HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2023-12-13SJC MEETING
December 13, 2023
SJC Board members
P Cynthia Brock, Chair, City of Ithaca P Bill Goodman, Town of Ithaca
P Donna Fleming, City of Ithaca P Rob Rosen, Town of Ithaca
P Scott Reynolds, City of Ithaca P Jason Leifer, Town of Dryden
P Rich DePaolo, Town of Ithaca P Ray Burger, Town of Dryden Alternate
E Dave Warden, City of Ithaca
P = Present, PZ = Present via zoom, A = Absent, E = Excused
Staff
P Steve Thayer, City of Ithaca P Peter Wernsdorfer, Camden Group
P Scott Gibson, City of Ithaca P Joe Slater, Town of Ithaca
PZ Rod Howe, Town of Ithaca PZ Dan Thaete, Town of Ithaca
P Chanelle Corder, City of Ithaca PZ Susan Brock, Attorney to IAWWTF
PZ Ken Scherrieble, Camden Group
P = Present, PZ = Present via zoom
Guests
Chris Kianka-LECTRE Will Simmons- MATCO
Cynthia called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
Agenda review and approval of October minutes.
Items added to the agenda. Sewage rates increase discussion. No opposition for adding
that to the agenda
Resolutions to recognize Steve Thayer and Bill Goodman
Motion to approve minutes moved by Donna, seconded by Rich, approved 5:0.
Resolution to recognize Steve Thayer
WHEREAS, the legislative bodies of the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Town of Dryden
determined it to be in the best interests of their respective municipalities to construct, own, and
operate a single wastewater treatment and disposal facility, and jointly constructed the Ithaca
Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF), which began operating in 1987; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Steve Thayer was appointed Deputy Controller to the City of Ithaca, and he
began providing his decades of expert services to the IAWWTF, the Special Joint Subcommittee
of the City’s Board of Public Works that oversaw IAWWTF operations through 2003, and the
Special Joint Committee that began its oversight in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Steve was promoted to Controller for the City of Ithaca in 2002, and became by
extension the Chief Fiscal Officer for the IAWWTF as well; and
WHEREAS, the intermunicipal cooperation that embodies the IAWWTF is centered on trust, and
a great part of the success of this partnership has been due to Steve’s integrity, financial
stewardship, and commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability; and
WHEREAS, for 21 years, Steve has attended monthly meetings of the Special Joint Committee of
the IAWWTF, overseen the financial wellbeing and complex financial structures of the facility,
received and paid out funds on behalf of the partners, worked with senior staff to negotiate
labor contracts, developed annual budgets and monthly financial reports, participated in annual
audits of plant financials, and faithfully performed and discharged the trust imposed upon him;
and
WHEREAS, Steve’s consistent calm and steady presence in delivering his monthly reports,
diligent paying of the IAWWTF’s retirement and insurance contribution early to achieve
discounts, prompts to owners to make their quarterly payments (which are due now) and
reminders that the timing of expenses do not always follow the calendar for payments, will be
deeply missed; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Special Joint Committee, on behalf of the municipal owners City
of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Town of Dryden, wish to extend our sincere gratitude and
appreciation to Steve Thayer for his 21 years of service to the Special Joint Committee of the
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Special Joint Committee recognizes and appreciates
the exceptional dedication and service of Steve Thayer and wishes him well in his future
endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED that this resolution of appreciation and support be duly recorded in the minutes of
the Special Joint Committee on this the 13th day of December in the year 2023.
Moved by Cynthia, Seconded by Jason.
Resolution to recognize Bill Goodman
WHEREAS, the Special Joint Committee (SJC) of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
(IAWWTF) has been and is fortunate to have representation of the elected officials of the City of
Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden dedicated and committed to the mission of
protecting Cayuga Lake and our region’s water resources; and
WHEREAS, in 2012 Bill Goodman was appointed to the SJC to represent the Town of Ithaca while
he was serving as a Town of Ithaca Board member, and later while he was serving as Town
Supervisor; and
WHEREAS, Bill’s dedication was evidenced in his leadership in the “Group of Six” leading
quarterly meetings of elected officials and staff of the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of
Dryden, Village of Lansing, Town of Lansing, and Village of Cayuga Heights to discuss shared
challenges and strategies to manage stormwater, wastewater treatment, and infrastructure,
and laying the foundation for increased intermunicipal communication and collaboration to
achieve improved management and cost savings; and
WHEREAS, throughout his service on the SJC Bill has been steadfast in his commitment to
protecting our water resources and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the SJC especially appreciates Bill’s thoughtful and careful deliberations, integrity,
respect for everyone with whom he came into contact, and his participation in numerous
working groups charged with reviewing, updating, and implementing various intermunicipal
agreements between the municipal owners as well as the Village of Cayuga Heights; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Special Joint Committee on behalf of the municipal owners City
of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Town of Dryden, wish to extend our sincere gratitude and
appreciation to Bill Goodman for his eleven years of service to the Special Joint Committee of
the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Special Joint Committee recognizes and appreciates
the dedication and service of Bill Goodman and wishes him well in his future endeavors; and be
it further
RESOLVED that this resolution of appreciation and support be duly recorded in the minutes of
the Special Joint Committee on this the 13th day of December in the year 2023.
Moved by Cynthia, Seconded by Rich.
Financial Report: Steve Thayer
Revenue: So far in septage service $575,000.00. Expect to meet or exceed the budgeted
$650,000.00. For this fiscal year, we have received around $5,115,000.00.
• Kline Rd bypass has been billed, and collected, $89,000.00 for 2021,2023 and so
far through 2023.
• All quarterly payments have been received for 2023 from owners.
• Debt service invoices were sent in October and have received Dryden’s payment.
Town of Ithaca’s is expected soon and the remaining revenue will come in later
this year.
Expenses: So far, expenditures total $5,044,766, giving a surplus of around $70,000.00
for the fiscal year. Right around where expected.
• Contracted Chief operator Camden Group has been paid $366,000.00 so far this
year. It is over $42,000.00. That is being offset by the unfilled salary positions.
• Equipment parts has expended $261,000.00. Expect to be over budget by the time
all activity for 2023 gets posted. That budget line has been increased for 2024.
• Debt payments so far are at $1,618,000.00. All payments have been made. No
more payments for 2023. Is being offset by the invoiced debt on the revenue side.
• Health insurance once all contributions from employees have been posted, should
be close to $297,000.00 budgeted.
• State retirement payment due at the end of the week for a discount, budgeted is
$101,000.00, will be under budget at just over $91,000.00.
• Retirement rates ranged 9.5-15% of salary for 2023, will increase to 11-18% for
2024.
• Capital activity had no activity posted last month but work continues.
• Final budget approved by council at November 1st meeting.
Operations and Engineering Report – Peter Wernsdorfer
1. Operations
• Regulatory Compliance - Process Control remains stable. Effluent numbers are in
the low single digits.
• Personnel – We continue to be short staffed. We are working with HR to fill open
positions. We will be meeting with the City’s Talent Acquisition Diversity
Specialist to expand our outreach.
a. Discussion about contracts, salaries, and recruitment process
2. Maintenance
• Blowers – Howden representatives were on site to address the blower status. They
found damage in the blower components that are being replaced. This is under
warranty. We expect parts to arrive in mid-February with repair taking
approximately two days.
• Micro Turbines – We replaced one heat exchanger and one panel this month. With
the changes in ventilation in the boiler room, the turbines can draw cooler air for an
increase their efficiency.
• Asset Management – Implementation continues.
• Clarifiers - The manufacturer’s technical team was onsite December 7th, to evaluate
PST1. Additionally, E&P Structural Engineers are analyzing the outer wall of PST1
where we noticed an outward bowing.
o Further discussion regarding the bowed wall, the future problems if any,
and the plan going forward
• Boiler Replacement – The condensing boiler is installed and working. The dual
fuel boiler is expected in February. The boiler should be online and in use in March.
• Facility Improvements – The VRF Heat Pumps are being installed. We are
completing some interior light upgrades while the ceilings are open.
• ActiFlo – the system is working well despite its age but requires constant attention
and maintenance.
3. Staff Management
• Semi-monthly staff meetings continue.
• Weekly and/or semi-monthly check-ins continue with function leads.
4. Reporting –
• Regulatory reports were sent as scheduled.
5. Business, Long-Term Development
• Capital Planning – The RFP for Capital Planning was issued. We await responses.
o Heard interest from 3 out of the 5 consulting firms. Have until December
15th to submit full RFQ. Contract will be issued to the chosen after the
new year. Should be ready to make a selection by the next SJC meeting.
That will then follow a series of planning meetings for short-term and
long-term plans.
o When will the new SPDES reporting requirements go into place and when
will we be renewing our SPDES permit?
1. It was ready to be issued when the city was told we needed an EJ
report. No one, including those at the state level, knew what that
was. Suspects it to be issued early next year after numerous
meetings and studies that were not required prior.
o What are the new PFAS reporting requirements.
1. New permit is going to monitor the PFAS coming in and going out
of the plant. Will also be doing wet testing in 2025. Will be
checking outside sources, particularly leachate, to make sure we’re
not getting huge hits of PFAS.
2. Wet testing is toxicity testing. They take different organisms and
put them in samples of effluent water and lake water to see how
long they survived in the effluent compared to the lake in general.
Then they determine the toxicity level and give us a score on the
criticality of our effluent water on the ecosystem. That will happen
in 2025.
• Energy Management – Our Strategic Energy Management kickoff is delayed until
February due to NYSERDA and NYWEA schedules.
6. Operations Data
• November DMR/MOR will be forwarded under separate cover.
• Six-month gas usage report will be forwarded under separate cover.
No additional questions for Ken or Peter.
Additional items:
1. Can the finalized INI report be added to the January agenda? Yes
2. Sewage fee rate: Rate change hasn’t been changed since January 2021. Discussion about
rates, different types of waste and location. Our rates are very low for example, Auburn
doubles what we charge. Something to consider looking at in January at the next SJC
meeting.
a. Extension to Casella contract was signed for taking our sludge to the
landfill. Rate increased from $75/ton to $125/ton. That is one of the lower
rates they charge.
i. Further discussion about waste budget. BOD’s and rate options.
Motion to Adjourn. Moved by Bill. Seconded by Donna. Approved 5:0
The meeting was adjourned at 2:25pm.
The Next Meeting will be January 10, 1:00 pm.