Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES June 11, 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, Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Lead by Director Carter D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Public Comment: Jim Konish Approved F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Jack Jacobs Approved G. CHAIR COMMENTS 1  Chair Lawson opted to hold his comments until the end of the meeting. H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Jim Konish, Janice Garry, Chuck Ross, Donald Shepherd I. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Jacobs spoke to public comment. Vice Chair Haslam spoke to the public comment. Director Skinner spoke to public comment and supported the comments made by fellow directors. J. CONSENT AGENDA K. CEO COMMENTS CEO, Ed Bielarski gave updates to recent internal meetings, projects and SLAs (Service Level Agreements) with the City. Introduced Utilities Attorney, Derek Perry. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Scott Walker spoke to the Director comments in support. Thanked Director Carter for his numerous years of service to the City of Gainesville. Commended GRUA Board for their decision to hire Derek Perry. Kiersten Ballou gave updates as to the current legal appeal. Utilities Attorney, Derek Perry addressed the Board and the public M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Resource Management Agreement between The Energy Authority (TEA) and GRU (B) Director Skinner asked for clarification as to what this RMA would encompass for GRU. CEO Bielarski responded. Director Jacobs addressed comments made during public comment, stating that GRU operates in accordance with specific standards and regulations as set by the State of Florida. Recommendation: The GRU Authority approve the executed RMA along with Task Order 1. 2  Moved by Jack Jacobs Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam CEO Bielarski gave a presentation regarding TEA relationship past and future. Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Donald Shepherd Approved as Recommended 2. Discussion surrounding misinformation about GRU and GRUA (B) CEO Bielarski referred back to the Board comments from earlier during Director Comments. Recommendation: The GRU Authority to hear the presentation, discuss and offer any suggestions. Director Skinner thanked CEO for presentation. Vice Chair Haslem supported the presentation, stating the public needs to be aware of the facts. Director Jacobs spoke to comments made at City Commission meeting, recently. Expressed his concerns. Heard 3. Authorize the Utilities Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Authority challenging City of Gainesville Ordinance No. 2025-416 in the Eight Judicial Circuit Court. Utilities Attorney Perry gave overview of what the lawsuit would encompass. Recommendation: The GRU Authority to authorize the Utilities Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Authority challenging the City of Gainesville’s Ordinance No. 2025-416 in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court. Moved by Jack Jacobs Seconded by Robert Skinner Lawsuit filing fee for service would be $450. GRU would entertain any direction the Authority would like to offer. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Donald Shepherd 3  Vice Chair Haslam questioned the amount of costs GRU would incur with this new lawsuit and recommended pulling from GFT, as well. Approved as Recommended 4. State of the Utility, Monthly Update April 2025 (B) COO Tom Brown reviewed the State of the Utility report with the GRUA. Chair Lawson inquired about the timeline for the availability of the customer portal software, which will allow customers to access information related to the new AMI meters. COO Brown and CEO Bielarski gave updates to the software. COO Brown pointed out some highlights and accolades to GRU's credit. Energy Delivery Officer, Chad Parker, presented a video showcasing the delivery of a new transformer, which will be replacing an outdated unit at McMichen Substation. Recommendation: The GRU Authority hears a monthly update from the utility’s operational areas. Heard N. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Jacobs gave warm farewell and appreciation to Director Carter. Vice Chair Haslem also spoke to Director Carter in appreciation. Director Skinner gave his appreciation to Director Carter. Chair Lawson - Presented Director Carter with a plaque in appreciation of his service to the GRUA Board, as well as spoke to his appreciation of Director Carter's service. Director Carter, offered his farewells and spoke to his tenure during the time as a Director and former Chair of the GRUA Board. P. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned 7:32PM 4 _________________________ Kunti Nesbitt, GRUA Staff Liaison 5