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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2018-07-18MN-SJC-2018-07-18.doc 1 SJC MEETING July 18, 2018 SJC Members Staff Cynthia Brock, Chair Steve Thayer Supervisor Bill Goodman CJ Kilgore Rich DePaolo Erik Whitney Tee-Ann Hunter Scott Gibson Laura Lewis Ed Gottlieb Dave Warden Guest Absent Susan Brock; Attorney Dan Lamb (Dryden Alternative) Nathan Cook; Miller Mayer Brian Davis Joe Slater; Town of Ithaca Supervisor Jason Liefer Dan Thaete; Town of Ithaca Cynthia called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Introductions were made. Tee-Ann MOVED to accept the May 16th minutes. Seconded by David. Approved 5-0, Abstention 1. Financial Report – Steve Thayer 2018 Activity through June – Revenues - Septage service is catching up to the budgeted figure. Debt service will be billed in November. We are a bit under budget - a lot of that has to do with timing of revenues coming in. Expenses - are running pretty much as anticipated at this time. Treatment supplies are running high – chemical cost and usage are higher than budgeted. Keep in mind that all revenues and expenses do not necessarily follow the calendar year. Capital Project 414J – Flow Meters – $800.00 - Engineering design services. Capital Project 420J – Plant Upgrades - $24,000.00 Engineering design services. 2017 Fund Balance Activity will be included for the August meeting. 2019 budget discussions are underway. Operations and Engineering Report – CJ Kilgore 1. Plant Maintenance & Operations a. GHD – CJ, Erik and Scott met Tuesday July 24 to review the 60% drawing plans – we are moving forward. The 95% submittal and review should be available August 29th. CJ hopes to have things underway in early 2019. MN-SJC-2018-07-18.doc 2 2. Facilities Maintenance & Operations a. Ithaca Beer – Petition to Appeal compliance order. (see Action Items) 3. Staff Management – a. Operator/Trainee – Michael Soule started July16th. b. Senior Operator position – we are awaiting the August final approval of the Two Senior Operator newly created positions. We have one operator/trainee position open – interviews will be Friday. c. Lab Tech position – interviews held – awaiting HR approval to hire. 4. Energy Production Statistics – provided by CJ. We have been taking in manure from Cornell – we are having issues with the sand concentration. It is accumulating in the bottom of our septage receiving tanks and is periodically causing problems pumping. Cornell will be adding an additional process to address this problem – their cyclone separators remove in excess of 90% of the sand. Cornell is paying to mitigate this. Action Items – A. Ithaca Beer – Review Petition to Appeal June 1 Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit #59 – Nathan Cook stated that Ithaca Beer was informed on May 18th that their pH extremes would not be allowed - shortly thereafter they were issued a compliance order. He acknowledged that there is a problem but that with multiple past expansions this is the first time these issues have come up. He added that this is a very significant undertaking that they (with the help of OBG) need more time to work out a solution. It will take at least 90 days to design and 180 days to implement. He asked if they could submit an interim plan with a final plan coming by August 27th. He added that Ithaca Beer has addressed slug loads by trucking beer directly to the plant. Scott responded that that the pH issues are first and foremost – the extreme fluctuations from a low of two (2) to a high of fourteen (14) in range have been an issue for months. These pH extremes are shocking from a worker health and safety standpoint. Nate said that they are trying to determine the source of the pH lows and hi gh – he wondered if the problems in the collection system are a result of Ithaca Beer or could some of them be attributed to something else. Joe added that the piping, concrete and manhole linings are deteriorating and that he has chased this back to the brewery. Nate questioned the surcharge calculation. CJ and Ed both said that there is not a set surcharge/level at this time. The surcharge is one issue – The piping and the lining damage is in the fore front. Ed stated that within 90 days of the June 1 notification a sampling port must be installed (construction completed) to comply with the Town of Ithaca sewer use law. Erik offered that the Ithaca Beer engineers meet with our on staff engineers to get clarification and a mutual understanding of the problems and possible solutions. MN-SJC-2018-07-18.doc 3 Nate stated that Dan of Ithaca Beer was notified that pH extremes would not be tolerated at the May 18th meeting. CJ replied that the determination of pH range originates with the EPA- the allowable parameters with which Ithaca Beer must comply with are 5.5 to 11. Susan said that Ithaca Beer must provide the Chief Operator a written proposal of a mitigation plan as to how they will address the pH extremes (2 or less and 12.5 or more) by August 27th. Nate said that the plan to addresses the extremes will be provided as soon as it is ready. Cynthia clarified that Ithaca Beer has asked for three things - First – questions if an industrial permit is required (or an acknowledgement that a permit is required). Nate stated Ithaca Beer feels the need to gather more data before they will affirmatively answer/acknowledge that a permit is appropriate. Susan stated that under the sewer use law the SJC is the authority that decides/determines appeals in addition to determining if a permit is required. Ed added that any facility that discharges high strength wastewater that falls within the surcharge level must have an industrial discharge permit. Brewer y wastewater is high strength. A pH lower than 2 or higher than 12.5 is considered hazardous waste by the EPA and is considered a very serious violation. Second – an extension for compliance (is not under the purview of this commission – the timeline for compliance is prescribed by Town law and regulated by the Town of Ithaca. Third – a meeting amongst the engineers. Laura MOVED that Ithaca Beer be required to have the industrial wastewater discharge permit (#59) per the reasons stated in the memorandum by Carl Kilgore; Chief Operator dated July 13, 2018. Seconded by David. Approved 6-0. Passed Unanimously. Rich asked about the discrepancy in the volumetric discharge data on a daily basis. CJ replied that the data was provided to us but due to the discrepancy we used the lower water usage numbers – this lowered the contribution but it is still in the realm of significant industrial user. Nate asked for an extension based on the discrepancies of the data. Susan said that the data used was provided by Ithaca Beer – the potential for an accidental spill, slug loading or high BOD’s or TSS’s is enough to require the issuance of a discharge permit. Cynthia is in support of the permit that has been issued. Data aside there is an impact. Protective measures must be put in place. Susan added that the permit can be revised if necessary - the Chief Operator is able to adjust the timeline. Cynthia offered that staff and staff engineers will assist Ithaca Beer with achieving the requirements of the compliance order. Dave recommended that measures to adjust pH should be addressed as quickly as possible. Laura thought that better communication with staff would be helpful. Rich understands that surcharges have not been levied to date and asked when and how the charge might be derived/finalized. Erik said that Ithaca Beer’s sampling and flow monitoring station will allow us to know real flows, concentrations, pH’s and quantities. The surcharge will be calculated taking into account the plant operating budget and treatment costs per pound of BOD. Ed added they can avoid the surcharge by installing their own wastewater treatment plant. Susan said the compliance order requires reporting as milestones are achieved. It includes a process to follow with an outline/timeline. MN-SJC-2018-07-18.doc 4 CJ offered to be the point of contact – he is more than willing to work with Ithaca Beer and will do what he can within the constraints of Town law and the advice of legal counsel following processes and protocols. B. IAWWTF – Review/Adopt Right to Preserve Language – Cynthia asked the members to review the draft documentation that she put together regarding a release to discharge. Presentation/Discussion Items – a. Behind the Meter Agreement - A NYSEG funded pilot project running until May 1, 2021 to install and maintain a battery storage system. The battery will charge at night when energy demand and costs are low. It will be activated remotely and used during peak times to service our facility to reduce load. Susan Brock looked at both agreements – all looked fine with the exception being early termination penalties. She will be speaking with their attorney to work out an early termination agreement. She highlighted certain provisions of the agreement that should be looked at for acceptability – particularly landscaping. NYSEG is proposing to abandon the underground electrical conduit in place. The members would like any disruption of landscaping to be returned to the original grade and reseeded. b. Joint Sewer/Plant to Plant/Intermunicipal Agreement – Cynthia met with David Weinstein; Town of Dryden and discussed their need to purchase excess capacity and how the cost might be determined. Cynthia offered that the information necessary to determine allocation of access capacity will be available in 1 ½ to 2 years. She spoke of what might be included. The agreement itself allows the SJC to charge a premium for I/I. and to apply a premium to Cayuga Heights for their deferred costs related to avoiding plant expansion. Cynthia is concerned that debt is allocated based on ownership – operating costs are usage based. Steve has agreed to look at our debt service and inform the members at a future meeting. ANNOUNCEMENT – the City Harbor Project next to the golf course is moving along. The developers are going to fund a study to tap into our effluent discharge for heating and hot water. They are working with Jose to put the analysis together. They intend to pursue grant opportunities (possibly with NYSERDA and NYREV) and will request the support of this board at the August SJC meeting. The members discussed how we might be compensated. Tee-Ann wants to be sure we are made aware of the conditions that may be attached to the grant. Cynthia added that we have an RFQ looking at heat capture and GHD is examining the feasibility. Bill MOVED to adjourn. Seconded by Tee-Ann. All were in favor. Approved 5-0. Meeting was adjourned @ 2:50 p.m. The Next Meeting is August 15th, 2018, 1:00 pm.