Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

MINUTES

-
GRU Administration Building
301 SE 4th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Members Present:
  • Chair Craig Carter, 
  • Vice-Chair James Coats, IV, 
  • Robert Karow, 
  • and Eric Lawson 

A.
CALL TO ORDER

  

Chair Carter called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. 

B.
ROLL CALL

  

C.
INVOCATION

  

Pastor Chipper Flaniken provided the invocation. 

D.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  

E.
CHAIR COMMENTS

  

Chair Carter provided comments related to the meeting. 

F.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

  

Jim Konish, Debbie Martinez, Coulder Halloway, Gene Childers, Kimpope Joy, Alex Hood, Bobby Mermer, Armando Grundy-Gomez, James Angle

The CEO addressed a question posed by one of the citizens.

Robert Karow joined the meeting at 5:34 PM.

G.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  

1st Motion - Public Comment: Jim Konish, Armando Grundy-Gomez

2nd Motion - No Public Comment

  • Moved byRobert Karow
    Seconded byVice-Chair Coats

    First Motion: Move Item #2024-137 Escrow for Government Services Contribution (GSC) to the #2 Item on the agenda with the addition of the removal of the consent item #2024-116 Lift Station 1 Improvements to the spot following the Escrow for Government Services. 

     

    Motion did not pass due to tied vote. 

    Aye (2)Vice-Chair Coats, and Robert Karow
    Nay (2)Eric Lawson, and Chair Carter
    Tied (2 to 2)
  • Moved byVice-Chair Coats
    Seconded byEric Lawson

    Second Motion: Adopt the agenda and remove the consent item and place on the regular agenda following item#2024-137 Escrow for Government Services Contribution (GSC)

     

     

     

    Aye (4)Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, Eric Lawson, and Chair Carter
    Approved (4 to 0)

H.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

  

There was no public comment. 

  • Moved byVice-Chair Coats
    Seconded byEric Lawson
    Aye (4)Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, Eric Lawson, and Chair Carter
    Approved (4 to 0)

I.
CONSENT AGENDA

  

1.
2024-116 Lift Station 1 Improvements (B)

This item has attachments.  

Item removed from consent agenda per earlier motion and added to the end of the regular agenda, following item#2024-137. 

The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the item. 

Water Wastewater Officer Debbie Daugherty spoke to the item. 

The board discussed the item. 

Public Comment: Donald Shepherd

  • Moved byVice-Chair Coats
    Seconded byRobert Karow

    Recommendation: The GRU Authority authorize the CEO/General Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a contract with SGS Contracting Services for Lift Station No. 1 Improvements for the price of $4,722,700, subject to legal review and approval. 

    Aye (4)Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, Eric Lawson, and Chair Carter
    Approved (4 to 0)

J.
CEO/GM COMMENTS

  

The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, provided some comments related to the meeting. 

Chair Carter and Member Karow provided some additional comments related to the IRP item on the agenda. 

K.
ATTORNEY COMMENTS

  

Attorney Scott Walker, with Folds Walker, provided some additional comments. 

L.
BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

  

1.
2024-114 IRP Introduction and Preliminary Results (B)

This item has attachments.  

The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, introduced the topic. 

Chief Sustainability Officer, Eric Walters, presented on Part I on the item at hand. 

Member Karow inquired about the IRP. 

Mark Anderson, Account Director for The Energy Authority, presented on The Energy Authority and their relationship with GRU. 

Chair Carter inquired about some items related to Mr. Anderson's presentation. 

Chief Sustainability Officer, Eric Walters, presented on Part II on the item at hand. 

Public Comment: Jim Konish, David Hastings, Donald Shepherd, James Angle, Angela Casteel, Tom Cunilio, Nancy Deren, Armando Grundy-Gomez

The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, spoke to the item at hand. 

Chair Carter spoke to the issue.  

  • Recommendation: Hear staff presentations on the Integrated Resource Plan process and preliminary results and market overview presentation from TEA. 

    Heard

2.
2024-115 Agreements and Associations (B)

This item has attachments.  

The CEO/GM, Tony Cunningham, spoke to the item. 

Chair Carter spoke to the item.

Vice Chair Coats mentioned a cybersecurity issue that occurred with Jacksonville Beach Utilities. He inquired if our IT Dept. could present on the topic of cybersecurity at a future GRU Authority meeting. 

Member Karow and Member Lawson also spoke to the item.

Public Comment: Kathleen Pagan (Escribe comment - read in the record during earlier public comment), Jim Konish, Donald Shepherd, Bobby Mermer, James Angle, Angela Casteel, Nancy Deren, Kimpope Joy

  • Moved byRobert Karow
    Seconded byVice-Chair Coats

    Recommendation: 1.) Implement Phase 2 plan to modify relationships: IT, network connectivity, Connect Free, streetlights and FY24 service reductions. 2.) Evaluate Phase 3, which includes obtaining the most cost-effective services with the highest value and determining whether the best source is internal, external or GG.

    Motion: Amended from Initial Recommendation - Implement Phase 2 plan to modify relationships: IT, network connectivity and Connect Free

    Phase III does not require the motion as it's already in effect and was purely affirming that the board is an agreement, which they affirmed that they are indeed.

    Aye (4)Vice-Chair Coats, Robert Karow, Eric Lawson, and Chair Carter
    Approved (4 to 0)

3.
2024-137 Escrow for Government Services Contribution (GSC) (NB)

This item has attachments.  

Vice Chair Coats introduced the item. 

The board spoke to the item. 

Attorney Scott Walker spoke to the item. 

Public Comment: Armando Grundy-Gomez, Bobby Murmur, Jim Konish, Donald Shepherd, Angela Casteel, Roberta Gastmeyer, James Angle, Nancy Deren, Tyler Forrest

The board spoke to the item. 

  • Moved byRobert Karow
    Seconded byVice-Chair Coats

    Recommendation: GRU Authority members discuss and recommend next steps. 

    Motion (Amendment from Original Recommendation): To withhold the entire GSC payment to General Government.

     

    Motion did not pass due to tied vote. 

    Aye (2)Vice-Chair Coats, and Robert Karow
    Nay (2)Eric Lawson, and Chair Carter
    Tied (2 to 2)

M.
MEMBER COMMENT

  

Chair Carter provided a comment.

N.
ADJOURNMENT

  

The meeting was adjourned at 10:35pm.

Chair Craig Carter left the meeting at 10:35 PM.
Vice-Chair James Coats, IV left the meeting at 10:35 PM.
Robert Karow left the meeting at 10:35 PM.
Eric Lawson left the meeting at 10:35 PM.
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