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

April 9, 2007

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

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

1. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED SEWER USER CHARGES TO BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2007

Chairman Atkin opened the Public Hearing at 5:30 P.M.
Chairman Atkin closed the Public Hearing at 5:45 P.M.
No attendance or comments from the public.

2. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Atkin called the meeting to order at 5:45 P.M.

10. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT

a. YTD Revenues/Expenditures Report (MUNIS report included)
Mr. Hamilton said revenues and expenditures are looking good. He noted on the expense side that the electric account might have a shortfall of about $25,000-$30,000. He said on the revenue side the sewer use fee is above budget by about $300,000 and the interest income is about $370,000 due to higher interest rates and the fund balance.

Mr. Wilms arrived at 6:00 P.M.

11. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT

a. Collection System Issues- General:
1) Westport Avenue Sewershed Issues
Mr. Kolb said there is a mandatory pre-bid meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 2007. He said that all bids are due back by April 29, 2007. Mr. McInerney asked what is the estimated cost for the Westport Avenue Sewershed Project? Mr. Kolb said the range is about $1.2-$1.6 million dollars. Ms. Bardon said that is only for construction costs and that there would be additional engineering and inspection costs.

b. Low Level Nitrogen Removal Request for Qualifications Status
Mr. Kolb reported that three firms were short-listed: CDM, CH2M Hill, and Stearns and Wheler. He said that interviews would be conducted on April 25, 2007.

c. Information Copies:
1) Clean Water Advocate Newsletters (February & March 2007)
No discussion.

3. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON
MARCH 12, 2007

Mr. McInerney said that on Page3, Paragraph 4 the second sentence should read: “ Mr. McInerney asked if the wording be changed from “or” to “and” would the request for an economical development exemption come before the Authority?”

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

4. APPROVE THE SEWER USER CHARGES TO BE EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2007

Mr. Krummel asked why the fees aren’t included for larger than 5/8” meter size. Ms. Bardon explained those fees were already approved and went into effect on March 1, 2007. Mr. Krummel asked if there would be a detailed list with each size meter and what the fee would be. Ms. Bardon said that has already been done. Mayor Moccia asked what the Public Hearing was for to be read aloud for clarification. Ms. Bardon said if was for the sanitary sewer user charge. She said it is for residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties up to 110,000 gallons and over 110,000, temporary dischargers, and the FOG registration fee. Chairman Atkin asked if the fees are technically being renewed or are they just listed. Mr. Alvord said they were already approved by the Board and there is no change going forward.

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

5. APPROVE THE PROPOSED FY 2007-08 OPERATING BUDGET (COPY ATTACHED WITH OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS)

Mr. Wilms asked if the budget included the new Junior Engineer position. Ms. Bardon said that it did. Mayor Moccia asked that the new position be explained and how it would create additional revenue. Ms. Bardon said that that there are several new State mandated programs which were not contemplated when the WPCA was created. The programs such as FOG, the industrial pretreatment requirement, in addition to the sewer moratorium that occurred in the Westport Avenue district and all Planning and Zoning plan reviews for every project that comes before the City. She said the new position would free up time for current staff to look into areas where there is a potential for additional revenue that is not currently being collected through the sewer use charge system. She said she feels confident the position’s salary would be covered through fees collected. She said that one of the goals that staff has proposed to the Board is to implement an industrial pretreatment surcharge program for the facilities that do not comply and install a grease trap. She said they would be charged a surcharge for the additional maintenance cost that is being put on the sewer system. Mr. Wilms said he is in support of the new position.

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

6. APPROVE THE PROPOSED FY 2007-08 CAPITAL BUDGET (COPIES ATTACHED)

Ms. Bardon said this is an authorization to continue all current projects. On a cash flow basis the WPCA will require $2.65 million in GO Bonds for FY2007-08, which has been forwarded to the Comptroller’s Office. She explained that she was looking for support of the $5.775 million total capital budget. Chairman Atkin clarified that the authorization for the $5.775 million includes the out years – an authorization – but the Board needed to approve an appropriation of $2.65 million to support the WPCA’s cash flow needs next year. Mr. Hamilton said unless there is an appropriation in place the WPCA cannot enter into a commitment beyond $2.65 million. Ms. Bardon explained that they would not enter into any commitment unless there was Clean Water Funding available. Mr. Alvord said his staff was seeking Board support to continue projects currently in design. If the design is not completed and the Board does not in theory “approve” these projects it makes it difficult to seek Clean Water Funds. He explained the only way to get Clean Water Funding is to have a complete package ready to go.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE $2.65 MILLON
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APROVE THE FINANCE DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION TO ENDORSE THE REMAINING ITEMS UNDER THE $5.775 MILLON PLAN WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IF THE CLEAN WATER FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE THIS WOULD BE REVISITED IN THE FUTURE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

7.AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NEW HOPE PIPE LINERS, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 889,000.02 FOR THE SEAVIEW AND COVE AVENUE INTERCEPTOR REHABILITATION (PROJECT: WPCA2007-1) (BID DOCUMENTS ATTACHED)

Mr. McInerney asked if there had been any experience with New Hope Pipe Liners. Mr. Kolb said that they had and were very pleased by the work they had done. Chairman Atkin asked if any company in Connecticut had bid on the project. Ms. Bardon said there was not.

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

8. AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO NEW HOPE PIPE LINERS, LLC FOR THE SEAVIEW AND COVE AVENUE INTERCEPTOR REHABILITATION (PROJECT: WPCA2007-1) FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $ 135,000

Mr. McInerney asked that this be explained. Ms. Bardon said this is to authorize the Director of Public Works to negotiate change orders should anything happen on the project.

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

9. AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE FEBRUARY 1, 2006 AGREEMENT WITH MALCOLM PIRNIE, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000 FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A STORMWATER GIS LAYER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF NORWALK’S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCOPE OF WORK DATED MARCH 29, 2007 AND BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST DATED MARCH 30, 2007. (COPIES ATTACHED)

Mayor Moccia said he appreciated the help from DPW to get this very important project done. Chairman Atkin asked if the WPCA had the existing contract with Malcolm Pirnie. Mr. Alvord said they had and that Malcolm Pirnie had mobilized the resources to map the sanitary sewer system as part of the collection system master plan and are trying to do the same thing for storm drainage. He said the $120,000 transfer from all non-salaried snow account would be going before the BET for approval. Mayor Moccia asked if this had to go out to contract from scratch what the cost would be. Mr. Alvord said it would be at least two to three times this amount. Mr. McInerney clarified this is an amendment to the WPCA contract. Mr. Alvord said that it was, but will be paid out of a DPW account.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM SUBJECT TO BET APPROVAL
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUSMSLY

12. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT

a. Public Works Director Report
1) Contract Operations Status
Mr. Kolb reported that Malcolm Pirnie would be at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on April 10, 2007 to do their annual inspection and later in the month would be back to conduct inspection of five pump stations. He said following those inspections a draft and final copy of their findings would be brought to the Board. Ms. Bardon said there was a detailed inspection of the electrical systems performed last week but have not received the report back at this time.

b. OMI Report
1) Monthly Operating Report – February 2007 (copy included)
Mr. Dahl reported that there were six chlorine violations in the month of February. He said the reason for that was OMI was experiencing difficulty with the sodium bisulfite system. He said they were able to chlorinate but were having problems dechlorinating. He stated the system would be taking off line for a thorough cleaning. He also stated OMI was having problems with BOD and TSS removal. Mr. McInerney asked if this was because of the temperatures. Mr. Dahl said that was a possibility. He said they had no violations for BOD or TSS. He said that OMI held a safety luncheon in February because they had gone from eleven OSHA injuries in 2005 to just one in 2006. To date there are zero injuries. He reported they are fully staffed with twenty-five people at this point. He said the nitrogen performance is still favorable at this point but is higher than he would like.

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

13. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN.

Mayor Moccia asked when the Seaview Avenue project would begin. Ms. Bardon said now that it is approved the next step is to get a contract. Mayor Moccia asked how long the project would take to complete. Mr. Kolb said one hundred twenty days. Mayor Moccia would like to see this expedited so there is no conflict with the Oyster Festival.

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive session began at 6:30 P.M.

14. ADJOURNMENT

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,

Dilene Byrd

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