HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2026-03-11ITHACA 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
MARCH 11, 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 P Joe Slater, Town of Ithaca
A Kelly VanRiper, City of Ithaca
GUEST
P Ken Scherrieble, Camden Group PZ Brigid Mulroe, B & L
P Peter Wernsdorfer, Camden Group PZ Jesse Semanchik, B & L
P = Present, PZ = Present Via Zoom, E = Excused and A = Absent
Called to Order 1:02 pm
1) Agenda Review
a. Talk about City’s Partnership in the Latest Grant Funding Application
2) Introduction of New City Representatives
a. Robin Trumble – Gave quick introduction
b. David Shaprio – Excused
c. Eric Levine will replace Rob Rosen.
3) Consider approval of minutes: 12/23/25, 01/14/26, & 02/13/26 – Unable to approve no quorum
4) Financials – Wendy
a. Review of Monthly Financials
i. Scott shared the year-to-date Financials for 2026 and everything that has been posted for 2025.
ii. For the most 2025 is done, however, there may be a few more bills to post. Wendy will provide
another update next month.
iii. Unclassied Revenue of $840 was income from Auction Items.
iv. Verily Scientic Income
1. Public Health Study receives $100 per sample.
2. Send them 2 to 3 samples weekly.
3. This has been going on for the last 3 years, and probably extended for another 2 years.
4. They are looking for COVID, RSV, Monkeypox, and Measles.
v. Hopefully 2025 will be wrapped up by April
b. Post 2020 Audit Progress and Discuss 2020 Audit.
i. Will the fund balance be available next month? Wendy, not likely still working with Bonadio,
however, will be able to get a better estimate.
ii. We will be putting out an RFP to nd a new auditing rm.
c. Project Finances
5) Operations & Engineering Report – Peter and Scott G
a. Review monthly Report
i. We had a violation for the weekly limit on Total Suspended Solids resulting from treating the
recurring seasonal outbreak of lamentous growth.
ii. Clariers - Work is delayed for the winter
iii. Aeration - AT 3 will be complete after winter
b. Inuent Pumps Updates
i. Supply chain issues delayed the repair. We are in daily contact with NYSDEC during this period. The
Asst. Supt. can provide details.
ii. Operating normally. We provided seed sludge for Auburn for their digester start-up.
c. Casella Leachate Project Status
i. Peter has had several conversations with Casella.
ii. They need to understand what the capital outlay may be to convert our facilities to leachate
acceptance.
iii. Casella has an interest. They have issues with current landlls, and their leachate is declining in
volume and strength.
iv. This could become an alternate revenue source for us.
6) NYSDEC Permit Modication – Jesse
a. Update on NYS Communications
i. DEC conrmed on February 27th that they have received everything that they need.
ii. They requested additional information related to the short-term emerging contaminant monitoring
survey and we got those lab reports to DEC.
iii. SPEDES there is no immediate action. We are waiting to hear their assessment of supplemental
data and comments.
b. Data Acquisition, Lake Monitoring
i. Data acquisition from lake monitoring update done by GeoCentech nalizing the agreement
ii. Monitoring should start in March
1. First phase – mixing zone model starts in April.
2. At the same time, in parallel, preparing the eld dilution study plan.
3. Finally, follow the initial mixing zone core mix modeling.
4. Submitting the timeframe in April or May to the DEC.
7) Capital Improvement Project Update- Jesse and Scott G
a. Discuss short-term plan (2026/2027) thinking and schedule
i. City is not willing to move forward with debt service.
ii. They feel that they have reached the limit for 2026. Suggests that we regroup for 2027.
iii. If we approach in 6 months or so, it goes into 2027 nancing.
iv. WQIP – grant that was secured through the CFA.
v. We will need money up front to start the process in 2026.
vi. EFC short-term nancing 5 years interest free.
vii. Joint Interceptor Agreement has expired. Town is working on a joint interceptor study.
b. Long-term plan status
i. After 5 years can it be converted into a long-term nance agreement?
ii. Summarize Susan Brock’s email.
iii. Nothing new currently with the long-term plan.
iv. Still in a holding stage.
v. These near-term activities with the mixing zone, etc. That’ll inform long-term plan
modications.
c. B & L Amendment 2 status
i. This includes the inspection.
ii. The nal coordinates would be subject to nal location of the outfall.
iii. As soon as the amendment is okay. We will need divers in the water, and we’ll get the rst
initial crucial piece.
iv. We have an agreement, the terms and conditions reviewed, and once we have an
authorized scope.
8) Misc. updates
a. City water meter replacement update – Scott G
i. Got about 3100 out of 5000 meters changed out.
ii. Working on over and under payments and so far, looks like a wash.
iii. Large meters / big water users (about 60).
b. Gang of 6 Update – Rod, Rich
i. Draft a version for review.
ii. Signatories to an agreement for distribution prior to April meeting.
iii. A special meeting was scheduled to accelerate to accommodate the expiration.
iv. Waiting for the City to sign the plant and pre-treatment agreement.
v. The City is taking care of the revised agreement, because those are considered town ow.
We took responsibility for the billing.
vi. In the interim how would that be processed.
vii. In the absence of ratied new agreement, the City will continue so that nothing falls through
the cracks.
viii. Currently working with Larson. We had a meeting with them last Monday scoping out
manholes and verifying mapping.
ix. They brought photos and for 1st phase straightforward. We are mapping out the inceptors.
x. Is an agreement needed with the City? A quick memorandum of understanding.
xi. Is there anything that any of the municipalities is contemplating that’s going to change or
affect our plans? Cayuga Heights plan will continue in operation indenitely until they talk
with the DEC.
xii. Dryden wants to buy allocation. Yes, they are interested in purchasing more capacity within
the next 5 to 10 years. (2% to 3%)
c. Foundational Agreements, review schedule – Rich
i. Just for discussion purposes, the intermunicipal agreement is just basically a framework of
agreement.
Adjournment – 2:14 pm
Upcoming Meeting Date April 8, 2026
Please See Attached Appendixes:
1 – January 14, 2026, Unapproved Minutes (Minus Appendixes)
2 – February 13,2026 Unapproved Minutes (Minus Appendixes)
3 – Operator’s & Engineer’s Report
4 – Financials
5 – DMR Report
6 – 2024 – 2025 Annual Pretreatment
7 – Near Term CIP Memo
8 – Gas Usage Report