TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2007, 6 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Millard
called the regular meeting to order at 6 p.m., followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Stephen
L. Millard, Chairman
Donald L.
Steinmeier, Vice Chairman
Robert Jones
William LaDieu
PUBLIC COMMENT
No
public comment was offered at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Reorganization
Meeting, January 15, 2008. Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu to approve the January 15, 2008 as
distributed. The motion was approved
3-0, with Mr. Steinmeier abstaining as he was not present at the
meeting. The motion was unanimously
approved.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Operating
Expenses. Mrs. Martin reported that
prepaid invoices totaled $32,111.69. Mrs. Martin
also reported that invoices pending payment totaled $174,434.64.
Mr. Jones
moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the prepaid invoices in the
amount of $32,111.69. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones,
seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to approve the pending invoices in the amount of $174,434.64. The motion was unanimously approved.
The Authority
briefly reviewed the arrears listing. Mrs.
Martin advised that she would be sending out arrears letters to those residents
having arrears of less than $800. Mr.
Yost recently sent letters to those residents in arrears more than $800.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on
Vermitech. Mr. Salisbury reported work
had commenced on assembling the worm beds, which should take several weeks to
complete.
Mr. Salisbury
also reported that before production could begin, it would be necessary to
obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) from the Township. He added that the Township had recently been
audited by the PA Department of Labor and Industry to determine whether or not
the Township was enforcing the requirements associated with the
Mr. Millard
outlined the heating issues in the vermicomposting building, namely that the
geothermal heating system did not appear to be functioning properly. The building had yet to heat to the optimum
temperature to breed the worms. Mr.
Salisbury reported that Gannett Fleming had researched the situation. It would appear that the wrong size impellor
was on the circulator pump unit when it came from the manufacturer. David Weiss from Gannett Fleming has
suggested that the impellor should be changed out and that the system should be
rebalanced to determine if that solves the problem. Mr. Salisbury stated that it also may become
necessary to drill additional wells. Mr.
Millard suggested that outside help should be sought to try and resolve the heating
problems. Following a brief discussion,
the Authority member agreed to postpone a decision on seeking outside
assistance.
Mr. Salisbury
called the members’ attention to several change orders included with the
packets. He reviewed the following change
orders:
·
T-A-H
Construction, Inc. Change Order #2 – Total $22,553 – includes all labor,
materials, tools, and equipment to paint concrete masonry unit walls of the
vermicomposting building ($14,852); modify overhead door open for door at
southwest corner of building with remote operation ($345); provide an 8-inch
thick reinforced concrete slab with a “washboard” surface finish at the truck
loading ramp ($5,288); and install 4-inch thick concrete sidewalk along
southern side of existing sludge drying building from the existing bituminous
driveway to the southwestern man-door of the building ($2,068).
Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr.
Steinmeier, to approve Change Order #2 in the amount of $22,553. The motion was unanimously approved.
·
T-A-H
Construction, Inc. Change Order #3 - $3,746.70 – includes all labor, materials,
tools, and equipment to provide a control panel for the belt conveyor. Mr. Salisbury explained that this item was
missed when the contract was bid. If
approved, one-third of the cost would be paid by the Authority, one-third by
Gannett Fleming, and one-third by T-A-H Construction.
Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by
Mr. LaDieu, to approve Change Order #3 in the amount of $3,746.70. The motion was unanimously approved.
·
T-A-H
Construction, Inc. Change Order #4 - $2,243 – includes all labor, materials,
tools, and equipment to install a 10-foot wide, 6-inch thick stone access
driveway along the north side of the vermicomposting building extending to the
overhead door on the east side.
Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr.
Jones, to approve Change Order #4 in the amount of $2,243. The motion was unanimously approved.
·
Robert
P. Lepley Electric Change Order #2 - $2,086 – includes all labor, materials,
tools, and equipment to extend electrical service for overhead coiling door
motor and controls at the northeast corner of the building ($1,436) and to
provide a new exterior wall pack light fixture (Type B) and install on the
existing sludge building exterior wall adjacent to the truck loading ramp
($650).
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr.
LaDieu, to approve Change Order #2 in the amount of $2,086. The motion was unanimously approved.
·
Mr. LaDieu moved, second by Mr. Jones, to approve Change
Order #1 in the amount of $4,261.25.
Update on
Swatara Capacity. Mr. Millard provided a short update on this
matter. Mr. Shope reported that he was
waiting for a return call from Township Manager Mike Rimer regarding the Task
Activity Report required to begin preparation on the proposed amendment to the
Act 537 Plan.
Update on
Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.
Mr. LaDieu reported that he participated as a member of a subcommittee
of the Authority, which also included Mr. Millard, Mr. Salisbury, and Mr.
Shope, to address this issue. The
subcommittee’s recommendation would be to have Gannett Fleming prepare a
preliminary design report keeping the existing screen and research/evaluate a
washer compactor that could be added. In
addition, it was suggested that a flow meter should be incorporated as part of
the project. Mr. Salisbury called the
members’ attention to the proposal from Gannett Fleming in the amount of
$9,700.
Mr. Jones
moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to accept the proposal from Gannett Fleming
not to exceed $9,700. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Press Solids
Handling Pump. Mr. Salisbury
reported that it was projected that the cost of this project could be between
$65,000 and $70,000. Following a brief
discussion, by consensus, it was agreed that this project should be postponed
and possibly tied with the screen project.
Mr. LaDieu
suggested that perhaps a subcommittee should be formed to review projects, cash
flow, and the impact these projects could have on monthly rates. By consensus, it was agreed that the
subcommittee should consist of Mr. LaDieu, Mr. Millard, Mr. Salisbury, and
Mr. Shope. Mr. Salisbury agreed to
schedule a meeting in the near future.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of
Mr. Steinmeier,
moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to approve the final sanitary sewer plan for the
·
A cost estimate for construction of the sanitary sewer lines must be
submitted for review by the Authority’s engineer.
·
Following approval of the cost estimate, security must be posted within
ten (10) days of the date of the approval letter.
·
A Sewer Extension Agreement must be executed.
·
Shop drawings detailing the materials to be used in the construction of
the gravity sewer and sanitary manholes must be submitted to the Authority for
review by the Authority’s engineer.
The motion was
unanimously approved.
SBR Lighting
Proposal. Mr. Salisbury reported
that in the process of constructing the vermicomposting building, it was
necessary to remove one of the parking lot light standards. He called the members’ attention to a
proposal from K.L. Tyndale in the amount of $700 to cut down the light pole to
approximately 10 feet and attach it to the top of the SBR tanks.
Mr. Steinmeier
moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to approve the proposal from K.L. Tyndale in the
amount of $700. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Discussion on Spare Grinder Pump.
Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum dated
February 14, 2008, as well as the listing showing the location of grinder pumps
in the Township. Mr. Salisbury explained
that in the past the Authority stocked a grinder pump so that it would be
available in the event of a failure at one of the locations identified on the
listing. Following a brief discussion,
it was agreed by consensus that a spare grinder pump should not be purchased by
the Authority and that a policy should be adopted by the Authority regarding
pumps. Mr. Salisbury will draft a policy
for discussion at the March meeting.
Tapping Fee
Update. Mr. Salisbury called the
members’ attention to the proposal from Gannett Fleming in the amount of $1,500
to update the tapping fee to reflect the vermicomposting project as well as
past projects.
Mr. LaDieu
moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the proposal not to exceed
$1,500. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Cost Update
for Fine Bubble Diffusers. Mr.
Salisbury called the members’ attention to the proposal from Aqua-Aerobic
Systems in the amount of $103,196.
Following a brief discussion, it was agreed by consensus that this item
would be addressed as part of the subcommittee’s review of proposed project.
In addition, Mr.
Salisbury reported that staff was experiencing some difficulties with the
transducer, although it appears to be functioning properly at the present
time. He called the members’ attention
to a proposal from Aqua-Aerobic Systems in the amount of $1,354.56 to replace
the transducer.
Mr. LaDieu
moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the proposal in the amount of
$1,354.56 contingent upon failure to have the current transducer function as
required. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Mr. Salisbury
also called the members’ attention to the proposal from Aqua-Aerobic Systems in
the amount of $1,664 to have a modification made to the control panel to allow
staff to select 8, 9, or 10 cycles per day as deemed necessary. Following a brief discussion, by consensus,
it was agreed to hold this request for the present time.
Letter
Regarding
Mr. Steinmeier
moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to send the letter regarding the
Authorization
to Purchase Back-Up Blower. Mr.
Salisbury called the members’ attention to a proposal from Excelsior Blower
Systems, Inc. in the amount of $8,732 to purchase a remanufactured Duroflow
7018 blower to use as a back-up.
Following a brief discussion, Mr. Shope agreed to consult on this
purchase.
Mr. LaDieu
moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to purchase a remanufactured Duroflow 7018
blower in the amount of $8,732. The
motion was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No
public comment was offered at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Salisbury
briefly reviewed the correspondence included with the packets. He specifically referred to his letter of
January 23, 2008 to Township Manager Mike Rimer to request that the Board of
Supervisors authorize the Public Works Department to create a drainage swale at
the treatment plant. Mr. Salisbury
reported that Mr. Rimer advised him that the Board of Supervisors agreed to
authorize this work. He also called the
members’ attention to a letter from Hawke McKeon & Sniscak regarding
litigation on the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
Mr. Yost agreed to review the letter and report back at the March
meeting.
AUTHORITY MEMBER COMMENTS
Bill
LaDieu. Mr. LaDieu had no comments.
Bob
Jones. Mr. Jones had no comments.
Steve
Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Don
Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier thanked
staff for the excellent letter regarding the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
REPORTS
Authority
Manager. Mr. Salisbury submitted a
written report. In addition, he called
the members’ attention to an invoice from J.W. Weaver Plumbing in the amount of
$1,485 to repair frozen pipes in the sludge building.
Mr. Jones
moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to approve the invoice from J.W. Weaver Plumbing
in the amount of $1,485. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Authority
Engineer. Mr. Shope submitted a
written report. In addition, he
distributed copies of the Annual Report for review and discussion at a future
meeting.
Authority
Solicitor. Mr. Yost left the meeting
at 7 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Jones
moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Gail
A. Martin
Recording
Secretary