Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES December 10, 2025, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, Robert Skinner Members Absent: Jack Jacobs _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER - 5:32 pm B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Invocation given by Vice Chair Haslam. D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (INCLUDES CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved 1 F. CONSENT AGENDA 1. 2025-978 State of the Utility, Monthly Update October 2025 Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved On Consent 2. 2025-979 Funding Source – Jacob Rodgers Litigation Settlement (B) Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: Informational item only. Approved On Consent G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority approve the minutes from the GRUA meeting held on November 12, 2025 Approved as Recommended H. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Lawson expressed appreciation for GRU employees, recognizing their hard work and dedication, including that of the leadership team. I. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Jim Konish, David Hastings, Chuck Ross, Roberta Gastmeyer, Nancy Deren, Dotty Faibisy, Susan Botcher, Janice Garry, Jyoti Parmar, Jason Bellamy-Fults, Ashton Webber. J. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Vice‑ Chair Haslam: offered remarks in response to statements made during public comment. 2  Director Skinner: provided comments addressing points raised during public comment. Chair Lawson: thanked the public for their input and added further remarks on issues brought forward during public comment. K. CEO COMMENTS CEO Bielarski offered remarks in response to statements raised during public comment. Chair Lawson provided additional comments regarding CEO Bielarski’s salary, which was also mentioned during public comment. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Kiersten Ballou of Folds Walker provided an update on GRU’s legal status related to ongoing lawsuits with the City of Gainesville. Derek Perry, GRU’s Chief Legal Officer, offered clarification on comments made during public comment regarding Director Skinner’s term as a GRU Authority Board member. M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-980 GRU Review – November, 2025 (B) CEO Bielarski shared a presentation regarding the significant and meaningful events since the last GRUA meeting. Recommendation: The Authority hear a presentation from the CEO and ask any questions, if desired. Heard N. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-981 SRF Loan and Grant Resolutions – PFAS Treatment Evaluation and Lead and Copper Rule Revision Compliance (B) Debbie Daugherty, Water/Wastewater Officer, provided an overview of the requests associated with Resolutions 2025‑ 981A (WW011810) and 2025‑ 981B (LS010210). Director Skinner asked whether GRU is currently undertaking any PFAS‑ related efforts for reclaimed water, and Ms. Daugherty responded. 3  Chair Lawson then asked whether GRU is keeping pace with other utilities. Ms. Daugherty explained that Gainesville’s water does not contain PFAS. Ms. Daugherty also reported on the $19 million awarded through the SRF program, noting that the funding is fully forgivable. Chair Lawson asked about the reimbursement process. Ms. Daugherty responded that GRU spends the money upfront and is reimbursed afterward. Ms. Daugherty added that having Mr. Perry involved has strengthened GRU’s ability to review the required language, which ultimately enabled the utility to secure the reimbursement. Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Recommendation: The Authority (i) approve the resolutions and authorize the Chair to execute the same, (ii) authorize the CEO to enter into the SRF loan agreements with the FDEP for the PFAS Treatment Evaluation at the Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility and for GRU’s LCRR service line inventory compliance activities, (iii) authorize the appointment of an escrow agent, (iv) authorize the execution of an escrow deposit agreement, and (iii) authorize staff to take all necessary administrative actions to implement each of the foregoing. 2025-981A and 2025-981B resolutions were voted with one roll call. Aye (3): Vice-Chair Haslam, Chair Lawson, and Robert Skinner Absent (1): Jack Jacobs Approved (3 to 0) O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Skinner offered additional remarks in response to statements made during public comment. He thanked all GRU staff, expressed optimism for continued growth in the coming years, and extended holiday well‑ wishes, including a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Vice‑ Chair Haslam stated that he strives to maintain his composure, as Chair Lawson does. He noted that while he welcomes disagreements; condescension and rudeness make it challenging to remain composed. He emphasized that the Board is doing its best. 4 P. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:35pm. _________________________ Kunti Nesbitt, GRUA Staff Liaison 5