The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022-10-12 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2022 Lucie Harrell Conference Room Regular Meeting 9:00 AM 230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE WILMINGTON, NC 28403 I. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Adams called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Mr. Zapple moved to excuse Mr. Barfield from the meeting and Mr. Waddell until his arrival. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Waddell arrived at 9:05 AM. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Jennifer Adams Cape Fear Public Utility Chair Present Authority Wesley Corder Cape Fear Public Utility Vice -Chair Present Authority Jessica Cannon Cape Fear Public Utility Secretary Present Authority William Norris Cape Fear Public Utility Treasurer Present Authority Deans Hackney Cape Fear Public Utility Board Member Present Authority Hollis Briggs Cape Fear Public Utility Board Member Present Authority Larry Sneeden Cape Fear Public Utility Board Member Present Authority Jonathan Barfield Cape Fear Public Utility Commissioner Excused Authority Charlie Rivenbark Cape Fear Public Utility Councilman Present Authority Luke Waddell Cape Fear Public Utility Councilman Present 9:05 Authority AM Rob Zapple Cape Fear Public Utility Commissioner Present Authority Kenneth Waldroup Cape Fear Public Utility Executive Director Present Authority Linda Miles Miles Firm, PLLC CFPUA Consulting Attorney Present Carel Cape Fear Public Utility Deputy Executive Director Present Cal.,)e Fear Public Utility Authority Page I Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 Vandermeyden Authority Frank Styers Cape Fear Public Utility Deputy Executive Director Present Authority Beth Eckert Cape Fear Public Utility Director of EMD Present Authority John McLean Cape Fear Public Utility Chief Financial Officer Present Authority Kristine Irick Cape Fear Public Utility Customer Service Director Present Authority Julia Vosnock Cape Fear Public Utility Deputy Chief Financial Officer Present Faircloth Authority Vaughn Hagerty Cape Fear Public Utility Public Information Officer Present Authority Cammie Bellamy Cape Fear Public Utility Assistant PIO Present Authority Judy Lawton Cape Fear Public Utility Executive Assistant Present Authority Tim Holleman Lower Cape Fear Water & Director Present Sewer Authority Dave Sorenson Present Donna S. Pope Cape Fear Public Utility Clerk/Executive Secretary to Present Authority the Board III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Briggs moved to adopt the day's Agenda. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Authority Board -Regular Meeting -Sep 14, 2022 9:00 AM RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair SECONDER: Larry Sneeden, Board Member AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield V. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER Mr. Dave Sorenson spoke regarding customer service and leak adjustments. VI. CONSENT AGENDA 1. $507,972 Contract Amendment with Carolina Civil Works, Inc. for the 2022 Find -It Fix -It Water and Sewer Repairs Project Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page 2 Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 2. $90,885 Inter -Local Agreement with New Hanover County for CFPUA to Manage Construction of Water Main Relocations as part of the New Hanover County Storm Drain Improvements RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 3. Budget Ordinance 23-003 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 4. $775,000 Construction Contract with D&M Painting Corporation for the Veterans Park Elevated Water Tank project. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 5. $83,700 Contract Amendment # 1 with Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, P.C. for Veterans Park Water Tank Rehabilitation project. Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 6. $1,834,900 Construction Contract Award to MB Kahn Construction Company, Inc for Sweeney Phase II Ozone System Upgrades RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 7. $86,990.00 Contract Amendment with Black & Veatch International Company for Sweeney Phase II Ozone System Upgrades RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 8. $545,000 Design Contract with CDM Smith for South Castle Hayne Waterline Project RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 9. $949,000 Contract with CDM Smith for River Road Booster Pump Station and Waterline Interconnect project Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page 4 Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield 10. $386,803 Carolina Civilworks Inc. Design -Build Contract for Shamrock and Suncourt Villas Pump Station Project RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: William Norris, Treasurer SECONDER: Wesley Corder, Vice -Chair AYES: Adams, Corder, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Sneeden, Rivenbark, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Barfield VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Administrative Reports i. Attorney's Report Ms. Miles had no report but requested a closed session to discuss CFPUA v. Chemours and NC DEQ, and a personnel item. ii. Executive Director's Report 1. Key Indicators Report Ms. Eckert and Mr. Vandermeyden answered clarification questions about the key indicators report. RESULT: REVIEWED 2. Safety Report ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ............... RESULT: REVIEWED 3. Environmental Report RESULT: REVIEWED 4. Strategic Plan Update Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 RESULT: REVIEWED B. Committee Reports i. Executive Committee 1. Executive Committee - Regular- Oct 5, 2022 10:00 AM RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED ii. Long Range Planning Committee The Committee did not meet in September. iii. Finance Committee 1. Finance Committee -Regular Meeting- Oct 5, 2022 9:00 AM ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ................. RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED 2. Monthly Financials RESULT: REVIEWED 3. AIMS Strategic Plan Intiative ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ................. RESULT: REVIEWED iv. Sustainability Committee The Committee did not meet in September. v. Human Resource Committee Mr. Briggs reported that the Committee did not have a quorum at its September 27 meeting and reviewed informational items presented by staff, including Strategic Plan initiative updates. Training and 360 evaluations continue for management staff, from the Executive Director to foremen. Employee benefits open enrollment began in October for calendar year 2023. Health insurance is through the State Health Plan, and other benefit contracts were negotiated in 2021 and continue at the same rates as 2022. A Request for Proposals for the DEI consultant was published in September, with an October 11 deadline for proposals. Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 Staff is developing revisions to the drug and alcohol policy that would allow a "last chance" program for employees with positive results on random drug tests. CFPUA already has an Employee Assistance Program for employees who self -disclose issues with alcohol or other substances. Ms. McKoy answered questions from Board members regarding the proposed program. The present policy requires termination after a positive drug test. The new program would be used when an employee in otherwise good standing tests positive after an accident or during random testing. The proposed program is designed after the North Carolina Commercial Driver's License assistance program. The employee would be offered counseling with up to two years of monitoring. Any subsequent positive test would be cause for termination. Ms. McKoy answered questions from Board members regarding employment following a criminal conviction. 1. Human Resources Committee -Regular -Sep 27, 2022 1:30 PM RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED 2. Employee Benefits Plan Year 2023 ... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: REVIEWED 3. Strategic Initiative Updates RESULT: REVIEWED vi. Communications Committee In Mr. Barfield's absence, Mr. Briggs presented the report. The Committee received a recommendation from staff regarding a customer satisfaction survey and provided feedback to staff to further refine the survey. This is a Strategic Plan initiative. 1. Communications Committee - Regular- Sep 29, 2022 2:00 PM ... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED C. Consolidation Study Report Mr. Hackney reported that he, Mr. Sneeden, Wrightsville Beach Mayor Mills and Alderman Dull represent the governing Boards in the consolidation study. Both CFPUA and the Town Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page 7 Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 chose the consultant to work on the study, and the group has held its first meeting. The consultation report is expected to come to the governing Boards in April 2023. Mr. Hackney stated that all involved are committed to the process and aim for fairness to both CFPUA and Wrightsville Beach customers. The group is reviewing the Town's capital improvements program, and a rate model study will be a component of the report. Mr. Hackney thanked Chairwoman Adams for selecting Mr. Sneeden and him for the consolidation team. The Board discussed differences in rates between CFPUA and the Town and the importance of ensuring that CFPUA's ratepayers be protected from increases associated with consolidation. Mr. Waldroup reported that there are rate differential models that could be used in a consolidation. Mr. Sneeden reported that the study group asked the consultant to use CFPUA's criteria from its ten-year capital improvements program in analyzing the Town's infrastructure. He agreed with Mr. Hackney that both the Town and CFPUA representatives are committed to a full review of consolidation options. 1. Utility Consolidation Study Update RESULT: REVIEWED VIII.OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. IX. AUTHORITY Q & A/CLOSING COMMENTS There were no further comments or questions from Board members. X. CLOSED SESSION Mr. Norris moved to enter closed session to discuss a personnel matter and CFPUA claim against Chemours and DEQ. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 9:50 AM, with Ms. Miles present. Ms. Pope, Ms. McKoy, and Mr. Waldroup were present for portions of the closed session. XI. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AND ADJOURNMENT The Board returned to open session at 10:35 AM. Mr. Rivenbark moved to revise Mr. Waldroup's employment contract as follows: A 5 percent cost of living adjustment, for an annual salary of $189,000, retroactive to July 1, 2022; Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board October 12, 2022 An 8.3 percent increase to the car allowance, for a total of $433.20 per month, with Mr. Waldroup being able to expense mileage for travel 50 miles beyond New Hanover County at CFPUA's prevailing mileage rate; An 8.3 percent increase to the cell phone allowance, for a total of $58.48 per month; And education and travel allowance up to $5,000 for 2023; and Vacation accrual at CFPUA's highest accrual rate of 7.384 hours biweekly. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Ms. Adams adjourned the meeting by consensus at 10:37 AM. The next CFPUA meeting will be the agency's Annual Meeting. The Board will meet at 9:00 AM in the Lucie Harrell Conference Room, New Hanover County Bruce Shell Administration Building, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Respectfully submitted, Donna S. Pope Clerk to the Board Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page