Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES June 26, 2024, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, Fl 32601 Members Present: Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair 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 Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Craig Carter Motion: Approve the minutes for the June 10th and June 12th meetings, with an amendment to ensure the passing of the gavel was captured from the former chair to the vice-chair at the last meeting. 1  Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) 1. Approval of Minutes from the June 10 2024 Meeting 2. Approval of Minutes from the June 12 2024 Meeting G. CHAIR COMMENTS Newly appointed Chair, Eric Lawson, shared thoughts on the following:  appointing the Interim CEO/GM, Ed Bielarski, as the permanent CEO/GM of GRU  would like to reduce the amount of presentations shared at the board meetings, and focus more on discussion Public Comment: Jim Konish, Debbie Martinez, Chuck Ross, Bobby Murmur, Jeffrey Shapiro, Ernesto Martinez Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Motion: Remove "Interim" from the title of the current Interim CEO/GM Ed Bielarski and appoint him as the permanent CEO/GM of GRU. Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Jim Konish, Debbie Martinez, Chuck Ross, Teresa Summerall I. CONSENT AGENDA J. CEO/GM COMMENTS CEO/GM Ed Bielarski provided a few comments to the board. K. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Folds Walker attorney Kiersten Ballou shared some comments with the board. L. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 2 1. 2024-502 A resolution modifying net-metering for customer-owned renewable energy (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Alex Hood, Ernesto Martinez, Debbie Martinez, Bobby Murmur Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) 2. 2024-504 A resolution adopting an Advanced Metering Infrastructure Opt-Out Program (B) No public comment. Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) 3. 2024-505 A resolution modifying provisions regarding public streetlight and rental outdoor light service (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) 3 4. 2024-507 Appendix A Resolution (Utility Fees, Rates & Charges for FY 2025) B) Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (4 to 0) 5. 2024-511 Resolution Adopting the Gainesville Regional Utilities budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2024 and Ending September 30, 2025 (B) Motion 2: to accept the recommendation as written with an amendment to state "Chairperson or his designee" Public Comment: Jim Konish, Bobby Murmur, Steve Varvel, Chuck Ross Moved by Robert Skinner Motion 1: to accept the recommendation as written with an amendment to have the monies go directly to first responders and fire rescue employees. The CEO/GM suggested that Director Skinner's recommendation be added to the cover letter of the budget submission. Died for lack of second Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Craig Carter Motion 2: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed budget resolution, and direct the CEO to submit the budget to the City of Gainesville consistent with the requirements of Chapter 2023-348, Laws of Florida. Aye (4): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner 4  Approved (4 to 0) M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS N. DIRECTOR COMMENT O. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:33pm. _________________________ Christine Kunkel, GRUA Staff Liaison 5