HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-06-10-26ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
TOWN OF ITHACA CITY OF ITHACA TOWN OF DRYDEN, OWNERS
525 THIRD STREET
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
(607) 273-8381
SJC MEETING
June 10, 2026
P = Present, PZ = Present Via Zoom, E = Excused and A = Absent
STAFF
PZ Wendy Cole, City of Ithaca A Kelly Anderson, Town of Ithaca
P Scott Gibson, City of Ithaca A Joe Slater, Town of Ithaca
PZ Kelly VanRiper, City of Ithaca PZ Carissa Ralbovsky, City of Ithaca
P = Present, PZ = Present Via Zoom, E = Excused and A = Absent
GUEST
p Peter Wernsdorfer, Camden Group PZ Jesse Semanchik, B & L
P Ken Scherrieble, Camden Group PZ Brigid Mulroe, B & L
P Fernando Figueroa, Ithaca Voice
P = Present, PZ = Present Via Zoom, E = Excused and A = Absent
Called to Order 1:02 pm
1) Agenda Review
a. Rich would like to offer congratulations and appreciation to Susan Brock for her many years
of service to SJC.
2) Consider approval of minutes: 05/13/2026
a. No Quorum, saved for next meeting for approval
3) Financials – Wendy
a. Introduction of the new City Controller – Carissa Ralbovsky
b. Review 2026 monthly financials
i. Expenses are generally on target for the year
ii. Septage revenue for 2026 seems to be up in comparison to last year
c. Discuss 2025 financials and Project Balances
i. Wendy has reviewed the last 4 years to see contributions to the Fund Balance. She
cannot give an exact amount; however, it was in the range of $551,000. Of that, we’ve
spent $227,000 on restricted fund balance this year.
ii. Wendy submitted a report from Bonidio for 2022 which is not the actual audit. The new
audit firm just hired by the City will be starting with the 2022 Audit.
iii. Wendy doesn’t want to at this time assume what the fund balance will be even though
it was over $2MM in 2021 and we have added over $200K since then.
iv. The fund balance is critical for the cash flow of the plant since all the owners only pay
quarterly it is important to have a sufficient fund balance.
d. SJC decide on available project amount
i. Wendy stated that you need to decide what repairs need to be done before discussing
funds available. Then make a budget and agree to do a capital project on which
repairs need to be done.
ii. There are 3 different ways to fund these repairs.
a. Capital Project
b. Revise budget to cover the repairs.
c. Arrange financing from the municipalities.
e. Draft 2022 Audit
i. The Audit hasn’t been done.
ii. We have just received the report from Bonadio and that will be shared with the new
audit firm.
f. Capital Fund current estimate – update
i. Capital Project 422 J - $88,823
a. Using the balance to cover part of the Fence / Gate System Project.
b. Setup PO 260073 $11,461 to cover the remaining balance of the Fence / Gate
System Project.
ii. Capital Project 423 J - $438,000
a. The fund for this project is specifically the Boiler Room so remaining funds
have to go back against the principal.
iii. Capital Project 425 J – only change left
4) Operations & Engineering Report – Peter and Scott G
a. May 2026 Op Report – presented as submitted
b. Prioritized Repair List – Scott and Camden are currently preparing a list to be presented at
the July meeting.
5) NYSDEC Permit Modification – Jesse
a. Update on NYS DEC communications
i. As of May 6th, there have been no updates from décor communication with Taylor
Shanley.
ii. At this time there are no changes to the permit to be reported.
b. Data acquisition, lake monitoring
i. ASI will be on-site June 22nd through June 26th .
ii. The ASI proposal of work is in attached Appendixes.
6) Capital Improvement Project Update - Jesse and Scott G
a. B&L presented updated short-term plan thinking, now includes the more funds for thewaste
gas burner costs. There was a discussion re the contingency which is still at 20%; Camden
says they are seeing 20% contingency amounts routinely used in projects at other aging plants
they manage. B&L is being conservative as modifying the amount once the EFC closing
happens is not possible.
b. Amendment 2 is completely executed. A draft amendment 3 was presented for the swapped
out headworks work and additional CIP work.
c. Owners need to meet as a group with their finance staff to work out all the plan for how to pay
for all this.
d. B&L is starting to work on details for justifying the short term CIP costs for the WQIP funding.
e. Draft SEQR documents were submitted for owner comment.
7) Legal Services – Scott R
a. PMV letter of engagement – awaiting City conflict of interest sign off
8) Misc. updates
a. Foundational Agreements approval progress – No real updates, several agreements going to
City Council for approval this evening
Adjournment – 2:39 pm
Upcoming Meeting Date July 8, 2026
Please See Attached Appendixes:
1 – June 10, 2026, Agenda
2 – May 13, 2026, Unapproved Minutes (Minus Appendixes)
3 – Financials for 2025 & 2026
4 – Financial Statement with Auditor’s Report (Draft)
5 – Operator’s & Engineer’s Report
6 – DMR Report
7 – Gas usage Report
8 – B&L IAWWTF Capital Improvement Plan Project- Recommendation for Near – Term Capital Improvements
9 – B&L Amendment to Owner – Engineer Agreement Amendment No. 3
10 – Legal Services Information
11 – Intent to be Lead Agency Resolution (Draft)
12 – Involved & Interested Agencies List
13 – Proposed Improvements
14 – ASI Proposal