Valley Forge Sewer Authority
Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2010
The Valley Forge Sewer Authority monthly meeting was held on Monday, February 8, 2010, at 7:30 pm. The following people attended the meeting: Board members: Charles Melle, William Hochwind, Michael Rodgers, Norman Vutz and Marilyn Randolph; Staff: Len Pinchok and Martin Goldberg; Consultant: Lawrence Lutter.
Mike Berish, Lloyd Knauer, Rick Taylor and Steve Yuhas were also in attendance.
Mr. Melle called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Meeting Minutes
The January Reorganization and meeting minutes were presented for approval. Mr. Vutz made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion and the Board unanimously approved.
Reports
Operations Report
Mr. Goldberg reported that the Authority was in compliance with all permit requirements for the month of January and that there were no odor complaints for the month.
Financial Report
Mr. Pinchok reviewed the combined statement of operations report and the 5 year fund balances with the Board. He reported the both the Revenue and Treatment Plant funds showed a surplus and noted that there had not been much activity or changes to report.
The following expenses were presented for payment:
A/P Invoices - $220,447, Requisitions - $40,702, Imprest Fund - $2,245, Petty Cash - $19 and the Debit Card expenses - $1,633.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion to accept and pay all the finance reports as presented. Mr. Vutz seconded the motion and the Board unanimously approved the payments.
New Business
Safety Presentation
Mr. Goldberg presented a slideshow about various safety procedures involved with the routine handling of chlorine. He discussed the chlorine usage such as the omni-valve which controls the dosage of chlorine and the safety measures taken to provide preventative maintenance and to reduce the amount of risk. He did note that the future UV system provides the safest process and will eliminate the risks inherent in the use of chlorine. Mr. Goldberg also discussed the safeguards that VFSA implements using gas leak detectors, alarms, fans, emergency leak repair kits, as well as, an emergency power supply that is available if there is a loss of electricity. He noted that although some of the equipment is old, it is functional and is maintained to the current standards.
Mr. Goldberg explained that most treatment plant personnel are trained on how to use the equipment and also the procedures to be followed if a leak is detected. He noted that the kits contain any type of fitting for any leak that could occur and that there are always at least two people used to respond if a problem is detected. He also stated that the VFSA teams are professionals in what they do.
Mr. Berish also presented a short video on the procedures followed for routine handling of chlorine including when a leak has been detected. He proceeded to give a step-by-step explanation of what the technicians were doing during the video and the safety procedures being followed as a minor leak was addressed. The Board thanked the staff for their presentations.
Committee Reports
Operations and Construction Committee
Mr. Goldberg reported on the committee meeting held last Thursday and noted that the main purpose of the meeting was to review the draft report completed by Buchart-Horn. He distributed a 25 page summary with the comments incorporated to the Board for review and asked them to bring comments and questions to the March monthly meeting. He noted that the recommended expansion had a cost of mid $27 million that included the upgrade and expansion and that the divisions of costs were very similar to a few months ago. He reviewed the improvements planned, which include head works structure, primary tanks, odor control, new primary pumps and secondary treatment. Mr. Goldberg also noted that a third thickener was planned, so as to achieve flexibility to have one shut down for maintenance issues. There are also plans for new scum pumps, improvements to the operations and chlorine buildings, septic trailer, electrical system upgrade and an automatic control and monitoring system.
Mr. Goldberg informed the Board that the report would be up for approval next month and will have to be presented to the partners. Also, the issue of the Wilson Road Pump Station upgrade has to be resolved. He noted that the plant expansion is dependent of the upgrade on the Valley Creek Sewer System and the Wilson Road resolution. The VFSA cannot move forward with the project if these issues are unresolved, which includes the interpretation of the cost sharing issues and all eight municipalities need to agree and approve the report. Following a discussion amongst the Board, Mr. Rodgers made a motion to approve the report as presented. Ms. Randolph seconded and the Board unanimously approved.
New Business (continued)
Colorcon Trucked Waste
Mr. Pinchok reported that a current trucked waste customer has requested permission to make deliveries over the weekend, 1 or 2 trucks per day, between 6-7am only. The Board directed staff to contact Mr. Pompo and research the legality of this request and stated that the staff could temporarily allow until the legal issues are researched.
Old Business
Major Pump Stations Upgrade Project
Mr. Goldberg reported that the shop drawings were coming in and looking clean. He also reported that there was nothing else on the legal front at this time.
Act 537 Plant Expansion Project
Mr. Goldberg stated that this was covered under the committee reports section of the agenda.
Act 537 Wilson Road Project
Mr. Goldberg stated that this issue is to be addressed at the meeting with the partners.
Other
Catastrophic Insurance Coverage’s
Mr. Pinchok reported on the insurance coverage in a catastrophic event and informed the Board that VFSA has insurance companies available to make up any difference of claim. He noted that Perma would cover the initial amount and that the secondary insurance company would cover the difference.
Emails Update
Mr. Pinchok reported that effective with the Open Public Records Act, any litigation issues could confiscate computers. He noted that he is in progress of setting up Board accounts to have in-house VFSA mailboxes that will be maintained and kept local.
Staff Assignments
1.) Send copy of draft report w/ site plan to Schuylkill township manager.
2.) Set meeting date with partners.
3.) Research legal opinion on trucked waste request.
4.) Continue review of email procedures.
Adjournment
Mr. Melle adjourned the regular monthly meeting at 9:00pm.