City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL ROOM THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2004 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioner Thomas Curley, DPS Michael Lenz, Mayor (arrived7:15 p.m.) Commissioner Matthew McCabe, Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW Commissioner Stephen E. Towne, Accounts SUPERVISORS Phil Klein, Supervisor Anthony Scirocco, Supervisor ALSO PRESENT: William McTygue, Director, Utilities Doug Ward, Young, Somer & Ward Rich Straut, Barton & Loguidice Matthew Dorsey, City Attorney Ray Callanan, Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Dan Lowenstein, Malcolm Pirnie Paul Bessett, Malcolm Pirnie Ed Vopelak, C.T. Male Associates CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Thomas McTygue called the workshop meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed Ray Callanan and members of the Saratoga County Water Committee. WATER PRESENTATION Ray Callanan, Chair of the Saratoga Water Committee thanked the Council for allowing them the opportunity to present their proposal to the Council. He said they are looking for a regional solution to this water issue. He then introduced members of the team. Dan Lowenstein, Malcolm Pirnie, said the objective was to meet the drinking water needs of the City of Saratoga Springs with a regional water solution. He said that components of the regional water solution include: safe reliable water supply, state-of-the-art treatment technology; integrate multiple communities and to provide forward-looking planning for future generations with the total lowest cost. He then reviewed the agenda for tonight’s meeting with Council members. Source of Supply: Dan Lowenstein that the County identified the upper Hudson River as the source of supply for the following reasons: long-term suitability of water quality, no seasonal turnover, high quality water, no pcbs, minimal vulnerability and more than a 4,000 square mile watershed. He then displayed an aerial photographs of the proposed intake area. He explained that the proposed intake area is directly across from the Town of Queensbury intake area. He said the Town of Queensbury tests their raw water, finished water and the sludge and has been doing so since 1993. He said they have not detected any pcbs in any of those components. He said more importantly they have not detected any pcbs in the sludge. He said that during the treatment process, pcbs would be concentrated in the sludge and it was important to note that they have not been detected in the sludge. Dan Lowenstein said the proposed site of the water treatment plant would be on county owned property near Butler & Potter Roads. He said it is a 100-acre parcel, remote and a secure location with little traffic. He said Page 1 of 5 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 6, 2004 using this location also decreases the cost of the project since it is already owned by the County. He informed Council members that all of the filtration would be done inside the building, therefore, there would be little impact to the surrounding properties. He also noted that because of the size of the site, there is room for expansion. Dan Lowenstein said they are proposing to use the water treatment membrane filtration technology. He said it was important to note that the American Water Works Association has stated, “To meet recently enacted and forthcoming regulatory requirements, surface water utilities are increasingly moving toward integrated membrane systems for their superior finished water quality.” Therefore, they are proposing to use this new technology. Dan Lowenstein said low pressure membranes are ideally suited for drinking water. He said they provide an absolute filtration barrier, low turbidity filtered water, excellent cyst (giardia/cryptosporidium) removal, is cost competitive with conventional technology, less susceptible to changes in source water quality than conventional treatment, highly automated and easy to operate and have small footprints. He noted that the following communities are using this new technology: Scottsdale, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, Seattle, WA, Pittsburgh, PA, Boise, ID, Minneapolis, MN, and San Jose, CA. He said it was important to note that this technology is being used in both warm and cold climates. Ed Vopelak then reviewed the water transmission route by displaying a map. He said the for the most part, the route would following existing easements or rights-of ways. He said it would cross the Towns of Moreau, Wilton, Greenfield, Milton, Ballston, Malta and City of Saratoga Springs. He said it would begin at Potter Road, following the existing old railroad right-of-way, parallel the gas transmission route, follow that gas main through Wilton, then follow local roads in Greenfield, pass by Loughberry lake, go around Saratoga Springs by following railroad right-of-way, through the state park then parallel the county trunk sewer line down to Luther Forest. He said the site elevation would be at 420 feet. He said the tower would be about 80 feet tall but could be taller. He said the City could be served by gravity feed, however, some towns may need pressure pumps. He said the system is designed to have a five million gallon storage tank at the end. He said that most municipalities have a storage tank already, but this would be for the operation of the system. Dan Lowenstein then review the costs. He said they used the following scenarios: Regional communities: 2 mgd average B 4mgd peak 1.5 percent population growth Saratoga Springs: 2 mgd average B 4mgd peak 3 mgd average B 6 mgd peak 4 mgd average B 8 mgd peak Chip Fabs: 0 chip fab B 0 mgd 1 chip fab B 2 mgd 2 chip fab B 4 mgd Dan Lowenstein said that chip fab plants do not peak. Dan Lowenstein said that to date there is an estimated $10 million available for construction costs through grants and an additional $2 million/year for the first five years through other grants. Dan Lowenstein said that the range of costs was estimated as follows: first five years $1.29 -- $1.08/1,000 gallons years 6-10 $2.60 -- $1.50/1,000 gallons He said those costs were to build and deliver. Schedule: Dan Lowenstein said they estimate the following schedule: design 12 months, DEIS (if required) 12 months concurrent with design and construction 24 months (aerial photography already completed). Administration: Ray Callanan said financing would come from both the federal and state government at $10 million each and then bonding by the County. He said the water committee would be comprised of individuals Page 2 of 5 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 6, 2004 from each community using water and with both of the City supervisors on that committee. Planning a flexible solution: Dan Lowenstein said the water treatment plant, transmission main size and water storage is all based on flow demands. He said the plant could be easily expanded. Offer: Dan Lowenstein said the County is offering a water system which is safe, reliable, cost effective water to the current and future resident to the City of Saratoga Springs and that could be tailored to meet the needs of the City. He said the are very willing to work with the City. Commissioner Thomas McTygue opened the meeting to comments/questions from Council members. Mayor Michael Lenz asked about the controlling board. Ray Callanan said it would be comprised of a representative from each of the municipalities participating. He said there would be two from the City and two from Clifton Park. He said it would be “one man one vote”. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked if the County had control over 100 percent of the rights-of-way. Ed Vopelak said the county owns the parcel of land where they propose to construct the plant and he was anticipating cooperation from the towns for easements. He said they have not yet spoken to Niagara Mohawk and they may need to purchase some rights-of way. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked for an explanation on the comment that a DEIS “may” be required. Dan Lowenstein said traditionally the impact of a project is what triggers a DEIS. He said the plant will be located inside a building on a 100 acre site, therefore, the impacts of noise, odor, traffic and other disturbances were minimal. He said they will be required to obtain permits from DEC, OGS and other agencies and those permits might trigger a DEIS. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if the projected dollar costs was for bringing the water to the City. He said once it gets to the City, the City would then need to distribute it to homeowners. Dan Lowenstein agreed. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if there had been any discussions with the County of Warrensburg on partnering with them. Ray Callanan said no. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if it was feasible to get water from the north side of the upper Hudson near the Town of Queensbury intake. Dan Lowenstein said that yes it was technically possible, however, to use the Town of Queensbury intake would require that their system be upgraded at the County’s expense. Commissioner Thomas McTygue pointed out that suggestion is fully discussed in the City’s DEIS. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if the County had discussed this proposal with all of the interested towns in the county and more importantly the impact of having a water line running through the county. He said the towns need to be prepared for this through the zoning laws. He said that everyone is concerned about rapid growth. Ray Callanan said the Town of Ballston currently purchases water from the Town of Glenville. He said they would commit to purchasing from the County of Saratoga rather than the Town of Glenville. He said he recognized that once water lines were installed there would be an increase in development but he has not talked to the towns about that growth. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that would likely be part of the DEIS. He said it would be suicide for the County to not do a DEIS. Dan Lowenstein said that the proposed flow at this point is only about 2 mgpd which was not a huge amount. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked if the seven communities where the water will flow through have expressed an interest in the water. He also asked about the new technology, how recent is the technology, most the communities using the technology are on the west coast, is it more effective, how does it compare to sand and are they on the “front end” of this technology. Dan Lowenstein they proposed this technology for two reasons: the superior finished project and it is more cost effective. He said this is a modular technology that is easily expanded. Paul Bessett said this technology started to be used in the mid 1990s. He said it is used a lot near the great lakes area. He said the only place in New York is Westchester County. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked for an update on projected costs. He asked if more communities had expressed an Page 3 of 5 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 6, 2004 interest and what was their anticipated volume. Ray Callanan said that the communities that initially expressed an interest are still interested. He said that the Town of Ballston has increased their anticipated volume from 350,000 to 400,000 mgpd. He said though that the anticipated volume was still about the same as before. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked if the chip fab volumes had been included. Ray Callanan said no. Ed Vopelak said the Town of Clifton Park has committed to 1 mgpd and has expressed an interest for another 1 mgpd. He said a good portion of the Town of Malta is serviced by the Clifton Park Water Authority. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked about the reliability and the length of use of this proposed system. Dan Lowenstein said the system could last for quite some time with replacement of the membranes in about ten years. He said the volume of water in the upper Hudson was large enough to last for quite some time. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked why the size of the pipes had been reduced. He said it was likely that in another ten years, those pipes would need to be replaced with larger ones. Dan Lowenstein said if the demand was there that would be true. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that would be a cost to municipalities to add or replace pipes. Dan Lowenstein that the revenues needed for that expansion would be generated by the new users. Ed Vopelak said to install the larger pipe today could increase the user fee to as much as $4.00 per thousand gallons. He said the proposed pipeline can accommodate 25 mgpd. He said if there is a need, the plant can be expanded. Mayor Michael Lenz asked who would pay for the second line of pipes. Paul Bessett said it would be paid for through the revenues generated by the new users. He also noted that using a 48 inch line takes the water twice as long to get to the City as it does with a 36 inch line. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that the county report said the plant could accommodate 16 mgpd. Ed Vopelak said the pipe line can accommodate 25 mgpd. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if this plant and lines could potentially serve whatever the desired number is in the county. Dan Lowenstein said the plant is not designed to serve the entire county. Commissioner Matthew McCabe asked if it was potentially possible that the population could double. Dan Lowenstein said that flows drive costs. He said that commitments are an important part of the cost also. He said the lines can handle 20 mgpd and it can be expanded if there is a demand. He said the plant can be designed to handle whatever the County wanted, and the proposed pipe line can handle approximately 20 mgpd. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked about the watershed management plan. Paul Bessett said it would be somewhat similar to the Town of Queensbury’s plan. He said they have agreements with companies such as International Paper that if there is a spill from their facility, they notify the Town of Queensbury and then the town notifies DEC. He said there are similar agreements with DEC that DEC would notify the Town in the event of a hazard. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said in the original county proposal there were three scenarios one of which called for the 48 inch water main. He asked what has changed since that original plan in 1990 to reduce the size of the pipe. Ed Vopelak said that neither Clifton Park nor the Town of Halfmoon had water treatment plants at that time, therefore, there were more potential users. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he did not believe that was the case. Doug Ward said he believed there was some confusion on the DEIS. He asked if the County would comply with SEQR. Dan Lowenstein said yes. Doug Ward said as he understood the conversations this evening the County would be looking for a negative SEQR determination. He said, though, he believed the DEC would want a DEIS. He said that with the DEIS process, there is public involvement through public hearings and comment periods. He said if the County chooses to have a negative SEQR determination, then there is no public involvement. Dan Lowenstein said there could be an expanded EAF. He said if it is determined that the Page 4 of 5 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 6, 2004 impacts are more than minimal through an expanded EAF, it could be determined to a DEIS. Doug Ward said the Council has strived to be as transparent as possible with their process. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked if the June 2003 draft plan from the County was the current proposal. Dan Lowenstein said yes. He said the dollar amounts had not been provided in the original plan but have been this evening. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said he was glad to have this opportunity this evening to meet with the County and said it should be done more often. He asked if the county plan would move forward without the participation of the City. Ray Callanan said the County Board of Supervisors wants the water source to be a self-sustaining program paid for by the users. He noted that there would be some towns such as Hadley and Day that would likely never participate in this program. Ray Callanan said it would be difficult to proceed without the City’s participation. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked if the chip fab volumes were included in the calculations. Ray Callanan said no. He said the numbers that were provided were informational only and not included. Commissioner Stephen Towne asked about representation on the controlling board. Ray Callanan said the controlling water board would have representation from all of the participating municipalities. He said there would be two from the City. He also noted again that it was “one man, one vote”. Ray Callanan said the County was offering a ten year program and he hoped the City would participate. Commissioner Thomas McTygue thanked the County for coming here this evening and making this presentation. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Michael Lenz adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: Page 5 of 5