City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2004 Present: Mayor Michael Lenz Commissioner of Finance, Matthew McCabe Commissioner of Public Works, Thomas McTygue Commissioner of Accounts, Stephen Towne Staff Present: City Attorney Matthew Dorsey Absent: Commissioner of Public Safety, Thomas Curley CALL TO ORDER Mayor Michael Lenz called the meeting to order at 7 PM. He said that due to the absence of the regular City Council Secretary, it is necessary for the City Council to approve a contract for Nancy Wagner to take and transcribe the minutes of tonight’s workshop. Mayor Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Matthew McCabe seconded to approve the contract for Nancy Wagner to take and transcribe the minutes of any City Council meeting or workshop as needed in the amount of one hundred dollars. Ayes all Mayor Lenz introduced Mike Van Patten, Director of Marketing and Development of the Saratoga/Glen Hollow Water Company. He said that Saratoga Glen Hollow Water Supply Company is committed to serve the rim of Saratoga Lake, which includes residents in the Town of Stillwater, the Town of Malta and the Town of Saratoga, but they could expand their plans to include the City of Saratoga Springs to provide them with a supplemental water source. Mr. Van Patten said that the company’s facility is at the southern end of Saratoga Lake. He said their plan is to run a water line around Saratoga Lake from their facility on Cold Springs Road to County Route 423 at Snake Hill, then from that point to the town line between Stillwater and the Town of Saratoga. He said the third phase would be to run a line from there to the bridge, but that would only occur if the City signs on. He said that phase three would bring the water line from the town line that is between Stillwater and the Town of Saratoga to the bridge on Route 9P between the Town of Saratoga and the City of Saratoga Springs. . He said the water is of pristine quality and comes from the Colonie aquifer. He said that since the water is naturally filtered, it is necessary to add only a small amount of chlorine. He explained that they were present tonight to provide information on their system and to offer to provide water to the City of Saratoga Springs as a supplemental source, as needed. He said the system currently uses a 12- inch water line, but if they provided water to the City of Saratoga Springs, the 12-inch pipe would have to be replaced with a 16” water line. Commissioner Towne asked about the timing of the phases. Brian Fear, the company’s engineer said the first phase would be completed this year definitely, the first phase plans have been sent to and received back from the Department of Health, and revised plans have subsequently been sent to City Council Workshop minutes April 13, 2004 the Department of health. He said the Department of Transportation is fine with the project and the permits have been received. He said that they are permitted to go to County Route 423, and they are planning the construction because of logistics approved by DEC, DOT, and the DOH, to the town line. William McTygue, Director of Public Works said that he questions the lay of the land along the chosen route for the water line. He said this section of Route 9P would be a formidable challenge to install this water line because that section is narrow, and the sewer line is there. He said that this proposal includes a very difficult engineering project. Brian Fear said that the engineering plan for this project is set, and the plans include not staying on the highway. Robert Iovinella, President of Saratoga Glen Hollow Water Supply Corp. (SGHWSC) said that the first phase is the most difficult, but the Department of Transportation has approved it. He said they have a DEC water supply permit and approval from the Public Service Commission for the expansion. Bill McTygue asked if they had sought the cooperation of property owners along Route 9P since the line would run through their properties. Robert Iovinella said that they have secured the proper easements, but they are prepared to conduct a process of eminent domain if necessary. Commissioner Towne said he understands that people around the lake need water. Brian Fear said in that area, people have had health problems due to their current water source. He said that the Saratoga Lake Association and the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement district have been trying to get water over there because the water is bad and it is a health issue. Commissioner McTygue said the project is moving ahead regardless of the City’s involvement since the SGHWSC is committed to supplying water to the camps and communities. Robert Iovinella said they are asking the City to construct a water line from the north end of Saratoga Lake to the Stillwater/Town of Saratoga line and install a water meter pit. He said the City would control their pipeline and determine the connection fee that it feels appropriate to charge its prospective users. Steve Lafever, the company’s Hydrologist, said that the SGHWSC has two production wells screened in coarse, sandy deposits, approximately 250 feet deep and tapped into a confined, extremely productive aquifer system known as the Colonie Channel and as Lake Albany. He said the pumping capacity is currently 900,000 gallons of water per day, 500,000 of which could be make immediately available to the City of Saratoga Springs. He explained that the enclosed aquifer is subject to a natural filtration process of clay and sand that prevents contaminants on the surface from going down into the water. Mr. Lafever said the confined aquifer system is recharged from the other units and is not dependent upon snowmelt and rain. He said that the clay layer is in contact with the bottom of the Saratoga Lake and the water filters down, eventually getting into the aquifer, giving the water a pristine and pure quality that exceeds the water purity standards of the Department of Health. Mr. Lafever described a 72-hour pump test performed in 1997. He said that in this process, the wells are pumped continuously for 72 hours and the significance of the test is that the water level in Page 2 of 5 City Council Workshop minutes April 13, 2004 the production well #1 stabilized only dropping two inches with 167 feet of available draw-down remaining in that well. He said the water level in production well number 2 stabilized after ten hours leaving 104 feet of available draw-down after running continuously for 72 hours. He said they submitted a report to the DEC containing this information and the DEC subsequently concluded that the average level of production is 900,000 gallons per day. Commissioner Towne asked if the 1997 test is still considered viable even though it is seven years old. Brian Fear said that he does not know how the DEC would answer that question because it depends on the level of use in the area and whether the conditions have changed or not. He said the DEC signed off on the results of that pumping test. Commissioner Towne said that the two other options, Saratoga County and Saratoga Lake have issues, PCB elements in the Hudson River, and the concern about possible MTBE elements in Saratoga Lake. He asked, given the thickness of the sand, gravel and clay that filters the water, and with the top of the aquifer hitting that buffer on the bottom of Saratoga Lake, if there is any concern that either of these contaminants, PCB’s of MTBE, could affect the aquifer. Brian Fear said no, even if recharged by water from the Saratoga Lake, the water in the aquifer has to filter through clay and silt and sand up to the point where the wells are, which is a significant distance from the lake. Rich Straut said there have been water quality tests done on Saratoga Lake for MTBE before and after the regulations were established by the State, and the analyzed levels never exceeded 10 micro grams per liter which is the maximum level allowed. He said that MTBE is not a concern in Saratoga Lake and it is actually a larger concern in ground water than in surface water. Bill McTygue said that the proposal requires significant expansion in order to supply Stillwater and the Town of Saratoga. He said it seems that because of their close proximity to the Saratoga Water Services, Inc. in Malta, it would require a very delicate engineering process to not interfere with their water lines. Brian Fear said that there might even be a piping network or a possible connection between the two water services to solve the problem. Bill McTygue said that Saratoga Water Service, Inc. supplies that section of 9P and SGHWSC is going to interface water lines with his in certain areas, but you are not allowed to service anyone in his franchise. Bobby Iovinella said they are in communication with Al Mackey, and it could be a possibility if they reach their capacity of 900,000 gallons per day. Brian Fear said regarding an Environmental Impact Study, all proper paperwork has been filed with the DEC. He said they did a long form at the conception of the project with no significant impacts and a negative declaration of SEQR was performed. Bill McTygue said that close proximity of another water service in the area might prompt the necessity of another Environmental Impact Statement. Rich Straut of Barton & Loguidice asked if they were proposing to conduct further tests prior to commitment from the City of Saratoga Springs. Brian Fear said they would initially enter into contract with the City at 500,000 gallons per day, make the connection and the rest of the capacity Page 3 of 5 City Council Workshop minutes April 13, 2004 would only come after further tests showed the water was available. Rich Straut asked if the Saratoga Glen Hollow water system was capable of delivering half a million gallons of water per day, and has it been determined if a water pumping station would be required. Todd Frederick of the company’s water operations said they do not know yet, they would need to know the pressure rates. Commissioner McTygue said they would need to know the answer before the City committed. Bill McTygue said that if the City connected, there would have to be a significant reduction in pressure. He said given the high water pressure, it is an important factor that they would be pushing against it. Todd Frederick said in that case, SGHWSC would have to increase their water pressure. Rich Straut asked if the minimum purchase of 500,000 gallons per day was required to support cash flow. Steve Lafever said no, it is the minimum amount offered, but not as a minimum requirement. Rich Straut asked if the money includes expansion of their well section. Steve Lafever said yes, $1.85 per 1,000 gallons would decrease as more water is sold. He said that the water meter pit would be installed to ensure that the City price is based on use, that the City pays only for the water it uses. Commissioner Towne asked what the price difference would be if SGHWSC built the line across the bridge to the City. Commissioner McTygue said that he would expect Saratoga Glen Hollow to bring the water to the City line on this side of the bridge at no cost to the City, with the cost of construction borne by SGHWSC. Commissioner Towne said that considering the value of the option, the quality of the water is good and little needs to be done with it in regards to quality, but he is concerned about the immediacy of availability. Brian Fear said by 2005, the lines to the Town of Saratoga would be complete, then in another year the lines through the Town of Saratoga to the City of Saratoga Springs would be completed. Mayor Lenz said that brings us to 2006. Commissioner McTygue said that would be contingent upon all the permits and layers of approvals being obtained quickly. William McTygue said that attaching to a 12” main in the Crescent Avenue area brings into question the effect it would have on the City’s ability to supply water to the top of North Broadway, Skidmore. He said a large amount of water is pumped through our entire system at peak times. He said there is considerable cost to the kind of connections needed to adequately supply Skidmore and this area of the City at peak times. He said that consideration must be given to how the systems interconnect and how our system reacts. He asked what is the advantage of the connections on the extreme end and how does it relate to the connection with our big lines under Broadway. Todd Frederick said that velocity and pressure are both contingent elements. Rich Straut said now all water works off of the Woodlawn Avenue Reservoir. He said that the pressure would have to be raised to push the water in a different direction, which would have to be part of the consideration in regards to cost. Robert Iovinello said that engineers would have to talk to work out the elements of pressure, especially regarding differences in elevation. Page 4 of 5 City Council Workshop minutes April 13, 2004 Commissioner McTygue said that this is a supplemental source only, the City is looking to someone to bring water to Saratoga Springs at no construction costs to the City. He said that the City could expand its own well fields, drop a few more wells and do the same thing, accomplish the same goal as this proposal. Mayor Lenz asked that if the City enters into an agreement with SGHWSC and since they would have to go from a 12” to a 16” line, would the fact that the City is still deciding put the SGHWSC in a bad situation. Robert Iovinello said that modifications to 16” pose no problem with them or with the DEC; if our company can help you we would be happy to. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lenz adjourned the workshop at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Wagner Clerk Approved: Page 5 of 5