The Onondaga County Water Authority met in regular session on April 24, 2013.
Members of the Authority present were F. Picardi, S. Miller, and E. Gilligan.

Others present: M. Hooker, A. Geiss, L. Khanzadian, G. Miller, J. Brown and C. Marvin.

I.    F. Picardi called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m.

A. Minutes of the regular Board and Audit Committee meeting of March 27, 2013, and Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of April 4, 2013 were, on motion by S. Miller, seconded by E. Gilligan, approved by all Members present.

II.    M. HOOKER REPORTED

  • Reviewed the Executive Director’s report.
  • Discussed the recent phone service interruption at OCWA during the week of April 22, 2013. Currently evaluating the cause and assessing the overall service to determine if it meets OCWA’s current needs.
  • Review of the recent Camillus customer billing, increase in Camillus customer calls and questions.
  • April 11, 2013 attained 100,000 Active accounts.
  • Discussion of tablets, their use and application in our work environment. Reviewed the features of a Dell tablet.

 

III.    A. GEISS REPORTED:

  • Reviewed the Chief Engineer’s Report
  • Reported on the current Otisco lake level at +7.25”
  • Reported that the operation and maintenance of the Honeywell water system by OCWA staff will cease May 31, 2013.
  • Leak detection report has been expanded to include “how” the leak was detected.
  • G. Miller reviewed the Capital projects.
  • Two potential Change Orders for the Southern Branch pumping station project. First Change Order is for excavation and repairs to a buried isolation valve that broke when operated for the bypass pumping. Second Change Order is for replacing flanges, couplings and fittings in the lower level piping at Thurber Street.
  • Town of Lenox Water District #12 will receive bids on May 10, 2013.
  • The Chlorine Dioxide System was started up at Otisco Lake for the seasonal zebra mussel control.
  • Discussed recent watershed inspections and a Farmer currently clearing an estimated 100 acres without erosion control. OCWA has been in contact with the DEC and the Soil and Water Conservation District.
  • The mixing system at the Sylvan Beach tank has been restarted for the seasonal disinfection byproducts control. The last round of sampling results were well below regulatory limits.

IV.    LEGAL REPORT

  • J. Brown reviewed the Legal Report.
  • Reported that there have been a steady flow of inquiries through his office and he has enjoyed meeting OCWA employees and becoming acquainted with a variety of topics.
  • Presented and review software available to manage dissemination and retention of Board documents. Board members found the program to be helpful in organizing and communicating reports and events. Agreed that the OCWA’s IT Manager will further investigate available programs for consideration.

V.    HUMAN RESOURCES /INSURANCE/RISK MANAGEMENT REPORT

  • L. Khanzadian reviewed the Human Resource and Insurance/Risk Management report.
  • Reported that withdrawal of the recent Teamster grievance was finalized.
  • Mentioned that OCWA employees are currently participating in the Donated Leave program to offer paid leave to a fellow employee currently receiving treatment for a serious medical condition.
  • Reviewed the NYS Standard Workday and Reporting Resolution established for Jeffrey Brown.

On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members present approving, the Board accepted the NYS Standard Workday & Reporting Resolution as outlined.

  • Requested Executive Session to review the Teamster grievance and Teamster collective bargaining negotiations.

VI.    NEW BUSINESS:

  • C. Marvin reviewed OCWA’s first quarter Investment Report for the period ending March 31, 2013.

On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members present approving, the Board accepted the First Quarter Investment Report as presented.

  • Reviewed collateral agreements with JPMorgan Chase bank. Request to continue collateral agreements with JPMorgan Chase bank and to update banking signature cards with both M&T and Chase banks. Currently authorized signatures are M. Hooker, A. Geiss, and G. Miller with two vacancies due to the recent retirements of Board Chair, R. Tomeny and Legal Counsel, T. Pickard. Specifically requested signature authorization for Acting Chair, F. Picardi and Legal Counsel, J. Brown.

On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members present approving, the Board approved signature authorization for the Acting Chair, F. Picardi and Legal Counsel, J. Brown.

  • One Contractor Main Extension Contract(s) was presented for consideration.

On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members present approving, the Board authorized M. Hooker to execute the following Main Extension Contract(s):

4130028 COR Verplank Road, Co., LLC 8” Ext., Harke Farms, Phase 1, TCLA

  • One Right(s) of Way were presented for consideration.

On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members present approving, the Board authorized the following right(s) of way.

4130036 Frontier Cicero, LLC 6” FS – Autozone, 8037 Brewerton Road, TCIC

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • Board discussion of OCWA presence on Metropolitan Water Board.
  • J. Brown discussed and clarified his role as the legal designee from the firm of Mackenzie Hughes for MWB legal matters. Confirmed to the Board that if ever a conflict arose he would recuse himself from participation.
  • L. Khanzadian clarified that Bid # 7, would be reviewed at the next month’s Board meeting.
  • Bids:

#5 South Avenue Pump station roof rehabilitation. WCA Roofing & Sheet Metal

On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members present approving, the Board approved OCWA management’s recommendation of the lowest responsible bidder, WCA Roofing & Sheet Metal.

#6 Grass Mowing & Landscaping PRO Maintenance .

On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members present approving, the Board approved OCWA management’s recommendation of the lowest responsible bidder, PRO Maintenance.

B2013-Floor Tile Removal

  • Preparation of bid tabulation and review by O’Brien & Gere. OCWA management review and reference verification. Recommendation from O’Brien & Gere and OCWA management of the lowest responsible bidder, Sunshine Environmental Services, Inc. is:

On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members present approving, the Board approved Management’s recommendation of the lowest responsible bidder, Sunshine Environmental Services, Inc.

RFP Engineering Services

  • Committee of five, M. Hooker, G. Miller, P. Sherlock, T. Palamara, and T. Geiss reviewed three proposals received for Engineering Consulting Services. The group unanimously recommends Barton & Loguidice, P.C.

On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by S. Miller, with three Members present approving, the Board approved Management’s recommendation of Barton & Loguidice, P.C. as OCWA’s consulting engineer.

On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by S. Miller, with three Members present approving, the Board adjourned the regular Board meeting at 2:25 p.m. and convened an Executive Session.

There being no further business to come before Board, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

The next Authority meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 12:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,
Laurie Khanzadian, Recording Secretary