Member Pipeline - Board & Committee Information - Board Briefs - October 26, 2001
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October 26, 2001
- Appraisal Shows Appreciation in Value
In September, the Board was advised that Century National Bank, the institution that holds AMSA's first and second mortgages, had initiated an appraisal of the AMSA headquarters in support of potentially opening up a line of credit. The appraiser, J. Lee Donnelly and Son, Inc., has now completed the appraisal and has indicated their opinion that, as of September 17, 2001, the market value of AMSA's property is $2,550,000. This was $250,000 more than anticipated and suggests that AMSA has a $900,000 equity interest in its property. While we have decided to defer a decision on establishing a line of credit with Century at this time, the National Office is exploring the feasibility of refinancing AMSA's existing mortgages to reduce overall monthly costs. Refinancing could, in effect, reduce AMSA's current principle and interest expenses by as much as $4,000 a month without impacting AMSA's equity in the building. We are hopeful that we will be able to accomplish such a refinancing by the end of the year.
- Board Adopts Resolution to Establish Separate TAF Account
On October 22, 2001 the Board voted electronically to approve a resolution to establish a Technical Action Fund (TAF) account with Janey Montgomery Scott. The Board vote followed action by the Board, in July, endorsing the concept of establishing a separate TAF account. The resolution has now been signed and notarized by Bill Schatz, AMSA's Secretary, and we expect to open the account formally within a matter of days. Depending on the population served of AMSA's members, 10 to 35 percent of each member's dues payment will be deposited into this account to support TAF projects approved by the Board.
- EPA Office of Water Leaders Meet with AMSA at WEFTEC
Nearly 30 AMSA members gathered at the Legal and Regulatory Hot Topics Breakfast during WEFTEC to hear from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water officials on several ongoing efforts and initiatives. The session was informative and generated several productive discussions.
Each official provided an overview of their current projects and took questions from the audience. Mike Cook, Director, Office of Wastewater Management (OWM), provided a brief outline of EPA's efforts involving the economic stimulus package and water and wastewater security. Geoff Grubbs, Director, Office of Science and Technology (OST), highlighted several projects as priorities for his office, including continued work on the dioxin rule for biosolids and development of guidance for states implementing EPA's nutrient criteria.
Most of the discussions centered on EPA's decision to reevaluate the July 2000 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rule. Chuck Sutfin, Director, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, provided an overview of EPA's new public involvement process and announced that the Agency is preparing to release guidance outlining the integration of the 303(d) and 305(b) lists, and additional guidance detailing the best available monitoring and assessment designs (the Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology or CALM guidance). The breakfast concluded with additional discussions on security and EPA's ongoing efforts to protect security-sensitive information.
- AMSA/WEF Officers Meet At WEFTEC
AMSA's and the Water Environment Federation's (WEF) officers met in Atlanta on Sunday, October 15 in conjunction with WEFTEC and discussed wastewater security issues, the status of the AMSA/WEF/ Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) Strategic Alliance, CleanWater Central issues, and ongoing AMSA-WEF cooperative efforts. Both organizations shared the status of their respective recent security initiatives.
In discussions regarding the AMSA/WEF/ WERF Strategic Alliance, the WEF Officers indicated that AMSA's resolution conditioning support of the Alliance on an agreement by WEF not to establish a utility membership category was an impediment to moving forward. While WEF does not plan on moving forward with the utility membership concept at this time, their officers noted that one of WEF's major future initiatives related to "service to utilities." The AMSA Officers agreed to poll the Board on this issue and expressed confidence that AMSA's conditional approval of the Alliance would be addressed. This matter will be discussed by the Executive Committee during their November conference call, which will be followed by a specific recommendation to the Board. It is anticipated that the executive directors of the three organizations will also meet in November.
The process of appointing members to serve on the Strategic Alliance Advisory Council is complete, with Greg Cargill, of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and Billy Turner, Columbus Water Works slated to represent WEF; and Thomas "Buddy" Morgan, Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board, and Dick Kuchenrither of Black & Veatch, representing WERF; joining AMSA representatives Jim Canaday, Alexandria Sanitation District, and Marian Orfeo, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, on the Council. It is anticipated that the Advisory Council will meet prior to the end of the calendar year.
In addition, it was also reported during the meeting that AMSA and WERF had submitted a proposal to AWWA regarding the use of the CleanWater Central database in support of ongoing QualServ and benchmarking efforts, and that AWWA has the proposal under consideration.
Finally, the AMSA and WEF officers reviewed ongoing cooperative efforts, including the National Biosolids Partnership, asset management initiatives, environmental management systems activities, the Water Infrastructure Network and the Water & Wastewater Leadership Center. With regard to this last cooperative effort, the officers recommended setting aside funds for scholarships and establishing a more centralized, peer-to-peer marketing strategy.
- AMSA Supports Infrastructure Funding in Economic Stimulus Package
In an October 26 letter to the U.S. Senate, AMSA urged lawmakers to include funding for clean and safe water infrastructure in the economic stimulus bill now being developed in the Senate. The letter stated that AMSA members have over $3.1 billion in projects that are ready to go to construction which, in turn, will create new jobs and stimulate local economies. Although the $99.5 billion economic stimulus package passed October 24 by the House did not include funding for infrastructure projects, AMSA continues to work with Members and staff in both chambers of Congress to secure additional funding for wastewater construction projects. AMSA is encouraged that many members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have urged the Senate leadership to include investment in infrastructure in upcoming legislation. Earlier in the week, Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) proposed that Congress approve the inclusion of a $10 billion investment in infrastructure to include $3 billion for drinking water and wastewater treatment systems; $3 billion for highways and bridges; $3 billion for school safety and construction; and $1 billion for railways and mass transit systems.
- AMSA Security Initiatives Take Shape
Under the guidance and oversight of AMSA's Wastewater Infrastructure Security Task Force, the Association is aggressively moving forward with several initiatives aimed at supporting public wastewater utilities in their ongoing efforts to protect their assets. The Task Force has identified the need for two risk-based self assessment tools that use comprehensive assets (people, physical plant, knowledge-base, IT systems and customers) as an organizing principle. Specifically, work is underway on both a Checklist and Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool to better understand the risks associated with each major class of business asset in the context of a terrorist incident or other crisis. Both the Checklist and Self-Assessment Tool will adopt this framework. Incidents to be considered include direct events aimed at the utility itself and indirect events that use utility assets to attack other critical buildings served by the utility.
In addition to this effort, the Task Force has endorsed and the Board is considering the development of a narrative Legal Issues Checklist outlining key issues that AMSA member agency attorneys and managers should consider in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist incidents. The issues addressed in the checklist will be relevant not only to agencies considering appropriate responses to extreme situations such as terrorist attacks, but also in the evaluation of other potential crisis situations.
By Board action, development of the Risk-Based Checklist and initial work on the Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool have been supported by AMSA Technical Action Funds. The National Office anticipates significant support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is working to secure additional project funding.
- AMSA Leadership to Meet in Washington December 3-4
Board Members are urged to plan now to attend AMSA's 2001 Leadership Retreat & Strategy Session, December 3-4 in Washington, DC. This essential meeting will provide AMSA's Board members and committee leadership the opportunity to hear from key Administration and Capitol Hill officials, as well as representatives from organizations whose actions directly impact AMSA's priority agenda. G. Tracy Mehan, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, has confirmed his desire to meet with AMSA's leadership as we begin our discussions on December 3. Also planned is a Strategy Session to allow AMSA leaders to refine approaches to existing priorities and consider new and evolving issues challenging the Association's members. A detailed agenda will be forwarded to you early next week along with a response for to confirm your attendance. Please plan now to attend this important opportunity to set the stage for AMSA in 2002.
The following logistics will assist you in planning your travel:
Monday, December 3, 2001
8:30 am - 4:00 pm - Leadership Retreat Sessions
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Executive Committee Meeting
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Reception
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
8:30 am - 10:00 am - Leadership Retreat Sessions
10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Leadership Strategy Session
1:00 pm - Adjourn
The meeting will take place at the Washington Marriott Hotel (1221 22nd Street, NW) in Washington, DC. AMSA has arranged a special rate of $179 single/double. Please call either Marriott Central Reservations at 800-228-9290 or the hotel directly at 202-872-1500 to make your reservations and be sure to reference the 'AMSA Leadership Retreat'. The cut-off date for the special AMSA rate is November 12, 2001. Please make every effort to make your hotel reservation prior to that date. We look forward to seeing you in December!