NWEA

11/09/2007

Meeting Minutes November 2007

Nevada Board of Certification Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
November 9, 2007 - Meeting Minutes - CCWRD Conference Room

Meeting was called to order at approximately 10:00 AM.

Attendees: Bill Shepherd, John Solvie, Steve Cottrell, Joe Crim, Starlin Jones, Jennifer McMartin

Absent: Harvey Johnson

Introduction of guests: Dr. David James, NWEA Executive Board

Special Presentation: On behalf of the Certification Board and the NWEA Board, Steve Cottrell was presented a plaque for his 24 years of dedicated service on the Certification Board.

1. Item #1: Approval of minutes of July 20, 2007 meeting:
   
   • The minutes were approved as written.
2. Item #2: Certification Program Update:
   • The contract between NWEA and NDEP is going before the Board of Examiners on November 13, 2007.  Once signed it becomes effective immediately. 
   • Some minor changes were made to the scope of work.
   • Notification letters will be sent to all wastewater treatment plant operators after the contract is signed.
3. Item #3: Program Administrator’s report:
   • The Program Administrator’s report was distributed to the Board.
   • Program Administrator will not renew his term as he was elected to the ABC Executive Board.
   • The Board was updated on the possibility of Nevada working with Ohio and Georgia to develop a standardized Industrial Waste Inspector exam.  Since the process is going to take some time the IWI exam questions were scrambled. 
   • The pins were discussed.  It was decided that pins will no longer be sent out.  The APA will track the number of requests and report to the Board.
4. Item #4: Assistant Program Administrator (APA) items:
   • Received several requests to offer the exam at Tri-State.   The Board decided not to offer the exam at Tri-State at this time.
   • APA asked for approval to attend the ABC Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX.  The Board approved.  Action pending final approval from the NWEA Board.
   • A backup DVD will be given to the Program Administrator of the Certification files at each Certification Board meeting. 
5. Item #5: Computerized Exam Survey results attached.
   • Program Administrator presented the information from ABC regarding computerized examinations.  Nevada will utilize the existing contract between ABC and AMP.  ABC will bill NWEA $29 for each exam scored, the same as pencil and paper exams.  The examinee will pay the normal pencil and paper exam fee of $60 for mandatory exams and $150 for voluntary exams.  After the application is approved the examinee will be notified from ABC that they have been approved to take a computerized exam.  The examinee will pay the additional computerized exam fees of $68 directly to AMP. 
   • The examinees receive results at the end of their exam including an exam diagnostic.   
   • ABC will email the results in a password protected file, including the diagnostics, to the APA. 
   • All exams will be available except the IWI exams, as they are not standardized exams.
   • Motion:  Certification Board pursue contract changes with ABC to add computerized testing to our contract.  The Board approved.  Action pending final approval from the NWEA Board.
   • Notify the State regarding the addition of computerized testing.  Customer service option available to operators that would like to test this way.  AMP has testing centers in Las Vegas and Reno, and 135 cities nationwide.
   • The process will take 3 months to set up with ABC. 
   • How soon can an applicant reapply?  The applicant can reapply immediately, but cannot take the test again for 30 days from the exam date.  The fee must be used within 90 days or it will be forfeited.     
6. Item #6: Voluntary program fee increase:
   • The fee increase was approved by the NWEA Executive Board 9/17/07.  It will become effective 1/01/08.
   • Notification letter was sent.  The brochures and applications are being updated. 
   • Draft Voluntary Program Fee Increase Transition Policy was discussed.  Motion to approve.  The policy was approved.  Action pending final approval from the NWEA Board.
7. Item #7: Training Update:
   • 47 people attended the Northern Nevada CSO training. 
   • Additional training:  Disinfection
8.  Item #8: Policies and Procedures Manual: Motion to approve the revisions made to the Policy and Procedure Manual.  Certification Board approved.  The revisions will be forwarded to the NWEA Executive Board for their approval.
9.  Item #9: 2008 Certification Board nominations approved by NWEA Board on 10/9/07
   • Starlin Jones – Reappointed
   • Joe Crim – Reappointed
   • Kelvin Ikehara – Douglas County (replacing Steve Cottrell)
   • Adrian Edwards – City of Henderson (replacing NDEP Representative position under revised NWEA Bylaws)
10. Item #10: ABC Update
    • Mark Binney from CCWRD was appointed chairman of ABC’s Plant Maintenance V & E Committee
    • ABC’s Plant Maintenance need-to-know criteria will be posted on the ABC website next week.
    • ABC Conference in January 2008.
    • ABC is currently looking for a new Executive Director.
11. Item #11: Water Certification Board Update: No report was given.
12. Item #12: Website – Update: Steve will be training the APA to update the website. 
13. Item #13: New Business for consideration at next meeting: NWEA provide a computer, printer to the APA? 
14. Item #14: Schedule next Board Meeting: The next meeting is January 4, 2008 at the CCWRD at 9:00 AM.