HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFPUA 12 10 2014 Regular meeting
CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
AUTHORITY BOARD
MINUTES
DECEMBER 10, 2014
Lucie Harrell Conference Room Regular Meeting 9:00 AM
230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NC 28403
I. CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Kusek called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Ms. Wolf moved to excuse Mr. Brown. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and Mr. Brown was
unanimously excused. Ms. Kusek declared a quorum present.
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Patricia Kusek Cape Fear Public Utility Chair Present
Authority
Jim Quinn Cape Fear Public Utility Vice Chair Present
Authority
James Brumit Cape Fear Public Utility Secretary Present
Authority
Mike Brown Cape Fear Public Utility Treasurer Excused
Authority
Cindee Wolf Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
William Norris Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
Larry Sneeden Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
Kevin O'Grady Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
Charlie Rivenbark Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
Woody White Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
Thomas Wolfe Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
Jim Flechtner Cape Fear Public Utility Executive Director Present
Authority
Linda Miles Cape Fear Public Utility Attorney Present
Authority
Karen Durso Cape Fear Public Utility Assistant to the Executive Present
Authority Director
Donna Pope Clerk/Executive Secretary to the
Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority Board
Frank Styers Chief Operations Officer
Cape Fear Public Utility Present
Authority
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Minutes Authority Board December 10, 2014
Carel Cape Fear Public Utility Director of Engineering Present
Vandermeyden Authority
Cheryl Spivey Cape Fear Public Utility Chief Financial Officer Present
Authority
Kristine Irick Cape Fear Public Utility Customer Service Director Present
Authority
Beth Eckert Cape Fear Public Utility Director of EMD Present
Authority
Julie McLawhon Cape Fear Public Utility Budget/Finance Manager Present
Authority
Julia Vosnock Cape Fear Public Utility Procurement Manager Present
Authority
John Payne Cape Fear Public Utility Internal Auditor Present
Authority
Ken Vogt Cape Fear Public Utility WWT Superintendent Present
Authority
Mike McGill Cape Fear Public Utility Chief Communications Officer Present
Authority
Eric Hatcher Cape Fear Public Utility Emergency Management Present
Authority Coordinator
Richard King City of Wilmington Present
Heidi Cox Public Water Supply Present
Jim Iannucci New Hanover County Present
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Mr. Flechtner presented the Agenda and requested the addition of an Operations Report and
the deletion of Item 3 under the Executive Director Report. Mr. Rivenbark moved to approve
the revised Agenda. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and the Agenda was adopted
unanimously.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Authority Board - Annual Meeting - Nov 12, 2014 9:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James Brumit, Secretary
SECONDER: Larry Sneeden
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
V. PRESENTATION
1. Large Utility Disaster Preparedness Award
Mr. Flechtner presented the North Carolina American Water Works Association Large
Utility Disaster Preparedness Award, and Mr. Hatcher accepted on behalf of Authority
staff. Mr. Flechtner thanked Mr. Hatcher for his dedication, professionalism, and
leadership in guiding staff towards the award.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER
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Minutes Authority Board December 10, 2014
There were no speakers.
VII. SPEAKER UPDATE FROM THE NOVEMBER 12 BOARD MEETING
Mr. Flechtner reported on the two speakers from the November meeting.
The Long Range Planning Committee reviewed the Platts' request for reimbursement and
determined that staff had followed appropriate procedures and that the Authority should not
reimburse the Platts' expenses.
Ms. Miles would discuss negotiations with Mr. Coggins and his clients during the meeting's
closed session.
VIII. CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. O'Grady requested that Item 4 be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. He
moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Mr. Brumit seconded the motion,
and it passed unanimously.
1. Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute a Sewer Capacity Reservation
Agreement with SEL Property Investors, LLC
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kevin O'Grady
SECONDER: James Brumit, Secretary
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
2. Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute Contract Amendment with McKim &
Creed, Inc. for the PS 9/11 Improvements and Water Street Infrastructure Project
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kevin O'Grady
SECONDER: James Brumit, Secretary
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
3. Authorization for the Executive Director to Enter into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with
the City of Wilmington for the Water Street Infrastructure Project.
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Minutes Authority Board December 10, 2014
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kevin O'Grady
SECONDER: James Brumit, Secretary
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
4. Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute a $500,000 Construction Change
Order with Cajenn Construction & Rehabilitation Services, Inc. for the Waltmoor Sewer
Rehab Phase II Project and to Extend the Contract Duration by 365 Days.
Mr. Vandermeyden answered clarification questions regarding the Find It Fix It program
and the contract amendment. Ms. Miles reported that Find It Fix It was an integral part
of the EPA Consent Decree. Mr. O'Grady moved to approve Item 4. Mr. Rivenbark
seconded the motion, and the change order was approved unanimously.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kevin O'Grady
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
5. Award of Water & Wastewater Treatment Chemical Contracts
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kevin O'Grady
SECONDER: James Brumit, Secretary
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
6. Authorization for Sole Source Purchase of Mec Floc Coagulation Emulsion Polymer For
the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kevin O'Grady
SECONDER: James Brumit, Secretary
AYES: Kusek, Quinn, Brumit, Wolf, Norris, Sneeden, O'Grady, Rivenbark, White, Wolfe
EXCUSED: Brown
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Administrative Reports
i. Attorney's Report
Ms. Miles had nothing to report in open session. She requested a closed session to
discuss a legal claim and reported that Mr. Brumit required a closed session to discuss a
personnel item.
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Minutes Authority Board December 10, 2014
ii. Executive Director's Report
Mr. Flechtner referred the Board to the Environmental and Safety reports in the Agenda
packet. Mr. Sneeden complimented staff on the safety record.
1. Environmental Report
2. Safety Performance Report
3. Utility Infrastructure Agreement for Proposed School
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
iii. iii. Operations Report
Mr. Styers presented a staff recommendation for a sole source award of purchase and
repair contracts with Gregory Poole Power Systems and Lancaster Electric. The
contracts would not exceed $200,000. Staff recommended the use of $200,000 in
operating contingency funds to fund the contracts, and the supporting Supplemental
Appropriations Ordinance was presented.
Mr. Styers answered questions from Board members regarding the cause of generator
failure, the Gregory Poole equipment warranty, and the specialized knowledge of
Lancaster Electric. Ms. Miles answered questions regarding the sole source award.
Following discussion, Mr. Rivenbark moved to approve both the sole source award on
the purchase and repair contracts with Gregory Poole Power Systems and Lancaster
Electric and the Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance transferring $200,000 from the
Operating Contingency to the Operating Expenditure budget. Mr. Norris seconded the
motion, and it passed unanimously.
Messrs. Quinn and Wolfe reported that the Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority
had realized electrical cost savings through a Duke Energy Progress program which
provided credits for generator use.
B. Committee Reports
i. Executive Committee
Ms. Kusek referred the Board to the Committee minutes in the Agenda packet.
1. Executive Committee Minutes
ii. Long Range Planning Committee
Mr. Sneeden asked Mr. Vandermeyden to report to the Board. The Committee met on
November 20, and recommended an item that had been approved on the Consent
Agenda, reviewed the preliminary FY2016 Capital Improvement Project budget, and
reviewed the Platts' request for reimbursement. There were no questions for Mr.
Vandermeyden.
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Minutes Authority Board December 10, 2014
1. Long Range Planning Committee - Regular - Nov 20, 2014 3:00 PM
2. 7510 Mason Landing Road Sewer Service Update
iii. Finance Committee
Mr. Flechtner introduced the Preliminary Budget for FY2016. No rate change is
anticipated for the new year. Water consumption has increasd slightly. Excluding
salaries and benefits, the goal for expenditures is no greater than two percent over the
current budget.
Ms. Spivey presented the preliminary budget information. Debt service represents the
largest part of the Authority's budget and the primary rate driver. Debt service for
FY2016 will be $23,600,000, which is $4,400,000 less than FY2015. Debt service will
increase in FY2017.
Ms. Spivey presented a debt comparison chart analyzing City, County, and Authority
debt. Much of the debt in the early years of operation was transferred from the County
or City. Most of the $317 million in current debt has been incurred by the Authority,
some of it through re-funding of earlier bonds.
The next step of Board budget considerations will be a Capital Improvements workshop
scheduled for January 14. Following the regular Authority meeting, the Board will
reconvene in the Authority administration building at 235 Government Center and
consider capital projects for FY2016.
Detailed expenditure information will be available in January for the purpose of
modeling rates.
Ms. Spivey referred the Board to the November financial reports in the Agenda packet.
Ms. Wolf asked for information on an email from a customer regarding his account. Mr.
Flechtner reported that the problem occurred due to an anomaly and that staff had
worked out the issue with the customer and taken steps to ensure it did not re-occur.
Ms. Spivey reported that staff was reviewing the Duke Energy Progress initiative
mentioned by Messrs. Quinn and Wolfe.
1. Finance Committee - Regular Meeting - Dec 3, 2014 9:00 AM
2. FY16 Preliminary Budget Review
3. Monthly Financials and Customer Service Report
X. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
XI. AUTHORITY Q&A / CLOSING COMMENTS
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Minutes Authority Board December 10, 2014
There were no questions and no further closing comments.
XII. CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Rivenbark moved to enter into closed session to discuss a claim and a personnel matter.
Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session
at 9:30 AM, with Ms. Miles, Messrs. Flechtner and Styers, and Ms. Pope in attendance. The
Board received a report from Ms. Miles. Messrs. Flechtner and Styers left the meeting at 9:40
AM.
The Board discussed a personnel item.
Mr. Rivenbark moved to return to open session. Ms. Wolf seconded the motion, and the Board
returned to open session at 10:00 AM.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Norris moved to adjourn. Ms. Wolf seconded the motion, and the Authority adjourned at
10:01 AM.
The next regular meeting of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will be Wednesday, January
14. The Board will convene at 9:00 AM and will meet in the Lucie Harrell Conference Room,
230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Immediately following the regular
Authority meeting, the Board will reconvene at the Authority offices, 235 Government Center
Drive, for a Capital Improvements workshop.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna S. Pope
Clerk to the Board
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