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MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 20, 2006 MEETING OF THE AUTHORITY The meeting of the Hamburg Municipal Authority was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with Chairman Steve Smith presiding. The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. Members Present - Stephen A. Smith, David A. Fink, Stanley E. Dietrich, Roger G. Kuhns, Stephen H. BlefgenMembers Absent - Judy E. Romig Also Present – Gregory T. Unger-SDE, Charles F. Fitzpatrick-Solicitor, Keith L. Brobst- Superintendent, Lynda G. Albright-Borough Manager, Denise L. Clare-Secretary A motion was made by Stan Dietrich and seconded by Roger Kuhns to approve the November minutes as written and presented. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None VISITORS None The Trustee Treasurer’s, Administrative Treasurer’s and Sewer B,R, & I reports were reviewed. ACCT. # Account Name Bal.-Oct.06 Credits Debits Bal.-Nov.06 1576025802 Water-1995 Settlement Fund $ 0.00 $ 0.00 1576025820 Water-1995 Revenue Fund $ 0.00 $ 0.00 1576025839 Water-1995 Debt Service $ 1,045.26 $111,927.45 $112,972.71 1576025848 Water-1995 Debt Ser. Res. Fund $232,943.01 $ 16,104.38 ($5,051.76) $243,995.63 1576025857 Water-1995 B, R, & I $687,218.55 $ 2,789.24 ($30,332.28 ) $659,675.51 1576025866 Water-1995 Rebate Fund $ 0.00 $ 0.00 OPERATING WATER/SEWER ACCOUNT ACTIVITY November 1, 2006 to November 30, 2006 Water Revenue Account – Balance on November 1, 2006 $ 253,923.12 Water Sales/Penalties $ 58,989.32 Water Tap-In Fee $ 3,000.00 Cert Fees, Constable Fees, Final Fees $ 492.50 Interest $ 21,480.66 Miscellaneous $ 171.75 $ 84,134.23$ 338,057.35 Less Paid Out $ ( 28,533.54) Balance in Treasury – November 30, 2006 $ 309,523.81 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wissahickon Water Account – Balance on November 1, 2006 $ 2,018.42 Fire hydrant fees/penalties $ Interest $ 7.63 $ 7.63 $ 2,026.05 Less Paid Out $ ( 0.00) Balance In Treasury – November 30, 2006 $ 2,026.05 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fire Hydrant Account – Balance on November 1, 2006 $ 166,342.90 Fire hydrant fees/penalties $ 2,241.28 Interest $ 631.95 $ 2,873.23 $ 169,216.13 Less Paid Out $ (112.80) Balance In Treasury – November 30, 2006 $ 169,103.33 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sewer Revenue Account – Balance on November 1, 2006 $ 435,982.89 Sewer Rentals/Penalties $ 63,541.95 WTMA Rentals/Penalties $ 7,377.68 Sewer Tap-In Fee $ 3,000.00 Interest $ 1,911.49
$ 511,814.01 Less Paid Out $ (62,138.27) Balance in Treasury – November 30, 2006 $ 449,675.74 BOROUGH TREASURER SEWER BR & I ACCOUNT AUTHORITY MEETING DECEMBER 20, 2006
CHECKING ACCOUNT - BALANCE IN CHECKING 11/1/06 $ 192,430.21 INTEREST $ 521.93 TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER $ 192,952.14 LESS PAID OUT $ (0.00) BALANCE IN CHECKING 11/30/06 $ 192,952.14
Stan Dietrich asked why the Sewer B,R, & I account has less interest than the fire hydrant account when that balance is larger. The Secretary suggested that a different bank would provide different interest rates. Lynda Albright stated that she was not sure. Stan Dietrich asked if this could be checked into. Lynda Albright will ask and get information. Lynda Albright found an error on the report and will check on this as well. Greg Unger will look at the M & T statements to see if he can figure them out. A motion was made by Stan Dietrich and seconded by Dave Fink to accept the Trustee Treasurer’s, Administrative Treasurer’s and Sewer B,R, & I reports as written. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Work completed this period: Oxidation Ditch precast complete and tested, mechanical equipment installed. Handrails being installed. clarifiers is complete. Chlorine Contact and effluent in progress. Electrical Contractor working on conduit system, generator and switchgear installed. Motor Control Center installed and wiring of equipment progresses. Backfilling around the clarifiers complete to rough grade. Applications for Payment
DESCCO Design and Construction Application No. 9 (Requisition 237) Amount $525,398.00 Balance on Contract $1,860,314.00
J.B. Electric Corp. Application No. 6 (Requisition 238) Amount $145,800.00 Balance on Contract $458,949.00 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. assists the Solicitor on financing issues as required. The closing of the Commonwealth Financing Authority loan occurred on Friday, September 15, 2006. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. has submitted payment applications for the complete grant amount and the first draw for the loan to provide continued cash flow for the remainder of the project. The first draw on the loan of approximately $2.5 million was received. The full grant amount from PENNWORKS was received in the amount of $687,250.00. The Authority has received confirmation of the DCED allocation of the Berks County grant in the amount of $130,000 per year for 1-0 years ($1,300,000 total). The second draw on the PENNWORKS loan is being worked on. PUMP STATION PROJECT Bids were received for the Pine Street Pump Station on December 16, 2005. The Authority has issued the "Intent to Award" to:
The Award and Notice to Proceed was issued on January 20, 2006. Work this period included: The project is substantially complete. Punch list items are being completed. Project closeout is in progress. Evaluation of adding air release ports to the pumps are progressing. Additional tests to evaluate a water flush are also being investigated.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN and I/I WORK Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is proceeding with review of repairs of the collection system as determined by the past televising contract. WISSAHICKON WATER (no change) Wissahickon started production. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. and Keith inspected the facility and have instructed Wissahickon on procedures and some operational details. PROJECTS Bids for the force main upgrade of the Edenburg Pump Station was received September 6, 2006. Intent to award, Award and Notice to Proceed was given at the September 6, 2006 meeting. Contracts have been executed. The force main installation is nearly complete. The final tie-in is scheduled within the next several days. WATER SYSTEM
Requisition 237 DESCCO Design and Construction $525,398.00 Requisition 238 J.B. Electric Corp. $145,800.00 Requisition 239 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. $ 18,222.10 Requisition 240 L/B Water Service $ 1,560.00 Requisition 309 L/B Water Service $ 4,062.64 Requisition 310 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. $ 475.55 Greg Unger reported that the Pine Street Pump Station project was 98% complete. Contractors are currently working on punch list items.
Greg Unger will get Steve Blefgen to do a walk thru of the Pine Street Pump Station. This will be scheduled for December 26 at 8:00 a.m. if any other members would like to attend. Greg Unger reported that there were no requisitions for the Pine Street Pump Station this month but there is a change order. It is change order #2 for Pagoda in the amount of $2,161.08. It is for a wire block cooler on the generator, to relocate the blower connect and feed and additional power wiring for the flow meter. Greg Unger stated that there were 2 requisitions for the WWTP and 1 change order. Change order #1 for J.B. Electric in the amount of $2,791.11 to change out the 8 disconnect switches from 3R’s to 4X’s. Greg Unger reported that grant money that is to be received every year for 10 years will be $130,000/year. Originally, Greg Unger thought this would only be $93,000/year. Charles Fitzpatrick asked where this money was coming from. Greg Unger stated that it was from Berks County DCED, BCIDA and IFIP. Greg Unger read the following letter regarding this: Thomas McKeon Executive Director Berks County Industrial Development Authority Berks County Services Center 633 Court Street, 14th Floor Reading, PA 19601 RE: Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Program Grant: $9,300.00 Cabela’s Retail Inc. C000016860 Mr. McKeon: I am writing regarding the $930,000 Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Program (IFIP) grant awarded to Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BCIDA) on December 2, 2006. It is the intention of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) that $800,000 of the award be used by BCIDA to pay annual debt service on eligible infrastructure improvements at Cabela’s Retail Inc. facility and $130,000 to be utilized by the Hamburg Municipal Authority to cover debt ser vice on the sewer improvements servicing the same retail facility. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, /s/ Scott D. Dunkelberger Director, Center for Business Financing Greg Unger handed out spreadsheets showing the sewer amortization schedule. 56.07% is Tilden Township’s share and 43.93% is the Authority’s share. Greg Unger went over the spreadsheet. He would like this to be submitted to Tilden Township to get a cash flow started. This way they can see how much they are responsible for. Tilden Township just submitted the project to DEP for approval. Tilden Township has not gone for PennWorks money yet (this could take 6 months). Tilden Township is only breaking ground in spring of 2008 and will take a year to complete. There will be no new connections until 2009. Edenburg Force Main-Greg Unger reported that this project is 95% complete. The tie in will be done on December 26. This will take 2-3 hours. Greg Unger reported that the Forino project near Ridge Lawn will not be happening so therefore Forino will not be helping to upgrade the Ridge Lawn Pump Station. The Authority will have to undertake this project. There are 2 options:
Greg Unger recommended the second option and stated that this can be done with telephone bids. It was decided to go with option #2. Greg Unger has escrow release #2 for Greth Development Group for the Towns at Kaercher in the amount of $46,393.84. This needs to be approved by the Authority. Greg Unger reported that the water filtration plant is currently offline. There are still control issues. A quote has been received from OCC to rebuild the control panel at a cost of $85,500. OCC is a local company. This project will need to be bid. A motion was made by Roger Kuhns and seconded by Dave Fink to authorize Systems Design Engineering, Inc. to bid the upgrade of the water filtration plant control system. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None Stan Dietrich asked about the I/I work. Greg Unger stated that he is working on bid specs. There is a large list of things to do. This will take 1-2 years to complete and will be done in sections. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Charles Fitzpatrick reported that EPA forwarded a letter to the mediator requiring the original $90,000 fine. Negotiations have been ongoing and the tables have been reviewed to come up with a figure of $31,000. The tables were again looked at and $41,000 was derived. This was forwarded to EPA and the judge. EPA will not take less than the $51,000 that was the difference between $71,000 EPA fine and the $31,000 the Authority came up with. EPA has now come up with a fine of $157,500, which included fines for 2006 violations. If this goes to court it will cost more with legal fees and court costs. The judge has recommended accepting the $51,000 fine. The judge also suggested adding in a supplemental environment project to take the penalty to help in the municipality. $20,000 of the $51,000 could be used for the project. Charles Fitzpatrick suggested using it for the I/I work. EPA would get the remainder of the money. This is the recommendation of the solicitor and will include any violations for 2006. Other projects the money could be used for would be the water filtration plant upgrade or storm sewers. Greg Unger suggested listing the projects in order of preference. A motion was made by Dave Fink and seconded by Steve Blefgen to approve Charles Fitzpatrick’s recommendation to settle with EPA for $51,000 with the Supplemental Environment Project being a part of it and the 2006 violations added in. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None Charles Fitzpatrick reported about 232 Pine Street and the correspondence between the Authority and the Seaman’s. A response was received from the Seaman’s on November 23. Parts of the letter were read by Charles Fitzpatrick. Lynda Albright received a letter on November 30 from Arlene Seaman. The following letter was read by Lynda Albright: Lynda Albright Borough Manager c/o Hamburg Municipal Authority 51 North 3rd Street Hamburg, PA 19526 RE: Your letter of November 24, 2006 Please be advised of the following
Please forward any questions or communications to Mr. Paul R. Ober, Esquire, 607 South 4th Street, Hamburg, Pa. 610-562-5879. Thanks you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely yours, /s/ Arlene R. Seaman A letter was also received from Evelyn Seaman regarding their heating system. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT A letter was received from Jean Epting requesting w/s relief for a leak in her meter pit. Ms. Epting does not have access to the pit and would not have known about the leak had it not been for the meter reader reading the meter. The crew has fixed the leak. The bill will be averaged based on previous usage. The water and sewer budgets for 2007 were sent with the packets to review prior to the meeting. The budgets balanced without rate increases. A motion was made by Steve Blefgen and seconded by Stan Dietrich to approve both the water and sewer budgets as presented. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None Lynda Albright stated that the first requisition to reimburse the money to the sewer account from M & T needs approval. CORRESPONDENCE LIST CORRESPONDENCE NOTES RECEIVED FROM NOVEMBER 16 TO DECEMBER 20, 2006
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report November 2006 Water Most water for the month was from the surface source. The weekend of the 18th and 19th the plant got a mind of its own and caused significant problems. Signaling from the PLC to the pre-filter soda ash pump became inconsistent and cause turbidity to rise. We worked with it for several days until it became apparent that the filters were unreliable. We will be on well water for the foreseeable future. The engineer, Tony and I met with a representative of OCC, a company specializing in controls and are waiting for a proposal to replace the control system at the water plant. The new chlorine booster pumps should be installed very soon. Kohl Bros. have temporarily installed a "loaner" to keep us running till the permanent installation can be done. The afternoon before Thanksgiving we had a water main break on Walnut Street in the area of Exide. In the process of closing valves to locate this leak another developed at the other end of the block. While the Borough Crew fixed one leak we had a contractor repair the other. The second leak was significant and did some damage to the street. Homes were without water for about 8 hours. Happy Thanksgiving! Wastewater Construction is proceeding on schedule and we expect to flow through the oxidation dirt h and new clarifiers by year end. There have been a few issues regarding the stability of the catwalks on the clarifiers and US Filter along with DESCCO are working to resolve the problem. On November 9th we noticed a solvent like odor from the primary clarifier however there was no other evidence of a spill at that time. Later that evening Robbie told me he had heard there was a fuel spill at that time on State Street and I went to the Wastewater Treatment Plant to find the primary clarifiers covered with a film of fuel oil. This resulted in an almost total kill of the biomass. We were able to remain in permit compliance and bring the biomass back but we had a nervous couple of days. A week later extremely heavy rain flooded the Pine Street Pumping Station. This time we were able to avoid a by-pass and treated everything that came down the pipe. The backup into the station, however indicated we still have considerable work to do in the collection system. Finally, I am happy to report there were no exceptions to the November DMR. Keith Brobst reported that there was a water leak on November 19. Pictures of the broken pipe were passed around. The leak was on Walnut Street behind Exide. Keith Brobst suggested using the fire hydrant funds to update the mains. Keith Brobst recommended the area around Exide on Walnut Street and a 2" galvanized pipe in Edenburg as water main work to do. Stan Dietrich asked about the oil leak. Keith Brobst stated that most of the
biomass died but some were brought back to health. There was an accident in the
tank and a hose left loose. Roger Kuhns asked about the Met-Ed bill, are the numbers reversed? Keith Brobst stated that they were not. He explained that when Met-Ed comes to read the meter the gate is closed and they are unable to get to the meter so the bills have been estimated. Met-Ed has been made aware of this and will be calling prior to coming so they can be left in to read the meter. Stan Dietrich asked what an ejector body was. Keith Brobst stated that it is part of the chlorinator that puts the chlorine in the water. Stan Dietrich asked if 1 or 2 tires were purchased. Keith Brobst stated it was 2. Stan Dietrich asked about the $1,800 bill for the water heater. How big is it? Keith Brobst stated it was 60 gallons and that there were other related items (copper, PRV, etc.) on the bill as well. A motion was made by Stan Dietrich and seconded by Roger Kuhns to pay the bills as presented. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY BILLS TO BE PAID DECEMBER 20, 2006 AT & T s-quarterly phone lease $ 14.55 AT & T w-monthly long distance 61.06 Barley/Snyder s-October legal services 2,377.94 Barley/Snyder w-89.25-s-2074.85 2,160.00 Berks Products Corp w-supplies 332.76 Buck Transport, Inc. w-delivery stone 120.00 DelRosario, Roy C. w-constable fees 195.51 DelRosario, Roy C. w-constable fees 102.23 Ehrlich Co. Inc. s-monthly pest service 39.00 Environmental Resource Association s-supplies 128.53 Ernst Cabinet Works s-plumbing fixtures 41.83 Exeter Supply Co., Inc. w-1210.78-s-929.48 2,140.26 Four Star Electronics w-248.00-s-1584.00 1,832.00 Hamburg Municipal Authority s-utility bills 328.57 Hach Company w-chlorine reagent 119.03 Kantner’s Tire Service s-tire repair 12.00 Kershner, Mike w-1073.65-s-245.40 1,319.05 Kershner, Mike w-water plant repairs 247.75 L/B Water Service Inc. w-meter parts 400.50 Liquid Motion Inc. w-120.00-s-4236.00 4,356.00 J.P. Mascaro & Sons s-sludge removal 1,643.72 Met-Ed w-1371.49-s-8056.33 9,427.82 Mountain View Supply s-supplies 80.52 Mountain View Supply s-supplies 2.28 PA One Call System, Inc. w-8.50-s-8.50 17.00 PPL Gas Utilities s-utility bills 429.56 Penn Fuel Propane w-propane 407.68 Penn Fuel Propane w-propane 597.17 Penn Pride, Inc. w-44.50-s-133.30 177.80 Pyrz Water Supply Company, Inc. w-ejector body 639.00 Quill Corporation s-office supplies 123.25 Reider, MJ Associates s-laboratory services 1,252.00 Reider, MJ Associates w-laboratory services 437.00 Schaeffer, Richard M. s-replace water heater 1,858.40 Schlouch Inc. w-emergency water main repair 1,941.22 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. w-4821.02-s-5584.24 10,405.26 United Parcel Service s-charges to return probe 25.23 USA Bluebook s-repair parts 327.62 Univar USA Inc. w-stern pac 2,360.31 Verizon w-107.90-s-230.99 338.89 Water Works Operators’ Assn. w-2007 memberships 60.00 Werley, Francis L. Inc. s-fuel for generator 3,354.16 Werley, Francis L. Inc. s-tire repair 12.00 TOTAL $51,138.19 Bills To Be Paid total water $ 17,138.19 total sewer $ 34,700.59 Bills Paid During The Month total water $ 20,961.90 total sewer $ 34,449.28 Grand Total For Approval total water $ 38,100.09 total sewer $ 69,149.87 $107,249.96 PREPAID INVOICE LIST Yoder’s Heating s-replace furnace $ 3,362.82 M & T Investment sewer note fee 1,000.00 Clare, David A. w-meter reader 196.30 Miller, Ann M. w-meter reader 177.45 Sonon, Craig A. w-meter reader 122.20 Borough of Hamburg w-20337.82-s-29948.82 50,286.64 Petty Cash s-supplies 9.50 Postmaster of Hamburg w-128.13-s-128.14 256.27 TOTAL $55,411.18 Requisition #237 Sewer B,R, & I $525,398.00 DESCCO Design & Construction WWTP-Contract A Requisition #238 Sewer B,R, & I $145,800.00 J.B. Electric WWTP-Contract B Requisition #239 Sewer B,R, & I $ 18,222.10 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. WWTP Engineering Requisition #240 Sewer B,R, & I $ 1,560.00 L/B Water Service Lifting Device Requisition #309 Water B,R, & I $ 4,062.64 L/B Water Service Water Meters Requisition #310 Water B,R, & I $ 475.55 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. Engineering Design A motion was made by Steve Blefgen and seconded by Stan Dietrich to pay change order #2 for Pagoda, change order #1 for J.B. Electric, to reduce the letter of credit for the Towns at Kaercher and the requisitions as presented. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None Lynda Albright had a requisition to transfer the money from M & T to the sewer account in the amount of $34,700.59. A motion was made by Steve Blefgen and seconded by Roger Kuhns to approve the requisition as presented. ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Dietrich, Kuhns, Blefgen Nayes- None NEW BUSINESS None OLD BUSINESS None There being no further business, a motion was made by Stan Dietrich to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Attest: Denise L. Clare, Recording Secretary |
