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

June 11, 2007

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

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

OTHERS: Kevin Dahl, CH2M Hill OMI
John Rickerman, CH2M Hill OMI
Gregg Higgins, CH2M Hill OMI
Karen Mignone, Pepe & Hazard
Timothy Dupuis, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Atkin called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M.

2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON MAY 14, 2007. (copy included)

Mr. McInerney said on Page 5, Item D should read “when funds are available”

** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM WITH CORRECTIONS
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY

3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND SECRETARY

Chairman Atkin turned the chair over to Mr. McInerney

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO ELECT JOHN ATKIN AS CHAIRMAN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY
** MR. WILMS MOVED TO ELECT MR. MCINERNEY AS VICE CHAIRMAN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY
** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO ELECT DILENE BYRD AS SECRETARY
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY

4. AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CAMP DRESSER & MCKEE, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE LOW LEVEL NITROGEN REMOVAL ALTERNITIVES EVALUATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SCOPE OF WORK DATED JUNE 7, 2007. (REPRESENTATIVE FROM CDM TO ATTEND.)
ACCOUNT# 09074062 5777 C0398

Mr. Dupuis said the scope of work includes five main objectives: to evaluate what is currently at the WWTP: identify short term improvements to implement at a low cost: determine what are limiting factors: integrate this project with the CSO/Headworks Project; and to identify alternatives to provide a phased plan to meet the ultimate objective which is the 2014 permit limits. Mr. McInerney asked that a time bar chart be included in the proposal. Mr.Dupuis said that would be included.

** MAYOR WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY

5. BE IT RESOLVED THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF NORWALK TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR THE LOW LEVEL NITROGEN PROJECT. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS RESOLUTION, JOHN ATKIN, THE CHAIRMAN IS DULY AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO AND SIGN SAID CONTRACTS ON BEHALF OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF NORWALK. THE CHAIRMAN IS FURTHER AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE SUCH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND EXECUTE SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH SAID CONTRACTS AND TO EXECUTE ANY AMENDMENTS, RESCISSIONS, AND REVISIONS THERETO.

Ms. Bardon explained that this is to authorize the Chairman to submit on behalf of the WPCA the Clean Water Fund Grant Application to the state for the low level nitrogen project.

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

6. EXTEND THE TERM OF CONTRACT MONITORING SERVICES WITH MALCOLM PIRNIE, INC. TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4 OF THE AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 8, 2006. (AGREEMENT INCLUDED)
ACCOUNT# 224062 5298 (FY2007-08 OPERATING BUDGET)

Ms. Bardon explained that in order to extend the contract an additional year beginning October 1, 2007, for $147,000, the extension request must be made in writing no later than June 30, 2007. Mayor Moccia asked if Council approval is needed. Ms. Bardon said that it does not. Mayor Moccia said that at some point a financial statement should be provided as to what has been spent. Ms. Bardon said she expects to have that by the summer.

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

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS WWTP PERFORMANCE

** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY

Executive session began at 5:45 P.M.
Executive session ended at 5:55 P.M.
Mayor Moccia left at 6:00 P.M.

7. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT

a. YTD Revenues/Expenditures Report (MUNIS Report included)

Mr. Alvord said that beginning next month a financial report would be provided in an excel spreadsheet. Mr. Doumlele pointed out there is a $20,000,000 error on the revenue side of the MUNIS report.

8. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT

a. 2007 WWTP Nitrogen Performance

Mr. Kolb said that thru the end of May the nitrogen removal at the WWTP had not been good. He said that Malcolm Pirnie had performed ammonia profiling in the aeration tanks. He said that beginning this week it appears the plant has started to nitrify, but even if the plant nitrifies the remainder of the year, the best-case scenario for the WPCA would have to purchase $147,000 in nitrogen credits. The worst-case scenario is for the WPCA to purchase $735,000 in nitrogen credits. Mr. Wilms asked if the budget would need to be revised for next year. Ms. Bardon said that it would not because this would have to be paid out of the 2008-09 budget.

b. June 4th Final Settling Tanks Solids Loss

Mr. Kolb said that there was a solids loss and that the DEP, Aquaculture, and Norwalk Health Department were notified and that OMI and Malcolm Pirnie are evaluating to determine the cause. Ms. Bardon said that if there are any recommendations to be made they will be reported to the Board at the next months meeting.

c. Underground Storage Tank (UST) Status

Mr. Kolb said that five out of the six underground storage tanks were removed from various pump stations. Diesel contamination was found above the state’s threshold at two of the five UST removal sites (Five Mile and Old Trolley Way pump stations) and that the DEP was notified. He also said that elevated levels of lead was found at one of the five UST removal sites (Shady Beach pump station). Further evaluation would be required to determine if the source was the UST or fill that was used at the site. CRA would be providing a scope of work for each site that is contaminated. Ms. Mignone asked if she could be provided with copies of any old insurance policies that the City may have. Mr. Alvord said he would look into that.

d. Seaview Avenue and Cove Avenue Sewer Project Update

Mr. Kolb said a pre-construction meeting was held this morning with New Hope Pipe Lining Company on the sewer project. He said that New Hope believes all work will be completed before the Oyster Festival, but if work were not completed by then, arrangements would be made so not to act the festival. Ms. Bardon said that there is a public meeting tentatively scheduled for June 25, 2007, for the impacted business’s and residents in that area. Chairman Atkin asked how long the project would take to complete. Ms. Bardon said they have 120 days to complete and are will start around June 25, 2007 but they don’t think they will need that much time to complete.

e. Information Copies

1. Damages for Failure to Meet Performance Guarantees (letter included)
No discussion.
2. June 11, 2007 Updated Sewer Use Rates, Billing Information & Appeals Process (copy included)
Mr. Alvord said noted a correction to be made on Page 1 of the sewer use billing information and appeals process in the bill information section to read $5.50 per 1,000 gallons used over the initial 110,000 gallon allotment.
3. Contract Year 8- CPI Adjustments (copy included)
No discussion.
4. NACWA Clean Water Advocate Newsletter (copy included)
No discussion.
5. Letter of interest- Citizens Advisory Committee (letter attached)
No discussion.

9. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT

a. Public Works Director Report

1. Contract Operations Status
Mr. Kolb said that Malcolm Pirnie had completed the annual inspection of the Wastewater Treatment Plant for this year and would be providing a draft report for review which will be provided in the Board package for next month’s meeting. He said that Pepe & Hazard would also have a draft report on Amendment 3, which will also be provided for next month’s Board package.

b. OMI Report

1. Monthly Operating Report- April 2007 (copy included)
Mr. Dahl reported that all five primary tanks were cleaned due to the April rain event. He said that there were BOD and TSS violations that occurred on April 04, 2007, and that there were solids lost, several performance guarantee violations and a flow violation that needed to be reported. He said that there were a number of bypasses during the April rain event with a total of twenty-eight reported spills. He said that there were also a number of sewer claims reported and that he is working with staff to resolve. He said that the nitrogen performance fell into the expected operations range. Mr. Alvord said that the average flow in accordance with the permit might need to be looked into in the near future. Mr. Wilms asked if the DEP could order an expansion of the WWTP. Mr. Alvord said that they could. Mr. McInerney asked if there would be an opportunity to enter into a consent agreement before there was an order. Ms. Bardon said no but if the DEP is shown the CSO and Nitrogen Project program there should not be any order made.

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

11. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN

Chairman Atkin asked if a range would be provided for the contaminated UST sites by next month’s Board meeting. Mr. Kolb said that it was possible but that there is still one more pump station with an UST to be removed.

12. FREEHOLDERS PROCESS

Mr. Alvord said there are ten to fifteen private property issues identified that relate to this project. He said the WPCA Board directed staff to go through the City’s Freeholders’ process and have the contractor do the work and the City assess the property owner over a period of time.

13. CONNECTICUT LIGHT & POWER GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE TO SANITARY SEWER

Chairman Atkin wished to clarify his comments that the jurisdiction of the WPCA Board in this matter would extend only to: (1) whether or not CL&P could discharge into the Westport pumping station service area, and (2) CL&P conforming to the WPCA's requirements for discharging groundwater to the Norwalk wastewater collection and treatment system; and that the location of the tanks was an issue not within the Board's jurisdiction. Mr. Alvord stated that the WPCA has a program in place that contractors may discharge groundwater into the City’s sanitary sewer system with permits and approvals by the State and City. Ms. Bardon said the contractor is billed based on the number of gallons discharged.

14. ADJOURNMENT

** MR. DOUMLELE MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Dilene Byrd

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