Water Board

ALBANY WATER BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING October 22, 2021 A regular meeting of the Albany Water Board was officially convened at 9:08am, in the Conference Room at the Albany Water Board, 10 North Enterprise Drive, Albany, NY on Friday, October 22, 2021. PRESENT: Charles Houghton, Chairperson; Anthony Owens, Treasurer; Karen Strong, Secretary; James R. Frezzell, Assistant Secretary. EXCUSED: Rachel Johnson, Vice Chairperson STAFF PRESENT: Joseph E. Coffey, Jr., P.E., Commissioner, Thomas Dufresne, CFO; William Simcoe, P.E., Deputy Commissioner BOARD ADVISORS PRESENT: William Kahn, UHY Advisors Approval of Meeting Minutes Chairperson Houghton introduced the minutes of the Meeting September 24, 2021. With no objection, the reading of the minutes was dispensed; and Mr. Houghton called for a motion to approve the minutes. A motion was offered by Mr. Owens and seconded by Ms. Strong and passed unanimously. Public Comment Period No public comment Committee and other reports: Finance Committee Report Committee Chairperson Owens reported on the substance of the Finance Committee meeting this morning which centered on a review of the September MTD/YTD Financial Report provided by CFO Dufresne. CFO Dufresne also discussed an interest in evaluating potential new vendors for our on-line bill payment system that provide additional functionality for our customers. CFO Dufresne also provided an update on the Budget process including a report on the Cit s Compensation Survey being conducted by an outside consultant. Next Finance Committee meeting is Friday January 28, 2022. Financial Report CFO Dufresne/Mr. Kahn Since all Board members attended the Finance Committee meeting earlier this morning, Mr. Dufresne did not add any commentary regarding the September MTD/YTD Financial reports. Mr. Kahn provided a handout titled Potential Rate Related Discussion Issues that outlined a list of factors that the Board will need to consider in assessing the need and amount of a rate increase. He reviewed again, the history of water and sewer rates of the Water Board and the mechanisms that are built into water and sewer rates. There was also a discussion of the history of the tiered system of water and sewer rates. He noted the potential for having a difference in water and sewer rates, currently the water and sewer rates are the same. We also do not have a stormwater fee. The board and staff discussed: x the potential to add new tiers for commercial users x consolidating large users by meter owner rather than meters location (e.g., all NYS owned facilities would be charged the large user Tier II rate, even if an individual location doesn t use enough water to qualify for the higher rate). x implementing different rates for water and sewer x potential for other elements to consider in the rates; for example stormwater management, lead water service replacement, long term control plan. x Considering an affordabilit inde a Lifeline water rate etc There was a discussion on the Bethlehem water sales contract and potential impact if the contract is not renewed or renewed with different terms. The Board will review the prospect for a rate increase at future meetings this year. Commi ione Repo Commissioner Joseph Coffey, Jr., P.E. and Deputy Commissioner William Simcoe, P.E. The spreadsheet of 2021 MTD/YTD Critical Numbers & Key Performance Indicators was briefly referenced. Commissioner Coffey also commented on the value and benefit reviewing our financials on an accrual basis, not just a cash presentation. Commissioner Coffey provided an update on the lead water service replacement program and provided graphics that showed the growth in the program since inception in June this year; as of October 15th, there have been grants in of the cit s wards . He also noted a desire to find a means to accelerate the pace of lead water service replacements so we can complete all lead service replacements well before 2040; board members expressed support for this goal. The Commissioner updated the Board on the upcoming training session for senior leadership in the principles of Good to Great (Jim Collins) and Mastering the Rockefeller Habits (Verne Harnish). These are management/leadership development tools that are used in the Department as part of our annual planning activities and establishment of key performance indicators and critical performance numbers. Moreover the tools can be used to establish an organi ational culture that focuses on servant leadership establishment of core values and mission driven goals leading to the development of the annual AWD One Page Plan. Moreover, it is an effort to understand what our mission is and to have a sense of urgency in executing our tasks. Deputy Commissioner Simcoe summarized activities associated with AWD takeover of water storage and pumping facilities at the Harriman Campus. Deputy Commissioner Simcoe updated the Board on the upcoming Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant program applications being prepared by the AWD, which are due November 22. Deputy Commissioner William Simcoe, P.E. updated the Board on the Beaver Creek Clean River project.  -Phase 3 the Diversion Tunnel from Delaware Avenue to the new treatment facility is continuing. -Phase 4 tunnel from Morton Ave to the treatment facility site is complete and the segment from Morton to Third Avenue is also complete. Rifenburg is completing piping connections from the tunnel to the existing sewer. -Phase 5 is continuing, the major excavation is complete and the poured concrete floors are complete and the vertical wall construction has begun. The Board members were encouraged to check the project webpage on a regular basis and the Commissioner presented a link to a new web site that will be an interactive real-time web page with photos and real time progress charts for the tunneling projects. The Commissioner noted the current activities related to filling the Lincoln Park fields. The eastern half of the field is being graded and drainage installed in preparation for seeding the fields to enable this portion of the bowl to be placed back in use in the spring of 2022. The Commissioner advised the Board on the status of the 35 Erie Blvd Site improvements. Site work contract is under construction with goal to be completed by year end, and the next phase for new buildings will be bid in November for Spring 2022 construction. Deputy Commissioner Simcoe provided brief summaries of all of the other capital projects under construction that are part of our Capital plan Water Treatment Plant Governor s Mansion Pressure Reducing Valve replacement, 2021 sewer lining project, 2021 Water and Sewer Improvements). Deputy Commissioner Simcoe updated the Board on the updates to the 5 Year Capital Plan (2022-2026) being prepared by Arcadis, which will be presented in November. Old Business Commissioner Coffey updated the Board on T-Mobile/Sprint lease negotiations for our facility at Upper Washington Ave. tank. Counsel Ruane has advised a new lease has been approved by T-Mobile/Sprint and we are awaiting the copies for signature. New Business Deputy Commissioner Simcoe advised the Board on the process leading to the recommendation of the consultant for the upcoming design project at the Water Plant (lime feed equipment, elevator, filter gallery). CPL has been recommended by staff for the award. Deputy Commissioner Simcoe advised the Board on upcoming activities associated with WIIA Grant Applications and SEQRA requirements for the Board to undertake. Deputy Commissioner Simcoe provided an explanation of the request for a Resolution to standardize our procurement for peristaltic chemical feed pumps on pumps manufactured by Blue-White. Resolutions x Resolution 21-72: Authorizing Chairman to execute a Professional Services Agreement with CPL Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects and Surveyors, D.P.C. for Engineering Design and Construction Administration Services at the Feura Bush Water Filtration Plant. Moved by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Frezzell and passed unanimously.  x Resolution 21-73: Approving Change Order #1 to the General Construction Contract with Wm. J. Keller & Sons Construction Corp. for 35 Erie Blvd Site Improvements and Alterations. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong and passed unanimously. x Resolution 21-74: Authorizing the Chief Fiscal Officer to Execute Closing Papers on Behalf of the Albany Water Board to Ratify an Agreement with the State of New York for Advance Payment to the Water Board for Payment for a portion of Water Board property along NYS Route 143. Moved by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Frezzell and passed unanimously. x Resolution 21-75: Authorizing the Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner to submit applications for the CWSRF WIIA Grant Program. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong and passed unanimously. x Resolution 21-76: Authorizing the Standardization of Purchase of Blue-White Peristaltic Chemical Pumps. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Frezzell and passed unanimously. x Resolution 21-77: Approving Change Order #1 to the 2021 AWB Water & Sewer Improvements contract with New Castle Paving. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Frezzell and passed unanimously. x Resolution 21-78: Declaring Intent for Lead Agency Status under SEQRA for Hackett Blvd. Constructed Wetland project. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Frezzell and passed unanimously. x Resolution 21-79: Declaring Intent for Lead Agency Status under SEQRA for Beaver Creek Combined Sewer Tidal Gate project. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Frezzell and passed unanimously. No Executive Session Next regular meeting of the Water Board is scheduled for November 19, 2021 9:00am. Note: A Governance Committee meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2021 at 8:30am. Being no further business, Chairperson Houghton called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25am. Approved by: ___________________________ (Assistant) Secretary