April 2002 Board Briefs

December 20, 2002 Board Brief

December 20, 2002

Plan Now to Attend AMSA’s 2003 Winter Conference – Hotel Cut-Off is Extended to January 10th
With the holiday season approaching, and our hotel cut-off shortly after the new year, now is the ideal time to make your plans to attend AMSA’s 2003 Winter Conference, The Evolving Public Utility. . .Leading the Workforce of Today. Set for February 4-7 in scenic Santa Fe, New Mexico, we’re pulling out all the stops to make this AMSA’s best conference ever. The conference will take place at the Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico (Reservations: 800/955-4455; Address: 309 West San Francisco Street, Santa, Fe, NM 87501; Phone: Tuesday 505/988-4455). Member Update MU 02-20 provided the most recent agenda and registration materials, and complete up-to-date information is available online at www.amsa-cleanwater.org. Board members are encouraged to make their hotel reservations and register for the conference without delay, as the extended hotel reservation cut-off date is January 10, 2002.

Board materials are slated to go out on January 17th and will include the 2002 audit for the fiscal year ending on September 30th. With AMSA’s new fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2002, the Board may anticipate consideration of preliminary General Fund and Technical Action Fund budgets in May, 2003 and adoption of final FY2003 budgets in July, 2003. We look forward to seeing you all in Santa Fe in February.

Nominating Committee (Officers) to Meet in Santa Fe
AMSA’s Nominating Committee (Officers) will meet in Santa Fe to consider nominations for AMSA Officers for the 2003-2004 term beginning in May. Inasmuch as AMSA policy provides for the succession of officers, the Committee plans to focus its attention on the selection of a nominee for the office of Secretary. As no two officers may serve from the same federal region, Board members from Regions I, II, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X are eligible for consideration. AMSA’s Board of Directors will soon receive formal notification regarding the regions eligible for service, and soliciting expressions of interest and/or nominations. Board members may contact any member of the Nominating Committee (Officers) should they wish to provide input. The membership of the Nominating Committee (Officers) is Gurnie Gunter, Chair; Kumar Kishinchand; and Paul Pinault.

AMSA, AMWA, WEF, AWWA Meet to Discuss Infrastructure Funding
On December 17, Officers and staff representing AMSA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) met in Washington to discuss their views and concerns related to infrastructure funding, including a dedicated fund-based approach. Paul Pinault, AMSA President; Bill Schatz, AMSA Treasurer; and, AMSA Board member Billy Turner represented the Association’s interests at the meeting. Pinault, reviewed AMSA's long-standing interest in this issue, including its strong support of the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) and the more recent establishment of the AMSA Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Task Force, which he noted is working to formulate a strategic plan that will help WIN meet its ultimate goal of long-term, sustainable funding for the nation's water infrastructure.

Representatives from AMWA and AWWA also expressed support for future funding but indicated their concern that Congress would tax water to support a long-term dedicated fund. Robert McMillon, WEF's President, underscored the need to increase public awareness of the funding issue and review in more detail the pros and cons of a water and wastewater trust fund. At the end of the meeting, the four organizations indicated that they remained committed to the goals of WIN; agreed that there was a need for a reliable and consistent source of funds in the future; affirmed that the issue needs a higher priority on the national agenda; and expressed interest in participating in a mid-January strategic planning process being undertaken by AMSA’s Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Task Force, the results of which will be presented in early February. At the conclusion of the strategic planning process, the groups will determine whether there is a need to meet again.

AMSA National Office Plans Internal Move
AMSA will be undergoing some internal office moves on January 2 and 3. As a result it may be difficult to reach individual staff members on their direct phone lines and via e-mail while phones and computers are being moved and reconnected. If you are having difficulty locating staff, please call AMSA’s main number — 202-833-2672 — and the receptionist will put you in touch with the appropriate staff.

The National Office Staff wishes you
Happy Holidays
and sends its best wishes
for a wonderful New Year!