DRAFT COPY DRAFT COPY
DRAFT COPY
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
City of
Members Present: Thomas
R. Augostini, Chairman
Kenneth
Kinsman
Thomas
Dellapenna, Jr.
Arthur
Ospelt
Eugene Hulbert
Also Present:
Kenneth
Helisek, Esq., Co-Counsel
William A. Miller, Jr., Superintendent
Catherine P. Aingworth, Assistant
Superintendent
Beverly J. Palmer, Fiscal Officer
Michele
Cuevas, Confidential Secretary
Kathleen
C. Carney, Transcriptionist
Guests: Bob Bennett,
Jack Bills,
Personnel Services Consultant
Gary Holmes, Engineer, City of
Brian Kessler, C&S
John
LaGorga, Stearns & Wheler
Bob
Palladine, C&S
Mayor Matt
Ryan, City of
Kevin Transue, City of Binghamton Water Department
Bob Weslar, City of Binghamton Councilman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chairman
Tom Augostini called the meeting to order at
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Stearns & Wheler
John
LaGorga presented an update on Stearns & Wheler's projects as follows:
Pretreatment & Headworks Analysis:
At
the last workshop proposed limit changes were discussed for the various
industries. A change has been agreed
upon, letters to the various industries are complete and have been mailed. The Board will have their copies at the June
meeting. They will be meeting with plant
management to develop a schedule for permitted deliverable dates.
Lime
Stabilization Effort:
The
emergency system is being used on a daily basis, processing approximately 20
tons of sludge per day. This is a very
dusty process and the original intent was to use the process to stabilize
inventoried sludge on an emergency basis.
The dust is a concern for Stearns & Wheler as well as plant
management. Mr. LaGorga has been
requested by Craig Mattias, the senior operator, to develop a proposal for dust
control. He has prepared a proposal for
an interim dust control process. The
cost estimate comes from Aries Chemical.
Staffing:
Stearns
& Wheler is continuing to work on the staffing project and have submitted a
draft organization chart with job descriptions.
They are continuing to interview similar type communities to review
their overall structure compared to the Binghamton-Johnson City Plant. There is a meeting scheduled with Superintendent
Miller and Assistant Superintendent Aingworth for May 17 to assess the draft
organization chart and job descriptions.
They will submit a final draft report at the next Board meeting.
Solids
Handling Plan:
A workshop was held two weeks ago. Comments from that workshop have been addressed and will be finalized in a letter report.
Lime Stabilization Enhancement Project:
Stearns & Wheler has developed a request for proposal and has vendors at the Plant today measuring the truck bay and existing equipment. They will present shop drawings and proposals for the system. Those cost estimates are expected within two weeks. John will present costs and the final schedule for installation and start up at the next Board meeting.
Mr. Kinsman asked that the Board review the Lime Stabilization Enhancement Project prior to any work being started. Stearns & Wheler currently has a written specification for the equipment and a conceptual layout that they have provided to the vendors. The vendors will provide their proposed plans for installation. Upon receipt of those plans, Stearns & Wheler will provide them to the Board.
Compost Pilot Project:
Through the workshop and the solids handling plan, it has been agreed that Stearns & Wheler will provide a proposal to pilot the compost facility. John LaGorga has a proposal for that today. Their original plan was to provide a proposal "from A to Z" to present today to the Board. They have had some compost experts at the Plant for investigation and feel the best way to approach this project is in steps. The proposal today is for the up front work plan. They would like to provide the Board/Plant with a work plan laying out the operation settings, a current schedule and set of costs. They are not ready to provide this information without doing the work plan first.
Mr. LaGorga will provide the Board with a proposal for the work plan (today). The proposal proposes that the work plan be completed by the July Board meeting.
Mr. Kinsman explained that this study would be of one reactor, operating and studying the reactor and making a prediction of whether the compost facility is worth operating.
Mr. LaGorga reported that Stearns & Wheler has a tour
planned at the Syracuse Metro Treatment Plant for the BAF facility there on
Mr. Hulbert asked (of Stearns & Wheler) for a list of
the uses of the
John distributed two amendments, one for the interim solids handlings and one for the dust control.
Mr. LaGorga explained the dust control process: The lime hopper has a cover, which is removed when lime is added (4 or 5 bags at a time). Once the hopper is filled, the cover should be replaced. In order to monitor what is happening, the cover will be taken (and kept) off. The hopper also gives off dust during operation.
Mr. Hulbert asked how much the dust would be reduced by using the dust control process. Mr. LaGorga explained he could not give a quantitative number, but that it would be a significant reduction in the dust.
Assistant Superintendent Aingworth reported that a PERMA representative visited the site to evaluate the safety procedures being utilized in lime stabilization. He is scheduling a visit with an industrial hygienist to measure the dust and its implications. The PERMA representative watched the loading and the process and advised of some remedial steps to help alleviate the dust situation. All employees working with lime stabilization are wearing the breathing apparatus, suits, etc. The PERMA representative felt that the safety procedures that have been implemented are more than adequate. An official report will be submitted after the industrial hygienist visits the Plant.
Mr. Murphy advised that PESH would provide helpful insight and advice. Mr. Augostini advised implementing the recommendations from PERMA before inviting PESH in for a review.
Mr. Hulbert asked for an explanation of the goals and procedures that will come from the compost facility pilot.
Mr. LaGorga explained that an actual design will be formulated from this work plan. They have had their compost experts visit and review the compost facility. They have come back with several operational settings that could be piloted. By doing the work plan, they should be able to provide a dollar figure of what it would cost to pilot the compost facility.
Chairman Augostini asked for a motion to approve Amendment #7 (Compost Pilot Program).
Mr. Hulbert made a motion to approve Amendment #7 to
the agreement with Stearns & Wheler.
Second by Mr. Ospelt.
Mr. Hulbert amended the motion as follows: The motion includes that this is part of a
professional services contract which exempts bidding. The other reasons for it not being bid are
the same reasons set forth at the Board Meeting on April 11, 2006 and
the resolution adopted at that time setting forth that these are emergency
measures, the possible fines and the same reasoning for the adoption of this
amendment will apply to the previous amendment adopted on April 11, 2006
for the same reasons set forth therein.
This motion also authorizes the chairman to sign the amendment with
funds to come from the capital reserve.
Second by Mr. Ospelt.
Motion carried: 4
ayes
1
nay
1
abstain
Chairman Augostini asked for a motion to approve Amendment #8 (dust control process).
Mr. Ospelt made a motion to approve Amendment #8. This is part of a professional services
contract which exempts bidding. The
other reasons for it not being bid are the same reasons set forth at the Board
Meeting on April 11, 2006 and the resolution adopted at that time
setting forth that these are emergency measures, the possible fines and the
same reasoning for the adoption of this amendment will apply to the previous
amendment adopted on April 11, 2006 for the same reasons set forth
therein. This motion also authorizes the
chairman to sign the amendment with funds to come from the capital
reserve.
Second by Mr. Hulbert.
Motion carried: 4
ayes
1
nay
1
abstain
C&S
Dye
Testing
Bob
Palladine presented the Board with photos and results from the dye testing done
on the clarifiers at the Plant and explained the results of the initial
testing.
SPEDES
Permit
The
formal list of comments has been completed and reviewed by co‑counsel Bob Murphy. They have communicated with DEC and they are
willing to review these informally.
Steve Eidt has informed Bob Palladine that he has reviewed the comments
and is amenable to some changes.
Mr.
Murphy suggested meeting with Steve Eike in
Bob
Palladine reported that for the final permit they are asking for more
reasonable nitrogen limits and mercury limits.
He
also reported that both owners' names will be included on the SPEDES permit.
Treatment
Unit Monitoring Work Plan
At
the April meeting the Board had asked for a proposal for a monitoring work plan
to perform testing of all units once the Plant is up and running.
The
Plant will prepare an initial sampling plan.
Bob
Palladine presented the Board with letter of authorization #3 for a time and
materials contract for $2,082.00 to complete this work.
This
work is required to be completed three months prior to start up. Currently the schedule calls for the filling
of tanks and producing a biomass on
Mr.
Hulbert made a motion to approve work plan #3.
Second by Mr. Ospelt.
Motion
carried: 5 ayes
0 nay
1 absent
Influent
Bar Screens
Bob
discussed the issue of rags and clumps getting through the screens and it was
suggested that the Plant look at closer spacing of the influent bar
screens. He reported that the screens
used by the Plant are IDI screens, standard in the industry. They are currently 3/4" spacing. C&S and IDI both suggest using a screen
with 1/2" spacing. Superintendent
Miller will meet with Bob Palladine and submit a recommendation for screens
with a schedule for implementation via e‑mail to Chairman Augostini.
Bob
Palladine distributed to the Board a summary from the
Mr.
Kinsman reported that Frank Regala will be in town on
Mr.
Kinsman has informed all parties of the meeting. This meeting is to discuss potential problems
and solutions.
GARY HOLMES, CITY ENGINEER
Mr.
Holmes advised that it was a good idea to bring people in to talk about the new
system as some things may come up on the operational level. At this point, it is late in the process to
look at changes in the design. He is
fairly confident that based on the design they will get the desired results.
BOB BENNETT, VILLAGE ENGINEER
Mr.
Bennett reminded the Plant/Board that IDI will be on staff running the Plant
for 18 months and instructing the Plant staff on how to run it.
Contract
2
The
bonding company's option at this point in time is "out the
window". They have begun the
process of preparing bids to secure an outside contractor to fix the
pumps. It is hoped to have a new
contractor on board by the end of May.
Contract
3
Contract
3 is approximately 90% complete. The
media is in
Contract
4
The
solids handling contract is approximately 70-75% complete and is on schedule to
be completed by September 2006.
Mr.
Helisek referenced a letter from Gary Holmes dated
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Augostini asked for a motion to approve the
minutes from
Mr. Hulbert indicated that "February" on Page 11 (Superintendent's Report) be changed to "March".
Mr.
Ospelt made a motion to accept the minutes from
Motion
carried: 5 ayes
0 nay
1 absent
FISCAL OFFICER'S REPORT
Ms. Palmer presented a Fiscal Officer's report totaling
2,762,907.74 as of
Chairman Augostini asked for a motion to accept the Fiscal Officer's report.
Mr.
Hulbert asked for a map of the service area.
Mr. Kinsman will provide a service area map to Mr. Hulbert.
Mr.
Kinsman made a motion to accept the Fiscal Officer's report as presented. Second by Mr. Hulbert.
Motion
carried: 5 ayes
0 nay
1 absent
BOARD LISTING
Ms.
Palmer presented a Board Listings totaling $274,996.46.
Mr.
Hulbert made a motion to approve and pay the Board Listing as presented. Second by Mr. Ospelt.
Motion
carried: 5 ayes
0 nay
1 absent
Ms. Palmer pointed Board members' attention copies of the
budget. The current budget ends
Mr. Kinsman asked Ms. Palmer if she had the break out information for the ongoing projects. She will have that information for the June meeting.
SUPERINTENDENT'S
REPORT
Violations, Complaints
& Significant Problems
·
There were no odor complaints or violations received this
month.
Personnel
·
Management personnel continue management training with
consultant Jack Bills.
·
Another mechanic has retired as of
·
Interviews for Building Maintenance Helper are being
conducted.
Compost
Facility
·
Additional compost facility
temporary repairs need to be undertaken.
As directed in the previous meeting, we are working on bid specifications
with Stearns and Wheler for additional repairs of the compost facility.
·
We are removing the biosolids from
the compost reactors in preparation for repairs.
·
We have received a report from the
EPA indicating that a quality audit was performed on the contract lab that
performed compost analysis for us, and numerous deficiencies were found. We will no longer be contracting with this
lab to perform analysis for us.
Currently all biosolids are disposed of at the landfill. We must respond to the EPA within 45 days
regarding this matter.
·
Sawdust will be bought on an as
needed basis.
Operations
·
The effluent suspended solids
limit was met in April, with great improvement in percent removal. Plant personnel are working diligently to
remove solids inventory in the plant, operating the centrifuge 6 days per week
and removing an average of 90 tons of solids per week.
·
Influent suspended solids were
175, and effluent suspended solids were 36, which is an average 79%
removal. Current effluent limits for
Suspended Solids are 53. Influent BOD
was 182 and effluent BOD was 107, which is an average 41% removal. The effluent BOD limit is 132.
·
Iron limits were met in 8 out of 8
samples. High iron contained in the
centrate and effluent continues to be an issue we monitor closely.
·
There were no settleable solids
violations. Plant personnel are working
to evaluate performance strategies to optimize the process.
·
Plant personnel met with Stearns
& Wheler to assist in the design for lime stabilization.
·
Plant personnel met with a
representative of PERMA regarding employee health and wellness as it relates to
the lime stabilization operation.
·
Plant personnel met with C&S
to review design options for chlorination and dechlorination.
·
Plant personnel assisted C&S
with detention time flows in settling tanks.
·
Assistant Superintendent Aingworth
toured the Roanoke Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn about their experience
with BAF issues, as well as to discuss management and training topics at their
facility.
·
Oxy-Pro has agreed to send a
limited supply of the product for testing in the centrifuge centrate return
stream.
Digesters
·
Number 3 digester is working to meet the stabilization
requirements. We continue to analyze
solids data in order to balance digestion requirements, composting and lime
stabilization operations.
Centrifuges
·
The
Influent
Pumps
·
Corrective action is being planned through C & S
Engineers and lead agency, the
Primary Tanks
We are in Primary only
mode. We are working with C&S in an
effort to determine the short-circuiting and flow patterns of the tanks using
dye testing.
Industrial Pretreatment
Program
·
Stearns & Wheler is assisting our staff with the
Industrial Pretreatment Program.
·
Gavin Vitale, our plant lab technician, attended a four-day
Industrial Pretreatment Course in order to assist with the Industrial
Pretreatment Program at the plant.
Plant Business
·
We are exploring and gathering information from several
companies regarding an asset management plan.
We have recorded a large portion of the plant equipment and are working
with contractors to itemize and record new equipment to enter into our
database.
·
State Contract Bids have been completed for the purchase of
a new truck to assist in the removal of solids.
Our main option for solids removal has been Bert Adams. We would like to purchase a truck to remove
the solids in a more efficient manner.
This would equate to less down time for the centrifuges by eliminating
the need to call for a driver and the time to switch the cans out. The total State Bid price is
$112,995.81. The truck is the same brand
and size of our other truck. Bert Adams
will still remain as a standby method of solids removal. This was discussed in the October, November
and December meetings and determined to be the best method for removing solids
from the plant.
Mr. Ospelt asked that a
synopsis of all trucks available on State Contract be provided detailing the
truck, price and company bid results.
Superintendent Miller to provide this information at the June meeting.
Recommended Board Actions
·
Approval to purchase a truck on State Contract.
Contract 3 – BAF's
Work is in progress with 87% of the time allotment
used with 92% of the work completed or in progress. This does not include the five-week extension
that may be granted by the DEC.
Contract 4 – Solids
Handling
Work is in
progress with 75% of the time allotment used with 75% of the work completed or
in progress.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman
Augostini discussed an e-mail received from We Care Organics for sludge hauling
at $63.00/ton. The Board discussed
using We Care on an as needed basis as an alternative to disposing of
sludge. Superintendent Miller will
provide more information at the June meeting.
Assistant
Superintendent Aingworth discussed with the Board the elevated loadings that
are entering the Plant. Superintendent
Miller will investigate this issue further.
Assistant
Superintendent Aingworth also reported that the Plant is not using Eastern
Laboratories any longer.
Mr.
Kinsman expressed concern regarding the issue that the County is going to
contract with Stearns & Wheler to make a determination about the
Plant. As the Board/Plant is currently
employing Stearns & Wheler, he feels there is a conflict of interest.
Mr.
Helisek will send a letter to the County informing them that Stearns &
Wheler is under contract with the Plant now and that the Board would consider
it inappropriate for the County to contract with them regarding the Joint
Sewage Board.
Mr.
Kinsman made a motion to authorize co-counsel Mr. Helisek to forward a letter
to the Broome County attorney stating that Stearns & Wheler is under
contract with the Joint Sewage Board and any potential contract that the County
has with Stearns & Wheler regarding the Joint Sewage Board would be a
conflict of interest. Second by
Mr. Dellapenna.
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
Mr.
Kinsman made a motion to hereby move to authorize the Board to settle the
present pending litigation by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 2, against the Binghamton Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment
Facility, Docket Number CWA-02-02006-332, which alleges violations of timely
reporting of annual sludge reports and to accept the offer of settlement set
forth on the reverse side of the US EPA's correspondence dated May 2, 2006 to
pay a penalty of $1,100.00 in accordance with the terms of the CA/OF. Further moving to authorize the chairman of
the Joint Sewage Board to enter into the consent agreement in said correspondence
in full settlement of all charges and move that the payment of the fine be made
from J8130.4510 (permits/fines) payable to the Treasurer of the United States
of America and that said compromise be forwarded forthwith to the US EPA
together with the executed consent agreement and final order. Second by Mr. Dellapenna.
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
Mr.
Dellapenna made a motion to authorize attorney Murphy to contact the EPA in
response to the follow up performance inspection of Eastern Laboratory
Services, notifying them of the Plant's termination of Eastern Laboratory
Services, intention to prepare an RFQ for new laboratory services and asking
for their recommendation of any laboratory services that they have inspected
recently. Second by Mr. Hulbert.
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
OLD BUSINESS
Mr.
Murphy will provide disclaimer language allowing
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr.
Dellapenna made a motion to enter Executive Session at
Motion
carried: 5 ayes
0 nay
1 absent
Mr.
Dellapenna made a motion to exit Executive Session at
Motion
carried: 5 ayes
0 nay
1 absent
Mr.
Dellapenna made a motion to adjourn.
Second by Mr. Hulbert.
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
Meeting adjourned at
Motion by Mr. Kinsman to reconvene the meeting at
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
Motion
by Mr. Kinsman to allow two people to attend the NYWEA conference on June 5-8
and pay all customary expenses. Second
by Mr. Dellapenna.
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
Motion
by Mr. Dellapenna to adjourn the meeting at
Motion
carried: 4 ayes
0 nay
2 absent
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for
TIME & PLACE OF NEXT BOARD
MEETING
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen C. Carney
Transcriptionist
Mayor Ryan, City of
Mayor Lewis,
Kenneth P. Helisek, Esq.
William A. Miller, Jr., Superintendent
City of
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