WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY

7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007, 7 P.M.

REORGANIZATION MEETING

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

        Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

        Stephen L. Millard, Chairman

        Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman

        Kenneth L. Tyndale, Secretary/Treasurer

        Robert R. Jones

        William LaDieu

 

REORGANIZATION  

 

        Election of Chairman.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to appoint Stephen L. Millard as Chairman of the Water and Sewer Authority.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Election of Vice Chairman.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to appoint Donald L. Steinmeier as Vice Chairman of the Water and Sewer Authority.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Election of Secretary-Treasurer.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to appoint Kenneth L. Tyndale as Secretary/Treasurer of the Water and Sewer Authority.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Election of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to appoint Mark A. Salisbury as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer of the Water and Sewer Authority.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

           Mr. Tyndale had one correction to the Minutes of December 19, 2006.  On page 2, under “Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant,” the second sentence should read:  “Mr. Millard asked Mr. Salisbury to set up a time to visit the Highspire treatment plant to look at their Rotomat screen.”

Mr. LaDieu  moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the Minutes of the December 19, 2006 meeting as amended.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

           December 27, 2006.  Mrs. Martin reported that several invoices were paid prior to the end of the year as the charges incurred were to be included with the final figures for the 2006 budget.  The amount of those invoices totaled $28,787.04.

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the invoices for December 27, 2006 in the amount of $28,787.04.  The motion was unanimously approved, with Mr. Tyndale abstaining on the payment to K.L. Tyndale.

 

           Prepaid Invoices.  Mrs. Martin reported that the total of prepaid invoices totaled $5,363.39.

           Mr. Steinmeier  moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the prepaid invoices in the amount of $5,363.39.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Invoices for Approval.  Mrs. Martin reported that the amount of the invoices currently pending for payment totaled $63,028.62.

           Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the operating expenses in the amount of $63,028.62.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Mrs. Martin provided a brief update relative to those residents in arrears on their Installment Agreement payments.  She also stated that a listing of arrears to include those residents in excess of $300 for both the old billing program and the sewer charges billed by PA American Water Company would be included with the February packets.

           Mr. Jones stated that several residents currently in bankruptcy owed considerable sums to the Authority.  He indicated that it was his recollection that several of those residents had been on the arrears listing for some time.  He asked Mrs. Martin to talk with the Authority’s solicitor and have him contact the Bankruptcy Trustees to determine when and if the Authority could expect any payment towards the arrears.  Mrs. Martin agreed to contact Mr. Yost and report back to the Authority.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

           Update on Vermitech.  Mr. Shope called the members’ attention to the Bid Summary for the vericomposting facility.  Three bids were received:  (1) Dueck Construction in the amount of $1,375,000; (2) TAH Construction in the amount of $1,579,500; and (3) PSI Pumping Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $1,648,000.

           Mr. Shope indicated that while Dueck Construction submitted the lowest bid, it had not yet been determined whether or not the bid was compliant with the specifications set forth in the bidding documents.  He added that a final determination should be made within the next few days.  A lengthy discussion followed.

           Mr. Shope also stated that Contract #2 and #3 for the HVAC and electric for the vermicomposting facility was advertised on Friday, January 12, 2007 and Monday, January 15, 2007.  A pre-bid meeting has been set for Tuesday, January 23, 2007, with the bid opening to take place on Thursday, February 8, 2007.

           Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to authorize the engineer to award the bid to Dueck Construction on the assumption that the bid was determined to be in compliance with the bidding documents.  In the event that the bid from Dueck Construction was determined to be non-compliant, the bid should then be awarded to the second lowest bidder, TAH Construction.  The motion was unanimously approved.

           Shaun Ankers, representing Vermitech, addressed the Authority requesting that it consider authorizing a second payment to Vermitech of approximately $350,000.  A lengthy discussion followed.  By consensus, it was agreed that this matter should be addressed following the arrival of the Authority’s solicitor. 

Following Mr. Yost’s arrival at 8:45 p.m., discussion continued on the request from Vermitech.  Mr. Yost asked the Authority to defer making a decision regarding the payment until such time as he had time to review the contract document.  After a brief discussion, by consensus, it was agreed to hold a special meeting of the Authority on Monday, January 29, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., with the vermicomposting project as the main agenda item.  Mrs. Martin will advertise the special meeting.

 

Update on Swatara Capacity.  Mr. Millard called the members’ attention to the letter regarding Swatara’s annual meeting scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2007, at 7 p.m.  Mr. Millard, Mr. Tyndale, and Mr. Jones will attend the meeting. 

Mr. Jones also raised a concern regarding the letter from Keefer Wood Allen and Rahal advising the Authority that the firm increased its hourly rates effective January 1, 2007.  Following Mr. Yost’s arrival at the meeting, Mr. Jones asked him to contact Chip Rubendall at Keefer Wood Allen and Rahal to obtain an update on the arbitration and when the arbitration panel would hear it.

 

Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Mr. Millard, Mr. Rodemoyer, and he visited the treatment plant in Lykens on January 11, 2007 to view a Hycor screen.  So far, members of the Authority and staff viewed the workings of a Jones Atwood screen and a Rotomat screen.  Mr. Millard stated that he would also like to view the screen at the Highspire treatment plant and requested that Mr. Salisbury set a date and time to do so.  Mr. Salisbury will make the necessary arrangements.

 

Update on Clover Hill Pump Station #13 Driveway.  Mr. Salisbury reported that the paving around the pump station had been satisfactorily completed.

 

           Update on Pump Station #11.  Mr. Tyndale reported that he, along with staff, would be looking at the issue in the near future.  A report will be provided at the February meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

           Appointment of Accountant.  Mrs. Martin reported that Diana Reed of Diana M. Reed & Associates would have her proposal ready for the February meeting and asked the Authority to defer this matter until that time.  By consensus, it was agreed to defer this matter until the February 2007 meeting.

 

           Appointment of Auditor.  Mrs. Martin reported that currently Lisa Ritter of Boles, Metzger, Brosious & Ritter served as the Authority’s auditor.

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to appoint Lisa Ritter of Boles, Metzger, Brosious & Ritter as the Authority’s auditor.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Appointment of Authority Solicitor.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to appoint Jon Yost of Yost and Davidson as the Authority’s solicitor.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Appointment of a Depository.  Mrs. Martin reported that currently all of the Authority’s assets are housed at Fulton Bank.

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to appoint Fulton Bank as the official depository for the Authority.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Resolution 2007-A-1.  This resolution allows the Authority to pay bills between meetings in order to meet due dates.

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to adopt Resolution 2007‑A‑1.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Resolution 2007-A-2.  This resolution sets forth the holiday schedule for Authority staff during 2007.  A brief discussion ensued, during which time several members expressed a concern relative to the number of holidays observed by the Authority. 

           Mr. LaDeiu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adopt Resolution 2007-A-2.  The motion was approved 4-1, with Mr. Jones voting nay.

 

           Resolution for Engineering Services.  Mr. Millard called the members’ attention to the proposed resolution, which would establish requirements for obtaining engineering services.  A brief discussion followed, during which several members expressed concern with the proposed resolution.  A lengthy discussion followed.

           Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, against adopting the resolution.  The motion was approved 3-2, with Mr. Millard and Mr. Jones voting nay.

 

           Loan Proceeds to CRIM.  Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to move the remaining balance of the loan proceeds to a CRIM account.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Reduction in Letter of Credit for Winslett Phase IV.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum of January 11, 2007, which included a letter from Russell & Russell Developers requesting a reduction in the Letter of Credit for Winslett Phase IV.  Mr. Salisbury reported that all air tests, vacuum tests, and mandrel tests were performed and approved.  In addition, the required record drawings were also submitted to the Authority.

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the reduction of Letter of Credit #4487 from $143,000 to $21,450 for Winslett Phase IV.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

           Appointment of Authority Engineer.  Mr. Millard called the members’ attention to the proposals received for engineering services.  Proposals were received from Gannett Fleming, CET Engineer, Glace Associates, and Herbert Rowland and Grubic.  A lengthy discussion followed.

           Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to appoint Gannett Fleming as the Authority engineer for 2007.  The motion was unanimously approved.

           Mr. Tyndale asked Mrs. Martin to write letters to the engineering firms that submitted proposals.  Mrs. Martin will do so.

 


PUBLIC COMMENT

 

           Donald Niland.  Mr. Niland urged the Authority to do whatever was necessary to get the arbitration with the Swatara Authority moving forward.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

           Mr. Salisbury briefly reviewed the correspondence.

 

AUTHORITY MEMBERS COMMENTS

 

           Bob Jones.  Mr. Jones asked how often the generators at the various pump stations were tested during the winter season.  Mr. Salisbury stated that the generators were tested on a weekly basis.

           Mr. Jones asked whether or not the other Authority members would be receptive to having the Authority meet earlier than 7 p.m. during 2007.  A brief discussion followed.

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to set the Authority’s meeting time at 6 p.m. for 2007.  The motion was unanimously approved.

           Mrs. Martin will advertise the change in meeting time.

 

           Bill LaDieu.  Mr. LaDieu had no comment.

 

           Ken Tyndale.  Mr. Tyndale had no comment.

 

           Steve Millard.  Mr. Millard had no comment.

 

           Don Steinmeier.  Mr. Steinmeier had no comment.

 

REPORTS

 

           Authority Manager.  Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report.

 

           Engineer.  Mr. Shope submitted a written report.

 

           Solicitor.  Mr. Yost had no further report.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

 

                                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                            Gail A. Martin

                                                                            Recording Secretary