Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES September 4, 2024, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Directors Present: Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner ____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Director Carter led the invocation. D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. 2024-666 Oath of Office for New Authority Director (NB) City Clerk Kristen Bryant swore in new GRU Authority Director Jack Jacobs. Recommendation: The City Clerk Kristen Bryant administer an oath of office for the new director of the Authority. Heard F. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) 1 G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Comment: None 1. Approval of Minutes from the August 7 2024 Meeting Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) H. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Lawson shared a few updates with the board and public. I. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Debbie Martinez, Chuck Ross, Angela Casteel, Jim Konish, Donald Shepherd, Richard Schwab, Eddie Hodge J. CONSENT AGENDA 1. 2024-631 SW 24th Avenue Sanitary Sewer Force Main Improvements Project (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA authorize the CEO, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a contract with Commercial Industrial Corp. for SW 24th Avenue Sanitary Sewer Force Main Improvements Project for the price of $4,965,360.00, subject to legal review and approval. Approved On Consent 2. 2024-637 Jacob Rodgers v. William Stormant and City of Gainesville, d/b/a Gainesville Regional Utilities; Case No. 2016-CA-659; Eighth Judicial Circuit, in and for Alachua County, Florida. (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority 1) approve the terms of the proposed settlement; and 2) authorize the City Attorney settle the claim of Jacob Rodgers v. William Stormant and City of Gainesville, d/b/a Gainesville Regional Utilities; Case No. 2016-CA-659; Eighth Judicial Circuit, in and for Alachua County, Florida. Approved On Consent 2  3. 2024-665 William and Eulajean Malphurs v. City of Gainesville; Case No. 2023-CA-4832; Eighth Judicial Circuit, in and for Alachua County, Florida. (NB) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority 1) approve the terms of the settlement; and 2) authorize the City Attorney settle the claim of William and Eulajean Malphurs v. City of Gainesville; Case No. 2023-CA-4832; Eighth Judicial Circuit, in and for Alachua County, Florida. Approved On Consent K. CEO COMMENTS The CEO, Ed Bielarski, spoke to some of the items brought up during general public comment. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Public Comment: Jim Konish, Jeffrey Shapiro, Chuck Ross, Donald Shepherd, Angela Casteel, Debbie Martinez, Bobby Mermer, Elizabeth Hill Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Motion: For the GRU Authority Board to authorize Folds Walker to work with GRU CEO to draft language to prepare for a lawsuit to file against the City of Gainesville, if necessary, without waiting for another GRUA board meeting. Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) M. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2024-557 Resolution Authorizing the Amendment of Resolution No. 2024-557 Adopted by the GRU Authority on August 7, 2024 (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Ernesto Martinez Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved as Recommended (5 to 0) 3 2. 2024-632 A resolution eliminating the twenty-five percent surcharge imposed on Gainesville Regional Utilities water and wastewater connection charges to entities and consumers located outside of the corporate limits of the City of Gainesville. (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Bobby Mermer, Chuck Ross, Angela Casteel, Debbie Martinez, Jeffrey Shapiro, Donald Shepherd The board discussed the item. CEO Ed Bielarski commented on the item. Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The GRUA adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved as Recommended (5 to 0) 3. 2024-633 A resolution authorizing Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) to obtain a Utility Attorney who shall be a legal advisor to and attorney for (GRU) free from the direction and control of another legal entity, such as the City Commission. (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Debbie Martinez, Jeffrey Shapiro, Donald Shepherd CEO Ed Bielarski shared that the utility attorney is no longer with the City of Gainesville, and added that there is representation at the meeting from the City Attorney's Office. Director Carter spoke to the item. Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: The GRUA adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved as Recommended (5 to 0) 4 4. 2024-634 A resolution requesting reinstatement to the previous provision in the City Code of Ordinances exempting Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) from applicable right-of-way regulations and permit fees other than to the extent GRU is acting as a com *Abbreviated Title of Item exceeded character limit. Should say "as a communications services provider". Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Brian Singleton, Angela Casteel, Bobby Mermer, Donald Shepherd CEO Ed Bielarski spoke to the item, and addressed some public comments that were made. Director Skinner and Carter inquired about the item. Water/Wastewater Officer Debbie Daugherty spoke to a question from Director Skinner. Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The GRUA adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved as Recommended (5 to 0) 5  5. 2024-636 A resolution requesting City of Gainesville’s Ordinance No. 2024- 352 and Ordinance No. 2024-448 placing a referendum on the November ballot be rescinded and taking all necessary actions to ensure the ballot measure shall not appear therewith. (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Bobby Mermer, Chuck Ross, Angela Casteel, Elizabeth Hill, Jeffrey Shapiro, Kristen Bryant Folds Walker Attorney Kiersten Ballou addressed a question from City Clerk Kristen Bryant. Director Skinner made an inquiry of GRUA Attorney Folds Walker. Folds Walker Attorney Scott Walker addressed the question from Director Skinner. Director Carter spoke to the item at hand. Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: The GRUA adopt the proposed resolution. Aye (5): Chair Lawson, Vice Chair Haslam, Craig Carter, Jack Jacobs, Robert Skinner Approved as Recommended (5 to 0) N. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Skinner discussed some of the challenges with customer service and the improvements that are taking to place to improve the service. Director Carter discussed the assistance from several staff members with different concerns brought forward from the community. Director Jacobs shared the intent of the board to make things better for everyone. Director Haslam shared that the utility has a lot of wonderful people working for it. Chair Lawson shared that he will bring forward an item in the future regarding customer service as well what the next steps are for the IRP. P. ADJOURNMENT Chair Lawson adjourned the meeting at 7:39pm. _________________________ Christine Kunkel, GRUA Staff Liaison 6