Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
April 15, 2024
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, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Richard Karam, Frank Meola, Eugene Santa-Croce III (arrived at 5:07) and Bette Szesny
Absent: George Haskell
Also Present in Boardroom: Patrick Becher, Jim Korfonta, Dan Faldzinski, Phil Tangorra, Anne Milograno and Sandra Dare.
Approval of the March 25, 2024 Minutes:
Motion made by Mr. Ford to approve the Minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Approval of the French Rd lease agreement to be forwarded to the Finance Authority
Mr. Becher stated that MVWA is pursuing a lease agreement for a mechanics building on French Rd in Utica. The main goal of this is to move the mechanics from Kemble St to French Rd and this will free up much needed space at the Kemble St garage.
Mr. Faldzinski said that this garage is 3300 sq. ft with ample workspace and storage. There is also a restroom, office and breakroom. This is a 3-year lease with an option to extend it at the end.
There were many questions that were asked and answered during this discussion that may be listened to on our Board Meeting video.
Motion made by Mr. Annese to approve the lease to move forward. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
Vote: (8) Ayes (2) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Nay votes were Mr. Meola and Mr. Bova
Resolution: Award of Professional Services for Environmental Review of Phase 1B
Mr. Becher explained that this Award of Professional Services went to Ramboll Engineering in the amount of $8,800.00, this contract will allow consultants to prepare a work plan and submit an application for congressional funding. An environmental review needs to be done for the pipeline going east towards Ilion. MVWA needs to make some improvements at the connection point on the system.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Declare MVWA as the Lead Agency for SEQR Review
This resolution was discussed in the prior resolution discussion.
Motion made by Mr. Annese to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Award of Contract Services for FEMA Repair Project Phase 2
Mr. Faldzinski stated that MVWA received 3 bids for this project and the contract was awarded to Jablonski Excavating in the amount of $818K. MVWA requires storm damage repair to a water main that runs across the West Canada Creek below the Prospect Dam and damage repair to the side wall of the Water Treatment Plants decant lagoon. Also, restoration of the concrete at Prospect Dam and restoration of the lagoon embankment adjacent to the West Canada Creek with large stone fill and rip rap.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Santa-Croce III
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Approval of 1st Quarter Investment Statement:
Mr. Korfonta explained that public authorities law requires that we provide a statement of investments with any revenues and expenses that are earned or expended from those funds on a quarterly basis. Mr. Korfonta stated that during the first quarter of the year we earned almost $301K in interest. We budgeted $780K for the year. We also have funds set aside in case they are needed for arbitrage.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the Investment Statement. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Committee Reports:
March Finance Report:
Mr. Korfonta stated that water consumption is down 1.8% compared to 1.5% from the previous month, it is trending downward which is not good. Internally we have done an analysis of what is happening with consumption. Some of this is due to large leaks that are being repaired and also some misreads. Revenue is down $227K versus budget however it is up $226K versus this time last year. Cash flow is down this month, primarily due to payments made to the contractor at the treatment plant and a full year payment made to the property/liability insurance company.
Re-affirmation of Human Resource Policies:
Mr. Becher stated that under the Public Authorities Reform in New York State we are required to have certain policies re-affirmed by the Board of Directors each year. The following policies were reviewed by our Personnel Director, Sandra Dare, and there are no changes.
- Employee Travel Policy
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
- Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
- Whistleblower Policy
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the re-affirmation of policies. Seconded by: Mr. Ford
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Executive Director’s Report:
Mr. Becher stated that Hinckley Reservoir is currently spilling over the top of the dam, which is good. However, we would like to see it spilling over the top of the dam on May 1. That is a good start to the season with a full reservoir.
Mr. Becher attended a conference recently and there was a discussion regarding the new lead and copper rules. We are still waiting to hear who will have to pay for what (if all lead service lines have to be replaced).
Old Business:
Approval of the Non-Compliance Fee for Meters - Mr. Becher explained that we have some large commercial customers with large meters that need replacing/repairing and some of these need to have plumbing work done prior. Some of these customers have gone years without having the work performed. We will impose a fee for non-compliance in hopes that they will have the plumbing work done so that we will be able to repair and/or replace the meter. A final letter will be sent to customers prior to charging them the fee. The public hearing was held and there were no customers in attendance. The rates and fees booklet for 2024 will be updated once this is approved by the Board of Directors.
Motion made by Mr. Annese to approve the non-compliance fee. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Application – MVWA is recommending a pause for this drinking water state revolving fund application for phase 3a. Mr. Becher said that the EFC administers the state revolving fund and we have received money from them for phase 1 and phase 2. In order to accept the award of three million dollars for phase 3a we would need to pass a bonding resolution by May stating that we will bond and obtain the matching funds. Since phase 2 is now being delayed we would recommend not pursuing the award at this time. EFC has said that MVWA may apply for this again at a future date.
Lead Service Line Funding Award – Mr. Becher stated that MVWA now has written confirmation that we will receive a two-million-dollar grant. It is not known when MVWA will have access to these funds. Mr. Becher has recommended that MVWA hire a contractor to help with additional investigation work on identifying service lines.
Approval to Accept the two-million-dollar grant for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Funding Award.
Motion made by Mr. Santa-Croce III to accept grant. Seconded by Mr. Bova.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
New Business: NA
Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:48PM to discuss Labor relations and possible litigation.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Went into Executive Session at 5:50PM.
Motion made to come out of Executive Session by Mr. Meola. Seconded by Mr. Bova.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Came out of Executive Session at 6:10PM.
Resolution: Approval of MOU for Teamsters to receive on-call pay described in Article XII, section 3 of the CBA when on-call.
Motion made by Mr. Ford to approve on-call pay. Seconded by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: The Board approved Ratifying and Funding Collective Bargaining Agreement for the MEA (Management Employees Association) through December 31, 2026.
Motion made by Mr. Meola to approve Ratifying and Funding MEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (10) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (1) Absent Motion Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10PM.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority