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| WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY MINUTES |
| Click
here for January 9, 2006 Minutes Click here for March 13, 2006 Minutes Click here for April 10, 2006 Minutes |
For minutes prior to January 2004, please
contact Judy Archer of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org
MAY 8, 2006
PRESENT: John Atkins, Chairman; Jim McInerney, Fredericka Bikakis-Hajian,
Frederick Wilms (5:40 p.m.)
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works; Lisa Bardon, Public Works,
Ralph Kolb, Public Works
OTHERS: Kevin Dahl, OMI; Victor Huliew, OMI
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Atkins called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. and announced that since there was not a quorum present, the Authority would focus on non-action items until a quorum was present.
5. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT
c. Electrical Usage/Cost Projection (WWTP & Pump Stations)
Mr. Kolb reported that currently because of increases in fuel costs, the WPCA was financially behind. Mr. McInerney asked if the funds were available. Ms. Bardon assured him that the WPCA was still on track financially.
Mr. Wilms arrived at 5:40 p.m.
Mr. McInerney had some questions about the funds for capital items appearing in the Operating budget. Ms. Bardon assured Mr. McInerney that this was done by the Accounting office and that when the project commenced, the funds would be transferred elsewhere.
a. YTD Revenues/Expenditures Report
Ms. Bardon quickly reviewed the MUNIS report for the Authority Members.
b. Updated Operating Highlights
Ms. Bardon quickly reviewed the report for the Authority Members.
Mr. Atkins announced that a quorum was now present and the next item on the Agenda would be Approval of the Minutes.
2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON APRIL 10, 2006
The following corrections were noted:
Page 4, paragraph 3, line 7: please change “but that account doesn’t exist”
to “but
that account has an inadequate balance”
Page 7, paragraph 3, line 1: please change “Mr. McInerney asked” to “A member asked”
Page 9, paragraph 3, line 4: please change “take the median advantage” to “take advantage”.
Page 9, paragraph 7, line 1: please change “Ms. Burdon” to “Ms. Bardon”.
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 2006 AS CORRECTED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. APPROVE THE UPDATED SEWER USE RATES, BILLING INFORMATION & APPEAL PROCESS
Mr. Alvord reviewed the updated process for the Authority Members. He stated that the changes were focused on mixed use property and that there had only been two complaints about this. He reviewed the history of the commercial billing and stated that originally there had been a number of appeals, some of which were granted relief, others which were not. He believes that the two current appeals were part of the original commercial appeal group.
** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE UPDATED SEWER USE RATES, BILLING INFORMATION
& APPEAL PROCESS AS PRESENTED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. AUTHORIZE TRANSFER THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT STAFF VEHICLE AND THE TRANSFER OF $12,700 FROM REPLACEMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT (2240 62 5789) TO CARS AND VANS ACCOUNT (2240 62 5731) TO FUND ITS PURCHASE.
Mr. Alvord explained that there was actually no transfer involved in this action item and that the City has been issuing retreaded Police Department vehicles to the staff. One vehicle has been available to the WPCA. The Council recently approved the purchase of 22 vehicles, one of which is for the WPCA. There was a brief discussion on the use of private vehicles for City work. Mr. Alvord explained that the City does not reimburse the mileage at the IRS rate. He also stated that there was a better image projected when a car with the Norwalk City seal is used rather than a private vehicle. One of the Authority members asked about leasing vehicles. Mr. Alvord stated that he had investigated this, but was told by Mr. Hamilton that the City does not lease vehicles. When asked what make and model would be chosen. Mr. Alvord replied that he believed it would be a Ford Taurus, which has four doors, air conditioning and six cylinders. The car is listed on the State bid list.
** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT STAFF VEHICLE
AND THE TRANSFER OF $12,700 FROM REPLACEMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT (2240 62 5789)
TO CARS AND VANS ACCOUNT (2240 62 5731) TO FUND ITS PURCHASE.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT
a. Collection System Issues – General:
1) 36-inch sewer interceptor at WWTP
This particular section of pipe is a four point interceptor. Mr. Alvord stated that he was expecting a two week construction period with bypass pumping. He explained that the RCP pipe is on a piling because the surrounding soil is very poor. OMI was not able to get a camera past the collapsed portion, so all 400 feet will be replace because the aggregate is exposed.
2) Buttonball Trail Private Sewer
Mr. Alvord explained that a private sewer pipe had broken that was located on 16 Buttonball Trail. Originally, the property owner had been cited when the sewage was flowing across the driveway and into a storm sewer but further investigation revealed that there was an easement and the sewage pipe runs along the rear of eleven properties located on West Rocks Road.
Mr. Wilms left the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Mr. Alvord stated that there were two options. The first was to repair the rear line, which is Orangeburg pipe installed in the 1950’s. The second option would be to have the property owners involved tap into the sewer line on West Rocks Road, which would be more expensive since the existing lines are located at the rear of the property and the West Rocks road line is on the opposite side of the street. This may be further complicated by the fact that there are no joints to tap into for that side of the street. Ms. Bardon suggested possibly placing liens on the property and having the property owners pool their resources. Mr. Alvord suggested that the Health Department have the City do the dye testing since it will be all done at one scheduled time rather than by each owners individual plumber. Mr. Alvord stated that he will be reporting back to the Authority on the situation.
3) Collection System Status from the April 23, 2006 Storm Event
Mr. Kolb reported that during the April 23rd storm, there were eleven bypass events that had to be done and that the manhole covers on Saddle Road were displaced by water pressure.
4) Westport Avenue Sewershed Issues / 6 Gwendolyn
Mr. Kolb reported that on September 23rd, there has been an overflow at 6 Gwendolyn Drive and that a neighbor had videotaped the overflow. A brief discussion ensued about possible options, but there is very little that can be done by the City.
b. Information Copies
Ms. Bardon distributed a letter from Mr. Alvord to Corporation Counsel Nolin regarding the Wastewater Impact Fees.
7. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT
a. Public Works Director Report
1) Contract Operations Monitoring
Mr. Kolb reported that the annual inspection report was in the process of being completed and should be available at the next meeting.
b. OMI Report
1) Monthly Operating Report – March 2006
Mr. Dahl reviewed the report and asked the Authority members if they wished him to include the figures on the footage that OMI cleaned along with the figures already presented. This was agreeable to all.
2) Collection System and Pump Station MRR Accounts
Mr. Dahl reviewed the Accounts for the Authority Members.
8. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN
There was no further discussion on any of the items.
Next WPCA Meeting: Monday, June 12, 2006
5:30 PM
Room 231, Norwalk City Hall
9. ADJOURNMENT
** MS. BIKAKIS-HAJIAN MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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