 |  |  |
| | |
| WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY MINUTES |
For minutes prior to January 2004, please
contact Judy Archer of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org
September 10, 2007
ATTENDANCE: John Atkin, Chairman
Jim McInerney, Vice Chairman
Frederika Bikakis-Hajian
Bill Krummel
Tony Doumlele
STAFF: Hal Alvord, DPW Public Works Director
Lisa Bardon, DPW Operations Manager
Ralph Kolb, Wastewater Systems Manager
Nic Berkun, DPW WPCA Junior Engineer
Tom Hamilton, Finance Director
OTHERS: Kevin Dahl, CH2M Hill OMI
Greg Higgins, CH2M Hill OMI
Eric Muir, Malcolm Pirnie
Bruce Kirkland, Malcolm Pirnie
Tim Dupuis, CDM
Dan Murphy, CDM
Jim Drake, CDM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Atkin called the meeting to order at 5:38 P.M. No quorum was present.
10. REPORTS
a. Introduction of Nic Berkun as WPCA Junior Engineer
Mr. Alvord introduced Nic Berkun as the new WPCA Junior Engineer. He said that Nic has been part of the Department of Public Works Engineering Division for the past couple of years. Nic has already taken on the plan views, FOG reviews and inspections. This has increased the WPCA’s response time to inquiries and reviews.
b. FY 07-08 Revenues/Expenditures Report and MUNIS Report (reports included)
Ms. Bardon asked if anyone had any questions on the fiscal Year 2007-08 MUNIS
or financial report that was included in the Board packet. Chairman Atkin asked
Mr. Hamilton if he was comfortable with the financial report that staff had
provided. Mr. Hamilton said that he was as long as the numbers would be reconciled
back to MUNIS.
Mr. Krummel arrived at 5:50 PM
c. Draft FY 06/07 Audit Report (copy included)
Mr. Hamilton said the statements are prepared by using the full accrual basis. He said that the biggest change is adding the depreciation as an expense and pulling out the principal repayment. He said this incorporates the year-end accounting adjustments and is reflective of what the final audit report will show. He said these are not the audited numbers and expects to have the final audit report in the next few months. He said the net assets increased by $2.5M and the total assets for the WPCA is $43.8M dollars of which $8.9M is unrestricted assets.
f. CT Department of Aquaculture Response Letter (letter included)
Mr. Alvord said that Aquaculture has decided to retain a testing firm to perform
testing at a variety of locations around the Norwalk Harbor.
Ms. Bikakis-Hajian arrived at 6:15 PM
h. Sewer Connection Fee & Sewer Use Bill Appeals/Adjustments
1. Status Update
Mr. Kolb said he had received sixteen appeals and the adjustments that were
made on those appeals totaled $ 52,619. He said he still has approximately 12
to 15 more to process. Mr. Doumlele asked what the reasons were for the appeals.
Mr. Kolb said some from septic tanks. Mr. Alvord said they were also due to
the fact that most people do not get their tax bill because it goes directly
to their mortgage company and at some point they realize they are paying the
sewer use fee. Chairman Atkin asked out of the sixteen appeals how many were
for septic tanks. Mr. Kolb said there were only a few this year.
2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON JULY 9, 2007 (COPY INCLUDED)
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION CARRIED
** TWO ABSTENTIONS - MR. MCINERNEY, MS. BIKAKIS-HAJIAN
3. 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
& 14,900 TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR INVESTIGATION
OF POLLUTANT LOADING SOURCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SCOPE OF WORK DATED SEPTEMBER
, 2007( REPRESENATIVE FROM CDM TO ATTEND)
ACCOUNT# 224062-5298
Mr. Kolb said he received a proposal from Camp Dresser & McKee for wastewater collection system sampling. He said the reason he had asked them to provide this scope of work is because OMI has indicated that there were higher influent loadings coming into the plant and were unsure of the cause. Mr. Kolb said that the collection system would be broken into six different locations to sample. He said that five would be in Norwalk and one location is at the Wilton town line. Mr. McInerney asked when the report of the sampling would be completed. Mr. Kolb said the data with their findings should be available for next month’s Board meeting. Mr. Doumlele said once the source has been located that further testing would need to be performed and asked if the $14,900 should be increased for that. Ms. Bardon said “no” because further testing is included in this scope of work.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
4. AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AUGUST 14, 2006 AGREEMENT WITH CONESTOGA-ROVERS
& ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK CORRECTIVE ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCOPE OF WORK
DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT.( COPY INCLUDED)
Mr. Kolb said that Conestoga Rovers & Associates has completely removed all the underground storage tanks at the six locations. He said that five out of the six of the sites had contaminated soil to some level. He said that for the Shady Beach and Fox Run pump station sites, two to three cubic yards of soil needs to be removed and replaced with new soil for site closure. He said at the Old Trolley Way and Five Mile pump stations that it was recommended to perform soil boring testing to determine the extent of the contamination in the soil and once the samples have been collected and it is determined how far the contamination extends out that an additional scope of work of work would be recommended for proper clean up procedures. He said at the Keeler Brook pump station there is ground water contamination and that as part of this scope of work monitoring wells will be installed to monitor the ground water to find the extent of the contamination. He also said the additional proposal would also include the clean up of that site.
Mr. McInerney asked about the Woodward Avenue pump station. Mr. Kolb said that pump station had passed. Ms. Bardon clarified that they are not seeking any additional funding because the scope of work from August 14, 2007, came in $20,000 under budget. She said the scope of work needs to be amended and the date needs to be changed. Mr. Doumlele asked what kind of supervision would be provided on the sites. Mr. Alvord said that Conestoga-Rovers & Associates have been the construction manager from the beginning of the project overseeing the contractors. Ms. Bardon said they are also the LEP [licensed environmental professional] on the project and they oversee all the work that the contractor does and ensures the work is being performed in accordance with the appropriate regulations
** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
5.RECIND THE MAY 14, 2007 AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH OMI, INC. FOR SERVICES RELATED TO REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT (UPGRADE) OF THE DAMAGED FOX RUN PUMP STATION ELECTRIC POWER LINE AND COMPONENTS FOR A SUM OF $ 35,000
6. AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH OMI, INC. FOR SERVICES RELATED TO REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT (UPGRADE) OF THE DAMAGED FOX RUN PUMP STATION ELECTRIC POWER LINE AND COMPONENTS FOR A SUM OF $ 46,342.50 IN ACCORDANCE WITH LETTER PROPOSAL DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 AND EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT. (COPY INCLUDED)
Mr. Kolb said the reason that OMI was asked to provide an updated cost breakdown was because when the Board was asked for approval it was based on an emergency basis and were unsure of the exact cost at that time. He said the work involved in the repair turned out to be more extensive than anticipated. He said that work has now been completed and since the damage was caused by the City’s contractor’s subcontractor that the invoice would be submitted to the City’s risk manager for insurance purposes and to recover some of the costs.
** MR. DOUMLELE MOVED TO APPROVE ITEMS 5 & 6 FOR APPROVAL
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
7. AUTHORIZE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 2,500 FOR THE NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF CLEAN WATER AGENCIES CLEAN WATER FUNDING TASK FORCE. (LETTER
INCLUDED)
ACCOUNT NO. 224062 5235
Ms. Bardon said that the WPCA is currently a member of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and said that they are one of the best groups for lobbying for clean water funding on behalf of municipalities. She said that dues are paid annually as a utility but they are requesting additional funds which will be used for lobbying related to the Clean Water Task Force. She said there is $10,000 in the operating budget for memberships and is asking the Board to consider the request from NACWA for $2,500.
** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
8. AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF BALANCES IN THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS SET ASIDE IN FISCAL YEAR 2006-07 TO FISCAL EAR 2007-08 TO BE USEE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE THE FUNDS WRE INTENDED FOR. (SUMMARY SHEET INCLUDED)
ACCT NO. AMOUNT VENDOR
224062 5298 $29,783.05 CONESTOGA-ROVERS ASSOCIATES
224062 5298 $12,096.76 AJ PENNA (TRANSFERS TO 224062 5777)
224062 5230 $171,200 CH2MHILL
224062 5298 $117,200 MALCOLM PIRNIE
224062 5777 $1,709,074.20 INSITUFORM
Chairman Atkin said this was a new process based on a request from the Comptrollers Office to authorize a transfer of balances in the five accounts listed in the fiscal year 2006-07 to be carried over to the fiscal year 2007-08 to be used for the same purpose that the funds were intended. Ms. Bardon said the total revised budget for the WPCA after these transfers are made will be $14,165,611.
** MR. DOUMLELE MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
9. COLLECTION OF SEWER USE CHARGES (MEMORANDUM INCLUDED)
Mr. Hamilton said that there is a section of the City Code that states any accounts that are turned over to an independent collection agency be reviewed by the Chairman of the WPCA on a semiannual basis. Mr. Hamilton reported that no delinquent accounts have been sent to an independent collection agency but he has included a list of the delinquent accounts in the Board packet. He said the overall collection rate last year was 97.65% and the year before that was 98.2%. He said to the best of his determination the slight decline is attributable to the increase in the levy during the course of the year. He said at this time he does not believe it is necessary to turn over any accounts but said at some point some the accounts that are four years or older may be worth turning over but that is a decision for the Board to make.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS CONTRACT ISSUES RELATED TO THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM
SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH OMI, INC.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Executive session began at 6:20 PM
Executive session ended at 6:40 PM
** MS. BIKAKIS-HAJIAN MOVED TO APPROVE ASSESSING DAMAGES ON OMI, INC. FOR THE
THREE DAILY CONTRACT LIMIT EXCEEDANCES IN THE MONTH OF MAY 2007 AND THE TWO
MONTHLY CONTRACT LIMIT EXCEEDANCES IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 2007.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Chairman Atkin left at 6:44 PM
10. REPORTS
d. Seaview Avenue Project Update and West Side Interceptor Project Presentation (Representative from Malcolm Pirnie to Attend)
Mr. Muir said that the sewer interceptor on Seaview Avenue was built in 1929 and consisted of reinforced concrete and the condition was poor with significant corrosion and rebar protruding through. He said the lining of the pipe had been completed a couple of weeks ago and the contractor only needed to complete the manhole repairs. Ms. Bardon asked how long the pipe was. Mr. Muir said approximately 4,000 linear feet. Ms. Bardon said the total cost of the project including engineering was approximately $1,000,000 and said she does not anticipate any change orders. Mr. McInerney asked who the contractor was that performed the work. Ms. Bardon said it was New Hope Pipe Liners along with AJ Penna as the subcontractor. Mr. Krummel asked what the expected life of the line is. Mr. Muir said the design life is fifty years.
Mr. Muir said that the west side interceptor was also built around the same time and consists of reinforced concrete. He said the length of the pipe is 5,500 linear feet and is 48” in diameter. He said that the corrosion of the line is similar to the line on Seaview Avenue with the exception that this is a larger diameter pipe. Mr. Doumlele asked once repaired if there would be a lot of new connections made to the pipe. Ms. Bardon said there would not be a lot of new direct connections but the flow from the developments would go to this interceptor. Ms. Bardon asked Mr. Muir what the cost of construction of the project would be. Mr. Muir said the cost for construction would be approximately $1,461,900. Mr. McInerney asked when the project would begin. Ms. Bardon said the engineering services would start within the next couple of months and the bid for the actual construction would probably go out in April 2008 and the construction would be starting in July 2008. Mr. Hamilton asked if the money was in place for the engineering portion. Ms. Bardon said that it was as well as the construction portion of the project, which is in the capital budget.
e. CSO/Wet Weather Project and Nitrogen Low Level Evaluation Presentation (Representative
from CDM to Attend, DEP letters included)
Mr. Dupuis said that CDM has been looking at the headworks and wet weather flows at the WWTP and said that the plant treats 30 MGD through the normal process and when it rains the flow can increase up to 90 MGD. He said one of the things being looked at is how to improve the screening and grit removal. He said the drum screens do not work well and that the DEP is excited that Norwalk is moving forward with this project because if not done voluntarily they would require via consent order.
He said the biggest issue is sighting constraints and that the DEP was very forceful in saying this is a WWTP site first and had given the City money to be used for that purpose and other uses for that site would be a secondary purpose.
Mr. Dupuis said that the most favorable site to use for the new headworks would be the Fire Department training site. Ms. Bikakis-Hajian asked if the smell would be an issue for the Public Works Center. Mr. Alvord said no because there would be odor control. Ms. Bardon said if for some reason that they need to work around the Fire Department facility that DEP would not pay the increased costs and that the City would be responsible for that.
He said there are a few elements that may need to be added to the report such as disinfection for regular treatment and solids processing since the DEP is now considering that the Norwalk is conducting a full facilities evaluation. Ms Bardon said at this point it makes sense to look at the UV disinfection option since DEP is looking to a no chlorine residual permit limit. She also said since Norwalk is almost completing a new facilities plan it would be more cost effective to include this now.
Mr. Murphy said every month the nitrogen levels have been increasing and that there is obviously some issue going on at the plant. He said that the annual nitrogen permit limit reductions went into effect in 2002 and limits have gone down every year. Ms. Bardon said the “do nothing” option is not an option according to DEP and they want the Norwalk facility to perform better and said if the plant does not perform better the DEP has indicated that they will be issuing a consent order.
Mr. Murphy said that over the summer they had conducted a five-day sampling program at the WWTP and the data will be used to calibrate a computer model of the plant which will be a requirement of the DEP to evaluate nitrogen removal technologies.
i. Information Copies
1. DEP- Letter- Notice of Sale of Equivalent Nitrogen Credits (copy included)
No discussion.
2. FY08 and FY09 CWF Priority List Revisions (copy included)
Ms. Bardon said the General Assembly has not yet approved Clean Water Funding
and are anticipating that would be done sometime this month. Ms. Bardon said
in past years once the Clean Water monies were approved then each project would
then go before the Bond Commission to get approval. Ms. Bardon said this year
it would now be appropriated based on the Clean Water Fund priority list that
was developed by the DEP. Ms. Bardon said she has spoken with the DEP and they
said that Norwalk is on the list with some of the highest priority points for
the nitrogen and CSO projects. Ms. Bardon said that Norwalk is on the draft
list for almost $12,000,000 for next year between the two projects. Ms. Bardon
said the DEP asked the City if those numbers need to be updated to get the information
to them as soon as possible. Ms. Bardon said she has provided DEP with the changes
and has not heard back from them but said she does not foresee any issues. Ms.
Bardon said the CSO wet weather project total will be $37,000,00, the low level
nitrogen project will be $16,000,00 and the disinfection project will be $ 7,000,000.
3. General Permit Renewal Registration Form for the Discharge of Storm water
Associated with Industrial Activity (copy included)
No discussion.
4. NACWA Clean Water Advocate Newsletters (copy included)
No discussion.
11. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT
a. Public Works Director Report
1. Contract Operations Status
Mr. Kolb said that the annual inspection report from Malcolm Pirnie was not
ready for this month’s meeting but will have it for the October 2007 meeting.
b. OMI report
1. Monthly Operating Report- June/July 007 (copy included)
Mr. Dahl reported that due to the June 4, 2007 rain event there was a BOD and
TSS permit violation on the daily and also a performance guarantee violation
for the month. He said the nitrogen performance was not very good compared to
the predicated model but taking out the nitrogen discharge on June 4, 2007 rain
event that they would have been favorable with the model.
Mr. Dahl reported that in July 2007 the nitrogen performance level fell into band A and had no permit violations or performance guarantees.
2. Collection System and Pump Station MRR Accounts (copy included)
No discussion
14 .ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN
No discussion
ADJOURMENT
** MS. BIKAKIS-HAJIAN MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIOUMSLY
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Dilene Byrd
 |
 |