Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES May 29, 2024, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, Fl 32601 Directors Present: Chair Bielarski, Chair Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Eric Lawson, Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Director Carter led the invocation. D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Chair Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Adoption of the agenda. Aye (5): Chair Bielarski, Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Eric Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No public comment. 1  Moved by Chair Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Approval of the Minutes Aye (5): Chair Bielarski, Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Eric Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) 1. Approval of Minutes from the April 17 2024 Meeting 2. Approval of Minutes from the May 23 2024 Meeting G. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Bielarski shared a presentation on the budget. 1st Motion Public Comment: Jim Konish, Bobby Mermer, Armando Grundy- Gomez, Debbie Martinez, Janice Garry, Angela Casteel, Ernesto Martinez, Tyler Forrest 2nd Motion Public Comment: Jim Konish, Jeffrey Shapiro Moved by Chair Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Motion: Direct the GRU Attorney and the City Attorney to send a letter to the Supervisor of Elections Office stating that the referendum is unlawful per HB1645. *Motion was amended. Withdrawn Amendment: Moved by Chair Carter Seconded by Eric Lawson Amended Motion: Direct the GRU Attorney and the City Attorney to send a letter to the Supervisor of Elections Office stating that the referendum is unlawful per HB1645 and to report directly back to Chair Bielarksi, rather than waiting two weeks until the next GRUA meeting. 2  Aye (5): Chair Bielarski, Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Eric Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Jim Konish, Debbie Martinez, Bobby Mermer, Bob Chewney, Armando Grundy- Gomez, Angela Casteel,Tom Cunilio The board members discussed their desire for more opportunities to dialogue. Comments were made regarding the potential of having a workshop for this purpose. I. CONSENT AGENDA J. CEO/GM COMMENTS CEO/GM Tony Cunningham addressed some of the board's inquiries and provided updates on the state of the utility. K. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Folds Walker Kiersten Ballou spoke to various items related to GRU. Chair Bielarski emphasized the use of "director" vs "member going forward, including on the agenda, etc. L. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2024-440 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) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Armando Grundy-Gomez Mark Benton, Director of Accounting and Finance for Utilities, addressed some of the inquiries from the Chair, etc. Moved by Chair Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the Resolution authorizing 1) Validation and issuance of the 2024 Series A Revenue Bonds to refund the outstanding 2014 Series A Bonds; 2) the termination, amendment, or 3  implementation of the Swap; and 3) Repeal of prior Resolution No. 2024- 187. Item was approved unanimously per a roll-call vote. Aye (5): Chair Bielarski, Chair Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Eric Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2024-439 Budget Presentation: FY25 Proposed Budget (B) The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the item at hand. CFO, Claudia Rasnick and the Director of Accounting and Finance for Utilities, Mark Benton, shared a presentation on the item. The board discussed the item and gave some recommendations to GRU staff including returning with some additional options at a future meeting. The board also requested that a special meeting take place on June 5th in order to continue these conversations. Recommendation: The GRU Authority receive the presentation and take any action deemed appropriate. Heard N. MEMBER COMMENT The members thanked staff for their hard work and addressed some other aspects of being a part of the board. The Chair brought up the IRP and the need to discuss the item at a future GRUA meeting. O. ADJOURNMENT The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:46pm. _________________________ Christine Kunkel, GRUA Staff Liaison 4