.
Annual reaffirmation of the policies. The IRS amounts on the Employee Travel Policy are the only changes. We follow the IRS reimbursement
rates and they have made upgrades to their rates. The other policies remain the same.
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve the policies. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Finance:
Mr. Korfonta presented the July and August 2021 Financial reports. End of August reports cash flow is doing relatively well. We are
positioning ourselves for the latter part of the year, where we have some bigger bills to pay. Our billing is on track year to date.
Consumption is down a little over 3% for the year, but we’re able to make it up with the rates. Mr. Corr asked a question regarding
the retirement break. Jim stated that we have not heard yet. He spoke about the budget proposal of 3%, with the possibility of getting
that down to 2.5%.
Executive Director’s Report
- Mr. Becher stated that there has been an ongoing discussion with the City of Utica. The City is in need of swapping some land.
They are looking at our Southern Reservoir along Valley View Rd. Nothing is final at this time, but the City is having a State
Parks Official come down to look at it and take a walk through.
- We had a successful change-over of our phone system with Spectrum.
- An informational piece, Suez is in the final year of a 5-year contract running the Water Treatment Plant. We need to look at the renewal of the contract.
- We have received a certificate of successful completion from Tri-Delta for Disaster Recovery Testing. Everything worked as it should.
- We received an award from the New York State AWWA (American Water Work’s Association) for our participation in Utilities Helping Utilities, during COVID.
Mr. Corr asked a question regarding delinquent notices to customers. Jim Mack stated that notices are mailed out 36 or 37 days after they are delinquent.
Executive Session: Possible litigation
Motion made by Mr. Bova to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (4) Absent Motion Carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority