Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
October 23, 2023
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided, and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Roll Call
Board Members Present: Carl Annese, Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, George Haskell, Richard Karam and Bette Szesny
Absent: Vincent Coyne, Frank Mutolo.
Also Present in Boardroom: Patrick Becher, Jim Korfonta, Dan Faldzinski, Jim Mack, Anne Milograno, Geralynn Powers, Phil Tangorra, Sandra Dare, and Ken Bobrow, Esq.
Approval of the September 18, 2023 Minutes:
Motion made by Mr. Ford to approve the Minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Bova
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Mr. Becher stated that there was a rate certification letter in the binders from Ed Markus. Mr. Markus has been the rate consultant for approximately 26 or 27 years. He and his team review our budget and rate structure to make sure it will work for us.
Resolution: Approval of MVWA Water Rates for Fiscal Year 2024
This was proposed as a 6% water rate increase and was certified by our rate consultant.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Annese
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Approval of MVWA Budget for 2024
Mr. Becher stated that there was a budget workshop held with the Board Members. Mr. Korfonta and his team spent a lot of time with the department heads, and they came in with realistic spending plans. Mr. Becher said that he appreciated everyone’s hard work.
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 an MOU with the Teamsters to add a title to the Collective Bargaining Agreement
Mr. Becher stated that after one of our employees retired this summer, he, Mr. Faldzinski and Mrs. Dare decided it was best to change the requirements of the position to better suit the needs of MVWA. Mrs. Dare worked with the County Civil Service to arrive at this new title. The position is outside the scope of the bargaining unit with the Teamsters, but the work falls within the scope of their area of control, so it will be added to the Teamster Agreement. The position has been filled and the pay has been set and with this agreement will formally induct it into the Teamster Union.
The resolution if approved will authorize Mr. Becher to proceed and enter this position into the agreement.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Annese
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Committee Reports:
September Finance Report:
Mr. Korfonta stated that water consumption is down a little more this month. It was down 7.1% last month and is now down 7.4%. Water sales are down approximately one million dollars for the year, but we have curbed our spending. Cash flow is down a little bit, but we have a good surplus going into the last part of the year which will be needed to make our retirement payment as well as some insurance payments that will be due.
Approval of 3rd Quarter Investment Statement:
Our interest income is up, we have earned approximately $700K in the first three quarters and we have budgeted $350K for the year. We have budgeted $700-900K for next year.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the Investment Statement. Seconded by: Mr. Bova
Vote: (8) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Executive Director's Report
Mr. Becher stated that about $4.8 million dollars has been collected through the shut off postings and LIHWAP program.
The ERP (emergency response plan) has been updated and submitted to the state.
This past Friday was the deadline to submit our VA (vulnerability assessment) and also the Cyber VA to the County Health Dept. Both were completed and handed in on time thanks to Mr. Faldzinski and Mr. Mack.
In each binder is a certificate of completion from Tri-Delta for a satisfactory completion of our annual system test for disaster recovery.
Also in each binder is a certificate from Corvus who rates us for cyber security insurance. MVWA has been rated satisfactory. We are in good secure shape.
Mr. Becher stated that while he and Mr. Faldzinski were in a meeting with other engineers, they learned that the longstanding practice of “pork barrel spending” and member items has now been institutionalized and given an actual name. It is now called Direct Congressional spending grants. Apparently, each member of the house is now allowed to fund a certain number of grants in their district and our 2 US Senators apparently have Carte Blanche. So, they have put together an application process and there’s a deadline in March. Lori Reed from Ramboll Engineering has been very successful in acquiring funds for us through EFC and other areas. Mr. Becher and Mr. Faldzinski will be speaking with Ms. Reed possibly this week. Looking for funds for large capital projects.
The pipe bridge at the Hinckley WTP that is part of a project that began 5 or 6 years ago is finally being installed by the end of the year.
The funds and design work for Phase 2 of the raw water main project are in process.
Mr. Faldzinski has taken the remaining portion of Phase 3 and broken it down into separate sections, so we can apply for funding for a smaller phase 3 which is about 3500 ft of 48” pipe. Mr. Faldzinski heard today from the NYS DOH and the County that they have endorsed the engineering report for the preliminary design phase, so we are now able to move forward and start acquiring design services.
Bill Carroll, who was a supervisor at Kemble St., has retired and that has triggered some promotions. Frank Andrello was promoted from Assistant Supervisor to Supervisor. The assistant supervisor position was back filled by one of our foreman, Gary Fischer. Mr. Becher congratulated them on their promotions and thanked Bill Carroll for all of his hard work.
Mr. Brodsky asked how the water level is at Hinckley currently. Mr. Becher said that Hinckley is at 1203, which is about 7ft. below average.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority