Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES March 27, 2024, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, Fl 32601 Members Present: Chair Craig Carter, Vice-Chair James Coats, IV, Robert Karow, Eric Lawson _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Chair Carter called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Chair Carter led the invocation. D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Eric Lawson Seconded by Vice-Chair Coats Motion: Adoption of the Agenda Aye (4): Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson Approved (4 to 0) 1 F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Vice-Chair Coats Seconded by Robert Karow Motion: Approval of the Minutes Aye (4): Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson Approved (4 to 0) 1. Approval of Minutes from the February 21 2024 Meeting G. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Carter shared that the entire GRU Authority Board has resigned but that the board will continue to do its due diligence until their term is complete. H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Jim Konish, Cheryl Guerra, Angela Casteel, Kim Pope Joy, Winston Bradley, Tom Cunilio I. CONSENT AGENDA J. CEO/GM COMMENTS The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, shared a few updates with the GRU Authority Board. K. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Attorney, Kiersten Ballou, from Folds Walker, provided several updates to the board. L. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2024-187 Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $45,000,000 of Utilities System Revenue Bonds, 2024 Series A for the Purpose of Refunding the Outstanding Utilities System Revenue Bonds, 2014 Series A (B) The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the item. The Director of Accounting and Finance for Utilities, Mark Benton, presented the item to the GRU Authority Board. Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross 2  Item was approved unanimously per a roll-call vote. Moved by Vice-Chair Coats Seconded by Robert Karow Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the Resolution authorizing 1) validation and issuance of the Utilities System Revenue Bonds, 2024 Series A to refund the outstanding 2014 Series A Bonds; and 2) the termination, amendment, or implementation of the Swap. Aye (4): Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson Approved (4 to 0) M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2024-177 Development of GRU Procurement Policy (B) The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the item. The Director of Accounting and Finance for Utilities, Mark Benton, presented the item to the GRU Authority Board. Public Comment: Jim Konish, Kim Pope Joy Moved by Eric Lawson Seconded by Robert Karow Recommendation: The GRU Authority approve (1) the GRU Procurement Policy Revisions and (2) Changes to GRU solicitation documents to establish consistency with Chapter 2023-348, Laws of Florida. Aye (4): Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson Approved (4 to 0) 2. 2024-188 Legal Services Selection (B) The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the item. The GRU Authority commented, as well as asked questions pertaining to the item. The Director of Accounting and Finance for Utilities, Mark Benton, presented the item to the GRU Authority Board. The GRU Authority made some additional comments. 3  Motion 1 Public Comment: Jim Konish, Angela Casteel Motion 2 Public Comment: Jim Konish Recommendation: The GRU Authority accept the recommendation for the Legal Services award to Gray Robinson, P.A. and authorize the CEO/GM to negotiate and execute a contract with Gray Robinson, P.A. to provide legal service to GRU. Withdrawn Moved by Robert Karow Seconded by Vice-Chair Coats Motion 1: Table the current recommendation and continue to use Folds Walker until more research has taken place and a process has been developed. Aye (4): Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson Approved (4 to 0) Amendment: Moved by Robert Karow Seconded by Vice-Chair Coats Motion 2: To extend the time of legal firm Folds Walker until a new firm can be officially hired through an RFP. Aye (4): Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, and Eric Lawson Approved (4 to 0) 3. 2024-190 Main St. Water Reclamation Facility Capacity and Renewal Upgrade – Phase 1 (B) The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the item. Water Wastewater Officer, Debbie Daugherty, presented the item to the GRU Authority Board. The GRU Authority inquired about the item. Recommendation/Next Steps: Continue work on Phase 1 construction of Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Capacity and Renewal Upgrade Project at a cost $50 million. Return to GRU Authority if contract 4  previously approved increases by more than 10% per Procurement Policy. Return to GRU Authority for Phase 2. Heard N. MEMBER COMMENT Members spoke to various items related to GRU. O. ADJOURNMENT _________________________ Christine Kunkel, Clerk 5