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All right, thank you. Good morning everybody, it's Wednesday, July 5th, it's 9:07 A.M.
I'd like to call the Ogdensburg and Port Authority Board Meeting to order. The first thing I'd like to do in order of business, I'd like to introduce our new
board member, Gavin Regan, sitting at the end of the table here, with his back to you, maybe you can turn and wave? No problem. (laughter).
Obviously, we really appreciate that you want to serve this board, and...obviously
with all that's involved here. And, we really appreciate you willing to take that time and effort, in your personal and professional life,
to be part of this board, and (unintelligible). Thank you very much, I'm really looking forward to working with everybody. Thank you, Gavin.
Board, letters of communication, Wade? Several things I'd like to direct your attention to, passed out,
were the hard copy finals of the...third final edit of both of those documents.
Also passed were the brand new ethics from the state government, from the joint commission on public
ethics, in your packet. There is the bridge crossings we can talk about. There is
an update from McFarland-Johnson, there with the airport project. There is a
tentative agreement, regarding the...the proposed settlement agreement that we had discussed
in Executive Session...regarding litigations. There is a document
that I'll address in the period report, regarding the Minister of Transport.
There are several "thank yous" that we need to acknowledge for letters of support.
Specifically, Congressman Owens, Addie Russell...
...for letters of support, regarding...
the Tiger Special Needs fund. As well as
news articles throughout the period.
That's it for letters of communication.
Thanks a lot, Wade. We need approval of the board minutes of the special meeting, held on June 12th.
I'll move it. I'll second. Second. Any further
discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye?
Do we have anything to discuss? Is there any comments? Yes Sir?
Any progress on the (unintelligible) that he has offered to transport, on the trans rail, on the
for Gallagher, the trans rail is the... (unintelligible)... off of those boats?
He's here for that portion of that. Would you like to adjust the agenda at all? For his participation?
No, I asked him, and he said he would just like to be here for the rest of the meeting. We'll see how long
the Committee for it lasts. (laughter) My flight to Syracuse isn't 'til 7:00 P.M., folks. (laughter) Okay, thank you very much for that.
Okay, let's move on with staff reports.
My Period Report is over on page 3. I drafted this with the assistance of the Canadian Counsel,
in response to a Canadian Security MOU request. And, as you can see in your...
There's additional follow-up needed on this issue, and we do need to talk about this.
in Executive Session. (unintelligible) Our website
revisions are in full compliance with Public Authority Accountability, and ABO compliance requirements.
Most likely, until somebody pulls off the list through, and finds new requirements that we're not
aware of. There's a brief note on that. MWBE
compliance remains a priority with the authority, we're continuing to work through that.
We've had several leads with a health insurance provider here at the authority, regarding upcoming...some health insurance
plan changes. They go in effect in September.
As far as port end of business, there are several items related to the airport. One was the
North Country Alliance Presentation to the North Country Regional Economic Development Council Tourism Committee.
Ongoing cooperative efforts, marketing efforts for the airport. Extensive work regarding a special project at the airport,
which I'll brief you in Executive Session. And, several updates to the airport master plan.
Other things, just to keep you up to date on, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - I have had several
discussions with them, about the status of the project, now that the project team has been assigned.
A minor statement is they will have an executive committee when they come... (unintelligible) and they will start...unintelligible
Yes. Excellent. It will probably take off. A lot of work.
Relative to rail-related things, specifically, there's a rail bridge relocation
grain bin, CFA, that will be going in, but that's still in litigation. A 2003
grade crossing litigation, I had a lot of help with outside counsel on that. And, I asked
that the railroad assign someone from the railroad, to assist with the Norwood-Norfolk Central
School's effort to obtain a grant from the National Park Service, for a rail-with trail
Program. (cough - unintelligible) Other priorities,
we continue working on the special expansion in the industrial park. Things evolving,
about 90% complete there, we've still got to get a little (unintelligible). And...
there's several other things, but, in the interest of time, I'll (unintelligible) your questions.
One thing that we thought that was in the board, is the tourism part of
of the mandates we put in there. And, I thought maybe we could...put that part
in with our Marketing Committee? And, I thought to kind of coordinate in there...so when we get together to talk
about that? And, how that works for us, if we need to make some sort of directive commitment,
in that connection? That's what we talked about, right? Yes. It is, okay. Okay.
Anything else of Wade? Okay. Mr. Morrill, let's do your report.
Okay. The financial report documented last time for this fiscal year, they're not available
yet. We are...have got...we have not reconciled with the audit.
So, we will be closing the ledger for today. And, so this year's fiscal information will be available.
The year end airport and bridge traffic reports have been distributed
and I'll talk about those last. We continue to search out MWBE
vendors. I attended a training in Albany, the message from the meeting, along with the training, is of course,
being the MWBE participation goals. Our PARIS reporting was completed before the
June 30th deadline. Our present audit done, prior to the 30th in June, and,
accepted in June, and the reporting was submitted. Fred, let me stop you there, because this MWBE
thing, it's kind of like our initiative, and what we've been trying to do, trying to get there, it seems like
we've taken these paths over the course. What are some of the penalties that they address there? I know we've had conversations
in all kinds of things there. What can happen, and not happen? Is there a severe penalty
in regards to working with that? Is there something we're missing here? There have been
nothing spelled out as penalties. There is...(interrupts): So, there's an obligation.
That's an ethical obligation, yes. And, I believe that there would be...publicity.
Negative publicity about those has...that has not happened. That's significant.
I think it is, yes. It would be a "black eye" to an organization to not meet those.
And, I think we should avoid that, because that black eye could lead to other things
that are...disadvantages. I don't know much more about it, but I can imagine,
what those would be. They're very...the message is very strong.
Does the grant application with these...
(cross talk - cough - unintelligible) Those kind of things discussed at that meeting
is organizations continues to do what we're doing, you know, all our contacts, and stuff. And...
They're not...we can't, say we if can't accommodate that best, where do we go then?
I think if we get our... the contracts that do not meet our goals...
excepted because of lack of qualified MWBE businesses,
in the process, Fred, that would be okay, because we don't have to put that on us.
I think that they recognize effort. They also recognize
what they might consider progress. And, how they define that, I'm not certain.
That's subjective. I believe right now, they feel that we are
making strong efforts. I'm just curious, as you say, we're making efforts, but if you can't...
you can't come up with that, you can't make your goal, what's the final...you just said, we're getting publicity about it, but...
if the efforts there, and you can't come up with this? I have been charged with
us making our goals. That's my job as the...MWBE
I'm the MWBE...representative. (cross talk - unintelligible)
So, I feel a strong responsibility for doing everything possible for us to make our goals.
And, if we don't make it, I should be able to tell CFA with confidence
that we meet every effort possible. I think it's a very good point, because, all these things that we do now,
it's all part of our discussion. Yes. And, on what is bidding, and those types of things, it all comes into the matter of what we've done there.
So, we all have to contribute. But our whole thinking, and philosophy is changing. Yes.
Yeah, in the last couple years, it really has. From everything right down into procurement that goes out the door.
Every cluster of qualifications, had to be updated through the years.
Several things updated in this morning's agenda, have where we have requested
quotes, and included in them...(unintelligible) I'm going to make a point
to discuss that right there. Thanks, I'll let you continue. If you preface it, if you focus it for a project,
and the MWBE helps us get the contact, and our staff feels that
they're not qualified to do the job that we need. Are we penalized for that, until the next
low bidder, and the next low bidder? If we...if we were to do that, I have
to send a request for exemption to the entity, and explain why.
And, if they feel that that explanation was satisfactory, they re-grant it. (unintelligible) Exactly what Fred
was talking about, happened this morning, in my committee with the facilities committee. We had to reject anybody's bids, in regards
to the fence. That was an exact question I asked. Even though this person was lower, everything else doesn't
meet the best interest of the authority. And, that particular issue is, the company that I said
was at least $2,700 off, has got a 20 year warranty on the fence, where the other people have got a 1 year warranty.
Or, 2 years labor, versus 1 year labor. And, if you look at it, and you look at the price in the linear feet,
the higher bid was 2253, and then you looked at the other one, it was 1650. Steve says, oh well that doesn't matter,
they all meet the state specs. But in what fence is state specs, and all that stuff, we don't really know
as board members. But, to make an honest decision of the most responsible bidder here, is the person who gives you a 20 year warranty.
Versus a 1 year warranty. 2 years in labor. So, he's been requested to send that
request in to get a waiver on this particular price, and then we'll make a decision as to what we should bring to the full board.
But, that's a good question you brought up, Fred. I feel the same way. And also, I'd like to put on the record, the public
is asking me, I'm local. I'm the person here, and, you people are going way out of the county, way out of the area, to get
these requirements met. Well, as Fred says, that's his job to look for these qualifications. But, when you
put a mix in, with these minority contractors, and with the other contractors, to try to get a bid, you're going to be...it's hard to
do that. You know, here was one today, where the minority contractor was the lowest, but in actuality,
it could be the other way, it could be the highest. So we're stuck with that? According to the state, you're stuck with it. Because you've got to meet
your minority requirement. I'm not fully convinced, in all the rules, maybe the board members all should get a copy
of these rules and procedures that our staff people have to follow, so that we can understand it a little better, so that when we're passing these motions,
and passing these resolutions. Because, I'm not convinced that's the way we've got to go. I think we've got to do
a due diligence, to get it out there. But, it doesn't say we've got...we can still accept the most responsible bidder.
That's our rules here, at this authority. Now, could we get in trouble for that? I don't know. I don't think so.
And, I'll give another side of it, we could save it for a time and place. There's 2 sides to this problem.
Let me continue with the report, because we have...(cough - unintelligible) I've provided a...a list of accounts
for this thing. I spent quite a bit of time preparing and providing information to
insurance vendors. To enable them to make quotes on the insurance and the properties up to date.
The...also, the... calculated and implemented the PERB award.
And, we provided equipment information also, to Toski and Company, for the ESD required audit,
for Port Access Road grant. We thought we were done with the audit, and we continue to add and provide information
for Toski and Company, that's as required for the typical grant publication.
with an additional...(unintelligible). The next...would be...
the MWBE first quarter report is due next Monday. We got a lot of that work done, but we have not completed
or reported...(unintelligible). It will be all in the port budget document.
Any questions? Just a few, we've got assigned work with the accounting department. Yes. The week that you did that before,
this above and beyond that? Yeah. This is while we're vetting it. Okay.
Thank you.
Any other questions for Fred? I'll make a comment for Steve, here.
It's just to add, so you can say, so if anytime you feel that you could be part of...(unintelligible)
...the temporary, or provinces...(unintelligible)...and, go ahead.
Okay, John, you're up.
I'm going to pass them up. We held a meeting, a port tour, and a site tour with a local industry, that is looking at bulk
shipments out of the port. It's exploratory at this point in time, but they are requesting load grade,
and all the costs it would surmise, so they are researching it pretty aggressively right now. A tour with
one or our large grain customers in the Caribbean. Continue to work wind turbine projects
and large (unintelligible) equipment in a couple of years. We want the next companies
to use our port facilities. We have a meeting later this month, with one of our salt companies
that's been scheduled. Wrote a grant for the Department of Homeland Security, for...
port security upgrades. Ongoing discussions with two firms
on the Wagner Road site. Both of them are in the preliminary stages right now.
I've been working with a local firm, on a warehousing option at the port. It's still in process,
for the buildings that are needed. I have an important meeting later this month, with a large Canadian grain company.
It's not using the port presently, but has expressed interest in it, and I've gotten them a tour to go with it.
In industrial development and promotion, placed a new ad on the North Country Now website.
Renewed the WBPS ads. That was as discussed in the marketing meeting.
The new ad, story, website and video, at the Ottawa Business Journal website. You can check that out
at obj.ca. I designed and printed a new lure brochure,
and sent out 8,000 piece mailings to Ontario companies, sent them out yesterday, and I expect them to call us back
later this week, or next week, with site visits for each of them in August.
We continue to work with an Ottawa based company, that's very serious about the industrial park.
And, it's a very good prospect, it's just a matter of them getting established in New York State.
We're getting all the details in so we can get to offer them a...(unintelligible)...a fresh start basis.
And, we have the industrial prospect ribbon cutting road site...
and there's still quite an interest in building, their due diligence, and we'll need another 6 weeks to complete that.
We have a new tenant here in the bridge administration building, and we're working on a grant application for a new (unintelligible)...
and new information for fiber optics...(unintelligible). John, that
the thing with the...and we've talked about it over the years, the feeling of what the economy is doing,
with the clients out there, what's your feeling now? What's really happening out there? The shipping industry is doing what?
The grain; the salt, those type of things. Are you getting any feeling for new opportunities
that are out there? Or, are there still some things, are there still people that are hesitant to make the leap?
Yeah, I don't see a lot of reversal to the trend,
the traffic through the seaway is probably down, 4, or 5%. It is. Yeah.
Okay. And, it's...kind of...unchanged,
I would think. Better than 2 or 3 years ago? Yeah. There's subtleties out there.
Who do you hear from? Phoenix, in regards to the...(unintelligible)...expense? Are they getting some
reports back, so we know what they're looking at, or doing anything?
They completed the project. And, we're still going to stay in touch with them. And, there's...I know
across the...(unintelligible). So, there is some movement, somewhere?
Not just stagnant? Yes. Okay. Well, I know we invested in that process, it's always good just to know.
Any other questions for John? Yeah, I do. John, tell em what you're talking about there, with this...
fiber in the industrial park. I thought that was all resolved in fiber. Don't we have all the fiber
we need there? There is supposedly fiber on one line.
It's...basically, the telephone poles are on the
outside of the park...(unintelligible)...and, the majority of the buildings got on that fiber.
The only building customers that I know, that have fiber, Breckenridge (?) in building one, and Ontario fiber's...
so they can...in building #1 to building...#11, so they can communicate.
between those two buildings that they can (unintelligible). The other companies, all the other companies don't have fiber.
They were...at one time, they did some type of survey to find out what their needs were,
and I understand that, at that time it was running, then...Spencer...whatever that company
that...was going to handle it, their fiber. SLIC was.
Had a conversation with (unintelligible) the last time I talked with them...fiber was at the
bridge. The same time I talked with them, that was a couple of years ago. But, we don't have
any fiber available in the park? SLIC was talking about wiring us for
probably...at least 10 years now. And, I even checked with them, it was 6 or 7.
And, I got the same answer. So, the odds are, another 6 months, another year out, and that's giving them 4, or 5 years.
So, we'll make the best, and try and secure some grant funding. And, decide later on,
when it's getting installed. Immediate, with adding fiber,
and get it done. We need to get the structure done, and deal with it.
Yeah, it's just in this day and age, it's unbelievable. Well, I see this on...on your thing, so, I imagine you have been talking
to (unintelligible) about this. They're the...it seems that they're the people to help us.
Whenever everybody else fails. It looks like the other company is not...meeting our requirements.
Now, what do we have in the port, for fiber? There's not anything, they have fiber down there,
So, it's maybe another area we might want to look at.
Maybe people that would want to be in the port, and have opportunity to have fiber, so, if you talk to them, do you talk to them about that.
And, do we have it at the airport? That's all I asked.
Thanks, John, for that report. I'm going to do the
I went on the bridge traffic, we talked about the autos, up 7%. Trucks are down 3, for an overall
about 6%. In June. Continued strong.
Commuter passengers at the airport, up 85, up 11% from the period last year.
Fuel sale's up.
And, with the..passengers traveling through Cape Air, also has been up on the board. They've been up.
Advanced bookings are up over 20%. Sales slips...(unintelligible)
Is there any possibility of adding another flight? Not at this time.
Well, what if that number got up to 10,000?
Dramatically, I know we're close to that.
They have demonstrated in other airports, it's really been difficult to chart. They've done that in
expressing it in other ways, and they've been very close to extend that.
If they jump to us they could make it. Are we going to discuss it today? I hadn't planned on it.
Are plan is going into ...(unintelligible)...on the sixth run. Well, I didn't know, Wade.
It would be in the way. Are there any questions about this?
It would be interesting, in regards to the numbers
of the bridge. They came down, and the value has dropped, unless it's cents per dollar, and I know...
to me it reported that it's not having an effect yet, and I'm just seeing what that effect does have on our business
we'll see, maybe that's a temporary thing, I don't know. But we'll track it, and see where it goes.
Thank you, gentlemen. Steve?
Over in the industrial park, we had a project to install gas meters in Building #14 to get a better
angle on utilities, that project's complete. As far as our new lease with FedEx, there were some issues
on upgrading the space. We're in the middle of that, that should be done by the end of the month.
And, the bids are due this Friday, for 2 new units on Building #9, that
we had budgeted as part of the upgrade. On the bridge,
we had 9 areas of repairs that needed to be done on the floor beams, 6 of those 9 are done.
That's moving along really well, we've had 2 crews that are working on those, in the last month.
it's been always in their work. Out at the airport, really a lot of just regulatory
things going on out there. We've done our...we've done our mowing out there.
And, one point to talk about, we have scheduled a large training exercise with the local fire departments.
for August, and right now we're in the middle of organizing that. That will count for our training exercise
for the FAA. But, the local fire departments, Heuvelton, and Ogdensburg, were a great help there.
Down at the port, in the last month, we have had 2 vessels, but it's actually the same vessel.
But, 2 different deliveries. One in June, and one in July. The one July, you can update that number to
18,000. They added another 4,000 tons.
So, we got, roughly about 48,000 tons of North American road salt. Which is, that's good.
to get that out of the way. There will be others, we're expecting them in the end of July, and possibly early August.
That's now year round.
We did receive quotes on the chain link fence. And, we can talk more about that later on.
And, under some other items, we did some staff office improvements here in the building.
It's ongoing. We put some carpet in John's office, and did a little...work there.
And, we've begun the exterior painting of the Bridge Administration building in between rain showers.
And, we started Sunday. Also, you'll see
that we've been asking for...we had no bids on the surplus equipment.
And, we're going to ask to take a look at that, and lower those minimum requirements.
I would also add that, we'll have everything back in place,
they're all one color again, prior to the North Country Regional Council public meeting, which occurred
in this room. (unintelligible) I'll send that
out...via public notice. But, we were able to have the Regional Council
Public Meeting occurred, so if you're looking for something, you can stop back in later, it will be there, after
we're through. (unintelligible)
I think we're going to have maybe look at it next year. Because we've got, again, with the
major structure, should've never been painted in the first place, but it was. That caused some sections
to topple under some...(unintelligible)...and you've seen some sections out there that have some
substantial stress loss. And, we need to have that addressed next year. I don't think we can put it off anymore...(unintelligible)...
It seems as though as...willing to have done is, to change the project over...
I don't think (unintelligible) has that thing to go over and take the brick or something, and do a thing where the brick
and bridge it, and soften it, and take...it's like a sponge,
and you know, you're not supposed to clean it. I think another thing, they're doing the building
down on that corner...(unintelligible). I don't know just who the contractor is on that, but I talked to Steve about going up
and visiting them, and find out just what they're doing. Maybe it's not the same brick but, you're right, we've got to
fix this building, and do something about it. This building's costing us a lot of money. For square foot the last time
it run around 18$, to maintain this building.
Another further question you could ask yourselves, one of the things is, you talk about the past. The lighting for the
toll area, we talking about night time, that coming off? There's also a question about security
cameras for that? We've installed those. Right there? Yeah, so you can see on this side. They wanted
for everybody...originally we just had lighting in the lanes. But our toll collectors were concerned about how they
[could get] better lamps on inside. We installed floodlights on to that. Those come on
and then the lighting serves to illuminate that...(unintelligible). This spring we installed a camera in each lane
it's right down on the (unintelligible) dash area...those are operable right now
They're really concerned at night time that you can't see well enough. And, if somebody's there by them self. Sure, yeah.
And, we also installed a...it's a PA, you'll see on there, installed a new siren system.
When they're locked in there, they can...it's one of those...if they're in a
traffic or something like that, and somebody gets out of their car and starts walking towards them, they don't have to...they can talk
there, and then there's a siren on there, that they can set off. It notifies a person. Yeah, and that's just to let
somebody know that...we're serious about what's happening. A lot of times truck drivers will pull up at 11, or 12 at night
just asking questions, and you just don't know what they're up to. So, these can say
get back in your truck, drive in. Rather than them hollering at them, we'll work on that.
So, even if that does that work, then. If you've got a minute after the meeting, I can show you this.
I'd like that. At the full budget meeting last fall, we did bring up the lighting issue
and that's been an issue, and we addressed that later a full budget meeting and we're going talk some more about it. That's excellent.
I know something was discussed here. When we first came out with that it was an issue, and we've worked on that, even last year
we put those lights in earlier in the season. They were worrying about the problem is, satisfying...you know. Yeah.
So that's what it came to. The other question I had is, here in the bridge part,
and...if somebody wanted come in and buy a credit card. Are we still...not in a system where
we can have credit cards? What's going on with that. I know we discussed that. What is our
concern that we can't pull up...and use a credit card? The biggest concern is,
the size of the transaction. Credit card fees are based on
a set amount. It's like 20 cents for a transaction, plus a percentage,
1, or 2 percent. So on a $2.75 transaction, that is the big thing. Because,
if the transaction would be twenty cents. twenty cents of 2.75 is nearly 10%.
It's 7, or 8 percent. So, the transactional fee is what we can't see.
if we have a minimum, then that defeats the purpose. So, that's the issue.
Then we have 3 fees. The in price, U.S. price, credit card
price. Because then we have both. I think. I don't know, though. There's got to be something to do with credit. Because then, a lady couldn't buy
a card, if she didn't have the cash to buy a card, because she was a commuter, or whatever she was,
and I'm saying okay, it was solved. Now, I think another issue here...(interrupts): Your debit card.
Your debit card, is activated out at the toll booth. Yeah, but you don't have...you couldn't take a credit card
You couldn't use a credit card. But you can actually get out of the car, put the information into the computer, and if you have the cash,
you can activate out at the computer. Yeah. How much does the card charge on this? $37.
Or 20. 20 point 7. It's a 2.75 transaction.
Well, for a single person. Yeah, that's right. But we'd also have to agree to purchase
the cards. Yeah, we don't like that. With the
dollar exchange, this is the concern that I've had, and this board's had. The amount of money
that we use to exchange your money back at the port. And now, all of the sudden...I know the Canadian dollar is down about 4 cents
in the current plan, it might be up to 5 cents. How do we protect ourselves
when that happens? We've changed the fee for Canadians to get out.
Which has been three dollars. But, I know we're taking some... (unintelligible)...and we're getting beat there. Is there another way around that?
I don't know. If we decide the rate, the change is essential. Yeah, there's nothing we can do about that
International fee, unless we taking out banking business to them. And, have that
be part of the process, with the transactional fee with...foreign exchange.
I guess, maybe in the bank, if that is negotiable. So, I would...
and I'm not saying you'd want to leave Community Bank, or anything, but that's definitely negotiable. So, maybe even the inkling that
he might take it to the bank, he might leave it in it's negotiable terms. The fee that they charge us is less than the fee
that they charge the public. For sure. I don't know how the credit end is. Right. But, that's
a dynamic we should look into, getting out our banking business. Well, we've had the initial conversation, trying to get
that fee lowered with that bank, and just let them know...I'd even agree...(unintelligible).
Well, I mean, that's my personal take. Whatever bank that I work with, I want them to transfer
...foreign exchange Canadian money. While they have to call another bank, and say, what is the
fee for that? There was a transaction taken. And, there was an exchange fee, and then I'm going to them. I mean, I'm just
alone here. I couldn't believe how much money it was going to be to do that.
I'm just concerned, while we're doing those processes, I know there's enough to do here, with all the things we're doing.
But, whatever we say, what we do, and how we serve the public, and how we do to serve us better, and come up with a couple of pennies.
I just wanted to address that. How much money do you think we actually...Canadian funds
do we receive? Just an idea. Well, there's just an important reason why. I know what you're saying. It probably would be
over a million. I did not know that. That's what we've done. It's just a wild guess. (unintelligible)
Got to be a lot of places, we have to satisfy that to a degree to the other new bridges. And what fees they're taking.
I think...one way
around, could be to have a Canadian dollar bank account.
We talked about this. Yeah. If we were to specify that type of arrangement it would help a lot of Canadian vendors that didn't have to that million dollars.
But...(cough - unintelligible)...we've had a lot of meetings, we will.
I think even if we had a Canadian dollar bank account, where we would put it in to Canadian dollar value,
that we wouldn't be...we would still end up having to change most of that.
It's a good idea to look at it, though.
Years ago, some of this stuff...it depends on how much business we all can do over there. To see what you really want to do.
Let's address it to the opportunity...(unintelligible)
There you go. You must have done your homework.
(laughter) See, Steve, you might get along around here. (laughter) Any more questions
for you Steve, or anybody else? I used my time. (laughter)
Okay. Mr. Chairman, since we're appearing that on to the table,
it might be in order to ask the committee if they can add to the reports. Oh, okay.
Thanks, Fred. (laughter) I really don't have much to add to what Fred said.
We had a look at the report together, that they had put together. Most of what Steve, and well, I've been working on since I've been
there. We did put together some of the MWBEs and reports together for next week. The only thing
I can think that we didn't really touch on, or see, was their semi-annual report from the New York State Joint Commission on packets
that we've got, preparing to be sent out for the MWBE...(unintelligible)...
on part of the MWBE. One of the questions I have, Mr. Chairman,
if spread it is the way, if she extended for the ethics committee, or for the ethics procedure? I have to
go down for the mandatory training as the ethics person for the authority next week. I have to bring back
a packet which is very similar to what you've seen already. And then, I have to train the authority
like with Miss Clary, too. So that she will be included. Yeah, she'll be in all through the end of this week.
That's what the... (unintelligible)...is fully now. She had to go down to Albany, too? No.
You'd be the same? Yeah, I go down for that, I go to Albany. (cross talk - unintelligible) We changed another procedure in there, oh, okay.
Well, that's good, so you're going to be training me, and Sam. That's good. I wouldn't think.
I wouldn't think of training them. (laughter) I look for a hundred dollars. Okay.
Moving right along, where was I here? Committee Reports? Facilities Committee met
this morning. Anything you want to add, Fred? Mr. Chairman, everything is in proper order for you to present to the full board. Okay.
We'll do that. Finance Report Committee? The Finance Committee will wait until next month to present
it's report. Hopefully, on the Canadian exchange, we didn't come up with reports on that. It's because the
floating reports are not due until Tuesday. Okay. Marketing
Committee, we haven't really scheduled anything lately. We decided that last week, that we're going to meet quarterly.
We actually had a date with this. Yeah, we had a tentative date with...
Oh, that's how we got it. Yeah, John had to go to a meeting to (unintelligible). Yeah. Okay.
I mean, the core isn't part of that. So, it's the first time with the committee.
Any unfinished business, Wade? There's no unfinished business.
I would like to correct one thing, though. I mentioned the North Country Regional Economic Development Council public meeting was going to be
in this room, after the marketing meeting. It's actually before the board meeting. I just wanted to set on the time, to help you out
(unintelligible)
Our regular meeting is when? Our next meeting would be August 7. And, that's on our agenda.
Is that an appropriate time, everybody is okay with that? Okay. We'll leave it at that. 8 A.M?
Tentatively 8 A.M. for the Facilities Committee, 9 A.M. for the board.
Okay, I guess we're into general business items, general administration. Wade, take us
to that, please. Certainly. Over on page 9 of your packet, this is an industrial building lease with
RazZ International, for 120 square feet of space, here in the bridge building. The term is July 15, through
this year, through July 14, next year, at the rate and terms and conditions you see before you. There is
corresponding map on page 10, which you'll observe readily.
John, amongst the thing from
Reynolds maintenance. I know we have building #1, over there, that has office space. Is there any way,
that some of those people could be here, that go over there? Is is just about this building, that they want to be here?
Yeah, with some of them, definitely, they want to tend to prefer this space...
you know, there's activity in the building and port, whereas...over in building #1, it's pretty
isolated. But eventually, if you were called here, would that be anything
a covert way to move our next clients over there? Well, we always offer them this space, I actually
looked at there, the space is looking a little lean here. So, it's what you prefer. Those two, the last time,
they wanted here, it's difficult to have them...(unintelligible)...
I'll ask that again, with that. I know against me this is...
office. Okay. It's an easy sell for it. I guess that's where it's, when you come deal with it, you have the space, it's here.
If we didn't have the space, your next stop would be...building #1, for them. The one thing I did
notice, is that our smoking policy, people are abiding by it, going out there where they're supposed to be.
You don't smell it coming out the door now. No, you don't, so that's a good thing. I don't know how that...
did we improve the (unintelligible) in difference for them out there, Wade, that you know of? No, we're going to...(unintelligible)
That's the area, that's the smoking area we now know it to be? Yes. Okay. Excellent.
I'm sorry, where was I? We just need to have a
motion to pass this item. I move the resolution.
We need a second. I'll second. Ramona second. Any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye? by saying aye?
Aye. Done. The second item, over on page 11, is agenda item A2.
This is approval of a revised minimum bid amounts for surplus property. As you recall, we had surplus property that was
put to bid previously. There were no bids. Therefore, we discussed it with the Facilities Committee this morning,
about the reducing the minimum bid. And, that's what you see in front of you, on page 10.
I'll move it. Second. We have a second from Doug.
If Don releases his vote, and second by Doug, do they get the second? So, if something comes up, Doug, you're on there as the second. (laugher)
You're on there. (laughter) Any further questions, comments? I think a comment I would make, is review this
and the initial...bid prices were, we didn't get anything, per se. And, it's just kind of like that.
Move this now, or get it salvaged. Or, we sell it. We just can't have this stuff laying every place.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye. Over on page 12,
agenda item A3, is approval of a purchase of a lawn mower. This is for a Jacobsen lawn mower.
R-311T. Under State Contract, at $50,099.27.
This was discussed at the Facilities Committee earlier today.
And, it was agreed to, to move it to the full board. This wasn't in the budget.
It had been provided for. I believe we took it out. Well, we didn't have alignment. We had alignment
at one time. But, this is actually a replacement for the equipment caught fire, and burned up.
The same? Is this bigger than the one we have? The same size. The same.
So, this isn't the one we cut from last month's meeting. No. This is a replacement for the one that
caught fire. Had the other one not burned up, this would've been what we would've brought forward. But, what happened is,
instead of getting one additional, now one is being a replacement.
And, we will be getting somewhere in the neighborhood of... (unintelligible)...towards this. Yes, somewhere around 14,000, we had
$15,000 , and $1,000 deductible. And, there may be some salvage if we purchase
this, we will... whatever salvage we will be able to keep as spare parts for
this. Maybe the mower decks, some of the good parts, that may be salvageable.
So, if they do lower the amount that we get from 14,000, if they're salvageable we'll keep those parts.
One of the things that we were talking about, the parts, and so on. I think that we also should maybe look at...
salvaging that transmission. In case one goes out. We can.
Well, whatever's salvageable, we'll...tires, and some things that may have...it's good to have, in case
we can part them out. One of the things that we did not discuss in the salvage thing...
we were talking about what we do, and how we do things with the grass, etc. The level of presentation. What we do
and how we do things. And, we really feel that not really meeting the goals and the way we want
to present our grass, who we are, and the way the things [are] that we have. You know, Steve took us along historically, where we were
10, 12 years ago, and where we are today. We also realized now, accepting the new lawn mower, we look at
exactly how we do things, and there's another level in ways we can present. And, maintaining our lawn at a better level.
But, what we also addressed was, this level where it does, the basic need that we already had, we need to
make a new step forward. For some of the smaller equipment doing larger items, in a lot of the areas.
And, it's come back to this board that, there's another size lawn mower that's bigger than a 48 inch, and obviously it was back in '96.
We need to look at that, to increase our quality, or...
the way we present how the lawns look. And, we talked about... I remember hearing the lawns, I mean it was always high.
There were always high. And, you know there's a level when you bring it down a little bit, that's a little bit protection that we look to it.
And, we agreed that we can do a better job. And, it it will be a little more expensive in certain ways, because you've got a
better lawn mower, another lawn mower, but...you know you'll get results. You'll get vision results. Some things
you see, that you get results with the money you pay, and some things you pay money for things, and you can't see results. So, this is really
one of the things that...that will do a better job with this. So, that being said,
when we did talk about it, was the training aspect, and all those types of things that, we don't have any problems
seeing those. What you said is, they believe that the gentlemen operating the lowering it off,
realized that it was a job to save all of our jobs, and a way to protect himself.
He was great in a certain degree, but doing certain things to protect himself
first, and thank God we didn't have a serious injury. That being said, we've agreed
that this mower has all the capabilities, and we're all familiar with this piece of machinery. We know what it does,
and what it doesn't do. And, the expectations are there. It's a good lawn mower.
With that, we need a motion. I'll move it. Don. Steve second.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye. Heard all the ayes. That brings us over to
page 13, agenda item B1. This is approval of a contractor relocating the security camera. This is
furthered by the Coast Guard's need for us to monitor the camera systems at all times at the port.
As such, we need to relocate from the old building, where the truck scales used to be, to the new building, where the truck scales currently are.
The cost of this is $14, 780. And, that is...
for the contractor, NCC. I'd just like to ask...
I was puzzled on this. All this equipment is now in place...
and to our facility. Right? Yes. They're telling you, due to the fact that we
don't have somebody working in the daytime, during the day in operations, and we need to move the camera,
to the new location of the scale houses. Yes.
Why would we be moving all the equipment, when we just need to move, or maybe a camera,
or cameras, into the scale house. And, leave the cameras that were in the facility, now in place?
Why wouldn't we? We really are, Fred. Really, we're adding a camera, and then adding a receiver,
radio signal, that we should pick up. The parts are all wireless. Okay. Currently at the...we're going to keep...(interrupts): So, you're still going to have that...
(continues): Yeah. Everything's stil going to be there. Okay. All right, that's all I wanted to know. Really, I mean that, you know that it picks up all that wireless, and brings it over
there. So, in effect, you're really only going to have one line there, but it's easier to plug in there. Okay.
We're moving now, where we need a pole just to get the height, so that you can see there. And, that's where the expense is. All right.
I just wanted to make sure. Now, why isn't there a bidding process for this proposal?
It's sole-sourced, that...the system that we bought, is only serviced by
NCC. I can't get another security company to work on it. Sure. It's the same as like we are
with the toll booth. None of them are MWBE certified? Not right now. It's all sole-sourced. Of course not, I knew
that. And, that may...parts of that may affect some of the pricing. Well, yeah, I do.
We'll follow that on the agenda item. Okay. I need a motion.
I'll move it. Thanks, Fred. I'll second. Ramona seconds. Further questions, comments?
Okay, all in favor, signify by...(interrupts): Could we just add that, some of that cost was budgeted in our...it was budgeted
in our...this year's budget. More than half the cost. So, there was a late entry.
So, now you've put me on the spot, here. Does that, put into our thought process of when we did the
access road? There was no need for a camera? No. We knew this. Now, that's not really fair to say.
Okay. So, the Coast Guard says, this is different than what we had there. See, the Coast Guard
is not as happy with the way it is right now. They want it in a place for somebody can watch it. And, we can't
watch it from the scale, so what are you going to do? We're still going to have it in that building. We'll have a bigger operation when
unloading ships, and stuff, still going to need it. All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye.
Thank you. Agenda item B2 was held over from the...facilities
committee, pending review of the labor and process. So, that being said, the next item
we'll go to, is item C1, approval of insurance renewals. There's a couple different versions out there...
I want to make sure that you've got the right one. The right one that you should have, is like this, a single page document.
And, on that the total is $190.040.
I apologize, we just had the bid...opened yesterday.
So, we're a little...trying to meet all the points. 190...
and four. Yes. 190 is roughly true. So, this other one is no longer in use.
Correct. This is the result of the request
for a total for insurance coverage. Mr. Chairman,
I'll reprise when we talked about this before. We're going to look at 2 year...2 year contracts.
I see those at least here, one year...one year proposals. There are some. And, there are 2 years.
We put the professional proposal out on the street. We did receive a few responses. You can see the responses over
in the column on the left, for various things that we have. There is one thing here regarding
airport access liability, that we have not had before, that we're recommending that we should have. Based on
the learnings from the RFP process. So, the table on the left shows the bid amount,
the table on the right shows what we're recommending for selections, for a total of...
$190,040. And that's...pretty much
across the board for all the...different types of insurance purposes.
I would like to point out that I have broken down the Directors and Officers from an email. And...
the correct amount under the Trans Rail column, the correct amount is 6,843.
And, that would be the same with the bid amount, and the selected amount. I've changed that total to 190,541.
I apologize for that error. Where's the...(unintelligible) 6342?
And, you've got 6893. Now, this bid...
is all under one and covered, correct? No. So, there are
bits and pieces? That's what I'm trying to figure out here. Because, I want to ask a question. In other words,
if somebody were doing the... insurance for the Directors and the Officers. Are they doing all this?
Or, is it certain insurance companies doing each piece?
The Trans Rail Associates bid, is for the liability. Let's start with that.
Okay, yeah. The Heylor, Freyer, and *** for the liability was broken out into 4 different categories.
The Trans Rail bid is all of those categories for one price. So, that's the 88,280,
versus eighty-seven five. The Directors and Officers was separate, because that expired on...
July 3rd, or July 4th, something like that. I got that extended
through July 31st, at the last minute. But, these bids came in separately.
Because of the July 4th date. That's why there's separate liabilities. And, the...
Haylor, Freyer, and *** was at 14, and the Trans Rail was going to be 6,893. Then...
the property, inland marine, commercial auto...those...
the Trans Rail, was unable to
bid on those, because of lack of sufficient information.
They asked for 5 years of loss funds, we requested 5 years of loss funds, we did not receive that in time for them.
They were unable to quote on that, because of that.
The...then the crime, and the airport, those were expired in April.
And the bid...so that the crime was in April, that was bid then. He like that! (laughter)
The airport excess, that was expired at a different time.
So, I want to put it all on, that was April approved. Then this airport excess
liability was...entered in there as a recommendation.
Because, we have 2 million dollars liability at the airport.
they felt strongly that...that that was insufficient for any kind of accident
that we might have there. And, they recommended this, and it sounded like a good idea to me.
That's why it's not...we put it on there as a recommendation that you accept an additional cost.
And, Rick can answer your questions better than I can. He's representing...Trans Rail Associates.
He will write these....these contracts, write the insurance
if you choose them. Well, one of the things that...
I'm kind of concerned is...the MWBE stuff...now, what I look at is...
is...who insures it...each broker, each policy has a different broker that
they've got to insure it? Is that how that works? Well, to answer your question...
I'm actually with Arthur J. Gallagher & Associates. We're based in White Plains. We are the marketing side for
Trans Rail. Trans Rail is certified MWBE entity, that Fred has vetted.
Gallagher has worked in the past with these folks, and we've had a very good experience with them. So, that's why
we chose them for the port authority. To answer Fred's questions...
starting with the liabilities. You presently have 4 policies. For the marine park, you have
5 million in coverage, presently, I'm going with what the stated is. You have a total of
5 million in coverage over 2 layers. And, as Fred and I, and Karen had discussed, the excess part of that, the 4 extra ones from Fred's point,
renewed on July 4th, where the primary part renewed on July 31st. So, Fred was able to
go to your current agent, and get them to extend that, and that was only on July 2nd. For Workers Compensation,
which is separate. It got renewed on March 31st. The crime and the aviation are April 30th.
We were not able to quote on the property and the marine. And, the others, Fred's point,
despite Karen's and Fred's efforts, they were only able to get the complete loss funds we needed. I think it was June 26th,
was the final. So, it only left us 5 working days. It simply...to go to a new market, it's just not workable.
However, on the liabilities side, we've gone to a group called P.T. Mutual Insurance, Ltd.
And, I...I'd imagine none of you have even heard of them. They are perhaps, the largest insurer of ports,
terminals, logistical operators in the world. I've dealt with them personally, they're...(unintelligible)...
"A minus" rated, well above what you need. They have offered to the port, and I would add, I called
on the port 6 years ago, with a different inquire, and with Fred's predecessor. This same P.T. company
was very anxious to write it at that time. For whatever reasons, it never got traction to go with it. But, the fact of it now,
here and now, what the P.T. company is offering you, is a policy that will start on July 31st,
of this year. And offer you a 2 year contract. It will be 5 million dollars
per occurrence, across the board. That includes your automobiles, your marine,
and all of the other general liabilities. The stevedores, the workages, the warehousing, the marines you don't ...(unintelligible).
Under that, you have some limits. 2 million dollars for your employer benefits liability.
That when you hire a new person, all the medical, that sort of thing. Are those minimum numbers, are those...
above average? That's on the low side of the safe. This is a smaller entity. Okay. I would
suggest it no less than that. Personally, from what I've seen over 40 years, I'd recommend you buy enough for 10 million.
Which, I would imagine it would be under 5 or 10 thousand dollars. I can price that, if you'd like to see it.
But, right now, what we're giving you is a unified policy. Whereas one carrier, to provide you 5 million dollars.
I think what's interesting here, in addition to...you'll have automobile up to 5 million, where you only have 2 now.
And, that's where you can get into a real sticky situation. I personally handled an automobile for chest (?) leasing company,
and, it's a one hundred million dollar claim, it would settle for 30 million dollars. And, that was for a company that (unintelligible) for the
Transamerica Leasing Corporation. Where they leased out container chests to sell. Different business than yours,
Transamerica Leasing Corporation. Where they leased out container
but, a family unfortunately was killed, and that's where force pays. (cross talk - unintelligible)
...Because, that's really important numbers, what you just said. So, the liability number is 87,000,
for 5 million. And, you said you'd double that to 10, for how much? This is just a guess, sir.
We'll take it. And, I'm a broker, I'm not an underwriter. I would imagine for not more than another $10,000.
Okay. I mean, I don't know how many claims there are, but it only takes one. Fortunately, we have a real good record
on the liability. And, you know, from what I had to. But, still, 10 million dollars
in coverage is not silly numbers, at all. Okay. This board needs to know. Exactly what our options are.
If there's something more, then we sit back and say, well, why didn't you tell us that? So, we can react to those numbers.
Well, if you can allow me the benefit of say, 24 hours maximum, I can come in with a hard quotation for you. Okay, we can, Doug,
do you think? I guess...Fred, you said that Trans Rail could not...
bid on...what was the reason for that? That we...
did not supply them with information that they would need. We were requested by
Karen, and I both worked...as hard as we could work,
to get that information. I mean, to ask our current broker to provide that information.
They provided information, forwarded it to Rick. Rick could come back and say, this isn't
what I'm asking. We were led to believe that that was the information we asked for.
So, once we got that, we felt that we had...we had done what was requested.
So...it was difficult, the weekend...when Rick would say he didn't have the information.
to write back to them, or call them, and say, that wasn't enough. This is
when we'd give them the information that Rick gave. This is 2 year's worth, this 3 year's worth,
or whatever, they'd ask for 5 years. And, I think that the state law says that they have 10 days to do it.
Well, if they misunderstand what we ask for, whether intentionally, or not.
Then, when we ask again, that starts another 10 days, and so on. So, by the time we got it, it was too late.
I guess my concern is, I'd just like to know what Trans Rail would give us a quote on, on the rest of that.
Me too. (unintelligible) And, I would like to see us next year, when we get into this, I'd like
to have this month, and last month. Where if we have questions, and there's something, we can get it done. And, it's like you said,
then we'll have a double policy, he's going to get back in 24 hours. I think if we had another month, where we could
redo this, and talk it, and come up with something like that. Then, we would have this before a hard core deadline, and we need that
to have it done today. You know, I'd like more time to have this discussion.
To address that point, that's what that next line actually does. The broker record that needs renewed, could be Trans Rail Associates.
And, that would allow us the flexibility to not have to go through this information date that's been delayed.
Yeah. And, the company's building quotes. To go back and finish Wade's point. That would also
put the entire $190,000 into the MWBE column. Thank you. My question,
answered right there. Into the MWBE column, we would pay that quarterly. And, that would
resolve many of our goal issues. I just would like more
time. I want more time to review this, and if we have questions, then we can have it...you know, we've got a month.
to get the answers, and deal with it more educated on it. And, as I said, I would really like to see what TRA
would give us for bids, in the other areas, that's all. If I could just offer one comment to this
port here, and Fred. I have to say, I can't tip my hat enough to both Karen, and Fred.
And, I was *** the two of them for this information, and I don't mean that in a negative, or an adversarial way. But, I finally
got to the point where I went to some of our marketing people, where we dug the insurance sections that said, once you
as the insurer makes the request for the loss information, the state requires that the agent of record produce
it within 10 days. I can assure you that it was our intention and our desire, to provide you with quotes with
every line of coverage, if that's what you wanted to do. As a matter of background, we are the brokers for
the City of Ogdensburg. And, that's been since 1986. We're the brokers for the Village of Massena. Also, the brokers
for Albany County. We do all non-profit public entities, such as the port. So, we do have a good experience
in that space. To Fred's point, I know it sounds like I'm saying "Just give everything to us, to Trans Rails",
and I appreciate that. Our commitment in writing would be, to immediately extend the policies all out,
to one source. As the RFP requests. To do a thorough review of every coverage,
to then, with broker record authority, we can go to those carriers and say, "Excuse me, we need
this years losses, and we need the past 4 year's losses." We do that all the time for our clients.
And then, we will provide, a quarterly if you need it, semi-annual, a loss update. So, here's where
we are with your losses, here's any deterioration, here's any improvement, this one's closed since the last time we talked, or not.
We also have a gentlemen on our staff, that we hired away from my previous employer, a company called Aeon. They're one of the big shots
in the city. And, he can provide at no cost, in any interval you wish, health, safety, and environmental
meetings for your staff, say in the port, or in the commerce park. To discuss near-miss situations...
loss prevention claims control, and that sort of that we can bring to you. As I say, that's part of the service
that we do. Another thing I want to stress on the workers comp. That was one where despite Karen and Fred's
efforts, we never saw one line of loss information. You're with New York State fund.
That's a good carrier. There are 2 alternative markets out there, that would entertain a marine, and a
land side (unintelligible) that we really wanted to talk to. That would be one of our commitments to you, as far as
how the marketing is concerned. We would market these policies, such as we were able to do in a short period of time, thanks to Fred's
intervention, on the professionalized order of what the practices cover. We were able to essentially
cut the premium in half, and reduce the deductible to 10,000, and $5,000. That's A-rated
15 paper I invest, which, put another way, it's 2 billion in assets.
So, I can't say clearly enough that, my request to the...Russ Waltly (?) on Trans Rail (unintelligible) the broker that will
cover this. It's not that we want to be picky. We want to show you what we can do, and give you a good unified program.
Do we have time to do that? It's in there, it's in the resolution.
Rick, is the Officers and Directors liability coverage 5 million, as well? No Ma'am, that's 2 million, as it was. If you
wish higher limits on that...there were no claims on that. It's not
like you're in line or something like that, where you're out there with your chin up in a boxing ring all the time. But, if you would prefer to look at another
premium, we could do that for you. Is that what our low coverage was. Yes. So, that's half, the premium is cut in half? Roughly half, yes.
And, what we did was, that policy renewed on July 1st, and Fred, I think you went on and looked at that one around...June 30th?
Or, June 29th. We wrote that policy from July 1st of 2013,
right through to August 1st, 2014. So, you've got 13 months coverage there. Which again, I think it's .3,
on you RFP, which inquires with the desire, that all new coverages cover your Officers.
You better stop me, so I can brush up a little bit. And, I'll start talking too. Well, it brings me
to a very interesting point here. Because, the status of the MWBE...all of the sudden we're
when we start fulfilling, when we get to the best price, for a product at this kind of money,
it changes a lot of dynamics, and other contracts, and things that we do. Which percentage would this be for?
Again, we haven't got the quarter calculated. But, what would that
dollar amount be? 5%, 10%? It would be over 10%. That's what I mean.
Now, was this calculated this way last year with this? No. Because it had been a long term
contract. I adjusted it, I was able to get exempt insurance. Because, we didn't have...
the contract originated before the goals were in. And, we couldn't...so, if we had problems that way, and not
the other way, where we were getting some new lines. If I included it with the RFP, no. Interesting.
Tell me one thing...I'm just trying to get this clear in my mind. Doug says to me, all this in force,
where we're covered. It looks like we had Directors and Officers,
it was 14,781? That was the bid amount. You're right.
Then, there's a difference in bid 6,000. Yeah, it's a little over 7,000. $7,888?
Yes. So...this gentlemen's company is...
over those 3 areas...which is part of the $190,000?
Yeah. And...would he have time now,
to review the rest of these items? If we pass this resolution as it's written, they will become
the broker of record. I would sign the broker of record letter. I'd bring to the authority to sign the broker record of letter. Meaning that this
is endorsed that way. That they would redo it. As Rick said, they would redo it, and...
and then may be able to get us a lower premium with that record. May. May, yes. Well, we won't go higher.
Yeah, we'd go higher, we'd have to. Well, unfortunately, not having been able to quote on those coverages, we were working with one
type. So, we wouldn't know. Now, I showed...the property, equipment,
the auto... and the aviation, to our experts in those fields. I think the aviation
for your primary policy? That's a $5,000 policy. I don't think you're going to see much movement on that. But,
what we would probably do, for the next renewal, is offer you one policy, instead of an excess layer.
One policy from a higher layer, where you would see your economy expand.
How long would those policies be good for? We would negotiate for 2 years. If the carriers will allow
us to. If not, it would be a minimum of one. Can we go bigger than 2? Can we go more than 2?
For the liability policies, we can request that. I have done
3 year policies with P.T. See, that's what Doug was saying. So, if we knew that, we'd be more informed to say, okay, what
is the savings, what is the continuity? If I can, and I said to you, sir,
If I can get one comment, on a liability package with P.T. company, I think it's very important to note,
that your present insurances are very limited for terrorists. I think your primary
land side general liability includes terrorism. The excess does not. And, the marine policies do not. I've reviewed.
I don't think I have to tell anybody that the Canadian U.S. border is the soft border of choice for terrorists.
I've gone into Vancouver from Seattle, and I had the border agents say, "What's the license
number on your car?" I said, sir, I don't have a clue, I rented this at the Seattle airport. I guess that was the
right answer, because they let me through. It's tough. Now, that terrorism coverage is improved.
by a million dollars, across all of those 4 policies that we've combined into one. So, if you had a
terrorist act at the toll booths, the industrial park, the port, we've got you covered.
Where is the Border Station on this? The Border Sation, where does that become involved? The Border Station rolls up in...
...the port. Already included in.
Fred, you were going to make a comment, sorry. Yeah. Rick, I think the question that I understood from Doug was,
right now, property, inland marine, and commercial auto, without the crime too, adds up to
82,665. Would that change, if you became broker of record. Not immediately.
Either up, or down. Being it could change in either direction. The honest answer is, it could change in either direction
we would obviously market that, with the idea of changing it down. Now, it is the point, if we could
get those loss funds in the next say, 2 or 3 days, we'd have a shot, at changing the quarter for July 31st.
But, in the worst case, we would roll over the current policy, or policies, with the
idea of...not getting the equal sum. And, I've checked with all the carriers
you have. Our firm with Trans Rail has a lot of clout, we've been able to place a lot of business with them. That's recognition. Okay. But, I believe
all of these are with Philadelphia. Auto? Yes, they're with Philadelphia. Now,
my understanding of signing a broker of record means, that you are now, the broker of record with Philadelphia.
for this policy, for what they quoted, for the next year. Am I wrong in that? That's correct.
So, if you didn't market it, that's it? That's our price? That's our best insurance for a year?
You're the broker, and that's the best we're going to get. So, if you marketed it, and you got a higher price from Travelers,
why would you accept it? I don't know why would you go higher. Well, there'd be no reason. We would only suggest to you to accept it
if you go the existing one stage scenario. Well, it seems to me, that we would either keep Philadelphia, at 82,665,
or we'd accept something less. That's exactly it. We would not choose to go higher. Absolutely.
And, if it does, I wouldn't recommend it. We've got enough to back on the liability
I think it's important enough there, that under that program, that also includes a one half million dollar sub limit.
For whole errors on issuance coverage. If, let's say, a shipment left the port, and it was supposed to go to "city A", and it ended up
at "city B", and they pointed their fingers at the port, and said, "That was your boo-boo." That picks up the financial
cost of righting that wrong. Give us a recommendation of the things that
you see. Well, my recommendation is, of course, that we take...the low
costs of liability, because, not only does it cost less, but we're getting a free month or less. And, it is
an MWBE firm. This helps on another issue that we're making our goals.
And then, I think, signing the brokers of record letter is important. Because,
again, it's not only MWBE, but it also gives us the opportunity to get what we need when we ask for it.
If I ask to provide for loss funds, then I expect to get it. I don't expect to have to ask them. Mr. Chairman, I would make the
recommendation that we approve this under the consideration of the CEO. I don't know if he was done
talking on that. (laughter) I know, but, I think we all heard him talk.
I'll support this, but...you know, next year, I'd like to get it ahead of time, so we can get all these...you know, if we can.
They may complete it and you might get it this year, according to that gentleman right there. It's a stretch. But we will definitely work on it. And, I would
say another point, and I'll be acquainted as broker of what Trans Rail is, what we will do during
the course of next year, is present, and provide with anyone else, and especially Karen, with a strategy report for renewal.
Which would be some, 5, or 6 months out, and a timeline. Exactly to your point. Yeah.
So that, "here's our goals, by this date we've done this, by that date, we've done that". So that we're not sitting here 15 minutes before the ball drops.
Absolutely. So again, you'd be our broker of record, or would Trans Rail be our broker of record. Well, Trans Rail would be, we'd be the monthly one.
Again, a key for your timeline for next year, when we go to approve this, we need to have this before a committee, that this exact information
that we have right here, before a committee...a finance committee, that way we can look at
it, and then approve it in July. Well, August 1st, if we go with that date, I would say early June, at the
very latest. Probably around the warm weather. Great. Thank you. Fred, in your resolution,
I would point out that that number is 190,541. Not 190,040. What did you say?
In the resolution, it says not to exceed 190,040? Yeah. That should be 190,541.
You want me put 195 in here? 4, 1? One ninety, comma, five, four, one. Five, four, one.
I've got a deal with it. So, I've got it now, it's one ninety, five,
four, one. I make that motion, Mr. Chairman. We have a second, from Doug. Yeah, Steve?
I had a question about taking help. If we commit for a week, come into a program with your people,
you mentioned that. Does that drive costs down? You said that you've got an individual that
runs health and safety? It would drive costs down, in that it would assist the port
in minimizing, or eliminating threats. So, for example, a year from now, if we check all the losses, of some of the
training involved. Things like that? That would be a plus on our side toward low costs? We did make some cuts. Now, all of our
(unintelligible) that's, it's been presented, going with P.T. group, is for 2 years. Oh. Okay?
That doesn't mean we can't come back and say, "Hey, you know what? These guys have done this. Look it over, do you have it in your heart to
give us a little something?" Thank you. Okay. Any further comments from the board members? Okay.
Would you like a roll call vote on this? Steve? Just a second.
Just working on that with it, and numbers. (cross talk - unintelligible) No, you're in the Finance Committee, talk to us.
I said to Steve, I'm not good with that. Well, I'm getting 551 also, very quickly with it,
not 541. Because the 6893, is 511 more than
6382. So, if you add that on, it would be one ninety, comma, five, five one.
How much is that, Steve? Yeah. Is that correct? That's correct. What's the proper number? 190,551.
Five, Five one. So, one number off. Ten dollars.
I call for a roll call vote, Mr. Chairman. A roll call vote's fine. Ms. Breen? Yes.
Mr. Hooper? Yes. Mr. Barlow? Yes. Mr. Loffler? Yes. Mr. Lammachia? Yes. Mr. Carter?
Yes. Mr. Regan? Yes. Sorry. That's okay. They had to come back around again.
(laugher) You won't lose your turn, though. (laughter) He's around...(cross talk - laughter - unintelligible)
Gavin, what we've done in this process, is we kind of...we better formed the...
with how we do procedure, if somebody wants to...most of the votes usually has to have been "aye", "ay", etc.
Now, if anybody wishes that they...see what vote...what individuals of the authority votes...because we've had some issues
in the past, when the press thought that somebody nodded their head, or didn't nod their head, and didn't take any vocal votes,
that would surely hurt. So, if those type of sensitive issues come up, we make a roll call vote.
And there's other boards whose policy, it's always a roll call vote. But, here we've kind of...moved that process on purpose sometimes.
So, that's why, it might happen that way. Next? There is one more agenda item in regular business.
It's agenda item B2. It's approval of a...contract for the carpet installation. I'll give you a minute to get
to it. I had it on the front, the incorrect version of the insurance.
Page 2. Looking at a small item, but it needs to come before you, because of our...
procurement policy, it was over $5,000. We solicited quotes from 5 vendors for installation of carpeting here
in this building. Only one responded, Gardner's. The price quoted was $7, 827.
(incidental side conversations)
We had a bid on it, though? It was sent out. Yes, we are...on there now. There's nothing
on there. Oh, on the carpet? Yes it is. It was sent out to...
(cross talk - unintelligible)...we sent it out to at least...on the carpet, seven. Seven companies.
If we had an (unintelligible) with this, I recommend that we close on it. I'll second.
This is all runway carpet, right? Yes. The hallway...
it's pretty much of it. The hallway carpet, and one office that hasn't been done yet. 2 offices, one upstairs that we can do.
(cross talk - incidental conversation - unintelligible) I've waited too long. Is that your office?
No, it is not. That's down in payroll. Payroll?
It's that little room? Yeah. (incidental conversation - unintelligible)
Well, I think we have known that. As far as the improvements on the building...this is one of the things that
we really, update this building as best we can, with the outside; inside. I know part of that process
some of the offices and stuff in here in the building that...it's part of the policy and procedure that you're working on.
And, I think that's...we need to continue doing that. You made a motion? Motioned, and Doug
second it. Doug second it? Ready for a vote. All in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye.
Okay. Mr. Chairman, there is a need for a brief Executive Session,
regarding...litigations regarding the grade crossing, and matters leading to...
corporate agreements. One of the things that...it must have...part of the Facilities
was the fence? Yes, the fence was tabled at the Facilities Committee, pending...Empire State
Development due process. That part...oh, okay. All right. We're not rejecting the bids. No.
We're just looking for a point of information, because of the 2 issues we're talking about. And, I think that should be discussed with the...
labor thing, I guess. And, we are in that for the Facilities Committee next time, and hopefully
we'll have a resolution. We could actually move right to the full board, because it's not a big issue. I would ask in that resolution, is to ask the lowest bidder,
exactly what...I'm not sure what's...(cross talk - unintelligible)...what their warranty is. He already put it in
the bid. (cross talk - unintelligible) I just asked the question. ESB knows.
ESB, that is? Yeah. And, we will also follow up with a session linked to our
procurement policy, and also our MWBE policy, so that will...(unintelligible)...that will go on our website.
Okay. Move to adjourn? No, I make a motion to go into
Executive Session. But, my question is, prior to... passing any motions, is that...are we going to take any
action? In regards to the Executive Session items? It depends on the pleasure of the board. There is one item
for discussion. But, there was a resolution, in regards to the Executive Session, in regards to that. Well, we need to talk about it first.
And, decide which way the board wants to go. So, there's going to be action to come out of it? Possibly, yes. Well, I would make the motion to
go into Executive Session. Second. Second, Doug. All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye.
Now, we'll have to come back, and conclude this meeting.
Let the record show that we're now back from the Executive Session, and it's now 11:35.
The camera's on. It is? Yes, it's on.
And, there was no action on that particular meeting at the Executive Session. Wade, anything else we need to address at this time?
There's agenda item C3, such other matters as may come before the board. This is approval of a settlement agreement,
the 2003 grade crossing improvement project litigation.
In this agreement, the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority will receive 12,500 in payment...
the claim is 6,000 by the contractor, 6,500 by the supplier. And, the bridge and port authority
will pay the contractor, 101,157.61, which represents the fee.
And, this resolves all claims relating to the grade crossing improvement project of
2003. Now, do we have something from the contractor, them saying this
is what they agreed with? Yes, we have a verbal agreement from 2 of the 3 parties
with the 3rd party. So, you'll get something in writing, before we do all this releasing of monies?
That's correct. There will be 2 other signatures on that document, before we sign it. I would make a motion that we approve this
document with that understanding. I'll second. Ramona second. No further comments, questions?
We will not fear of this proceeding. (laughter) This resolves all rights. This
resolves everything. All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye.
Now we're done with this. I make a motion to adjourn.
Adjourn? Second. Second by Doug, all those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye.