Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
May 20, 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, George Haskell, Richard Karam, Eugene Santa-Croce III, and Bette Szesny
Absent: Mark Ford and Frank Meola
Also Present in Boardroom: Patrick Becher, Jim Korfonta, Dan Faldzinski, Jim Mack, Phil Tangorra, Anne Milograno, Sandra Dare, and Ken Bobrow Esq.
Approval of the April 15, 2024 Minutes:
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the Minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Karam
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: PH 1B Eastern MV Regional Transmission Main Project – SEQR Environmental Assessment and Negative Declaration Resolution
Mr. Faldzinski stated that at our last Board Meeting a resolution was passed for MVWA to assume the role of lead agency for the environmental review of the project impacts for the Eastern Mohawk Valley Regional transmission main project which is going to extend water from our transmission main on Trenton Rd in Deerfield eastward to Schuyler, Ilion, Frankfort, and the Village and Town of Herkimer. Mr. Faldzinski said that the environmental assessment form was sent out to the interested agencies and parties and asked them to agree with our position to be lead agency. None of them objected. We sent them the EAF, which was the project description and we received back during this time, confirmation none of these agencies or interested parties had any significant environmental impacts to note, so we signed parts 2 and 3 of the environmental assessment form. We found that there are no significant impacts to the environment with the installation of this water main.
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Resolution: Application to NYSEFC for Grant Funding under the WIIA Program for Eastern MV Regional Transmission Main Project Ph 1B
Mr. Faldzinski stated that this resolution is related to the prior resolution, the Regional Mohawk Valley transmission main. This resolution authorizes construction upon receipt of funding from the NY State Environmental Facilities Corp. With an approved negative declaration of environmental impact and this resolution, which is an intent to move forward with the project, we can secure the appropriate funds, both of these resolutions will be submitted on June 14, 2024 with the EFC grant application for project funding.
Mr. Becher added that this resolution authorizes us to apply for the funds, however we are not obligated to do the project or accept the funds if they decide to award them to us. This project is for MVWA to perform work on our existing distribution system to accommodate the line that’s proposed to go out to Ilion, Schuyler, Frankfort, and the Town and Village of Herkimer. Another contingency on this project is that we need written commitments from these municipalities, that they will actually connect up and draw the water for this project to be a go. In addition to this, we have put in applications with both of our US Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Congressional Representatives Elise Stefanik and Brandon Williams, collectively asking for $15 million in direct congressional spending.
Mr. Faldzinski stated that an EFC grant award could cover up to 60% of the project cost for around $5 million.
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to approve the Resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Annese
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried
Committee Reports:
April Finance Reports:
Mr. Korfonta stated that consumption is down for the year, however it has recovered from the previous month. Water sales are trending in the right direction. Cash flow is trending down a bit. We have been putting out a lot of funds recently for the pipe bridge project and the FEMA project which we pay for up front and then will get reimbursed.
Mr. Brodsky stated that the Finance Committee has been working on charts/graphs and KPI’s (key performance indicators) to try and help illustrate trends a little better than the reports we get each month. This is to give a better sense of the direction the various financial indicators are going. Mr. Korfonta and his team have been working on this. Information was presented today, and the Board watched a short power point presentation and were encouraged to ask questions.
Mr. Korfonta said they are planning for future months to present some charts, graphs and KPI’s. This will make it easier for Board members to see where we are and where we need to go.
Executive Director’s Report:
Mr. Becher stated that beginning about 2 weeks ago he, Mr. Faldzinski and Mr. Tangorra started conference calls with the Canal Corp again because the water level at Hinckley Reservoir is about 4 feet below the elevation trigger level, mainly due to not getting enough snow this past winter.
We received confirmation that we will be receiving $2 million funding from NYS for the lead service line inventory. Now that we know that we will be receiving these funds we will hire some outside help to prepare the inventory which is due in October 2024.
Mr. Becher said that Mr. Faldzinski received a phone call on Friday afternoon from Brookfield Power stating they are ready to release the easements that we need to continue with the project at the WTP. This is very good news.
Mr. Becher, Mr. Faldzinski and Mr. Tangorra went to the water treatment plant to give a tour to the Village of Herkimer and their Village Attorney, Vince Rossi along with our Attorney, Ken Bobrow. They are not sure if they want to make the commitment to come on board for the Eastern Mohawk Valley Transmission Main Project.
Old Business:
Mr. Bova asked if the lease for the French Rd. building had been presented to the Finance Authority for approval. Mr. Becher stated that he and Mr. Korfonta spoke with the Bond Counsel in NYC and since this is not a capital lease it did not meet the bond counsel definition of lease and therefore the approval of this Board is sufficient.
New Business: NA
Chairman DeLia asked for a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:32PM to discuss a possible contract with Neptune and an MOU for the Teamsters.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Went into Executive Session at 5:32PM.
Motion made to come out of Executive Session by Ms. Szesny. Seconded by Mr. Santa-Croce.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Came out of Executive Session at 5:50PM.
Resolution: Approval of MOU for Teamsters, Article V of CBA regarding workday, workweek, and overtime revisions.
Motion made by Mr. Santa-Croce to approve the resolution. Seconded by Mr. Brodsky.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Neptune Software-As-A-Service Agreement as Presented
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the resolution. Seconded by Mr. Haskell.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
Resolution: Neptune Confidential Agreement and Release as Presented
Motion made by Mr. Meola to approve the resolution. Seconded by Mr. Karam.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (2) Absent Motion Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:50PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority