Water Board

ALBANY WATER BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING October 20, 2023 The regular meeting of the Albany Water Board was officially convened at 9:27am, in the Conference Room at the Albany Water Department, 10 North Enterprise Drive, Albany, NY on Friday, October 20, 2023. PRESENT: Rachel Johnson, Vice Chairperson; Anthony Owens, Treasurer; Karen Strong, Secretary; VIA ZOOM: Charles Houghton, Chairperson. EXCUSED: James R. Frezzell, Assistant Secretary. STAFF PRESENT: Joseph E. Coffey, Jr., P.E. Commissioner; William Simcoe, P.E., Deputy Commissioner; Christopher Powers, CFO; Mark Klender, Interim CFO; Sarah Terrill, Confidential Assistant; Steven Mercier, Communications Coordinator. BOARD ADVISORS PRESENT: Laura Gulfo, Attorney at Law, MCL&C; William Kahn, UHY Advisors MEMBER’S OF PUBLIC: Shawn O’Neil and Peni O’Neil, 60 Dove Street. Approval of Meeting Minutes Vice Chairperson Johnson introduced the minutes of the meeting on September 22, 2023. With no objection, the reading of the minutes was dispensed; and Ms. Johnson called for a motion to approve the minutes. A motion was offered by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong, and passed unanimously. Public Comment Mr. O’Neil informed the Board he was present to learn more about the “Find and FIX” Policy that is on the agenda. Mr. O’Neil was also inquiring into the Lead Service Line Replacement Grant. Commissioner Coffey will provide the requested information. New Business Chairman Houghton informed Board Member’s that they are not required to complete the mandatory ethics training. There is a parcel of land consisting of six lots that is being designated as a Community Garden by the Land Bank. There currently is no main. The Land Bank is proposing a partial reimbursement for the installation of the main line that would be used to water the garden. More research and cost estimating will be done before a decision is reached.  Committee and Reports Finance Committee Report- Anthony Owens, Committee Chairman Mr. Owens reported that the Finance Committee convened at 8:42am with three members present. Mr. Houghton was present via zoom and James Frezzell was excused. The was a quorum present and the minutes were approved. Mr. Owens reported that Mr. Powers presented the year to date financial information. There is a new Senior Accountant that will be starting on November 12th. Mr. Owens also reported that the 2024 draft budget was working on forecasting to determine a rate increase for 2024. Also discussed was options to increase revenue, such as bottling water, SUNY Nanotech. There was no need for executive session and the finance committee was adjourned at 9:23am. Rate Consultant Report-William Kahn, UHY Advisors Mr. Kahn will provide a written recommendation for the 2024 rate increase at the November meeting. If approved, a public hearing will be authorized for an intended implementation date of January 1, 2024 for the rate increase. Commissioner’s Report - Joseph E. Coffey, Jr., P.E. Commissioner and William Simcoe, P.E. Deputy Commissioner Commissioner Coffey informed Board Memebr’s of Rebecca Caldon’s recent acceptance of the Supervising Engineer position. With her vacancy, an Engineer position will be posted. The goal for the candidate is to be more wastewater oriented. There is also a Laboratory Technician position that was recently posted. Commissioner Coffey also informed Member’s of Steve Mercier’s title change to Project Manager beginning in 2024. Deputy Commissioner Simcoe provided a progress update on various ongoing projects. Counsel Report – Laura Gulfo, Attorney at Law, MCL&C, PLLC Ms. Gulfo provided an update on the ongoing Article 7 tax assessment challenges for the town of Bethlehem, Westerlo and Coeymans. Ms. Gulfo is working with these communities to determain how they assess these properties. Communications Report-Steve Mercier, Communications Coordinator Mr. Mercier provided an update on the current communications campaigns. There was an “Adult Fieldtrip” that was organized with the Upper Hudson Library Association. This field trip included 25 adults that started at the Alcove Reservoir and then to Water Filtration Plant where they were able to learn about the water shed and filtration processes. Mr. Mercier is working on new signage for Water Filtration Plant, Alcove and other facilities since most of the signs are out of date and are displaying the old City Of Albany logo. Mr. Mercier is developing a protocol for water main breaks. This system will have different levels based on the severity of the break and will be used to alert the necessary personnel and the public Lead Service Replacement Project Update- Katie McKitrick Ms. McKitrick informed the Board of the purpose of the “Find and Fix” Policy that is due to be voted on later in the meeting. Ms. McKitrick explained the term “Find and Fix” is an EPA used term. The compliance sampling is now two times per year consisting of at least 60 single family homes. The purposes of this policy is to priorities line replacements to those testing above the EPA action threshold. Resolutions • Resolution 23-75: Adopting “Find and Fix” policy. Motioned by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Owens, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-76: Authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding and any required documents to establish ownership and maintenance of 127 Orange Street for Green Infrastructure Grant Program Project. Motioned by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-77: Approving change order 2 to the Alcove Sodium Permanganate contract with Spring Electric for the amount of $44,000. Motioned by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Owens, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-78: Approving change order 3 to the Feura Bush Electric Upgrades contract with Spring Electric for the amount of $50,536.88. Motioned by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Ms. Strong, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-79: Approving to amend Task Order for Thurlow Terrace with CHA to include EFC’s Equivalency Terms & Conditions. Motioned by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong, and passed unanimously.  • Resolution 23-80: Authorizing a task order with Environmental Design & Research, DPC for professional design & construction document development service for North Hawk Street porous pavement and storm water management project. Motioned by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Owens, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-81: Approving Change Order 13 for the Beaver Creek Clean River Project phase 3/5 contract with Wm J Keller & Sons Construction fir the amount of $50,260.21. Motioned by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-82: Authorizing the Chairman to execute a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey. Motioned by Mr. Owens, seconded by Ms. Strong, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-83: Authorizing the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to execute the Krumkill Trunk Sewer Engineering Grant Agreement. Motioned by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Owens, and passed unanimously. • Resolution 23-84: Awarding contract for the Beaver Creek Flow Management and Inflow Reduction Project to Wm. J. Keller & Sons Construction Corporation. Motioned by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Owens, and passed unanimously. Being no further business, Vice Chairperson Johnson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by Ms. Strong, seconded by Mr. Owens and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am. The next meeting of the Albany Water Board will be Friday, November 17, 2023 at 9:00am. Please note there will be a meeting of the Governance Committee at 8:30am. Approved by: __________________________ (Assistant) Secretary