Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES February 18, 2026, 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 Meeting called to order at 5:30pm B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Invocation given by Vice Chair Haslam D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Public Comment: Chuck Ross Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Robert Skinner Approved F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved 1  1. Gainesville Regional Utilities Approve the Minutes from the January 14, 2026 Meeting (B) Recommendation: The Authority approve the minutes from the January 14, 2026 meeting. G. CHAIR COMMENTS Lawson shared his impressions from his recent visit to the JR Kelly plant, highlighting the team’s professionalism and strong commitment to safety. He emphasized how dedicated the staff is to delivering exceptional value to our customers. Lawson also expressed his appreciation publicly, thanking the team for giving him a firsthand look at the important work they do every day. H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Jim Konish, Nancy Deren, Janice Garry, Chuck Ross, David Hastings, Mary Vondivanski, Deborah Hodge I. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Vice Chair Haslam offered remarks in response to statements made during public comment. Director Jacobs also addressed points raised during public comment. Director Skinner commented on the public’s statements as well and requested that CEO Bielarski provide an update on how much GRU has reduced its debt. CEO Bielarski reported that GRU has paid down close to $200 million. J. CONSENT AGENDA Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved 1. 2026-122 State of the Utility, December 2025 (B) 2. 2026-123 Review and Readoption of the State of Florida Code of Ethics for the GRU Authority (B) Recommendation: The GRU Authority review its ethics policy and adopt the State of Florida Code of Ethics. 2  3. 2026-124 Fuel Levelization and Purchased Gas Adjustment Regulatory Items Recommendation: The GRU Authority approve the removal of the portion of the regulatory asset in the Electric System and increase the portion of the regulatory liability in the Gas System. 4. 2026-125 Regulatory Items Recommendation: The GRU Authority affirm GRU’s regulatory items. K. CEO COMMENTS CEO Bielarski thanked the Board for their comments regarding GRU staff and addressed statements made during public comment on the Consent Agenda item. He highlighted the work of GRU and its employees during the recent cold weather event, noting that despite significant strain on gas supply across the eastern United States, GRU customers experienced no outages. Because of GRU’s prepayment agreement, the utility avoided the peak gas prices that others were forced to pay during that period. He commended Tom Brown, GRU’s COO, for his strong leadership while the CEO was on vacation. He also addressed additional issues raised during public comment. He provided further explanation of a resolution on the agenda, which will also be presented to the City Commission at its next meeting. Director Skinner asked whether, given the spike in energy costs, GRU had been able to sell any of its excess energy. CEO Bielarski confirmed that GRU had sold some power. Director Skinner also referenced a conversation with a board member from a Texas utility regarding why gas prices rise during cold weather, noting that equipment protection plays a role. He asked when the gas fuel adjustment might decrease, and CEO Bielarski responded. Director Skinner also commented on public remarks regarding DHR. Vice Chair Haslam stated that Board members do not have the authority to sell the utility; such an action would require a voter referendum. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Kiersten Ballou of Folds Walker requested that the Board sign a conflict waiver related to a small‑ claims matter that has been filed. Derek Perry clarified that the Board must approve the waiver collectively. 3  Ms. Ballou then stated the motion for approval of the conflict waiver as discussed. Director Jacobs asked whether representation would be needed. Ms. Ballou responded, followed by additional explanation from Scott Walker of Folds Walker. Derek Perry, GRU Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, also provided further clarification. Public Comment: Jim Konish Ms. Ballou then provided an update on GRU’s legal proceedings involving the City of Gainesville. Mr. Perry stated he had no additional comments at this time. Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved M. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2026-127 SRF Grant Resolution – Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hawai’i Wildfires (B) Debbie Daugherty, Water/Wastewater Officer, outlined the specific actions being requested of the Board. Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Jack Jacobs Recommendation: The GRU Authority (i) approve the resolution and authorize the Chair to execute the same, (ii) authorize the CEO to enter into the SRF loan agreement with the FDEP for the SAHM funding; (iii) authorize staff to take all necessary administrative actions to implement each of the foregoing. Approved 4  2. 2026-128 Resolution Authorizing Gainesville Regional Utilities Financial Transactions (B) Mark Benton, Director of Accounting and Finance, outlined the specific actions being requested of the Board, noting that the same request will also be presented to the Gainesville City Commission. Director Skinner asked for clarification, and Mr. Benton provided additional explanation. Director Haslam then asked Mr. Benton to describe the implications if the resolution were not approved. Mr. Benton responded, and CEO Bielarski added further comments regarding the consequences should the resolution fail to pass both the Authority and the City Commission. Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Nancy Deren Chair Lawson responded to several points raised during public comment. CEO Bielarski also offered remarks. Ms. Rasnick, Chief Financial Officer, addressed comments from the public as well, including clarification on the budget calendar, the financial audit, and the planned use of bond proceeds. Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Jack Jacobs Recommendation: The GRUA (1) adopt the resolution authorizing the CEO and/or the Chief Financial Officer to negotiate and execute the financial transactions, within prescribed execution parameters and select an underwriter pool to facilitate potential public market debt transactions, and (2) request the City Commission of the City of Gainesville to take certain actions in connection therewith necessary and proper to effectuate the orderly transition of governance. Approved N. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2026-126 Approval of Code of Business Conduct for the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority (B) Mr. Derek Perry outlined the specifics of what is being requested of the Board, noting that the Code of Business Conduct serves as the Board’s guiding document. He recommended that the Board revise the Protocols 5 for Citizens and emphasized that the Board has the authority to determine those procedures. The Board expressed support for implementing Public Comment speaker slips and agreed to move forward with that approach. Vice Chair Haslam stated his preference to move General Public Comment to the end of the meeting, immediately before Director Comments. He also supported creating a sign‑ up sheet for all Public Comment and maintaining a three‑ minute limit for all items except General Public Comment, which he suggested be limited to two minutes. Director Jacobs agreed with moving General Public Comment to the end of the meeting. He was not fully supportive of reducing speaking time to two minutes unless there is a large number of speakers. Regarding a sign‑ up sheet, he noted he was not entirely in favor, adding that once ongoing lawsuits conclude, public attendance may decrease. Mr. Perry recommended keeping the time limit at three minutes, reminding the Board that they already have the authority to adjust comment time during meetings if needed. Director Skinner supported keeping a consistent three‑ minute limit, with the option to reduce it to two minutes if there is a long line of speakers. He expressed support for a sign‑ up sheet and agreed with moving General Public Comment to the end of the meeting. Public Comment: Chuck Ross, Nancy Deren, Jeff Fitzgerald Vice Chair Haslam clarified the reasoning behind considering the relocation of General Public Comment mentioned during Public Comment. Director Jacobs added that moving General Public Comment to the end of the meeting is intended to help educate the public, not discourage participation. He noted that many attendees leave before key discussions occur and later claim that topics were not addressed. Director Skinner emphasized that the Board is not limiting public comment and reminded attendees that email remains available as an additional avenue for communication. He noted that Board members make an effort to respond or forward messages to the appropriate GRU staff. Recommendation: The GRU Authority review and discuss its code of business conduct and adopt it as is or provide direction on changes. 6  Amendment: Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Robert Skinner Vice Chair Haslam made a motion to maintain a three‑ minute limit for all Public Comment items; move General Public Comment to the end of the meeting, immediately before the final Director Comments; create a sign‑ up sheet for Public Comment; and present a finalized version of the Code of Business Conduct at the next GRUA meeting, updated to remove outdated information and reflect necessary name changes. Approved O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Chair Lawson thanked the Budget, Finance, and Accounting team for their hard work. P. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 7:23pm _________________________ Kunti Nesbitt, GRUA Staff Liaison 7