Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
February 05, 2024
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided, and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Roll Call
Board Members Present: Carl Annese, Bruce Brodsky, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, George Haskell, Richard Karam, Frank Meola, and Eugene Santa-Croce III
Absent: Dennis Bova and Bette Szesny
Also Present in Boardroom: Patrick Becher, Jim Korfonta, Dan Faldzinski, Jim Mack, Anne Milograno, and Phil Tangorra.
Approval of the December 04, 2023 Minutes:
Motion made by Mr. Ford to approve the Minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Annese
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Approval: Election of officers:
Mr. Annese moved to make a slate of nominations as presented: Elis DeLia for re-election to the Chairman position, Vincent Coyne to the Vice-Chairman position, Bruce Brodsky to the Treasurer position and Amy Passacantando to the Secretary position. Seconded by Mr. Haskell
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Approval of 4th Quarter Investment Statement:
Mr. Korfonta stated that Public Authorities Law requires us to provide you with a quarterly statement of investments with any earnings on those investments and any expenses. At the bottom of the second page, it shows that our interest income was one million dollars. We had budgeted $350K for the year, this was due to a big change in the interest rates during the year and as a result we exceeded the budgeted amount.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Investment Statement. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Committee Reports:
November and December Finance Reports:
Mr. Korfonta stated that the November and December finance reports are in the binder. December shows the full year. We are down 5.4% in consumption and water sales are down $1.3 million for the year compared to budget. During the year we anticipated this and reduced spending by $1.9 million compared to what was budgeted. Overall, there was a surplus of about $400K before we funded our reserves.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Finance Reports. Seconded by: Mr. Ford
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Mr. Becher introduced and welcomed our newest Board Member, Eugene Santa-Croce III.
Re-affirmation of The Mobile Device Policy
Mr. Becher stated that under Public Authorities Law in New York State we are required to have certain policies re-affirmed by the Board of Directors each year. The re-affirmation of the policy reflects any changes or additions to the policy. This mobile device policy is an IT Policy, and it has minimal changes to it.
Motion made by Mr. Santa-Croce to approve the re-affirmation of policy. Seconded by: Mr. Meola
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Approval: To Extend the Pipe Loop Study
Mr. Becher explained that the pipe loop study is being done to explore chemical treatment adjustments to lower the levels of lead. He stated that Mr. Tangorra has been running this project with his team. Also, Corona Environmental has been working with us for the past year. Our crews have harvested a number of lead service pipes out of the ground during the lead service replacement that was done in conjunction with the city. The pipes are set up at the maintenance facility and running different chemical protocols guided by the consultants.
Mr. Tangorra stated that the results for Phase 1 of the Pipe Loop Study were very good, however there have been some additional changes to the federal requirements. MVWA would like to begin Phase 2 of the Pipe Loop Study which will cost about $101K. There is some money left over from Phase 1 and there are additional funds that will be allocated from the budget to fully fund Phase 2. The study will continue for about 12 more months.
Mr. Brodsky asked if there was any funding available for this project and Mr. Tangorra said that the comment period ended today. The AWWA and the NY section of the Water Works submitted comments on behalf of the Utilities. Mr. Tangorra said he had a chance to review them and submit comments.
Chairman DeLia asked to see the changes in the budget to fund Phase 2.
Mr. Meola asked if Senator Chuck Schumer’s office has been contacted for additional assistance. Mr. Becher stated that he and Mr. Faldzinski are in the process of applying for congressional spending.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Extension of the Pipe Loop Study. Seconded by: Mr. Meola
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Executive Director’s Report:
Mr. Becher stated that the Hinckley Dam is at a good level now, there are no concerns at this time. The reservoir is currently at 1220 ft, just 5 ft below the top of the dam. The normal level for this time of the year is 1206 ½ ft.
Mr. Becher explained to the Board the procedure for changing out meters and he asked for the Board’s approval to pursue the implementation of a fee schedule to charge non-compliant commercial customers. The Board of Directors are in favor of imposing a fee on non-compliant commercial customers. Once a proposed fee schedule has been produced and approved by at least 7 Board Members. A public hearing will be held and then the fee schedule will be an agenda item for the next Board Meeting.
Mr. Becher congratulated Mr. Tangorra and the lab staff. We are now certified to run lead and copper samples out of our own laboratory. The protocols changed from 50 samples every three years to 100 samples every 6 months. Equipment was purchased and calibrated to run lead and copper samples in-house for us as well as for other systems.
Mr. Tangorra spoke with the DOH and was told that it was unprecedentedly aggressive to hit a goal of January 1, 2024, for receiving accreditation. While that goal was not met, they had the accreditation on January 30th. Mr. Tangorra stated that his staff worked very hard to move this forward and get the accreditation.
Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:40PM to discuss confidential security matters.
Motion made by Mr. Annese to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Went into Executive Session at 5:42PM.
Motion made to come out of Executive Session by Mr. Brodsky. Seconded by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Came out of Executive Session at 6:10PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority