TUESDAY, MAY 17,
2005, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Stephen L. Millard, Chairman
Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman
Kenneth L. Tyndale, Secretary/Treasurer
William A. LaDieu
No public comment was offered at this time.
April 19, 2005, Regular Meeting.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the
April 19, 2005 Minutes as distributed.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Operating Expenses. Mrs. Martin reported that the pre-paid bill (those paid to meet due dates) totaled $215,853.44. Mrs. Martin also reported that the bills still pending for payment totaled $298,366.39.
A
lengthy discussion ensued regarding the payment to Doli Construction in the
amount of $202,120.40. Doli was
scheduled to have the paving for the Wells,
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the
pre-paid expenses in the amount of $215,853.44.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the
operating expenses in the amount of $298,366.39. The motion was unanimously approved, with Mr.
Tyndale abstaining on the payment to K.L. Tyndale in the amount of $52.65.
Vermitech. This matter was handled at the workshop session held just prior to the regular meeting.
Update on Wells/Bolton/Slate Ridge Sewer Project. Mr. Salisbury reported that this project has been completed with the exception of the paving and that the residents could now begin connecting their properties.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to authorize the Township to send 60-day connection letters to the residents affected by the project. The motion was unanimously approved.
Update on Swatara Capacity. Mr. Yost reported that Answers to the petitions served on all of the municipalities involved in the Swatara Intermunicipal Agreement have been received. He provided copies of the documents for the Authority’s files. He also reported that in the near future arguments would be scheduled in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
Concerns Related to Millstone Sanitary Sewer Easement. Mr. Salisbury reported that S&A Homes was working on restoring the right-of-way. Mr. Yost stated that the Township is negotiating with S&A Homes in an effort to finalize an agreement for the restoration of the right‑of-way. He will forward a copy of the agreement to Mr. Salisbury.
Update on GIS Mapping. Mr. Salisbury reported that HRG has completed the work on the GIS mapping and that he was expecting to receive a copy of the map during the week of May 23. He pointed out that an $8,500 payment to the Township was included with the invoice request approved earlier in the meeting. He also advised that there would be a small, additional bill for adding extra features, as approved at an earlier meeting, to the map.
Update on Letters to Residents in Arrears. Mr. Yost reported that there was no new update on this matter. He added that the Authority had some favorable responses to the letters he sent out in March and that he would be preparing liens in the near future to be entered against several properties.
Update on Contract for Outsourcing Sewer Billing to PA American Water. Mrs. Martin reported that she spoke with Cheryl DiSanti on Tuesday, May 17, and that everything was on schedule to have PA American Water begin the billing process effective June 1, 2005. Mrs. Martin asked the Authority for any feedback they might have regarding the notice that was included with their packets. It was agreed by consensus that the notice should be sent with the billing that would be mailed at the end of May.
Update on Sewer Inspections under Uniform Construction Code. Mr. Salisbury reported that the Township had adopted an Ordinance delegating the inspections to the Sewer Authority. Mr. Salisbury reported that, since the Authority does not currently have a UCC certified inspector, he was recommending that the lateral inspections should be conducted by a third-party inspection service. He called the members’ attention to the agreement he distributed just prior to the meeting. A brief discussion ensued.
Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement upon review by the Authority’s solicitor. The motion was unanimously approved.
Generator at the Treatment Plant. TABLED.
Influent Screen at Treatment Plant. Mr. Salisbury reported that following the April 19, 2005 meeting, as instructed, he contacted Headworks and Pro-Equipment, Inc. to determine if either company had a screen and/or washer unit similar to that of Atwood Jones. Mr. Salisbury reviewed the documentation he had from both companies. A lengthy discussion ensued.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to authorize the Authority Engineer to prepare a proposal for engineering services for a Procurement Specification for the screen as well as specifications for installation and construction of a building enclosure. The motion was unanimously approved.
Following approval of the motion, the members agreed that they would like separate installation and building construction specifications in the event they decided not to proceed with the entire project.
Additional Tapping Fees for Jo-Jo’s Pizza. TABLED.
Request
for Reduction in Escrow for
Mr. Salisbury reported that all record drawings and tests were complete and that a Deed of Dedication was submitted to Mr. Yost for review. He also reported that the majority of the items on the punch list had been addressed. The 18-month maintenance bond in the amount of $38,746 was received from Lobar on Monday, May 16, 2005.
Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to release the
escrow of $258,305 contingent upon the following:
· Completion
of the punch list items as outlined in an e-mail from Mark Salisbury to Brian
Fincher dated May 6, 2005;
· Payment
of any outstanding engineering and/or legal fees.
The motion
was unanimously approved.
Approval of William Farmer Project. Tim Mellott of Mellot Engineering and Bill Farmer were present at the meeting.
Mr. Salisbury reported that the Authority’s engineer reviewed the revised plan and that all of the engineering comments were satisfactorily addressed. The plan is ready for consideration by the Authority. Following a lengthy discussion on whether gravity sewer could service the project rather than by force main, it was agreed that gravity sewer was not a viable option in this case.
Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the
final sanitary sewer plan for the Bill Farmer final subdivision project
contingent upon the completion of the following outstanding items:
· A Sewer Extension Agreement must be executed (copy attached).
· A cost estimate for construction of the sanitary sewer line 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.
· Shop drawings detailing the materials to be used in the construction of the force main sewer and cleanouts must be submitted to the Authority for review by the Authority’s engineer.
·
Residents must be contacted regarding the
construction that will take place on the Authority’s easement between
The motion
was unanimously approved.
Star Rock Farms. Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to a copy of the contract with Star Rocks provided with the packet. Following a brief discussion, by consensus, it was agreed to allow the arrangement with Star Rocks to remain as it is for the present time.
Interest Rate for Installment Agreements. A brief discussion took place as to whether or not the interest rate for Installment Agreements should be adjusted. The current interest rate is 6.5%. The term of the Installment Agreements is 20 months. By consensus, it was agreed that the interest rate should remain at 6.5% for 20 months; however, it was also agreed that any hardship cases would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Contract for Interruption of Public Water Service when in Arrears. TABLED.
No public comment was offered at this time.
Mr.
Salisbury briefly highlighted some of the correspondence. Mr. Millard called the members’ attention to
the letter from Gannett Fleming regarding approval of a lateral for the
Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to authorize the Authority Manager to issue approval letters for single laterals unless he deems, in his best judgment that it should come before the Authority. The motion was unanimously approved.
Ken Tyndale. Mr. Tyndale had no comments.
Don Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Bill LaDieu. Mr. LaDieu had no comments.
Mrs. Martin called the members’ attention to the memorandum regarding an issue with the Internal Revenue Service. The Authority’s accountant and auditor have both suggested that we try to appeal the matter. Mr. Yost suggested that staff consult with the accountants to appeal the matter and that a copy of the appeal should also be forwarded to Senators Santorum and Specter.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to appeal the matter and follow up with letters to Congressmen. The motion was unanimously approved.
Manager. Mr. Salisbury provided a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes).
Engineer. Mr. Shope had no further report.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had nothing further to report.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Recording Secretary