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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2009-03-11 SJC MEETING March 11, 2009 SJC Members Staff Wade Wykstra, Chair Bill Gray Mayor Carolyn Peterson Supervisor Herb Engman Erik Whitney Scott Gibson Supervisor MaryAnn Sumner Jeff Soule Pat Leary Rich DePaolo Steve Thayer Dan Walker Mary Tomlan Dan Cogan Guests Walter Hang Krisy Gashler, Ithaca Journal Paul Jennette, Cornell David Frostclapp, Cornell Christopher Kalwara, Johnson Controls Frank Perkins, Johnson Controls James Bud, Johnson Controls Peter Cavagnaro, Johnson Controls Mark Turner, Johnson Controls Wade called the meeting to order at 12:36PM. Approval of February 2009 minutes – Carolyn moved to approve the February 2009 minutes. Seconded by Mary Tomlan, the motion passed without dissent and with noted corrections. Johnson Controls – Chris Kalwara After introduction of the representatives from Johnson Controls, Chris presented the results of their preliminary assessment of the facility and their recommendations for implementing energy conservation measures that they estimate would save approximately $152,000 annually. The estimated cost of implementing the measures is $1.868M with funding over a period of 15 years. Stimulus funding may be available for this type of project. Installation would range between a 9 and 12 month period. A detailed presentation was distributed to the members. Rich asked why a project of this size has not been put out to bid. He recalled that Bill stated that the City had a working relationship with Johnson Controls and decided to use them for this project. Wade thanked the representatives for their work and presentation adding that staff would be able to keep the board updated on the progress of the project. The board agreed to further consider this project and make a decision at a future meeting. Eric noted that these things were already slated to be done in the Capital Project planning and were folded into the energy audit as an alternate way of funding the projects such as co- generation heating and cooling upgrades and/or replacements. 1 Scott stated that stimulus funding is set for projects that have already been planned for and are “shovel ready”. MaryAnn asked staff to prepare a breakdown of prioritized projects to be discussed at the April meeting. Rich asked if this might include estimated cost pay-back times. Financial Report – Steve Thayer Steve distributed the current financial reports. The final encumbrances for 2008 are being reviewed at this time. Everything else is pretty much in. Overall we have $300,000 revenues over expenses. Concerns include increasing costs for treatment supplies, lab supplies, health insurance, and fuel costs. We are looking at cost savings in other areas to off-set these increases. We are about $425,000 revenues over expenses for 2009 with no surprises to date. We are in process of gathering final information to close out the phosphorous project. The only other activity for Capital projects in the last month would be the Miscellaneous Plant Improvements in the form of a payment to Hubbard Construction. Jeff asked Steve about the cost of peroxide being paid out of treatment supplies when we were under the impression it would be covered under the NYSERDA grant we received for the Fenton Reactor. Steve replied this is one of the items being reconciled in the 2008 final budget. It will be off-set by the grant. Operators Report Summary– Jeff Soule Staff from the Water & Sewer Department are in process of repairing a leaking septage line which goes to the digester. We temporarily suspended disposals of sludge and grease so that we could unplug an unvalved overflow line from the secondary digester with the help of staff from the Water & Sewer Department. One of the co-gens is back on-line after a valve repair. The other is still out of service with a burned out valve. Annual sludge reports and 360 waste hauler reports have been sent out. I & I (Inflow and Infiltration) has been greatly reduced through the efforts of the Water & Sewer Department as shown in the flow increase from 6-10MGD with a peak near 15MGD during the February warm-up and run-off. Johnson Controls has submitted the results from their preliminary energy assessment. West Fire Systems is in process of updating their quote for upgrading our fire alarm system. 2 Tompkins Regional Airport has contact us to possibly accept the disposal of their de-icing fluid for treatment. We have collected samples for testing. It is high strength BOD. We would have to analyze how we feed the digester. We currently pump to the digester during daytime hours. This type of waste would have to be spread out over a 24 hour period. We currently have some limitations with our equipment to be able to do that. They are currently hauling it to Watertown. The quantity varies from year to year but would most likely be less than 100,000 gallons annually. Staff, along with engineering staff from the Town of Ithaca and City Water & Sewer Department has begun assessment and calibration checks of the Flow Monitoring Stations. We are hoping to have all information needed to define, design, and bid the project for upgrade and instrumentation. Personnel Issues – We have had an operator off from work for nearly a month due to a home injury. We hope to have him back later this month. This operator is planning to retire in December and we have been approved by the Vacancy Review Committee to create a Trainee position that reflects the duties of his position (Operator/Instrumentation Technician). The Vacancy Review Committee has approved the appointment of Ed Gottlieb to Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator/Safety Officer/Operator. The two trainees that were recently hired are doing very well. Interviews have been scheduled for March 19, 2009 for the position of Chief Operator. There are 4 candidates to be interviewed. Eric asked if any members are interested in sitting in on the interviews for Chief Operator on March 19th. Wade, Pat, and MaryAnn expressed interest in sitting in on the interviews. Engineering Report – Scott Gibson Head-works Loading Study – Scott reported that he had a conversation with the engineer from MRB and was informed that there are two NYS treatment plants that have experience with taking frac waste and they no longer do. He does not know why. He also has had contact with a primary DEC official that will be responsible for developing policies, practices and procedures around this type of waste. Eric also asked for input on moving forward with upgrading the septage receiving facility. Herb asked for a short discussion of all of the amendments for the miscellaneous plant improvements to lessen the confusion. Cornell Hydrolysate Waste – Wade suggested not voting at this time. Carolyn stated that she wants to have the result of the head-works loading study prior to a vote. Pat made a short presentation of the resolution for the hydrolysate waste and the added conditions brought forth by staff. She then noted that the subject of phenols (not covered under our SPDES permit) came up and has revised the resolution to reflect the concerns. 3 4 Scott gave a summation of the head-works loading study and what it can tell us. He said that MRB is adding the hydrolysate, and frac water waste to the study and will also look at phenols. Paul Jennette told the board that they have run tests and produced data regarding phenols during pilot testing. He noted that he sent letters to Wade and Jeff electronically. He does not expect to produce phenols at all. Carolyn asked for input from Susan Brock regarding the language on the resolution. Pat Leary explained that Susan Brock says that we cannot do our own separate EIS because we are listed as an involved agency in the original EIS. Carolyn noted that this has nothing to do with the proposed findings statement. Bill noted that any industry would have to do an EIS but the receiving facility is not legally bound to do so. Rich introduced Walter Hang and asked him to present his opinion on the Cornell Hydrolysate issue. Walter stated that his concern is with pretreatment in general. He is concerned with phenols, but also with landfill leachate and anything else that comes into the plant and goes into the lake. He is asking that Cornell disclose exactly what the content is in their waste. Wade thanked Walter and asked him to share any fresh information he may get. Paul Jennette offered to write a summary of the series of events that led to the proposed findings statement. Pat asked Paul if Cornell can characterize the waste. Paul said yes. On a motion, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2009 at 12:30PM.