HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2018-11-282018.11.28 APPROVED SJC minutes_cb.doc 1
SJC MEETING
November 28, 2018
SJC Members Staff
Cynthia Brock, Chair Erik Whitney
Supervisor Bill Goodman CJ Kilgore
Rich DePaolo Jose Lozano
Tee-Ann Hunter Scott Gibson
Ray Burger (Dryden Alternative) Roxanne Roberts-Battey
Dave Warden Gabrielle Hollfelder
Laura Lewis
Absent Guest
Brian Davis
Dan Lamb (Dryden Alternative)
Supervisor Jason Liefer
Cynthia called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. Introductions were made.
Tee-Ann MOVED to accept the October 17th minutes. Seconded by Laura. Approved 6-0.
Financial Report – Steve Thayer made available the financial documents of activity through
October as he was unable to attend the meeting.
2019 Budget – proposed budget and revised/updated numbers – the partner shares/allocations
were updated based on the figures that were submitted by the Town of Ithaca.
Operations and Engineering Report – CJ Kilgore
1. Plant Maintenance & Operations
a. Sludge/Biosolids and Grit/Screenings Contract – A five year contract was awarded to
Casella – sludge hauling and disposal increased 23% while grit disposal decreased slightly.
CJ stressed that moving forward we should consider other options of disposal including sludge
drying, producing Class A biosolids, and land application.
Dave mentioned making pellets.
CJ reached out to the NYSDEC - landfilling will continue to be a disposal option for quite some
time. Some states are restricting organic matter from landfilling – due to greenhouse gases and
limited space.
Cynthia offered that Tompkins County Soil Management is excited about the prospect of having
Class A biosolids available locally.
Erik added that the new grit removal will help improve the quality of sludge/biosolids as will
mechanical sludge thickening. We are setting the stage with current and future plant
improvements to produce a better product. Heat recovery from the effluent and extra gas
production from food waste may be utilized for future sludge drying.
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2. Facilities Maintenance & Operations
a. Ithaca Beer – provided a draft engineering report with their pretreatment system design.
CJ anticipates receiving the final stamped Obrien and Gere Engineer drawings by December
14th. He offered that OBG could be available at the next SJC meeting. It is anticipated to
have the system installed by April 19th which will be in compliance with the original order.
Laura asked about the possibility of the Town pursuing penalties.
Bill replied that no decision has been reached.
CJ added that Ithaca Beer is sending weekly reports of exceedances. They are meeting the
intent of all that has been laid out and they are meeting deadlines.
The notice of significant non-compliance was sent to the Ithaca Journal earlier in the week
and it should be published Thursday.
Tee-Ann questioned if we should look at and tighten our sewer use laws with regard to the
review process to prevent something like this from happening in the future.
Cynthia said that she has asked CJ for a presentation of the requirements of the review
processes (including industrial review) of our member municipalities.
b. Monitoring Stations – the design has been finalized. CJ will bring the costs to the SJC.
The initial rough estimate for the box required for each station will be approximately $2,000.00.
He is hoping that staff will be able to take on this project and begin in spring.
3. Staff Management – CJ is expecting to fill the Assistant Chief position this spring.
4. Reporting -
5. Business, Long Term development – CHD Grit Removal and Misc. Improvements –
The City of Ithaca will present their resolution for final approval on December 5th.
The Town of Ithaca will begin their process December 10th – followed by a thirty day
referendum.
The Town of Dryden will present their resolution December 20th – followed by a thirty day
referendum.
CJ asked that the Towns forward him a certified copy of the approved resolutions.
6. Energy Production Statistics – provided by CJ.
Discussion Items
a. Joint Sewer/Plant to Plant/Intermunicipal Agreement – Bill summarized the November
5th meeting of six – they discussed capacities and the different types of capacities - Design
capacities, Permitted (DEC) capacities, Capacity (amount) and Ownership (percentage) capacity.
They discussed the monitoring stations, infiltration and inflow problems/issues, and the Thurston
Avenue sewer interceptor/upgrade.
The Town of Ithaca is doing a town wide sewer study the results of which should be available
early February.
Scott said that Cornell and their consultant are aware of the necessity to upgrade the Thurston
Ave interceptor.
Erik added that Cornell has been provided ball park cost estimates.
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Bill said that Dryden has an agreement with Cornell but the Town of Ithaca is not a party. The
Town of Ithaca does have a say in the approval process.
An increase in capacity is required due to the North Campus Housing project.
Cynthia wondered if an audit or an analysis should be requested of Bolton Point.
Erik added that the City and Town have good GIS departments that could take care of this rather
simply and offered to coordinate this with the City, Town and County.
Announcement / Other Business
Research/Grant Project Updates–
Co-digestion – Jose and Gabrielle are working with Tompkins County to explore using excess
food waste from the Cayuga Composting facility. Increasing the input of organic waste into the
digester will increase our energy production.
Jose has learned that there is going to be a ban on landfilling food waste in the future. He
believes that the County will exceed their composting capability and will be able to deliver
excess food waste to our septage receiving area. He said that we will be able to accept and
handle food waste with some modifications to our existing waste handling procedure. He is
considering using our existing tank (food pit), installing a hopper, grinder pumps and a conveyor
belt.
On a good day – we are very close to being energy neutral (producing close to 75% of our
energy).
A consensus of the Board gave approval for Jose and Gabrielle to proceed with the grant
application.
Residual biosolids – to use renewable energy to dry our biosolids.
Rockwell-Collins is interested in conducting a pilot study to prove that the system that they are
adapting meets the NYS energy emission specifications.
The final product from their process is called biochar. Biochar is completely sterilized and can
be land applied - the problem with emerging contaminates is eliminated.
Jose sees this pilot as a possibility. Two of the ten ton dryer units are preliminarily estimated to
cost $750,000.00
Cynthia asked that the arrangements be made for a Rockwell-Collins presentation at the January
or February meeting.
Cynthia made available the preliminary conceptual design for the Carpenter Park parcel – it will
include residential, commercial, and medical use.
Laura MOVED to adjourn. Seconded by Dave. All were in favor. Approved 7-0. Meeting
was adjourned @ 2:20 p.m.
The Next Meeting will be December 19th, 2018, 1:00 pm.