EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES February 28, 2006 1 ...

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ONONDAGA LAKE PARTNERSHIP (OLP)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
February 28, 2006
1. ATTENDEES
Committee Members Present:
LTC Timothy B. Touchette, Committee Chairman and District Commander, USACE, Buffalo
District
Mr. David Coburn, Director, Onondaga County Office of the Environment, alt. for Mr. Nicholas
Pirro
Mr. Norman Spiegel, Assistant Attorney General, NYS (telecon)
Mr. Kenneth Lynch, Regional Director, NYSDEC, Region 7
Mr. William Owens, Contract Compliance Officer, City of Syracuse, alt. for Mayor Matthew
Driscoll
Mr. Mario DelVicario, Chief, Community and Ecosystem Branch USEPA-Region 2 (VTC)
Others In Attendance:
Ms. Traci Clever, Program Manager, USACE, Buffalo District
Mr. Jack Rintoul, Deputy P3m, USACE, Buffalo District
Mr. Christopher Dere, USEPA, Region 2 (VTC)
Ms. Julie Zielinski, Recording Secretary, USACE, Buffalo District
Mr. Seth Ausubel, Chief, Freshwater Protection Branch and Outreach Committee Chair, USEPA
Region 2 (VTC)
Mr. Steve Eidt, Regional Water Engineer, NYSDEC, Chair, Project Committee
Ms. Arleen Kreusch, Outreach Specialist, USACE, Buffalo District, Outreach Committee
Mr. Steve Vriesen, Project Manager, USACE, Buffalo District
Committee Members Absent:
None
2. MEETING ARRANGEMENTS: The meeting was held on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at
10:00 a.m. at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
office in Syracuse, New York.

3. AGENDA ITEMS: An Agenda was provided which included the following items:
a. Opening Remarks: LTC Touchette welcomed all to the meeting.
b. Working Session: There were no outstanding issues to discuss at this month’s meeting.
c. Approval of the January 12, 2006 minutes: The January 12, 2006 minutes were
amended as follows. Ms. Clever had provided her comments prior to the meeting. All
recommendations were approved, except for the addition of listing the partner names as
Absent. The full committee revised: On page 3, 2 nd bullet, last sentence to read there are
sufficient funds for outreach support services through February 15, 2009. Page 5,
subparagraph f., 2 nd paragraph, 4 th line, Mr. Eidt explained that the project was given a low
priority because it is not a specific project required within the ACJ. Page 7, subparagraph i.,
delete the last two sentences.
Review of Action Items: Ms. Zielinski reviewed the open Action Items and will revise the list
as appropriate.
ACTION ITEM: Within two months Mr. Ausubel will prepare a write-up summarizing OEI
performance improvements to date per the Performance Improvement Plan and include
recommendations on the next steps and submit to the Executive Committee for review and
comment.
c. Correspondence: Ms. Zielinski reported that USACE had received one item of
incoming correspondence to report. A letter was received from Mayor Driscoll nominating Ms.
Gloria Lamanna as the City of Syracuse’s representative on the Resource Subcommittee.
This nomination completes the Action Item for the City of Syracuse.
d. Standing Committee Reports:
(1) Outreach Committee: Mr. Ausubel reported that the Outreach Committee discussed the
following at their February 15, 2006 meeting:
• The 2006 Annual Progress Meeting (APM) is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25,
2006. The After Action Review (AAR) is scheduled for the following day, Thursday,
October 26, 2006. The APM will be held at the same location, the NYS Fairgrounds,
Martha Eddy Room. The Outreach Committee is working on a revised format as
recommended at the 2005 AAR.
• OLP Speakers Bureau: The Outreach Committee discussed a draft proposal presented for
a Speakers Bureau. The concept presented will try to match up speakers with requests.
Ms. Harrington is the point of contact and will be contacting the OLP members to get a
better idea of what the needs are. The OLP members themselves are preferred as they are
familiar with the OLP issues.
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• The Onondaga Creek Revitalization Strategic Plan Working Group: The working Group
is scheduling three free community forums to interact with the public to listen to their
needs in developing a vision for Onondaga Lake. The dates for the forums are April 19
at Bob Cecile Center, May, 3 at City Hall Commons, and May 18, 2006 at the LaFayette
Community Center. OEI has distributed a draft media kit for Outreach Committee
approval shortly.
• Earth Day Zoo Event: OLP will display OLP materials at Eco-Expo event at the
Rosamond Gifford Zoo on April 22, 2006.
• OLP Public Website: Ecologic has prepared a fact sheet in .pdf file describing their work
on the OLP Onondaga Lake Visioning project. The Project Committee will review the
document prior to posting on the OLP website.
• 2006 OLP Mini Grants: The 2006 Mini Grant recipients are expected to be submitted for
Executive Committee approval at the March 2006 Executive Committee meeting. All 10
proposals are expected to be recommended for approved. A press event to award the
checks is under discussion.
• 2006 APM: The Outreach Committee is following up on the recommendations from the
2005 APM and AAR to discuss the reformatting of the OLP Year in Review video or to
recommend another format for the 2006 APM event. The Outreach Committee discussed
their concerns over the high cost estimates received followed by a long discussion over
the value of the video versus the cost. A Power Point presentation was suggested as an
alternative to the Year in Review video as it is easily modified and has a longer shelf life.
Mr. Lynch asked Mr. Ausubel if a cost has been obtained for a Power Point presentation.
Mr. Ausubel said that the committee has not researched costs yet, but would expect costs
to be under $10k. The Annual Progress Meeting subcommittee will further flush out
costs for a Power Point presentation, and competitive bidding options. If the consensus is
reached for a PowerPoint presentation, the Project Committee’s involvement will be
needed to develop the materials and information and/or review the content. LTC
Touchette asked if the scope of work for the Year in Review video could be reduced and
still be affordable to the OLP. Mr. Lynch agreed that the Year in Review video is a good
product but since the OLP is revising the theme of the 2006 APM to showing
environmental progress, he likes the idea of a PowerPoint presentation to explain the
subject matter but he has mixed feelings that it will work. He also expressed concern
over how a PowerPoint may be presented in the future. Voiceover and video clips are an
option to add to the presentation to make it more engaging. Although the major
expenses of producing a video is in the editing and shooting, a PowerPoint presentation
may be a better option. The presentation could also be used by the Speakers Bureau.
LTC Touchette reminded the partners that a video is a static product whereas a PowerPoint
presentation is easily edited. The Year in Video is a public record of the OLP’s progress.
Mr. Rintoul inquired if there was a marketing strategy to measure who the outreach products
reach and how a power point presentation could be used locally. A PowerPoint presentation
would be accessible to the public on the OLP public website and could be used as handouts
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at OLP events. The video aired on public access and could potentially reach a larger
audience. Mr. Lynch suggested pursuing a Power Point presentation to change the format of
the APM and recommended obtaining a cost for both a basic PowerPoint presentation that
includes only the basics and a “Cadillac” version to include additional options such as a
voiceover and video clips. Once the costs are known the Executive Committee will be better
informed on what course to pursue to get more “Bang for the Buck.” He also urged the
Executive Committee to place a ceiling of $10k for such a product. The partners were
reminded that a decision needs to reach soon to meet the 2006 APM schedule requirements
and take advantage of weather conditions.
ACTION ITEM: Mr. Ausubel will convey the recommendations made by the Executive
Committee regarding the power point presentation to the APM subcommittee and Outreach
Committee. The APM subcommittee is in the process of developing a conceptual framework
(scope of work) and schedule for a basic and a “Cadillac” PowerPoint presentation and will
obtain costs.
ACTION ITEM: Mr. Ausubel will forward the concepts, timeline, and estimated costs to the
Executive Committee for review and comment prior to their March Executive Committee
meeting.
Mr. Coburn expressed apprehension and urged the partners to exercise caution in putting
together a speakers bureau that may not represent the points of view of the OLP. A speakers
bureau should speak only on topics related to Onondaga Lake issues and make it clear that the
subject matter represents their respective agencies’ point of view. It was recommended to
identify broad topics and then match the topics up with the appropriate speaker to avoid sensitive
issues Mr. Ausubel assured the partners that once a list of topics and a list of speakers is
developed it will be forwarded to the Executive Committee for their approval.
Mr. Eidt stated that perception is still an issue that speakers will express their particular points of
view on behalf of the OLP. The Outreach Committee will keep these issues in mind as they
continue to develop concepts for a Speakers Bureau.
ACTION ITEM: Mr. Ausubel will forward the concepts and a timeline to the Executive
Committee for comments prior to their March meeting.
(2) Project Committee: Mr. Eidt reported highlights from the February 16, 2006 Project
Committee meeting:
• OEI Update: Ms. Savage reported that a Charge has been drafted for the Peer Review
Panel of the Onondaga Lake Mechanistic Water Quality Model. Mr. Eidt reported that the
Project Committee passed a Motion at the January 19, 2006 meeting to endorse Dr. Joseph
Atkinson (Technical Coordinator) to select the Peer Review Panel from the existing list of
candidates; Dr. Schladow, Dr. Diamond, Dr. Chapra, Dr. Richards, Dr. Pace, and Dr. Bales.
The Peer Review Panel has since been finalized and reduced from six panel members to five
members. Dr. Richards from Heidelberg College resigned from the panel. Dr. Atkinson is
not proposing to replace Dr. Richards as he is confident that the existing members have the
necessary expertise. Discussion held on the Peer Review Charge that included a briefing
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from Dr. Jim Rhea of Quantitative Environmental Analysis (QEA) and Mr. Joe Mastriano of
Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP) on
recommendations for revisions and reasons for an increased budget.. In light of that
discussion, Mr. Eidt stated that raw data was submitted to NYSDEC from Upstate
Freshwater Institute (UFI) years ago and NYSDEC is working to retrieve that data. OEI will
coordinate with Dr. Atkinson to develop a revised Charge as it is the role of the technical
coordinator.
• The Onondaga Creek Revitalization Strategic Plan: The working group will hold their
next meeting on March 1, 2006 at the Onondaga Nation arena. The topic of discussion will
be Stream Revitalization for Public Education.
• Scientific and Technical Program Integration Board (STPIB): The Project
Committee reviewed and discussed proposed draft STPIB Charges. The Project Committee
decided to eliminate one of them from further consideration and to pursue further
development of proposed Charge per committee discussions. Mr. Eidt will revise the
wording and bring it back to the Project Committee for further review.
• Onondaga Lake Watershed Management Study Phase I proposal: At the request of the
Project Committee, USACE will draft concepts, requirements, and a process for providing
quality management (QA/QC) during the completion of this project.
• FFY2006 Recommended Projects: Mr. Eidt reported that the Project Committee passed a
Motion to recommend the approval of the FFY2006 list of recommended projects and
forward to Executive Committee for review and approval.
• FFY2006 Project Committee Goals: Mr. Eidt reported that the Project Committee also
passed a Motion to recommend approval of the FFY2006 OLP Project list as final and
forward to the Executive Committee for approval.
e. Outreach Committee 2006 Work Plan & Budget: Mr. Ausubel briefly discussed his
priorities, outlook, and strategies for the Outreach Committee budget for 2006-2009 and his
intent to make the available funding list. Mr. Ausubel further indicated that the OLP should be
able to sustain a basic outreach program through 2009, but beyond 2009 is uncertain. The
Outreach Committee is developing the 2006 work plan and budget at this time. The completed
work plan and budget for 2006 will be presented at the March 2006 Executive Committee
meeting for approval along with an outlook for 2007-2009.
f. Draft Resolution 2006-1: FY2004 and FFY2005 Project List - Amendments: Mr.
Eidt revised the draft resolution and explained that since the January 12, 2006 Executive
Committee meeting, the Project Committee has no additional recommended amendments to the
FFY2004 OLP Project List. Mr. Eidt walked the partners through the FFY2005 OLP Project list
and the additional recommended amendments to the list with justifications for each
recommendation. The changes included FY05-12 (Acquisition of Hazard Markers, Buoys),
FY05-15 (HSPF Watershed Model of the Onondaga Lake Watershed), and the passage of a
Motion to remove the $260k in USEPA funding from project FY05-22 (Response of Mercury in
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Onondaga Lake to Hypoliminetic Oxygenation) recognizing that a project is underway under
the auspices of Honeywell’s regulatory requirements. The Executive Committee recommended
revised wording to the resolution.
MOTION: To approve OLP Resolution 2006-1 reflecting the Project Committee’s
recommendations as final with recommended revisions. The Motion was moved by Mr.
DelVicario and seconded by Mr. Lynch. The Motion was approved unanimously.
ACTION ITEM: USACE to revise and finalize OLP Resolution 2006-1 with recommended
Executive Committee changes and post to the OLP website.
g. FFY2006 Recommended Projects: Mr. Eidt led the Executive Committee through a
discussion of each of the FFY2006 recommended projects and requested partner comments
and/or questions. Substantive discussion was held on the following proposals:
FY06-2: Onondaga Lake Outlet Project: Mr. DelVicario asked if this project would ensure
completion. Mr. Eidt replied that it will and that the OLP has already invested considerable
funds in gathering data.
FY06-6: Onondaga Lake Watershed Management Study – Phase I: State of the Watershed
Report Data Identification, Acquisition, and Processing: There was discussion on the origin and
context of the proposal to Mr. Coburn’s contributed statement describing the Project
Committee’s requests for the proposal to support the Watershed Management Study and the
State of the Watershed Report. The Project Committee also discussed the completion of the
State of the Lake Report update and it was agreed that the State of the Watershed Report and the
State of the Lake Report update should be completed separately on their own timeframes, but
with good communications and mutual awareness.
FY06-7: OLP Onondaga Lake Local Watershed Coordinator: There was discussion on the
accuracy of the $150k cost estimate for this proposal which concluded with the understanding
that this is a best estimate. Mr. Ausubel stated that USEPA’s authorization under continuing
Clean Water line items is limited to provide support for OLP activities. He requested that the
proposal be revised to reflect an arrangement for the local watershed coordinator to report and
coordinate activities through the Project Committee. The Executive Committee requested that
the Project Committee evaluate this project proposal and establish an alternative reporting and
coordination process.
ACTION ITEM: USACE to update proposal FY06-7 to reflect revised local watershed
coordinator reporting and coordination processes.
The Executive Committee also discussed the salary figure as a little high for a 22-month effort.
Mr. Eidt replied that if the decision is made to go out for bid, the dollar amount of $150k may be
close to the existing figure and recommended keeping that amount as is.
FY06-8 - Acquisition of Hazard Markers Buoys to Designate Underwater Marine Hazards in
Onondaga Lake: Mr. Eidt explained that this project was moved from the FY05 OLP Project
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List to the FFY2006 Recommended Project list. This project is unique in that the NYSDEC has
been discussing the acquisition and maintenance of the buoys with the New York State Canal
Corporation. Mr. Eidt reported that the Project Committee discussed the scope and options for
completing the work. The Project Committee recommended reflecting USEPA and USACE
funding until further determination is made on the most appropriate source of Federal funding.
Mr. Ausubel reminded the committee that USEPA cannot fund any project unless it is absolutely
clear that it will provide environmental benefits and suggested deleting any designation of
USEPA funds. The Executive Committee was also reminded that if funded under a Design
Agreement with USACE Funds, the management costs would be added to the budget. The
Executive Committee discussed the most appropriate source of Federal funding, which was
determined to be USACE with the local match provided by Onondaga County, and options to
purchase the buoys that included amending an existing Grant Agreement or contacting the Coast
Guard. Mr. Coburn agreed to look into options further.
ACTION ITEM: USACE to update proposal FY06-8 if necessary, and the FFY2006
Recommended Projects table, to remove USEPA as a source of Federal funding for the project.
FY06-9 – Valley Drive Sewer Improvement – Phase II: Mr. Eidt led the committee through a
discussion of the proposed funding of this project. The Executive Committee discussed the
setting and scope of the project, relationship to ACJ work, and the potential benefits. Mr.
DelVicario asked if the City of Syracuse will require additional funds to complete the original
project budgeted at $8.56m. Mr. Spiegel asked whether the city has all of the required funding to
complete the project and commented that the recommended OLP funding will accomplish only
part of the project not the complete project. Mr. Eidt explained that the project was added to the
OLP list for a reduced amount that would include a smaller portion of the storm sewers along
Valley Drive recognizing that the milestone is approaching to meet the phosphorus limit. Mr.
Eidt further explained that the Project Committee funded this project because of the significant
nexus to ACJ projects. Additional funding to complete the entire original scope of the project is
unknown at this time. The City of Syracuse intends to complete this project regardless of the
funding source. The Executive Committee inquired if the revised scope is considered a stand
alone project with a deliverable with or without additional funding. Mr. Eidt explained that the
city’s sewers are old and that this project is consistent with the ACJ and the 1993 Management
Plan. This project will be funded by USACE.
FY06-10 – Mechanistic Water Quality Model of Onondaga Lake: Mr. Eidt explained that the
Project Committee was briefed by Dr. Jim Rhea of QEA and Mr. Joe Mastriano of WEP at the
February Project Committee meeting that an additional funding source was needed as additional
costs were incurred due to the delays in this project. Additional costs are based on delays
incurred in assembling the Peer Review Panel, the USACE funding issue, the need to acquire
data from UFI and translate for use in developing the lake model.
MOTION: To endorse the FY2006 OLP Project List with the caviat of re-looking at the
Technical Coordinator Scope of Work and remove the $10k of USEPA funds from the
Acquisition of Markers project. Bring the resolution back to the Executive Committee for
approval. The Motion was moved by Mr. Owens and seconded by Mr. Lynch. The Motion was
approved with 5 Ayes, 1 Nay (Mr. Spiegel) and no Abstentions.
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Mr. Spiegel questioned the need for a formal vote on a “sense of the body” matter when the
budget items would be voted on at a subsequent meeting. Mr. Eidt replied that historically the
OLP process has been to endorse the OLP Project list by a vote in a previous meeting and then
request preparation of an OLP resolution. Mr. Spiegel replied that he did not recall the need for
a formal or informal vote in past meetings.
h. Outreach Committee 2006 Work plan and Budget: Mr. Ausubel explained that the
Outreach Committee has recommended the 2006 Outreach Strategic Goals for Executive
Committee approval. The budget will be reviewed at their March committee meeting. Mr.
Ausubel explained that funding limitations will drive priorities set by the committee in
accomplishing activities for 2006. Mr. Ausubel requested approval from the Executive
Committee 2006 Strategic Goals.
MOTION: To approve the 2006 Outreach Committee Strategic Goals as final with the
recommended changes. The Motion was moved by Mr. Coburn and seconded by Mr. Owens.
The Motion was approved unanimously.
h. Other Business:
(1) Update on Honeywell - Effler Oxygenation/Mercury Project: Mr. Eidt reported on the
status of NYSDEC’s ongoing coordination with Honeywell and the status of NYSDEC,
USEPA, and Honeywell’s reviews of the proposal submitted by Drs. Effler and Driscoll. The
project is moving along and shaping up to be a good project but most importantly it meets
NYSDEC requirements. Mr. Eidt felt confident that Honeywell will fund the project once the
scope has been developed.
(2) Onondaga Nation Tribal Consultation Update: Mr. Ausubel updated the Executive
Committee on the purpose of and status of USACE and USEPA efforts to arrange a joint
Federal government to government consultation with the Onondaga Nation in 2006. USEPA
contacted the Onondaga Nation Counsel to schedule a conference call to draft an Agenda for a
follow up meeting. The Onondaga Nation has been receptive to a follow up meeting. A
conference call with Mr. Joe Heath will be shared with the Executive Committee when
developed.
(3) ACJ Status: Mr. Dick Elander, Commissioner of the Onondaga County Department of
Water Environment Protection (WEP) gave an update from the Onondaga Lake Improvement
Project Monthly Report prepared for January 2006 published by WEP updating the progress of
ACJ projects and the status of key milestones. The briefing included a status update of the
Midland Phase II project, the Harbor Brook CSO project, and the Clinton CSO Abatement
Facilities Plan. Additional copies of the report are available upon request. .
(4) Scientific Technical Program Integration Board (STPIB): Mr. Eidt informed the Committee
that the Project Committee has completed the evaluation of the recommendations made by the
STPIB and indicated that he will provide a summary of these actions and further
recommendations for the next steps at the next Executive Committee meeting. Mr. Eidt also
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mentioned that the Project Committee is working on a new draft Charge to the STPIB and will
bring the draft Charge to the Executive Committee when complete.
3. Adjourn: The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 24, 2006 via VTC at
9:00 a.m. The April meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 21, 2006. The venue to be
determined.
Adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
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Month
&Year
Number
Date of
Origin
Due Date
Action
Officer
Tasking
Status
Dec.-05 E06-1 Dec.-05 Feb.28-06 Eidt Review USEPA's AEM recommendations
and prepare draft resolutions for Executive
Committee reflecting the recommended
amendments to the FFY2004 and FFY2005
OLP project lists.
Feb.04 E06-2 Feb.-04 Apr-06 EPA/DEC Mr. Ausubel to draft a brief conclusion on
the performance evaluation process and
share with NYSDEC and forward to the
Executive Committee.
Jan-06 E06-3 Jan.-06 Feb. 28-06 Clever Revise and distribute the revised 2006 OLP
Executive Committee Strategic Goals.
Jan-06 E06-4 Jan.-06 Feb. 28-06 Eidt Develop and submit FFY2006 OLP
recommended projects for Executive
Committee review.
Jan-06 E06-5 Jan.06 Feb. 28-06 Eidt The Project Committee will provide options
for the use of $1.55m of EPA funds derived
through pending amendments to the
FFY2004 and FFY2005 OLP project lists.
Dec.-05 E06-6 Dec.-05 Apr-06 USACE Develop actionable recommendations to
the Executive Committee on use and next
steps.
Jan.06 E06-7 Jan.-06 Feb.17-06 Ausubel Review AEM materials and provide
feedback in writing to Steve Eidt and the
Executive Committee relative to the use of
remaining EPA funds for this program.
Dec.-05 E06-8 Dec.-05 Feb. 28-06 USACE Finalize the 2006 OLP Executive
Committee Strategic Goals and distribute to
the Executive Committee.
Complete
In Progress
Complete
Complete
Complete
In Progress
Complete
Complete