WEST MIFFLIN SANITARY SEWER MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1998

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Cynthia Sullivan, Donald Trimbath, Roberta Chonko, Michael Price, Donna Diener

 

ALSO PRESENT

Irene Parkinson, Ronald Hess, Ira Weiss, Esq., Engineer David M. Meredith

 

A quorum was established with the majority of the Members of the Board present and the meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m.

 

1. On motion (Trimbath-Price) the minutes of the February 5, 1998 Board of Directors' meeting were accepted as presented.

 

2.On motion (Trimbath-Chonko) approved Requisition #19 in the amount of $372,300.95 for drawdown against the Bond Issue from National City Bank.

 

3. On motion (Chonko-Price) ratified the Treasurer's Report for the Month of January, 1998.

 

4. On motion (Chonko-Trimbath) approved Change Order #1 for the Thompson Run and New England Sewage Treatment Plant Improvements with United Environmental, Inc. for the amount of $13,480.26.

 

5. On motion (Trimbath-Diener) moved to accept available funds and authorize Twin Rivers Council of Governments to enter into an Agreement with Allegheny County Community Development for funding for equipment purchases in the amount of $7,500.00.

 

6. On motion (Price-Trimbath) moved to accept available funds and authorize Twin Rivers Council of Governments to enter into an Agreement with Allegheny County Community Development for 50% funding of Sanitary sewers for Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard in the amount of $63,000 toward general construction and at an estimated job cost of $126,500.00.

 

7. Report of the Solicitor, Ira Weiss, Esq.

[No report]

 

8. Report of the Engineer, David M. Meredith

Report attached to Minutes

 

9. Report of the Operations Manager, Ronald Hess

Report attached to Minutes.

 

10. On motion (Trimbath-Chonko) moved to advertise for bids for construction of an office/garage building to be constructed at the Thompson Run Sewage Treatment Plant.

 

11. Reception of Visitors:

 

Mr. Phil Shar of 300 Lewis Run Road, West Mifflin regarding sewage fees on water usage when watering his lawn.
Mr. Shar asked if he had to pay a sewage fee on water that does not go through the sewer plant. Solicitor Weiss responded that sewage charges in this Authority and almost all other sewage authorities or municipalities is based on water consumption. There are certain communities that have developed a way of having a separate meter for watering the lawn, filling a pool, and so forth, but typically the cost of putting that meter in greatly exceeds the difference in your sewer bill, even over time. This is not a unique situation. Mr. Shar asked if there were other exceptions, why wouldn't a sprinkler system be one. It was stated that when a new pool is built the owner gets an adjustment the first time the pool is filled, but if there are problems with the pool thereafter there is no adjustment Director Trimbath stated that this is a precedent that was set before the Authority came into effect. Ronald Hess stated that the resident submits a receipt as proof of purchasing a pool. Mr. Shar stated that he has a meter on his outside water line. He was questioned if it were calibrated. It was unclear as to who calibrates this meter. Mr. Shar indicated that he had an adjustment from Jordon Tax Service for three years. Madam Chairman Sullivan said that we are not responsible for what has occurred prior to the Authority's inception. Attorney Weiss responded that this Board was not aware that Jordon was approving deductions for separate metered water. There is no provision in our rate resolution for that. We'll be happy to review that. Mr. Hess can check your meter and we'll get back to you with an answer. Madam Chairman Sullivan informed Mr. Shar that the Board will look into this issue and give you an answer when we have the facts in front of us and review them. Mr. Shar asked that is the Board's answer doesn't satisfy him, what's his next step. Solicitor Weiss informed him that he would have to go to court.

 

 

12.        On motion (Trimbath/Chonko) meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by,

Michael Price, Jr., Secretary