Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES December 11, 2024, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Chair Lawson Vice-Chair Haslam Director Craig Carter Director Jack Jacobs Director Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. INVOCATION Director Carter led the invocation C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Carter led the Pledge of Allegiance D. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Public Comment: Jim Konish, Dennis Nguyen, Chuck Ross Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Motion: Accept the agenda as written. Aye (5): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) E. CHAIR COMMENTS 1  Chairman Lawson commented to the consent agenda and items placed on the consent agenda. F. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, David Young G. CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Motion: A motion was made to accept the agenda, including the consent agenda and regular agenda. Aye (5): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) 1. Approval of the Minutes from the November 6, 2024 GRUA Meeting (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved On Consent 2. 2024-747 Property Transfer to General Government for Gainesville Fire Rescue Headquarters & Standalone Emergency Operations Center (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA approve the transfer of the 0.40 acres from GRU to GG for the expansion and redevelopment of the Catalyst Building property and accept $156,500.00 as fair value; authorize the CEO, or his designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between GRU and GG. Approved On Consent 3. 2024-915 The Energy Authority (TEA) Natural Gas Trade Guaranty Agreement (B) 2  Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA authorize the CEO or his designee to execute the following documents: Annex 5 – re-setting the gas advanced for 2025 Natural Gas Trade Guaranty Agreement for 2025 Unconditional Guaranty (Gas) for 2025 Termination Notice to PNC terminating the 2024 Unconditional Guaranty, and Incumbency Certificate. Approved On Consent 4. 2024-916 Application for Consumptive Use Permit Renewal (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA authorize the CEO, or his designee, to submit an application to the St. Johns River Water Management District for the renewal of the consumptive use permit for the Murphree Wellfield. Approved On Consent 5. 2024-917 Application for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Emerging Contaminants Funding (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA authorize the CEO, or his designee, to submit an application and execute a funding agreement with the Clean Water SRF program for funding up to $1,100,000, subject to legal review and approval. Approved On Consent 6. 2024-921 Cash Balance Study and Cash Balance Policy (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA accept the updated Resiliency and Cash Balance Study and authorize the cash target changes to the Cash Balance Policy as recommended in the Study results. These cash target 3  changes are already included in GRU’s ten year forward financial modeling. Approved On Consent 7. 2024-923 Fiscal Year 2024 General Fund Transfer (GFT) Update (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA approve the GFT adjustment. Approved On Consent H. CEO COMMENTS CEO Bielarski spoke to several items on which GRU is currently working. He also addressed a few comments made during General Public Comment. Director Jacobs commented on our power plants and GRU's ability to purchase power. I. ATTORNEY COMMENTS No comments J. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2024-922 State of the Utility (B) COO, Tom Brown spoke to the State of the Utility Presentation was displayed Recommendation: GRUA hear a monthly update regarding the utility’s operational areas. Heard 2. 2024-924 Financial Management Information System (FMIS) Upgrade (B) CFO, Claudia Rasnick, spoke to the FMIS (Financial Management Information System) upgrade. She answered the directors' questions. 4  CEO, Ed Bielarski, commented to the item at hand Public Comment: Jim Konish, Donald Shepherd, Chuck Ross Moved by Jack Jacobs Seconded by Craig Carter Recommendation: GRUA authorize the CEO or his designee to negotiate and execute licensing agreements up to $ 17.3 million (seven-year basis) and consulting services agreements up to $7.1 million to initiate FMIS, document management, and reporting system upgrades and implementation of SuccessFactors HR application. Motion: A motion was made to approve as the recommendation states. Approved as Recommended 3. 2024-925 September 30, 2024 Pre-Audit Budget to Actual Comparison (B) Mark Benton, Finance Director, reviewed the budget presentation with the Board. Chair Lawson asked Mr. Benton to bring metrics, for a greater understanding throughout the year. Recommendation: GRUA receive the report. Heard K. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2024-919 Amendment of a Credit Agreement between the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority and U.S. Bank National Association (B) Public Comment: Donald Shepherd Motion: Motion was made to approve the Resolution as written Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: GRUA adopt the proposed resolution. 5  Aye (5): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved as Recommended (5 to 0) 2. 2024-920 Gas Prepay Transaction Resolution (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: GRUA adopt the proposed resolution. Motion: A motion was made to accept the Resolution as written. Aye (5): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) 3. 2024-749 Appendix A - Utility Fees, Rates & Charges for Fiscal Year 2025 (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Donald Shepherd Residential Rate Tier Presentation displayed Director Carter commented Director Jacobs commented Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Robert Skinner Motion: A motion was made to accept the Resolution as written. Aye (5): Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Approved (5 to 0) L. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Skinner commented on a positive public interaction he had this week. 6  Director Carter gave update on his son Director Jacobs's water meter replaced today Vice Chair Haslam spoke to the positive public comments he hears Chairman Lawson thanked each Director, CEO, CFO, all GRU staff and Attorneys for everything they do for the good of GRU. M. ADJOURNMENT 6:55 Adjourned _________________________ Tracie OSteen, GRUA Staff Liaison 7