HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-12 Regular Meeting Minutes
CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
AUTHORITY BOARD
MINUTES
JULY 12, 2017
Lucie Harrell Conference Room Regular Meeting 9:00 AM
230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE
WILMINGTON, NC 28403
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Mr. Brown declared a quorum present. Mr. Rivenbark moved to excuse Ms. Kusek and Mr.
O'Grady. Ms. Wolf seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived
Mike Brown Cape Fear Public Chair Present
Utility Authority
Jennifer Adams Cape Fear Public Vice-Chair Present
Utility Authority
Larry Sneeden Cape Fear Public Secretary Present
Utility Authority
William Norris Cape Fear Public Treasurer Present
Utility Authority
Cindee Wolf Cape Fear Public Board Member Present
Utility Authority
Chuck Davis Cape Fear Public Board Member Present
Utility Authority
Patricia Kusek Cape Fear Public Commissioner Excused
Utility Authority
Charlie Rivenbark Cape Fear Public Councilman Present
Utility Authority
Kevin O'Grady Cape Fear Public Councilman Excused
Utility Authority
Skip Watkins Cape Fear Public Commissioner Present
Utility Authority
Wesley Corder Cape Fear Public Board Member Present
Utility Authority
Jim Flechtner Cape Fear Public Executive Director Present
Utility Authority
Linda Miles Miles Firm, PLLC CFPUA Consulting Attorney Present
Frank Styers Cape Fear Public Chief Operations Officer Present
Utility Authority
John McLean Cape Fear Public Chief Financial Officer Present
Utility Authority
Beth Eckert Cape Fear Public Director of EMD Present
Utility Authority
Carel Vandermeyden Cape Fear Public Director of Engineering Present
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 1
Minutes Authority Board July 12, 2017
Utility Authority
Kristine Irick Cape Fear Public Customer Service Director Present
Utility Authority
Lindsey Hallock Cape Fear Public Executive Administrator/Assistant Present
Utility Authority Communications O
Donna Pope Cape Fear Public Clerk/Executive Secretary to the Present
Utility Authority Board
Ruth Ravitz Smith New Hanover County Present
Jim Iannucci New Hanover County Present
Richard King City of Wilmington Present
Heidi Cox NC Public Water Present
Supply
Carter Hubbard WK Dickson Present
Mike McGill Water PIO Present
James A. Kadner Present
Harper Peterson Present
Eckel & Vaughn Present
representatives
Media Representatives Present
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Authority Board - Regular Meeting - Jun 14, 2017 9:00 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: Skip Watkins, Commissioner
SECONDER: William Norris, Treasurer
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
IV. PRESENTATION- UPDATE ON GENX
Mr. Flechtner updated the group on activities related to the GenX water issue. CFPUA has
engaged Black & Veatch, the designer of the Sweeney plant, to investigate and test additional
treatment methods, including new filter materials and the use of reverse osmosis. CFPUA
has engaged the services of Catlin Engineering to test and study the Aquifer Storage and
Recovery area, which holds 49 million gallons of treated water from the Sweeney plant.
Mr. Flechtner reported that CFPUA is participating in seven ongoing scientific studies. Staff has
attended three public forums to discuss water issues and provide information to citizens. Mr.
Flechtner thanked WHQR, Clean Cape Fear, and Messrs. Harper Peterson and Kemp Burdette
for working with CFPUA to provide information to the community.
Water at the Sweeney plant has been sampled three times since June 26. The first test results
are available, and GenX is still present but at lower levels than previously. CFPUA continues to
press NC DEQ and the EPA for action and is investigating its legal options.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 2
Minutes Authority Board July 12, 2017
Mr. Kadnar spoke regarding high volumetric billing at his residence. He reported that the issue
has gone on for several months and that he does not have a leak. The Board referred Mr.
Kadnar to staff to investigate and assist him.
Mr. McGill spoke in opposition to the Eckel & Vaughn contract amendment. Mr. Brown and
other Board members responded.
Mr. Peterson thanked Messrs. Brown and Flechtner for their participation in public forums. He
stressed the need for community outreach and information to customers who might not
receive the newspaper, watch television news, or use the internet. He encouraged CFPUA to
continue to find avenues to reach out to the public. He spoke against the FY18 rate increase
and stated that CFPUA would be under constant scrutiny. He asked when Mr. Kearns knew
about the GenX test results and why there had been no statement from Mr. Richardson.
VI. SPEAKER UPDATE FROM THE JUNE 14 BOARD MEETING
Mr. Flechtner reported that four people spoke in June regarding the GenX issue. CFPUA actions
regarding GenX had been provided in his earlier update.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Norris moved to approve the Consent Agenda, in its entirety. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the
motion, and it passed unanimously.
1. OCCP Contract FY18 Renewal
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
2. Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute a $180,000 Contract Amendment
with W.K. Dickson & Co., Inc. for the Downtown Gravity Phase 1 Asset Inventory and
Assessment Project
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
3. Authorization for the Executive Director to transfer ownership of existing water mains
on the Grace Baptist Church Inc. property to the property owner and execute a $7,715
cost sharing agreement to facilitate the transfer.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 3
Minutes Authority Board July 12, 2017
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
4. Resolutions Accepting Low Interest State Loans for Capital Projects
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
5. Asphalt Replacement & Repair Services Contract Amendment
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
6. Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute a $330,987 Cost Sharing Agreement
Amendment with Water Street Ventures, LLC for Participation with Water and Sewer
Improvements Associated with the River Place Development
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
7. Ordinance Revision to Refund System Development Charges under Certain Conditions
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
8. Ordinance Revision for System Extensions and Cost Recovery Policy
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 4
Minutes Authority Board July 12, 2017
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
9. Bulk Sewage Conveyance and Treatment Rate with Criteria
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
10. SAS Water Tank
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer
SECONDER: Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman
AYES: Brown, Adams, Sneeden, Norris, Wolf, Davis, Rivenbark, Watkins, Corder
EXCUSED: Kusek, O'Grady
11. Authorization for the Executive Director to Enter into a $40,000 Amendment to the
Contract with Eckel & Vaughan
Mr. Norris moved to approve the contract amendment as part of the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
RESULT: REVIEWED
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Administrative Reports
i. Attorney's Report
Ms. Miles had no report for open session. She requested a closed session to discuss a
claim and for the Board to provide direction to legal counsel.
ii. Executive Director's Report
Mr. Flechtner referred the Board to the Environmental, Safety, Key Indicator, and
Quarterly CIP reports in the Agenda packet. There were no questions.
1. July Environmental Report
2. Key Indicator Report
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 5
Minutes Authority Board July 12, 2017
3. Safety Report
4. Quarterly CIP Report
B. Committee Reports
i. Executive Committee
Executive Committee Minutes July 5, 2017
RESULT: REVIEWED
ii. Long Range Planning Committee
1. Long Range Planning Committee - Regular - Jun 22, 2017 3:00 PM
RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED
iii. Finance Committee
1. Finance Committee - Regular Meeting - Jul 5, 2017 9:00 AM
RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED
2. July Finance and Customer Service Report
Mr. McLean presented the financial data for June, representing the close of
Fiscal Year 2017. Operating revenues exceeded expenditures by $5.6 million.
The total fund balance was $136.9 million, and $125.9 million of the fund
balance was unrestricted. Mr. McLean answered clarification questions
regarding the spend-down of unrestricted cash. The amount of cash reserves to
be maintained for adequate working capital is $70,000,000.
RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED
IX. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
X. AUTHORITY Q&A / CLOSING COMMENTS
The Board discussed the GenX issues, and Mr. Flechtner answered questions regarding public
outreach.
XI. CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Norris moved to enter closed session to discuss a claim and provide direction to legal
counsel. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered
closed session at 9:45 AM.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 6
Minutes Authority Board July 12, 2017
Following a report from Ms. Miles and related Board discussion and direction, Ms. Wolf moved
to return to open session. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The
Board returned to open session at 10:20 AM.
XII. ADJOURN
Mr. Norris moved to adjourn. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 AM.
The next regular CFPUA meeting is Wednesay, August 9, 2017. The Board will meet at 9:00 AM
in the Lucie Harrell Conference Room, New Hanover County Administration Building, 230
Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna S. Pope
Clerk to the Board
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Page 7