The Onondaga County Water Authority met in regular session on March 27, 2013. Members of the Authority present were F. Picardi, S. Miller, E. Gilligan, J. Bianchini and J. Brown.
Others present: M. Hooker, A. Geiss, T. Pickard, L. Khanzadian, G. Miller, C. Marvin, and J. Hartwell. Also present were Jack Burke, CPA and Lori Ciarla, CPA of the accounting firm of Dermody, Burke and Brown.
I. F. Picardi called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
A. Minutes of the regular Board meeting of February 27, 2013 were, on motion by S. Miller, seconded by E. Gilligan, approved by all Members.
B. F. Picardi, Acting Chairperson announced a Special Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 9 a.m.
II. Annual Audit Report
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by, S. Miller, with all Members approving, the Board convened as the Audit Committee at 1:05 p.m. to review and consider the financial statements of the Authority for the year ending December 31, 2012. Minutes of the Audit Committee Meeting are filed separately with these Minutes.
On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members approving, the Board returned to the Regular Board meeting at 1:45 p.m.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members approving, the Board accepted and approved the Financial Statement of the Authority for the period ending December 31, 2012, including the Audit Letter issuing an unqualified opinion.
III. Annual Reports
• Mr. Marvin presented the Annual Reports prepared for the Authority Budget Office.
• Review of the ABO Annual Report.
On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by J. Brown, with all Members approving, the Board accepted the ABO Annual report.
• Review of the Procurement report and revisions.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members approving, the Board accepted the annual Procurement Report and revisions as outlined.
• Review of the 2012 ABO Annual Investment Report, including OCWA’s Investment policy and guidelines, annual investment report, and fourth quarter investment report.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by J. Brown, with all Members approving, the Board accepted the 2012 ABO Annual Investment Report, the Fourth Quarter Investment Report as presented.
• Review of the Property Disposal Guidelines
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members approving, the Board accepted the Property Disposal Guidelines as outlined.
• The Chair directed that the reports be filed with Onondaga County Executive, County Budget Officer, Chair of the Onondaga County Legislature and New York Authority Budget Office, with copies to be posted on the Authority’s web site. Copies of said reports are filed separately with these minutes
IV. M. HOOKER REPORTED:
• Reviewed the Executive Director’s report
• As a follow-up to the ABO reporting, Board discussion on formalizing a written guideline of non-union compensation. M. Hooker will develop a draft written statement for Board review.
• Distributed and reviewed a multi-jurisdictional all-hazard mitigation plan and accompanying resolution.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by J. Brown, the Board approved the proposed resolution as outlined.
V. A. GEISS REPORTED:
• Reviewed the Chief Engineer’s Report
• Reported on the current Otisco lake level at 3.0”
• Reviewed the Consulting Engineer requests for proposal that have gone out to three qualified firms. Reviewed the Professional Services Guidelines as they relate to Engineering Services. Expect to have a recommendation for the April Board meeting.
• Discussed the recent authorizations for three large vehicles in the Distribution area and the research and idea received from the Distribution Manager, George German on the utilization of current vehicles and their conversion to suit the department’s needs. The Board commented favorably on the innovative thinking and recommended that a letter come from the Board to Mr. German recognizing his contribution to the company. T. Geiss agreed to prepare a letter.
• Planning for bids in the removal of floor tiles from the Northern Concourse garage. Working toward a June date of completing the work.
• G. Miller reported that the new carbon had been placed into operation in filter number six at the Water Treatment Plant.
• Reported on the recent certified test results of the new pumps for Thurber St and Seneca St. pumping station.
• 2013 Tank rehabilitation is in progress with a notice of award sent to Erie Painting and Maintenance Inc.
• Town of Lenox Water district #12 funding appears to be established.
• Volney Airport Water District extension is proceeding.
• Reviewed Change Order #1 for the Thurber Street & Seneca Pump Station Improvements, specifically as contract price change with an increase of $12,415.11 and a milestone time extension for Thurber Street. The overall project will be completed on time.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by J. Brown, with all Members approving, the Board accepted the outlined Change Order #1 for the Thurber Street & Seneca Pump Station project.
VI. LEGAL REPORT
• T. Pickard reviewed the Legal Report.
• Reviewed the lease agreement outlining a water distribution system and the supply of water to the Volney Airport Water District Extension.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members approving, the Board authorized legal counsel to finalize the District lease agreement with the Town of Volney as outlined and discussed.
• Reviewed the proposed amendment to OCWA’s Procurement Policy allowing for “piggy backing” of contracts let by counties and other municipalities obtained by sealed bids. Currently OCAWA would like to purchase through Tracey Road Equipment based on a recent bid conducted by Oneida County.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members approving, the Board approved the implementation through the amendment to OCWA’s procurement policy.
VII. HUMAN RESOURCES /INSURANCE/RISK MANAGEMENT REPORT
• L. Khanzadian reviewed the Human Resource and Insurance/Risk Management report.
• Requested a Board member on OCWA’s Suggestion Committee to replace R. Tomeny. Next meeting scheduled for April 24, 2013. E. Gilligan volunteered to participate.
• Meeting with the Teamster’s was held on March 26, 2013 to review the status of the contract negotiations.
• Meeting with the Teamster’s was held on March 26, 2013 to discuss the pending grievance
• Requested Executive Session to review the Teamster grievance and Teamster collective bargaining negotiations.
On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by J. Brown, with all Members approving, the Board adjourned the regular Board meeting at 3:30 p.m. and convened an Executive Session.
• Returned to the regular session at 4:00 p.m.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:
• One Contractor Main Extension Contract(s) was presented for consideration.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members approving, the Board authorized M. Hooker to execute the following Main Extension Contract(s):
4120036 AutoZone Northeast, Inc. 8” & 12” Ext.,@;8037 Route 11, TCIC
• Two Right(s) of Way were presented for consideration.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members approving, the
Board authorized the following right(s) of way.
4130011 Sisters of St. Francis 8” Ext., Buckley Road, T. Clay
4120067 Loop to Wal-Mart 8” Loop at Wal-Mart, Route 31, T. Clay
• Bids
#3 Furnish & Deliver Stone TH Kinsella Inc.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by S. Miller, with all Members approving, the
Board approved OCWA management’s recommendation of the lowest responsible bidder, Vitale Ready Mix.
#4 Furnish & Deliver Topsoil Vitale Ready Mix .
On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by J. Brown, with all Members approving, the
Board approved OCWA management’s recommendation of the lowest responsible bidder, TH Kinsella, Inc.
There being no further business to come before Board, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
The next Authority meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laurie Khanzadian, Recording Secretary