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*M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS with COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 4:30 P.M.
PRESENT: PW Chair: Pinto. Members: Abinanti, Carsky, Maisano, Noto, Ryan, and Wishnie. ENV Chair: Kaplowitz. Members: Maisano, Pinto. STAFF: Bass, Vita.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Anthony Landi, Commissioner-DPE/DEF; John D’Aquino, Deputy Commissioner-DEF; Robert Kopenhaver, Budget Department; William Randolph, Robi Schlaff, County Executive’s office; Edward Markus, Consultant of Black & Veatch; Robert Abbamont, DPW Liaison; various DEF Employees; Gudrun LeLash, Federated Conservation; Jane Fiore, CSEA Unit 9200; Fedora DeLucia; Katherine McLoughlin, New York City Conservation Association; Al Sirdmark, CSEA Regional III Headquarters; Nortrud Spero, Federated Conservation of Westchester County.
Chairmen Pinto and Kaplowitz called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
On the motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the minutes of Public Works Committee meetings held on July 13th and August 10th were approved by a vote of 7-0.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the minutes of the Committee on the Environment meeting held on August 3rd were approved by a vote 3-0.
Mr. Pinto said today’s meeting is held for the purpose of hearing the recommendations made by the consultant firm of Black & Veatch relating to the County’s seven wastewater treatment facilities.
Mr. Markus said representatives spent numerous hours with staff from maintenance, personnel, and management covering the whole gamut of daily operations especially at the Yonkers and Blind Brook facilities. They received tremendous cooperation from staff and support from the Departments of Public Works and Environmental Facilities throughout the study. Plant personnel were very accessible and open in providing comments.
*For additional information, a tape is on file. APPROVED 9/14/99-TJA;WJR-6-0M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKSCOMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 PAGE 2___________________________________________________
Mr. Markus said many recommendations reflect comparison with outside systems. Under a general observation, they found both facilities in reasonably good condition. However, there is a need for major capital improvements that are anticipated in future requests. There is room for improvement in each facility particularly in the areas of technology and training, with the main focus on management, inventory systems, and communications, both within the faciliites as well as in the Department of Environmental Facilities.
The report notes that all facilities are years behind in technology, there is lack of communication between operators and supervisros, there is little or no formal training for maintenance personnel, and most plants have inexperienced laborers. There are a number of recommendations focused on training, technology, equipment, and performance. Morale is poor and most employees feel there is no room for promotional opportunities.
Black and Veatch recommends comprehensive training programs for personnel, especially in maintenance and should be practiced across the board in all facilities. Some facilities practice preventive safety measures whereas some facilities do not. Drug testing was suggested by some of the employees in order to ensure the health and safety of others as well as potential liability to the County. Black & Veatch suggests the issue of the implementing a mandatory drug and alcohol-testing program be discussed.
Communications skills between workers and plant directors need to be reviewed closer. They find Blind Brook to be the best, whereas the overall morale at the Yonkers Plant is poor and is viewed as the worst and the last place an employee would like to be assigned.
Having done similar examinations around the country, Mr. Wishnie asked if Westchester County was different than other counties. Mr. Markus said Westchester is in need for improvement and upgrade and found some facilities just neglected. Morale issues are wide-range anywhere. Some facilities are upgraded to standard levels and some are not, they all vary, but Westchester is not one of the worst.
Mr. Wishnie asked what would it cost Westchester to bring their facilities up to date. M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKSCOMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 PAGE 3___________________________________________________
In terms of inventory control, Mr. Markus said Yonkers would benefit with a separate building because presently there are over three buildings scattered around.
Personnel changes would not be a big investment, employees may need approximately 40 hours of training and can be done “on-site”. Equipment and additional space may be the biggest factor.
Mr. Wishnie asked why the change in shift work. Mr. Markus suggested that the 12-hour shifts be reduced to 8-hour shifts, alleviating evening work, weekends and holidays. Other public or private facilities lean toward the more modern technology by utilizing equipment to monitor plants, therefore a more efficiency-wise program. Blind Brook plant is not attended by 24-hour shifts and Peekskill plant has one employee on duty at certain times.
The basis for this recommendation is economic, by reducing the nighttime staff it would save significant operating expenses. In reply to Mr. Pinto’s question about accidents, since little maintenance and few process modifications take place during the night or on the weekends. Daytime shifts should improve productivity and should a significant problem occur during the night or on the weekend”, on-call” systems can be devised.
Mr. Kaplowitz asked why there such a state of sewage spills last year. Mr. Markus stated it was mainly related to the numerous storms during the year as well as various problems within the systems. Black & Veatch recommend minimal staff at the Mamaroneck, but the Yonkers plant should not be left unattended. If problems occur, there are notices posted to call into a chain of command that leads to the Commissioner, if the problem requires additional staff, the Commissioner and Management are called in and they instruct from there.
Commissioner Landi suggests additional rounds in and out of the facilities and a review of the inventory system.
Mrs. Carsky said she would like to review the report that mentions concern at the Yonkers Treatment Plant. Mr. Markus said organizational issues in Yonkers play a strong role and many employees are frustrated due to the lack of communication and working conditions, especially cleaning spills left from the evening shifts. M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKSCOMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 PAGE 4___________________________________________________
The report recommends Yonkers to install two additional hoppers with 36 extra hours to store the sludge due to the fact that haulers cannot access the facility readily.
Mr. Pinto said he would like to take comments into consideration and take corrective steps to avoid and protect the public environment. On the technical side, he would like to take it to the next level. He suggests the Committee members as well as Board members to make a site visit of the facilities.
Commissioner Landi stated that a Safety and Health Task Force (Compiled of 6 employees from 6 different plants) has prepared a comprehensive report based on these matters. A list was made and the members have been asked to address and correct the problems.
The Commissioner said the Board of Acquisition and Contract recently awarded a contract to enhance the Inventory Control program, which is basically a computerized library that will provide information for equipment maintenance, training computerization of the wastewater system and preventive maintenance and that will be in place by June 2000. Within the next two months, a Training and Safety program will also be developed to create a more comprehensive program, with in-house and outside assistance. The cost will be approximately $250,000 of the current operating budget.
The Commissioner said he does not intend to reduce staff, this is not a time. He will request an additional four positions, 12-hour shift will be reduced to 8 hours, and a drug and alcohol-testing program will be included. Field employees requested the drug testing and felt it was needed. He said there are two 2-hour maintenance tours at each plant and are making progress with much success. He said he has always and will continue to have an open-door policy, if any employee needs to speak to him, he is available.
Mr. Wishnie asked about Chief Plant Operators and do they have performance evaluations. Commissioner Landi said each has to maintain their skill levels via Certificates and licenses required by NYSDEC standards. Plant Operators work at different levels. Under Civil Service law, employees can have performances evaluated, if for any reason, charges are brought up, they must be of a serious nature to suspend or dismiss. M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKSCOMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 PAGE 5___________________________________________________
Mrs. Jane Fiore, CSEA President, said she tried to access information from the Peekskill and Ossining Plants but has been unsuccessful for the past six calls. She mentioned some labor concerns brought to her by employees:
· Minimal staffing: Does an employee make a call or address the problem, without the fear of being wrong? · Consent decree: Commissioner Landi said it should be discussed in a private session, she would like it discussed publicly · She would like to discuss the Appendix with the Commissioner and the men who operate the plants · Two-hour Tours: Issues are not clear with employees. · Shift Change: She has an employee opinion poll that she would like to discuss further.
Mr. Pinto appreciates her concerns and that of the employees, but reiterated what Ms. Schlaff mentioned that there were certain matters in the decree that are being handled by the court system and the County Attorney. Mr. Pinto said after the County Attorney reviews the comments and reports and a determination is made, then the report can be released. Determining what steps to follow and what is recommended is the first and foremost to agree upon. Regarding the changes of hours, he would like more background information and it will be addressed at a future meeting. Mr. Pinto is confident and knows Commissioner Landi will address all problems as he has done in the past.
All members are concerned with the safety and health of all employees, but the issues involved with the collective bargaining process should not be discussed at this meeting. All members are concerned with the morale problems, shift changes, plant vs. plant and should be discussed further.
Plant employees said they would like the opportunity to make a rebuttal to this report as it seems unfair and it undermines the employees. An employee stated he never saw a consultant, nor did one speak to a Director of Operations. Another employee said the 12 hour shifts may not work for all plants, noting the New Rochelle plant has 12 hour shifts and the 2-hour tours have always worked, but not all plants operate the same. M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKSCOMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 PAGE 6___________________________________________________
Mr. Pinto thanked everyone for attending this meeting and will scheduled another meeting after the County Attorney make his determination on the Consent Decree.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. |