Collectively Speaking Banner Image - Sanitation District No. 1 Staff Newsletter

Volume 23 - Issue 3 - September 2021

Board Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting Summary

The following action items passed by majority vote during the regular meeting of the Sanitation District No. 1 Board of Directors held Tuesday, August 17, 2021.


Central Boone County Sewer Master Plan - Design Phase II 
The SD1 Board awarded a contract for the design and construction administration for Phase II of the Boone County sewer project to Gresham Smith in the amount of $414,579.

This phase of the five-phase project entails the construction of a new pump station and force main in an area of growth in Boone County. Once complete, the new sewer system will eliminate approximately 1 million gallons of SSOs in the typical year, which aligns with the Clean H2O40 Amended Consent Decree timeline. 

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Financial Viability, Environmental Stewardship, Stakeholder Support, Operational Efficiency & Resiliency, Optimal Infrastructure Management

W6 Force Main and Conveyance Piping – Design and Construction Administration
The SD1 Board awarded a contract for the design and construction administration of the W6 Force Main and Conveyance Piping project to GRW in the amount of $711,826. This project is part of the Updated Watershed Plan to eliminate SSOs which is slated to be completed by 2029. SD1 will work in conjunction with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as part of a road reconstruction project in southern Kenton County. The design and construction of the conveyance piping and force main is the first phase of the multi-phase project.

The project is directly aligned with the organizational strategic goals, objectives and strategies. Once all phases of the W6 project are constructed, the capacity of the conveyance system in this area will be increased to avoid SSOs in the 2-year, 6-hour storm event through the 2040 anticipated flows and will provide infrastructure consistent with and necessary for compliance with Clean H2O40 Amended Consent Decree requirements.

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Financial Viability, Environmental Stewardship, Stakeholder Support,
Operational Efficiency & Resiliency, Optimal Infrastructure Management

Licking River Siphon Conveyance Upsizing Phase II - Design
The SD1 Board awarded a contract for design of the project to Palmer Engineering in the amount of $224,790. This is the second phase of the conveyance upsizing project along the creek parallel to Moock Road and then in a northerly direction along Joe’s Creek in Wilder.

This project, along with the Licking River Equalization Tank project and the 12” Licking River Siphon project, will reduce the typical-year SSOs in the SD1 system by 41 percent or 47 MG when complete.

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Customer Satisfaction, Environmental Stewardship,
Optimal Infrastructure Management

Willow Run Pump 3 and Columbia Flood Pump 1 Repair and Replacement Increase
The SD1 Board authorized a cost increase in the amount of $97,852 for the additional work and motor replacement of the Willow Run Flood Pump 3 and the Columbia Flood Pump 1. Pentair/Fairbanks was awarded the contract in April, however following an evaluation of the condition of the pumps, it was determined that replacement of the motors was more cost-effective than repairing the aging pumps.

These flood pump stations located in Covington and Newport were originally constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1950s and are utilized to protect the cities and surrounding area from flood damage. Many components of the flood stations are believed to be obsolete due to the age of the infrastructure and SD1 seeks to determine areas of vulnerability and to improve the reliability of the flood stations. 

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Customer Satisfaction, Operational Efficiency,
Optimal Infrastructure Management

Disposition of Surplus Property
Pursuant to the SD1 policy regarding Transfer and Disposition of Surplus Property, the Board approved a list of property that was determined to be surplus and authorized staff to proceed with disposal through public auction. Transfer or disposition of surplus property that has an estimated market value exceeding $5,000 per item shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

To be more efficient, all planned vehicle and equipment disposals for the remainder of FY22 were presented to the Board for approval at once in lieu of on an as-needed basis.

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Financial Viability, Operational Efficiency & Resiliency

Reservation of Sanitary Sewer Capacity Requests
Three new requests for reservation of sanitary sewer capacity were approved by the SD1 Board.

The reservation of capacity program provides SD1 with knowledge of development, an opportunity to assess system capacity, track committed capacity in balance with system operations and capital improvements and provide developers assurance of capacity. This process benefits the communities served by SD1 by providing planning tools for economic vitality.

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Financial Viability, Optimal Infrastructure Management,
Stakeholder Support, Environmental Stewardship

Request for Storm Water Private Cost-Share Program
 Two requests for the Private Cost-Share Program were received this month. One request was from the City of Taylor Mill to address flooding and drainage issues on Woodland Drive and the other was from the City of Ft. Thomas to address a failed private system on Tower Hill Road.

The SD1 Private Cost-Share Program is aimed at assisting co-permittees in addressing private storm water issues that may have public impact. Only co-permittees may apply for financial assistance through the program. This program was developed because long before SD1 assumed control of the region’s storm water management, cities and counties owned and maintained storm water infrastructure; regulations were less stringent; drainage plans were not always a priority; and storm pipes were often inadequate or never formally dedicated to public ownership. The result is a storm system that has a mix of privately and publicly owned infrastructure that can become overwhelmed by wet weather events in some areas. Currently the SD1 reimbursement is one-third up to $10,000 of the cost.

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Operational Efficiency & Resiliency, Optimal Infrastructure Management

USGS Joint Funding Agreement for NKY Continuous Monitoring Network
SD1 Board approved a Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for work conducted in association with watershed and stream characterization. The agreement was established for the operation of 13 stream monitoring stations in Northern Kentucky. Data from those monitoring activities are utilized in master planning, regulatory permits, rules and regulations and for the mitigation bank. Other community groups use the monitoring data for mapping, watershed planning and stream flooding predictions. The cost to SD1 for the three-year JFA is $226,200.

The data provided by the Continuous Monitoring Network are key to an overall assessment strategy used to develop feasible, defensible solutions within a regulatory context and effective utility management. Other community benefits include stream flooding evaluations and mapping for local floodplain administrators, watershed management plans for local watershed groups and stream flooding predictions for local emergency management.

SD1 Goals Advanced:
Stakeholder Support, Operational Efficiency & Resiliency, Environmental Stewardship

Details about the SD1 Strategic Business Plan are available at: https://www.sd1.org/223/Strategic-Business-Plan.

Capital Budget Celebration September 16


Have you heard? SD1 achieved its Fiscal Year 2021 capital spending goals. This is positive news for SD1 and the communities we serve. Each employee contributed to this success and in honor of this accomplishment the District will host a celebratory lunch on Thursday, September 16, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., in the Collection Systems Garage as well as at each of the three treatment plants.

Reaching our FY21 capital spending goals indicates that SD1 is off to a strong start toward our Clean H2O40 Amended Consent Decree goals.

With important projects underway across our region, we should all be proud of the integral role SD1 plays in our community by protecting public health, property and the environment and supporting the economic vitality of our region.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join in the SD1 team celebration on September 16.

Staff Spotlight: Chris Rabe
Chris Rabe, Purchasing & Inventory Specialist

New Program Offers Staff a Chance to Grab
Free Lunch with Executive Director Adam Chaney


SD1 is launching a new program this month that will give staff from across the District an opportunity to get to know Executive Director Adam Chaney a little better, and vice versa.

Periodically, 10 staff members will be randomly drawn and invited to join Adam for lunch in the Board Room. There will be no agenda or presentation - just an opportunity to chat and get to know each other. 

All staff are eligible and the goal is for Adam to eventually make his way through the entire SD1 roster. Be on the lookout for your invitation!

Benefits Corner

24/7 Access to SD1 Main Office Gym


Most staff know that there is a gym on the third floor of the Main Office, but what you might not know is that all staff have 24/7 access to that gym, regardless of your security level.

Any SD1 staff member can swipe to enter the main entrance any time and then take the stairs up to the third floor to get to the gym.

And another benefit you might not have known about - you can bring your spouse with you and work out together. Plus there is also a workout room at Dry Creek.

The health and wellness of our staff is our top priority - so have fun at the gym!

September 17 is Concussion Awareness Day


Fall brings great color to our leaves, cool weather that causes us to snuggle into a hoodie and of course football. The last few years, there has been more information coming out concerning concussions (or multiple concussions) and how they have long lasting affects on people.  

You do not need to play sports to get a concussion.  You can get a concussion at work or at home.  Any time your head is hit can cause a concussion.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Definition A case of mild traumatic brain injury is an occurrence of injury to the head resulting from blunt trauma or acceleration or deceleration forces with one or more of the following conditions attributable to the head injury during the surveillance period: 

  • Any period of observed or self-reported transient confusion, disorientation, or impaired consciousness
  • Any period of observed or self-reported dysfunction of memory (amnesia) around the time of injury 
  • Observed signs of other neurological or neuropsychological dysfunction
  • Any period of observed or self-reported loss of consciousness lasting 30 minutes or less


mTBI Symptoms & Recovery 


  • The term mild refers to the severity of the trauma, not the consequences. 
  • It is not uncommon for MRI or CT scans to come back as “normal.” This does not mean there is no injury. 
  • Symptoms do not always present immediately following the injury. They can become apparent hours or even days after the injury. 
  • The recovery period for each person is different, and it is important to create the best possible environment to heal. 
  • Listen to your body; if symptoms start to get worse, it is time to stop what you are doing and take a break. Those who attempt to “tough it out” will only prolong their recovery times. 
  • The recovery process is uneven. You can have a day where you feel 100% better, then have a day where you feel as you did a er the injury.

Typical Causes of mTBI (concussion)

  • Falls
  • Assaults
  • Motor Vehicle Accident
  • Struck by/Against
  • Sports Injury
tbi symptoms chart

Tips to Aid Recovery


  • If you suspect a brain injury, go to a physician or E.R. immediately for an exam 
  • Get plenty of rest; do not rush back to work or school 
  • Avoid doing anything that could lead to another blow or jolt to the head 
  • Ask your doctor when it will be safe to drive a car, ride a bike, or use heavy equipment because your ability to react may be slower after a brain injury 
  • Take only the medications your doctor has approved 
  • Speak to your doctor before consuming alcohol 
  • Write things down if you have trouble with memory

(Information obtained from www.biausa.org)

Safety Puzzle

The monthly Safety Puzzle is now available on the intranet under the Safety tab. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Bradford.

Comings, Goings and Anniversaries


August Arrivals
  • Thomas Eten, Technical Services
August Departures
  • Jeffrey Colston, Information Technology
  • Justin Henn, Information Technology
  • Mariah Ahlert, Information Technology
  • Charles Lorentz, Eastern Regional
September Birthdays
  • 9/2 - Roger Meece, Dry Creek
  • 9/3 - Michael Holtz, Technical Services
  • 9/4 - Corey Fitzwater, Dry Creek
  • 9/6 - Janet Malone, Dry Creek
  • 9/10 - Samuel Hehman, Eastern Regional
  • 9/11 - Nate Gerrety, Technical Services
  • 9/13 - Tracy Stephenson, Finance
  • 9/16 - Chastity Brammer, Finance
  • 9/22 - Steve Hamberg, Asset Management
  • 9/22 - Jeremy Wade, Dry Creek
  • 9/23 - Steve Willhoite, Collection Systems
  • 9/24 - William Branch Jr., Collection Systems
  • 9/24 - Randy Morris, Technical Services
  • 9/24 - Michael Vice Sr., Design & Construction Management
  • 9/27 - Greg Tomlin, Western Regional
  • 9/27 - Brian Thompson, Design & Construction Management
  • 9/30 - Stephanie Massey, Finance
September Employment Anniversaries
  • Thomas Foster - 27 years
  • Robert Wilson - 26 years
  • Jeremy Spada - 24 years
  • David Radford - 22 years
  • Lawrence Westkamp - 20 years
  • Elmer Young Jr. - 19 years
  • Jonathan Tomlinson - 19 years
  • Tracy Stephenson - 16 years
  • Jason Burlage - 14 years
  • Alex Stamper - 14 years
  • Kelli Williams - 11 years
  • Robert Schroeder - 10 years
  • Jennifer Adamson - 10 years
  • Carolyn Backus - 9 years
  • Peggy Henn - 6 years
  • Geoffrey Ball - 5 years
  • Christopher Cathey - 5 years
  • James Hiatt - 4 years
  • Cristina Alexander - 3 years
  • Tammie Ramey - 3 years
  • Dalton Howe - 2 years
  • Zach Martin - 1 year
Staff birthdays are also available in the daily calendar on The Pipeline.

Copyright 2021 Sanitation District No. 1. All Rights Reserved.
1045 Eaton Drive, Ft. Wright, KY 41017

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