Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
July 17, 2023
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided, and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Roll Call
Present: Carl Annese, Dennis Bova, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford (arrived at 5:02), George Haskell, Richard Karam and Bette Szesny
Absent: Bruce Brodsky, Frank Mutolo.
Also Present in Boardroom: Patrick Becher, Jim Korfonta, Dan Faldzinski, Phil Tangorra, Anne Milograno, Jim Mack, Sandra Dare, and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
Approval of the June 19, 2023 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the Minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Haskell
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Chairman DeLia stated that Mr. Arcuri had to resign from the Board to due to the requirements of his seat. Mr. Arcuri was also the Treasurer of this Board.
Vice Chairman Brodsky has resigned as the Vice Chairman.
Approval: Election of officers
Chairman DeLia proposed to the Board to elect Mr. Brodsky as Treasurer.
Ms. Szesny made a motion to nominate Mr. Bruce Brodsky to the Treasurer position, Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Chairman DeLia proposed to the Board to elect Mr. Coyne as Vice-Chairman.
Mr. Annese made a motion to nominate Mr. Vincent Coyne to the Vice Chairman position, Seconded by Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Committee Reports
June Finance Report:
Mr. Korfonta reported that consumption is down 6.2%, it was down 8.7% in May, so we have recovered a little. Water sales are down $530K compared to budget. However, cash flow is still positive. We have had a couple of meetings to make reductions in our expenses and our future expenses, postpone some purchases and such.
Mr. Becher stated that he and Mrs. Milograno had a conversation with Wolfspeed and confirmed that their consumption has dropped and will stay flat for the next twelve months or so.
Approval of 2nd Quarter Investment Statement:
Mr. Korfonta stated that interest rates have increased so much and we have earned about $426K in interest income. Our budgeted amount for the year was only $350K, so that is very good.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the Investment Statement. Seconded by: Mr. Annese
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Mr. Becher said that the state has announced that there is $425 Million dollars of funding available under WIIA administered through Environmental Facilities Corp (EFC). The deadline to apply for these funds is July 28, 2023. EFC needs a resolution from the Board to submit the application. This does not mean the Board is funding or approving the projects, but simply giving us the authority to request funds. MVWA is not obligated to take the funds if they are awarded to us. If the EFC funds any of the 3 projects listed, there are certain parameters that must be followed, such as they can only go up to a certain amount of money, but MVWA is not obligated to accept the funds. If MVWA is awarded funds then at that time we will have to come back to the Board for approval. Applications and resolutions are for the 3 following projects.
Resolution: Approval of the Toby Rd Tank Construction Project
Motion made by Mr. Annese to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Approval of the Raw Water Mains Phase 3A Construction Project
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Haskell
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Approval of the Hanger Rd Water Tower Construction Project
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Bova
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Approval: Allocation of Funds for the AMI Consultant
Mr. Becher asked for additional funds in the amount of $10K to be allocated for our AMI expert Don Schlenger from Don Schlenger & Associates. Mr. Schlenger has helped us to navigate through the difficulties we have had with the Neptune System. Chairman DeLia stated that the Capital Project Committee recommends that this pass through the Board.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the Allocation of Funds. Seconded by: Mr. Ford
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Executive Director’s Report
- Mr. Becher stated that Hinckley Reservoir has re-filled, it was previously 9 feet below normal. It is currently 3 feet above normal, which is good for July. The State Canal Corp has been very accommodating.
- Mr. Becher said that he, Mr. Faldzinski, and Mrs. Dare have interviewed and recruited an engineer, who will start on August 7th. There is one more engineering position to be filled.
Executive Session
Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:20PM to discuss the update of possible litigation and a discussion of the bargaining agreement.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Went into Executive Session at 5:22PM.
Motion made to come out of Executive Session by Mr. Bova. Seconded by Mr. Haskell.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Came out of Executive Session at 5:26PM
In Executive Session the Board approved an MOU with the Management Employees Association.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the agreement. Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:26PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority