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| WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY MINUTES |
| Click here for January 10, 2005 Minutes |
For minutes prior to January 2003, please
contact Judy Archer of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org
FEBRUARY 14, 2005
ATTENDANCE: John Atkin, Chair; Mayor Alex Knopp (5:45 p.m.); Tim Buzzee; Jim McInerney; Frederika Bikakis-Hajian (6:00 p.m.); Fred Bondi; Beatrice C. Ruiz
STAFF: Hal Alvord, DPW Director; Ralph Kolb, Wastewater Systems Manager; Lisa
Bardon, DPW Operations Manager; Tom Hamilton,
Director of Finance
OTHERS: Vicktor Huliew, OMI; Kevin Dahl, OMI; Jeff Sanford, OMI; Mike Mitchell,
OMI; Art Scialabba, RTC
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON
JANUARY 10, 2005
The following correction was made to the minutes:
Page 3: Draft FY 2005-2006 Operating Budget: Third Line: change to the proposed budget.
** MR. MCINERNEY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2005 AS
AMENDED.
** MINUTES WERE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACT ON SEWER USE APPEALS - NONE
Mr. Atkin reported that there were no appeals this month.
ACT ON SEWER USE FEE BILLING AND APPEAL POLICY
Ms. Bardon reported that the policy had been edited since the last meeting.
She noted that it is now stated the appeals process had to be streamlined so
that everyone knows what the billing and appeals process is. She pointed out
that on Page 3 under Sewer Usage Billing Appeals, it now states that a users
appeal shall be brought not more than 30 days after the date of publication
of any initial or revised rates imposed by the WPCA for any class of users.
Mayor Knopp arrived at 5:45 p.m.
There was also discussion of the ordinance, Section 113-15. Appeals. Ms. Bardon stated that the ordinance only applied to the rate structure. She noted that the proposed change gives the user 30 days to oppose the rate structure, not the individual bill. Mayor Knopp commented that was not how he read the ordinance. The Mayor stated that there was still time to review the ordinance.
** MR. MCINERNEY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEWER USE RATES, BILLING INFORMATION
AND APPEALS PROCESS DOCUMENT.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACT ON PROPOSED FY 2005-2006 OPERATING BUDGET
Ms. Bardon reviewed the operating budget and stated that there was one change to Revenues and that Nitrogen Credits was reduced from $310,000 to $300,000. Mr. McInerney asked why the WPCA provides wastewater collection and treatment services to five retail accounts in Westport and commented that they have not been billed in a couple of years. Ms. Bardon replied that the Comptroller has turned this information over to her and she will review it. She stated that it showed an amount of around $25,000 revenue due that would be retroactive.
Frederika Bikakis-Hajian arrived at 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Knopp requested that as part of the Operating Budget Highlights he would like added in the section pertaining to the “Sewer Rate Fees Charged By Other Municipalities in Connecticut”, the information he received from the Finance Director that in fiscal year 04/05 the average residential bill, if no sewer usage fee, in Norwalk was $326 and for fiscal year 05/06 the average residential bill was $338. The Mayor also asked that historical information be added to the highlights to state that the average residential bill in Norwalk between 1999 and 2000 increased $60.00 and since 2001-2002 it has gone up every year, except for one year, by amounts that did not exceed $10.00.
** MAYOR KNOPP MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT
Mr. Hamilton reviewed the annual financial report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. He stated that the WPCA was in a healthy financial position with current assets of $2.5M and capital assets of $82.8M. He reported total net assets of $37M which was mostly invested in capital assets. He noted that the WPCA operates on a full accrual basis. Turning to the Statement of Revenues and Expenses, he reported WPCA’s total operating revenue of $9.6M, operating expenses of $6.8M and interest expense of $1.1M. He noted that the net change in net assets was $2.1M, which was favorable. Mr. Hamilton stated that through February 9th, the WPCA has expended $5.4M and collected revenues of $9.365M and most of the revenue has been collected this year.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT
a) Draft FY 2005-06 Capital Budgets
Ms. Bardon reviewed the five year proposed capital budget. Mr. Alvord noted that each of the six items in the capital budget were selected because they present a potential failure in the system and each have a sense of urgency.
** MR. BUZZEE MADE A MOTION TO FORWARD THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET
TO THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
b) Proposed Value of Nitrogen Credits for 2004
Report submitted. Ms. Bardon noted that the nitrogen credit was projected higher at $2.00 but was actually $1.90. She stated that the check amount will be $298,899 based on $1.90.
c) Status of Second Amendment to OMI contract
Mr. Alvord reported that he received back the second amendment of the OMI contract and he would forward it to the WPCA Chairman for execution this evening.
d) Monthly Operations Meeting (February 7, 2005)
1) Items Nos. 1, 2, 7, 13 and 15 – incorporated into capital budget proposal
Mr. Kolb reviewed the Action Log submitted from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations February 7th meeting. Relating to the above items, he stated that the City has developed an operating and capital budget to include the nitrogen plant improvements, they are analyzing OMI’s proposal for a pump station alarm upgrade, responding to OMI’s proposal for SCADA cable installations, and responding to OMI’s proposal for drum screen replacement.
2) Item No. 5 – Asset Management
Mr. Alvord reviewed the 20 Year Asset Management Plan prepared OMI and City staff. Mr. Sanford stated that it was divided into five groups. Mr. Alvord noted that the key item was the Pump Station that needed an assessment first. Mr. Kolb stated that the Collection System was the City’s largest asset.
3) Item Nos. 6a, 6b – Develop 3rd Amendment to OMI contract
These items were reviewed as part of the Action Log of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Meeting on February 7th. Item No. 6a was to introduce to the WPCA the Third Amendment will address major repair and replacement per the Asset Management Plan. No. 6b was to develop the Third Amendment for execution in advance of a target commencement date at the start of the Contract Year 7 (June 2006).
4) Item Nos. 9, 9a – Keeler Brook Pump Station
Mr. Dahl stated that OMI will engage Lochner Engineering to prepare a complete rehabilitation plan for Keeler Brook, including cost estimate and bid package. The Lochner Engineering proposal will be reviewed with the WPCA targeted for March 14.
e) Collection System Issues – General
Mr. Kolb reported that there is an on-going issue with hydraulic capacity in the Gwendolyn, Catalpa, and Karen Drive areas and asked OMI for a short term solution. He added that there needs to be a full evaluation of the sewer sheds that serve this area.
f) Pump Station Issues – Generators
Mr. Dahl reported that OMI consulted with Les Swanson of Generating Systems, Inc. regarding the condition of all generators located at Norwalk pump stations. He reported that there were five generators on the top priority list. He stated that next month he will recommend that the WPCA fund two generators for this fiscal year.
g) Copies of the following items:
1) Memo of DEP Inspection conducted on 1/21/05
2) Notice of Violation: 2003 – Annual Compliance Certification (GPLPE)
3) 2004 – Annual Compliance Certification (GPLPE)
4) 2004 – Annual CSO Report
Reports submitted. The Chair noted that the reports submitted were self-explanatory.
8. OMI Report
a) Keeler Brook Project Status
Mr. Dahl reported that he redid the bid process on the Keeler Brook project. He noted that he identified more repairs and that the project has grown. He stated that he has requested to add an outside engineering and construction administrator to be sure the project is done and managed properly. He reported that construction should be complete in August 2005
b) Monthly Operating Report – December 2004
Report submitted. Mr. Dahl reviewed the WWTP monthly report for December 2004. He reported that there were currently 24 personnel and two employees had been laid off on 12/31/04.
c) Collection System and Pump Station MRR Accounts
Report submitted. Mr. Dahl noted that the collection system account balance was $500,090.46 and the pump stations account balance was -$10,480.17.
Mr. Dahl introduced the new Maintenance Supervisor, Mike Mitchell.
ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN
None.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. MCINERNEY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
NEXT WPCA MEETING:
Monday, March 14, 2005
5:30 p.m.
Room 231, Norwalk City Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Donna DeVito
Telesco Secretarial Services
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