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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2017-05-102017.05.10 APPROVED SJC minutes.doc 1 SJC MEETING May 10, 2017 SJC Members Staff Cynthia Brock, Chair Steve Thayer Supervisor Bill Goodman CJ Kilgore MaryAnn Sumner (Dryden Alternative) Tee-Ann Hunter Dave Warden Absent Rich DePaolo Donna Fleming Supervisor Jason Leifer Guest Brian Davis Cynthia called the meeting to order at 12:36 p.m. Quorum was obtained 12:39 Brian Davis submitted his application to serve on the SJC – his experience as a Landscape Architect with overlap of public space and infrastructure will bring an interesting perspective to the committee. His presentation in June 2016 offered ideas on integrating with the Farmer’s Market and the Waterfront Trail. Public awareness of the ingenuity and importance of the wastewater treatment facility to the community is greatly beneficial. Rich MOVED to accept the April 12th minutes with corrections. Seconded by Tee-Ann. Approved 6-0. Financial Report – Steve Thayer 2016 Final Activity – the changes are in bold and relate to expenses. Overall our surplus is $192,000.00. Steve will continue to attempt to reduce our fund balance toward the target of 20% of the previous year’s expenses ($400,000.00 minimum). Our un-assigned Fund Balance (per the agreement) should be $800,000.00 - as of 12/131/16 it is $1,400,000.00. The capital activity planned for the future will help us lower the fund balance. Cynthia questioned why our equipment parts account was over budget. Steve pointed out that these numbers are estimates and we had some out of the ordinary expenses that were charged to the parts account (477). Tee-Ann asked about the Capital Reserve – as of 4/30/17 we had just over $201,000.00. Steve has been using the reserve to fund some of our capital expenses related to CAP 420J. Cynthia will forward the financial reports as excel documents rather than .pdf attachments to all. 2017 Activity through April – Revenues – we have received the first two quarterly payments from the three owners. 2017.05.10 APPROVED SJC minutes.doc 2 Expenses – keep in mind that all expenses do not follow the calendar. We currently have a deficit of approximately $74,000.00 - all looks as budgeted so far. Steve added that the equipment parts budget line may need to be increased for future budgets. Cynthia offered that the tour gave the members a chance to see the state of the facility. Upgrades and repairs are increasingly necessary as we face the challenges that accompany our aging equipment and plant infrastructure. MaryAnn suggested that we consider assigning some of the surplus for necessary repairs. They will talk more about this as we near 2018 budget preparation – to possible designate some of the fund balance or reserve for future repairs. Tee-Ann asked about the extent of the concrete repairs that resulted from the capital project that had been established. CJ will be meeting with the GHD engineer to address the concrete and other issues. Capital Projects – 420J Feasibility Study - Enhanced Primary Treatment – $1,500.00 in engineering services. Operations and Engineering Report – CJ Kilgore 1. Plant Maintenance & Operations a. DEC – CJ will make the inspection report (which was satisfactory) available to the members. Some of the concerns have already been addressed and photographs have been taken. O&M plant maintenance records have to be provided and an O&M plan submitted. CJ will be meeting with Mike Thorne and Scott Gibson tomorrow to give Mike the opportunity to look over and sign the acknowledgement of the report. Cynthia offered that with the plant in transition it might be helpful to hire an outside firm. Tee-Ann added that an asset inventory is critical – especially to take depreciation of fixed assets and to keep track of the expected life of equipment. Screw Press & polymer – CJ and staff are happy with the new screw presses and the polymer. Tour – CJ toured with Cynthia, Bill, Donna, Ari Levine and Marshall McCormick (Board of Public works). He offered to conduct future tours at the request of any of the members. b. Wet weather event – April 20th and 21st – the monitoring station data will be helpful with wet weather events. CJ will be attending a Webinar regarding grant money that is available to address aging infrastructure – he is interested in finding out what types of projects will qualify. c. Sump pump panel - progress has been made the sump control panel is installed - we are moving forward to get it operational and are working on the septage area sump pump panel. 2. Facilities Maintenance & Operations a. Monitoring Stations – Scott is working on an RFP for the Monitoring Stations. CJ will be sure to forward the monthly DMR’s - discharge monitoring reports to Cynthia for inclusion in the agenda. Tee-Ann asked that CJ explain the reports at a future meeting. 2017.05.10 APPROVED SJC minutes.doc 3 3. Staff Management a. The operator trainee Noah Cook will start 5/22/17. Three individuals passed the civil service test only two were interviewed – the third candidate was not available. Another exam has been requested. 4. Reporting – CJ notified the DEC of a non-compliance issue related to settleable solids on May 6, 2017. 5. Business, Long Term Development – 6. Energy Production Statistics – provided by CJ. Discussion Items a. Hiring committee – Cynthia said they are in the process of setting up interviews for the two candidates. She will set a date prior to the interviews for the interview committee to meet to discuss the questions and to speak about priorities and objectives. b. Agreement Review Committee – they will meet May 18th. Cayuga Heights is reaching their capacity during wet weather events. They are looking to redirect some of their flow to our plant. Bill said that Cayuga Heights is trying to get a handle on their infiltration and inflow. He added that the Town of Lansing is trying to get their capacity increased. The Governor is pushing for shared services and inter-municipal cooperation and consolidation. Bill will have more updates next meeting. c. Proposed Waterfront Zoning Changes – they are proposing that all of the areas be directed primarily for multi-use building (residential, industrial, commercial). A group called ICE is taking a lead to insure that the new zoning allows for energy efficiency and a micro grid. They have requested that all buildings in the district be net zero energy use buildings. Cynthia’s primary concern stems from residential demands and expectations that pressure the industry to modify to accommodate them. She feels that public outcry will not cease and conflicts will occur. Rich wondered if our by-products would be seen as a pre-existing condition. Cynthia thought that there should be appropriate distances or set-backs away from the facility that would pertain to housing. Brian offered we might consider providing alternatives he thinks that there should be higher and better uses – a mixture of commercial, light industrial and public access. Bill suggested that we send a letter stating that growth of the area may lead to future expansion of the plant. Cynthia hopes to keep the zoning change in committee – if it gets out she will notify the members. She asked that the members provide suggestions or comments as the moratorium expires in August. Tee-Ann thought they we should send a letter voicing our concerns about the restraints this zoning may put on the facility. Cynthia said that she would be willing to work with someone on the written comment – it could be circulated by email. Brian offered to put together some visuals of Townships with similar plants indicating the spatial relationships between the plants and the residential area. 2017.05.10 APPROVED SJC minutes.doc 4 Old Business Announcements / Other Business Bill moved to adjourn. Seconded by Cynthia. All were in favor. Meeting was adjourned @ 2:12 p.m. The Next Meeting is June 14th, 2017, 12:30 pm.