HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2009-07-08 SJC MEETING
July 8, 2009
SJC Members Staff
Wade Wykstra, Chair
Supervisor Herb Engman
Erik Whitney
Scott Gibson
Supervisor MaryAnn Sumner
Rich DePaolo
Jeff Soule
Dan Ramer
Mary Tomlan
Joel Zumoff
Steve Thayer
Absent
Mayor Carolyn Peterson
Pat Leary
Guests
Christopher Kalwara, Johnson Controls
Krisy Gashler, Ithaca Journal
Jimmie Jo Carl, MRB Consultants
Wade called the meeting to order at 12:35PM.
Approval of June minutes – Herb moved the minutes. Seconded by MaryAnn, the motion
passed without dissent.
Verizon Monopole – Wade asked for an updated conversation on the monopole proposal. The
Town of Dryden has approved the placement of one tower. MaryAnn said she highly
recommends working with Verizon on this placement. The Town of Ithaca also approved a
tower placement for 5 Mile Drive South next to the railroad bed.
Rich noted that Verizon indicated that they would not do a visual rendering of the tower we
indicated that we were willing to go forward in concept. He said that it would be reasonable to
ask for some sort of visual to know what we are discussing.
Herb said that we need to know what the impact would be on the operations of the plant and also
the Waterfront Trail.
Joel asked about the microwave issues versus high voltage electrical magnetic radiation.
MaryAnn said that microwave radiation does not radiate in all directions the way that electrical
magnetic fields do.
Erik said that he spoke to Verizon and Ken Cowley from Aerosmith regarding the projects that
are planned for that area of the plant. They said that if any of our planned projects (septage
receiving facility, greenhouse, solar collectors) were prior to the coal tar remediation, they would
look at the exact footprint of our project and conduct the excavation for us to put our footings in
and do the remediation at the same time so they would not be in the way of our projects.
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Waterfront Trail Resolution – The resolution was amended at the June meeting. Erik noted
that the City of Ithaca Planning Board is now the lead agency for the project.
Energy Reduction – Chris Kalwara, Johnson Controls
Chris updated the Board on the progress of the Energy Reduction study based on the Notice to
Proceed from the last meeting.
The EFC grant application award date will be extended for another 4 weeks due to the number of
applications received by EFC. We are also looking at grants from EPA and DEC and some
others.
JCI Engineers have been onsite to gather information and do interviews. We are installing data
loggers on the blowers. We are evaluating the co-gens and heat recovery equipment as well as
other items that are listed in the project.
Herb asked if the proposal from Challenge Industries to build a greenhouse on this property is
still active. Erik responded that this is listed in the grant application.
Chris said he needs approval from the board to pursue the EPA Climate Showcase Communities
Grant. The deadline for this grant is July 22, 2009.
RESOLVED, Herb moved to approve Johnson Controls to apply for the EPA Climate Showcase
Communities Grant. Chris said there is $10M available and the grants will range from $100,000
to $500,000. Rich asked what the costs are for preparing an application. Chris responded that
the costs are included in the work they are already doing. Seconded by MaryAnn, the motion
passed without dissent.
Headworks Loading Study – Jimmie Jo Carl
The first round of sampling is complete and we have received the test results. We tested for 160
parameters and 39 were found in the influent stream and 27 in the effluent. This would indicate
typical domestic wastewater. Further evaluation is required for phenols, thallium, and
formaldehyde. Parameters for additional constituents have been set up to evaluate the
hydrolysate waste from Cornell.
Financial Report – Steve Thayer
Steve distributed the current financial reports. Revenue from septage receiving is slightly under
budget. Expenses are positive overall at $103,800. The 2010 budget is due to the Mayor by
August 1, 2009.
Miscellaneous Plant Improvements is the only active Capital Project as far as expenditures.
The 2010 Budget planning is beginning in July.
Operators Report Summary– Dan Ramer
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Staff met with JCI and representatives from O-Brien & Gere to begin detailed analysis of items
listed in the Energy Reduction Study.
Auburn Armature will be installing the software and programming the PLC for the polymer
control panel.
The CU hydrolysis unit is in process of being tested with sampling. Staff has been invited to
attend a technical tour of the facility.
Test results have been received for the Headworks Loading Study.
The control diversion pump sent out for analysis and routine maintenance is being return with no
serious problems found.
HMT submitted their report on our high voltage electrical components with no identified
problems. These tests will be performed bi-annually.
The Doppler Current Profiler was removed from the lake by a boater and returned to the plant. It
has been re-deployed with a labeled buoy to identify it as research equipment. Jose has gotten
interesting data regarding the lake flows.
We are proposing a change order for Hubbard Construction who is working on the
Miscellaneous Plant Improvement projects. We have a leak through our burner flare pipe
($5,210) located at the back of the plant, and we have an effluent trough that’s a concrete box
that is leaking into the gallery to be repaired at a cost of $10,649. The total amount of the change
order would be $15,859.
RESOLVED, Herb moved to approve the change order for repairs to the flare pipe and the
effluent trough. Seconded by Rich, the motion passed without dissent.
Engineering Report Summary – Scott Gibson
Phosphorous Removal – Nothing new to report regarding Crane Hogan’s claims. It’s a letter
writing campaign at this time.
Head-works Loading Study – Reported by Chris Kalwara.
Rich discussed his trip to New York with Walter Hang regarding water body issues.
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2009 at 12:30PM.