DOWNRIVER UTILITY WASTEWATER AUTHORITY
May 11, 2023 MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF TAYLOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS WITH VIRTUAL OPTION

1. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS
DUWA Chair Gail McLeod (Allen Park) called the hybrid meeting to order at 9:00 AM and asked for roll call to be taken. At the time of roll call, voting representatives were in attendance from 11 communities: Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown Township, Dearborn Heights, Lincoln Park, Riverview, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Van Buren Township, and Wyandotte. A quorum (at least 7 members) was present.

Chairperson McLeod (Allen Park) informed the Board that Dave Bower, the Board Commissioner for River Rouge, passed away on Monday, May 1st. His family held a gathering on May 7th, and the City of River Rouge is planning to hold an event in his memory in the near future.

 

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Copies of the Agenda were made available prior to the meeting (Attachment 1). Motion by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) and supported by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) to approve the Agenda. The motion passed unanimously by all attending members.

 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 13, 2023 BOARD MEETING
Copies of the meeting minutes from the April 13, 2023 Board meeting were included in the pre-meeting Board packet (Attachment 2). Motion by James Krizan (Lincoln Park) and supported by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously by all attending members.

4. LEGAL UPDATE
Attorney Jim Fausone, of Fausone Bohn, provided the Legal Update.

a. General Counsel Monthly Report
Attorney Fausone stated that a written summary of the monthly legal update was provided in the pre-meeting Board packet (Attachment 3). Attorney Fausone stated that Fausone Bohn has been assisting the System Manager with various contract matters and has participated in virtual meetings with the Legal, Finance, and Technical Committees. Attorney Fausone also stated that Wayne County’s Assistant Corporate Counsel provided him with the contact information of Wayne County’s financial consultant to further discuss the option of paying the outstanding $3.5M payment due to Wayne County over an extended period of time instead of in lump sum in September 2023. Fausone Bohn will reach out to the County’s financial consultant to begin these discussions.

 

5. SYSTEM MANAGER UPDATE
System Manager Lambrina Tercala, of OHM Advisors, provided a verbal summary of activities since the last meeting. A written summary was provided in the pre-meeting Board packet for the System Manager Report (Attachment 4).

a. System Manager Monthly Report
System Manager Tercala noted the following highlights from the System Manager Report:

• • • Activities this month focused on progressing with the Biosolids Dryer project as well as identifying funding sources for the UV Disinfection Replacement project and developing the FY2024 Rate Package.
    • DUWA’s Year-in-Review report is now available for review (Attachment 5). This report reflects on DUWA’s accomplishments over the past year and identifies upcoming challenges in the year ahead. The Board Commissioners are encouraged to review and provide feedback. The final version of the report will be posted to DUWA’s website.
    • Kruger is working on developing a commitment letter to demonstrate project expectations and to establish a timeline for completing the Biosolids Dryer project. The letter will be distributed to the small group that is supporting this project. Additional detail related to this small group will be provided later in the meeting.
    • OHM prepared brief videos explaining the various UV equipment components to provide for better understanding of the UV disinfection process and need for the UV project. Additional videos will be developed next week to explain the various biosolids processes as it relates to the Biosolids Dryer project.
    • The sluice gate into the tunnel system at the Allen Park tunnel connection is currently not operational. Allen Park requested to work with Veolia/DUWA to identify the improvements needed to restore functionality of the sluice gate. Wade Trim, the design engineer of the tunnel system, is preparing a proposal to provide support for this effort and to identify the improvements needed for the Allen Park sluice gate as well as for other tunnel flushing gates throughout the system. The improvements needed will be paid from DUWA’s tunnel reserves.
    • Veolia secured another landfill for disposal of dewatered, not dried, biosolids considering the currently diminished throughput through the dryers. Veolia will continue to explore other sludge disposal landfill outlet options.
    • PFAS local limits setting efforts will recommence. OHM is working with Veolia to assess DUWA’s background PFAS levels for assignment of local limits. There are roughly six industrial users who discharge PFAS into the system, and minimization plans have been developed. The industrial user SRG recently closed their business. SRG discharged relatively low flows, but the flows contained high levels of PFAS. This will have an impact on DUWA’s PFAS loading into the DWTF.
    • Plante Moran, DUWA’s financial consultant is finalizing the CY2022 audit report. This will be shared with the Board once finalized.
    • The draft FY2024 Rate Package has been developed. DNS Financial Services supported the development of the legacy rate package and Raftelis supported the development of the new rate package using the new rate methodology. The FY2024 rates were developed using 80% of the existing (legacy) rate methodology and 20% of the new rate methodology according to the 5-year phase-in period of the new rate methodology. The Finance Committee is currently reviewing the draft Rate Package, and pending their agreement, the final Rate Package will be brought to the Board for approval at the June Board meeting.

Roberto Scappaticci (Romulus) asked what the tipping fees are for the new landfill that was secured for biosolids disposal. System Manager Tercala responded that the disposal fee is $45/ton for the newly acquired landfill. This is a temporary agreement with this landfill until the dryers are consistently online.

b. UV Disinfection Replacement Project Update
System Manager Mackenzie Johnson, of OHM Advisors, provided an update on the UV Disinfection Replacement Project to the Board (Attachment 6). Black & Veatch is working on developing a RFP for UV equipment manufacturers. A draft RFP was provided to OHM, Veolia, and Fausone Bohn for review, and a revised version of the RFP is pending based on initial comments. The Technical Committee will also have the opportunity to review the RFP, which is anticipated to be publicly posted at the end of May. When proposals are received, Black & Veatch will review the proposals and present their recommendation to the Technical Committee for agreement before bringing the recommendation to the Board for approval.

Black & Veatch is also working on the detailed design of the project, which includes development of the design drawings and project manual. The construction contract is anticipated to be publicly bid in October 2023 with construction of the project expected to begin in early 2024.

DUWA is pursuing several funding opportunities to help minimize the rate impacts from this project. Wayne County has indicated that DUWA is still being considered for ARPA funding. It is expected that the next batch of projects to receive ARPA funding will be released soon. DUWA also submitted requests to Senator Peters and Senator Geiss for funding, and has been in discussions with Congresswoman Dingell’s team. Preliminary conversations suggest that Senator Peters may earmark up to $2M for the UV Project. This funding would have to be formally approved during the budget approval process at the end of the year, and funding would likely not be received until the fall of 2024. OHM is continuing to work with Senator Peters’ office to determine whether funding can be used for reimbursement of expenses and whether federal cross-cutters apply.

DUWA submitted the SRF Project Plan to EGLE on May 1^st in support of DUWA’s request for an SRF low-interest loan. It is expected that DUWA will know whether it will receive SRF funding by November of this year. If DUWA is selected to receive an SRF loan, it is expected that loan closing will occur no earlier than February 2024. If DUWA is not selected for SRF financing, then municipal bonding will be pursued.

Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) asked how the RFP will be advertised, noting that some Canadian vendors have had trouble seeing projects posted in BidNet. System Manager Johnson responded that the RFP will be publicly posted on BidNet and Black & Veatch will also reach out to the several primary UV equipment manufacturers separately to notify them of the RFP posting. Roberto Scappaticci (Romulus) asked how the construction contract will be structured. System Manager Tercala responded that there will be one prime contract through the general contractor, and the named manufacturer will supply the equipment.

Chairperson McLeod (Allen Park) stated that DUWA should focus its efforts on finding funding at the federal level as it appears unlikely that Wayne County will provide funding to DUWA since they are a regional entity as opposed to an individual community.

c. Biosolids Dryer Facility Project
Jason Nash provided an update on the Biosolids Dryer Facility project to the Board (Attachment 7). The North dryer has been in continuous operation, operating at about 35-40% of its design capacity. The South dryer is not currently in operation due to poor production. The limited throughput of the solids into the dryers is believed to be a result of worn dosing pump components. Seepex, the pump manufacturer, believes the premature wear of the pump components is due to highly abrasive conditions. Kruger is working with Seepex to order replacement pump components that contain a ductile iron coating making them more resistant to abrasion. There is an 8-10 week lead time for these replacement parts. It is unclear at this time how well the replacement components will extend the pump life.

The live bottom screw troughs are scheduled to be installed in June. The PACl trial is ongoing for phosphorous removal. The lower limit for phosphorous is currently in effect, but the higher volume of solids in the plant is making it difficult to dial in on the optimal PACl dosage for phosphorous removal.

Attorney Kerry Morgan (Riverview’s attorney) asked why the relatively new pumps are not performing at their design capacities and asked if they ever operated at their full capacities. Jason Nash responded that the pumps are expected to operate at their full design capacities once the new pump components are installed. Initial testing showed that the cake pumps and dosing pumps were operating at their full capacities. The dosing pumps were tested by turning one dosing pump off and then turning another pump on to achieve the 100% capacity of the pump that was on. However, the test should have had all dosing pumps turned on at the same time to verify that they could operate at their full design capacities simultaneously.

Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) asked what the two change orders for Walsh related to. Jason Nash responded that Change Order #1 related to the installation of a natural gas regulator that was required by the natural gas supplier. This change order was approved and the work was completed. Change Order #2 related to the redesign of the drain lines. The original design of the drain lines caused material to get clogged in the drain. Wade Trim developed the redesign of the drain lines and Walsh performed the construction. Veolia CPM determined that the drain line design was included in the original scope, so the change order request for the redesign was denied. Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) asked what material was being used for the pump components and what material will be used for the new pump components. Jason Nash responded that the rotors are made of stainless steel and will be replaced with ductile coated metal. Jason Nash added that he will confirm which grade steel was being used on the pump components.

Attorney Kerry Morgan (Riverview’s attorney) asked if there has been discussion on performing a complete redesign instead of taking a piecemeal approach. Jason Nash responded that they are currently focusing on the pump components and will consider looking at the pump selection if replacement of the components does not improve the throughput into the dryers. Space in the biosolids facility is also a limiting factor. Attorney Morgan also asked if grit removal technology has been considered. System Manager Tercala responded that the grit received at the plant has not changed since the project inception and the dryer system should be designed to accommodate the grit.

Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) stated that on a monthly basis, he would like to know at what percentage the dryers are operating and the confidence level that operations are improving. Roberto Scappaticci (Romulus) suggested that a tracking spreadsheet be developed and provided on a monthly basis to demonstrate operating percentages and operational trends. Jason Nash responded that he will provide this tracking spreadsheet on a monthly basis and added that operational improvements will not be realized until the new pump components are installed in 8-10 weeks. Rick Rutherford (Belleville) commented that he is concerned about the longevity of the system if parts are already wearing out.

6. OTHER REQUESTS FOR AUTHORIZATIONS AND APPROVALS
System Manager Lambrina Tercala, of OHM Advisors, presented the following requests to the Board.

a. Draft 2023 Surcharge Fees
DUWA’s Sewer Use Ordinance defines threshold concentrations for BOD, Total Suspended Solids, and Phosphorous. Industrial users that discharge wastewater containing these constituents at levels above the threshold limits are charged a surcharge fee to recover the additional costs incurred for treating these constituents. DUWA’s surcharge fees were last updated in August 2022 to reflect the higher costs associated with biosolids removal, which directly relates to BOD concentrations. It is desired to update the surcharge fees again to align with FY2024 rate making efforts (Attachment 8). OHM is working on updating the surcharge fees for FY2024. The proposed surcharge fees will be reviewed by both the Technical and Finance Committees for agreement, then the proposed surcharge fees will be brought to the Board for approval at next month’s Board meeting.

b. Dryer Project – Walsh (pDB Entity) Dispute Resolution Approach
Several weeks ago, DUWA provided a letter to Walsh and Kruger requesting their comments on the Biosolids Dryer Project’s delays and performance issues. Responses were received from both Walsh and Kruger. Walsh’s response included a Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) for their additional time and costs incurred due to the project’s delays. In consideration of the REA, Mayor McLeod (Allen Park) brought together a small group consisting of Veolia CPM, Veolia O&M, OHM Advisors, Fausone Bohn, and several Board members to discuss specifics of the project. The small group also suggested soliciting support from Jim Taylor, a former Board member and Technical Committee member, who was involved with the selection process of the pDB entity and equipment supplier for the Biosolids Dryer project. This small group is meeting on a weekly basis to discuss the specific aspects of the project as it relates to the REA in preparation for the informal meeting with Walsh on May 23rd to address the REA.

Since he is not employed by a member community, Jim Taylor is currently in the process of setting up an LLC through which he will be engaged by DUWA. Mr. Taylor’s hourly rate is $120/hour and a not-to-exceed fee of $8,000 is proposed for his support of the Walsh contract closeout negotiations. The limited engagement professional services contract will adhere to the Agreement that was drafted by Fausone Bohn and reviewed by Mr. Taylor (Attachment 9). The effective date of this contract would be a retroactive date of May 1, 2023 as Mr. Taylor has already supported these efforts through meeting attendance and review of documentation. Fausone Bohn is also advising select members of the Legal Committee on project matters.

Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) asked if there is an anticipated end date to this limited engagement contract and recommended that the motion be amended to include an end date in the contract. System Manager Tercala responded that there is a compensation cap of $8,000 but no contract expiration date. She added that the discussions during the meeting with Walsh on May 23rd will inform the small group whether additional informal negotiations or further legal action is necessary. Attorney Fausone added that 90 days should be sufficient for DUWA to know whether further legal action will be necessary beyond the informal negotiations, and noted that the agreement will be revised to include the 90-day stipulation. Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) added that he is fully supportive of the engagement of Jim Taylor as Mr. Taylor has been involved with the Biosolids Dryer project from the start and has valuable expertise to offer to the small group.

Motion by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) and supported by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) to approve the outlined approach for Walsh contract negotiations to resolve the REA, including anticipated engagement of James T. Taylor for 90 days beginning May 1, 2023. The motion passed unanimously by all attending members.

Motion by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) and supported by Rick Rutherford (Belleville) to approve the limited professional services engagement of James T. Taylor for a period of 90 days with an effective date of May 1, 2023. Mr. Taylor will be reimbursed for time supporting this effort for a not-to-exceed fee of $8,000. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed with 91.2% of the vote. The motion passed unanimously by all attending members.

7. CONTRACT OPERATOR UPDATE
Travis Tuma, of Veolia, provided the Contract Operator update.

a. March 2023 MOR
The March 2023 Monthly Operating Report (MOR) was provided in the Board’s pre-meeting packet (Attachment 10). Highlights from the summary and other updates included the following: 

• • • March was a wet month with 2.3B gallons of water processed. The maximum flow into the plant was 123 MGD and the average flow for the month was 75 MGD, which is higher than previous months.
    • A fecal violation occurred on March 4th when the 7-day rolling average of fecal colonies was 404 colonies/100mL, which exceeded the limit of 400 colonies/100mL. Sustained peak flows lasted for about a week which made it difficult for the UV disinfection system to keep up, thus resulting in a fecal violation. This violation was reported to EGLE, but EGLE has not yet provided a response.
    • The DWTF received some glycol from the airport in March, but this has since tapered off.
    • EGLE performed an onsite compliance inspection, which is performed every two to four years. The inspector reviewed data and documents and performed a full site tour. The inspector was very pleased and had no major concerns. The final report listed only a few minor improvements needed to the lab.
    • The PACl trial is ongoing and is proving to be very effective for phosphorous removal.
    • The mechanical seal (used to keep sewage inside the pump) on raw sewage pump #2 was replaced. This effort required the entire pump house to be isolated so the pump could be pulled apart. This was a major effort that was able to be completed in-house by Veolia staff.
    • New stainless steel structure braces were welded on to clarifier #2.
    • Veolia staff developed a nomenclature method for labeling the numerous hoses that feed the dosing pumps on top of the dryers. This has helped Veolia to keep track of which hoses are failing.
    • The third UV disinfection channel had 17 lamps (of third-party parts) replaced with OEM parts. These lamps were Veolia’s last remaining stock of third-party parts, which are not desired to be used as they are not as effective as OEM spare parts.
    • PACP inspection of the collection system is about 85% complete. This effort was paused for much of March due to the wet weather events and high flows in the system. Inspections are continuing this week.
    • There are currently two open operator positions. Veolia has received over 120 applicants and will review applications to initiate interviews to fill these positions.
    • OSHA was onsite last month to perform air quality monitoring in response to a complaint by an employee. The results from this monitoring have not yet been received. Veolia also contracted an air quality hygienist to perform an air quality analysis, and no particulates of concern or hazardous materials were identified.
    • The Dust Hazard Analysis was completed in March for the Solids Handling Building. Results from this analysis have not yet been received.
    • There were 290 Miss Dig tickets received in March, which is double the amount of tickets received last month.

Attorney Fausone asked how grit is removed from the wastewater. Travis Tuma responded that the DWTF has two grit removal processes. One process that has been in place at the DWTF since the 1960s involves the use of a detritor to settle the grit from the wastewater so that it can be disposed. The second process involves the use of the aerated grit facility which employs very large pumps which are not effective for average day flow rates and thus are rarely used. Aerated grit handles wet weather flows.

Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) asked how the fecal violation was reported to EGLE. Travis Tuma responded that violations are self-reported through daily monitoring reports that are submitted to EGLE each month through the MiWaters portal. Exceedance violations are automatically flagged and reported to EGLE through the portal. Veolia also called their EGLE representative within 24 hours of the exceedance to notify them that a violation had occurred.

b. Chemical & Sludge Price Updates
Travis Tuma presented the summary of commodity unit price changes to the Board (Attachment 11). The cost for sludge hauling and disposal in March was less than the contract value due to the dryers running at about 80% of their design capacity, so Veolia will provide a credit to DUWA for this cost difference. With the South dryer currently offline, sludge disposal costs are expected to increase in the coming months. The largest increase in the unit prices is associated with sludge hauling due to the increased cost of diesel considering sludge is hauled a long distance to an out-of-state landfill.

c. Biosolids Disposal Outlets
Travis Tuma stated that with only the North dryer online, one truckload of dried solids is sent to LaSalle every three days. The plant must dispose of at least 85% of the dewatered solids produced each month in order to not exceed its storage capacity. In April, the plant was very close to exceeding its dewatered solids storage capacity due to the limited landfill options available. Veolia has been sending dewatered solids to  an out-of-state landfill for an all-in cost of $140/ton. OHM helped secure a contract with an in-statelandfill for an all-in cost of $104/ton. This landfill accepts 60 tons/day which equates to about two truckloads. Veolia is in the process of securing a contract with another out-of-state landfill that will take two truckloads per day for an all-in cost of $137/ton. Veolia is continuing to explore other landfill options to prevent the buildup of solids at the plant.

d. Existing Disinfection System Performance & Remaining Life Update
Travis Tuma stated that the remaining third-party spare parts for the existing Trojan UV4000 UV system were exhausted in March. The UV system has been working very well as it is now only utilizing OEM spare parts. Veolia’s electrician is assigned to work with the UV system all day every Wednesday to assess components are working properly and efficiently. Veolia currently has a full stock of OEM spare parts. Once Trojan’s spare parts inventory is exhausted, it may become difficult to acquire additional OEM spare parts, but Veolia will work with other wastewater treatment facilities who have recently upgraded their UV systems to acquire spare parts from their decommissioned Trojan UV4000 systems.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT

a. Draft FY2024 Rate Packages (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
Accountant Doug Drysdale (DUWA’s Accountant; DNS Financial Services) presented the draft FY2024 legacy rate package (Attachment 12). The FY2024 operating cost is anticipated to be about $22.7M, which is an increase from last year due to increased utility costs and sludge hauling and disposal costs as well as the expected annual increase in Veolia’s O&M fee. Debt service includes payment of the WIFIA loan as well as the $3.5M payment due to Wayne County. The payment to Wayne County will be paid from reserves and thus does not factor into the rate calculation. The total revenue required from rates is about $27.9M, about $15M of which is attributed to base flow and $13M of which is attributed to excess flow. The proposed FY2024 rate based only on the legacy rate package is $12.64/MCF which equates to about a 11.9% increase from last year. Excess flow and total flow volumes were much lower this year compared to historical averages (2.6M units average vs. 1.9M units in 2022) so the total revenue requirement was divided by fewer flow units thus causing an increase in the cost per unit of flow.

Non-rate revenue is anticipated to total $1.7M and this includes revenue from non-residential user fees and industrial surcharge fees. It is important to note that some industrial users have moved out of DUWA’s service area and the Wayne County Airport Authority may consider reducing their discharge into the system as they perform future pre-treatment of their flows. Plant operating expenses are anticipated to increase by about 12% based on increased costs for chemicals, utilities, and sludge hauling and disposal. The total revenue requirement also considers annual costs for administrative and engineering charges as well as debt service expenditures. DUWA also continues to meet its rate covenants in that the annual net system revenue exceeds its annual debt service by the required ratio.

Tom Beckley, of Ratelis (DUWA’s rate consultant), presented the draft FY2024 rate package based on the new rate methodology. He stated that the process for developing the first half of the rate package (i.e. the revenue requirement) will remain the same. Once the revenue requirement is determined, then the new rate methodology is applied to develop the new rates. The new rate methodology incorporates the total flow received at the DWTF and the base flows (December, January, and February flows) as reported by the communities. More communities are now directly metered instead of having flows allocated to them. Wyandotte and the combined portion of Southgate are metered together as are Belleville and Van Buren Township.

Excess flow is determined for each community based on the total flows and base flows reported. Brownstown Township and Ecorse had zero excess flow because their meter data showed that their metered flow is base flow, which is charged at a higher rate than excess flow. The excess flow of zero is due to the low flows received this year, which is not expected to be the case in future years. Remaining excess flow is assumed to be from inflow and infiltration into the tunnel and interceptor systems. This excess flow is split proportionally between the communities. While Brownstown Township and Ecorse did not have metered excess flows, they are allocated a share of the remaining excess flow from the tunnel and interceptor systems. The resulting blended rates incorporate 80% of the rates developed in the legacy rate package and 20% of the rates developed with the new rate methodology as part of the phase-in implementation of the new rate methodology.

Roberto Scappaticci (Romulus) asked if the $3.5M payment due to Wayne County would still be paid from reserves if it is approved to be paid over several years instead of in lump sum in 2023. Doug Drysdale (DUWA’s Accountant) responded that DUWA would still use reserves to pay only the amount required to be paid this year. Roberto Scappaticci (Romulus) asked what caused the plant operating charges to increase from $18.7M last year to $21M this year. Accountant Drysdale responded that the increased pricing for chemicals and sludge hauling and disposal contributed to the increase in plant operating expenses. He added that the sludge hauling cost is expected to decrease once the dryers are continuously online. The anticipated decrease in cost for sludge hauling is applied to the second half of the rate year in the rate calculations.

Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) asked what is contributing to the proposed rate increases. Tom Beckley, of Raftelis, responded that the low flows contributed to the rate increase. He added that the differences between the old and new rate methodologies also produced relatively large changes in the allocation of costs to the communities. Attorney Fausone added that the Finance Committee is also in the process of reviewing these draft rate packages and will provide their comments within the next two weeks before the final rate packages are brought to the Board for approval at the June meeting.

b. Aging AR
Treasurer Jason Couture (Taylor) presented the Aging Accounts Receivable report (Attachment 13). Treasurer Couture stated that the total amount in the Accounts Receivable is approximately $2.6M and about 90% of that amount is less than 30 days delinquent. Dearborn Heights and Romulus have outstanding invoices that are over 60 days delinquent due to some delays on receiving payments, but these payments have since been submitted and both communities are current on their payments.

c. Pending Invoices
Treasurer Jason Couture (Taylor) presented the invoice register for a request for payment. The invoice register was provided in the pre-meeting packet (Attachment 14). The invoice register included 34 invoices due for a total of $638,110.19. The largest invoice was from Wyandotte for utility services.

Motion by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) and supported by James Krizan (Lincoln Park) to pay the invoice register. The motion passed unanimously with all attending members.

 

9. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

10. OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) stated that the City of Dearborn Heights is looking to fill their vacant Deputy Comptroller position. He asked that resumes of interested and eligible candidates be forwarded to the City of Dearborn Heights for consideration. Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) also stated that he will be attending the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative annual conference in Chicago from June 6-9, 2023. He offered to forward the invitation to anyone who is interested in attending. The conference will bring together a variety of people from United States and Canadian governments, the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and EGLE to discuss matters related to water distribution and wastewater collection systems.

11. NEXT BOARD MEETING DATE: Thursday, June 8, 2023 (9:00 AM; In-Person)
Chairperson McLeod (Allen Park) reminded the Board that the next meeting would take place on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 9:00 AM in-person at Taylor City Hall.

 

12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Chairperson McLeod (Allen Park) announced that a motion to adjourn would be in order. Motion by Mayor Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights) and supported by Mayor Joseph Kuspa (Southgate) to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously at 10:50 AM.

 

Meeting Minutes Prepared by:
Mackenzie Johnson, OHM Advisors, Engineer

Meeting Minutes Reviewed by:
Lambrina Tercala, OHM Advisors, DUWA System Manager

 

ATTACHMENTS

1. Meeting Agenda
2. April 13, 2023 DUWA Board Meeting Minutes
3. Monthly Legal Update (by Fausone Bohn)
4. System Manager Report for May 2023 (by OHM Advisors)
5. DUWA’s Year-in-Review Report (Year 4) (by OHM Advisors)
6. UV Disinfection Replacement Project Update (by OHM Advisors)
7. Biosolids Dryer Facility Project April 2023 Monthly Progress Summary (by Veolia)
8. Draft 2023 Surcharge Fees
9. Dryer Project – Walsh (pDB Entity) Dispute Resolution Approach
10. Monthly Operating Report for March 2023 (by Veolia)
11. DWTF Unit Price Changes Summary (by Veolia)
12. Draft FY2024 Rate Packages (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
13. Aged Accounts Receivable Report, dated May 4, 2023 (by Doug Drysdale)
14. Invoice Register, dated May 5, 2023 (by Doug Drysdale)