The Onondaga County Water Authority Board met for a special session on April 4, 2013. Members of the Authority present were F. Picardi, S. Miller, E. Gilligan, J. Bianchini and J. Brown.
• Others present: M. Hooker, T. Pickard, and L. Khanzadian.
I. F. Picardi called the meeting to order at 9:22 a.m.
A. Election of OCWA Board Chairperson.
On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by J. Bianchini, with all Members approving, the Board authorized Ferdinand Picardi to continue to perform the duties and responsibilities of Acting Chairperson until the Board’s annual meeting in September 2013, to include all of the authority and compensation as if he was the actual Chairperson.
B. Election of OCWA Board Vice Chairperson
On motion by E. Gilligan, duly seconded by J. Brown, with all Members approving, the Board elected Susan Miller as Vice Chairperson until the Board’s annual meeting in September 2013.
C. Legal Counsel for Labor & Employment Matters – Discussion of the ongoing use of the Ferrara law firm for periodic advice and counsel on labor related matters typically related to grievance hearings and collective bargaining topics. Reviewed the legal expense summary for the period 2008 – 2012. Further discussed seeking requests for proposals for outside labor and employment counsel after the completion of the current collective bargaining negotiations.
On motion by J. Bianchini, duly seconded by E. Gilligan, with all Members approving, the Board designated the firm of Ferrara, Fiorenza, Larrison, and Barrett & Reita as outside labor and employment counsel.
D. Legal Counsel for Outside Litigation & Specialized Legal Services – Discussion of proposals received from outside legal firms providing litigation and legal services. OCWA sent six requests and received two responses. With discussion to hire inside legal counsel, annual lump sum fee proposals are not relevant. However, overall firm summaries and proposed hourly rates are relevant. Summary attached.
On motion by S. Miller, duly seconded by J. Bianchini, with all Members approving, the Board designated the firm of Gilberti, Stinziano, Heintz & Smith as outside litigation and other specialized legal services counsel at hourly rates designated in proposal
E. OCWA Legal Counsel – Discussed the appointment of Jeffrey Brown as OCWA’s legal counsel, working twenty hours per week at an annual salary of $85,000.00.
On motion by F. Picardi, duly seconded by J. Bianchini, with S. Miller, and E. Gilligan approving, with J. Brown abstaining from the vote, the Board approved the recommendation of employment of Jeffrey Brown as OCWA Counsel with a starting annual salary of $85,000.00 effective April 8, 2013.
There being no further business to come before Board, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:52 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laurie Khanzadian, Recording Secretary