OCWA – Central New York’s Water Authority

The agenda for this meeting included routine operational reports such as the Executive Director's/Legal/Public Affairs Report, Water Production and Delivery Report, Human Resource/Insurance Update, and Fiscal Services Report, alongside Financial Reports. New Business involved critical decisions regarding the timing of a Bond Issuance, approval of the 2022 Operating & Maintenance (O&M) Budget and the 2022 Capital Budget, review of the ABO Budget Report and the Third Quarter Investment Report, discussion of the 2022 Board Meeting Schedule, authorization of expenditure, and review of Rights of Way and Main Extension Contracts & Job Orders. The Bids section covered six different chemical procurements, including Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Caustic Soda, Hydrofluosilicic Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, and Sodium Chlorite.

The meeting commenced with opening business, followed by an Executive Session focused on Board/Executive Director evaluations and collective bargaining discussions. The Governance Committee addressed state-mandated harassment training, updates on focus areas, strategic planning progress, and conflict of interest/ethics acknowledgements. In the Bids section, actions were taken regarding Bid #B-2023 for Farrell Pumping Station Improvements and Bid #A-2024 for Volney Tank Painting. Unfinished Business included standardization of products/sole source providers for 2024 and enhancements to the accounts receivable collection process. New Business involved approving expenditure authorizations and a resolution granting the State of New York authority to perform facility adjustments. Reports covered the Executive Director's updates, water production and delivery statistics, technical services, human resources/insurance, legal matters, and fiscal services reports.

The meeting included introductions where the Board, Executive team, and Raftelis staff provided brief statements regarding their roles and time with OCWA. A key segment involved an overview of stakeholder input collected from Authority Board Members, the Executive team, and Management. Discussions then focused on OCWA's vision statement and how it relates to the organization's future vision. As a result of these conversations, Raftelis staff will draft a strategic plan and corresponding implementation measures.

The meeting addressed future infrastructure financing options utilizing revenue bonds, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong bond rating. Key discussions involved the 2025 budgets, with the Authority approving the Operations & Maintenance and Capital Budgets, alongside the 2025 ABO documents. Several governing policies were approved, including amendments to the Guidelines for Acquisition & Disposal of Property and the Code of Ethics Policy, as well as multiple amendments to the Budget and Fiscal Policies, including establishing an emergency response reserve. The Quarterly Investment Report indicated that investment revenue continues to outperform the budget. The Board also authorized one Main Extension and three Job Contracts, and approved two Change Orders for the Locker Room at Northern Concourse and the Warners Tank. Operational updates covered submitting the water service inventory to the Health Department, noting the identification of lead services, stable lake levels, and excellent finished water quality. Technical updates included progress on cleaning and lining projects, and delays in receiving necessary shop drawings for the Farrell Pumping Station Improvements. Legal updates included the closing on parcel sales related to the Otisco Lake 90 Acre Parcel and projections for receiving PFAS litigation settlements. The meeting concluded with a brief executive session to discuss employment matters.

The meeting agenda included administrative items such as the Pledge of Allegiance and call to order, followed by committee reports covering the Executive Director, Water Production and Delivery, Legal/Public Affairs, Human Resources/Insurance/Safety, and Fiscal Services. New Business items featured a request for the MWB Fund to Onondaga County for the 2022 Budget, the Salt Springs Tank Project including an SEQR Resolution, and matters concerning Rights of Way, Main Extension Contracts & Job Orders, and Expenditure Authorization. Unfinished Business involved Honeywell Water Systems and Executive Director Recruitment. The agenda concluded with consideration of Bids and an Executive Session.