Wednesday, September 24, 2014

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 ECWSA MINUTES

Evans City Water and Sewer Authority Meeting
24 September 2014

·         Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Tim Schoeffel at 6:05 p.m.
·         Members present: Tim Schoeffel, Vito Pilosi, Ed Tanski, and Joe Weltner.
·         Others present: Philip Lope, Esquire. Kevin Wilmot, HRG. Laura Kamienski, Office Manager. Andrew Schultheis, Media Post.

·         Public Session: This meeting was open to the public.  

·         Presentation: Mr. Andrew Schultheis, Media Post
§  Presentation and discussion regarding video documentation of new sewer plant operations training and procedures.

·         Minutes: Review of minutes from August 27, 2014.

Motion by Vito Pilosi to approve August 27, 2014 minutes as presented.
Seconded by Ed Tanski.  Unanimously approved.

·         Communications:
§  BASF – The agreement is being reviewed by legal department.

·         Chairman’s Report: No report                            

·         Review Bills & Past Due Accounts:

§  Tim is working with the Borough on new calculations for shared expenses.
§  Review of invoice status report and check status report.
üDiscussion regarding HRG charges.
üDiscussion regarding Forward Township engineering costs and projections.
üReview ECWSA accounts payable-accounts receivable comparison report.

Motion by Joe Weltner to pay bills as presented.
Seconded by Ed Tanski.  Unanimously approved.

·         Committees
§  Budget:
üDiscussion regarding HRG projections and budgeting for 2015.
üBudget meeting scheduled for October 2nd.  
§  Rules & Regulations: No report.
§  Accounts & Transactions:
üDiscussion regarding Gabrielle Young past due account, shut off notice, and request for payment plan.
üAuthority denied payment plan request. Responsibility falls on property owner to make payment arrangements with tenant.
üLaura Kamienski directed by authority to contact property owner regarding shut off.
üDiscussion regarding status of Dayne Long’s delinquent account.
§  New Sewer Plant Project:
üNext project meeting scheduled for October 1st.
§  Cooperation Committee: No report
§  Forward Township:
üHRG meeting with Forward Township to review proposal.
üDiscussion regarding possible billing methods.
üForward Township is looking to establish sewer service sometime in 2015.
§  Website / Public Relations:
üDiscussion regarding the possibility of an open house upon completion of the new sewer plant.
üDiscussion regarding sign for office. Presentation of proposal and designs from Sign Innovations.

Motion by Vito Pilosi to approve sign design A from Sign Innovations at $575.00. The Authority will take care of the installation.
Seconded by Joe Weltner. Unanimously approved.

·         Callery Borough:
§  Discussion regarding letter from Callery requesting detailed information about sewer tap in fees.
§  Discussion concerning Act 57 tap calculation study and whether a new one is needed.

Motion by Vito Pilosi to approve the 2015 Callery Earth Science
Formula rates presented by Adrienne Vicari of HRG.
Seconded by Joe Weltner. Unanimously approved.

·         Administrative Report: Laura Kamienski
§  Review Past Due Accounts
ü64 Shut off notices were sent on 09-15 against July’s billing. Shut offs are scheduled for 09-25-2014.
ü$3,287.43 in late charges were generated on September 1st
üThere were 11 payments made via eNETPAY since the last meeting.
üTotal aged receivables $81,021.99 of which $66,162.44 is Callery Borough’s outstanding balance.
üWe received settlement payment from First States collection on the Volz account.
§  All of the electric accounts have been reestablished in the Authority’s name. After receiving our first bills Frank Oricco from Premier can provide us with a new quotation on electricity.
§  Labor law compliance posters can be printed from web site and posted.
§  Suggestion to provide security badges for employees.
§  PA One Call membership agreement for signature.
§  Discussion regarding the history of the purchase of the Authority and the water plant. The water plant was originally included in the purchase price. During negotiations it was decided that the Borough would retain the water plant, but no adjustments were made to the purchase price. The discrepancy in the valuation and purchase agreement means that we are paying the higher cost without obtaining the assets. The Borough needed this arrangement to balance their budget and the Authority agreed. Because of this there will be an explanation statement included our upcoming valuations.

·         Public Works Director Report: Tim Schoeffel
§  There were two water main brakes this month. One on Belle Avenue and one on Wahl Avenue.
§  With community help we have been painting the fire hydrants.
§  Discussion regarding repair on a sewer manhole cover by the creek. The crew has re-shored it up. Any creek flooding was flowing into the manhole.
§  Bought a new 2” pump for the sewer plant. The cost was approximately $500.00
§  The generator is too small to handle the Callery Lift Station. Credit application provided for signature for generator rental.

·         Solicitor’s Report:
§  Working on Pennvest loan transfer. Closing expected in November.

·         Engineering Report: Kevin Wilmot, HRG.
§  Discussion regarding waterline relocation. Need to sign an electric documents release request. The Authority will need to pass a resolution to request reimbursement from PennDOT.

Motion by Tim Schoeffel to sign request application for release of
PennDOT documents to HRG. Seconded by Joe Weltner. Unanimously approved.

§  Discussion about running an emergency interconnect waterline with Adams Township. Need to confirm distances. The line could be run under the PennDOT reimbursement project and would reduce costs. This line could be installed with a check valve and bypass to serve the Marburger Dairy protecting the culvert.

§  WWTP Project Bond Requisition #10
üContract 13-05, Trojan application for payment #1 - $161,250.00
üContract 13-06, Centrisys application for payment #2 - $294,000.00
üContract 13-08, Pipeline application for payment #7 - $242,604.00
üContract 13-09, Reno Bros. application for payment #2 - $9339.34
üContract 13-10, Penn-Ohio application for payment #4 - $140,392.45
üTotal for Bond Requisition #10 ( which includes, HRG Project Invoice 100581 $20,701.46) - $868,287.25

Motion by Vito Pilosi to approve payments as listed for a total of $868,287.25 Bond Requisition #10. Seconded by Joe Weltner. Unanimously approved.

§  Consent Order Schedule: Project delays due to Mid Atlantic. Discussion regarding new time line. A request for extension is needed.
§  Discussion whether to put Mid Atlantic’s bonding company on notice regarding the delays.

Motion for HRG to put Mid Atlantic’s bond company on notice.
Seconded by Joe Weltner. Unanimously approved.

§  HRG recommends asking for an official extension on the WWTP project. Mid Atlantic’s delay means that we cannot meet the original deadline. Their substantial completion deadline is about two months out.
§  Discussion regarding how long of an extension to request. Need to figure out how much Mid-Atlantic’s delay will affect other contractors.
§  This will need to be discussed at the next project meeting.

Motion by Ed Tanski to authorize Tim Schoeffel to determine how much of an extension is needed on the D.E.P order based on the information gathered at the next project meeting. Seconded by Vito Pilosi.  Unanimously approved.

§  BASF is modifying the proposed agreement to satisfy their legal department.
§  Callery impact: Accepting $6000.00 payment verses $15,000.00 will significantly increase customer rates for 2015.
§  New rates will need to be put into place on January 1, 2015. Customers will need to be notified.
§  The new sewer retail rates will need to be voted on at the next meeting.
§  Presentation of Financial Services proposal from HRG.

Motion by Vito Pilosi to accept HRG’s proposal for financial services for the 2014 Consulting Engineers Annual Report for the bond for an estimated fee of $5,500.00.
Seconded by Ed Tanski. Unanimously approved.

Motion to move to closed session by Tim Schoeffel.
Seconded by Vito Pilosi. Unanimously approved.

Moved to closed session 8:55 p.m.

Return from closed session at 9:15 p.m.
Seconded by Tim Schoeffel. Unanimously approved.

Motion to adjourn by Ed Tanski.
 Seconded by Joe Weltner. Unanimously approved.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.











Minutes Prepared by Laura Kamienski

Cc Tim Schoeffel,  Vito Pilosi,  Ed Tanski,  Joe Weltner,  Cheri Deener,  and Philip Lope