Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES March 12, 2025, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson Members Absent: Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL Director Skinner was absent C. INVOCATION Vice Chair Haslam led the invocation. D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross Approved F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion passes with all in favor, minutes from January 2025, approved. Director Skinner absent. 1  Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved G. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Lawson apologized for error on GRU customer bills. Addressed Mr. Konish's comments from Item E "Adoption of the Agenda". H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Angela Casteel I. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Jacobs spoke to floor concerns. Vice Chair Haslam spoke to floor concerns Director Carter spoke regarding GRUcom, trunked radio issue resolved. He also spoke regarding concerns presented to The Authority. J. CONSENT AGENDA 1. 2025-115 Settlement of Lois Skipper’s Pre-Suit Injury Claim (B) Recommendation: The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority 1) approve the terms of the settlement reached during negotiations with the claimant’s counsel and 2) authorize the Utility’s Attorney to settle the claim of Lois Skipper for $125,000. 2. 2025-176 Gainesville Regional Utilities Fiscal Year 2024 Audited Financial Statements, Independent Auditor’s Reports, and Auditor’s Communication to Those Charged with Governance and Management (B) Recommended Motion: The GRU Authority accept Gainesville Regional Utilities Fiscal Year 2024 audited financial statements and independent auditor’s reports. K. CEO COMMENTS Chief Executive Officer, Ed Bielarski spoke to current affairs in GRU and addressed concerns expressed during Public Comment. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS 2  Kiersten Ballou gave a brief presentation on the Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics. She advised that each one carries criminal charges if violated. Chair Lawson requested each Director be emailed the presentation by Folds Walker. M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-178 State of the Utility FY25 January (B) Chief Operating Officer, Tom Brown, discussed a few highlights from the FY25 January State of the Utility Report. Recommended Motion: The GRU Authority hear a monthly update from the utility‘s operational areas. 2. 2025-175 Gainesville Regional Utilities MOU with the City for Stormwater Management Utility (SMU) and Solid Waste (SW) Billing services (B) CEO Bielarski gave a presentation regarding stormwater and refuse. Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross Director Carter spoke to the item on the floor. Chair Lawson asked the CEO to find alternative methods to make up for the revenue loss caused by removing these fees from the GRU bill. Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Jack Jacobs Recommended Motion: GRU Authority hear a presentation and recommend GRU to continue to work with the City to remove these billings off GRU's bill no later than November 2026 given the scheduling requirements. Approved N. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-177 Resolution of the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority, a unit of city government of the City of Gainesville, FL approving the execution, delivery, and performance of one or more natural gas supply agreements with Municipal Gas Authority (B) Moved by Craig Carter Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam 3  Recommended Motion: GRUA adopt the proposed resolution authorizing participation in a natural gas prepayment transaction between the Gas Authority and Citi Bank. Approved as Recommended O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Jacobs congratulates GRU for all its success. Director Carter also gives congratulations, specifically to the Water/Wastewater department. P. ADJOURNMENT Chair Lawson motions to adjourn, meeting adjourned at 6:44PM. _________________________ Christine Kunkel, GRUA Staff Liaison 4