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Spring 2002 Newsletter
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Contents Funding Infrastructure Projects Pennsylvania Adopts Statewide Building Code Cash - Not a 1099, but a Sec. 365 Spring - When a Man's Fancy Turns to Sewers?
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Funding Infrastructure Projects by Garrett M. Hacker, E.I.T. Infrastructure projects include but are not limited to water system projects (supply, treatment and distribution), wastewater system projects (collection and treatment), municipal utilities (electricity, telephone etc.), roads, bridges and community buildings. Construction of these projects can be through force account or advertised for bid. In either case, construction costs for infrastructure projects typically require some sort of funding assistance. Examples of eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, nonprofit entities (public or private), special purpose districts and Indian Tribes. One of the first steps in planning a successful infrastructure project is researching available funding sources. Project funding is available through State and Federal government agencies and private foundations. Because most agencies have limited funding available to award each fiscal year, applicants are ranked and scored based on their ability to meet the program criteria. For this reason, it is imperative for the applicant to work closely with the program representatives throughout the entire application process. A successful applicant submits an application Matching project objectives and priorities with those set by Funding Program. With a realistic request within the funding limits of the Program applied for. Defining the needs of community and the expected outcome of the project. Consistent with local and regional plans. On time, well organized and complete with all required documentation. The following funding package is for a water distribution system in the Town of Portland, Chautauqua County, New York. E&M Engineers worked directly with the Town to research available funding sources, prepared the grant applications and is currently in the preliminary design phase. USDA Rural Development. Loan:
$100,000.00 (4.5%, 38-years) Total Estimated Project Cost: $1,270,000.00 Total Grant: $942,900.00 75% of Total Project Cost Total Loan: $327,100.00 25% of
Total Project Cost Southern Tier West Development Foundation http://www.southerntierwest.org/df/html/df.htm Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Program http://www.southerntierwest.org NYS Governor's
Office for Small Cities http://www.nysmallcities.com/ NYS Governor's
Office for Small Cities Small Cities Program http://www.nysmallcities.com NYS EFC/DEC Clean Water State Revolving Fund http://www.nysefc.org/srf/CWSRF/CWSRFhome.htm NYS EFC/DOH Drinking Water State Revolving Fund http://www.nysefc.org or http://www.health.state.ny.us NYS DEC Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/bondact/index.htm. NYS Department of Transportation Industrial Access Program http://www.dot.state.ny.us/progs/iap.html US DOC Economic Development Administration http://www.doc.gov/eda/ USDA Rural Utilities Service http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny/index.html USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service http://www.rurdev.usda.gov USDA Rural Housing Service Community Facilities Loans and Grants Program http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ny/index.html Pennsylvania Adopts Statewide Building Code by Roy R. Pedersen, PE In November 1999, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 45, creating a statewide building code. This law is expected to go into effect in late 2002 or early 2003. The purpose of this code is to insure that minimum quality standards of construction are practiced on all building construction projects. The new code is based on the International Building Code 2000. This is also the foundation for the upcoming revision to the New York State Building Code. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has been preparing the rules and regulations regarding the specific requirements to be observed, and the training and certification requirements for building inspectors. Once in effect, all local governments in PA have to enforce the code either through its own employees or by hiring construction code officials from third-party agencies to perform plan/specification reviews and inspections. Inspectors hired by local governments prior to code implementation will be grandfathered into the system and will have up to five years to obtain state certification. Inspectors hired after the code is implemented will have to already be state certified. If a community already has a code, they can continue to use it as long as is meets or exceeds IBC 2000. The administration and enforcement of this new building code will cost local governments money. The Act authorizes permit fees, which should be structured to cover the program costs. For small communities, it may be economical to "share" an inspector instead of employing your own. Local governments will have the choice of "opting in " or "opting out". This basically means that if you want control of building and code enforcement in your Township, you "opt in". If you "opt out", there could be several outside inspection agencies inspecting building construction in a community, possibly charging different fees.For financial aid to assist in startup costs, the Governors Center for local Government Services has matching grants available (call toll free 1-888-223-6837). For answers to you questions about the new code, the following four reference sources can be visited:
Information in this article was obtained from PA Township News, February, 2002, " To Enforce of Not to Enforce" by Jill Eucolino, Assistant Editor Cash - Not a 1099, but a Sec. 365 by James A. Nearhood, PLS Through what is called the USA Patriot Act the small and large ordinary businesses operating locally as well as state wide are now part of the "War on Terrorism". "Suspicious transactions" need to be reported after businesses monitor their customers. President Bush signed this Act in late October which requires this reporting to the Treasury Department. Sec. 365 of the USA Patriot Act reads "Coin and currency receipts of more than $10,000" shall be reported along with information about the transaction to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. This information includes name, address, amount, date, nature of the transaction and the name of the filer. The cash sum of $10,000 is not limited to one transaction. A series of transactions in cash totaling $10,000 will trigger a report also. It will also be required to report non-financial trades or business which are made to evade the reporting Act. Most people know that banks, thrifts, and credit unions have been required to file reports of cash transactions. Now all of us small businesses are part of our government's reporting system, the problem is that most people do not know it. The final form of the regulations are not due until six months after the date of enactment of this Act. So no guidelines or reporting forms are available as of yet. But I believe we should be thinking about this and its effect on us. The war on terrorism is a just one, but do we need to report everything to the government? Do we know what a suspicious transaction is? What kind of liability issues could come up? Do we really want to be a part of a government informant agency and what are the penalties for non-conformance? Just a thought. Spring - When a Man's Fancy Turns to Sewers? by Glenn D. Cooley, PE I'm sure that not everyone thinks of sewers when spring arrives, but utility managers should. Spring is one of the problem seasons for sanitary sewers; a time when inflow and infiltration (I/I) problems are at their peak. Groundwater is high and rains are frequent which create these extreme sewer flow conditions. Spring, therefore, is a great time to look for the sources of the I/I. E & M is fully equipped to help you locate sewer problems. We have a smoke machine which can be used to locate illegal storm water connecting or even broken pipe when soil conditions allow. We also have a color TV pipeline inspection camera. The camera can inspect pipes as small as 4 inches if adequate access is available. If you clean the sewer and string a line we can keep your costs low by sending only one technician with the camera. Call us now to schedule an inspection. If you are in the beginning stages of implementing a geographic information system (GIS) for your sewer system (or other utility or streets), we can speed up your system mapping. One of our surveyors and our global positioning system (GPS) can locate each system manhole in seconds and within inches, including elevation. We can cover most systems in one or two days. We can then provide you with the X, Y, Z coordinates or integrate them into your maps. Using GPS is the fastest way to map your system.
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