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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-SJC-2019-10-16MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 1 SJC MEETING October 16, 2019 SJC Members Staff Cynthia Brock, Chair Steve Thayer Ray Burger (Dryden Alternate) CJ Kilgore Rich DePaolo Scott Gibson Supervisor Bill Goodman Jose Lozano Tee-Ann Hunter Dave Warden Guests Absent Scott Reynolds; City resident Supervisor Jason Liefer Bill Abrams; Collins Aerospace Dan Lamb (Dryden Alternate) John Wiley: Collins Aerospace Laura Lewis Cynthia called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Introductions were made. Quorum was established at 1:03. Tee-Ann MOVED to accept the September 21st minutes with corrections. Seconded by Dave. Approved 6 - 0. Approved Unanimously. Financial Report – Steve Thayer activity through September 30th. Revenues – We have collected four quarters of all owners. The Town of Ithaca payment has been received but has not yet been recorded. We have collected $219,000.00 in septage service revenue. We will reach our budgeted figure by year end. Debt service will be invoiced next month. Revenues are looking fine. Expenses – We have expended $3,296,000.00 to date. The salary accounts and a few other accounts need be adjusted. Equipment Parts is over budget - related to generator activity. Sludge Disposal Fees and Treatment Supplies will be over budget. The Utilities account may need to be adjusted – NYSEG installed a new gas meter approximately 18 months ago – the new meter has been transmitting data incorrectly (by one decimal point). CJ expects we may have to request a payment plan to make up the shortage. We currently have a deficit of $515,000.00. Tee-Ann asked about the salary lines – CJ hopes to make the intern permanent. Capital Project 414J – Flow Meters – no activity. Capital Project 422J – Plant Improvements – no activity. 2020 Budget Activity – Proposed Budget Cynthia relayed that she appreciates the declining overhead rate on the return to general fund. Steve adjusted the Utilities account and the Insurance account for 2020 as they will be increasing. The overall increase from the initial budge submission was $34,000.00. MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 2 Debt service is increasing 28%. Steve discussed short and long term notes. The majority of our borrowing is for long term improvement projects – requiring 20 -35 year notes. Cynthia asked that Steve provide his written narrative for future meetings. Bill MOVED to recommend the proposed 2020 Budget as adjusted. Seconded by Dave. Passes 6 - 0 Unanimously. Operations and Engineering Report – CJ Kilgore 1. Plant Maintenance & Operations a. Acti-flow – is back up and online. 2. Facilities Maintenance & Operations a. Monitoring Stations – Thurston Ave and Kline Road are on line and working properly - a third and fourth station should be on line shortly. The next step is an I/I study with an engineering firm to determine where the flow is coming from. Ours is an online real time database through Trimble. We will be able to overlay actual plant flow and rain flow data. We should be able to trace flow to each municipality and compare it to actual water consumption data. CJ presented the Thurston Ave and Kline Road data – the day and night peaks and valleys - and rain events. Tee-Ann and Bill asked for a demonstration at a future meeting. b. Grit Removal and Misc. Improvements – we received DEC approval. Bid opening is set for November 12th. 3. Staff Management – 4. Reporting – We had two Notices of Violations – one settable solids violation – the sludge was not settling – we had one reading over our limit. CJ put another tank on line. One BOD violation (bio-chemical oxygen demand – strength of the wastewater.) Presently all is good. 5. Business, Long Term development – NYS Food Donation and Food Scrap Recycling Act – starting in January 2022 the law comes into effect requiring major food producers to either donate food/recycle food/or to deposit into a composting or an anerobic digester if there is a facility within 25 miles. We might have to take in food scraps/food waste in some form – CJ is considering modifications to our receiving facility and will be looking at other options. Upgrades will be necessary. Food waste will increase gas production. Cynthia gets the impression that the thresholds will be lowered as time goes on. 6. Energy Production Statistics – provided by CJ. Presentation/Discussion Items MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 3 a. BioChar/Thermal Energy Harvesting and Conversion Pilot - Bill Abrams presented their gasification process and their production of bio-char. Their objective is to reduce the amount of sludge going to the landfill (90% reduction in mass) and to reduce carbon emissions and the amount of power that we purchase from power plants. Our sludge will be fed into the gasifier - heated from a solid to a gas (syngas – a light natural gas) producing an inert ash (or biochar). The exhaust is sent to a heat exchanger which captures the energy and sends it to a power generator (an ORC). They plan to use the heat energy derived from the process to dry the biosolids. The final step includes emissions abatement. The first phase (test phase) – A temporary installation on movable trailers to dry the sludge to establish the emission standard (submit the data to the EPA and NYS DEC) approximate six month time frame. Balance out and verify the thermal relationships. Cornell to analyze the biochar and to look at beneficial uses for the biochar. The second phase – A permanent type of installation requiring both a construction and an operating permit. Costs to be determined by the first phase - the projected savings make this a viable project. This project may fall under a Title 5 permit. Sensing consensus from the board Cynthia committed to being the point of contact and to putting together a working group to discuss/draw up a contract agreement. (Cynthia, Scott G, CJ, Tee- Ann, Scott R, and Susan Brock (as needed). b. Right to IAWWTF Disclosure Ordinance – A request to the City for a disclosure requirement for property transactions within a particular setback of the plant. The purpose is to inform investors so they can make an informed (purchasing) decision. Cynthia made modifications (removed duplication) and shared Laura’s comments. Chris Morrissey (GIS) provided boundary maps. Rich MOVED to Accept the Proposed Right to Disclosure Ordinance. Seconded by Tee- Ann. Rich MOVED to Adopt Laura’s First Suggested Amendment. Seconded by Tee-Ann. Rich MOVED to Adopt Laura’s Second, Fourth and Fifth Amendment; NOT the Third and NOT the Sixth. Seconded by Ray. All in Favor; Approved 6 - 0. Rich MOVED to Accept the 375 feet from the Property Boundary for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seconded by Bill. All in favor; Approved 6 – 0. Rich MOVED to Accept the Right to Disclosure Ordinance. Seconded by Dave. All in Favor; Approved 6 – 0. ORDINANCE 2019- PRESERVATION OF ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as follows: MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 4 Section 1. Legislative Intent and Purpose. Common Council makes the following findings of fact: A. The Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF), located at 525 Third Street, Ithaca, and built in 1987, is a 13.1 million gallons per day wastewater treatment and energy recovery facility providing secondary treatment, phosphorus removal, and cogeneration of electricity, jointly owned by three municipalities: the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden. B. On December 31, 2003, the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden, Village of Cayuga Heights, Town of Lansing and Village of Lansing entered into an Intermunicipal Wastewater Agreement (IWA) as a condition of receiving New York State Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funding to install and implement capital improvements and phosphorus removal systems. C. The IWA and New York State Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funding stipulate that the IAWWTF and Village of Cayuga Heights Wastewater Treatment Plant (CHWWTP) jointly agree to provide wastewater services to the six municipalities by allocating excess treatment capacity at the IAWWTF to the CHWWTP, allowing for future growth within the six sponsoring communities. D. In addition to the over $60 million invested by the municipal partners to provide wastewater treatment services to over 50,000 residents, commercial, agricultural, and industrial users in the region, the IAWWTF receives and treats trucked septage, light industrial, and agricultural waste, and anticipates receiving and processing food scraps in coming years, providing the highest achievable levels of phosphorus and contaminant removal, while capturing methane and heat to produce electricity and combat climate change. E. It is the declared policy of the City of Ithaca to work with its municipal partners to preserve, enhance and encourage adequate municipal wastewater treatment operations in the City, while minimizing the carbon footprint of facility operations, and to harmonize essential and beneficial IAWWTF operations with non- industrial land uses within the vicinity of the IAWWTF. F. The IAWWTF, in partnership with Cornell University and Ithaca College, regularly engages in scientific research and innovative technology research programs to better protect and preserve water resources and foster the development of innovative industry advancements that allows for future advancements. G. Non-industrial land uses, including residential development, extend into and are contemplated to increase in the vicinity of the IAWWTF, and facility operations MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 5 might occasionally be noticeable above the background urban environment, potentially prompting concerns. H. Constraints on operations and on possible expansion of the IAWWTF would be detrimental to the health, safety, and economic viability of Cayuga Lake, the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and surrounding areas. I. Requiring disclosure to residents, businesses and users of real property in the vicinity of IAWWTF of the facility’s existence, essential purpose, characteristics and beneficial nature will: lead to a better understanding of processes and potential conditions in and around the facility; preserve the indispensable resources and services provided by the IAWWTF to the larger community; and foster community acknowledgment of normal facility operations which may occasionally produce noise, dust, light and odors. J. Therefore, the Common Council intends for this Ordinance to implement the above-described education and disclosure requirement to all property users within the IAWWTF Setback Zone. Section 2. Creation of Section 262-137, Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Disclosure Requirement. The Ithaca Municipal Code shall be amended so as to create a new Section 262-137 as follows: §262-137 Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Disclosure Requirement A. Definitions. For the purposes of this section: (1) “IAWWTF” shall be the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 525 Third Street, Ithaca. (2) "IAWWTF Setback Zone" shall mean those land areas of the City of Ithaca within 375 feet of the property boundary of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. (3) "Municipal Wastewater Treatment Operations" shall mean the operations of the IAWWTF, and include activity normally associated with wastewater treatment plant operations and energy recovery/generation. Operations typically include truck traffic and treatment of sanitary waste, and activities incident to or in conjunction with the aforementioned. B. ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE REQUIREMENT. (1) "City of Ithaca, ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE". It is the declared policy of the City of Ithaca to preserve, enhance and encourage MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 6 Municipal Wastewater Treatment Operations within the City of Ithaca. Residents, operators, and owners of property within the IAWWTF Setback Zone land should be prepared to acknowledge the manifestations of normal facility operations which potentially include noise, dust, light and odors. (2) Upon any transfer by sale, exchange, rental agreement, installment land sale contract, lease, lease with an option to purchase, any other option to purchase, or ground lease coupled with improvements, of real property, or residential stock cooperative, the transferor shall deliver to the prospective transferee the written statement required by subsection B(6) of this section. (3) All discretionary approvals by the City of Ithaca for parcel maps, subdivision maps or use permits relating to real property located within the IAWWTF Setback Zone, shall include a condition that the owners of such real property record a " ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE " in substantially the form provided in subsection B(6) of this section. (4) All applicants for building permits for new residential or commercial construction to be issued by the City of Ithaca located within the IAWWTF Setback Zone shall be provided with a " ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE" in substantially the form provided in subsection B(6) of this section. (5) The Clerk/Recorder/Assessor of the County shall include a "ITHACA AREA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE" in substantially the form provided in subsection B(6) of this section with any grant deed, quitclaim deed or land sale contract located within the IAWWTF Setback Zone returned to the grantee by the Clerk/Recorder/ Assessor after recording. (6) The disclosure statement shall contain the following: Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Disclosure Notice THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT CONCERNS THE REAL PROPERTY SITUATED IN TOMPKINS COUNTY, CITY OF ITHACA. DESCRIBED AS_______________. THIS STATEMENT IS A DISCLOSURE OF THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 262-137 OF THE ORDINANCE CODE OF THE CITY OF ITHACA AS OF __________. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE SELLER(S)/PROPERTY OWNER(S) AS REQUIRED BY THE CITY OF ITHACA. It is the declared policy of the City of Ithaca to work with its municipal partners to preserve, enhance and encourage adequate MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 7 municipal wastewater treatment operations in the City while minimizing the carbon footprint of facility operations, and to harmonize essential and beneficial operations of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) with non-industrial land uses in the vicinity of the facility. Because the property in which you are taking an interest is located within the IAWWTF Setback Zone, you might occasionally experience issues related to facility operations, including but not limited to noise, dust, light and odors. You have a right to know that you live and/or operate near an essential, environmentally beneficial wastewater processing and energy recovery/generation facility. Its operation helps keep the water of Cayuga Lake drinkable for tens of thousands of area residents, and its cutting-edge energy harnessing/production significantly reduces the carbon emissions typically associated with facilities of this type. The City of Ithaca and its municipal partners at IAWWTF encourage you to learn about your neighbors and to understand the integral and vital nature of your wastewater treatment facility. Owner/Seller:_____________________ Date:__________________ Owner/Seller:_____________________ Date:__________________ Buyer/Renter:_____________________ Date:__________________ Buyer/Renter:_____________________ Date:__________________ C. NOTICE TO CORRECT. After receiving a complaint from an occupant within the IAWWTF Setback Zone, the City of Ithaca Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer shall immediately notify the Chief Operator of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility of the complaint. If the City of Ithaca Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer determines that such operations at the IAWWTF do not conform to current accepted professional practices, and do not comply with current regulatory standards, he or she shall endeavor to specify any measures required to correct the situation, and the time within which the measures must be taken. MN-SJC-2019-10-16.doc 8 Announcements / Other Business – Tee-Ann MOVED to adjourn. Seconded by Ray. All were in favor. Approved 6 - 0. Meeting was adjourned @2:49 p.m. The Next Meeting will be November 20th, 2019, 1:00 pm.