For minutes prior to January 2004, please contact Judy Archer of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org

March 12, 2007

ATTENDANCE: John Atkin, Chairman
Jim McInerney, Vice Chairman
Richard A. Moccia, Mayor
Frederika Bikakis-Hajian
Fred Wilms
Bill Krummel
Tony Doumlele
Beatrice Ruiz

STAFF: Hal Alvord, DPW Public Works Director
Lisa Bardon, DPW Operations Manager
Ralph Kolb, Wastewater Systems Manager
Tom Hamilton, Finance Director

OTHERS: Kevin Dahl, CH2M Hill OMI
Greg Higgins, CH2M Hill OMI
John Mastracchio, Malcolm Pirnie

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. McInerney called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M.

2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON
FEBRUARY 12, 2007

** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Chairman Atkin arrived at 5:38 PM.

3. AUTHORIZE THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO TRANSFER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 18,875 FOR FORT POINT INTERCEPTOR SEWER EMERGENCY REPAIR CHANGE ORDERS FROM THE WPCA AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE TO OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES (ACCOUNT NO. 224062 5298). (PROJECT ACCOUNTING SUMMARY INCLUDED)

Mr. Kolb said completed work to date on the project has totaled $333,557. The total project authorization was $345,684.50. An additional $18,875 is estimated to complete the project. Mr. Kolb provided an accounting of change orders to the Board. Additional work to be completed in the spring includes paving, curb work, and turf rehabilitation.

** MS. RUIZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

4. CLARFICIFATION OF THE NEW SEWER CONNECTION FEES (MEMO INCLUDED)

Mr. Kolb said a memo was included in the package to clarify the applicability of the new sewer connection fee. Mr. Kolb stated that Item 1 does not only apply to new structures but it also applies to existing structures that are not connected to the sewer. He said that Item 2 states the sewer use fees would be collected for projects that increase the water meter size, add additional water meters, or if the project causes a change in the land use code. He said that Item 3 states if an existing structure is demolished and a new structure is built the sewer use fee would be collected. Ms. Bardon said the reason the clarification memo was prepared for internal use. Mr. Doumlele thought the memo was not a clarification of what was voted on and thought there should be a public hearing on the change of wording. Ms. Bardon said a public hearing would only be required if there was a change in the rate. Chairman Atkin said he would like to compare what was adopted with the language in the memo. The Board moved to the next item while staff gathered additional information to continue discussion.

5. APPROVE AN EXEMPTION FOR SEWER USE CONNECTION PERMITS PULLED BY NON-CONTRACTOR APPLICANTS PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 2007 FROM THE SEWER USE CONNECTION FEES (LIST OF APPLICANTS INCLUDED)

Mr. Kolb explained that there were sixteen applicants that came into the DPW office prior to March 1, 2007 to pull sewer connection permits not realizing that only a contractor can pull a permit. Mr. McInerney asked because they did not come in with a contractor, would this raise an issue? Mr. Alvord said he did not think it would because of the misunderstanding. Staff proposed to waive the connection fee the residents are under the impression they have a valid permit. If staff contacts the residents to say they do not have a valid permit, they will now be subject to the sewer fee when they could have possibly had a contractor pull the permit before the sewer connection fee went into effect.

** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

6. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED FY 2006-07 SEWER USE RATES ON APRIL 9, 2007 AT 5:30 PM (DRAFT NOTICE INLUDED)

Mayor Moccia explained that there are two appointees whose terms are up on March 1, 2007, and would not be confirmed by the Common Council until April 10, 2007 and he wants to be sure there is a quorum for next month. Mr. Hamilton said he does not think the rates should be set before there is an approved budget. Ms. Bardon suggested discussing it after the meeting to figure out what makes the most sense as far as timing since voting on the budget is not on this month’s agenda.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

4. CLARFICIFATION OF THE NEW SEWER CONNECTION FEES (MEMO INCLUDED) - Continued

Discussion ensued between the Mayor and Mr. Doumlele about the interpretation of the following:

“The WPCA Board of Directors may exempt all or part of a particular development projects from sewer connection fees provided that such opportunities are determined to create extraordinary economic development and employment growth or affordable housing opportunities.”

The debate focused on the word “and” between economic development and employment growth. Mr. McInerney asked if the wording is changed from “or” to “and” would the decision for and economic development exemption still come before the Authority? Mr. Alvord said any request for a waiver must come before the Authority.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOMOUSLY

** MAYOR MOCCIA MADE A MOTION TO CHANGE THE WORDING TO IN THE SEWER CONNECTION FEES FOR INCREASED SYSTEM BURDEN POLICY TO “OR” FROM “AND”.

** MOTION PASSED
** ONE OPPOSED (DOUMLELE)

7. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT

a. YTD Revenues/Expenditures Report (MUNIS report included)
No discussion.

b. Revised FY 07-08 Operating & Capital Budgets (copies included)
Mr. Hamilton he was just looking over the proposed budget. He said he agrees that there should be a contingency but feels the amount is more than needed. Ms. Bardon said that the contingency included in the budget was what Mr. Hamilton had recommended be included and no matter what the amount is any project has to come before the Board for approval. Mr. Hamilton said the capital budget is presently with the Mayor and from there will go to the BET and to Common Council for approval. Chairman Atkin asked if the Authority wanted to discuss the budget at this time. Mr. Wilms suggested waiting until additional backup was provided by staff. Mr. Alvord said since Mr. Kolb’s position was created there have been new programs established and there is no engineering support available from DPW to the WPCA. Mr. Alvord asked what additional backup is needed. Mr. Wilms asked for the Jr. Engineer’s memo. Mr. Alvord said he would provide that along the memo to the Board again by e-mail. He also said if anyone had any other questions about the budget he would respond and share it with the entire Authority so that everyone is on the same page.

Chairman Atkin left at 6:45 PM.

8. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT

a. March 2nd Rainfall Events Impact
Mr. Alvord reported that there was 4.2”of rain from 10:00 PM on March 1, 2007 until 2 PM on March 2, 2007. He said the volume of rainfall was increased by the melting of the snow and ice. By 2 PM on March 2, 2007, the treatment plant had a peak flow of 85 mgd. Mr. Kolb said that the there were five locations that were identified as by-passes within the sanitary sewer collection system and there were three by-passes that occurred at pump stations.

b. Final Clarifier No. 3 Status
Mr. Kolb said this relates to the rain event of March 2, 2007, and also ties into the CSO wet weather project. He said that the sludge in Clarifier #3 was unable to be pumped out and resulted in solids overflowing the weir. Mr. Dahl explained that the tank was showing a high tork condition on the rotating arm – it was determined later that rags caused the high tork condition. Mr. McInerney asked if anything was broken and Mr. Dahl said there was not. Mr. Kolb reported due to the event OMI did have a couple of violations that had to be reported to the State. One was a TSS violation and the other was fecal violation. The Mayor asked if the State had taken into consideration the massive amount of rainfall. Mr. Dahl said they State had not taken any action at this point.

c. Collection System Issues - General:
1) Westport Avenue Sewershed Issues/ 6 Gwendolyn Update
Mr. Kolb said he would be meeting with Dewberry, who is the engineer that prepared the construction contract documents, on Friday and following that meeting the project will go out to bid. Ms. Bardon said the estimated cost of the project is $1.6M. Mr. Dahl clarified that number only includes the rehabilitation/construction and no additional engineering services. Mr. McInerney asked if that would take care of the Westport area. Ms. Bardon said that it would. He also asked what the duration of the project would be. Mr. Kolb said the goal to complete construction is the end of the year.

2) Seaview/Cove Sewer Rehabilitation Project Update
Mr. Kolb said the project is out to bid and all bids are due in by March 28, 2007. Ms. Bardon said the estimated cost for the project is $ 850,000.

3) Sanitary Sewer Collection System Master Plan Project Update
Mr. Kolb said he just received a draft copy of the sanitary sewer GIS. He said that there are about 100 manholes on the old sewer interceptors that lack attribute data and that there would be a survey crew going out and a contractor to do inspections. He said the hydraulic model should be completed by May.

d. Low Level Nitrogen Removal Request for Qualifications
Mr. Kolb said he received six qualifications from engineering firms. There is a selection panel established. Ms. Bardon said a short list would be determined within the next couple of weeks and scheduling interviews for the end of March or beginning of April.

e. Information Copies:
1) “Gaping Reminders in Cities of Aging, Crumbling Pipes” New York Times article
No Discussion.

2) Clean Water Fund Dilemma: Increasing Demands with Diminishing Fiscal Resources with cover letter
Mr. McInerney asked for clarification of the work group and Gina McCarthy’s proposal for making statutory changes to the clean water fund for the rewarding of loans to municipalities. Ms. Bardon said there were a couple of changes proposed to the loan term. She said there is plenty of loan money available but is tied to a statutory grant. She said there was discussion in the Clean Water Advisory group to disconnect that. She said the general consensus of the group was not to make any changes. Mr. McInerney asked if this was in the best interest to the City of Norwalk. Ms. Bardon said that it was.

3) Senator Lieberman earmark request package for the CSO/Wet Weather Project
Ms. Bardon said she is pursuing all funding options for the CSO Project. She said there is an earmark request in through a STAG grant with Senator Lieberman’s office and she had received a follow up to provide additional information. Staff requested a meeting .

4) Bylaws (Final Copy of October 16, 2006 Approved Revisions)
No discussion.

9. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT

a. Public Works Director Report
1) Contract Operations Status
Mr. Kolb said he was still discussing Amendment No. 3 with Malcolm Pirnie and OMI and had nothing new to report to the Board at this time.

2) OMI Nitrogen Performance Calendar Year 2006 (letter included)
Mr. Kolb reported that Norwalk ranked number three on the list for nitrogen credits and would be receiving $358,649. Staff praised OMI project staff for their efforts on optimizing plant performance throughout year 2006.

b. OMI Report
1) Monthly Operating Report – January 2007 (copy included)
Mr. Dahl reported that the ionization system for odor control is almost operational in the Secondary Building. He also said there were three chlorine violations in the same day because of the inability to pump sodium bisulfite, which has occurred before in very cold weather. Nitrogen performance fell under Band D for January.

2) Collection System and Pump Station MRR Accounts (copy included)
No Discussion.

10. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN.

No discussion.

11. ADJOURNMENT

** MR. WILMS MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Meeting adjourned at 7:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Dilene Byrd

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