Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES August 13, 2025, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Donald Sheppard Chair Lawson stated that all the board members meet individually with the CEO to go over the agenda and the public is more than welcome to contact the board members to ask questions. Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Jack Jacobs Approved F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved 1 G. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Lawson had no comments H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross. Chair Lawson invited the CEO to comment on statements made during Public Comment. CEO Bielarski responded. I. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Jack Jacobs commented on statements made during Public Comment. Vice-Chair Haslam addressed comments made during the Public Comment period and inquired about the status of a public records request referenced by Mr. Konish, who expressed concerns about not receiving the requested materials. CEO Bielarski clarified that while GRU endeavors to fulfill public records requests when possible, it is not obligated to create new documents to satisfy such requests. Vice-Chair Haslam also commented on recent public statements made by a Gainesville City Commissioner. Director Skinner discussed utility rates, noting that no one wants to receive a large bill. He emphasized the GRUA Board’s ongoing commitment to reviewing rates moving forward. Director Skinner also inquired whether GRU maintains any Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the Alachua County School Board, to which CEO Bielarski responded. Additionally, Director Skinner referenced a concern raised during Public Comment regarding voltage surges in energy delivery. CEO Bielarski responded that GRU would follow up with Mr. Sheppard to reassess the issue, noting that such problems are sometimes attributable to internal infrastructure rather than GRU’s systems. Chair Lawson asked CEO Bielarski to comment on whether organizations aren't taking care of their side of power. CEO Bielarski affirmed GRU’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and reiterated that the utility strives to inform customers when upgrades to their systems may be necessary. J. CONSENT AGENDA 1. 2025-628 State of the Utility, Monthly Update June 2025 (B) 2. 2025-629 Budget to Actual Comparison June 30, 205 (B) 3. 2025-630 August 2025 Accelerated Debt Reduction Transaction (B) 2 K. CEO COMMENTS CEO Bielarski said he had no more comments to make. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Attorney Kiersten Ballou gave update on current legal processes. Chair Lawson asked for a timeline on the next steps. Ms. Ballou responded, and Mr. Walker provided additional information. Utilities Attorney Derek Perry expressed confidence in the forthcoming steps and conveyed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the GRUA Board and GRU staff. M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-631 Coverage Metrics (B) GRU's Budgeting, Rates and Forecasting Manager, Karen Fiore, shared a presentation with the Board. GRU's Director of Accounting and Finance, Mark Benton contributed to the presentation. Chair Lawson inquired whether the rating agencies had provided any feedback regarding GRU’s recent actions. Karen Fiore and Mark Benton offered responses. Chair Lawson then requested comments from CEO Bielarski on the topic of rate stabilization, to which CEO Bielarski provided input. Director Jacobs noted that while GRU’s debt remains elevated, efforts are underway to reduce it. Mr. Benton also offered additional remarks. Director Skinner emphasized that since the GRU Authority Board assumed oversight, GRU has accelerated its debt reduction efforts. These measures are positioning GRU to maintain borrowing capacity should future needs arise. Vice-Chair Haslam underscored the importance of GRU and the Authority Board remaining committed to the established strategic plan. CEO Bielarski concluded with further commentary on the debt reduction strategy. Recommendation: The Authority hear a presentation from staff. Heard 3 2. 2025-632 GRU Review July, 2025 (B) CEO Bielarski delivered a presentation to the Board. Chair Lawson inquired about the timeline for reflecting the lawsuit settlement—mandated by legislative order—and the TEA equity adjustment in the budget. CEO Bielarski provided a response. Director Skinner requested an update on the ongoing pipe replacement project in Haile Plantation. Andy Roberts, Director of Water and Wastewater Engineering, briefed the Board on the status and progress of the work. Recommendation: The Authority hear a presentation from the CEO and ask questions if desired. Heard 3. 2025-633 GRU Emergency Management Update (B) GRU’s Emergency Manager, Scott Holowasko, presented an overview of GRU’s emergency management plan for the Atlantic hurricane season. Chair Lawson inquired about GRU’s approach to managing vegetation near power lines. Mr. Holowasko provided a response. Director Jacobs noted that both he and Director Skinner hold NIMS (National Incident Management System) certification. Director Skinner asked for the number of mutual aid agreements currently in place. Mr. Holowasko responded accordingly. Director Skinner also inquired about GRU’s coordination with out-of-state mutual aid agencies, to which Mr. Holowasko responded. Recommendation: The GRU Authority hear the presentation and present any relevant questions. Heard 4. 2025-634 Groundwater Recharge Wetland – Grant Agreement and Contract Amendment (B) Kristen Sealy, GRU’s Supervising Engineer and Utility Designer, provided an overview of the grant agreement and explained the scope and purpose of the Groundwater Recharge Wetland Project. 4  Chair Lawson inquired about the anticipated completion date. Ms. Sealy responded that the project is expected to be completed in late 2028 or early 2029. No additional comments were made by Board Directors. Moved by Jack Jacobs Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The GRU Authority authorize the CEO, or designee, to enter into a Fifth Amendment to the Agreement (#19/20-147) to reduce the Agreement’s grant funding to $1,500,000 and amend the Work Plan. to enter into a new, separate Memorandum of Agreement (#24/25-165) for FDEP matching grant funds of $6,805,000. to execute an amendment to the design-build contract to reflect a total project cost not to exceed $14,610,000, subject to approval by the Utility Attorney as to form and legality, and in accordance with the annually approved GRU budget. Approved as Recommended 5. 2025-635 Update on Shared Services with the City – SLAs (B) CEO Bielarski delivered a presentation to the Board on Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Director Skinner expressed appreciation to CEO Bielarski and GRU staff for preparing the presentation, noting that it would help the public better understand the nature and function of SLAs. Vice-Chair Haslam provided a summary, stating that GRU receives services from the City and likewise provides services to the City, emphasizing that GRU is not overpaying for these arrangements. Director Jacobs thanked the CEO for the presentation and requested additional information regarding the City’s streetlight agreement. CEO Bielarski provided clarification. Chair Lawson extended his thanks to CEO Bielarski, GRU staff, and City staff for their collaborative efforts on the SLAs. He commented that as long as services continue to be delivered effectively, he hopes the arrangement remains stable. He also expressed a desire for Human Resources functions to be brought in-house and noted his hope that both parties are satisfied with the current structure. CEO Bielarski concluded with additional remarks on the ongoing development of the IT SLA. 5  Recommendation: The Authority hear a presentation from the CEO and ask any necessary questions. Heard N. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS No comments from the Directors. P. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 7:25pm _________________________ Kunti Nesbitt, GRUA Staff Liaison 6