TUESDAY, APRIL 19,
2005, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Stephen L. Millard, Chairman
Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman
Kenneth L. Tyndale, Secretary/Treasurer
Robert R. Jones
William A. LaDieu
No public comment was offered at this time.
Influent Screen. Mike Gillespie from Envirep and Simon Randle from Jones Atwood made a presentation on the Jones Atwood Screen. Materials were distributed to the Authority members for their review.
March 15, 2005, Regular Meeting.
Mr. Shope requested one addition to the Minutes at the top of page 4,
second paragraph should read: “Mr. Shope
added that he had spoken with members of the staff at Gannett Fleming and it
was agreed that by reducing the number of site visits, Gannett Fleming was able
to work within the $10,000 approved by the Authority at its February meeting
for inspection services during the sewer project.”
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the March 19, 2005 Minutes as amended. The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. LaDieu abstaining as he was not a member of the Authority in February 2005.
Operating Expenses. Mrs. Martin reported that the pre-paid bill (those paid to meet due dates) totaled $22,111.81. Mrs. Martin also reported that the bills still pending for payment totaled $102,275.73.
Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the
operating expenses for April 2005. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Vermitech. Mr. Millard distributed a graph showing the amount of sludge, the number of connections, and the hydraulic loading for the treatment plant since its inception. He prepared this graph in response to a discussion at the March 2005 meeting regarding the amount of beds that would be needed in order to proceed with the Vermitech process.
A lengthy discussion ensued, during which it was discussed whether there would be grant money available for this project and whether or not the Authority could begin with fewer beds in order to hold down costs and continue with the land application process until such time as revenue was realized from the sale of the biosolid product. Mr. Millard stated that the cost of eight (8) beds would be approximately $975,000 in addition to the cost of constructing a building to house the process.
Mr. Jones raised a question regarding the Emmaus Fund, which was utilized by the Township to borrow funds for various projects. Mr. Yost agreed to check into the viability of the Emmaus Fund for the Vermitech project.
Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Millard would contact Larry Craig at the Granville facility, which was already using the Vermitech process, to possibly obtain two (2) tons of the castings that could be used by the Colonial Country Club to determine whether or not the West Hanover Sewer Authority might have any outlets for marketing the castings if it made a decision to move forward with the project. The Authority also requested that Mr. Yost review the contract with Star Rock Farms to determine whether or not the Authority could bid out the land application biosolids removal process in order to obtain a better price. Mr. Salisbury advised the Authority that for 2005, the sludge would be removed at a cost of $44.05 per cubic yard.
Update
on Wells/Bolton/Slate Ridge Sewer Project.
Mr. Millard stated that he had been approached by Gary Houck, who
resides on
Mr.
Salisbury reported to the Authority that Mr. Warfel and Mr. Baranowski, who
both reside on
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to allow the manhole to remain at the original location. The motion was unanimously approved.
The third issue for discussion regarding the sewer project involved a memorandum received from the Township’s engineer, Al Brulo of HRG Engineering. The Township has requested a substantial contribution from the Authority in order to repave the roads in the sewer area and bring them up to the current Township’s current standards set forth in its Ordinance.
A lengthy discussion ensued. By consensus, it was agreed that Mr. Shope and Mr. Brulo should discuss the matter and that Mr. Shope should come back to the Authority with a recommendation. Mr. Salisbury noted that he, Mr. Millard, and Mr. Levengood, the project inspector from Gannett Fleming, would be attending a meeting on Thursday, April 21, to discuss the road restoration.
Update on Swatara Capacity. Mr. Yost reported that petitions have been served on all municipalities involved in the Swatara Intermunicipal Agreement. He added that a judge had not yet been appointed to the case and that work was continuing to assemble an arbitration panel.
Concerns Related to Millstone Sanitary Sewer Easement. Mr. Yost stated that he received a copy of a draft agreement stating that the right-of-way will be restored as proposed in the original plan. He will see that Mr. Salisbury and Mr. Millard receive a copy of the agreement.
Update on GIS Mapping. Mr. Salisbury reported that he received a letter from HRG advising that their original proposal on November 2, 2004 called for HRG to map up to 600 features and that thus far they have mapped 607. Mr. Salisbury estimated that it would cost approximately another $4,500 in order to finish the project. There are approximately 125 to 150 more features to map.
Update on Letters to Residents in Arrears. Mr. Yost reported that he sent out 41 notices via certified mail to those residents $100 or more in arrears. He received approximately ten (10) letters back because residents did not accept delivery. Mrs. Martin reported that approximately twenty (20) residents had either paid their arrears in full or had called to make payment arrangements.
Update on Contract for Outsourcing Sewer Billing to PA American Water. Mrs. Martin reported that she was working with Cheryl DiSanti at PA American Water Company and that the necessary information had been furnished to set up the accounts. Ms. DeSanti has projected that PA American will take over the billing effective June 1, 2005, which means the April and May sewer billings will be done at the Authority Office.
Update on Sewer Inspections under Uniform Construction Code. Mr. Salisbury had no update.
Generator at the Treatment Plant. Mr. Salisbury called the Authority members’ attention to the proposals from PSI Pumping Solutions. One proposal was to install an aeration bypass for $6,600 and the other proposal was for replacing the existing generator. If the Authority chose to install a new generator inside it would cost approximately $92,700; installing a new generator outside would cost approximately $99,900. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed to put this matter on hold.
Influent Screen at Treatment Plant. The Authority briefly discussed the information received during the presentation earlier in the meeting. By consensus, it was agreed that the members would like to have one more presentation from another vendor before making a decision.
Additional Tapping Fees for Jo-Jo’s Pizza. Mr. Salisbury reported that it’s his understanding that Mr. Randazzo has had the water leak repaired. Staff will monitor the water usage for three months and then bring a recommendation back to the Authority regarding any additional tapping fees that may be required.
Reserve Fees for Capacity. By consensus, it was agreed that the Authority would not address this matter at the present time. It will be removed from the agenda.
Contract for Interruption of Public Water Service when in Arrears. By consensus, it was agreed to discuss this item at a future meeting.
Certificates of Deposit. Mrs. Martin called the members’ attention to the memorandum included with the packet. Currently the Authority has two Certificates of Deposit, one in the amount of $1.2 million and the other in the amount of $300,000. Both CDs mature on April 24, 2005. The minimum interest rate for the CD would be 3%.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to reinvest the $1.2 million in a 12-month Certificate of Deposit and roll the $300,000 into the Fulton Fund to pay the costs of the Wells, Bolton, Slate Ridge, and Manor project. The motion was unanimously approved.
Interest Rate for Installment Agreements. Mrs. Martin called the member’s attention to the memorandum included with the packet. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed by consensus, to table this matter until Mr. Yost does some research and brings a recommendation back to the Authority.
No public comment was offered at this time.
Mr. Salisbury briefly highlighted some of the correspondence.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones stated that it was his understanding that the influent screen had originally been included for the plant but that the value engineering had removed it. He questioned whether or not the Authority would have any recourse against the firm that conducted the value engineering. Mr. Yost stated that the Authority had no recourse.
Mr. Jones asked about the letter and the article that Mr. Salisbury had prepared relative to the ongoing problems with the influent screen that was installed several years ago. Mr. Yost stated that he was still reviewing those documents but had some concerns as to whether or not the article should be published.
Mr. Jones also raised a question regarding the cost of preparing the Chapter 94 report, which was included in the packet. He asked whether or not DEP funded the preparation of the report each year since it was one of their mandates. Mr. Shope stated that the cost of preparing the Chapter 94 report was the responsibility of the Authority and that the cost for preparation by Gannett Fleming was part of the $4,000 annual retainer.
Bill
LaDieu. Mr. LaDieu stated that he
was looking forward to serving on the Authority. He urged the Authority to consider writing
state legislators regarding the
Ken Tyndale. Mr. Tyndale raised a question as to whether or not South Central EMS would be able to connect to the sewer lateral that was installed. He requested Mr. Rodemoyer to meet him at South Central EMS on Wednesday, April 20, 2005, to ascertain whether or not the lateral was installed at the proper depth. Mr. Rodemoyer agreed to meet with him.
Don Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
No other business was presented.
Manager. Mr. Salisbury provided a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes).
Engineer. Mr. Shope provided a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes).
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had nothing further to report.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Recording Secretary