Erie County Water Authority

The Independent Ethics Panel reviewed and evaluated financial disclosure statements for various authority staff, including commissioners, executive staff, and department directors. The panel discussed and approved changes to the financial disclosure process to streamline requirements and integrate them with authority policies. Revisions were made to the Code of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy to clarify filing requirements and internal procedures.

The Board of Commissioners addressed several administrative and operational matters. These included amending the financial disclosure statement and the code of ethics policy, and authorizing the New York State Department of Transportation to adjust water facilities for various infrastructure projects. A contract was awarded for the delivery of fluorosilicic acid for water treatment, and an amendment was approved for a professional engineering services contract. Additionally, the board approved several change orders for lead service line replacement projects and ratified the installation and retirement of various hydrants and valves across multiple locations. Lastly, the board authorized travel for two executives to attend the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies Executive Management Conference.

The meeting focused on the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and Consumer Confidence Report, highlighting concerns regarding the complexity of the new regulations, potential for utility compliance challenges, and the need for consistent enforcement. Discussions also covered school and childcare lead testing regulations, opposition to the Lead Pipe Replacement Act, the necessity for public messaging campaigns to address public confidence, and the status of emerging contaminant regulations, specifically PFAS.

The agenda for the meeting included standard procedural items such as the call to order, roll call, the review of reports, and the consideration of both unfinished and new business.

The board addressed several infrastructure and administrative matters. Key actions included the adoption of a negative declaration under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for a proposed property lease at AppleTree Business Park, the authorization of a cooperative agreement with the Towns of West Seneca and Elma for a water system interconnection, and the award of a contract for water service investigations. Additionally, the board approved a professional services agreement for pump vibration investigations, granted a change order for an existing construction contract, amended a managed print service contract, and ratified the installation and retirement of various hydrants and valves across multiple locations.