DOWNRIVER UTILITY WASTEWATER AUTHORITY

MARCH 8, 2018 MEETING MINUTES

 

Taylor City Hall City Council Chambers

 

1. Roll Call and Introductions

DUWA Chairman Rick Sollars called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM, and asked for roll call to be taken. At the time of the Roll Call, voting representatives were in attendance from all 13 communities: Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown Township, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Riverview, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Van Buren Township, and Wyandotte. A quorum (at least 7 members) was present.

2. Approval of Agenda

Copies of the Agenda were made available prior to the meeting (Attachment 1).  Motion by Vice Chairman Bill Matakas (Allen Park) and seconded by Treasurer Doug Drysdale (Riverview) to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Approval of Minutes from February 8, 2018 Board Meeting

Copies of the meeting minutes from the February 8, 2018 Board Meeting were distributed by email prior to the meeting (Attachment 2).  Motion by Jim Taylor (Van Buren Township) and seconded by Dustin Lent (Southgate) to approve the Board meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

4. Election of Officers for 2018

DUWA Attorney Jim Fausone presented DUWA’s Articles of Incorporation that relates to the election of Officers (Attachment 3). Chairman Sollars asked the current Officers if they were willing and interested to remain an Officer. The current slate of Officers are as follows:

  • Chairman: Rick Sollars (Taylor)
  • Vice Chairman: Bill Matakas (Allen Park)
  • Treasurer: Doug Drysdale
  • Secretary: Matt Coppler

All current Officers are willing to remain in their current position. Chairman Sollars asked if there were other nominations. No nominations were brought forward. Motion was made by Mayor Paletko (Dearborn Heights) and seconded by Rick Rutherford (Belleville) to approve the current Board Officers for reelection. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Report on System Transfer Issues

a. Update re: Technical Transition Items 

System Manager Vyto Kaunelis, of OHM Advisors, provided a status update to the Board related to the following technical transition items:

  • Due diligence on interceptors is underway. Veolia’s proposal was approved at the February 2018 meeting, and Veolia recently took bids and awarded their subcontracted inspection work to American Underground, Inc. (AUI). AUI’s fee was less than $40,000. Veolia’s February 2018 approved proposal included an allowance of $47,000, thus, the quote was within budget.
  • Work has initiated to support Wayne County’s permit process for AUI to gain entry into the collection system and for approval for traffic control procedures. The inspection team will mobilize upon permit approval by Wayne County.
  • Hennessey Engineers has submitted a draft document for the boundary survey work that is being completed in support of the system transfer. Revisions are required to the document associated with SWRDDD’s Pump Station No. 5. This work is proceeding.
  • Environmental Consulting Technology, Inc. (ECT) has completed the Phase I environmental site assessment mobilization. Additional data has been requested from Wayne County to advance ECT’s understanding of select areas of interest (substation and former ash lagoons). The next work effort is mobilizing for Phase II field work. A Work Plan has been submitted to Wayne County for access. The Team hopes to mobilize by mid-March.
  • Veolia is working on preparing the Asset Management Plan, as required by the NPDES permit. The draft AMP submittal will be provided to OHM Advisors and Wayne County by next week. The submittal will be reviewed by the Technical Committee on March 23, 2018. The submittal is due to the MDEQ on April 1, and will be submitted by Wayne County as the current permit holder.
  • A significant rainfall occurred on February 19, 2018. Ecorse experienced basement backups, and contacted Wayne County regarding the event. Wayne County has requested additional data from Ecorse related to observations made during the surcharges. Wayne County will provide flow metering data or other necessary data, as requested by Ecorse. Mr. Kaunelis asked that if any other communities are experiencing basement backups that they contact Wayne County. Mr. Kaunelis noted that the treatment facility maintained compliance during this event, but did go into bypass operations.
  • Flow exceedance discussions have been underway with Lincoln Park and Ecorse. These communities have been working on addressing their exceedances and the meetings have allowed the communities to provide a status update.
  • Kaunelis noted that Lincoln Park operates and maintains an equalization basin that is owned by Wayne County. And as such, a discharge agreement will be developed for the basin as part of the Definitive Transfer Agreement (DTA). This will be similar to the SWRDD and ECPAD agreements that have been drafted for the DTA.

b. Update re: Definitive Transfer Agreement

DUWA Attorney Jim Fausone, of Fausone Bohn, referenced there was several legal items in motion, but only a few items to bring forward to the Board. Mr. Fausone provided a status update to the group related to the following legal transition items:

  • The April Board meeting will include attendance and an agenda item by the DUWA Financial team. The Financial team prepared a draft calendar for financial milestones that was shared with the Board (Attachment 4).
  • Wayne County is in coordination with the Commissioners. Each of the communities should consider their communications with the Commissioners.
  • Escrow agreements have been signed and returned. Agreement for the transfer of the fees to DUWA’s trustee, US Bank is being arranged.
  • Insurance requirements have been reviewed. DUWA will require appropriate insurance as an owner of the system. Insurance requirements will be put on Veolia, but DUWA will require coverage. The DUWA Professionals are considering the bids GLWA recently received, and are assessing an option of a ‘cooperative agreement’ to obtain an insurance broker. This approach could compress the schedule.

c. Community Outreach: Informational Meetings + Wastewater Treatment Facility Tour

System Manager Lambrina Tercala, of OHM Advisors, provided an update to the group on the DUWA Professional’s intent for work sessions with the communities during the month of March and the offering of treatment plant tours on March 10 and March 13. The communities are aware of these events, and are to coordinate with Ms. Tercala on any requests or changes.

Ms. Tercala noted that River Rouge had not yet reached out for a work session. Mayor Bowdler (River Rouge) notified the Board that River Rouge has recently approve the DTA resolution. The Board and meeting attendees applauded.

6. Treasurer’s Report

DUWA Treasurer Doug Drysdale presented the Treasurer’s Report that was included in the pre-meeting packet as well as a follow-up email from Mr. Drysdale on March 5, 2018.  This included the status of Community payments (Attachment 5), the Authority’s Revenue and Expenditure report and the updated DUWA Balance Sheet Report (Attachment 6).

He noted that five invoices have been received from DUWA Professionals.

  • Fausone Bohn in the amount of $19,571.38 for work performed in January 2018 (Attachment 7).
  • OHM Advisors in the amount of $21,376.75 for work performed in January 2018 (Attachment 8).
  • Hennessey Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $4,500.00 for work performed through February 15, 2018 (Attachment 9).
  • Hinshon Environmental Consulting in the amount of $1,280.00 for work performed through January 31, 2018 (Attachment 10).
  • Hinshon Environmental Consulting in the amount of $610.00 for work performed through February 28, 2018 (Attachment 11).

Motion by Dave Flaten (Ecorse) and seconded by Roberto Scappaticci (Romulus) to pay the invoices. Motion passed unanimously.

7. Public Comment

No issues or concerns were raised as part of the Public Comment agenda item.

8. Other Business

There were no items brought forth for consideration as “Other Business” items.

9. Next Meeting Date

Chairman Rick Sollars reminded the Board that the next regularly scheduled DUWA Board meeting is April 12, 2018 (9:00 a.m. Taylor City Hall).

There being no other business, Chairman Rick Sollars announced that a motion to adjourn would be in order. Motion by Vice Chairman Bill Matakas (Allen Park), seconded by Dustin Lent (Southgate) to adjourn the meeting.  Motion passed unanimously at 9:27 AM.

 

Meeting Minutes Prepared by:

 

Vyto Kaunelis/Lambrina Tercala

DUWA System Manager

March 16, 2018

 

Attachments

  1. Meeting Agenda
  2. February 8, 2018 Board Meeting Minutes
  3. 2018 Election of Officers
  4. DRAFT Wayne County/DUWA Transaction Calendar, dated February 28, 2018
  5. Status Report of Work Sessions and Plant Tour Attendees
  6. DUWA Revenue/Expenditure Report and Updated DUWA Balance Sheet
  7. Invoice from Fausone Bohn, dated February 1, 2018
  8. Invoice from OHM Advisors, dated February 15, 2018
  9. Invoice from Hennessey Engineers, Inc., dated February 15, 2018
  10. Invoice from Hinshon Environmental Consulting, dated February 1, 2018
  11. Invoice from Hinshon Environmental Consulting, dated March 3, 2018