 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY MINUTES |
| Click here for December 13, 2004 Minutes |
For minutes prior to January 2003, please contact Judy Archer
of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org
JANUARY 10, 2005
ATTENDANCE: John Atkin, Chair; Mayor Alex Knopp (5:45 p.m.); Tim Buzzee; Jim McInerney; Frederika Bikakis-Hajian
STAFF: Hal Alvord, DPW Director; Ralph Kolb, Wastewater Systems Manager; Lisa
Bardon, DPW Operations Manager; Tom Hamilton,
Director of Finance
OTHER: Vicktor Huliew, OMI; Kevin Dahl, OMI; John Rickermann, OMI;
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
DISCUSSION – PRO-RATED SEWER USE FEES
Ms. Bardon referred to a request previously submitted to the Authority. She passed out a report in response to Ken Whitman’s request to the Board at the last meeting to formalize the process of sewer use fee assessment, billing and adjustments. She said that she and Mr. Alvord met with Mr. Whitman and went over his concerns. Ms. Bardon said that she would like to update the web site with summary sheets that would be given to the Call Center so that they can give them to customers who might have questions on their bills or on what the process is for appealing. She said that a current rate schedule is included on the summary as well as an explanation of how a customer is billed. Ms. Bardon said that the DPW bills for the current fiscal year. Ms. Bardon said the charges are based on the most recent Grand List. Discussion ensued regarding guidelines for billing.
Mayor Knopp arrived at 5:45 p.m.
Mr. Alvord stated that this item would be on the next agenda as an action item.
He said that the DPW would request the Authority to approve this as the billing
policy for the Authority. There was further discussion with regard to the appeal
process for user rates. Ms. Bardon said that the City Code presently states
that anyone appealing the change of a user rate, the appeal shall be brought
not less than 30 days after the publication of any initial or revised rates
imposed. She said that she thinks it should say not more than 30 days. Mr. Alvord
said that the DPW is suggesting that if something is going to be appealed, it
should be done within 30 days. After 30 days the right to appeal has expired.
There was discussion with regard to the proposal to allow customers 45 days
for appeal and the appeal process. Ms. Bardon said that she sent this to Ken
Whitman today and that he needs a chance to look it over.
APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD - DECEMBER
13, 2004
** MAYOR KNOPP MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES
OF DECEMBER 13, 2004.
The following Corrections were made:
Correct spelling of Ms. Bikakis-Hajian’s name under Attendance.
** MINUTES WERE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY AS AMENDED.
ACT ON SEWER USE APPEAL
a) Resident Sewer Use Appeal – Previous Years
1. Brian Stein – 983 New Norwalk Road
Customer is requesting adjustment for payments for previous years that he made to the City of Norwalk for sewer usage.
** MAYOR KNOPP MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADJUSTMENT
FOR PAYMENTS MADE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS TO THE CITY OF NORWALK FOR SEWER USAGE
AT 983 NEW NORWALK ROAD.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT
Report submitted. Ms. Bardon said that this is the basis for how the DPW projects revenues and operating budget for 2005-2006. Mr. Alvord said it is their intention to include this report as a standard item with every agenda in the future.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT
a) GPLE Notice of Violation
There was a NOV submitted regarding failure to submit the annual General Permit to Limit Potential to Emit (GPLE) Compliance Certification for calendar year 2003. The City of Norwalk has until 1/20/05 to submit a compliance form for 2003. Mr. Kolb said that the 2003 form will be submitted tomorrow and that 2004 has been completed and is ready to be submitted. He said that the DEP has no problem with the extension.
KEELER BROOK CONSENT ORDER STATUS
Ms. Bardon said that the DPW is still working under a consent order for Keeler Brook. She said last March the Department sent the DEP a schedule prepared by OMI to complete the consent order work. The compliance date established by that letter has been exceeded. She said that the DPW wrote a letter to the DEP requesting a time extension to complete the work. OMI is in the process of securing a contractor to complete the necessary work. The DPW is proposing to complete the work in the report by August 2005.
STATUS OF CURRENT PLANT CAPACITY
Mr. Kolb said that he received a letter from OMI regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said the letter discussed OMI’s difficulty achieving and maintaining pumping capacity at 30 MGD as required by the NPDES permit. Ms. Bardon said OMI has indicated a number of things that can be done to correct the situation including cleaning the wet well out and replacing 2 drives on the main lift pumps.
DRAFT FY 2005-2006 OPERATING BUDGET
Ms. Bardon gave an overview of the highlights of the proposed budget. She said that $140,000.00 would be collected in septic revenues. A significant amount of revenues would be collected from the Town of Wilton. The proposed budget amount for FY 2005-2006 is $9,645,844.00. Discussion ensued regarding individual line items including professional services, i.e., contract monitoring, engineering consulting and GIS; a new line item, legal services; general office and support services. Ms. Bardon said that the City of Norwalk presently has 6 contract customers that are billed directly by the City. She said that legal services would aid in getting an agreement in place with contract customers, which would enable the City to continue to bill them. These customers have not been billed in two years. Ms. Bardon said that presently, the City of Norwalk does not have in-house environmental attorney and that they are needed.
MONTHLY OPERATIONS MEETING
Mr. Alvord said that the DPW did not have a meeting this month. He said the goal is to schedule a meeting before the end of this month to discuss the Asset Management Plan.
COLLECTION SYSTEM ISSUES
Mr. Kolb gave a brief overview of storm events. He submitted a copy of an e-mail to Mr. Alvord dated Wednesday, January 5, 2005 regarding Catalpa and Gwendolyn Surcharging. Recommendations were made to minimize current impacts and ultimately correct the problem at the site including, performing an I&I study similar in scope to Keeler Brook to document flows during dry and wet weather for the Westport Avenue and Karen Drive catchments, identify significant I&I sources from sewer defects, identify illegal and cross connections via smoke testing, interim modifications to minimize potential overflows, evaluate long-term solutions after I&I study is complete and major I&I defects and sources corrected with subsequent flow monitoring.
FINAL WETLANDS MITIGATION REPORT
Mr. Kolb reported that the third and final report was submitted in December 2004.
OMI REPORT
a) Monthly Operating Report
Report submitted. Mr. Dahl said that 88 work orders had been completed and that there is a backlog of 282. There were no violations. Repairs/upgrades were completed at the pump stations; Fort Point pump was rebuilt; Collection System – line repairs - 25 Birch Street sinkhole; TV Cleaning – Approximately 95.5% of system completed. Total number of Personnel – 25 with total Certifications – 12.
b) 2004 – Annual Compliance Certification (GPLPE)
Being submitted in accordance with schedule Mr. Kolb outlined earlier in the meeting.
c) 2004 – Annual CSO Report
Currently being worked on.
d) Collection System and Pump Station MRR
Two invoices were submitted to OMI totaling $89,500.00 for 2 generators.
ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN
None.
NEXT WPCA MEETING:
Monday, February 14, 2005
5:30 p.m.
Room 231, Norwalk City Hall
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. MCINERNEY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda L. Custis
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |